I’m really excited to kick off Barbara’s Kyle’s book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours today with her newest novel The Queen’s Exiles. Once again Barbara Kyle has written a fantastic novel that sweeps us back in time to the Tudor era and tells us the story of Fenella, a brave, independent, and courageous woman.
The year is 1572 and while Elizabeth is Queen there are many plots underway to overthrow her and put Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne instead. In the midst of battles on land and sea there is Fenella Doorn who, after the death of her husband, has managed to successfully run her own business repairing ships that have been damaged at sea. It is one of these ships that once again brings Baron Adam Thornleigh, one of the Queen’s men, into her life. They had met once before and Fenella has never been able to forget this man. With it being unsafe for Fenella to stay in Sark she embarks on a journey to Brussels with Adam where the war is ravaging everything. Adam’s mission is to find his traitor of a wife who was in on a plan to overthrow Elizabeth and get his children back and Fenella is going to help him. Nobody can predict the danger that these two will encounter together and apart or the agonies they will suffer. Will they find their way back to each other or will they find obstacles at every turn or even more foreboding – will they even survive?
I so enjoyed all the intricacies and plots of this novel that so seamlessly all came together. Fenella is a wonderful character who is so strong at a time when women were expected to sew and run a household. Instead Fenella was right there ready to fight for what she believed in or even more so for those she loved. Adam as well was a character I really enjoyed. His loyalty to his men, Fenella, and his children was admirable. It’s funny that even though I have nothing in common with characters from so long ago I formed an immediate connection with Fenella. Maybe it was her strength or her determination or just that she was a woman unwilling to be solely independent on a man that made her so easy to relate to but I really liked her.
The Queen’s Exiles is part of the Thornleigh series of which I’ve only read one other but I fully intend on reading all of them. The nice thing is that they are all stand alone novels. For me Barbara is one of those authors who is able to weave fact and fiction in such a way that entices the reader and draws them fully into her storytelling.
Most definitely recommended for lovers of historical fiction but even for those who like a fast paced, exciting story with a little romance thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed it!
Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
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GIVEAWAY – US AND CANADA
*Click Here* and fill out the Form
Draw Date July 1/14
Good luck to all!
(comments are still welcome!)
I will like to read this book !! Great Tour !!!
Thank you so much for this lovely review, Darlene. You captured the characters perfectly, and I’m delighted that Fenella touched you. I have to say, she’s one of my favorites. Thanks again!
I am fascinated by the Tudors and your book looks very interesting! Thank you for allowing the Tudors and their times to live on through your writing 🙂
Thank you, Lynn – you’re most kind. The Queen’s Exiles is book #6 in my Thornleigh Saga, which follows a middle class family’s rise through three turbulent Tudor reigns. It begins with The Queen’s Lady, set in the court of Henry VIII. I hope you’ll enjoy the Thornleigh family’s adventures! Details at http://www.BarbaraKyle.com
I love strong female characters, especially in books that are set in this sort of time period. I’m glad you found a good series!
This sounds like a fun read. I really appreciate it when an author can weave history and fiction together well. Fenella sounds like a character I would like to get to know better. Thank you for your insightful review, Darlene!
Love the plot of this book…it sounds wonderful.
Thanks, Marilyn. I hope you enjoy it!
Darlene, the book sounds wonderful. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I will add it to my blog’s sidebar.
Suko, many thanks for adding this giveaway to your lovely blog. I appreciate it!
This one sounds great! I love historical suspense, I supposed you’d call it 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth
It is, indeed, historical suspense, Beth. Hope you enjoy it!
Hello Darleen Thanks for introducing Barbara Kyle to me. Sounds like you have written a very interesting book. I like the Historical Suspense and the era. I would love to win it. Thanks to you and Dar for the chance. Maxie
Great, Maxie, since you like historical suspense and the Elizabethan era, The Queen’s Exiles is right up your alley. I actually call it a historical thriller. Good luck in Darleen’s draw!
I’ve always been fascinated by the Elizabeth/Mary rivalry. Can’t wait to read this one!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your comment. The famous rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots is enthralling indeed. But, just to be clear, it does not figure in the story of The Queen’s Exiles – it’s only the historical frame for this story. However, the Elizabeth/Mary battle is the driving narrative behind my previous novel, Blood Between Queens. I hope you’ll enjoy both books!
Best regards,
Barbara Kyle
Thanks for clearing that up. The story sounds very good even without the Mary/Elizabeth connection. And thanks for the info on the Blood Between Queens. I will look for it!
My pleasure, Kim. You might enjoy my blog post “Elizabeth and Mary: Leadership Lost and Won”: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6279413-elizabeth-and-mary-leadership-lost-and-won
Happy reading 🙂
I’ve been planning to read this author for some time and I think you’ve provided the persuasion I was looking for. I was a 16th century major and am usually very critical of the anachronisms I find in recent historical fiction. Sounds like she is a careful researcher…