A History of Royals discussion

Please let us all know what new books are out there, or what books you feel are particularly noteworthy.

Our own member, Elizabeth Loupas has released her second book today. It is called The Flower Reader. I already purchased it and am looking forward to reading it as I loved her first book, The Second Duchess.

A couple of books I can highly recommend are Four Sisters, All Queens and The Sister Queens. Both books cover the same family (the fabulous daughters of Beatrice of Savoy who all become queens). Four Sisters was brilliantly written.

Miss Melly wrote: "A couple of books I can highly recommend are Four Sisters, All Queens and The Sister Queens. Both books cover the same family (the fabulous daughters of Beatrice of Savoy who all become queens). Fo..."

Which one did you enjoy the most? If I can only read one, which one do you think has more info, etc?

Miss Melly wrote: "A couple of books I can highly recommend are Four Sisters, All Queens and The Sister Queens. Both books cover the same family (the fabulous daughters of Beatrice of Savoy who all become queens). Fo..."

I have both of those on my list, and am fascinated by the four sisters. Thanks for the recommendation!

Hi kit, Four Sisters is the best of the two. I gave it 5 stars- it was excellent

Devon wrote: "Oh, my three favorite royal biographies are

Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra: byRobert K. Massie

Isabella of France, Queen of Eng..."

Davon, Nicholas and Alexandra by Massie is one of my favorites, too. I haveen't read the others, but I like Alison Weir, so I will have to try that one, at least.

Just finished reading The Watchers: A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth I by Stephen Alford. I really enjoyed this book about the craft of spying in the court of Elizabeth I.

Here is my review: http://abookaddictsmusings.blogspot.c...

I highly recommend The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick.

Two recent releases that I have read and loved are: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton. It is the story of Theodora, 6th century prostitute turned empress of the Byzantium empire. Thornton is a debut author but the book is well-written and well-researched, not to mention exciting and scandalous.

Another one I recently read was Queen's Gambitby Elizabeth Fremantle. It is a novel of Queen Katherine Parr and while most novelizations I have read make her out to be this religious saint, this book shows some of the darker sides of her character. It is a very good book and the writing reminded me of Wolf Hall.

Christie wrote: "Two recent releases that I have read and loved are: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton. It is the story of Theodora, 6th century prostitute turned empress of the ..."

Christie - I saw a blurb about the Empress Theodora book and had already listed it on my TBR. It looks interesting. I did read a different book about her a few years ago, but that one was disappointing. The Elizabeth Freemantle book also looks good.

My two latest Royalty reads were The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen, which was excellent and I highly recommend it as long as you realize that it is alternate history. The premise, though is fascinating and the writing is great.

I also read The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones, which was so good that I actually purchased a copy, even though I was given a free copy to read for review.

The last of the bunch was The Children of Henry VIII by John Guy, which was also good, but the weakest of the three in my opinion. I think, though, that it may be due to the fact that I have read so many books about the Tudors, but the book, although well written and informative, did not have anything new to show me. I would still recommend it to anyone starting to read about Henry's children.

The latest Royalty reads were Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith. This was one of my favorite books about Cecily Neville, who ultimately marries Richard of York and is the mother of King Edward IV. Its a really great read.

The second book is Daughter of York also by Anne Easter Smith. This book is about one of Cecily's daughters, Margaret who marries the Duke of Burgundy and her role in the English War of Roses!

The last book is Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell. This novel is about Emma of Normandy and the Viking invasion on England! Really good read, and the sequel The Price of Blood!

Have a great day, and happy reading!

Hiba wrote: "The latest Royalty reads were Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith. This was one of my favorite books about Cecily Neville, who ultimately marries Richard of York and i..."

Hiba - I have both Daughter of York and Queen by right, but had never hear of the Bracewell books. I will look into them, thanks.

Check out 'The Reign in Spain' by Galician author W. Kristjan Arnold. This entertaining historical novel examines the Royal family's battle to bring democracy and human rights to 20th century Spain. Anyone interested in Spain, history, politics, or royalty will enjoy.