Review: Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith + GIVEAWAY

by Anne Easter Smith

Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Touchstone
528p 


SYNOPSIS

From the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, and The King’s Grace comes another masterful historical novel—the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories.

Anne Easter Smith’s novels are beloved by readers for their ability “to grab you, sweep you along with the story, and make you fall in love with the characters.” * In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, she has found her most engrossing character yet. History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour.

REVIEW

I became a fan of Anne Easter Smith when I read her first novel A Rose for the Crown and my admiration for her work was further cemented with her subsequent novels The King’s Grace and Daughter of York and now, my new favorite Queen By Right. Anne’s flair for weaving meticulous research, a strong story line and authentic characters make for one gratifying read that will keep you captivated from page one!

In Queen By Right Anne explores the life of Cecily Neville, a central figure in the War of the Roses as wife to Richard, Duke of York who fought King Henry VI for the crown of England. Also known as the Rose of Raby because of her beauty and Proud Cis because of her pride, Cecily started life in a loving home with a father who spoiled her mercilessly. When Richard Plantagenet becomes a ward of her father’s they form a friendship that will eventually turn to one of the sweetest love matches in history. Their marriage, though a strong one will face a number of hardships, both personally and with regards to Richard’s position in King Henry VI’s court. After years in Henry’s service Richard becomes disillusioned with the king’s weak and ineffectual rule and is tired of being passed over in favor of Henry’s favorites, so when the monarch begins to suffer from bouts of mental illness and Richard becomes protector of the realm he comes to the decision that will change the course of England’s history. As a descendent of King Edward III Richard has always known of his claim to the throne, but until now has been content to keep that knowledge in the back of his mind. Cecily is justly frightened but takes her role as wife very seriously and is determined to support her husband’s decision despite her fears.

I didn’t think it possible, but Cecily passed (albeit narrowly) Katherine Haute as my favorite Anne Easter Smith protagonist! I totally loved her spunk and the way she carried herself, most especially when she confronted the men attacking her home with her young sons on either side. Her strength in that moment, when she must have been filled with horror at the atrocities being inflicted on her people and filled with immense dread and vulnerability was inspiring and readers can’t help but be in awe of a woman like that!

Told in rich, vivid detail Smith paints a captivating portrait of a woman who lived during one of England’s most dangerous and chaotic periods, a woman would become the mother of two kings and forever known in history for her dignity and pride. This is a must read for any lover of historical fiction!

To learn more please visit Anne Easter Smith's WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE.


GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

- To enter, please leave a comment below and include your email address.
- Giveaway is open to US entries ONLY!
- For +1 additional entry each, please help spread the word by blogging, posting on sidebar, tweeting or posting on Facebook.  You can use the SHARE buttons below.
- Giveaway ends on May 30th.

GOOD LUCK!

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75 comments:

  1. Sounds interesting, and I do not know anything at all about her so I would like to learn more one day

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  2. Im not sure what the Question was we were supposed to answer. But I love English history! Something about it easily can just draw you in!

    Ashleys2204(at)gmail (.) com

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  3. I love Anne Easter Smith's books, my favorite would have to be The King's Grace, but they are all wonderful. Can't wait to read Queen by Right! Cecily Neville is not a character who has been written about much, certainly not nearly as much as her illustrious sons, Edward IV and Richard III, and I look forward to learning more about her.
    deniseincoralsprings@gmail.com

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  4. I cannot wait to read this one! I have only seen Cecily Neville as a supporting characters in most of the Plantagenet books I have read, so it will be good to get a little more of her story.
    Thanks!
    candc320@gmail.com

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  5. I shared on Facebook (Colleen Turner)!
    candc320@gmail.com

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  6. I've been waiting for this book for months and months! I love Anne Easter Smith's other novels. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

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  7. You're right: since women are so often portrayed as helpless by the media, it's admirable to see scenes such as the one you describe in which the female character shows her courage.

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  8. I have always had an interest in English history, even as a young teenager I would devour anything historical. The book sounds like it would explain a lot about the York "side" of the story, and also about the woman who was determined to set her son on the throne of England. I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  9. This is one from my wish list. Please enter me.

    jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  10. I loved A Rose for the Crown and that is the book that I shared with my niece and turned her onto the War of the Roses. This is the second blog giveaway that I've seen this book for and I'd love to win for sure ;) Love your review Amy and can't wait to see if I like Cecily as much as Katherine.

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  11. Just shared this giveaway on facebook.
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

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  12. Just shared this giveway on Twitter. rlphilbr13@aol.com

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  13. Just added this giveaway to my sidebar.
    http://con-tain-it.typepad.com
    rlphilbr13@aol.com

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  14. I have been studying English History since I was 5 yrs old! I particularly love Anne's novels; along with Helen Hollick and Sharon Penman! Can't wait to read this one!!

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  15. I'm looking forward to learning more about the Neville's.

    adwallis@hotmail.com

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  16. I love learning about people in history. This book sounds really good.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  17. I definitely need to get my hands on this one! I've always loved Cecily Neville, and it's about time she got her own book.

    arianwen@gmail.com

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  18. i loved The King's Grace, which I think I won right here!! :) so glad to know that Anne has a new book out. I'd love to read it! Can't get enough historical fiction!

    tnshadylady at gmail.com

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  19. I am absolutely fascinated with this topic. Cecily Neville has sparked a strong interest in me. I would love to win this book!

    jamieawelch at yahoo dot com

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  20. I would love a chance to win this book! You have definitely sparked my interest. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Amy
    tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com

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  21. Another historical novel to check out. Thanks for sharing!

    vanessanicole21 at yahoo dot com

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  22. Sounds like a great read, i think I have seen this in other contests and would love to get my hands on it!

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  23. I have only read of Cecily of Neville as a background character, but this novel sounds like her time has come to shine as the main & strong character. Please count me in for the giveaway. Thanks!
    ~Bella

    Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom

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  24. Looking forward to reading it, and will share this amazing website!
    mbmcgr@gmail.com

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  25. I am so excited about this book! I have read her others and love them! Congrats on another triumph, Anne!

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  26. Looking forward to reading this one.
    chrisnina@gmail.com

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  27. I would love a chance to win this novel. It sounds very interesting.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ashley.l.mikowski@gmail.com

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  28. I love Anne Easter Smith and all things Ricardian!! Cecily Neville is such a strong woman and birthed such different sons. Can't wait!!

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  29. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm always interested in historical fiction that goes back farther than most does - like to the War of the Roses.

    susanna dot pyatt at student dot rcsnc dot org

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  30. A Rose for the Crown was a favorite novel when I read it 3 or 4 years ago. I know this novel will be great. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. I've always loved historical fiction, particularly English history. I'm just finishing my first Elizabeth Chadwick book and have two more on my Kindle! I would love to win!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This book looks really good. Please enter me in the giveaway.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mbreakfield/status/71338790660218880
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. This one is on my to-read list. Please enter me!

    Shared on FB: +1
    Tweeted: +1

    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

    Thanks for the great review!

    Beth

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  35. I love historical fiction!! ♥ Would love to win!

    tc8455@gmail.com

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  36. Such a cool sounding book.

    Thanks

    chamsmama at gmail dot com

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  37. Love Historical Fiction, and this sounds very interesting!!

    ctymice at gmail dot com

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  38. Tweeted(https://twitter.com/#!/CrftyDuchess/status/71394727076966401)

    ctymice at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just bought A Rose for a Crown and can't wait to read it. I would love to win the new book.

    ReplyDelete
  40. shared on facebook(https://www.facebook.com/CrftyDuchess/posts/186269581421538)

    ctymice at gmail dot com

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  41. great giveaway I really want to read this book!

    kfehnel[at]gmail[dot]com

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  42. I'd be interested in reading this book, and I'd definitely love to win it! Cecily's son Richard is a favorite of mine...
    suzanne dot paley at gmail dot com

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  43. I plan on getting this book as quickly as I can. It dounds really interesting. Katherine spanishrose73@AOL.com

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  44. Thank you for this amazingly generous giveaway! I would love for a chance to read this book. Thank you!!! :)

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

    ReplyDelete
  45. I tweeted the giveaway:

    http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/71489109247541248

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

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  46. I've heard great things about Anne Easter Smith's books, so I think I will enter because I'm pretty keen to get my hands of a copy!

    beth-martin AT live DOT com

    +1 I tweeted here:

    http://twitter.com/#!/taekwondobabe/status/71506809294290944

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would love, love to read this book.

    clenna at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I've been waiting for this book to come out. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/71539030554198016
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. shared on facebook-mamabunny shelor
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=203418033029035&id=100001199655476
    mamabunny shelor

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am so glad to see the number of books in recent years that have focused on the strong women in history. So often in the past women we left in the background often as insignificant bystanders. The strength of character and courage needed to survive and prosper in those times, especially for a woman, is now being recognized. Anne Easter Smith has given us another great story of a woman to be admired.

    Thank you for the review and your thoughts.

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  52. Thank you for a great giveaway!
    Valerie
    valleauatsuddenlinkdotnet

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  53. I've been hearing so many good things about this book! Cecily sounds like an intriguing character. Thanks for the giveaway!

    abookishaffair(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. Rena

    I too am a great admirer of Anne Easter Smith and loved her A Rose for a Crown, Daughter of York and The King's Grace. With the story of Cecily the entire history of the house of York is now complete. I'd love to add this to my other books. I'm a long time follower and I shared about the giveaway on my facebook wall.

    rena.mcgrath@yahoo.com

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  55. I loved "Daughter of York" and have Anne's other 2 books on my "to read soon' list. I would love this one as well.

    a1stitcher @hotmail.com

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  56. What a totally intriguing time in history! I would so much love to win a copy of this interesting book. I do so admire the in-depth research that this author and others have done to be able to provide their readers with such terrific novels. I am in awe of them!
    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. My daughter would especially love this book!!!!!!!!!
    Thanks for the giveaway and for including me in it!

    Charlotte Kay
    charlovesmark at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love to read about the mothers of kings. After knowing about them, you can decide if their sons picked up any of personality traits of their mother. Would love to immerse myself into this book!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:

    http://www.passagestothepast.com/2011/05/review-queen-by-right-by-anne-easter.html? GIveaway of 'Queen by Right'

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Please enter me. If you say Cecily is as well-defined character as Katerine Haute then I must read this book!

    Thank you,

    AnnfesATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  61. Twittered this giveaway and also FB'ed. (@SoftFuzzySweatr) and Anne Fescharek

    ReplyDelete
  62. Another book to add to my wabnt list.
    Added to my page for an extra ballot

    wiebers1989 at bellsouth.net


    Lady Bren

    ReplyDelete
  63. I've looked at the book at B&N multiple times. Definitely on the TBR list.

    summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love historical fiction. The book sounds really good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Your blog makes me long for more time in a day to read!! Such fantastic books you discover!
    melanieinoh2003@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I think I just found my new favorite site! Queen by Right sounds wonderful...

    I tweeted this blog @galeminchew

    ~Gale

    galeminchew (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Love historical fiction, historical mysteries and historical biographies.

    I am reading a book by E. Chadwick - first of two books about William Marshall, The Greatest Knight!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Ohh, I have almost worked my way up to this point in Plantagenet History. This book is definitely going on my TBR list for that particular period. It would be great to win a copy, but if not it will be a definite purchase.

    Thanks, Amy.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love The books on Plantagenet history especially King Rich III and members of his family. I would love to own this one ;)
    lynda716@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. What great praise for the author. I have to get my hands on of her books. =)
    tiredwkids at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I've never read anything about Cicely Neville & this looks like a great place to start.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Thanks for the giveaway! This book sounds really good!

    wildpeetree7(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Cicely of York was one of the characters who really grabbed me when I read SKP's _The Sunne in Splendour_. How marvelous to see her taking center stage!
    {{rubs hands in glee}}

    talia_09(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love the books about this time period! Thanks for the giveaway!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. https://twitter.com/#!/tessaa99/status/75370528558424064v

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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