Courante Publishing
Paperback & eBook; 342 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Synopsis
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
England 1586
Alyce Bradley has few choices when her father decides it is time she marry as many refuse to see her as other than the girl she once was--unruly, outspoken and close to her grandmother, a woman
suspected of witchcraft.
Thomas Granville, an ambitious privateer, inspires fierce loyalty in those close to him and hatred in those he has crossed. Beyond a large dowry, he is seeking a virtuous and dutiful wife. Neither he nor Alyce expect more from marriage than mutual courtesy and respect.
As the King of Spain launches his great armada and England braces for invasion, Alyce must confront closer dangers from both her own and Thomas's past, threats that could not only destroy her hopes of love and happiness but her life. And Thomas is powerless to help.
'People never forget. When the fancy takes them, they bring the old stories out and embroider them further.'
My Thoughts
As a punishment for her behaviour, sixteen year old Alyce Bradley was banished from her home and sent to live with Lady Faulconer, the head of a strict, noble household. Twelve years later, when Lady Faulconer dies, Alyce is unceremoniously sent home to the family she has not seen in all that time and is unsure of the welcome she will receive. While they are happy to see her, her return is problematic and certain aspects of her past behaviour will never be forgotten: her outspokenness and the strong bond she shared with her grandmother, a suspected witch.
Alyce is sensible enough to know that at the age of twenty eight, denied a place in her father's business because she is a female, she cannot remain at home for ever. Her only option is to seek a position in a respectable household as a companion, but Alyce's father, a successful mercer, decides she needs to be married and offers a dowry large enough to tempt the right sort of person.
Thomas Granville, a privateer, has returned to England to seek investors for a new business venture. He remembers meeting Alyce as a young girl, but on a more recent visit to her father's shop, he sees the woman she has become. When he learns that Hugh Bradly is seeking a husband for Alyce with a substantial dowry as enticement, his interest is aroused further and an offer of marriage ensues. Although she is aware of the rumours that Thomas is a pirate and a womaniser, and that the dowry influenced his decision, she accepts his offer.
This is a beautifully written romance: a marriage of convenience between two endearing characters who show kindness and respect to each other from the start. As the story progresses, the subtle changes in the relationship between Alyce and Thomas, and how Alyce's confidence in herself is restored, is heartwarming. That is, until she is the subject of gossip, innuendo and superstition. When her life is threatened by a charge of witchcraft brought against her, Alyce seeks support from those closest to her, but once again is abandoned and betrayed in her hour of need.
Alyce is an easy character to love, primarly because of the treatment she was subjected to by her parents. Her resentment and the feeling that she is not valued in her own right is understandable. Over the years of her exile, Alice learnt to suppress her feelings, dress and behave in a manner designed not to draw attention to herself and so finds it hard to readjust to life back within the family. Her mother and sister believe she is being difficult and that she hasn't changed, particularly when Alyce voices her opinions.
In Thomas, Alyce has found a true champion. He acknowledges Alyce's intelligence and spirit. He is also very astute when it comes to her family. Thomas rose in my estimation each time he defended Alyce from them, especially from her selfish and vindictive sister, Isabel, who married into the equally obnoxious Sutton family. He is also aware that Alyce's duty to her family is stronger than her own needs and he steps in on a number of occasions to take control.
Alyce and Thomas' romance is played out against a time of unrest in Elizabethan England: the Babington plot to assassinate Elizabeth I is uncovered; Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed and the Spanish are poised for war. It is also an age where superstition is rife and a charge of witchcraft is a convenient way of striking at an enemy or holding someone else responsible for one's misfortunes.
The Bridled Tongue is an outstanding story of revenge, jealousy, malice, greed, love and romance that takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, but leaves you extremely satisfied and smiling by the end. A wonderful read and one I highly recommend.
Available on Amazon
About the Author
Although she grew up in regional Victoria, Australia, she has lived all her adult life in Melbourne. She has worked as a nurse, a tax assessor and finally a librarian. She has a Master of Arts in history and is also a family history obsessive.
For more information, please visit Catherine Meyrick's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, March 16
Review at Nursebookie
Interview at Let Them Read Books
Tuesday, March 17
Review at Books and Zebras
Wednesday, March 18
Review at YA, it's Lit
Excerpt at I'm All About Books
Thursday, March 19
Review at Historical Romance Lover
Friday, March 20
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Saturday, March 21
Review at Historical Graffiti
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Sunday, March 22
Review at A Darn Good Read
Monday, March 23
Review at Carole's Ramblings
Interview at Jathan & Heather
Tuesday, March 24
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Wednesday, March 25
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Thursday, March 26
Review at Jessica Belmont
Review at Passages to the Past
Giveaway (International)
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two paperback copies of The Bridled Tongue! Enter here.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on March 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
So glad you enjoyed The Bridled Tongue! Thank you for being on the tour!
ReplyDeleteAmy
HF Virtual Book Tours
It was great! Thank you for the invitation to the tour. A pleasure, as always.
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