First Place Category Winner, 2020 Chaucer Award for pre-1750s Historical Fiction
“The novel’s sweeping historic detail and bewitching blend of rivalries and romances will dazzle devotees of Tudor England.” – Publishers Weekly
“Author Wertman masterfully weaves the political intrigue of the Tudor court…The narrative is engaging, and characters come to life on the page…Highly recommended.” — Historical Novel Society
“[T]he books are very, very good. Janet Wertman has done a huge amount of research and writes in a very smooth, confident style.” — Steve Donoghue, Managing Editor of Open Letters Review and the U.S./Worldwide Editor of the Historical Novel Review.
“The way this story is told truly makes history come to life” and “I highly recommend ordering this book!” — Tudors Dynasty
“Machinations behind the scenes are shown here with some exceptional dialogue. Wertman brings these people to life.” – The Freelance History Writer
“If you are after a tense, grisly and highly realistic depiction of the manoeuvrings heralding the power void after the death of Henry VIII, then this book is a must read. It certainly kept me turning the pages and I highly recommend it.” – The Review
“Excellent story and very well written. Definitely sure to be a favorite among historical fiction fans.” – Readers Favorite
“Janet Wertman does a fantastic job navigating this complex political landscape to show Edward Seymour in a new light. This may be my first time reading a book by Janet Wertman, but this will not be my last.” — Adventures of a Tudor Nerd
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After the tragic romance of Jane the Quene, this second book in The Seymour Saga takes a dark turn through an era in which King Henry VIII descends into cynicism, suspicion and fits of madness – and in which mistakes mean death.
Edward Seymour’s future is uncertain. Although his sister Jane bore Henry the son he’d sought for twenty years, when she died in childbirth, Henry’s good nature died with her. Now the fiercely ambitious Edward must carve a difficult path through Henry’s shifting principles and wives. Challenged at every turn by his nemesis, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Edward must embrace ruthlessness in order to safeguard not only his own future but England’s as well.
This is the account of Henry’s tumultuous reign, as experienced by enemies whose fierce disagreements over religion and common decency fuel epic struggles for the soul of the nation. And for power.
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Are you thinking about reading The Path to Somerset with your Book Group? Click here for a suggested Discussion Guide. Also, Janet can join you all via Skype, Zoom, or Facebook Live (or even speaker phone!). Just head over to the Connect page to contact her with your preferred date.