#126 (#62) - The Princeling ~ Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Book 3 of the Morland Dynasty

ISBN: 978-1-40740-528-5

I think as I'm behind on updating this record, and also very busy with the shop etc., I will just say that this is a 3 *** Star book, moving on in the story of the Morland Dynasty in Elizabethan times. Too many people - truly the bred like rabbits and too much to cover easily.  Not a book that could be read easily stand-alone.

Kay

#102 (#38) - The Founding ~ Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

ISBN: 0-316-90793-6

Book 1 of Morland Dynasty


I have to admit to not being that keen to start this book, but was given a gee-up because it had to be back at the Library and couldn't be renewed again as somebody else had reserved it.

It's not a period in history that I like, finding it much to brutal with huge depravation .... I like luxury in the main!

I don't know why I worried so though, as the author did a very splendid job all round ... and I fell into it from the first page.  The story of Eleanor the founding Mother of the Morland Dynasty and her love for Richard, Duke of York, but with an arranged marriage to Robert Morland and the many children and grandchildren she produced.

A worthy 4 **** star read.

Kay

#90 (#26) - The Dark Rose ~ Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Book 2 - Morland Dynasty

ISBN: 978-0-7515-0383-8

This is pretty much the start of the Morland Dynasty books - save for Book 1, "The Foundling" which is the base of the story.

Set in Tudor times around the Court of King Henry VIII it mostly revolves around Nanette Morland - a certain amount of incest as she married her Uncle Paul Morland, but go with it, that kind of thing happened a lot in that time period.

Lots of historical detail about Anne Boleyn and Katherine Parr, plus other Morland clan.

A highly enjoyable, if very long book that takes a bit of reading ..... a 3.5 **** Star read.

Kay

#87 (#23) - The Winter Journey ~ Cynthia Harrod Eagles

ISBN: 978-0-7515-2023-1

Book 20 of The Morland Dynasty

The continuing sage of the Morland Family, pretty much with with Charlotte - now the Duchess of Southport - as the pin-wheel.

I thoroughly enjoyed it a 4.5 ***** star read, and I can't wait to track down some more of them to continue the tale.  Hopefully Book 21 will have more of Fanny's story.

#82 (#18) - The Hidden Shore ~ Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

ISBN: 978-0-7515-1934-1

Book 19 in the Morland Dynasty


Continuing the story on from "The Abyss" this time concentrating on Charlotte Meldon, who is relation to Benedict Morland from Book 18.  The story also covers moves the story on for Benedit after he inherits Morland Place from his horrible brother Nicky.

With no family, and kept apart from the world when Charlotte Meldon's father dies, she fears that she will be left destitute and alone.  However, a letter eventually arrives from her father's man of business, where it turns out that this is far from the case....indeed, she inherits a title in her own right and vast wealth.

Eventually she learns to cope with the life-altering facts, of finding out that her mother did not die (as she'd be told since she was a child), and that she has a quite large family.  Being launched on Society she becomes engaged to a Duke's Heir, Oliver Fleetwood, but is shocked to find out at almost the last minute that it is not the love match she thought it.  The only thing she can do is jilt him and get on with her life.

Disillusioned she retreats to her little cottage on the Marsh and gathers her spirits.  Eventually returning to London to work amid the black slums, and will change her life (and those around her) in unexpected ways.

Yet another great book by this author.  They are quite long books, and take a bit of reading .... not in any hard to read way you understand, actually difficult to put down and compelling.  I would highly recommend you give the series a try a 4.5 ***** Star read.

Happy reading.

Kay

#74 (#10) - The Abyss ~ Cynthia Harrod-Eagles NEW AUTHOR

ISBN: 0-7515-1745-3

Book 18 of The Morland Dynasty

It seems a strange place to start at Book 18 I know, but actually this is a book that my Mother picked up on a library run during the snowy period in December .... and she just grabbed it and hurried back to the warmth of the log burner.  In actual fact, she rejected it without reading it ...... I on the other hand, desperate for other authors to read, thought I would give it a go before it went back.  I'm so glad I did actually - and proves a point that you should expand your horizons in the literary field.

It couldn't be described as a love story exactly, but there is love found and love betrayed within its pages.

I am now keen to go back and read the other 17 books.  Don't worry though as it is perfectly possible to read it as an individual body of work.

Set in 1833 in the height of the industrial revolution it's the story of Morland Place in Yorkshire, the story of Nicholas the owner of Morland Place and his younger brother, Benedit.

Nicholas had banished Bendy for ever, but it seems that the railway fever sweeping the country has brought his brother back to York.  Stuck in the past, and hating the railway equally as much as his brother, Nicky in a frenzy of panic (and a certain amount of cunning that goes wrong) marries the sister of a childhood friend to stop any hope that his brother might have of getting his hands on Morland Place.

Since his banishment Bendy has carved out a life, albeit a lonely one, as a Railway Engineer.  He falls in love with the beautiful Rosalind Fleetham, but lack of fortune means that he cannot have her. Luckily for him then an old mistress leaves him a vast fortune and he returns to claim Miss Fleetham for his own and assist in the plans to bring the railway to York.

With conflict aplenty, mental illness, depravity fed by a sinister steward and a certain amount of cruelty it's a brilliantly crafted tale.  I would highly recommend you give it a try.

A 4 **** Star read.

Kay