The Printed Page

I was struggling with another review book so The Heretic’s Wife by Brenda Rickman Vantrease was the perfect antidote for not DNFing another book this month. From the minute I spotted the cover back in January I been longing to get my hands on a copy. I loved it from the first page to the last. The Heretic’s Wife will be included on my favorite books list come year’s end. I was sucked right into the story and never once did it lose its grip on me. Its a good thing the hubby is out of town as I devoted all my time to reading over the last day or so. While I’ve read many books with story lines based around the Tudor era this is first one I’ve read focusing on the Lutheran reformation. The Heretic’s Wife is the fascinating story of major players in England’s early religious struggles. Along with John Frith and William Tyndale Thomas More is a major player in this story with his counterparts Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell getting in on the action as well. Granted what I do know of Sir Thomas I’ve picked up from watching The Tudors which is probably not the best place to get historical accuracy but makes for great TV. I had absolutely no idea that Sir Thomas become so fanatical in hunting down heretics. His zeal to stamp out the Lutherans knew no bounds or mercy. And its just plain great historical fiction. A story line peppered with interesting characters and rich in historical detail. The Heretic’s Wife transports readers to a time and place we’d otherwise not be able to go. I’m not surprised I devoured The Heretic’s Wife as I’m a fan of Ms. Vantrease’s other historical novels, The Illuminator and The Mercy Seller. If you’ve not read one of her novels The Heretic’s Wife is a great place to start.

Here’s what others are saying: Because this novel is hot off the presses I wasn’t able to find any other independent blog reviews when I posted. Feel free to leave your post link in the comments if you’ve read and reviewed The Heretic’s Wife.

Tudor England is a perilous place for booksellers Kate Gough and her brother John, who sell forbidden translations of the Bible. Caught between warring factions – English Catholics opposed to the Lutheran reformation, and Henry VIII’s growing impatience with the Pope’s refusal to sanction his marriage to Anne Boleyn – Kate embarks on a daring adventure that will lead her into a dangerous marriage and a web of intrigue that pits her against powerful enemies. From the king’s lavish banquet halls to secret dungeons and the inner sanctums of Thomas More, Brenda Rickman Vantrease’s glorious new novel illuminates the public pageantry and the private passions of men and women of conscience in treacherous times.