Kelly Gardiner Quotes

My father used to say, 'Never let your guard down, never turn your back.' Never

In their arrogance lies my strength. One

Your only enemy is fear,

All of my books are acts of subversion disguised as historical fiction.

The truth of an orchestra is heard when they try to find their common notes before the show. All those strings and tubes and odd plunking things straining in different directions; an orchestra is merely a mob of single-minded maniacs who every so often condescend to work together, and then, mostly, they soar - they ascend - they give us wings.

Then they finish and bow and grumble and stomp off to their grotty little hovels muttering to themselves. Honestly, music is a miracle. You have no idea.

Dear Reader,
This book you hold is a treasure, of sorts, as is every book I have ever known.
I have made it for you – especially you – for reasons you will understand as my words unfurl before your eyes.
Turn these pages tenderly.
You hold my life in your hands.

The strength comes only from your mind. Fingertips. Wrist. Thighs. Brain. These are your weapons. The sword is merely a beautiful accessory.

There are some scars we carry that nobody ever sees. I believe that. Do you? We all have them, I'm sure. Sins that can never be forgiven. Hurts that will not heal. Pains that plague us in the dark hours - that mark our souls forever. And scorch our hearts?

my lovers had only ever tended to their own needs. I didn't know that romance and sex were different creatures - one of the soul, one of the body. I had no idea that two souls can feel as if they are joined in one body, as it were, no matter the shape of the bodies involved. Clara

I'm the way I am because this is how God made me - God and my own father - and that is how I will die.

I don't fear the silence. I take it into me like air. I hear the music within it. But

There's so much need in the world. It turns my heart to granite. They are beggars out there, every one of them - from the crippled soldier crying on the corner to the street sellers and crooks and landlords. The bewigged crowd is no different. Better dressed, but desperate nevertheless. Especially at the palace. It's pathetic, really. I

Yet most women I know - no matter how clever, no matter how strong - are dragged down by husbands or fathers or titles or too many petticoats, or priests clutching at their hems, telling them, 'No, you cannot do that, you cannot be that.' I never listened. That's rare. Even a woman like the Comtesse pretends to pay attention to the sermons and the instructions, but then does whatever she wishes. I

Everything is clear to me - outline, details, future, emotion. Not like the world, where everything is muddy and messed, and nothing ever works out the way you mean it to - no matter how skilful or how honourable you are, no matter how vile your enemy. When

I didn't notice it in those early years - I thought I was surrounded by people who wished me nothing but good. I heard the whispers and shrugged off the notoriety, the half-hidden glances and smirks. I