Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle (Audiobook) & Giveaway (US Only-Paper Copy)

by

 queens

Secrets, betrayals, and power…this is what you will find in the debut novel of Elizabeth Fremantle. Queen’s Gambit is the perfect blend of historical fact and fiction giving the reader an inside look into the life of the sixth wife of Henry VIII, Katherine Parr. As she is one of the lesser known wives of Henry VIII I appreciated the rich detail and imaginative storyline that went along with breathing life into her character. I listened to the audiobook of Queen’s Gambit which is narrated by Georgina Sutton and she is wonderful. She has the perfect voice for historical fiction and she brought Tudor England alive for me in a most vivid way!

The novel opens with Katherine Parr being widowed for the second time. Then she is called back to court and the rumors start flying that the king is looking to marry her. Katherine can’t imagine what the king would want from her as she’s over thirty now and even more than that she is in love with another man… Thomas Seymour. Yet we all know you can’t say no to a king and it isn’t long before Katherine is married to the king and unfortunately for her he is ailing, miserable, and very drunk on his own power at this point in his life.

Thus begins Katherine’s struggle to just stay alive given the fate of two other of Henry’s wives being executed. It’s a constant battle to stay in the king’s favor and do nothing to disappoint him and therefore incur his wrath. Katherine is intelligent though and uses all she has in her power as a woman and otherwise to ensure her survival at court and in her marriage to Henry. One thing she never gives up on is her love for Thomas Seymour but one has to wonder if that was ever really meant to be…

I really enjoyed this novel. It was told through Katherine’s viewpoint and that of her servant Dot. I found Dot’s story interesting in that we saw the court and its goings on through the eyes of a servant. I also appreciated her loyalty and desire to better herself despite her station in life. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to live in a time when a woman could be ordered to marry whether she wanted to not or to live in fear for your life and on guard all the time as nobody could be trusted. One has to admire Katherine Parr for having survived at all.

Having read quite a bit of Tudor history by now you won’t find anything new in the facts of the novel but it is the talent of the author’s imaginative mind that breathes life into Katherine Parr and makes the Queen’s Gambit stand out as a wonderful piece of historical fiction! I recommend this one to historical fiction fans and if you have the chance to listen to the audio production please do as it’s beautifully done!

 

 

Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle is touring with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so be sure to check in on her other tour stops. You can connect with Elizabeth on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Purchase audiobook at: Simon & Schuster, Audible, and iTunes
Purchase paper copy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, and IndieBound

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US Only)- Paper Copy Only

I have two copies of Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle (paper copy only) up for giveaway. To enter…

  • Leave a comment for 1 entry.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog this giveaway for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on September 8/13.  Good luck!

 

Queen's Gambit_Tour Banner FINAL

Source:  Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.  Giveaway copy provided by the publisher.

Share this post!
Share

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This sounds like it will be so interesting. I can’t imagine the fear of living your life knowing any thing could get you executed. I’m glad she survived. Please put my name to try and win a copy of this book. Also, I shared this on my Facebook and encouraged others to read it. I am also sending an email to a friend. Thanks for the give-away.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

  2. I can never keep straight which wife was which, but I love reading about them all. This is definitely on my list of things to read.
    Thanks for the chance to win it!

  3. Queen’s Gambit sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to know more about Katherine Parr and especially read about Dot’s view point. Thank you for the opportunity to be a winner!

  6. I am captivated with this novel which sounds very interesting and unforgettable. Many thanks.

  12. I have always loved to read anything I can about the wives of Henry VIII. That time period was so fraught with intrigue, fights for power and fear especially for the people who lived at court. I’m so looking forward to reading this novel and thank you for the synopsis and giveaway.

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    Will tweet and share on Facebook

  17. Katherine Parr has always been my favorite of Henry’s wives. I would love to read more about her.

  19. I’ve read a number of reviews for this book and everyone seems to really be enjoying it. I love the Tudors so I am excited to give it a go. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  24. Love the Tudor’s! Can’t think of anyone else that’s made such an impression. Thanks for the giveaway!