‘a classy, compelling adventure story and a true journey of discovery.’ — Lancashire Evening Post A family divided by fortune, a country divided by faithLondon 1609Elspet Leviston has always managed her father’s lace business and expects to continue in his footsteps. So when her hot-headed cousin Zachary Deane appears from nowhere, his arrival in her life is like an earthquake. Zachary is not … when her hot-headed cousin Zachary Deane appears from nowhere, his arrival in her life is like an earthquake.
Zachary is not who he seems, and has no love at all for Leviston’s Lace. When her father dies unexpectedly, Elspet is horrified to find her inheritance is tied to her cousin’s. But by now, her father has sent Zachary on a Grand Tour,and he is in Spain. Determined to regain her rightful inheritance, she goes to Seville in search of him.
Zachary is in training at the sword school of the charismatic Senor Alvarez, and here, in the searing heat and dust of Spain, Elspet’s real journey begins. A journey that throws her into one of the most turbulent moments of Spain’s history, and leads her to question everything she has ever known about her country, her faith and herself.
Epic historical fiction set in 17th Century London and Golden Age Spain.
‘I was thoroughly gripped until the end of this exhilarating book. And I would highly recommend this swashbuckling tale of lace, swordsmen, Spanish dancing, spice and romance if you enjoy a historical novel with adifference’ – Sixtyplussurfers magazine
Reading group questions and historical notes in the back of the book.
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This is a seriously good book by a seriously good author, someone who has done hours of research to make this story so real it felt like nonfiction. The characters were very full. I especially liked how the relationship between Elspet and her “brother” Zack evolved. There were some very good action scenes and some excellent emotional portrayals. Few, if any, editing errors. This was not just some book dashed off quickly, this was a real piece of art. This is the first book by Deborah Swift that I have read and definitely won’t be the last!
Really captured my interest, made me sorry to leave the characters by the end and told the story in an engrossing manner.
i very much enjoyed reading this book it was a good story line and interesting characters and not at all what I was expecting. I will read more from this author and hope others follow my example and read this story.
unusual story line. Found myself rooting for the characters. An area of history that i have not found many novels centered around. definitely enjoyed it
Not a typical romance but worthwhile reading. The characters develop wonderfully and the historical events are well-depicted.
Interesting prespective of family life
Loved it.
still reading this book – it’s very tedious but I’ll persevere because I want to know how it turns out. If I get desperate I’ll flick to the last chapter
this book kept my interest throughout
Very well written. Compelling emotional story.
A very different historical story of a young man and woman of the same age who are raised in very different circumstances. This story shows their growth through struggles and trials in 17th century England and Spain. Very informative historically. I’m not sure the story draws me to this author.
Characters, setting and plot were believable. While religious factions were at war, so we’re the two main characters. A lot of moral dilemmas addressed within the story line. Not your typical good versus evil, but lessons to be learned nonetheless. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
There are interesting twists in this novel. The author did quite a bit of research. The heroine of the novel loses her inheritance. Her father thought her marriage would take care of her. But, the marriage does not take place. For a long time there was such a stigma to a family that had produced a bastard. Instead a young man who claims to have been that bastard son inherits everything. The action becomes really interesting when things move to Spain where the Moors are being expelled. This is the time of the inquisition and some of the events are certainly not pleasant. In a way it deals with the situation of women. For a very long time if a well to do woman married, the money became her husband’s. I found the way she ended the book really interesting and clever.
In addition to being a great story about the central characters, who grow, mature, and inspire, it’s a great historical record of the horrors committed by Spain in the expulsion of the Moors,with a lot of food for thought in comparison to today’s news.
drawn out
THis book takes a little while to really get going and the pieces take a little time to come together, but it has interesting characters and enough skillfully written dialogue and first person narrative to keep you in it. The payoff is unpredictable. A little tragic in the Shakespearian sense, but I really liked it. If you are a fan of historical fiction, specifically European, it’s worth the read.
I thought this book was going to take place in England. I was surprised when the bulk of it was in Spain. I knew very little about this time in history so I was glad I had the opportunity to learn. HOWEVER, it would have been much more helpful if the commentary after the completion of the novel had been at the beginning.
Didn’t like the characters or the gritty storyline
would like a sequel. It offered a glimpse into the life of a woman in that time who was basically property and her future was in jeopardy if she didn’t marry well or have a large family to support her. the part of her learning sword play was interesting, but unlikely. still it was a good read.
Great read!