The Governor's Ladies [Hardcover]

Deryn Lake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2005

The year is 1775 and the town of Boston, Massachusetts, is seething with unrest as the War of Independence is about to erupt. With loyalties and love stretched to their very limits, the lives of Thomas Gage, his American wife, Margaret, and his young slave girl, Sara, become inexorably combined. Having risen through the army ranks to become a colonel, Thomas Gage has known many battles in his time. For many years Thomas believed he did not have the time nor the inclination for romance - until that is he met and fell in love with the vivacious Margaret Kemble, eventually winning her hand in marriage. Years of happiness ensue, in which he rises to become the British Governor of Massachusetts. But tensions erupt in this troubled state. Distracted by a young pretty black slave girl called Sara, Thomas seeks solace in teaching her the pleasures of reading and writing. But with conflict, heartbreak and death raging, threatening to engulf all involved, will true love and happiness prevail? A remarkable novel, The Governor's Lady explores the complexity of human nature amidst the turmoil of love, loss and revenge.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Ingenious and highly readable' The Times 'She has a strong sense of history and an uncanny ability to bring it to life' Daily Mail --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Deryn Lake is the pseudonym of a popular historical novelist who lives close to the famous battlefield of 1066. Her previous books include: Death in the Setting Sun, Death in the Valley of Shadows, and Death at St James's Palace.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Allison & Busby (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749082208
• ISBN-13: 978-0749082208
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,894,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Really My Cup of Tea, May 31, 2008

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Governor's Ladies (Hardcover)

Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries. As all the John Rawlings title are preceded by the word death, it is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex

This book is a change of pace for the author. It was written in 2005 and it would have been so much easier for her to add to the growing list of John Rawlings mysteries, books that have a ready audience of readers. Instead she has gone down a totally different road setting this book in America in the year 1775 when the War of Independence is about to erupt.

The town of Boston Massachusetts is a fiery cauldron of unrest as war is about to erput. Caught in the middle of the turmoil is the British Governor of Massachusetts, Thomas Gage, married to Margaret, an American woman. Loyalties are bound to be tested and heartbreak is never far away. Can their marriage and the loyalty of the people around them survive this traumatic period in their lives?

The book was not really my cup of tea, but no one can deny that it is well written and I am sure will attract a great many readers. I surely cannot blame the author for my lack of interest in the subject she has chosen to write about.

2.0 out of 5 stars Should have done better, January 17, 2010

By 

Sally Fallen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Governor's Ladies (Hardcover)

First of all, the writing (narrative and dialogue) is very weak, seeming on the juvenile side at times. When an author just takes one or two history books and makes narrative fiction from the events, this usually leads to a boring presentation. Better to read the history books. But when doing this is coupled with weak writing, the effect is a disaster. The writer should have spent another year in re-writes. Conjecturing about the gray areas of history is what can make these historicals worthwhile, but that can be misused, as it was here. One example, does anyone really believe that Joseph Warren, now the general of the army outside Boston, would, or could leave his post and go back into Boston, risking capture, just for a few medical supplies and to have sex with Margaret? This thought was inspired when the author read that Benjamin Church did just that, at least that was his excuse to the Patriots. But he went into Boston being Gage's spy, not for medicine.

There is some good stuff that can be developed here. I just wish these authors would take some pride and make good books instead of settling on the mediocre or worse.