Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Queen's Rival
In The Court of Henry VIII, book 3
Diane Haeger

publisher New American Library /Penguin Books, Ltd.
March 1, 2011/ ISBN 9780451232205
Historica / England 1513 – 1536 The Court of Henry VIII
Amazon

Reviewed by Linda Young

Bess was a girl of fourteen. Her mother had just returned from court. Now her father has returned from the war severely injured. Her mother must stay at home and care for Bess's father. Now, it is time for Bess to go to court and take her mother's place as one of the queen's maids. All her life Bess has dreamed of nothing else but living at court. She has spent her life training and practicing for that purpose. Her dream is coming true.

Once at court, Bess learns that she must keep to herself and be very careful whom she trusts. Eventually, Bess finally meets the King and her whole life changes. She falls in love with him, and no matter how hard she tries not to become involved with him, she ends up in his arms and in his bed. Eventually she becomes pregnant and gives the king the one thing the queen never has, a son. However, when she leaves court to give birth, the Boleyn sisters grab the king's attention and Bess must turn to her most trusted friend, Gil, the illegitimate son of Cardinal Wolsey.

King Henry VIII is desperate for a male heir. The queen has repeatedly given birth and yet none have survived but one, a girl named Mary. Henry decides that he is going to find a way to divorce the queen so that he can find a new queen that will give him the heir he so desperately needs. In the meantime, he entertains himself with the queen's maids, until he meets Bess. Even the queen realizes that Bess is different. Queen Katherine recognizes that Bess is a true rival.

Diane Haeger has a true winner here. Not only does she wrap you up in the goings on at court, but she brings to life the intrigue of King Henry VIII's life. One of the things that made this such an awesome read was that it is more fact than fiction. Learning about the life of Henry VIII has always been an obsession with me. This book made it even more special. For the first time, I not only cried for an amazing woman, but also for a king that finally found love but couldn't hold on to it. He was never able to keep the love and happiness that he longed for because he had to be the king. This book will grab you and not let go. It is definitely a keeper.

Reviewer's Note: The Secret Bride (book 1) - The Queen's Mistake (book 2)


 

 

Reviewed 2011
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