About the Book:
Lady Macbeth as you’ve never seen her . . .
Lady Gruadh, called Rue, is the last female descendant of Scotland’s most royal line. Married to a powerful northern lord, she is widowed while still carrying his child and forced to marry her husband’s murderer: a rising warlord named Macbeth. Encountering danger from Vikings, Saxons, and treacherous Scottish lords, Rue begins to respect the man she once despised–and then realizes that Macbeth’s complex ambitions extend beyond the borders of the vast northern region. Among the powerful warlords and their steel games, only Macbeth can unite Scotland–but his wife’s royal blood is the key to his ultimate success.
Determined to protect her son and a proud legacy of warrior kings and strong women, Rue invokes the ancient wisdom and secret practices of her female ancestors as she strives to hold her own in a warrior society. Finally, side by side as the last Celtic king and queen of Scotland, she and Macbeth must face the gathering storm brought on by their combined destiny.
From towering crags to misted moors and formidable fortresses, Lady Macbeth transports readers to the heart of eleventh-century Scotland, painting a bold, vivid portrait of a woman much maligned by history.
About the Author:
SUSAN FRASER KING is a multi-published, bestselling, award-winning author and a former art history lecturer. She holds a B.A. in art and an M.A. and most of a Ph.D. in art history, with postgraduate work in medieval studies. Her books are widely praised for historical detail and a lyrical writing style, and she has won multiple honors and awards for her novels w/a Susan King and Sarah Gabriel. Queen Hereafter, is Susan’s latest novel. Lady Macbeth: A Novel (Crown Publishing, February 2008) was her first hardcover mainstream novel. Susan visits Scotland as often as possible for research and relaxation, and lives in Maryland with her family.
When I read a Historical book of any kind, I love to be captured so fully that I can actual feel as if I, myself, am in the middle of the action. Like I am one of the author’s carefully created characters. And, through Susan Fraser King and her thorough research and magnificent skills, that is exactly what happened when I opened the pages of this FANTASTIC book!
Lady MacBeth is a skillfully created novel that I absolutely was thrilled to have the chance to review. I have to keep asking myself why, only recently, have I just started reading these kinds of wonderful novels. I loved reading about Rue, aka Lady MacBeth, and her life with MacBeth. Having always heard about her through schooling, namely English classes and Shakespeare, she was an intriguing character to me. Having her life arranged in marriage to MacBeth was wonderful to read about. It was truly interesting and wonderful to read how they were not in love at first sight but grew in affection towards one another.
The plot and the scenery came to life for me. The author’s words and descriptions were amazing. Scotland became home to me during my time of reading this novel. History mixed with a touch of mystery really made this novel pop.
I highly, highly recommend that you read this novel. It’s 5 star worthy, no doubt, and a perfect addition to any History lovers bookshelf. You will be taken back into a time and place that is fascinating and you will befriend a wonderfully powerful lady.
You can purchase your copy here.
*This book was provided for review by Random House*
