Their Graces

Roxton Foundation Series, Book 4

By: Lucinda Brant

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The time for Antonia’s court presentation has finally arrived, but how will she be received? Not only by the King, but by his Majesty’s new mistress Mme de Pompadour, and also the French nobility? This seems the least of the Duchess’s worries, until the Duke comes face to face with the Comtesse Duras-Valfons in the very public space of the Hall of Mirrors. There is a collective intake of breath from their noble audience, shocked at what the Duke does next, and with Antonia’s blessing. But will King Louis approve, and will their Graces ever be invited back to Versailles?

©2023 Lucinda Brant (P)2023 Lucinda Brant

The Spectacle Arrives

This book is a celebration of the nerve wracking, but gorgeous spectacle of Antonia’s Court Presentation before Louis, his Wife and his Mistress. We are introduced to many real figures and more period detail, both politcal and cultural, all of which is quite fascinating. The costumes and customs of the court are richly coloured in and we begin to understand how the least misstep can spell disaster. It is like Alice through the looking glass with rules and regulations, enemies and friends and many strange happenings and two queens.

At the townhouse life goes on, preparing for this big event. Estee joins, bringing her own brand of tension and tempers arise. The family dynamic continues to mature and lessons are learned. We get to know everyone quite a lot better and see how they adjust to all situations, but the main event is the presentation and at last it takes place in its colour and intrigue and drama.
It is all very satisfying.

Mary Jane Wells is wonderful and brings all her amazing talent to these stories. She is so agile in her voices and her flow is so seamless that she is a joy to listen to

Go Straight To The Audio Books

Mary Jane Wells is an outstanding voice actor and in top form in this entire series. Of course the stories are engaging, too, lol. Brandt creates an absorbing, believable 1740s France. I rate this a half-eggplant in terms of sensuality.

Satisfying ending of the trilogy

This is the third and final part of the story arc of the Duke of Roxton and his young duchess Antonia dealing with all the remaining consequences of their scandalous romance, marriage and confrontation with their evil relative the Comte de Salvan. The story threads that began in the previous volumes are brought to a satisfying end. We see the Duke and Antonia both triumph at the Royal Court of Versailles, the evil comte reach his deserved ending, their deserving relatives starting a new life free of shadows, and the loving ties among the family and their almost-family friend Martin Ellicott strengthened. It is a delight to see the Duke of Roxton, the archetypal omniscient, powerful, ruthless and outwardly emotionless aristocrat relaxed, open, joking or showing his deep love for his family. There is a great deal of humor too, family members lovingly teasing each other. The scenes of the Versailles court conjure a detailed picture of that legendary world outwardly glittering but hiding intrigues of power, politics, pleasure or revenge. The ending leaves us wishing to see more of the characters before the previously published books involving the next generation of the extended family. The narration is flawless, delightfully enriching the intricately written text, showcasing the rich emotions, the different characters, infusing warmth and humor into every scene.

A feast fir your imagination

Their Graces is the final installment in this trilogy but not, thankfully, the last of the Roxton Foundation Series!
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells, her ability and skill brings Lucinda Brant's words to life with definitive characteristics and voices for each character.
Lucinda Brant's writing has you experiencing spectacle and intrigue of era and the Court of Versaille through the power of her words and your imagination. The sumptuous descriptions and details shows the depth of her research and skill.
I adored this book and was thrilled to find the Roxton Foundation Series would continue.
This is one series that I would dearly love to see adapted for television - the Roxtons deserve nothing less.
Bravo Lucinda, and huzzah!