What people are saying about BY THE SWORD
The following reviews for BY THE SWORD are not to be found on Goodreads or Amazon.
Historical Novel Society
July 2015
By The Sword is the first part of a series about two families in the era of the English Civil War, just after the execution of Charles I.
Kate Ashley of Yorkshire is called to Seven Ways, the house that belongs to her late husband’s grandfather who had turned his back on his son when he married into the Ashley family. Kate’s young son, Tom, is named heir to the Thornton estate as the surviving Thornton male, Jonathan, is a fugitive having fought for the King against the victorious Parliamentarians. She travels to Worcester, to Seven Ways, and meets what is left of the Thornton family, including her cousin by marriage, Jonathan. What happens next is Ms Stuart’s story.
This is a well-written book with a plausible story that grips the reader and I read this avidly as the narrative moves with a good pace and is peopled with characters you come to care for. There is a skill in the way Ms Stuart creates them – they are rounded and human, the goodies are not too good – other than maybe Kate – and the baddies are not flat, caricatures of evil but have their redeeming qualities, even if they are not entirely realised.
For the full review click HERE
By The Sword is the first part of a series about two families in the era of the English Civil War, just after the execution of Charles I.
Kate Ashley of Yorkshire is called to Seven Ways, the house that belongs to her late husband’s grandfather who had turned his back on his son when he married into the Ashley family. Kate’s young son, Tom, is named heir to the Thornton estate as the surviving Thornton male, Jonathan, is a fugitive having fought for the King against the victorious Parliamentarians. She travels to Worcester, to Seven Ways, and meets what is left of the Thornton family, including her cousin by marriage, Jonathan. What happens next is Ms Stuart’s story.
This is a well-written book with a plausible story that grips the reader and I read this avidly as the narrative moves with a good pace and is peopled with characters you come to care for. There is a skill in the way Ms Stuart creates them – they are rounded and human, the goodies are not too good – other than maybe Kate – and the baddies are not flat, caricatures of evil but have their redeeming qualities, even if they are not entirely realised.
For the full review click HERE
Dear Author
MONDAY 23 MARCH 2015
Dear Ms. Stuart,
I tend to forget those years between the death of Charles I and the Restoration that didn’t take place until 1660. In between there was lots of time for loss, heartache, more war and destruction as well as … maybe love? Still, given that the political situation was nowhere near resolved and it would be years before that could really start, I should have braced myself for the exhausted emotions I would feel at the end of this book....
For the full "B" Review Click HERE
Dear Ms. Stuart,
I tend to forget those years between the death of Charles I and the Restoration that didn’t take place until 1660. In between there was lots of time for loss, heartache, more war and destruction as well as … maybe love? Still, given that the political situation was nowhere near resolved and it would be years before that could really start, I should have braced myself for the exhausted emotions I would feel at the end of this book....
For the full "B" Review Click HERE
Enduring Romance
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2008 By The Sword By Alison Stuart
Okay, okay, I'll admit to picking up By The Sword by Alison Stuart simply because it was the 2008 Eppie winner in the historical romance category. It isn't my usual cup of tea, a war romance set in the turbulent times of Charles II starring a widow heroine with a young child. But hey, it is the best of the eBest and if I'm to call myself a historical romance reviewer, I should read it.
Then I read the prologue and cried like a baby. Yes, on page 3, Alison Stuart had this cynical businesswoman weeping. When the baby faced Cornet bravely and silently holds his restrained commander's gaze as he is hanged, oh mamma. Waterworks time.
It continues on from there. Our hero Jon is supporting the losing side of an extremely ugly civil war. Because of this loyalty, he has lost everything including his inheritance (to Kate's son, no less) and is a wanted man. What does he have to offer a practical young widow with a land bearing son? Other than love? And a whole heap of trouble?
This is a historical romance with more focus on the historical than the romance (reminds me of a more modernly written Beatrice Small). The war plays a significant role, as does the heroine Kate's relationship with her son. The passion between Kate and Jon is not the rip off your clothes and run through the sprinklers naked kind. It is slow and builds. The bedroom door is firmly closed.
All this adds to the reality. Kate loved her dead husband. It would take time to move from that memory to the new romance. A mother would face her fear of strange places so her son could meet his father's extended family. The war would be a central part of their lives. Jon is a soldier. The dead husband was a soldier. The war is happening all around them (they could hear the fighting).
This is not a comedy. I wept through most of it. Whether it was a touching scene between the hero and the heroine's young son or during the death scenes (including those of children – this is war, after all), the writing and story moved me.
Yep, sometimes a book is called the best of the best because it is simply that… the best.
The bedroom door is firmly shut in this romance. It is a war romance so there are the usual war wounds and deaths (including those of children) all written tastefully.
Okay, okay, I'll admit to picking up By The Sword by Alison Stuart simply because it was the 2008 Eppie winner in the historical romance category. It isn't my usual cup of tea, a war romance set in the turbulent times of Charles II starring a widow heroine with a young child. But hey, it is the best of the eBest and if I'm to call myself a historical romance reviewer, I should read it.
Then I read the prologue and cried like a baby. Yes, on page 3, Alison Stuart had this cynical businesswoman weeping. When the baby faced Cornet bravely and silently holds his restrained commander's gaze as he is hanged, oh mamma. Waterworks time.
It continues on from there. Our hero Jon is supporting the losing side of an extremely ugly civil war. Because of this loyalty, he has lost everything including his inheritance (to Kate's son, no less) and is a wanted man. What does he have to offer a practical young widow with a land bearing son? Other than love? And a whole heap of trouble?
This is a historical romance with more focus on the historical than the romance (reminds me of a more modernly written Beatrice Small). The war plays a significant role, as does the heroine Kate's relationship with her son. The passion between Kate and Jon is not the rip off your clothes and run through the sprinklers naked kind. It is slow and builds. The bedroom door is firmly closed.
All this adds to the reality. Kate loved her dead husband. It would take time to move from that memory to the new romance. A mother would face her fear of strange places so her son could meet his father's extended family. The war would be a central part of their lives. Jon is a soldier. The dead husband was a soldier. The war is happening all around them (they could hear the fighting).
This is not a comedy. I wept through most of it. Whether it was a touching scene between the hero and the heroine's young son or during the death scenes (including those of children – this is war, after all), the writing and story moved me.
Yep, sometimes a book is called the best of the best because it is simply that… the best.
The bedroom door is firmly shut in this romance. It is a war romance so there are the usual war wounds and deaths (including those of children) all written tastefully.
Coffee Time Romance
Historical Romance
Rating: 5 Cups
Kate Ashley was a widow living alone with her young son Thomas. They lived quietly out in the country side of England. But everything was about to change for Kate and her son. She had received a letter from her son’s great grandfather asking them to please come and visit him at his home Seven Ways.
Coronial Jonathan Thornton had been fighting on the loosing end of the war to restore the rightful King of England to his thrown. On a trip home to visit his family at Seven Ways he meets his dead cousin’s wife Kate Ashley. But he can not let himself get distracted by this woman. It would be disastrous for them both.
Jonathon and Kate can not seem to fight their mutual desire for each other and end up becoming lovers. But war, politics, and hate are destined to pull them a part. Neither care, as they are willing to risk all for their love. Their love will not be denied. Jonathon steals moments with Kate when ever he can while trying to serve the King. As the war becomes more desperate, Jonathan knows he has to leave the country to avoid the hang mans noose. How can their love survive when the world is against them?
By The Sword was one of the most moving and powerful books I have read in a very long time. You could actually feel the struggle these two characters had to endure to be together. Alison Stuart really drove home how hard it was for people of that time especially woman to survive. Her book felt so real that I wondered if anyone living today could ever cope with the way life was back then. This book pulls at your heart strings and you hold your breath until the very end praying for these two characters.
LeeAnn
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
History and Women (Mirella Patzer)
By The Sword by Alison Stuart won the 2008 Eppie award in the historical romance category. It is the story of a young widow, Kate Ashley, who struggles to carve a life for herself and her young son during the turbulence of war in the era of Charles II. Through her late husband’s family, she inherits the impoverished mansionestate and stately home called Seven Ways in Worcestershire England. But the estate is in disrepair and to restore it will cost a great deal. Nevertheless, she perseveres.
She encounters royalist, Jonathan Thornton, who is exiled and a wanted man. Stephen Prescott, a harsh parliamentarian swears to capture the elusive Thornton and bring him to justice. But the past will not be forgotten and Jonathan faces Prescott in a deadly fight over a long lost love.
The novel begins with a powerful opening – Prescott executes a young man in Jonathan’s troop. Because of Jonathan’s involvement with the Royalists, he has lost his inheritance and his freedom as he spends his time eluding capture.
This is historical romance is well written with a strong focus on history. The foils of war are clearly portrayed and tempered with the blooming romance of Jonathan and Kate. The relationship between the characters are well developed and believable. The courage of both the heroine and hero keep the reader transfixed. It is not surprising the novel won such a prestigious award.
She encounters royalist, Jonathan Thornton, who is exiled and a wanted man. Stephen Prescott, a harsh parliamentarian swears to capture the elusive Thornton and bring him to justice. But the past will not be forgotten and Jonathan faces Prescott in a deadly fight over a long lost love.
The novel begins with a powerful opening – Prescott executes a young man in Jonathan’s troop. Because of Jonathan’s involvement with the Royalists, he has lost his inheritance and his freedom as he spends his time eluding capture.
This is historical romance is well written with a strong focus on history. The foils of war are clearly portrayed and tempered with the blooming romance of Jonathan and Kate. The relationship between the characters are well developed and believable. The courage of both the heroine and hero keep the reader transfixed. It is not surprising the novel won such a prestigious award.