Publication Date: April 14, 2015
Gallica Press
Formats: eBook, Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9907420-4-3
Pages: 400
Genre: Historical Fiction
A sweeping tale of ambition, treachery, and passion... For generations Lady Diana de Vere’s family loyally served England’s crown. But after King Charles II’s untimely death, her father firmly opposes James II’s tyranny. Charles Beauclerk, Duke of St. Albans—the late king’s bastard son by actress Nell Gwyn—also rebels against his newly crowned uncle's manipulation. Secretly pledging to wed Diana, he departs for the Continent to become a soldier. Political and religious turmoil bring about revolution and yet another coronation before Charles returns to claim his promised bride. As companion to Queen Mary II, Diana has followed her de Vere forbears into royal service. She expects Charles to abandon his military career after marriage, but he proves unwilling to join the ranks of the courtiers he despises and mistrusts. In palace corridors and within their own household the young duke and duchess confront betrayals, scandals, and tragedies that threaten to divide them. And neither the privileges of birth nor proximity to the throne can ensure their security, their advancement—or their happiness.
MY REVIEW
A Pledge of Better Times by Margaret Porter was able to take
me to a time in history that I have rarely travelled before. There have been a
couple books that I have read where King Charles was mentioned, mostly the
books were about his mistress Nell Gywn, Barbara Palmer, and Louise de
Kerouaille ( who was not well-liked by the people of England). He was always
part of the books about his mistresses of course, but the main part would be
about their lives, and their drama and competiveness with the other mistresses
who also ruled a large part of his life. This novel gives the readers an idea
of who he is and how he interacted with his multiple children by his mistresses,
although it’s short, because he dies shortly into the book, but it’s enough to
get an idea of possibly what he was like, and how he treated his sons. The reader
also is able to see and in depth portrayal of the succession of King Charles II’s
brother, King James II, and then his daughter, who ended up marrying Prince
William of Orange.
The author did a great job researching this novel and
putting it together in a well thought out manner. It definitely is obvious that
a lot of time was put into researching and writing this book. My only issues
are that I often was confused with the wealth of different names that were used
in the book. Some characters were called by more than one name, and it took me
a little while to even figure that out, so by the time I realized that one
character was being called two different things in the book, I had lost some of
the information or meaning. Also, while it was a well written book, and I do
believe that fans of historical fiction, especially fans of England’s
historical fiction, will enjoy this book, it is a little dry at times. I liked
it well enough, but to be honest, there are other books on my list that I would
rather be reading. I would give this novel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.
Praise for A Pledge of Better Times
“Meticulously researched and offering an impressive cast of real life characters brought to vibrant life, A Pledge of Better Times expertly captures the drama, passions, politics and religious turmoil of England at the turn of the 18th century. Margaret Porter crafts her story with exquisite detail, transporting the reader into a world full of intrigue, scandal, and breathtaking danger . . . a masterful writer.” - Award-winning author M. Reed McCall“With elegant prose and vivid detail, A Pledge of Better Times sweeps you into late Stuart England, transforming the lesser known adversities and triumphs of Lady Diana de Vere and Charles Beauclerk into a beautiful love story you won’t forget.” - Marci Jefferson, author of Enchantress of Paris and Girl on the Golden Coin
“A portrait of Diana de Vere as rich as the portraits that grace British museums and palaces.” - Christy K Robinson, author of Mary Dyer Illuminated
“The sparkling, dangerous, enticing post-Restoration period comes to vivid life! Porter gives us a wonderful, complicated heroine in Diana, drawing us deep into her world . . . . I couldn’t stop reading!” - Amanda Carmack, author of Murder in the Queen’s Garden: An Elizabethan Mystery
Official Book Trailer
About the Author
A Pledge of Better Times Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, May 4Review at Just One More Chapter
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee
Spotlight & Giveaway at Mina's Bookshelf
Tuesday, May 5
Review at 100 Pages a Day - Stephanie's Book Reviews
Wednesday, May 6
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books
Thursday, May 7
Review at Book Drunkard
Friday, May 8
Review at Books and Benches
Sunday, May 10
Review & Guest Post at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Monday, May 11
Review at Reading the Past
Tuesday, May 12
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, May 13
Guest Post at Book Babe
Thursday, May 14
Review at Unshelfish
Review at Impressions in Ink
Review at Caroline Wilson Writes
Friday, May 15
Review & Giveaway at A Literary Vacation
Review & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Obsession
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