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

May 3, 2013 by Darlene

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.

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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. Maxie Anderson says

    May 3, 2013 at 2:02 am

    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

  2. Brooke says

    May 3, 2013 at 5:33 am

    Sound like a great read!

  3. Linda B says

    May 3, 2013 at 5:41 am

    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

  4. amyc says

    May 3, 2013 at 6:02 am

    I’m looking forward to this new release in the Thornleigh series. I’m a new fan of the series.

    I’m a follower.

    https://twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/330291097609859072

  5. Liz V. says

    May 3, 2013 at 6:47 am

    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. Liz V. says

    May 3, 2013 at 7:03 am

    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. Anne says

    May 3, 2013 at 7:57 am

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

  8. ellie says

    May 3, 2013 at 9:07 am

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

  9. rhonda says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:07 am

    Love historical fiction.email follower lomazowr@gmail.com Twitter follower@rhondareads.Will tweet.

  10. Bethany says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:14 am

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

  11. Sandra Furlotte says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I love the Tudors. Please enter me.

  12. Judie McDonald says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:33 am

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

  13. Carl says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:35 am

    This sounds terrific, thanks very much for hosting the giveaway, I’d love to win it.

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

    I also tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/330359764930400258

    Thanks!

  14. Kim Cree says

    May 3, 2013 at 10:50 am

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

  15. Kirsten says

    May 3, 2013 at 11:30 am

    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. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    May 3, 2013 at 11:58 am

    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. Diane Castiglione says

    May 3, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    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. Kirsten says

    May 3, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    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!!

  19. Amanda Colorado says

    May 3, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    This book sounds amazing!

    • Amanda Colorado says

      May 3, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      This book sounds amazing!
      I will start following your blog too!

  20. CassandraG says

    May 3, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Looks really, really good
    Email follower
    GFC Follower
    Tweeted

  21. Terry Martini says

    May 3, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    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. Lisa Salazar says

    May 3, 2013 at 4:25 pm

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

  23. Lara Frame Newell says

    May 3, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you for this awesome giveaway!!

    I follow via GFC (Lara Frame)

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  24. Wendy Newcomb says

    May 3, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    This is one for my daughter, would love to win it for her.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  25. Wendy Newcomb says

    May 3, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I follow you by GFC (wfnren)
    Networked Blogs (Wendy Newcomb)
    and by email

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  26. Angela/griperang says

    May 3, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    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

  27. Wendy Newcomb says

    May 3, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    I tweeted this contest: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/330519656819458049

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

  28. blodeuedd says

    May 4, 2013 at 1:30 am

    Sounds good 😀
    *eyes the cover*
    It feels like I have seen the red-head around before

  29. Meghan Stith says

    May 4, 2013 at 7:35 am

    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

  30. Lisa Garrett says

    May 4, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I love historical fiction and have this one on my wish list.

  31. Lisa Garrett says

    May 4, 2013 at 8:09 am

    I follow via gfc and email.

  32. Lisa Garrett says

    May 4, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/330685743586492418

  33. Katie J. says

    May 4, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful book I would love to read.

  34. Nancy Luebke says

    May 4, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    Would love a chance to read this. Thanks for the chance.

  35. Kim@Time2Read says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:03 am

    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. Maxie Anderson says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    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. Denise says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:18 am

    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. Mariag says

    May 9, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    I love historical fiction. Sounds great!

    I follow your blog on google reader.

  39. Liz R says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Ooh, this one sounds great! I’d love to win a copy!

    I follow via GFC – Liz R
    I tweeted https://twitter.com/BookWorm8900/status/332691020150095873

  40. Cyn209 says

    May 12, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    please enter me for this giveaway!!

    i follow via GFC: Cyn209

    shared on my FB wall: http://www.facebook.com/cyn209

  41. CherylS22 says

    May 13, 2013 at 4:16 am

    I’d love to win this book. Please count me in….
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  42. CherylS22 says

    May 13, 2013 at 4:17 am

    Already a GFC follower

  43. CherylS22 says

    May 13, 2013 at 4:19 am

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

  44. Karen G says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:00 am

    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. Karen G says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:01 am

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

  46. Karen G says

    May 14, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/MsRubyKat/status/334292580441419776
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  47. Lily B says

    May 14, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    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. Janet P. says

    May 16, 2013 at 8:19 pm

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

    I follow on feedly.

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