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Mercenary For Hire #4
A Queen's Knight
The Fitzwarren brothers are set on a quest to take back what belongs to them.Richard has lost everything to Andrew Kineer, even his identity. Whether he will be able to reclaim it remains to be seen. The backdrop to their own struggle is the political tension in England. Mary I, convinced God has given her the task of returning England to the true faith sends the Protestant reformers a stark and violent message. Jack finds himself in a difficult and dangerous situation. His patience and his loyalty are sorely tested. Catherine finds herself uncomfortably close to Elizabeth and is forced to accompany her to court, a court full of watchful eyes and whispers. Christopher Morley soon makes the most of this opportunity, pressing Catherine to embroil herself further in his schemes.PAGE UP AND ORDER NOW
- GenresHistorical
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2018
92 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 3, 2025
This book is a continuation of where the last book ended. I think I can safely say that will be the opening sentence of every book in the series of 10. Hmm. This book is briefly set in London and the rest in Malta where Richard Fitzwarren and his brother Jack and Lizbet find themselves heading in order to sell Christian Carter's haul of guns and powder from a sunken ship. It is not without an incredible amount of obstacles and whilst Richard had been pummelled and left nearly dead. Jack and Lizbet are dragging him after them.
They do make it to Malta and do eventually get to demonstrate the benefit of powdered muskets to the Knights in order for them to buy their product. However the deal is that pregnant Lizbet (whose child she is bearing from the rape by Andrew Kineer), is that pregnant Lizbet is to be left with the Order in Malta and her child removed after birth, and Richard and Jack will bring back from England the muskets and powder for the Knights. Whether Lizbet is ever to be freed from living with the nuns on Malta is yet to be seen.
In another part of the book we have the evil Robert Fitzwarren thinking he can get his hands on all of his ailing father's money, property, paintings and jewels. Elizabeth not yet the 1st is still effectively under house arrest while her sister Queen Mary has lost the child she thought she was bearing when in fact she wasn't pregnant (and never would be), and Catherine, remember her, the young girl whose family home, land and wealth has been stolen by Robert, and Catherine is now a servant to Elizabeth. I found it hard to get through this book as the descriptions on making the powder to be exact enough to fire from a musket without it backfiring in the soldiers faces goes on for ever it seems! And complicated mathematical equations are not my forte! So we trudge on into the next book no 5. There's a part of me which is wishing I didn't buy 10.
They do make it to Malta and do eventually get to demonstrate the benefit of powdered muskets to the Knights in order for them to buy their product. However the deal is that pregnant Lizbet (whose child she is bearing from the rape by Andrew Kineer), is that pregnant Lizbet is to be left with the Order in Malta and her child removed after birth, and Richard and Jack will bring back from England the muskets and powder for the Knights. Whether Lizbet is ever to be freed from living with the nuns on Malta is yet to be seen.
In another part of the book we have the evil Robert Fitzwarren thinking he can get his hands on all of his ailing father's money, property, paintings and jewels. Elizabeth not yet the 1st is still effectively under house arrest while her sister Queen Mary has lost the child she thought she was bearing when in fact she wasn't pregnant (and never would be), and Catherine, remember her, the young girl whose family home, land and wealth has been stolen by Robert, and Catherine is now a servant to Elizabeth. I found it hard to get through this book as the descriptions on making the powder to be exact enough to fire from a musket without it backfiring in the soldiers faces goes on for ever it seems! And complicated mathematical equations are not my forte! So we trudge on into the next book no 5. There's a part of me which is wishing I didn't buy 10.
July 23, 2022
Burnell does a good job of pushing her protagonists to the verge of ruin, leaving the fate of one supporting character up in the air as this episode ends. The story has good continuity overall, but Catherine’s part in the tale receives somewhat short shrift in this segment.
Jack, Richard, and Lizbet are in dire straights for much of this book. They find themselves abandoned in their trek across Southern Europe, Venice seemingly out of reach. Their reception by the Order of St. John, if they ever arrive, is less than certain. Every bit of grit and resolve will be required for them to succeed, as well as a healthy portion of good fortune.
Jack, Richard, and Lizbet are in dire straights for much of this book. They find themselves abandoned in their trek across Southern Europe, Venice seemingly out of reach. Their reception by the Order of St. John, if they ever arrive, is less than certain. Every bit of grit and resolve will be required for them to succeed, as well as a healthy portion of good fortune.
April 25, 2022
Quite a ride
This book moved along pretty quickly and kept up a good pace. A lot happened in the lives of Jack, Richard, and Lizbet. Unfortunately we were left on a cliffhanger and for that reason, I took away a star.
Also, thus author could use a good editor as it seems none have ever been employed in any of the series books thus far. And for that I take away another star, giving this book a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
This book moved along pretty quickly and kept up a good pace. A lot happened in the lives of Jack, Richard, and Lizbet. Unfortunately we were left on a cliffhanger and for that reason, I took away a star.
Also, thus author could use a good editor as it seems none have ever been employed in any of the series books thus far. And for that I take away another star, giving this book a solid 3 out of 5 stars.
January 30, 2024
another gripping instalment
The well written story continues with great historical detail about life in Italy and Malta at the time, as well as awful detail about Mary trying to impress God with her persecution of Protestants. I could hardly put it down and will go straight on to book 5 to see what happens next!
The well written story continues with great historical detail about life in Italy and Malta at the time, as well as awful detail about Mary trying to impress God with her persecution of Protestants. I could hardly put it down and will go straight on to book 5 to see what happens next!
December 6, 2018
Edge of your seat good
My only disappointment is that I must wait until spring to continue the adventures of the Fitzwarren brothers. Lizbet and Catherine's dates are equally of interest. Burnell can hold a readers attention while turning a lovely phrase. Kudos.
My only disappointment is that I must wait until spring to continue the adventures of the Fitzwarren brothers. Lizbet and Catherine's dates are equally of interest. Burnell can hold a readers attention while turning a lovely phrase. Kudos.
February 12, 2019
Great adventures, humor, and action
The characters in this book are so flawed yet like-able! I love every little twist and turn in the plot and can not wait to read the next book in the series.
The characters in this book are so flawed yet like-able! I love every little twist and turn in the plot and can not wait to read the next book in the series.
March 8, 2019
I like the series
This story in the series has a very good evolution of the brothers story. It also had some interesting action b I believe history catches the turbulence of the times quite well BoB certainly was a turnout tim e.
This story in the series has a very good evolution of the brothers story. It also had some interesting action b I believe history catches the turbulence of the times quite well BoB certainly was a turnout tim e.
May 17, 2019
Enjoyable series. I like the way the characters have evolved throughout and the detail to which the author has gone in terms of historical fact. I will definitely be reading the next in the series!
November 21, 2019
Well...
I got suckered in after all... I was well ready to abandon the series after the last book, but as it looks, some of the characters have grown on me, so my curiosity regarding their fate won. The author’s improving writing doesn’t hurt either.
I got suckered in after all... I was well ready to abandon the series after the last book, but as it looks, some of the characters have grown on me, so my curiosity regarding their fate won. The author’s improving writing doesn’t hurt either.
March 31, 2020
I stumbled on these books by accident, and am so glad I did. I found it hard to put this book down, and have become attached to the characters. I think part of the appeal is the attention to historical accuracy. I look forward to book 5
March 21, 2019
A queen's knight
Excellent story telling. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed your writing. More of the same please. Thank you for sharing your gift. God bless.
Excellent story telling. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed your writing. More of the same please. Thank you for sharing your gift. God bless.
April 2, 2020
A Queens Knight
Book 4 continues the says of Richard, Jack, and Lisbeth. Well written historical fiction. I look forward to reading book 5.
Book 4 continues the says of Richard, Jack, and Lisbeth. Well written historical fiction. I look forward to reading book 5.
May 21, 2020
Excellent
The author has kept up the brilliant mixture of the Tudor period together with the adventures of the brothers. What a family!
The author has kept up the brilliant mixture of the Tudor period together with the adventures of the brothers. What a family!
September 26, 2020
A rattling good read.
A well written story, well researched and full of action, one is able to loose oneself completely. Roll on to the next one.
A well written story, well researched and full of action, one is able to loose oneself completely. Roll on to the next one.
January 28, 2021
Great story
Great story and characters but it needs proof read and finished. It reads like a rough draft... I am enjoying the series.
Great story and characters but it needs proof read and finished. It reads like a rough draft... I am enjoying the series.
October 5, 2023
Audiobook 4*
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews