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    The King’s Mistress
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    The King’s Mistress
    Unavailable
    The King’s Mistress
    Ebook422 pages6 hours

    The King’s Mistress

    By Darcey Bonnette

    4.5/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this ebook

    She holds the key to a kingdom’s future…

    When young Mary Howard receives the news that she will be leaving her home for the grand court of King Henry VIII, to attend his mistress Anne Boleyn, she is ecstatic. Everything Anne touches seems to turn to gold, and Mary is certain Anne will one day become Queen. But Mary has also seen the King’s fickle nature and how easily he discards those who were once close to him…

    Discovering that she is a pawn in a carefully orchestrated plot devised by her father, the duke of Norfolk, Mary dare not disobey him. Yet despite all of her efforts to please him, she too falls prey to his cold wrath. Not until she becomes betrothed to Harry Fitzroy, the Duke of Richmond and son to King Henry VIII, does Mary finds the love and approval she s been seeking.

    But just when Mary believes she is finally free of her father, the tides turn. Now Mary must learn to play her part well in a dangerous chess game that could change her life and the course of history.

    An unforgettable drama of betrayal, ambition, lost innocence and perseverance, perfect for fans of Phillipa Gregory's novels and TV series such as The Tudors.

    Previously published as Secrets of the Tudor Court.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins UK
    Release dateFeb 28, 2011
    ISBN9780007434251
    Unavailable
    The King’s Mistress
    Author

    Darcey Bonnette

    Darcey Bonnette is published in the USA under the name of D.L. Bogdan. She has written SECRETS OF THE TUDOR COURT, RIVALS IN THE TUDOR COURT, and THE SUMERTON WOMEN (Kensginton, 2012). Ms. Bonnette is an avid reader, a lover of history, a musician, and, not least of all, a proud wife and mother. She makes her home in central WI with her husband, their blended family, and a menagerie of pets.

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    Reviews for The King’s Mistress

    4.5/5

    23 ratings8 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      When I read Gillian Bagwell's The Darling Strumpet earlier this year, I was in love. Not just with the witty, spunky and outspoken Nell, but with the well-researched and somewhat lyrical writing style of author Gillian Bagwell. More than any other tale of Nell Gwynne I've read, Bagwell brought the restoration period of Charles II to vivd life and drew me so completely into Nell's story that I couldn't put the book down.Thus, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Bagwell's follow-up novel, The September Queen. In her second novel, Bagwell doesn't stray far from Darling Strumpet. She's still dealing with Charles II, but this time with a different mistress. September Queen introduces readers to Jane Lane, a young woman and minor noble who longs for adventure, who is recruited by a group of loyal Royalists looking to restore Charles II to the throne. It's up to Jane to track down the King-in-exhile and transport him to safety. Of course, she finds herself falling in love with the dashing Charles, who is known for his deep affection for women.From the beginning, I enjoyed Jane. She's a fun, spunky heroine who is blinded by love -and by naviete. Though I didn't enjoy her as much as Nell, Jane stands her own here, and her perilous journey from Europe for her country -and herself -is balanced with just enough action and romance to keep readers hooked. She's painted as an understandable and realistic young woman who is trying to defy the social roles of women at the time.While I did enjoy Darling Strumpet more than September Queen overall, September Queen is still a well-researched, well-written and enjoyable adventure with heartbreaking romance and delightful characters. This one had me flipping pages late into the night.
    • 5/5
      I love it when a book introduces me to a person or a piece of history that is brand new to me. When you stop to consider all that has gone past so little has really been recorded. And yet within that little there are still stories waiting to be told. Historical figures, famous in their lifetimes that are now lost to history's back shelves because of more transcendent figures like Henry VIII or Catherine de Medici. But without some of these lessor known players history's course might have changed greatly.The September Queen tells the story of Jane Lane, a young woman who already 25 is unmarried. For this time period (1651) was almost unheard of. She is being courted but longs for adventure and boy does it find her! This book, while fiction is base deeply in the historical record. The life of Charles II and his escape from England and his restoration to the monarchy is probably one of the more documented events in English history.Jane was going to visit a friend who was pregnant and about to deliver her baby. In order to travel any distance over 5 miles in the days of Cromwell's rule a pass was required. Jane's trip coincided with Charle's advent to her home and need to escape. Her pass was for her and a manservant so Charles dressed in that role and off they went. History proves the escape successful since Charles did return as Charles II but this is Jane's story, not Charles although the rogue does tend to run things.Ms. Bagwell presumes that Jane and Charles became lovers during their flight. Given Charles' reputation for sleeping with just about anything in a skirt there is probably some truth to it but there is no documented record of it. The love story rang true at the start but I do wonder at any man having that level of control over a woman for so many years and with so many other women along the way. The novelized Jane comes across as somewhat starry eyed and blindly in love with a man who really took away the best years of her life. She knows in her head that he is a pig but her heart won't let go. Sorry Charles, you ARE a pig.The book is well written and a good mix of history and fiction. These were very difficult times in England and one wrong word would get a person imprisoned. Jane had to flee her homeland and spent 9 years in exile for helping the king. For this her reward at his restoration was far less than he granted many others. I feel he truly wronged her in more ways than one. I was left with an overwhelming feeling of wanting to slap Charles' face for the way he treated her.And being left with that kind of passion at the end of a book is a good thing if you ask me. It's the kind of passion that sends me off to learn more about the people I've just "met." I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a woman famous in her time but mostly lost to history who, with undeniable courage helped to keep the monarchy alive in England.
    • 5/5
      I love it when a book introduces me to a person or a piece of history that is brand new to me. When you stop to consider all that has gone past so little has really been recorded. And yet within that little there are still stories waiting to be told. Historical figures, famous in their lifetimes that are now lost to history's back shelves because of more transcendent figures like Henry VIII or Catherine de Medici. But without some of these lessor known players history's course might have changed greatly.The September Queen tells the story of Jane Lane, a young woman who already 25 is unmarried. For this time period (1651) was almost unheard of. She is being courted but longs for adventure and boy does it find her! This book, while fiction is base deeply in the historical record. The life of Charles II and his escape from England and his restoration to the monarchy is probably one of the more documented events in English history.Jane was going to visit a friend who was pregnant and about to deliver her baby. In order to travel any distance over 5 miles in the days of Cromwell's rule a pass was required. Jane's trip coincided with Charle's advent to her home and need to escape. Her pass was for her and a manservant so Charles dressed in that role and off they went. History proves the escape successful since Charles did return as Charles II but this is Jane's story, not Charles although the rogue does tend to run things.Ms. Bagwell presumes that Jane and Charles became lovers during their flight. Given Charles' reputation for sleeping with just about anything in a skirt there is probably some truth to it but there is no documented record of it. The love story rang true at the start but I do wonder at any man having that level of control over a woman for so many years and with so many other women along the way. The novelized Jane comes across as somewhat starry eyed and blindly in love with a man who really took away the best years of her life. She knows in her head that he is a pig but her heart won't let go. Sorry Charles, you ARE a pig.The book is well written and a good mix of history and fiction. These were very difficult times in England and one wrong word would get a person imprisoned. Jane had to flee her homeland and spent 9 years in exile for helping the king. For this her reward at his restoration was far less than he granted many others. I feel he truly wronged her in more ways than one. I was left with an overwhelming feeling of wanting to slap Charles' face for the way he treated her.And being left with that kind of passion at the end of a book is a good thing if you ask me. It's the kind of passion that sends me off to learn more about the people I've just "met." I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a woman famous in her time but mostly lost to history who, with undeniable courage helped to keep the monarchy alive in England.
    • 4/5
      Great story! I really enjoyed reading this book. Was Jane Lane the mistress of Charles II? No one knows for sure but Gillian Bagwell took the various contemporary reports and wove a fascinating tale of suspense, intrigue and romance. If you enjoy good historical fiction based on real events, don't miss this book.

      I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
    • 4/5
      Hard to love a Howard, but I wanted this one to overcome that feeling, and so she did!
    • 4/5
      I really enjoy historical fiction that goes beyond the ‘common’ or ‘famous’ names. Those that pick out a minor character or one that just stayed behind the scenes can draw me into a world that too often gets neglected in history. Gillian Bagwell did a wonderful job doing just that in her book, The September Queen.This is the story of Charles II of England’s attempt to regain to his throne. He is sought after by Cromwell’s men. His death would make many in England breathe easier while causing even more to mourn deeply. After losing some battles, Charles has to escape to France to get more money, more backing, and keep his head on his shoulders. Many supports rally to help him though they have to be secretive and risk their own lives.One person that is so rarely mentioned in the history books was a woman named Jane Lane. She was the sister of John Lane who openly supported the king. It happened that she was to travel to a friend’s (or possibly relative’s) beside who was having a baby. She could not travel alone. A manservant was required. What better disguise for the king of England. It was through the bravery of Jane and her cousin that also went that Charles was able to make it back to France alive. They face many close calls but Miss Lane proved to be more loyal and brave than many soldiers.In The September Queen, Ms. Bagwell follows through on the rumors of Charles having an affair with Jane Lane. The story centers around their love and the obstacles that constantly appear. From secrets to scandals and from fugitives to loves, the story carries you over several decades from the depths of England to the courts of France.Ms. Bagwell obviously did quite a bit of research of the period and on the lives of Charles II and Jane Lane. She pulled from their own accounts and the rumors that swirled around them to give a romantic historical story many will enjoy.There are a few intimate scenes that are slightly graphic. These are small in number and can easily be bypassed if you desire. The entire story is well written and unbiased. Each character is seen with faults. No one is considered perfect in the story which makes it more realistic. Ms. Bagwell had me researching Jane Lane and others in the book. In that regard, she was very successful. I want to know more.Consider this a great addition to your summer reading list.Note: I was given this book indirectly from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review.
    • 4/5
      THE SEPTEMBER QUEEN by Gillian Bagwell is an interesting historical fiction set in seventeenth century England during the throes England’s civil war. It is the story of another of King Charles II’s mistresses,Jane Lane. It has romance,love,passion,survival,betrayal, adventure,danger,peril on every corner,heartbreak and the life of Jane,who saved Charles II’s life and the future of the monarchy.This is a compelling story of love,lost,heartbreak,and Jane’s romantic and perilous journey to bring Charles II safely to his right as King of England.Jane saved a King but lost her heart in the process. A fast paced story that is well written with characters that will steal your heart as you travel through seventeenth century England with these characters. “The September Queen” is a must read that will appeal to any King Charles II, historical,romance, Great Britain history,the Battle of Worcester,England,and Restoration England readers. Received from the author and the publisher for review. Details can be found at Berkley Publishing Group,published by the Penguin Group and My Book Addiction Reviews.
    • 4/5
      The book was very well written. I do love historical novels, but did not know much about King Henry VIII's time period. The book is written from Mary's point of view (Norfolk's daughter). This period in history appears to have been very dark and I didn't remember it being this way. I never realized all the "sinister" behind the scenes drama that developed and how cold and callous people can be. It was hard to read for me only because the people were so harsh and cruel. Other than that, the book was written well and the secrets of the court are interesting.