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Book Review: The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau & Giveaway (US Only)

March 12, 2012 by Darlene

Well folks, pardon me while I gush over The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau! This is one fantastic read that had me from the first page and didn’t let go at all throughout the next 400 pages. What really amazes me is that this is her debut novel. She perfectly weaves a story that is rich in historical detail with a plot that brings the Tudor era to life for the reader. The Crown could be best described as a fast paced historical mystery with an intricate web of deceit and lies that will keep you guessing until the very end. A huge part of the reason I loved this book is it is about a nun; Joanna Stafford. A good part of the book deals with the priories and monasteries coming under attack from King Henry VIII and I have to admit I found it all immensely fascinating.

The novel opens with Joanna Stafford sneaking away from the Dartford Priory to attend the burning of her beloved cousin Margaret. Joanna is defying the rules she lives by but she just can’t let her cousin go through this alone. While there she is accosted by some ruffians but luckily for her she is saved by constable Geoffrey Scovill. Everything may have gone without a hitch except that all of a sudden out of the blue Joanna sees her father running towards Margaret. She takes off after him as does Geoffrey and they all end up imprisoned in the Tower charged with obstructing the King’s justice.

Joanna has no idea if her father is well or not and when Geoffrey is brought to her cell she pretends that he is nothing to her so that he isn’t dragged even further into the mess that is her life at present. Joanna is held for quite a while and has no idea what her fate will be until one day the Bishop of Winchester, Stephen Gardiner, walks into her cell and leaves her no choice but to accept the conditions he sets forth. In exchange for her freedom and in order to save her father’s life, Joanna is to return to the Priory and search for an ancient relic – Athelstan’s crown. This crown is said to have mythical powers to it and it is much desired by the Bishop, Thomas Cromwell, and King Henry. Joanna returns to the priory with two monks and sets about trying to find the crown. She searches the priory without success. Eventually she teams up with the two monks, Brother Edmund and Brother Richard, and together they try to fit the puzzle together and discover where the crown may be hidden. This whole story line was exciting to me and I enjoyed every minute of them trying to uncover all these ancient mysteries.

Joanna herself is an excellent character. From the beginning we are drawn into her life. She is very devout in her faith but she seems an unlikely nun with her headstrong ways and outspoken tongue and her willingness to fight strongly for what she believes in. Bilyeau writes in such a vividly descriptive way that I felt as though I was right there living inside the pages of this book. It is because of authors like Nancy Bilyeau that I love historical fiction. Within the pages of The Crown I was transported back in time to the 1500’s during the reign of King Henry VIII and into the life of a nun, Joanna Stafford, who would stop at nothing to ensure that those she loved were kept safe and well while still hanging on to the faith that she believes in so strongly. I highly recommend The Crown and I’ve never been so excited as I was when I learned that she has already finished writing the sequel called The Chalice. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

I read The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau for her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Be sure to check out the other tour stops and see what everyone else is saying about the book. You can find Nancy on her website and Twitter:  @TudorScribe. Your own copy of The Crown can be purchased here in the US or here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau to share with my US readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do just let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 31/12.  Good luck!

Source:  Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and Touchstone via NetGalley.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Garrett says

    March 12, 2012 at 4:41 am

    What could be better than historical fiction? A historical fiction mystery. I would love to read this.
    +2 I follow via GFC, email, and networked blogs.
    +3 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/179155046511017985

  2. Mary says

    March 12, 2012 at 5:19 am

    This sounds wonderful, Dar. I love it when you gush about a book 😉

    – I follow via Google reader and Networked blogs

    – I tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/bookfanmb/status/179164522106462208

  3. Linda B says

    March 12, 2012 at 5:44 am

    I have read such great things about this novel. I love the Tudor era and like the idea of the main character being a nun. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google Reader.

  4. debbie says

    March 12, 2012 at 7:03 am

    I would love to read this book, it sounds really good.

    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  5. zibilee says

    March 12, 2012 at 8:13 am

    I really loved this one too, and it was a lot different than most of the historical fiction that I read because it had a lot of mystery elements to it. I thought that the author did a great job with juggling all of the various plot points, and her characters were all so spunky and winning. Great review today, Dar! I am so happy that you loved this one too, and that you gave it such a positive review. It was indeed a great book!

  6. Rebecca says

    March 12, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Sounds like a very interesting historical fiction book – can’t wait to read!

  7. Carl says

    March 12, 2012 at 8:44 am

    Hi, Please enter my name for the chance to win a copy of The Crown.
    I follow your blog by email (carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx)
    I Tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/179215017470738432
    Thanks!

  8. Rachel W. says

    March 12, 2012 at 8:47 am

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  9. Anne says

    March 12, 2012 at 9:33 am

    What a wonderful historical. many thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  10. Ellie says

    March 12, 2012 at 9:36 am

    The Crown sounds fascinating. Thanks for this chance. I subscribe via e-mail.

  11. Margie says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:11 am

    This sounds like a fascinating book. Very interesting review! Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    -follower by email, GFC, amd Networked Blogs

  12. Terry Martini says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:12 am

    I have wanted to read this one since I first heard about it. It certainly has me interested!

    I am a follower

  13. Kitty says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:35 am

    As always, your review sounds great. This has been added to my TBR. Any day now my TBR will be long enough to spread from Key West to Anchorage.
    Thanks for letting us know about this book.

  14. Kitty says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:36 am

    email subscriber and like you on FB

  15. Audra says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Gush away! Wasn’t it so good??? Gah, loved all of it. I’m entering your giveaway since I only got an e-ARC for the tour and I’m desperate to own this one! unabridgedchick at gmail.com. I’m a follower. Thanks! 🙂

    • Audra says

      March 13, 2012 at 10:14 am

      No need to enter me — I just got offered a copy!

  16. Kitty says

    March 12, 2012 at 10:40 am

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/maynekitty/status/179245330955632641

  17. Carol M says

    March 12, 2012 at 11:38 am

    I love historical mysteries! This sounds really good!

    I’m a follower GFC, Networked Blogs, Twitter and by email.

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/CarolAnnM/status/179259299074277376

  18. Carol M says

    March 12, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Forgot my email!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  19. Joan OToole says

    March 12, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    This books sounds really interesting and informative. I am a huge fan of historical fiction. I have signed up as an email follower and also have previously become a follower on GFC.

  20. Amanda says

    March 12, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I’d love to win, thank you!

    Amanda
    libraryofmyown at gmail dot com

    I follow your blog AND
    Shared this on Facebook and Twitter (@Vegasbookgirl)

  21. Carol Wong says

    March 12, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    +1 It has to be stupendous for you to give a gushing review! That makes me really, really want to read it! I am very interested in this period of English history and expecially in it because it involves a nun.

    +2 I follow your blog on GFC

    +3 I tweeted:
    http://t.co/PTS756TY

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  22. blodeuedd says

    March 12, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    Yay, I do love a good gushing over a book

  23. Emma @ Words And Peace says

    March 12, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Thanks so much! I would love winning this book. I have been following you for a while, and I just tweeted your post. see here: https://twitter.com/#!/wordsandpeace/status/179306321282215937

    Emma @ Words And Peace
    ehc16e at yahoo dot com

  24. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    March 12, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Everyone that read this one has LOVED it!!! I must find out what it is all about! 😀

  25. Sophia Rose says

    March 12, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Wow! This one sounds like it has a lot of great stuff going on. Thanks for sharing your review and for the giveaway opportunity. Love to read it!

    +1 GFC: Sophia Rose

  26. bn100 says

    March 13, 2012 at 12:29 am

    This sounds like a very interesting book.

  27. bn100 says

    March 13, 2012 at 12:29 am

    I follow the blog.

  28. karenk says

    March 13, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    thanks for the chance to read this story 🙂

    i’m a follower, too

  29. Krista says

    March 13, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    I would love to read this!!!

  30. Krista says

    March 13, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    I follow your blog!

  31. Krista says

    March 13, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    I follow your wonderful blog

  32. Krista says

    March 13, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    I tweeted your post!

  33. V.R. Christensen says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    This book is so beautiful! I’ve shared the giveaway on FB, Google+, Twitter and followed the blog here and on Google Reader.

  34. Teri VanDerLaan says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I’d love a copy. I will begin to follow the blog and share the giveaway on facebook.Thank you!

  35. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    March 16, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    I love historical fiction for the same reasons. I love descriptions that make me feel as if I am there.

  36. anne joyce says

    March 17, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    loved your review! hope i win this one

  37. Samantha says

    March 18, 2012 at 10:02 am

    This sounds like another book that I would enjoy 🙂 Adding it to my TBR list as well 🙂

  38. carla says

    March 19, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    A historical mystery sounds great!

    I follow email

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  39. Maureen says

    March 20, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Thanks for the giveaway
    I follow on GFC
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenCE/status/182141371673612288

  40. Anita Yancey says

    March 22, 2012 at 7:56 am

    This sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to read it. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    Follow on GFC as Anita Yancey
    Email Subscriber

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  41. Renee Richardson says

    March 26, 2012 at 2:16 am

    I got excited just reading your review. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway 🙂

    Renee
    fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com

  42. Patricia says

    March 31, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Very intriguing premise for a book. count me in.

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  43. Patricia says

    March 31, 2012 at 9:26 am

    Follow your blog.

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  44. Patricia says

    March 31, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/186112373940162562

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