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A Divided Inheritance by Deborah Swift & Giveaway (International)

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A Divided Inheritance

My first experience with Deborah Swift’s work was when I read The Gilded Lily and loved it.  Naturally I was excited to read A Divided Inheritance and once again was impressed with the storytelling ability of Deborah Swift.  A Divided Inheritance carried me away on a historical adventure to another time and place with engaging characters and vivid imagery.

The year is 1609 when we meet Elspet Leviston who lives with her father and helps him to run their successful lace business.  She enjoys the quiet time she has with her father and the discussions they have over business matters.  When her father arrives home one day with a man in tow, a man that her father claims is her cousin, she is not at all impressed.  She does not trust Zachary from the start and it isn’t long before he lives up to what she already thinks of him.  He dominates her father’s time and worse yet her father’s plan is to groom Zachary to take over the lace business one day.  Elspet had always imagined that her father would leave the business to her.  Soon enough Zachary gets himself into trouble with the law and Elspet’s father sends him off on a Grand Tour to supposedly mature him.  Things will return to normal now and Elspet will be able to talk some sense into her father… except that he passes on suddenly.  Nobody is more surprised than Elspet when the will is read and she learns things that completely shock her.  She is left with no choice other than to chase after Zachary to get back what she feels is rightfully hers.

She finally tracks him down in Spain where political and religious unrest is at a boiling point.  She finds him doing what he loves – training in fencing. Of course he wants nothing to do with her but she does manage to catch the eye of the fencing master who invites her to stay and learn to fence.  Things are in great turmoil though and it isn’t long before orders are given for the expulsion of the Spanish Muslims.  This hits both Elspet and Zachary hard as their hearts are with those that have to leave.  When things get out of hand and lives are threatened both Elspet and Zachary realize that despite their differences they are the only family either of them has and they fight for what they believe in.

Elspet is a great character and I was rooting for her all the way.  Despite the fact that she was born in a time when women didn’t have a lot of rights Elspet was still outspoken and downright tough.  Although scared she traveled to find Zachary and while there learned to fence with the men and then fought for her life.  She most definitely had guts.  Zachary is that guy that you despise but as time passes he redeems himself.  This is one of those stories that you can lose yourself in for a while as it races from one point to another and at 500 pages that is a good thing.  A Divided Inheritance is another excellent novel from Deborah Swift and well worth reading for any historical fan but will also appeal to those who love a good old adventurous tale!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Deborah’s website, Facebook, and Twitter
Buy at: Amazon and Amazon Canada

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (Open Internationally)

I have one paperback copy of A Divided Inheritance by Deborah Swift to share with my readers and best of all the giveaway is open internationally.  To enter…

  • Leave a comment for 1 entry to the giveaway.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 additional entries.

This giveaway is open internationally!  I will draw for the winner on November 13/13.  Good luck!

 

A Divided Inheritance Tour Banner FINAL

Source:  Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Oh my! Not sure I’ve read one in this period. She sounds like a strong and outspoken girl for that time. Felt sorry that the cousin came in and got what her dream had been, to own the shop. But, that seems the way it was back then. I don’t have a book by Deborah but would love to win this one. AND, I shared this on my Facebook page.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

  12. What a fantastic review of this book! It’s been a awhile since I read a good historical fiction and your review makes me want to read this one sooner than later.

    laurafabiani at videotron dot ca

  13. I loved The Gilded Lily as well and have been waiting for this one to come out! Thanks for the review and giveaway!

  14. First I love historic time books, and this sounds like a wonderful fascinating story. Thank you for your review

    I did post to FB and tweeted it

  16. This sounds like a fascinating story. I have never read anything by this author. Thanks for the giveaway.

  20. I love Deborah Swift’s books, Gilded Lily was awesome, looking forward to reading A Divided Inheritance, hope I win!

  21. Grrrr! Don’t you just want to smack that girl’s father? Women were treated so badly during that time period. I am interested in reading this book to see what happens. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

  22. Thanks for the great review. I have The Gilded Lily on my shelf to read and will have to move it to the top of my pile. Would love to read this one also.

  23. This is funny, I just picked out a Deborah Swift book from my TRB shelves to read in November. I am exccited that she has a new book out. I love it whem women are strong and have opinions in bad times for that!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  33. Sounds like a great book! I haven’t read any books by this author- I love to read ’em, and pass ’em onto others!

  34. Thank you for the giveaway. Your family is your true legacy.I tweeted too.6:39 PM – 31 Oct 13 and shared on Facebook.

  41. I love historical fiction, I’m not picky what time period. I would like to recommend THE WEDDING GIFT, I started it around 8pm and finished at 4:30am!
    This book sounds fascinating and I do love a strong women.
    I tweeted.

  43. I would love to read this book. I’m glad to see one based in the 17th century. Thank you for the giveaway.