I 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!
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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!
Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
https://twitter.com/AmyBooksy/status/442974844108283904
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
I have been waiting for this one to release. It’s definitely a read for me
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
I haven’t gotten into what I call the “King and Queen” books but my mom loves them. I’ll have to tell her about this one.
I love historical fiction!!
Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/443007966950596608?screen_name=lag32583
I really want to read this. Please count me in too. Thank you
rachelcartucci@gmail.com
This historical sounds captivating. thanks.
Interesting and intriguing.Many thanks for this feature.
I am intrigued by this one. Keeping my fingers crossed!
melback at cebridge dot net
Thanks for this historical.
Darlene, thank you for hosting this wonderful giveaway. I will add it to my blog’s sidebar.
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!
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
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 🙂
I have been waiting for this book to be released. Can’t wait to read it!
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!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/candc320/status/443800876134563840.
I was shocked by the title till I read a little further. Elizabeth had a daughter?! Scandalous!! Then I read the synopsis and calmed down. Thanks.
I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/443811224547885056
This novel looks fantastic! Definitely the type of book I would have on my TBR list!
kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/histficobsessed/status/443899971130368000
kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love to read about the Tudor era!!
Sounds like another interesting Tudor era story.
I have a filling this is going to be another super ride to Queen Elizabeth court, hope I win this time…. 🙂
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.
Love reading historical fiction and am partial to British fiction. Thanks for the giveaway!
Tweet
https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/444574639159664641
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
Shared on Facebook as Anita Yancey.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
Love the cover! This is one of my favorite periods to read about, but I’m not sure I know much about Mary Shelton. Looking forward to this one.