Review: Evocative and sensuous
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 9, 2014
Anna, Lady Maitcliffe, is a young woman ready for love. Her heart belongs to the son of her guardian, but he makes a stand for the Parliamentarian’s and is banished from Axebury Hall. Confused and frustrated, Anna finds distraction in the attentions of her guardian, Lord Gantry, a man whom she respects and holds in high regard. When his growing desire for his lush young ward spills over from thoughts to actions, Anna is flattered, and readily accepts the prospect of marriage to this older man, and becoming his lady of the manor.With Anna engaged to Lord Gantry, and swept up in fittings for her wedding gown, the Civil War edges closer to Axebury Hall. Soon events are set on a collision course whereby a tragedy ensues between her young would-be suitor and older fiancé. As Royalist and Parliamentarians clash on the Axebury Estate, Anna finds there is no hiding from desire and must make a choice.By Loyalty Divided is a sensuous, evocative read. I especially liked how the author unfolds the story of the English Civil War, and the effect it had on families (who, of course have no fore knowledge of the eventual outcome). The implication of choosing one side over another, and the peril of following conscience rather than upbringing is written in such a way as to make the reader genuinely torn. A thoroughly absorbing read that has whetted my appetite to know more about the time period and glad there are more books in the series to look forward to.