Join Barbara Kyle, author of the historical novel, The Queen’s Gamble(Kensington Books, August 30, 2011) as she virtually tours the blogosphere in September on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!
ABOUT BARBARA KYLE
Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series of novels, which have been published internationally: The Queen’s Captive, The Queen’s Lady, and The King’s Daughter, praised by Publishers Weekly as “a complex and fast-paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.” Her new novel, The Queen’s Gamble, will be released on 30 August 2011.
Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’, including Beyond Recall (a Literary Guild Selection), After Shock andThe Experiment. Over 400,000 copies of her books have been sold.
Barbara has taught courses for writers at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and is known for her dynamic workshops for many writers organizations. Her popular series of video workshops “Writing Fiction That Sells” is available through her website. Before becoming an author, Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S.
Visit www.BarbaraKyle.com.
ABOUT THE QUEEN’S GAMBLE
Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears that once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—Isabel’s son will be the queen’s pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel’s husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.
Set against a lush, vibrant backdrop peopled with unforgettable characters and historical figures, The Queen’s Gamble is a story of courage, greed, passion, and the high price of loyalty…
My Thoughts:
The Queens Gamble by Barbara Kyle is the fourth installment of the Thornleigh family series. I have to be honest, I read the first but not the second or third but I had no trouble following along with the family dynamics from the second novel. The story is the fictional account of Isabel (Thornleigh) Valverde and her husband Carlos's part in the Scottish uprising (with the aid of the French) to try to gain the control of the English throne and oust Elizabeth I with Mary Stuart who they felt was the true Queen of England. The story is the continuing saga of the Thornleigh family along with notable figures of history, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Regent of Scotland, Marie de Guise, John Knox and Sir William Cecil. Barbara Kyle's combining of fact and fiction makes for a very exciting, suspenseful and wonderful read filled with real characters in this period of history. With authors like Barbara Kyle, I know why I love this period in history the most. For any fan of historical fiction and the England in the 1600's needs to have this book on their to be read stack, or on their shelf....
I received a signed ARC from the author for review at Pump up Your Book Tours and was not monetarily compensated for my review.
Many thanks for this lovely review. I appreciate the opportunity to reach out to your readers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely review of Barbara's book. I'm glad you enjoyed it. So many bloggers on this tour have loved it. I hope your readers get a chance to check this one out.
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