Carrie Goes Off the Map by Phillipa Ashley review & Giveaway

Our last winner for our 12 Days of a Tudor Giveaway is  Kimm
Please send your mailing address to:
Newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

 

Title: Carrie Goes Off the Map
Author: Phillipa Ashley
ISBN: 978-1-4022-4145-1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: December 2011
Pages: 304
Format: Trade Paperback
$9.99
How I Read It: Trade Paperback ARC from Publisher
Rating: 5 Crowns- A Royal Read

Just when she thinks she knows where she’s going…

Carrie lets her best friend talk her into a scenic European road trip as the perfect getaway from a nasty breakup. Unexpectedly along for the ride is the gorgeous Matt Landor, MD, who sorely tests Carrie’s determination to give up men altogether. Careening through the English countryside, these two mismatched but perfectly attuned lonely hearts find themselves in hot pursuit of adventure in uncharted territory of adventure and in uncharted territory altogether.
(from the back of the arc)

My Thoughts:

I love, love, love Phillipa Ashley’s novels!!! When I was offered a review copy of Carrie Goes Off the Map, I jumped at the chance to review it as I have been searching for this novel for what feels like an eternity. When I received the arc, I gobbled up the book in one sitting.

Carrie and Matt have to be two of my favorite characters. They certainly know the right buttons to push to set each other off which makes for a killer plot, especially seeing how the two of them are crammed into a caravan together. Add in a horrid breakup, a stoner surfer, and so much sexual tension it’s practically oozing from the caravan and you have one irresistible novel.

Carrie Goes Off The Map by Phillipa Ashley is the perfect novel to lose yourself in, so don’t forget to buy a copy for you and one for a friend. When the main character is described as a “Dirty Darcy” how can you resist?

Overall, Carries Goes Off The Map is a brilliant novel that I want to tell everyone about which is why it’s a Royal Read. Royal Reads are those books that have that certain something that sets them apart from other books. These are the books that should come with a “buy me now, you wont regret it label”. Carrie Goes Off The Map should also be come with a warning that states, “once you start this book, you wont want to put it down until you have read the last page”.

A few random thoughts that occurred as I was reading this novel:

*The pub The Lamb & Flag shares it name with the pub that is used in the BBC Series Bottom, which had me thinking of the show.

*Carrie Goes Off The Map was originally titled “It Should Have Been Me”, which immediately brought to mind the following clip from “The Vicar Of Dibley” I hope you enjoy it.

DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF CARRIE GOES OFF THE MAP!!!!!!

If you would like find out more about Carrie Goes Off The Map or Phillipa Ashley you may do so HERE

I have 1 copy to giveaway.
Giveaway is worldwide, Please leave your name. Giveaway ends January 5

Best Wishes for a Happy & Bright New Year,

Angela Renee

Last Day of our Tudor Giveaway

Day 11 winner is Victoria

Please send your mailing address to newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

Today is the last Tudor giveaway and to close out our 12 Days of a Tudor Christmas it seemed fitting to end our giveaway with a theme pack for the last of the Tudor’s, so I bring to you our Elizabeth I Packet!

Gisele Alv- I know that Elizabeth never got married but is there any information about if she at least once, fell in love?

Although Elizabeth I never married, it is believed that she fell in love with two men. The first was her lifelong friend, Robert Dudley. Many Tudor enthusiasts have heard of the love she held for Robert or “Robin” as Elizabeth called him.

It is the second man that many do not know about. You may be tempted to say that she fell in love with Robert Dudley’s stepson, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex and while it is widely acknowledged that she did hold Essex is high regard, it is another man who she loved. That man happens to be the charismatic Sir Walter Raleigh.

If you happen to be in Williamsburg, Virginia it would be well worth your time to stop at the College of William & Mary and visit the Wren Building. There you will find a docent, either a history major or professor, who will inform you about the relationship between Raleigh and Elizabeth-just make sure to ask.

    Carol L.- I wonder if her and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester were ever involved or were in love?

This is the question that most definitely divides the historians. While all Tudor historians agree that she did indeed love Robert, the extent of their relationship is often questioned. Although, according to State papers, their contemporaries were all in agreement that they two were indeed a couple.

Cecil had often voiced his fears that Elizabeth would marry Robert. Even Philip of Spain wrote that “Elizabeth was so in love with Robert that she will marry no other”.  In fact, Cecil was so fearful that the two would marry he convinced Elizabeth that her cousin the widowed Mary, Queen of Scots was such a threat to the English throne it would be best to send one of her closest and most faithful courtiers to Scotland as a husband for the Queen, so Elizabeth could stay apprised of her actions. There was only one man Elizabeth trusted not to betray her, Cecil knew this as well, thus Elizabeth commanded Robert to marry Mary, Queen of Scots. Robert refused and Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief that she would not be parted from her dear Robin.

At this point in history the two had grown closer than ever before. It was acknowledged throughout London that the two were waiting on Robert’s wife, Amy Robsart to die of the disease that was afflicting her, (It is believed that Amy had a form of breast cancer.), so the two could marry. Amy did in fact die, unfortunately her death was rather mysterious leading many to believe that Robert murdered his wife to marry the Queen. Other’s voiced the theory that the Queen murdered Amy to marry Robert.

Robert was now a free man, a free man who happened to come with the stigma of murder attached to him. Because of this he was no longer an acceptable candidate for a husband to the Queen of England. Even those who thought he was innocent, still believed that Amy’s death had been orchestrated so that the two could marry. Thus Robert Dudley’s name had been permanently removed from the Queen’s list of suitable suitors.

Knowing that marrying Elizabeth was no longer an option, he married the her cousin, Lettice Knollys without Elizabeth’s approval, which earned them both a banishment from court.

Elizabeth could not bear to be parted from her Robin for too long and soon he was welcomed back from court.

While it can be stated that the two were in love, no one will ever know the extent of their relationship. The Queen did order for matching portraits or her and Robert to be made, although  they did not get finished beyond the sketches.

 

 

Our last giveaway is:

The Elizabeth Pack:

Which includes the following:

1 Copy of Elizabeth & Leicester by Sarah Gristwood
1 Copy of  The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir
1 Copy of The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir (fiction)
1 Copy of Death and The Virgin Queen by Chris Skidmore
1 Elizabeth I James Sadler Tea Pot
1 tin of Harney and Sons Tower of London Tea with a tagalong tin.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

For our last question,

What is the most random, or oddest Tudor fact that you have heard?

2. Giveaway Worldwide. (Just a heads up if you live in Canada or Australia  you will not be receiving the tea as it is against the new shipping restrictions to ship tea to those countries.) 

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of a Tudor Giveaway Day 11

Day 11

First off, sorry that there is no pictures of the prizes today, I cannot get them to load.



Day 10 Winner is: Beth. Please send your mailing address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

Each Tudor had something distinctive to add to this dynasty. Henry VIII believed that he needed a great war so history would remember him for all eternity. He didn’t get his great war, but be did become the King most people remember. Can you imagine what he would think if he could see the Tudor phenomenon that is going on.

On to your Tudor questions:


Liz-Do you think Edward's death was natural?
History records Edward as being a ‘strong and healthy baby’ and he remained so until his fifteenth year.

In January 1553, Edward became ill with a fever and cough that continued to worsen. The Imperial Ambassador, Scheyfve reported that “he suffers a good deal when the fever is upon him, especially from a difficulty in drawing his breath, which is due to the compression of the organs on the right side ...”, although by early April the boy king was feeling well enough to move from Westminster to Greenwich. Yet, April ended with him once again falling ill. May 7th the royal doctors recorded the he was “much amended” and was seen looking out of the window watching ships glide along the Thames.

June 11 Scheyfve reported that his was spitting up phlegm that was stained with blood. The royal doctors now believed he was suffering from “a suppurating tumor” of the lung and admitted that Edward was beyond recovery.

July 1st Edward made his last appearance in public, when he appeared at the window in Greenwich Palace. Those who saw Edward said that he was “thin and wasted”. 5 days later he died.

The cause of Edward’s death is not certain and this left many to remark that he was poisoned, although no evidence has been found to support that theory. The surgeon who examined Edwards’s body found that “the disease whereof his majesty died was the disease of the lungs”. Which led the Venetian ambassador to report that Edward died of consumption, which is the diagnosis accepted by a vast majority of historians. Given that Edward had contracted measles and smallpox the previous year, which had lowered his ability to fight off diseases, tuberculosis would have been a plausible diagnosis.

If we take into account his mother, Jane’s inability to fight off infection, Edward may have inherited a faulty immune system that was unable to fully fight off diseases. His pale colouring, may also hint at anemia which lowers the immune system considerably.


Cheryl Esselman-Do you think Princess Mary was mentally unstable during her reign as queen?


Mary lived a life of never knowing if she was going to survive from one hour to the next. First she was the pearl of her father’s world, then she was cast out, then halfway accepted back into his life. Because her life was on the line so many times, she became overly leery of people and extremely paranoid. But, you must remember that both her father and grandfather suffered from paranoia. Add into the mix a husband who professed his love for her sister and was looking for any reason to get rid of her, a string of failed pregnancies as well as her obsession to reverse the changes her father made all the while trying to keep her mother’s Spanish habits alive, and you have an unstable combination.


While her reign was extensively recorded, those recording were extremely biased depending on the recorders religious persuasion. Catholic recorders portray her as a saintly queen who could do no wrong. Reformers recorded her as a murderous villain who could do no right. What we are lacking is a nonbiased view of Mary, so often historians are left to pick one side or another, and I believe that gives us a skewed portrayal of the woman she actually was.

Theses are the facts that both sides agree upon:

Mary lived a life of never knowing if she was going to survive from one hour to the next. First she was the pearl of her father’s world, then she was cast out, then halfway accepted back into his life. Because her life was on the line so many times, she became overly leery of people and extremely paranoid. But, you must remember that both her father and grandfather suffered from paranoia. Add into the mix a husband who professed his love for her sister and was looking for any reason to get rid of her, a string of failed pregnancies as well as her obsession to reverse the changes her father made all the while trying to keep her mother’s Spanish habits alive, and you have an unstable combination.

Mary had an unlucky reign, and it was said that during her time as queen England had the worst weather ever recorded. She found herself repeating her parents marriage and her desire to please her husband and provide an heir took precedence over matters of State.

Was she mentally unstable? At times I believe so. But, I also believe that she was her father’s daughter without his ability to rule. Her top focus was an heir yet she was too in love with Philip to away with him like Henry had done in his quest for an heir. She was also in love with a man who didn’t love her back.

Mary was the first woman to successfully claim the throne of England and I have to wonder what would have been recorded if it had have been a man making the choices she made.

When Mary died John White, Bishop of Winchester, had this to say at her funeral:



praised Mary: "She was a King's daughter; she was a King's sister; she was a King's wife. “She was a Queen, and by the same title a King also."

I will answer these questions tomorrow as they go along with the last giveaway:

Gisele Alv- I know that Elizabeth never got married but is there any information about if she at least once, fell in love?

Carol L.- I wonder if her and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester were ever involved or were in love?


Today’s giveaway is:

Philippa Gregory Pack:

The Constant Princess
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Boleyn Inheritance
The Queen’s Fool
The Virgin’s lover
The Other Queen
The White Queen
The Read Queen




The books were kindly donated by a small bookshop called “Write To Read”


Today’s Rules:
1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

Lets have a little fun. If you were casting the Tudors, what actor/actress would play them?

Tudor Trivia: Do you have a Tudor-related question? If so, then this is your time to ask it. Questions will be answered in the last post.

2. Giveaway Worldwide.
3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.
4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of A Tudor Christmas Giveaway

Day 10
The Boleyn Pack:

Day 9 winners are:

Robbie won the Tudor Throne
Shibhon won The Tudor Age

Please email your mailing address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

You all have such brilliant and lovely traditions. I grew up in a Scottish and Irish home, so Christmas and New Years is filled with Scottish and Irish traditions yet my favorite has always been Oidche Choinnle.

Oidche Choinnle, is Gaelic for Night of Candles. On Christmas Eve lit candles are placed in the windows to light the way for the Holy Family. On New Years, the candles help light the way for a stranger, “The First Footer”. As a child, I remember my Great-Grandmother lighting actual candles each window, although I still practice the tradition, I err on the side of caution and use battery operated ones.

*****

Moving on to your Tudor Questions, which were all brilliant by the way!

Gisele Alv ask: Was Henry happy at least once in his life?

I believe that Henry was the happiest at the beginning of his reign. He was 18, and the burdens of being a king hadn’t effected his yet. He did as he pleased, and I believe that he was in love with Catherine of Aragon. Without being bogged down by matters of State, he jousted, put on elaborate banquets, performed in masks and disguises, and wrote brilliant songs that showed he was truly happy. At this point of time he was still known as Harry and most importantly he still knew who his true friends were.

Robbie ask: What happened to Katherine Parr after Henry death’s.

Katherine Parr was in danger of losing her head briefly whilst Henry was alive. Henry had a warrant for her arrest drawn up and was making plan to marry Charles Brandon’s widow. Fortunately for Katherine, Henry’s mind changed and when they came to arrest her, Henry pretended to be outraged over the warrant and acted like he had no clue it even existed. I imagine that Katherine was rather relieved by Henry’s death and grateful that she managed to keep her head.

Six months after Henry’s death, Katherine married the man she loved, Thomas Seymour,
who happened to be the uncle of Henry’s only legitimate son. On 30 August, 1548 Katherine gave birth to a daughter, whom she named Mary. Six or seven days later the former queen died from what appears to be complications from childbirth.
Katherine had managed to escape the executioners blade only to perish not even two years after the death of Henry. According to historical records, any mention of Katherine & Thomas’ daughter Mary cease to exist after two years and it is believed the child died.

Shibhon ask: What does a maid of honor tart have to do with Henry 8?

It’s funny that you ask this question as Maid of Honor Tarts are one of my favorite Holiday desserts to make.
For those of you who do not know, Maid of Honor are tarts with a piecrust bottom, a jam center, and a cake like top. The are absolutely scrumptious.

According to tradition, Maid of Honor cakes, or Richmond cakes as they are also called, are responsible for Henry VIII falling madly in love Anne Boleyn. They said that when Anne was Catherine’s Maid of Honor Henry happened to catch Anne eating these cakes from a silver dish.

Tasting a tart for himself, Henry deemed the treat delicious and had both the recipe and the creator of the recipe locked up in Richmond.

While no one actually knows if the story is true, one thing is for certain, Maid of Honors are deliciously sinful.

What to make a dessert fit for Henry VIII? Try my recipe for these tasty treats.

First off and most importantly USE ONLY JAM. If you use any other filling it will run over in your oven leaving a bubbling mess of goo for you to clean up. Trust me, I speak from experience.

1 9 inch pie dough. (I use pre-made pie dough that comes in rolls)
1/4 cup jam
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds.
(Double the recipe for 12 tarts)

Place over rack in the center position and preheat the 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Lightly grease a cupcake or muffin tin.
Cut out 12 3 inch circles and place one in each cup of the cupcake tin. Fit to the bottom, but do not press completely down.
Add one teaspoon of jam to the bottom of each shell.

Batter:
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together softened butter or margarine and white
sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in egg. Add flour, baking powder, almond extract, and chopped almonds mix
until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Top with 2 tablespoons of batter.
Bake for 20 minutes until risen and firm.
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes then remove from tin.

*****

Today’s Giveaway is:

The Boleyn Pack:

This Pack includes:

1 Anne Boleyn Scarf kindly donated by The Anne Boleyn Files
1 Copy of The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir
1 Copy of The Other Boleyn by Philippa Gregory
1 Copy of Mary Boleyn by Alison Weir
1 Copy of Jane Boleyn by Julia Fox

The books were kindly donated by a small bookshop called “Write To Read”

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

Who is your favorite Tudor?

Tudor Trivia: Do you have a Tudor-related question? If so, then this is your time to ask it. Questions will be answered in the remaining posts.

2. Giveaway Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 9

Day 9

Day 8 winner is: Scott. Please email your mailing address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

I loved reading your versions of Henry & his 6 wives Christmas list.

Henry was known for his opulence and Christmas was no exception. In Tudor England, Christmas was a twelve-day festival which reached it’s end on Twelfth Night, January 6, which was the Feast of Epiphany.

Those 12 days consisted of feasts, banquets, pageants, disguises, and all sorts of merry making which was presided over by the Lord of Misrule, or the Master of Merry Disports along with his train of heralds, fools in fancy dress, and magicians all making marry.

Henry VIII also observed the mediaeval custom of appointing a boy bishop to take the place of his senior chaplain: at Windsor, he once rewarded a lad called Nicholas with 10 marks for taking this role.

Court was filled during Christmas and this was the only time when rank was replaced with merriment. Like many homes, the royal palaces were decked out with holly, ivy, and any thing green the season had to offer. The Yule log crackled, carols were sung, dances were performed, wassail was drank,  and the public were allowed in to watch.

On Twelfth Night extravagant gifts were exchanged. Here is a record of some of the gifts the King received in 1534.

By the Queen. A goodly gilt bason, having a rail or board of gold in the midst of the brim, garnished with rubies and pearls, wherein standeth a fountain, also having a rail of gold about it garnished with diamonds; out thereof issueth water, at the teats of three naked women standing at the foot of the same fountain.

Dukes and Earls. As in list for 1532. Suffolk's gift is a book garnished with gold, having therein a clock

The abbot of Glastonbury, the prior of Tynnemouth, Dr. Rawson and the princcss's schoolmaster omitted. “By Layland, priest, two books of stories, with the King's grace.”

Among them occur a silver gilt compass, 69¾ oz., a goodly table of Hercules, a table of Our Lord, a tablet of gold with an antike face, a prymer of written hand in vellum, a goodly clock, an “esposier” of gold with a chain, a goodly table of St. Jerome, a tablet of gold with a device of Venus and Cupidoo, two “seviettes” and a marmoset.*

*The above mentioned items were taken directly from the Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 7: 1534

1-Bring in a sprig of Holly. (One of the many Druidic practices that was adopted by the Tudor court)
2- Send a card. Although Christmas Cards did not exist in Tudor times, they did send out poems at this time of year.
2-Carol to your hearts content. The first collection of Christmas Carols was published in 1521 and the Tudor era is responsible for several well known Christmas carols, such as ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’, ‘The Coventry Carol’, and ’The First Noel’. ’What Child Is This’ borrowed the music of ‘Greensleeves’.
3-Bake gingerbread or gingerbread men. Gingerbread was often requested by Henry VIII, while his was the same standard recipe that is made today, his gingerbread was a bit more grand as it was covered with gold. Elizabeth I was the first monarch to have eaten a gingerbread man.

******
For today’s gift there will be two prizes and two winner. One giveaway is WORLDWIDE & one is US ONLY, please make your comment accordingly.

The First Giveaway is WORLDWIDE and is:

The Tudor Age by Jasper Ridley.

The Second Giveaway is US ONLY and is:

The Tudor Throne by Brandy Purdy.

A brilliant portrait of the rule of "Bloody Mary" and her intricate relationship with Elizabeth I, the adored "Virgin Queen," here is a riveting tale of one family's sordid and extraordinary chapter in the pages of history

I would like to thank Brandy for her donation of the book. If you would like to know more about Brandy, her novels or read her blog you may do so HERE.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

What are your Holiday Traditions?

Tudor Trivia: Do you have a Tudor-related question? If so, then this is your time to ask it. Questions will be answered in the remaining posts.

2. Giveaway is US & Worldwide. PLEASE NOTE IF YOUR ARE IN THE US OR INTERNATIONAL AS THERE ARE TWO GIVEAWAYS.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Day 8

Day 8

The Tudor Chronicles 1485-1603

Day 7 Winner is Hilliary. Please send your mailing address to:

newroyalreviews at yahoo sot com

Most of us have our own opinion regarding Henry VIII. Love him or hate him one thing is for certain he was a ruler like no other.

Born the second son of a King, Henry VIII was not groomed to rule England. Henry, or Harry as he was called, was actually groomed to go into the Church, which should not be surprising give his proclivity for theological debate. Unlike his brother Arthur, Henry had a natural ability to debate which led to Erasmus to call Henry ’a deep and acute thinker” he also had inherited his father’s ability to see through peoples intentions.

He was a fairly free to enjoy sports such as hunting and jousting or coming and going as he pleased. But, all that changed with the death of his brother. Henry became the heir to the throne of England he also become more or less a prisoner of his father. After the death his father, Henry was free to be his own man.

His contemporaries described him as cheerful and gameson, quick to laugh, intelligent, the most affable prince in the world. He was full of charm and charisma, a gem of virtue, glory, goodness, and justice.

Henry became king at a time the world was changing. It’s was now a young man’s game and he found himself surrounded by youthful kings. The Renaissance was now in full swing and Henry was not about the be left behind. He entered into the worlds of science, theology, music, art, warfare, and politics and he did so with unbelievable zeal and ability.

He was also quick-tempered, headstrong, immature, vain, and at this point the didn’t quite know the extent of his power. However others did take notice of the man he could become. In 1514 the Spanish Ambassador Henry’s father-in-law, King Ferdinand “that is a bridle was not put on this colt, it will afterwards be hard to control him.”

Seven years later Sir Thomas Moore echoed that statement when he warned the newly appointed Cromwell that he should handle Henry with caution, “For, if the lion knew his own strength, hard were it to rule him.”

Up until the “Great Matter” he was a relatively unaware that he held the keys to the kingdom so to speak. After the “Great Matter” he knew he was the one in charge. Although it was the betrayal of Anne Boleyn then the death of Jane Seymour that sent him over the edge.
So, who was Henry VIII. If you are reading Historical text or even some biographies, the answer often varies based on the Religious persuasion of author. As for my thoughts about Henry, I do not think that he was this horrid tyrant, I think that he was a product of the time in which he lived. Henry was the only ruler in history to have ruled with absolute power, which is something none of us can imagine. When he ascended to the throne, he was a boy of 18, an unprepared boy of 18 who was constantly surrounded with people trying to use him to their own advantage.

Tudor Trivia Question: The Battle of Flodden took place in 1513. It was England against Scotland, what was Henry’s connection to this battle?

Tudor Trivia Answer: Your answers were correct, although I was looking for a closer connection between Henry and the Battle of Flodden. While Henry himself did not have anything to do with the battle, he had more than just a political connection to the battle. Amongst the 10,000 Scots that were slain, Scotland’s king James IV lost his life as well. James was married to Henrys sister Margaret.

Today’s Giveaway:

 

THE TUDOR CHRONICLES 1485-1603 by Susan Doran

The Tudor Chronicles is a compelling, year-by-year chronology of this tumultuous and critical period in the development of the modern English nation. Each year is covered by a concise, informative and accessible narrative, amplified by extensive quotations from contemporary sources and accompanied by generously captioned and stunning images of the period - including portraits, maps, illuminations, royal seals, tapestries and other artefacts. Authoritative, informative and sumptuous, and compiled by a scholar who is steeped in knowledge of the period, The Tudor Chronicles brings a glorious era of English history dramatically and vividly to life. It is the perfect gift book for anyone with a love of, or fascination for, 16th-century English history.

This is one of my favorite Tudor books. I practically stalked my local Barnes & Noble until I found it.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

Let’s have a bit of fun with today’s question.  Since it is Christmas time, imagine that the Tudors are making their Christmas lists. What is one thing that Henry and each of his 6 wives would ask for? Get creative! I can’t wait to read your answers.

2. Giveaway is Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

The 12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Day 7

Day 7

Catherine of Aragon Giveaway

Day 6 Winner is: Colleen Turner. Please send you mailing address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

Once again, great responses. I love seeing your thoughts upon the matter and hope that you are enjoying these questions.

Did Henry love Catherine of Aragon? It’s the question that many Tudor authors and scholars ask find themselves debating about. I personally believe that Henry loved Catherine yet the age difference, Catherine’s inability to provide a male heir, and Henry’s belief that his marriage was unlawful in the eyes of God that caused a rift to develop between them.

Catherine was born 16th of December, 1485. Henry was born six years later on the 28th of June, 1491. Sixteen years later she married Arthur Tudor. A ten year old Henry was Catherine’s escort to her wedding. Dressed all in white Henry was in awe of Catherine and like the Henry most of us have read about, he showed off for Catherine in the form of dance. In fact, he danced so vigorously with his sister that he had to remove his doublet, which left him only in his shirt sleeves.

Catherine’s marriage to Arthur was short-lived, and she soon found herself a window in a foreign land. At the mercy of her father-in-law, Henry VII, Catherine’s future in England was uncertain. After the death of his father and his own ascension to the throne, one of Henry VIII’s first acts was to marry Catherine.

He professed his love for her through poetry, songs, pageants and jousts. No one in England doubted that they were in love. And at this point in time their ages were perfectly suited, Henry was 18 and Catherine 24. They enjoyed the same actives, accompanied each other on pilgrimages, and when Henry was in England shared the hours discussing political and religious matter. Henry often sought her advice on matters of State and when he was on campaign he left Catherine as Regent. Catherine was a worthy Regent and her orchestration of the Battle of Flodden proved to be one of the pivotal battles during Henry’s reign.   

The death of their children began to take a toll upon Henry and he began to fear the Lord was punishing him for taking his brother’s wife. And it was the following verse from Levities Chapter 20 Verse 16 that plagued Henry.

“If a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an impurity; he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.”

By this time, the age difference was starting to become a factor as well. At 35 Henry was in the prime of his life, excelling in sports, dancing till the wee hours of the morning, and campaigning in foreign lands. Catherine now at 41 was becoming weary. The death of the her children, her inability to provide an heir, and her decision at this point in her life to sit back and take in the Court rather than to be a part of it created an unbridgeable chasm.

I believe that it was Henry’s love for Catherine that saved her from the block. If they would have been closer in age, I believe that the outcome would have been differently.

Answer to the Tudor Trivia question: Why was Catherin’s name spelled with a “C”?
Catherine was born Catalina de Aragón. Henry VII deemed the name Catalina too foreign to be accepted by the English, thus she became Catherine of Aragon. She was the only wife of Henry’s to sign her name with a C.

Today’s Giveaway is the:
Catherine of Aragon Pack.

This pack includes the following:

1 copy of  Catherine of Aragon: The Spanish Queen of Henry VIII by Giles Tremlett
1 Disappearing Wives Mug (courtesy of Target)
1 tin of Pomegranate Green Tea from The Republic of Tea

I have to say that I own and *love* this mug. When hot water is added the wives disappear. 

 

Today’s Rules:
1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

In your mind, who was Henry VIII?

Tudor Trivia Question:

The Battle of Flodden took place in 1513. It was England against Scotland, what was Henry’s connection to this battle?

2. Giveaway is Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 6

The King’s Rose by Alisa Libby

 

Day 5 Winner is Sophia. Please send your mailing address to:
Newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

Katherine Howard is a fascinating subject. Raised in the household of her step-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk where supervision was lax Katherine was raised with loose morals to say the least. The licentious atmosphere of the Duchess’ household allowed Katherine to carry on a sexual relationship with both her music teacher, Henry Mannox and later the Duchess’ secretary, Francis Durham.

Her relationship with Francis Durham mirrored the relationship of a married couple. They referred to each other as ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ and she often performed wifely duties such as looking after Durham’s money when he was away. It was apparent to everyone in the Duchess’ household that the two were headed to the alter and that is when the Dowager Duchess finally put an end to their relationship. Although, her disapproval wasn’t enough to stop the two and it seems that they may have entered into a precontract of marriage before Durham left for Ireland. If they had indeed exchanged vows regarding their intention to marry then consummated it, they would have been considered married in the eyes of the Church.

Katherine’s uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, found her a place at Court in the household of the Anne of Cleves, Henry’s fourth wife. Katherine’s charms soon caught Henry’s eye and Anne found that she had been replaces by a younger English girl. Yet, being a Queen to a man nearing 50 has its downside and she soon found herself becoming bored.

Luckily, a handsome young man and a favorite courtier of Henry’s, Thomas Culpeper, was there to entertain her. With the help of Anne Boleyn’s sister-in-law, Lady Rochford, Thomas and Katherine were able to carryout their affair without notice. Things seem to be going without a hitch until Katherine believed that she was in control of the game. When she appointed Francis Durham as her personal secretary, she more-or-less signed her own death warrant.

Katherine wasn’t a smart girl, her love letters to both Culpepper and Durham are barely legible and her choice of dancing all night rather than trying to sway the King’s mind over political matters shows that she had no knowledge nor desire to be a leading voice in England. She was foolish and naïve to think that she could hide her affairs from the Henry. She was stupid to entrust Lady Rochford with her secrets.

Yet, it is Henry’s choice in selecting Katherine that I must question. It’s one of those moments in history you have to question. Henry wasn’t a stupid man and by this time, he had inherited the paranoia that had plagued his father. Therefore, I must question his decision in marrying the cousin of the woman who had betrayed him. Surely, he would have learned to keep his distance from both the Boleyns and the Howards. Yet, we all know how this marriage ended.

 

Today’s Giveaway is:

The King’s Rose by Alisa M. Libby

Appointed to the queen’s household at the age of fourteen, Catherine Howard is not long at court before she catches the eye of King Henry VIII. The king is as enchanted with Catherine as he is disappointed with his newest wife — the German princess Anne of Cleves. Less than a year from her arrival at court, Catherine becomes the fifth wife of the overwhelmingly powerful, if aging, King of England.

Caught up in a dazzling whirl of elaborate celebrations, rich gowns and royal jewels, young Catherine is dizzied by the absolute power that the king wields over his subjects. But does becoming the king’s wife make her safe above all others, or put her in more danger? Catherine must navigate the conspiracies, the silent enemies, the king’s unpredictable rages, as well as contend with the ghosts of King Henry’s former wives: the abandoned Catherine of Aragon, the tragic Jane Seymour, and her own cousin, the beheaded Anne Boleyn. The more Catherine learns about court, the more she can see the circles of danger constricting around her, the threats ever more dire.

If you would like to know more about Alisa Libby, The King’s Rose, or to read her blog, please checkout her website HERE.

I would like to thank Alisa  Libby for providing a copy of her novel The King’s Rose!

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the questions:

Do you believe that Henry loved his first wife, Catherine of Aragon?

And for a bit of Tudor Trivia, Why was Catherine of Aragon’s name spelled with a “C” rather than a “K” like the other two Katherine’s?

2. Giveaway is US only.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

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12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 5

Day 5

A Drink Fit For A King.

Day 4 winner is Alex. Please email your shipping address to:
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com




Once again, your responses were brilliant. Many of you came to the same conclusion that they were good friends who were related by marriage. So, who was Charles Brandon?

Charles Brandon was the son of Sir William Brandon, the standard-bearer of Henry VII, who had died at the hand of Richard III at the Bosworth in 1485. After his father’s death Charles was raised at the court of Henry VIII. Charles was afforded the same education as Arthur and Henry which was a rare occurrence due to the fact Charles had no title. Before Arthur’s death Charles was placed as his companion. After Arthur’s death he was admitted to Prince Henry’s household, once again receiving the same treatment as a Prince of England.

1509 Henry became King of England, his first act was to appoint Charles Esquire of the Body. From there his status rose quickly and soon he found himself being appointed the Duke of Suffolk.

Charles, like Henry excelled in looks, charm and competitive sports. He was the only man who was allowed to beat the King in the sports and often did so especially in the lists. In fact, it was Charles that was jousting against the King when Henry forgot to lower his visor.

Charles was also an accomplished courtier, soldier, and diplomat. Henry often sought his council on most matters both private and State. He had the King’s ear, and he was the only one that was allowed to speak his mind without fear of repercussion. Sure, he may have been banished from court a few times, but nothing lasted longer than a few weeks. Even when he married the King’s sister, Henry wrote that he knew what was going to transpire before he sent Charles to bring Mary home.

Everything the I mentioned shows that Henry and Charles were exceedingly good friends. Although their contemporaries had a different opinion and many of the foreign ambassadors recorded their opinions on this matter. Men in Tudor times were not tall, yet both Henry and Charles were over 6 feet. They were alarmingly alike in looks, build, and demeanor. The Spanish Ambassador recorded that “when viewing the King and Suffolk from the back one was unable to distinguish which was the King and which was Suffolk.” It has also been recorded that Charles was known as ‘Henry’s bastard brother’ because he so resembled the King. Yet, these were not rumors that just started in Henry VIII’s reign, they started long before Henry VII brought Charles into his household.

Charles Brandon was the only person Henry maintained a life-long friendship with. After Charles’ death many believe that the Henry simply gave up. Yes, they were good friends, Charles was related by marriage. But, where they brothers? According to their contemporaries it was possible, yet it remains a mystery we will never know the answer to.

****

Today’s Giveaway is:

A Drink Fit For a King includes:

1 eleven ounce Henry VIII mug.
1 2.25 ounce bag of Henry’s Earl Grey Tea


Fine Black Tea
A favorite of royal subjects for centuries, this Earl Gray is a healthy blend of Indian and Ceylon black tea infused with bergamot. Long live the King!

Description of the mug:
The quote on the back reads, "Order gave each thing view." - From Shakespeare's Henry VIII

Steep Show Teas are carefully selected for quality, flavor and superior health benefits. From the art that celebrates the beauty of the human form to the intoxicating aroma and textures, we give you a tea experience that indulges body, mind and spirit.


My thanks to Diane Decillis from Steep Show Teas and Lido Gallery for donating the mug and the tea.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

Katherine Howard…Did she really think that she could pull off having an affair or was she just plain crazy?

2. Giveaway is Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman

Title: The Christmas Cookie Club
Author: Ann Pearlman
Publisher: Atria
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Pages: 272
How I Read It: ARC received from the publisher – The views expressed in my review are mine alone and I have received no compensation for these opinions.
ISBN: 9781439158845
My Rating: 3 Crowns

Synopsis: On the first Monday of December, every year, twelve friends gather in the evening with batches of homemade cookies wrapped in beautiful packages. They drink wine, they eat, and they take turns telling the story of the cookies they have baked.

Somehow these stories are always emblematic of the year that has just passed. Marnie’s daughter may lose her baby, Jeannie’s father is having an affair with her best friend, Rosie’s husband doesn’t want children, Taylor’s husband has left her. These are stories about sisterly love and conflict, passion and disillusionment, family hardships and pleasures.

My Review: As the title indicates, each year, a group of friends meets before the holiday season to do a cookie exchange. We quickly learn, however, that the cookie’s are really just an excuse for these friends to get together, one of the few times a year that all of them are together to share with each other.

This novel hit a familiar cord with me, as someone who had previously read The Friday Night Knitting Club series. The ideas behind the two books are similar – a great reason for a fabulous group of ladies to get together and share their lives on a regular basis. I wanted to know these ladies, to share in their lives, or at the very least start my own kind of cookie club.

The stories that unfold during the course of this novel are very heartwarming, and I definitely got teary through several parts of it. I loved the friendships that we got to see throughout the book, the history being told from Marnie’s point of view as she is the one who brought the cookie club together. I wanted to just settle in with a nice glass of wine and be a part of their party, even though I know I couldn’t be invited because I’d make number thirteen!

It also does a great job of reminding you of how valuable your friends can be, the people who are with you through many facets of your life and help you through it all as you age together. I was recalling my great friendships as I was reading the book, and thinking of how grateful I am for the people in my life. We’re all so lucky to have found these wonderful people who truly make our lives great.

This was a very fast read, I finished it in less than a day, and it was exactly the light and lovely read I was looking for. Not only were the friendships fantastic to read about, each chapter starts with a cookie recipe and you could easily use them yourself. Sprinkled in between each chapter is an informative section about different ingredients of baking, such as flour, nuts, ginger, butter, and my favorite, cinnamon. I loved reading about that history, it’s like learning about baking while reading about cookies that made me excessively hungry.

I thought this was a nice holiday read, and something book clubs would enjoy this time of the year. You could combine it all into one, have your book/cookie club!

Visit Crystal @ I Totally Paused

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 4

Day 4

Meet the Tudor’s Giveaway

The Winners of To Die For are:
Carol L.
Jennifer causey
Tracy
Please email your shipping address to
newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com

I loved reading your opinions regarding whether Anne was innocent or guilty.  One way or another, we must come to the agreement that Anne was a very clever woman. Not only was she able to snag the King, but she was able to hold him captivated throughout the process of the “Great Matter”, (aka his divorce from Catherine), which was 6 long years.

Personally, I believe that she was a victim of her own device. She reveled in being the center of attention, which opened the door for Henry to charge her with adultery. Do I think she loved the King? I am not so sure that she did, she was a pawn in her father and uncles game to elevate their standing. Was she crazy? I believe so, she had a major melt down when she found out that Catherine was still making Henry’s shirts (the series had it right, it actually happened).

Innocent or guilty, sane or insane one thing remains the same, she was and still is fascinating people worldwide.

 

 

 

Meet the Tudor’s Giveaway includes:

Henry VIII: The King and His Court by Alison Weir

The Tudors by G.J. Meyer

The Sisters of Henry VIII by Maria Perry

 

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

What do you think about the relationship between Henry VIII & Charles Brandon? Were they good friend who were raised together? Or, were they siblings? 

2. Giveaway is Worldwide.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 3

Day Three

A Giveaway To Die For

Yesterdays winner is Nina, please send your shipping address to newroyalreviews at yahoo dot com.

Yesterdays question was: Which wife of Henry is your favorite?

Here are your responses:

Catherine of Aragon: 6
Anne Boleyn: 6
Jane Seymour: 3
Anne of Cleves: 2
Katherine Howard: 0
Katherine Parr: 2

Many of you said that it was Catherine of Aragon’s devotion to both her husband and to her beliefs that endeared her to you. While others selected Anne Boleyn due to the way history has vilified her. Jane Seymour comes in third, which seems fitting as she was Henry’s third wife. Jane Seymour is also the only wife that was able to give Henry his long awaited for Heir, and for that accomplishment she is the only wife buried beside him.  Anne of Cleves was not pretty or pleasing enough to be a wife, but she seemed to be able to stay friends with Henry after their divorce which was rather surprising. Young Katherine Howard received no votes and I must say that I am not surprised, I do wonder if the girl was a bit daft. I mean her cousin was sent to the scaffold for having an affair, surely she would have erred on the side of caution, but we all know how it ended. Lastly, we have Katherine Parr, the wife who out lived Henry. Katherine was well-versed in  religious matters and her zeal for debating such matters caused Henry alarm to the extent an arrest warrant was drawn up. It was a good thing for her that the King was feeling lenient when they came to arrest Katherine.

****

For today’s giveaway I have 3 copies of Sandra Byrd’s novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn to giveaway. 

When Anne Boleyn ascends to the court of Henry VIII, she takes her best friend, Meg Wyatt, along with her. Everything seems thrilling at first, but then their favor rises and falls. Having pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what, will Meg lose her greatest love---and her own life---in the process?

There are many ways to arrive at the Tower of London though there are few ways out. Kings and Queens ride in before a coronation, retinue trailing like a train of ermine. Prisoners, however, arrive on foot, shoved through one cavernous gate or another by the wardens who live, as all do, at the mercy of a merciless king. Some unfortunate few are delivered to the Tower by water.
Snippet from the prologue

 

If you would like to know more about Sandra Byrd, To Die For, or any of her other novels, please visit her website Here.

My thanks to Sandra Byrd for donating these copies for the giveaway.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

Do you think that Anne was innocent or guilty?

2. Giveaway is US only.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

And Remember Have Fun!

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Title: Breadcrumbs
Author: Anne Ursu
ISBN: 978-0-06-201505-1
Publisher: Walden Pond Press
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Fantasy
Pages: 336
Rating: 4 Crowns


Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else. 

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel. 

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbsis a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.


My thoughts:


Breadcrumbs is a novel best described as magical. In telling her story, Anne Ursu pays homage to fairy tales like The Little Match Girl and Hansel and Gretel and novels like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I was reminded more than once of Narnia and the White Witch, especially when the Snow Queen arrives in a sleigh and asks Jack if he'd like some Turkish Delight. The world that Hazel finds herself in does not have the charm of Narnia however. There is danger everywhere even with those who seem perfectly harmless and Hazel goes into the woods knowing that she will have to fight evil to get Jack back. 

Hazel is a character who is at times wise beyond her years and at other times very young. She has an active imagination and she's entered a time when grownups tend to start encouraging kids to be more serious. This causes difficulties for Hazel in school where she struggles to pay attention. She is intelligent but her curiosity gets her into trouble. Jack is the one bright spot in her life since her dad left. He shares her creativity and they like to make up stories and superpowers together. Lately though Jack has been spending more time with his buddies, Bobby and Tyler. Even before the incident with the Snow Queen, Jack and Hazel start to grow apart. Hazel is at a pivotal moment in her life as she begins to leave childhood behind and her quest to save Jack helps her come to grips with the idea of growing up without losing yourself. 

One of the themes of this book seems to be about the importance of creativity and encouraging creativity in young people. Breadcrumbs certainly succeeds with that. The writing style adds to that sense of magic and wonder. The descriptions of cold really pulled me into the story. There were a couple of times that I thought maybe the writing style would not appeal to younger kids but I think tweens in 5th and 6th grade would appreciate it. Anne Ursu has a gift for description and creating a sense of place. Overall I thought this was a fantastic story and one I would suggest to fans of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobeand Inkheart. Breadcrumbs would make the perfect book to read on a cold winter day when you want nothing more than to curl up with a book and a mug of hot cocoa. 

Note: I received a copy of this book for review through the Amazon Vine program

Christina T @ Reading Extensively

The Tudors - What are they to you?

As readers of historical fiction, most of us have a decent idea of who the Tudors were.  Yet surprisingly, I still meet people all the time who have no real idea what that word means - Tudor.  Sure, you mention Henry VIII or Elizabeth I and people know who they are, but all they represent are names people were forced to learn in school so long ago.

I feel lucky that I'm much more familiar with this royal family than the average person.  Even before I knew their actual family name, these people filled me with such a love of history that I haven't been able to break free from - a passion that has followed me into adulthood and will remain with me forever.  Who doesn't hear the story of Anne Boleyn and think it's a tragic one?

The Tudors often represent a somewhat magical period in English history for us, something to speculate on and romanticize about.  I love reading a good story of Elizabeth's supposed antics and indiscretions during her youth!  And of course, Henry himself provides us with endless liaisons to fantasize about.  What most of us forget is the relative stability this family brought to England after the Wars of the Roses, helping to secure the country as one of the powerhouses of Europe during their time.

Whether you like the Tudors just for fun fiction, or for academic reasons, they never fail to give us something interesting to read and learn about.  What's your favorite thing about the Tudors?

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 2

 

 Day 2

 

 

Wow! The responses to the first giveaway have been amazing! There are so many reasons to love the Tudors both the series and the dynasty.

The Tudor era brought about many changes in England and even throughout the world amazingly some of the changes that Henry VIII brought about are still in place. They were a fascinating family and for many they still are.

Whether you are a Tudor newbie or a serious Tudor addict one fact about the Tudors is well known-Henry VIII married 6 times. While some of you may not know their names you probably know that he divorced 2, beheaded 2, 1 died, and 1 outlived him.

I have named today’s giveaway the:
“Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived”  Giveaway.  And this giveaway is centered around the 6 wives of Henry VIII.

 

  The “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived” Pack includes the following:

1 Copy of The 6 Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir
1 book of the Six Wives of Henry VIII Paper dolls
1 Pack of Tudor Buttons

This set of eight beautiful and collectible 1" pin back buttons or magnets features collages of Tiffini's of King Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, Catherine Parr and the Tudor Rose.

I would like to thank Claire Ridgway @ The Anne Boleyn Files for donating the buttons. Please stop by her site and say thank you. Also, make sure you stop by and checkout their brilliant shop, where you can find all things Tudor.

Today’s Rules:

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

Which wife of Henry is your favorite?

2. Giveaway is International.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.

And Remember Have Fun!

12 Days of a Tudor Christmas Giveaway Day 1

 

Day 1

The Tudors: The Complete Series

 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Natalie Dormer brings to life the intrigue of the Tudors in this utterly fascinating series. And now, thanks to a kind and generous donation, from a sponsor who wishes to remain nameless, this Complete Series can be yours.

Here are the rules:

The Tudors: The Complete Series

1. Leave a comment with your name and an answer to the question:

Why Do You Love The Tudors?

2. Due to the formatting of the DVDs being a Region 1, this giveaway is US only.

3. You do not need to leave your email address as the winner will be announced the next day. The winner will also be announced on the right side of the blog under the Royal Winners banner. You have until the 23rd to respond with your shipping address. You may want to subscribe to Royal Reviews via feed burner which is located in left side of the blog so that the winners and new giveaways will be sent directly to your inbox.

4. Followers will receive an extra entry so make sure you let us know if you follow us. You will also receive an extra entry if you post about the giveaway.