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A Formidable Frontier: Book 9 of the Peninsular War Saga
October, 1813.
With the town of San Sebastian successfully stormed and the siege of Pamplona finally taking effect, Lord Wellington’s army is ready to invade France. Ahead of them is the wide estuary of the Bidassoa River and the mountain of La Rhune, heavily fortified by Marshal Soult’s army.
After the horrors of Vitoria and San Sebastian, Major-General Paul van Daan’s brigade of the Light Division is coming together again. Officers and men are returning from sick leave and the arrival of Wellington’s new ADC reunites Paul with an old friend. Meanwhile, Paul's wife Anne faces new challenges as a chaotic French retreat leaves their wounded behind.
Captain Giles Fenwick, struggling to recover from the wound received at San Sebastian, has to find a way to work with a new Spanish protégé, Captain Don Angel a man with a difficult past which is about to catch up with him.
Captain Simon Carlyon has discovered a new sympathy for his most awkward junior officer, but Ensign Fox’s attempts to integrate into the brigade are proving difficult.
Lieutenant Evan Powell has to make a choice between personal loyalty and career prospects as the army advances beyond the Bidassoa towards the Nivelle and into France, while as the French defences begin to crumble Colonel Gabriel Bonnet is faced with a difficult choice.
As Wellington’s army crosses the formidable frontier to establish itself in France for the first time, new friendships become entangled with old enmities, creating a bigger headache for Paul than the retreating French army.
With the town of San Sebastian successfully stormed and the siege of Pamplona finally taking effect, Lord Wellington’s army is ready to invade France. Ahead of them is the wide estuary of the Bidassoa River and the mountain of La Rhune, heavily fortified by Marshal Soult’s army.
After the horrors of Vitoria and San Sebastian, Major-General Paul van Daan’s brigade of the Light Division is coming together again. Officers and men are returning from sick leave and the arrival of Wellington’s new ADC reunites Paul with an old friend. Meanwhile, Paul's wife Anne faces new challenges as a chaotic French retreat leaves their wounded behind.
Captain Giles Fenwick, struggling to recover from the wound received at San Sebastian, has to find a way to work with a new Spanish protégé, Captain Don Angel a man with a difficult past which is about to catch up with him.
Captain Simon Carlyon has discovered a new sympathy for his most awkward junior officer, but Ensign Fox’s attempts to integrate into the brigade are proving difficult.
Lieutenant Evan Powell has to make a choice between personal loyalty and career prospects as the army advances beyond the Bidassoa towards the Nivelle and into France, while as the French defences begin to crumble Colonel Gabriel Bonnet is faced with a difficult choice.
As Wellington’s army crosses the formidable frontier to establish itself in France for the first time, new friendships become entangled with old enmities, creating a bigger headache for Paul than the retreating French army.
549 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2024
50 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Bryant
29 books34 followersLynn Bryant was born and raised in London’s East End. She studied History at University and had dreams of being a writer from a young age. Since this was clearly not something a working class girl made good could aspire to, she had a variety of careers including a librarian, NHS administrator, relationship counsellor and manager of an art gallery before realising that most of these were just as unlikely as being a writer and took the step of publishing her first book.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 17, 2024
Please read all of Lynn Bryant’s books
Lynn Bryant is a fantastic storyteller and deep historian. I’ve read dozens of books covering Bryant’s areas of interest and hers are the best at weaving fact and fiction into an entertaining narrative.
Of the many authors I follow, Lynn Bryant is the one whose new releases I will buy and read immediately.
Thanks Lynn, for all your efforts!
Lynn Bryant is a fantastic storyteller and deep historian. I’ve read dozens of books covering Bryant’s areas of interest and hers are the best at weaving fact and fiction into an entertaining narrative.
Of the many authors I follow, Lynn Bryant is the one whose new releases I will buy and read immediately.
Thanks Lynn, for all your efforts!
December 18, 2024
another great read!
Draws you in from the first chapter, catching up with all the old favourites as they dice with death on a daily basis, battling Napoleons army, and trying to survive their wounds, despite the regimental health care ( Not including Mrs van Daan’s excellent team).
Draws you in from the first chapter, catching up with all the old favourites as they dice with death on a daily basis, battling Napoleons army, and trying to survive their wounds, despite the regimental health care ( Not including Mrs van Daan’s excellent team).
December 19, 2024
To my recollection, this is the first book of the many I have read about the Peninsular War that moves into France. This very good series keeps me interested, and I look forward to the next episode. Paul and Nan's relationship with Wellington grows steadily towards friendship; to the benefit of all parties
December 18, 2024
Wellington Into France
Having driven Napoleon’s armies out of Spain, the allies begin the fight into France. Very well done. And I am pleased she plans another series, the Revolutionary War at sea.
Having driven Napoleon’s armies out of Spain, the allies begin the fight into France. Very well done. And I am pleased she plans another series, the Revolutionary War at sea.
January 30, 2025
Defeat in the cards
Paul Van Dan is about to bring about Napoiean’s downfall. His concern for his men is wonderfully fascinating. People are what makes these stories so readable. Awaiting the next chapter.
Paul Van Dan is about to bring about Napoiean’s downfall. His concern for his men is wonderfully fascinating. People are what makes these stories so readable. Awaiting the next chapter.
February 23, 2025
Very enjoyable series. Very descriptive and I learned some new things about that war and time. Thank you. I wish there were a few more books in the series. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews