The King's Mistress

Starred review from December 15, 2004
Once Lady Marguerite of Alencon was Henry Plantagenet's favorite, but now that the king has grown weary of her, he decides to reward one of his most faithful nobles, Lord Orrick of Silloth, with a wife worthy of his standing. Orrick, however, is not thrilled about being gifted with the king's former mistress but realizes that he has little choice. At first he tries to woo his new wife with kind words and thoughtful gestures, but sharp-tongued Marguerite, who was trained to be the consort of a king, is less than pleased with her new status as the wife of a "barbarous" northern lord. But what begins as a marriage in name only becomes something much more real as Marguerite realizes that despite her objections she is falling in love with her new husband. With a superb gift for characterization, Brisbin creates a complex, completely fascinating heroine in strong yet vulnerable Marguerite, and her bold, vivid writing beautifully captures the flavor of medieval castle life and the intrigue-rich Plantagenet court. Passionate and romantic, " The King's Mistress" is a rare delight.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)