Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

About the Book:

From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court.Like Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage--or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power.

 

Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth's circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen's downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she's not sure she can trust--a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

My Thoughts:

I have loved every novel I've read by Sandra, so I was intrigued by this book, even though it falls in the historical fiction genre.  Not a big fan of historicals, but the cover is gorgeous and I adore Sandra, so I took a chance.

The background description is lush and Elin is adorable.  Keeping track of everyone was a bit of a chore for me, but that only distracted from the story a minor bit.  However, most royalty did not act as royalty should act, and I found that greatly disturbing.

As well as fascinating!

Sandra has crafted a novel that is a tribute to the time period.  Some may nitpick at details, but I'm not an expert on the era, so I just settled down and enjoyed myself.  The story was a bit slow, but I'm not a big fan of historical fiction.

If I'm to be completely honest, I prefer other books over this one.  That's not because of quality, but merely because of genre.  If you are a fan of the age of queens and kings and all things 'off with their heads', they I truly believe you'll be captivated by Sandra's storytelling.

I received a copy of "Roses Have Thorns" in exchange for an honest review.  The book is published by Howard Publishing and is available now it bookstores and online.  Don't miss Sandra's other historical novels: The Secret Keeper and To Die For.
Happy Reading!





Sell Used Books - Have Your Books Shipped To Us For Free And Get Fast Cash Back!