Another slice of historical family saga from one of my favourite authors of historical fiction, this time set in the Tudor period and centred around the inevitable effects of religious turmoil on a divided family. The usual page-turning stuff, with one addition, that of the character of Ursula Stannard/Blanchard from the author's own series of murder mysteries penned under her Fiona Buckley pseudonym. The Ursula here is a flintier character, though, coming across as just a female Walsingham. I must read the last in the Ursula series, to see how she is portrayed there. ( )

This sequel to House of Lanyon, skips a generation to begin in 1535. It is not necessary to have read the original book; only one brief reference to a stained glass window is incomprehensible without it. The story once again is more historical novel than romance, although the loves of the characters remain part of the subplot. Anand is apparently a great believer in love at first sight.

As Fiona Buckley, Anand also writes a spy/mystery series about Ursula Blanchard Stannard, a secret agent for Queen Elizabeth I. The two series cross in this novel, as a member of the family at Allerbrook is recruited by Sir Francis Walsingham, the [in]famous spymaster.

The result is a compelling story stretching over about five decades and three generations of the family. Once again, Exmoor is lovingly described, and becomes almost as much a character in the story as any human being. Once again, the characters are caught up in the complexities of ambition, arranged marriages, and romance; social duties conflict with individual inclinations and loyalties. In this era, they are particularly whipsawed by the constant changes in religious doctrine. Someone once remarked that Henry VIII was very sincere in his religious convictions, unfortunately, neither he nor anyone else was quite certain what they were. Then his children follow, each with a different take on religion. An above average historical novel for anyone interested in this popular era. ( )