Book excerpt: RELUCTANT QUEEN: A TUDOR BIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL ABOUT HENRY VIII’s LITTLE SISTER ‘A very readable account of a fascinating woman who dared to stand up to Henry VIII and survived. It is thoroughly researched, admirably written and the author's love of the Tudor period shines through.' Historical Novels Review One NOT about any of the six wives! Henry had plenty of other relatives, most of whom, given his short-lived dynasty and shaky right to the crown, the always insecure Henry had executed throughout his reign in order to secure his throne. Can you imagine what it must be like to be the little sister of infamous, English king, Henry VIII? Remember, this is the king who went on to have six wives, two of whom he had beheaded. And although the teenage Mary Rose is his favourite sister (he even named his famous ship after her), his shifting alliances and ruthless desire to have his own way, made him push the young and lovely Mary into a hateful state marriage with the ailing and ancient King Louis XII of France. But a reluctant Mary Rose, as strong-willed as Henry, and passionately in love for the first time, doesn't give in easily. After a relentless campaign by her loving brother to get her to say yes, before agreeing to the match, Mary Rose extracts a promise from Henry. A promise she is determined he will keep. ‘Very easy to read, very hard to put down. This made a Mary Tudor so accessible and relatable to the reader.’ READER REVIEW ‘Thoroughly enjoyable.’ READER REVIEW Geraldine Evans also writes the Rafferty & Llewellyn British Mystery Series and the Casey & Catt British Mystery Series. KEYWORDS: Tudor, Renaissance, 16 Century, Coming of Age, religious and inspitational historical, Christian historical, literature classics, historical fiction british, british biographical historical fiction, historical fiction, Tudor historical,