Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens

This book is so wonderfully written that I didn't want it to end. The epilogue could have been part two. Kate Emerson takes real people and events and spins a fictional tale around one Lady who caught the eye of King Henry during the Tudor era. Emerson captures the true horror of living at court while managing to stay away from the more gruesome descriptions of torture brought about by King Henry during his reign, without avoiding them altogether. Using historical letters about the family of Lord Lisle and his step-daughter, Lady Anne Bassett, Emerson weaves a plausible tale around what the life of Lady Anne, or Nan as she was called, might have been like living as a Maid of Honor to two Queens. Emerson manages to give you a history lesson of this time period by wrapping it up in an intriguing novel. I haven't yet read Emerson's other book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court, The Pleasure Palace, but I can't wait to read it now.

I hesitated with this book, as the cover could lead one to believe that this was just a fluffy romance novel, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, there was court intrigue and romantic relations, however, there was more to it than that. This author's choice of words was what impressed me the most. There is nothing I hate more than when an author writes a period piece from 500 years ago and uses words that never existed, modern slang that has no business in their book at all! I plan on reading more from this author. My only complaint is the size of the print. It was very small and unless I was under very bright lighting, I had great difficulty with it. It was beautiful, however, too light and slight for my eyes. I wonder if my Kindle is spoiling me since I can change the font on it whenever my eyes are getting droopy! Other than the light, small print, I can't find a thing to complain about on this one. Bravo!

I love a novel or a film about the Tudor period of history, starting with the entire Philippa Gregory series and moving into Margaret George's "Autobiography of Henry VIII," the play and film of "A Man for All Seasons," the novel and film of "Anne of the Thousand Days," and even sometimes "The Tudors" on cable. Where was I that I missed Kate Emerson's "Secrets of the Tudor Court" until now? "Between Two Queens" is the second of her books in the series Secrets of Tudor England. This volume looks into life as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. One problem for the heroine, Anne Bassett, is that the queen keeps changing. She flirts and hopes and tries to snag a RICH man, one who is not on Henry's execution list. When she finds the king himself attracted to her, what can a girl do? Author Emerson includes plenty of period details: the sights and smells of London and Calais, the games, the cosmetics, the fashions, and above all, the terrible politics of a King mad with power. A good addition to a field already rife with authors writing from this point of view or that. "Wolf Hall" with Cromwell as narrator is a harder, deeper read, but Kate Emerson gives us a truly good time in her book.

In 1637 sixteen year old Anne "Nan" Bassett crosses the Narrow Sea from Calais, France to Dover, England along with her older sister Catherine. Nan wants to join the court as a maid of honor to Queen Jane Seymour. Surprisingly King Henry selects her to become a member of his wife's entourage. When Jane dies in childbirth, Nan leaves the court to move in with her cousin, the Countess of Sussex. Henry not forgetting the élan of Nan orders her back to the court when he marries again and again. With intrigue everywhere inside Henry's court, Nan falls in love, but to survive she must give away her child as her family is no haven since they are caught up in Cromwell seditious activities. The latest secret at King Henry's court (see Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace) is an engaging historical starring a maid of honor who keeps her head by keeping her head in crisis. Based on a real maid of honor, Nan is a terrific heroine, but in many ways the aging monarch steals the show as the King seems to obsessively need to prove his manhood as he goes through a few more wives following the death of Jane. Fans will relish Kate Emerson's strong historical tale of life and death at King Henry's court. Harriet Klausner

Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens by Kate Emerson Historical Romance-Jan. 5, 2010 4 stars Between Two Queens is an interesting peek into the Court life of the Tudor reign as seen through the eyes of the brash and young Anne Basssett. Nan Basset was a real person and Kate Emerson does a wonderful job of bringing her to life. From the moment Nan Basset is chosen as a Maid of Honor to Queen Jane she hopes to use her position to find a young, wealthy and well-connected husband and further the ambitions of her and family. But her plans are thrown into turmoil when Queen Jane suddenly dies after giving birth. Nan is left adrift, she no longer has a post and she struggles to find a way to stay at court, the seat of power. But her drive is derailed with the attentions of King Henry VIII and constant intrigue that keeps her on her toes. Can Nan find love and navigate her way through court while still helping her family? This was a fascinating look into the Tudor Court that felt real and alive. Greed and power drive much of the action in this story as the characters try to find favor with either the King or Queen. It is really a tale of a young woman's coming of age. Nan is determined to have a life away from her overbearing mother. But when she first arrives she is unprepared for the danger, intrigue and excesses of court life. Nan quickly learns and is soon planning and manipulating her way through the often malicious court life. This book sometimes did feel a little like an autobiography although the author does an excellent job of making Nan more accessible. I often had the feel of reading a Philippa Gregory historical but for me it lacked a little of the emotional connection I've had when reading Philippa Gregory's stories. Although I did find the story absorbing, the one weak spot for me was that I never really warmed up to Nan. Nan's self absorption and cunning made for good reading but I never felt very sympathetic towards her. It would have been nice if she rose above some of the actions of the other court players and was not so devious or self-centered but I believe the author showed her actions to demonstrate the reality of Tudor Times and the need for survival. If you love historicals, (especially books by Phillippa Gregory) and thrill at dangerous intrigue this is a solid book you will not want to miss! Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club