You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
This HaBO comes from B., who read the German translation of a medieval historical:
I’ve read the book in German translation a while ago (more than 10 years, the book could be older).
It’s a medieval historical, set in England. The heroine is some kind of super posh aristo widow, who wants to avoid getting married off again by the king. She may or may not have a child. I am guessing the king was one of the Henrys.
The hero is a jester. I think the first time she sees him, he is in a cage. They are attracted to each other and some stuff happens – I don’t remember what exactly. In the end, it turns out that the hero is some kind of German royalty, who has run away from home for a while for, uh, reasons. He’ll have to ask the Emperor to allow him to get married to the heroine.
I think the book ends with the hero telling the heroine they’ll get married and them running off to Germany together, I guess. I also vaguely remember that he was blonde. Maybe someone will remember reading this?
Anyone know this?
I have read that book. Can’t remember the name. Do you recall him about to get hung to death and her wearing a dress covered in loveknots? I may be crossing my books here.
I haven’t read this, but a quick search popped up _Fool’s Paradise_ by Tori Phillips, which sounds like it has a similar plot except that the jester is base-born (https://www.amazon.com/Fools-Paradise-March-Madness-Phillips-ebook/dp/B0056H7SKC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487066153&sr=8-1&keywords=fool%27s+paradise+tori+phillips), or at least might satisfy people looking for a court jester romance after this description :->
I know this! It’s Katherine Deauxville, The Amethyst Crown! Written in the mid 90s. It’s the third in a series: Blood Red Roses, Daggers of Gold, TAC, The Crystal Heart. Can’t remember if Eyes of Love is part of the series. They got more crazypants as time went on. I still have Blood Red Roses up in the attic somewhere…. And they’re available as ebooks!
Secretly royal jester! This reminded me of Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters, which is a hilarious parody of Macbeth. Recommended for all Shakespeare fans with a sense of humour.
Apparently at some point I was a huge Katherine Deauxville fan and then promptly went on to forget all about it. The bitchery has helped me find a Deauxville book before. I’m pretty sure the one we’re looking for here is indeed the Amethyst Crown. I’ve ordered it and will report back if it’s really the one I’m looking for.
And Wyrd Sisters is very good indeed.
Thank you all!
I just read Blood Red Roses last month. Can’t say my feelings for Deauville’s work is the same as everyone else’s. But being part of The Bitchery means agreeing to disagree.
The plot description reminds me of Lady Fortune by Anne Stuart, which was published in the late 1990s or early 2000s. The heroine is a widow (and I think a virgin), who wants to enter the convent. The hero was a court jester, but I don’t think he was royalty. I believe that it was set during the reign of Henry II. I remember really enjoying this book, so if you like crazy court jesters — you might want to try it.
Gee, all I could think of is Danny Kaye in the 1956 comedy, The Court Jester. Loved that movie.
It’s The Amethyst Crown! Just got it from amazing Amazon. Bitchery knows everything many thanks