Publisher: OC Publishing

Publication date: January 25, 2025

Length: 453 pages

This is the story of two cousins, Lady Alice Grantmire and Hester Vaughn. Growing up under King Henry’s reign, both girls watch their families adjust to the ever-changing whims of an aging king. As young noblewomen, Hester and Alice train by Alice’s mother’s side as she creates tonics and salves to help the family and local farmers. Hester believes that by using this knowledge, she can heal King Henry of the leg ulcers he suffers from. She obtains an appointment with the king and naively sets out to provide Henry assistance. This particular visit to London will change her life and the lives of those around her.

Hester is willful, headstrong, and naive. She has crafted a fantasy in which she heals King Henry’s leg. In gratitude, Henry VIII will cast aside his current wife and marry Hester. She believes becoming the Queen of England will help her provide for her family. Hester forgets Henry’s wandering eye and demand for a healthy male heir. In her mind, she alone has the knowledge and ability necessary to heal the long-suffering king. Alice fears for her cousin and urges Hester to reconsider. Hester proceeds.

Alice’s father is noble. Henry has declared himself head of the Church of England. Henry decrees the Church of England is the one true church. The nobility are expected to take an oath declaring rejection of the Catholic faith. Anyone failing to do so will be punished and could be put to death. Lord Grantmire has managed to avoid the oath, unfortunately, time will not continue to be on his side. What happens to the family of nobility when they are declared traitors?

Alice and Hester will find themselves adrift in the world, having to mature quickly. In a time where women are viewed as belongings, can these two cousins survive? Will Hester’s meeting with Lady Elizabeth lead to a better outcome than the meeting with King Henry?

Alice’s and Hester’s lives go from relative ease to harsh reality and scrambling for existence. Julie Strong captures the impact that King Henry VIII’s ever-changing policies have on his realm. The laws we abide by weren’t in effect and the unscrupulous people used the lack of laws to their advantage. The author describes life in Tudor England with an authenticity that keeps your attention. There is tragedy throughout the story but it is the plucky perseverance of the cousins makes this a truly enjoyable story.

Fans, like me, of Tudor stories will be thoroughly entertained. While this isn’t a thriller, the thrilling elements evoke “Wolf Hall” or “Anne of a Thousand Days” excitement. Would you want to live during this time?

Thank you Micki Benedetti, Julie Strong, and OC Publishing for the review copy.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻/5