Here we go. Yet another obscure, hard-to-find author. Why do I do this to myself? Why can't I go into raptures over John Grisham or other authors like that who seem to be able to churn out novels faster than I can read them?
Stella Riley (aka Anna Marsh, Juliet Blyth) has written some of my favourite historical novels set during the English Civil War (mid-17th century). She has also written some Regencies which while not quite as good as the Civil War novels - are also very entertaining.
The first novel I read by Stella Riley was a library book called "The Marigold Chain" which appeared to have been inspired by a Georgette Short story named "Hazard". From memory, the heroine was 'wagered' by a drunken relative and won by an equally drunken 'hero' who was actually in love with another woman. That novel while flawed, had some wonderful parts and was very reminiscent of one of my other favourite authors - Pamela Belle. The other regencies are The Parfit Knight, The Mesalliance and Lucifer's Champion.
In her Civil War series, there are: A Splendid Defiance, The Black Madonna and Garland of Straw. The Black Madonna and A Splended Defiance were to be the first two in a quartet about the Cievil War. Unfortunately, Ms Riley's publisher Headline decided not to publish any more so the series is unfinished. Very heart-breaking. I've read all of her novels although I only own A splended defiance, The Black Madonna and Garland of Straw. If you have any of her other books that you're willing to sell, or if you know how to contact Ms Reilly, please email me.
From A splended defiance: Stella Riley is a young, talented British author. Born in 1950 in Staffordshire, she was educated at Cannock Grammar School. After taking her Certificate of education, she taught full time for the next nine years, working as a music specialist in various junior schools. In 1978 she and her accountant husband moved to the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire borders, where she now divides here time between teaching at a nearby village school and her writing. A splended defiance is her second novel. Her first novel, The Marigold Chain was published in Fontana in 1983.
From: The Black Madonna: Stella Riley was born and brought up in Staffordshire. She trained as a teacher in London before taking up writing full time in 1983 when her first novel, The Marigold Chain was published. She lived for some time in Banbury where much of the action in The Black Madonna takes place.
From: Garland of Straw: Stella Riley was born and brought up in Staffordshire before taking up writing full time in 1983 when her first novel was published. Thought she now lives in Shropshire, she lived for some time in Banbury and in Knaresborough. Both settings feature in Garland of Straw and in The Black Madonna, which is also available from Headline.
Justine Ambrose, a dashing cavalier and close companion of Prince Rupert, was bored with life in the Royalist garrison in Banbury, until he met the sister of a local merchant. Famous for his romantic conquests, Justin had never before let a woman touch his heart.
But Abby was no ordinary woman. She was beautiful and brave. She was also young and terrified of her brother, a religious fanatic and self-sworn enemy of all Royalists.
When the rebel army unleashed its might on the castle, Justin fought tirelessly to break the siege. But even his closest friends did not know of the dark secret which tormented him. And Abby, as she sat with the rebel commanders at her brother's table, dreamed of a man she could not, must not love ....
My spiel
I re-read this last night and really enjoyed it. I wouldn't call Justin a "dashing cavalier" so much as a somewhat cynical and mocking young Royalist officer who is stationed in Banbury and appears to delight in stirring up mischief. Abigail Radford on the other hand is sweet, wistful and compassionate yet has a spark of spirit despite having been downtrodden by her appallingly oppressive older brother. The first encounters between Justin and Abby are entertaining and it's very heart-warming to see how their friendship deeps into love. There's quite a contrast between these novels and some of Ms Riley's other novels in which the principal characters loathe one another for a great deal of the book. In "A Splendid Defiance", it's not hatred or dislike so much as wariness and suspician.
Despite being from vastly different backgrounds, both Justin and Abby are fundamentally very lonely and misunderstood people. Some of the secondary characters are also very likeable.
By the summer of 1639, England is sliding inexorably towards civil war, and the havoc of the times is reflected in the lives of the Maxwells of Thorne Ash.
Red-haired and independent of spirit, Kate Maxwell is determined not to let the coming conflict disrupt the lives of those she loves. During her father's forced absence she vows to hold their hoome against marauding forces from both camps. More threatening to her peace of mind than the actions of either the Parliamentarians or the Royalists is her growing attraction to the diabolically clever and irresistibly magnetic goldsmith and usurer, Luciano del Santi.
Hampered by the battling English, Luciano is fighting a fierce campaign close to his own heart - to avenge his father's execution at the hands of false accusers, and to repay the loan which has financed the venture. Failure will result in ruin, perhaps even death; but success will allow him to reclaim the Black Madonna - the carved obsidian symbol of his heritage and his vendetta ...
My spiel
To follow
The end of the Civil War marks the beginning of a new conflict between Parliament and the Army - in which King charles becomes a valuable but devious pawn.
In distant Yorkshire, staunchly Royalist Venetia Clifford struggles to keep Ford Edge solvent whilst assisting fugitive Cavaliers to evade capture and awaiting the return of her exiled fiance, Ellis Brandon. Then the last will and testament of Ellis's father - to whom Ford Edge has been temporarily assigned - confronts here with a choice between either losing her home or marrying Eliss's illegitimate elder brother. Gabriel Brandon is a total stranger and a Colonel in the New Model Army.
While civil war flares up anew and the King's intransigence results in demands for his trial, Gabriel labours to preserve the balance of power and Ventia learns to distinguish gold from glitter. Meanwhile, a web of intrigue and danger tightens slowly but surely around them both.
My spiel
Ordinarily I don't like the name Gabriel for a man but Gabriel Brandon is absolutely wonderful. He's quite a change from the ordinary Riley 'hero' who is usually torn up with cynicism and bitterness. This time it's the girl who is sharp-tongued, resentful and hurtful and Gabriel who is portrayed very sympathetically. I thought it was an interesting - and a pleasing change.
The love story is simple - two enemies are forced by circumstances (war and a will) to wed. They fall in love - eventually. What lifts this story out of the ordinary is the backdrop, the historical detail and the wonderfully lively way in which Ms Riley describes the characters and the events which take place. Venetia is very believable as is Gabriel, and the secondary characters like Phoebe, Jack, Sophia and Ellis are all extremely entertaining.
This would have to be my favourite Stella Riley novel so far, simply because of the fact that I really like the characters so much. Venetia might be resentful and sharp-tongued at the start of the novel, but whenshe realises the error of her ways, she's not too proud to admit it.
Last updated 5 November 2001, sometime in the evening.