Tag archives for M.J. Logue
Steel & Lace edited by Francine Howarth [Book Review]
Steel & Lace - Anthology of 17th-18th century stories. by Francine Howarth My rating: 5 of 5 stars I occasionally stray into genres that aren't my preferred ones, usually to widen my reading experience and learn a little more about writing different sort of stories. Historical romance is one of the areas that I have entirely avoided, until now. I've had a prejudice against it, worrying that there will be a pinkwash over the history from the rose-tinted spectacles of damsel heroine lusting after her bare chested highlander. There was none of that in Steel & Lace, all the history was spot on, although there was just a little bit of lust. Steel & Lace I picked up Steel & Lace on kindle because it was free and I had previously read one of the authors historical fiction and really…
The Serpent’s Root by M.J.Logue
The Serpent's Root by M. J. Logue My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Serpent's Root is the fifth in the Uncivil Wars series. Hollie Babbitt, Russell and Luce Pettit find themselves in Cornwall in 1646. The King's Army surrenders and they're hoping for an easy summer. However they find themselves laying siege to a castle. The Serpent's Root They've brought their own Cornishman home with them, Captain Kenelm Toogood. However they quickly discover that to the locals Cornwall isn't part of England. While most of the Cornish fight for the King, this is an expedient to get their own ruler, not a loyalty to the crown. Even Toogood seems to have divided loyalties, even though is fellow Cornish kicked him out when the Parliamentarians were defeated at Lostwithiel. Like the rest of the series The Serpent's Root is more…
The Smoke of Her Burning by M J Logue [Book Review]
The Smoke of Her Burning by M J Logue My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Smoke of Her Burning is the fourth in the Hollie Babbitt Uncivil Wars series. Set after Command the Raven and before A Wilderness of Sin. The Smoke of Her Burning covers the tale of Hapless Russell's nadir and then his redemption. The Smoke of Her Burning English: Oil on canvas painting of Charles I holding a council of war at Edgecote on the day before the Battle of Edgehill (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Hollie Babbitt returns to his pregnant wife Het for winter quarters in 1643. He expects a quiet winter with his wife before the birth of his son (or daughter). Babbitt is accompanied on his return journey by Cornet Pettitt and his father Lije Babbitt. Meanwhile we see a glimpse of Russell. Having been injured…
A Wilderness of Sin by M J Logue [Book Review]
A Wilderness of Sin by Logue My rating: 5 of 5 stars A Wilderness of Sin Two years have passed since Command the Raven. Hollie Babbitt is now a Colonel of Horse in the New Model Army and a father. A Wilderness of Sin picks up in the aftermath of the Battle of Naseby. Thankful Russell has been blinded by a shot to the head and Luce Pettitt is in love. English: Battle of Naseby, by an unknown artist. The victory of the Parliamentarian New Model Army, under Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, over the Royalist army, commanded by Prince Rupert, at the Battle of Naseby (June 14, 1645) marked the decisive turning point in the English Civil War. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) As with the previous two in the series these are social histories. A Wilderness of Sin features birth,…
Command the Raven by M J Logue [Book Review]
Command the Raven by Logue My rating: 5 of 5 stars Command the Raven is the second in the Uncivil Wars series by M J Logue. It follows on from Red Horse starting with the siege of Reading in Spring 1643. Command the Raven Although set during the first English Civil War, the Uncivil Wars books are more social history than military. Like its predecessor Command the Raven has its focus on the people, and horses, in Captain Hollie Babbitt's troop and their associates. Command the Raven opens with the siege of Reading and the troop's ennui with it. Luce Pettitt takes bad news from his widow very hard, and Hollie Babbitt wants away from the siege. A transfer from Essex's army to Fairfax in the north sees Babbitt change his fortunes. After a short period of recovery in Essex Babbitt marries. He then…