I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick, and sharing my review. Published on 7th February by Boldwood Books, this lovely book is now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Thank you, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via Netgalley).
I had the immense pleasure of meeting Nicola way back in 2016 – I was lucky enough to win a ticket for the RNA awards ceremony, in the days when I was rather less used to moving in literary circles, and she looked after me quite wonderfully (I even wrote a blog post about the whole experience – you’ll find it here). So it’s been very rude of me to leave it so very long to pick up one of her books – this might only be her second book with Boldwood, but she has a vast back catalogue that you might just like to explore too (you’ll find her Amazon page here). So why did this one appeal so much? Well, the setting is Bamburgh, which drew me in straight away – I visit Northumberland every year, and it’s one of my favourite places. And since rediscovering my love for historical fiction, I find dual time stories are always a real personal favourite – and the eighteenth century Jacobite Rebellion is an era I’ve rarely visited. And then there was the promise of “a story of hidden secrets and lasting love” – how could I possibly resist?
Bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.
I really loved the way the author brought history to life in this absorbing read – her descriptions are stunning, with all those wonderful small details. And the characters were exceptionally well drawn, the writing so strong that I felt drawn into their lives.
In the present day, Hannah is back home in Bamburgh to research her next writing commission, a book about Grace Darling’s life – but she finds far more fascination in the life of Dorothy Forster and her involvement with the Jacobite cause around the time of the 1715 rebellion. But she’s also found that her stepmother is struggling with her health – well supported by her new partner, but influencing her decision to stay around rather longer than she’d originally planned. Meeting up with former friends, she finds that her absent brother might have ruffled a few feathers (putting it mildly…) – his planned return becomes something she’s rather dreading, and with good cause.
And then we have the story of Dorothy Forster herself – caring for her ailing father, her older brother a leading light for the Jacobite cause, her younger brother becoming far more involved than she’s comfortable with. And she’s promised in marriage to a vehement opponent of the cause, a match arranged by her controlling uncle who lives at the castle, when she’s already found a perhaps far less suitable man (in the eyes of others) who’s offered her his kindness and support.
I won’t tell the story, but I very much enjoyed the way it unfolded – the stories mirroring each other with their romantic elements and complications caused by errant brothers, the transitions between past and present smoothly handled, both narratives equally engaging. There’s plenty of well-written drama, twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, the mystery about the Rose and its significance at the book’s centre, and a touch of old magic that only enhanced the gripping story. The romantic elements are beautifully done, both relationships I really believed in, with the perfect emotional touch. And the historical detail was impeccably researched, used lightly to bring the past vividly to life – I felt entirely present at a time in history that I previously knew little about.
This is the first time I’ve read one of the author’s books, and I’ll certainly be reading more – and I’m really looking forward to my forthcoming visit to Bamburgh, with new insights into Dorothy’s compelling story. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and would very much recommend to others.
About the author
Nicola Cornick is the international bestselling and award-winning historian and author of over 40 novels featuring women from the footnotes of history, and has been translated into 25 languages.
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