Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession

Just when you think that there is nothing new to be said about the Tudors, along comes Alison Weir with her outstanding Six Tudor Queens series. The second of which is published in hardback this May, focusing on Anne Boleyn whom Alison has already examined in the biography Lady in the Tower. With this novel the reader not only gets Weir’s impeccable research but her insight as a novelist. So much of the bare facts of Anne Boleyn’s life are well known but Alison Weir offers us an emotional truth and a tantalising glimpse into Anne’s mind. Instead of the usual caricature of a cold and calculating schemer this portrait shows us a young woman powerless to resist the advances of a king. Forced to accept a situation not of her own making Anne determines to make the best of it and push for her own interests but unfortunately she makes powerful enemies on her path of power and the spirit that makes her so fascinating to read about also makes her a target for those with ambition in the Tudor court. Essential reading for fans of Anne O’Brien, Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Fremantle.

Published on May 18th by Headline Review. Thanks to the publisher and lovereading.co.uk for a copy. 

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

Filled with romance, drama, mystery and intrigue The Phantom Tree is Nicola Cornick’s follow up to the hugely popular House of Shadows and once again the story is inspired by a real historical figure. The inspiration is Mary Seymour daughter of Katherine Parr; Henry VIII’s last Queen and her fourth husband Thomas Seymour. Mary’s mother died in childbirth and her father was executed for treason after which she disappears from historical records. Nicola Cornick uses this mystery of Mary’s life and death to weave an exciting tale of secrets, treachery and time travel. Alison is wandering the streets of modern day Marlborough when she sees a familiar face in a Tudor portrait. Although the shop owner is insistent that the portrait is of Anne Boleyn, Alison knows that it’s Mary Seymour and that it is a vital clue to finding out what happened to Mary and to her own son. The time slip tale is narrated by Mary in the Sixteenth century and Alison in the present day and is carefully handled as the secrets and stories twist and turn. With the help and occasional hindrance of handsome TV historian and writer Adam, Alison is determined to uncover Mary’s story. However, to do that she will eventually have to reveal her own secrets; her lost son; her chaotic childhood at Wolf Hall and her real identity. The two narrative threads are carefully handled and the story is a genuine page turner. Perfect for fans of Tracy Rees, Barbara Erskine and Kate Riordan 

Published by HQ

This review originally appeared in Historical Novel Review Issue 80 May 2017 and can be viewed here

https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-phantom-tree/

The Lady of Misrule

The Lady of Misrule could be Lady Jane Grey the Nine Days Queen or it could be her newly appointed companion Elizabeth Tilney. Elizabeth volunteered to accompany Lady Jane to her new apartments at the Tower of London in order to escape her own domestic situation. A good Catholic girl had been requested and Elizabeth has tried very hard to be that but it hasn’t been easy. At first it seems the two young woman have very little in common and Elizabeth finds being shut away very dull but gradually she makes a friend of Jane and of her young husband and of those who are charged with keeping the young couple under lock and key. However the imprisonment cannot continue forever and shut away as they are they are unaware of the machinations and scheming that are happening at court and when the end comes, it is a shock to them all. Suzannah Dunn continues to build a reputation as the queen of Tudor fiction and this book is another testament to her skill, she has made the minutiae of the domestic and women’s day to day lives her canvas and despite her use of modern language in place of more archaic speech there is an intrinsic truth in the dialogue and interaction between the young people in this novel which makes it compelling reading. 

This review originally appeared in HNR 73 see it online HERE

The Edge of Dark by Pamela Hartshorne

The Edge of Dark is the first Pamela Hartshorne novel I've read but it certainly won't be the last. This is a time slip novel, a genre that I adore. The two protagonists are Jane a butcher's daughter who makes an advantageous marriage in Sixteenth Century York and Rosalind newly appointed events director at Holmwood House. It is the restored Elizabethan townhouse in Micklegate that connects the two women. The echoes of the past are brought to life by the work being done in the house. As the house begins to look as it did in Elizabethan times and the staff are encouraged to dress as Elizabethans for the grand opening so the restless spirits of Jane and her family begin to overpower Roz and her colleagues. The time shifts between the two characters are expertly done leaving the reader dying to know more about both time lines and with both stories coming to dramatic climaxes. This is a fantastic page turner, filled with twists and turns and a great cast of characters. It is at times thrillingly dark as the title suggests and I can't wait to read the author's previous books. This novel will be perfect for fans of Tudor fiction such as Philippa Gregory and of course fans of time slip fiction such as that of Barbara Erskine.

Thank you to Louise Buckley of Pan MacMillan for a review copy of the book.

The May Bride by Suzannah Dunn

The May Bride is Suzannah Dunn's fifth historical novel and fans of Philippa Gregory and Victoria Lamb will delight in her depiction of Tudor life. Dunn departs from the habits of most historical novelists by using comtemporary language and dialogue, it takes a little getting used to but does lend the story immediacy. There are many novels about the Tudors; it is almost an industry in itself, but Dunn has managed to hit upon a subject matter in The May Bride which has quite literally become a mere footnote in history. The novel deals with the scandal at Wolf Hall that rocked the Seymour family while Jane was still a teenager. Jane narrates the story and this gives us great insight into her character. History has relegated Jane to the role of a mousey, obliging, dull little woman who gave Henry VIII his only surviving male heir and died before he got bored of her. This book shines a light on Jane's girlhood and Dunn certainly does give us a portrait of the straight laced and obedient daughter and sister but it is precisely Jane's place at the sidelines of the action that gives her an insight into those around and helps her to develop a watchfulness which serves her well in adulthood. The story opens with the arrival of a new bride the wife of Jane's older brother Edward. Jane is the eldest girl and at 15 she is captivated by the style and manners of Katherine Filliol, over the course of the summer she becomes Katherine's ally as she negotiates her first year of married life. However as she recounts the story Jane starts to see the game that Katherine has been playing and it's devastating consequences. Dunn is excellent on the sights, sounds , smells and everyday routines of Tudor life and for anyone who like me is having withdrawal symptoms after Wolf Hall this book is a perfect read.
Thanks to Poppy Stimson at Little Brown for a review copy of this book.

Friday Feature Barbara Kyle

Yes I know it's not Friday but I have two feature authors this week one today and one on Friday, so first up is Barbara Kyle the bestselling Canadian author who writes about family, love and loyalty in Tudor times.

Barbara Kyle is the author of the acclaimed Thornleigh Saga historical novels The Queen's Exiles, Blood Between Queens, The Queen’s Gamble, The Queen’s Captive, The King’s Daughter and The Queen’s Lady which follow an English middle-class family's rise through three tumultuous Tudor reigns. She is also the author of the contemporary thrillers Entrapped and The Experiment. Over 450,000 copies of her books have been sold in seven countries.
Barbara has taught writers at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and is known for her dynamic workshops for writers groups, organizations, and conferences. Her Master Classes have launched many of her students' novels to publishing success. She also mentors writers through her manuscript evaluation service.
Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S.

 www.barbarakyle.com

Barbara's Five Favourite Books

THE WINDS OF WAR by Herman Wouk
SHOGUN by James Clavell
LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry
POSSESSION by A.S. Byatt
AN OFFICER AND A SPY by Robert Harris





Barbara's Five Top Writing Tips

1. Write an outline. It will save you a lot of grief.

2. Get to the story's inciting incident as soon as possible. Definition of inciting incident: the event that throws the protagonist's world out of balance. The story that follows will be about them striving to restore balance to their life.
3. Build big scenes around a major reversal or revelation.

4. Beware using coincidence as a plot device. It's okay to use coincidence to get characters into trouble, but not to get them out of trouble.

5. Build the story's climax around the hardest choice the protagonist will ever make.

Barbara's Recent Release: THE QUEEN'S EXILES (June 2014)

1572. Europe is in turmoil. A vengeful faction of exiled English Catholics is scattered about the Continent, plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and install her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne. And in the Netherlands the streets are red with the blood of those who dare to oppose the brutal Spanish occupation. But amid the unrest, one resourceful young woman has made a lucrative enterprise…
Scottish-born Fenella Doorn salvages crippled vessels. It is on one of these ships that she meets wealthy Baron Adam Thornleigh. Secretly drawn to him, Fenella can’t refuse when Adam enlists her to join him in war-torn Brussels to help find his traitorous wife, Frances—and the children she’s taken from him.
But Adam and Fenella will put their lives in peril as they attempt to rescue his young ones, defend the Crown, and restore the peace that few can remember.




“Riveting Tudor drama in the bestselling vein of Philippa Gregory” – USA Today

“An epic tale of patriotism and treason, political upheaval and oppression, familial love and the ties that bind” – Let Them Read Books blog

“A heart-stopping thriller… Kyle is a master at her craft.” – RT Book Reviews


Thank you Barbara for taking part follow Barbara on twitter @BKyleAuthor