My Book Reviews

When learning history, whether as a child or in later life, there are names that one retains with the greatest of ease, names such as Sir Walter Raleigh! Raleigh had an older half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert; perhaps not quite so well known, but also a man of Devon who was going to help change the course of English history in his own right. Katherine Champernowne was their mother. The women who bore our famous men of history were so often seen as insignificant! Not so in this case. Katherine Champernowne was Devon’s Tudor woman of noble wit and of a …

he 16th century was known for its dramatic changes in religious issues. None more so than during the late Tudor dynasty especially during the reign of Elizabeth I. However, France also saw the religious pendulum swing between Protestantism and Catholicism. Many families from all walks of life were caught in religious squabbles, like the Montgomery family. Lady Gabrielle Roberda Montgomery found herself in the middle of the drama and was forced to marry into a prominent Devon family in Elizabethan England, far from her native France. Roberda’s extraordinary story is told masterfully in Rosemary Griggs’ latest novel, “The Dartington Bride.”

I followed the author, Rosemary, on social media before I requested this advance copy. Rosemary had posted a stunning picture of Dartington Hall, and a little bit about the story of Isabeu, Countess of Montgomery and Rorberda who lived there. I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know more, so was delighted when I had the opportunity to review The Dartington Bride.

I thought this was an unique, interesting and personal piece of historical fiction, that focuses on a woman who grows up surrounded by conflict, from growing up in war torn France to fighting for a doomed marriage.

Roberda’s …

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2024
An extremely enjoyable book. Set during the Huguenot wars in France, the story follows the life of Roberda, the daughter of one of the leaders of the French Protestant army. She is married off into English protestant nobility and moves to Dartington. Broadly based on historical characters, the story follows Roberta's life from childhood to the breakdown of her marriage. The book was a joy to read flowing at a steady pace with enough details of the political intrigue at the time without getting bogged down. It was a pleasure to read …

A solid read. Interesting storyline set in Tudor times. I enjoyed learning more about the Huguenots of France and their plight. The MC was a little hard for me to like but I did enjoy her story.

Original review April 6, 2024 via Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208812537-the-dartington-bride