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Deborah Swift
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A Divided Inheritance : Epic historical fiction Kindle Edition

by Deborah Swift (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,854 ratings

First she must fight for her inheritance. Then she must fight for her life.

'a classy, compelling adventure story and a true journey of discovery.' -- Lancashire Evening Post

London 1609

Genteel Englishwoman Elspet Leviston has always managed her father's lace business and expects to continue in his footsteps. So when her hot-headed cousin Zachary Deane appears from nowhere, his arrival in her life is like an earthquake.

Zachary has no love at all for Leviston's Lace, and when her father dies unexpectedly, Elspet is horrified to find her inheritance is tied to her cousin's and her house belongs to him. But by now, Zachary has gone on a Grand Tour, and he is in Spain. Determined to regain her rightful inheritance, she must leave her beloved England and go to Seville in search of him.

Zachary is in training at the sword school of the charismatic Senor Alvarez, and here, in the searing heat and dust of Spain, Elspet's real journey begins. A journey that throws her into one of the most turbulent moments of Spain's history, and leads her to question everything she has ever known about her country, her faith and herself.

'I was thoroughly gripped until the end of this exhilarating book. And I would highly recommend this swashbuckling tale of lace, swordsmen, Spanish dancing, spice and romance if you enjoy a historical novel with a difference' - Sixtyplussurfers magazine

Reading Group questions and historical notes in the back of the book.

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  1. Print length
    484 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 19, 2018
  4. File size
    4.5 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
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From the Publisher

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Quotation from Let Them Read Books Blog

Paperback Book Of A Divided Inheritance

Quotation from Lancashire Evening Post

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'the description is vibrant, the historical detail is fantastic, and the quality of the writing is superb.' Let them Read Books
'A multifaceted tale about the consequences of religious intolerance, the expiation of guilt, the importance of family, and the appearance of unexpected love. And swordplay! The action sequences are as sharp and dazzling as Zachary's hand-forged blade.' Reading the Past

'This novel has a little bit of everything-romance, family secrets, and classic swash-buckling adventure' Lit Bitch Blog
 'a classy, compelling adventure story and a true journey of discovery.' -- Lancashire Evening Post
A true gem. It has a pacy storyline, the characters are complex, intriguing and often unexpected - and it is packed with fascinating historical fact' -- Gabrielle Kimm, author of His Last Duchess)
'There is everything to admire in this novel - the crisp writing, the fully-realized characters -- but it's Swift's sensitive and vivid portrayal of the Moriscos that especially sets this novel apart. A Divided Inheritance achieves what all stellar historical fiction must: through the voices of imagined characters, important lessons from the past linger and haunt long after the book is finished.' Ann Weisgarber, author of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree

From the Author

First she must fight for her inheritance. Then she must fight for her life.Set in 1610, my first draft of this novel was entitled 'The Swordmistress of Seville'. The new title suits the book better, as the inheritance is a cultural one, not just a matter of money.
The book tells the story of Elspet Leviston, a woman with a fixed idea of her place in the world, and how she is transformed through exposure to another culture. In search of her inheritance, she must journey from dark and rainy London, where her Catholic faith is illegal and punishable by death, to the searing heat of Seville, where not to be a Catholic was punishable by the Inquisition.
Add to that the fact the Morisco population of Seville (who were muslims) were about to be expelled from their homes, despite living there for centuries, and you will see that the background is there for great drama and tension.
I loved writing this, my longest novel. What's more we were able to escape the English drizzle and have a research holiday in Seville, a place which is a truly awe-inspiring mix of Moorish and Spanish architecture.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07CJMTQDZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quire Books (April 19, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 484 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,854 ratings

About the author

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Deborah Swift

Deborah Swift

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THANK YOU for visiting my author page! As you read this I'll probably be writing from my tall stone house which was once a school and built in 1902. This is a house that is "new" in English terms, as many of our local villages date back to the 1630's or even earlier.

I write historical fiction, a genre I love. I loved the Victorian classics such as Jane Eyre, Little Women, Lorna Doone and Wuthering Heights. As I child I loved to read and when I had read my own library books, I used to borrow my mother's library copies of Anya Seton and Daphne du Maurier. I have loved reading historical novels ever since; though I'm a bookaholic and I read widely - contemporary and classic fiction as well as historicals.

In the past I used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV, so I enjoy the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something I loved doing as a scenographer. More details of my research and writing process can be found on my website. I like to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.

I live in North Lancashire on the edge of the Lake District, a beautiful area made famous by the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. I love exploring the mountainous landscapes and interesting coastline near my home.

'Her characters are so real that they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf. Highly recommended. ' The Historical Novels Review.

Visit my website deborahswift.com for a free story,

WW2 Books:

Past Encounters

The Occupation

The Lifeline

The Silk Code

The Italian Renaissance Series:

The Poison Keeper

The Silkworm Keeper

The Fortune Keeper

The Pepys Trilogy:

Pleasing Mr Pepys

A Plague on Mr Pepys

Entertaining Mr Pepys

17th Century Books:

The Lady's Slipper

The Gilded Lily

A Divided Inheritance

Books for Adults/Young Adults:

Shadow on the Highway

Spirit of the Highway

Lady of the Highway

Find me on my website www.deborahswift.com

or on Twitter @swiftstory

or facebook - authordeborahswift

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,854 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical fiction book to be a fascinating look into Spain's period, with a plot that becomes more interesting and complex as it progresses. The writing is well executed and easy to read, while customers appreciate the well-developed characters and thorough research. They describe the book as an adventure that keeps them engaged to the end.

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51 customers mention "Story quality"48 positive3 negative

Customers praise the book's historical content, describing it as a thrilling tale packed with history and an exceptional story of Spain's period, with the plot becoming more interesting and complex as it progresses.

"...I wanted more, but overall the story was well told...." Read more

"...What she finds in Spain is both shocking and exhilarating, and the tests of character and strength she must navigate keep the narrative moving along..." Read more

"...The story itself is founded on an interesting premise, but does seem to go on rather too long for what it needs to accomplish...." Read more

"...This was a very well written novel with very believable characters, a good plot and a great insight into the history of that time...." Read more

34 customers mention "Readability"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable and amazing, with one describing it as a real page turner.

"What an epic! I enjoyed this from the very beginning...." Read more

"...’s portrayal of the historical religious conflict in Spain through believable, sympathetic characters immerse the readers and keep us engaged to the..." Read more

"...A superb read!" Read more

"After you read this excellent book, take a trip to Spain...." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"25 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one review highlighting the compelling heroine and another noting the tests of character and strength throughout the story.

"...Good pacing, rich characters and settings, an undercurrent of feminism, and a good developmental arc for the two main characters...." Read more

"...religious conflict in Spain through believable, sympathetic characters immerse the readers and keep us engaged to the end...." Read more

"...finds in Spain is both shocking and exhilarating, and the tests of character and strength she must navigate keep the narrative moving along at a..." Read more

"...This was a very well written novel with very believable characters, a good plot and a great insight into the history of that time...." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting its rich language.

"...This was a very well written novel with very believable characters, a good plot and a great insight into the history of that time...." Read more

"This was a very well written and researched book about the Catholic persecutions in England and the Moors persecution and expulsion in Spain during..." Read more

"...This story is extremely well written and well researched. It deserves your attention." Read more

"Enjoyed every chapter. Very well written and researched. I recently returned from a two week tour of Spain and Portugal...." Read more

12 customers mention "Interest"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, describing it as an adventure that becomes truly interesting, with one customer noting it keeps readers wanting more until the end.

"...believable, sympathetic characters immerse the readers and keep us engaged to the end. I wanted more, but overall the story was well told...." Read more

"...What she finds in Spain is both shocking and exhilarating, and the tests of character and strength she must navigate keep the narrative moving along..." Read more

"...When the action moves to Spain, the book becomes truly interesting, because indirectly one learns about the expulsion and even killing of the Muslim..." Read more

"...I'm not sure it added a lot to the plot, but it was interesting. The philosophy, geometry, & theory behind the use of the sword was fantastic...." Read more

8 customers mention "Research quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the research quality of the book, with several noting it is well researched, and one customer highlighting its factual data.

"This was a very well written and researched book about the Catholic persecutions in England and the Moors persecution and expulsion in Spain during..." Read more

"...This story is extremely well written and well researched. It deserves your attention." Read more

"Enjoyed every chapter. Very well written and researched. I recently returned from a two week tour of Spain and Portugal...." Read more

"...Great research." Read more

5 customers mention "Development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the development of the book, with individual reviews highlighting its well-researched content, strong-willed female characters, and riveting narrative.

"...A very well Witten book." Read more

"...The Characters were courageous and showed determination to survive a very difficult time. Amazing and well written." Read more

"...Family drama. Strong-willed women. Some romance. History lesson, well researched. A satisfying conclusion. My kind of historical fiction." Read more

"Interesting. Well developed. Well reserched...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lynne M. Spreen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    What an epic! I enjoyed this from the very beginning. Particularly liked the aspect of a smart young woman trying to respect the repressive culture in which she is maturing, yet bridling at it. She senses there's more to life than running a house, and she has a head for business and even adventure, as she discovers later. The author, Deborah Swift, hints at this:

    "A sensation of longing filled her chest, so strong that it made her want to stretch out to claw back that brief light (of a shooting star). It was a longing for home, but not a country to travel to, no, not that. Rather, some country deep inside herself." What thinking person hasn't felt this way at some point in life?

    It's stunning how much research Swift must have done in order to include the historic details of London and Spain in the early 1600s. Good pacing, rich characters and settings, an undercurrent of feminism, and a good developmental arc for the two main characters. This is a coming of age story for the young man and woman, Zachary and Elspet, respectively, and also an exploration of an historic event based on a clash of cultures and religious intolerance. A very satisfying read.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Marggie
    4.0 out of 5 stars compelling historical fiction
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
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    Swift’s portrayal of the historical religious conflict in Spain through believable, sympathetic characters immerse the readers and keep us engaged to the end. I wanted more, but overall the story was well told. In trying to understand why I chose a four rating, I think the numerous details of the fencing school philosophy were more than needed and slowed the movement of the overall story. Also, while not the fault of the author who addressed it honestly but not excessively, the subject of the horrific treatment of the Spanish Moors was difficult to digest.
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  • NWReadingMaven
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling tale packed with history, romance and adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I love stories featuring strong women and set in the 15th-17th centuries, plus I'm fascinated by Spain's history, so I had a real treat awaiting me when I picked up this novel. It is packed with historical detail about religion, commerce, swordfighting, Spain's Moorish culture, and much more. And like all great historical fiction, A Divided Inheritance wraps this lore in a captivating story. I was mesmerized by the world Deborah Swift conjured up -- especially by the story of Elspet, the naive but determined young Englishwoman who crosses an ocean to right a wrong. What she finds in Spain is both shocking and exhilarating, and the tests of character and strength she must navigate keep the narrative moving along at a breathless clip. As the story roared to a thrilling conclusion, I teared up more than once, moved both by Elspet's struggles and the tragedy of Spain's expulsion of the Moors 500 years ago. A superb read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • William Meyer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Basically good story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The problem with historical novels is that they need to carry you into the era, and when the author is careless with words, using terms which did not yet exist, then it is discordant. Further, some of the claims in the story are disproved by sound historical research of recent history. The author makes reference to some histories from thirty and forty years ago, and sadly, there was some very misleading stuff written then.

    The story itself is founded on an interesting premise, but does seem to go on rather too long for what it needs to accomplish. Given the change of locale in midstream, it also has the feel of two novels, which aren't all that well bound together.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Christine Morrison
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent and entertaining book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating look into the period in the early 1600’s when the Moors continued to be expelled from Spain.
    This was a very well written novel with very believable characters, a good plot
    and a great insight into the history of that time. I have read two other novels by Deborah Swift, but this was by far the best.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Liz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Deep
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    If you want a pleasant unexpected slow to start but full of more than just a story, this book is for you. The author slowly weaves a story developing her characters with their back history. She also makes the country and events happening in that town, a part of the story. Once you read all this, you are hooked. Where/how is the story going to progress? The author continues with her tale that show growth for the characters and the continuation of the story.
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  • Paula S, Paloger
    5.0 out of 5 stars More Spanish History
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    After you read this excellent book, take a trip to Spain. Observe firsthand the impact of the Moorish art, culture and way of life that still is alive in Spain. Spain after the expulsion of the Moors never had another golden age. Recommended to broaden the minds of those who are still tied to their narrow world view and their prejudices.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars ending
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I want to know more about what happened to them all. I felt cheated. I would like a sequel. Otherwise very good. I like how the characters changed and grew.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beatiful story.
    Reviewed in Australia on July 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I liked all the detail in this story and the fact that it's based on history and true events. A lot of action and different families all interactive in difficult circumstances. Nice reading and it keeps you interested to the last page..Really well chosen characters and very strong.
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  • Plain Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly good read
    Reviewed in Spain on March 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Another brilliant historical novel by Deborah Swift. Layers of story wrapped in sometimes heartbreaking history. The main characters are so real I forgot they were fictional. Fascinating insights into the world of fencing and how life was lived in London and Seville, Spain, in the early 17th century. Highly recommended for all hist fic fans.
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  • CAROL MCGRATH
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Divided Inheritance is a fabulous read. Deborah Swift's other two novels set in the seventeenth century, The Lady's Slipper and The Gilded Lily, are thoroughly enjoyable books, well-plotted with depth of characterisation. A Divided Inheritance is, without doubt, the most sophisticated work of the three novels and a brilliant achievement. An excellent historical novel owns two elements: the total immersion of a reader into a previous historical era and engaging characterisation. With A Divided Inheritance, Deborah Swift succeeds on both counts.
    The story is set during the early years of the reign of James 1st , opening in London to a background of trade and religious tension following the late Elizabethan period and The Gunpowder Plot. Elspet Leviston hopes to inherit her father's London lace business but is thwarted by the arrival of a lost cousin. As a consequence her inheritance will be divided. Zachary Deane has a disreputable background, yet despite his shadowy past, her father draws him into their pleasant London home and his business. To Elspet's chagrin he sends this mysterious cousin on a grand tour to look for new markets and to knock off his rough edges.

    Elspet is a devout English Catholic, intrepid, and not deterred by obstacles, she takes on a terrifying sea and land journey into Spain, a country in the grip of Inquisition, in search of Zachary after her father's sudden demise. The journey to Seville sets in motion intriguing events as the two protagonists become locked in a battle of wills, involved in a school for training swordsmen and in the expulsion of a persecuted people, the Morisco population of Andulusia, one often composed of baptised Christians . The expulsion is a very moving aspect of this novel's plot, superb in its depiction and integration into the novel's overall narrative drive, also providing the story's sub plot.

    At the heart of the novel is character. Even minor characters are extraordinarily well developed and, of course, the protagonists are particularly rich depictions. Elspet is plucky and determined but she is also a prim Jacobean lady who early in the book faces several disappointments. She is a heroine rooted in her time yet propelled by circumstances into situations which permit her ultimate self-discovery. Vividly portrayed she leaps off the page in her farthingales, laced bodices, her desire to visit every Spanish church on the route across this arid, dangerous country, her ability to stay her post under a relentless sun, whilst waiting for the difficult retrograde, Zachary, each day, as he learns skills of the sword. She is indomitable and will confront him. Zachary Deane is a man of the sword, an ultimately likeable ne'er do well. Can he meet the challenge the story's terrible events present and gain redemption? As for all the personalities in between- they successfully respectively aid or hinder the story's development. All of them provide a convincing and engaging gallery of characters whose destinies we care about.

    This novel must be praised for Deborah Swift's attention to research and her translation of this into brilliant characterisation, scintillating dialogue and a thrilling narrative. Her research, though impeccable and thorough, never shows. The scenes set in a Spanish sword school and amongst the Morisco community are vibrant. I was there participating in Elspet's and Zachary's story lives, fighting with sword, trudging Seville's narrow streets, watching their romances develop and the threats to their survival. A Divided Inheritance is a terrific historical novel; one which on reaching the last page I was reluctant to put down. I hope it provides other readers with an equally delectable sense of enjoyment. It comes highly recommended.
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  • Mamta saran
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mamta Saran
    Reviewed in India on June 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Though it was very long. the story is mesmerising ,it is not only history it isa journey of souls progress and enlightment .
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  • Gilbert G. Brandt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Inheritance and family relationships are still tense.
    Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the historical references which helped set the background for the troubles. I did not appreciate the father's lack of accepting his daughter as a business partner. She was essential in keeping the business going.
    Had some good conflicting personalities.
    Report

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