2010 Release: Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson

Carolly Erickson is releasing a new novel on September 28, 2010 about the love triangle of Queen Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley and Lettice Knollys, called Rival to the Queen.

I have yet to read an Erickson book as they generally don't get rave reviews, but I may try this one since it's on Elizabeth.  The cover will be posted as soon as it shows up on Amazon!


Elizabeth I, Robert and Lettice

SYNOPSIS:  Powerful, dramatic and full of the rich history that has made Carolly Erickson’s novels perennial bestsellers, this is the story of the only woman to ever stand up to the Virgin Queen—her own cousin, Lettice Knollys. Far more attractive than the queen, Lettie soon won the attention of the handsome and ambitious Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a man so enamored of the queen and determined to share her throne that it was rumored he had murdered his own wife in order to become her royal consort. The enigmatic Elizabeth allowed Dudley into her heart, and relied on his devoted service, but shied away from the personal and political risks of marriage.

When Elizabeth discovered that he had married her cousin Lettie in secret, Lettie would pay a terrible price, fighting to keep her husband’s love and ultimately losing her beloved son, the Earl of Essex, to the queen’s headsman.

This is the unforgettable story of two women related by blood, yet destined to clash over one of Tudor England's most charismatic men.


 Have you read any Carolly Erickson books and if so, what are your thoughts?


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8 comments:

  1. I read her novel about Katherine Parr. I liked the writing itself, but the historical liberties the author took--like having Katherine give birth while her home was under attack--were just too much. I understand that her Mary, Queen of Scots novel was even more far-fetched, though the author has acknowledged that she takes liberties and has termed her books "historical entertainments."

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  2. I read the Katherine Parr book as well as her book on Marie Antoinette. They were OK. But like you, I may give this one a try due to the subject matter.

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  3. Hey Amy, I read "The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette" and really enjoyed it. It may not have been completely historically correct...but what is nowadays. Then I read "The Secret Life of Josephine" and also enjoyed it all thought it did not move me as much as Marie Antoinette. I didn't know alot about Josephine so that is what made it enjoyable. All though I'm sure there were some inaccuracies there as well. I enjoy this author's writing style enough so that I have Mary, Queen of Scotts waiting on my bookshelf. For me a book has to flow and hold my interest or I won't finish it...regardless of it's historical merits...guess that makes me a real book S L _ _! Ha! Hope this helps, fondly, Roberta

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  4. I also read her books on Catherine Parr and Marie Antoinette. I liked them but they just can't compare to novels by Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir. I have her book on Napolean's Josephine but haven't had the chance to read it yet. The books are definitely entertaining if not necessarily accurate, so I will give this new book a try when it comes out.

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  5. I like Carolly Erickson -- she's a decent writer; but as Susan said, the historical aspects are a bit suspect.

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  6. Here novels are touch and go. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they aren't. I think it all depends.

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  7. I have not read anything by her... but this one sounds good.

    I hope all is well with you, I have been away for sometime and am now back but I am not hoping to be able to blog as before, but I am following your blog posts :)

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  8. I have read a couple of her non-fiction offerings, most notably "Alexandra" and found them to be passable but not particularly scholarly. I think "historical entertainments" to be true for the work on Katherine Parr, but perhaps also for her non-fiction for a serious reader.

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