Mask of Duplicity by Julia Brannan

Mask of Duplicity by Julia Brannan
Series: The Jacobite Chronicles #1
on July 10, 2015
Genres: Fiction / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Scottish (incl. Highlander)
Pages: 330
Goodreads

Painted faces and dignified wigs hide deadly secrets. Can a woman fighting for hope overcome a tangled web of politics and insurrection?Wonderful historical fiction! Great accuracy and detailed research, with a full-blooded, gripping story running (and sometimes leaping) from page to page. Excellent read-and even better, the beginning of a series! - Diana Gabaldon

England, 1742. Beth Cunningham loves her simple existence. But left penniless with only a dowry held in trust after her father's death, she fears her peaceful rural lifestyle is about to be snatched from her hands. And when her ruthless brother comes home from war intent on using her inheritance to advance his own career, she's terrified her much-valued freedom is about to be married off forever.

Defying his ugly orders that she enter society, Beth soon gives in to her sibling's demands when he turns violent. But with rebellion boiling over across the country, her Catholic heritage may be deadlier than her brother's fearsome ambition.

Can she escape her family's conspiratorial control and survive the coming revolution?

Mask of Duplicity is the enthralling first tale in The Jacobite Chronicles historical fiction series. If you like strong-minded heroines, rich details of the past, and political mayhem, then you'll love Julia Brannan's mesmerizing story.

Buy Mask of Duplicity to break free from oppression today!

Mask of Duplicity is book one in The Jacobite Chronicles by Julia Brannan. I truly enjoyed this historical fiction. Set in England in 1742, this story takes place a few years prior to the Jacobite Rebellion. Brannan paints an accurate picture of the political tensions of the time between the reigning British King George II of Hanover and the Young Pretender Charles Edward Stuart, who was in fact the legal heir. At the heart of the conflict rested a deeply religious struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism. The heroine, Elizabeth Cunningham, has been running her estate alone after the death of her father, and she is in an almost paupered state. Her evil brother Richard, who is the heir, returns and decides to use Beth’s dowry to his advantage. He wants to marry her off so he can prosper amongst the military ranks. I really loved the character of Beth. She is beautiful, kind, and loving, yet spirited and brave. Richard is the perfect villain. There is a very triggering assault scene that some readers will need to be aware of. In this initial book, there is very little romance, and I expect that Brannan is setting the stage for later books. She weaves historical facts effortlessly into her plot in such a way that enhances the story instead of slowing it down. This is a definite treasure and I can’t wait to read more.Mask of Duplicity is book one in The Jacobite Chronicles by Julia Brannan. I truly enjoyed this historical fiction. Set in England in 1742, this story takes place a few years prior to the Jacobite Rebellion. Brannan paints an accurate picture of the political tensions of the time between the reigning British King George II of Hanover and the Young Pretender Charles Edward Stuart, who was in fact the legal heir. At the heart of the conflict rested a deeply religious struggle between Catholicism and Protestantism. The heroine, Elizabeth Cunningham, has been running her estate alone after the death of her father, and she is in an almost paupered state. Her evil brother Richard, who is the heir, returns and decides to use Beth’s dowry to his advantage. He wants to marry her off so he can prosper amongst the military ranks. I really loved the character of Beth. She is beautiful, kind, and loving, yet spirited and brave. Richard is the perfect villain. There is a very triggering assault scene that some readers will need to be aware of. In this initial book, there is very little romance, and I expect that Brannan is setting the stage for later books. She weaves historical facts effortlessly into her plot in such a way that enhances the story instead of slowing it down. This is a definite treasure and I can’t wait to read more.