Customer Reviews

Wintercombe

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Just wanted to put a note in here because this book is definitely worth a read to those who enjoy historical novels. I have not read any of her works before and was suprised at how well she writes. I have enjoyed it enough to try hunting around for the second in the series!

Apart from the above it has provided a wonderful insight into the daily life of a puritan family.

I have re-read this story several times over the last few years. It is a long book but you do get involved with the characters, their problems etc but it also shows how a love grows between two completely different people. I noticed that other reviewers did not like the ending, but there is a sequel book to this story called Herald of Joy which reunites the two characters and gives them the happy ending they deserved.

** spoiler alert **

Well written, detailed historial romance set in the days of the English Civil War. I enjoyed Belle's deft handling of day-to-day activities of life during each season of the year in which the plot unfolds.

Would have rated it a 5 had it not been marred by the adultery at the end. Sorry, but I'm not sympathetic to love when it comes at the cost of broken marriage vows, regardless of how black a brush Belle paints the cuckholded husband. Was expecting hubby to conveniently die in battle, so was disappointed in how it wrapped up.

Just wanted to put a note in here because this book is definitely worth a read to those who enjoy historical novels. I have not read any of her works before and was suprised at how well she writes. I have enjoyed it enough to try hunting around for the second in the series!

Apart from the above it has provided a wonderful insight into the daily life of a puritan family.

Historical fiction has done to death the early and late (Elizabethan) Tudor eras, the Norman conquest, the high Middle Ages, the Regency and many other periods in English history, but the English civil war is not often chronicled in historical fiction. This is a well-written, well researched book populated by three-dimensional characters a reader can fall in love with. Highly recommended.