Designs of a Gentleman: The Darker Years

by Judith Thomson

Overview

His life as a dashing young courtier long since jettisoned by scandal and intrigue, Philip Devalle finds himself caught in a dangerous alliance with the scheming Earl of Shaftesbury. Lying broken and defeated in the infamous confines of the Bastille, Philip vows to make his enemies pay.

But the Bastille changes a man.

In his desire to hurt those who have hurt him he is in danger of losing sight of the person he once was. Can he ever be that person again? Older, wiser and disillusioned with everything for which he once yearned, Philip finds himself forced to confront the realities of conflict, death and defeat. But he must also withstand the most challenging confrontation of all-coming face to face with the man he has become, and the undeniable longings of the human heart.

The second instalment of a two-part novel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781908381903
Publisher:	Sacristy Press
Publication date:	10/01/2014
Series:	Designs of a Gentleman
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	678 KB

About the Author

I spent my childhood in Lincolnshire and went to Art College in Leicester before enjoying the London scene in the sixties. I found it an exciting place to be but a chance day trip to Brighton was all it took for me to know where I wanted to spend the rest of my life, and I am still in Sussex.

My love of the 17th century began around the time I moved here, and it has never left me. I started to write about it when my three children were small and I was able to spend more time at home. I have written several stories based around the period, set both in England and in France, some of which follow the same characters. I found a lot of my inspiration in my many visits to Versailles, which gave me a great deal of insight into my hero, Louis X1V, as well as a passion for gardens and gardening.

I also like to scuba dive and to paint, and I have helped on a local archaeological dig, as I am interested in every era of the past. I enjoy walking desert trails in America and ancient landscapes here in Sussex and am currently discovering the routes of Ley Lines in the area.

I spent my childhood in Lincolnshire and went to Art College in Leicester before enjoying the London scene in the sixties. I found it an exciting place to be but a chance day trip to Brighton was all it took for me to know where I wanted to spend the rest of my life, and I am still in Sussex.

My love of the 17th century began around the time I moved here, and it has never left me. I started to write about it when my three children were small and I was able to spend more time at home. I have written several stories based around the period, set both in England and in France, some of which follow the same characters. I found a lot of my inspiration in my many visits to Versailles, which gave me a great deal of insight into my hero, Louis X1V, as well as a passion for gardens and gardening.

I also like to scuba dive and to paint, and I have helped on a local archaeological dig, as I am interested in every era of the past. I enjoy walking desert trails in America and ancient landscapes here in Sussex and am currently discovering the routes of Ley Lines in the area.

Editorial Reviews

*****

I love novels set in seventeenth century France, and this was no exception. The novel is also set in England, at that time.

It is the second book in Judith Thomson’s Series, ‘Designs of a Gentleman’ and I read it over Christmas. The research was excellent, and it was obvious that the author loved the period and place as much as I do.

The book opens with a perilous situation for the hero, though I will say no more of that, to avoid spoiling a good read. The suspense, adventure and plots kept me hooked until the end of the book, so that it can justly be described as a ‘page turner’ and a well written one, at that. I finished it in two days, as I wanted to know what was going to happen.

The characters are believable and very different from each other. For example, Theresa is very attractive, but Oates is loathsome. 

The author has composed a treat for historical novel lovers. A good story, characters that the reader cares about and impeccable historical research. The descriptions of the environment, even down to the smells, create a picture of the period and place.

EBOOK COMMENTARY