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Author Sandra Worth has written a new novel titled The Pale Rose of Summer. It is about Lady Catherine Gordon, the wife of “Richard, Duke of York.” The story follows her as she meets and marries the young prince who miraculously escaped from the Tower of London. He is recognized as the King of England by many Europe’s crowns, including Scotland’s which warmly welcomes him. After his defeat by Henry VII, Catherine is held captive at the Tudor court. “Henry VII fell in love with the twenty year old beauty the moment he laid eyes on her, and remained besotted with her to the end of his days. Catherine never succumbed to the lure of riches and royal power…she stood by her husband so loyally, with such grace, dignity, and loving devotion, that she won the admiration of a nation.”

You can read more about this novel here.

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On The Tudor Trail has posted an exclusive interview with author Alison Weir! The two discuss all sorts of aspects of the Tudor period, including what Weir thinks was and still is the lure of Anne Boleyn as well as which is her favorite Tudor Queen. You may be surprised by the answer!

Here’s the link to read the full interview.

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Here is a nice review for a newish novel, The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham.  Don’t let the 18th century cover fool you, this is apparently a well researched and well written novel. According to the review, “Higginbotham follows Kate Woodville – younger sister of Elizabeth Woodville, wife to Edward IV – and her husband Henry (Harry) Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.  The historical research put into this novel is impeccable; anytime there is a lengthy list of characters, an in depth author’s note describing liberties and truths in the text, and a bibliography, I feel like I’m in good hands.”

Here’s the link to read more.

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Also, don’t forget to enter the Tudor Book Blog September giveaway to win a copy of Wolf Hall! More information here.

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The non-fiction read will be The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir

The fiction read will be Mademoiselle Boleyn Robin Maxwell

We will read them simultaneously, but if you are only able to read one of them that is no problem! You are still welcome to participate in both discussions. We will begin discussions on both of these on Sept. 12th at the Everything Tudor Wiki/Tudor Book Club.

A bit about the book:

Winner of the Man Booker Prize, Wolf Hall chronicles the early life and rise of Thomas Cromwell in the service of Henry VIII. Cromwell gets his big break when Henry decides he wants to divorce his first wife to marry the young Anne Boleyn. Cromwell is successful in aiding the king in his divorce and rises quickly, however he is constantly reminded of his humble origins. Cromwell comes up against many famous players including, Henry VIII (obviously), Anne Boleyn, Mary Boleyn, and Thomas More.

This is the first of two novels Mantel will write on Cromwell. The next novels focuses on Cromwell’s continual rise, the dissolution of the monasteries, and of course his downfall.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment here with your name, e-mail address (will not be shown in the post), and why you are interested in reading Wolf Hall! It can be anything from “I heard it was a good book” to “I’m a huge Cromwell fan!” Just a sentence or so will do!

Doing the above will get your name in the “hat” once. To get your name in twice and increase your chances of winning, post about this giveaway on your blog/website. Link the post back here in your entry comment.

The giveaway starts Sept. 2 and runs through Sept. 9th. The winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced Sept. 10th.

Start getting your entries in!

*Note: This giveaway is only open to US residence. Sorry

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For more information on this book, be sure to check out its amazon page. Also, Hilary Mantel is now on facebook! See her page here. There is also more information about her and her novel here.

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*Note: The Anne Boleyn Signature Necklace giveaway has been pushed back to Oct.

All recommendations are due by Midnight Tues. I am drawing and announcing on Wed.

Go here to add your recommendations, or simply leave a comment!

I recently reviewed her first novel Secrets of the Tudor Court (now that I see her next novel the title makes a bit more sense!) You can read my review here. I really enjoyed it and gave it four out of five Tudor Roses.

I also discovered Bogdan’s website titled Herstory Vs. History. I really enjoyed some of her posts, many of which will be helpful to you budding authors out there. Here’s the link to it.

Here’s the link to the full article.

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Now for Two Reviews:

Bookworm’s Dinner (hehe love the name) has done a review for Young Bess: The Girl Who Would be Queen by Margaret Irwin. The reviewer explains that “Much of the book is devoted to the Seymour brothers…The book didn’t really turn around for me until almost half way through. The fact that I enjoy reading about Queen Elizabeth and look forward to the entire trilogy saved me from abandoning this one early.”

Here’s the link to the full review.

I must admit that I had started reading this one and about 1/3 of the way through got bored and stopped. Perhaps I will pick it back up in the future since this reviewer seems to have felt the same way but ended up enjoying it anyway!

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On the Tudor Trail, a new favorite blog of mine, has posted a short review for The Early Loves of Anne Boleyn by Josephine Wilkinson. According to Natalie, ”

I would not recommend this as a staring point for researching Anne Boleyn as it focuses on her relationship with the above men and is therefore not an in depth account of her life. On the other hand, if you’re familiar with Anne’s life but are looking for some details about her relationships prior to marrying Henry VIII then you will enjoy this book.”

Here’s the link to her full review.

I have been really curious about this book, so I will be sure to pick it up. I didn’t want to read another book about The Divorce, so I think this might be a good one as it seems to focus on Anne’s early life rather than her later life.

With the success of our Tudor Book Club, one of our wiki members suggested a Tudor Film Club where we will choose a Tudor film/show, watch it, then discuss it. We are in the rudimentary stages of deciding what to watch and when, so be sure to voice your opinion and join us!

Here’s the link.

We are continuing with our discussions of The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir, so be sure to join in! Here’s the link.

What inspired you to write His Last Letter: Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester?

As with most ideas, it was gestating for somewhat longer than human babies. I’ve always been curious about all the blanks in Elizabeth ’s and her Sweet Robin’s lives, all that we didn’t know and were never apt to discover. Of course, I’ve been fascinated by Elizabeth Tudor as a queen and as a woman for as long as I can remember. After I finished writing The Virgin’s Daughters:In the court of Elizabeth I, I was surprised at how much Elizabeth had intruded. It was a story about the book ends of her reign and two of her ladies-in-waiting, but Elizabeth seen through the eyes of these two ladies seemed to grow in importance beyond what I had planned. But the queen would not be denied. It was obvious that I had to write about her and Robin next, but so little was known about their private life together. Where would I start?

As it happened, I started at the end and with the last letter Elizabeth received from Leicester as he lay dying shortly after the Armada defeat. She wrote on the letter…His Last Letter…and stored it away in her treasures chest where it was found after she died in 1603. It is now in the UK archives.

I read the letter (which I have included in facsimile at the back of the book ) and its translation, since the writing is very difficult for modern eyes to follow. He says the pysick she sends him works very well and includes a kiss for her foot. But was this all? Was this enough to cause her to lock herself in the royal apartments without food or drink for three days until her worried councilmen fearful for her broke her doors down? After a lifetime together, after all the whispers and rumors of being lovers, after the shrieking quarrels and tearful reunions played out for all the court to see and hear, was that all he wrote?

I couldn’t believe it. There must have been another page that Elizabeth could not allow to survive if her reputation as the Virgin Queen was to live on after her…a page so full of love that she had to memorize and then destroy it.

I found that so much of what happened in the last three most important and dangerous years of Elizabeth’s reign (1585-8) and Leicester’s part in them was tied to all that had happened between them in the three plus decades that had gone before. Their story of love and longing unraveled alongside the story of England itself during those years of change, upheaval and threats of war from Spain, the superpower of the day.

Most of all, His Last Letter is the story of their impossible love and of Elizabeth ’s triumph as queen and great loss as a woman. When she burnt the second page of her Sweet Robin’s last letter, she broke her woman’s heart for good.

What is your writing process?

My writing process is far less interesting than royal courts and love affairs. I write in the morning and early afternoon at a desktop computer in my office with the door closed and the world shut out. I play music of the Tudor period. or baroque classical which I find mind-soothing. I usually have photos of portraits of my subjects pasted on book shelves around my desk and post-its that seem to grow in number every day. I have a wall and a half of bookcases that stretch up to the ceiling. They hold my personal keepers and many Tudor period research books, some stretching back to the 1800s. In the afternoon I read for research from a pile of books beside my favorite chair again with the ever present post-its to write down a fact, date, or spelling that I’m apt to forget; these later join the others stuck about my computer desk.

I break for a two-mile walk in a nearby park, which gives both my back and my head a a rest.

In the evening I read for pleasure and watch old, or not so old movies on TV. Right now I’m reading Philippa Gregory’s new book “The Red Queen,” next up is “The Scarlett Contessa,” by Jeanne Kalogridis.

My writing life is not quite so dull as it sounds, but the discipline is necessary to write a book I’m proud of. Yet, real life is never as exciting as my fiction life…stepping into the marble halls of Whitehall Palace or the dungeons of The Tower of London. That’s what keeps me coming back to the page every day to discover what happened.

Thanks to all at the Tudor Book Blog for inviting me to discuss His Last Letter. If any readers have further questions, I invite them to visit my website www.jeanewestin.com and leave their question in my mailbox.

Since the entire wetpaint website (not just our wiki, but all wikis) are being affected, I am sure they will get the problem solved soon!

I am now turning my attentions to the literature section and updating it. Hopefully it will be completed by next week.

Hope you enjoy!

Leave comments and let us know what you think or add your two cents about Anne Boleyn and the Divorce

Virginia has been kind enough to invite me back to talk about the book again next month so I will post as soon as it is ready!

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In the podcast we discuss a book and an article. Here are some links to read more:

We discuss Henry VIII and Anne’s love letters, currently housed in the Vatican. Here’s the link to the book we mention Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. Just for fun, here is a transcription of the only known surviving letter Anne wrote Henry:

Sire,
It belongs only to the august mind of a great king, to whom Nature has given a heart full of generosity towards the sex, to repay by favors so extraordinary an artless and short conversation with a girl. Inexhaustible as is the treasury of your majesty’s bounties, I pray you to consider that it cannot be sufficient to your generosity; for, if you recompense so slight a conversation by gifts so great, what will you be able to do for those who are ready to consecrate their entire obedience to your desires? How great soever may be the bounties I have received, the joy that I feel in being loved by a king whom I adore, and to whom I would with pleasure make a sacrifice of my heart, if fortune had rendered it worthy of being offered to him, will ever be infinitely greater.

The warrant of maid of honor to the queen induces me to think that your majesty has some regard for me, since it gives me means of seeing you oftener, and of assuring you by my own lips (which I shall do on the first opportunity) that I am,

Your majesty’s very obliged and very obedient servant, without any reserve,

Anne Bulen

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We also discuss David Starkey’s public “discussion” (or bashing) of women authors, like Antonia Fraser. Here’s the link to a new article to read more about it.

Many people have read or at least heard of Richard III as depicted by Shakespeare. He is an evil hunchback who murders his innocent and young nephews to claim the throne. But how true is this depiction?

I. Young Richard

Richard was the fourth surviving son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York. His father was killed at the Battle of Wakefield during the Wars of the Roses. Later, his brother Edward became Kind Edward IV. Richard, unlike their brother George, served Edward faithfully throughout the Wars and his brother’s on and off again reign.

Author Josephine Wilkinson has released the first volume of a series she is writing on Richard titled Richard III: Vol 1 The Young King to Be. In it, she writes on the early life Richard “from the insignificant younger brother of a would-be king to Knight of the Garter, duke, respected soldier and loyal supporter to Edward IV, Richard faced extreme danger and heady triumph, poverty and abundance, neglect and acclamation as the House of York rose to the heights of power and propelled him a glorious career at Court.”

Here’s the amazon link. It offers a “look inside.”

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II. Richard: The King

After the death of Kind Edward IV, Edward V, the former King’s young son rose to the throne. However, Richard was quick to move. He took the young king into his custody and placed him and his younger brother in the Tower for their safety. He then moved with parliament to have the boys declared illegitimate, stating that Edward IV had been precontracted to Eleanor Talbot, thus his marriage to Elizabeth Wydville was invalid and their sons illegitimate. This made Richard king.

John Ashdown-Hill has taken this and written an interesting book on Richard’s rise to the throne. It is titled Eleanor The Secret Queen: The Woman Who Put Richard III on the Throne.

According to the product description, “this book argues that Eleanor Talbot was married to Edward IV, and that therefore Edward’s subsequent marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was bigamous, making her children illegitimate. When Edward IV died in 1483, the Yorkist succession was called into question by doubts about the legitimacy of his son, Edward (one of the Princes in the Tower). The crown therefore passed to Edward’s undoubtedly legitimate younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. But Richard, too, found himself entangled in the web of uncertainty, since those who believed in the legitimacy of Edward IV’s children viewed Richard III’s own accession as usurpation. From the day when Edward IV married Eleanor, or pretended to do so, or allowed it to be whispered that he might have done so, the House of York, previously so secure in its bloodline, confronted a contentious and uncertain future.”

Here’s the amazon link for more information.

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III. Richard the Murderer?

The newly bastardized princes stayed in the Tower. They played in the turrets or on the Tower Green. However, slowly they began to play less and less in public until they completely stopped. Their disappearance has become one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Many books have been written on them including one investigating Richard’s possible part in the disappearance.

Alison Weir believes that Richard was responsible, as the later Tudor historians (including Thomas More) state. Her book, The Princes in the Tower, “explores documentary evidence and various theories about the fate of the famous Princes in the Tower of London. Relying on contemporary accounts, Weir assesses credibility and compares details. Her sound research and rational arguments make a convincing case for Richard’s direct involvement in the murder of his two young nephews. While she admits that there is no convincing evidence that Richard was hunchbacked or more evil than his contemporaries, Weir does show that he was supremely unpopular, largely because of the murder of the children.”

Here’s the link.

Other historians do not believe Richard was responsible for the murders. The Richard III Society is one group which offers several other possible candidates including Henry VII. Here’s the link to their site.

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IV. Richard the Husband

Many forget that Richard was not just a king and possibly a murderer, but also a husband. His wife was Anne Neville, daughter of “The King Maker.” This new biography on Anne offers an interesting look at Richard, showing him as a murderer who eventually killed off Anne’s family and herself. According to the product description, “In addition to killing her first husband, this fascinating new biography also reveals how Richard also helped kill her father, father-in-law, and brother-in-law, imprisoned her mother, and was suspected of poisoning Anne herself. Dying before the age of 30, Anne Neville packed into her short life incident enough for many adventurous careers, but was always the passive instrument of others’ evil intentions. In this book, Anne’s story is told in her own right, uncovering the real wife of Richard III.”

Here’s the amazon link.

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V. The End of Richard III

As explained above, Richard’s short reign ended with his death at the Battle of Bosworth. A new book by John Ashdown-Hill chronicles Richard’s last days. According to the product description, The Last Days of Richard III is a “new and uniquely detailed exploration of Richard’s last 150 days explores these events from the standpoint of Richard himself and his contemporaries. By deliberately avoiding the hindsight knowledge that he will lose the Battle of Bosworth Field, this book presents a new Richard—no passive victim, awaiting defeat and death, but a king actively pursuing his own policies and agenda. It also reexamines the aftermath of Bosworth—the treatment of Richard’s body, his burial, and the construction of his tomb. Based on newly discovered evidence and wider insights it explores the motives underlying these events. And there is the fascinating story of why and how Richard III’s DNA was rediscovered, alive and well, and living in Canada.”

Here’s the amazon link.

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VI. Richard the Myth

Finally, I wanted to point out two books devoted to uncovering the truths behind the many myths surrounding Richard.

According to author Annette Carson, Richard III: Maligned King “seeks to redress the balance by examining the events of his reign as they actually happened, based on reports in the original sources. Eschewing the overlay of assumptions so beloved by historians, she instead traces actions and activities of the principal characters, using facts and timelines revealed in documentary evidence. Daring to investigate areas where historians fear to tread, this book raises some controversial questions. Was Edward IV assassinated? Did Queen Elizabeth Woodville engage in witchcraft? Why did Thomas More lay down his pen, leaving his dramatic attack on Richard unfinished?”

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Another book examining the myths is Richard III: England’s Black Legend by Desmond Stewart “argues that the traditional view of Richard III is very near the truth - Shakespeare’s Richard is closer to reality than the image of a betrayed hero favoured by his modern defenders.”

Here’s the link.

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For more on Richard III and the Battle of Bosworth, check out the Tudor Times Blog.

If it isn’t fixed by tomorrow, I will post a temporary discussion board for the Book Club on the Tudor Book Blog. Hopefully the wiki will be fixed though! I will update as soon as more information is available!

Author Kate Pearce has done an interview on the novel here. She explains that this is the first in a Tudor Vampire Chronicle which will follow the wives of Henry VIII. She states that,

“I’m a history major so I actually try to tie the real history of each queen into the story. For example in the first book, King Henry VIII really is trying to get rid of his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. That is the starting point for my story too. Henry wanted a son to succeed him, and was trying to escape Katherine so that he could dally with Anne Boleyn, I added a paranormal element both for why someone wants to kill Henry and for the appearance of Anne Boleyn. I love to mix it up using the real history.

The first is a non-fiction/biography on Mary by one of my favorite authors Antonia Fraser. Mary, Queen of Scots is thought to be the premier biography on Mary. It covers her entire life in great detail, but is still easy and enjoyable to read without being “too dry.” According to the product details,

“She was the quintessential queen: statuesque, regal, dazzlingly beautiful. Her royal birth gave her claim to the thrones of two nations; her marriage to the young French dauphin promised to place a third glorious crown on her noble head. Instead, Mary Stuart became the victim of her own impulsive heart, scandalizing her world with a foolish passion that would lead to abduction, rape and even murder. Betrayed by those she most trusted, she would be lured into a deadly game of power, only to lose to her envious and unforgiving cousin, Elizabeth I. Here is her story, a queen who lost a throne for love, a monarch pampered and adored even as she was led to her beheading, the unforgettable woman who became a legend for all time.”

Here’s the amazon link for more details including a “look inside.”

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The second book I wanted to point out is Margaret George’s Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles. It is a novel which also covers the entirety of Mary’s life. It is written in third person, unlike several of George’s other novels. I have not read this one, but I have read other books by Margaret George and can highly recommend her. Publisher’s Weekly describes the novel as “painstakingly researched…” explaining that,

“Like all tragic figures, George’s Mary Stuart has a flaw: a personal and political naivete, misunderstood to the end, that leads to her downfall. Recreating the Elizabethan era with a sure eye for telling detail, George uses her entirely plausible vision of Mary’s private life to explain the failures of her public one. Mary’s story becomes an allegory for the victory of morality over human weakness; her reign, a symbol of the abuses of rule by “divine right”; her death, of the triumph of the rule of law. Readers will empathize with Mary’s pain over an unhappy first marriage, the wrenching upheaval of adultery and her searing realization of trust misplaced and loyalties lost, finally coming to know with her the peace of a soul at rest in God and the glory of a meaningful death. With her use of authentic period language, her gifts for assured pacing and accomplished characterization, and her ability to convey the complex political issues and intrigues of 16th-century England and Scotland, George has created an engrossing novel. Moreover, her deep sympathy for her subject renders Mary an entirely real and unforgettable heroine.”

Here’s the amazon link for more details including a “look inside.”

Whether you want a non-fiction or fiction book to relax with, both can offer you an intriguing and well researched look into the life of one of Scotland’s most famous monarchs, and one of Tudor history’s most tragic figures.

The Tour focuses on all Queens of Tudor England, from Elizabeth of York to Elizabeth I. While on the tour, you will travel to many Tudor destinations including Hampton Court, Hever Castle, Sudeley Castle, the Tower, and more. You will also have private, guided tours of most of our destinations, or be able to explore them on their own. You will also get to experience a Tudor Banquet in the Great Hall of the Old Palace at Hatfield, once used by Elizabeth I!

To learn more about this tour, be sure to check out the Tudor Queens of England Page here. The itinerary as well as all costs, terms, and other information are available in detail.

There are only 20 spots available, so be sure to book your place now! To book, go to our Booking Page here.

*Warning, this review does contain some spoilers!

Synopsis:

This novel is told from the point of view of Mary Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, the powerful Duke of Norfolk. Mary is brought to court to serve as a Maid-of-Honor to her cousin, Anne Boleyn. By serving Anne, Mary witnesses many famous events, such as Anne’s coronation, the birth of Elizabeth, the arrest and execution of Anne, the death of her brother, Henry Howard, and the arrest and downfall of her family during the reign of Katheryn Howard.

While still a young teenager, Mary is married to Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII. She becomes the Duchess of Richmond upon her marriage and is eager to start her life with her husband who, unlike her father, treats her well. His untimely death and a promise made on his deathbed influenced Mary the rest of her life. She eventually finds love again only to have it ripped away. She is also faced with the downfall of her family and a testimonial she gives at her brother’s treason trial. Despite these sad and hard events, Mary comes through and eventually lives a quite life, which seems to suit her.

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Background on Mary Howard, Duchess of Richmond:

Mary was the second daughter of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Stafford, daughter of the Duke of Buckingham. She came to court during the time of Anne Boleyn and was married to Henry’s illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, in 1533. When Fitzroy died in 1536, Mary had to petition and fight to keep her inheritance from him. However, since their marriage had not been consummated (by order of the King), Mary was legally not entitled to some of the lands he left her. She was finally bequeathed some lands by the King years later.

After the fall of the Howards in the scandal with Queen Katheryn Howard, Mary left court and lived quietly until her death in 1557.

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Review:

This novel spans from the rise of Anne Boleyn until the reign of Edward VI. Mary is witness to all of the big events in Tudor times, which the author describes well. Her descriptions bring to life the Tudor court and put you in the view of Mary, a minor figure in the Tudor court. Her being a minor figure is in no way a disadvantage in the novel. Rather, it enhances it. Many novels set in this time period focus on the main royal players, such as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, often told from their perspectives. The new perspective offered by Mary is a breath of fresh air.

A key element of the novel is Mary’s relationships with the men in her life. These relationships really drive the story. Mary’s relationship with her father is complicated and the most important in the book. Norfolk is extremely abusive, both physically and emotionally. Throughout her life she sees her father beating her mother (being born while her father is beating her mother…). Despite this, all Mary wants from him is his love and approval. She obeys him at every turn, even doing things she does not feel are right. Norfolk uses his daughter as a spy, marries her to Henry’s illegitimate son, and at one point tries to bring her to the bed of the King as his mistress. However, his abuse eventually turns to her. There are really no redeeming features of Norfolk in this novel. He is extremely cold and unlikeable. However, the author does give us a few moments of love between father and daughter, but they are rare.

Mary is married to Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond when she is about fifteen. Henry seems to love her and the two want to begin their lives together but are stopped at every turn. When Henry succumbs to disease later in the story, Mary is left a widow. She makes a death bed promise that she will not remarry. Henry, knowing if she does the lands he leaves her will be forfeit. He wants her to be able to live on her own, and get out from under her father. Mary struggles with this promise the rest of her life.

Another interesting point of the novel is Mary’s relationship with Cedric, a court musician. Though fictional, it raises some interesting problems for Mary. Because Cedric is lowly and unable to give Mary what she, as a Duchess, “deserves,” their relationship is strained. However, the two fall in love and Mary is forced to face her identity, either as a Duchess and the daughter of Norfolk, or as a woman.

The final important male relationship is between Mary and her brother, Henry Surrey. The two were close in their younger years, but as Surrey spends more and more time at court, he and Mary grow apart with his growing ambitions. Mary has some enjoyment in writing poetry and shares it with her brother who is well known at court for his. At one point, he takes a poem of hers and uses it as his own, hurting Mary deeply. He is brash and wild, and is eventually brought up on charges of Treason. Mary is forced to choose between family ambition, her lover for her brother, her own desires, and the truth.

I do not a lot of negatives with this novel. The main thing that stuck out to me was the frustration with Mary for blindly following her father. She never really breaks from him and finds herself, though she does change and grow throughout the story. I also felt like the novel focused too much on the time when Anne Boleyn was at court. Obviously this is a long period of time and an important period of time, but I felt like the author brushed over later queens and events as a result. The biggest problem to me isn’t really about the novel…rather it is about the cover. Firstly, the ladies in the image are wearing Elizabethan and Marie-Antoinette-era clothing! For a novel that did a pretty good job at sticking with history, they really flubbed there.I know one isn’t suppose to “judge a book by its cover” but I was really apprehensive when I saw this cover. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

Also, I do not understand why the novel is titled Secrets of the Tudor Court. I think it should have a different title, one that really relates to the story. I feel like this title is really generic…like they couldn’t think of anything to name the novel. I especially think it should be changed considering there is another Tudor series already using this name. It is quite confusing!

Despite these small squawks, I give this novel 4 out of 5 Tudor Roses.

It was an easy and fun read, and took a bit of a twist on an old, and often told, story. I would recommend it to anyone who likes Tudor fiction, but especially to those who enjoy the Anne Boleyn story, but would like a fresh take on it.

I want to thank the author for sending me an advanced copy of this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to read your next one!

Here’s the link to the full article.