Author: Nancy Bilyeau
Format: eARC
Publisher: Touchstone
Publish Date: March 24, 2015
Source: HF Virtual Book Tours
What's the Story?:
Synopsis: "In THE CROWN, Sister Joanna Stafford searched for a Dark Ages relic that could save her priory from Cromwell’s advancing army of destruction.
In THE CHALICE, Joanna was drawn into an international conspiracy against Henry VIII himself as she struggled to learn the truth behind a prophecy of his destruction.
Now, in THE TAPESTRY, Joanna Stafford finally chooses her own destiny.
After her Dominican priory in Dartford closed forever—collateral damage in tyrannical King Henry VIII’s quest to overthrow the Catholic Church—Joanna resolves to live a quiet and honorable life weaving tapestries, shunning dangerous quests and conspiracies. Until she is summoned to Whitehall Palace, where her tapestry weaving has drawn the King’s attention.
Joanna is uncomfortable serving the King, and fears for her life in a court bursting with hidden agendas and a casual disregard for the virtues she holds dear. Her suspicions are confirmed when an assassin attempts to kill her moments after arriving at Whitehall.
Struggling to stay ahead of her most formidable enemy yet, an unknown one, she becomes entangled in dangerous court politics. Her dear friend Catherine Howard is rumored to be the King’s mistress. Joanna is determined to protect young, beautiful, naïve Catherine from becoming the King’s next wife and, possibly, victim.
Set in a world of royal banquets and feasts, tournament jousts, ship voyages, and Tower Hill executions, this thrilling tale finds Joanna in her most dangerous situation yet, as she attempts to decide the life she wants to live: nun or wife, spy or subject, rebel or courtier. Joanna Stafford must finally choose."
My Two Cents:
"The Tapestry" is the third book in the fabulous Joanna Stafford series. This is a very exciting series and I really enjoyed the first two books so I was eager to get my hands on the third book. I feel like I have been waiting for this book for a very long time and my waiting was not in vain! This book is a very exciting historical fiction novel that takes place in the heart of King Henry VIII's court. You will definitely want to start with the first book in the series before you get to this one!
Our heroine is a former novice who it has gotten herself into and out of trouble several times before in defying one of the most frightening monarchs in England's history. Now, she just wants to live a quiet life until she summoned to Whitehall Palace to weave a tapestry for the king. Grudgingly she goes but too quickly realizes that her life is still in danger. I really love this main character! She so interesting and so well written. She definitely feels like she could be a real person. Her background is so interesting to me. If you like your characters on the beaten path, Joanna is your lady! I love that we get to see the court through her eyes. Joanna befriends Catherine Howard (yes, of King Henry's wife fame - not a club I would like to be in). Joanna quickly realizes that the King has his eyes set on her as the next wife. Joanna does her best to try and protect Catherine even though it puts her own life in even more danger. Joanna is definitely quite brave.
I also loved the story telling in the book. If you are looking for a book to get lost in, this is a great pick. Every time I think that I might possibly be tired of the Tudors, I pick up a book like this one and under the skills of a great author, I realize that I'm not quite ready to quit the Tudors. I liked that this book tackled a era of the Tudors that I have not read a whole lot of about - Henry VII's courtship of Catherine Howard. The author uses a lot of great historical detail and great characters to really make this part of history come to life.
Follow the Rest of the Tour:
Monday, March 16
Review at Peeking Between the Pages
Review & Interview at Words and Peace
Tuesday, March 17
Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at The Eclectic Reader
Review at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, March 18
Review at Writing the Renaissance
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Thursday, March 19
Review at A Book Geek
Review & Interview at Tea at Trianon
Interview at Writing the Renaissance
Friday, March 20
Review at Impressions in Ink
Monday, March 23
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Tuesday, March 24
Review at The Lit Bitch
Review at Broken Teepee
Wednesday, March 25
Review at Luxury Reading
Guest Post at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Thursday, March 26
Review at She Reads Novels
Friday, March 27
Review at 100 Pages a Day – Stephanie’s Book Reviews
Monday, March 30
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, March 31
Review at The True Book Addict
Guest Post at Bibliophilia, Please
Wednesday, April 1
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Thursday, April 2
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Friday, April 3
Review at Layered Pages
Review & Guest Post at Always With a Book
Another good review for this book!
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