The Tapestry

Joanna Stafford #3

by Nancy Bilyeau

The next page-turner in the award-winning Joanna Stafford series takes place in the heart of the Tudor court, as she risks everything to defy the most powerful men of her era

Finalist for the 2016 RWA Daphne du Maurier Award for Historical Romantic Suspense.

Henry VIII's Palace of Whitehall is the last place on earth Joanna Stafford wants to be. But a summons from the king cannot be refused.

After her priory was destroyed, Joanna, a young Dominican novice, vowed to live a quiet life, weaving tapestries and shunning dangerous conspiracies. That all changes when the king takes an interest in her tapestry talent.

With a ruthless monarch tiring of his fourth wife and amoral noblemen driven by hidden agendas, Joanna becomes entangled in Tudor court politics. Her close friend, Catherine Howard. is rumored to be the king's mistress, and Joanna is determined to protect her from becoming the king's next wife--and victim. All the while, Joanna tries to understand her feelings for the two men in her life: the constable who tried to save her and the friar she can't forget.

In a world of royal banquets, jousts, sea voyages and Tower Hill executions, Joanna must finally choose her future: nun or wife, spy or subject, rebel or courtier.

'The Tapestry' is the final book in a Tudor trilogy that began in 2012 with 'The Crown,' an Oprah magazine pick. Don't miss the adventures of one of the most unforgettable heroines in historical fiction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Tudor Period, Historical Mystery, British Literature

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2015

About the author

Nancy Bilyeau loves crafting immersive historical stories, whether it's Jazz Age New York City in "The Orchid Hour," the 18th-century Gothic manors, salons, and porcelain workshops in "The Versailles Formula," or Henry VIII's tumultuous England in "The Crown."

Her new novel is "The Heiress of Northanger Abbey," a sequel to the Jane Austen classic.

A magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of "Rolling Stone," "Good Housekeeping," and "Entertainment Weekly," Nancy draws on her journalism experience to research her books.

For her Genevieve Planche novels--"The Blue", "The Fugitive Colours", and "The Versailles Formula"--she also draws on her heritage to create a Huguenot heroine. Nancy is a descendant of Pierre Billiou, a French Huguenot who immigrated to what was then New Amsterdam (later New York City) in 1661. Pierre's stone house still stands and is the third oldest house in New York State.

Nancy lives with her family in upstate New York and enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and touring historic houses in the Hudson Valley.

Visit Nancy's website at www.nancybilyeau.com

Reviews

[Nancy Bilyeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope readers like it, I worked very hard on my third book. The research was intense! And Joanna Stafford risks more--and feels more--than in any other novel in the series.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, and I'm going to miss Joanna's reluctant adventures, as well as her stubborn strength and her compassionate spirit. She's a type of heroine that you don't see very often.

Each book in the trilogy has such a great combination of elements while not being a repetition of the same old story. There's Historical Fiction with a touch of mysticism and suspense, and a mild bit of romance. The focus is on a former novice during and after the dissolution of the priories, one who can't seem to manage the quiet, contemplative life that she longs for. And on top of that, we have the dizzying conflicts and moral struggles of people in the midst of religious upheaval, against the backdrop of a treacherous political scene that causes fear both high and low. (Not to mention beheadings.)

But all that aside, I just really like Joanna and several of the side characters as well. I am happy to report that there's more of both Geoffrey and Edmund in this book than there was in the previous one. I also really enjoyed the addition of the German court artist. And there's no lack of villains either, some not as black and white as they were when we met them before.

Much of this installment takes place in the court of Henry VIII during the time of his marriages to Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard (the 4th and 5th of his wives). One thing I really liked about the first two books was that they were about Tudor times without being centered on the court or the monarch. That changes in this book, but at least it's not focused on Anne Boleyn (which has been done so many times before). It didn't stop me from enjoying this one, but I was glad when the focus shifted away from the court.

Looking back, I believe it's possible some readers could find some lack of focus in the plot, not that it stopped me from eating it all up as fast as possible. Joanna is much less proactive in this one, mainly driven by King Henry's whims. Although there isn't a driving prophecy like in The Chalice, or a murder mystery like in The Crown, there was enough intrigue and danger to keep me turning the pages. It's really about Joanna's small life being caught up in the schemes of the powerful, and how she and a few other insignificant people manage to eke out an existence they can be satisfied with in that toxic environment. Managing to stay alive is always a plus. Anything more than that is a bonus.

I'm so happy with how it ended. It could easily have ended badly, but it was the perfect ending as far as I'm concerned. I have to say I wasn't the biggest fan of the love triangle (a relatively small, well-balanced aspect of the trilogy), but it ended well, and I am satisfied. I'll be eagerly looking for more from this author. This is Historical Fiction how I like it. Not so epic that you can't feel the lives of the individuals. And not at all dull.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

17 MAR 2015 -- guess what?! I won a copy of this book. How exciting is that? Very exciting, I say. Well, I have the first two books in this series sitting on my Nook waiting to be read. So, this week-end, I will begin The Crown.

5 APR 2015 - beginning this evening.

10 APR 2015 - a terrific end to a great series. Each book could be read as a stand-alone; however, you will want to start at the beginning in order to better understand the progression of Sister Joanna. She is one tough cookie. I am glad to know she followed her heart in the end. You will be, too.

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story that had the potential to be a great book, only if it had a stronger protagonist. It is true, with its age and time we cannot expect heroines to rush out brandishing swords but there was something dreadfully annoying about Joanna Stafford. For me it felt as if every decision she took either put her directly in the range of death or somewhere close. She thought every twist an turn in the court was due to her when it clearly was not. Maybe I had not read much books on this genre to properly understand the characterization of women of that time or maybe I expected too much but in the end I could only say that I was disappointed. Her love interests showed no potential and was flat as a parata. At least a parata would be tasty, I am pretty sure none them were. Edmund felt whiney and self-obsessed and Geoffrey was bipolar with his decision. If I were Joanna I wouldn’t have picked either and I would have happily lived the rest of my life with Authur completing tapestries.
The rest of the novel is not surprising either, we all know what happened to Henry VIII’s wives. It’s a tale as old as time (let me roll my eyes here). Nothing romantic happens with him and he still remains as one of the worst husbands in the universe of husbands. A blatant womanizer who had nothing but his title that made him so attractive to people. I always wonder, did he ever know that everyone gathered around him only for the benefits he would give? Of course he would not. He was just as self obsessed or even more than Edmund.

In the end I ended up disliking the book and I really just wanted it to finish quickly. There was nothing else on my mind but that. And here I have finished it and finally can put it in some corner not to ever read it again.

[Bruce Holsinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an e-galley and wrote a blurb for the publisher, which says it all: "These aren't your mother's nuns! Nancy Bilyeau has done it again, giving us a compelling and wonderfully realized portrait of Tudor life in all its complexity and wonder. A nun, a tapestry, a page-turning tale of suspense: this is historical mystery at its finest.” As a scholar of medieval and Renaissance literature, I really appreciated the author's ability to bring the particular stories of her characters alive in numerous ways that feel historically authentic yet vital and current at the same time. And as an author of historical fiction myself, I'm deeply impressed by Bilyeau's ability to sustain the reader's interest throughout the novel despite the intricate attention to setting, detail, and event. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction and devotees of the Tudor world.

[Judith Starkston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Nancy Bilyeau’s Joanna Stafford series, the latest of which is The Tapestry. I think she keeps getting better with each book. You shouldn’t miss The Tapestry.

In full disclosure, Nancy and I occasionally share pages of our manuscripts to edit for each other. We’re good friends—a friendship that arose out of my admiration for her skill as a writer. So I’ll show you a couple close ups of what there is to admire in this third book.

Nancy writes thrillers—like the more common, modern version of a thriller, in Nancy’s you are biting your nails with worry about the survival of characters you care about, and danger mounts in alarming and unexpected ways. In Nancy’s version of a thriller, you are also taken vividly back into the world of Tudor England. History with a zing—an adrenalin rush zing. That’s a great premise.

A lot of precision writing goes into making such a challenging premise work.

There are the skillful opening sentences, for example. Joanna was, until Henry VIII made it impossible, a novice Dominican nun. The reader wouldn’t immediately imagine violent threats and spies as the daily substance of a nun, even a nun who lives without a monastery, and indeed Joanna insists she hopes for a quiet life. But from the opening, Bilyeau ratchets up our expectations and set off our “uh oh” radar as readers.

“I was once told that whenever I felt suspicious of someone’s intent, no matter how faintly, I should trust that instinct, but since the man who issued this advice had himself tried to kill me, and nearly succeeded, it was difficult to know how much weight to give his words.
I felt this distrust in a place where all others seemed at ease, as I followed a page through the tall, gleaming rooms of the Palace of Whitehall, filled with the most prosperous subjects of King Henry VIII. To anyone else, it would seem the safest place in all of England.
But not to me.”

The reader is thus plunged into a thriller environment from the start.

But we’re also tugged deeply into this Tudor place and time in ways that stay integral to the story. Bilyeau is one of the best at weaving in the historical details without losing a fast pace. From this scene of opening tension, we jump back in time eight days and move quickly up to this key moment. The eight days are filled with decisions we see as ominous and hints of trouble disguised as opportunity. We feel the warmth of her friends and the invisible knifepoint at her throat. Then in chapter 4 the story circles back to that walk through the Palace of Whitehall:

“The hall, like the courtyard, was filled with men, though these were calm. High above their heads stretched a ceiling possessing as much meticulous grandeur as the gatehouse. The same black-and-white checks, the judicious sprinkling of fleurs-de-lis. Mullioned windows were set high in the walls. It struck me that this was a very modern palace. I strained to remember what I knew of Whitehall—it was the London home of the archbishops of York until Henry VIII’s first minister, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, took ownership and spend a fortune expanding it. After the king turned against Wolsey, he took Whitehall. Just as, years earlier, he had my uncle the Duke of Buckingham executed on trumped-up charges of treason and then took all his properties. That was what Henry VIII did—he took.”

In one deft paragraph, Bilyeau accomplishes four essential things: setting, historical background, theme and establishment of the personal stakes of the main character. That’s a lot in a short span and you don’t feel weighed down as a reader, but rather pulled in.

Bilyeau lays out setting so you are most definitely there in that place with Joanna seeing it through 16th century eyes. We get the giant scale, although she never actually says the room is big. We see the details of decoration and light. Notice how we’re put inside Joanna’s perception—this is a modern palace.

Then we glimpse the darkness hidden behind the “modern” windows and tall ceilings. How did this come to be Henry’s palace? Bilyeau slips in one of the novel’s themes and puzzles—Henry is a compulsive taker (and, we’ll learn, discarder). What are the consequences of this drive? She touches on the specific historical events that prove that theme, thus orienting the average reader with all the needed facts. I’m not a Tudor history fanatic. I need to be told who the players are and which conflicts matter. But I don’t want to be lectured—no lectures here. Just precision strokes with the pen.

And then the ominous close to the paragraph. Henry takes and takes. He’s taken from Joanna through trumped-up charges. She’s walking through the palace of a man who cannot be trusted, most particularly not by Joanna.

That’s a lot for one paragraph to accomplish. I’m impressed. I hope you are and are tantalized into reading Bilyeau’s trilogy: The Crown, The Chalice and The Tapestry.

[Jenny Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I was very impressed with Nancy Bilyeau's debut novel, The Crown, and I absolutely loved the follow-up, The Chalice. So I could not wait to get my hands on the final book in the Joanna Stafford trilogy, The Tapestry. It's hard to review books that are part of a series without giving away spoilers from the previous books, so forgive me if my plot recap is a bit vague and I focus more on my overall impressions.

The Tapestry differs from the previous books in several ways. There's not much of a mystery or mission in this book as there was in the others. Joanna is still in danger from an unknown enemy, but that danger stems from things she did in the past rather than what she's doing now. She's just trying to live her life, and though she is drawn back into Henry VIII's court once again, this time it's for a fairly benign and above-board purpose: creating a custom tapestry for the king and helping him inventory the extensive collection of tapestries he already has. So I figured that, since Joanna was now living at court again alongside her good friend Catherine Howard, she was going to somehow be embroiled in the Catherine Howard scandal and that I would get an inside view of this tragic queen's downfall at the hands of a gifted writer. But Joanna's journey ends up taking her far from the English court, and we learn about Catherine's alleged extracurricular activities and the fallout from them secondhand. That was a bit disappointing for me.

However, Joanna's journey through the Hapsburg empire to find her former fiance, Edmund, who she believes to be in great danger, did provide a welcome examination of what was going on across the Channel during Henry VIII's reign. And the fact that her traveling companion is her other former flame, constable Geoffrey Scovill, made for some wonderful emotional turmoil. I found the descriptions of political and religious divisions in Germany to be fascinating. Joanna travels through a land decimated by drought and famine, full of wary and unwelcoming people, where entire towns close their gates to outsiders and even the nobles are resorting to highway robbery to make ends meet. Her experiences and observations were eye-opening and served as a great contrast to the ignorant decadence of the English court. And Joanna's friendship with painter Hans Holbein was a pleasant addition to the story, as were the discussions of men who were challenging the commonly held assumptions of the church and scientific community, men like Paracelsus, Agrippa, and Copernicus.

The story is fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat quite a bit as Joanna finds herself in one precarious situation after another. I blew through the pages to see how it would all shake out, but I have to say I felt like a major thread was left hanging: the prophecy that Joanna was supposed to be at the center of. It is an underlying theme of the first two books, but it fades away around the middle of this book and never makes a reappearance. And after such a build-up to find Edmund, I felt like their reunion was rather anti-climactic, and her decisions made at the end felt rushed. I wish I had been inside her head more at the end as she grappled with her conflicting emotions about faith, love, and marriage and the direction she wanted her life to take.

So overall, I have mixed feelings about this final installment in Joanna Stafford's series. It's an exciting read, and the historical detail is amazing, as always, and I was very pleased with Joanna's personal transformation and the final choices she made for her future, so the ending was extremely satisfying for me. But I couldn't help but feel like the overall story arc had some holes in it and a couple of underdeveloped plot points. But judging by the other early reviews, I am literally alone in my opinion on this, so don't take my word for it. This is a great series featuring a wonderfully unique protagonist in an environment that never lacks for drama and intrigue, and I recommend it to all lovers of Tudor fiction and historical mysteries.

[Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

It's not often I say a book is superb let alone the entire trilogy but Nancy Bilyeau ticks all the boxes with The Tapestry and its predecessors. Maintaining historical integrity while blessing the reader with a pacy entertaining read is no mean feat.

I'm a glutton for all things Tudor. Being well read in that particular historical period I confess I've become quite picky discerning and really appreciate a fresh approach which is exactly what Nancy Bilyeau gives readers with her Joanna Stafford trilogy. Viewing the oft-covered Tudor era and Henry VIII's court, roiling with religious instability, political treachery, conspiracies and betrayals from the perspective of former Dominican novice Joanna Stafford has been an exciting reading experience.

I loved the direction Bilyeau took in this final installment. Despite best intentions Joanna is drawn back into service to King Henry, intrigue and danger follow her doggedly. King Henry is working on ridding himself of wife number 4, Anne of Cleves and has Catherine Howard in his sights for wife number 5 spot, much to Joanna's horror, being a long-time friend of Catherine's.

Once again I loved the mix of notable historical figures and fictional characters, I enjoyed learning about German painter Hans Holbein the younger and I was especially happy to spend time with many (King Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Bishop Gardiner, Thomas Howard, Jane Boleyn, Thomas Culpepper and Catherine Howard) from the safety of a book's pages.

A compulsive read that has you turning the pages for ... just one more chapter.

Recommend: hell yes!! Read them all.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I don't know how she did it, but this is the best Joanna Stafford book yet. Twists, turns and surprises. Love triangles both royal and common. Passions and prayers. Historical figures and creations of the author, and only by googling could I tell the difference, so rich and real were they all.

This one is a winner!

[Joy Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Bilyeau's next installment of Joanna Stafford's exciting life out of the Dominican priory and into the hands of the conniving Henry VIII is a treat for any historical fiction/mystery fans. Her research is impeccable, but doesn't slow down the story, and her devout Catholic piety seems realistic for the time period, instead of a modernist reading of an historical character. A lovely read.

[Julianne Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since her Dominican priory was closed by order of Henry VIII, Joanna Stafford has tried to live a quiet life weaving tapestries in the small town of Dartford. Yet fate refuses to allow her respite. In Nancy Bilyeau’s THE TAPESTRY (Touchstone, 2015), the third and final installment of a three-book series that includes THE CROWN (2012) and THE CHALICE (2013), King Henry summons Joanna to court to discuss a tapestry commission. Reluctant to serve a king she has twice tried to dethrone, yet desperate for an income that will allow her to raise her young nephew, Joanna obeys. Minutes after her arrival at Whitehall, a mysterious man attempts to murder her. Thrust into a web of international intrigue that pits her against an array of new and former nemeses, Joanna must rely on wits, courage and integrity to her protect herself and her friend Catherine Howard, the king’s latest favorite, from forces determined to alter England’s unprecedented course.

THE TAPESTRY vividly captures the unsettled, suspicious atmosphere of mid-sixteenth century England. The country is in a state of constant turmoil as it struggles to embrace the changes wrought by King Henry’s whims. In this new world where a common upstart like Thomas Cromwell can gain an earldom—and the king’s confidence—noblemen fret over the security of their positions; courtiers jockey for favor; ambitious wives and wards seek to catch the king’s roving eye. As defrocked priests and nuns struggle to support themselves outside the dismantled walls of their monasteries, the clerical hierarchy barter their souls for benefices. Rich and poor alike guard their tongues as opportunists seek to profit through denunciation. Against this backdrop of festering mistrust, putrid as King Henry’s infected leg, Bilyeau weaves an intricate plot that meshes the international the national, the personal with the political, the secular with the religious. As much as Joanna longs to escape the court and its machinations, her protective concern for Catherine’s fate compels her to stay. She soon uncovers a mysterious “covenant” dedicated to toppling Cromwell so as to restore the Catholic faith in England. The occult nature of this covenant and its effects reinforces the authenticity of the setting, for sixteenth-century culture professed a deep and abiding interest in the dark arts. Joanna’s unquestioning acceptance of the power of the covenant and her quest to locate an arcane text that might undo its effects prove her to be a true daughter of her time.

Rare is the Tudor novel that ventures beyond the confines of England; THE TAPESTRY opens vistas well beyond the usual realm of Tudor fiction. Imperial agents who, in THE CHALICE, coerce Joanna to cooperate in an attempt to assassinate the king, continue to dog her steps at the English court, complicating lives and politics. German artist Hans Holbein offers a continental perspective on events and becomes Joanna’s trusted friend and adviser. In a surprising development, Joanna exploits her appointment as Tapestry Mistress to quit England in search of her former fiancé, Edmund Sommerville. After brief stays in Paris and Flanders, she journeys deep into Germany, a dangerous region suffering from famine and revolt. The adventures that befall her there introduce the reader to aspects of Renaissance history not normally explored in historical fiction (the Diet of Regensburg, anyone?) and add an intriguing flavor to an already singular story.

But it is Joanna herself, more than the story’s rich setting or deft plot, who entrances the reader. Beset by troubles and surrounded by unscrupulous schemers, Joanna never compromises her integrity. Though she mourns her lost life as a nun and resents her uncertain future, she refuses to despair. Loyal and courageous, she fights to protect Catherine from exploitation; generous and determined, she prays with the condemned as they lay their heads on the block. Though clever enough to outwit spies and assassins, Joanna cannot understand her own heart. Torn between her love for the absent Edmund, whom she almost married, and an undeniable attraction to constable Geoffrey Scoville, her constant shadow, she reveals a touching vulnerability and a confusion that only slowly, painfully, clears. It is Joanna’s admirable humanness that has turned so many of the trilogy’s readers into devoted fans.

In THE TAPESTRY, Nancy Bilyeau brings the adventures of her spirited heroine to a triumphant close. Mystery and romance, research and imagination, realism and magic combine in perfect proportion, immersing the reader in the past, enthralling her in the present, and leaving her in hope that Bilyeau will resurrect her intrepid ex-nun in the not-too-distant future.

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

I've a confession folks, one I'm almost afraid to admit. I love historic fiction and there isn't a lot that doesn't interest me, but the truth is I'm all but burnt out on Henry VIII. I wish it were otherwise, but I've grown reluctant to pick up pieces involving the mercurial monarch and his scandal ridden court. With so many titles on the market it's difficult to imagine a writer bringing anything new to the table and I know sex sells, but I'm frankly bored with the salacious twists writers of this particular period have come to favor.

Having said that, one might wonder why I'd tackle Nancy Bilyeau's The Tapestry. I myself questioned my sanity on accepting the title for review, but something in the back of my mind prompted me to put my doubts aside. Make no mistake, I waited till the last possible moment to crack the book open, but when I finally did, I conceded my skepticism had been misplaced.

The market may be overrun, but Bilyeau's work has a feel and flavor few can rival. Her attention to detail is practically flawless and I love the balance she strikes between personal and political drama. Joanna Stafford is not the typical Tudor heroine and Bilyeau never loses site of that. The character's background and convictions dictate her actions and I like that her principles often find her at odds with the royal family. Bilyeau's characterizations of historic figures like Henry VIII, Catherine Howard, Jane Boleyn and Thomas Culpeper defy the stereotypes and bring a refreshing degree of originality to well-known events while her illustration of textiles and the art of tapestry add an unexpected glimpse at a fascinating cultural element of sixteenth century life.

At the end of the day, I'm glad I took exception for the third installment of Bilyeau's Joanna Stafford series. Like its predecessors, the book proved both original and entertaining and while there were a few slow moments, I can't say the time I spent with this piece left me disappointed.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. "The Tapestry" is the third book in the fabulous Joanna Stafford series. This is a very exciting series and I really enjoyed the first two books so I was eager to get my hands on the third book. I feel like I have been waiting for this book for a very long time and my waiting was not in vain! This book is a very exciting historical fiction novel that takes place in the heart of King Henry VIII's court. You will definitely want to start with the first book in the series before you get to this one!

Our heroine is a former novice who it has gotten herself into and out of trouble several times before in defying one of the most frightening monarchs in England's history. Now, she just wants to live a quiet life until she summoned to Whitehall Palace to weave a tapestry for the king. Grudgingly she goes but too quickly realizes that her life is still in danger. I really love this main character! She so interesting and so well written. She definitely feels like she could be a real person. Her background is so interesting to me. If you like your characters on the beaten path, Joanna is your lady! I love that we get to see the court through her eyes. Joanna befriends Catherine Howard (yes, of King Henry's wife fame - not a club I would like to be in). Joanna quickly realizes that the King has his eyes set on her as the next wife. Joanna does her best to try and protect Catherine even though it puts her own life in even more danger. Joanna is definitely quite brave.

I also loved the story telling in the book. If you are looking for a book to get lost in, this is a great pick. Every time I think that I might possibly be tired of the Tudors, I pick up a book like this one and under the skills of a great author, I realize that I'm not quite ready to quit the Tudors. I liked that this book tackled a era of the Tudors that I have not read a whole lot of about - Henry VII's courtship of Catherine Howard. The author uses a lot of great historical detail and great characters to really make this part of history come to life.

[Faith Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Bilyeau provides a compelling heroine, interesting plot, and wonderfully detailed setting. Although I'm thoroughly burned out on Tudor stories, this one kept my interest and provided a different take on the tragic story of Katherine Howard. I particularly appreciated the era-sensitive attitude toward the occult and magic--something most authors avoid unless they write fantasy or the story is about witches and heretics.

A note on the narration: This was the audio book edition and I found the narrator easy to listen to. She spoke in a British accent and used a light touch with the voices, trying to make distinctions, but not create separate characters.

I got this book free through an Early Reader program, but that did not affect my review.

[Erika Robuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In spite of murderous plots, volatile kings, and a divided heart, Joanna Stafford manages to stay true to her noble character. Fans of Ken Follett will devour Nancy Bilyeau’s novel of political treachery and courageous love, set amid the endlessly fascinating Tudor landscape.”

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy received from author for an honest review
My humble review:
First, I LOVED “The Crown” the first book in the Joanna Stafford series. This was my first introduction to Historical Fiction and I absolutely loved it and continued to read Historical Fiction because of “The Crown.” It is still, hands down, one of my favorites. I have to bow my head down in shame because I did not read “The Chalice”-yet. Which I’m sorry because I can tell by “The Tapestry” I missed out on many good plots. When I saw “The Tapestry” I became obsessed with Joanna Stafford and I couldn’t wait to find out how Bilyeau developed her story. I started “The Tapestry” with anticipation and excitement.
Let me say, it does not disappoint. I LOVED “The Tapestry.” It was an instant five star rating for me. Why? First, I loved the ending. I’m a romantic at heart, the ending took me by surprise and I loved that Joanna finally had a happy ending. (I personally hope that Bileyeau has more in store for her.) So, yes I loved the ending. I loved Joanna. She is such a rich character. A no longer nun, left without her Dominican order. When the story begins she is summoned by Henry VIII, yes! First, wow! She is invited to create a Tapistry, which she has a talent for doing. Joanna is terrified that the King knows or will know that she played a hand in trying to displace him as king. She is terrified of his advisor more notably Cromwell. His presence is like a ghost. So aside from the before mentioned, I loved how Bilyeau portrayed Henry VIII. He really is a fascinating character. I learned little tidbits that I had not known before. One being the sores on his legs. Second, when Joanna visits the King he is married to Anne of Cleaves but is also having an affair with Katherine Howard. I loved how the author introduced these subplots. While Joanna is at court she is fearing for her life and rightly so.
Finally, I loved seeing the story unfold through Joanna’s eyes. I loved the first person point of view and I really enjoyed how she developed different relationships, most notably with the future queen Katherine Howard. My only grievance is what to look forward to from Bilyeau. I hope that we see more of Joanna and I would love to see what other pieces of history she has to tell us about! My heartfelt and sincerest literary thanks to the author for not only allowing me to read this beautiful story but making it so wonderful!

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex and intriguing!

Joanna Stafford a former Domonican Novice has returned to London and court. King Henry has called for her to work on his tapestry collection. The life she has put behind her re-emerges. A series of mishaps and confrontations leaves Joanna emotionally in a strange place. A distant cousin to Henry, she is at first housed with her cousin Catherine Howard at a time just before Catherine becomes Henry's mistresss. Joanna is shocked and saddened by the way Catherine is used by her kinsmen.
Joanna is not safe. Two attempts are made on her life, old enemies circle her and new acquaintances are suspect. On top of this the power of the prophecy seems to dog her path.
Geoffrey Scovill, Hans Holbein and Ambassador Chapyus are amongst her acquaintances. Powerful people are noticing her. This is unsafe. Joanna wants nothing more than to be anonymous. One feels Joanna juggling the situation, seeking the least intrusive path, yet constantly finding herself in the limelight.
Joanna's acquaintanceships are the who's who of the times: Emperor Charles, King Henry, Thomas Culpepper, Norfolk, Surrey. She moves in powerful circles albeit unwantingly.
As the drama moves between Dartford, Henry's court, Brussels and Germany. Joanna's love, the Friar Edmund also reappears. The covenant, the black arts and some of the most powerful men of alchemy in Europe are referenced.
Throughout Joanna is strengthened and strengthens other by her faith, steadfastness and quick thinking. Her relationship with Culpepper, her view of him is interesting.
Geoffrey Scovill is always present as both a protector and a reminder of the way her heart has been torn between him and Edmund.
A novel of Henry VIII's court: intrigue, plots and retribution, filled with terror, sorrow and compassion. Joanna's story is well worth reading.

A NetGalley ARC

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Stafford is related to Henry VIII who commands her to come to court to weave a tapestry for his famous and valuable collection—perhaps the best in Europe. For her, that is living hell. She wishes only to go back to being a Dominican novice—but that can’t happen because all of the religious institutions have been disbanded. So, for the good of her family and friends she does Henry’s bidding. It is 1540 and Henry is about to get rid of wife number four for Catherine Howard who becomes his mistress, then his short-lived fifth wife.
Catherine and Joanna are friends, so the latter learns more about the court intrigues than she wishes to know. For some reason, Joanna is the focus of a group which tries to kidnap and murder her. She doesn’t know who or why. She has a protector in Geoffrey Scovill, a constable from the town of Dartford where she was a novice.
Joanna leaves England for Brussels where she will scout out the tapestry industry for Henry. In reality, she and Geoffrey are searching for Edmund, their friend (a long story there). The two join a wagon train across Europe which is as dangerous as any undertaken in the early days of the American West.
The author has the ability to yank the reader into 1540 with her amazing knowledge of the time period and talent to describe it. Superb.

[Judy Nappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third book featuring Joanna Stafford, Nancy Bilyeau once again delivers a page-turning adventure in one of my favourite historical times. Her writing style has the ability to make one envision the events as they unfold. Court intrigue, a wonderfully suspenseful plot and all the colour and intrigue of the Court of Henry VIII - this has been a wonderful reading adventure for me. I'm not sure if there will be any more Joanna Stafford stories but if there are, I will surely be reading them!

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes by the third book of a trilogy, the story becomes rather boring. But not The Tapestry and not Joanna Stafford and her struggles and intrigue! Absolutely love Nancy Bilyeau's writing! She captures you and draws right into King Henry's court and time period with such beautiful and exquisite writing!

[Susan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine in this is just not very realistic, and the author has placed her into way too many scenarios that led to the course of Tudor hisory. No one individual can make that large of an impact with just a hint of noble blood. Sorry, a little to make-believe for such a powerful dynasty as the Tudors.

[Amy Gennaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series by Nancy Bilyeau.

It is a series that revolves around Joanna Stafford, a noblewoman and cousin to Henry VIII, whose family fell from favor. She joined a Dominican priory to live her life in religious devotion, but keeps getting dragged back into court intrigues. It is a story that revolves around King Henry VIII, his desire to father a male heir to the throne and his precarious hold on the throne. It is a great insight into Henry, Thomas Cromwell, the English break from the Catholic church, and the intrigues that surrounded the throne.

It was a great read.

[Julianne Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since her Dominican priory was closed by order of Henry VIII, Joanna Stafford has tried to live a quiet life weaving tapestries in the small town of Dartford. Yet fate refuses to allow her respite. In Nancy Bilyeau’s THE TAPESTRY (Touchstone, 2015), the third and final installment of a three-book series that includes THE CROWN (2012) and THE CHALICE (2013), King Henry summons Joanna to court to discuss a tapestry commission. Reluctant to serve a king she has twice tried to dethrone, yet desperate for an income that will allow her to raise her young nephew, Joanna obeys. Minutes after her arrival at Whitehall, a mysterious man attempts to murder her. Thrust into a web of international intrigue that pits her against an array of new and former nemeses, Joanna must rely on wits, courage and integrity to her protect herself and her friend Catherine Howard, the king’s latest favorite, from forces determined to alter England’s unprecedented course.

THE TAPESTRY vividly captures the unsettled, suspicious atmosphere of mid-sixteenth century England. The country is in a state of constant turmoil as it struggles to embrace the changes wrought by King Henry’s whims. In this new world where a common upstart like Thomas Cromwell can gain an earldom—and the king’s confidence—noblemen fret over the security of their positions; courtiers jockey for favor; ambitious wives and wards seek to catch the king’s roving eye. As defrocked priests and nuns struggle to support themselves outside the dismantled walls of their monasteries, the clerical hierarchy barter their souls for benefices. Rich and poor alike guard their tongues as opportunists seek to profit through denunciation. Against this backdrop of festering mistrust, putrid as King Henry’s infected leg, Bilyeau weaves an intricate plot that meshes the international the national, the personal with the political, the secular with the religious. As much as Joanna longs to escape the court and its machinations, her protective concern for Catherine’s fate compels her to stay. She soon uncovers a mysterious “covenant” dedicated to toppling Cromwell so as to restore the Catholic faith in England. The occult nature of this covenant and its effects reinforces the authenticity of the setting, for sixteenth-century culture professed a deep and abiding interest in the dark arts. Joanna’s unquestioning acceptance of the power of the covenant and her quest to locate an arcane text that might undo its effects prove her to be a true daughter of her time.

Rare is the Tudor novel that ventures beyond the confines of England; THE TAPESTRY opens vistas well beyond the usual realm of Tudor fiction. Imperial agents who, in THE CHALICE, coerce Joanna to cooperate in an attempt to assassinate the king, continue to dog her steps at the English court, complicating lives and politics. German artist Hans Holbein offers a continental perspective on events and becomes Joanna’s trusted friend and adviser. In a surprising development, Joanna exploits her appointment as Tapestry Mistress to quit England in search of her former fiancé, Edmund Sommerville. After brief stays in Paris and Flanders, she journeys deep into Germany, a dangerous region suffering from famine and revolt. The adventures that befall her there introduce the reader to aspects of Renaissance history not normally explored in historical fiction (the Diet of Regensburg, anyone?) and add an intriguing flavor to an already singular story.

But it is Joanna herself, more than the story’s rich setting or deft plot, who entrances the reader. Beset by troubles and surrounded by unscrupulous schemers, Joanna never compromises her integrity. Though she mourns her lost life as a nun and resents her uncertain future, she refuses to despair. Loyal and courageous, she fights to protect Catherine from exploitation; generous and determined, she prays with the condemned as they lay their heads on the block. Though clever enough to outwit spies and assassins, Joanna cannot understand her own heart. Torn between her love for the absent Edmund, whom she almost married, and an undeniable attraction to constable Geoffrey Scoville, her constant shadow, she reveals a touching vulnerability and a confusion that only slowly, painfully, clears. It is Joanna’s admirable humanness that has turned so many of the trilogy’s readers into devoted fans.

In THE TAPESTRY, Nancy Bilyeau brings the adventures of her spirited heroine to a triumphant close. Mystery and romance, research and imagination, realism and magic combine in perfect proportion, immersing the reader in the past, enthralling her in the present, and leaving her in hope that Bilyeau will resurrect her intrepid ex-nun in the not-too-distant future.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at Peeking Between the Pages: http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com...


I’m pleased to be kicking of Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours tour of The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau today! From the very moment I started reading The Crown years ago, the first book in this series, I was hooked. Next The Chalice came along and it only furthered the intrigue of the series which has now culminated in The Tapestry releasing on March 24. Nancy Bilyeau is truly an artist with words and she weaves fact and fiction seamlessly together in The Tapestry to offer us a glimpse into the Tudor Court with all its court intrigue, politics, and murder plots. The Tapestry brings us the Tudor Court in all of its glory along with a fine mystery and a heroine, Joanna Stafford, who the reader will find themselves rooting for at every turn.

What sets this novel, in fact this series apart, is the character of Joanna Stafford. The first time we meet Joanna in The Crown she is a nun in a Dominican priory in Dartford but it is also a time of great religious turmoil thanks to Henry VIII who was on a quest to destroy anything to do with the Catholic church and he succeeds in closing down Joanna’s priory. In The Chalice Joanna finds herself drawn into a conspiracy against King Henry VIII. When we meet with her again in The Tapestry we find a Joanna who has promised herself a much calmer life going forward. All she really wants from her life now is to weave her beautiful tapestries. It is not to be though. Joanna is summoned to Whitehall Palace because the very person she loathes – King Henry VIII – has taken an interest in her tapestries.

The court is not a place for Joanna who isn’t experienced in court politics and only yearns for the more virtuous side of life. She is happy to find her friend Catherine Howard at the court although that pleasure soon turns to dread for her dear friend’s life. Catherine has caught the eye of none other than King Henry and even worse Joanna fears that Catherine has already been compromised by the King. Joanna makes it her mission to protect the young Catherine Howard from the King and a life that she feels sure will not end in a good way for Catherine. However it soon becomes apparent that Joanna needs to be watching out for herself as well as it seems that someone is following her and quite possibly means her harm. Who though? It seems impossible to tell in a court rife with back stabbers but Joanna must or she may not survive…

With The Tapestry Joanna comes full circle in her life. She must decide what her very future holds. Does she want the excitement and danger of the court or the peace and contentment of a life filled with marriage, children, and tapestries? I urge you to begin with the first novel in this series The Crown and continue with The Chalice and now The Tapestry and immerse yourself not only in Joanna’s life but the excitement of The Tudors. It is one you will find yourself drawn into completely and when all is said and done you will miss it and her immensely. I know I already do.

I highly recommend this whole series! These novels are among the best that historical fiction has to offer!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I stay up all night to finish a book only to spend the wee hours of the morning philosophizing about how fortunate I am not to be living in Tudor England or having anything to do with the court of King Henry VIII - but that's exactly what happened with The Tapestry.

Imagine a world in religious turmoil. The monasteries that were havens of culture and humanity in an age of brutality have been dissolved, their lands and property seized to pad the royal treasury. Imagine plots and purges all revolving around the whims of one capricious ruler. Falling out of favor means beheading on the scaffold (for the fortunate), being burned at the stake or some other form or gruesome public execution for everyone else. Tudor England was not for the faint-hearted.

Joanna Stafford, a one-time dominican novice and tapestry maker from a disgraced family is anything but faint-hearted, but no matter how hard she tries, she seems fated to be a the center of intrigues she wants nothing to do with. Now she has been summoned to court where someone is trying to kill her!

The Tapestry is everything a good historical mystery should be. Joanna Stafford is intelligent, earnest resourceful and likable. After the hiatus between this book and the last, I found myself ridiculously happy to see her again. The story is gripping (it kept me guessing till the end) and filled with the kind of rich detail that makes it feel like inhabiting a different but very real place. Like many historical novels, there are sketches of famous people -- think Anne of Cleaves and Catherine Howard -- but drawn with enough nuance and complexity that they are not merely cameos; they come to life.

It's this sense of place, detail and sensibility that makes the Tapestry and the other books in the Joanna Stafford series such a treat. This isn't just a good mystery in period costume. Nancy Bilyeau has managed the difficult trick of creating a story that feels rooted in the joys, cares and woes of the time, but compelling enough that those of us in the 21st century can't put it down.

The only minor regret I had in the end was that we didn't learn a little more about the process of creating tapestries - how a sketch by Holbein might become the likeness of Niobe, but that's only a very tiny snag in this masterfully woven tale. I hope we'll see more of Joanna Stafford and hear more from Nancy Bilyeau in the future.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the previous book in the series, The Chalice. I have yet to read The Crown, but I have heard good things about it as well. I would say that you could probably read this book without having read the previous books in the series. I didn’t feel like there were huge gaps in the plot, plus Bilyeau does a great job at explaining the characters and plot back story to readers.

As I said in the previous book, I thought that Joanna’s character was constructed well and fit within the historic period. She never did things that were overtly out of character and she wasn’t overly head strong which fit within the period. She was obviously devoted to her faith and always concerned herself with the morally right question, especially when it came to her friend Catherine.

I am still struggling to connect with her though. While I really liked her and thought her character unique and likable, I never really connected with her in the way that I was expecting. I said the same thing in the last book, and at that time I thought maybe it was because I hadn’t read the first book in the series, and while it could be, there is just something about Joanna that I am not connecting with in the way that I had hoped.

However, I did like her well enough and connected enough with her to care about what happened next and to want to keep reading her story.

The story itself and exciting and full of adventure! Sometimes it’s hard to keep all the politics straight, especially with the characters. But overall, the plot is full of intrigue and mystery! I liked that this book started off right away with the adventure rather than spending a lot of time recapping what happened in the previous book.

It’s very clear that Bilyeau loves the Tudor period. She does a marvelous job peppering the novel with famous historic figures throughout the novel. I thought this showed a true love of the period on the authors part, for me it brought a lot of authenticity to the novel as a whole

This novel has a lot to love…..and for that matter so does this series! The premise is unique and offers and interesting perspective, especially with Joanna’s character. most Tudor England novels cast the heroine as a courtier or lady in waiting, I love that Joanna isn’t one of those but rather a novice. I thought that brought a fresh perspective on a popular genre.

See my full review here

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tapestry is the third book featuring Joanna Stafford. Joanna is a former nun from the priory in Dartford that has been closed, ordered by King Henry VIII. She does have some royal blood but court is the remotest place she wants to be. She is brought to the Tudor court, reluctantly, and is tasked with creating a tapestry for the King and inventory his many tapestries. On her first day at court, she is attacked by an unknown assailant. Thus starts her journey back into court life and it's many intrigues and backstabbing politics among the major players in the Tudor court. She is not a fan of King Henry VIII because of his dissolution on the monasteries and just his cruelness, but the King is currently married to Anne of Cleeves and has his sights set on Catherine Howard who Joanna is friends with. Catherine is young and very impressionable and Joanna wants to protect her from the scheming and irascible man that the king has become.

Joanna becomes fast friends with German painter Hans Holbein, who paints a picture of Catherine Howard that Joanna will incorporate into the tapestry she is tasked with creating. She uses her position of Tapestry Mistress to travel to Paris and Flanders and through Germany, she has an ulterior motive though. She found out that her friend and former fiancee, Edmund Sommerville, is in Germany but no one has seen or heard from him in a long time. So with her protector Geoffrey Scoville and Hans Holbein they travel into an area that is suffering from famine. During this time, Joanna has to figure out what the course of her life will be, does she want to marry or wait until England becomes a Catholic nation again so she can continue her life as a nun. 

I did enjoy the previous two books in the series, but I think I liked this one the best. Joanna is a very likable character, finally able to see what it is she desires, to live a peaceful life away from the machinations of a corrupt court. Nancy Bilyeau is one of those kind of authors that tells a historical fiction story that is based on historical events and does so in an enjoyable and entertaining way. I loved the series for it's intrigue and suspense. I would recommend that you read the series starting with The Crown as it sets up the story right from the beginning. It is not a stand alone novel. I highly recommend this series for the Tudor fan and if you enjoy historical fiction in general.

[Claire Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Medieval tapestries are a personal obsession of mine, so I came to Nancy Bilyeau’s The Tapestry with heightened anticipation. Knowing nothing about the series (this is the third in her Joanna Stafford series), what I expected was an historical account with a central theme revolving around the production of these timeless works of art. In fact, the heroine does weave tapestries. This, however, is ancillary to what surrounds: a brilliantly crafted historical adventure.

Joanna Stafford is a former novice living during the reign of King Henry VIII—a bad time to devote one’s life to the Church. When her priory is closed, Joanna turns to the production of tapestries. When her weaving talents warrant the attention of Henry, she is called to his court on a commission. Although Joanna is reluctant to oblige, she knows better than to turn down the powerful and ruthless monarch’s request.

Her fears are well based. Joanna, unbeknownst to Henry, was involved in an attempt to assassinate him by poisoning. No longer affiliated with those traitors, Joanna arrives at Court looking over her shoulder, and with good reason. Within moments of entering the Palace, an attempt on her life tells her she has enemies everywhere.

What follows is a tale of medieval espionage convincingly set in King Henry’s court. While fearing for her life from an unknown assailant, Joanna must walk the tightrope of maintaining good relations with the King. When she discovers her beloved friend, Catherine Howard, is lady-in-waiting to the Queen, she is at first relieved to have an ally. Joanna is then horrified to discover that the King is openly wooing Catherine as his mistress.

Ms. Bilyeau has woven, with words, a slice of history into a vivid, colorful tapestry of a story. Her heroine is far from your typical wannabe nun. In contrast, Joanna is spunky, brave and tenacious. While depicting King Henry with historical accuracy – gluttonous, egotistical, and tyrannical – the author also provides explanations for his behavior. Instead of demonizing one of history’s most ruthless kings, Ms. Bilyeau actually incites compassion in the reader for an ailing monarch who was desperately overcompensating for his severe lack of confidence.

The Tapestry is fast-paced with richly developed characters and high intrigue—a true page-turner. This masterpiece will appeal not only to fans of historical fiction, but to any reader who craves a truly mind-immersing adventure.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final adventure for Joanna Stafford, former novice to the Dominican priory. I have so enjoyed Joanna's journey, and the historical setting that the author has created from the real history, and I think this is a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy. As this series has progressed, the focus has changed from a historical mystery for the main character Joanna to solve, to a mystery now more focused on Joanna. However, the mystery in this novel is less hair-raising compared to the dangers of living in the court of King Henry VIII. The author has created a perfectly chilling portrait of King Henry as a spoiled despot with a touch of vulnerability - especially when he is surrounded by so many ambitious men. This novel posed somewhat as a history lesson as many of the people featured were people who lived at that time and the author weaves Joanna's story perfectly around them. I was glad that I wasn't as familiar with the history, as I wasn't sure what would happen to some of the characters so there was a lot of suspense for me.

In this series, Joanna is faced with some great challenges - in the beginning it was adjusting to the loss of her priory and her plans for her life, and in this book, I felt one of the major challenges was dealing with the loss of Edmund who she had planned to marry until King Henry made it impossible. The romance in this book is very understated - mostly because Joanna finds it difficult to deal with her own feelings about men. Even though it's not a big part of this book, I was very invested in that aspect, especially as there is a bit of a twist towards the end and things did not go the way I was expecting. But to get the true impact of that, it's important to read the first two books to understand the characters and their actions.

I found this a very satisfying, and thrilling conclusion to Joanna's story. There's a lot of drama, suspense and twists and turns, and Joanna is the very epitome of a graceful, intelligent heroine. This whole series was a joy to read, and I'm glad Joanna received a fitting and touching finale.

(I received this book from the publisher or author for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review.)

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest installment in the Joanna Stafford series continues our favorite former novice's story as she attempts to make a life for herself that doesn't include the priory, maybe includes a husband, and hopefully doesn't include contact with her cousin Henry VIII. As in the first two books, events rarely transpire as Joanna has planned, and sometimes she doesn't even have a plan.

The twists and turns in this story evince in depth historical research going well beyond the court of the English king and his unfortunate fifth wife. I enjoyed learning about some of the drama going on the continent as Joanna searched for the truth about Edmund Sommerville.

Joanna's friendship with the sweet, naive Catherine Howard had been well established in The Chalice, so when Joanna runs into Thomas Culpepper early on in this novel I was already preparing for her heartbreak. Catherine and Thomas end up not quite as featured as I would have guessed as the story takes unpredictable paths.

Since I do not want to give away too much, I will simply say that I love the way Bilyeau has made Joanna so real. Part of her aches to return to the priory and a future that is simply no longer possible. Her faith is a strong influence on her decisions and actions, even when she isn't sure what God would have her do with this uncertain future. She continues to struggle with her feelings for Edmund and Geoffrey, and at other times wonder if she was even meant to marry at all. I loved her. I wanted to shake her & help her see the truth. I can imagine that a young woman like Joanna really existed in Tudor England.

This series has been surprisingly good, and I am glad that I had the pleasure of reading it. My copy of The Tapestry was provided by Nancy Bilyeau, and she was even kind enough to sign it. This did not affect my opinion or review, but it is awesome! I want to thank her and assure her that I did indeed "enjoy the journey of Joanna!"