St. Martin's Griffin
Featuring: Mary Shelton; Edward de Vere; Sir John Skydemore
384 pages ISBN: 0312662122 EAN: 9780312662127 Kindle: B00F1R9G1Q Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
When Mary Shelton's parents died, Queen Elizabeth decided to
take her in. Since then, Mary has grown up in the Queen's
court, beloved by the monarch and the court. Now that she is
older, Elizabeth wants her to marry someone worthy of her, a
high ranking earl like Edward de Vere or a foreign prince.
Mary has no desire to rule or to rise in status, and when
she falls for a minor, widowed knight, Sir John, all she
wants is to marry him and live a life together. Elizabeth
forbids it, but as much as Mary loves the woman who has been
like a mother to her, she can't stop her heart from wanting
to be with John.
Queen Elizabeth is an intriguing and complex monarch in
history, and QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DAUGHTER by Anne Clinard
Barnhill does a perfect job of taking a look at her life
during her reign through the lens of her beloved Mary.
Beyond the rich court setting, however, is the stunning take
on how hard it is to go against someone who raised you. I
love how deep the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary
goes, from the motherly protectiveness Elizabeth shows to
the disillusionment Mary feels when she realizes Elizabeth
isn't perfect.
While their relationship is the primary focus, I adore the
romance between John and Mary. Their initial bond over grief
is so realistic and moving that it creates a solid base for
their love. Mary has seen, and even experienced a little,
the lies and seductions of court, but she finds her heart
most comfortable in a place where the riches come in the
form of John's children instead of gold or gowns. Their
romance is slower paced, and it builds wonderfully into a
strong and passionate love.
Overall, QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DAUGHTER is a wonderful
historical fiction novel perfect for fans of Philippa
Gregory and the intricacy of Queen Elizabeth. Anne Clinard
Barnhill has captured the very essence of court life and the
complexity of following your heart when your loyalty goes to
more than one person.
From Anne Barnhill, the author of At the Mercy of the Queen,
comes the gripping tale of Mary Shelton, Elizabeth I’s young
cousin and ward, set against the glittering backdrop of the
Elizabethan court
Mistress Mary Shelton is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite ward,
enjoying every privilege the position affords. The queen
loves Mary like a daughter, and, like any good mother, she
wants her to make a powerful match. The most likely
prospect: Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. But while Oxford
seems to be everything the queen admires: clever, polished
and wealthy, Mary knows him to be lecherous, cruel, and full
of treachery. No matter how hard the queen tries to push
her into his arms, Mary refuses.
Instead, Mary falls in love with a man who is completely
unsuitable. Sir John Skydemore is a minor knight with little
money, a widower with five children. Worst of all, he’s a
Catholic at a time when Catholic plots against Elizabeth are
rampant. The queen forbids Mary to wed the man she loves.
When the young woman, who is the queen’s own flesh and
blood, defies her, the couple finds their very lives in
danger as Elizabeth’s wrath knows no bounds.
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