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Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell & Giveaway (US only)

February 7, 2013 by Darlene

shadow

Shadow on the Crown is the debut novel of Patricia Bracewell and it releases today!  This novel is the perfect blend of historical fact and fiction and lucky for us the first in a planned trilogy by the author.  In Shadow on the Crown, Patricia Bracewell has brought alive Queen Emma of England and weaved us a tale of what her life may have been like back in medieval times.  The author has taken liberties with the story which she explains in the author’s note but the story stays true to the actual characters in history as well as the events.  To me this is what historical fiction should be – a novel that gives me just enough fact not to be bored and then a story that fully captures my attention.  I am already anxiously awaiting the second novel in this trilogy.

In the year 1002, Emma of Normandy is just fifteen years old when she is crowned Queen Emma of England and married to King Athelred.  She is in a world totally unfamiliar to her and King Athelred isn’t all that happy to have her there; so much so that he doesn’t even meet her when she arrives.  Her first meetings with the King don’t go well as he doesn’t trust her and he’s a cruel man and this seems to set the tone for their relationship as it goes forth.  As Emma tries to gain a hold on her place with the English she finds that the King, who is a bit of a wanderer, has a woman on the side who is showing herself to be a rival to Emma and one who needs to be stopped.  As is the life of any Queen, Emma needs to produce an heir and if she can’t she knows that her position as Queen is precarious at best.

Just as Emma knows that a son could secure her place and future as Queen, so do Athelred’s sons and they too do not trust Emma at all.  If she does produce a son he could easily take their place as heir to the throne as he will be the one son actually born to a Queen and not just a consort.  Yet as time goes on Emma finds herself drawn to King Athelred’s eldest son and yet she realizes that no good can come of that.  For Emma there is no one she can truly trust other than herself and her only goal in life is to produce a son and then guard him with her life.

I liked Emma as a character.  I have read one other book on her years ago so she wasn’t entirely unknown to me.  At times it seems frustrating to read about women back in this time because they seem to give in so easily to those around them that are in power.  It is those times though that you have to remember how different things were for women then.  Girls were forced into being women long before their time.  I’m looking forward to seeing how her character develops in the two novels to come.

Shadow on the Crown is a novel full of court intrigue, ambition, betrayal, and love.  It is a must read for historical fiction fans and one that I loved!  You can learn more about Patricia on her website as well as Facebook, and Twitter.   There is also a reader’s guide for Shadow on the Crown making it a great book club selection and you can pick up your own copy of the novel at Amazon, Amazon.ca, B&N, and IndieBound.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one copy of Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell 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 the entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, February 23/13.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by Viking 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, NetGalley

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    February 7, 2013 at 12:45 am

    I love the sound of this one. I also love that cover. I’ve read little historical fiction during this time period.

  2. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:03 am

    I love historical fiction and this one sound great.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  3. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:04 am

    I’m an email & GFC follower (Vicky CK).

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  4. Vicky CK says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:05 am

    I tweeted this:
    https://twitter.com/superauntvicky/status/299458666438987778

    vickykerr(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  5. Kim@Time2Read says

    February 7, 2013 at 6:03 am

    I haven’t Read much from this era. And I’ve never heard of Queen Emma. But this Book sounds very good.

    GFC follower

  6. Meg @ A Bookish Affair says

    February 7, 2013 at 6:16 am

    I haven’t read a lot of historical fiction set during this time period at all!!! This book sounds fantastic!

    – GFC Follower
    – I tweeted

  7. Lara Frame Newell says

    February 7, 2013 at 7:05 am

    This is one time period I know relatively little about and have never heard of Emma (but I really love that name!). I would like to be entered to win a copy.

    GFC follower

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  8. ellie says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:04 am

    This historical sounds wonderful. thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  9. Anne says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:53 am

    thanks for this great novel giveaway. I subscribe via e-mail.

  10. Liz V. says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:16 am

    So many nice reviews for Shadow on the Crown. Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. amyc says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:31 am

    This really sounds like my kind of read. Thank you!

  12. amyc says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:33 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/299555384941764608?p=po

  13. amyc says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:35 am

    I’m a follower.

  14. Kim Cree says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:05 am

    Would love to win this book! I follow your blog.

  15. Carol Wong says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I never heard of Queen Emma so already excited. I like that you said in your review that I liked her character. Want to read this book!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Carol Wong says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:33 am

    I follow your blog with GFC as Carol N Wong and by e-mail as CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com.

  17. Carol Wong says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:34 am

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/qzYzaFg8

    Fingers crossed!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  18. Carl says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I’ve been waiting for this book to come out, it does look particularly good to me even though I am not very familiar with Emma yet. Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to win a copy.

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

    I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/299573689287069696

    Thanks again!

  19. Janine says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:19 am

    I would like to enter, this book sounds marvelous, and I am a blog follower.

  20. pamela james says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Sounds like a ggod historical fiction.
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  21. pamela james says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:39 am

    email subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  22. pamela james says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:40 am

    https://twitter.com/pj436/status/299588371100094465

  23. Terry Martini says

    February 7, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I really, really want to read this one! I don’t know much about this time period and would love to learn more. I follow by email. tmrtini at gmail dot com

  24. Staci says

    February 7, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    I like the idea of learning more about Emma!!!

  25. nan says

    February 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Love a good series. Thanks for the chance to win. I’m an email follower.

    nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

  26. Cyn209 says

    February 7, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    would love to read Shadow on the Crown!!
    already added to my WishList!!
    i follow your blog…..

    thank you for the giveaway!!

  27. Meghan Stith says

    February 7, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway! I’ve seen a lot about this book!!

    mestith@gmail.com

  28. Meghan Stith says

    February 7, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    I follow this blog via email: mestith@gmail.com

  29. Wendy Newcomb says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    OHhh, my daughter would LOVE this one, thank you for the chance to win it for her.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  30. Wendy Newcomb says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    I follow your blog by GFC (wfnren), Networked Blogs (Wendy Newcomb) and email

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  31. Wendy Newcomb says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    I tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/299727679509389312

    and shared on my blog: http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  32. Kitty says

    February 9, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Thanks for letting us know about this book. Email subscriber.

  33. LilMissMolly says

    February 10, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Sounds like a great book! thanks for the giveaway!
    GFC follower lvsgund at gmail.com

  34. LilMissMolly says

    February 10, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    https://twitter.com/LtlMissMolly/status/300778092148973569

  35. karen says

    February 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Sounds like a book I’d like to read.

  36. karen says

    February 10, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    Following you GFC-Karen

  37. Kate F. says

    February 11, 2013 at 1:24 am

    Thanks for the giveaway! I love historical fiction!

  38. Rebecca Boardman says

    February 12, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    love historical fiction.
    Thanks for the contest.

  39. patty says

    February 12, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    I would love to read another book on Emma
    I follow by GFC
    Thanks

  40. blodeuedd says

    February 12, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    I soooo wanna read this one. I have already read 2 books bout Emma and written an essay 🙂

  41. Linda B says

    February 13, 2013 at 5:28 am

    Queen Emma and the era in which she lived is a favorite with me. This book has been on the wish list since I first heard about it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I’m a Google follower

  42. Patty says

    February 13, 2013 at 8:39 am

    I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/301717165998997504
    thank you

  43. Beth says

    February 13, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    I’ve never read a book about Queen Emma before! This sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win!

    I’m a GFC follower & I tweeted here:
    https://twitter.com/bbulow12/status/301795884109287427

  44. Janet P. says

    February 15, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Would love to learn more about Queen Emma!

    I follow on Google Reader.

  45. Lisa S. says

    February 15, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    It’s sounds very interesting. I haven’t read about Queen Emma but I’d love to find out about her 🙂 I follow your blog

  46. Lisa S. says

    February 15, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    I shared on FB, on Google & tweeted https://twitter.com/Pinchbuggies/status/302589409692360704
    thanks for the giveaway!

  47. CherylS22 says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    I love reading historical fiction. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book!

  48. CherylS22 says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    GFC follower & RSS feed subscriber (Google Reader)

  49. Rebecca Boardman says

    February 19, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Would love to win this book. Sounds great.
    Thanks for the great give-a-way.

  50. mamabunny13 says

    February 22, 2013 at 5:00 am

    Sounds like a great book!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  51. mamabunny13 says

    February 22, 2013 at 5:01 am

    gfc mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  52. mamabunny13 says

    February 22, 2013 at 5:01 am

    tweet https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/304923866294280194
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  53. Jessica Knauss says

    February 22, 2013 at 6:58 am

    I’m so glad this book came out! I was wishing for it! New blog follower GFC and tweeted. Thanks!

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