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The Black Madonna
- Roundheads & Cavaliers, Book 1
- Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
- Length: 22 hrs and 10 mins
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The Black Madonna
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Summary
As England slides into Civil War, master-goldsmith and money-lender, Luciano Falcieri del Santi embarks on his own hidden agenda.
A chance meeting one dark night results in an unlikely friendship with Member of Parliament, Richard Maxwell.
Richard’s daughter, Kate - a spirited girl who vows to hold their home against both Cavalier and Roundhead - soon finds herself fighting an involuntary attraction to the clever, magnetic, and diabolically beautiful Italian. Hampered by the warring English and the quest itself growing daily more dangerous, Luciano begins to realize that his own life and that of everyone close to him rests on the knife-edge of success...for only success will permit him to reclaim the Black Madonna and offer his heart to the girl he loves. From the machinations within Parliament to the last days of the King’s cause, The Black Madonna is an epic saga of passion and intrigue at a time when England was lost in a dark and bloody conflict.
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What listeners say about The Black Madonna
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. Greaves
- 27-06-19
Lived up to Expectations
I have to confess that I love the print version of this book so much that I was extremely reluctant to actually start listening to Alex Wyndham narrating it. I should not have worried, the voices bring the characters to life and Alex has succeeded in converting me to audio books - I can listen whilst cooking or gardening! My greatest surprise was finding the detail was more defined in this medium and brought to life things that I had forgotten but were pertinent to the ongoing story or development of the characters. Alex Wyndham has done a wonderful job with a work of historical fiction that has a convoluted plot (I don’t want to give anything away) and a fine cast of characters. Alex’s rendition of Nathan was wonderfully slimy. The narration of this book was addictive, unbelievably I felt I had to reach the end in the shortest time possible although I knew what was going to happen. I shall look forward to the remaining three volumes in this series, please, please.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yildiz
- 18-08-19
An Outstanding Success
I read this book when it was first released and thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I saw it was now available on Audible I bought it on the expectation that it would once again give me enjoyment.
How pleased am I!
This did not only give me enjoyment it has sent me to a higher level I never thought possible.
It is without doubt outstanding.
The dynamic duo of Stella Riley and Alex Wyndham has once again produced another success with this the first of her Roundheads & Cavaliers novel series, ‘The Black Madonna.’
What a treat from such a talented pair. They complement each other so well; Stella Riley’s superb ability to write excellent characters and a complex storyline and Alex Wyndham’s mastery of voices and interpretation. His ability to transition from male to female, old or young supported by his smooth as velvet narrators voice is simply wonderful.
I really cannot praise this audio book highly enough but what I will say is that if you want a real treat listen to ‘The Black Madonna’ it’s ‘An Outstanding Success.’
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AnneH
- 24-06-19
Superb
Loved this book for years and Alex Wyndham's narration is as amazing as always. Luciano and Kate are wonderfully complex characters and the accuracy of historical detail and 'real' people combined with the story of this fictional family made the Roundheads and Cavaliers series one of the most memorable I have ever read. Hoping the other books will follow soon and of course performed by Alex!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Singleton
- 28-01-20
Totally absorbing read
Wonderful story, beautifully told - Alex Wyndham is the star who interprets this masterpiece in such a realistic way. Stella Riley's superb characters draw you into their stories set against fascinating historical background - she has a magical way of connecting threads over the years. PLEASE bring Stella's three other Roundhead and Cavalier stories into the Audible format, those of us who can only listen to stories need them!!!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Annis Rowan
- 26-06-19
A magnificent book and performance
Stella Riley's excellent Roundheads and Cavaliers series gets to a rousing start with Alex Wyndham's reading of The Black Madonna. Part history, part mystery, part revenge plot, part family saga and part romance, The Black Madonna brings us all the drama, revolutionary excitement and passions of the First Civil War era. It starts some three years before the war and leads us to its inglorious end in 1646, alluding on the way to the birth of journalism and political cartoons on Fleet Street and exploring the religious and political convictions that led the country to such a bloody time. A time that pit friend against friend, dividing communities and families, and resulting in great loss and some terrible actions by both sides. A time of heroism too - not only on the battlefield, but in the printing presses, the households, the shops and farms, and in all the 'little things' so beloved of Kate Maxwell, the heroine of The Black Madonna.
Stella Riley is a mistress of scene-building, weaving history and the personal stories of her characters seamlessly together, and exploring their motivation and personalities to their limits. The evolution of Kate, from reserved and socially awkward teenager to warm, assured woman is especially interesting, but so is Luciano's gradual softening and opening through his friendship with Richard and his love for Kate. And Kate's brother Eden... heavens, Stella puts him through hell. No wonder he becomes so hard. The disaster-waiting-to-happen, and the helpless foreknowledge of his family, will be familiar to anyone who has witnessed a loved one marry someone selfish and unsuitable.
Secondary characters are just as interesting - my favourites being Selim, the maid-seducing, scimitar-wielding Turk, the clever pairing of Toby and Geoffrey, with their cartoons and printing press, the virago Giannetta of the many jewels, tamed by a Irish clan leader, and Venetia and Kit Clifford - especially the glimpse we get of Venetia's passion for politics that Riley explores more fully in Garland of Straw. The kind and charming Kit Clifford tugs at the heartstrings: he recognises Kate's value long before she unfurls her petals and offers her a love that she tries, but is unable to return, with tragic consequences (it’s not the least of Ms Riley’s creative virtues that she risks her readers disapproving of her main characters for the sake of making them better rounded). And, above all, Richard and Dorothy, who must be amongst the most wonderful parents in literature. Richard especially is a fantastic character in his own right - the moderate MP caught up in a mad, extremist time, and whose instincts and friendships are open-hearted and tolerant. His subplot - both the political and the personal - was an especially heart-rending one. The villains are excellent characters too: silver-tongued blackguards, or craven, or eccentric, such as Justice Fisher, a Dickensian character both awful and fascinating.
Some welcome cameos by characters from A Splendid Defiance (hello Captain Ambrose and Hugh Vaughn, and so sorry spoilt Celia slapped you, Abby) - a mirror of encounters described in that book, only from Kate's perspective.
Alex Wyndham, as ever, brings Stella's characters and events to life with power, wit and artistry. He does justice to the great material. I hope he goes on to record the rest of the series. On the evidence of The Black Madonna, it would be entirely worth it.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 14-07-20
Wonderful
This is the first Stella Riley I've listened to. I'm hooked, please can we have the rest of the roundheads and Cavelier series. Alex Wyndham at his best
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Green
- 02-10-19
Fantastic
loved every word, twist and romantic hint, the highs and lowes of civil war cleverly detailed. Superbly narrated by Alex.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachel Reads
- 17-09-19
Outstanding
Great intricate plot with loads of historical context, it has given me an interest in the period that I would like to pursue.
as always this narrator always delivers as far as pace and gravitas to the scenes.
Great book!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Deborah C
- 06-09-19
A wonderful historical novel and narration
I absolutely love this book the story is wonderfully narrated by Alex Wyndham and as always he brings the characters written by Stella Riley to life. I highly recommend this book and audible and look forward to the next.
Deborah C
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wayne
- 06-07-19
This Author/Narrator duo is inimitable!
(I used my hubby's credit for this book. Loved it so much I am leaving a review! - Heidi)
If you are a fan of well researched, detailed and complex historical fiction and you have never read or listened to a Stella Riley book, please stop what you are doing and run to get your hands on this one. It is a glorious piece of work which completely captivated me. Her writing ability is so unique and in this book she has crafted a vast array of the most multidimensional characters. The book spans several years and is beautifully paced. You are given the time to watch plots unfold, relationships evolve and feel a connection to their stories and the political chaos of the time. Riley brings to life the intrigues and turmoil of the English Civil War in a way I have never experienced with any other author.
I waited to read this series in hope that there would be an audio version and I am so pleased I did. The Audible version was a commitment at 22 hrs and 10 mins listening time; however, Alex Wyndham's narration is so masterful I wish it could have kept going. It is like falling in love all over again, so I am off to have another listen to A Splendid Defiance just to revisit Justin Ambrose and Abby Radford's story. Oh and of course more of Alex Wyndham's voice is a bonus! (less)
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bibliolatry
- 28-06-19
One of the BEST books I have ever read!
Although I had high expectations to begin with, because I have never read a Stella Riley book that didn’t deserve 5 stars, The Black Madonna na managed to surpass even those high expectations.
I have waited for 3 years to read the series because I was fairly certain that Alex Wyndham might one day narrate it, so when Audible released the audio, I decided to finally start the series. Alex Wyndham is the best narrator I have ever heard—and he was stellar! His voice is gorgeous, romantic, suave, and smooth.
The writing is brilliant. The dialogue is intelligent, with a lot of humor. The plot is fascinating and I never once got bored or hoped she would hurry up and get to the point. There were no foolish misunderstandings or miscommunications. All of characters were believable and fully sketched.
As an American, I wasn’t that familiar with the English Civil War, and while I learned a lot, it wasn’t dry or boring. There was the perfect blend of history, mystery and romance. I can’t express how much I loved it!
Since I am now so invested in these fascinating characters, and what will happen to them, I will continue reading the remainder of the books in the series, and just have to listen to the audiobooks when each one is released.
I can’t recommend this book and the author enough!
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18 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cate F.
- 23-06-19
This EXCELLENT book absorbed me completely.
Stella Riley creates such vivid characters that I feel as if I am time traveling into an era I knew nothing about before I began reading her books set during the English Civil War. Alex Wyndham’s interpretation of this beautifully written story kept me up nights listening to “just a few more minutes,” repeatedly. Not only are the main characters complex and fully rounded, the secondary ones have genuine personalities and points of view. None of them are included just to advance the plot.
I am begging Audible to publish the next book in the series soon. Despite the happy ending for one pair, there are many more outcomes to resolve.
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A.J.
- 01-07-19
A treasure...
This book is a treasure, a keeper, to return to again and again ...curl up, cup of tea, take me to romantic England and become a part of lives and legends. Thank you Stella Riley for your insight and imagination. Narrator was awesome, so many characters! I enjoyed this book very much. Take it slow, lots going on...all good.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- noagnes
- 22-06-19
A heady dose of history and romance
This is the first volume of the author's series following the history of the English Civil War through beautiful and passionate romances. In this book, we see the beginning of the actual war with the events leading up to it. The characters in the focus are the Maxwell family, Richard and Dorothy, a wonderful, loving, warm couple and their adolescent and young adult children - and their story as defined by the tumultuous political events and their romantic relationships. Richard Maxwell is a member of the Parliament trying to redress the grievances from the absolutist rule of the King, but he is less keen to allow religious fanaticism to shape politics and to lead to extremes - which happens in spite of his efforts. The heroine is his eldest daughter Kate, a late blooming beauty but intelligent and a strong character. The hero is a very unusual man: an Italian moneylender and goldsmith, Luciano, needed and despised by the English aristocrats, but motivated by his own personal quest of finding out the truth of his father's fate who had been executed for treason. They have an instant attraction and strong affinity to each other, but a controversial relationship: Luciano is considered socially unsuitable to Kate and he thinks he can’t settle down in marriage before fulfilling his avenging quest. As the novel follows the political events and the early stages of the Civil War, we see the development of the romance between Kate and Luciano, the ill-fated and slowly disintegrating marriage between Eden Maxwell, an officer in the Parliamentary army and the fundamentally selfish Cynthia, a daughter of a royalist family; the story of the other Maxwell siblings and Luciano’s sister Gianetta
I enjoyed the complex and interwoven plot arcs of these relationships and Luciano’s investigations, his change from detached cynicism to embrace the friendship of the Maxwells and the love of a good woman; the history aspect that tells the events of politics and war in a vividly drawn picture and especially the strong and loyal relationship between Kate and Luciano. The beautiful jewels described were an added bonus.
Alex Wyndham, the wonderful narrator of all the author's other books, gives an outstanding performance with this audiobook as well as all the audiobooks I have listened by him. he captures the voices, character, the emotional nuances perfectly. To hear Luciano as romantic hero steals my breath; the repartees between him and Kate that are intended to both show their attraction and to hide it from each other are incredible; the conflicts, personal and political are vivid; the affection among the members of the Maxwells is heartwarming. As always, Alex Wyndham elevates the experience to a whole new dimension. I heartily recommend this story to any fans of historical romance!
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lynn
- 20-03-21
Mindblowingly Thrilling & Romantic
The description of this book in Audible's listing doesn't do justice to its genius. Sweep, scope, historical details, heart, sensuousness...Stella Riley has put everything anyone could want in a family saga/adventure/romance/war story/revenge drama into it. Her brilliant construction weaves an Italian revenge story into an English gentry family's cataclysmic experiences during the complicated, tragic, murderous, and historically consequential beginnings of the English Civil Wars. It's frightening how realistic it seems: how a country can go from civil disagreements into bloody civil war in a flash. The hero and heroine are complex and irresistible. The book is endowed with the unique pathos of the beauty of the English countryside and the cadences of country life disrupted by love and hatred. Warning: this series is addictive. I highly recommend that for maximum enjoyment, the books should be read in the author's numbered order. And Alex Wyndham's performance - bewitching, terrifying, bone melting.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lu
- 03-07-19
Wonderful narration of a great story!
I could listen to Alex Wyndham all day. His voice is seductive, his performance remarkable, and he brings the listening experience to a whole new level. Whenever he partners with the talented Stella Riley, the result is breathtaking.
In Black Madonna, Alex outdid himself as the complex Luciano de Santi (and as the strong Kate Maxwell) literally taking the reader into a journey through 1639 England.
The eminent civil war, the religious tension, and the different backgrounds of the MC's are the ingredients of this amazing story.
This is the first book of the Rounds and Cavaliers Series and there is more of Luciano and Kate to enjoy in the next books (as side characters). I am crossing my fingers hoping they will also be released in audio soon.
What I like the most about Black Madonna and the other books in the series is how historical facts and figures are intertwined in the story.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth B
- 26-06-19
Dazzling and beautiful, a tale of mystery and love read by a master narrator
Stella Riley once again weaves a story full of history and wonderful characters and an intricate plot that you eagerly follow throughout its twists and turns. Every word she writes helps bring alive these amazing people, who I would love to meet in real life, but fortunately get to visit over and over. Her research is impeccable, the details are engrossing and when you finish one of her books, its like finishing a great meal, satisfying and yet sad it is over. I loved this book as it is the start of her much loved and praised Civil War series.
This book follows the story of the Maxwell family before and after the start of the Civil War. A mysterious Italian enters their lives and their stories begin to entwine. Luciano is on his own mission to track down the people responsible for his father’s death. He grows close to Richard the father of the Maxwell family and slowly secrets come to light. To Kate, the oldest Maxwell daughter, he is both annoying and intriguing and she too is pulled into his orbit against her will. Tensions mount and lead to a very bloody war, dividing families and friends against each other. As the war winds on, each person is affected by it and relationships are strained to the breaking point.
Above all the fracas is Luciano, who remains neutral and uninvolved in the war, pursuing his purpose and remaining maddeningly aloof to a closer relationship with Kate.
Alex Wyndham skillful narration once again brings the characters to life and keeps you on the edge of your seat. He inhabits the characters, adding nuance to each one. His wonderful voice is a delight to listen to.
Each book by Stella Riley is a work of art, written in a style uniquely her own. She writes whole characters with strengths and weaknesses on display and who make mistakes but persevere. Her plots hold together beautifully and she makes you want more each time you get to the end. I was so happy this book was 22 plus hours as I knew the story would be all the more intriguing and balanced. I would give many more than 5 stars if possible.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 17-02-22
This Will Not Be a Popular Review!
I bought several of Stella Riley's audible selections and I enjoy the stories and the historical background. My complaint is the same that I have made several times about many books. Authors spend so much time developing their characters and revealing plots and subplots only to decide to complete the book and send it in. If you are an avid reader and I have been for over 65 years, it is frustrating when the book ends and minor characters are just forgotten or the title and the story have little connection. I even went back after completing the story to listen to the beginning again and then listened to the ending again...no explanation whatsoever of why the Black Madonna was so special other than it had brought good luck to the family and at the end, this most important sculpture was not even claimed. I wanted some history! There was a lot of coming and going and plotting but the story was slow in several places. Then we get to the end with the main characters landing in the lap of luxury. Kate walks away with no thought to her family. We never find out if Cicely (?) gets her comeuppance nor is there any mention of Kate's brother coming home to care for his abandoned children. Amy was pregnant and spoiled...no explanation of her outcome. No mention of Kate's husband's employee or apprentice who have been left at her home. How does Tobias train as a goldsmith if her husband is now in charge of an empire?? I usually have 3-5 books going at the same time so it is frustrating when loose ends are not neatly tied. Maybe she plans another one where all is resolved. Decent story but I don't get the rave reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 🌟CW_214🌟
- 25-04-20
Outstanding
Stella Riley holds her own among historic fiction writers. She understands how to immerse the reader in a time period while providing extensive detail into the characters mindsets & decisions. This includes the singular ability to create romantic scenes that involve plenty of steaminess while tastefully done, and the build of beautifully written love stories. This makes her an all time favorite writer bringing my preferred genres (historical fiction with romance) together in one exquisite package of entertainment. I’ll continue to enjoy these books time and again. Thanks Stella!! More please...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stef
- 20-06-19
Awesome
What a great author and narrator! I read this book on Kindle, and have read her other books in audio, which also have the same narrator. Therefore, I feel comfortable recommending this highly. I hope the others in this series are released as soon as possible.
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