Introduction to the Tudor Period

The Tudors’ reigns span from the death of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and the accession of Henry VII to the throne as a result, through the reigns of Henry VIII, and his three children in succession, Edward VI, Mary, and finally Elizabeth I.

Each child was born to a different one of Henry’s hapless wives, Jane Seymour, Katharine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn respectively.

Katharine of Aragon was a member of the powerful royal house of Spain, which also owned the Netherlands at that time, and was linked with the Holy Roman Empire. Henry’s attempted annulment and finally divorce from Katharine of Aragon earned him and England lifelong enmity from Spain, culminating eventually in the Spanish Armada of 1588.

Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second queen, the first to be beheaded. She was powerful and ambitious, but a series of miscarriages, and Henry’s eye turning to Jane Seymour left her out of favor and disposable.

Jane Seymour died as a result of giving birth to his only legitimate son.

Henry’s other three wives were Anne of Cleves (divorced), Katherine Howard (cousin of Anne Boleyn, also beheaded), and Katherine Parr, who survived him.

Elizabeth I died childless, so that the English throne passed, ironically, to the only child of her greatest rival, Mary, Queen of Scots, herself part of the Tudor lineage through Henry VIII’s sister Margaret.

Mary’s son James I acceded to the throne in 1603, thus heralding the ill-fated Stuart line of kings, which didn’t not last much longer into the 17th and the 18th century than the Tudors had from the 15th to the 16th.

The Tudors lived in tumultuous times. Henry VIII had to deal with his many wives and the ‘great question’ of his divorce so he could remarry and try to beget legitmate sons to secure the line of succession, but his father had been constantly beset by usurpers wanting to take the throne from the Tudor line.

After Henry’s death, the question of who would succeed him was by no means certain. And long before Henry even looked as though he would die, there were plots afoot to wrest power from him, on the pretext of religion, or due to simply blind ambition.

This is a most exciting and unpredictable period of time, the best of times, the worst of times, the most thrilling time to fall in love…

THE CROWN OF DESTINYDIANA RUBINOIn this sequel to The Jewels of Warwick, Topaz Plantagenet’s rebellion against Henry VIII gets under way, throwing England into civil war and chaos once more as Topaz seeks to restore the throne to the Yorkist family, and win for herself at last the crown of destiny she has sought all her life.
Amethyst is horrified at the extent to which her sister will go to gain power. The armed rebellion against the Tudors forces her into an impossible position. Amethyst is confronted with the most momentous choices of her life: To remain loyal to her eldest sister, or risk losing the only two men she has ever loved, King Henry, and her sister’s own husband Matthew…..
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Having lived in England for several years, I devoted much time to research. My membership in the Richard III Society, with access to its library and the invaluable assistance of its Research Officer, has given me an additional wealth of material.

My publication credits include stories in Espionage and Fiction Writers Monthly, among other periodicals. I also served as Editor/Staff Writer of a Washington D.C. trade association in the late 1980s. I am a current member of Romance Writers of America.

THE CROWN OF DESTINYDIANA RUBINOHistorical romanceContains explicit love scenes in the novelWord Count = 88,000

The Jewels of Warwick

Diana Rubino

The saga of the Yorkist royal family, first seen in Destiny Lies Waiting and Thy Name is Love, continues in the glittering world of Tudor power politics. The “Jewels” are two sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet, both driven by strong passions, and most dangerously of all, descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, Henry VII, the future father of Henry VIII.

Topaz always felt she was the rightful queen, and would have been, had her father been declared Richard’s heir and the crown not been usurped by the Tudors. Her whole life begins to center around her obsession to win her crown of destiny, no matter what the cost.

Amethyst too is lured by the court through her love of music, caught in a glitter spider’s web of intrigue in which one wrong word can mean death, and Henry VIII’s displeasure, even more of a torment than his love…

As the Jewels of Warwick struggle to come to terms with their family’s grim legacy, Topaz and Amethyst discover that life, love and destiny hold many temptations, and many strange twists of fate…

An excerpt from the novel:

“So you have not become betrothed since we last met?” the king asked suddenly.

Amethyst didn’t want to change the subject; she would rather have talked about music all evening. But of course, this was part of his imposing job also; to secure the marriagability of the kingdom’s young maidens.

“Nay, your majesty,” she answered frankly. “Several gentlemen have courted me, but none have yet sparked my…” She struggled to find an appropriate word.

“Passion?” he suggested silkily.

Her eyes rounded. “Heavens, no! I was alluding more to…interest, your majesty. Passion I’ve yet to encounter.”

“Perhaps here at court, then, you will find a suitable parti. I assure you, there are many young gentlemen worthy of your rank and…interest, as you say.”

“I doubt it not, your majesty.” But how could she even look in the direction of a mere earl or duke when in the presence of the handsomest and most vibrant man she’d ever met, who loved music even more than she, who just happened to be king?

“Do you care to continue our musical interlude during your visit to court?”

“Aye, your majesty, there is nothing I would like better!” she said with naïve honesty.

He gazed down at her for a time as if trying to make up his mind about something of the most grave import. At last he broke the silence. “Very well, then, meet me in my receiving chamber following Vespers tomorrow. It is where my attendants meet to pass the time, and from there we shall find a quiet, private corner in order to play music together. I trust that suits you, Lady Amethyst.”

“Aye, it sounds grand.” Making music with the king again—she believed something like this happened only once in a lifetime, not twice! “I shall be there, your majesty.” She curtseyed.

“Very well, I shall see you then.”

Then she remembered. “Oh, but my lute has not yet arrived with my baggage, your grace.”

“Never you mind, Lady Amethyst,” the king replied, touching her cheek with his fingertips ever so gently. She shivered at the unexpected meeting of their flesh. “All the necessary instruments will be provided.”

The Jewels of Warwick Diana Rubino 82,100 words Rating: Sensual, with multiple love scenes throughout the novel Buy now:

THY NAME IS LOVE

DIANA RUBINO

The story first begun in Destiny Lies Waiting continues as Denys Starbury and her beloved Valentine are thrust into the world of medieval English power politics at the Plantagenet court.

One by one the royal family is eliminated, until Denys and Valentine find themselves allied with the only man left standing who can contend for the throne: Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Denys faces even more peril in her personal life, for as she continues to search for her lost family, she finds only a trail of murder, mayhem and destruction.

Denys also seeks the love of Valentine, bound to her by political expediency, but whom she aches for passionately. Yet in a world dominated by the hunger for power, not love, the only certainty is shifting allegiances and even betrayal.

Despite the love and desire they seem to share, how can she ever bring herself to trust the man to whom a capricious quirk of Fate has bound her?

For the path Denys has stepped onto is fraught with pitfalls. One false step could mean certain death. Is the truth about her parentage really worth sacrificing everything for, friendship, love, even her own marriage?

Valentine’s love, loyalty, and very life hang in the balance as Yorkist and Lancastrian battle for the throne at a little place in the north called Bosworth Field. Can he remain faithful to King, country, and wife when he discovers the real identity of the woman he has wedded?

Read more or order:

THE SEA OF LOVEby Sorcha MacMurroughGenre: Historical RomanceSetting: Ireland, 1546RT Rating: 4 stars

Aidanna O’Flaherty’s world is pitched into chaos when she is wrongfully accused of murdering her stepson. Her only ray of hope lies in the dashing, English-bred aristocrat Declan Burke. They are drawn together against the threat of Aidanna’s evil brother-in-law, and soon fall in love.

Their love is threatened when Declan is falsely accused of treason and thrown into the dreaded Tower. Aidanna must expose her enemy to save all she holds dear.

The Sea of Love is a captivating tale woven with rich settings and vivid characters. Aidann’s and Declan’s attraction is magnetic, and the suspenseful drama keeps a reader turning the pages.

THE SEA OF LOVEby Sorcha MacMurrough

DESTINY LIES WAITINGby Diana Rubino 

Genre: Historical RomanceSetting: 15th-century EnglandRT Rating; 3 stars

Elizabeth, married to King Edward Plantagenet, is Denys Dove Woodville’s aunt. Having placed many relatives in high court positions, it is now Denys’ turn. Elizabeth has betrothed her to Edward’s brother, Richard of Gloucester. Neither Denys nor Richard wants this. In love with another woman, Richard persuades his good friend, Valentine Starbury, to woo Denys.

Denys has other plans. Even though she’s attracted to Valentine, she is determined to find out who she really is. Little does she know that what she finds may not bode well for her, her family or even for England.

Even though I thought this historical novel was a most satisfying read, I was a bit disappointed that the mystery of Denys parentage wasn’t fully explained but I am hoping this will all be explained later in the series. I look forward to the next novel, Thy Name is Love.

DESTINY LIES WAITINGby Diana Rubino

Amazon has just put up the pre-sale page for the final season of The Tudors.

Click here now to order: The Tudors: The Final Season

And in case you missed the previous 3 seasons, you can also get them at Amazon:

The Tudors – The Complete First Season

The Tudors – The Complete Second Season

The Tudors: The Complete Third Season