Satin Cinnabar

Barbara Gaskell
Denvil
Genre: 
Historical

Alexander, the younger son of the late Baron Mornington, is the only survivor left after the bloody battle waged to put Henry Tudor on the throne of England. Waking upon the battlefield of mutilated bodies, Alex is at first confused and then begins to piece together the pattern of his new life. Does Alex retain the title he has just inherited? Has he lost his title to someone who has favor with the new king? While slowly making his way toward London to assess his family situation, Alex meets Kate, a young woman, who infuriates him upon their first meeting. Their relationship grows as fate throws them together again in the future.

Written with obvious knowledge of subject and skill, Gaskell gives us a meager portion of her talents with this work. Historically, this book is spot on ... It is too bad the plot and the characters are not. The circumstances in which the hero and heroine become involved in each others lives is hard to believe and, while  well written they are not substantial. The  eventual outcome of the story was predictable and the overuse of F-bombs, and other graphic language continually jerked the reader out of the story at the most inopportune times.  The frequency and context often seemed out of place and out of the century for which it was intended.  Ms. Gaskell has an incredible talent and flair with both historical tales and writing,  this one just seemed to hit a bump in her wonderful repretoire.
Beth Chamberlain