I didn't see a thread on this author, although I did find a message by boswellbaxter, mentioning that Dymoke is one of her favorite authors.
I have had my eye on picking up the Plantagenet series for awhile, and I finally found a bargain on all 6 books. The titles are:
1. A Pride of Kings
2. The Royal Griffin
3. Lion of Mortimer
4. Lady of the Garter
5. Lord of Greenwich
6. The Sun in Splendor
According to the pitch on the book covers, the novels portray the reigns of the kings - from King John to Richard III - through the eyes of actual historical figures around them. So, for example, William Marshal provides the POV for the first book.
But I didn't start with #1, because if it didn't live up to the man I met through EC's books, I wasn't sure I could continue with the series. And I have been waiting a long time ...
So, I started with #4, which deals with Joan of Kent. I know nothing about her other than what I read through this novel. I'd love to hear from someone about the accuracy of it. If I had to guess, I'd speculate that the author romanticized the relationships Joan had with her men. But as it is, it's just a guess.
The story opens when Joan is 12 or 13 and agrees to marry a relatively unknown, but ambitious, young man named Thomas Holland on the sly. She does, and thinking she's his, he goes away on some campaign or other on Edward III's orders.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Joan's parents carry through with their plans to marry her to a wealthy landowner. I don't have the book to hand, and I can only remember his first name, William.
Their marriage strikes me as typical for the times. Not happy. But not horrible either.
After about 7 years, Thomas, who has gained fame and fortune, finally succeeds in annulling Joan's marriage to William. They are together until his death several years later. He was a relatively young man - about mid-30s - when he dies of some unexplained disease, perhaps tuberculosis.
Prior to Thomas annulling the marriage, Joan is seduced by Edward III. I don't know whether there is any basis for this part of the story. Perhaps one of our resident experts will speak up.
After Thomas dies, Joan marries Edward, the Black Prince. They have 2 children, including the future Richard II.
I really enjoyed this book. For entertainment value alone, it's worth 5/5 stars. If it's relatively accurate, too, all the better.
Regarding the other titles, #2 deals with Henry III through the characters, Eleanor and Simon (as in the same pair in Falls the Shadow), #3 deals with Edward II through Isabella and Roger Mortimer, #5, Henry V through his brother, Humphrey, and #6, the title is a dead giveaway. It deals with Edward IV and Richard III.
