Book Blog Tour of The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

I'm excited to be part of the book tour for Helen Hollick's lastest  historical fiction novel, The Forever Queen.  In The Forever Queen, Hollick takes us to Normandy and England around 1022 and tells the story of Queen Emma who of Norman birth and marries into the royal family of England.  I wasn't familiar with this period in English history and Hollick did a wonderful job of weaving in facts and history and creating an engrossing story.



The blurb:
In 1022, when Emma vowed to give her soul to England, she never could have imagined how very far she would have to take that promise.  Fed up with her incompetent husband and determined to save her people, Emma must take matters into her own hands.  But can she risk everything on a gamble that could rescue a country--but ruin the rest of her life?

This vivid and compelling tale reveals the unmatched life of Queen Emma--the only woman to have been anointed, crowned, and reigning queen to two different kings; the mother of two more; and the great aunt of William the Conqueror.

Review:
From sparse historical data, Hollick pieces together the story of Emma, daughter of Richard I of Normandy, just as she has been contracted to marry King Aethelred of England.   We follow her life  as a young girl matched with an ineffectual and quick tempered husband as she slowly comes into herself.  As she makes friends and grows confident, we see the beginnings of a loyal and charismatic leader.

Emma's world is full of violence, political intrigue, war and uncertainty - which makes for a gripping and fascinating novel.  While the book is around 650 pages, too long for one sitting, it's hard not to stay  up all night.  Emma draws you in with her sense of honor, her humor and her complicated and unusual life.  If you're fond of historical fiction and not squeamish about violence, war, intrigue and betrayal, do check out The Forever Queen.  It's a fun, satisfying read.

ISBN-10: 1402240686 - Trade Paperback $16.99 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (November 1, 2010), 656 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

About the Author:
Helen Hollick lives in northeast London on the edge of Epping Forest with her husband, adult daughter, a variety of pets, which include several horses, cats, and a dog.  She has two major interests: Roman/Saxon Britain and the Golden Age of Piracy -- the early eighteenth century.  Her particular pleasure is researching the facts behind the small glimpses of history and bringing the characters behind those facts to full and glorious life.  She has an honors diploma in early medieval history, and may one day, if she ver finds the time, go on to obtain her full degree.  Learn more about her at www.helenhollick.net or www.acorne.blogspot.com

Want to read more about The Forever Queen?  Check out the other book tour stops:

1-Nov

http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/

http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/

2-Nov

http://www.passagestothepast.com/

http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/

3-Nov

http://www.luxuryreading.com/

4-Nov

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/

http://historicallyobsessed.blogspot.com/

5-Nov

http://booksbythewillowtree.blogspot.com/

http://www.historyandwomen.com/

weekend

8-Nov

http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/

http://www.bookwormsdinner.blogspot.com/

9-Nov

http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

10-Nov

http://literatehousewife.com/

http://carpelibrisreviews.com/

11-Nov

http://web.me.com/quirion/Bookaddict/Welcome.html

http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com/

12-Nov

http://www.brokenteepee.blogspot.com/

http://www.read-all-over.net

weekend

15-Nov

http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/

http://celticladysramblings.blogspot.com/

16-Nov

http://www.jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/

http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/

17-Nov

http://bookalicio.us/

http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/

18-Nov

http://pushersink.blogspot.com/

http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

19-Nov

http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/

weekend

22-Nov

Book Club Chat on http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/