Hi WilesWales,

Nice timing.  I have just finished reading, “To Die For.”  This was a good one, and I could not put it down.  Despite the fact that the Meg Wyatt of the book is not the Meg Wyatt Lee we all know, I thought it was a great piece of storytelling.  Meg’s story although fictional, was interesting and I couldn’t wait to see whether she would end up with the man she loved. Sorry, you’ll have to read it to find out if she does or doesn’t.

 Sandra Byrd made Anne come alive.  A studious, fun-loving, devout, loyal young woman who loved Henry and believed that he was acting in good faith when he said he loved her and wanted to marry her because his marriage to Katherine was illegal according to God’s law. Was it all a lie?  Meg comments about how Anne becomes more queenly (is that a word) as time goes by. Even though she can be abrupt at times, Meg thinks royalty suits Anne.  

Ms Byrd stuck pretty close to historical fact, and she used the actual quotes wherever possible.  It is fiction, of course, and there were a few spots that were not exactly historically accurate, but that’s the way of it with fiction.  Once again, Jane Boleyn is a really bad apple.  Madge Shelton is an insipid little…so and so.  Meg is Anne’s best friend from childhood and remains her best friend until the end.  They are loyal to each other.

 Meg spends the last evening with Anne before she is to die. They talk about everything they did together, and they laugh and cry as best friends are wont to do.  I liked the way Anne responds to Meg about Jane Seymour.  She thinks Henry has convinced Jane that his marriage to Anne was invalid and cursed because of his “knowledge” of Mary Boleyn.  Anne thinks it is similar to the way Henry convinced her that his marriage to Katherine was cursed because of Katherine’s “knowledge” of Arthur. Jane, carries on as did Anne, with honest intent.  I think this is an interesting theory.  

Ms. Bryd did her research for this book, and it showed.  I never once wanted to throw the book across the room. I would definitely recommend it for your reading pleasure.   

Neil Kemp said:

I’ve started Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. After recommending this book to a friend, I thought the least I could do was read it again (it has been a few years), it’s always a pleasure, but you do have to give it a chance, as it does progress somewhat slowly initially.

I read Anna Karenina a few years ago and just loved it, epecially having the opportunity to read it after seeing umpteen movie and TV versions. (I immediately followed that up with The Brothers Karamazov! Talk about “light” reading LOL)

Have to ask — have you read War and Peace yet? I started it back in the the early spring, but after my mother passed, I put it away and figured I'd take it up again when I have more time.

Hi Wiles Yes this is probably a good spot to discuss other authors, I should have a read through this thread today and get some more reading tips.

I'm glad you found this site. I sent out the message to all not knowing if you subscribed to it  or not. Not thinking again…. I am so glad you got “The Last Queen!” I looked it up on amazon.com and once you let me know what you think about, I might just buy one of those cards for amazon the next time I get to the store (they don't accept money orders).

I understand absolutely and completely about getting through the libray books first! I suffer from several conditions, and that makes my heart pump when it comes close to due dates. This is why I receive “books by mail” from the library. I did get through most of Fox's “Jane Rochford,” and had to agree with others that she gives more about Tudor history and the times than “Jane…,” but I love that kind of stuff, and it's not a bad book at all. I liked it. I don't agree with what others say about her not ratting Anne out during that long interrogation alone with Cromwell, as she was a woman of the times, and she (I know I couldn't) have held out against the threats of torture, it going to happen anyway, etc. that she went through during that with Anne. I also understand why she most proabably helped Catherine Howard, as Catherine maintained, and I think by that time Henry was most likely impotent (for various reasons), and that her Uncle, The Duke of Norfolk, told she must have a son…

Forgive me, I am ruining the book for you!

This forum will have you writing titles and reading for some time. These are a great group of people, and not to mention, make even me feal unwell read. I do try and get to it when I can. Thanks, WilesWales (BTW, my real name is Wiley; I hope yours is Olga! 🙂          

Oh, Fox is far more well researched than anything PG could put out. I don't believe for a second that Anne of Cleves was involved in witchcraft.  It also wouldn't surprise me at all (when I searched my counties library system) PG has pumped out more books since 2010 that I had to look again. So it would not surprise me at all if she used other sources just to make her bibs longer, and I wouldn't doubt from Warnicke either. See, her books are more for people who don't know Tudor history, but we all hope it will lead them to take an interest. So most won't notice anything about the bibs at first.

We can't all have a wonderful and terrific Olga!

I am SO GLAD you found a library with a great Tudor section! If you get a chance when you're there, ask about “interlibary loan.” I hope they say yes, and then they'll tell you, and the libraries all over the world will be available to you.

Thank you so much once again. WilesWales

Sorry again, but it just hit me that in the first installment of “Elizabeth R” BBC, 196?, that it is implied that Thomas Seymour molested Elizabeth when she was being questioned, and she asked Sir William Cecil, “Must I admit all that happened in the Admiral's household?” and he answered something to the affect that even a the Queen Dowager (Katherine Parr) participated in these early morning romps (where they cut her dress with scissors in the garden). This must have been where PG got the idea of the another of her ridiculous books. I watched these series when I was a very little boy, and then when I was 13 at the public library. It also doesn't take a rocket scientist to (except me for not doing what she does [but I'm not an historical prostitute either], to look up British History Online, or to steal sources either (look at Weir). Thanks, again. WilesWales

Also is Weir that bad? I have ordered three of her books. Claire recommends her Six Wives book in her list of Anne Boleyn books. I've also got one on the Princes in the Tower and the children of Henry VIII (which I think looks great) arriving. I've been buying some stuff from awesome books, who sell books of average quality, but they're very cheap so I can read and sell them after I'm done (my personal collection needs to be shiny)

They are talking about Weir on pages 31 and 32 of this site, and that's when I subscribed to it. WilesWales

Ah another book collector who understands I think this is a life-long quest I've begun, it should take me years to collect all the hardcover first editions of the history books I'll want. Thank goodness for the internet!

I did read here about the Mary Boleyn book, I saw another one by another author at the book shop I will pick up next time I'm there, but I'll holdoff on buying the Weir book. I think my library may be getting it. I am really looking forward to reading The Children of Henry Vlll and Henry Vlll: King and Court so I'm glad you think they're worth a read. I have ordered about 10 books online and borrowed some from the library so I have bitten off more than I can chew as usual.

I have to finish the Julia Fox book this weekend, next week I have to read two fantasy books and review them. One for the publisher who sends me freebies and one for an author I adore, so I can start the Bernard book on Anne Boleyn next weekend. Not that i will agree with it I am sure, but it looks interesting.

Has anyone here read any other Warnicke books? I'm wondering if I should bother with her Anne of Cleves book. Her books are terribly expensive to buy new.

I finished Anna Karenina last night. It was recommened by a friend and I was skeptical about the book. However, it turned out to be one of the best. Tolstoy is a genius!

I am now reading Steig Larsson's The Girl Who Played with Fire.