Nici's Christmas Tale: A Troubadours short story (The Troubadours Quartet Book 5) - Jean Gill

A stand-alone short story in the multi-award-winning Troubadours Quartet series

1157: Aquitaine. The wolves are coming! At midnight on Christmas Eve, while the blizzard blasts snow through every crack in the castle walls, Nici the Shepherd's Dog stands guard in the sheepfold.

Beside him as usual are his pack and the flock they protect but this night is not usual at all. A small boy braves the snowy night, seeking the protection of his great friend while he is banned from his parents' quarters in the castle.

Nici recalls other times and other dangers, his trials and failures, the reasons why he ran away with a young girl, now the little boy's mother. He would still give his life in a heartbeat for Lady Estela. And yet, on this snowy night, he cannot help her. So, while he waits and comforts Estela's son, he tells his own puppies the story of a dog's life.

What did I think?

What better book to get me in the mood for Christmas than a festive short story from Jean Gill's fantastic Troubadours series.  Jean Gill has such an amazing talent for transporting the reader back in time to the the 12th century and what better hero for this story than Nici, a beautiful white dog, who has been at Estela's side throughout the series.  I have read all of the previous books but this reads so well as a stand-alone that you can most definitely jump into the series at this stage. 

The opening paragraphs gave me goosebumps with their resemblance to the biblical story of Christmas and I could feel the magic in the air as our loyal and brave canine friend, Nici, was finally given a voice.  Through Nici's strong and powerful voice we learn how he came to be by Estela's side, with Estela's own story having a fairytale edge that reminded me of Snow White.  Both of these resemblances gave the story such a magical feel that I forgot that I was listening to a dog's story, although being a Troubadours fan I know that Nici is not just any old dog.

I'm not usually a fan of short stories but Jean Gill has won me over with this perfect length story that gives us a glimpse into the history of Estela and Nici in what I think of as a prequel to Song at Dawn.  This is a book for historical fiction fans and animal lovers alike but I do urge you to pick up the previous books in the series for the full 12th century experience.

From its beautiful festive cover to the magical story inside, Nici's Christmas Tale charms and delights, making it the perfect read for the festive season.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Song Hereafter: 1153: Hispania and the Isles of Albion (The Troubadours Quartet Book 4) - Jean Gill

1153: Hispania and the Isles of Albion

Thrilling conclusion to an award-winning series. Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction. FINALIST in The Wishing Shelf and the Chaucer Awards. The Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice.

Dragonetz and Estela: the troubadours.

They thought they knew each other but they didn’t even know themselves.

Dragonetz has failed Eleanor of Aquitaine once. Now she plans to be Queen of England he could make amends. Although prepared to risk his own life on an impossible quest, a knight should protect his lady, or so say the troubadour songs. His lady, however, plays to a different tune and she wants partnership, not protection.

Estela and Dragonetz fight their enemies, both on the battlefield and in the courts of Christendom, from the sophistication of Zaragossa to the wilds of Wales. Can they win through to song hereafter, together? Or have they broken one rule too many?

Mystery, intrigue, romance and adventure fill the pages of this magnificent conclusion to an epic series sure to delight fans of Elizabeth Chadwick and Bernard Cornwell. Jean Gill captures the soul of the age and the characters who lived in it.

What did I think?

I cannot begin to express how highly I rate the whole Troubadours series and as much as I was looking forward to this final instalment, I was also sad to think that this was the end of my journey with Estela and Dragonetz.  I do love historical fiction but before starting this series, I hadn't read anything set in the 12th Century and whilst it has been a fascinating history lesson it has also been an emotional and exciting journey.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, who we first met in Song at Dawn, offers Dragonetz a way to get back into her favour: he must travel to the isles of Albion to pave the way for her new husband, Henri of Anjou, to take the crown of England and become Henry II.  Estela is determined to make the journey with him, and Dragonetz knows he can't argue with her when she has got something into her head.  So Estela and Dragonetz head to Wales where Dragonetz must make allies of the Welsh lords of Deheubarth: brothers Maredudd and Rhys ap Gruffyd.  The brothers are naturally suspicious of the foreign visitors but after passing their tests, Estela and Dragonetz soon become a welcome addition to the welsh court...or do they?  Sometimes appearances can be deceptive and Estela and Dragonetz are in more danger than they realise.

At the conclusion of this series, I think I finally understood why I love Jean Gill's writing so much: she has taken real historical characters and events but added strong fictional characters who I came to know and love.  I could read a book about Elizabeth I, but because she was a real person I don't have any intense feelings about her.  With Dragonetz and Estela, I've watched them grow and evolve from their first meeting when Estela was no more than a girl to the intense feelings of love and respect they have for each other as husband and wife.  When their lives were in danger, both at home and abroad, I felt real fear for them and utter devastation that they were in this situation; I couldn't, and wouldn't, believe that their luck could have run out. With such vibrant and strong characters, this is historical fiction with heart.

I loved the Welsh setting of Song Hereafter as I do have Welsh ancestors.  Having dabbled in genealogy, I found that I have more Welsh blood than I first thought and can trace my ancestors to both North Wales on my Grandad's side and to South Wales on my Nanna's side.  Jean Gill has reawakened my desire to travel to the land of my ancestors, and follow in the footsteps of Estela and Dragonetz.

I heartily recommend that you add the whole series to your reading list.  The magnificent Troubadours Quartet is an epic journey through the 12th Century and a series that I will return to again and again. 

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Plaint for Provence: 1152: Les Baux (The Troubadours Quartet Book 3) - Jean Gill

Summoned to the court of Les Baux, Estela and her lover, Dragonetz, are embroiled in two rival claims for power as their feuding liege lords gather in Provence. Although Estela is reluctant to leave her idyll with her young child Musca, and her pursuit of Arabic medicine, she welcomes the chance to show her musical skills and to support Dragonetz, who must use his swordsmanship to play peacemaker.

The visit of the Comte du Barcelone to Les Baux sparks bitter memories of the recent civil war and Lady Etiennette des Baux has no intention of ceding to her overlord. Nor does she plan to remain a widow. With good friends on both sides, Dragonetz weaves a precarious path through the rival factions at court where an uneasy truce prevails behind the chivalry of hunt and tournament.

Meanwhile, Estela faces her own demons. Confronted with her childhood abusers, threatened and attacked, she confides in her friends. Unfortunately, one of those friends is Dragonetz' worst enemy and Estela has no idea of what he is capable. 

In this third volume of the Troubadours Quartet, Jean Gill, the 'master of historical intrigue', continues to weave the gripping adventures of Dragonetz and Estela seamlessly into real historical events. Medieval France comes alive in all its facets, from healing with leeches to training a goshawk.

What did I think?

This is another fantastic instalment of The Troubadours Quartet: full of intrigue and swashbuckling action.  As this is the third book in the series, I really feel like I know Estela and Dragonetz but yet they continue to surprise me.

As with the other books in the series, Song at Dawn and Bladesong, Plaint for Provence gives us another glimpse into medieval life. Estela is now becoming proficient at practising medicine and she even adheres to the Hippocratic Oath.  I found her use of herbs really fascinating and it's almost like seeing the origin of complementary medicine.

There is a lot happening in this book so it races along at quite a pace.  Estela comes face to face with her father and step-mother for the first time since she ran away, Dragonetz gets a marriage proposal and there's a breathtaking tourney.  I really enjoyed Estela's chance meeting with the Gyptian who is now a beekeeper in a remote rocky area.  The Gyptian gives Estela more puzzles to ponder and I never would have imagined what happens when Estela returns later to pay another visit - suffice to say I will remember that scene for quite some time!

Nici, Estela's big white dog, makes several appearances, I'm pleased to say.  He has become almost as important a character as Estela or Dragonetz.  The ending is brilliant and it was only fitting that Nici played such a big part in the final scene that resulted in a massive gasp from me and left me chomping at the bit for the next instalment, wondering if Estela will ever receive Geoffroi's gift.

The Troubadours Quartet is a fantastic series for lovers of historical fiction, especially as it is so unusual for books to be set in the medieval period.  It is written in such a manner that it fully immerses the reader into the period, and as it refers to actual historical people and events it is quite easy to forget that you are reading fiction.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Bladesong (The Troubadours Quartet Book 2) - Jean Gill

1151: the Holy Land

From the Winner of the Global Ebook Award for Best Historical Fiction 

Estela, the troubadour, is following the destiny of her beautiful voice. Dragonetz, her passionate knight has a dangerous mission to fulfill; divided by the times they love in, they fight to be together. 

Imprisoned in Damascus, Dragonetz suffers the mind games inflicted by his anonymous enemies, as he is forced to remember the traumatic events of the crusade, two years earlier. His military prowess is as valuable and dangerous to the balance of power as the priceless Torah he has to deliver to Jerusalem, and the key players want Dragonetz riding with them - or dead. 

Instead of remaining safely at home, Estela is desperate to rescue Dragonetz at all costs. She sets out for the Holy Land, never realising that the person she thinks will be her knight's saviour might actually be his doom. Can Estela get him out alive, despite Nur-ad-Din, the Muslim Atabeg; Mélisende, the Queen of Jerusalem; and an avenger from the past? Will she still want to, when she knows what they've done to him? 

Once more 'the master of historical intrigue' whirls the reader off into medieval mayhem. Jean Gill's details of crusading strategy and riding a camel are as convincing as the pangs of medieval childbirth. She brought medieval France to life in 'Song at Dawn'; now she adds 12th century Damascus and Jerusalem with equal aplomb. 

What did I think?

The story of Estela and Dragonetz continues where Song at Dawn ended with Dragonetz undertaking a perilous mission to transport a holy Jewish Torah to Jerusalem.  As we would expect, the mission is very dangerous and Dragonetz finds himself imprisoned in Damascus with several players vying for the sacred Torah.

I often see a lot of reviews complaining about historical accuracy in fiction books.  I have absolutely no idea how accurate Jean Gill's books are but I do know they are outstanding works of fiction which contain many significant historical facts.  They have the feel of looking through a window to the past and I find it so unusual that they are set in the medieval period, pre-dating many of our favourite historical fiction novels.  Often thought of as modern inventions or afflictions, we read about the idea of antiseptic being introduced, grafting of plants and drug addiction.  As a previous cadet of St. John's Ambulance, I gasped in recognition at the eight-pointed cross on the tabards of the Knights of St John in Jerusalem.  It was so enlightening reading that passage as I had no idea of the origins of this famous voluntary organisation.

There are an awful lot of characters in the book and I have to admit it does sometimes get confusing so I would recommend reading Song at Dawn first so that you get to know the characters that reappear in this book.  I loved being introduced to new characters too, some innocent and sweet like Muganni and Musca and others dastardly and calculating like Bar Philipos and Mélisende.  I omitted Nici from my review of Song at Dawn so I must give him a special mention here.  Nici is Estela's huge fluffy white bear of a dog.  He is so protective of her and would lay down his life to keep his mistress safe.  In such treacherous times, he is called into action more frequently than you would imagine.

There is so much back-stabbing and dastardly dealings going on that it feels like an episode of Game of Thrones and nobody can be trusted.  I really enjoyed this book, although Song at Dawn is my favourite of the series so far, and I'm rushing straight on to the third book Plaint for Provence to continue reading this wonderful medieval tale.  

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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Song at Dawn (The Troubadours Quartet Book 1) - Jean Gill

Winner of the Global Ebook Award for Best Historical Fiction

1150: Provence

On the run from abuse, Estela wakes in a ditch with only her lute, her amazing voice, and a dagger hidden in her underskirt. Her talent finds a patron in Aliénor of Aquitaine and more than a music tutor in the Queen's finest troubadour and Commander of the Guard, Dragonetz los Pros.

Weary of war, Dragonetz uses Jewish money and Moorish expertise to build that most modern of inventions, a papermill, arousing the wrath of the Church. Their enemies gather, ready to light the political and religious powder-keg of medieval Narbonne.

Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill's spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women like Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ermengarda of Narbonne, who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers.

What did I think?

This is the first book in The Troubadours Quartet series and it certainly won't be my last - I absolutely loved it.  I do love historical fiction but I've never read anything set in the medieval period; I feel like I've learned so much along the way as all I ever knew of Eleanor of Aquitaine was that she was Richard the Lionheart's mother.  So this book was a real treat for me.

It's hard to get to grips with the medieval French names at first but it's surprising how familiar they become so quickly.  The story revolves around three very strong female characters - Estela, Aliénor and Ermengarda.  Estela is a mysterious young girl who Aliénor finds in a ditch by the roadside.  Aliénor includes Estela in her entourage as they travel to Narbonne.  Aliénor is the Queen of France and very dissatisfied with her husband, King Louis VII.  Ermengarda is the vivacious Vicomtesse of Narbonne, in whose colourful court this story is set.  Dragonetz is the man who links them as a knight, a troubadour and a lover.

There is so much going on in this fabulous book that I was so disappointed when it ended - there are Vikings, highland-style games, the first production of paper, with a sprinkling of treachery and jealousy in the court.  It's like Game of Thrones but with real places and real people from history - I felt like I was actually having a magical glimpse into the past.  I'm not going to spoil any of the story but I just have to mention an absolutely amazing scene when Estela is stuck in the bathtub - I applauded her resourcefulness although I found I was gripping my Nook a bit too tightly until she was safely out of the bathroom.

I enjoyed reading about Dragonetz and the moor, Al-Hisba.  I couldn't help but liken Al-Hisba to Morgan Freeman's character, Azeem, in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.  It must be so difficult for Al-Hisba being so far from home but bonds with Estela and Dragonetz through their music.  Dragonetz bought Al-Hisba but, in the style of Robin Hood and Azeem, treats him as a friend and equal.  There are moments in the book when I wondered whether Dragonetz was right to trust Al-Hisba and the way that this question is answered is simply magnificent.  

Jean Gill's storytelling had me engrossed from start to finish with a very cleverly timed ending that ensured the next book in the series is an absolute must read.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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