There are no secrets that time does not reveal. Sarah is the daughter of a man who signed the death warrant of Charles I, a secret she must keep from the man she finds herself drawn to. Munro is a Scot from a staunchly royalist family. He is determined to discover why Sarah refuses to acknowledge the alchemy between them. Once revealed, will the secret destroy them?
Kingslayer’s Daughter
By annamarkland
Kingslayers Daughter is book 2 in The House of Pendray series by Anna Markland. I enjoyed this romance. It was very different from the first book in the series Highland Betrayal. Markland takes actual historical occurrences and thrusts her characters right into the mix. Henry Marten was an English lawyer who signed a document(1649) that lead to the beheading of the English King Charles I. Once Charles’s son Charles II came to power, those men still living who had signed his father’s death warrant were rounded up and put to trial. Marten was found guilty, but instead of being drawn and quartered, he was allowed to live imprisoned for the rest of his life. Markland takes those actual circumstances and spins her magic web. She builds a story that Marten had 3 illegitimate daughters. The youngest is our heroine Sarah North – a young widow who must take over her deceased husband’s apothecary business. But before Sarah is able to get her life in order, her estranged mother is thrust upon her. On the trip to bring her mother to her home, she meets a dashing stranger. Munro Pendray is the son of the hero and heroine from the first book in this series Highland Betrayal.
I really liked Munro’s character. He is kind and gracious to all. But he senses that Sarah is hiding something from him. “Sarah was an enigma. She was hiding something, always careful never to reveal too much. If he wanted her, he had to find out what it was and convince her it made no difference to his feelings.” Little does he know that her secret is truly a devastating one.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
Munro Pendray is proud of the honour his family has received. So after the ceremony decides to visit the places that made his father the man he is. A cross country trip on a stage coach will be quite the adventure.
Newly widowed Sarah North has not had a happy life, but now she has half a chance of changing that. Her main hope is to keep her family history hidden. That will be made more difficult because she has to take responsibility for the mother that abandoned her. Starting with the long journey to pick her up.
An unusual historical romance set in a time when the country was still trying to recover from years of conflict. Our characters have lots of discoveries to make about themselves and their parents.
This is the second book in the series but easily read alone. It also doesn’t spoil the first one if you haven’t read it yet.
A wonderful, entertaining story.
Having just finished reading this book, I have a huge smile on my face. What an absolutely delightful and heartwarming story this is. It’s instant attraction between Sarah and Munro when they meet and what follows are the ups and downs in their search for their HEA. Sarah is an abused widow, owns an apothecary shop and has a secret that has ruled her life until now. Munro is an Earl’s heir and is traveling to explore the area where his father was born but is distracted when he meets Sarah. She will soon learn what a loving and patient man he is! As only Anna Markland can do, she weaves a story that you can not put down until you’ve read it all. A very solid 5 stars!!!
Now this is what I would call a romance. Kingslayer’s Daughter by Anna Markland is book 2 in The House of Pendray series. Though in a series this book can be read as a standalone. Anna has the most wonderful characters that you just feel this bond with them and this story. This medieval story is a forbidden love of 2 people who’s parentage are on the opposite political sides. There is so much history and research that goes into Ann’s books that I am always in awe and this book is no different. This story has death, orphans, abandonment, caring, pride, taking a stand, abuse, kindness, determination, trials, defending, innocence, appreciation, illness, grief and love at first sight. I highly recommend this book or any of Anna Markland’s books… you won’t be disappointed.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
This is romantic, intriguing and heartwarming. Munro is impulsive, determined and caring. Sarah is untrusting, skeptical and caring. They meet on a stage and Munro is immediately captivated by her, so much so that he changes his plans so that he can follow Sarah home. But Sarah isn’t interested in having anything to do with another man now that she has her freedom from her brutish husband. The secret of her birth is also a deterrent, she doesn’t believe that anyone would want to be connected to her. Munro won’t be discouraged though, he’s in love with her and wants to marry her. The storyline is dramatic and full of surprises and twists. Once I started reading it I had a hard time putting it down. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
There is a secret between Sarah and Monro revolving around the king. He doesn’t understand why she doesn’t want to get involved with him even though she’s interested.
Well Anna Markland never ceases to amaze me with her stories!
This was a highly emotional tale, the plot was well developed and the characters were believable and truly likeable.
Sara the daughter of the man who had a hand in the death of Charles I, is a widow struggling to survive. Running the family apothecary is a struggle especially if your a woman.
Munro Pendray a Scot from a Royalist family meets Sarah en route to Birmingham. They have a connection of wit and a physical attraction, but a secret that Sarah keeps could be the end to what seems a true love.
An intriguing tale full of secrets, mystery and plenty of twists that promise an exceptional read!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Another great story from Ms. Markland. Loved the angst between the characters, and the tension throughout the book. Will he find out her secret? If he does, how will he react? Kept me glued to the story. I received an ARC of this book.
The title grabbed my interest first, as did the cover. Anna Markland weaves a tale with believable characters that tell the story of a widow, left to make her living after her father is imprisoned due to being part of a plot to kill Charles I. What? Yes and she has to run the Apothecary shop and hire an apprentice, while bringing her mother to live with her. Sarah does her best to keep her identity a secret and not reveal about her father, when a young man, Munro comes into contact with her.
As a slow awareness grows between the two, he knows there are secrets Sarah holds and is determined to find out. He is from a royalist family and his mother was in favor with the crown due to saving some jewels, so the new King bestows favor on his father.
But if Munro finds out who her father is, will he still be able to care for her? An intriguing tale as Anna Markland is so adept at that will hold you captive until the end. Cannot wait for more stories in this series!!
A little gem to discover! A real page-turner! 5 stars plus
I have to mention the stunning cover of Anna Markland’s book ‘Kingslayer’s Daughter’. Ms. Markland has outdone herself this time. I think that this story is her best yet! I simply loved it until the very last page. She truly never disappoints me. She blended endearing characters into a well developed plot. If you have read the 1st story in the ‘House of Pendray series’ titled ‘Highland Betrayal’ , you will remember Munro Pendray, the eldest son of Morgan and Hannah. A fantastic story filled with secrets!
It tells the story of Sarah the daughter of a man who signed the death warrant of Charles I and Munro Pendray a gentle and charming Scot from a royalist family. Sarah, a young widow, has inherited an apothecary shop where she is doing her best to survive with her mother Mary. In order to get her licence from the Guild, she accepts a young boy as an apprentice named Giles. That’s when the endearing Munro enters in their lives. As they share moments together, a friendship is born. Munro, becomes very intrigued by the beautiful Sarah. She soon becomes an enigma for him. She doesn’t want to fall in love a second time, afraid she might get hurt again. But he knows she is hiding a secret, however she must keep hidden some of her family’s secrets. Will she trust him enough to divulge everything? Will he find enough clues to discover what she is hiding about her family and the real identity of her father? Will he still trust her? A physical attraction is born between Munro and Sarah. Little sparks start to flare all over. Is their love for each other strong enough to survive under these conditions? There are no secrets that time does not reveal. Oops, I almost forgot to mention Luke, the second little boy!
Another amazing Scottish romance at its best! I really enjoyed following Munro and Sarah on their journey filled with twists and turns. Thank you Ms. Markland for this captivating Scottish romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
SETTING: The year is 1680, and the story is that of one of the 3 known daughters of Henry Marten, a real lawyer involved in signing Cromwell’s death warrant of King Charles I. Henry Marten’s role in history, as well as his fate, is well known from historical records. What is not known, is the fate of his 3 daughters by the love of his life, who unfortunately was not his lawful wife. This is a story of what might have become of the youngest daughter, Sarah, and is the second book in the “ House of Pendray” series.
Mrs. Sarah North, a new widow herself, goes to collect her mother, Mrs. Ward, after the death of Henry Marten, Mrs. Ward’s common law husband and Sarah’s father. Enroute home, she meets a Scottish Viscount, Munro Pendray, who had come to watch the confirmation of his father as the Earl of Glenheath. Each is entranced by the other’s mind and wit over the course of their carriage journey back to Birmingham. We watch as the two begin a courtship dance, with ever-changing partners of her mother, 2 young orphans, a minister and poisoned school master. Will Sarah’s true parentage prevent Munro from pursuing her? Will the poisoning of the schoolmaster be blamed on Sarah, the apothecary who made the treatment? Will the 2 orphaned boys be left to fend for themselves under the harsh conditions we found them at the first?
CRITIQUE: A well written novel, with its roots in history, which is well explained and adds to the reader’s knowledge base. The characters are well drawn, and the plot plausible. The heroine, herself left as if an orphan at age three, has benefited from the education provided for girls from families “down on their luck”. As an outstanding pupil, even having mastered Latin, she was selected to become an apprentice to an older Apothecary, who took her as wife as well. She endured under his harsh hand, and became an Apothecary herself, well respected by the community. Sarah is a strong female, modeling how others can use their brain to better their situation, yet retain a warm heart, willing and eager to help others.
Munro Pendray is also a good role model for those fortunate enough to have had good parents, a good education, yet retains kindness and concern for the lowly in the world, helping out when and where he can. Some may criticize this as a ‘too-good-to-be true” outcome, but why not demonstrate the outcome of what SHOULD happen, as a role model for those able to be molded into better people? I enjoyed this look back at history and at what might have been, and eagerly await the next book in this series.