Song of Isabel

February 5, 2018
In this carefully researched but clumsily constructed medieval romance set in what is now France and Germany, Lady Isabel, the headstrong daughter of Lord Theodoric, makes an error common to many romance heroines: an enticing dip in a secluded pond. Such swims generally end in discovery by a predator or by the hero. Here, fortunately, it is her brother’s friend Lord Chetwynd who appears. Isabel has idolized the handsome warrior from the court of King Louis the Pious since he rescued her from vicious attackers when she was a child, and he now provides Isabel with escape from her home through a marriage of convenience. The setting and political intrigue are unusual and appealing, but debut novelist Curtis does not explain why her Frankish hero has a distinctly English name, it’s never clear why she emphasizes the marriage-of-convenience device in an era when such alliances were the default, and her characters often speak as if they are from the 19th century rather than the ninth. Readers looking for a change from Regency and Victorian romance may find this a worthwhile diversion. Agent: Elizabeth Kracht, Kimberley Cameron & Assoc.

March 15, 2018
Set against the historical backdrop of France in 825, Curtis' novel is a classic tale of high drama and romance. A decade after the great conqueror Charlemagne's death, the political turmoil continues. Isabel remains cloistered away on her father's estate, denying marriage proposals, and readers will appreciate her wit and sexuality, which rebuff traditional gender stereotypes. When Lord Chetwynd, a handsome general who years ago saved Isabel from rape, passes through the estate, Isabel's life changes. Isabel and Chetwynd form a truce: marriage to Chetwynd will allow her to travel to the city where she can join her older brother, and for Chetwynd, marriage will dampen court gossip of his dramatic affair with the queen. Once these goals are achieved, the two agree they will annul the marriage. But as their travels take them down dangerous roads, the lure of adventure and companionship lead the two into a passionate romance. Song of Isabel is well suited for readers looking for an easy-reading traditional love story with a romantic, nostalgic setting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)