C.W. Gortner has an amazing talent for bringing historical figures to life! I first read his book, The Confessions of Catherine De Medici and I was so blown away that I had to have his previous book, The Last Queen.
This is the story of Juana la Loca written as if Juana is telling her own story. After reading this incredible story I feel as if I knew her. I felt her emotions, her pain, her fears, her turmoil and struggles. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put the book down. At times I was on the edge of my seat holding my breath in suspense, and it brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
The writing is simply incredible. You feel as if you're there living it along with Juana. And it gives us a better understanding of this historical queen. So often when we read things in history books we think to ourselves, how could they do that? We can't understand because we live in a completely different time and place and our culture is totally different. This took place in Spain in the last 1400's and early 1500's. A women's life was not her own back then, especially a woman born to the King and Queen of Spain! She was raised to be a Queen and her value was in marrying her to someone who would benefit their political standing. I can't even imagine being basically sold by my parents. The biggest thing for me is how these members of these royal families used people without being able to truly love. It was always about furthering their cause, no matter who or what they had to sacrifice.
I very highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy true life historicals. For my regular blog readers I just want to mention that this is not a Christian fiction title. It's a historical novel based on this author's amazing research and the real events of the life of Juana la Loca. I loved reading Juana's story. She will forever be in my heart! And I certainly hope for more books from this fabulous author! He brings these historical figures to life in the most amazing way!
Book Summary:
Juana la Loca, one of history's most enigmatic and forgotten queens, tells the story of her tumultous life
Daughter of Isabel and Ferdinand of Spain, Juana bears witness to the fall of Granada and Columbus’s discoveries. At the age of sixteen, she is sent to wed Philip, Hapsburg archduke of Flanders, just as her youngest sister, Catherine of Aragon, is sent to England to become the first wife of Henry VIII.
Juana finds unexpected love and passion with her handsome young husband, but when tragedy strikes and she inherits the Spanish throne, she finds herself plunged into a battle for power. Besieged by foes, her intelligence and pride used as weapons against her, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from ruin, even if it could cost her everything.
From the somber majesty of Spain to the glittering and lethal courts of Flanders, France, and Tudor England, The Last Queen brings to life all the grandeur and drama of an incomparable era and the singular humanity of a courageous, passionate princess whose fight to claim her birthright captivated the world.
Read an excerpt here.
Watch the video trailer here.
Buy the book here.
Author Bio:
Half-Spanish by birth, C.W. GORTNER was raised in southern Spain, where he developed a lifelong fascination with history. After holding various jobs in the fashion industry, he earned a MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies. He has taught university seminars on the 16th century and women in history, as well as workshops on writing, historical research, and marketing.
Acclaimed for his insight into his characters, he travels extensively to research his books. He has slept in a medieval Spanish castle, danced in a Tudor great hall, and explored library archives all over Europe. His debut historical novel The Last Queen gained international praise and has been sold in ten countries to date. His new novel, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, is now available. He is currently at work on The Princess Isabella, his third historical novel, and The Tudor Secret, the first book in his new Tudor suspense series,The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles.
C.W. lives with his partner in Northern California.
Visit the author's website here.
Thank you to the author, C.W. Gortner, for providing a copy of this book for review.
Blessings,
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