Heron Series by Pamela Belle

A new life awaits… The year is 1635 When her close family are carried off by the smallpox, the small, ferociously independent Thomazine Heron finds herself an orphan at the age of ten. Not only an orphan, but a considerable heiress. Thomazine is sent to live with her Heron family cousins in the beautiful rose-coloured sprawling home of Goldhayes in Suffolk. She finds herself torn from all that she knows and thrown into a completely different world... moreA new life awaits… The year is 1635 When her close family are carried off by the smallpox, the small, ferociously independent Thomazine Heron finds herself an orphan at the age of ten. Not only an orphan, but a considerable heiress. Thomazine is sent to live with her Heron family cousins in the beautiful rose-coloured sprawling home of Goldhayes in Suffolk. She finds herself torn from all that she knows and thrown into a completely different world. However, she soon falls in love with the romantic house and the Heron family who live in it. There is serious, prudish Simon, loyal Edward, clever Francis, the impetuous young Jamie and their romantic sister, Lucy. When Thomazine finds herself and her fortune betrothed to her cousin Dominic Drakelon while still only a child, she knows there is something she doesn’t quite trust about the sly, handsome boy. And when she realises she is deeply in love with one of the Heron brothers and he with her, can she find a way of releasing herself from the engagement? But just when she’s starting to settle into her new life the clouds of civil war loom on the horizon, and Thomazine’s whole world – not to mention the whole of England – threatens to change forever. The bloody battles could tear the Heron family, and many others, apart for good. The Moon in the Water is a page-turning, epic, historical romance from a skilful writer of the period. Praise for Pamela Belle ‘A gifted storyteller…who can conjure up a period of history so that we can smell, hear and see it’ – Sarah Harrison, author of The Flowers of the Field Pamela Belle was born and bred in Suffolk, the daughter of a local prep school headmaster. She went to the University of Sussex, and went on to become a primary school teacher. The Moon in the Water is the first in the four-volume Heron saga. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now. less

The blood red tide of civil war ran deep over the land, and Thomazine became the man of a wife she would learn to hate for his perfidy. She married Dominic whom she could never love, believing her Francis to be dead. When she learned the truth ... that Francis lived, Thomazine rode north on a mission hung with the chains of fate... moreThe blood red tide of civil war ran deep over the land, and Thomazine became the man of a wife she would learn to hate for his perfidy. She married Dominic whom she could never love, believing her Francis to be dead. When she learned the truth ... that Francis lived, Thomazine rode north on a mission hung with the chains of fate. Those chains weight down her journey, moving through land occupied by enemy soldiers, finding the man she loved at the price of deserting her own child, and losing Francis again to the urgent demands of Montrose's cause in Scotland. Time and again, the chains of fate would tear Thomazine and Francis apart, through siege and battle, through the evil designs of men, yet one day, some day, the chains of love must prove stronger ... less

This book takes place post-civil war, during the reign of King Charles II, after regaining the throne. The main characters are still part of the Heron family, and though this book is more a romance, there are many actual events portrayed within. The London fire of 1666 is frightfully detailed, giving the readers the sights, sounds, and horrors of that catastrophic event... moreThis book takes place post-civil war, during the reign of King Charles II, after regaining the throne. The main characters are still part of the Heron family, and though this book is more a romance, there are many actual events portrayed within. The London fire of 1666 is frightfully detailed, giving the readers the sights, sounds, and horrors of that catastrophic event. Another wonderful thread in the book, John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester , renowned satirical poet and rake of the time, is woven into the story line as Alathea's lover. This is a great book, especially with Alathea making her way in a "man's world" as a portrait artist. less

Do you follow your head or your heart…? Before Alathea Heron became a famous portrait artist, she was just a girl. Before John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester, became the famous rake and scoundrel, he was just a boy. When the Earl was just eleven years old he met Alathea and the two of them would change each other’s lives forever. When they finally find each other again, their meeting ignites a spark within them both, turning Alathea into a figure of scorn and intrigue... moreDo you follow your head or your heart…? Before Alathea Heron became a famous portrait artist, she was just a girl. Before John Wilmot, second Earl of Rochester, became the famous rake and scoundrel, he was just a boy. When the Earl was just eleven years old he met Alathea and the two of them would change each other’s lives forever. When they finally find each other again, their meeting ignites a spark within them both, turning Alathea into a figure of scorn and intrigue. John immediately tries to win her heart, but Alathea cannot bring herself to succumb to his advances. Alathea’s only love is painting and she knows that if she loves anyone or anything else, she will lose it forever. It seems an impossible choice – the two great loves of her life that cannot reconcile. In the end, it’s a choice she must make between the magic of her art and the temptations of love. But can she live without either one of them? Praise for Pamela Belle ‘A gifted storyteller…who can conjure up a period of history so that we can smell, hear and see it’ – Sarah Harrison, author of The Flowers of the Field ‘Full of rich historical detail…a delightful read’ — Sarah Woodhouse ‘A lovely book, coloured and close-woven and pulsing with life’ — Rosemary Sutcliff Pamela Belle was born and bred in Suffolk, the daughter of a local prep, school headmaster. She went to the University of Sussex, and has now given up her teaching post to write full time. Alathea, the heroine of Pamela Belle’s third novel, also featured in the author’s first two books, The Moon in the Water and The Chains of Fate . less

Torn between two worlds… When Christopher Heron’s favourite and much loved sister, Meg, marries Sir Robert Drakelon, against her family’s wishes, Christie makes a vow to be there for her whenever she needs him. Meg’s dreams of an idyllic married life are shattered almost immediately. Innocent and naïve, she accepts the ways of her husband and soon falls pregnant... moreTorn between two worlds… When Christopher Heron’s favourite and much loved sister, Meg, marries Sir Robert Drakelon, against her family’s wishes, Christie makes a vow to be there for her whenever she needs him. Meg’s dreams of an idyllic married life are shattered almost immediately. Innocent and naïve, she accepts the ways of her husband and soon falls pregnant. At the prospect of becoming a father, Sir Drakelon is overjoyed, and employs the help of his sister to take care of Meg in his absence. But this is bad news for Meg and it soon becomes apparent just how dangerous the situation is for both herself and her unborn child. In desperation, she reaches out to Christie, hoping he fulfils the vow he once made her. Despite his inexperience, Ambitious Christie has just secured a position in the services of the Duke of Gloucester, Richard Plantegenet. Eager to demonstrate his worth and capabilities, he dedicates himself to moving up through the ranks. When Meg’s cry for help reaches him, Christie is torn between keeping his vow or embarking upon a potentially victorious achievement over the Scots. Split between honouring his commitment to Meg and forfeiting the good will of the Duke, Christie pegs Meg’s concerns down to her pregnancy and continues with the army. A mistake that will cost him a great deal … When the news of King Edward’s death hits, the country is devastated. The King’s son, young Edward, is next in line to the throne. While preparations are made for his coronation, the most brutal truth emerges and the Duke of Gloucester finds himself becoming King. Christie, now closer than ever to the King, knows the truth behind his succession. But the truth must stay buried, there is too much at stake and the new King’s life is in danger. Will Christie learn from his errors and find a way to put his ambitions to the side for once? Full of secrets and drama, The Lodestar is the epic conclusion of the Heron series. Praise for Pamela Belle ‘A gifted storyteller…who can conjure up a period of history so that we can smell, hear and see it’ – Sarah Harrison , author of The Flowers of the Field Pamela Belle was born and bred in Suffolk, the daughter of a local prep school headmaster. She went to the University of Sussex, and went on to become a primary school teacher. The Lodestar is the concluding novel in the four-volume Heron saga. less