Aloha to Susan Higginbotham and HER HIGHNESS THE TRAITOR

On this date in 1533, Anne Boleyn is crowned Queen of England.   Although Anne lived only 1000 more days before her execution, she demonstrated what sheer determination (and sex appeal) could accomplish through courtly intrigue.    

Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn in THE TUDORS

Courtly intrigue followed King Henry's Tudor successors - Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I, and Queen  Elizabeth.   The award winning author Susan Higginbotham gives us an inventive perspective to the uncrowned queen, Lady Jane Grey.  The story unfolds from Jane's royal mother and ambitious mother-in-law in HER HIGHNESS THE TRAITOR:

As Henry VIII draws his last breath, two very different women, Jane Dudley, Viscountess of Lisle, and Frances Grey, Marchioness of Dorset, face the prospect of a boy king, Edward VI.

For Jane Dudley, basking in the affection of her large family, the coming of a new king means another move upward for her ambitious, able husband, John. For Frances Grey, increasingly alienated from her husband and her brilliant but arrogant daughter Lady Jane Grey, it means that she—and Lady Jane—are one step closer to the throne of England.

Then the young king falls deathly ill. Determined to keep England under Protestant rule, he concocts an audacious scheme that subverts his own father’s will. Suddenly, Jane Dudley and Frances Grey are reluctantly bound together in a common cause—one that will test their loyalties, their strength, and their faith, and that will change their lives beyond measure.

Helena Bonham Carter in LADY JANE GREY

I posted my review of HER HIGHNESS THE TRAITOR on Goodreads at this link.  Today I am visiting the 'Ionani Palace, also the scene of political intrigue.  I'll pick up a souvenir and give it away to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,


1.  Leave a comment about your favorite historical author.   From Susan's website (at this link),

In my idea of heaven, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Jane Austen will have each written a new novel every year or so since their deaths, and the celestial bookshelves will be sagging with their works. There'd be a new Shakespeare play to attend often as well.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 2, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 3.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Susan and her books, including links to order, check out her website at susanhigginbotham.com.