As captivating now as it was more than four centuries ago, the reign of Elizabeth I—with its scandal, intrigue, and resilience—has sparked the imaginations of generations. In her sweeping historical debut, Ella March Chase explores a thrilling possibility: that the Tudor bloodline did not end with the Virgin Queen.Tucked away in the country estate of her beloved father, Lord Calverley, young Nell … young Nell de Lacey feeds her hungry mind with philosophy, language, and studies of science. Her mother, once a devoted lady-in-waiting to Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr, would rather her daughter stop dabbling in the grand affairs of men and instead prepare for her eventual duties as a wife. She knows all too well what menace lurks in royal courts.
But Nell’s heart yearns for something more, and a chance meeting with Princess Elizabeth, then a prisoner of the Tower of London, pushes her closer toward finding it. Now, years later, Nell’s chance arrives when she is summoned to serve as a lady-in-waiting to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth. Nell is entranced by the splendor and pageantry of royal life, unaware of the danger and deception that swirls around the monarch and her courtiers.
But a lingering rumor about nine unaccounted for months in the Virgin Queen’s past reignites when the flame-haired Nell—a mirror image of Her Majesty both physically and intellectually—arrives at court. Quickly she catches the eye not only of the cunning Elizabeth, but of those who would see the queen fail. With strong evidence to connect Elizabeth to her newest maid of honor and the politics of England in turmoil, the truth could send Nell and those she loves to the Tower to join in the wretched fates of those who’ve gone before her.
Engrossing and enlightening, The Virgin Queen’s Daughter brings to life one of the greatest mysteries of one of the greatest monarchs. Ella March Chase’s vivid storytelling gives due credence to a daughter who might have been and a mother who never was.
From the Hardcover edition.
more
Chase evokes a rich picture of the court of Elizabeth the First, it is a vast display of wealth, power and excess. Nell waits on the Queen and her academic interest and skill quickly make her a favourite, however her involvement with a courtier, the Angel Gypsy, Sir Gabriel Wyatt, gains her the Queen’s scorn. As Nell becomes further embedded in …
I started this book expecting it to be complete fluff, and while, for the most part, it was, it was still a good read. Elinore de Lacy is a country born gentlewoman in the mid 16th century who loves all things science. She’s very close to her father, who teaches her to become the scholar he knows she’s born to be. However, after a chance encounter …
I love these books on history.
Loved it!!!
Although I couldn’t easily follow all the characters, I found this historical novel very interesting. I wish I had reviewed the history of England under Henry 8th & Elizabeth Tudor. The tale may have been true & inspired me to review the history of the era. I had trouble putting the book down .descriptions of London& it’s brutal leaders are …
The premise was intriguing. I know a bit about the period and I found it to be plausible that Elizabeth I had a child. Interesting watching her navigate the court intrigues.
Very enjoyable. Specially liked romance that was intense and subtle at same time. I liked the colorfully written scenes and background, Elizabeth’s character was intriguing and what I think a queen would need to be. still think about the storey. Worth reading.
Moved too slowly
I found it unnecessarily wordy. Did not finish it.
Interesting premise – well written fiction
One of the most moving and provocative historical I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Well written.
Chase evokes a rich picture of the court of Elizabeth the First, it is a vast display of wealth, power and excess. Nell waits on the Queen and her academic interest and skill quickly make her a favourite, however her involvement with a courtier, the Angel Gypsy, Sir Gabriel Wyatt, gains her the Queen’s scorn. As Nell becomes further embedded in …
I started this book expecting it to be complete fluff, and while, for the most part, it was, it was still a good read. Elinore de Lacy is a country born gentlewoman in the mid 16th century who loves all things science. She’s very close to her father, who teaches her to become the scholar he knows she’s born to be. However, after a chance encounter …
I love these books on history.
Loved it!!!
Although I couldn’t easily follow all the characters, I found this historical novel very interesting. I wish I had reviewed the history of England under Henry 8th & Elizabeth Tudor. The tale may have been true & inspired me to review the history of the era. I had trouble putting the book down .descriptions of London& it’s brutal leaders are …
The premise was intriguing. I know a bit about the period and I found it to be plausible that Elizabeth I had a child. Interesting watching her navigate the court intrigues.
Very enjoyable. Specially liked romance that was intense and subtle at same time. I liked the colorfully written scenes and background, Elizabeth’s character was intriguing and what I think a queen would need to be. still think about the storey. Worth reading.
Moved too slowly
I found it unnecessarily wordy. Did not finish it.