Review + Giveaway: Children's Fate by Carolyn Hughes

 

Children's Fate by Carolyn Hughes

Series: The Meonbridge Chronicle #4

Release Date: 17th November 2020

Publisher: Riverdown Books

How can a mother just stand by when her daughter is being cozened into sin?

It’s 1360, eleven years since the Black Death devastated all of England, and six years since Emma Ward fled Meonbridge with her children, to find a more prosperous life in Winchester. Long satisfied that she’d made the right decision, Emma is now terrified that she was wrong. For she’s convinced her daughter Bea is in grave danger, being exploited by her scheming and immoral mistress.

Bea herself is confused: fearful and ashamed of her sudden descent into sin, but also thrilled by her wealthy and attentive client.

When Emma resolves to rescue Bea from ruin and tricks her into returning to Meonbridge, Bea doesn’t at first suspect her mother’s motives. She is happy to renew her former friendships but, yearning for her rich lover, Bea soon absconds back to the city. Yet, only months later, plague is stalking Winchester again and, in terror, Bea flees once more to Meonbridge.

But, this time, she finds herself unwelcome, and fear, hostility and hatred threaten…

Terror, betrayal and deceit, but also love and courage, in a time of continuing change and challenge – Children’s Fate, the fourth MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLE.

What a welcome return to the familiar characters of Meonbridge. Once again Carolyn Hughes has excelled at writing a historical novel of such brilliance that I was once again enthralled by the language and customs of the time. If you've never visited  14th Century Meonbridge before then I urge you to read the other books in the series although the author has done an amazing job in dropping little bits of information about the previous books throughout this book so we learn of the characters histories and their stories. We once again become part of Emma's life and the difficult choices she must make to protect her children, particularly Bea. It is easy to see how Bea's head is turned by the attentions of so called gentleman but she has simply been loaned out to him as though she was worthless . However, for girls like Bea who had little in the way of money or pretty trinkets the attention of such men would have been exciting. Emma needs to save her daughter not only from the unscrupulous woman who would take advantage of her innocence but from Bea herself. Emma's previous escape to Winchester has not been as successful as she'd have liked it to have been and an opportunity to go back to Meonbridge presents itself in the form of the Midsummer's Eve celebrations. Emma must do all she can to protect Bea's honour even if that means tricking her to going back to Meonbridge. But, can Emma really show her face back home after letting so many people down by her departure when her community needed her after the destruction of The Death, the plague that decimated Meonbridge, leaving many loved once dead.

It's difficult to say too much more about the book without spoilers but what I will say is that if you aren't a fan of historical fiction then this series and this book will soon change your mind. The hardships of the period are staggering and particularly the hardships of women. Throughout this series I have always felt that Carolyn Hughes has sought to portray strong, independent women who  despite the restrictions of the time placed on them, are the strongest characters within their community. They are the true leaders and a testament to the strength of women during times of great hardship.  

Children's Fate is a book that is difficult to put down as the reader becomes immersed once again in this wonderful snippet of history. And again, Carolyn Hughes has not left any detail out from the events going on during this particular period in time to the wonderful language that I have absolutely fallen in love with. Medieval England was never so interesting and I can only imagine the mammoth task of researching this period in history. But, this book is clearly written with such love and attention to detail that one can't help become smitten by it. A thoroughly engaging read and a highly recommended one too!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAROLYN HUGHES was born in London, but has lived most of her life in Hampshire. After completing a degree in Classics and English, she started her working life as a computer programmer, in those days a very new profession. But it was when she discovered technical authoring that she knew she had found her vocation. She spent the next few decades writing and editing all sorts of material, some fascinating, some dull, for a wide variety of clients, including an international hotel group, medical instrument manufacturers and the government.

She has written creatively for most of her adult life, but it was not until her children grew up and flew the nest several years ago that writing historical fiction took centre stage in her life. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Portsmouth University and a PhD from the University of Southampton.

Children’s Fate is the fourth novel in the MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLES series. A fifth novel is under way.

You can connect with Carolyn through her website www.carolynhughesauthor.com and social media:

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: CarolynHughesAuthor; Twitter: @writingcalliope; Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2hs2rrX

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