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Secrets of the Tudor Court #4
At the King's Pleasure
The fourth novel in Kate Emerson’s well-reviewed series set in Tudor England—based on a real life member of the royal court of Henry VIII.
Following the acclaimed By Royal Decree , Pleasure Palace , and Between Two Queens , Kate Emerson again plucks a real figure from history in this lushly detailed tale featuring Lady Anne Stafford—who is torn between her husband and another man.
History remembers Lady Anne Stafford as the woman who cheated on her husband with both King Henry VIII and his companion, Sir William Compton. Lady Anne was indeed in love with two men at the same time….but the king wasn’t one of them. Lady Anne’s complex and heart-wrenching romantic relationships are at the core of this riveting tale that masterfully blends romance, drama, and historical detail as only Kate Emerson can.
Following the acclaimed By Royal Decree , Pleasure Palace , and Between Two Queens , Kate Emerson again plucks a real figure from history in this lushly detailed tale featuring Lady Anne Stafford—who is torn between her husband and another man.
History remembers Lady Anne Stafford as the woman who cheated on her husband with both King Henry VIII and his companion, Sir William Compton. Lady Anne was indeed in love with two men at the same time….but the king wasn’t one of them. Lady Anne’s complex and heart-wrenching romantic relationships are at the core of this riveting tale that masterfully blends romance, drama, and historical detail as only Kate Emerson can.
351 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2011
15 people are currently reading
1854 people want to read
About the author
Kate Emerson
13 books218 followersKate Emerson is a pseudonym used by Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of the Face Down Mysteries featuring Susanna Appleton, 16th century gentlewoman, herbalist, and sleuth, the award-winning How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, and a wide assortment of other books.
She was born in Liberty, New York and recieved an A.B. from Bates College and an MA from Old Dominion University. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations. She currently lives in rural Western Maine with her husband and three cats.
"Kate Emerson" is her pseudonym to distinguish her historical novels set in the Tudor era (England 1485-1603) that feature real but little known historical figures as the protagonists.
Series:
* Secrets of the Tudor Court
She was born in Liberty, New York and recieved an A.B. from Bates College and an MA from Old Dominion University. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations. She currently lives in rural Western Maine with her husband and three cats.
"Kate Emerson" is her pseudonym to distinguish her historical novels set in the Tudor era (England 1485-1603) that feature real but little known historical figures as the protagonists.
Series:
* Secrets of the Tudor Court
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 16, 2014
The fourth novel in Kate Emerson's "Secrets of the Tudor Court" series.
If you want to read The Secrets of the Tudor Court series in order, you have the choice of reading in the order in which Kate Emerson wrote them OR you can read them in historically chronological order, which makes more sense to me.
Here is the historical order to read the books.
1. The Pleasure Palace (book 1) 1498
2. At The Kings Pleasure (book 4) 1509
3. Royal Inheritance (book 6) 1528
4. The King's Damsel (book 5)1533
5. Between Two Queens (book 2) 1537
6. By Royal Decree (book 3) 1542
If you want to read The Secrets of the Tudor Court series in order, you have the choice of reading in the order in which Kate Emerson wrote them OR you can read them in historically chronological order, which makes more sense to me.
Here is the historical order to read the books.
1. The Pleasure Palace (book 1) 1498
2. At The Kings Pleasure (book 4) 1509
3. Royal Inheritance (book 6) 1528
4. The King's Damsel (book 5)1533
5. Between Two Queens (book 2) 1537
6. By Royal Decree (book 3) 1542
January 8, 2012
At the King’s Pleasure by Kate Emerson is my first read of the year. And wow, it’s going to be hard to top! I enjoyed it so much!
The fourth book in her Secrets of the Tudor Court series, it is centered around a lesser known character in Henry VIII’s court, Anne Stafford, who is sister to the Duke of Buckingham. Each of the books in this series tells the tale of a secondary character and I think that is what hooked me in the first place. If you love Tudor novels, but are tired of the same old, grab one of Kate’s books and it will renew your interest simply because it’s a different point of view – and, you learn about someone you otherwise might not have ever heard of. I love how Anne was so strong. I don’t know if I would have been if I’d been put in some of the same situations. Boy, women didn’t have it easy back then.
Kate has really researched and mastered Tudor England history and it shows in At the King’s Pleasure. It’s a real treat to see it all unfold on the pages of this wonderful book. Everything about it really pulled me in and held me tight. One moment I’d be on page 150 and the next 250! It reads fast and is hard to put down. Who doesn’t love a book like that?!
The fourth book in her Secrets of the Tudor Court series, it is centered around a lesser known character in Henry VIII’s court, Anne Stafford, who is sister to the Duke of Buckingham. Each of the books in this series tells the tale of a secondary character and I think that is what hooked me in the first place. If you love Tudor novels, but are tired of the same old, grab one of Kate’s books and it will renew your interest simply because it’s a different point of view – and, you learn about someone you otherwise might not have ever heard of. I love how Anne was so strong. I don’t know if I would have been if I’d been put in some of the same situations. Boy, women didn’t have it easy back then.
Kate has really researched and mastered Tudor England history and it shows in At the King’s Pleasure. It’s a real treat to see it all unfold on the pages of this wonderful book. Everything about it really pulled me in and held me tight. One moment I’d be on page 150 and the next 250! It reads fast and is hard to put down. Who doesn’t love a book like that?!
November 23, 2022
I may or may not have described this book as the Real Housewives of the Tudor Court. I mean it's both a hilarious and an accurate statement.
I really enjoyed the book, I mean I even tolerated the love triangle in this book. I think because it was a more of an adult love triangle rather than a YA love triangle with the ditzy main character is trying to decide between two boys.
The only minor complaint of the book was that different chapters were for different characters. I enjoyed all the different characters in the novel, and the parts they had to play. Sometimes it took a page or two to realize which character was being written about. Emerson's Secrets of the Tudor Court is one series I think I will end up reading till the end.
I really enjoyed the book, I mean I even tolerated the love triangle in this book. I think because it was a more of an adult love triangle rather than a YA love triangle with the ditzy main character is trying to decide between two boys.
The only minor complaint of the book was that different chapters were for different characters. I enjoyed all the different characters in the novel, and the parts they had to play. Sometimes it took a page or two to realize which character was being written about. Emerson's Secrets of the Tudor Court is one series I think I will end up reading till the end.
June 25, 2017
3.25.
I love my Tudor Trash novels. I probably would have given this 4 stars if I had read it 9-10 years ago (which wouldn't have happened because this was published in 2011).
I actually really enjoyed this one. It didn't directly deal with the big names of Henry VIII's early court as it's not about his marriage and mistresses, although they do make cameos.
*Spoilers*
My biggest problem, however, was the misleading blurb on the back. It sounded like the crux of the story was going to be about Anne Stafford's affair with Will Compton (something that can't be proven or disproven historically). But in reality, this is just a sidebar to the downfall of the Duke of Buckingham due to his belief he had better claim to the English throne than the Tudors (which he did). And that fell a bit too close to my thesis which the point of reading a fun book was for me to avoid the damned thing.
That being said, I was surprised with the majority of the book being historically accurate which says more about Emerson than other, bigger authors. Granted it's not as dramatic or engaging as other books it was still a decent read. And it's always nice to go into Henry's early court before he went all hateful.
I love my Tudor Trash novels. I probably would have given this 4 stars if I had read it 9-10 years ago (which wouldn't have happened because this was published in 2011).
I actually really enjoyed this one. It didn't directly deal with the big names of Henry VIII's early court as it's not about his marriage and mistresses, although they do make cameos.
*Spoilers*
My biggest problem, however, was the misleading blurb on the back. It sounded like the crux of the story was going to be about Anne Stafford's affair with Will Compton (something that can't be proven or disproven historically). But in reality, this is just a sidebar to the downfall of the Duke of Buckingham due to his belief he had better claim to the English throne than the Tudors (which he did). And that fell a bit too close to my thesis which the point of reading a fun book was for me to avoid the damned thing.
That being said, I was surprised with the majority of the book being historically accurate which says more about Emerson than other, bigger authors. Granted it's not as dramatic or engaging as other books it was still a decent read. And it's always nice to go into Henry's early court before he went all hateful.
August 10, 2019
The story and heroine in this novel were boring. The plot was very repetitive, and I found it hard to care what happened to the characters by the end of the story.
January 30, 2012
Another home run by Kate Emerson! I flew through this one, as I have with all of her previous Tudor court books. The characters were complex, the details of places,and things vivid. She takes these secondary Tudor court characters, and transforms them into a brilliant, scandalous, whirlwind of a story! Great attention to historical details. I love her writing style, and always look forward to the next book, knowing she never disappoints!
March 28, 2019
I was in the mood for fluff. This fit. Easy to pick up and put down. The author spun a web around facts and what could’ve been. I think I enjoyed this because I’ve stayed at Thornbury Castle many times (my favorite hotel) Why 3.5 stars? Anne was too easy to forgive, 16th century or not. How could any woman truly love so many people who abused her? Buckingham innocent? Come on! Overall, good light historical fiction read.
February 10, 2012
Another great book in a series that has been consistently very good. The series follows the lives of various ladies-in-waiting at the court of Henry VIII, usually ones rumored to have been involved with him.
February 14, 2012
Enjoyed this one very much. Loved the descriptions of the clothes, castles and people. Seemed to be a well-researched book. Very much appreciated the author notes at the end of the book.
January 23, 2021
While I did enjoy the intrigue and deception of the Tudor court in this book, I feel that the blurb was misleading. It discusses Anne's extra marital affairs and her heart being torn between 2 men. That is not the case at all here. Anne is married and loves her husband George, who I detested almost as much I hated her brother the Duke. She has a brief (not detailed) affair with Will Compton who loved her his whole life. She does nothing but snub him, use him and reject him. She never seemed to care for him at all, just liked being pursued and feeling desirable. I didn't like her portrayal very much, nor any of the other main characters. Will and Madge were the only somewhat interesting ones. There is NO sex on page and months and years go by in the book where Anne isn't even at court and has no contact with anyone of interest. This may be accurate based on her life, it just doesn't make for an interesting book. Giving this 2 stars for all the historical data. This was well researched and I'm sure it's super hard to piece together timelines and intricacies about people from this era when so few records or evidence remains intact.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
Anne Stafford, sister of Duke of Buckingham, catches the eye of Henry VIII but her brother has her removed from court to protect her reputation. Anne falls in love with another man but she also loves her husband George...
At The King’s Pleasure is the fourth book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series but each works as a standalone book.
Anne Stafford was a real character at the Tudor court and was distantly related to the king. Her extraordinary life and romantic escapades are effectively and vividly brought to life in this book. The political intrigues of the era and the power play at work are key to the development of the plot and characters.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator voice continued to be a bit saccharine and made the overused turns of phrase a bit wearying (too many 'toothsome' descriptions!) I felt that there was some unnecessary detail included and the duplicate names could confuse (so many Henrys etc).
At The King's Pleasure is an enjoyable historical novel.
At The King’s Pleasure is the fourth book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series but each works as a standalone book.
Anne Stafford was a real character at the Tudor court and was distantly related to the king. Her extraordinary life and romantic escapades are effectively and vividly brought to life in this book. The political intrigues of the era and the power play at work are key to the development of the plot and characters.
I listened to the audio version and the narrator voice continued to be a bit saccharine and made the overused turns of phrase a bit wearying (too many 'toothsome' descriptions!) I felt that there was some unnecessary detail included and the duplicate names could confuse (so many Henrys etc).
At The King's Pleasure is an enjoyable historical novel.
April 23, 2023
Anne Hastings is caught between the admiration of three men; her husband, George Hastings; his mutual friend with the King, William Compton; and the King Henry VIII himself. Her brother, the Duke of Buckingham, has eyes on the throne and issues with needing to control every aspect of his family. Cardinal Wolsey holds on to secrets for decades of everyone at court, and plans to use them at the most opportune of times.
I worried for her greatly as Anne navigated most carefully in this web at court, all the while striving to find her own happiness. Excellent telling of a woman who merely sought happiness and found herself with too much attention.
I worried for her greatly as Anne navigated most carefully in this web at court, all the while striving to find her own happiness. Excellent telling of a woman who merely sought happiness and found herself with too much attention.
March 3, 2018
In the fourth book of the "Secrets of the Tudor Court" series, we get a little bit of the story of Lady Anne Stafford. A woman who is notorious for her illicit affairs with William Compton and King Henry VIII. While I enjoyed the book, it was not my favorite in the series.
June 22, 2018
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first three. I found it ridiculous that the MC would spend the first half of the book defending her honor and the fact that she was punished for something she didn't do, just to turn around and do it in the second half. It didn't make sense to me. Oi.
April 29, 2023
04/27/2023
July 26, 2019
Had to stop at the 50% mark. Started off really great–fresh writing and original concept. But the halt starts at about the 30% mark and never quite picks up again.
March 15, 2014
At the King’s Pleasure’ is the fourth book in Kate Emerson’s Secrets of the Tudor Court series. I’ve read the previously three books and I’ve truly enjoyed reading each one. In this novel our protagonist is Lady Anne Stafford. Lady Anne is the sister of The Duke of Buckingham, a man history remembers for dying a traitor. He is arrogant, judgmental, hypocritical and cruel. When he hears a rumor that Henry is interested in his sister he immediately sends her to a nunnery with her husband, George Hastings’s, full approval.
Anne is sent sixty miles away to Littlemore priory where her life, which had always been the comfortable existence that one would expect of a member of the highest tanking noble, but she quickly finds she must follow the rules of the priory and its very strict prioress, Katherine Wells. Like so many religious houses before the Reformation Anne soon discovers that the prioress is mother to a newborn child.
Hastings retrieves his wife after a little more than a month and takes her to his family home at Ashby de la Zouch castle under conditions most would deem house arrest. Lady Anne would remain here for five years before being allowed to return to court. She is granted this in return for providing Hastings with an heir. So while the two try to rekindle what they had once shared any headway was always tainted by the circumstances in which Anne lived, a virtual prisoner to her husband’s jealousy.
George Hastings seemed to have a genuine love for his wife and they shared a mutual attraction, but throughout the novel he is unable to overcome his misplaced jealousy and mistrust that borders on paranoia and seems to be founded in the flirtatious nature of his wife. Anne masterfully plays the flirtatious courtier in a game of courtly love popular at the Tudor court. It seems that the entire court, which the exception of Hastings, seems to understand that the banter is meaningless, but despite many years of marriage, and several children Hastings cannot find it in himself to forgive what might not have even occurred. It is surprising that the two remain together and after much time has passed Anne and George are able to rekindle their love once more.
Like the rest of Emerson’s wonderfully rich and multi-layered protagonists Anne Stafford is a strong women who knows not only love but also bitter betrayal and still has the strength of character to rise above the past when her family is threatened. She is strong, brave and determined, faithful and loyal and is happy to fight for what she believes in herself without waiting for her knight to ride up and rescue her. Again, Kate Emerson has left me with another rich detailed account of a marginal but important Tudor woman. I find her depictions inspiring even for myself in the modern world and would recommend each of the novels in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series without a moment’s hesitation. In fact, I have never taken more than a day to read any of them.
Historical Fiction at its most brilliant… Please, Kate keep them coming.
Anne is sent sixty miles away to Littlemore priory where her life, which had always been the comfortable existence that one would expect of a member of the highest tanking noble, but she quickly finds she must follow the rules of the priory and its very strict prioress, Katherine Wells. Like so many religious houses before the Reformation Anne soon discovers that the prioress is mother to a newborn child.
Hastings retrieves his wife after a little more than a month and takes her to his family home at Ashby de la Zouch castle under conditions most would deem house arrest. Lady Anne would remain here for five years before being allowed to return to court. She is granted this in return for providing Hastings with an heir. So while the two try to rekindle what they had once shared any headway was always tainted by the circumstances in which Anne lived, a virtual prisoner to her husband’s jealousy.
George Hastings seemed to have a genuine love for his wife and they shared a mutual attraction, but throughout the novel he is unable to overcome his misplaced jealousy and mistrust that borders on paranoia and seems to be founded in the flirtatious nature of his wife. Anne masterfully plays the flirtatious courtier in a game of courtly love popular at the Tudor court. It seems that the entire court, which the exception of Hastings, seems to understand that the banter is meaningless, but despite many years of marriage, and several children Hastings cannot find it in himself to forgive what might not have even occurred. It is surprising that the two remain together and after much time has passed Anne and George are able to rekindle their love once more.
Like the rest of Emerson’s wonderfully rich and multi-layered protagonists Anne Stafford is a strong women who knows not only love but also bitter betrayal and still has the strength of character to rise above the past when her family is threatened. She is strong, brave and determined, faithful and loyal and is happy to fight for what she believes in herself without waiting for her knight to ride up and rescue her. Again, Kate Emerson has left me with another rich detailed account of a marginal but important Tudor woman. I find her depictions inspiring even for myself in the modern world and would recommend each of the novels in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series without a moment’s hesitation. In fact, I have never taken more than a day to read any of them.
Historical Fiction at its most brilliant… Please, Kate keep them coming.
April 13, 2020
I absolutely love this series. I think what I like about it so much is that, even though I've read them in order, you don't have to. Ms. Emerson picks a different lesser-known supporting player from Henry VIII's court to highlight in each of her books. If you're reading these books, then you've probably already read many others on Henry and his wives. What's nice about this series is that I get to stay in the time and place that I love, but it's not the same 'ol story. Henry and his wives are more in the background. We get a whole new story of love, deceit, and intrigue that we never even knew was going on!
That said, while I did like this book, it's definitely the least exciting of the set. I feel like the entire book went like this:
(No spoilers here...Anne was a real person. Her bio is on Wikipedia)
~Anne and George get married
~George doesn't trust Anne and is constantly accusing her of adultery with Will Compton (though she's innocent).
~George finally trusts Anne, and she cheats. Racked with guilt, she swears never to betray him again.
~George finds out about the affair and, after spending pretty much the ENTIRE book being jealous and making accusations...HE'S OK WITH IT AND FORGIVES HER!
~Anne vows never to lie again.
~George goes back to his jealous ways and Anne keeps information concerning her brother's treasonous behavior from him. She seeks help from Compton
~George finds out and is furious, again accusing her of adultery.
~They make up and Anne vows (again) never to lie to him.
*Sigh* Between George being jealous ALL the time, and Anne always playing the victim, I started to lose patience. For someone who didn't want people thinking she was having an affair, Anne's behavior sure was odd. Also, even though I said I like that Henry and his issues are in the background of these books, they were a little TOO far in the background of this one. Nothing exciting ever really happens to Anne while she's at court, and she spends quite a bit of time away from it, so everything is happening without her. We hear of things in passing, or small snippets of information.
Basically, if you've read the previous three, you're most likely going to read this one...and you should. I absolutely didn't hate it. It's just wasn't my favorite. And I didn't really care much for Anne as a person, so I don't think that helped...not to mention her brother Edward, the Duke of Buckingham. I DESPISE him. Always have...he's just a horrible man.
Anyway, even though this book was just so-so for me, I can't wait to see who Ms. Emerson spotlights next. She's has a very free-flowing, easy to follow writing style that, even if you don't like the subject matter, the story moves right along. At no point in those books was I bored, or did the story stall...I just wasn't a fan of the main characters. Still love and highly recommend the series though.
That said, while I did like this book, it's definitely the least exciting of the set. I feel like the entire book went like this:
(No spoilers here...Anne was a real person. Her bio is on Wikipedia)
~Anne and George get married
~George doesn't trust Anne and is constantly accusing her of adultery with Will Compton (though she's innocent).
~George finally trusts Anne, and she cheats. Racked with guilt, she swears never to betray him again.
~George finds out about the affair and, after spending pretty much the ENTIRE book being jealous and making accusations...HE'S OK WITH IT AND FORGIVES HER!
~Anne vows never to lie again.
~George goes back to his jealous ways and Anne keeps information concerning her brother's treasonous behavior from him. She seeks help from Compton
~George finds out and is furious, again accusing her of adultery.
~They make up and Anne vows (again) never to lie to him.
*Sigh* Between George being jealous ALL the time, and Anne always playing the victim, I started to lose patience. For someone who didn't want people thinking she was having an affair, Anne's behavior sure was odd. Also, even though I said I like that Henry and his issues are in the background of these books, they were a little TOO far in the background of this one. Nothing exciting ever really happens to Anne while she's at court, and she spends quite a bit of time away from it, so everything is happening without her. We hear of things in passing, or small snippets of information.
Basically, if you've read the previous three, you're most likely going to read this one...and you should. I absolutely didn't hate it. It's just wasn't my favorite. And I didn't really care much for Anne as a person, so I don't think that helped...not to mention her brother Edward, the Duke of Buckingham. I DESPISE him. Always have...he's just a horrible man.
Anyway, even though this book was just so-so for me, I can't wait to see who Ms. Emerson spotlights next. She's has a very free-flowing, easy to follow writing style that, even if you don't like the subject matter, the story moves right along. At no point in those books was I bored, or did the story stall...I just wasn't a fan of the main characters. Still love and highly recommend the series though.
July 2, 2015
Having read all of the author's previous Secrets of the Tudor Court books, I had anticipated this installment since day one. I was disappointed with the publisher's choice to change the publication date from August to January (and disappointed with the cover change), but good things come to those who wait. Emerson writes of the Tudor period with ease and eloquence, including many historical details but without over burdening the novel with facts. Although this Tudor series is focused during the popular reign of Henry VIII or his father, Emerson writes of the lesser known characters, and includes some fictional characters as well. This fourth installment, which can be read as a stand-alone, focuses on Lady Anne Stafford, daughter of Henry Stafford and Katherine Woodville, during the earlier days of Henry VIII's reign. The story was less focused on the courts and the politics and read much more like Anne's personal story which was a refreshing change of pace for a Tudor novel. Making it even more enjoyable was the clarity the author gives to these lesser known figures of the Tudor era, which always sparks off even more of an obsessive interest in the Tudor courts.
We are introduced to Anne as a young widow at her haughty brother Edward's disposal. Her other brother is temporarily in the Tower, so it is Edward who always pulls the strings of the Stafford family. Soon enough Lady Anne marries George Hastings, an amiable and likable young man. He isn't Will Compton, though, and Lady Anne has caught his eye as well as the young King Henry's. When Edward sees Compton with Anne, Edward hastily sends Anne away to a nunnery (telling her husband to bring her there) and Anne vows revenge: "And if she ever had the opportunity to pay him back in kind and soil his reputation as he'd soiled hers, she would seize upon it without hesitation."
Read the rest here: http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2011/...
We are introduced to Anne as a young widow at her haughty brother Edward's disposal. Her other brother is temporarily in the Tower, so it is Edward who always pulls the strings of the Stafford family. Soon enough Lady Anne marries George Hastings, an amiable and likable young man. He isn't Will Compton, though, and Lady Anne has caught his eye as well as the young King Henry's. When Edward sees Compton with Anne, Edward hastily sends Anne away to a nunnery (telling her husband to bring her there) and Anne vows revenge: "And if she ever had the opportunity to pay him back in kind and soil his reputation as he'd soiled hers, she would seize upon it without hesitation."
Read the rest here: http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2011/...
January 6, 2016
Review first posted on Fire & Ice
A new year and finally finishing up a book that I started last year. For some reason I just could not get attached to this one last year in 2015. I got through it pretty fast this time around and I think I was having so much trouble before because it just was not as engaging as the other reads. Now with that said it was not a bad read at all.
Once again, you are in the court of a Young King Henry. This time the story revolves around the younger versions of key players to come out at court later, like the Boleyn's and others. The main character is Lady Anne Stafford, the infamous adulterer who cuckolded her Husband with both the King himself and his boon companion Sir William Compton. The characters were fun, but some of the dialogue for me fell a little flat. Things came across as more vapid than in other books and I am not sure if this was on purpose or just how things came across but I didn't like it.
The characters seemed to fly off the handle and have toddler tantrums more in this book than others as well. It was dramatic, of course, but sometimes a little off putting. Aside from all of that I did enjoy the book on a whole. It is once again a different look at the history of things and gives us a different side of everything that went on. Yes of course it is fiction, but it is very plausible fiction. I felt for Lady Anne and she did get dealt a bad hand on many occasions. Overall this is a good read and I am happy that I read it, overall it fits in well with the series so far.
A new year and finally finishing up a book that I started last year. For some reason I just could not get attached to this one last year in 2015. I got through it pretty fast this time around and I think I was having so much trouble before because it just was not as engaging as the other reads. Now with that said it was not a bad read at all.
Once again, you are in the court of a Young King Henry. This time the story revolves around the younger versions of key players to come out at court later, like the Boleyn's and others. The main character is Lady Anne Stafford, the infamous adulterer who cuckolded her Husband with both the King himself and his boon companion Sir William Compton. The characters were fun, but some of the dialogue for me fell a little flat. Things came across as more vapid than in other books and I am not sure if this was on purpose or just how things came across but I didn't like it.
The characters seemed to fly off the handle and have toddler tantrums more in this book than others as well. It was dramatic, of course, but sometimes a little off putting. Aside from all of that I did enjoy the book on a whole. It is once again a different look at the history of things and gives us a different side of everything that went on. Yes of course it is fiction, but it is very plausible fiction. I felt for Lady Anne and she did get dealt a bad hand on many occasions. Overall this is a good read and I am happy that I read it, overall it fits in well with the series so far.
June 30, 2012
This fourth installment of the "Secrets of the Tudor Court" series was about Lady Anne Stafford. Anne is sister to Edward Stafford, Lord Buckingham, who is eventually beheaded for treason. This book is mainly about the love triangle that Anne finds herself apart of but ends with her family's issues and her brother's beheading.
Anne's character is a likable one. Emerson did a good job making the reader feel like they are actually the one's feeling torn between two men, her husband George and her possible lover Will. You feel her want to be faithful towards her husband but also this physical connection and pull with Will. I liked this book almost as much as the first. The thing I struggled with, which really is a petty thing, but that I felt like every chapter ended with someone making love. Not just that but I felt that the vocabulary to describe what happened was very repetitive. I'm not looking for a pornographic novel but a variety in the language would have been nice. Other than they I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
Anne's character is a likable one. Emerson did a good job making the reader feel like they are actually the one's feeling torn between two men, her husband George and her possible lover Will. You feel her want to be faithful towards her husband but also this physical connection and pull with Will. I liked this book almost as much as the first. The thing I struggled with, which really is a petty thing, but that I felt like every chapter ended with someone making love. Not just that but I felt that the vocabulary to describe what happened was very repetitive. I'm not looking for a pornographic novel but a variety in the language would have been nice. Other than they I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2012
After picking up one of Kate Emerson’s previous books “Between two Queens” on a whim before a flight, I have since been a huge fan of hers. Kate Emerson is a brilliant writer and she brings to life characters during the Tudor reign whom are not as well known. “At the Kings Pleasure” is the story of Anne Stafford (Hastings) a lady in waiting to the queen at the time, Queen Catherine of Aragon. The book focuses on Anne and her relationship with the man she is married to George Hastings and the man she truly loves Will Compton. Off all the books in the series this was my least favourite, I found I couldn’t bound to the character Anne Stafford as I have with the main characters in her previous books. The book was still beautifully written and I enjoyed reading but in comparison to the others in the series I feel they outshine this one.
December 27, 2011
Lady Anne Stafford is a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. A married women. But she catches the eye of King Henry and his close friend Sir William Compton. Lady Anne learns fast how life at court can turn dangerous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked Lady Anne Stafford. She is quite outgoing and charismatic. But I also felt bad for her too. Sadly her brother, the Duke of Buckingham and her husband Lord Hastings take an innocent situation and blow it into a scandal. I have to say there were many times while I was reading that I would have loved to slap up both brother and husband. But all in all At the King's Pleasure is great read. Temptation and court intrigue. Everything I've come to love from Emerson's Tudor books. She has a wonderful writing style that automatically takes me back to that time. I love it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked Lady Anne Stafford. She is quite outgoing and charismatic. But I also felt bad for her too. Sadly her brother, the Duke of Buckingham and her husband Lord Hastings take an innocent situation and blow it into a scandal. I have to say there were many times while I was reading that I would have loved to slap up both brother and husband. But all in all At the King's Pleasure is great read. Temptation and court intrigue. Everything I've come to love from Emerson's Tudor books. She has a wonderful writing style that automatically takes me back to that time. I love it.
March 25, 2012
I've had mixed opinions about Kate Emerson in the past - sometimes I find her books to get a bit dull, but this book was a very pleasant surprise. I love Will Compton, first of all, and he is one of the main characters in this. Anne Stafford (later Hastings) is the main female figure, and she is a very likable person, although she is in the middle of an, at times frustrating love triangle with her husband, George Hastings, and Will. George is a character I didn't care for very much - he was very possessive and jealous and took away from the romance that this book contained. Her relationship with Will was definitely my favorite part, and it was fun to see how her story unfolded in the midst of her brother, the Duke of Buckingham's treason, trial and execution. Overall, it was a very good read that kept me interested, and I recommend it!
December 21, 2015
This the 4th book in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series. As far as the timeline goes, this book occurs after the events in “The Pleasure Palace” but before the events in “Between Two Queens”. The book focuses on Anne Stafford, sister to the Duke of Buckingham, and married for his political gain. Rumors of the king’s interest lead Anne to be sent to a convent. She does have a love interest, but it is not the king. It is instead Will Compton. Finding a way out of the nunnery, she works to repair her relationship with her husband while she is kept away from court. She never loses her feelings for Will. Anne must negotiate dangerous times as her brother’s political intrigues threaten to entangle her and her husband.
June 30, 2014
The story-Lady Anne Stafford, sister to the Duke of Buckingham, is desired by both Henry VIII and his courtier, Will Compton. Her decision, to either have an affair or not, will impact her life and marriage in unthinkable ways.
I enjoyed the storyline but didn't feel as though the characters were well-developed. Her husband is just portrayed as being jealous. I didn't feel love for either her husband or Will. They were all flat characters.
If you're interested in Tudor history, it's still a good read. If you want a romance, this is definitely not one.
I enjoyed the storyline but didn't feel as though the characters were well-developed. Her husband is just portrayed as being jealous. I didn't feel love for either her husband or Will. They were all flat characters.
If you're interested in Tudor history, it's still a good read. If you want a romance, this is definitely not one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2015
At the King's Pleasure is book four in The Secrets of the Tudor Court series, but takes place earlier than the last two. Set early in King Henry's reign, it's filled with twists and turns. Lady Stafford is the sister of the Duke of Buckingham. When he accuses her of having an affair with the king's friend, William Compton, and sends her to convent, there are far reaching affects. I found this book slower than other books in the series, but by the end I felt very invested in the characters.
January 26, 2012
Definitely recommended to all fans of the Tudor era, At the King's Pleasure is a stand alone novel that will have you captivated with every turn of the page....
Read my full review on my blog, The Muse in the Fog Book Review: http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2...
Read my full review on my blog, The Muse in the Fog Book Review: http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/2...
February 29, 2012
Interesting historical fiction; the author writes well, the time period is fascinating, and the story moves along fairly smoothly. I don't know enough about this couple to know how true to life it is, but I got really tired of the husband's continual suspicion and jealousy, and the wife's general ineptness.
July 30, 2012
I would have to say that this is one of my favourite of Emerson's Tudor novels. I felt compelled to know what was going to happen, and was very frustrated along with Anne's situation for most of the novel. I have to ultimately say, though, that I was disappointed with one major plot point occurring, as I feel it spoiled the spirit of the rest of the novel.
I was very pleased with this novel!
I was very pleased with this novel!
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