Garland of Straw — Stella Riley

The marriage of a well-bred Royalist lady and an illegitimate Roundhead Colonel is less a match made in heaven than a union doomed to hell. Unfortunately, Sir Robert Brandon's last will and testament leaves Venetia Clifford and Gabriel Brandon with little choice in the matter - deeply though they both resent it.
Their tempestuous relationship is reflected in the events buffeting the nation as England slides into a second Civil War. While Gabriel continues to serve in the New Model Army, Venetia engages in clandestine activities on behalf of the King; and both their lives are complicated still further when Gabriel's half-brother - to whom Venetia was formerly betrothed - returns from exile.
While the Army and Parliament argue over the fate of the King, Gabriel realises that he has a dangerous enemy. And as events gather pace, bringing the King to trial, the tangled web of danger and deceit surrounding both Gabriel and Venetia slowly tightens its grip.


Stella Riley is the 2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medallist for Historical Romance and proud to have been awarded five B.R.A.G. medallions

“An expert mix of historically accurate writing with an unusual but heart-warming love story.”