Friday, November 14, 2008

The House of Allerbrook by Valerie Anand


Choosing between family loyalty and fealty to the crown is by no means an easy or quick choice. THE HOUSE OF ALLERBROOK is full of betrayal and love that will have you quickly turning the pages until far into the night. In a time when woman were thought to be worth less than cattle and their only station in life was to bear an heir, this sweeping saga will make you laugh and make you cry.

Jane Sweetwater is sixteen years old when she is sent to the court of King Henry VIII by her brother Francis. Jane enjoys court life as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Cleves. Queen Anne notices Jane's musical skill and Jane is soon invited to play in the royal parties. However, the unwanted sexual advances from the King soon have her fleeing to the court of Allerbrook with the aid of her friend Peter Carew.

Sybil Sweetwater brings shame to her family with her pregnancy out of wedlock. Her brother Francis immediately exiles her into the care of cousins. There, Sybil is forced to change her name and is treated like a workhorse. After her son Stephen is born she is still miserable and not a very decent mother.

Francis is angry that Jane also damaged the family's chance of a favorable position in court. He marries Jane off to an older farmer named Harry Hudd. She spends her time working the farm and raising their son Tobias dreaming about another life she could have had with Peter. Her sister Sybil wants to escape her life and before long, leaves her son Stephen for Jane to raise. When Francis dies unexpectedly, Jane inherits the family home and starts to make some changes in her life.

An epic historical novel, THE HOUSE OF ALLERBROOK is full of surprises. Royal intrigue, romance, and a historical backdrop set the stage for this novel that spans several generations.

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The old grey donkey, Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, "Why?" and sometimes he thought, "Wherefore?" and sometimes he thought, "Inasmuch as which?" and sometimes he didn't quite know what he was thinking about.

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