Shields Down

The House of Baric #1

by Jillian Bald

"The series starts off in the summer of 1649 and pulls the reader immediately into the complex and colorful world of Venice at the zenith of its power. Bald's period research is everywhere evident . . . This is a delightful series." - Historical Novel Society Book Review


Marriage matches for the Venetian nobility were not preordained by God in heaven, they were skillfully negotiated by fathers looking to enhance their own prestige and wealth.

A 17th century young lady could overlook petty shortcomings in her future husband if he were rich, held a title, and was easy on the eyes.

Mauro Baric would have been such a desirable match. As heir to a Venetian barony, Mauro had connections to powerful political allies that would please a future father-in-law. As a bonus to the potential bride, the future baron was indeed attractive and desirable.

Mauro did have some quirks, though, perhaps due to his crazy mother's neglect, or his father ruining Mauro's wish to die a hero's death on a battlefield somewhere, or his own lingering guilt over his brother's accident. He was the last male of the House of Baric and must marry, but his match was sealed years ago.

Terese Kokkinos—Resi, as her family called her—was not a Venetian lady. She was the daughter of an Ottoman sea trader and was not interested in marrying an aristocrat any more than Mauro wanted a common Greek girl as his bride. But what they wanted was irrelevant.

Betrothed as children to repay Resi's father's debt to the Barics, their paired future together was the keystone to the House of Barics' continued success, as well as proof of her father's pledge to no longer cheat them.

Resi made the best of her sequestered adolescence while she waited to be summoned to the Venetian territory of Croatia to marry. Since her fate had already been decided, Resi used her freedom to read every book she could find. An educated wife was not desirable, but her future husband was to blame for that. Mauro's choice to remain a bachelor, soldiering in his uncle's army until finally called home to Croatia, happily kept Resi in Thessaloniki—until tragedy struck the House of Baric.

The House of Baric Part One: Shields Down begins in the summer of 1649. The Thirty Years' War was winding down, and Mauro and his small army could finally spend their days at Baric Castle again. A year has passed since Mauro and Resi's marriage. Resi's strong will and Mauro's stoic nature had made for an awkward courtship at first. Through it, Mauro finds that his complicated and unpredictable wife might be his perfect match after all.

Bonds of friendship will strengthen and love will bloom, and not just between the Barics. There were many people living with Mauro and Resi at Baric Castle—soldiers and servants employed to keep the small fortress running. They play an important role in this three part saga. Old friends and unexpected visitors will bring their own troubles to the House of Baric, and you will learn their destinies, too. Love, war, hating, and mating were not so different back in the 17th century, and you will find yourself rooting for the Barics and their friends to find happiness through it all.


*** Hello, Reader! This book series contains adult content, including romantic situations, a few sex scenes, some violence, PTSD and mental health threads, religious matters, and death -- along with the necessary primping and elegant costumes aristocrats needed in the 17th century. It is not all doom and gloom! There is humor and happiness, too.***

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction

442 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2015

About the author

Jillian Bald likes drama—mainly of the historical kind. You won’t find her writing Rom-Coms, although romance is integral to stories about people. Jillian fills the scenes of her books with moody heroes and flawed misfits, placing them in great locales not often visited in today’s novels. She writes the world how she wants to see it, through the friendships and relationships of her characters. This author likes a happily ever after and will find a way to get one. So, not all drama. A story should be fun, too.

Reviews

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/15/1637-1649, Baric Castle. Mateo Baric (brother, Aristocrat) had drowned while playing with his brother Mauritius “Mauro” Baric. This loss would follow him his entire lifetime.
Fast forward; Terese “Resi” Kokkinos (daughter/sister, Ottoman, Greek) has been promised by her father Demetrius Kokkinos (husband, shipping merchant) to Baron Lorenc Baric (husband/father, Venetian aristocrat). Resi sometime in the future will marry Lorenc’s son “Mauro.”
Patricius Kokkinos (son/brother) had left the family to join the Ottoman Army, he however never showed up.
His whereabouts are unknown.

Lord Baron Mauritius “Mauro” Baric is also the Captain in the Count Vladimir Toth’s Regiment Venetian Army.

“Mauro”, Captain Vilim, Captain Hugo (20), Captain Simeon (26), Captain Fabian (Mauro’s BMF), Captain Stephen (Mauro’s BMF), Eduard (Commander, Guard), Daniel (Guard office), Simeon (Sergeant, Gate Commander), & their other soldiers are off to battle against the Habsburg Army.

Who will return alive & well from the war?
What encounters will “Mauro” have with Lieutenant D’Alessandro (gambler, philanthropher)?
I can’t say enough about this fabulous book.

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written 17th. Century medieval historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great medieval movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; MakingConnections; Hillwalker Publishing; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Jillian Bald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, everyone! I know I wrote this book, but I also read it as a reader in 2020, and when I did, I got to work correcting typos and streamlining some of the narration. Then I started with the following two books in the trilogy, and this simple “Author’s Cut” project stretched into 2022.

All three have recently been republished with pretty new book covers. (I know book three’s graphics don’t match the other two’s style, but it fits the book’s theme and makes me happy).

"Part One: Shields Down" is the opening to this three-part story, so my intension was to get the reader to fall in love with the many characters and see the Croatian setting.

In this ensemble cast, even the minor players will have a role in Mauro and Resi’s story in the next two books. Like Ravel’s Bolero, the introduction to "The House of Baric" builds, and by the end of the book, I hope you are ready to dive into the second.

If not, that is okay, too. "The House of Baric" is a historical saga, and one has to be in the mood to commit enough time to read the trilogy to the end. It is also a romance with lords, ladies, servants, and 17th-century arrogant attitudes. Still, I think the problems and frustrations of the House of Baric’s men and women are relatable. I hope you will check out the story and let me know if you agree.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first The House of Baric, with the old world rules and the ‘negotiated” mating was a little weird for my taste; but I kept going, and became very pleased with the story; a fun story with lots a character.

The book was well written; well-developed characters with interesting stories. I loved how we learned just enough to keep the story smooth, without being too wordy. All the information, backstories, and personal thoughts shared were relevant to the story.

The House of Baric has all the makings of a great read; romance, action, mystery, and even a little comedy. Once you get used to the 17th century dialect, it’s a smooth read as well. I found myself re-reading some parts in the beginning, but quickly became accustomed to the language.

Overall, I loved the book and feel it is a 4.5 boundless stars book....Beth

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[Michelle Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

The House of Baric Part One: Shields Down is the first in a historical romance trilogy by Jillian Bald. Baron Mauro Baric reluctantly marries Terese, the Greek bride selected by his late father, whom he suspects was poisoned. He encounters numerous challenges defending his domain from enemies, so is often away.

This affects his marriage to Terese, who isn’t aware of her aloof husband’s painful past. She tries to adjust to her new lifestyle, but is stubborn and often disregards advice given to her. More problems arise when Mauro’s ship is seized, and Terese’s incensed mercenary brother decides to pay them a visit.

I became engrossed in the never-ending goings-on that took place in The House of Baric. It’s such a delightful novel that provided in-depth historical information on the 17th century period. Men were just as fashion conscious as women and loved elaborate frills and jewelry. Society rules and protocols were rigid, and primitive living conditions made me appreciate my life even more. The story takes time to read since the numerous, well-defined characters had realistic issues pertaining to the era. The women can be so wily when they want a man’s attention.

Jillian Bald’s writing is strongly structured and a lot of research was evident. My main disappointment was not seeing what transpired with Terese’s brother. The fascinating scenarios led me to believe I would read about it, but apparently, that will happen in Book Two. The House of Baric, Part One: Shields Down by Jillian Bald is a lovely romance novel that readers will enjoy.

[Cindy Jewkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resi is a girl from Greece whose father arranges her marriage to a Croatian baron’s son to keep the peace after a trading deal goes awry. Betrothed from a young age, Resi is unsure of her future. She doesn’t want to marry a stranger and live far from her family in a foreign land. When she is finally sent for to fulfill the marriage contract, she moves to Croatia with her best friend Ruby to keep her company. Her new husband, Baron Mauro Baric, is not what she expected. The House of Baric: Shields Down explores their first two years of marriage, getting to know each other and discovering they might actually like each other. The reader gets to know a colorful cast of characters and becomes immersed in 17th-century life in Croatia.

Strengths

If you love historical fiction, this book is for you! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Historical fiction is my favorite way to learn history. I cannot get through dry history books; I literally fall asleep every time. But historical fiction? Sign me up! I love learning about the past, what life was like, how things were different from the world I live in today, and historical fiction teaches history by immersing the reader in that period. The House of Baric did a great job at fully depicting its world, 17th-century Croatia, a time and place I have never learned much about. Bravo to Jillian Bald for the sheer amount of research I’m sure she did to accurately write in such a setting.

The writing is very strong, descriptive and sophisticated. It was long, but easy to read.

I very much enjoyed the characters and getting in each of their heads. I loved Resi and thought she was very brave in accepting the terms of her marriage and making the best of it. She is a very intelligent woman with a strong spine who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or others she thinks are being mistreated.

Weaknesses

The main problem I had with this book is that I didn’t feel like as much was accomplished during the story as should have been, given how long it was. It is definitely a slow-moving, descriptive book, which is fine, but there were events that I kept expecting to get to only to have the plot derailed by something else. For example, we learn early on that Resi has been communicating with her favorite brother, a mercenary who has not gotten along well with Mauro in past years. Her brother will be in the area and wants to come for a visit. Naturally, I expected this highly anticipated event would cover at least a portion of the rest of the book. Instead, unexpected visitors show up at the Baric household, then Mauro’s ship is confiscated by the government, there’s a ball and a camp out on the beach… All entertaining parts of the book, but then Part One ends just as Resi’s brother shows up. I guess that’s meant to be motivation to read the next book in the series, but I’m a little annoyed that I was waiting for the confrontation with the brother for so long and didn’t even get to read it.

Conclusion

This is definitely a book for all historical fiction lovers! I wish I could go on a Mediterranean cruise or something now. Lounge on the beach, gaze into crystal clear waters, and curl up with a good book. Doesn’t that sound amazing? This book put me in that mood! It is a little on the long side and definitely has passages that could be trimmed down, but The House of Baric Part One: Shields Down is a quality, worthwhile read. Be prepared to take your time to savor all it has to offer.

4 out of 5 stars

For more of my reviews, visit goodtalesreviews.com

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair Warning - I won this book as a Good Reads giveaway.

Honestly, I didn't remember entering this giveaway when the message came that I was a winner. In the end I am not only glad I entered the giveaway, but even more thrilled to have won. This book was not a type of novel I would typically read, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

The story is set in the outer provinces of the Venetian Empire, modern day Croatia. It takes place in the 1600's. It involves the intrigues of a minor noble house and the second son, who due to a tragic death becomes the heir. The setting and the time are really unique for typical historical fiction. Even though the Venetian's were a major world trade empire and had great influence, especially in the Med we rarely get historical fiction set in this time or place.

The book starts out by setting the stage on the parts of the two protagonists. The second son and his promised bride, the daughter of a Greek smuggler. The reasons for this unlikely pairing become somewhat more clear later in the novel, but this was one part that was hard for me to believe. She gained far more from their arranged marriage than the husband, and that was rarely the case with arranged marriages among even minor nobility in the 1600's.

The characters are richly developed and even with a huge cast of characters you find yourself quickly identifying with even minor characters. In fact Jillian Bald is excellent at character development. And the characters are not all cut from the same cloth. Some are stoic, while others are gregarious, and others are really a lark.

Character development was the key reason I kept turning pages in this novel. This is because while the setting, characters, and premise are all quite good or unique, the plot is very thin. There is nothing really driving the story other than the basic premise of arranged marriage and learning to like, then love one another. At the end of the book little more plot development had occurred than does in a short story, maybe less.

Still I enjoyed the novel and will keep my eyes out for the next volume in the series. So, if you enjoy historical fiction set in a unique locale and time with excellent characters and a thin plot then this is the book for you, even if you like a more substantial plot you are likely still going to enjoy The House of Baric.

I would also note that the copy I was given was an advanced copy that was chock full of typos, missing words, and grammatical errors. It is interesting to know that this many errors would make it even into an advanced copy in the days of computers and digital typesetting. The editor of the novel must have been on vacation and unable to edit the novel prior to the advanced printing.

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE HOUSE OF BARIC PART ONE:SHIELDS DOWN BY JILLIAN BALD takes the reader to the 17th century,the people, the places and the time! I loved this book! You have to be on the ball because the author introduces you to a lot of characters very very quickly but as you move al0ng in the book you learn to know them and to want to learn more and more about them. From Resi the woman who was promised to Mauro. to Mauro and how he's so overwhelmed by an new wife a dead brother and a huge estate he is thrusted into running. Each evening as I read more I wanted more I couldn't wait for more! I received this book in exchange for a review

[Brittney Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice, easy read. No suspense or action, but it was interesting to learn more about times back then and how "royalty" had to conduct themselves. I'm excited to read more about how Resi and Mauro's love develops through their arranged marriage.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

This historical fiction was a good read, though quite long winded. I was disappointed in the ending though. I found it to be anticlimactic. I do intend to read further into this series, but I'm not chomping at the bit to get to it.

*I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads giveaways for this free copy.

2 stars
This book was OK (boring, but OK) until the halfway point and then I started disliking it

I got tired of all the long paragraphs of descriptions of clothing, there really was no plot, and I didn't like the way women were portrayed- i.e silly and weak (I know it's historical fiction but still)

I didn't care for the romance either


~~~KittyMeowMeow

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[MzIce2u · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but I don't see me paying for the rest of the series. This is a risk that an author takes when they start off with Kindle Unlimited.

[Anne Monteith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Coming Soon 45 Stars

[Brie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read; I highly recommend to all!

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the plot and the characters and the level of historical detail, but found the style of writing a bit stilted.

[Staci Suhy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion.

[R.E. Admore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and cozy read. This is by no means an exciting book, although I am excited to read the next in the series. There is a slow-burning quality about this novel, like warm, glowing embers in an inviting hearth, that kept me eager to read the unfolding story (Think of Julien Fellowes' "Downton Abbey" or Julia Quinn's "Bridgerton".)

Mauro Baric is a reluctant Baron-to-be in Croatia who would rather be leading troops in war than living in the luxury of his ancestral home. When his father dies under mysterious circumstances, along with four of his men, Mauro returns home to fulfill his responsibilities and become Baron of his estate. One of his responsibilities is to marry Resi, a Greek woman, in an arranged marriage. Mauro quickly learns to run his estate and his marriage efficiently. However, a cold, efficient marriage is not what Resi has bargained for, neither has Mauro bargained for the type of woman Resi turns out to be. Their evolving relationship makes for engaging reading as Resi works to get Mauro to lower the shield he uses to protect his emotions and defend against distractions.

There are many fun and interesting characters that I enjoyed and the author does a good job in bringing them to life. Most of the novel deals with the everyday running of the estate, its staff, and a few small adventures. There is also some intrigue as to who killed Mauro's father, his mother's possibly suspicious illness, and who is trying to kill Mauro, and why. The addition of Resi's brother and his small band of deadly mercenaries adds another intriguing dimension.

The pace of the story was good for the most part. There were a few small incidents that I didn't think added to the story and I am wondering if they will be important later on. (I didn't really need to read in detail about a soldier bathing in a stream and washing his socks... or did I?)

I was looking forward to reading this story set in Croatia and enjoying something unique and different from historical fiction that seems to be centered around Britain. The author began the book with a brief history of the region in the 17th century that set the stage and primed me for the action to follow. One thing I learned, is that Croatia is credited with inventing the cravat (and its descendant, the necktie). Yep, you can google it. This first book also discusses the Republic of Venice and the politics of the time and this may be of more importance in later books in this trilogy. While I saw a broad picture of Croatia and the geography of the area, I didn't feel I was experiencing its culture in a profound way, or at least the depth I had hoped for. (James Clavell immerses a reader in Asian culture in a unique and satisfying way, for example.) But the Baric saga is a good one, and I like that this book stands apart from so many other historical fiction novels.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tentative love story set in the mid 1600's in Croatia. This story brings about a whole new world for those of us who have heard little in our lives of the history behind the country of Croatia. We get to follow the newly weds in this "slice-of-life" like saga, that follows Baron Mauro Baric, and his young bride, Teresa (Resi), as they navigate their (semi) newly found world of aristocracy. From grand balls to everyday life, Shields Down is a beautiful way to introduce a new up and coming indie author.

The first installment is well written, full of vivid description, and transports you to 17th century Croatia with its wordplay. While still being fiction, Jillian makes sure to add a history lesson at the beginning, so you can better understand what is at stake for our main couple, and put yourself into their shoes as far as the backdrop for the story.

In this first novel, you not only get to meet the Baron and Resi, but a whole castle worth of characters that help set up what is sure to be some big plots points in the next two books. While not so much an emotional ride, this series definitely intrigues and is not short on pages! With 612,146 words between the 3 books, you have plenty to read, and with the last book releasing just this past week(!!!) you have no reason not to jump in and read up on the Barics!

[Wytzia Raspe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the revised newer version. This novel is set in a less known time period and for me an unfamiliar area: Croatia when it was ruled by Venice halfway the 17the century. It is the end of what in Germany is refered to as the Thirty Years was.
Mauro the son of the Baron is recalled to his ancestral seat from the battlefield as his father had died. As the family promised to marry his to a Greec girl in the Ottoman empire his future wife is send for.
The story is more or less their daily life and the interaction with friends living with them.
The author mentioned shaving off part of the story and as I read the following novel in it's original state I guess it benefitted in making the story a bit faster.
I liked the story as it felt like being on a holiday in someone else's life. Good worldbuilding.

[SALLY WHITE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Set in the 17th Century, it was interesting. Lots of characters are introduced and you get to know them quite quickly. The book is a historical fiction story, although I would say that it is not fast paced or action packed. The 2 main characters are Mauro Baric (a Baron) and Resi, who enter into an arranged marriage. You are able to follow them in their journey through life with everything that is thrown at them. I will definitely be looking out for book no 2.

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a goodreads.com free book.. Set in the summer of 1649, you are thrown into their intriguing and adventurous world were perhaps things are not so different back in the 17th century. well written with a good grasp of the time period..

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a book for me. Too slow, whilst skipping over significant developments with
a sentence or two. The characters behave in odd ways presumably to support the plot development. The author creates an authentic athmosphere of the period but the story telling seems flat.

[Birgit Pitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Naomi Bray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will write my review at a later date.

This was a good book but was just slow for me.