Blog Tour and Giveaway: Brandon - Tudor Knight by Tony Riches

Brandon - Tudor Knight by Tony Riches

Publication Date: December 3, 2018

Preseli Press

eBook; ASIN: B07L3YGBWJ

Genre: Historical/Tudor/Biographical

From the author of the international bestselling Tudor Trilogy comes a true story of adventure, courtly love and chivalric loyalty. Handsome, charismatic and a champion jouster, Sir Charles Brandon is the epitome of a Tudor Knight. A favourite of King Henry VIII, Brandon has a secret. He has fallen in love with Henry’s sister, Mary Tudor, the beautiful widowed Queen of France, and risks everything to marry her without the King’s consent. Brandon becomes Duke of Suffolk, but his loyalty is tested fighting Henry’s wars in France. Mary’s public support for Queen Catherine of Aragon brings Brandon into dangerous conflict with the ambitious Boleyn family and the king’s new right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell. Torn between duty to his family and loyalty to the king, Brandon faces an impossible decision: can he accept Anne Boleyn as his new queen?

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Tony Riches is a full-time writer and lives with his wife in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. After several successful non-fiction books, Tony turned to novel writing and wrote ‘Queen Sacrifice’, set in 10th century Wales, followed by ‘The Shell’, a thriller set in present-day Kenya. A specialist in the history of the early Tudors, he is best known for his Tudor Trilogy. Tony’s other international bestsellers include ‘Warwick ~ The Man Behind the Wars of the Roses’ and ‘The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham’.

For more information please visit Tony’s website and his blog The Writing Desk. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, February 28 Review at Passages to the Past Friday, March 1 Feature at CelticLady's Reviews Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Monday, March 4 Interview at Passages to the Past Tuesday, March 5 Review at Donna's Book Blog Wednesday, March 6 Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen Thursday, March 7 Feature at T's Stuff Friday, March 8 Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads Monday, March 11 Guest Post at On the Tudor Trail Tuesday, March 12 Review at Hisdoryan Feature at To Read, Or Not to Read Wednesday, March 13 Review at For the Sake of Good Taste Thursday, March 14 Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Friday, March 15 Review at Coffee and Ink Review at A Darn Good Read Sunday, March 17 Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit Monday, March 18 Review at Maiden of the Pages Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Tuesday, March 19 Review at The Tudor Enthusiast Review at Just One More Chapter

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away a paperback copy of Brandon-Tudor Knight! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 19th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open internationally. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Brandon Tudor Knight

My Review: 

Brandon – Tudor Knight is the first book I have read by Tony Riches. Mr Riches has obviously did extensive research to write this book. I felt like I was transported in time living by Sir Charles Brandon. I did not realize he was such a fascinating character during the Tudor dynasty. I kept finding myself wanting to find out if certain scenes really happened.

I am giving Brandon – Tudor Knight a well deserved five plus stars. I loved it so much, I read the rest of the author’s books in just a few weeks. I can not wait to find out who he will be writing about next. I highly recommend this book, especially readers who love the Tudor era.

I received this book through the Kindle Unlimited Program. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour: Mary - Tudor Princess by Tony Riches

Mary – Tudor Princess

by Tony Riches

New on Amazon UK, Amazon US  and Amazon AU

From the author of the international best-selling Tudor Trilogy, the true story of the Tudor dynasty continues with the daughter of King Henry VII, sister to King Henry VIII. Mary Tudor watches her elder brother become King of England and wonders what the future holds for her.

Born into great privilege, Mary has beauty and intelligence beyond her years and is the most marriageable princess in Europe. Henry plans to use her marriage to build a powerful alliance against his enemies. Will she dare risk his anger by marrying for love?

Meticulously researched and based on actual events, this ‘sequel’ follows Mary’s story from book three of the Tudor Trilogy and is set during the reign of King Henry VIII.

Excerpt from Chapter Seven – Autumn, 1514

Ten miles from Abbeville a group of riders appeared in the distance. This time, outriders carried the flag of France and, as they approached, Lady Guildford turned to Mary.

‘I suspect this to be the king himself. If I am not mistaken, your moment has come, my lady.’

‘Surely he should wait for us to make our entry into Abbeville?’

‘That is how we would do it in England, but it seems everything is done differently here.’

‘What should I say? How should I greet him, Lady Guildford?’

‘My advice is to let him do the talking.’ She smiled. ‘I suspect the king’s impatience has got the better of him.’

They watched as the riders came closer. Mary spotted a figure riding a powerful warhorse, caparisoned with cloth of gold and black silk, flanked by French knights in silver armour with flowing blue capes. Behind him followed several hundred nobles dressed in colourful robes. This was not like any hunting party she’d ever seen in England.

Sir Thomas Howard rode to her side. ‘I recognise King Louis, Your Grace.’ He peered ahead. ‘Would you wish me to announce you?’

Mary nodded. ‘If you will, Sir Thomas.’ Her dry throat muted her words and she glanced again at Lady Guildford for reassurance. ‘Please convey apologies for our delay.’

They watched as Sir Thomas rode ahead and saw him nodding as he addressed the king. Henry chose the earl as his representative for good reason. As well as his impeccable French, he was an experienced commander and proving to be a skilled negotiator and diplomat.

Mary steadied her horse as the king approached, not sure if she should remain in the saddle or dismount. At last, after all the waiting, she would meet her new husband. She took a deep breath and attempted a smile, then on an impulse raised her hand to her mouth and blew him a kiss, as she’d done to greet her father so many years ago.

The king seemed confused for a moment, then grinned and raised his hand to blow her a kiss in return, before riding up to her and bowing his head. ‘We welcome you to France, my queen.’ He spoke in French, with a cultured accent, and his blue eyes fixed her with an intense, piercing stare.

As she feared, Mary found herself unable to recall her rehearsed words of greeting. King Louis had a deeply lined face and looked older than she’d imagined. Although not as pockmarked as she’d heard, she found herself wondering why he chose to remain clean-shaven when a beard would hide the disfiguring scars.

A large fly buzzed noisily around her horse’s head, breaking the silence. She swallowed hard and returned his bow.

‘My husband. I have waited so long for this moment.’ It was true.

Louis smiled, revealing a few blackened teeth and reminding Mary of her father. ‘You are more beautiful than I hoped, my lady. I give thanks to God for your safe arrival.’ He urged his horse closer as he spoke, then leaned across and embraced her, placing a kiss on her lips.

‘I feared for your safety in the storm. There were reports of shipwrecks.’ He remained close as he spoke, his sharp eyes appraising her as if she were some precious jewel offered for sale.

Mary struggled to compose herself. ‘Two of our ships were lost, Your Grace.’

Louis nodded. ‘We trusted in the Lord to deliver you to us – and now we must be married in the sight of God.’ He raised a hand and beckoned one of his followers.

Mary was surprised to see Duke Francis ride forward. He seemed less arrogant in the presence of the king and acted more like his servant than the heir presumptive. Again, the duke bowed his head to her but this time there was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke in accented English.

‘King Louis has given me the great honour of escorting you to Abbeville, my lady.’

Mary returned his smile. Despite Catherine’s warning, she saw Duke Francis as a useful ally in this strange land. ‘Thank you, my lord duke,’ she replied in English. ‘I shall be glad of your company.’

King Louis bowed once more and returned to his hunting party, which rode off as quickly as they’d arrived. Mary turned to Lady Guildford and saw her nod of approval. The first test had been passed. Now she must learn to become a queen.

About the Author:

Tony Riches is a full-time author of best-selling historical fiction. He lives in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the fifteenth century, with a particular interest in the Wars of the Roses and the lives of the early Tudors. For more information about Tony’s other books please visit his website and his popular blog, The Writing Desk and find him on Facebook and Twitter, See links below.

Links:

Amazon Uk

Amazon US

 Amazon AU

Website

The Wiritng Desk Blog

Amazon Author Page

Twitter @tonyriches

Author Facebook Page

Goodreads Author Page

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