The Queen's Lady [Kindle Edition]

Shannon Drake (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Drake's ponderous historical, Gwyneth Maclead is a native Scot who's become maid and confidante to Mary, queen of Scots. When the Catholic Mary, barely 19 and newly widowed, leaves France to claim her Scottish title, loyal, forthright, knowledgeable Gwyneth is at her side to teach her about the country she left as a child. Accompanying them is Rowan Graham, Highland laird and valued friend of Mary's half-brother James Stewart. Gwyneth immediately distrusts the handsome, powerful noble who seems both annoyed and amused with her, but the queen forces their collusion when she sends them to England on a mission to persuade Queen Elizabeth, Mary's Protestant cousin, to name Mary as her heir. When Gwyneth and Rowan fall for each other, it sets off a series of unforeseen political events, culminating in a power grab by Mary's ambitious new husband, the branding of Rowan and James as traitors and Gwyneth's abduction. Attempting to cover entirely too much of Elizabethan religious and political maneuverings, Drake (aka Heather Graham) ends up with wooden characters and an unfocused plot. (Nov.)
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Product Description

16th Century. She desired him above all others... Would he now be her executioner?

Lady Gwenyth Macleod has staked her fortune and her reputation to help Mary, Queen of Scots take her rightful place on the throne. But her struggle to guide the reckless, defiant queen has put her at perilous odds with Rowan Graham, a laird dangerously accomplished in both passion and affairs of state. And the more Gwenyth challenges his intentions, the less he can resist the desire igniting between them. Now, with her country in turmoil and treachery shadowing her every step, will Gwenyth's last daring gamble lead her to the ultimate betrayal--or a destiny greater than she could ever imagine?

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 272 KB
• Publisher: HQN Books (November 1, 2007)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000W93AOM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,298 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong historical fiction, October 30, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Queen's Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

As a child she left Scotland for France accompanied by the four Mary Ladies in Waiting. Finally in 1561 recently widowed nineteen years old Queen Mary, no long the Queen of France, has returned to Scotland to sit on the throne. Accompanying the young Queen is her close friend Lady Gwyneth MacLeod. Gwyneth listens closely to Mary's desires and offers sage advice to go carefully with her heart as there are many who resent losing power with the monarch's return. However, as she warns her regal friend, Gwyneth ironically struggles to heed her own advice. Instead she is attracted to Lord Rowan Graham, whom she is not sure she should trust.

Mary sends Gwyneth and Rowan on a mission together in which their allure for one another openly ignites as desire tugs at both of them. However, treachery places the pair in danger with Gwyneth forced to choose between the love of her heart and the love of her friend; either choice may lead to execution.

THE QUEEN'S LADY is a strong historical fiction enhanced by a wonderful romantic subplot. The story line hones in on the political instability and overall country-wide chaos caused by Mary's return to Scotland. The difficult relationship between the lead couple augments Shannon Drake's entreatingly profound look at the fifteenth century furor caused by Mary Queen of Scots homecoming.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, October 26, 2007

By 

Deira "Love is not blind - it sees more, not ... (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Queen's Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this haunting view of the rise of Mary Queen of Scots, as seen by one of her (ficitonal) ladies. Mary is truly one of history's most tragic victims. I cried at the ending, even knowing as we all do how her story ends.

The story of the Lady Gwenyth and Laird Rowan is one of the best romances, I've read in a long time. You will not be disappointed, as you fall in love with Rowan and the idealist Gwenyth who risks everything for those she loves in a Scotland filled with intrigue and betrayal.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Queen Mary Scottish Historical is Excellent!, September 26, 2010

By 

Regan (San Diego) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Queen's Lady (Kindle Edition)

This Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham) historical is set in 16th century Scotland and England during the rise of Mary Queen of Scots and her clash with her cousin, Elizabeth, reigning as Queen of England. Lady Gwenyth MacLeod is one of Mary's ladies in waiting and her Scottish background and knowledge allow her to provide unique insights to her new Queen who is returning from France after the death of her first husband. Very soon into her time with Mary in Scotland, Gwenyth encounters Lord Rowan Graham, laird of Lockraven, who is also serving Queen Mary. The attraction is mutual and strong though there is an initial clash of wills. Still once he realizes he loves her, his love for her never fails. I think that's what distinguishes this romance for me from so many of Drake's (Graham's) other historicals, particularly the Viking series. The hero never treated the heroine badly and never stopped loving her. How novel, eh? I loved the hero's consistency and his faithfulness to his love. Here is a man worth the wait. Their times were tumultuous and they faced many challenges including the inconsistency of the Queen they both served. You can imagine how difficult it would be in such times to find real love. This is a wonderful wade through the history of Scotland and England...a tale of two Queens...a tale of a great romance between two people trying to do what is right. And, it has Graham's usual good job of storytelling, great character development and a true love fought for and won. I loved it.