Review - The Queen's Lady (The Lacey Chronicles, #2) by Eve Edwards

Title: The Queen's Lady

Author: Eve Edwards

Series: 2nd (The Other Countess)

Pages: 336

Published:  April 10th 2012 by Delacorte Books

ISBN: 9780385740913

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: England, 1584. When beautiful Lady Jane Rievaulx begins her service to the Queen at Richmond Palace, she is thrilled to see the court's newest arrival . . . Master James Lacey.  No matter that Jane was previously courted by the eldest Lacey brother—James is the one who has won her heart. For his part, James cannot deny his fascination with Jane; his plans, however, do not allow for love. He is about to set sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins. But when Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own family, only one man can save her. Will Master James return to his lady before it's too late?

I Give This ...

I've decided that I really enjoy historical fiction series that follow a family.  You get a new story, but yet don't lose the characters from the previous book.  And since this is set in my favorite time period, it hoped to be a win-win situation.

I really loved Lady Jane in this book.  I wasn't sure what we would get from her, since her character was a little harsh in the first book.  But, I think the events from that lead to were she is today.  She knows what she wants and what she doesn't.  She really fights to maintain that freedom in a time period that females had anything but that.  She tries to step out of the shackles of a father who wants to control her plus keep control of her dowry.  Her stepsons wants to paint her as the the type of person she really isn't.  It was down right depressing what these people put her through.

 I was a little hesitant about James for at least half of the book.  I really liked him in the first story, but could really tell that life had changed him and not for the better.  Plus, circumstances didn't not leave Jane in the best of lights in his mind.  I was afraid he would let his own prejudices get in the way of who she really was.    I wasn't sure he could admit to himself that he would overcome his problems and be the man Jane needed him to be.

In the end, the story was much more intense that the first book in the series.  I was really afraid that James might be too late to save Jane (and really, why would the story end that way).  I did kind of wonder about Queen Elizabeth's roles in this story.  She seemed slightly out of character.  I'm not sure she would have been accommodating, but then she really did hate to see her Lady's in Waiting leave her services.  

I can't wait for the next one in this series.  I've enjoyed it so far, and don't think I will be disappointed!  

Review - The Other Countess (The Lacey Chronicles #1) by Eve Edwards

Title: The Other Countess

Author: Eve Edwards

Series: 1st

Pages: 352

Published: July 12th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers 

ISBN: 9780385740890

Source: Personal Copy 

Description:  England, 1582   Ellie—Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime—possesses a worthless title, but her feisty spirit captivates the elite of the Queen's court—especially the dashing new Earl of Dorset. William Lacey, Earl of Dorset, has inherited his father's title—and his financial ruin. Now Will must seek a wealthy bride and restore his family's fortune. If only he hadn't fallen for the beautiful but penniless Ellie . . .Sparks fly whenever Ellie and Will are together, but circumstances—and the conniving interference of others—threaten to keep them apart.

 I Give This ...

 

I've been eying this series forever.  At first it seemed to be published only in the UK and I was debating an order from Book Depository.  But, then I found out that it would eventually be a US release as well.  I was happy to say the lease.  This type of historical fiction in one of my weaknesses.

I liked both main characters immensely.  I thought the lifestyle that Ellie lives was interesting.  She's got the title, but nothing to back it up.  In the eyes of those powerful at court, she not much better than a peasant.  Especially when you factor that her father is seen as some what of a "leach".  I was really intrigued by the fact that he studied alchemy.  It's a subject that I'm not readily familiar with.  It was interesting to read how he was viewed by others in society.  I loved that Ellie sometimes despised what her father did and the position it often put her in.  I also loved that in spite of all that, she would do anything for him.

I loved William!  I love it when a character does exactly what I think he should.  He may be an ass at times to Ellie, but I know he's thinking of what's happened to him in the past.  I also love that he realizes his mistakes and is man enough to admit them AND apologize to her for it.  And as much as I hate it, it fits with this time period that he denies his feeling and goes with what is expected of him.    He knows his family and his lands are at stake.  

I loved the secondary characters in this as well.  Lady Jane turned out to be far more of an asset to the story than I thought.  And her brother was down right wicked.   I was saddened by turn of events at the end, but thought the story ended just the way it should.  It makes me excited that I already have a review copy of book two in this series on my kindle!