Title: Love in the Abbey: The Huguenot Romance Trilogy
Author: Sonja S. Key
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 9781512781939
Pages: 282
Genre: Historical Romance Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
Lord Darnley murders David Rizzio and threatens a pregnant Mary Queen of Scots. Violette and Ty MacKenzie show up to a difficult situation and help Mary escape her abusive husband. Lord Darnley is later murdered. Ty is detained for his supposed part in the murder and Bothwell is left behind to face trial for the same. Ty escapes only to be befallen by a series of misfortunes from slave trade to detention by Queen Elizabeth of England. Back home, a different storm is brewing. Queen Mary marries Bothwell, which then leads to her arrest and eventually, abdication.
Violette is lonely now that her beloved husband has been gone for so long. Her former lover Thomas shows up and old flames are rekindled. Violette is stuck between her dedication and commitment to Ty and her fiery passion for Thomas. The commitment ceases to make sense when news of Ty’s death spread. However, things are not as simple. Will she find out about Thomas’ deception? Will Ty happily let Violette and his son go for a life with Isobel? Will Queen Mary become queen again?
Sonja S. Key has achieved a difficult feat. She has managed to weave a tale of love, betrayal and sacrifice all in one with a side of political manipulation. This book is a three dimensional portrayal of what it is truly like to live life of a political figure. One minute there is mention of a band of musicians who sing for Prince James to calm his spirit and the next a member of the opposition budges in with accusations and disdain for the throne. The romance does not fade into the background as would be expected though.
Love in the Abbey: The Huguenot Romance Trilogy is meant for different kinds of audiences including people who like to peek at how royalty lives as well as others who like classical stories. Also this will appeal to people who like a taste of the protestant-catholic fight. It is not a bed of roses; Queen Mary is a woman in a precarious position. By virtue of being a woman, her decisions are constantly challenged. Her feelings and opinions are constantly scrutinized and seen as weaknesses. However, she pays no heed to all of them and just rules as she deems fit. Her strength and spirit are inspiring. All the characters in this book are well rounded; they have been humanized. The author has properly built each character with meticulous precision.
This book carries a consistent theme of forgiveness and rebirth. There are always some ridiculous sins against people but those people always find a way to forgive. Even evil Estelle is transformed from the conniving child-stealing snake she was into a woman worthy of a good man’s love.
This book starts off a bit shaky. In the first three chapters, it is very easy to just close and leave it be, however, persistence is rewarded by the ensuing drama and smooth flowing prose. There is romance, royal glamour, drama and to boot, a happy ending. There is a debate involving Protestants on one side and Catholics on another. I recommend all to take the initiative to step back in time and enjoy the story of Love in the Abbey.
