Royal Blood
Rona Sharon
Kensington, April 2009, 352 pp
ISBN -10:075822-8589
ISBN-13:978-075-58228581
England, 1518
Trade Paperback -$15.00 (U.S)
Reviewed by Maria
April 2009
During King Henry the VIII reign of England, a young princess is sent to join the king and his court. Princess Renee de Valois of France is on a dangerous mission for her country. The princess is to spy upon King Henry's court. Gathering information for King Francis and Cardinal Medici, Renee embarks upon an exciting mission of deception and power. Passion soon finds the young princess and it's not long before Renee's emotions forge a battle with wit. Michael Devereaux comes to court on a mission of his own. It is during the annual Celebration of the Garter that Michael is enchanted by the glitter of King Henry's court. Beautiful women and plentiful parties prove to delight the young man until he meets Princess Renee. The mysterious young lady captures his heart, setting the royal stage for a deliciously intriguing tale.
Princess Renee is blackmailed into doing what is 'best ' for her country. Against her will, Renee is forced to play a hand in deceiving King Henry’s court, while garnering information for the king's foe. Gaining entry to the court, Princess Renee has a firsthand view of the powerful monarch's history making reign. She must report his doings to King Frances and Cardinal Medici, so that he may use it to their benefit.
Glamour and roses go only so far for Michael Deveraux as well. The opulence of court soon fades as a killer's deadly reign sets in. After the body of the queen's lady in waiting is found with apparent bite marks on her neck, Cardinal Wolsey enlists Michael's aide to help find the killer. Unfortunately for Michael, the murderer turns out to be a vampire.
As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Empowered with the aid of Renee, Michael sets out on a mission that could forever change or quickly end both his and the princess' life.
Royal Blood is a deeply moving, high paced story of love, betrayal, glamour and violence. Richly set during King Henry the VIII's powerful yet notably mad reign, history and fantasy work side by side in this wonderfully written novel. A fresh approach at portraying the Tudor period, Rona Sharon scores immensely with her riveting tale of lust and intrigue.