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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wintercombe,
By A Customer
This review is from: Wintercombe (Hardcover)
I have read all of Pamela Belles civil war series. Both sets are intricately woven with rich historical facts and her characters, while fictional, become real to the reader. The Wintercombe series is my favorite, as Ms. Belle can make the trials of forbidden romance during war torn England so poignant. I highly recommend any of her historical fiction books for those who love both history and romance without the sappy, unrealistic nonsence.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't put it down,
By
This review is from: Wintercombe (Hardcover)
Raised in a strict Puritan household with an abusive father, Silence learned at a young age to keep her emotions locked tightly inside her. Married at twenty to an older widower, London raised Silence struggles to fit in with his children and tyrannical mother. Nine years later Civil War breaks out between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians and Simon leaves to join the army leaving Silence and her children in relative peace - that is until a troop of Royalist soldiers arrive to take possession of Wintercombe in the King's name. Leading the troop is the ruthless Colonel Ridgeley who has no pity for the wife of a "traitor" - and Wintercombe is soon invaded by drunken, carousing soldiers.
Always keeping a mask over her emotions, Silence withstands the horrendous abuses committed against her family, home and servants - although she finds sympathy and friendship with Captain Nick Hellier who tries his best to nullify the abominations committed by Ridgeley. Does Nick harbor stronger feelings for Silence or is he just amusing himself during his tenure at Wintercombe? Can Puritan raised Silence resist the love she finally admits for Nick or will she commit the great sin of adultery? Can anyone stop Colonel Ridgeley and his horrifying abuses or will he destroy Wintercombe and the St. Barbe family? Despite the appearance of being a romance novel, do not let that stop you. What *romance* there might be in the story between the two (and I'm not letting on) is well towards the end of the book - what this book is about is characters and family and how they are affected by war as their home and lives are taken over by brutal, ruthless soldiers - and let me tell you there are some terrifying scenes in this book. There is a lot of family interaction and details of daily life in 17C England, as well as seeing the conflict from both sides. Belle really brings the period and people to life, and I especially enjoy how she writes children and pets. This might be a bit slow paced at times for readers looking for an action packed read, but if you enjoy a more character driven plot and want to see the affects of war on the women, children and their daily lives I would recommend an immediate trip to your library or your favorite used bookseller. This is the first of a four book series and continues the St Barbe family through the reign of Charles II and the Monmouth rebellion. In order, Wintercombe Herald of Joy A Falling Star Treason's Gift
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Household Held Hostage,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Wintercombe (Hardcover)
This is a good story, if a bit long. Basically, during one of England's civil wars, a large estate named Wintercombe is the home to a gaggle of Puritan women and children. Silence, the mistress of the house (well... second to her evil mother in law), is the wife of a man branded a traitor by the king's men. Therefore, when her father in law dies bequeathing the house to his wife, the king's soldiers are faced with a dilemma as to how to attain Wintercombe. Even tho it shelters a traitor's wife and children, the evil mother and widow was wife to a loyal man. The resolution: Wintercombe is forced to shelter at least 50 of the king's men, provide food and wine for them, and house their horses. The novel covers difficulties arising from all these soldiers in a home of Puritan women, their drinking, cavorting, raiding of the ale, their seducing of the milkmaid, their turning the chimney sweeper's daughter into a lady of ill repute, the lack of food, back weather, disagreements, arguments, and even a shooting and an explosion!
Silence, meanwhile, discovers a surprising friendship blooming with a Captain named Nick. He never ceases to come to her aid and often plays mediator between her the rowdier men. In between comical incidents, Nick begins to slowly "woo" the not-so-devout-after-all Puritan lady. Can Silence "behave" herself in her husband's absence? This falls short of being a 5 star book for a few reasons. The romance took a very long time to really enter the picture. I wouldn't even call this a romance novel so if it is romance you are looking for, keep looking. I was also put off at times by two things, and this is likely just me as I know I am a rare breed of woman, but not being fond of children, I grew a little tired of reading about the children and what they do and say and Silence has 5 of them under her roof so it was unavoidable. Neither am I a religious person so the word "godly" and talk of "godliness" got a bit tiresome at times. And I HATED the ending. I will say it is surprising, but I did not like it. After 500 some pages, I would prefer a more joyful conclusion. If you want a piece of English history and are tired of the kings and queens, I recommend you have a go at this. It is very well researched.. I actually learned some new customs from it.
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