John Parker is one of Henry VIII most useful courtiers - utterly merciless and completely loyal. But one small favour for his King pulls Parker into a deadly plot against the throne: one that will test his courage, his resolve, and most especially, his heart. This hunter is about to become the hunted. A commission from Henry VIII should have been the crowning achievement of Susanna Horenbout's career, but before the beautiful and talented artist even sets foot in England, she finds herself in possession of a secret that could change its history. With Parker as her only protection against killers who will stop at nothing to silence her, Susanna has to trust the dangerous, enigmatic courtier. She's used to fighting in a man's world, but she never expected to be fighting for her life - or her heart.
In a Treacherous Court
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This debut novel of Diener's is well researched, set in exciting times and gripping the reader from beginning to end. The main characters are vivid, believable and authentic. The pace is fast, with something unexpected waiting just around the corner! I cannot wait for the sequel as Diener has stepped onto the stage as a very promising and enthralling writer of historical novels.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tudor Period with a Twist
28 July 2011
By Amanda
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Author Michelle Diener bursts onto the historical fiction scene with an exciting and wonderfully-written read about a virtually unknown woman from Tudor-era England. Her name is Susanna Horenbout, a young woman who is sent the court of Henry VIII from Belgium to serve as the king's personal illuminator. After an attempt is made on Susanna's life, she is put in the care of courtier John Parker, who she eventually develops feelings for. But, of course, their romance isn't that simple. After discovering that Susanna is the key to a plot to overthrow the king, she and Parker are forced into a wild and unexpected conspiracy where no one knows what could happen next.
Treacherous Court is about as exciting as it sounds. Told through the eyes of a well-constructed and fascinating protagonist, the novel perfectly balances a sweet and realistic romance with some intriguing and awesome court intrigue (really, some of the best court intrigue I've ever read).
Diener also strives for historical accuracy along with vivid period detail and the desire to bring little-known people and events to life, which really helps infuse the story with some refreshing originality for a Henry VIII-era novel (yeah, I was worried that this would just be another run-of-the-mill Tudor novel, but it wasn't).
Highly recommended for fans of Tudor-period historical fiction who are looking for something different.
Treacherous Court is about as exciting as it sounds. Told through the eyes of a well-constructed and fascinating protagonist, the novel perfectly balances a sweet and realistic romance with some intriguing and awesome court intrigue (really, some of the best court intrigue I've ever read).
Diener also strives for historical accuracy along with vivid period detail and the desire to bring little-known people and events to life, which really helps infuse the story with some refreshing originality for a Henry VIII-era novel (yeah, I was worried that this would just be another run-of-the-mill Tudor novel, but it wasn't).
Highly recommended for fans of Tudor-period historical fiction who are looking for something different.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
In a Treacherous Court
27 July 2011
By Book of Secrets
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is Michelle Diener's exciting debut novel. The story is set in the court of Henry VIII when he was still married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon. John Parker, one of the king's most trusted and loyal courtiers, is sent to meet the king's new court painter arriving by ship from the Netherlands. He is surprised to learn that the Flemish artist is a young woman named Susanna Horenbout, and that she was the witness to the murder of a spy. The secret message for the king that the dying man whispered to Susanna has put her life in grave danger, and it's Parker's duty to deliver her to Henry safely. Soon Parker and Susanna become entangled in a plot against the king, and they must find who's responsible before Susanna becomes the next victim.
IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is an interesting blend of historical fiction, mystery, suspense and romance. I love stories set in the Tudor period, and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of this time and place, both the beautiful and the cruel. Henry VIII is one of history's more intriguing rulers, so I loved that he was a character in this book.
The main characters were also based on actual historical figures. Susanna Horenbout was a Flemish artist who is thought to have worked for the king at one time. John Parker was the King's Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and his Yeoman of the Crossbows. They seemed well suited for each other since the story tells us neither were traditional players in Henry's court. Their romance blended nicely into the story as a whole. My favorite character was Parker, who could be ruthless yet compassionate when needed.
The mystery surrounding the plot against the king, including the major players involved, was well researched and very convincing. The book started out strong, but the pacing did slow down in the middle. However, the ending was very suspenseful - there were plenty of nail-biting moments. This is the first book in a series, and I will definitely be reading the next installment, KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS.
I would recommend IN A TRECHEROUS COURT to fans of historical fiction/mystery who like a good romance included. I give it 3.75 out of 5 stars.
SOURCE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
IN A TREACHEROUS COURT is an interesting blend of historical fiction, mystery, suspense and romance. I love stories set in the Tudor period, and I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of this time and place, both the beautiful and the cruel. Henry VIII is one of history's more intriguing rulers, so I loved that he was a character in this book.
The main characters were also based on actual historical figures. Susanna Horenbout was a Flemish artist who is thought to have worked for the king at one time. John Parker was the King's Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and his Yeoman of the Crossbows. They seemed well suited for each other since the story tells us neither were traditional players in Henry's court. Their romance blended nicely into the story as a whole. My favorite character was Parker, who could be ruthless yet compassionate when needed.
The mystery surrounding the plot against the king, including the major players involved, was well researched and very convincing. The book started out strong, but the pacing did slow down in the middle. However, the ending was very suspenseful - there were plenty of nail-biting moments. This is the first book in a series, and I will definitely be reading the next installment, KEEPER OF THE KING'S SECRETS.
I would recommend IN A TRECHEROUS COURT to fans of historical fiction/mystery who like a good romance included. I give it 3.75 out of 5 stars.
SOURCE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unputdownable book!
7 Aug 2011
By Maggie Marr, author of Can't Buy Me Love
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Michelle Diener's debut book is fabulous. She deftly weaves a fast-paced plot with amazingly accurate historical detail. All with deep characterization and a winning romance. I could not put down this book! I read it cover to cover in one day. I highly recommend this book and can't wait until her second book is available. Well done! What a fabulous book!!
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 18 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Historical
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > Henry VII
- Books > Romance > Historical
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
