Title: Finding It Author: Leah Marie Brown Publisher: Lyrical Press Falling in love is the ultimate faux pas. Anything can happen in a year! Unemployed, homeless, and left at the altar, Vivia Perpetua Grant could see her future as a flannel pajama wearing spinster—or worse, a bag lady shuffling around Golden Gate Park. But for a girl obsessed with rock music, Chinese take-out, and the color pink, misfortune is another word for opportunity. Vivia has found her niche as an international travel writer and the long-distance lover of Jean-Luc de Caumont, an über-hot French literature professor and competitive cyclist. Still, even with so much going right, Vivia can’t help but wonder if something isn’t missing. The long distance thing is taking its toll on a girl who didn’t have that many tokens to begin with. And fate seems to be tempting her at every turn, first with a hunky Scottish helicopter pilot, and then with a British celebrity bad boy…Will Vivia continue to keep it real or will she discover some old habits die hard? “Leah Marie Brown has a wily way of bringing her stories to life with sharp dialogue and drop-dead sexy characters.” —Cindy Miles, National Bestselling Author “Prepare to laugh, to sigh, to turn pages fast! I want a one-way ticket to Vivia’s world.” —Kieran Kramer, USA TodayBestselling Author “A funny, romantic, fast-paced, all-expense-paid pleasure read through France and Tuscany you don’t want to miss.”—Gretchen Galway, Bestselling Author on Faking It “When it comes to crafting clever, intelligent, wonderful escapist fiction with a heroine every woman wants to know, Leah Marie Brown is a new voice to watch. Prepare to fall in love!” —Renee Ryan, Daphne du Maurier Award-Winning Author “Audacious, adorable and addictive!” —Catherine Mann, USA Today bestselling author
About Leah Marie Brown
I am an American writer
with a penchant for Paris and all things pink!
Before writing novels, I
worked as a print journalist for a Pulitzer prize winning newspaper and served
in the United States Air Force as a Radio and Television Broadcaster.
An avid traveler, I have
had adventures and mishaps from London to Tokyo, which I write about on my
blog, On Life, Love & Accidental Adventures, and
in my contemporary romantic series, The It Girls.
I was once a collector
of truly useless bric-a-brac and cheesy tee-shirts. My cheesiest? A tee
with a cartoon Jesus riding a surf board and the words, ”And on the eighth
day, Jesus went surfing in Greece.”
BIO
Today, I prefer to
gather friendships and memories as travel souvenirs.
I live in the shadow of
Pike’s Peak Mountain, near Colorado Springs, with my family and shamefully
pampered poodles.
In my free time, I like
to watch movies, read, and snap photographs. You can view my photography
by clicking on the Adventures tab above or by following me on Instagram.
I love to hear from
readers, so send me a note! Or connect with me
on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Please join George T. Chronis as he tours the blogosphere with HF Virtual Book Tours for Sudetenland, from March 16-27. Publication Date: September 30, 2014 BookBaby
Formats: eBook ASIN: B00O2T6B9Y
Genre: Historical Fiction Sudetenland is the premiere novel by author George T. Chronis. The book delivers suspenseful and sweeping historical fiction set against Central European intrigue during the late 1930s leading up to 1938’s Munich Conference. Having swallowed up Austria, Adolph Hitler now covets Czechoslovakian territory. Only France has the power to stand beside the government in Prague against Germany… but will she? The characters are the smart and sometimes wise-cracking men and women of this era – the foreign correspondents, intelligence officers, diplomats and career military – who are on the front lines of that decade’s most dangerous political crisis. If Czechoslovak president Edvard Beneš ignores the advice of French premier Édouard Daladier and refuses to give up Bohemian territory willingly, then Hitler orders that it be taken by force. The novel takes readers behind the scenes into the deliberations and high drama taking place within major European capitals such as Prague, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and London as the continent hurtles toward the crucible of a shooting war.
Praise for Sudetenland
"Chronis impresses with such a challenging and intriguing debut effort, well written, impeccably researched." -- Melinda, Unshelfish
"Anyone that is looking for a thorough and rewarding read will enjoy Sudetenland." -- Diana, BookNerd
"The plot moves quickly along keeping you intrigued with well defined characters and great imagery to help immerse yourself in the story... I adored the way George managed to weave together the tragedy of war, depression and politics with romance, love and hope." -- Jennifer, pirategrl1014
Darron Marks, a Soul Hunter, is on a mission to recover the Seer from a Psyche ward when he finds a blue and black haired female assassin is protecting her. Events are set in motion that leaves Darron questioning his gifts, his need for revenge, and the need to bond for love rather than a business arrangement. Tabitha, a New Soul, finds herself at a crossroad after meeting the Awakener of Souls. Follow the Council of Souls and bond to the Hound, or turn her back on all that she knows to take her place as the last Advisor to the Awakener and begin a new life.
R.E.S. Tidmore is the author of the Awakener series, the Verbecks of Idaho, and Managing Mayhem. She has written for over ten years and has begun to self-publish the previous two. Writing was never something she thought she would do since having dyslexia. Spell and grammar were never her friends. It wasn’t until college that she was exposed to creative writing and fell in love. She learned good spelling and grammar weren’t the only things that made you a writer; although it helped, you had to be about to tell a story. And telling stories was simply part of who she was. As a child she found many of life's little events needed zing and that zing landed her in the principal’s office more than once, with her mother sitting next to her, bottom eyelid twitching.
She is a mother of three kids and a navy wife. Writing is her passion that has helped her through many of her husband’s deployments. She loves running marathons and half marathons with her husband and friends. She enjoys the quiet moments of her day where she can sit and recharge.
“Young-Stone has written a novel that’s both fanciful and brutally realistic. . . . From America to Lithuania, from past to present, this is a heart-wrenching tale for literary fiction fans and particularly for readers interested in World War II.” —Library Journal “Above Us Only Sky is a raw, beautiful, unforgettable book that folds unfathomable horrors and unfathomable love into a story of incredible power. At the center, literal and figurative, of this novel is a story so brilliantly simple and deeply moving, you’ll forget you are reading a book. This story shook me to my core, and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to experience it.” —Lydia Netzer, bestselling author of Shine Shine Shine and How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky “Rich with themes of love and loss. Young-Stone has spun a beautiful tale on the cusp of magical realism, but with 100% pure magical prose. —Heidi Durrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky “The beautiful prose in Michele Young-Stone’s Above Us Only Sky flies off the page. A stirring meditation on resilience, the ties that bind us to our past, and what it means to have wings.” —Tracy Guzeman, author of The Gravity of Birds The Book A luminous, richly imagined novel, ABOVE US ONLY SKY (Simon & Schuster hardcover; March 3rd, 2015) by Michele Young-Stone blends the fabulous with the brutally real as Prudence Eleanor Vilkas sets out to discover the epic story of her ancestors—the incredible Vilkas women—and the shared history of their war-torn Lithuania. On March 29, 1973, Prudence was born with a pair of wings molded to her back. Considered a birth defect, her wings were surgically removed, leaving only the ghost of them behind. But when Prudence meets her long-estranged Lithuanian grandfather at age fifteen, the Old Man introduces her to a miraculous lineage beating and pulsing with past Lithuanian bird-women, storytellers with wings dragging the dirt, survivors perched on radio towers, lovers lit up like fireworks, and heroes disguised as everyday men and women. Guided by the Old Man’s stories and haunted by a watchful winged apparition, Prudence finds that her own history is deeply intertwined with the complex history of her nation and the people who survived generations of conflict at the mercy of Josef Stalin and Soviet oppression. ABOVE US ONLY SKY moves from the 1864 January Uprising of the Lithuanian freedom fighters against Russian Tsarist rule to the seaside hamlet of Palanga, where survivors of Stalin’s rule sought freedom under a brief Nazi regime in the early 1940’s; to the “The Singing Revolution” that saw Lithuania regain independence in 1991. It’s a story of migration—from Lithuania, from WWII Germany and even from Nashville, Tennessee, where Prudence and her mother leave her father for the seaside town of Los Vientos, Florida. It’s in Los Vientos that Prudence meets Wheaton Jones, a boy with golden curls and wild visions, and the only other person who can see her wings. Michele Young-Stone deftly moves between these stories—and across wars, oceans and generations—to weave together an unforgettable narrative of impossible love, unfathomable loss, and the importance of finding a sense of belonging through mutual understanding. In telling the story of the long history of conflict across Europe in a wholly original way, ABOVE US ONLY SKY gives voice to a population largely ignored in history books. Ultimately what emerges from the pages of this brilliant novel is an astounding sense of resilience, hope, and reverence for the past—no matter how traumatic or tragic—that connects us to our families, to shared history and survival against great odds. The Author: Michele Young-Stone is the author of the novels Above Us Only Sky and The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, which The Boston Globe called “an exceptionally rich and sure-handed debut.” She lives in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with her husband and son.
This fantasy adventure series is steeped in American Indian culture and so much more.
Winner: Mom's Choice Award -- Silver Metal
Winner: Awesome Indies -- Seal of Approval
Recipient: Readers' Favorite -- 5 Star Review
Juliet Wildfire Stone hears voices and sees visions, but she can't make out what they mean. Her eccentric grandfather tells her stories about the Great Wind Spirit and Coyote, but he might as well be speaking another language. None of it makes any sense.
When she stumbles upon a series of murders, she can't help but worry her grandfather might be involved. To discover the truth, Juliet must choose between her new life at an elite private school and her Native American heritage. Once she uncovers an ancient secret society formed over two hundred years ago to keep her safe, she starts to wonder whether there's some truth to those old stories her grandfather has been telling her.
All she wants is to be an average sixteen-year-old girl, but she has never been average-could never be average.
Betrayed by those she loves, she must decide whether to run or risk everything by fulfilling her destiny as the Chosen.
"Wind Catcher is a suspenseful, wonderfully written story that will capture your attention and hold it prisoner. A book that you won't want to escape from. Brava!" - Stephen Fisher, Readers' Favorite Book Reviews
We're blitzing the Grand Finale for the TRAVELING INDIA TOUR for
The Accidental Wife
By Simi K. Rao
LAST DAY to get Inconvenient Relations for FREE!!
Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.
This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.
Grab your FREE copy from AMAZON. Only through March 23rd!
Did you get a taste for India as we explored a little bit of the culture?
If you missed any stops, go back and check them out now!
The image of a woman wearing a sari conjures up both the remarkable beauty of women and the exquisite artistry of textile and embroidery. The sari is a garment created from a single piece of fabric five to nine yards. Its ingenious design allows for wrapping around a woman’s body in different ways. This allows for a variety of effects: stunning traditional gown, alluring eveningwear, or simple utilitarian work attire.
It is one thing to prepare food for ourselves because we need to eat. It’s mealtime, we’re hungry, what do we have in the cupboard? But it is a whole different thing to cook a special dish or an entire feast because we want to shower someone we love with a caring gesture.
Rihaan stepped into the tiny kitchen to find it dwarfed by his lanky frame. Folding wiry arms across his chest, he leaned gingerly against the wall and watched as she went about her task in a haphazard fashion. Her attempts at putting on a show of neatness and method were failing hopelessly.
It's like I can't describe it- but The Accidental Wife had me HOOKED! I loved how Naina and Rihaan slowly fell for each other, how things kept happening thatnmept them from being together, it was so realistic, how they let their pride get in the way of things, how they decided to stick to their stubborn ideals despite the obvious love and desire they were feeling! . . . All I can say is- for an insight into Indian Society- READ THIS!
Inside it, she found some clothes just like the oversized ones hanging in the closet. They were of no interest to her. What caught her eye was a beautiful silk sari, tie-dyed in a rainbow of colors with decorated elephants marching along the borders and tiny shiny mirrors that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds. She flung it around her neck like a shawl and felt deeply comforted by the strong fragrance of sandalwood.
He soon found himself engaged in the activity of browsing through the huge databanks of boys and girls seeking potential life partners. He was shocked at the variety he saw and equally surprised at the way they presented themselves, especially how particular they were about the kind of mate they wanted. It was just as Rudy had described—a huge marriage market.
Finally after having amused himself for a few hours, Rihaan fell asleep thinking there might just be a solution to all his problems.
His mother, as he’d guessed she would, immediately dismissed him. “Rihaan, if that’s supposed to be a joke then it is a very bad one.”
“Maa… I’m telling the truth,” Rihaan said. “I’ve found a suitable girl and the deal is set.”
alwaysjoart - Heroines in Literature and Real Life & Excerpt
Who is your favorite heroine? With so many incredible women in literature who are often trailblazers for women in real life, it is hard to choose just one.
He emerged a few minutes later with a Wonder Woman pin that he fastened to her coat.
The Accidental Wife had me hooked from the start. I love reading about different cultures and this is a perfect example of it. The depth of the characters and how real they came across had me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down.
Marriage is a sacred relationship. It is not just the meeting of two individuals but of two souls. Its purpose is for the continuation of family and to practice one’s Dharma. There is no concept of divorce. Once married, a couple is wedded for life. Divorce is a modern concept introduced through the Hindu Marriage Act of India.
Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. Inconvenient Relations is her first published novel.
The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world. A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.
Title: Aberrant
Series: Aberrant Series #1
Author: Ruth Silver
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
Genre: Y/A Dystopian
Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing
Cover: Lazy Day Publishing
Amazon - http://tiny.cc/gngtvxBarnes & Noble - http://tiny.cc/eogtvx
Synopsis
What if your existence was illegal?
It was supposed to be the perfect system: food, shelter, and jobs for everyone. A strive toward Utopian.
When children can no longer be conceived through natural means, a lottery is established to determine which families will conceive a child in a lab through IVF.
Eighteen year old Olivia Parker is an anomaly. She shouldn’t exist.
The government wants her dead. The rebels have their own perverted agenda. In a world filled with secrets, betrayals, and death lurking at every turn, Olivia must decide her own path and who to trust.
Adventure, mystery, and romance come together in this fast-paced Young Adult dystopian fantasy that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages. Aberrant is the first novel in the Aberrant series.
Joshua and I both headed out of the council hall with Jacqueline leading the way. The line of young men had barely dwindled. I avoided their stare, their curiosity as they slowly proceeded forward, giving the attendant their name. I wondered how they knew about me and more importantly what they knew. Jacqueline walked a few feet ahead of us, giving us privacy to talk. I silently thanked her for still respecting us and our wishes. She was probably the only one in Haven who liked us. I didn’t know if I should be relieved or angered by the recent news. I could feel the whispers, like tingles against bare skin as we walked further from council hall and rounded the corner. I was grateful to be out of sight from all those curious stares. "I guess we should consider ourselves lucky," I remarked. I didn't feel lucky. I tried to sound upbeat, but everything was quickly falling apart around us.
Joshua scoffed at the idea. "Lucky? I wouldn't go that far," he emphasized. "This is how it starts. Eventually, they'll make it a crime for us to see one another." He sounded disgusted.
"They sort of already are," I remarked, trying to understand the council's decision. "I think they just want to make sure I'm protected." Though I didn't quite understand how setting me up to meet multiple bachelors was any form of protection. It seemed as if they only wanted to keep Joshua away from me. The one person I could trust, implicitly. I knew the rules were different because I was different. They didn’t seem particularly bothered by Joshua having a girl in his room. It didn’t seem fair.
"Seems like they don't really care what we think at all," Joshua retorted as we headed into our building. "Were you okay last night? I worried when Landon escorted you out of the dormitory."
I walked slowly up the stairs, Jacqueline just a few feet ahead of us. "Aside from being locked in a room with no windows." I sighed. "At least they're giving me freedom from the tech center and a real bed. I should be grateful," I mocked. I didn't feel grateful, but I knew his mother at least tried to make it easier for me. As soon as we crested the top stair, I froze in place. The building shook with an alarming intensity as the first drone flew low overhead. The downstairs chandelier swayed and I held onto Joshua's arm and my eyes widened in terror. "What do you think is going on?" I asked watching the movement grow stronger as vibrations echoed through the dormitory. A nearby painting affixed to the wall crashed to the floor, the glass breaking. I could feel the ground quake beneath my feet as Joshua grabbed my hand, refusing to let go.
"We're being attacked." It wasn't a question. Together, we jogged briskly down the hall toward our rooms. I didn't know how much time we had. All I knew was the government was here, and they were searching for me!
Meet the Author
Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing two series under her name: Royal Reaper and Orenda.
She is also writing steamier adult novels under Ravyn Rayne, including the Federal Agent Chronicles.
Her interests also include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia.
Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois. She can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and her book blog Write Away Bliss.
Interview
Q: Let’s start with what inspired you to write Aberrant?
My inspiration for Aberrant was in part that I loved reading Dystopian stories. I always love writing, so I wanted to create a world, Cabal, that was unlike anything we've witnessed, but not so far-fetched that it is purely science fiction.
Q: When writing Aberrant, what did you use for inspirations?
There are a variety of novels that I've read over the past several years, that helped in world building when writing Aberrant. Those were: The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, and Children of Men.
Q: Are you currently working on a new book at this time?
Yes I’m working on quite a few new titles under both Ruth Silver and Ravyn Rayne.
Q: If so can you tell us the name of the book and a little bit about it?
I'm working on a spin-off for the Aberrant series. It’s a prequel story and still untitled. I’m also writing the Federal Agent Chronicles which is an adult series.
Q: In Aberrant do you have a favorite character? If so who & why?
I definitely love Olivia's character. She's tough, even when things are stacked up against her, she never gives up.
Q: Do you have favorite author whose books you love to read?
I really love John Green's writing. My favorite novel of his is, The Fault in Our Stars.
Q: As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?
I had quite a few career aspirations in my teenage years. After watching the movie Twister, I wanted to be a tornado chaser!
Q: If you could go on an all expenses paid vacation 7 days and 6 nights to anywhere in the world – where would you like to go & why? I'd love to travel to Paris. It seems incredibly romantic and also a great place to tour the city and see the sights.
Q: Do you have a favorite playlist that you listen to when you write?
Nope, I can't stand listening to music when I write. I need absolute silence.
Q: When you aren't writing what do you do to relax and have fun?
In my free time, I love reading, watching movies, television, playing video games and just hanging out with friends. My favorite shows are Orphan Black, The 100, and Reign.
North America & UK Publication Date: US Publication Date: March 24, 2015 UK Publication Date: April 24, 2015
Touchstone Publishing
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
Pages: 390
Series: Joanna Stafford, Book Three
Genre: Historical Mystery
In THE CROWN, Sister Joanna Stafford searched for a Dark Ages relic that could save her priory from Cromwell’s advancing army of destruction. In THE CHALICE, Joanna was drawn into an international conspiracy against Henry VIII himself as she struggled to learn the truth behind a prophecy of his destruction.
Now, in THE TAPESTRY, Joanna Stafford finally chooses her own destiny.
After her Dominican priory in Dartford closed forever—collateral damage in tyrannical King Henry VIII’s quest to overthrow the Catholic Church—Joanna resolves to live a quiet and honorable life weaving tapestries, shunning dangerous quests and conspiracies. Until she is summoned to Whitehall Palace, where her tapestry weaving has drawn the King’s attention.
Joanna is uncomfortable serving the King, and fears for her life in a court bursting with hidden agendas and a casual disregard for the virtues she holds dear. Her suspicions are confirmed when an assassin attempts to kill her moments after arriving at Whitehall.
Struggling to stay ahead of her most formidable enemy yet, an unknown one, she becomes entangled in dangerous court politics. Her dear friend Catherine Howard is rumored to be the King’s mistress. Joanna is determined to protect young, beautiful, naïve Catherine from becoming the King’s next wife and, possibly, victim.
Set in a world of royal banquets and feasts, tournament jousts, ship voyages, and Tower Hill executions, this thrilling tale finds Joanna in her most dangerous situation yet, as she attempts to decide the life she wants to live: nun or wife, spy or subject, rebel or courtier. Joanna Stafford must finally choose.
Praise for The Tapestry
"Nancy Bilyeau's passion for history infuses her books and transports us back to the dangerous world of Tudor England. Vivid characters and gripping plots are at the heart of this wonderful trilogy, and this third book will not fail to thrill readers. Warmly recommended!" - Bestselling author Alison Weir
“Illuminated by Bilyeau’s vivid prose, minor players of Tudor England emerge from the shadows.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In THE TAPESTRY, Nancy Bilyeau brilliantly captures both the white-hot religious passions and the brutal politics of Tudor England. It is a rare book that does both so well.” —Sam Thomas, author of The Midwife’s Tale
“In spite of murderous plots, volatile kings, and a divided heart, Joanna Stafford manages to stay true to her noble character. Fans of Ken Follett will devour Nancy Bilyeau’s novel of political treachery and courageous love, set amid the endlessly fascinating Tudor landscape.” —Erika Robuck, author of Hemingway’s Girl
“These aren't your mother's nuns! Nancy Bilyeau has done it again, giving us a compelling and wonderfully realized portrait of Tudor life in all its complexity and wonder. A nun, a tapestry, a page-turning tale of suspense: this is historical mystery at its finest.” —Bruce Holsinger, author of A Burnable Book and The Invention of Fire
“A supremely deft, clever and pacy entertainment. This is Nancy Bilyeau's most thrilling—and enlightening—novel in the Joanna Stafford series yet.” —Andrew Pyper, author of The Demonologist and The Damned
“A master of atmosphere, Nancy Bilyeau imbues her novel with a sense of dread and oppression lurking behind the royal glamour; in her descriptions and characterizations... Bilyeau breathes life into history.” —Laura Andersen, author of The Boleyn King Pre-Order/Buy The Tapestry Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound
About the Author
Nancy Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently the executive editor of DuJour magazine. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her screenplay "Zenobia" placed with the American Zoetrope competition, and "Loving Marys" reached the finalist stage of Scriptapalooza. A native of the Midwest, she earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her first novel, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013. THE TAPESTRY will be released in March 2015.
Nancy lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Stay in touch with her on Twitter at @tudorscribe. For more information or to sign up for Nancy's Newsletter please visit her official website. My Thoughts The Tapestry is the third book featuring Joanna Stafford. Joanna is a former nun from the priory in Dartford that has been closed, ordered by King Henry VIII. She does have some royal blood but court is the remotest place she wants to be. She is brought to the Tudor court, reluctantly, and is tasked with creating a tapestry for the King and inventory his many tapestries. On her first day at court, she is attacked by an unknown assailant. Thus starts her journey back into court life and it's many intrigues and backstabbing politics among the major players in the Tudor court. She is not a fan of King Henry VIII because of his dissolution on the monasteries and just his cruelness, but the King is currently married to Anne of Cleeves and has his sights set on Catherine Howard who Joanna is friends with. Catherine is young and very impressionable and Joanna wants to protect her from the scheming and irascible man that the king has become. Joanna becomes fast friends with German painter Hans Holbein, who paints a picture of Catherine Howard that Joanna will incorporate into the tapestry she is tasked with creating. She uses her position of Tapestry Mistress to travel to Paris and Flanders and through Germany, she has an ulterior motive though. She found out that her friend and former fiancee, Edmund Sommerville, is in Germany but no one has seen or heard from him in a long time. So with her protector Geoffrey Scoville and Hans Holbein they travel into an area that is suffering from famine. During this time, Joanna has to figure out what the course of her life will be, does she want to marry or wait until England becomes a Catholic nation again so she can continue her life as a nun. I did enjoy the previous two books in the series, but I think I liked this one the best. Joanna is a very likable character, finally able to see what it is she desires, to live a peaceful life away from the machinations of a corrupt court. Nancy Bilyeau is one of those kind of authors that tells a historical fiction story that is based on historical events and does so in an enjoyable and entertaining way. I loved the series for it's intrigue and suspense. I would recommend that you read the series starting with The Crown as it sets up the story right from the beginning. It is not a stand alone novel. I highly recommend this series for the Tudor fan and if you enjoy historical fiction in general.
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