Peeking Between the Pages

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Blood Between Queens by Barbara Kyle & Giveaway (US/Canada)

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Blood Between Queens

Blood Between Queens by Barbara Kyle is historical fiction at it’s best!  Barbara Kyle expertly weaves fact with fiction in this superbly told story.  To be honest I can’t believe I haven’t read any of her work before as I do have a few of her novels on my Kindle and now have all of them and will certainly be anxious to get to them.  She is a fantastic storyteller and I can attest to that because I read Blood Between Queens in a day and you know it’s a good story when over 400 pages flies by without you realizing it.  Of course it doesn’t hurt that she writes about the Tudor era which is my favorite.  Blood Between Queens centers around the factual story of Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots and the well known rivalry between the two of them.  Add to this a fictional story that involves court intrigue, adventure, romance, and a fictional heroine that you won’t soon forget and you have a recipe for success!

Justine Thornleigh was taken in by the Thornleighs when she was just a girl and her family had perished along with her father who was labelled a traitor.  She has grown up loved and privileged and the Thornleighs have kept the secret of who she truly is which is a Grenville.  Having Queen Elizabeth visit her family’s estate is a true honor for her family but the party is cut short when word comes that Mary, Queen of Scots has shown up in England wanting her cousin Elizabeth’s protection.  Nobody is more surprised than Justine when she learns that she has been chosen to be one of Mary’s ladies-in-waiting but that her real mission will be to spy on the activities of Mary and her court and report back to Elizabeth’s court.  Justine is torn between feeling honored by this request and wanting to stay home and spend time with her love Will.  Of course, duty to ones sovereign wins and she sets out to meet Mary and begin her mission as a spy.

Upon meeting Mary and getting to know her Justine begins to wonder if Mary hasn’t been wronged; if maybe the stories about her are exaggerated.  As she learns more about the inquiry being held to determine Mary’s innocence or guilt Justine can’t help but be angered by the clear lack of justice she sees.  When Justine takes steps to prompt Mary in a direction she thinks would be best for everyone involved she jeopardizes her relationship with the only man she loves and absolutely nothing can prepare her for the surprise of someone who appears from her past and changes everything she ever thought was right.  Justine has been brought up to know that her duty lies with Queen Elizabeth and she will risk her own life to protect her if need be.  As Mary plots to get rid of Elizabeth things begin to spiral out of control and nobody is safe.

There is no way to encompass the scope of this novel in a review.  It is most definitely one you need to experience for yourself.   Justine was a great fictional character as is the fictional storyline of the Thornleighs and Grenvilles.  I didn’t realize until after I had read this book that it is fifth in the series but I can attest to it standing on its own quite well although now I really want to read the others to get more background.  Without a doubt though my favorite parts of this story are the ones that address the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary and I was pleased to learn a few tidbits that I hadn’t gotten previously from other books especially on Mary who I haven’t read as much about.  It is novels like Blood Between Queens that make history a lot of fun and very much accessible to anyone.  I’m sure by now it’s obvious I really enjoyed Blood Between Queens and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to those who like historical fiction and to those who are curious if you would enjoy it this is the type of book to read.  It’s easy to follow, has a great story and you get to learn something in the process!  Needless to say I have another new author to follow!

Blood Between Queens by Barbara Kyle is on tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so pop over and check out the other tour stops for more reviews, guest posts, and giveaways.  You can learn more about Barbara’s work on her website and you can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter as well.  You can pick up a copy of Blood Between Queens for yourself at Amazon and Amazon Canada.

Blood Between Queens Tour Banner FINAL

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one paperback copy of Blood Between Queens by Barbara Kyle to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog.  If you already do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • Tweet, like on Facebook, or blog for 3 entries.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 18/13.  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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. WOW! This will be a good book. Sure hope I can win it. Queen Elizabeth and her cousin. Sounds like maybe they don’t like each other, huh? Thanks for this give-away.
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

  3. I feel like I’ve read a lot of Tudor era fiction, but not much that involved Mary Queen of Scots. This novel sounds like something I will enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google Reader

  5. Thanks for the interesting review of Blood Between Queens and introduction to a new author with a series set in that endlessly fascinating era.

  6. Sorry if this is a repeat but my comment seems to have been lost.

    Thank you for the review and introduction to a new author with a series set in an endlessly fascinating era.

  7. This novel sounds unique and fascinating. I am an e-mail subscriber. thanks for this feature.

  8. I am interested in this historical which is compelling. I subscribe via e-mail.

  10. Please enter me! For two extra entries I follow under the username Bethany. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Bethany

  12. I haven’t read any of this series but I’d like to.
    I follow you via email. Judie

  14. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    I follow your blog and shared on facebook and twitter.

  15. I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed that I win a copy of “Blood Between Queens” by Barbara Kyle. I had actually read another review about this book yesterday, and put it on my list of “to reads!” I love ALL books about Queen Elizabeth I, and I’m SURE this won’t disappoint!!

    P.S. I’m a follower of your great blog!!

  16. I feel so sorry for poor Justine put into the situation of having to spy on Mary and report to Elizabeth. When she has mixed feeling about it.
    I follow by email
    I tweeted
    Blood Between Queens by Barbara Kyle & Giveaway (US/Canada)

  17. This book sounds great about the two cousins that are Queens. Love these kind of books. Would love to win this one to read…

  18. So sorry, but I forgot to add that I also “liked” the giveaway (I ALWAYS do when I see them!), as well as follow your blog. Could you please provide me with the extra entries? Thanks so much, Dar!!

  21. This book sounds wonderful. I love reading books about Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. I follow by email and liked this post on Facebook.

  22. I follow your blog, tweeting about it! Love Tudor era and this book sounds fascinating!

  23. Thank you for this awesome giveaway!!

    I follow via GFC (Lara Frame)

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  26. Thank you for the chance to win this book, it is already on my tbr list. I am a follower and I shared on facebook and twitter.

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

  29. Wow! I can’t WAIT to read this! I love that cover, too ; )
    I wonder what kind of events or people inspired the author while writing this book!?
    I follow via email: mestith at gmail dot com
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

  35. This is definitely my kind of read. I read a novel about Mary Queen of Scots many years ago, and enjoyed it. I really look forward to this one. I am a CFC follower.

  36. I forgot to ask for the other two entries. I am a follower of your blog already. I have liked you on FB and shared this contest on my FB page. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

  37. Just starting to get into Barbara Kyle’s books, loving the earlier ones, can’t wait to read “Blood Between Queens.”

    I follow your blog and on FB

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  38. I love historical fiction. Sounds great!

    I follow your blog on google reader.

  43. I liked this post on FB – Cheryl Snyder (www.facebook.com/cheryl.entryaccount)

  44. Sounds like a really good book. Would love to win and read it. Thank you for the chance.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  45. Already an email subscriber and GFC follower.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  47. I love historical fiction so pretty excited about this one. Will have to find other books by this author, but I am hooked <3
    Thank you for the amazing giveaway!

    already gfc follower – Lily B
    Liked on FB – Lily Blain

  48. This sounds like a really interesting book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    I follow on feedly.