Tag: England

Book Review: “The Pagan Lord”(Book 7 of the Saxon Stories Series) by Bernard Cornwell

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The island we know as England is on the cusp of the 10th century. King Alfred is dead, and his son Edward now rules. The kingdom of Wessex is still standing strong, and it looks like the Danes are behaving themselves and keeping the peace, for now. Unfortunately, things are not going smoothly for Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He gets into a bit of mischief and becomes a target of Cnut Longsword, the Viking leader, all while trying to fight for his right to rule his beloved Bebbanburg. Can Lord Uhtred survive his latest adventure, or will his Saxon allies save him in the nick of time? This is the premise of Uhtred’s latest adventure, “The Pagan Lord,” Book 7 in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell.

We reunite with our ruffian hero Uhtred of Bebbanburg on a dark, stormy night, when he is riding through a town with his second son Osbert and Aethelstan, the illegitimate son of Alfred. They are then accosted by a gaggle of priests, which includes his eldest son, Uhtred, soon to become a Christian priest, and Abbot Wihtred. This one encounter will alter how the Saxons will view Uhtred because not only does he disinherit his eldest son, but kills Abbot Wihtred, which makes him an outlaw in the eyes of the Saxons. Osbert is renamed Uhtred Uhtredson, and the group moves on like nothing happened, but the damage is already done.

A tired Uhtred comes home to burning buildings, dead comrades, a blind father Cuthbert, and Uhtred’s woman Sigunn kidnapped. Uhtred begins to wonder which one of his numerous enemies kidnapped Sigunn. Turns out this is revenge from Cnut Longsword, who believes that Uhtred kidnapped his children and his wife. Obviously, Uhtred knows nothing about it, but decides to work with Cnut to clear his name, at least for the time being. Uhtred’s journey to save Cnut’s family will see him in his beloved Bebbanburg and reunited with his lovers Sigunn and Lady Aetheflaed. While Uhtred is considered an outlaw to the Saxons, he still chooses to side with them at the battle of Tettenhall, where he clashes with Cnut Longsword one final time in a fight to the death.

I have been loving this series so far because of how dynamic the characters are, especially Uhtred of Bebbanburg. He gets into so many scraps, but he keeps his home, his family, and his allies in mind whenever he fights. I am always excited to read a new Saxon Stories novel, but I am also a bit sad because I know it’s one book closer to finishing this fantastic series. If you are like me and have finished the first six books in the Saxon Stories, I highly recommend that you read book seven in the series, “The Pagan Lord” by Bernard Cornwell.

Book Review: “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century” by Kathryn Warner

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Throughout history, pandemics have ravaged human populations and changed the course of history. None more so than the Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death. It devastated entire families and altered entire countries, primarily in Europe. Although England is an island nation, that does not mean it could not escape the pandemic’s horrors for long. In her latest book, “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century, “ Kathryn Warner explores the lives of the victims of the Black Death throughout England during this century.

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I haven’t read many books that focus primarily on the Black Death, so I was interested to see what kind of insights Warner would provide in this book.

Warner is known for her meticulous research, which she masterfully demonstrates in this book. Unlike other books about the Black Death, Warner chooses to focus on the individual stories of the victims and the survivors from every walk of life. Now this is a lot of information, especially when you consider how many waves of the plague hit England and the number of villages that were in England during this period. However, Warner breaks it down so each region gets its special section. Primarily, Warner explores the plague outbreak of 1349-1350, but she does explore other outbreaks.

The true highlight of this book is the fact that Warner focuses on the stories of the common people, not just the nobility or royalty, which are often highlighted in medieval history books. I think it was so fascinating to see how others dealt with the plague and how it affected their families and the nation as a whole.

Overall, I think this is a solid book for those who want to dive into the archives and explore the impact of the Black Death in England. It may be a difficult read for some and it might not be for casual readers, but if you want something more academic, I would suggest “The Black Death in England: Journal of the Plague Years in the Fourteenth Century” by Kathryn Warner.

Book Review: “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem’” by Heather R. Darsie

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We all know the gist of the tragic tale of Katharine of Aragon. A Spanish princess who was brought to England to marry the heir of the Tudor throne, Prince Arthur Tudor. When the prince died mere months after their wedding day, Katharine was left in limbo and desolate as the Kings of Spain and England bickered over her dowry. Eventually, she would marry King Henry VIII, was his wife for over twenty years, and have numerous miscarriages before Henry decided to divorce her and marry Anne Boleyn. We know how Katharine’s story ends, but how did the stories of her Trastamara family influence her life and her reign as Queen of England? Heather R. Darsie explores Katharine’s Spanish origins in her latest book, “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem.’”

I would like to thank Amberley Publishing for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed Darsie’s books, “Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King’s Beloved Sister” and “Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings.” While her previous books focus on German history and sources, Darsie decided to shift her attention to Spain with this particular book. I was curious how much new information and insight Darsie would provide about Katharine’s life.

Darsie begins by having lovely family trees and a timeline listing the numerous figures that will be covered in this book, because as stated before, this book covers the origins of Katharine of Aragon’s family, the Trastamaras. The book is broken down into three sections. The first focuses on the Trastamaras and the history of the crowns of Castile and Leon and Aragon, culminating with Katharine’s parents, Isabella I of Castile and Leon, and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The second focuses on Katharine’s early life, how she became the bride of Prince Arthur Tudor of England, and how his death affected Katharine. Finally, part three explores Katharine of Aragon’s life as queen consort of King Henry VIII.

To me, the true highlight of this book is the exploration of the Trastamara family tree. While I do know a bit about the origins of Isabella I of Castile and Leon from a book I just read on her life, I did not know the origins of the family. Starting with the origins of both the elected composite crown of Aragon and the inherited composite monarchy of Castile and Leon, we see how the Trastamara dynasty started like the Tudor dynasty. It was a dynasty full of drama, civil wars, a member who married a corpse, a king who died due to alcohol burns, and many mistresses. It is through these stories that you can see where Katharine of Aragon and her daughter Mary I got their strength and determination to keep on fighting for what they believed in, even when the odds were very much against them.

This is yet another triumph by Darsie. It is extremely informative, meticulously researched, and easy to read. It gives the reader a better understanding of not only Spanish royalty and its complexity, but also a better appreciation of Katharine of Aragon. If you want an excellent book exploring the life of King Henry VIII’s first wife from a different perspective, I highly recommend you read “Katharine of Aragon, Spanish Princess: ‘I Am Not as Simple as I May Seem’” by Heather R. Darsie.

Book Review: “Queen James: A New History About the Life and Loves of Britain’s First King, James Stuart” by Gareth Russell

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We all know the story of the last Tudor monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, who often viewed herself as a female king and who remained a virgin for her entire life. With her death, the Tudor dynasty ended, and a brand new dynasty made its mark on English history. It was a dynasty in England that the son of Elizabeth started I’s rival, Mary Queen of Scots, King James VI of Scotland. King James was not just a king, but a man in love with numerous lovers, and when he fell in love, he fell hard. Gareth Russell explores the life of King James VI/I, who ruled two nations while searching for true love in his latest book, “Queen James: A New History About the Life and Loves of Britain’s First King, James Stuart.”

I am a big fan of Gareth Russell’s books, and so when I heard that he was writing a new biography, I jumped at the chance to read it. I didn’t know much about King James VI/I, especially when it comes to his reign in England or his love life, so I was excited to learn more. Plus, I liked the title of this particular edition of this book.

Like any good biography, we have to start at the beginning, or in James’ case, when his mother was still pregnant with him. Even before he was born, some wanted to see James dead, including those who killed David Riccio in front of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots. James would never know his father, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, as he was killed at Kirk O’Field when James was very young. Mary Queen of Scots would flee to England, making James King of Scotland. James was raised to be a Protestant king who would navigate plenty of plots against his life. He was not interested in marriage, but he would marry Anna of Denmark, a vivacious queen who brought her love of theater and arts to James’ life, as well as Catholicism and seven children, including Charles I and Elizabeth Stuart, “The Winter Queen” of Bohemia.

When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, James took the opportunity and became King of England. James had to deal with the affairs of two nations, try to come up with a brand new translation of the Bible, as well as the witch hunts that were becoming more prevalent during this time. Add to James’ troubles were European politics and the constant fighting between Catholics and Protestants, and you start to understand why he relied so heavily on his favorites, specifically Alexander “Sandy” Lindsay, Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. James’s favorites were his lovers, and they provided him with the love that he was looking for all of his life.

No one writes nonfiction the way Gareth Russell does with such care and an engaging writing style. This is another triumph as he shows that although there were rivalries in love, plots a plenty, and religious ruckus, at the heart of the Jacobean reign was a complex man who had his heart on his sleeve and fell in love quickly and hard. If you want a fabulous biography about a king and the ones he loved the most, I highly recommend you read “Queen James: A New History About the Life and Loves of Britain’s First King, James Stuart” by Gareth Russell.

Book Review: “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza” by Susan Abernethy

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Throughout English history, a colorful cast of queens has left their marks in their distinct ways. While the Plantagenet and Tudor queens are more well-known, the Stuart queens and the mistresses of the Stuart kings were dynamic in their unique ways. One of the lesser-known queens was the wife of King Charles II. Though Charles II is known for his numerous mistresses, his wife Catherine of Braganza is not discussed much in England, but in her native Portugal, she is famous. So who was Catherine of Braganza, and what is her legacy in England and Portugal? Susan Abernethy tells the story of this almost forgotten queen in her book, “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I am someone who is dipping her toes into the Stuart dynasty, so I wanted to explore a story about someone new to me. When I saw the title and subject of this book, it piqued my curiosity because I have heard of Catherine of Braganza, but I know nothing about her.

Before we dive into the actual life of Catherine of Braganza, Abernethy takes the time to explore the relationship between Portugal and England, which culminated in the union of King Charles II and Catherine. I didn’t know much about the history of Portugal except for the aspect that is included during the life of John of Gaunt, so I was excited to learn more about how Portugal became a trading and exploration powerhouse. It was the rise of the House of Braganza that propelled Catherine into a position to marry the King of England.

As the daughter of King John IV of Portugal and Queen Luisa de Guzman, Catherine was destined to marry a member of royalty, but the issue was a matter of faith. Catherine was a devout Roman Catholic, whereas Charles II was a Protestant who was trying to restore his kingdom after the reign of the Protector Oliver Cromwell. Catherine also had to deal with the numerous mistresses of Charles II, like Barbara Villiers, Lucy Walter, Louise de Keroualle, and Nell Gwyn, who were able to give Charles children while Catherine remained barren. Throw in a few anti-Catholic plots, and you can start to understand the strain Catherine was under while living in England. Eventually, after the death of Charles II, Catherine decided to return to her native Portugal, where her life took an unexpected twist with the War of the Spanish Succession until she died in 1705.

I found Catherine of Braganza such a fascinating figure. She did so much in her lifetime, and it is a shame that Catherine does not get more attention. Abernethy does an excellent job of telling the story of this queen who is often in the shadow of more boisterous figures of the age and integrating the history of Portugal into this book. If you want to learn more about a Stuart queen who is often forgotten and her impact on two nations, I highly recommend you read “Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza” by Susan Abernethy.

Book Review: “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II” by Tracy Borman

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England’s history is centuries old, full of colorful characters and change galore. What truly defines the history of England is the monarchy, which has lasted over a thousand years. Over 40 kings and queens left their distinct marks on the history of this proud island nation. While some could maintain the crown with no issues, others had to fight to earn the crown, and a few even died for the crown. While there has been a plethora of books and novels written about individual monarchs and their impacts on the history of England, only a select few have chosen to take the arduous task of telling the story of the British Monarchy from its origins to the modern-day. One such historian who has chosen the latter is Tracy Borman in her book, “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.”

I have been a fan of Tracy Borman and her writing for many years now. She has a way of making history come alive, so when I heard about this book, it was something I knew I wanted to read. I usually don’t read books like this because in the past, I have not been interested in the Stuarts and Hanoverians, but as I have begun to dive more into the Stuarts, I think it was the perfect time to read this book.

Borman begins with a brief introduction to the early kings of England, the Anglo-Saxon kings, to show how different it was from the Norman kings. She has divided the book into sections to highlight the different dynasties; Norman, Plantagenet, Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian, and Windsor. Within each section is a mini-biography of each ruler during that dynasty. While there is not a whole lot of new information, it does give the reader a taste of what each reign was like.

As someone who usually reads about the Normans, Plantagenets, and Tudors, it was a nice review of the basic facts of the kings and queens during this span of history. Reading about the Stuarts, Hanoverians, and Windsors was something different for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It made me interested in studying the Stuarts and the Windsors, but I am on the fence about the Hanoverians. What is remarkable about the story is that the monarchy of England could have toppled at any point and did for a few years before it was restored, and continues to this day for over a thousand years.

Overall, I found this an interesting introductory read into the different dynasties that have shaped the English monarchy and the history of England. If you want new research about the individual monarchs, this might not be the book for you. However, if you want a great introductory book on the history of the British monarchy, I highly suggest you read, “Crown and Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II” by Tracy Borman.

Book Review: “The Secrets of the Rose” by Nicola Cornick

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Have you ever researched one person from the past for an assignment and found yourself gravitating toward another historical figure from a different era? Hannah Armstrong knows this feeling very well. She returns to her home in Bamburgh to write a biography about Grace Darling but is instead pulled towards an equally fascinating story of a Jacobite rebel. Dorothy Forster is a young woman who is trying to keep her family together as the world around her changes drastically. Can Dorothy protect her loved ones while fighting for her country and can Hannah find the truth hidden for far too long before it’s too late? Two tales of courage, strength, and love are told in Nicola Cornick’s latest novel, “The Secrets of the Rose.”

I want to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have been enjoying Nicola Cornick’s blend of modern-day and stories of the past to create thrilling novels, so when I heard that she had a new one coming out this year, I knew I wanted to read it. When I saw that it took place during the Jacobite Rebellion, it intrigued me because it is a period of English history that I am not familiar with and I wanted to learn more.

Let’s start with our friend from the past, Dorothy Forster. She was the daughter of Sir William Forster, the sister of Thomas and Nicholas Forster, and the niece of Lord Crewe. Dorothy is a strong independent young lady who does not want to get married and instead help her ailing father. It was a peaceful life until Earl Derwentwater convinced her brothers Thomas and Nicholas to the Jacobean cause to return Prince James Stuart to the throne, culminating in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715. To top it all off, Dorothy finds out that her family, primarily the women in her family, are the Keepers of the Rose, a mythical talisman that both sides believe will make sure their victory is assured. When Dorothy’s brothers are taken prisoner, she must choose whether to leave her father and her beloved blacksmith John Armstrong, and travel to London or stay where it is safe.

Flash forward to the modern-day with Hannah Armstrong, a historian who came back home to study her latest subject, Grace Darling, a Victorian woman who saved her family and others from a shipwreck. It’s been many years since Hannah has been home and there is a lot of tension once she arrives. Her step-mother Diana is hiding both medical and personal secrets from Hannah and her friends Alice and Aaron welcomes Hannah back with open arms. However, her estranged brother Brandon lurks in the shadows, searching for a particular portrait of Dorothy Forster and the Rose. Hannah has to piece the clues together while balancing her crazy social and romantic life before it is too late.

I found this a rather enjoyable novel and it was so fascinating to learn about not only Dorothy Forster and the Jacobite Rebellion but Grace Darling and her daring rescue. It was a thrilling romantic read full of twists, turns, and callbacks to Cornick’s previous novels. I hope that this novel will inspire more authors to explore the Jacobite Rebellion. If you want a novel that explores a moment in English history that does not get much attention with dynamic characters, I suggest you read, “The Secrets of the Rose” by Nicola Cornick.

Book Review: “When Christ and His Saints Slept” by Sharon Kay Penman

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When we consider the issue of succession, we often imagine the crown being passed to the next legitimate heir, regardless of gender, but that was not always the case. We think about the struggles that women like Mary I and Elizabeth I endured to secure and stay on the throne, but one woman came before them so close to becoming England’s first ruling queen. She was the daughter of King Henry I and the next in line to the throne after her brother tragically died, but after her father passed away, it was her cousin Stephen who usurped the throne. The war for the crown which would last decades would be known as The Anarchy is the primary focus for Sharon Kay Penman’s novel, “When Christ and His Saints Slept.”

I found this particular novel when I was going used book shopping and after so many people said that it was their favorite novel by Penman after “The Sunne in Splendour,” I knew that I wanted to buy and read it. I have been a fan of books about the struggle between Empress Matilda and King Stephen and the birth of the Plantagenet dynasty, so I wanted to see what kind of spin Penman would give to this story.

Penman begins her novel with a flashback to the last time Stephen saw his father before he went on Crusade in 1101, which was an influential moment in his young life. We then jump forward to Barfleur, Normandy in November 1120, which is where the legitimate male heir of Henry I, William, boarded the White Ship on a voyage he would not survive. The only legitimate child of Henry I, because the man had quite a few illegitimate children, was Empress Matilda (Maude). Her 1st husband, the Holy Roman Emperor died and since they did not have any children, Henry decides that she needs to remarry and his choice for her next husband is Geoffrey of Anjou. To say their relationship was tempestuous would be an understatement, but they were able to have a large family including Henry Plantagenet, the future King Henry II.

It seemed like all Matilda (known as Maude in this novel) had to do in order to secure the crown was sail to England for her coronation. But that’s not what happened. Instead, her dear cousin Stephen and his wife Matilda, stole her crown. If you think Maude is going to let Stephen do what he wants with her inheritance left to her by her father, you thought wrong because instead Maude decides to fight for her rights in the conflict known as the Anarchy. It was a bloody couple of decades for England full of betrayals and sieges. It will soon turn to not only a fight between Maude and Stephen but between their sons Henry and Eustace. This was not just a battle between nobility but, as we see with one of my favorite characters Ranulf Fitz Roy (a fictional character), it was a battle between barons and the illegitimate children of the old king for the future of England.

This was another absolutely brilliant book by Penman. The way she was able to craft such believable characters based on the historical records is nothing but awe-inspiring. It was a mammoth tome but it needed every single page to develop this rich story that I did not want to end. If you are like me and you crave a thrillingly vivid historical fiction novel, you must check out “When Christ and His Saints Slept” by Sharon Kay Penman.

Book Review: “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn” by Estelle Paranque

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A young woman catches the attention of a king already married to a princess from a faraway kingdom. The king desires the young lady and divorces his wife to marry her. However, there is a catch. The young lady spent some time in the French court of Francis I and Claude of France, whereas the king’s wife was the daughter of the Spanish King and Queen as well as the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor. The Great Matter of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Catherine of Aragon is considered one of the messiest divorces in English history and rightfully so when you consider the diplomatic consequences that this divorce would have across Europe. Estelle Paranque highlights the connection between Anne Boleyn and the French court in her latest book, “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn.”

I want to thank Hachette Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I heard that Estelle Paranque was writing a new book about the 16th century, but when I heard that it dealt with Anne Boleyn’s connections with the French court, I jumped at the chance to read it. While I do know quite a bit about the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, it is her connection with the French court that I have never really explored in depth.

Paranque begins her book by examining the meeting between King Henry VIII and King Francis I with Anne Boleyn at Calais between October 25th and 27th, 1532. This was a significant meeting as it was right before Henry and Anne married in secret and they desired that Francis would support their side in the Great Matter. But how did they get to this meeting in Calais? This is where this book shines as Paranque takes the time to show her audience what life was like for Anne in the French court and the connections that she forged with women like Louise of Savoy, Claude of France, and Marguerite of Angouleme Queen of Navarre. It was fascinating to see how the Boleyns were able to use their connections to forge alliances with the French court that would prove useful in the future.

Possibly my favorite part of this book was seeing how the diplomatic channels across Europe interacted with one another during the Great Matter, the queenship of Anne Boleyn, and the fall of the Boleyns. I think we so often overlook that there were diplomats who were working on the sidelines to convey messages between kings and emperors to form or strengthen alliances. While many might consider the way Paranque wrote the correspondence and dialogue between diplomats and the monarchy as hard to get used to because she does insert emotions, I believe it adds depth to the story because they were human beings not in a vacuum. They had feelings about what was happening around them, passionate feelings in fact, and that should be displayed to readers.

While the actual events of this book were not new to me, the way that Paranque was able to present the information and show the men behind the scenes was fascinating. It presents the relationship between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in a different more complex light. If you want a different angle to the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, I recommend you read, “Thorns, Lust, and Glory: The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn” by Estelle Paranque.

Book Review: “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America” by Maria Vetrano

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Have you ever read about a historical figure and wondered what it would be like to interact with them in the present day? How would they deal with modern problems and technology? Could they function in the 21st century or would they become overwhelmed? And even if they could come to the 21st century, how would it affect their timeline and history? This intriguing premise plays out in Maria Vetrano’s novel, “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America,” which sees Queen Elizabeth I coming forward about 400 years in time to become the President of the United States in the 2028 election.

I want to thank Maria Vetrano for sending me a copy of her novel. When I read the description of this novel, it was an intriguing concept to me. I do enjoy a modern tale from time to time and I was interested to see how Queen Elizabeth I of England could become a US President and how she would adjust to life in the modern world.

We begin our adventure with Dakota Wynfred, a self-made billionaire in the cybersecurity field, whose only desire is to go back in time to see her mother one more time and potentially bring her mother back to the year 2027. As Dakota and her mother are discussing matters, she tells her mother that the political environment is a mess thanks to President Robert Vlaskas, who Dakota cannot stand. Dakota believes that there is no one capable in modern time to defeat Vlaskas so a plan is formulated to use Dakota’s time travel machine to go back in time even further to get a leader who she believes can defeat Vlaskas. She has chosen Gloriana herself, Queen Elizabeth I from 1588. While transporting the queen from the Tudor era is easy, acclimating her to the ways of the 21st century proves a challenge, especially knowing that they have a limited window to make sure Elizabeth is ready to run for president.

While I thought the concept of this book was unique, the execution for me is what let this book down. I’ll start with the time travel element. As someone who watched Star Trek and the Librarians, I know there are some rules of time travel like not telling the people in the period of the past you are visiting you are from the future (or giving them a biography about their life), and you don’t bring anyone into the future from the past as there could be consequences to history in general. I wanted to see more of how Elizabeth being in the 21st century would affect the 16th century and the idea of technology not working in the 16th century as it was not invented during that time, but that is not what I got as a reader. When Elizabeth did arrive in the year 2027, we see her getting used to the world of technology, fashion, and popular culture, which did not seem to help with running a political campaign and Elizabeth’s accent in this book bothered me quite a bit. I feel like Vetrano should have done more research into the 16th century and Elizabeth’s reign to make this version of Elizabeth I more believable. Finally, I think the ending is rushed and left me questioning this book and what the point of this novel truly was.

Overall, this was a frustrating read for me as I saw the potential for a cool book, but it stumbled so many times. It felt like the Tudor/historical elements were sprinkled in a modern sci-fi/political fantasy novel, which just did not work well for me as a reader. This may not have been the book for me, but if you want a different take on the Tudors, a time travel novel with modern political elements, “Queen Bess: A Tudor Comes to Save America” by Maria Vetrano might be a book for you.