Song of Gabrielle

by John Anthony Miller

Lady Gabrielle is captured at a French convent and taken to an English castle, a prize for Sir Michael Marston. Her lover, Montague of Rouen, allies with English barons plotting to overthrow their king. As England drifts into civil war, Montague attacks. Minerva, a powerful witch, casts a spell on Marston and Gabrielle, joining the two as one. Montague fights with passion never seen before or since, and the castle begins to fall. Wrought with doubt, defined by desire, Gabrielle is forced to choose. With whom will she spend Sir Michael Marston or Montague of Rouen?
A romance thread through a world of war, fantasy fused with fiction, Song of Gabrielle is the tale of a woman who loves two men. Riddled with hexes, potions and spells, bound by love and honor, it defines the heart and all it holds, as well as the forces that try to control it.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical

394 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2021

About the author

John Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations spanning all eras of space and time, with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined. Each of his novels is unique: a Medieval epic, five historical mysteries, two Cold-War thrillers, two 1970’s cozy mysteries, a Revolutionary War spy novel, seven WWII thrillers, and The Castle on the Cliff. He lives in southern New Jersey.

Reviews

[Denise -Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction with a persuasive troubadour from the 13th century, whose lyrics lull you into a theme of courtly love. However, before you know it your pulled into the medieval warfare of the period and the unpredictable nature of evil men and woman. While Knights and those loyal to them defend their castle; there's a witch who teeter's between white magic & sorcery - the reveal is an inspired revelation of unexpected truths. Seriously captivating!

[Kassyreadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to by the book for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Title: Song Of Gabrielle

Author: John Anthony Miller

Synopsis: Lady Gabrielle is captured at a French convent and taken to an English castle, a prize for Sir Michael Marston. Her lover, Montague of Rouen, allies with English barons plotting to overthrow their king. As England drifts into civil war, Montague attacks. Minerva, a powerful witch, casts a spell on Marston and Gabrielle, joining the two as one. Montague fights with passion never seen before or since, and the castle begins to fall. Wrought with doubt, defined by desire, Gabrielle is forced to choose. With whom will she spend eternity: Sir Michael Marston or Montague of Rouen?
A romance thread through a world of war, fantasy fused with fiction, Song of Gabrielle is the tale of a woman who loves two men. Riddled with hexes, potions and spells, bound by love and honor, it defines the heart and all it holds, as well as the forces that try to control it.

Review: This was such an entertaining book! There was action, political intrigue, and romance! Gabrielle was such a strong and smart character. I loved how well educated she was and despite her being in love it didn’t cloud her judgement! I love the description and how detailed it was! I truly felt like I was in another time! Also I need to address the shortness of the chapters! I loved them! I felt like I was reading more and more because of it! The ending was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for it to end any other way! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a stand alone fantasy book!

[Shereen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. It was very well written. You have love, war, witch craft and so much more! If you enjoy historical fiction and romance, I would highly recommend. There is so much attention to detail that if wasn’t hard to picture the story, as well as an amazing job with the character development. I had a very hard time putting this book down.

I love that the story is told by a traveling Troubadour. That was one of the things that drew me into wanting to read the book in one sitting (but don’t worry I didn’t). Instantly love Gabrielle, she is such a strong female and didn’t let anything cloud her judgement.

If you are fan of short chapters (which I am), than you are going to love this book. When I first looked at how many chapters there was I was a bit intimidated but once I realized they were short and sweet I changed my mind. I would recommend this book to just about anyone 

Thank you to @bythebookvbp and @authorjamiller for giving me the chance to read and review this wonderful book. This review is my opinion and mine alone.

#medieval #HistoricalFiction #Romance #bythebookvbp
@authorjamiller @bythebookvbp

[Kristin Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time period is extremely captivating and romantic. The setting and warfare is so intriguing and the author clearly has done research to portray the 1200s so well! The witchcraft was an element I was not expecting but also helped drive the story.

I was a little confused as to the purpose of the Holy Grail side plot line, and some the character development could have been flushed out more, but I would recommend this book to those that like the medieval time period and warfare because WOW, and the descriptions were beautiful.

[Cindee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book I liked how it was told the historical and magical elements were well written as was the romance. I liked the characters especially these three Gabrielle, Marston and Montague the dynamic between the first two and the development of their relationship I also really liked how Montague was written. There also was many interesting supporting characters that added that extra thing to the story that just made it better. I really liked the plot it starts with someone else telling a story moves into telling a story of war and love and all of the pain caused by it I also loved the blending of magic into this medieval world. So overall this was a really good read I would read other books by this author.

[Donna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1216 and the English are attempting to reclaim Normandy, France. Montague of Rouen loves his country and is deeply in love with Lady Gabrielle. He places her in a convent for safety while he is at war with the English. Lady Gabrielle is well known and accidentally spotted by an English soldier who kidnaps her as a prize for Sir Michael Marston. Montague learns of the kidnapping and travels to England to bring her back to France. He joins in a civil war effort at Marston Castle as a way to find Gabrielle. Sir Michael and Montague are passionately in love with Gabrielle and she with each of them. This is a well detailed love story during Medieval times that include loyalty, sorcery and an intense battle.

[Jennifer Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this love story set amidst the war-torn background of medieval France and England. Lots of magic, treachery, spies, deceit, loyalty and love. A truly wonderful read!!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song of Gabrielle is a historical fiction novel, set in medieval times. It is full of romance, sorcery and wonderful prose. I found it to be well researched and highly imaginative. I was totally absorbed from start to finish.

Gabrielle’s story is told by a traveling Troubadour years later and begins in Normandy, France in 1216 where she has just arrived at a convent that sits along the coast. The English are raging a war upon France and the French forces are scattered and retreating. Montague of Rouen, a solider of the king, asks the Reverend Mother to shelter Lady Gabrielle a lady of the king’s court and his love. The convent is well known to Lady Gabrielle and her to the convent. Therefore, the request is easily granted and Montague leaves, to reassemble the scattered forces of the king, knowing she will be sheltered and safety away from the English.

Unfortunately, the English army come upon the convent and ask that the nuns help treat the injured soldiers. Gabrielle is a skilled healer and helps the nuns in administering treatment to injured and dying men. Despite the nuns disguise the Reverend Mother insists Gabrielle wear to hide her identity, she is recognized by Captain Carney the leader of the English army of Sir Michael Marston. By a stroke of bad luck, she is now a prisoner of war and becomes a pawn in the power struggle between two great forces.

Captain Carney knows what the value of Lady Gabrielle will be to the English. They can hold her as a political pawn to their advantage. Unhappily, Gabrielle is shipped off to Marston as a political prisoner of war. Once she reaches England she is treated kindly and with respect by Marston even though she is truly a prisoner. However, there is much a foot in England and several forces are converging on Marston’s castle with goals that will have a far reaching affect if they are achieved. Marston may not be able to protect Gabrielle, a women he is attracted to and maybe even beginning to love.

This is just the type of story that I crave and love to lose myself in. There is political intrigue, wizards, magic and all sorts of nefarious people that had me cringing hoping that they would be the ones on the short end of the stick. The plot was fast paced and there were enough surprises that I was never bored.

In addition, I felt a connection with Gabrielle because the author did an amazing job with the character development. I loved that she was a strong character and though she pined to be in France, in the arms of Montague, she did not let it cloud her judgement. She was able to recognize the goodness in Marston despite her circumstances.

I would not do this book justice if I did not mention how much I enjoyed the prose. It was descriptive but not overly so that it over shadowed the action and characters. It is such a fine line to do enough to help the reader understand the setting without bogging the story down in overly flowery and totally unnecessary language.

There is something to love in this book for most every reader. However, I think readers of Historical Fiction and Romance will find this book especially enjoyable. Highly recommend!

I received a free advanced copy from the author in exchange for me honest review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 13th Century England, Miller’s latest delivers an intricate and authentic rendering of one woman’s heart wrenching love for two men.

When Lady Gabrielle took refuge in a French convent, she had no idea her life was going to change forever. After being recognized, Gabrielle is captured and taken to an English castle as a prize for Sir Michael Marston. And though love for her lover, Montague of Rouen, burns deep in Gabrielle’ heart, she soon becomes Marston’s soulmate, thanks to a spell casted by the powerful witch Minerva. As England drifts into civil war, Montague attacks. Gabrielle is forced to choose between the two men. What will she decide?

Miller creates in magical detail people’s way of life and is just as specific and authentic in his depiction of the spiritual wounds of war-torn England and France. But the heart of the novel is his expertly crafted, multi-layered cast of characters. Readers will easily fall in love with the endearing Marston and passionate Montague. Gabrielle, with her iron core of character and courage, makes for an intriguing heroine. Miller vividly demonstrates how Minerva, through potions, spells, and cunning both casual and calculated, brings Gabrielle and Marston together, engineering a bond that gets Marston out of the recesses of depression.

Evocative, assured prose pulls the reader deep into the intriguing storyline. The pacing is swift, the surprises are plenty, and the poignant ending packs an emotional wallop.

This stirring historical is as much about the very nature of the intricacies of love as it is about the questions of duty, responsibility, faith, trust, betrayal, and revenge. This is a stunner.

[Tom Towslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read most of John Anthony Miller's books. He has taken me back in time to Paris and Lisbon during WWII and Berlin during the Cold War, among other places. Song of Gabrielle is an ambitious journey back to 13th Century England. It is a story of romance, war, sorcery and intrigue. It is well worth the trip. Miller's attention to detail and plot make this a hard book to put down. He has definitely stretched himself as a writer and story teller. Miller gets better and better with each book. I can't wait to see where he will take me next.

[Stephanie Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

This is a great story. It has everything you would want in a story, love, war, witch craft, and intrigue. The ending was not what I expected. It left me really sad. I would definitely recommend it to my friends.

[Rdr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. This author has the ability to put you in the time and place.

[Christopher Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!!! Well researched and captivating... hard to put down.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite combination of things to read, historical fiction and romance.

[Reader Views]

Author John Anthony Miller has created a unique story in “Song of Gabrielle” that takes the reader back in time. Right from the beginning, readers are whisked away to the year 1316 in Normandy, France. These are turbulent times. France and England are bitter enemies and battles are happening all around the country.

Jean Antoine is a troubadour who finds himself looking for shelter and food. He arrives at a cottage located next to a convent and learns that he has reached the Boars Head Inn. The owner quickly spots him and begs him to come in and calm the boisterous crowd of drunken men in his establishment. The owner suggests telling a story, and a long one.

The story Antoine tells the readers is about a woman named Lady Gabrielle. Antoine did not know her personally. He had only seen her gravestone in the cemetery outside the Boars Head Inn. The inscription said she was a woman who loved two men. He creates a story where Lady Gabrielle is sent to the convent she grew up in, for safety from the English soldiers roaming the countryside. Her lover Montague is a French soldier and only wants Gabrielle to be safe until he returns for her.

Lady Gabrielle is captured at the convent by English soldiers and taken to the castle of Sir Michael Marston. While she is being held captive, Gabrielle travels freely through the castle. Lady Gabrielle is told to ask for anything she wants. While she tries to figure out her captivity situation, the French are planning an attack on the castle. Gabrielle experiences emotions that lead her to have feelings for Marston.

The “Song of Gabrielle” has a solid plot line in the beginning. As I continued reading, I became confused by the secondary plot lines that were evolving. For example, Paul the Pure and his daughter Trinity are thieves creating a plot to kill Marston. They have stolen the Holy Grail and are attempting to make money from it. As a reader, this plot line did not enhance the story.

Another issue is how the time leading up to battle and the battle itself are portrayed. I understand the importance of the battle, but I feel this point was belabored. I found myself wishing they would just fight already. I became disconnected with the story because I was trying to understand the reason for this battle.

Overall, “Song of Gabrielle” is a unique story. It is set in a time period that screams love story. There is much potential with this work, but it needs more depth to the love story and less about the fighting. I would like to have seen more character development of Gabrielle and Sir Marston.