To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn
Ratings4
Average rating3.3
15
Ratings4
Average rating3.3
Sandra Byrd takes readers back to the court of Henry the Eighth in a novel that imagines the life of Anne Boleyn’s best friend, a young woman whose fortunes depend on the queen’s. When Anne Boleyn’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg Wyatt along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it. Meg’s childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord, she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of drama and intrigue, Meg finds her place in history and follows her own calling to the Lord. Meg and Anne must determine what love really means and what, in this life, is worth dying for. Readers continue to be captivated by the Tudors, that most famous of English ruling families. To Die For seamlessly blends fact and fiction in an unforgettable tale of two fascinating lives and one unshakable faith.
Featured Series
3 primary booksLadies in Waiting is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2011 with contributions by Sandra Byrd.
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Meg Wyatt is the best friend of Anne Boleyn, and one of her staunchest supporters. Growing up together in the country, the girls formed a bond that was never to be broken. As time and family circumstances take them apart for a while, they continue to meet and keep their friendship alive.
As Anne moves into the court circle and into the Kings gaze, Meg is there to support her friend and offer advice and support where she can. After her own husband died, and her brother tries to push her back into the marriage market, Meg digs in her heels, as the marriage is not one that she wants. She is still in love with her childhood sweetheart, Will, and cant picture marriage to anyone else, even though she knows that she can never marry Will.
After Anne marries King Henry, Meg stays as one of her ladies in waiting and all the intrigue that goes with the court. After Anne gives Henry a daughter and following two failed pregnancies, both of which would have been boys, Anne is accused of adultery and cast aside, thrown into the Tower of London to await her fate. Here too Meg resides, taking care of her best friend up until the end.
This story is told from the aspect of Meg, and tries to portray Anne Boleyn in a softer light than most books have. I dont know that she was as innocent as this book makes her out to be, but the change is a little refreshing and brings the ladies in waiting a little more to the front than most studies have done. It was an interesting and fast read, I finished it in one evening.
I've been excited about Sandra Byrd's Ladies in Waiting series for a long time and kept meaning to pick up the book, but life just kept getting in the way. I wanted to be able to really read it and give it justice in attention. I knew Sandra to be a contemporary author and though I have not read her contemporary novels I was intrigued to read her historicals and now having stayed up late into the night finishing her first in the Ladies in Waiting series I realize I have sorely missed out and I'm delighted to put her novels on the permanent keeper shelf. When To Die For was first announced it had an interesting cover that did not entice me. But then as it was published it was released with the most delightful and gorgeous cover! The details in the dresses and attitude of two friends standing arm and arm is fabulous and gives an interesting look to Anne Boleyn and her lifelong friend Meg Wyatt. As a reader I was captivated from the first preview scene and then thus into the story from the beginning in their childhood. The romance between Meg and the not-to-be Will Ogilvy was heart wrenching and barely palpable as even a glance might be enough to provide a little warmth to the heart for both of them. Also getting a fictional account of the romance between Anne and King Henry was interesting and believable as well as of course sad knowing how the story ends. Reading this tale along side lots of historical detail transports the reader to a place long gone and imagine how things might have been. There seem to be lots of stories that tell of Anne Boleyn, but of the ones I have read or watched this one from the viewpoint of Meg Wyatt was the most enjoyable and tastefully done. Without a doubt I believe that readers from both the Christian Historical Fiction and secular pool would enjoy this story. Today I'm delighted to pick up the next Ladies in Waiting novel [b:The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr 13005049 The Secret Keeper A Novel of Kateryn Parr (Ladies in Waiting, #2) Sandra Byrd https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1323115564l/13005049.SY75.jpg 18166315] and jump into this next adventure of a time long past. I really hope I'll be blessed to get my hands on the third novel of Elizabeth,[b:Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I 15763945 Roses Have Thorns A Novel of Elizabeth I (Ladies in Waiting, #3) Sandra Byrd https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344897688l/15763945.SY75.jpg 21466384], in the months to come as well. Thanks to Sandra for providing a copy for review.posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/02/02/to-die-for/
Too much repetition of the words certes and mayhap. They seem to be everywhere without any real consideration to placement. It was also a little too religiousy for my taste. Perhaps it was just a little overdone.
