Set
in France during the Revolution
in the late 1700’s this is the
tale of a young aristocratic
girl, Fleur de Montbulliou.
After her home is sacked Fleur
and her Aunt live as country
folk until circumstances change
and their fortunes with them.
Fleur returns to a still
tumultuous Paris as the young
widow Bosanquet who has
inherited from her husband debts
and enemies. Not only does
Fleur need to work out a way to
make a living, she must also
fight against her late
husband’s nephew and against
the revolutionaries who run
Paris with iron fists.
Fleur
strikes up a plan to renew her
flagging finances by appearing
as the provocative actress La
Coquette and whilst this ploy is
effective in gaining an increase
in the patronage of her
establishment it also brings her
to the attention of Raoul de
Villaret. Previously an
aristocrat himself, Deputy Rauol
finds himself bowled over by
Fleur and returns to her rescue
time and time again.
This
marvellously descriptive novel
transports readers back in time
to experience the stress and
horror of living in times of
such extreme civil unrest.
Whilst it was a little long
winded, it was well balanced and
maintained interest throughout.
The repartee between the main
characters was warm and
believable. This story had
some basis in reality with some
of the characters having
actually lived during those 1793
and thereabouts. Isolde
Martyn has managed to provide an
entertaining read with wonderful
attention to historical details.
Well and truly written for the
romantic reader, this story is
worth the effort.
