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Monday, May 13, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd



Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd
Ladies in Waiting: Book Three
Howard Books / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:


From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court. Like Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage--or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth's circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen's downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she's not sure she can trust--a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

My rating:
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My thoughts:

Roses Have Thorns, while not my favorite in Sandra Byrd's Ladies in Waiting series (that would be The Secret Keeper), was still a really good Tudor novel that I enjoyed reading.

I loved all the history in Roses Have Thorns and I learned some things about Elizabeth I and her lady's maids that I hadn't known prior to reading this book. It was a little hard for me to get into the story at first and at times I got a little confused about who was who (since the book covers a vast period of time and there were a  lot of different characters). But when I got about halfway through Roses Have Thorns, I started to get really captivated by the story and the last few chapters were so, so good!

Elin's/Helen's story was fascinating. There were a lot of ups and downs in her life, and it was interesting to see how she responded to the things that happened and the choices she made. I loved the afterword in Roses Have Thorns. It was great to learn what parts of the story had truly happened in real life.

Overall, Roses Have Thorns was a great Tudor novel rich with historical facts. If you enjoy Tudor fiction, then I think you will like this book. I look forward to reading more of Sandra Byrd's novels.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*


Giveaway!!


Enter to win a copy of Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd! Giveaway is only open to US residents and ends 5/23. To enter, be sure to sign into the Rafflecopter form and click “enter” on each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

36 comments:

  1. would love to read!

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  2. This is a new author for me and I would love to read this book. Also, it would not let me vote on the Picket Fence site like normal. The link is not working right.

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    1. Here's the link: Picket Fences. You can only vote once per day, so maybe you voted today via one of my other giveaways? If so, feel free to also claim the entry on this one. :)

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  3. This sounds like a really good book. I love to read a history themed book that teaches me something while being interesting!

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  4. I read the first book in this series, To Die For, for book club and really enjoyed it. This sounds like an equally interesting book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  5. i like the cover! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  6. I haven't read any of Sandra's work yet, but I love historicals, and the tudor period is always intriguing. Would love to win!

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  7. This book sounds fascinating! I really want to read it!

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  8. I love a good historical, and have not read anything from this time period lately!

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  9. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your books!

    bonnieroof60@yahoo.com

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  10. love sandra's books thanks for chance to win

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  11. Sounds interesting. Sign me up!
    kandrajane at bellsouth dot net

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  12. Love historical fiction, thanks for the chance.

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  13. This looks like a very interesting book!! Would love to read it!

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  14. I love historical fiction. I didn't realize there were Christian Historical Fiction books from the "Courts". I thought it was typically out of the way type places and things that could be easily made up - not any loose basis on fact. Thanks so much for this giveaway! I'll have to keep my eye out for books like this! (mossyoakdiver(at)bellsouth (dot) net)

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  15. Sometimes there are books that have just not interested me but my rule is - always finish the book. Many times I found myself enjoying it afterall, once I got through those first chapters. Thanks for the warning - I'm ready to try it!

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  16. I would love to read this.

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  17. Enter me this book looks great!!
    Sharon Richmond
    Blanch,NC.
    sharonruth126@gmail.com

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  18. Thank you, Melanie, for your thoughtful review and for hosting the giveaway. I appreciate your ministry, as always! :)

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! It was my pleasure to read this book. :) I've really enjoyed the Ladies in Waiting series and look forward to reading more of your books. =)

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  19. Would love to have this book! I have read the first two and liked them a lot! Thanks for the giveaway:)

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  20. Just love books like this ! Happy Reading All !

    Joelle@http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com

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  21. This is a new author to me. Thank so much for the great review. I follow by email.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. I enjoyed your review. Thank you for offering a copy of Roses Have Thorns. I am very anxious to read it.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  23. I would love to win this book! It sounds like another great read from Miss Sandra. :)

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  24. Looks interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to win a free copy.

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  25. Nice review, thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. Love this time period. Thanks for the review and give-a-way.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Thanks for the review and the giveaway.

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  28. Was William Cecil featured in the book? He was a key figure during Elizabeth reign and it is always interesting to read how he is portrayed. Thank you!

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  29. This sounds like a book I would really enjoy!

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  30. Good review. This is a time era I like to read. Appreciate the givceaway.

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  31. I love the cover. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  32. I enjoy historical anything. I would love to win.
    Thank you for the giveaway. I have never read any of Sandra Byrd's books

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  33. I'd love to read this book. It's on my to read list. Has been for a while actually.

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