Recent Posts

Review of Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

Blurb: In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiancé 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 … [Read More...]

Tracing the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn with Natalie Grueninger and Sarah Morris

Sarah and I were recently interviewed by Olga from Nerdalicious. We chatted about the inspiration behind my history website, On the Tudor Trail; touched on some of the locations featured in our upcoming book; spoke about why Anne Boleyn continues to fascinate us, centuries after her death and much, much more! I do hope that you'll pop over and read the interview. Here is the … [Read More...]

In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn

As many of you are aware, the non-fiction book that I have co-authored with Sarah Morris will be published in the UK next month! Our publishers have very kindly allowed us to make the introduction available to you now, a little something to whet the appetite. So here it is. I hope you like it! Natalie Download the Introduction to 'In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn' Pre-order your copy on Amazon US. … [Read More...]

Q & A with Raven A. Nuckols

Welcome back to On the Tudor Trail Raven and congratulations on the release of Had the Queen Lived: King Henry IX! Could you tell us a little about the book? This is the sequel to my first book “Had the Queen Lived: An Alternative History of Anne Boleyn” which tells the entirely fictional story of the son Anne might have had, if she were not executed in May 1536 and had gone on to bear Henry a son. That son would go on to succeed his father to the throne as King Henry IX and not his famous … [Read More...]

A Challenge: Blog Each Day in August

I recently started following a wonderful blog called Story of my Life and have been inspired by something that Jenni, who runs the blog, did in May. She challenged herself and her readers to blog everyday for an entire month! As I am only new to her site, I missed this particular challenge, so I have decided to do my own version over at my author site, nataliegrueninger.com. I have already published Day 1, The Story of my Life in 250 words, here. If you're a blogger, then I would love for you … [Read More...]

On the Tudor Trail’s Birthday Giveaway!

On 30 July, On the Tudor Trail turns 4! To celebrate, and thank you all for your ongoing support and encouragement, I am giving away paperback copies of The Boleyns: The Rise and Fall of a Tudor Family and The Tudors by Richard Rex. For your chance to win this prize pack (1 x copy of each book), leave me a comment below answering this question: In 25 words or less, tell me why you are fascinated by the Tudor era? One lucky commenter will win both books! This competition is now … [Read More...]

New Author Website

Just a quick post to let you know that I have launched my author website. It is still a work in progress but I hope that you'll pop over and take a look. The blog, which I've called 'The Most Happy', is a place for me to chat about my many interests —not just the Tudors! —all the things that inspire me and bring me joy, including, in no particular order: books, family, travel, writing, beautiful and homely interiors (my style perhaps best described as a mix of French/Hamptons/Rustic/Cottage), … [Read More...]

Who Accompanied Anne Boleyn to the Scaffold?

In May 2012, I attended the Boleyn Festival Blickling and was lucky enough to hear, among other notable speakers, the late Professor Eric Ives talk about the life and death of Anne Boleyn. At the end of the evening a member of the audience asked Professor Ives whether or not he believed that the ladies that accompanied Anne to the scaffold in May 1536, were among those who had served the queen during her imprisonment in the Tower of London. To this he responded with an emphatic … [Read More...]

Who was Helena Snakenborg? Q & A with Sandra Byrd & Giveaway!

As I am currently reading and loving Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd, I invited Sandra to answer some questions about her protagonist, Helena Snakenborg, a woman who has captured my imagination. Like all great historical fiction, this novel has inspired me to find out more about the historical figure behind the character – the Swedish-born woman who became a Marchioness and one of the highest ranking women in Elizabethan England. Not only did Sandra agree to the Q&A, she also very kindly … [Read More...]

A Review of The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau

Synopsis: In the midst of England’s Reformation, a young novice will risk everything to defy the most powerful men of her era. In 1538, England’s bloody power struggle between crown and cross threatens to tear the country apart. Novice Joanna Stafford has tasted the wrath of the royal court, discovered what lies within the king’s torture rooms, and escaped death at the hands of those desperate to possess the power of an ancient relic. Even with all she has experienced, the quiet life is … [Read More...]

A Review of The Creation of Anne Boleyn by Susan Bordo

Synopsis: Part biography, part cultural history, The Creation of Anne Boleyn is a fascinating reconstruction of Anne’s life and an illuminating look at her afterlife in the popular imagination. Why is Anne so compelling? Why has she inspired such extreme reactions? What did she really look like? Was she the flaxen-haired martyr of Romantic paintings or the raven-haired seductress of twenty-first-century portrayals? (Answer: neither.) And perhaps the most provocative questions concern Anne’s … [Read More...]

The Death of Elizabeth Boleyn – Guest Post & Giveaway!

I am delighted to share with you a guest post by Nancy Bilyeau, author of the historical thrillers The Crown and The Chalice. I have had the pleasure of reading both of Nancy's novels and I cannot recommend them highly enough. They are completely engrossing and true page-turners and today you have the opportunity to go into the draw to win The Chalice! Book Description: In the midst of England’s Reformation, a young novice will risk everything to defy the most powerful men of her era.In … [Read More...]