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For fans of The Tudors comes a captivating drama about the only woman who could defy Henry VIII-and keep her life. Mary Tudor, the headstrong younger sister of the ruthless King Henry VII, has always been her brother's favorite-but now she is also an important political bargaining chip. When she is promised to the elderly, ailing King Louis of France, a heartbroken Mary accepts her fate, but not before extracting a promise from her brother: When the old king dies, her next marriage shall be solely of her choosing. For Mary has a forbidden passion, and is determined, through her own cunning, courage, and boldness, to forge her own destiny. The Secret Bride is the triumphant tale of one extraordinary woman who meant to stay true to her heart and live her life just as her royal brother did-by her own rules . . . Contains mature themes.… (más)
This book was ok-had a romance novel type feel. I was already familiar with the love story between Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor-Dowager Queen of France. This book tried to compare the love of Henry VIII holding out against his father's wishes to marry Katherine of Aragon with the love of Mary-who is given as part of an alliance treaty with France to the old and sick Louis XII-she makes a bargain with her brother to choose her next husband-as she and Charles Brandon are in love. The author takes quite abit of liberty with her historical facts and dates-much like Philipa Gregory-unfortunately her writing is not good enough for me to forgive her those lapses-unlike Philipa Gregory. ( )
Mary has known Charles Brandon since childhood and doesn’t hide her dislike. But growing up she notices her feelings starting to change, yet she knows that a princess can’t have a future with a duke. Mary does her duty by marrying the old French king and after her husband dies, she and Charles follow their hearts knowing Mary’s brother will be furious.
The book leaned more towards romance than straight historical fiction but unfortunately I couldn’t feel the passion between Mary and Charles. I kept waiting something to happen and sparks starting to fly but nothing. I didn’t really connect with Mary to be fully interested to know what happened with her. She was too naïve and well… maybe not too bright. And of course beautiful. Which we heard many, many times.
And there were too much sneaking around corners and secret meetings. How could Mary had the opportunity to do half of what she was doing?
This was rather easy and quick read but didn’t quite reach the expectations. ( )
The book is well written and very interesting and wasn't the least bit contrived. I did have to skip/skim over a bit in the beginning...all the lavish explanation about the details of the rooms, clothing, etc. got a bit tedious for me.
It was interesting to see how Henry VIII changed.....and the story tied up nicely at the end.....no loose story lines remained.
I did not like this as much as The Perfect Royal Mistress, by Haeger...this wasn't quite as well written and was a bit slow in places. ( )
I've always loved the Tudor period and have read numerous novels about them. I didn't know all that much about Mary, sister of Henry VIII and aunt to Elizabeth & Mary Tudor. IMO, Diane Haeger's one of the best historical fiction writer's being published today, but this novel definitely wasn't one of her best. The entire story dragged on without end. The romance was rather lacking, without real depth of feeling or passion. The story itself wasn't played out as well as it should've been and depth of character and a feeling of being able to connect to any of them was seriously lacking. If I wasn't so familiar with this author's work I'd think this was a first attempt at writing. ( )
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The ever whirling wheel of change; the which all mortal things doth sway.--Edmund Spenser
If a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing, he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness, they shall be childless.--Leviticus
Now unto my lady a promise to her I make, From all other only to her I me betake...Adieu mine own lady, adieu, my special, who hath my heart truly, be sure, and ever shall.--From "Green Groweth the Holly," written by Henry VIII for Katherine of Aragon
I have no fear but when you heard that our Prince, now Henry 8th, whom we may call our Octavius, had succeeded to his father's throne, all your melancholy left you at once. What may you not promise yourself from a Prince with whose extraordinary and almost Divine character you are well acquainted.--Lord Mountjoy to Erasmus, 1509
Time to pass with goodly sport our spirits to revive and comfort; To pipe, to sing, to dance, to spring with pleasure and delight To follow Sensual Appetite.--Henry VIII
The new king is...a worthy king, and most hostile to France....It is thought that he will indubitably invade France.--A Venetian diplomat
If thou wouldst get a friend, prove him first.--Apocrypha 6:14
A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study, but war and its organization and discipline, for that is the only art that is necessary to one who commands.--Niccolo Machiavelli, "The Prince"
Men flourish only for a moment.--Homer
Look with favor on a bold beginning.--Virgil
The common folk do not go to war of their own accord but are driven to it by the madness of kings.--Sir Thomas More
Gossip has it that Maximilian's daughter Margaret is to marry that new duke, whom the King has recently turned from a stableboy into a nobleman.--Erasmus
Friendship is constant in all things Save in the office and affairs of love.--William Shakespeare
On the twenty-second of September, 1514, King Louis 12th, very old and feeble, left Paris, to go to meet his young wife, Queen Mary.--Louise de Savoy, from her journal
Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses.--Francis Bacon
They brought an Almain and put him to my Lord of Suffolk to have put us to shame, but advantage they got none of us, the contrary....The Queen continues her goodness and wisdom and increases in the favour of her husband the Privy Council. She has said to my Lord of Suffolk and me that the King her husband said to her that my Lord of Suffolk and I did shame all France and that we should carry the prize into England.--A letter from the Marquess of Dorset in France to Henry VIII in England
The Queen has hitherto conducted herself, and still does every day, towards me, in such a manner that I cannot but be delighted with her, and love and honour her more and more each day; and you may be assured that I do, and ever shall, so treat her, as to give both her and you perfect satisfaction.--A letter from Louis XII to Henry VIII
And I thank you for the good service while he was here of the Duke of Suffolk. I beg you to believe that independent of the place that I know he holds with you, and the love you bear him, his virtues, manners, politeness and good condition, deserve that he should be received with even greater honor.--From Louis XII's final letter, December 28, 1514, sent to Henry VIII
Destiny waits alike for the free man as well as for him enslaved by another's might.--Aeschylus
I was contented to conform myself to your said motion, so that if I should fortune to survive the late king, I might with good will marry myself at my liberty without your displeasure. Whereunto, good brother, ye condescended and granted, as ye well know.--Mary Tudor, in a letter to Henry VIII
Time eases all things.--Sophocles
Dedicatoria
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For Alex, my joy, with all my love
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A collection of columbines, sweet peas and lillies of the valley clutched tightly in her hand, Mary dodged through the rows of apple trees in the orchard, chasing butterflies out behind the palace.
Citas
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And she wondered if there had ever been another woman in history so happy not to be a part of that--*not* to be a queen.
For fans of The Tudors comes a captivating drama about the only woman who could defy Henry VIII-and keep her life. Mary Tudor, the headstrong younger sister of the ruthless King Henry VII, has always been her brother's favorite-but now she is also an important political bargaining chip. When she is promised to the elderly, ailing King Louis of France, a heartbroken Mary accepts her fate, but not before extracting a promise from her brother: When the old king dies, her next marriage shall be solely of her choosing. For Mary has a forbidden passion, and is determined, through her own cunning, courage, and boldness, to forge her own destiny. The Secret Bride is the triumphant tale of one extraordinary woman who meant to stay true to her heart and live her life just as her royal brother did-by her own rules . . . Contains mature themes.
The author takes quite abit of liberty with her historical facts and dates-much like Philipa Gregory-unfortunately her writing is not good enough for me to forgive her those lapses-unlike Philipa Gregory. ( )