Review and Giveaway: The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell

by Gillian Bagwell

Release Date:  November 1, 2011
Berkley Trade
400p


SYNOPSIS

Charles II is running for his life-and into the arms of a woman who will risk all for king and country.

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...

Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever. 

MY REVIEW

When I read and reviewed Gillian Bagwell’s first novel, The Darling Strumpet, last year {READ REVIEW} I knew she would be an author to watch, and boy was I right!  Gillian’s sophomore novel of the woman who helped King Charles II escape from the grasp of his enemies and return to his rightful place on the throne of England is an extraordinarily engrossing read!

At twenty-five years of age, Jane Lane still lives at home, is unmarried and unsure of what she wants in life.  All she knows is that she isn’t ready to settle down and become a wife to a man that she doesn’t feel passion for.  When the exiled and penniless Charles Stuart lands in England to fight for his crown Jane’s royalist family supports his cause and her brothers take up his fight.  She’s envious of the freedom their gender enables them and desires more than anything to be able to fight for her king, so when the opportunity arises and Jane is the one person who can help Charles escape from Cromwell’s army, she doesn’t hesitate to accept the challenge.  Risking her life and the lives of her family Jane and her cousin race Charles to safety - sidestepping danger and capture along the way. 

King Charles II and Jane Lane by Isaac Fuller, NP
Charles would not be Charles if he wasn’t charming a lady out of her chemise and Jane succumbs most willingly to his magnetic allure, and a passionate love affair between the two begins, ignited by the dangerous circumstances they find themselves. 

I have read quite a few HF novels on Charles II, but none that dealt with this part of his life or his time with Jane Lane, so this was quite a treat for me.  Jane was a fabulous heroine and the sacrifices she made to restore Charles to the throne are what earned her a place as an important figure in the history of England and I am so glad to have read about her.  Gillian did a wonderful job of bringing Jane and Charles’s story to life, and it’s such an important story to tell because it shows us that despite the limitations of the female gender in the 17th century a woman can and did affect the history of the world.

My congratulations to Gillian for another fabulous historical fiction novel!  I loved The September Queen, it had everything that I look for in a novel – drama, romance, danger and adventure.  I devoured it in two sittings and my copy is now sitting comfortably on my keeper shelf.  Highly recommended!  

**Gillian's next novel will be on the life of the formidable Bess of Hardwick and I, for one, cannot wait!

For more information please visit Gillian Bagwell's WEBSITE

FTC DISCLOSURE:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thanks to the generous people at Berkley Trade, Passages to the Past has one copy of The September Queen up for grabs!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address (only comments with email addresses will be entered in the giveaway).
- Giveaway is open to US and Canada ONLY.
- For +5 additional entries become a follower of Passages to the Past. If you are already a follower you will automatically receive the bonus entries. 
- For +3 additional entries join the Passages to the Past FB Page.
- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting this giveaway on Facebook.  You can use the SHARE buttons below.
- Giveaway ends on October 24th.

GOOD LUCK!

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59 comments:

  1. Oh my this sounds so good! I have both this book and her first novel on my wishlist so would love the chance to win a copy! Thanks!
    +5. GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
    +3. Facebook page member (Colleen Turner).
    +1. Shared on Facebook.
    candc320@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I look forward to reading this one! (and even more excited about the next novel on Bess of Hardwick!!) Please enter me. I am a follower and a facebook page member.

    tmrtini at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This book sounds great. Please enter me.

    +5 additional follower of Passages to the Past.
    +3 Passages to the Past FB Page.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVED The Darling Strumpet and can't wait to read The September Queen. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. I'm a long time PTTP follower and FB page member.
    thsorrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been dying to read this one!

    I'm part of the PttP FB page and I'm Tweeting about it! Pretty sure I'm a follower, too. Just can't remember my password at the moment :))

    martinack_75 AT hotmail DOT com

    Martina
    Book Drunkard

    ReplyDelete
  6. Please enter me in the draw. I look forward to reading The September Queen.

    I'm a follower of this site.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this era re. Charles II. Thanks for the giveaway, and like you I look forward to a novel about Bess of Hardwick.

    Extra entry - Google Follower

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love reading about Restoration England. I will have to read this book.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This sounds like a very good book just chock full of political intrigue and love. I shall put it on my Want List! Terrific review and synopsis!

    I am a follower on Google and Facebook

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love to win this book. It sounds wonderful. Thanks Amy for a great review and the giveaway.

    Marjorie Cullen

    macullen1@murray-ky.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the lovely review! I would definitely like to win this one.

    roseLZ18 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    +5 GFC
    +3 FB

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm dying to read this book!

    amandatheaker(at)gmail(dot)com

    Already a follower
    Joined FB group

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower +5
    Love that this was an engrossing read!! Would love to win it
    Melanie
    melanieinoh2003@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds fascinating. I'd definitely love to read this one!

    (I'm a follower)

    reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ooo, sounds like a great read!
    +5 GFC follower
    +3 Facebook follower
    +1 Shared on Facebook
    +1 Tweeted the giveaway

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Amy! Feels good to be back in town and catching up on all of my google reading and finding such fun giveaways.
    +5 GFC
    +3 Facebook
    +1 Facebook Posting
    +1 Blog Sidebar
    https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1222723325
    http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/love_shack_nonsense/

    Fondly, Roberta
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the give-away. I'd love to read this one. mkbrow@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a great book! I love reading about English history!

    I follow this blog on Google.

    5678dancer(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i LOVE historical fictions, so i can't wait to read The September Queen!!!

    thank you for the giveaway!!!

    +5 = Old GFC follwer (cyn209)
    +3 = joined Passages2thePastFBPage
    +1 = shared on FB wall (www.facebook.com/cyn209)

    cyn209(AT)juno(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. This sounds like a great book!
    I'm already a follower.

    Lindsey Aylward
    lindseyaylward@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love to win this book! I'm a GFC follower.


    Robin D
    robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love to read it, it sounds really good.

    I am a old gfc follower +5
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Rena,

    Charles II is my favorite monarch. I love his joi de vivre. But is road to the throne was a rocky one and Jane seems to be a delightful lady who helped him achieve his goal. I'm a long time follower of this blog, a follower of the Passages to the Past FB page and I shared about this giveaway on my facebook page.

    rena.mcgrath@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jane sounds like such an interesting caracter - way beyond her time. I cannot wait to read this book!

    - +5 --> Am a Follower
    - +3 --> FB Name: Ammy Pereira

    Thanks!

    Ammy Belle
    apereiraorama @ gmail . com
    http://lateintothenight.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. This looks like a very interesting book. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    +5 GFC and E-mail follower.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've never read anything by Gillian Bagwell, but this one sounds like a winner...can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow! This book seems like it would make a great movie. I would love to read about Jane Lane!

    +5 Follower of Passage to the Past
    +3 Follow on your Facebook Page
    +1 I shared on Twitter:
    http://t.co/SWidSmC6

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I haven't read anything by Gillian Bagwell yet..this one sounds like a good one!

    deniseincoralsprings@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would love to win a copy of this book!! The cover is beautiful :)

    +5 GFC follower
    +3 FB follower
    +1 tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/jwitt33/status/124165979226906624

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Gillian is a great author! I absolutely loved THE DARLING STRUMPET - it made me laugh AND cry - and I'm so happy I snagged a review copy from the publisher so I can read THE SEPTEMBER QUEEN very soon. Thanks for the review!

    Amber
    The Musings of ALMYBNENR

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ooohhhh, please sign me up! I really want to read this one! Thanks so much!

    +5 Blog Follower
    +3 FB Follower

    Amy
    tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Please enter me in the September Queen drawing. It sounds like a great book! I'm already a follower, but I'll be happy to share on my FB page for a +1.
    Thanks,
    Jo Ann Butler
    www.rebelpuritan.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. This sounds like a great book! I must read it so thanks for the giveaway! I'm a follower.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Very impressive, considering restrictions upon and regard for women at the time. Look forward to reading this one. Gorgeous cover.

    nanze55 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. +5 for being a follower (griperang/Angela)
    +3 for joining your facebook page (Angela (Angela Newcomb) Holland0
    +1 for blogging your giveaway (http://griperangsbookmarks.blogspot.com)
    +1 for tweeting giveaway (griperang)
    +1 for posting giveaway on facbook

    Thank you for the chance to win.

    Angela/http://griperangsbookmarks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sound like a great book
    teressaoliver at gmail dot com

    +5 follow on gfc

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    +1 for tweeting (http://twitter.com/#!/wfnren/status/124270130325749760)

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for the giveaway! I love to come to this blog, if for no other reason, just to look at the fabulous book covers! And "The September Queen" does not disappoint. On the TBR/wishlist it goes.

    +5 Already follow via GFC (MamaHendo3).
    +3 Already FB fan (Laura Henderson).
    +1 Tweeted giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/124287144192774145
    +1 Posted giveaway on FB: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=261303453911718&id=1336711064

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  41. This book sounds so good! I can't wait to read it.
    I follow you on gfc as Jennifer L.
    +5
    jentam777 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. This book sounds great! I would love to be entered.
    * I'm now a follower via GFC (Sweet)
    * I just requested to join your facebook group. :)
    * Shared on twitter
    http://twitter.com/#!/MommaMiaof3/status/124473346250379264

    ReplyDelete
  43. Love the giveaway. Looks like a great book!
    * I'm now a follower via GFC (Sweet)
    * I just requested to join your fb page (Jeanette Green)
    * I shared via twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MommaMiaof3/status/124473346250379264
    AND this time I'm adding my email address! lol

    sweetladychaos2 @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I really am looking forward to reading this!
    +5 - I am a follower of the blog
    +3 - I am a member of your FB group
    +1 - put this on my blog
    +1 - shared on twitter
    +1 - shared on FB

    slkenn79@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. WHat an amazingly courageous woman Jane Lane is and I had no idea Charles Stuart was helped by a woman to return to the throne. Love this story and would love to read this book!

    +5 I'm a GFC follower
    +3 follow your FB page

    Thank you for this great giveaway!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would really like to read this book. Thank you for introducing all of these great writers.
    I am a follower and on facebook.
    Sue at ecol904046@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Haven't read any of her Bagwell's work yet and this would be a great place to start. Your review was excellent as always :)
    Thanks for the contest.

    jennygirl73[at]gmail[dot]com
    +5 follower

    ReplyDelete
  48. Gillian Bagwell is a wonderful writer of historical fiction. I very much enjoyed "The Darling Strumpet", and have been looking forward to her new book ever since she mentioned it at a reading earlier this year.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I can't wait for this book!

    Have become a follower of this blog, joined on FB, Tweeted on IncurableBlue, & +1'd on G+.

    incurable.bluestocking (at) gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I picked up The Darling Strumpet recently, although I haven't read it yet, I'd love to read this too. And I'm a follower

    shoshanahinla(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'm not familiar with this author and the book sounds terrific. I'd love to win it.

    I follow in google reader.

    je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com

    2 Kids and Tired Books

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love the cover for this book, it reminds me of Summer. I don't read a lot of stories set in this time period and would like to change that.

    I am a GFC follower. +5
    Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Your review sealed it for me - this book sounds wonderful. I love Charles II and did not know about Jane Lane. I look forward to reading it!

    I am a GFC Follower
    ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I loved the Darling Strumpet - I can't wait to read something else by this author!
    +5 GFC follower: Michele
    +3 follow on Facebook: Michele Caldwell Larence
    +1 tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/rlawrence110/status/125764706970509312
    rlawrence110 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would love to read this book.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I follow you on facebook.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Wow! That's a lot of entries! But I'm willing to take my chances - this book sounds wonderful!

    +5 GFC Follower
    +3 FB Page member
    +1 Posted on my sidebar (http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/)
    +1 Here's my Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/ASeaOfBooks/status/126306976723505152
    +1 Shared on FB http://www.facebook.com/#!/aSeaOfBooks

    ReplyDelete
  58. I am a follower (+5) and requested to join on facebook (Kara DiDomizio) (+3! Thank you for the opportunity!
    supersonic182@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. +1 I'm looking forward to reading this book.

    +5 gfc - mamabunny13
    +3 Facebook-mamabunny shelor

    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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