BOOK REVIEW: "The King's Favorite" by Susan Holloway Scott

King Charles II loved women, love, and sex.  There was a reason he was called "The Merry Monarch".  He had numerous mistresses, many which were unpopular due to their pride, cruelty, selfishness, and personality, but there was one that charmed not only the king, but also England.  She wasn't born of great wealth or a true lady, but grew up poor and was an actress.  Nell Gwyn ended up capturing the King of England's heart and loved him truer than any other mistress he had in his life and she didn't have a grand title or tons of money, she was just witty, saucy, fun, and loyal.  In "The King's Favorite" by Susan Holloway Scott, readers get to meet the dynamic and fun mistress and the "Protestant Whore" of King Charles II's life, little Nell "Nelly" Gwyn.

The novel follows Nell's life going from her early years working in a bawdy house in London, to a famed "Orange Girl" in the theatre, to becoming an esteemed and popular actress herself, and finally to becoming the mistress of the King of England.  Nell was determined to rise up from the poverty she was raised in to better herself and also find true love along the way.  Nell found both with King Charles II.  After being the mistress of two Charles previous, Nell finally landed her true Charles, the king, but not by sex or lust alone, but by her charm, wit, care and friendship of the king.  Nell became the most loyal and devoted mistress of King Charles where he knew he could always count on her for honesty and truth-telling. She also became popular with the English people for her past as an actress, her vivacious personality and zest for life, and for being English and Protestant.  Nell gave King Charles two sons and loads of comfort.  Nell managed to keep the king's favor due to her love and loyalty even while haughty and troublesome mistresses like Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland and the French Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth constantly tested Charles with their actions.  This is a great story of the plucky and fun commoner mistress who charmed a king and a country. 

Susan Holloway Scott is such an expert of the court of King Charles II and the women in his life.  Her novels are so well-written, detailed, and fascinating that you almost believe she was a member of the court of King Charles II.  Scott presents a wonderful Nell Gwyn paying respect to her good ambition, her personality, and her big heart.  Nell is one of the few mistresses of a king you can sincerely root for.  Nell is funny, charming, and exciting.  Scott's King Charles II is also a wonderful portrayal offering the charming and pleasure loving king with hints of sadness beneath his bravado.  The relationship between King Charles and Nell Gwyn is beautifully portrayed.  Although he was a king and she was his mistress, you get a sense of their love, loyalty, and devotion to one another.  Other great portrayals include the fascinating Earl of Rochester as a friend and protector to Nell, the untrustworthy, but amusing Duke of Buckingham, and the over-the-top and tedious Louise de Keroualle as Nell's rival.

This is a wonderful novel on a high-spirited and likable young woman who conquered the stage of London, but also conquered a king's heart.  Nell Gwyn is a woman you can truly like and root for.

To purchase "The King's Favorite":

http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Favorite-Novel-Nell-Charles/dp/045122406X

For more information on Susan Holloway Scott:

http://http://susanhollowayscott.com/