Peeking Between the Pages

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Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter by Anne Clinard Barnhill & Giveaway (US only)

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elizabethI feel as though I’ve been going through withdrawal from one of my favorite genres which is historical fiction of course. It feels like ages since I got to sit down and enjoy a good piece of historical fiction but not any longer … Anne Clinard Barnhill’s newest novel Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter was a great read and the perfect book to curl up with and read this past weekend! Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter takes us back to all of the intricacies of the Tudor court along with the treachery and betrayals that make it all so exciting!

In Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter we are introduced to Mary Shelton who was Queen Elizabeth’s cousin and became her ward when the young Mary lost her parents. Mary lives a life of privilege being the queen’s favorite but everything good always comes at a cost and for Mary that cost is giving up any semblance of freedom to live her own life. To Elizabeth, Mary is the child she will never have. She has given her everything she could want and has made her into a lady in accordance with her station in life. This also means that the queen expects to have complete control over who Mary will marry and that means what marriage choice will offer Elizabeth the most power.

Elizabeth feels the best match for Mary is the Earl of Oxford but Mary despises him and his treacherous ways. Instead Mary falls in love with Sir John Skydemore who is far from a perfect match for Mary in the queen’s opinion as he is a widower without much money. Since Queen Elizabeth’s opinion is the only one that matters though Mary is forbidden to marry Sir John. Will Mary obey the queen? Or will she follow her heart and live a life full of love?

Every time I read a novel of court life I am always flabbergasted at how much control a king or queen had over people. The ladies that served Elizabeth quite literally had no life of their own. Even if they were allowed to marry they still had to spend all of their time with the queen and very little with their own families. They took care of her every need from dressing her to having to sleep along with her so she wasn’t alone. I can’t imagine ever living a life like that although in the 1500’s it was likely much better having that life than one of poverty. Yet look at all you would give up … life, love, and control over your own destiny.

For fans of the Tudor era and historical fiction Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter is a fabulous choice!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Anne’s website, Facebook, and Twitter links
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one paperback copy of Queen Elizabeth’s Daughter by Anne Clinard Barnhill to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave a comment entering the giveaway.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on March 23/14.  Good luck!

QED_TourBanner_FINAL

Source:  Digital review copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own. 

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Comments

  2. I have been waiting for this one to release. It’s definitely a read for me
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

  12. I do love reading about the Tudor era and this one sounds interesting. It’s hard to imagine a life of devotion to the King and Queen like that!

  13. I’m always fascinated by anything about the Tudors. It was such a privilege to be the Queen’s lady in waiting (a bit like being a bridesmaid every day). They were from wealthy and titled families but it was an honor to serve the Queen.
    Can’t wait to read this.
    Ann

  14. I read her first book At the Mercy f the Queen and liked it so I have been looking forward to this one. Love the Tudor era 🙂

  16. I LOVE all things Tudor! I just can’t get enough of it and I read and remember really enjoying Ms. Barnhill’s book At The Mercy of the Queen. And I agree with you, I would hate to be so beholden to a ruler that you have no real control over your own life. Thanks for the giveaway!

  24. Thank you for this opportunity; I am dying to read this one!

    **In addition to this entry-by-comment into the giveaway, I would like to claim the extra 2 entries for a facebook share of this post.

    (I make my facebook timeline available to my Friends list only, but I sent you a friend request on facebook via the shortcut button in the upper right corner on this blog).

    Thank you again!

    –Kara S.

    Please reply to this comment if you need any further identifying info to find/credit my shared post.

  25. Love reading historical fiction and am partial to British fiction. Thanks for the giveaway!

  27. I have been hearing some good things about this book. I love that it is a historical novel, I’ve been looking for a good one to read. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com