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Garland of Straw

Roundheads and Cavaliers, Book 2

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Garland of Straw

By: Stella Riley
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
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Summary

The marriage of a well-bred Royalist lady and an illegitimate Roundhead Colonel is less a match made in heaven than a union doomed to hell. Unfortunately, Sir Robert Brandon's last will and testament leaves Venetia Clifford and Gabriel Brandon with little choice in the matter - deeply though they both resent it.

Their tempestuous relationship is reflected in the stormy events buffeting the nation as England slides inexorably into a second Civil War. Gabriel continues to serve in the New Model Army whilst, behind his back, Venetia engages in clandestine activities on behalf of the King; and the lives of both of them are further complicated when Gabriel's half-brother - to whom Venetia was formerly betrothed - returns from exile.

While the Army and Parliament argue over the fate of the King, Gabriel realises that he has a dangerous enemy and Venetia finally begins to see the man rather than the Roundhead Colonel. As events gather pace, bringing the King to trial, the tangled web of danger and deceit surrounding both Gabriel and Venetia slowly tightens its grip.

Set against the compelling times which led to the execution of Charles l, Garland of Straw is the story of a seemingly impossibly love an also provides further chapters in the lives of characters previously encountered in The Black Madonna and A Splendid Defiance.

©2013 Stella Riley (P)2020 Stella Riley Genre Fiction Historical Mystery Fiction Exciting Feel-Good Heartfelt England Civil War War Solider
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully written, extremely well researched and perfectly narrated.
Can hardly wait for another instalment of the Riley/Wyndham partnership.

Superb

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Listener received this title free

Garland of Straw is my favourite in Stella Riley's Roundhead & Cavaliers series of books and having read this first on my Kindle in 2014 I had hoped that eventually there would be an audio version to accompany the book. I was therefore delighted when Audible recently released 'Garland' and have loved listening to Alex Wyndham's narration of this stunning book. I feel that I really must commend him on the brilliant way in which he gives each character such an instantly recognisable voice, ensuring that at all times the listener knows who is speaking, it makes immersing oneself in the plot a total joy. His transitions are seamless and his voice could best be described as an audible version of warm chocolate.

For anyone new to Ms Riley's work, this is an excellent book to both read and listen to. It follows on from The Black Madonna, although it can also be read as a stand alone in its own right. I won't go into the plot and spoil the book for newcomers, but I would say that the historical detail in the book is most impressive and the way in which the lives of Ms Riley's characters are woven through with real characters and historical events is sublime. You reach the end of the story having learnt so much about a period of our history that is very much overlooked in our schools and Ms Riley's wonderful writing, so rich in knowledge and detail, makes this complex period of English history come alive.

A stunning book, beautifully performed, bravo Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham, an absolute triumph!

An Absolute Triumph!

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Number two in the quartet covering the English civil wars. A fascinating and compelling human drama set against, and inside, the landscape of the interim between the first and second English civil wars. Whole believable characters, a twisty, tale and excellent description - it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout! The narrator was simply superb! There was never any doubt who was speaking, accents are spot on and, somehow, Alex Wyndham managed to deliver the tale that even the history is easy enough to follow when engaged in some other task, simultaneously.

Enthralling

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What a book! After 19 odd hours, I have finished Garland of Straw and can't believe how those hours have flown by. Sometimes with a long audiobook, there are times when I find myself wanting to skip through 'padding' to get on with the story, but this is absolutely not the case with any of Ms Riley's books. they are so skilfully crafted that every part of her writing is vital to the overall story.....and what a story it was - I was glued from the first. I had read & then listened to The Black Madonna, but I hadn't yet read Garland of Straw, as I was waiting for it to come out in audio form which is my preferred mode of reading a book. Together, Alex Wyndham and Stella Riley are the perfect partnership.

The English Civil War was something that was skirted over briefly at school, and, having read & loved Ms Riley's Georgian Rockcliffe series, I searched for other novels that she had written, which is where I found myself immersed in the English Civil War. My initial thought was one of dread, as my knowledge was poor and the subject seemed daunting, but once I started to read her books, I have absolutely loved learning about a part of English history which was rich in detail, and bloody in battle. Her knowledge of the period, and her attention to detail is impressive. I feel like I have not only listened to an excellent book but also gained a huge amount of historical knowledge in the process. If only S.R had been my history teacher at school, I might have liked the subject more.

The story picks up after the Black Madonna, and this time focuses on Venetia Clifford and Colonel Gabriel Brandon. Venetia is the feisty daughter of a (Cavallier) Yorkshire landowner, who's near neighbour was a wealthy landowner named Brandon, now deceased. His illegitimate son, Gabriel (a roundhead Colonel in the New Model Army) has been favoured in his will with the bulk of the estate, leaving a much smaller bequest to his natural son, Ellis (Venetia's betrothed), believing that his illegitimate son will make a better fist of things than his more flamboyant and less reliable son, The fly in the ointment is that Venetia Clifford can't have her portion of the will (retaining her family home) if she doesn't marry Gabriel, and he can't inherit Brandon Lacey if he doesn't marry Venetia, The two main protagonists dislike each other instantly at the will reading, due to Venetia's appalling behaviour towards the illegitimate son Gabriel but after 6 months, with no other choice, she very reluctantly agrees to marry Gabriel. Sparks fly as she is loyal to the King and Gabriel is a career soldier in the New Model Army and supports the work of the army though isn't particularly political and doesn't seem overly enamoured with Cromwell.

Over the course of this most fascinating and gripping book, their hatred turns to mutual respect, Venetia realising that Gabriel has strength of character, generous with his time on the Brandon Lacey estate, and honourable. In turn, Gabriel realises that not only is Venetia the most beautiful woman who he wants to bed, but that she is brave and not afraid to face facts.

Into the mix comes Ellis, the ex-fiancé and bitter loser in his father's will. Initially Venetia, a fellow supporter of the King, is happy to help Ellis in his endeavours, but in time recognises him for the selfish man that he always was. However, through wrong assumptions Gabriel suspects Venetia of seeing Ellis in the romantic sense, and that is when things start to heat up between Gabriel and Venetia,

Alongside all the above is a would-be assassin, the political machinations of the deposed King's potential execution, Gabriel's paid job of Colonel, his foster brother and family, his army friends, Venetia's old Court friends and family, and the delightfully vacant aunt Sophie.

The plot gallops along at a cracking pace with numerous attempts on Gabriel's life, bringing our two protagonists ever closer to each other. The story oscillates between Yorkshire (home of Brandon Lacey) and London where Gabriel has his army duties to fulfil. The historical detail in the book regarding the lead up to the execution of the King is vast, Ms Riley's knowledge and research is impressive. It was such a fascinating time in history and is almost unbelievable that a King, in England, could have ever been beheaded. The author weaves fictional characters into those of real life characters which makes the storyline thrilling.

I have loved listening to The Garland of Straw, made more enjoyable by the professionalism of Alex Wyndham. His talent for creating an extra dimension with the books that he narrates is impressive. I love his Yorkshire accents (coming from Yorkshire, I can confirm their accuracy) and how he makes each voice separate and apart so that the listener knows exactly who is speaking is such an art, and makes it a joy to listen. Congratulations once again to Alex and his talent.

If you haven't yet listened to this book or the previous Black Madonna, you are in for a treat. If you enjoy a well-researched historical novel that has a cracking storyline, read by an outstanding performer, then you have just struck gold. Enjoy

Another Stella Riley Triumph

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Once again the wonderful pairing of Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham has come together in another triumph of writing and performance.
Garland of Straw is book 2 of Stella Riley’s superb Roundheads and Cavaliers series. It covers the period between the end of the first civil war and the trial and execution of the King.
From chapter 1 you are drawn into the story of the two leading players. Colonel Gabriel Brandon serves in Cromwell’s New Model Army and Venetia Clifford actively and clandestinely supports King Charles. These two are forced to accept the most bizarre last will and testament of Gabriel’s father, Robert Brandon.
This sets the scene for a rocky, mistrustful and sometimes bitter relationship as both Gabriel and Venetia attempt to manage situations that mirror that of King Charles and Oliver Cromwell, which at times seems out of control and doomed to failure.
However, it’s not just the relationships that are stretched to breaking point because, as with all Ms Riley’s books, there are hidden forces that threaten both Gabriel and Venetia’s lives and how this concludes is engrossing and unexpected.
Set against a background that has real people, from King Charles to Oliver Cromwell as well as Ms Riley’s own creations, the book is performed by Alex Wyndham’s amazing characterisations. Mr Wyndham’s engaging voices and smooth transitions, heightened emotions and superb timing, make this complex part of English history come alive and transports us back to the mid-17th century.
I loved it and was totally engrossed from start to finish.
I think the duo of Ms Riley and Mr Wyndham is tremendous as once again they have produced another outstanding success. Long may they reign!

Another Outstanding Success

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