The Black Pearl (Morland Dynasty) [Paperback]

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994 | Series: Morland Dynasty (Book 5)

In the Morland Dynasty series, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family. It is 1659, and the bleak years of Cromwell’s Protectorate are drawing to a close. Civil war and its aftermath have left Morland Place in bad case, but with the return of the king, Ralph, the master, believes he can rebuild its fortunes.  For his beautiful and ambitious cousin Annunciata it means a journey to London where, embroiled in the amours and intrigues of Charles’ Court, she makes her fortune and at last unlocks the secret of her past.  A kinder age is dawning, but still uncertainty, conflict, and sorrow await both Ralph and Annunciata before they can find peace and forgiveness.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the Morland Dynasty Series, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family. The 22 volumes that comprise this elegantly produced series offer entertainment of the most compelling kind.

About the Author

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles won the Younger Writer's Award with her first novel - THE WAITING GAME. She has written over fifty books, including twenty-nine volumes of the Morland Dynasty and the acclaimed Bill Slider mystery series. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 402 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751506427
• ISBN-13: 978-0751506426
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More of the Morlands ..., June 26, 2001

By 

silke cormican (ccormican.aol.com) (München) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Pearl (Morland Dynasty) (Paperback)

Being the sequel to “The Oak Apple”, this novel is the fifth book in the MORLAND DYNASTY series.

Nine months after the fateful battle of Marston Moor, which Kit did not survive, his cousin Ruth gives birth to a daughter, Annunciata.

After the restoration of James II, Ruth sends her daughter, now a woman grown and bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Stuarts, to London where she becomes an instant sensation at Court.

Populated by engaging characters and vivid in historical detail, this book is as enjoyable as the preceding books in the series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Morlands in Restoration England, October 11, 2005

By 

S. Becker "sminismoni" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Pearl (Morland Dynasty) (Paperback)

The fifth book in the Morland dynasty series starts in 1659, as Charles II returns to England and reclaims his throne.

Another Morland heroine comes to the fore: Annunciata, daughter of the reclusive Ruth. With the identity of her father unknown, a teenage Annunciata heads to the restored court and is quickly enveloped in it's heady atmosphere of love and politics. She is the Scarlet O'Hara of her time, falling in and out of love, marrying in haste, and bearing children with resentment. The search for her father only causes more heartbreak, but Annunciata stands tall and proud through it all.

This book is packed with people and events, there is never a dull moment. Every member of the family gets a valid storyline, and the time gap from the last book is well accounted for. Once again, the characters are involved in the making of history. The court and fashion of Charles II are brilliantly described. Actual historical figures blend seemlessly with the fictional ones.

Generations may come and go, but the Morland family remain true to their principles, no matter what the politics of the time. And their careers, love affairs, and friendships show that human nature never changes. For the fan of historical fiction, these books are addictive!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A series I'm hooked on now!, January 12, 2009

By 

K. Huff (Radnor, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Pearl (Morland Dynasty) (Paperback)

On the eve of the restoration, the Morland family, led by Ralph, finds itself in reduced circumstances, and eager to regain lost property once King Charles returns to take his throne. Annunciata, age 15, has higher aspirations than marriage to her cousin Kit; and she goes to London, to take part in court life there. This was my introduction to the Morland Dynasty, and I have to say that it didn't disappoint! Harrod-Eagles makes English history accessible while at the same time creating an engaging, entertaining plot and characters. Although there are characters in The Black Pearl that appeared in The Oak Apple, I found that it wasn't completely necessary to read them first--although I will, since the series is such a treat.