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Tudor Queens #1
The Winter Queen
As Queen Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting, innocent Lady Rosamund is unprepared for the temptations of Court.
She is swept up in the festivities of the yuletide season and, as seduction perfumes the air, Rosamund is drawn to darkly enticing Anton Gustavson. . . .
With the coming of the glittering Frost Fair, they are tangled in a web of forbidden desire and dangerous secrets. For in this time of desperate plots and intrigues, Anton is more than just a handsome suitor—he may have endangered the life of the woman he is learning to love. . . .
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
10 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McCabe
261 books169 followersaka Laurel McKee (Amanda Carmack)
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 5, 2016
In December, 1564, nineteen-year-old Rosamund Ramsey is sent away from her home in the country (Ramsey Castle) by her parents after they try to break up a romance she is having with a young man (Richard) they don't approve of. Rosamund is sent to London where she is to serve as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I.
(Queen Elizabeth I)
While traveling to London in a litter she stops and goes in the woods for a short break. She sees a small group of people and a handsome man ice-skating on the frozen pond. She is quite captivated by this man and his astonishing skills at ice-skating. Someone calls the man Anton. He sees Rosamund and goes over to speak to her, but she runs away. Anton was quite intrigued with this lady and would have liked to know more about her.
Rosamund eventually arrives at the Palace of Whitehall. There she meets Queen Elizabeth and makes friends with some of the other ladies-in-waiting. She is also surprised to see the man she saw ice-skating in the woods, Anton, who is also at court, with his fellow Swedish delegates. Anton can't dance well so the Queen persuades Rosamund (as a wager) to give Anton dance lessons. Rosamund agrees, and Anton suggests he will give her ice-skating lessons. They both get to know each other better and start falling for each other. But what happens when Rosamund's former love Richard shows up at court?
Anton is both Swedish and English. Besides being in court on behalf of King Eric, he is also battling with his cousin, Celia. They both want an estate in Suffolk (Briony Manor) that Anton’s grandfather left him when he died.
Rosamund lived a very sheltered life before she came to court in London. She was living in the country and thought herself in love with Richard. Her parents didn't approve so they sent her away to London and hoped she'd get over her infatuation. And, as time goes by, Rosamund sees her parents were right after she falls in love for real with Anton.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were so many things I liked about it. I liked the time period in which it was set, during 1564, Queen Elizabeth I's reign. I haven't read many books with this setting so it was new and interesting to me. I liked all the activities at court. I liked how it was set during the weeks around Christmas and New Year's. It gave the story a very festive feel to it. The descriptions were really good. And the story had fun elements like the Frost Fair, a masquerade ball for New Year's Day, etc... It also had a little suspense. Anton was a handsome and dashing hero with his dark, wavy hair, he was quite appealing. I also liked Rosamund. Anton thought of her at times as his "winter-fairy" with her silver-blonde hair.
This was a charming and highly enjoyable story, perfect to read around Christmas.
(Queen Elizabeth I)
While traveling to London in a litter she stops and goes in the woods for a short break. She sees a small group of people and a handsome man ice-skating on the frozen pond. She is quite captivated by this man and his astonishing skills at ice-skating. Someone calls the man Anton. He sees Rosamund and goes over to speak to her, but she runs away. Anton was quite intrigued with this lady and would have liked to know more about her.
Rosamund eventually arrives at the Palace of Whitehall. There she meets Queen Elizabeth and makes friends with some of the other ladies-in-waiting. She is also surprised to see the man she saw ice-skating in the woods, Anton, who is also at court, with his fellow Swedish delegates. Anton can't dance well so the Queen persuades Rosamund (as a wager) to give Anton dance lessons. Rosamund agrees, and Anton suggests he will give her ice-skating lessons. They both get to know each other better and start falling for each other. But what happens when Rosamund's former love Richard shows up at court?
Anton is both Swedish and English. Besides being in court on behalf of King Eric, he is also battling with his cousin, Celia. They both want an estate in Suffolk (Briony Manor) that Anton’s grandfather left him when he died.
Rosamund lived a very sheltered life before she came to court in London. She was living in the country and thought herself in love with Richard. Her parents didn't approve so they sent her away to London and hoped she'd get over her infatuation. And, as time goes by, Rosamund sees her parents were right after she falls in love for real with Anton.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were so many things I liked about it. I liked the time period in which it was set, during 1564, Queen Elizabeth I's reign. I haven't read many books with this setting so it was new and interesting to me. I liked all the activities at court. I liked how it was set during the weeks around Christmas and New Year's. It gave the story a very festive feel to it. The descriptions were really good. And the story had fun elements like the Frost Fair, a masquerade ball for New Year's Day, etc... It also had a little suspense. Anton was a handsome and dashing hero with his dark, wavy hair, he was quite appealing. I also liked Rosamund. Anton thought of her at times as his "winter-fairy" with her silver-blonde hair.
This was a charming and highly enjoyable story, perfect to read around Christmas.
March 8, 2010
This book was okay. The history was right as far as I could tell, but the premise was a little wobbly.
Early in the story, the main characters make an incomprehensible bet that each can win simply by not trying. They each lose on purpose because there wouldn't be a story otherwise. It could have been a good story if the bet had made sense.
A personal turn off for me is the main characters are flawlessly beautiful and talented in their endeavors (except of course common sense in making bets). I didn't believe the characters could have been real because they were too perfect. I never felt invested in the story enough to care if the perfect peoples' lives turned out perfect (it did because this is a romance novel - that's expected going in).
It was well written and detailed so it gets 2 stars instead of just one.
Early in the story, the main characters make an incomprehensible bet that each can win simply by not trying. They each lose on purpose because there wouldn't be a story otherwise. It could have been a good story if the bet had made sense.
A personal turn off for me is the main characters are flawlessly beautiful and talented in their endeavors (except of course common sense in making bets). I didn't believe the characters could have been real because they were too perfect. I never felt invested in the story enough to care if the perfect peoples' lives turned out perfect (it did because this is a romance novel - that's expected going in).
It was well written and detailed so it gets 2 stars instead of just one.
December 18, 2009
I'll admit i was quite disappointed with this book. I was so excited to read it based on the excerpt on the back and it was really an epic fail. Lady Rosamond's and Anton's romance has to be one of the most disappointing romances i have ever read. It was literally "love at first sight" and they were married after only knowing each other for 12 days. If you've ever seen "Enchanted" than the beginning part with Princess Giselle and Prince Edward pretty much sums up their whole story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2023
“With the music of Twelfth Night in their ears, and the promise of the new year to come, they kissed and held each other close, knowing at last that it was truly forever and always.”
A sweet romance! While I didn’t connect much with the characters, I did enjoy Anton and Rosamund as a couple. I did love the ice-skating - so cute! I think my favorite aspect of this book was the writing. I thought it was so fantastically rich and detailed. I could easily imagine it all and felt immersed in the Christmas celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s court. 3 stars! ✨ 🎄
A sweet romance! While I didn’t connect much with the characters, I did enjoy Anton and Rosamund as a couple. I did love the ice-skating - so cute! I think my favorite aspect of this book was the writing. I thought it was so fantastically rich and detailed. I could easily imagine it all and felt immersed in the Christmas celebrations of Queen Elizabeth’s court. 3 stars! ✨ 🎄
January 12, 2012
I bought this book way back in December 2010. Initially I started reading it, but I laid it aside for something else and forgot about it. Fast forward to January 2012. I wanted to read some Tudor fiction and I thought of this book, so I picked it up. I enjoyed Rosamund and Anton. I thought their romance was sweet. But I really loved hearing about Queen Elizabeth. My heartbeat would speed up a bit when Rosamund would mention Anne Boleyn's portrait silently watching as though she were judging. I don't think it's far fetched that Elizabeth I had Anne's portrait up since she did have a ring with a portrait of herself and her mother. But it just made me unreasonably happy that Anne portraits were displayed. Anyway off of my historical obsessions. I thought the book accomplished a believable love story even though technically it happened in only two weeks tops. The epilogue was sweet as well!
January 9, 2010
I think the cover was the best thing about the book. It's just gorgeous. The story...well, I liked reading a book set at Elizabeth I's court. I haven't read that in a long time. And there was adventure and intrigue and plots against the Queen, so, you know, okay. And I liked that it took place over the 12 days of Christmas, because that was a fun framework with neat information about the Court at Christmas. But the romance was kind of meh. I liked them both, but there wasn't much tension there. And the dancing/skating plot that could have driven the romance petered out quickly, so the ending fell a little flat. Oh, and the Celia subplot randomly ended, too. But hey, it's pretty to look at.
May 27, 2015
Bella historia que toma hechos en la época isabelina, donde los principales son parte de la Corte de la reina Isabel. La historia transcurre en la época navideña y principio de año. Rosamund es una chica un tanto insegura de sí misma que sufre mucho al estar lejos de su familia, cuando conoce a Anton, ella descubre que al hacer una apuesta con él, existe la posibilidad de que su amistad se vuela más que eso. Es una historia con romance, algo de drama, aventura y comedia.
January 28, 2018
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
July 16, 2021
In my mind, the hero, Anton, was a bit on the thin side. His character was elusive whereas the heroine, Lady Rosamund, wore her heart on her sleeve.
A quick read.
A quick read.
May 5, 2022
3.5/5 ή 4/5
December 18, 2022
2.5 rounded to 3. It's weird reading this after the short story as it makes the short story non-canonical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
The Winter Queen has absolutely everything I want in holiday Tudor romance, with bonus points for a wonderful Swedish hero.
November 29, 2022
Lady Rosamund skickas till drottning Elizabeths hov av sina föräldrar, då de tycker att hon behöver komma ifrån grannpojken - och inse att det inte är äkta kärlek, utan bara förälskelse, hon känner.
Vid hovet finns även delegationer från andra länder: de skotska sändebuden jobbar för att få till ett möte mellan drottningen och hennes kusin drottning Maria av Skottland, medan de svenska sändebuden försöker få till ett äktenskap mellan drottningen och den svenske kung Erik XIV. Bland de senare finns även Anton, som har ytterligare en orsak till sin närvaro - han behöver drottningens hjälp att få släkten att acceptera morfaderns testamente och därmed säkra de engelska ägorna han ärvt.
Drottning Elizabeth kan tänka sig att titta närmare på hans begäran, men bara om han vinner ett vad - att han kan lära sig dansa under julens tolv dagar. Hans lärare blir lady Rosamund - vilket ingen av dem har något emot…
Men konstiga saker sker och inte bara drottningens liv verkar vara i fara, lady Rosamund drabbas också. Och en kväll går det riktigt illa…
***
Det är inte ofta kärleksromaner utspelar sig under 1500-talet, så det är en annorlunda vinkling. Själva storyn är dock lätt att känna igen och efter vissa förvecklingar (och heta sängkammarscener) får de unga tu varandra i slutet. Precis som det ska vara. 🙂
Det är en helt okej historia, lagom som tidsfördriv när mörkret sänker sig och kylan kryper närmare.
Vid hovet finns även delegationer från andra länder: de skotska sändebuden jobbar för att få till ett möte mellan drottningen och hennes kusin drottning Maria av Skottland, medan de svenska sändebuden försöker få till ett äktenskap mellan drottningen och den svenske kung Erik XIV. Bland de senare finns även Anton, som har ytterligare en orsak till sin närvaro - han behöver drottningens hjälp att få släkten att acceptera morfaderns testamente och därmed säkra de engelska ägorna han ärvt.
Drottning Elizabeth kan tänka sig att titta närmare på hans begäran, men bara om han vinner ett vad - att han kan lära sig dansa under julens tolv dagar. Hans lärare blir lady Rosamund - vilket ingen av dem har något emot…
Men konstiga saker sker och inte bara drottningens liv verkar vara i fara, lady Rosamund drabbas också. Och en kväll går det riktigt illa…
***
Det är inte ofta kärleksromaner utspelar sig under 1500-talet, så det är en annorlunda vinkling. Själva storyn är dock lätt att känna igen och efter vissa förvecklingar (och heta sängkammarscener) får de unga tu varandra i slutet. Precis som det ska vara. 🙂
Det är en helt okej historia, lagom som tidsfördriv när mörkret sänker sig och kylan kryper närmare.
January 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I decided to start reading it on a break from work and couldn't put it down. I adored the characters and the setting of the story. I could picture every scene! Beautifully written!!
October 10, 2011
The Winter Queen had enough high points to keep me reading, but wasn't anything special. It was slow to start and uneven. Pacing issues kept the storyline from fully engaging the reader. The character development of the heroine was poorly done, and the prose was uninspiring and overblown, often cliched and sometimes painfully awkward (horses 'crying out'??). The development of the main characters' relationship was uneven. I was also distracted by the descriptions of the court and holiday preparations and celebrations, but I'm not drawn to fiction placed in this time period so I can't say how much of that was me, and how much was the author's execution.
Still, the characters were likable enough to root for, there were some decently done sexual scenes, and the action near the end certainly drew me in.
All in all, a light, fluffy read with some decent parts, but it could have been much better. This is my first taste of McCabe and I'll probably try more of her work in the future to see if her writing improves.
Still, the characters were likable enough to root for, there were some decently done sexual scenes, and the action near the end certainly drew me in.
All in all, a light, fluffy read with some decent parts, but it could have been much better. This is my first taste of McCabe and I'll probably try more of her work in the future to see if her writing improves.
November 5, 2015
1 star (DNF)
Started 4/29/13. Returned to library on due date 5/3/13. I gave it my best shot with this book. I really wanted to like it, because I love the idea of a romance novel featuring one of Elizabeth I's ladies in waiting and all of the drama that would entail. However, this story was so overwhelmed by narrative---descriptions and internal musings of the heroine---that by the time the hero's POV is introduced (about 25% in), I just didn't care anymore. But that may be more my current frame of mind than the fault of the book. I may give this one a try again in a few months.
Started 4/29/13. Returned to library on due date 5/3/13. I gave it my best shot with this book. I really wanted to like it, because I love the idea of a romance novel featuring one of Elizabeth I's ladies in waiting and all of the drama that would entail. However, this story was so overwhelmed by narrative---descriptions and internal musings of the heroine---that by the time the hero's POV is introduced (about 25% in), I just didn't care anymore. But that may be more my current frame of mind than the fault of the book. I may give this one a try again in a few months.
Read
October 6, 2012"She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as their baby cooed and laughed. "Oh my dearest. There could never be a finer Christmas than this one"
Una romantica storia natializia ambientata nell'Inghilterra del '500.
Una romantica storia natializia ambientata nell'Inghilterra del '500.
Read
December 4, 2009Elizabethan
January 16, 2011
Its strange, but Amanda McCabe's books aren't as big as they used to be, either in size or subject matter. Her writing has improved, but something of the spirit seems to be missing.
September 24, 2012
Boring but I guess inoffensive? I took like a week and a half break 2/3 of the way through when my kindle checkout expired, and was no worse for wear.
August 15, 2010
What can I say I'm a sucker for historical romance!
July 16, 2015
How can a small 200 or so page book read like a forced 1000 page essay of celery? It's so boring!
Read
November 22, 2018After her parents fail to support a match between herself and the man she loves, Lady Rosamund Ramsay is sent to the court of Queen Elizabeth to serve as one of Her Grace’s ladies-in-waiting. For the country-bred Rosamund coming to court just in time for the yuletide festivities is somewhat overwhelming. But court life does serve to distract Rosamund from disappointed affection, particularly when she meets Anton Gustavson.
From the moment he first sees Rosamund, Anton is enraptured by the beautiful “winter fairy.” Despite his uncertain position in life, Anton cannot help but be drawn to Rosamund. Yet the passion that flares between them may never be fulfilled if a sinister plot takes the life of the woman who so quickly captures Anton’s heart.
The Winter Queen positively shines with its tender romance set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Amanda McCabe sweeps her readers away with the glamour and intrigue of Christmastime 1564. It was a treat to see the pomp and pageantry of Elizabeth’s court through the eyes of one of her new ladies-in-waiting. Rosamund is a gentle, likeable woman and her fascination with the goings on at court made her the perfect guide for readers. Anton, a member of the Swedish party sent on behalf of King Eric, matches Rosamund for likeability. He’s charming, handsome, friendly, and passionate – what more could you ask for? Ms. McCabe makes it incredibly easy to fall for these two and to become invested in their romance.
The Winter Queen is a lush, engaging Elizabethan romance perfectly crafted by Ms. McCabe. I adored The Winter Queen and look forward to reading more of Ms. McCabe’s work.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
From the moment he first sees Rosamund, Anton is enraptured by the beautiful “winter fairy.” Despite his uncertain position in life, Anton cannot help but be drawn to Rosamund. Yet the passion that flares between them may never be fulfilled if a sinister plot takes the life of the woman who so quickly captures Anton’s heart.
The Winter Queen positively shines with its tender romance set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Amanda McCabe sweeps her readers away with the glamour and intrigue of Christmastime 1564. It was a treat to see the pomp and pageantry of Elizabeth’s court through the eyes of one of her new ladies-in-waiting. Rosamund is a gentle, likeable woman and her fascination with the goings on at court made her the perfect guide for readers. Anton, a member of the Swedish party sent on behalf of King Eric, matches Rosamund for likeability. He’s charming, handsome, friendly, and passionate – what more could you ask for? Ms. McCabe makes it incredibly easy to fall for these two and to become invested in their romance.
The Winter Queen is a lush, engaging Elizabethan romance perfectly crafted by Ms. McCabe. I adored The Winter Queen and look forward to reading more of Ms. McCabe’s work.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews