#BookReview: The American Adventuress #WinstonChurchill #JennieJerome #HistoricalFiction

One of the first American women to marry into the British aristocracy, Jennie Jerome was the daughter of a wealthy American businessman. She married Lord Randolph Churchill, son of the Duke of Marlborough, while she was still a teenager. She lived a life of means but often ran up more bills than she could pay. Her marriage became a love match, but they also had an agreement regarding sex outside the marriage. Her liaisons with many famous men, including the Prince of Wales at the time, were legendary. Often an absent mother in Winston’s childhood, her relationship with him as he began his political career is intriguing.

This novel can be shocking at times but takes us inside the lives of the privileged few, whose comings and goings were often decadent and scandalous, especially for those times. It introduces us to all the people in Jennie’s life in an intimate way. Jennie’s sexual escapades are described in detail on a few occasions, so those readers who avoid that should be aware.

This is a superbly written novel that introduced me to Jennie in a fascinating way. I had no idea that Winston Churchill’s mother was an American, especially one with such a storied past. Jennie’s scandals and charitable work are interspersed throughout with concurrent events in history. It is a fascinating read that held me spellbound. C.W. Gortner has written an honest and fascinating fictionalized biography of a woman about whom many may never have known. You will meet her in these pages.

My rating is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites without a half-star option.

I received a free copy of this book from William Morrow via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

After an eleven-year career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced the galliard at Hampton Court, learned about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and have been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular, companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding.

BUY LINKS

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