The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards

Title: The Queen's Lady
Author: Eve Edwards
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin
Published: 3rd Feb 2011
ISBN: 978-0141327334
Author's website: http://eve-edwards.co.uk/

Rating: 5/5

The cover on this is really sumptuous and brim full of gorgeous colours and detail, from the dress on the character, to the bronze metallic scroll detail and lettering of the author's name.  This review has spoilers of the first book, The Other Countess, but not too much is given away about The Queen's Lady.

Set in the late 1500's, The Queen's Lady is a historical romance based on the reign of Elizabeth I and the political court of that time.  This is Lady Jane Rievaulx's story and follows on from The Other Countess.  The start of the book sees Jane saying a bittersweet goodbye to a close friend, which seals her destiny in the royal court. Jane begins service to the Queen - during this we get a really good look at what life might have been like in service, and how royalty was treated at that time.

James was also in the last book, being Jane's virtual brother in law before she broke off the engagement to her future husband so they did not enter into a loveless marriage, and selflessly walking away so her betrothed could marry the love of his life.  James brings a new slant to this story.  He is haunted by the war in which he took part, and has a complete lack of self worth at the start.

Can the James and Jane finally be together...or will fate intervene?

Themes from the book include greed, family ties, commitment, romance and interracial love.  I loved reading this, and was swept away into a world of days long gone, where women had to be submissive and give in to both their family, and society's demands.  From this, I truly detested the character of Jane's brother Henry...vile creature!

Here's the book trailer for the Lacey Chronicles, of which there are: The Other Countess (already out), The Queen's Lady (coming February 2011) and The Rogue's Princess (July 2011).

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Title: The Other Countess

Author: Eve Edwards

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Published: July 2010

ISBN: 978-0141327303

Author's website: http://eve-edwards.co.uk/

Rating: 5/5

The cover on the version I have is the same as the one pictured - there is another cover which is more decadent and more in keeping with the other two covers in the series.  This cover is very intricate, you can see the bead detail on the dress as well as the pattern, and a slight scroll effect which becomes more prominent in the following books in the series, as does the author's name on the cover. There are a few spoilers as I completely fell in love with this historical romance...it's kind of hard to keep it all to myself ;p

Lady Eleanor Rodriguez of San Jaime - Ellie to most people - is an alchemists daughter.  Her mother has since passed, and Ellie is struggling with her fathers obsession with alchemy.  Her father is convinced he will one day make gold, but in the meantime they are left finding sponsors for her fathers complete obsession.  He's so blind to what is going on around him he's in his own world most of the time, and Ellie is left to deal with the consequences, as if she were the parent...she deserves so much more.

The Other Countess has themes of titles, romance, politics, Catholicism & Christianity (which I found fascinating, even though it normally wouldn't interest me), with a plot that feels as if you are actually there, in the late 1500s.  I love the way history is seamlessly intermingled with the storyline, it all fits together really beautifully, and I did pick up on the loose end which then follows on to the next in the series, The Queen's Lady.

Book synopsis:

Ellie - Lady Eleanor Rodriguez of San Jaime - is in possession of a gold seeking father, a worthless title and a spirit that captivates the elite of the Queen's court, and none other that the handsome new Earl of Dorset....

William Lacey has inherited his father's title and his financial ruin.  Now the Earl must seek a wealthy heiress and restore his family's fortune.  But Will's head has been turned by the gorgeous Ellie, yet their union can never be.  Will is destined to marry a worthy Lady so the only question is - which one....?