About the Book:
The tragic, moving, and gripping story of the ascendance and fall of Katherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry VIII, and the best friend she nearly dragged down with her
When twelve-year-old Katherine Howard comes to live in the Duchess of Norfolk’s household she could not be more different than her poor relation, Cat Tilney. Yet, of all their companions, it is Cat, watchful and ambitious, to whom the seemingly frivolous young girl confides. When Katherine is summoned to the royal court at seventeen—to become, months later, the wife of Henry VIII after he casts off his previous queen—she leaves behind an ex-lover, Francis, with whom Cat is soon passionately involved.
But a future that seems assured for the pampered new queen and her maid-in-waiting lasts a brief year and a half, only to be imperiled by improper acts and scandalous allegations of girlhood love affairs. Imprisoned in the Tower and hoping to escape a most terrible fate, a frightened, desperate Katherine relates a version of events that only Cat recognizes as a lie—as more than one life is threatened by what she alone knows to be the truth about Katherine Howard’s past.
Suzannah Dunn is the author of ten previous novels, all of which have been critically acclaimed. She has written three historical novels: The Queen of Subtleties, The Sixth Wifeand The Queen’s Sorrow.
Visit Suzannah at her website.
Katherine’s story is vibrant and full of so many emotions. From happiness, to hurt, to anger and love. As a young orphan, Katherine’s story is full of ups and downs. She meets her best friend, and finds a love with Francis that she thought would be true, yet she can no longer hold that love true, but has to leave it behind. She becomes Henry VIII’s 5th wife, and takes on that new life of being a queen. But, then rumors fly and things happen to cause her concern about her safety and her standing. What will happen if the truth about Francis, her young lover? Will he be executed so she can live? Will the truth be set free through Katherine’s friend, Cat? And what of Katherine’s life….is it over before it truly begins?
This is a story of love, hope, and betrayal. A powerful novel of an era long forgotten. It’s filled with mystery, as the rumors fly, it’s suspenseful grip on the reader is tight. The research that Suzannah Dunn did in order to create this historical, fascinating and wonderful novel is beyond fantastic. The emotions she set forth in this book, and the actions of not only Katherine Howard, but also in Francis, Henry VIII and Cat, is all consuming.
I highly recommend this novel to everyone who loves the era gone by. It’s a 4 star novel that will leave you wanting more, and to find out the fact from the fiction, as this novel is written in a way that you will never know the fiction aspects are just that: fiction. If you are new to this kind of novel, then please, don’t hesitate to click the link below and buy a copy. Suzannah Dunn’s skills are masterful and you will be transported back in time to live out your reading days as a member of Henry VIII’s court. Dunn definitely has a new fan in me!
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