Customer Reviews

The Harlot's Daughter (Harlequin Historical)

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Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 08/30/2007

Lady Joan of Weston, also known as Solay, is the considered the lowest of the low, punished for her mother's sin of courting the late king. Now Solay must see the ruling king in hopes of aid. The courts and Parliament have stripped her mother of nearly everything. If something doesn't change, Solay, her mother, and her younger sister will starve.

Lord Justin Lamont believes in the letter of the law. A lawyer and member of the Council that is to oversee young King Richard's monetary decisions, Justin has the unfortunate task of interacting with the impetuous monarch. When Solay arrives at Windsor to seek money, Justin vows to stand in her way. Her mother wronged the kingdom and deserves whatever hardship the family must face. From what he can tell, Solay has been sent to seduce her way into a comfortable purse, just like her mother. He won't let that happen.

When Solay and Justin are betrothed to each other to serve someone's nefarious purposes, both must reexamine their lives and expectations, for everything is about to change.

Medieval romance is a genre that requires a great deal of research by authors who take on the challenge. Setting, way of life, customs, even what people wore and ate during the era help place readers in the story. Even then, to pull readers the rest of the way in, the author must create a compelling tale. Gifford succeeds at both in THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER. Solay and Justin are very human; each character is strong, yet deliciously flawed. To a modern woman, Solay's focus on finding a man to help support her family may seem archaic, but for the time period, it is quite appropriate. Lest the "modern" woman despair, however, this attitude is something that is exposed and addressed quite nicely throughout.

This book is easy to read, and the story is compelling. Political intrigue, a tumultuous betrothal, desperation, and hope weave this tale of love and acceptance into a historical romance that will catch readers' hearts. Blythe Gifford knows how to touch that essential something in us all.

4.5-Books

See also: The Knave And The Maiden (Harlequin Historical Series) by Blythe Gifford

Wow--what a good book! Based on factual events during the reign of Richard II, this novel held me spellbound not only because of the smouldering relationship between the hero (the "law") and the heroine (the "harlot's daughter") but because of the developing background struggle between England's monarch and parliament. I liked that this conflict was echoed by the hero-heroine struggle for "equity" in an era when noble women had few rights that weren't dependent on men.

It's been a while since I've read a medieval historical romance that wasn't cliched or overdone or (gasp) where the outcome is apparent from the first page and there were no surprises. THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER is truly memorable!

Based on historical events, this book is a quick and interesting read filled with intrigue, politics and romance. It does not disappoint for action.

Joan, or Solay as she is called, is the daughter of the ex-King and his mistress, or so she thinks. After the King is deposed and another takes her place, she moves with her mother and younger sister to the countryside, basically in exile from the populace. Running low on funds, her mother sends her to court to beg favor from the King that he might give them money annually. The King, meanwhile, answers to Parliament, and is not exactly in charge of the treasury. Solay goes to court, among snickers and rumors of her heritage, and cajoles and lies her way into the King's favor.

When things are looking in her favor, Justin, the lawyer steps in.

Justin is sick and tired of people and their games and lies. Of course, he has his own, but that is different. Working with Parliament to stop a corrupt King is wearing him out. When he notices Solay attempting to get money from the King, he steps in to figure out what is going on, and let her know she will not get a cent without Parliament's approval. Solay does everything within her power to gain his favor, but he sees right through her tricks.

In the background of the story is a power-hungry party King and his cronies, married men having affairs, and a Pope annulling his marriage for some reason never given. There is a little sister who wants to be a man, a power-hungry abd loveless mother, and a dead wife.

There is also a power hungry Parliament and clerks, terrified judges, and at the very center of the storm, two people whom say they love each other, but don't even know themselves.

Each character in this book hoard secrets and lies like a candy stash. Though the characters are believable, none are likeable. I spent the entire book trying to figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad ones. I wanted to root for someone to win, but in the end, I'm not sure which side won because both were good and bad.

Also, we don't find out enough about the charactgers and their personalities to either like or dislike them. Though the story ran smoothly, I felt let down. It was extremely impersonal.

Armchair Interviews says: Heed this reviewer's comments.

Lady Joan (AKA as Solay) is the daughter of the infamous Alice Perrers, the former mistress of Edward III. Richard II is now King and very much at odds with Parliament over his frivolous spending habits. Solay comes to court to plea for funds for her now impoverished mother, and while there she uses her skills in astrology and tells Richard's fortune. Through one twist of fate or another she ends up hooking up with lawyer Justin Lamont, who works for the Council of Lords Appellant investigating Richard. The King orders Justin to marry Solay with the idea to have her spy for him, but Justin insists he'll only marry for love and Solay must prove it.

Or something like that, I confess to feeling a bit lost at times. In the end it was an OK love story with a much too heavy dose of Big Misunderstandings. I really didn't care for either Solay or Justin (a bad thing in a romance) and didn't find much chemistry between the two either, and some of the prose was rather silly at times:

"Her breath quickened as a plume of desire slithered up from her centre. She squeezed her thighs against the weakness, waiting for his touch...Men were all helpless that way, led by their staffs to drink at a woman's well, else how would a woman live?"

"Her breath and her body were one. There was inside and no outside, no difference between his skin and hers. No up or down. No earth or sky. Just this swirling oneness, dizzying as the fall of snowflakes."

*rolls eyes*

If you're looking for a light easy read heavier on the romance than the history this might suit to kill a few hours, but don't go out of your way hunting it down either.

If you enjoy historical romances that are lite on the history, this novel fits the bill perfectly. Historical figures are involved (our protagonist is the daughter of Alice Perrers, King Edward III's infamous mistress), but Gifford doesn't go too deeply into historical events.

As a romance, the characters are a nice change from the usual medieval-girl-forced-into-marriage bit. Gifford doesn't fall into stereotypes and that is very refreshing. And our hero? Justin is completely crush-worthy! It's a fun read!

Lady Solay, alleged daughter of Sir William of Weston was more infamously known as "the Harlot's Daughter"; for everyone knew the daughter of Lady Alys Westion, the deceased king's mistress, was sired by King Edward III. Recently come to London, Solay was presented to his son King Richard II purposely to regain a place in court in order to provide for her mother and sister, whom Parliament had stripped of most everything after King Edward had died.

Lord Jason Lamont, was a lawyer serving the Duke of Gloucester and members of Parliament. One of Lord Jason's duties was to see that the King wasted no more money on flatterers - of which he immediately put Lady Solay in that category. Believing the rumors, and thinking her a seductress like her mother, his immediate distrust of her was apparent as he tried to keep his physical attraction under control. Tricked and backed into a corner by the king, Jason found himself declaring for Solay IF she could prove she loved him.

Attracted to the Jason, Solay became a pawn in a political game of duplicity and treason, forced to make a choice of betraying the man she'd come to love, or lying to the king.

*** Since her impressive debut novel, THE KNAVE & THE MAIDEN, I've waited to see what author Blythe Gifford would come up with next and THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER most definitely lived up to my expectations of her talent. Taking her inspiration from true historical events and real people, the author took literary license in embellishing history by fictionalizing what little history was recorded of the two daughters borne by the notorious Alice Perrers, mistress of King Edward III. Creative and imaginative, Ms. Gifford engrossed this reviewer much as the real Lady Alice enthralled the King.

In true romance fashion, the two protagonists Lord Jason and Lady Solay were brought together by fate, but distrust was shown to overshadow their physical attraction to one another. Jason had been bewitched and betrayed once before vowing to never trust again. Like all the rest of the court he believed the gossip depicting Lady Solay to be as avaricious and greedy as her mother who reputedly stripped the rings off the dead king's hands. In Lord Jason's mind, the courts would see justice served and laws were to be followed to the letter - right from wrong with no place in between.

The author depicted Solay as caught between a `rock and a hard place'. Her reason for coming to court was simple, trying to regain for her mother and sister a stipend allowing them shelter and food, after Parliament had stripped her mother of all their property and gifts from the former king. Solay had to charm and ingratiate herself to the new king (her half brother) for support. Jason represented the members of Parliament, and firmly believed that the Laws worked in providing justice. Afraid to be hurt again, Jason insisted he would only marry Solay if she could prove she loved him; a hard task when he assumed every thing she said was a lie. With her and her family's livelihood hinging on spying for the king and reporting the council's plans, Solay was forced to make an impossible choice.

Complete with trials and tribulations, plus an exciting action packed and surprise ending, this wonderful historical new novel by Blythe Gifford fulfilled this reviewers expectations with fast paced excitement and nicely sensual romance. A must read for fans of medieval history, Ms. Gifford brings history to life complete with political intrigue and turbulent passions.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Blythe Gifford's THE HARLOT's DAUGHTER is a riveting historical romance set in the Middle Ages. The romance is suspenseful, tinged with hints of treason as well as passion. The author's attention to historical detail coupled with an exquisite fictional imagination makes love in the late 14th century come alive for reader.

King Edward III called Lady Solay daughter. Today, the whispering and mocking court of King Richard calls her the harlot's daughter. Once banished from court, Lady Solay now returns to court in an attempt to curry favor and money. Her mother Alys, the former mistress of the late King, coaxes her daughter in the ways of seduction and how to win favors from kings. The disgraced Alys knows her daughter's success at court remains the only hope for her family's economic survival. Despite the murmurs, Solay holds her head high. She must focus on the king, the supreme power and law of the land. Her family depends on her.

Lord Justin Lamont, a lawyer, works with the Council and the Duke of Gloucester in an attempt to reign in the power of the king and prevent the misuse of Treasury money for extravagant favors. For him, Solay represents all the extravagance, corruption and debauchery rampant in the court and yet her beauty and spirit attract him. Can she protect King Richard by spying on Lord Justin's plans while showering him with her attentions? Has she learned her mother's lessons well enough to please both Lord Justin and King Richard? In an effort to control the treasury from the King's decadence, Lord Justin must keep a careful eye on all those seeking the King's favor. Threatened by each other's political roles, they are forced together by the King, promised oaths and bargains. Justin and Solay find much more is at risk as they are drawn together in a risky dance of secrets, politics and law --- their hearts. When King and Council war with one another for ultimate power, can Justin and Solay's growing love for one another protect them from all the conflicts or will they be forced to turn against each other in a bid for personal safety and ideals?

In THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER, Blythe Gifford's imagination opens a window into the details of medieval history, blending details from historical and literary records with fictional characters whose romance makes history come alive for the modern reader. Based on Joan the daughter of Alice Perrers the infamous mistress of King Edward III, Lady Solay's encounters and conversations with Lord Justin reveal riveting philosophical questions underlying the Parliament's action to place the King under the control of the Council of Lords Appellant. What is truth? Is truth based on power or law? Can absolute power ever achieve justice? How does justice apply to those motivated by need as compared to an ideal? Does compassion supercede the law? Can an individual medieval woman receive justice or compassion from king, the law or love? Pitted against each other by their opposing ideals and needs, yet drawn to each other by love growing more passionate, can Solay and Justin reveal their ideals and secret vulnerabilities? If so, what are the ramifications for them and the court?

Blythe Gifford's medieval historical romance is grounded in both medieval history and literary traditions from the larger plot elements to the finest details. Medieval enthusiasts will find a special delight in the marriage conditions such as the one Justin places on Lady Solay with the reminiscences of medieval tales (See The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell as well as the versions of the Tale of Florent told by John Gower's Confessio Amantis and Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale.), yet transformed by setting this convention within the context of a concrete historical event and the romance genre. True to history and literature, John Gower makes an appearance at Richard's court. Even more fine in detail than the time setting of the liturgical calendar, a minor character is mentioned as reading a book to create a contrast to Lady Solay`s temperament and interest in astrology. Medieval enthusiasts will remember that William Caxton brought the printing press to England at a date later than the time frame encompassed by this book and therefore books, as we think of them, were rare, expensive and likely to have originated from the court. To the reader's delight, even this most minute detail echoes the suspense and literary themes of the romance! Blythe Gifford's THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER easily transports the reader into the time and the romance and yet this is a romance that Medieval enthusiasts might choose to keep on their shelves and reread ---- this is a romance that continues to give and delight after the first reading!

In 1376 with the death of the king, his mistress and her two young daughters from her royal paramour are exiled. Now a decade later, the older illegitimate offspring Lady Joan Weston known as Lady Solay has come to plead with King Richard II for leniency for her impoverished mother and sister and a place at court for her. As everyone watches the Doxy's Daughter step forward. The Parliament Oversight Council lawyer Lord Justin Lamont thinks the mother of Joan the Elder almost destroyed the realm, but he cannot pull his eyes from her.

King Richard assigns Joan to read the stars on his birthday. Meanwhile Lord Justin and the Council struggle with Richard's giving presents to his friends while demanding higher taxes to pay for his gifts. Having been fooled by beautiful eyes before and knowing the damage her mother did, Justin distrusts Lady Joan although he attracted to her especially her violet eyes. To their mutual chagrin, King Richard orders them to wed because his assignment for Joan is to spy on Justin and the Council. Joan knows firsthand how cruel the Council can be and how much her mother and sister need her to pull them out of poverty, so she accepts the royal decree; knowing that she will be betraying the man she loves.

In spite a zillion takes set during the reign of King Richard II, few historical romances contain the late fourteenth century atmosphere of the royal court as THE HARLOT'S DAUGHTER possesses. The story line provides a powerful look at pre Magna Carta intrigue between the youthful monarch and Parliament. Especially insightful is the avaricious hanger-ons that will remind the audience of heavyweight champions' retinues. The romance between the lead couple is deftly designed to provide a beautiful love story of apparent star-crossed lovers caught in a web of domestic spying and vile gossip are the norm.

Harriet Klausner