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Book Review: The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner & Giveaway (US/Can)

June 21, 2012 by Darlene

As a long time fan of C.W. Gortner, I was anxious to read his newest The Queen’s Vow and it stands as yet another fantastic novel from this amazing author. In The Queen’s Vow we are taken into the life of Isabella who eventually becomes the Queen of Spain. This is a beautiful novel that is rich in historical detail and perfectly weaves in a fictional tale that takes the reader back in time to experience the joys, sorrows, and betrayals of its people.

Queen Isabella of Castile is known in history for some events that don’t cast a good light on her like the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and the Spanish Inquisition. Yet, in The Queen’s Vow, C.W. Gortner takes us into this woman’s life from a young girl to a mature woman and gives us insight into who she was, what she felt, and that while some of her decisions were awful, it was what she believed at the time to be right. First and foremost, in Queen Isabella’s era, Catholicism was the revered religion and anything else was simply not tolerated. For Isabella many decisions were based on her extreme devoutness to her God and her country.

One of the main things about Isabella that stands out immediately even from a young girl is her determination to be who she wants to be, to be outspoken, and not to be ordered about. However, in the 1400’s a girl’s life wasn’t her own. She was a bargaining chip for the most part. For Isabella though she meets the love of her life in Fernando as a young girl and while they don’t see each other for many years their love withstands. She staunchly refuses to marry anyone that her half brother King Enrique orders her to and even ends up imprisoned. Eventually though she and Fernando marry, have a family, fight wars together, and most of all rule together. Their love weathered many obstacles but what kept them together and strong was their strong faith in God and fighting for their country.

I thought Isabella was a great character minus the awful things she did do in history. In The Queen’s Vow though she is painted as a real woman with hopes and dreams. I admired her spunk and determination especially in a time when women didn’t have rights. She fought and fought hard to be recognized and eventually become the Queen of Spain. She was also a woman who believed strongly in the education of women. She was anxious to learn more herself and made it a point to ensure her children were educated whether they be boys or girls.

As I’ve come to expect from C.W. Gortner’s novels, The Queen’s Vow is rich in historical detail and we see this world through his vivid descriptions. He kept me enthralled with Isabella’s story and I loved every minute. I did not know a lot about her before reading this. I have only read a bit about her daughter Juana of Castile who is just a young girl in this novel so The Last Queen is next on my reading list. I know I’ve said this many times before but that is the sign of a good historical novelist when they can keep you turning those pages while teaching you something as well. What I took away from this novel is that while Isabella may have done some bad things she also did a lot of good and one of those things was showing the power and strength of a woman. This is another great read from C.W. Gortner and it’s sure to please his fans and historical fiction fanatics!

 

 

I read The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner for his book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Be sure to pop in and visit the other tour stops to see what they are saying about the book. You can find C.W. Gortner on his website, Facebook, and Twitter. You can purchase your own copy of The Queen’s Vow here in the US and here in Canada.

 

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner and a painted Spanish fan to share with one of  my readers . To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thanks, 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 to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 7/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours via the Publisher (read through Edelweiss)

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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. Lara says

    June 21, 2012 at 12:42 am

    I’m a follower! So excited about this book-thanks for the giveaway!

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  2. holdenj says

    June 21, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Pleased to hear it is so full of historical detail, about a woman I don’t know as much about! Thanks for the chance to win!

  3. holdenj says

    June 21, 2012 at 5:46 am

    I am a follower! Thanks!

  4. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    June 21, 2012 at 5:50 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever read a bad thing about his work! No need to enter me.

  5. Linda B says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:03 am

    I enjoyed his other novels, esp. The Last Queen. I know I’ll like this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I’m a Google follower.

  6. Emma @ Words And Peace says

    June 21, 2012 at 7:07 am

    Thanks for this other fantastic giveaway!
    I follow you on google reader.
    and here is my tweet [which also goes to FB]:
    https://twitter.com/wordsandpeace/status/215792560021577730
    Emma @ Word And Peace
    ehc16e at yahoo dot com

  7. Julie P. says

    June 21, 2012 at 7:25 am

    I am a huge Gortner fan and would love to get my hands on a copy of this novel!

    bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. anne says

    June 21, 2012 at 7:31 am

    This author writes such great novels. Many thanks. I am a e-mail subscriber.

  9. ellie says

    June 21, 2012 at 7:45 am

    Thanks for this fascinating giveaway. I susbcribe via e-mail.

  10. Serena says

    June 21, 2012 at 8:19 am

    No need to enter me, though I’m tempted to because those fans are fabulous! But I wanted to say that while I’m happy with the book and loved it, I was wondering why he didn’t go into more detail about the bad things she did.

    • Serena says

      June 21, 2012 at 10:48 am

      On second thought, I want to be entered to win that fan! I have a fan collection, and I can just give the book to Anna! That sounds like a plan! 🙂

      If you don’t mind throwing my name in the hat. I’ve posted it in the sidebar on my blog.

      • Serena says

        June 21, 2012 at 10:51 am

        LOL, here’s my FB share: http://www.facebook.com/sagustocox/timeline/story?ut=76&wstart=1338534000&wend=1341125999&hash=7567031524471105810&pagefilter=3

  11. Mary says

    June 21, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Wasn’t this good?! I need to read Gortner’s previous HF. I really liked his writing style. And I learned so much (or at least remembered what I’d learned in high school!) about Isabella. Don’t enter me as I’ve read it already 🙂

  12. C.W. Gortner says

    June 21, 2012 at 9:28 am

    Thank you for your thoughtful and beautifully written review. I’m honored by your praise and delighted to be here as part of my virtual tour. I hope your readers enjoy THE QUEEN’S VOW and best of luck to everyone with the giveaway!

  13. rhonda says

    June 21, 2012 at 9:39 am

    thanks for review and giveaway.I am email follower and on twitter at rhondareads ,will tweet.

  14. Nan says

    June 21, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Sounds like a must read. Thanks for the chance to win it. I’m a follower.

  15. Carol Wong says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I love C.W. Gortner’s books!!! I want to know why Queen Isabella of Spain went to extreme measures for Catholism. I need to know much more.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Carol Wong says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:23 am

    +2 I follow your blog with Networked Blogs, GFC and e-mail.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. Rachel W. says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I’m a follower– thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  18. wendy hoffman says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:56 am

    I really love the cover! I follow via gfc and email also tweeted. Thank yoy for another giveaway!

  19. Terri C. says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Thank you for the giveaway. I’d love to read this.

    +2, I’m an old GFC follower
    +3, blogging, http://bit.ly/Ndwb5Q

    Thanks,
    niteofblu at gmail dot com

  20. Carol Wong says

    June 21, 2012 at 11:10 am

    +3 I tweeted:
    http://t.co/mwT94unc

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  21. Aimee says

    June 21, 2012 at 11:11 am

    Ok, now you’ve really done it! A book from CW Gortner AND a fan? It’s like two of my favorite things! Sign me up for this contest! Followed, commented and soon to be tweeted!

  22. Maria Stanica says

    June 21, 2012 at 11:20 am

    Thank you so much for this opportunity! I really want to read this book! I also followed, and tweeted. https://twitter.com/Snazzy4ever/status/215856617063849987

  23. Denise says

    June 21, 2012 at 11:38 am

    I can’t wait to read “Queen’s Vow.” Although I’m going into this with preconceived notions about what a monster Isabella was, I am certainly open, and looking forward, to learning more about her.

    I follow this blog.

  24. Jo-Jo says

    June 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    Would love, love, love to win this one Dar! Please enter me….

  25. Jo-Jo says

    June 21, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    I follow through Google Friends.

  26. blodeuedd says

    June 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I’d love to read about her as I haven’t really come across her before in books, except for in his other book

  27. Margaret says

    June 21, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Even though I have read to book (got an ARC – it is wonderful), I would love a copy for my shelf.

    I am a follower too 🙂

  28. Angela H says

    June 21, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    This looks like a good book to me. I would love to win it. Thank you for the chance.

    I shared it on my blog = http://griperangsbookmarks.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

    I am also of follower via gfc and networked blogs

  29. Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book. Since I love historical fiction, I must add Gortner’s books to my to-read list.

  30. Brenda Rupp says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    I’m a follower! Have been for a while by email…

  31. Brenda Rupp says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    I would love to win this book!

  32. Brenda Rupp says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    I posted a link to my web site – dancealertreads.blogspot.com

  33. Carl says

    June 21, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    This looks like another great book from C.W. Gortner. I’d love to win this copy. Please enter my name for a chance. Thanks.

    +1 – I follow this blog by email, every post: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    +1 – I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/215994063642570753

  34. Rachel R. says

    June 21, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    This book sounds like a must read! Looks like it too, gorgeous cover. Would love to win & am a GFC follower. Thanks for doing this giveaway.

  35. Karen Wapinski says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    I REALLY want to read this, love Queen Isabelle as a historical figure; and I love historical fiction
    Thanks for the giveaway
    I am a follower
    tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/KarenWapinski

  36. Gale Nelson says

    June 22, 2012 at 5:45 am

    thank you. Gale Nelson
    pgan427@yahoo.com

  37. Gale Nelson says

    June 22, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Gale Nelson gfc
    pgan427@yahoo.com

  38. Sherri says

    June 22, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Count me in!! I love books like this and this one seems like a great one!

    I’m a follower!

  39. mamabunny13 says

    June 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  40. mamabunny13 says

    June 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I follow via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  41. mamabunny13 says

    June 22, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/216247107412168704
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  42. Margaret says

    June 22, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    I want to read this! I really hope I win!

    -follower

    -tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  43. karenk says

    June 23, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    what a beautiful cover…please count me in 🙂

  44. karenk says

    June 23, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    i’m a follower, too 🙂

  45. Isabeau says

    June 24, 2012 at 1:51 am

    I would love this book!

  46. Samantha says

    June 24, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    I’ve only read one book by Gortner but it was so good that all of his other books are on my TBR list. I’m glad to hear that you enjoy him as much as I do!

  47. Mary Atkinson says

    June 25, 2012 at 2:13 am

    Have not read any books by Gortner, but hope to win this one so I can start! Am a great fan of well written, well researched historical fiction.
    Regards, Mary

  48. Ashley says

    June 25, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    I would love to read another novel by this fantastic author!

    I am a follower of the blog

  49. Beth says

    June 25, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win! I’m a follower and I posted on Twitter here:

    https://twitter.com/bbulow12/status/217418645335318531

    Beth
    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

  50. London Judge says

    June 26, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway! I am a GFC follower and tweeted about the giveaway 🙂

    https://twitter.com/londonjudge/status/217763110457577472

  51. Patricia N says

    June 28, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Historical fiction is my favorite. Count me in! Thanks for another great giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  52. Patricia N says

    June 28, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC as Patricia N
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  53. Patricia N says

    June 28, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/218526738647482368
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  54. Maureen says

    June 29, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    After reading the review I do want to read this story. It sounds very good.
    I follow on GFC
    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/218837362912927744

  55. Carol M says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    This sounds really good! I’d love to win it! Thank you!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  56. Carol M says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I follow on GFC
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  57. Carol M says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    https://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/220675864910761984

    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  58. Karen Gervais says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Would love to win this book. Sounds very interesting.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  59. Karen Gervais says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    I’m a follower of your blog.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  60. Karen Gervais says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    I tweeted!!
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  61. Suz Reads says

    July 10, 2012 at 6:18 am

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway! I would love to win this book!

    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

  62. Suz Reads says

    July 10, 2012 at 6:19 am

    I follow by e-mail!

    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

  63. Suz Reads says

    July 10, 2012 at 6:20 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/SuzReads/status/222666340698296322

    klaxon63350 (at) mypacks (dot) net

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