Thorns in a Realm of Roses: The Henry Queens by Thomas Crockett

 

Historical fiction novels about Henry VIII and his many wives always catch my eye, and I typically enjoy them. When I came across this book on Netgalley, I was excited about it and couldn’t wait to get started.

Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen by Alison Weir

This next book in the Six Tudor Queens series tells the story of Jane Seymour, third wife of King Henry VIII. This fictionalized tale of Jane’s life begins at her childhood home of Wulfhall and, in time, we see how Jane came to serve as a maid-of-honor for the Queen—Katherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife. When she arrives, the King’s pursuit of Anne Boleyn, another of Katherine’s maid’s-of-honor, is already well underway. Jane remains fiercely loyal to her beloved Queen Katherine, even after she is forced to leave her and serve Anne, instead. When Anne is unable to provide a son for the King, he sets his sights on Jane, and marries her eleven days after Anne’s beheading. Jane was able to give Henry the son he so greatly desired, but died shortly thereafter.