A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman (Plantagenets Book 5)

 

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Genre: Historical Fiction/Medieval Fiction

Series: Plantagenet Saga

Length: 685 pages

Book Description (GoodReads):

From the New York Times-bestselling author of Lionheart comes the dramatic sequel, telling of the last dangerous years of Richard, Coeur de Lion’s life.
 
This long-anticipated sequel to the national bestseller Lionheart is a vivid and heart-wrenching story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard, Coeur de Lion. Taken captive by the Holy Roman Emperor while en route home—in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders—he was to spend fifteen months chained in a dungeon while Eleanor of Aquitaine moved heaven and earth to raise the exorbitant ransom. But a further humiliation awaited him: he was forced to kneel and swear fealty to his bitter enemy.

For the five years remaining to him, betrayals, intrigues, wars, and illness were ever present. So were his infidelities, perhaps a pattern set by his father’s faithlessness to Eleanor. But the courage, compassion, and intelligence of this warrior king became the stuff of legend, and A King’s Ransom brings the man and his world fully and powerfully alive.

My Thoughts:

When I read the last sentence of this book Sunday night I was pretty elated. Not because I'm done and didn't like it but because I've finished all the books in this series which I started during Covid. I felt like I'd accomplished something big! Penman's books are so amazing they take awhile to read carefully. And there were times I thought I'd never finish a chapter, trying hard to concentrate on everything going on. 

It made me want to go back and re-read The Land Beyond the Sea, her last book and set during the period of Saladin and Baldwin, The Leper King. So I am reading it again before I start another epic. 

If I'm honest, this was my least favorite of the series. It was still amazing! Penman doesn't write a bad book, period. This one just wasn't quite as exciting as I'd hoped. The one before, Lionheart, was so intense and so beautifully written it was hard to top though. In this story, we spend a lot of time inside Richard's head. Penman said that she felt her novel Lionheart was about Richard the warrior and A King's Ransom was about Richard the man. I totally agree.

Richard leaves the Holy Land at the end of Lionheart. This book picks up at that point and takes us in spectacular detail through his attempted journey back to Europe. Through a series of bad events, he is captured first by Leopold, the Duke of Austria who has a major axe to grind with him, and then handed over to brutal captivity in the hands of the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry Hohenstaufen. His mother Eleanor works back home to raise his ransom. After three long years he is freed but must now deal with his shady brother John and arch enemy Phillip of France as they have sought to steal Richard's kingdom and thwart his freedom at every turn. They never anticipated Richard would be freed. Now, as John says, "Look to yourself... the devil is loose!" They are panicked and realize their schemes will be revealed and have no idea how Richard will react. 

Noteworthy News #7: Not Just the Tudors Podcast

 

Years ago I was obsessed with all things Tudor England. I read every Jean Plaidy book I could (my first book of hers I ever read was about Queen Elizabeth II and it hooked me) and researched them to no end. This was all before smart phones and Kindles and the internet. So we are talking 80's and 90's era. When you actually had to go to the library and hunt for things. Which I honestly miss. But that's another topic for another day! 

When I first came across this podcast I was intrigued from the name. It seemed to read my mind.....I love this era but I'd like to know more about what was going on in the world during the Tudor period outside of England. Or maybe at court but learning about other people besides Henry and his offspring and his religious battles. This podcast sets out to do just that. Bring us wonderful stories and history of the Tudors but not just the Tudors. 

So for example, right now I'm listening to a 4 part series (so far) on the rise of the Borgia family. This all takes place during the same general time but it gives perspective because I'm sure things happening in Italy were relevant to many other countries. I also don't mind getting back to storeis about the Tudors, which they do a lot of as well.

So if you are in love with and learning about the Tudors specifically you will love this show. And if you are like me you will love the side stories going on at the same time. It is also narrated by an excellent and knowledgeable lady, Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb. She's been on Matt Lewis's podcast, Gone Medieval and I've always enjoyed her stories and research. Check it out if you love this time period as much as I do. You won't be disappointed! 

Click on the picture to go to the website for more information and some really great content links!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Queen's Favourite: A Novel of the Seymour Sisters by Raymond Wemmlinger

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring,The Queen's Favourite, by Raymond Wemmlinger. This is his third book. His others include one about John Wilkes Booth's niece and the other about Lady Margaret Clifford's life during Mary Tudor's reign. 

This book tells the story of the Seymour sisters, Jane and Catherine, during Queen Elizabeth's time. The book covers are gorgeous and the subjects somewhat lesser known people so I find that interesting. I hope you've found a book you can't wait for this week. Happy reading ya'll!!

Historical Fiction

February 28, 2025

Book Description courtesy of GoodReads:

Two sisters plot to change the fate of their family…

England, 1558

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Seymour has always idolised her elder sister Jane. As a child Jane had been groomed to be queen, to marry her cousin King Edward, and since his death she has been determined to restore her family’s claim to throne.

Jane had spent time at Queen Mary’s court but she has now returned home to Hanworth Park to the delight of Catherine and their brother Ned.

To their surprise, Jane brings with her Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Jane Grey, the ill-fated nine-day queen, and heiress to the throne after Princess Elizabeth.

Jane confides in Catherine that she aims to bring about a betrothal between Lady Grey and Ned, so that their brother and his children have a chance to lay claim to the throne.

But everything changes when Mary suddenly dies, and Elizabeth succeeds as queen. Now the sisters must seek favour with a new monarch.

Luckily, Elizabeth’s succession proves advantageous for the Seymour family. Jane is chosen as a lady in waiting and immediately becomes a favourite.

Can Jane still bring her plan to fruition? Will it mean betraying the new queen?

Or will rumours of a romance between Queen Elizabeth and one of her courtiers change everything for the Seymour sisters…?

THE QUEEN’S FAVOURITE is a biographical historical novel of the Seymour sisters, Lady Jane Seymour and Lady Catherine Seymour, set during the Tudor period at Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth’s court.

First Review of 2025! Hourly History: The Crusades, The Hundred Years War, and British Raj

Publication Date:

February 15, 2016

Genre:

History/Medieval History

Series:

Hourly History

Length: 61 pages

Book Description (Amazon):

The Crusades are the prototype and epitome of the Holy War. The fight to take control of the city of Jerusalem, believed to be the most sacred Holy City to two distinct religions of Christianity and Islam, has lasted far longer than the two centuries of the Crusades and its reach has extended far further than Europe and the Middle East. Over the course of nine organized campaigns and many more unorganized ones, the Christian west militarized in the name of God to push back the threat of Islam advancing from the east. Understanding the Crusades is key in understanding the religious divides that still threaten the order of the world.

Publication Date:

October 6, 2019

Genre:

History/Medieval History

Series:

Hourly History

Length: 47 pages

Book Description (Amazon):

The Hundred Years’ War was a series of conflicts waged between England and France between 1337 and 1453. The war involved several generations of kings on both sides and was fought over a single issue: whether the English had the right to rule the kingdom of France. The origins of the war can be traced back to the invasion of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror, the duke of Normandy. William became king of England, but he also retained control over his lands in Normandy. From that time on, English kings ruled not just over their own country but also over areas of western France. What is now France was at the time of the Norman conquest not a single country but rather a group of semi-independent principalities. By the early 1300s, the kingdom of France was consolidating and emerging as an important European power, and it was almost inevitable that there would be a conflict between France and England over the English lands in western France.

The Hundred Years’ War marked important changes in the very nature of warfare. When it began, the principal weapons on both sides were heavily armored knights who generally followed an agreed code of conduct. By the time the war ended, the Age of Chivalry had been superseded by the appearance of gunpowder weapons which rendered these knights and their notions of chivalrous combat obsolete. The Hundred Years’ War was an important element in the creation of modern Europe and in the definition of the national characters of both England and France. This book tells the story of this long, complex, and fascinating conflict.

Publication Date:

March 13, 2023

Genre:

History/History of India

Series:

Hourly History

Length: 45 pages

Book Description (Amazon):

The British Raj refers to the time from 1858 to 1947 when the British Crown directly ruled the Indian subcontinent. During those 90 years, India saw enormous social, political, and cultural upheaval. New systems of education were introduced, and increasing industrialization brought societal change. The British administration also united large numbers of indigenous people, though they were often united mainly by their opposition to the British and their desire for independence.

The growing independence movement saw the emergence of one of the most influential and charismatic political leaders ever: Mahatma Gandhi. His policy of non-violent opposition inspired people across the world and helped to guide India to independence. However, with independence came partition as the British divided the region according to religious and ethnic lines. Instead of a single independent nation, the Indian subcontinent became two and then three separate nation-states, something that led to violence and conflicts that persist today.

This is the story of how the British Raj inadvertently created the modern nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

My Thoughts:

I have made a list of things I want to work on for my blog and personal reading goals this year. One is to read and review more history books. These hourly history ones  are a great way to learn basic historical facts and major themes quickly while still getting accurate information. I already knew a lot about The Crusades and next to nothing about The Hundred Years War or British India. The Crusades book followed everything I knew in a timeline covering all the major Crusades and historical figures from 1096 to the late 1200's. I came away with some gaps filled in my knowledge as well. The books on the other two were great in that I learned about all the major points like Agincourt and  Ghandi's movement without being given too much detail that might make me feel confused being newly exposed to the topic. 

If you love history and biographies you will love these books. It is going to be difficult to choose which ones to read first because there are so many. With Kindle Unlimited you can read most of them for nothing. Also, if you sign up for their newsletter at HourlyHistory.com you get free e-books each Friday!

The Virgin in the Ice by Ellis Peters (Cadfael Chronicles Book 6)

 

Publication Date:

March 10, 2020

Length:

 208 pages

Summary:

Continuing my journey with the adventures of our favorite monk, Brother Cadfael, book 6 has him puzzling out the mystery of missing siblings and a nun last seen traveling north from Worcester fleeing the carnage caused by the ongoing civil war in England between Empress Matilda and King Stephen. Everyone involved that know them are deeply concerned for their welfare with the cold, harsh weather and Cadfael is eager to help. Before he can do so though he gets involved with another crisis. He is asked to come to St. Mary, another church, to assist with medical help for a wounded monk. The monk reveals information while in a state of fever that has Cadfael wondering if he knows something about the missing children and nun. He knows he has to follow up on the task despite the elements and lack of clear direction. They won't last long out there. Although they have an Uncle who cares for them and wants to help, he cannot because he is a supporter of Empress Matilda and is not allowed to enter King Stephen's lands. 

Along with the local deputy sheriff and friend Hugh Beringar, Cadfael sets out on a twisting journey and manages to successfully find one, and then two of them. The third does not fare as well. Cadfael tries to piece together how the trio was separated. The reasons are disturbing and start to reveal an evil crime of passion that shocks all those involved. As they continue to search for answers they come across mercenaries and hardened men who must be dealt with and defeated in order to bring everyone home safely. Cadfael, who desires peace above fighting must put aside his beliefs for the moment to finish the task. 

My Thoughts:

This was one of my favorites from the series. When I started I didn't get hooked right away. But by the first twenty pages or so it became so engaging. I love all the Cadfael books, it's hard not to find something good, but there have been one or two that just didn't have enough of a solid mystery going on to keep me as interested. This book had missing travelers, mysterious visitors, blizzard conditions, fantastic, descriptive fight scenes (which usually bore me but didn't here) and the ending......oh what a twist! Not only was the murderer a surprise, the reason behind the murder was as well. We don't find that out until the very end and it is almost impossible to figure out. Also, Peters added another completely extra surprise that involves Cafael on the last few pages and makes you want to dive into book 7 right away. 

The characters that appear are given interesting back stories. The children come from a noble family and the "virgin in the ice" has her own story to tell from the grave that weaves into the bigger picture. Even the men who are fighting against them and are kidnappers and not good people held my interest with their side stories. This is one of the series that will likely make you want to keep reading. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: To Kill a King by David Field (Book Five: The Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mysteries)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, To Kill a King by David Field. I have read many of his historical fiction books about the period from 1066 to the reign of King John. They are wonderfully researched and simple to understand if you don't have all the background knowledge of English history. These books are part of his fictional historical mysteries. I am slowly collecting them and want to read them in order. This is his latest one in the series debuting this Friday.  Hope you've found something you can't wait for this week. Happy Reading ya'll!

October 18, 2024

Historical Mysteries

Description courtesy of Amazon

Not everyone is ready to welcome the new king of England…

Nottingham, England, 1603

Queen Elizabeth’s long reign has finally come to an end and the Tudor era is over. Scottish King James has been handed the crown of England, but not everyone is happy about that, and there are several plots being hatched to replace him with an alternative.

Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel already has his hands full with an increase in destitute vagrants flooding the county, who seem to be victims of a human trafficker. But before he can find the man responsible, he is tasked by an official with royal authority to infiltrate a local group, who it is rumoured are plotting to assassinate the new king.

Edward enlists the help of fellow bailiff, Francis Barton to find the group, who are hiding out in Sherwood Forest.

But the only way to discover the plot is to place themselves right in the heart of the danger. And there’s a good chance they will be killed before they can save the king…

Who is leading the band of rebels? Can he be stopped?

And is there a connection between the treasonous plot and the desperate vagrants Edward is trying to assist…?

To Kill A King is the fifth historical thriller in the Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mystery Series – private investigation crime novels set during the reign of Elizabeth I and beyond.

Can't Wait Wednesday: To Kill a King: (The Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mysteries Book Five)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm  featuring, To Kill a King: The Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mysteries Book Five) by David Field. I love his historical fiction books and have reviewed several. This is one of three historical mystery series he's written. His books are always entertaining and informative of the time period. His research is solid and on point and I always learn something new. I hope you have found something you can't wait to read this week!

October 18, 2024

Historical Mysteries

Not everyone is ready to welcome the new king of England…

Nottingham, England, 1603

Queen Elizabeth’s long reign has finally come to an end and the Tudor era is over. Scottish King James has been handed the crown of England, but not everyone is happy about that, and there are several plots being hatched to replace him with an alternative.

Bailiff Edward Mountsorrel already has his hands full with an increase in destitute vagrants flooding the county, who seem to be victims of a human trafficker. But before he can find the man responsible, he is tasked by an official with royal authority to infiltrate a local group, who it is rumoured are plotting to assassinate the new king.

Edward enlists the help of fellow bailiff, Francis Barton to find the group, who are hiding out in Sherwood Forest.

But the only way to discover the plot is to place themselves right in the heart of the danger. And there’s a good chance they will be killed before they can save the king…

Who is leading the band of rebels? Can he be stopped?

And is there a connection between the treasonous plot and the desperate vagrants Edward is trying to assist…?

To Kill A King is the fifth historical thriller in the Bailiff Mountsorrel Tudor Mystery Series – private investigation crime novels set during the reign of Elizabeth I and beyond.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Royal Rebel by Elizabeth Chadwick (Jeanette of Kent Book 1)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Royal Rebel by Elizabeth Chadwick. This is book one of two that will tell the story of Jeanette of Kent, cousin to King Edward III.  I love that Chadwick takes lesser known women of the Medieval era and spotlights them in historical fiction. I also find that the 1300's seems to have less literature dedicated to it. It's a nice change from the Wars of the Roses and the Tudors. Hope you have found something you can't wait to read this week!

September 5, 2024

Historical Fiction/Medieval Fiction

Description courtesy of Amazon

1338: England has declared war on France, and Jeanette of Kent, cousin to King Edward III, says goodbye to her family and travels overseas with the royal court for the first time. Once in Antwerp, she is captivated by talented household knight Thomas Holland, just as he in turn is powerfully drawn to her.

Although both know their romance is forbidden, their love for each other grows stronger than the danger they face, and they marry in secret. But before they can make their tryst known, Thomas has to leave for war, and in his absence, Jeanette is forced into a second marriage and locked away from the world.

Then Thomas returns, and the real fight begins. As hostile family members battle to keep Jeanette and Thomas apart, the defiant lovers vow to be reunited - whatever the cost...

Noteworthy News #4: 850th Anniversary of Thomas Becket and Henry II's Fued

 

I have always been fascinated with the story of King Henry II and Thomas Becket ever since reading about it a few years ago and it is still relevant even today as to how relationships can go from cordial to nasty in no time with people. It just reminds me how we are in some ways not that different from those from other eras even thought they seem to live in an alien time from us.

I wanted to share this week that my favorite history podcast, Gone Medieval has been featuring a series marking the 850th anniversary of King Henry II's penance for the murder of Thomas Becket. The author and host Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega break down the back story (which I never tire of) and the fallout between the two men. Then they describe the guilt and self punishment that Henry inflicts on himself for his role in the death of his former friend and confidante. It's a fascinating story and they do a fabulous job of narrating it with historical detail and original sources. 

One of the other things I appreciate is that they try to remain neutral and present both sides of the issues so that you can judge whether or not you agree with the men and their two sides of the dispute. It makes for more thoughtful listening and I found myself seeing their points of view more clearly. 

Here are the episodes in case you are interested. I have been listening on my way to school and as each one is only about 45 minutes it is doable even if you are short on time. They always have some new interesting fact I wasn't aware of so it makes it new for me. Hope you have something noteworthy you've come across this week in history or another subject you love!

Episode 330: The Rise of Thomas Becket

Episode 333: Henry II and Thomas Becket: A Doomed Friendship

Episode 334: The Murder of Thomas Becket

Episode 337: The Cult of Becket

Traitor's Arrow by David Field (The Medieval Saga Series Book Two)

 

Publication Date: 

April 25, 2022

Length:

222 pages

Summary:

I have always been interested in what really happened in the forest all those years ago when King William Rufus mysteriously died from an arrow wound. His brother Henry racing to Westminster to seize the royal treasury seemed like a cold hearted act to me. Field portrays this from a new perspective using some real historical people and facts and some fictional ones as well. While no one can ever be sure what really happened, Traitor's Arrow manages to give an entertaining story of the rise of Henry I due to the demise of his wicked brother, while also portraying him as a sympathetic character, only doing what he needed to save England and usher in a new era of stability.

Will Riveracre, or as he is now known in Book Two, Sir Wilfrid de Walsingham, having been knighted and land bestowed to him, is content to live out his days with his family. The current King William Rufus has other plans for him and needs constant support to field off his enemies in foreign and domestic entanglements. Wilfrid is unable to have a moments peace when William is king and longs for the day he can finally be left alone in his advancing years. Trying his best to walk a line between his family and his loyalty to the King, he eventually finds himself a prisoner for two years, scared and alone and far from home. When William Rufus meets his demise in the forest with the mysterious arrow and Wilfrid is brought before the new King Henry, he is amazed to discover he has been tasked with Henry's request of finding out what happened and clearing Henry of any wrong doing in the death of his brother.

When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman (The Plantagenets Book One)

 

Publication Date:

February 6, 1996

Length:

750 pages

This is my second read for this wonderful book. I felt like the first time I read it so quickly and was much less informed about the period so when I recently finished the fourth book in the series, Lionheart, about Richard I, I decided to go back and read this one again. I hadn't reviewed it either and wanted to do that before tackling the last book, A King's Ransom. I'm so glad I did because it really helped me solidify the timeline of the Anarchy period in my mind. Also, these books are so dense you can't possibly remember everything so it always feels new.

Summary:

The story begins with the sinking of the White Ship and culminates in the ascension of King Henry II of England. Covering a span of roughly thirty years of turmoil and chaos Penman manages to make it look easy to get all the important facts in along with the emotions and feelings of the time. When Henry I loses his only son and heir in the shipwreck he is distraught and calls daughter Matilda home from the only home she has really known, Germany, as the former wife of the Holy Roman Emperor, who has died. Although Henry hopes that Matilda will take his place someday, the barons are not convinced and many side with Stephen of Blois, Matilda's cousin and the only other in line that can take on the role of King.

As far as the history is concerned, the book follows a solid timeline: Stephen becomes king, Matilda fights to regain her stolen crown, towns caught in the middle are destroyed, lives uprooted, and anarchy reigns. All the major battles, Lincoln, the Rout of Winchester, Oxford Castle, culminating in the Siege and Treaty of Wallingford solidifying Henry's triumph are amazingly told.  While Penman is exceptionally detailed and skillful in recounting all of this, it isn't the heart of the novel. I will leave the summary with this: the Anarchy was a time of horrible unrest where innocent lives were sacrificed again and again as two heirs are caught in their struggle to prove they are the rightful heirs to the throne. 

My Thoughts:

When historical fiction is done well you finish the book feeling as if you have lived through the time. You feel as if you know the characters inside and out as real people. This is how I always feel reading Penman's books. Having read others set in this time period I say there is no contest as to which author gets it right. Matilda's personality has suffered throughout history as being one of stubborn, haughty, and arrogant, only thinking of the title denied her. In this book she is still those things but with a much more human air. Her relationship with her brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester shows how much she relied on him and his judgement, both as a battlefield commander and as a trusted advisor. Her loyalty to her fellow nobleman, Brien fitz Count is touchingly portrayed and although a romantic involvement is hinted at, Penman never fully accepts the premise that it went any further than deep conversations and intense trust. 

One of my favorite parts of the novel is Matilda's escape from Oxford Castle in winter. I could feel the cold, the exhaustion, and desperation of the group as they attempt to evade Stephen's men who are completely unaware that such a feat is even in the realm of possibility. Penman recounts the harrowing night minute by minute and you feel as if you are with them.

Stephen is portrayed as the man caught between being too nice and too harsh. His inconsistency is shown throughout the story in a way that made me feel sorry for him while also being incredibly exasperated too. His interaction with his wife, also Matilda, and their son Eustace is realistic and heartbreaking as they come to the realization that Eustace is not the man they hoped he'd be. He is cruel and narcissistic and disappoints them. While Henry, Matilda's son is the perfect choice to succeed Stephen, this puts Stephen in yet another dilemma from which he is hard pressed to make difficult choices. Time and again his weakness for pleasing others comes to the surface but then he overreacts when he senses people are doubting him. I found myself identifying with this very human side in a way I didn't in other books about the period. It gave me great insight into how hard it must have been to rule effectively in a time when weakness is not tolerated and Kings must stay true to their threats or risk being undermined at every turn. 

Penman included a few fictional characters who show up in subsequent books. Ranulf, his wife Rhiannon and her family are distant relatives in Wales and Ranulf is Matilda's brother, one of Henry I's many illegitimate sons. While I enjoyed their story as a way to learn more about the Welsh, they were not a huge excitement factor for me. Ranulf's story seemed to serve as the romantic part that I guess she felt needed addding. He appears in many of the following books though so his storyline is not one to skip. 

I am currently finishing the last book in the Plantagenet story written by Penman. These are books that are sure to be classics. I do not doubt that I will read them again one day. If you start with this one you will not want to wait to buy the next in the series. I found myself peeking back into book two, Time and Chance, and having to force myself not to go down that rabbit hole! You will be hooked and find you are spoiled for her writing as you tackle other stories. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Passionate Tudor: A Novel of Queen Mary I by Alison Weir

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring The Passionate Tudor by Alison Weir. It is her latest fictional take on another famous queen. She always has wonderful research and excellent narrative for these historical fiction books so this one is sure to be good. I know so much about Queen Mary I already so it's not on the top of my TBR pile yet. But I wanted to share it because others might be interested. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for this week!

May 28, 2024

Historical Fiction

Description courtesy of Amazon

The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII’s daughter—infamously known as Bloody Mary—who ruled England for five violent years.

Born from young King Henry’s first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry’s passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess’s future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate, and banishes them both from the royal court. But when Anne too fails to produce a son, she is beheaded and Mary is allowed to return to court as the default heir. At age twenty, she waits in vain for her own marriage and children, but who will marry her, bastard that she is?

Yet Mary eventually triumphs and becomes queen, after first deposing a seventeen-year-old usurper, Lady Jane Grey, and ordering her beheading. Any hopes that Mary, as the first female queen regent of England, will show religious toleration are dashed when she embarks on a ruthless campaign to force Catholicism on the English by burning hundreds of Protestants at the stake. But while her brutality will forever earn her the name Bloody Mary, at heart she is an insecure and vulnerable woman, her character forged by the unhappiness of her early years.

In Alison Weir’s masterful novel, the drama of Mary I’s life and five-year reign—from her abusive childhood,marriage,andmysterious pregnancies to the cruelty that marks her legacy—comes to vivid life.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Schoolmaster by Jessica Tvordi

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, I'm featuring The Schoolmaster by Jessica Tvordi. It tells the story of a young King James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots and his tutor. It follows James as he grows into a man and the loves of his life.  A unique take on the subject to be sure. 

Hope you have found something you can't wait for this week!

June 1, 2024

Historical Fiction

Description courtesy of Net Galley

Scotland, 1570. Catholic followers of the exiled Mary, Queen of Scots wage war against those of her four-year-old son, King James VI. Enter Master Peter Young, a Geneva-educated merchant’s son. Eager to make his way in the world, Peter is appointed to serve as the king’s tutor alongside the formidable George Buchanan. Their objective? To shape Scotland’s young monarch into a perfect, Protestant ruler—a difficult task in a world filled with religious violence, power-hungry lords, and the petty squabbles of both boys and men.

Over the years, Peter sees success with his pupils, proves an invaluable friend to the king’s caretaker, the Countess of Mar, and her troubled son, Johnny Erskine, and gains status at court. But when the king’s French-raised cousin Esmé Stewart, Seigneur d’Aubigny, arrives in Scotland, Peter and his friends must discover whether this seductive stranger is an agent of Catholic Rome or another greedy relation hoping for preferment.

The Schoolmaster is a coming-of-age story, as King James rejects lessons of the schoolroom for love, and Peter navigates treacherous political waters to ensure the nation's security. Through Peter's eyes, readers are transported to a pivotal moment in Scottish history: the arrival of the first of King James’s many controversial lover-favorites.