King's Shadow

by Judith Polley

Katherine Ashley’s life is shattered when her betrothed is killed fighting for Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester. Her sole aim is revenge on the man who killed him—the daring Royalist captain Sir Justin Douglas, known as the King’s Shadow. Her chance comes unexpectedly early, but when Katherine finds herself facing her sworn enemy, her hatred becomes strangely uncertain. She is suddenly caught up in a sinister web of intrigue. Mysteriously, Justin is always at the centre of the web, so how can Katherine escape? Will she ever discover for herself that revenge is sweet-especially

Genres: 17th Century

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Pseudonym used by Judith Hagar. AKA Valentina Luellen and Helen Kent.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am bumping up my original review written in 2017 for those that enjoy older historical romances. I had said that I didn't believe this story was available anywhere in an e-format. It is now, on openlibrary.org, under the title The Serpent and the Dove. Check it out; it's free!

Before now, I have read two historical stories that took place during the English Civil War era and I gave them high marks. The King's Shadow is now my third such book. All of them are a historical fiction/non-fiction mix with a light romance.

Katherine Ashley, the daughter of a Roundhead, was betrothed to a gentle man. Before they could marry, he joined up to fight with the the army of the Lord Protector (real-life Oliver Cromwell). It was expected of him. He was killed and Katherine heard it was at the hands of Sir Justin Douglas, The King's Shadow . None of what I have told you is a spoiler, it is mentioned in the first two pages.

What made this story a four-star narrative were the two ‘villains’: her deceased fiance’s older brother (a devious man who wants her for his own) and Katherine’s own father. You wouldn’t want to be related to either man.

There was also Katherine’s and Justin’s unusual relationship. At the beginning, they loathe each other. If looks could kill, both of them would have offed the other. And yet.....

If you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope and don’t have issues with a kisses only romance, search for this book. I don’t believe it is available in an e-format.

It was enjoyable to see the two characters fight their silent attraction. And they do fight. It is not a bodice ripper but I thought it portrayed an honest view of how each would have treated the other in the mid-1600s. Remember, for the most part women were considered chattel. They had little to say regarding their future.

Why four stars? The last two chapters: it was different. Don’t worry, there is closure and a HEA.


Cromwell's Captain by Anne (Wakefield) Madden 5 stars

Tied for second place:
A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley 4 stars
The King's Shadow by Judith Polley 4 stars

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the time of the English Civil War the Hero is a Cavalier and the Heroine is a Cromwellian. So this provides a natural tension. It is one of the earliest Masquerade Historical Romances published by Mills and Boon and is a favourite of mine.

Also wrote under the psuedonyms of Judith Hagar and Valentina Luellen

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything I love in a book, a historical plot, revenge, true love to die for, intrigue, danger etc. so throughly enjoyed it, read it in a day, likable characters, and a good solid story and most of all a hatred that dissolves into a passionate true love that the hero and heroine are willing to risk all for so 5 stars for me.

[Louise Broadfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book it take me less then 23 hours.
really great

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as The Serpent and the Dove. Well, I didn't...I talked my mom into buying it for me.(I was in 5th grade.) She made me work for it too. After I get it, I read it so many time that it got pretty shop worn, but it is still a good book. This is the blurb:

The King's Man
England...a country torn in two by a bitter and bloody civil war. They handsome young king, Charles II, was on the run, ruthlessly pursued by Cromwell's Puritan forces. And with him, the man they called the King's Shadow, the legendary Sir Justin Douglas.

Katherine Ashley had her own reasons for wanting to see him captured, for it was at Sir Justin's hands that her beloved John has died. Now she lived only for the vengeance that she prayed would bring peace at last to her tormented heart.

But an ironic fate had decreed otherwise. Soon the Puritan woman and the King's man would be joined in an epic passion that still echoes through the centuries.

[Kyra J. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best historical romance books I've read. Too bad she had only two books written under this name.

[Aroon Kalandy]

A book I loved as a Kid. Got it recently and am very happy with it. Just loved the cover art too........