Description (from cover):'Audrey Malte is illegitimate, though her beloved father--tailor to King Henry VIII--prefers to call her "merry-begot," saying there was much joy in her making. Then Audrey visits the royal court with her father, and the whispers start about Audrey's distinctive Tudor-red hair and the kindness that the king shows her.
Did dashing Henry perhaps ask Malte to raise a royal love child? The king's favor, however, brings Audrey constraint as well as opportunity. Though she holds tender feelings for her handsome music tutor, John Harrington, the king is pressuring her to marry into the family of treacherous, land-hungry Sir Richard Southwell.
Audrey determines to learn the truth about her birth at last. The answer may give her the freedom to give her heart as she chooses...or it could ensnare her deeper in an enemy's ruthless scheme.'
My thoughts:
To be honest, I am surprised that I actually decided to read yet another book about the infamous Tudors. I have spent many years reading numerous historical fiction novels based on this notorious family. Almost to the point, that I am entirely sick of the whole bunch and cannot fathom reading another book about them. I was given a chance to read this book by the publisher and even though the thought of reading about the Tudors again literally makes me want to hurl, I decided to give this one a chance. Historical fiction novels about the Tudors seem to be utterly distasteful to me, but I can't seem to give them up.
So I embarked on reading this book with the thought in my head that I would hate it and would despise it by the time I finished it. However, this book held many surprises. Even though this book is set in the Tudor era and features them, it really didn't focus so much on them as I thought it would. This book featured Audrey Malte and her "adopted" family and her interactions with the Tudors, but it was actually tastefully done. It wasn't too much and it really didn't make me want to toss it across the room in frustration. I actually enjoyed this one. Audrey's character is one that is hard not to like and the author has a way with weaving a story that left me entranced and breezing along through the pages.
If I had to read another book about the Tudors, this was the perfect book in my mind to do so. I simply couldn't put it down as Audrey's character was so entrancing and engaging that I just had to see how things turned out. It was interesting to learn at the end that she was a real person and that she lived somewhat like the author portrayed. I am so glad that I gave this book a chance as I simply wasn't disappointed. I enjoy reading Emerson's books as they always seem to be really good and entertaining reads. I was actually impressed by this novel.
Overall Rating: 4.5
Title: Royal Inheritance
Author: Kate Emerson
Series: N/A
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Pages: 344
Genre: Historical Fiction
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, though Netgalley and Edelweiss, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
