Book Reviews

Book Review: Prince of York – A Story of Reginald Pole by Samantha Wilcoxson

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Reginald Pole may have come from the royal blood of the House of York but that wouldn't save him from the wrath of his cousin, King Henry VIII. I have known Samantha Wilcoxson for a couple of years now and I was very excited when she offered me an ARC (advance review copy) of her new book, "Prince of York". All of her novels and novellas are fantastic and her writing style seems almost effortless. Once you begin reading it's hard to put one of her books down. This would be [More]

Book Review: “The Path to Somerset” by Janet Wertman

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If you know anything about me at all you know I love all things Thomas Seymour. It's because of my love for Thomas that I tend to hold Edward Seymour in a bad light - he, after all, was at the helm when Thomas was executed. The Path to Somerset is the second book in the Seymour saga by Janet Wertman - her first book was on Jane Seymour, called Jane the Quene. This book covers the career of Edward Seymour starting in March 1539. Queen Jane has been dead for a year and a half [More]

Book Review – “Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen” by Alison Weir

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Before I begin my review, I have to say that I am a HUGE fan of Weir's series on the six Tudor queens. There are quite a few Weir haters out there but you cannot deny this woman can write one hell of a novel - not to mention she's popping one of these out every year. It's quite amazing. Description of Book from Amazon: Acclaimed author and historian Alison Weir continues her epic Six Tudor Queens series with this third captivating novel, which brings to life Jane Seymour, [More]

Book Review: “La Reine Blanche” by Sarah Bryson

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Of the two surviving sisters of Henry VIII, his younger sister Mary was by far his favorite. Nothing shows that more than when he forgave her for secretly marrying Charles Brandon before returning from France after the death of her first husband, King Louis XII of France. When I heard that author Sarah Bryson was releasing a book about Mary Tudor I was excited to learn more about the Tudor princess and French queen. She has fascinated me since her amalgamation in [More]

Book Review: “Mary Tudor” by Tony Riches

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Last year I read all three books in the trilogy by author Tony Riches about the Tudor dynasty. Book One was about a Owen Tudor, second husband of Catherine of Valois and stepfather to King Henry VI. Book Two was about Jasper Tudor, half-brother of King Henry VI and uncle of the future Henry VII. The final book, Book Three was about Henry Tudor and his struggle to become King of England. After finishing the trilogy on the Tudor dynasty Riches decided to try his hand at Mary [More]

Book Review: “The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor” by Elizabeth Norton

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As you many already know I've been feverishly reading and researching Thomas Seymour for the last year or so. Awhile ago I came across this book on Amazon and realized it would have a lot written in it about Thomas and so I had to have it. I read this awhile ago and wrote the review but for some reason never shared it with you - so here ya go! Elizabeth Tudor's relationship with Thomas Seymour was most complicated. Seymour married Kateryn Parr, her step-mother, not long [More]

Guest Book Review – “Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace” by Kate Emerson

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  My name is Julie Wright, I am a book blogger and Tudor History enthuiast. Have always had a fascination with Anne Boleyn and single mother to a fantastic daughter whom happens to champion Katherine of Aragon! Tweet me @ emmabuzzybee, visit me at  http://hungrybookworm.uk This is the first book I have read from this author and certainly it will not be the last. With some Historical Fiction, there is fact, but there is also ‘poetic licence’ the author brings, [More]

Book Review: “The Raven’s Widow” by Adrienne Dillard

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It is through my connections to the Tudor world online that I ran into author Adrienne Dillard. Adrienne is a total sweetheart and sent me her book to review after I asked her to write an article about Jane Boleyn for my site. I already had a growing "To Be Read" pile going on but I moved her book closer to the top because I was reading about Katheryn Howard at the time and I thought Jane Boleyn would be a great follow-up book. I wasn't sure what to expect since this is the [More]

Book Review: “Elizabeth’s Rival” by Nicola Tallis

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Elizabeth's Rival by Nicola Tallis When I was asked to review this book by Michael O'Mara Books I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about Lettice Knollys, cousin to Queen Elizabeth of England. You see, most of you probably know that my favorite monarch to study is Henry VIII, and so stepping outside my comfort zone into the world of Elizabethan England was a little scary. Was I going to like it? Would there be something that would draw me in? In this review [More]

Book Review: Anne Boleyn – A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir

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Lately I've been on an Anne Boleyn kick, reading everything about her that I can get my hands on in the hope of better understanding the woman she became during her reign as queen. When I originally ordered "Anne Boleyn - A King's Obsession" I was excited to read it because I had really enjoyed Alison Weir's first book in the series called, "Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen". Almost a year after finishing the one on Katherine I picked up this book...made it to page two [More]