Historical Fiction Book Tours: Roses Have Thorns

About ROSES HAVE THORNS

Publication Date: April 9, 2013

Simon & Schuster/Howard Boo

ks
Paperback; 336p

ISBN-10: 1439183163

From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court.Like Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage--or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth's circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen's downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she's not sure she can trust--a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.




Review: Sandra Byrd is a master when it comes to bringing to life the Tudor Era. In Roses Have Thorns we are treated to a glimpse into the life of Elizabeth I. 

I love everything about this series..from the sumptuous cover art to the characters.

Like the other books in this series, Roses Have Thorns is told from the point of view of a friend of the Queen, Elin. From the first page you feel great sympathy for Elin, with the man she is to marry dallying with her sister. 

There is a man that wishes to marry her, and as a result she stays in England as a Lady In Waiting to Queen Elizabeth. It seems like forever before she can wed Marquess Northampton, but while she waits she develops a close relationship with the queen.

I love how you get to know Queen Elizabeth through Helena (Elin)'s eyes. You also get to see all the drama that surrounded "The Virgin Queen," as well as the drama of Mary, Queen of Scots, who plays a huge part in this book even though she isn't really a character.

Sandra Byrd has a wonderful way of humanizing the royals as well as making you feel like you have a window into this world of political intrigue. (And there was never more intrigue than during the Tudor Era it seems)

The other thing that really is present in this story is the religious turmoil in England at the time. It really makes you appreciate the changes that have come to pass in recent years. Its hard to believe wearing rosary beads would be treasonous.

This is a page turner from the start and once the pages start turning, you won't be able to stop.

This book, like the other 2 in the Ladies In Waiting series, will find its way to your keeper shelf

Rating: 5 flowers

Praise for Roses Have Thorns

"In Roses Have Thorns Sandra Byrd has given the reader another amazing heroine to tell the intimate story of England's greatest queen, Elizabeth I. What a unique point of view and deeply moving story Helena von Snakenborg provides. Byrd is especially adept at blending political and private lives. This is a timeless women's friendship novel as well as a poignant love story to cherish--both the roses and the thorns." (Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of Mourning )

"There is something golden about this tale of Elin, an eager young woman in a strange land, diligent in her duty but alive to love. A tale gracefully told, even as it renders the terrors of treachery that form the crucible of Elin's hard-won wisdom. A heartfelt story of loyalty, longing, life-long friendship, and the many seasons of the heart." (Barbara Kyle, author of The Queen's Gamble and Blood Between Queens)

"Beautiful prose and masterful research combine to bring this fascinating tale to life, treating the reader to fully realized characters and providing an original window through which we can view Elizabeth's court. Ms. Byrd's work will stand as an unforgettable contribution to Tudor fiction." (D.L. Bogdan, au

thor of The Forgotten Queen)

About the Author

Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including the first book in her Tudor series, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn.  Her second book, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, illuminates the mysteries in the life of Henry's last wife.

For more than a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many new writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children. For more Tudor tidbits, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com. Follow Sandra Byrd on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Historical Fiction Book Tours Review: The Secret Keeper

Author: Sandra Byrd
Title: The Secret Keeper: A Novel Of Kateryn Parr
Publisher: Howard Books
Publish Date: June 5, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Historical Fiction Book Tours & the author

Book Blurb:Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight. Though her family wants her to marry the son of her father's business partner, circumstances set her on a course toward the court of Henry VIII and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.

Sir Thomas Seymour, uncle of the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his concerns with Juliana's father's estate and sees instantly that Juliana would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in Parr's household for "finishing" and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly.

For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy, and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king's daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.
As Juliana learns the secrets of King Henry VIII's court, she faces threats and opposition, learning truths about her own life that will undo everything she holds dear.  

  
   

Review: After reading last year's To Die For, I knew I had a favorite author in Sandra Byrd, and I wasn't wrong. When I dove into The Secret Keeper, I found it hard to put down. Sandra Byrd truly brings the Tudor period to life. But she does more than that too, she brings his last wife, Kateryn Parr to life.

Kate is not one of the Queens that gets a lot of time spent on her. She is simply the Queen that managed to outlive Henry. (And she was lucky to do that, considering her religious views). Kate was a highly intelligent woman, generous and kind, as well as being a loving step-mother to the children of her husbands, including the king.

The one thing about Kate that made me wonder about her, is her attachment to Thomas Seymour, who, let's face it, wasn't a nice guy. When in their care, he abused Lady Elizabeth. He also has a personal connection with Lady Julianna, who is our heroine. We see her as she starts working for Kate when she's Lady Latimer and that continues on as she becomes Henry's final Queen and even onto her brief marriage to Seymour.

Kate treats Julianna like her child and Julianna blossoms.

But there is more to the story than just Kate and Henry. Julianna suffers abuse at court and tries to flee from her shame, but the Queen calls her back.

The most interesting thing in the book is Lady Mary Seymour, Queen Kateryn's daughter by Thomas Seymour. Her life, however long or short is shrouded in mystery. Know one knows what happened to her, and there's no record of her death, so Sandra can use some creativity to explain her disappearance from the world stage.

I love Sandra's writing style. If you are a fan of Phillipa Gregory, you have to read one of Sandra's books. They aren't as lengthy as Gregory's and she writes with less bias, which allows you to understand the characters better.

I can't wait to read the third book!

Rating: 5 flowers

Follow the tour
 

About Sandra Byrd

Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including the first book in her Tudor series, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. Her second book, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, illuminates the mysteries in the life of Henry's last wife.

For more than a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many new writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children. For more Tudor tidbits, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com.

HF Virtual Tours Book Review: To Die For

Author: Sandra Byrd
Title: To Die For
Publisher: Howard Books
Publish Date: Aug 9, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Historical Fiction Book Tours & the Publisher
Book Blurb: What would you sacrifice for your best friend? Would you die for her?

Meg Wyatt has been Anne Boleyn's closest friend ever since they grew up together on neighboring manors in Kent. So when twenty-five-year-old Anne's star begins to ascend, of course she takes Meg along for the ride.


Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling...at first. Meg is made mistress of Anne's wardrobe, and she enjoys the spoils of this privileged orbit and uses her influence for good. She is young and beautiful and in favor; everyone at court assumes that being close to her is being close to Anne.

But favor is fickle and envy is often laced with venom. As Anne falls, so does Meg, and it becomes nearly impossible for her to discern ally from enemy. Suddenly life's unwelcome surprises rub against court's sheen to reveal the tarnished brass of false affections and the bona fide gold of those are true. Both Anne and Meg may lose everything. When your best friend is married to fearsome Henry VIII, you may soon find yourself not only friendless but headless as well.

A rich alchemy of fact and fiction, To Die For chronicles the glittering court life, the sweeping romance, and the heartbreaking fall from grace of a forsaken queen and Meg, her closest companion, who was forgotten by the ages but who is destined to live on in our hearts forever.

Review: Tudor England is one of the most popular periods to write about it seems. I usually avoid this period, but this book looked fascinating so I had to jump on this tour and I wasn't disappointed.

Meg Wyatt is the BFF of Anne Boleyn. She is also the sister of Thomas Wyatt the poet. Sandra paints the friendship as a typical one between the girls, but she doesn't sugarcoat Anne's personality, which is very haughty.

But though the story revolves around Anne, the real heroine is Meg, whose life seems to run in Anne's shadow, but was truly a loyal friend....following Anne to the scaffold. Her own problems, an abusive father, loss of a childhood sweetheart to the priest hood and much more are overshadowed by Anne, but she takes it in stride.

This is a story of true friendship.

Any lover of historical fiction will gobble this book up. Definitely worth the read and a great addition to my collection of books that involve the Queens of England.

Rating: 5 flowers

Tour schedule:  http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/07/virtual-book-tour-to-die-for-by-sandra.html

Author Website/Ladies in Waiting Web Page: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/adults-ladies-waiting.php

Sandra Byrd's Blog: http://sandrabyrd.com/blog/

Sandra Byrd's FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/sandrabyrdwrites