Anne Boleyn Collection
To celebrate the release of Sandra Byrd’s novel, The Secret Keeper, she has kindly donated a pack of Anne Boleyn inspired greeting cards to give-away to one lucky commenter.
For your chance to win these beautiful cards you must be subscribed to On the Tudor Trail’s newsletter (if you are not already, sign up on our homepage).
Then simply leave a comment after my review between now and June 30, 2012.
Don’t forget to leave your name and a contact email.
Good luck!
Review of The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd
This is not my first encounter with Sandra Byrd’s fiction. Last year, I read and reviewed To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn and enjoyed it tremendously, so I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to read the second book in the Ladies in Waiting series, The Secret Keeper.
Having taken a little break from all things Tudor to focus on some important projects at work, I was concerned that the story might not be able to hold my attention. Well, I needn’t have worried, after only a few pages I was completely engrossed and hopelessly immersed in the Tudor court once more.
The Secret Keeper tells the story of Katherine Parr through the eyes of the fictional Mistress Juliana St. John, the daughter of a prosperous knight, sent to join the household of Henry VIII’s sixth wife.
If you’re thinking that you know this story well, then think again. Katherine Parr is often remembered as the one that survived, a nurse to the ailing king in his final years, but she was so much more than this and Byrd’s portrayal truly does her justice.
Katherine Parr emerges from the pages a strong, generous and inspiring woman. Her devoutness, intelligence and wit captivate a king but also capture the heart of Sir Thomas Seymour. She is well loved and respected by Henry’s children and a beacon of hope for all reformers. However, Katherine is not devoid of faults—her love of Thomas Seymour at times blinds her better judgment, but this complexity makes her all the more intriguing.
Through Juliana’s relationship with Katherine we are privy to the queen’s most inner thoughts and feelings. This insight coupled with Byrd’s richly detailed storytelling and vivid descriptions transported me back in time—I felt a part of the story.
Katherine is not the only inspiring character. Juliana is more than just another lady in waiting; she is worthy company for the queen, sharing many of her qualities and ideals. She also keeps a secret … one that I will not reveal here, you will have to read the book in order to find out what it is!
While Katherine struggles to influence an ageing king without inciting his wrath and attempts to navigate the treacherous roads of the Tudor court, Juliana battles her own demons. But Byrd is not only skilled at weaving suspense and intrigue; she is also a master of stories of the heart. I particularly enjoyed the romance that develops between Juliana and Jamie Hart, an Irish knight, and must admit to having developed a little crush on him myself!
As with Byrd’s first novel in the series, the story has a strong religious element and one that I feel strengthens our relationship with the characters and accurately reflects the central role that religion played in the lives of the Tudors.
The Secret Keeper is a real page-turner; I often promised myself that I would read just one more chapter, only to find myself lost for hours.
In what I consider to be a mark of great historical fiction, Byrd has inspired me to learn more about the life of the remarkable Katherine Parr.
I enjoyed every moment of this story and highly recommend it!
Very much looking forward to book three, Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I, to be released in 2013.
I don’t read a lot of ficton but your review Natalie and Sandras book being about Katherine Parr has got me hooked. I have always been fond of Katherine Parr and the more I read about her the more I like her. With my visits to Kendal, Gainsborough and Sudeley this year I am having some Katherine Parr time, so maybe treating myself to this book would fit in nicely.
Your review of the book has certainly whetted my appetite, Natalie, so that will be one more to look forward to reading…..more shelves please, hubby!!! 🙂
Oh how I would LOVE to add this to my library!
Am definitely going to be adding this book to my,list of “must haves”. Your review has inspired me to read more!
I have never read about Catherine Parr. Im new to your site and I love how you do book reviews here 🙂 helps me get up to date on the reading!!
Great review. This would be a book that I want to add to my ever growing Tudor historical fiction collections.
Thank you for this review, I think it is going to have to go straight on my ‘to buy’ list.
I hide away from the world and jump into books based on this era.. I can not wait to read this. I am thirsty for a new book to dive into and def want this.. This Aussie is waiting
I seem to get more and more entranced by Tudor history every time I read another fictional history on them. Catherine Parr is one that I have never read about so this would be like opening a new present!!! Thank you so much for the chance to win this book!
I would like to thank you for a most interesting and insightful review, on a book that i would love to have the oportunity of reading & reviewing. I would apsolutely love to be able to add it to my collection of historical fiction connected to the Tudor Period.
Thank you x
Email: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
I too, read To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn, so I am very much looking forward to this next book. I’m about to retire in the fall and one of my guilty pleasures will be catching up on all the books I just never have time to read.
What a wonderful review, I read alot of non-fiction but also a fair amount of fiction and have not heard of this author before. Following your review I will investigate further. I have a birthday coming up soon, so no doubt I will be including this book on my wish list. I have read alot of Tudor fiction but it is always comforting to know that another author has written about one of Henry VIII’s queens who is often neglected in fiction.
I would also love to win the notelets, although I would find it hard to use them, they are so beautiful.
After Anne Boleyn, I find Katherine Parr to be the most interesting of Henry VIII’s wife. Having said that I would love to know more about Anne of Cleves. Back to Katherine-How a woman with such intelligence lived her life as a wife and helpmate to 3 husbands had to be both rewarding and frustrating. It always leaves me sad to think of her finally marrying the love of her life only to find out he wasn’t quite the man he appeared to be and then die at a young age. How different England may have been should she had lived. We know Edward VI was very fond of Katherine. Would his reign have been different if her presence was still felt?
As usual, great review. I love Sandra’s books, and I’m looking forward to this one.
Kristie
girlvol at earthlink dot net
Sounds like another book I will need to have in my collection!
Looks like a book I would love !
Sounds like a great book! I also read her first and enjoyed it very much–this one sounds even better. Thanks for the review and I can’t wait to read all about your own travels and adventures!
Thanks for introducing me to a new Tudor-era author. I plan to buy BOTH books!
oh man! another great book to put on my reading list, lol/ I LOVE the background you have here too.
I would love to win this!! 🙂
I love reading Tudor fiction books that are from the POV of other members of the court rather than the Tudors themselves. It would be interesting to read how Juliana perceives Thomas Seymour’s behavior with Elizabeth when he and Katherine are married.
The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd sounds like a great read! I admit that I don’t know enough about Katherine Parr, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. In the meantime, I’ll have to check out o Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn.
Just ordered this book. Parr is a family name so I read all I find on Katherine Parr – imagining she may have been a distant cousin! Maybe……? lol
I usually read Tudor inspired novels loaned to me by a friend though I own a copy of Wolf Hall. A few are excellent but the majorityare trivial or downright misleading. I own the 3 most recent biographies of Catherine Parr but have never seen a novel.A member of the StJohn family relating her tale is a sound choice as she comes from Catherine’s home county. A lady -in -waiting because of the conventions of the time would indeed know her mistresses secrets and may be someone on the staff at Chelsea did open the postern to let in Thomas Seymour when he came illegally visiting in the spring og 1547.Handled well this is an inspiring topic. The review does not give away too much but enought to sell the story.
I got your newsletter last night just after finishing To Die For, which I started a couple of days ago. I absolutely loved it, I think Sandra is writing some really interesting Tudor fiction. Thanks for the review, I’m sure I’ll love this just as much as her last book!
I too have read To Die For & loved it!! Secret Keeper sounds just as wonderful, would love to win a copy. Thx 4 the chance!!
So many great books so little time! Transportation back to the Tudor Court is exciting enough but too add Juliana’s gift of prophecy….sounds intriguing!! Added to my to-read list!!
The Secret Keeper 🙂
Competition is now closed and a winner will be announced shortly. Thank you for your entries ladies!
Congratulations Anne Barnhill! You have won a stunning pack of Anne Boleyn greeting cards designed exclusively for On the Tudor Trail by Kate Holeman. Please email me your postal address and thank you everyone for your entries. Natalie
Thank you SO much, Natalie, for the giveaway and for the lovely review. I treasured each comment written here and offer a hearty thanks to all who will look into reading The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr. I know a lot of books beckon, so I’m grateful to all who look into mine!
This looks awesome111!
Sounds like a really great book!!!