Author: hmalagisi

Book Review: “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life” by Wendy J. Dunn

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Henry VIII's True DaughterIllegitimate royal children have been known to make an impact on history. Take Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, and Bessie Blount, whom Henry VIII acknowledged as his son. There were discussions about Henry Fitzroy becoming the heir apparent if Henry VIII did not have a legitimate son. But what about the illegitimate children that a king did not acknowledge? What might their lives have been like? The story of Mary Boleyn and her affair with King Henry VIII has been told many times, but the story of her daughter born during that time is lesser known. In her first full-length nonfiction book, “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life,” Wendy J Dunn has taken on the task of discovering the truth of Catherine Carey’s parentage and how it impacted her life.

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I just finished reading Wendy J. Dunn’s novel, “The Light in the Labyrinth” about Catherine Carey, which is the book that inspired her to research and write this biography. I wanted to see if Dunn could write nonfiction as well as she writes historical fiction novels.

Dunn begins her biography by exploring what life was like in Tudor England before diving into the main point of her book, that Catherine Carey and her brother Henry Carey, were the illegitimate children of Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII. This was a point that she made in “The Light in the Labyrinth,” but it is in this biography that Dunn is able to expand on her theories even further, including the theory that Catherine was in the Tower and on the scaffold when her aunt, Anne Boleyn, was executed as a young woman. It is a sad theory, but it might explain why she was so close to her potential half-sister, Elizabeth Tudor.

Dunn shows how Catherine Carey grew up in the shadows of Henry VIII’s court. It is there where she met and fell in love with Francis Knollys, whom she married in April of 1540. As an audience, we get to see Catherine become a mother during the last years of the reign of Henry VIII and Edward VI’s tenure as king. It was during Mary I’s reign that life became dangerous for Catherine, Francis, and their family as they were Puritans, so they fled to Germany for three years. It was not until the reign of her potential half-sister Elizabeth that Catherine returned to court to serve her queen until Catherine died in 1569.

I think Dunn does a great job of combining her knowledge of Catherine Carey with her writing style as a historical fiction novelist. It creates a unique reading experience. I think for a first try at a full-length nonfiction book, it is pretty good. If you want a full-length biography of Catherine Carey that is informative with theories that will make you question what you think you know about the Tudors, I would suggest you read “Henry VIII’s True Daughter: Catherine Carey, A Tudor Life” by Wendy J Dunn.

Book Review: “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel

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Wolf HallThe 1520s in England were a raucous time. As the years pass, King Henry VIII’s desire for a legitimate son grows and his resentment towards his wife Katherine of Aragon increases. Henry has decided to divorce his wife of over 20 years to marry a new fling, Anne Boleyn, who would surely give him the son and heir. All of Europe, especially the Pope, is horrified at the direction Henry is taking, but one man stands firmly on the side of the King. Thomas Cromwell rose through the ranks to become Henry VIII’s right-hand man, even though he had rather humble origins. Can Thomas Cromwell help the man who made him and survive the king’s wrath? Hilary Mantel explores the origins of Cromwell’s rise and The Great Matter in the first book in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, “Wolf Hall.”

“Wolf Hall” is a novel that I have meant to read for a while now. I have heard from the Tudor community how great this novel is plus I saw the advertisements for the television show of the same name. I just never picked it up until I went into a used bookstore, saw it on a shelf, and decided to give it a try.

We are introduced to our main protagonist Thomas Cromwell, getting beaten bloody by his father, a drunkard blacksmith, Walter Cromwell. His childhood is harsh, but his sister Kat and her husband Morgan Williams convince Thomas to run away from his home. Thomas becomes a soldier fighting for the French and spends some time in Italy before he goes back to his native England to become a lawyer, working his way up to work with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Thomas Cromwell married Liz Wykys and had three children; Gregory, Anne, and Grace. The first part of the book focuses on Cromwell’s service to Wolsey, Wolsey’s fall from grace, and the tragic deaths in his family.

The majority of this novel focuses on Cromwell’s rise in power to become King Henry VIII’s right-hand man. The main issue that Cromwell must focus on is The Great Matter, the divorce of King Henry VIII from his first wife Katherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. It is a taboo topic, but Henry realizes that the Pope will not go with his plan. While navigating the tumultuous Tudor court and his home life, Cromwell also has to come up with a plan to make Anne Queen of England and Henry the Supreme Head of the Church of England. A tall task for anyone, but this is Cromwell, a man who will do whatever it takes to succeed.

Reading this particular novel was a struggle for me, not because of the contents, but rather Mantel’s unique writing style. It took me a long time, almost 200 pages, to get into this novel and become invested in the story. There were points in reading this novel where I wanted to give up and wait until I had access to the audiobook to try again, but I chose to keep reading. Once I did get invested in Cromwell’s tale and the ones who surrounded the powerful figure, I was hooked. I think if the beginning was not so convoluted, this would have been an almost perfect novel, except for how she portrayed figures like Mary Boleyn, Jane Rochford, and George Boleyn, which I did not agree with, but that is my own opinion.

This novel is an arduous adventure, but it almost mirrors the same rigorous journey Cromwell took from the son of a drunkard blacksmith to one of the most powerful men in Tudor England. I think I need to take a break from this trilogy to truly digest what I have read before tackling the other two books, but I understand why Mantel and this novel are so beloved in the community. If you want to tackle this book, I would suggest taking your time in the first two hundred pages of this novel before you dive in completely. “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel is a uniquely complex yet unforgettable look at Thomas Cromwell and the Tudor era that will make you question if you know the truth of Cromwell’s story.

Guest Post: “Excerpt from ‘The Merchant’s Dilemma’ by Carolyn Hughes”

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The Merchant's Dilemma Tour Banner

I am pleased to welcome Carolyn Hughes to my blog today to share an excerpt from her novel, “The Merchant’s Dilemma.” I would like to thank Carolyn Hughes and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to be part of this blog tour. 

From Chapter 2

Riccardo had found himself distracted most of the morning, even when in conversation with his client. It was fortunate there had been only one so, once they had shaken hands on an agreement, he was able to spend some time alone, walking and thinking through the situation, and what and how to tell Bea.

His heart swelled whenever he thought of her. It had never done so at the thought, or even sight, of Katherine. She was not an unattractive woman, but her nervous nature and seeming lack of interest in him discouraged him from even trying to love her. Even when he was lying next to her in bed, he had to steel himself to turn to face her. When he put out a hand to touch her breast, she would flinch, then when he rolled on top of her to complete the task – for “task” it did seem to be – Katherine would whimper, not with pleasure, he was certain, but with urgent longing for it to be over. It was scarcely surprising the so-called act of love with his wife was one he came to dread and even balk at. In truth, it was a wonder little Oliver had ever been conceived.

It had not been that way in those few months before his marriage when Bea had lived here with him. Their love-making had been full of delight and pleasure for them both. In that short time, he had grown to love her deeply. When he was obliged to marry Katherine, and effectively abandon the woman he adored, he had been distraught. He blamed himself, both then and now, for being the cause of Bea leaving Winchester. And, therefore, of the terrible events in Meonbridge that at length brought her back to the city, but as a homeless beggar. 

These past three months had been the happiest he could remember for a long while. His worry about Bea’s health aside, their easy, loving relationship – albeit they were sleeping apart until she was fully well – made each day one to look forward to. And to make his happiness complete surely Bea should no longer continue as his mistress, but become his wife.

Yet, marrying her would not be easy. For, if his father learned of Bea’s former life, he would refuse to sanction marriage to her and would almost certainly deny him his inheritance.

Finding himself in the cathedral precinct, Riccardo slipped into the building. At the main west entrance, scaffolding had been raised, and masons were dismantling some of the ancient stonework. He had heard that Bishop Edington had plans to alter the west end of the building, from the ancient Romanesque original to a more modern style. He looked forward to seeing their fine cathedral transformed into an even more magnificent monument to God, albeit he regretted the dust and noise that was the inevitable result. A result that would continue for many years.

But, despite the noise outside, inside was peaceful enough, if chilly, in stark contrast with the gentle warmth of the April day. He was not entirely alone: a few people, mostly aged women, were standing or kneeling before the high altar, mumbling prayers. He approached the altar too, but kept a distance. He dropped down onto one knee for a moment, then stood up again and, with bowed head, muttered a few prayerful words himself, asking for some sort of guidance in the awkward conversation he had ahead of him.

In truth, he did not feel he received an answer to his entreaty but hoped it might come to him if he thought the matter over a little further. Despite the coldness of the vast, high building, he made his way to the south transept, where there was a stone bench he could sit on for a while. 

He returned to thinking about his father. Would it matter if he was deprived of his inheritance? As the elder of the two Marchaunt sons, he was entitled to the principal Marchaunt estate and the greater proportion of his father’s wealth. Yet the money was not important, nor even the artifacts his father had acquired over the years, magnificent as many of them were. He had made such a success of his own business, he was more than prosperous enough to maintain a wife and family.

No, what really mattered had nothing to do with money.

His first concern was a matter of the heart. He really wanted to own Chilcumbe Hall, the splendid manor house a few miles outside the city. He had been looking forward to the time when he could raise his own children in the place where he and his brother spent such a happy childhood. How disappointing it would be if he lost that opportunity!

But the second concern was even more important. His father was much admired and respected amongst Winchester’s great and good. He had been a master of the guild, several times a city alderman, and was once elected mayor. Riccardo’s own success as a businessman was due partly to being his father’s son. If he was not his father’s principal heir – if he was known to have been cast aside – he would be disgraced, his standing in society ruined. 

There was so much to lose: not just the legacy, and his status as his father’s heir, but everything he had worked for, and even his authority to continue his career.

He closed his eyes a moment, contemplating what such a loss might mean. If all that happened, he supposed he could leave Winchester, and try to establish himself again elsewhere. But the prospect of doing that, at his age, was daunting. And not what he wanted.

Until three months ago, he had presumed he would at length find another wife, a woman from another respectable city family. Hopefully one with a pleasanter disposition than poor Katherine. But he had not been in any hurry. He had expected to find his bride himself, and would not approach his father for advice. Although he might have asked Mama if she knew of any suitable young women looking for a husband.

But that was all before he discovered Bea collapsed on his doorstep. Now, the only woman he wanted as his wife, and the mother to his children, was her. Yet, either marrying her or living with her in a sinful state, accepting their children would be illegitimate, would surely enrage his father. He would simply consider it unacceptable for his heir to sire children upon a woman such as Bea, whether or not they were legitimately man and wife. 

Riccardo sat upright and flexed his shoulders. His back was aching from the cold seeping from the stone bench up through his clothes. He pushed himself to his feet, ready to go home.

So, what was the answer? 

In truth, it was obvious, if disagreeable. He refused to give up Bea, but the consequences of losing his father’s favour were so serious, the only answer was to wait until the old man was no longer able to cast him aside.

He had to wait until his father died.

TMD-CoverBlurb

1362. Winchester. Seven months ago, accused of bringing plague and death from Winchester, Bea Ward was hounded out of Meonbridge by her former friends and neighbors. Finding food and shelter where she could, she struggled to make her way back to Winchester again.

Yet, once she arrived, she wondered why she’d come.

For her former lover – the love of her life – Riccardo Marchaunt, had married a year ago. And she no longer had the strength to go back to her old life on the streets. Frail, destitute, and homeless, she was reduced to begging. Then, in January, during a tumultuous and destructive storm, she found herself on Riccardo’s doorstep. She had no plan, beyond hoping he might help her, or at least provide a final resting place for her poor body.

When Bea awakes to find she’s lying in Riccardo’s bed once more, she’s thankful, thrilled, but mystified. But she soon learns that his wife died four months ago, along with their newborn son, and finds too that Riccardo loves her now as much as he ever did, and wants to make her his wife. But can he? And, even if he can, could she ever really be a proper merchant’s wife?

Riccardo could not have been more relieved to find Bea still alive when he thought he had lost her forever. She had been close to death but is now recovering her health. He adores her and wants her to be his wife. But how? His father would forbid such an “unfitting” match, on pain of denying him his inheritance. And what would his fellow merchants think of it? And their haughty wives?

Yet, Riccardo is determined that Bea will be his wife. He has to find a solution to his dilemma… With the help of his beloved mother, Emilia, and her close friend, Cecily, he hatches a plan to make it happen.

But even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. And the path of love never did run smooth…

The Merchant’s Dilemma is a companion novel to the main series of MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLES, and continues the story of Bea and Riccardo after the end of the fourth Chronicle, Children’s Fate. It is a little more romantic and light-hearted than the other Chronicles but, if you’ve enjoyed reading about the lives of the characters of Meonbridge, you will almost certainly enjoy reading The Merchant’s Dilemma too!

Buy Links:

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3RY7Yj 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merchants-Dilemma-Meonbridge-Chronicles-Companion-ebook/dp/B0CJJKJFT6/ 

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Merchants-Dilemma-Meonbridge-Chronicles-Companion-ebook/dp/B0CJJKJFT6/ 

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Merchants-Dilemma-Meonbridge-Chronicles-Companion-ebook/dp/B0CJJKJFT6/ 

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Merchants-Dilemma-Meonbridge-Chronicles-Companion-ebook/dp/B0CJJKJFT6/ 

Carolyn Hughes authorAuthor Bio:

Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group, and medical instruments manufacturers.

Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took center stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!

Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, beginning in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th-century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realized that, by writing a novel set in the period, she’d be able to both learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was underway.

Six published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as a Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…

Carolyn has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Portsmouth University and a PhD from the University of Southampton.

You can connect with Carolyn through her website http://www.carolynhughesauthor.com and social media.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.carolynhughesauthor.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writingcalliope 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolynHughesAuthor/ 

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carolyn-hughes 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carolyn-Hughes/e/B01MG5TWH1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16048212.Carolyn_Hughes 

Book Review: “How to Survive in Tudor England” by Toni Mount

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How to Survive in Tudor EnglandTime travel is a dream for history and science fiction nerds alike. To be able to go to a different period in history to witness major events sounds like it would be tons of fun, but it can also be treacherous if you do not know the era well. What should you wear? Where would you live? What would your occupation be and what should you eat? If you are invited to court, how do you navigate the crazy court intrigue and the ever-changing religious dilemma? Toni Mount has created the ideal book for those who wish to travel to the 16th century called, “How to Survive in Tudor England.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have read Mount’s medieval books, both her nonfiction and a few of her Sebastian Foxley murder mystery novels, but when I heard that she was writing a nonfiction book about the Tudor dynasty, I was fascinated to see how she would tackle the period.

Mount begins by exploring the origins of the Tudor dynasty and how they came into power through a little conflict that we know today as the Wars of the Roses. As this is an area of expertise for Mount, I think she did a great job condensing the conflict, which included a quick interview with King Richard III, for those who are being introduced to the Tudors.

The bulk of this book focuses on different aspects of life in 16th century England and how a time traveler could use this information for their benefit while traveling. Starting with the ever-important Tudor social structure, Mount shows how drastically different the levels of the hierarchy were, from the poor beggars who relied on the church to the lords and ladies of the court. We are introduced to Tudor education and the English scholars in the field of science, careers for those who did not receive a higher education, as well as the constant religious struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism.

From spies, traveling, and decoding ciphers to dresses, dining, and what to do in your downtime, Mount covers quite a range of topics in an easy-to-follow travel guide. However, my absolute favorite aspect of this book was the fictional interviews Mount included. She does not stick with the Tudors that everyone knows but rather includes lesser-known figures like Thomas “The Rackmaster” Norton, Christopher Kit Marlowe, and the scientist Thomas Digges. These interviews added context and a bit of levity in some rather dark subjects.

As a historical time travel guide, I found this book informative and fun. If you do indeed get the chance to travel back to the Tudor era, or you just want to know a bit more about life in Tudor England, “How to Survive in Tudor England” by Toni Mount is a book you should have on your shelf as a go-to guide.

Book Review: “The Light in the Labyrinth: The Last Days of Anne Boleyn” by Wendy J. Dunn

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The light in the labyrinthThe year is 1535 and a young girl whose mother was a shining light at court, dreams of getting away from her family and joins her aunt at court. Her name is Kate Carey, the daughter of Mary (Boleyn) Carey, and her aunt is Queen Anne Boleyn. Little does Kate know that the court life she desires is full of danger and enemies around every corner. In the labyrinth of court life, Kate must navigate it successfully to come out alive, even as her aunt’s reign is coming to an end and a secret is revealed that will radically change her life forever. Wendy J. Dunn tells Kate Carey’s story in her young adult novel, “The Light in the Labyrinth: The Last Days of Anne Boleyn.”

I would like to thank Wendy J. Dunn for sending me a copy of this novel. I do love a good young adult novel and so when I heard about Wendy Dunn releasing a new edition of a young adult Tudor novel that she had written previously, I knew I wanted to read it.

We begin with a dispute between Kate and her mother Mary. Kate is upset with her mother after she remarries William Stafford when her father William Carey dies. She wants to get away from home and go to the court of Henry VIII where her aunt, Anne Boleyn, sits as queen. Reluctantly, Mary agrees to Kate’s request and allows Kate to join her brother Harry Carey in court.

Kate’s entrance to the glittery Tudor court comes at a crucial point. Anne Boleyn is pregnant with what she hopes will be the son she and Henry desire. Kate is surrounded by her cousins including Meg Lee, her uncle George, and of course her aunt Anne. Along the way, Kate falls head over heels in love with Francis Knollys and learns a secret about her father that will rock her small world forever. However, Kate learns that love in court is a double-edged sword that can have deadly consequences.

When King Henry VIII had his jousting accident, Anne suffered a miscarriage and lost her son who would have been her savior. The fall of Anne Boleyn was nothing short of tragic, but to see it from her young niece Kate’s perspective added layers of depth and emotion that I was not prepared to read. I have read so many different accounts of the death of Anne Boleyn, both fiction and nonfiction, but Kate Carey’s version hit me emotionally that I was almost in tears by the end.

Dunn has not only shown that she is a brilliant author of historical fiction but also a fantastic young adult historical fiction writer. It is not just the main story, but the poetry and the two short stories that show how much love Dunn has for Kate Carey. A true triumph of a novel that I did not want to end. I do hope she will write more young adult historical fiction novels set in the Tudor era. If you want a heartbreakingly spectacular novel set in the Tudor age, I highly suggest you read, “The Light in the Labyrinth: The Last Days of Anne Boleyn” by Wendy J. Dunn.

Book Review: “The Lady Rochford Saga- Part 1: Into the Ranks of the Deceived” by Danielle Marchant

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Into the Ranks of the DeceivedThe tragedies of the Boleyns and the Howards left many with scars and heartache, none more so than Jane Parker. The daughter of Henry Parker, Lord Morley, Jane is seen to be destined for a great marriage and a successful career at court. As one of the ladies to serve Queen Catherine of Aragon, Jane witnesses the splendor, glam, and intrigue needed to survive in the court of Henry VIII. Danielle Marchant has taken inspiration from what she has studied about Jane Parker to create “The Lady Rochford Saga- Part 1: Into the Ranks of the Deceived.”

I would like to thank Danielle Marchant for sending me a copy of this novel. I have wanted to read more about Jane Parker/Jane Boleyn since reading “The Raven’s Widow” by Adrienne Dillard.

The novel begins with Henry Parker and his wife Alice Parker attending the Tudor court of Henry VIII and Katherine Parr during Christmas. Their daughter Jane recently died, but now they must pick up the pieces while keeping their daughter’s memory alive. We then jump back to when Jane first enters the court of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon as a shy, naive girl.

As an audience we see Jane grow from a girl into a woman in love with the debonair George Boleyn. Jane gets close to Mary and Anne Boleyn as they move from the French court to Henry VIII’s court, trying to navigate scandals and typical court drama. Marchant chooses to show the glamorous Field of the Cloth of Gold and the identity of Henry VIII’s “Mistress Parker” from Jane’s perspective, which was a unique twist to the tale.

I think it is a decent start to a trilogy about Jane Boleyn, but I do wish it was a single long novel instead of three short books, so the audience can be more immersed in the story. I think Marchant does have a passion for the Tudor dynasty and I think her stories will get better the more she writes. If you want a series about Jane Boleyn written by an independent author, you should check out, “The Lady Rochford Saga- Part 1: Into the Ranks of the Deceived,” by Danielle Marchant.

Book Review: “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant” by Robert Hutchinson

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The Last Days of Henry VIII

King Henry VIII, who ruled as a tyrant for almost 40 years, is dying. He caused mayhem and mischief by marrying six wives, killing two of them, with the dissolution of the monasteries, the creation of the Church of England, and his international policies. In short, it was a hot mess towards the end of his reign. So how did the last few months of King Henry VIII play out and how was he honored by those closest to the throne? Robert Hutchinson takes an in-depth look into this tumultuous period in history in his book, “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant.”

I found this particular book in a used bookstore one day and decided to try it. I have heard of Robert Hutchinson, but I have never read any of his books. 

Hutchinson begins with the day that King Henry VIII breathed his last breath on January 28, 1547. He is no longer the glamorous Renaissance prince, but rather he is a hugely obese man with festering wounds on his legs. The years have taken their toll on the king, but no one feels sympathy for the man. He has made so many around him live in abject terror for decades. Now, it is time for a fresh start with the reign of King Edward VI, his beloved son.

We then jump back in time so that Hutchinson can show his readers exactly why King Henry VIII was feared towards the end of his life. He starts with the last three marriages of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Katherine Parr. The way that Hutchinson characterized Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard in this book irked me quite a bit, even though I know this book is older and there is new research about both queens that contradicts Hutchinson’s perspective. 

Multiple marriages were not the only concern during the last years of Henry VIII’s life as he had to deal with heretics, international politics, and how the country should be run after his death. What I found truly fascinating about this book is the sources that Hutchinson used to tell the tale of the last years of Henry VIII’s life. They show how chaotically terrifying Henry’s court was towards the end. Hutchinson shows how the ambitious men around Edward VI tried to take control, but failed miserably as Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I ruled with just as much vigor as their powerful father. Finally, we see what happened to Henry VIII’s earthly remains and why his marvelous tomb vanished, leaving a simple marker to indicate where he and his beloved Jane Seymour were buried. 

Hutchinson does his due diligence to show how maniacal Henry VIII was, especially towards the end of his life. He does not mince words in his opinions about Henry and his court, which I may not agree with completely, but he makes strong arguments for his opinions. Overall, a very well-written and informative book. If you want a book that explores the final years of the infamous king, I would suggest you check out, “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant” by Robert Hutchinson.

Book Review: “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches

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PenelopeIn a time when marrying for love was taboo, one woman took a stand to follow her heart no matter the consequences. Lady Penelope Devereux, the daughter of Lady Lettice Knollys and the step-daughter of Sir Robert Dudley understands how dangerous it is to defy the wishes of Queen Elizabeth I. Her mother and stepfather were banished from court for choosing to marry secretly, but this did not deter Penelope from pursuing love. A story spanning decades, full of love, intrigue, and plots galore, “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches tells the tale of this remarkable woman and her family.

I would like to thank Tony Riches for sending me a copy of his latest novel. I have been a fan of Riches’ previous novels, which were written about male protagonists, so when I heard that he was writing a book about a Tudor woman, I was curious. I did not know much about Penelope’s life before this novel and I wanted to learn about her life.

Riches begins his novel with Penelope as a young woman going to work at court as a maid of honor for Queen Elizabeth I. It is a great honor as her parents were Lord Walter and Lady Lettice Devereux. To learn what it meant to be a maid of honor, she and her siblings went to the house of Catherine Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. It seemed as if Penelope was destined for greatness, but it all came crashing down when her mother Lettice married the queen’s favorite, Sir Robert Dudley. A devastating blow for a young woman who wanted a role in the glittering Tudor court, but it did not deter her for long.

Penelope was a woman known for her beauty as she caught the attention of men like Anthony Bagot before she ever set foot in Elizabeth’s court. Her looks captured the attention of Sir Philip Sidney, who wrote the sonnet Astrophel and Stella in her honor. Sidney had her heart, but she would marry a man she did not love, Lord Rich. She is willing to risk everything for love, including her standing at court and the family she has with Lord Rich, but the man she risked it all for is not Sir Philip Sidney. The man who had Penelope’s heart for over 20 years was Charles Blount.

Penelope saw great change during her lifetime. She saw Elizabeth courting the Duke of Anjou and the attack of the Spanish Armada. She was in the middle of her brother’s failed rebellion against Queen Elizabeth, which was known as the Essex Rebellion. Penelope swore loyalty to King James I as Queen Elizabeth was approaching the end of her life and she was there as a lady of the bedchamber for Queen Anne of Denmark. Towards the end of her life, Lady Penelope Rich saw the impact of the Gunpowder Plot against King James I, her divorce from Lord Rich, and fighting for the rights of her children with Charles Blount.

Riches weaves a delightful tale of love, and loyalty to one’s family even amongst plots for power. Penelope was a strongly independent woman who fought for love and her family, even if that meant becoming enemies with the most powerful people in England. A remarkable woman who left her mark on both the Tudor and Stuart dynasties, Lady Penelope Rich took her life and legacy into her own hands. “Penelope- Tudor Baroness” by Tony Riches is a gorgeous novel that fans of Tudor and Stuart history will adore.

Guest Post: “Huguenot Refugees – Why so many fled France in the late 17th century” by Rosemary Hayes

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The King's Command Tour Banner 1I am pleased to welcome Rosemary Hayes to my blog today as part of the blog tour for her latest novel, “The King’s Command: For God or Country.” I would like to thank Rosemary Hayes and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to be part of this tour. 

carving above Huguenot church in London

In the early 16th century, the reformist ideas of John Calvin and Martin Luther spread through France and many embraced their new Protestant doctrines. These French Reformists became known as the Huguenots. They believed that the Bible alone gave divine guidance, they rejected the authority of the Pope and the priesthood and they argued for separation of church and state.

John Calvin

All this directly challenged the authority of the Catholic church and led to bitter division between Catholics and Protestants, leading to the Wars of Religion which raged in France from 1562 until 1598. Hatred ran deep, armies were raised and atrocities were committed by both sides.

These wars were finally brought to an end through the actions of King Henry IV.

As a Huguenot, Henry was involved in the Wars of Religion and, while King of Navarre, led Protestant forces against the French royal army. When he succeeded to the French throne in 1589, he at first kept the Protestant faith –  the only French king to do so – but had to fight against the powerful Catholic League, which denied that he could wear the French crown as a Protestant. After several years of stalemate, he converted to Catholicism, reportedly saying “Paris is well worth a mass”!

henry-iv-of-france

Henry was a pragmatic politician, and he promulgated the Edict of Nantes (1598) which granted official tolerance to Protestantism, thereby effectively ending the Wars of Religion and, for eighty years or so, the Huguenots thrived. 

While the Edict of Nantes brought religious peace to France, some hard-line Catholics and Huguenots remained dissatisfied and in 1610 Henry was assassinated by a Catholic zealot. Henry was succeeded by his son Louis XIII.

Louis XIII and his Chief Minister, Cardinal Richelieu, were not at all tolerant of the Huguenots. They abhorred their growing influence and attacked their strongholds. 

300px-Siege_of_La_Rochelle_1881_Henri_Motte

After the capitulation of La Rochelle (the most important of the Huguenots’ strongholds) the Grace of Alais was signed in June 1629.  Although this reaffirmed the Edict of Nantes, it ordered that the Huguenot military organization should be broken up and the Huguenot fortresses destroyed. 

So, although the Huguenots continued to be allowed to practice their faith, their trades, and their professions, their position was considerably weakened by having no fortifications and no army.

When Louis XIII’s son, Louis IV, finally took control of his kingdom in 1661, he quickly set about reforming France according to his vision.

His vision included making France a wholly Catholic country.  His mantra was ‘One realm, one religion, one King’ and he swore to wipe out the ‘false religion’ of Protestantism once and for all. 

Many Huguenots could see the way the wind was blowing and quietly left France to find refuge in Protestant countries.

In France, the rights of Huguenots continued to be systematically eroded by Louis and his advisers, and the Edict of Nantes, which had protected them for so long, was finally revoked in 1685. At the time of the revocation, Huguenot pastors were given two weeks to leave the country or face death. However, their congregations were forbidden from leaving because Louis did not want to lose the skills of these hard-working and successful people.

Pressure continued to mount and Huguenots’ lives became impossible if they continued to be loyal to their faith. Unless they converted to Catholicism, they would forfeit their property, be unable to practice their professions or trades and their children would be forcibly removed from them to be brought up as Catholics. They were banned from holding gatherings, even in private, and their temples were destroyed.

inside hugurnot temple

In many places, on the King’s orders, brutal soldiers were sent in to force households to convert and thousands did, to save their skins. 

Dragoon forcing huguenot to sign abduration paper

Some held out and suffered terribly, others tried to flee the country and were caught and punished, the men sent to row in the galleys in the Mediterranean (a death sentence) or executed, the women imprisoned and the children sent to be brought up in Catholic institutions.

Huguenot women in prison

There are stories of escape where fleeing Huguenots managed to elude their pursuers and make their way to other countries, but also horrific accounts of greedy sea captains taking money from them and then tossing them overboard, of tortures inflicted on those who refused to convert and of refugees hiding on board ships having noxious gas fed into their hiding places. There were plenty of financial rewards offered to those betraying Huguenots and to soldiers finding stowaways, with spies and informers everywhere.

Little wonder, then, that France was emptied of some of its most skilled citizens during these unsettled times. The Protestant countries to which the Huguenots fled were hugely enriched by their presence.  Doctors, lawyers, weavers, gold and silversmiths, clockmakers, lace makers, shoemakers, jewelers, glove makers, bookbinders, perfumers. These folk passed on their skills to those who gave them refuge and became valued citizens of their adopted countries.

My ancestors were a prosperous Huguenot family from Gascony and for the last two years, I have been researching what happened to them and how they escaped to London in 1692. My book ‘The King’s Command’ is very loosely based on their experience.

The King's Command - 92Blurb: 

16-year-old Lidie Brunier has everything; looks, wealth, health, and a charming suitor but there are dark clouds on the horizon. Lidie and her family are committed Huguenots and Louis XIV has sworn to stamp out this ‘false religion’ and make France a wholly Catholic country. Gradually Lidie’s comfortable life starts to disintegrate as Huguenots are stripped of all rights and the King sends his brutal soldiers into their homes to force them to become Catholics. Others around her break under pressure but Lidie and her family refuse to convert. With spies everywhere and the ever-present threat of violence, they struggle on. Then a shocking betrayal forces Lidie’s hand and her only option is to try and flee the country. A decision that brings unimaginable hardship, terror, and tragedy and changes her life forever.

‘One of the very best historical novels I have ever read’

Sandra Robinson, Huguenot Ancestry Expert

Buy Links: 

This title is available to read with #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/bW6zGG 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CB4RH68S 

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Command-God-Country-ebook/dp/B0CB4RH68S/ 

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Kings-Command-God-Country-ebook/dp/B0CB4RH68S/ 

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Kings-Command-God-Country-ebook/dp/B0CB4RH68S/ 

rosemary-hayes-authorAuthor Bio:

Rosemary Hayes has written over fifty books for children and young adults. She writes in different genres, from edgy teenage fiction (The Mark), historical fiction (The Blue Eyed Aborigine and Forgotten Footprints), middle-grade fantasy (Loose Connections, The Stonekeeper’s Child and Break Out)  to chapter books for early readers and texts for picture books. Many of her books have won or been shortlisted for awards and several have been translated into different languages.

Rosemary has traveled widely but now lives in South Cambridgeshire. She has a background in publishing, having worked for Cambridge University Press before setting up her own company Anglia Young Books which she ran for some years. She has been a reader for a well-known authors’ advisory service and runs creative writing workshops for both children and adults.

Rosemary has recently turned her hand to adult fiction and her historical novel ‘The King’s Command’ is about the terror and tragedy suffered by the French Huguenots during the reign of Louis XIV.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.rosemaryhayes.co.uk 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HayesRosemary 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosemary-Hayes/e/B00NAPAPZC 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/80106.Rosemary_Hayes 

Guest Post: “King’s Warrior” by James Gault

On By hmalagisiIn guest post1 Comment

King's Warrior Tour Banner 1I am pleased to welcome James Gault to my blog to share a bit of information about his novel, “King’s Warrior.” I want to thank James Gault and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to be part of this blog tour. 

“King’s Warrior” is the third in a series about Owerd, a decent but unsophisticated 11th-century Briton who has struggled out of poverty by dint of courage and good fortune (“wyrd” if you will). The series came about by accident, initially intended as a single volume to bring Charles Kingsley’s classic novel “Hereward the Wake” into a more digestible form for the contemporary reader. That attempt proved impossible – one cannot, I found, tinker with a classic, however challenging its rather antiquated prose. Hence a new character set in the same period of a land beset by inequity, strife, and a Norman invasion. In this book Owerd, having already established his credentials as a loyal subject and “Sea Lord” returns to the role he fills best, that of warrior.

As with any other work of historical fiction, the bare bones are laid out by historical events, at least the events and their rationale as we know them. I have found it quite a challenge to reliably determine many such facts as they relate to late 11th century England and it has been said that recorded English history only began after 1066. We probably know more of the sayings of the sages of early China such as Confucius than we do of William the Conqueror. That is perhaps not surprising when we are addressing a monarch who spoke a Norman version of French, was barely literate in Latin, and gave up trying to learn English, the mother tongue of his subdued nation.

A degree of reliance must necessarily be placed upon the anonymous authors of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, compiled from around 890 AD. I have done so whilst acknowledging a degree of bias in that record and its seemingly undue focus on the appointments and subsequent demise of bishops. Nonetheless, that record has provided me with a wonderful basis for the ‘bare bones’ of the story and I am grateful to those monkish chroniclers.

I have much admiration for the authors of historical non-fiction and do not envy the inevitable peer scrutiny of their documented assertions of historical fact. I suspect many such authors, though, are acknowledged scholars in their field and have access to resources beyond me such as the Bodleian Library. Oh, such envy! I live in a small coastal town in SE Australia where the local library has a history section that goes back as far as WW-1 at best. I have been forced therefore to do much research on the internet – a risky and academically maligned source but of high utility to those such as myself. My old high school atlas has provided the wherewithal for most of the geographic elements of the tale, although much inadequate use of a magnifying glass has occasionally forced me back onto the Web.

I have been as careful as possible to align the story with the events and characters of the time. It is a work of fiction, though, and I gratefully acknowledge a certain leeway allowed for such works. Fiction does provide an opening for more conjecture and imaginative description of events and a certain subjective view of the characters. I have been occasionally harsh in my characterization of the Normans and somewhat less so of the Bretons. For William himself I have taken a relatively benign view, accepting his reputation for both cruelty and mercy in equal measure.

I would wish it otherwise but accept that there will be shortcomings in my research. I have, however, enjoyed that element of the writing task immensely. As other writers in the genre will know, a week’s research might well lead to a single paragraph of text. That can still be a satisfying return on investment.

King's Warrior coverBlurb:

In 11th-century England, King William achieved almost total domination of the English and turned his attention to Scotland. Owerd, possibly the last of the Britons to be deemed ‘lord’, faces powerful enemies from all quarters. He seems to hold the king’s favor by a thread, which only serves to encourage others to try and bring him down. 

Treachery abounds as he tries to juggle multiple roles and prove himself and his men worthy warriors for the Norman king. But will his lust for a woman finally prove his undoing?

Note from the author:

11th Century men and women were just as complex beings as we are today. Owerd, the main character in these chronicles is no different. In “King’s Warrior”, the third book of the series, he goes from violence (“…the air was filled with the clash of swords, angry shouts, and screams of the injured”) to compassion (“… Owerd had rarely if ever, made love as tenderly as he did with Runa that night”) in the space of a day.

Happiness, fear, disgust, anger, pride, and jealousy all play their part in Owerd’s character but what comes to the fore is courage, with perhaps a helping hand from fate – “wyrd” if you will.

Buy Links:

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4A27gp 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CC5VH6BM

James GaultAuthor Bio:

James is a semi-retired Naval Captain with an abiding interest in storytelling and history. He has written a few contemporary fiction stories and a history text but lately has concentrated on historical fiction. He lives in a small coastal town in SE Australia – which provides quite a challenge when addressing medieval England with the aid of an old-school atlas.

Author Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@ozjimg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.gault.9421/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozjimg/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jgault