Tudor trials!

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Tudor Christmas Tidings by Wendy Blythe Gifford, Jenni Fletcher, Amanda McCabe     
Three tales of Christmas during Tudor times. Rich with traditions, foods and inevitably, intrigue. From the courtly dances, to gathering Christmas boughs, to court games--often lighthearted on the surface but with dangerous depths.
From the beginning of the Tudor's reign, from Richard and Henry to Mary.
Three stories that find love amidst dangerous times where plots and treason are rampant.

 Christmas at Court by Wendy Blythe Gifford
The twelve days of Christmas form the background of this novel reeking treachery and danger. Christmas Eve 1483—Westminster Palace, set under Richard III's rule prior to Henry Tudor's battle for the throne. Lady Alice of Oakshire is told by the former Queen, now Dame Elizabeth and herself in sanctuary, that she is to be betrothed on Christmas Day to John Talbot, son and heir of the Earl of Stanson. Alice finds she must keep her own counsel and be vigilante. Who can she trust at this time? On another note,I found the laws around the concept of betrothal fascinating.

 Secrets of the Queen’s Lady by Jenni Fletcher
1541--Hampton Court in the new year
Lady Anne of Cleves, no longer Queen, now legalized as Henry Tudor's sister, returns at his invitation to court for New Year celebrations along with her ladies. Amongst them the widowed Lady Philippa (Pippa) Bray. Philippa, having decided to remain a widow has no time for Sir Christopher Lowell whom she knew years ago as Kit, against everything her heart is telling her.

 His Mistletoe Lady by Amanda McCabe
Interestingly set in the Catholic Queen Mary Tudor's court of 1554 when King Philip of Spain is present awaiting the birth of their child. Most stories tell of this time as one fermented of rebellion and sly Spaniards being very much the enemy. This was a different take, with a young woman, Catherine Greaves, whose mother is Spanish, a former lady in waiting to Mary, joins her mother at to plea for her father, Sir Walter Greaves, who it appears was caught up in the Wyatt Rebellion and was subsequently imprisoned in the Tower. Whilst here Catherine makes the acquaintance of one of Philip's Spanish courtiers, the very dashing aristocrat, Don Diego de Vasquez. This will be a Yuletide unlike any Catherine has known.

 A Harlequin - Romance ARC via NetGalley

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