Read about this book here.
Watch a trailer here.

Thanks to C.W. Gortner and Cheryl for my ARC. Since reading The Last Queen, I cannot wait to read this author’s next book. Getting the ARC for The Confessions of Catherine de Medici couldn’t have made me happier.

I know of the name Catherine de Medici, but I don’t know much about her. Reading this book is a wonderful experience for me. I get history, excellent writing, and an engrossing tale. I went though a myriad of feelings and emotions as I read this story. I felt her happiness, sadness, and success as I go through phases of her life.

She’s a strong woman who seem lucky and unlucky all at the same time. She’s tragedy and a triumph, too. Whatever you might feel about her, you can never be a bystander as you read her tale.

This is another winner for C.W. Gortner. I’m looking forward to more works by this author. He’s got a way with words. He’s making me love historical figure like I’ve never love it before.

C.W. Gortner also wrote:
The Secret Lion
The Last Queen

Giveaway:
I’m giving away my treasured ARC to one person. Contest open worldwide. This is a used ARC copy, but it reads just fine. Ends June 20.
Leave a comment, and fill up this form at the same time.
If you like, you can share your favorite historical figure novel with me.

If you also reviewed this book, feel free to leave your link. The link must land to that specific post. All others will be deleted.

Tags: C. W. Gortner

Send me your address (no PO Box please) here. Hachette Books Giveaway winners, make sure to let me know if you already won the same item somewhere else so I can pick an alternate winners. Thank you!

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336 Pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 2009-05-26

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An Embarrassment of Riches by Gerald Hansen
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The Last Queen: A Novel
by C. W. Gortner
ISBN-10: 0-345-50185-3
Paperback
400 Pages
Published 2009 by Ballantine Books

Jacqueline

Tags: C. W. Gortner, Dan Brown, Eden Bradley, Gerald Hansen, Joshilyn Jackson

The Last Queen: A Novel
by C. W. Gortner
ISBN-10: 0-345-50185-3
Paperback
400 Pages
Published 2009 by Ballantine Books

Read an except from chapter 1 here. (it’s pdf)
Watch a video about the book with the author here.
My Review:
The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner is one of the most enjoyable books I have read. The book is so vivid, it puts me right there in the court with Juana. This book is beautiful and engrossing. The prose flows. There’s history and romance. Everything is seen through the eyes of Juana, the second child of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel. The novel started when Juana was 13 and her parents conquered Granada. For a royal family, they live rather sparsely. Juana seems to live a normal life until she has to do her duties and marry for alliances.

She found great love and joy in her marriage until she is to inherit Spain. Then I feel sorry for her despite her beauty and power. Even her loving father went power mad. The Last Queen tells her story in a most captivating way. From the first page, Gortner pulls you in and holds you in place. Then he takes on you a wonderful journey through Spain, her people and her politics. I’ve always dreamed of being a Queen of some country. After reading Juana’s story, I changed my mind.

C.W. Gortner is an extraordinary story-teller. He also wrote THE SECRET LION. I’m going to read it.

About the author:

(From his website):
He holds a MFA in Writing with an emphasis on Renaissance Studies from the New College of California and has taught university seminars on the 16th century. In addition, he travels extensively to research his books. He has experienced life in a medieval Spanish castle and danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall; dug through library archives all over Europe; and tried to see and touch—or, at least, gaze at through impenetrable museum glass—as many artifacts of the era as he can find.

A regular contributor to the Historical Novels Review and Solander, publications of the Historical Novel Society, C.W. is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights and environmental issues. Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Málaga, Spain, he is half-Spanish by birth and lives in Northern California.

The Giveaway:

One winner will be choosen on May 30.

Contest open to US and Canada.

If you have a chance to ask C.W. Gortner anything, what will you ask him?

Tags: C. W. Gortner