The Phoenix Bride

A desolate widow finds new hope and forbidden romance in this poignant and commendably diverse historical from Siegel (Solomon’s Crown). After Cecilia Thorowgood loses her beloved husband to the plague in 1666 London, she falls into a depression. When no Anglo doctor proves able to help Anna, her sister, Margaret, summons a foreign-born Jewish physician to treat her. David Mendes and his father left Portugal to practice their religion freely in London, but David knows even in England Jews are barely tolerated. He prescribes tinctures that help Cecilia recover but it is his budding friendship that really begins to heal her heart. As they get to know each other better, attraction sparks, though David is still getting over his unrequited first love for his male best friend. Meanwhile, Margaret, who is well connected at the court of Charles II, is determined that Cecilia will marry a family acquaintance and attempts to keep the couple apart. As the Great Fire of London ravages the city, Cecilia and David’s burgeoning love is tested. Siegel sets this sweeping, emotional story apart by focusing on the experiences of people often overlooked in historical romance. The results are genuinely moving. Agent: Catherine Cho, Paper Literary. (Mar.)