Rose Bride

Lust in the Tudor Court #3

by Elizabeth Moss

For fans of Sylvia Day, Philippa Gregory, Beth Kery and The
Tudors comes the third book in this sumptuously erotic series
set amidst the Tudor court.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Erotica, Audiobook, Fiction, Tudor Period

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2014

About the author

I also write historicals as Victoria Lamb, romcoms as Beth Good, thrillers as Jane Holland, and NEW FOR 2016, doggy fiction as Hannah Coates, with a feel-good Christmas novel, BERTIE'S GIFT, out October 2016.

If you have enjoyed my Elizabeth Moss stories, why not try some of my other types of books? My #1 bestselling book is GIRL NUMBER ONE (did you see what I did there?) written under my real name Jane Holland. Do please give it a try if you like my other writing.

I always wanted to be a writer like my mum, Charlotte Lamb. Now I spend my life reading and writing, mostly historical romance but other books too. I live with my large family of noisy kids and animals in a rural corner of South-West England, where I'm a keen walker and gardener with VERY muddy boots. When not writing, I spend as much time as possible outdoors, often with my youngest kids, whom I enjoy home schooling.

Photo Credit: Anna Rybacka

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lustful Tudor Court book :-) I loved the first book in the series and then the third comes out before I have read the second one off my shelf over there on the other side of the room! But these books can be read as stand alone books it's just best to read them in order. I have to read the second one now and see what happened in that one. Hmmm, I might re-read all three of them!

Anyway, these books are NOT for kids. There are explicit sex scenes. I mean we are in the Tudor court right?

I love how this book actually has more of King Henry and some of Jane in the book.

Margerie Croft was to be married to another man at one point. Her mother (yes her mother) talked her into having sex with him so that she could marry him and secure her future. Dumb in those days right? So she does have sex with him and then she runs away. Margerie is at the Tudor Court as one of the maids or whatever to Queen Jane. But before all of that she's at the court and Henry tries to get her in his bedroom (of course) but she runs away and is almost attacked by several of his men when she is saved by the doctor, Virgil Elton. He's a very important man at the court and he's handsome. He naturally starts to fall in lust and love with Margerie.

Things are not all great at the castle what with Henry getting ready to execute Queen Anne so he can marry Jane and his leg is giving him problems. Also he has Virgil find him a tonic so he can perform better so he can get a baby out of Jane. Yeah....

There is eventually a happy ending for Margerie and Virgil but not before there is a lot of conflict and misunderstandings.

This is a good series to read if you love anything Tudor and need a sexy read.

*I would like to thank Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Words: Scandal, love, sex, Tudor Court.

That was fantastic! I'm so sad that this series has come to an end though :(

Because truly? It's awesome.

Elizabeth Moss has a way with history that really takes you back. You get sucked deep into the world. Previously I've never managed to get into or enjoy historical fiction based on the Tudor times, but with this author? I love it all.

This is perhaps the hottest book in the series. It's steamy and shocking and with the benefit of having read the previous two books it completely hooked me in.

You could easily read each of the books as a standalone, but reading them as a series, in order, really makes them WOW.

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts... for more, visit Punya Reviews...

Rose Bride is the the last installment of Elizabeth Moss’s Lust in the Tudor Court series, which I just finished. I’ve been really enjoying the author’s writing style and how history is melded in this series with a healthy dose of naughtiness thrown in it. Unfortunately, can’t say I enjoyed Rose Bride as much as I thought I would.

Book 1, Wolf Bride, is the story of Eloise Tyrell, a lady-in-waiting of former Queen Anne Boleyn. When she was betrothed to the cold and aloof Lord Wolf, she wasn’t expecting anything but a miserable married life. She had a sweetheart in court but it didn’t work out. Even though their married life wasn’t a bed of roses, Wolf and Eloise came to know each-other and acknowledged the love blooming between them. For that they had to weather some storms in their relationship; some stemmed from Eloise’s own lack of self-confidence. She was always thinking Wolf will ditch her for another court beauty, leaving her lonely in his estate. When Wolf’s one-time love, and the source of much scandal in the court, Margerie Croft suddenly returns, Eloise’s insecurities grew twofold. But Margerie had no intentions of snagging Wolf once again, and she extends her help when Wolf needed to move the attention of lecherous King Huge Henry from his wife. Other troubles came because Wolf wasn’t a man of words and he could be pretty curt and rude, hurting Eloise more than once in the process. Though their sex life was superb, the lack of communication sometimes could be painfully apparent.

The climax of the story comes with the execution of Anne Boleyn and the King courting Lady Jane Grey within weeks of it. Though Wolf was one of the King’s closest people, he didn’t agree with his verdict where Anne was concerned. Eloise’s life came under threat due to her connection with her but Wolf did his best to save her from the gallows. Overall, I really enjoyed book 1 and was waiting for the next installment, Rebel Bride.

I couldn’t blame Eloise for her lack of self-confidence as her father was an a-hole of the first order and he abused both his daughters Eloise and Susannah to submit to his wishes. Though Eloise escaped that by going to the court and working for Queen Anne, the youngest Susannah was left alone with Lord Tyrell. In book 1, she was seen on and off during Eloise’s wedding. It was also apparent that something was blooming between Susannah and Wolf’s right-hand man and close buddy, Hugh Beaufort. When the news reached that Susannah is in trouble, Hugh jumps in to help her without a second thought.

Susannah decided to run away to save herself from her father’s tyranny and the fact that he was planning to force her in a marriage with a friend of his; an old man she had no interest in. She was already pretty obsessed with Hugh. When finally he finds her, one thing led to another and they end up having sex. And from there, trouble begins dogging their steps. Hugh returns her to Eloise at the court and offers marriage, which was only logical. But Susannah rejects it saying she wants to be an independent woman and willing to be his mistress instead. Uh. Well, of course that venture didn’t go well for Susannah. Her stubborn and rash nature put her in more trouble than one. She already garnered a dubious reputation and men were flocking at her for all the wrong reasons. If that didn’t spell ‘trouble’, then I don’t know what does! At times I wanted to smack her on the head to see reason. Hugh, the poor guy, couldn’t stay away and saved her from every scrape she’d gotten herself into, including a night at a drunken King’s boudoir. Thankfully she was saved before something drastic happened.

Hugh had good intentions but unhappy at her refusal. He was duly confused why she wouldn’t marry him, yet would have sex with him with much enthusiasm. I would say, Susannah was more than a little confused and a spoiled brat to boots. I spend the book being irritated at her most of the time, so that one didn’t go well for me. I did love the last couple of pages when FINALLY Susannah started seeing reason after finding herself pregnant with Hugh’s child. He was already in the Tower, thanks to her horrible father who accused Hugh of kidnapping Susannah to get him into trouble, did make her afraid for his life. Lord Tyrell wanted Susannah back so he could marry her off for money, then dumped her knowing she’s pregnant. Someone needed to soundly thrash that guy, ugh! Thankfully he had no hold over either of his daughters once they were married.

Margerie was also seen in book 2 but she didn’t have a lengthy presence. Actually, the story of book 3 was already in motion by the time Susannah came to live with Eloise in the court. And no matter her reputation, Margerie was never an evil woman. She just had horrible bad luck in her love life. In book 1, bits and pieces of her affair with Wolf, which took place years and years ago (both were very young), is told, which made me wary of reading her book. It’s not often that we find an installment on one of the hero’s mistresses but there it was! However, in helping Wolf, she proved that she bore him no ill-will, even though he was equally to blame for her ruined reputation.

In Rose Bride, we get to know more about Wolf and Margerie’s fateful affair that not only ruined her reputation, but also made her a pariah at the court. Though Wolf proposed marriage, Margerie ran away with another man because she thought Wolf wasn’t the man for her. Her rash decision came back to haunt her more than once ever since. Now, years later, finally she could return to court. While Wolf’s presence caught her by surprise, it wasn’t the same anymore. She was happy for him and happily helped him so his wife is out of trouble with the King. Of course, if King wanted Eloise and demanded her ‘companionship’, Wolf could’ve done nothing to stop it. All it took was a bit of tactics from Margerie and one of her friends, a known fallen woman of the court.

When book 2 ended, Henry had already married Jane Grey and was trying for the much elusive heir, but without any success at all. It was not a good sign and everybody knew that well, with Queen Anne’s execution still fresh in their minds. The Royal Physicians were working day and night to find a solution so Henry’s puny little dinky can perform and bring forth a son (I hate this guy so yeah, I like making up names for him). Virgil Elton, an apprentice to the head physician, had a potion in mind that’d require some exotic herbs. With Henry’s permission, they set to work to make this potent potion a reality.

But when the potion is finally mixed, Virgil can’t give it to Henry right away! He needs to use it on himself and see if it works or not. If anything goes wrong, it’d be his head where Queen Anne’s was a few months ago. But how? He didn’t wanna seek out whores to experiment with and didn’t think he could ‘work on’ just any woman, however willing. Who would be willing enough, yet without any other baggage to get him in trouble, and ‘help him’ experiment this potion? Virgil needed someone, and pronto, before Henry ran out of patience.

Virgil had seen Margerie a few times, and had lusted after her much the same way any other court a-holes have. The difference was, he didn’t thought of forcing himself on her just because she was considered to be ‘ruined good’, hence easy picking. Margerie’s reputation was pretty much non-existent. Even after all these years people didn’t forget this salacious tid-bid and men started to topple one another to either win her or simply try to force their way into her bed. She tried her best to stay clear of anyone who seemed dangerous but she still found herself in trouble quite a few times. And I honestly felt for her for she was treated extremely shabbily by the courtiers.

Virgil knew all of that history. He’s been with whores and other court women in between but none has ever fascinated her like Mistress Croft. So when Margerie, one day, visits for some medicine for her sleeping disorder, one thing led to another and they were kissing as if starving. Of course, Margerie had noticed Virgil. She was quite attracted to him too. She also knew she’s wending a very treacherous path. That it might come back to haunt her again, yet she wanted him so very much that she gave into the temptation. Now Virgil had someone to experiment the potion with and he couldn’t have been happier! But he decides not to mention Margerie until she found out later, and was really hurt that he used her as a guinea pig. I hated that he didn’t feel the need to inform her any of it prior to that. She felt rather betrayed and I agreed!

After a few intense coupling, Margerie knew she was fast falling for the King’s physician. And she also knew, to him, she was nothing but a few days sport. It was obvious Virgil had no other interest in her. She didn’t know how to change his mind when most other men saw her the same way. But what hurt her the most was when, one day, Virgil’s mother and betrothed decided to drop by all of a sudden. Even Virgil didn’t know about their journey and it caught him by surprise. Margerie decides then and there that she must try to stay away from him. She didn’t want to be the reason behind a bitter, broken marriage and I applauded her for it. She was such a smart woman (maybe except where Virgil was concerned), one with a soft heart. Nothing like the evil mistresses we generally read in historical romances and it made me sad that she was going through all that just because of a youthful indiscretion!

After that, Margerie refuses to visit Virgil. In the meantime, a young lord, Munro, shows an interest in her but for a very special reason. He wanted to hire Margerie as his mistress, but only to show off. In return he offers a whole estate, something she couldn’t just ignore. Margerie didn’t want to be a chattel to any man. She knew she had no honorable future if she stays in court so an estate in her name, complete with everything else, would make her life so much easier! She was being practical by accepting Munro’s offer.

Now, Virgil didn’t take it well. He was insanely jealous yet had no interest in giving Margerie his name. But his ego was scratched without a doubt, so typical! He was sure she dumped him solely because he wasn’t as rich as Lord Munro. He had little to offer, not even a title. Virgil was so mad that he begins to feel very contemptuous, bend on hurting Margerie in the process. Just how much, we get to see next until the last chapter.

Virgil’s fiancée, Christiana, was a weak, always ill woman. She was so frail that Virgil was sure she’d die before the wedding becomes a reality. But she was his childhood best friend so he simply kept a promise. He had no interest in her in carnal sense, so a marriage was something he didn’t fancy anymore. When Christiana herself tried to steal a kiss from him, Virgil put her off saying all that excitement will make her condition even worse. Yes Christiana had a heart condition but she wanted everything any hotblooded woman wanted. Unfortunately, Virgil was never really into this marriage so he had every excuse ready to put her off. Needless to say, it left Christiana quite bitter and unhappy. It didn’t help matters when she heard of the rumor of a beautiful mistress. That had to be Virgil’s reason for straying from her! Oh the mess!! :/

So in a sense, Virgil was cheating on her. However, I wasn’t overly bothered because he and Christina was never intimate. And he didn’t cheat on Margerie either, when I’m sure he could’ve gone and slept with any other willing woman. But he was angry inside, looking for a way to hurt Margerie for her supposed betrayal. Uh, didn’t you know her ‘reputation’? Where was it said that she must be true to you? You treated her like a whore, why bother now? It’s not like you promised her anything better!

Of course, I knew Margerie wasn’t cheating on him. In fact, I don’t think she’d been with anyone else in a looong while until Virgil. Indeed, she spent her days with her grandfather before returning to court. But she also had to be practical and think of her future; however much she loved Virgil, he wouldn’t bother with her once their liaison ended. Like, IMO, I couldn’t see why she should stick to him at all so I thought she did the right thing... until one day, when she again ends up sleeping with Virgil, where he treats her pretty much like sh!t! Ugh. I was thinking wtf is up with these two!

But the worst was yet to come, when she found out she’s pregnant and had no doubt it was Virgil’s. But how was she going to make him believe that it’s his baby? There was no DNA testing so anyone could avoid their responsibilities, and the woman would suffer on her own. If that wasn’t enough, Margerie, again, was attacked by the same a-hole who has been after her since she stepped foot in the court. Thankfully, Wolf and Hugh come to her rescue. Virgil gets involved rather heavily when the news reached him, aaaand it gets him in big trouble. If Wolf hadn’t stepped in, he would’ve been imprisoned for God knows how long!

Margerie decides to confide to someone, who broke the news of her pregnancy to the world, landing her and Munro in trouble. After all, she pretty much flaunted herself with Munro in the past months. Munro, though, out and out refused to take any responsibility. I was really angry at him, but at the same time, we knew he wasn’t the father. But IMO she should’ve been mad by just how fast he washed his hands off of her. He didn’t even bother to give her that estate he promised! Regardless of all the drama, I was completely taken aback when Virgil agrees to marry her on spot. A few days ago, he’d broken his engagement to Christiana so he was free to do so, though I’m not even sure why he wanted to.

Meanwhile, under the circumstances, Wolf had offered his protection to Margerie to try and repair some of the damage that has been done to her so far. This was his chance to redeem himself; a way to make amends long overdue. Even with her initial disagreement, Margerie knew that Wolf’s protection will keep her much safer, because, alone, she doesn’t even stand a chance. She refused to name Virgil as the father for fear of what may befell him. Can you even imagine? But everyone already had their suspicions, and Wolf knew what he had to do next. It was also because of Wolf’s persuasion, Virgil was forgiven by Henry, with the permission to marry Margerie. But what Virgil didn’t believe was that the baby was his. Margerie instinctively understood his mindset and decided against trying to convince him. I mean, what’s the point when someone is determined to distrust you, right? I hated the last few chapters, seeing how horribly he treated her from their wedding night to the rest of her pregnancy. It took Munro’s guilt-ridden confession, and that promised estate, to change Virgil’s mind. What a douche!

Even though I liked the other aspects of the story, I was not fond of Rose Bride because, as the H, I expected Virgil to treat Margerie better. I definitely thought she DESERVED someone better! But Virgil wasn’t any better. He wasn’t even brave enough to acknowledge the feeling he obviously had for her because of her ruined reputation. Meh. I was SO disappointed that I even left this off for quite a few months, hoping things will change when I pick it up again. Unfortunately it didn’t. 3 stars but barely made it.

[Erica Chilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads

5 nail-biting, tense stars.

Picking up the gantlet Rebel Bride threw down, Rose Bride was a nail-biter of a read. From page one, the primary emotion I felt as a reader was stress. The era in which this series is set in was a terrifying time for women.

Of the three heroines thus far, Margerie is the most mature and level-headed, but then again she has been out it the real world, instead of protected. The reader finally learns the truth as to why Margerie jilted Wolf from book 1- she was forced to bed him by her mother (which was never explained as to why she was told to do so by her mother), and then she was terrified of him. Running away to France with her best friend, who happened to be male, and I'm surmising gay. They planned to marry to save her reputation, but he passed quickly from an illness.

Years upon years later, Margerie resumes her place at court as a seamstress for Jane Seymour at her grandfather's request. Rumors and stories abound, turning Margerie, whom had only had one uncomfortable, awkward sexual encounter with her betrothed in all those years, to a trained courtesan bedding everyone and anyone.

Why would anyone want to be in court, including the king himself? In a similar fashion to the previous books, the constant tension and level of fear of the narrator being taken against her will starts right on page one. The kings men, and everyone else, was in fear of their women being forced by the king, yet they all acted like the girls seduced him and welcomed the attentions- I found this contradictory. Everyone and everyone should have just known whichever maiden was in the king's presence didn't want it, yet they rewrote it in their minds to blame the girls. Just as Wolf feared in book one, and Susanna suffered in book 2, Margerie tells King Henry no to his face. As punishment, she is set upon by his men like rabid dogs going after a fox on a hunt.

With every breath every woman takes in this era, they seem to be forced to suffocate on the fact that they are lessor beings, and all punishments will be meted out from between their legs. I find this beyond disturbing, simply because there seems to be NO men in this series, including past male narrators, who thinks this disgusting. In any society, no matter the norm, there are always gray areas between the black and white. Even if under Henry's reign men found this appropriate, there should be 3 out of 10 men who would see women as human beings, especially since this is a romance series where the reader is to believe the hero falls in love with the heroine.

In walks in Virgil Elton to save the day. As a scholar, a doctor, he does see Margerie as a human being. Evolved, he actually has no problem with her reputation, finding her liberated and mature. But there is a problem, as he treats her as such, when she is actually innocent of the rumors.

While enjoying Virgil's bed, Margerie becomes Lord Munro's mistress, ensuring a future where she is a landholder. Just as her male best friend from years ago, Munro is of the same nature, not truly needing her to warm his bed, but to help cover up the true rumors of his nature circulating. Intelligent, Margerie takes Munro up on his offer. I could understand his terror as well, and it was a convenient solution to both of their problems.

The only problem, Virgil believes it, is jealous and resentful. While listening to all of the rumors circulating about Margerie, he apparently closes his ears to all rumors pertaining to Munro, except those involving Margerie. If he had opened his ears, he would have learned the truth that Margerie had sworn to never voice. Actually, he would have quickly realized all rumors were unfounded, but the doctor, the scholar, apparently found rumor to be gospel. That was my only problem with Virgil, as I enjoyed his personality so much more than the previous heroes. But then again, Virgil's ignorance was forced by Margerie.

Needless to say, having Virgil believe Margerie loose of morals was hard to take, and I understood her mature approach of not explaining it away, as no one would believe her anyway, so why waste her breath.

All in all, I've been riveted while reading these three books. Stressed but riveted.

*on a side note: what was Margerie dreaming of while sleepwalking? It felt like it was a plot that was forgotten, as it hinted she was assaulted in the past and was reliving it while sleepwalking. That thread just unraveled and was never explained.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is now one of my favourite go to historicals, it's got everything that you would find in a modern day erotic romance but it's not often that you find books within this genre that explore slight BDSM and explicit sex that leave you panting for breath with each new scene and scenario.

The writing is superb so much so that you really feel that you are there in the Tudor court of King Henry VIII from the setting of the story at the time of Anne Boleyn being executed and his marriage to Jane Seymour.

A lot of time and research must of gone into the planning of this book and series because of the fine attention to detail of the lives of those who lived at this time period of history and of what was expected of a lady at court in the service of the queen.

The characters of Margerie Croft and Virgil Elton are a match that should never be but the chemistry between them was so raw, passionate and full of fire that I thought that they would melt my kindle from their desire for each other but they were both also stubborn stupid and frustrating at times which gave them more a feeling of being believable.

The story was fast paced and very enjoyable to read and at times a funny insight into the medical practices of history and makes you think how lucky we are to have advanced through the study of medical science and of how life was so very different to what we now see as acceptable behaviour but was very much frowned upon at this time in history.

I will be looking forward to reading more stories from this very talented author.

* I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review *

[Viji · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book cover is the only part of this book I liked.

[Krys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Sad that the series is over though! Great stories and great characters! And WHEW very steamy!!! :)

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

ROSE BRIDE: Morality & a Search for a Medieval Boner Pill?
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...


I found this story hard to finish. Right from the start I had issues with the narration; it was as uncomfortable as being forced to listen to a child with reading difficulties and a bad cold, being forced to read from the class reading-primer. Charlotte Anne Dore’s normally husky voice is even huskier and her phrasing felt stiff and bizarre.

I also disliked the themes of:

Tudor BDSM,
the hypocrisy of just about every man in the book, and
belaboring the search for an herbal “Viagra.”

The hypocrisy in the book; that double standard of a whore in the bedroom and a lady in the parlor, is probably the point of the entire story. This entire series has heavily featured the hypocrisy of the Tudor Court, in particular the King who demanded the appearance of chastity while allowing his own rapacious appetites to rule his own life.

I was trying to think why the power exchange between lovers bothered me in this work. The only thing I could come up with was why one would need a power exchange at a time when women had little power of choosing the direction for their life. Women were, at the time, chattel and could be punished and worse by their father’s, husband’s or liege. Submissiveness was cultivated and encouraged in young ladies.

So, what with the need for submission and dominance? While Virgil’s need to dominate is a little darker than normal at least it is vaguely honorable. The rest of the court is a drunken frat party dressing itself up as a TV evangelist – I know there were no such events at the time but I am trying to make it relatable.

I did find the herbal medicine and the frequent reference to the Hippocratic oath (although not referred to as such) interesting. I was surprised when I looked it up the oath to learn:

The Oath was rediscovered in the Middle Ages by church scholars who began modifying or interpreting the Oath to conform to medieval Christian doctrines.The first recorded use of the Oath outside of Greecewas at the University of Wittenberg, Germany, in 1508,…

Raphael Hulkower, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

The History of the Hippocratic Oath: Outdated, Inauthentic, and Yet Still Relevant
The Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2010
https://www.einstein.yu.edu/uploadedF...

I had mixed feelings about the previous books in the story, WOLF BRIDE and REBEL BRIDE. But here I didn’t even find the sexy times hot. They are premised in attraction but Virgil, the most enlightened and liberal man in the story, still treats Margerie as a whore. The whole story starts off with a near rape, and that set up my feelings about the entire book. In concert with the narration issues, I had a difficult time finishing the tale.

[Sophie (Blogger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose Bride really did end the Lust In The Tudor Court Series amazingly, I loved that most of the characters that I had grown to love from the previous two books made an appearance, along with other characters who were new and exciting. It is truly an amazing series that people can't help but love, just as much as I do.

Margerie Croft has a reputation about the court, one that she should be ashamed of and has started to cause her near danger in many cases. Margerie who had once had a passing attraction to Lord Wolf in the past, one that seemed to spread throughout the court, though it seemed all too much and Margerie escaped back to her grandfather. Although, going back home didn't work out the way Margerie planned, determined to prove herself and everyone wrong, she head back to court to work as one of the queen's people.

Apart from a run in with several men who tried to take advantage of her, she seems to be taking to life at court quite well, until she meets him. Him being Master Virgil Elton, a physician at court and a man who Margerie can't help but lust over and he feels the same for her as well. Although, just like everyone else Virgil thinks Margerie is a wanton, just like her reputation presents her. Margerie knows she will never marry due to her past mistakes, though she is very smart and has a side to her that many people don't get to see.

When Lord Munro asks Margerie to become his mistress, she decides that this would benefit both parties involved, taking his offer. Although, what she didn't account for was the desire and passion she feels for Virgil and no matter how much she tries to stop, she needs him just like air, even being another's mistress. So, when Virgil needs help with a project he is working on for the king, he decides to test his theory out on Margerie, using their lust for each other as a foundation.

Although, things aren't ever simple, Vigil is due to be married to a lovely young lady, who he was promised to years ago and Margerie is keeping a secret from everyone, one that could ruin not just her life, but other lives in the process. Living at Tudor Court things are never secret for long, with spies everywhere and people gossip all the time, it will not be long before secrets are revealed and promises are broken.

Rose Bride is a novel that has passion, lust, longing, secrets, love and sex that will make you unable to put it down. With its characters, storyline and amazing portrayal of the Tudor Court in 1536, it is the perfect trilogy to read that simply has it all.

If I had to sum this book up in three words, they would be Passionate, Irresistible and Legendary.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is actually more of a 4.5 rating, but no half stars so 4 will have to do.

I'm going to say that normally starting reading a trilogy on the LAST book is not the way to start, but with Rose Bride, it really didn't matter. The characters seemed to interweave through the books but you could definitely read this on it's own, like I did.

I absolutely adored this book. It has the two things I love most in my romances: sex and history, and really there should be a lot more authors who write historical erotica. I like it steamy one minute and then the next the author is talking about whatever historical event or whatnot in the next minute. People in times past were freaky, I'm certain about that.

Anyway, Margerie is a great character. Her lot in life isn't the greatest but it's so much better than being a gutter rat. She made a mistake when she was younger and has to live with the consequences. Because she's a woman, some of what happens is horrible and made me upset. It didn't let it ruin her though.

Virgil was a good hero, too. Although I have to admit the name Virgil is not a name I would have used in a romance but hey, it's not my story!
Sure, he was mean to Margerie but that's how things were back in the day. And in the end, none of it mattered. Because like any romance, the ending more than made up for the shitty treatment on both sides of the relationship.

Romances are the kind of book to waste a day away with. They should be engrossing and hot and make you forget about doing anything about reading.
Rose Bride definitely did that for me! I loved this book so much I went out and bought the first 2 books in the series before I even finished the book. And I never do that unless I love a book.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this the end? Quick someone get Elizabeth Moss on the line and tell her I need a #4, #5 post haste! The balance between hero and heroine is remarkable. Historical stories do not always have to be about the unsullied virgin (though make NO mistake, I seriously love a tale about a innocent maid (hey! it's my thing *giggles*) But here we have a young woman who is no innocent, however she has a strength of character that belies her station and court reputation. The hero, I've had my eye on since book 2 and whom surprised me in his conflicting, though realistically complex behaviors. More Tudor court happenings, more drama on the throne, more danger in the castle and more pearls for me too clutch. No lazy HEA in this series. Moss does the work and the fruits of her labor are absolutely ripe! I seriously thought Philippa Gregory had cornered the market in this genre, and I was absolutely wrong.

Full review to come closer to release.

[Critterbee❇ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, full of lust and bits of history.

I enjoy reading about the Tudor age, if only I could stop thinking about how dirty and unwashed everyone was then! The characters are well written, although not strictly historically correct. Not a lot of people were likable. Probably true of the era?

Anyways, Moss's treatment of the historical content was done very well. I felt the flavour of the age, with the unsettling fear of offending the monarch that surrounded just about everyone then. The story focused on the sexy times much more then the story or rather the non-sexy times.


**eARC Netgalley**

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Debauched. Lusty. Lewd. Dirty. Loved it!!!

This is the first historical book that I've ever read that has sex explained in such dirty details. Most of the historicals sugar coat sex with fancy words but this book has it explained in raw details. And not just once or twice, Virgil and margarie are screwing often.

Also the plot is so uniquely unusual. Court is a nasty gossipy place where a lot of wrong debauched things happen on a daily basis. Im happy the author staged and outlined this story there to give an insight to many readers that court is not all that it seems. It seems like glitz and glamor but it is actually dark and evil. Not all that glitters is gold.

Another plus is margarie was not a virgin. During that era, a woman was considered fallen if she was not a virgin. Too many historicals put virginity on a pedestal. Its refreshing to read a story where the heroine is not a virgin. She is a wanton courtesan. She is fiery proud and free to use her body to do with as she pleases.

Virgil is a physician. Another plus imo. He is not some stuck up young lord and peerage of the ton. He is just a highly sought after scholastic doctor who deserves an HEA. Together he and margarie make a unique pair.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Bride is my absolute favorite of the Lust in the Tudor Court series by Elizabeth Moss. I think seeing the court from a different perspective, but still close enough to all the nobility and even the King, really allowed the book to weave its own story while still giving that amazing Tudor feel.

I did not like Margerie the first time I met her. I thought she was a little bit up in everyone's business, but I was quickly proven wrong. She's a sweet woman that has had her past manipulated and she has only recently come into her own self.

Virgil was a great character. Trying his best to help King Henry get his new queen pregnant, he has to resort to some new herbs and medicine, but he isn't allowed to use them on the King until he has tested them himself. I loved how this set up some very interesting confrontations between him and Margerie.

I wish there was more to the series, but it also ended in a really great place for all our characters. I think this is a series (especially book three) that I will have to revisit again sometime soon.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

[Marcilla Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. My favorite in the series. I liked both Virgil and Margerie for the most part. Margerie was consider a loose wanton woman by the court. Virgil is one of the kings physicians. There were times when the book seemed to be going in one direction and then it would branch in another direction with any clear resolution. Why she ran from Wolf (from book one) was never really clear. The fact that Virgil used himself and her as guinea pigs for the King's medicine got lost in the sauce. It was hinted that Virgil had a dark past that was never revealed. The abuse by Virgil's stepfather did not explain his treatment of Margerie. Also, the way Virgil treated Margerie after he married her was despicable. All that being said, the book kept my attention throughout. I liked that Kate was Margerie's friend in good and bad times.

[Destiny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like it at all

Just like Wolf Bride I didn't like this one either. I will not go into why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone but I'll say this series is not for me.
I will also say that Virgil did Margerie dirty after they got married. I was very surprised at it because he admitted to himself he loved her before then only to treat her badly after.
I wanted to put the book down and not continue reading but that's cowardly so I finished it.
I do not know if I will read anymore of E.M.'s books going forward

[Jazmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves the Tudors & historical romance, I was super excited to read this one. I didn’t know it was the third in a series until I read more about it but it read very much as a stand-alone. It did lose a little steam for me after Marjorie became pregnant, but I really enjoyed this one.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely book ending this fun trilogy set in Anne Boleyn's time. The first and third are definitely the best. Hero and heroine are both strong in this one. I was surprised how much I liked the heroine, considering the first book.

[Sally Jask-eh · Rating 5 out of 5]

whoa drty reedz, tiz hawt Great erotic romance tudor backdrop. This is the most steamy of the three, sadly weakest plot and backstory. Moss is fantastic at weaving story in with physical relationship between characters❤️❤️worth your weekend afternoon and evening. Enjoy!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written page turner. Could not put this book down.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my fav out of all three books in the series. I loved the dynamic of the main characters. There was so much fire and angst in this one and super hot.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Bride is the third and final book in the 'Lust in the Tudor Court' series by Elizabeth Moss. You don't have to have read the first 2 books to fully enjoy this one, but it's nice if you have because you read more about the characters mentioned in the first two books.

This is the story of Margerie Croft. When she was younger her mother coerced her into losing her virginity to a nobleman before marriage, with the hope of trapping him into marriage. The man in question was a gentleman and he did offer for Margerie, but when she realised she couldn't marry a man she didn't love and visa versa, she ran away from court and was disgraced for it.

When she is allowed back to court rumours have run amok over the years and she is seen as a wanton, a whore, a courtesan for any man's pleasure. Somebody who has had sex with too many men to count. The story starts after she refused King Henry 8, and as punishment he sends his men after her. If he can't have his way with her, then they certainly can, if they can catch her. They do catch her, and just before the ring leader is about to rape her, somebody comes along and stops the men in their tracks.

Virgil Elton is one of the court physicians. The knowledge he has about each of the men involved in the group is enough for them to listen to him when he tells them they should go about their business and leave Margerie alone. From the moment he meets her, he lusts after her. He knows about her history and reputation, and he is also betrothed to somebody else, yet he can't keep his mind (or hands) off her.

Margerie lusts after Virgil too, and even though she ends up ruining her reputation more by becoming the mistress of another man in court, and being known to have threesomes with them, she can't help but wanting Virgil to 'take' her.

They do end up having insanely passionate, raunchy sex, many times. Virgil hates that he has to share her, but isn't strong enough to keep away from her. Margerie hates that he believes all the rumours about her, and that she can't do anything to make him realise otherwise.

Will Virgil ever discover the truth, will it make any difference to him. He is betrothed and has been for years. Even if he could marry Margerie, he is honour bound to marry another.
What of Margerie, she knows their relationship can't go anywhere, and that he has such a low opinion of her, but she still can't stay out of his bed. Can there be any future for them in any capacity? You will have to read the book to find out.

I haven't read the first book in this series, but did read the second. I have to admit that I enjoyed the second book a lot more than this. That's not to say that I didn't like this one. I did. I loved the historical aspect of the book, and hearing about King Henry, and the demise of a couple of his wives. After watching the Tudors, of course I couldn't help but picture Jonathon Rhys Myers in the role of Henry. It certainly added more character to the man, and helped me picture his poorly leg when it was mentioned in the book. I loved the way the author described life at 'court' and how real she made it seem. The only thing that made me like this book less than the other one I have read is that this one was a bit more 50 Shades of Grey. Which is a good thing for the author as that is how the series is described, the Tudor 50 Shade of Grey. But to me, I like my erotica without BDSM, and without the 'dirtier' fetishes. There were a few instances in this book that I didn't like reading, and that's the only reason this book is going to have a lesser rating than the second in the series. I still recommend the book, especially for 50 Shades fans. If you are like me, then you will still enjoy the book but might want to skip some of the sex scenes. Fortunately the story is so much more than just sex.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Bride by Elizabeth Moss is the third book in the series, Lust in the Tudor Court. Rose Bride tells the story of Margerie Croft, a woman trying to survive in the court of King Henry VIII, a woman whose reputation was destroyed long ago and could never be more than a courtesan in the court. A plaything for Knights and nobles alike. A position she makes even more tenious, by refusing the advances of the King himself.

"...The King's attendants meant to rape her. And no man at the court of Henry Tudor would dare call them to account for it. For she had offended the King himself, and this was to be her punishment..."

But saved she is, by the timely intervention of none other than the King's own physician, Master Virgil Elton.

Virgil Elton had heard all the rumors of Margerie Croft. That she was not a virgin before her wedding night and then spurned the man who would marry her because she did not love him. That she was mistress to a young Lord and her station at the court was of the lowest kind a woman of noble breeding could have. But still Elton is drawn to her, in her he finds a passionate and intelligent woman who draws from him a fire he has not felt in many years.

But Elton has other responsibilities as well. To the King and an ailment that denies him the potency to produce an heir. To his mother who abandoned him to the abuses of a tyrant of a stepfather and to the woman he had been friends with since childhood. The woman whose own illness and weakness kept her confined far away. The woman he had promised to marry.

But Elton cannot rid his mind or his heart of the fallen woman, Margerie Croft and he is determined to save her. Even if it means he must fall from the grace of he court as well.

Readers of the prior two novels in this series will recognize Margerie as the past lover who broke Lord Wolf's heart. A wanton immoral woman who used her body to trap him and then leave him. In the prior two books she is painted as something of a spy in the court. A woman who would use her body to move in and out of the graces of the King and his Lords. But here we are given a very different Margerie. A woman who refused to marry Lord Wolf because she did not love him and then after being used, was unwanted by any other. She has lost her ability to marry as she no longer had anything to offer a husband and now, must survive in the deadly world of the court by whatever means possible, or be tossed out into the streets.

Elton is a good man, haunted by the pain and abandonment of his mother, who sole commitment to a childhood friend now hangs like an albatross about him. His obligation as a man denies him any chance at happiness. A happiness he has found with Margerie.

I have described Elizabeth Moss's writing as Philippa Gregory in heat and I mean that in the best of all possible ways. With Rose Bride she does not disappoint. While there is lots of good sex and lust to go around and Moss handles these scenes very well, what separates this from your run of mill sex book set in the Tudor Court is the attention to the politics of the time. The lack of resources and opportunities women have and how without money or virginity to trade, their value to the men of the court is almost nothing. The mere thought of love is laughable. Moss does as much if not more to bring this to her novels as the sex. This is what makes these novels so good and fun to read.

A really good read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Better than book 2 was in this series.
I didn't really enjoy the overall ending of this book. It felt a little rushed for my liking.
But other than that I really enjoyed Margerie and Virgil's love story and was happy with the way they came together.
Plus lets be honest I enjoy anything to do with the Tudor court.

[Ruthsic · Rating 2 out of 5]

The earlier two books in the series, revolving around characters in the Tudor court, was sort of okay. They had a good story, fiery female leads and a healthy dose of hot sex scenes. This one, well, it went more Fifty Shades than the other two, with the story centering around Mistress Croft, Wolf's old flame, and a rumored courtesan. She, however, doesn't even have the experience that her reputation claims she has - but she doesn't refute the rumors, because she doesn't anyway hope to get married. Her meeting with Virgil, one of the court physicians sets off a connection between the two of them, culminating in lots of - you guessed it right - sexy scenes. He is sort of a dom and she is submissive (code for doormat in fiction) and while he knows about her past, he isn't really mindful of it as long as he gets to do his experiments. He is working on a medieval Viagra for the King Henry, and made himself the lab rat to test his potion on.

Now, this being a period drama, of course there is a healthy dose of misogyny involved, but Virgil just grossed me out as a lead. He thinks she is another Lord's mistress, and doesn't show any objection to it, until the time comes that he has to marry her. Her deal with that Lord is a secret, and so she never tells a soul that she isn't even sleeping with that Lord. But people all around her think the worst, and she doesn't even hesitate to forgive them. Even Virgil is more of an asshole than a lover, and honestly even Wolf seems better than him at this point. That's a shame, because Wolf actually was a possessive jealous husband. The problem with all the male leads throughout this series was their sexism, but this one just took the cake. Half the time, I wanted her to walk out of his life and never look back, not beg for his forgiveness. Pretty disappointing this book turned out to be.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced drama filled read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. Margerie gave her virginity to her betrothed and then ran away. She ends up at court becoming a seamstress for Jane Seymour. Rumors circulate about the kind of reputation she has and will only be a mistress and never a bride. Until she meets Virgil, a doctor trying to help the King. The chemistry between Margerie and Virgil is hot but will rumors ruin this as well? I enjoyed the story as well as the characters. Steamy and suspenseful.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

**** I received this book from the publisher through Net-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This the third book in the Lust in the Tudor Court Trilogy. The three stories do intertwine all happening at the same time but loosely connected. This was my least favorite of the three books. I found it hard to connect or care about the main characters. It is good series and if you enjoy Sylvia Day’s historical romance you should give this series a try too.

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish this book! I made a little over halfway before giving up. Characters were boring, there was no real plot line, and for being labeled as "erotica" nothing happened the first third of the book, and the sex scenes were nothing to write home about.

I received a free copy of this book in return for my opinion.

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Margerie and Virgil. There was a whole lot of back and forth with these two that one would think that they were never going to get their HEA, but they finally did. A great conclusion to the series!

[jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy A, but set in the Tudor era. Quite explicit.

Margerie is a bit too naive and timid, and Virgil is an unmitigated ass for most of the story, but this is definitely the best of the three stories in the trilogy.