This five star historical novel had careful character development and a rich sense of time and place. I dropped the rating out of irritation with the two main characters as they fell in love and negotiated their relationship. In the main plot these two were fine - they irritated me only in their romancing. ( )

The history is very solid here and comes to life with some excellent atmospheric descriptions of old London. But this isn’t really history, it’s crime and romance. And both of those are extremely well handled. Guessing the murderer is no easy task. The clues are frequent but it’s only afterwards you realise they were ever there. But it’s the characters I enjoyed most. They are intensely likeable, different, and believable. They really sucked me in. Kate is naive, as I suppose an over-protected medieval country miss would have been. No books on A Dummy’s Guide to Sex back then. Alex is a great hero. Quite fell for him. A book I wanted to keep reading late into the night. ( )

SATIN CINNABAR by Barbara Gaskell Denvil is an amazing Medieval historical romance set in 1485 England.With political intrigue,power struggles,the Tudor dynasty,Romance,deception,lost,murder,betrayal,a unusal courtship,a bit of sensual tension,passion,love and a unusual romance you can not go wrong with “Satin Cinnabar”. I loved the way the heroine,Lady Katherine had an innocence about her and the way the hero Alex,had a Knight’s passion and the need to protect Lady Katherine at all cost. This story is set during the struggles between King Henry VIII and King Richard,when King Henry VIII overthrows Kind Richard those loyal to King Richard lose their lands,titles and some their lives. But Alex,and Lady Katherine find love,and both willing to sacrifice all to keep the other safe. With the murder of two of Alex’s relatives,Lady Katherine’s new husband,they must find the truth before Alex is convicted for murders he did not commit. “Satin Cinnabar” is a fast paced,adventure filled,story of love,sacrifice and romance with a bit of sex. I would highly recommend this title especially if you enjoy Medieval,romance, historical, early England,and history. Received for an honest review from the author. Details can be found at Book Baby,the author’s website,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 5
HEAT RATING: Sweet
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More ( )

August 1485, the first Tudor King Henry VII claims victory at the Battle of Bosworth and ascends the throne of England by vanquishing Richard III. Young Sir Alexander Quyrril, now Baron Mornington after the death of his father and older brother on the battlefield, escapes by throwing off the armour that would mark him as one of the defeated Yorkists. In these tumultuous times, loyalties change sides, new alliances are forged, and the once mighty are brought to their knees. It is dangerous for Yorkists to show themselves, lest they be executed, or imprisoned for treason. Alex hides in a barn where he meets a young girl disguised as a servant. This brief meeting blossoms into something deeper when Alex, having made for London and the refuge of his cousins, meets up with Mistress Katherine Ashingham again. By now, he has found himself a job in the new Earl of Sheffield’s home, disguised as a member of the kitchen staff. Alex discovers the servant girl he had met is in fact a lady of quality, about to be wedded to his new employer. He also discovers his newly released and pardoned cousin, Merevale Corby, murdered a short time later. Somehow, Alex is implicated in this murder, as well as that of another close relative. In the meantime, his employer dies of the sweating sickness, leaving Katherine free to marry again. A zealous priest of the household accuses Alex, who had prepared various drinks for the earl, using spices that could also be poisons, of murder. The odds seem stacked against Alex, who is quickly arrested. In Newgate, he will hardly be able to prove his innocence and court the woman he loves. Katherine’s brief and unconsummated wedding has put her off marriage, and Alex needs to fathom out who the double murderer could be.

This novel combines the best elements of historical romance and murder-mystery-adventure. The author is a gifted wordsmith, combining lyrical, poetic descriptions with a wealth of detail that never overpowers the reader. The natural use of language also enhances the historic elements, creating believable, appealing heroes, both in the major players and the secondary characters. The author’s captivating style takes the reader from the sweeping vista of the blood-drenched battlefield, mired in muck and gore, to the raucous chaos of mediaeval London, to the subtle intimacies of the bedchamber in an intricate plot. Alex and Katherine work out their destinies against a backdrop of complete turmoil. The author creates an eminently believable, realistic, and accurate depiction of fifteenth-century England as the country struggles to survive all the inevitable power struggles, politics, and disorder accompanying the beginning of the new Tudor dynasty. I loved this book and found I could not put it down. Highly recommended. ( )