The Forest and the Flames Audiobook By G. Lawrence cover art

The Forest and the Flames

Chronicles of Matilda, Lady of Flanders Series, Book 2

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The Forest and the Flames

By: G. Lawrence
Narrated by: Marnye Young
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Autumn, 1066: The Battle of Hastings is done. The struggle for England begins.

Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy, rules as Regent of Normandy for her husband, Duke William. William has won the Battle of Hastings, but Saxon England does not wish to surrender to him as King. As William sets England to flame, Matilda waits in Normandy for the time to come when she can claim her crown.

Through bloodshed, battle, and struggle will England be won, but even as Matilda rejoices for her new power, a prophecy is spoken, linking the fates of her children to the wailing voices and horrific images in dreams which come to haunt her. Matilda comes to understand that God is watching, and is not pleased with what he sees.

As Matilda battles to save her children, she finds she must stand against her own husband, in order to protect the lives, and immortal souls, of her sons and daughters. Through heartache, discord, battle, rebellion, and slaughter, the fate of England, and the future of the house of Normandy, will be decided.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Gemma Lawrence (P)2018 Tantor Historical Historical Fiction Medieval Heartfelt Tudor

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Captivating Historical Fiction • Beautiful Love Story • Excellent Narration • Compelling Protagonist • Exceptional Writing
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Well written and read. It’s a special style of reading, the way the narrator uses her voice was strange in the beginning but just fits really well with the story. What I also like is that the historical facts have been tried to be woven in with the fiction.

Well written and read

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loved these two book's if your looking for Matilda's story these are the book's to read spectacular book's could not put either one down

Matilda, Duchess,Queen all around amazing book's

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What a life they led back then. Beautiful love story, and the story of strong women are enjoyed every moment a good long story excellent reader.

Very interesting story

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amazing work, female counterpart of bernard cornwell. loved every word and would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction!

masterpiece

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Listened at 1.2 -> 1.5. A few wordy stretches but wow what a love story. Didn't think I'd come to root for the barbarian King William but his loyalty to Matilda brought me to tears. Excellent performance.

I Cried Like a Baby

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I read the prequel to this book. However, overall this novel is leaps and bounds better than the first in its delivery.
The storyline is good in both novels and I learned a little of the likely background and driving forces of the characters' real counterparts. I'm ashamedly not very familiar with the Norman invasion.. (I spend my time devouring the intricacies of the Plantagenets!)
But I think the author is getting her "feet wet" with writing and especially writing historical fiction.
I sense the author struggles with making the beginning of her books more interesting... she wants to get to the "good part" more than the reader!

But when she got to the good part with this book, whew!! I struggled not to wail like a baby!
Excellent tear jerker ending!

Stay with it.. TRUST me!

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Excellent. Please write more. Couldn't put the book down. I felt as if I was standing right there.

Won't Disappoint

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Author Gemma Lawrence gives us the second of two books about William the Conqueror’s wife: Mathilda. Having read the first installment, I was looking forward to this one, and author didn’t disappoint.

It’s another captivating historical fiction that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the first page to the last. The author brings to life a gripping story of power, ambition and brutality in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a moderately fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Autumn, 1066: The Battle of Hastings is done. The struggle for England begins…

Matilda, Lady of Flanders, Duchess of Normandy, rules as Regent of Normandy for her husband, Duke William. William has won the Battle of Hastings, but Saxon England does not wish to surrender to him as King. As William sets England to flame, Matilda waits in Normandy for the time to come when she can claim her crown.

Through bloodshed, battle, and struggle will England be won, but even as Matilda rejoices for her new power, a prophecy is spoken, linking the fates of her children to the wailing voices and horrific images in dreams which come to haunt her. Matilda comes to understand that God is watching and is not pleased with what he sees.

As Matilda battles to save her children, she finds she must stand against her own husband, in order to protect the lives, and immortal souls, of her sons and daughters. Through heartache, discord, battle, rebellion, and slaughter, the fate of England, and the future of the house of Normandy, will be decided…’

Exemplary and praiseworthy, this work had me engrossed from the beginning. It’s an impassioned historical fiction interwoven with true-life history. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of intense moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly captivating and spellbinding journey.

It’s one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. Although this is a somewhat ‘meaty’ read, it’s unlikely that it could be finished in one or two sittings. Nevertheless, for those looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating read, this would be a rare find. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

If this book is anything to go by, I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading more from Gemma Lawrence in the future. It also has a distinctly cinematic feel to it and I could easily see it being adapted for the Silver Screen. A well-deserved five stars from me.

Special mention also to Marnye Young for her excellent narration. An exceptionally talented lady with a gifted voice for storytelling.

Another exceptionally written historical fiction

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This book was amazing. My 27th great grandmother was an amazing women. This book makes me long to meet her. Wonderfully written. I was brought to tears. Thank you G Lawerence for bringing Matilda to life.

Wonderful

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This book gave me both immense joy in following the extraordinary life of Matilda as a mother and wife, and deep sorrow in learning of the continuation of the rift between her husband, William, and her firstborn, Robert. Her passing was also brilliantly written in a manner that I doubt more than a few of us readers to be unable to picture such a tragedy, or had withheld tears from falling over her demise. The deaths of some of ther beloved children, were not only unanticipated but heartbreaking too, exactly as beautifully designed by the author. And in that, the writer had also proven that even for the powerful, the gifted, and most fortunate of individuals among us; nothing can truly last forever. Despite every effort, or pure intent behind it.
Once I made it certain to purchase this book's copy in a printed version, I found the decision to spend my latest received credit here upon another awesome written book of this most talented author, quite easy to make.

The 2nd book of the remarkable chronicles of Matilda of Flanders. The writing is amazing, and so is the performance

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