Elizabeth Tudor was crowned Queen of England on January 15, 1559 – the day John Dee had determined was the most auspicious of the entire year. In case you are having trouble placing the name, John Dee was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, and even an occultist. (Wikipedia calls him an alchemist, but much as he TRIED to turn lead into gold, he never really succeeded so I won’t give him that title). Under Mary’s reign, he was arrested for casting horoscopes—one of which favored Elizabeth – and despite being interrogated by Bishop Bonner (infamous for his persecution of Protestants), Dee not only survived but somehow managed to become Bonner’s chaplain. Bottom line: John Dee said today should be the day, and Elizabeth listened – especially since she wanted it done sooner rather than later (remember, the ceremony involved being anointed with holy oil, putting God’s own mark on the ruler: it conferred the ultimate authority on her rule, true safety).
I thought that was the perfect day to reveal the cover for Nothing Proved, the first book in my Regina series. Nothing Proved is the story of Elizabeth’s path to the throne – a path that was impossible until it wasn’t.
Here is the description:
Danger lined her path, but destiny led her to glory…
Elizabeth Tudor learned resilience young. Declared illegitimate after the execution of her mother Anne Boleyn, she bore her precarious position with unshakable grace. But upon the death of her father, King Henry VIII, the vulnerable fourteen-year-old must learn to navigate a world of shifting loyalties, power plays, and betrayal.
After narrowly escaping entanglement in Thomas Seymour’s treason, Elizabeth rebuilds her reputation as the perfect Protestant princess – which puts her in mortal danger when her half-sister Mary becomes Queen and imposes Catholicism on a reluctant land. Elizabeth escapes execution, clawing her way from a Tower cell to exoneration. But even a semblance of favor comes with attempts to exclude her from the throne or steal her rights to it through a forced marriage.
Elizabeth must outwit her enemies time and again to prove herself worthy of power. The making of one of history’s most iconic monarchs is a gripping tale of survival, fortune, and triumph.
The book will be released on May 19 – more symbolism! Most people know it as the day on which Anne Boleyn was executed, but it was also the day on which Elizabeth was released from the Tower after Wyatt’s Rebellion. In other words, Elizabeth will be released on the day Elizabeth was released.
Preorder now at Amazon, Apple Books, and Kobo (Barnes & Noble will soon be an option as well) – and add it on Goodreads! 😉
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