I want to start by saying that I completely enjoyed
this book! I thought that Michelle Diener used history to
create a tale of mystery, intrigue, and enough romance to
keep the romantic in me happy. I found myself transported
into King Henry VIII's court and smack dab in the middle of
a hostile takeover plot right alongside the characters. I
felt that Diener's mix of history and fabrication made a
remarkable story. The attempt on the throne by a Catholic
made an excellent plot, during this time period men were
always finding new and intriguing reasons to take over the
throne and overthrow the king. The plot only thickened as
men were tried for treason and lives were placed in
jeopardy. I also loved the fact that Diener wrote about a
side of court life that seems to be overlooked by authors.
The ideal court is a happy place but in reality, and the
way that Diener wrote it, court was not a place for a lady
to be on her own. There were leeches in the times of Henry
VIII that would prey upon women left alone and Diener was
not afraid to write about it.
IN A TREACHEROUS COURT was as
historic as it was romantic. I was surprised to notice that
the story actually took place in a series of days rather
than the months I felt that it took. The relationship
between the characters was fast paced, both knowing what
they wanted and taking a chance to have it. I felt great
admiration for Susanna, a young woman trying to make a life
in a man's world cannot ever be easy. Susanna was an easy
heroine to connect with and her honesty and openness made
her all the more real to me. I did not fall in love with
John Parker right off. I connected to his conflicts and
chivalry, the protective way that he guarded Susanna, and
the one track mind that he displayed in his quest for the
truth.
Commissioned by King Henry VIII to paint for him, Susanna
Horenbout thought that life couldn't get any better. She
was on top of the world and a new exciting life waited for
her on the other side of the water. Little did she know
that her journey was just beginning and life was going to
be anything but easy from here on out. Treason was in the
air and Susanna may have information that could identify
the men working against the crown. As the attempts on her
life escalate Susanna finds that the only person she can
trust is John Parker, the King's man. Charged by the King
to find out what plots are afoot, John Parker knows that he
must stick close to the beautiful woman whose life seems to
be in jeopardy at every turn. Surrounded by danger on all
sides, John can only think of her eyes, her beauty, and her
kisses. Can one find love in a court full of deceit?
An unconventional woman. A deadly enemy. A clash of
intrigue, deception, and desire. . . .
1525: Artist Susanna Horenbout is sent from Belgium to be
Henry VIII’s personal illuminator inside the royal palace.
But her new homeland greets her with an attempt on her life,
and the King’s most lethal courtier, John Parker, is charged
with keeping her safe. As further attacks are made, Susanna
and Parker realize that she unknowingly carries the key to a
bloody plot against the throne. For while Richard de la Pole
amasses troops in France for a Yorkist invasion, a traitor
prepares to trample the kingdom from within.Who is the
mastermind? Why are men vying to kill the woman Parker
protects with his life? With a motley gang of urchins,
Susanna’s wits, and Parker’s fierce instincts, honed on the
streets and in palace chambers, the two slash through deadly
layers of deceit in a race against time. For in the court of
Henry VIII, secrets are the last to die. . . .Brilliantly
revealing a little-known historical figure who lived among
the Tudors, Michelle Diener makes a smashing historical
fiction debut.
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