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Jean Gill
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Song at Dawn: 1150 in Provence: an epic medieval thriller (The Troubadours Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jean Gill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,415 ratings

Award-winning historical fiction. Like Game of Thrones with real history.
'Believable, page-turning and memorable.' Lela Michael, S.P. Review
1150: Provence, where making love and making paper are crimes against the Church.
Death on her heels, Estela runs towards a new identity. Her life depends on her golden voice and the patronage of
Eleanor of Aquitaine but her heart cares more for the judgement of her tutor, Dragonetz, a cynical ex-crusader. He knows he must not love this troublesome student but their duet makes its own demands.
Will their secrets kill them both? The troubadours, Dragonetz and Estela, are an explosive combination which their powerful enemies intend to blast into smithereens.
Set in the period following the Second Crusade, Jean Gill’s spellbinding romantic thrillers evoke medieval France with breathtaking accuracy. The characters leap off the page and include amazing women like Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ermengarda of Narbonne, who shaped history in battles and in bedchambers.

Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction
Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice
Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Awards, the Kindle Book Awards and the Chaucer Awards
Four Discovered Diamond Awards

‘One of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time,’ Paul Trembling, Dragonslayer
Book 1 of the award-winning Historical Fiction series The Troubadours

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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Troubadours
  2. Print length
    399 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    12 Jan. 2014
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

From the Publisher

Roses and briars with text 'History was never more exciting!'
Roses, briars and knight on horse with endorsement of book
Song at Dawn
Bladesong
Plaint for Provence
Song Hereafter
Nici's Christmas Tale
The Troubadours Quartet
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Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,415
4.3 out of 5 stars 440
4.4 out of 5 stars 179
4.5 out of 5 stars 125
4.3 out of 5 stars 60
4.3 out of 5 stars 25
Price £1.99 £3.99 £3.99 £3.99 £0.99 £8.99
The Troubadours series 1150 1151 1152 1153 1157 1150 to 1154
Setting Provence The Holy Land Les-Baux-de-Provence Hispania and the Isles of Albion Aquitaine

Product description

Review

‘Believable, page-turning and memorable.’ Lela Michael, S.P.Review

‘Exquisitely written historical fiction.’ Elizabeth Horton-Newton,View from the Sixth Floor

‘A fabulous historical novel which vividly brings alive the medieval era.’Karen Charlton, the Detective Lavender Mysteries

‘I like a book that makes my heart race and ‘The Troubadours’ did exactly that. It’s a great story.’ Molly Gambiza, A Woman’s Weakness

‘A stunning masterpiece of tangled alliances, conflicting loyalties and tested love.’Kristin Gleeson, the Celtic Knot Series

‘As soon as I finished this novel, I longed for the next in the series and can’t wait to read more from this extremely talented author.’ Deb McEwan, Beyond Death

‘Jean Gill is the master of historical intrigue.’ C.M.T. Stibbe, Chasing Pharoahs

‘One of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time.’ Paul Trembling, Dragonslayer

‘Fascinating history - the plot was terrific.’ Brian Wilkerson, Trickster Eric Novels blogger

‘A walk through time! That is what it was like to read this fine novel. It drew me into the pages and would not let go of me until done! Bravo for a wonderful read!’ Arwin Blue, By Quill Ink and Parchment Historical Fiction blogger

‘This story has it all from history to love.’ Shirley McLain, Dobyn’s Chronicles

‘Jean Gill masterfully weaves this fictional tale with accurate medieval history in a way that I have not experienced in a long time. All at once, I am surrounded by knights, crusades, and Templar politics… Her writing is as lyrical as the songs her characters sing.’B.J. Tiernan, Standing on a Whale

About the Author

Jean Gill is a Welsh writer and photographer living in the south of France with a big white dog, a scruffy black dog, a Nikon D750 and a man. For many years, she taught English in Wales and was the first woman to be a secondary headteacher in Carmarthenshire. She is mother or stepmother to five children so life was hectic. Publications are varied, including prize-winning poetry and novels, military history, translated books on dog training, and a cookery book on goat cheese. With Scottish parents, an English birthplace and French residence, she can usually support the winning team on most sporting occasions. Contact Jean at jean.gill@wanadoo.fr with comments or questions. You'll find a mix of her work, along with fun trivia about books, at www.jeangill.com Her photo portfolio is at www.istockphoto.com/jeangill and she blogs at www.jeangill.blogspot.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005ZCEH2K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The 13th Sign
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 12 Jan. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 399 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 6 ‏ : ‎ The Troubadours
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1,415 ratings

About the author

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Jean Gill

Jean Gill

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Jean Gill is an award-winning Welsh writer and photographer living in the south of France with two scruffy dogs, a beehive named 'Endeavour', a Nikon D750 and a man. For many years, she taught English and was the first woman to be a secondary headteacher in Wales. She is mother or stepmother to five children so life was hectic. Join Jean's special readers' group at jeangill.com for private news and exclusive offers.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
1,415 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical novel fascinating, with a good mixture of exciting narrative and mystery elements. The book is well researched, with one customer noting the meticulous attention to period details, and features believable characters, with one review highlighting the portrayal of powerful women in European history. Customers praise the writing quality, with one describing it as an easy read, and appreciate the book's colorful and political content.

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29 customers mention ‘Historical novel’29 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this historical novel for its engaging narrative and mystery elements, with one customer noting how it brings the twelfth century to life.

"...Rich in historical detail, this novel brings alive the political intrigue, culture and harsh reality of court life in the twelfth century...." Read more

"...Actions scenes were vivid, the 'supporting cast' was strong and believable, and the two queens, Aleinor and Ermengarda, shone brightly as shrewd..." Read more

"excellent historical research but the story-telling did not flow - too much too soon" Read more

"...The story is so engaging, full of political issues, enemies armed with crossbow, poison and fire, hot gossip from the ladies-in-waiting, the list is..." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Readability’19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and brilliant, with one mentioning it serves as great holiday reading.

"...at first but my perseverance was well-rewarded, and I thoroughly enjoyed Song at Dawn...." Read more

"...where I felt I'd missed vital pieces of information, but this is a great read, clearly well-researched, with memorable characters and a refreshingly..." Read more

"What a great book! I am a great fan of historical stories and I must admit, I judged Song at Dawn by it's beautiful cover...." Read more

"Enjoyable with all the ingredients looked for in a good romantic read: a feisty and talented female protagonist with the right amount of..." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Research quality’9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the research quality of the book, describing it as well-researched, detailed, and intelligent.

"...This is an intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era and major characters of the time." Read more

"...missed vital pieces of information, but this is a great read, clearly well-researched, with memorable characters and a refreshingly different take..." Read more

"...And all of it set in a rich, detailed and fascinating era of history, magnificently brought to life with vivid descriptions...." Read more

"...This is well researched and written and much more engaging than I had hoped for. Highly recommended." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Character development’8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the characters believable, with one review highlighting the talented female protagonist and another noting the most powerful women in European history.

"...Two of the most powerful women in European history, they shared a common passion and jointly promoted the ideal of `Courtly Love', while surrounded..." Read more

"...but this is a great read, clearly well-researched, with memorable characters and a refreshingly different take on the period." Read more

"...looked for in a good romantic read: a feisty and talented female protagonist with the right amount of vulnerability and strength, strong, sexy lead..." Read more

"...Characters are well-drawn and dialogue carries much of the storyline...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Writing quality’8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well composed, with one customer noting the author's extensive knowledge and another describing it as an easy read.

"...What is their interest in Estela? Jean Gill is a very talented writer and knows how much to dish out to keep readers glued to the story...." Read more

"...This is well researched and written and much more engaging than I had hoped for. Highly recommended." Read more

"...Slowly at first but the quality of the authors writing makes this a must read, it's intelligent and well researched, even the romantic bits were..." Read more

"A very enjoyable historical romance and much more. The author is obviously well versed (sorry about the pun) in the music and songs of this period..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Color’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful.

"...stories and I must admit, I judged Song at Dawn by it's beautiful cover...." Read more

"...and likable, the twelth century is brought to life, evocative and full of colour...." Read more

"Beautiful,wonderful, spellbinding. The setting is well realised, the characters clearly drawn. Hard to put Dow." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Political content’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the political content of the book, with one review highlighting its exploration of religious and political conflicts in Europe.

"...The story is so engaging, full of political issues, enemies armed with crossbow, poison and fire, hot gossip from the ladies-in-waiting, the list is..." Read more

"...of vulnerability and strength, strong, sexy lead male characters, political intrigues...." Read more

"...about the after effects of the Crusades and the religious and political conflicts in Europe, for example the arrival of Sephardic Jews from Spain..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Strength’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strength of the characters in the book, with one noting the well-developed supporting cast and another highlighting their bravery and loyalty.

"...and Muslims, Dragonetz is a complex and wily adversary as well as a brave, loyal and attractive lover; a hero for our own time...." Read more

"...Actions scenes were vivid, the 'supporting cast' was strong and believable, and the two queens, Aleinor and Ermengarda, shone brightly as shrewd..." Read more

"...with all the ingredients looked for in a good romantic read: a feisty and talented female protagonist with the right amount of vulnerability and..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Susanna
    5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 July 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Song at Dawn by Jean Gill is a fabulous historical novel.

    It is the story of Estela, a gifted young musician, who is swept up into the retinue of one my favourite historical characters of all time: Aliénor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine. Then the Queen of France, the cultured Aliénor takes Estela on a visit to the court of Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne, where the natural talent of the beautiful girl is tutored by the dashing Knight and troubadour, Dragonetz.

    Rich in historical detail, this novel brings alive the political intrigue, culture and harsh reality of court life in the twelfth century. Despite their scheming and their obvious rivalry, I loved the characters of Ermengarde and Aliénor. Two of the most powerful women in European history, they shared a common passion and jointly promoted the ideal of `Courtly Love', while surrounded on all sides by would-be assassins, misogynistic churchmen, jealous noblemen and the problems caused by unwanted, inept husbands.

    Weaving through this ambitious novel is the wonderful and tender love story of the mysterious Estela and the ambitious Dragonetz. Determined to thwart the bigoted clergy in both their business monopoly over paper, and in their plots to cleanse France of Jews and Muslims, Dragonetz is a complex and wily adversary as well as a brave, loyal and attractive lover; a hero for our own time.

    I found the politics and the large cast of unfamiliar, foreign names a little confusing at first but my perseverance was well-rewarded, and I thoroughly enjoyed Song at Dawn. This is an intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era and major characters of the time.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Whitey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tightly-Plotted with Strong Characters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The opening pages of this book are among some of the best I've read, dropping the reader straight into the action and leaving you asking all sorts of questions. I liked the slow-burn element of the relationship between Estela and Dragonetz and he is a wonderfully-drawn 'hero'. Actions scenes were vivid, the 'supporting cast' was strong and believable, and the two queens, Aleinor and Ermengarda, shone brightly as shrewd women who used their power wisely. The traditions of Courtly Love were explained and used to good effect, as was the idea of the paper mill which at first seems like an innocuous enterprise but serves to show the power of the Church at that time. I did find it hard to follow some of the politics at times and there were moments where I felt I'd missed vital pieces of information, but this is a great read, clearly well-researched, with memorable characters and a refreshingly different take on the period.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • TOTO
    3.0 out of 5 stars Unusual historical novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2019
    Verified Purchase
    excellent historical research but the story-telling did not flow - too much too soon
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  • Molly Gambiza
    5.0 out of 5 stars Molly Gambiza
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    What a great book! I am a great fan of historical stories and I must admit, I judged Song at Dawn by it's beautiful cover. I wasn't disappointed when I read the first chapter which includes Estela the sixteen year old girl, all alone hiding in a ditch and she is supposed to be dead... Who is Estela De Matin? The story is so engaging, full of political issues, enemies armed with crossbow, poison and fire, hot gossip from the ladies-in-waiting, the list is endless. What about the Queen of France and the handsome Dragonetz, the Master Troubadour and commander. What is their interest in Estela?
    Jean Gill is a very talented writer and knows how much to dish out to keep readers glued to the story.
    I enjoyed the romantic section but not the bit where Ermengarda, the Viscomtesse of Narbonne arranged marriage for Estela. The poor girl to be paired with a widower with four grown up children and yet her young heart bleeds for another man. There! Jean knows how to create romantic scenes and takes you on unforgettable journey. There is no turning back for me because I want to know what happened to Dragonetz when he embarked on a long journey, leaving behind the only woman he loves.
    I enjoyed Song at Dawn, it's well written.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Eileen McDonald
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, interesting times and engaging characters.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 February 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable with all the ingredients looked for in a good romantic read: a feisty and talented female protagonist with the right amount of vulnerability and strength, strong, sexy lead male characters, political intrigues. The usual themes of jealousy, the will to power, thwarted love etc.are all there. For me, the characters could been transplanted into a modern setting of corporate intrigue and musical/literary competition. The two queens for example could just as easily have been the Directors of major companies! It's the specific historical details, the workings of the paper mill for example, rather than the characters that give the story its historical context.
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  • Paul T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical novel.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Essentially this is a romance. But though the love between Estela and Dragonetz is the centre of the story, there is so much more here. There are several different mysteries entwined in the plot - the truth of Estela's past, the dark secret that Dragonetz keeps, and the identity of the person or persons seeking to destroy his life and her honour. And all of it set in a rich, detailed and fascinating era of history, magnificently brought to life with vivid descriptions.

    The only down-side was some unfortunate formatting problems in the Kindle edition - paragraph breaks that cropped up at random in the middle of sentences. Annoying, but it's a tribute to the strength of the story and the flow of the writing that it was no more than that.

    In summary, this was one of the best historical novels I've read in a long time. I will be adding the second in the series to my wish list!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars well written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2022
    Verified Purchase
    kept me champing at the bit with a lot of historical facts interwoven a very worthwhile read
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • helen leduc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 15 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I was drawn into a bygone age by a delightful tale spun so well by Jean Gill.
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  • Jean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read
    Reviewed in Australia on 21 February 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fascinating and fast moving - a very good read.
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  • shanker narayan nair
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in India on 13 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    nice
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  • Anita Kovacevic
    5.0 out of 5 stars The full package
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book on the strength of reviews and the fact that I already read some of this author's books and loved them. Song at Dawn made history come to life for me and I love that.
    Following the main characters through cliffhanger dangers and passionate romance not once lost its power when the author explained the political and religious turbulences, court intrigue or social customs of the time. Blending fact and fiction into a beautiful painting, with a memorable hero and heroine, each unique and striking in their own turn, is masterful. Missing sleep to chase after Dragonetz and Estela was no problem for me! The rulers, both female and male, are so fascinating. I was in awe of Ermengarde's strategy, especially at the end of the book, and found Alienor intimidating (I wonder what she does in book 2).
    The details are impeccable - from the tender scene of Dragonetz combing Estela's hair to the horribly striking scene of a girl tortured in noble halls. The author's style is truly special and I have bookmarked so many beautiful quotes that I couldn't decide which one to share here. Perhaps this one, spoken by Dragonetz to Estela in the beginning of their acquaintance, when mutual passion was not yet even a whisper, somehow represents the theme of the book for me.
    ‘I want to teach you everything I possibly can,’ he told her simply and saw the irritation dissolve. ‘Do you want to learn or to be a table decoration?’
    What I particularly loved about the book is that it awoke in me the feeling of romance, so dulled by day-to-day activities, and it revived my interest in history. For a historical romance, I believe it achieves its goal perfectly! So off to buy book 2!
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  • Judi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Medieval masterpiece
    Reviewed in France on 5 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent historical fiction. Templar Knights and Troubadours, a mystery that I had a hard time putting down. I soule recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
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