The Lady's Slipper - Couverture souple

'A polished achievement. The plot is set in post Civil War Westmorland and tells the story of Alice Ibbetson, an artist, who becomes captivated by the Lady's Slipper, a rare orchid... But she is not the only one who has a jealous passion for the flower...' --Westmorland Gazette

'The novel grips from the opening lines and carries the interest throughout. The several plot strands are seamlessly blended and come together in a wholly satisfying conclusion. 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

'This is an utterly captivating novel written with a beautiful observation of detail. ....It is set against an often neglected period of history and the author manages to weave the plot strands of politics, spite, liberty, lust and obsession into a very rich and luscious tapestry.' --Karen Maitland, author of The Owl Killers

'Throughout The Lady's Slipper, Swift writes of things in such detail that you feel like you are holding the lady's slipper in your own hand.....Swift deftly layers plots to build a story that is complex and engaging.'
--Bookgeeks Review

"With realistic dialogue, an author s obvious love for history, and characters that leap off the pages, THE LADY S SLIPPER is a brilliant saga set in a time of confusion in England as it recovers from years of civil strife." --Romance Reviews Today

"Deborah Swift s writing style, combined with her knowledge of mid 17th Century life is masterful in her portrayal of a crueller and less tolerant time, where suspicion is enough to condemn the innocent and women were regarded as the cradle of all evils." --Historical Novel Review Blog

"It is a genuinely engrossing story, with characters you can get interested in." --http://www.themum.co.uk/

"This is an utterly captivating novel written with a beautiful observation of detail. The lives of the characters intertwine in a way that is both intriguing and often completely unexpected. The reader is constantly having to shift their opinion about which character is 'good' and 'bad', making for a fascinating read" --Karen Maitland, author of "Company of Liars" and "The Owl Killers"

"Swift has obviously done her homework, with the historical detail and in particular the account of Alice s time in gaol, being intensely atmospheric .....a delicately handled, loving recreation of a bygone era with all its incongruence." --The Truth about Books

"The Lady's Slipper has all the characteristics of well-received historical romance. Recommended for fans of Philippa Gregory and Rose Tremain, as well as students of the English Civil War." --Library Journal

"A dark and gripping tale deeply rooted in rural English history, The Lady's Slipper reads at times like a 17th-century folk ballad come to life..... a novel as rich and haunting as the setting it evokes." --Reading the Past

"..the history provides a frame of reference for a great story fueled by timeless motives of greed, envy, and lust, and the universal theme of redemption. The intertwined stories of the orchid s fate, the mounting problems between the Quakers and the King s men, and Alice s murder trial and its aftermath make for a riveting narrative." --For the Love of Books Blog

"It is a beautifully told story, set in Restoration Westmorland in 1660, and tells of the tragic consequences of the desire to possess a rare and delicate wild flower. It s a terrific read." --Gabrielle Kimm author of "His Last Duchess"

"an impressive first book indeed.....Swift has done well in creating a richly-textured universe for her story, populating it with characters who are all too human" --PhiloBiblos Blog

"If you are a fan of historical fiction, then definitely pick up The Lady's Slipper, you will enjoy a great story about a beautiful flower and one woman's quest to save it during a time of political unrest. The book would make a wonderful book club pick." --Girls Just Reading blog

"wonderful nuanced characters and an engrossing plot, Deborah Swift has created a rich read. While many people know of the Pilgrims and Puritans fleeing England for religious freedom, Quakers facing religious persecution is a lesser known event. With their belief in non-violence, it is hard to see how they could be thought a threat by the government, but it was interesting to read of the means used to subdue this growing group. Definitely a great read for fans of sweeping historical novels."
--Night Owl Reviews

'captivating...a rich and luscious tapestry. A brilliant book' Karen Maitland author of the Owl Killers
Westmorland 1660 When artist Alice Ibbetson discovers a rare orchid, the lady's-slipper, growing in a nearby wood, she is captivated by its beauty. It is the last surviving specimen and she wants to preserve it for future generations. There is only one problem – it is growing on the land of Richard Wheeler, a newly-converted Quaker, who will not allow her to touch it.
Fearing for the flower’s fragility, she steals the orchid, little dreaming that this seemingly simple act will set off an unstoppable chain of events - a web of intrigue that will lead to murder and exile, and change her comfortable life forever.
Vivid, gripping and atmospheric, The Lady’s Slipper is a novel of beauty, faith and loyalty. 'Top pick! Compelling and intriguing' RT Book Reviews