Title: The Queen’s Exiles
Author: Barbara Kyle
Series: Thornleigh, #6
Published: May 2014, Kensington
Format: ARC Paperback, 352 pages
Source: Publisher via Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
1572. Europe is in
turmoil. In the Netherlands the streets are red with the blood of those
who dare to oppose the brutal Spanish occupation. A vengeful faction of
exiled English Catholics is plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and
install her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. But amid the
unrest, one resourceful young woman has made a lucrative enterprise …Scottish-born
Fenella Doorn rules like a queen over a privateer’s haven on the Isle
of Sark. Her success at salvaging crippled vessels affords her gold and
security, and it is on one of these ships that she meets wealthy
Baron—and privateer—Adam Thornleigh. Secretly drawn to him, Fenella
can’t refuse when Adam enlists her to join him in war-torn Brussels to
help find his traitorous wife, Frances—and the children she’s taken from
him.But Fenella’s own bold actions have put a price on her
head. Now Adam and Fenella’s lives are in peril as they race across
Europe in an attempt to rescue his young ones, defend the crown, and
restore the peace that few can remember.
My thoughts: This is the 6th book in Barbara Kyle’s Thornleigh series and I was quite excited to read it. I’ve read every book in this series, and while they can all be read as stand alones, I find that you get the full development of the fictional family Barbara has created – The Thornleighs.
One of my favorite aspects of historical fiction is the weaving of fact with fiction to create a compelling tale. I feel that Barbara Kyle has done this quite well with her fictional Thornleigh family – a family that has taken us on quite a ride through Tudor England. In this latest installment, the book focuses on the Dutch revolution against the Spanish rule – a period of time in history I knew virtually nothing about. Kyle pairs this with the hero and heroine – Adam Thornleigh and Fenella Doorn attempting a daring rescue of his children.
The action in this book is non-stop and there are many chapters that end with mini cliff-hangers that beg you to keep reading to find out what happens next. It’s so easy to be swept up in this book – for the historical aspects as well as the drama that ensues.
I also love the Author’s Note that is included at the back of the book. Here Barbara Kyle takes some time to point out the historical points she used as well as the fictional areas she created to mesh the two together. I like that this is at the end of the book, so that I can enjoy the story for what it is, but I can then find out what what fact and what was the imagination of the author.
I really enjoy reading this series. I love the characters, I love the time period and I love that Barbara Kyle doesn’t necessarily set all the books in England. They are all set during the Tudor reign, but we’ve been to quite a few places in the realm during this reign, now adding the Netherlands to the fray. This is what makes this series so fun and exciting and different and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with in the next installment!!!
Books in this series:
- The Queen’s Lady
- The King’s Daughter
- The Queen’s Captive
- The Queen’s Gamble
- Blood Between Queens
- The Queen’s Exiles
- The Traitor’s Daughter – due out 2015
The Queen’s Exiles by Barbara Kyle is on tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Be sure to check out the other tour stops
to read more reviews, guest posts and some giveaway opportunities. Be
sure to follow all the twitter activity, too at #QueensExilesTour.
I will be posting a Guest Post by Barbara Kyle on Wednesday and there just might be a giveaway!!!
Oh this sounds good! I've been really enjoying historical fiction lately and this sounds like it'd be just my kind of book. Thanks for sharing!