Title: The Queen’s GambleAuthor:Barbara KyleSeries:Thornleigh, #4Publisher: Kensington BooksRelease Date:September 1,2011Pages:448Source:publisher |My FTC DisclaimerRating: 5 Books
Synopsis:
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…
Author Bio:
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 and The 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.
My Review:
My regret with this blog tour and novel? I didn’t read books 1-3. My praise for this novel? EVERYTHING! WOW! Barbara Kyle is highly talented and INSTANTLY transported me to the Tudor Era from page one and kept me there, among the Kings, Queens, and the newly evolving England. Absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the pages of this novel.
This is a different style of Tudor Era. Not so much in it has really changed, but the way England is evolving, with honoring more than the Catholics, and a new Queen, it’s definitely a new outlook on life, during this amazing time period.
Queen Elizabeth I. A wonderfully created character that fit her role perfectly. She is tested greatly when the French troops threaten to invade England. Taking a hostage, well, that was a twist I never expected from the newly reigning Queen. I just don’t think of a Queen doing those things, but it truly added an engaging and intriguing twist to the story.
What’s more, and perhaps, my favorite part of the story, is Isabel and her husband Carlos. Circumstances become severe for them when he’s forced to join troops. OPPOSITE his wife. A true test of love and loyalty, if ever there was one.
I want to go into so much more detail. There are so many things I want to say about this beautifully written, awe inspiring, richly detailed novel, but I fear I will giveaway too much. I want you all to grab a copy of this FANTABULOUS, beyond 5 Book worthy novel, and open the pages. See for yourself that transformation that takes place as you loose yourself among the pages of this AWESOMETASTIC novel.
Myself? Well, I’ll be opening the pages of the first three Thornleigh novels to catch up with the story. While I wasn’t overly confused by this novel and it’s easily read as a stand alone, I would love to go back and see what this amazing author created before this.
