The Darling Strumpet

(Paperback)

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From her beginnings as a humble oyster seller, Nell Gwynns dazzling rise to fame has gone down in history. Step into the tumultuous world of Restoration England, and join Nell on her journey from courtesan, to famed actress, to Kings mistress in a novel that is as captivating as Nelly herself.
Growing up in the bawdy atmosphere of 17th Century Covent Garden, Nell Gwynn is little more than a girl when she enters the world of the courtesan. But Nell learns the hard way that to be at the mercy of unscrupulous men is no life at all.

With Londons theatres flourishing, Nell seizes an opportunity to change her luck and takes a job selling oranges at The Kings Playhouse in Drury Lane.

It isnt long before Nell takes centre-stage herself and her saucy wit and ambitious temperament soon catch the eye of the young King Charles II. But can she keep him enthralled when the countrys finest Ladies are vying for his attentions at court

Nell Gwynn was a darling of the people and the most famous courtesan of her age. She is brought to life for readers alongside a cast of well-known characters whose stories play out amidst a turbulent Restoration London that stays with you long after you finish this memorable tale.

Reviews

Praise for The Darling Strumpet:

"Richly engaging portrait of the life and times of one of history's most appealing characters!" Diana Gabaldon

"Bawdy and poignant an ebullient page-turner!" Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Affairs

"Hard to resist this sort of seduction a Nell Gwynn who pleasures the crowds upon the stages of London and the noblest men of England in their bedrooms. A vivid portrait of an age that makes our own seem prudish, told with verve, humour, pathos and not a little eroticism." C.C. Humphreys, Author of Jack Absolute

an absolute triumph as a debut novel. The Darling Strumpet is an absolutely brilliant addition to the historical fiction genre and might be the best novel on Nell Gwynn ever. Nell would have applauded in approval and probably done a little jig to celebrate her tribute. Kayla Posney, Pittsburgh Historical Fiction Examiner

Author Bio

Gillian Bagwell grew up in Berkeley, California, and began her professional life as an actress, studying at the University of California Berkeley and the Drama Studio London at Berkeley before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. She moved into directing and producing theatre, founding The Pasadena Shakespeare Company, where she served as artistic director for nine years, producing thirty-seven critically acclaimed productions. She united her life-long love of books, British history, and theatre in writing her first novel, The Darling Strumpet, based on the life of Nell Gwynn. Her second novel, The September Queen, is the first fictional account of the perilous and romantic odyssey of Jane Lane, an ordinary English girl who risked her life to help the young Charles II escape after the disastrous Battle of Worcester in 1651 by disguising him as her servant. Gillian recently returned to Berkeley and is at work on her third novel, about the formidable four-times widowed Tudor dynast Bess of Hardwick. Visit Gillians website, www.gillianbagwell.com, for further information about her books and upcoming events, and links to her blogs, articles, and videos of sites in Nell Gwynns London.