Friday, November 7, 2014

The Tudor Vendetta (The Spymaster Chronicles #3) by C.W. Gortner Book Tour

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Title: The Tudor Vendetta
Author: C.W. Cortner
Pages: 304
Published: October 21st 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin 
ISBN: 9780312658588
Source: Netgalley for Tour


Description: Upon the death of Mary I (Bloody Mary), Elizabeth I takes the throne and Brendan Prescott is called to aid the young queen amid a realm plunged into chaos and a court rife with conspiracy. London, 1558. Queen Mary is dead, and 25-year old Elizabeth ascends the throne. Summoned to court from exile abroad, Elizabeth’s intimate spy, Brendan Prescott, is reunited with the young queen, as well as his beloved Kate, scheming William Cecil, and arch-rival, Robert Dudley. A poison attempt on Elizabeth soon overshadows her coronation, but before Brendan can investigate, Elizabeth summons him in private to dispatch him on a far more confidential mission: to find her favored lady in waiting, Lady Parry, who has disappeared during a visit to her family manor in Yorkshire. Upon his arrival at the desolate sea-side manor where Lady Parry was last seen, he encounters a strange, impoverished family beset by grief, as well as mounting evidence that they hide a secret from him. The mystery surrounding Lady Parry deepens as Brendan begins to realize there is far more going on at the manor than meets the eye, but the closer he gets to the heart of the mystery in Vaughn Hall, the more he learns that in his zeal to uncover the truth, he could be precipitating Elizabeth’s destruction. From the intrigue-laden passages of Whitehall to a foreboding Catholic manor and the deadly underworld of London, Brendan must race against time to unravel a vendetta that will strike at the very core of his world—a vendetta that could expose a buried past and betray everything he has fought for, including his loyalty to his queen. 

I Give This ...
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I have to admit, this series has made me a see a side of Elizabeth that I never really thought about.  While, most of the events of this story are completely fabricated, I still see so many emotions when it comes to her character.

I never doubted for a minute that Brendan would return to Elizabeth's side the minute she took up her throne.  The question would be what his role would be.  Would he be an instrument for the Queen or a pawn for Cecil to control.  I actually think it might have irked Cecil a little that the Queen got to Brendan first.  Interesting that the mission is so personal in nature.  I thought it was odd at first that she would send one nameless man but then throughout this series, Elizabeth has not been on to tell the whole truth.  Brendan's unquestionable loyalty to the Queen is interesting in the fact of who he is.  I imagine that most of people of the time would have jumped on the ability to claim to be from royal birth.  I think Brendan enjoyed the idea of family more.  

I also really enjoy the mystery side of this.  The manor is dark and desolate who so many shadows and secrets, I wondered what Brendan would be able to get from this mission.  Yet ever the Sherlock Holmes, Brendan can see the bigger picture.  What's been hidden for so long, can not be hidden from him.  I wonder if he felt a kindred connection to the child.  It certainly seemed that way in the end.

While Elizabeth was not present through a good portion of this book, I think it shows a young queen afraid of her past mistakes.  She knew she could justly rule England, but was afraid she would never been given the chance.  I think she was afraid of the shadow her mother cast over her.  Plus, her country has been in such upheaval for so long, she had to play her hand exactly right.  She kept her secrets so close, that there was probably not one person who knew them all.  It must have been extremely hard for her during Mary's reign and those first years on the throne.  

I've read another book by this author that I really enjoyed, plus this series has been great.  I have one more book on my shelves I need to read and then I will be sure to watch out for future books!  

 

 About the Author

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C.W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California, as well as an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

After an eleven year-long career in fashion, during which he worked as a vintage retail buyer, freelance publicist, and fashion show coordinator, C.W. devoted the next twelve years to the public health sector. In 2012, he became a full-time writer following the international success of his novels.
In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard at Hampton Court, learned about organic gardening at Chenoceaux, and spent a chilly night in a ruined Spanish castle. His books have garnered widespread acclaim and been translated into twenty-one languages to date, with over 400,000 copies sold. A sought-after public speaker. C.W. has given keynote addresses at writer conferences in the US and abroad. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights, in particular companion animal rescue to reduce shelter overcrowding.

C.W. recently completed his fourth novel for Ballantine Books, about Lucrezia Borgia; the third novel in his Tudor Spymaster series for St Martin’s Press; and a new novel about the dramatic, glamorous life of Coco Chanel, scheduled for lead title publication by William Morrow, Harper Collins, in the spring of 2015.

Half-Spanish by birth and raised in southern Spain, C.W. now lives in Northern California with his partner and two very spoiled rescue cats.

For more information please visit C.W. Gortner’s website and blog. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and YouTube.

The Tudor Vendetta Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 20
Guest Post at Mina’s Bookshelf
Tuesday, October 21
Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, October 22
Thursday, October 23
Friday, October 24
Interview at Back Porchervations
Monday, October 27
Review at JulzReads
Tuesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 29
Review at Making My Mark
Guest Post at Bookish
Thursday, October 30
Review & Guest Post at Drey’s Library
Friday, October 31
Review at Book by Book
Monday, November 3
Review at Mari Reads
Review & Gues Post at JM Ledwell Writes
Tuesday, November 4
Review at A Bookish Affair
Wednesday, November 5
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Thursday, November 6
Review at Booktalk & More
Friday, November 7
Monday, November 10
Tuesday, November 11
Review at A Book Geek
Review at The Lit Bitch
Wednesday, November 12
Thursday, November 13
Friday, November 14
Review at Book Nerd
Spotlight at Paranormal Book Club
Monday, November 17
Review at Broken Teepee
Tuesday, November 18
Wednesday, November 19
Thursday, November 20
Review & Interview at The Tudor Enthusiast
Friday, November 21
Monday, November 24
Tuesday, November 25
Wednesday, November 26
Friday, November 28
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

To win a complete set of CW Gortner’s Spymaster Chronicles Trilogy please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on November 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on November 29th and notified via email.
Winner have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
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