5-5-5 Day 2: Sandra Byrd

Please help me today welcome Sandra Byrd! She wrote one of my favorite historical series, titled the Ladies in Waiting series. Three books, one each for Anne Boleyn, Kateryn Parr, and Elizabeth I -- each told from the view point of a servant or lady in waiting. I'm thrilled that Sandra is back today!

Welcome to the 5-5-5 event, Sandra! I’m so honored to be hosting you today. Now, five questions! First of all, could you tell us a little about your most recent book, Roses Have Thorns?

Here's my publisher's well-crafted blurb!

From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court. Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage--or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. 

Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth's circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen's downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she's not sure she can trust--a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

What’s something you love about Roses Have Thorns?

I love the Tudors. They are the ultimate family saga - and it's all, or nearly all, true. You have love, hate, life, death, fortunes made and lost, forbidden love, faith worth fighting for, and great gowns. What more can a reader desire? Telling the story told from Helena, Marchioness of Northampton's point of view was a thrill for me. She's a real person, but very little has been written about her in Tudor fiction.

They are super interesting, gotta agree! If Roses was made into a movie…do you have actors/actresses in mind to play the main characters? If not, can you describe a bit of what you’d be looking for?

Oh, I absolutely DO have some people in mind - and I did as I wrote, too. Please visit my pinterest board to see the pictures that I thought best conveyed them, but here are a few names to get your started!

Elin/Helena: Alicia Vikander (pictured in black & white)

William Parr: John Forsythe

Thomas Gorges: David Garrett

Elizabeth: Cate Blanchett, of course (the other picture!)

Robert Dudley: Joseph Fiennes

Sofia: Emily Blunt

Princess Cecelia: Brittany Daniel

Wow, all great choices! You’ve written multiple books. Out of all the covers, which is your favorite? Hard question, I know.

Oh goodness, I really don't have a favorite. One thing I love about the covers on the Ladies in Waiting series is that great care was taken to portray the kinds of relationships that the women had. In To Die For, they hold one another like best friends. In Secret Keeper, the pose is very motherly/daughterly. And, of course, on the cover of Roses, it's clear that Elizabeth is in charge, but accessible to her closest friends.

That's a good point...I hadn't thought about it before, but you're right about those portrayals! Finally, what can we expect from you book-wise in the future?

I'm right in the midst of writing the first book of my next series, also British historical, but not Tudor era. I felt like I had explored the three Tudor queens I wanted to look at, and really, who could follow Queen Elizabeth I? This new series is great fun, though: still English, still historical, but with a little more romance this time. The first book will be out early next summer.

Please visit me!

http://www.sandrabyrd.com for everything I've written, a huge contest, and a cool Tudor Hall!

http://pinterest.com/sandrabyrdbooks/roses-have-thorns-a-novel-of-elizabeth-i/ for lots of cool things about Roses Have Thorns, including pictures of the actors I'd pick to portray my characters!

https://www.facebook.com/sandrabyrdwrites to keep in touch via Facebook - please send a friend request!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to do this, Sandra. Having you as a part of 5-5-5 just made it better! :) Readers, below you'll find my links to other things on this blog related to Sandra and her books. And below that? A lovely giveaway!

•  To Die For (Ladies in Waiting book 1)
• Secret Keeper (Ladies in Waiting book 2)
• Roses Have Thorns (Ladies in Waiting book 3)
• Cover Focus: To Die For, Secret Keeper
• Older interview with Sandra 
• Let Them Eat Cake (French Twist book 1)

Now, of course you're eager to know what you can win! Since I've given away a copy of Roses Have Thorns at a previous time, the prize Sandra graciously offered this time is a (super-cute) Buckingham Palace Book Tote! If you don't have a book tote either (1) you never go anywhere, (2) you hate books, or (3) you're TOTALLY missing out. Books should go everywhere with you. Especially Sandra's. :) So, enter below to win this adorable tote! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Roses Have Thorns

Author: Sandra Byrd

Genre: Life, history…which sounds boring, but isn’t.

Series: Ladies in Waiting

Number in series: 3^rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 317

Time period: 1564-1603

Publisher and price: Howard Books (a division of Simon and Schuster), $14.99

My overall opinion: Oh, it was good! It was so much fun (and so interesting) to get to know Queen Elizabeth I a little better. I really did feel like I knew her pretty well by the end. And I love the cover too – more in person than online. The purple and gold are very stunning, and the entire trilogy looks so lovely all together on my shelf! Elin/Helena, the main heroine, is a lady in waiting to Elizabeth I and turned out to be a fascinating woman to “journey” with through this book, as she was telling the story herself (does that make sense?). I’m definitely sorry to see this series end – they are the best Tudor era fiction I’ve found. However, I do recommend them mostly for about age 16+ as they do occasionally deal with some more mature content – nothing explicit though.

The characters were all quite understandable and believable; perhaps the Queen most of all. At the beginning and end of the book are several informative family trees, plus an author’s note to wrap everything up. Sandra obviously put an amazing amount of research into this! One thing that I came across was that towards the beginning (page 52), one of Elin’s jobs was to warm the Queen’s bed every night for her. Yes, that means Elin got in, lay there until it was warm, then got out right before the Queen went to bed. If I were Queen? I’d get a bed-warmer. SO HANDY for cold nights. Anyway, that’s one thing that I’ve always rather wanted but never knew people did.  

All in all, a great book where you’ll learn history in a fascinating, memorable, and fun way!



Now, ready for the good part? I have not one but two giveaways! The first one is for Roses Have Thorns itself -- your very own copy. And the second? A lovely necklace from Belle on a Budget! Note that since the necklace is handmade, it may not look exactly like the one in the picture. Please note that BOTH of these giveaways are US only. Feel free to enter them both, and best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I find that the second giveaway isn't showing up like it should...if there's a link saying "a Rafflecopter giveaway" just click on it and you can go enter the same as you would if it was working just right! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let Them Eat Cake

Author: Sandra Byrd

Genre: Life

Series: French Twist

Number in series: 1^st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: Kindle

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: What fun to read this modern book by Sandra Byrd! Prior to this point, all I’d read were the first two books in her Ladies in Waiting series, both of which I greatly enjoyed – and I was delighted to find she was good at this as well. Let Them Eat Cake was sprinkled with delicious sounding recipes, but so many as to be obnoxious. It definitely kept me reading, and moved along at a steady pace. By the end of the first 100 pages, you will probably think you know where it’s going…surprise! You don’t. It ended without a conclusion…definitely need to read the other books in this series.

Interview with Sandra Byrd!

Readers -- today I am blessed to have Sandra Byrd here on Austenitis! She's coming to talk about her newest book, Secret Keeper. Make sure you read my review from earlier today!

Welcome, Sandra! I’m so glad to be talking with you about your book, The Secret Keeper. Could you please give us a little auto-biography?

Here it is, from my website!

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd persevered to publish more than three dozen books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a finalist for the Christy Award, as was To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2011. Sandra's YA fiction has also been recognized within the industry. Asking for Trouble, the first in the London Confidential series, was a finalist for the ECPA Medallion of Excellence award.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra is also a non-fiction writer and author, with articles in numerous publications and periodicals. Sandra is also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Sandra resides in Washington State with her husband Michael, a chaplain, their two children, and a circus dog named Brie.

Please tell us a little bit about the plot of The Secret Keeper.

Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight. Though her family wants her to marry the son of her father's business partner, circumstances set her on a course toward the court of Henry VIII and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.

Sir Thomas Seymour, uncle of the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his concerns with Juliana's father's estate and sees instantly that Juliana would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in Parr's household for "finishing" and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly.

For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy, and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king's daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.

As Juliana learns the secrets of King Henry VIII's court, she faces threats and opposition, learning truths about her own life that will undo everything she holds dear.

Such a great book. Now, I’m curious…why did you skip from Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife (on whom To Die For was focused), to Kateryn Parr, the sixth wife?

Jane Seymour had a very short life after her marriage, there wasn't enough to interest me, personally, in writing her story. Anne of Cleves has had little written about her but she was not in the Tudor Court for very long, so the book would have been focused well away from the "action." Katherine Howard was a very young woman when she caught Henry's eye. I find her situation to be sympathetic, but she hadn't lived long enough by the time she was beheaded to provide the kind of historical tapestry I wanted.

Then again, Anne, Kateryn, and Elizabeth are my personal favorites. I spend a long time with these ladies, researching and writing, so I needed to make sure I wanted to be in their company for years!

Is it hard to write while sticking to the historical facts?

No, I find it a thrilling challenge to be able to craft a fictional story around well known facts. It makes me feel like, "This really could have happened this way!" I hope it makes my readers feel that way, too.

What was your favorite part of Secret Keeper to write?

The ending. I write about life as it really is, and that includes some painful parts, both to live and to read. But I'll always Happily Ever After endings in every book.

Is there any special story about the cover?

We wanted to put a garden on the cover because the Tudors were rightly proud of their lovely gardens, and there aren't very many Tudor book covers with them on it. Also, Sudeley Castle, which is where Kateryn Parr gave birth to her daughter, and which is the home most often associated with her, is well known for its lovely gardens.

How long did it take you to write Secret Keeper?

It takes me about a year to write each of my books, including the research.

I saw you have a title for the next book in the Ladies in Waiting series, Roses Have Thorns. And another amazing cover! Would you like to tell us a bit about the book?

Here's the publisher's blurb:

Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage—or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiancé has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth’s circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen’s downfall, Helena is forced to choose between her unyielding monarch and the husband she’s not sure she can trust—a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

Your biggest fan and supporter is...

My husband, for sure. I couldn't write without him. He does everything from encourage and admonish to hand translate entire books from Swedish to English for me. What a man!

What is your favorite time period to read about? How about to write about?

I love to read about almost anything, but I prefer history and ethnographies to almost all other reading. Historical England is my favorite setting for reading and writing, but I also love Japan and India.

What is one thing you dread doing?

Getting reviews. :) Even when they're good, there's a certain amount of anxiety attached. And when they are less-than-favorable, I learn something, but it always stings a little.

I can definitely see how that’d be something to dread! If you could visit any country, continent, or place, where would you go and why?

England is my favorite place to visit, followed by France. I have not yet been to India, but I would love to visit.

Which of your book covers is your favorite?

Oh, I love each of the covers in this series, the Artistic Director is really gifted. He conveys both the period and emotions so well.

I agree! These covers are amazing. Thanks so much for coming, Sandra! How can our readers learn more about you, or contact you?

Thank you so much for having me; I love to visit your blog. I also love to hear from readers! Please visit my website at www.sandrabyrd.com; poke around the Tudor Hall for a bit and then send an email to me and let me know what you think!

The Secret Keeper

Author: Sandra Byrd

Genre: Life, King Henry VIII, King Henry VIII’s Wives

Series: Ladies in Waiting

Number in series: 2^nd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 330

Time period: 1500’s

My overall opinion: Once again, I loved Sandra Byrd’s book! I anticipated reading this book all summer, and was finally able to. It was certainly a book worth reading! It’s the story of Kateryn Parr, King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, the one who outlived him. Secret Keeper is written from the view-point of a fictional friend of Kateryn (or Kate), one who eventually becomes her lady-in-waiting. It is a riveting story, full of palace intrigue, adventure, a dash of romance, and the general trials and joys of life. It’s written for adults, and has some heavy material, so I’d recommend it for age 16 and up. However, there’s nothing explicit or bad. As you should know, the times of King Henry VIII weren’t pretty. As far as I know and could tell, it was factual to history; I now know more about Kate than I ever did before! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy reading about this time period, reading historical fiction, or have even a passing fancy to the cover. Did I mention I love the cover? I do. Great book, and worth paying full price for! Definitely keeping this one.

**Sandra Byrd, the author, sent me a copy of this book in return for my honest review. I have reviewed the book honestly, given my true opinion. I received no other compensation for this review.**

Cover Focus: The Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd

Book blurb from http://www.sandrabyrd.com/ : “Pieces of her black gown fell to the ground, one by one, like the locks of a condemned woman shorn before execution, though he stayed himself from touching her bright red hair before sheathing his dagger again. Her woeful face betrayed that she knew this would be her utter undoing. The gown was ruined and the black clumps, which had plummeted to the ground, received the breath of life of a sudden and became a flock of beady-eyed ravens which took wing toward the Tower of London, whilst we watched in horror and dread.”

Why I like this cover: In two words? The dresses. Who wouldn’t love dresses from this time-period? And the semi-remarkable thing is that these are even modest! Always a good thing. Let’s do the girl on the left first. I’m guessing she’s Kateryn Parr’s friend, if this book is set up like To Die For was. Besides which, her dress is just barely less opulent that Kateryn’s, to my eyes. Her dress is a burgundy shade, maybe brocade? I love the stomacher in the front – isn’t that what it’s called, the fancy V? And puffed sleeves! Like Anne, I have an affinity for puffed sleeves. J Her pearl necklace and long dark hair add to the picture. Did you notice that both Kateryn and her friend have fancy rings on? Wonder if they’ll have any part in the story. And then Kateryn’s dress…oh my word, it’s so pretty! It’s kind of dark-crimson, gold, and cream. I love that overskirt, sweeping down over the underskirt. And all that trimming on the sleeves is so cool! Then the little necklace, and her barely-red hair. Ahhh, yes, I do like this cover!

FYI – I CANNOT wait to read this. It comes out on June 5, and is the second book in the “Ladies in Waiting” series.

To Die For

Author: Sandra Byrd

Genre: Life

Series: Ladies in Waiting

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: 329

Time period: 1500’s

My overall opinion: Somehow, back when I took that six week blogging break, this book was read but not reviewed, as I discovered very recently. How terrible! And I liked it a lot too. So I’m reviewing it now…and apologize for the long wait. This is Anne Boleyn’s story as seen through the eyes of her young friend Meg, who comes to live in King Henry VIII’s court with Anne. I found it well written and intriguing – most things concerning that particular time period are. This one more than some! It’s an amazing book and I highly recommend it to historical fiction lovers. And everyone else too.

Check out my cover focus: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/09/cover-focus-to-die-for.html

Cover Focus: To Die For

To Die For by Sandra Byrd

Book blurb from goodreads.com : To Die For is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods in neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne's star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of King Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne's favor rises and falls, so does Meg's. And though she's pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love -- and her own life -- because of it.
Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.
Though much of Meg's story is fictionalized, it is drawn from known facts. The Wyatt family and the Boleyn family were neighbors and friends, and perhaps even distant cousins. Meg's brother, Thomas Wyatt, wooed Anne Boleyn and ultimately came very close to the axe blade for it. Two Wyatt sisters attended Anne at her death, and at her death, she gave one of them a jeweled prayer book -- Meg.

What I like about the cover: Well, seeing it online, it's nothing compared to actually holding the book. :) It's beautiful! Anne's dress, on the left, is that blue/gold one. If you look closely, you can see that the sleeve facing you has strands of pearls all looped up over it. But it's Meg's dress that I really like. Not that I'd wear it, but. :) The top is lined with pearls, all sewn on. The sleeves are also studded with pearls. I love the red velvety material used to accent the goldish one. It goes perfectly with her hair! Also note Anne's pearl necklace, with the big "B." Even though all your can see is the lower half of their faces, you can tell they're both beautiful girls.

FYI, I'm currently reading and loving this story! Review coming soon.