For The King's Favor by Elizabeth Chadwick (Terra's Review)

A Bittersweet Tale of Love, Loss, and the Power of Royalty

When Roger Bigod arrives at King Henry II's court to settle a bitter inheritance dispute, he becomes enchanted with Ida de Tosney, young mistress to the powerful king. A victim of Henry's seduction and the mother of his son, Ida sees in Roger a chance to begin a new life. But Ida pays an agonizing price when she leaves the king, and as Roger's importance grows and he gains an earldom, their marriage comes under increasing strain. Based on the true story of a royal mistress and the young lord she chose to marry, For the King's Favor is Elizabeth Chadwick at her best.

(Terra's Thoughts) I can't tell you how much I really loved this book with gushing over our author and her writing style til she blushes. Another fantastic story told during the same period as that of William Marshall and his books, The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion but this time dealing with Roger Bigod, son of Hugh Bigod, Earl of Norfolk.

This time our hero and heroine are on pretty even footing with their stories inter tangling close to the beginning of the book. The fact that our characters are put together at a younger age and you get to see more of their personal life and strife's makes one thankful for the progress in culture down through the centuries. I also love the in depth little touches the author gave each character to make them seem more venerable and real in a highly personal way.

Roger Bigod, son of Hugh Bigod, Earl of Norfolk is not the bright and shinning star his bastard of a father wants him to be. Considered nothing better than the scrapings on the bottom of ones boot and the abuse that he takes not only from his father but also from his half brothers and step mother leave Roger no choice but to join ranks with King Henry II and try to prove to the King his worth. The sins of the father don't always pass down to become the sins of the son and one should be given a chance to prove oneself before being judged. So Roger's journey is about to begin and the choices he makes will prove him either a sinner or a saint so to speak.

Ida de Tosney is a ward of the King and a very beautiful one at that. We all know how King Henry II was and for a young girl of fifteen years to escape the notice of the King when she is so innocent and beautiful is very highly unlikely. Ida does not accept her lot in life as easily as some of the King's other concubines but she comes to terms as with her situation in due time. Giving the King another bastard child and then having the child ripped from her life is enough to test even the most patient and agreeable of us.

With the marriage of Roger and Ida brings about a fresh start for both of them but with baggage from their past rearing it's ugly head around far to many corners. Can they overcome the obstacles placed before them without letting the pain of the past swallow them up? Their story will show a resilience and courage that will prevail through history.

Paperback: 544 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (September 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402244495
ISBN-13: 978-1402244490