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The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan & Giveaway (Int’l)

January 28, 2013 by Darlene

The Forgotten Queen

In the last few years I have become increasingly fascinated with historical fiction and the Tudors reign the highest on my list of favorites.  The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan takes us into the world of Margaret who was the lesser known sister of King Henry VIII which makes this a very apt title for the novel.  I had not known much of Margaret’s life before reading this book so I was glued to the pages as she journeys from England to become the Queen of Scotland.  D.L. Bogdan does a wonderful job of weaving historical realities in with a captivating story.  I’m really becoming a fan of D.L. Bogdan’s – this is the second of her books that I’ve read (having read The Sumerton Women and loved it) and I haven’t been disappointed yet.

As with all royal children they are raised to follow a certain set of rules.  The girls are raised to be the perfect wife as they are generally used as pawns in the struggle to gain alliances with other kingdoms.  Margaret, a princess,  knows from a young age that she will be married to a prince and likely will have to leave her home and all she knows.  At thirteen years old she is married by proxy to James IV and then leaves to go to Scotland.  Her father tells her that she is meant for greatness  – she is going to unite kingdoms in peace.  She knows her purpose which is to bear sons for her husband to secure her place as the Queen of Scotland and when she meets Jamie she is happy to find that he is actually a good man and he is good to her but he also has a wandering eye.  When he is killed she is determined to marry for love but can a Queen ever truly be loved?  Time after time Margaret feels betrayed and finally focuses her energies on her son, King James V but even he becomes impatient with her.  Ultimately her one goal is to protect the crown of Scotland for her son through all of the trials that come with it.

It’s hard to imagine that girls so young were married to grown men and expected to produce heirs and run households.  It’s even harder for me to accept how girls were just used as pawns.  Often when you read historical fiction you notice that the mothers are really absent from their daughter’s lives and the biggest reason is that sooner rather than later those daughters are taken from them and they usually don’t see them again.  This really comes through in Bogdan’s novel – both in terms of Margaret’s relationship with her own daughter but also in her need to be loved for who she was.  She always believed that no one would ever truly love her and love was the one thing she needed the most in her life and it is what led her astray many a time.  I found her a likeable character and one who at times made me so mad because Margaret could truly be very selfish.  Yet you think about how young she was married off and the responsibilities put on her and your heart goes out to her.  It can’t have been an easy life for women back then especially ones born to royal families.

Because of my love for all things Tudor I enjoyed the woven in details of Henry VIII’s life and reign.  What I really appreciated though was learning a bit about one of his sisters.  You hear her mentioned in other novels but you never really know who she is.  I felt that D.L. Bogdan really brought to life who Margaret was and how she may have lived and loved.  I also really enjoy her writing.  She has quite the way of bringing the world of the royals to life with the descriptions of the entertainments and the beautiful gowns.  The Forgotten Queen has sparked my interest in Margaret and I hope to do a little more research and learn more about her.  If you’re a lover of historical fiction The Forgotten Queen is a fast and easy read that is very enjoyable and for those who haven’t read a lot of historical fiction this type of novel is an excellent start as it entertains you and yet gives you some historical fact but doesn’t overwhelm.  Another excellent novel by D.L. Bogdan that has left me anxious for her next one!

 

The Forgotten Queen Tour Button FINAL

The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan is touring with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so be sure to check out all of the reviews, interviews and giveaways at the other tour stops.  You can learn more about D.L. Bogdan’s work on her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.  You can pick up your own copy of The Forgotten Queen at Amazon or Amazon Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (Open Internationally)

I have one copy of The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan to share with my readers.  To enter…

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

This giveaway is open Internationally to all!  Isn’t that fantastic!  I will draw for the winner on Saturday, February 9/13.  Good luck!

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

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Filed Under: 2013 - 100+ Books, 2013 ARC's, 2013 Book Reviews, 2013 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim@Time2Resd says

    January 28, 2013 at 6:29 am

    I enjoyed your review and definitely want to read this one! I just finished “Stolen Crown” br Susan Higgenbottam and had a similar thought about royals women. Thought it was probably even harder being ‘common’.

    I follow by GFC.

  2. Linda B says

    January 28, 2013 at 7:28 am

    Some time ago I read a novel about Henry VIII’s sister Mary, but know very little about the other sister, Margaret. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through GFC

  3. Carol Wong says

    January 28, 2013 at 7:30 am

    I would love to read about Margaret. Since I am not familiar with her, she is like a missing piece of the puzzle. Great review!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  4. Carol Wong says

    January 28, 2013 at 7:32 am

    I follow your blog as Carol N Wong on GFC.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  5. Carol Wong says

    January 28, 2013 at 7:34 am

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/f9YrdVAj

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  6. amyc says

    January 28, 2013 at 8:21 am

    I’m looking SO forward to this book!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

  7. amyc says

    January 28, 2013 at 8:22 am

    I’m a new follower! 🙂

  8. Rebecca Boardman says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Oh PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE enter me… I love Historical Fiction.
    Thanks for the great give a way……
    RJB

  9. Anne says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:34 am

    Your review captivated me. thanks for this wonderful giveaway. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  10. ellie says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:46 am

    A fascinating historical. I subscribe via e-mail.

  11. amyc says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:47 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/295934572066111488?p=p

  12. Suko says

    January 28, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Wonderful review! I’d love to read this book. I’ll post this giveaway in my blog’s sidebar, Darlene. I’m a follower.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  13. Kim Cree says

    January 28, 2013 at 10:27 am

    Would love to win a copy of this book, would love to read about Margaret Tudor.
    I already follow your blog.

  14. Nancy Luebke says

    January 28, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Love your review. Now I’m intrigued. Need to put this on my tbr list. Love the cover on this. The new covers sure are amazing.

  15. Patty says

    January 28, 2013 at 11:25 am

    I would love to read this book.
    Thanks

  16. Patty says

    January 28, 2013 at 11:26 am

    I follow through GFC
    thank you

  17. nan says

    January 28, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Nice review. I’d love to read this one, thanks. I’m an email follower.

  18. Patty says

    January 28, 2013 at 11:27 am

    https://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/295960797077708800
    thank you

  19. Meghan Stith says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    This is a great giveaway!

    I also follow your blog via email: mestith@gmail.com

  20. Connie Fischer says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:20 pm

    Hi, Darlene:

    I have been eyeing this novel and am very much looking forward to reading it. I have been a Tudor fan ever since the TV show was on and have read so many novels about the time period. It was such an important time in history with all of the changes both politically and in the church. I can’t help but think that anyone who lived at court must have been on pins and needles all of the time due to the mental instability of Henry VIII and his minions.

    Thanks for this great giveaway. I am a follower and have tweeted the giveaway.

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape(at)aol(dot)com

    The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan & Giveaway (Int’l) http://nblo.gs/HCCCx

  21. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    I love the history behind the Tudor’s too so this one absolutely captivates me!!!

  22. Mel says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    You always make the books you review sound so interesting!This one sounds pretty good. I also follow your blog via email.

  23. Nicole Laverdure says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Nice page! Beautiful coverbook! I love reading historical romance and fiction! I would love to get a chance to read the Forgetten Queen by DL Bogdan. I read your review and it seems amazing. It is always interesting to follow the life of a Queen! Some were so tragic!

    • Nicole Laverdure says

      January 28, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      oops, I forgot to mention that I follow your blog and shared it on my FB page

  24. Liz says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    The Tudors are endlessly fascinating. Thank you for the giveaway.

  25. Carl says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    A great-sounding new book. The Tudors never fail to entertain. Can’t wait to read about Henry’s childhood. Thanks.

    I follow this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/295982860509270019

  26. blodeuedd says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:04 pm

    I follow 🙂
    I want this one, I wanna know about Margaret

  27. Lara Frame Newell says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Great review! I enjoyed The Sumerton Women and have been looking forward to this one!

    I’m a GFC follower (Lara)

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  28. rhonda says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    Great review and giveaway.

  29. rhonda says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Blog follower Lomazowr@gmail.com

  30. rhonda says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Will tweet @rhondareads

  31. JJT says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    great review and giveaway. I get your e-mail and will tweet @readsalways

  32. Angela/griperang says

    January 28, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    I would love to win this book. Thank you for the chance. I am a gfc follower – griperang.

    I also tweeted: https://twitter.com/griperang/status/296002606239727617

    posted on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/angela.holland.359/posts/410025035747791

    thank you, griperang at embarqmail dot com

  33. Maureen says

    January 28, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I do enjoy reading about the Tudors.
    I follow on GFC
    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/296025503482130433

  34. Brenda Rupp says

    January 28, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    I would love to win this book
    I do follow by email and by google.
    I posted to my blog:
    http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/

  35. Wendy Newcomb says

    January 28, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    I would love to win this for my daughter, she loves this era!

    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/296063696097116160

    I follow by GFC (wfnren), Networked Blogs (Wendy Newcomb, and by email
    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  36. Lynne says

    January 28, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    Great review and, of course, her granddaughter Mary was pretty self centered.

    I also follow your blog through email.

  37. Mary Preston says

    January 29, 2013 at 3:32 am

    Truly a fascinating period in history. I would love to read THE FORGOTTEN QUEEN thank you.

    GFC: Mary Preston

    Email Subscriber:

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  38. Margaret (Literary Chanteuse) says

    January 29, 2013 at 11:33 am

    I want to read this one big time!

    -blog follower
    -tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  39. Elysium says

    January 29, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    I would love to read more about Margaret and this sounds very good.

    GFC: Elysium

    crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

  40. Evie says

    January 31, 2013 at 2:37 am

    This book sounds intriguing. Thanks a lot for the giveaway!
    email subscriber: by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

  41. pamela james says

    January 31, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I also love redeading about the tudors-this book is one I will put on my list.

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  42. pamela james says

    January 31, 2013 at 10:17 am

    subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  43. pamela james says

    January 31, 2013 at 10:18 am

    https://twitter.com/pj436/status/297030983650271232

  44. Janet P. says

    February 2, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I love reading about the Tudor’s! Thanks for the Giveaway!

    I follow on Google Reader.

    5678dancer(at)gmail(dot)com

  45. Margaret says

    February 3, 2013 at 5:35 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. I am also a follower.

  46. Renee G says

    February 3, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    This looks like a great story.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  47. Renee G says

    February 3, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    I follow your blog as Renee G on GFC
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  48. Renee G says

    February 3, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/rsgrandinetti/status/298291172219187200
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  49. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:09 am

    We hear so much about Anne (Boleyn) and Elizabeth that many forget there were other royals around. I love historical fiction and would love to win this!

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  50. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:10 am

    I am an email and GFC follower (Vicky CK).

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  51. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:11 am

    I tweeted this:
    https://twitter.com/superauntvicky/status/299460148878004224

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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