The Silken Rose Carol McGrath

   

THE SILKEN ROSE BY CAROL MCGRATH 

Paperback published by Headline Accent 23rd July 2020

Meet the She-Wolf from Provence 

They called her the She-Wolf from Provence 

She’d shape the destiny of England.

1236. Ailenor of Provence, cultured and intelligent, is only thirteen when she meets her husband,  Henry III of England. A foreign and friendless princess in a strange land she is determined to please him. And she knows that when the time comes  she must provide an heir, to secure the throne against those who would snatch it away. 

Rosalind, a commoner skilled in the art of needlework and embroidery, catches the young queen’s attention and friendship blossoms. But she is unprepared for the dangerous ramifications of winning the queen’s favour.

As closeness, and soon love,develops between Ailenor and Henry, so too does her influence on her husband and her power at court. As France and Wales provide constant threat, and England’s barons increasingly resent her influence, Ailenor must learn to be ruthless. Who should encourage her husband to favour? Who can she trust?

Caught in a web of treachery and deceit, her choices will define the fate of England. To protect her close friends, and her beloved children, Ailenor, the She-Wolf from Provence, would do, and ensure, anything.

My review 

The Silken Rose is beautifully written, by the skilled author Carol McGrath. The characters and their life style, with the glamour and excitement delivered my full attention. The author has well researched The Silken Rose. The Silken Rose is the first in a trilogy concerning medieval queens who were regarded by many contemporary barons and Chronicalers as she -wolves. One the special things I loved about the story is the mention of Dover and Canterbury which both places are near where I live and regularly shop. 

Henry, King of England, sent for thirteen year old Ailenor of Provence to become his bride. The situation when Ailenor arrive in Canterbury she was non to pleased that King was not there to greet her.  It was of course important for Ailenor that everything was perfect for the wedding,  and now there is a problem with the smell of her wedding dress. When Ailenor finally met the King, extravagant gifts were laid out for her appraisal a beautiful sapphire brooch a pearl necklaces and an enormous ruby gold ring, and many other gifts followed. Ailenor felt it was her duty to bear her lord an heir. But the King himself claimed that she was only a child herself and what more does she know about love?  This made Alinenor think that maybe the King had a mistress or even could there be a boy ? She would I d the King to her somehow. Alinenor would make sure there will never be others.

 No one would dismiss Lady Ailenor, once she the queen, not even her husband. 

A short exact to show how beautiful this story is.

Canterbury January 1236

The road from Dover to Canterbury was mired with winter mud so progress was slow. Alinenor, princess of Provence, had never seen such weather in all of her young life. She tugged back the oiled canvas that was served to keep out the worst of the rain and peered from her long box-like carriage into the January landscape. A collection of gaunt faces stared back; figures huddled in heavy cloaks, watching the golden loans of Savoy and Provence pass through Canterbury’s southernmost gate into the cramped lanes of the city. 

I would like to say a very big thank you to Emily at Headline Accent for sending me this beautiful finished copy of The Silken Rose to read and review. 

I absolutely agree with what people are saying about The Silken Rose

Well-researched fascinating by Joanna Courteney

Steeps the reader in the life of a medieval court by Joanna Hickson

A feast for the senses by Debrorah Swift. 

ABOUT AUTHOR CAROL MCGRATH 

Carol McGrath studied History at Queens University Belfast, has a MA in Creative Writing  from  Semaus HeaneyCentre,  Queens University Belfast and an English MPhil from The Royal Holloway ,University of London. The Handfasted Wife is the first in a Trilogy about the royal women of 1066 was shortlisted for the RoNAS, The Swan-Daughter and The Betrothed Sister  complete this highly acclaimed trilogy. Mistress Cromwell, a bestselling historical novel about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Henry VIII’s statesman, Thomas Cromwell, is republished by Headlin. Carol speaks at events and conferences. She was the co-ordinated if the Historical Novels Society Conference, Oxford in September 2016 and is an avid reader and reviewer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Historical Writers Association. Carol lives in Oxfordshire with her husband. 

Visit author Carol McGrath http://www.carolmcgrath.co.uk
You can find Carol McGrath on Twitter @carolmcgath