Young, plucky and bitten by her half-awakened muse, Frances
Pierce longs for a life at Court. The daughter of a
backwoods baronet, her dreams seem to be the closest she'll
ever reach to the intrigue and romance of King Henry's
court. Yet, the perfect chance presents itself when Henry
VIII brings his hunting party close to her home in
Hertfordshire. Defying her mother's edicts, Frances dares
certain punishment and sneaks off on one of the horses. Her
goal is just for a view, so she can have inspiration to
write future verses of poetry. However, when she stumbles
upon the plan of the rigidly moral sticks-in-the-mud who
want to fling said mud literally at the beautiful Anne
Boleyn, she's moved to place herself in harm's way. Anne,
impressed at the courage and amused by Frances' naive
country charm, offers the girl a place at Court. Against
her family's wishes, Frances embarks on the greatest
adventure of her young life.
Court is much more than Frances expects. Her faithful
loyalty to Anne and her simple, yet entertaining, way with
puns guarantees her a coveted spot in Anne's court.
Nonetheless, for an innocent maid there are untold dangers
around every corner. Jealousy and plotting find Frances an
ample target when she becomes Anne's closet confidant. Soon
she finds herself floundering in the dark and treacherous
waters of political intrigue. Yet nothing, including the
unexpected love found with one of the king's men, will keep
Frances from her queen's side. Even when the darkest days
appear, when death is certain for any who would aid the
woman Henry chose to change England and her religion for,
Frances stubbornly sticks faithfully by Anne's side.
Laurien Gardner creates a thoroughly interesting
read with her second book in her "Wives of Henry the VIII"
series. Using Frances' eyes to tell the tragic tale of the
rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, gives the reader a decidedly
sympathetic view of a woman traditionally painted as the
bewitching paramour who gained a crown and divided a
nation. Ms. Garnder ingeniously uses Frances as her medium
through which the entire court of Henry VIII is given a
more human characterization. Anne, in particular, is
characterized as full of love, intelligence and spirit with
the flaws innate to all humans. We see a woman, not a
conniving immoral, who pursues, nurtures and protects her
relationship with the man destiny has chosen for her --
against all odds. Frances' voice is poignant and moving,
and she's the perfect counterpoint to use in relating such
a controversial time in England's history. The reader is
free to concentrate more on the characters and their
feelings, while history serves to set the framework to
showcase them in. This is a definite must for anyone who's
a fan of historical romance.
Frances Pierce, a young lady-in-waiting, becomes entangled
in intrigue far beyond her experience when she witnesses
the swift rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, the woman for whom
Henry VIII changed England.
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