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Book Review: The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan & Giveaway (Open Int’l)

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The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan takes place during the reign of Henry VIII. The Tudor period is still by far my favorite time period to read about and this novel is exactly what I love about historical fiction! It was a fast and easy read for me and one I really enjoyed. D.L. Bogdan is a new author to me and I will certainly be looking into reading more of her work.

The beginning of the novel finds young Lady Cecily Burkhart hiding in her closet refusing to come out after the death of her parents to the sweating sickness. It is the young priest Father Alec who finally lures her out and explains to her that she will now be the ward of the Harold Pierce, the Earl of Sumerton. While Hal takes on Cecily as his ward because of bigger plans to marry her to his son Brey, he comes to truly care for her. His daughter Mirabella who from a young age wants to be a nun has mixed feelings towards Cecily from the beginning and Grace, his wife, is simply a troubled woman who turns to the drink to help her through her days.

Cecily is a happy girl who always tries to look on the bright side of things despite the harsh blows that life has dealt her already. She is happy in the Pierce household and when she learns she is to be betrothed to Brey, they are both happy about it. It seems though that happiness is not for Cecily to have and Brey passes at a young age. At this the Pierce household falls apart and Grace disappears and is thought to be dead and Mirabella finally enters the convent. Cecily is young and scared of what her future holds – will she end up the ward of someone else; someone not as kind as Hal. However Hal has his own plans and asks Cecily if she would consider marrying him and she accepts. Hal and his family are all she’s ever known and she trusts him.

Hal is a good man and treats Cecily well. They have children and all is well for a long time but there are still dark shadows lingering all around them. There is also the bond between Cecily and Father Alec that time and time again rears its head. From the first time they met they shared a special bond and it continues until it reaches a point where Father Alec’s vows as a priest are threatened. Father Alec is also the biggest problem that rests between Mirabella and Cecily. Despite her inclinations to serve God Mirabella is a very jealous woman and her actions throughout her life threaten to tear down several people and their lives.

I really enjoyed this take on the Tudor era. Cecily is a great character and one that you grow to love. She hasn’t had an easy life but she still carries on and makes the best of what she does have. I liked Father Alec as well and felt for him as he struggles with his love of God and his love for Cecily. Mirabella is one of those characters that you love to hate and yet I felt sorry for her. The author really draws you into the lives of these characters and you feel every triumph, sorrow and defeat they experience. Another thing I appreciated about this book is that Henry VIII is not the main character of the story. It was interesting to read about the coronation of Anne Boleyn through the eyes of Cecily and how the strife in the realm of King Henry affected all of its people. This is a well written historical novel that is sure to please!

I read The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan for her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Be sure to pop by and visit all the other tour stops. You can find D.L. Bogdan on her website as well as Facebook and Twitter. Your own copy of The Sumerton Women can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan up for giveaway to my readers and it’s open Internationally!  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please 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 Internationally!  I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 19/12.  Good luck!

 

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

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Comments

  2. Everything I’ve read about this novel has attracted me. I enjoy reading about people other that the royals of the Tudor era. Thanks for giveaway.

    gfc follower

  6. This looks like something I would like. THanks for the chance.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  7. I loved all of her other books and would really like to add this one to my collection. It has been on my TBR list for awhile.

    I follow by email and GFC

    tmrtini at gmail dot com

  8. There’s so many books about the evils of Henry 8’s reign and I want to read all of them. This book sounds alluring. Please enter me.

    I follow by GFC and email and twitter

    I tweeted and FBed this giveaway

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

  9. Reviews seem very favorable. I’d love to win this one.

    I’m a follower. Thanks for the giveaway.

  10. I also have Tudormania, and will read anything about the Tudors that I can get my hands on. This one sounds great! Have you read Wolf Hall yet? I am dipping in and out of that one as time and schedule allow, and I have to tell you, if you know the history, it’s amazing! Great review today, Dar! I would love to be entered for a chance to win this one! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  12. Sounds amazing! Thank you for another awesome giveaway! I follow via email and grc. I also tweeted!

  20. It seems like there’s so much written about Henry VIII and the Tudor era. Guess that means there was a lot going on! I enjoy reading about all of it. The political intrigue is fascinating! I would love to read this book and it’s great that we have a chance to win it. Thanks!! I follow via email. puttputt1198eve at comcast dot net

  24. This sounds like a great book about the Tudor time period!

    I follow on Google Reader.

  25. Fun for variation to hear about a Tudor novel without any royalty in starring roles. From your description, an intriguing plot and involving characters.

  26. I especially like this time period too! Sounds like a great book and historical fiction is a fave of mine!!

  28. I would love to read THE SUMERTON WOMEN thank you. It looks wonderful.

    GFC: Mary Preston

    Email Subscriber: marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  31. Wonderful review! I’ve only heard great things about this book so far. I recently read Rivals in the Tudor Court and enjoyed it.

    Thanks for the giveaway. I’m already a follower and will tweet about it (still don’t know how to link a tweet though).

  36. +1- This book sounds like a good historical! Gotta read it!

    +2- blog follower

    +3- tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  39. This one sounds great Darlene! You are always adding to the list of historical fiction novels that I want to read 🙂

  41. I love to read historical fiction.
    Thanks for this giveaway.
    :)Jeanne B.T.

  44. Thank you for interesting review and for the opportunity to win and read this fascinating book! I love historical fictions and novels and Tudor eda is very intriguing period to read about:)
    I’m new follower to your blog (via GFC as Oksana Melnyk).

  46. It’s been a while since I’ve read some historical, but never a Tudor era! Throw my name in the bucket too.

    I follow via GFC as Darlyn.

  52. Just discovered your blog! This book seems interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!