cover image Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens

Secrets of the Tudor Court: Between Two Queens

Kate Emerson, . . Pocket, $16 (353pp) ISBN 978-1-4165-8327-1

Emerson’s second in her Tudor court series (following Secrets of the Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace ) begins with Jane Seymour’s death after giving birth to a son, Edward, and follows the fortunes of one of her maids of honor, Nan Bassett. Concerned about her position now that her queen is dead, Nan catches Henry VIII’s eye almost at once, a dangerous position for a young maid. When her family becomes embroiled in treason and scandal, it is all she can do to stay alive and must balance the desires of a king with the desires of her heart. As in her first Tudor novel, Emerson skillfully crafts a strong heroine who maintains careful command of her sexuality and her independence. Nan’s behavior is as brave as it is scandalous for the time, and Emerson makes readers appreciate the consequences of Nan’s choices. An in-depth view into the later years of Henry’s court with the charismatic king gone to seed, makes him a character, in Emerson’s capable hands, to be feared and in some ways pitied. (Jan.)