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Restoration Lady

This is the conclusion to the acclaimed trilogy which has so far numbered Mayflower Maid (amazon US || UK) and Jamestown Woman (amazon US || UK). Bessie has already had enough adventures (and misadventures) to fill several lifetimes in the New World and during the Civil War; now she must survive the rigors of Cromwell’s reign and the triumphant return of the monarchy, as well as the woes of plague and fire.

It is good to get a novel about the 17th century, which is surely the least written about century in the last thousand years. So much happened then too — and most of it gets told in these three books.  They aren’t large books either, but I invariably prefer quality to quantity and there is certainly true quality here as well as a quantity of adventures, which is the best of both for a novel.  Bessie tells the story, and she comes over very much as a woman of her time, getting under the skin of what it must have been like to have lived through such a significant period.  The other people in the book and their exploits have that all-important ring of authenticity about them too, making this very much a realistic book.   More from this author soon please — being able to spin the dross of history into the gold of story is not a common talent despite the wealth of historical fiction available.- Rachel Hyde

 

Historical Novels Review-  August 2008 - Restoration Lady.

If, like me, you have read and enjoyed Mayflower Maid and Jamestown Woman you will be eager to read the concluding part of this excellent trilogy. This is the story of Bessie's further adventures ( or misadventures) as she copes with the rest of the Civil War and Cromwell's reign and sees the return of the monarchy only to get hit by the double whammy of plague and fire.

I often complain that the 17th century does not get written about often enough, but at least with this series I have if not exactly quantity, but certainly quality. Ms.Allan manages to pack a lot into her fairly slender volumes, which makes a pleasant change from the usual weighty tomes. She gets under the skin of what it must have been like to have lived through such momentous times, and her characters have the ring of authenticity about them with the concerns and ideals of the era. This is also a book that manages not to veer to extremes of black and white, but shows the realism in between both in events and people; some larger -than -life situations, but nothing that cannot be found in the history books.

Here is a rare thing, a highly readable novel of modest length filled with thought- provoking situations. I do hope we haven't read the last of Sue Allan. Highly recommended, and one series that has to be read in order.

                                                                                                                                                      

' Restoration Lady takes the reader through a web of intrigue, good fortune, bad fortune and morality. It is a story which visits the plague,

 a disease that takes no prisoners, the Great Fire of London and features the renowned diarist Samuel Pepys - eminently readable.'

Chris Horan, Scunthorpe Telegraph .
 

 

Restoration Lady  - London 1664  

          The bearers stop. I am grounded at my destination. Through the fine mesh screen of my window, I watch the rabble stream in the street suddenly stop mid flow and then hastily begin to pool into a curious mob. One, swiftly followed by another, have now recognized the crimson crest painted upon my black-lacquered sedan chair door. A rising murmur of 'Look!' and 'It's her!' reaches even my age-dulled ears as a wave of excitement quickly ripples out. I can sense that all eyes are now upon me and I know what it is they want. They want to see it. They crave even the tiniest glimpse to sate their thirsting  curiosity about me. And I? I want to see first if they are deserving enough.

            I draw up my black lace shawl high about my shoulders. Then, taking in a deep breath, I steel myself as my footman opens up the door. I thrust out my arm and as my silver-topped, ebony walking cane makes contact with the cobbles below, an eerie hush suddenly descends. The air is charged with anticipation. Like waiting for a roll of thunder after lightening has streaked across a lead grey sky.

            Then, gingerly stepping down I slowly emerge from my sedan cocoon like a butterfly, dressed in a riot of colored silks and ribbons. For a moment, I straighten up a little to gently shake out the creases in my skirts. Then, head held high, I stand as tall and upright as I am able and boldly look back into the staring faces. My deliberate smile is  confident as I then give a rather understated wave of my gem-studded free hand. This is like setting a flame to a fuse. The silence suddenly explodes into cries of admiration. The throng sing out my name as an ocean of hands reach out towards me in greeting. Some throw compliments my way. Others throw flowers. Not one berates or insults me so, therefore, I am decided. They are deserving and I shall reward them.

            As I make to walk on, I casually, yet quite calculatingly, let my shawl slip down, just a little, from my chalk white shoulders. It is precisely enough to reveal the ample cleavage caressed snuggly into my low cut bodice. At this, the collective gasp from the crowd is clearly audible. For a few fleeting moments, the mark burnt indelibly into the top of my left breast is clearly visible to all. For their delectation and titillation, I have bared  my flesh for today's insatiable appetite for notoriety to feast upon...

Return to Contents Page    Pictures from Stow Minster

Restoration Lady  copyright  is registered at the Library of Congress, Washington DC.

Restoration Lady is published by domtom uk.