Today I get to share a book review with you! I do love to read, and sneak in a few books whenever I can. But based on how often I post reviews, you’d know know that here. If a book finally spurred me to tell you about it … well, you KNOW it has to be good!
So I give you my review of Plaint for Provence, book 3 in Jean Gill’s historical romance Troubadour series!
Plaint for Provence is a captivating third installment to author Jean Gill’s Troubadour series. As in books 1 and 2, the setting is lush in both description and historical context. The first chapter threw me off as I was expecting to learn how Dragonetz faired with not only his recovery but the realization that he is a father – that after proclaiming to his lover that he needed to find a suitable woman to wed to start a family! But that is not where the story begins, rather with a brief foray into political intrigue between kingdoms vying for Dragonetz’s help. I trusted Ms. Gill to prove why this scene was important. And she does! When the actions of chapter 1 come to fruition, it is to create a pivotal and gripping turning point in the novel.
Comfortable now in their relationship and parenthood, Estela and Dragonetz have found stability in a turbulent world. But the world cannot be held at bay forever, and it comes knocking – for both of them. Each with a role to play positioned precariously between two factions who wish to control Provence and a third who does. A thinly veiled power struggle twists through the court at Les Baux guided by Estela’s voice and Dragonetz’s sword.
Personal demons for both Estela and Dragonetz arrive in court to further test their individual resolve and their love. If Estela and Dragonetz can win every battle or if they will lose something important isn’t clear until the very end of the story. And it is worth every quickly turned page. Friends and enemies from the previous books play a welcome roll in this novel, which may be my favorite of the series. You’ll stay up enraptured reading this one! I anxiously await the last installment of the Troubadour series!
Plaint for Provence gets: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A quick note: I’ve read the other two books in their series and reviewed them. Click the links to find reviews for Song at Dawn, book 1, and Bladesong, book 2!
All three books have gotten new and simply lovely covers as well. If you love historic novels and a taste of true medieval times, read these books. Troubadors were the rock stars of the time period and add that to being a well respected knight or a dazzling beauty … the story will win you over!
Before I forget, the full description for Plaint for Provence:
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.