The Pirate Lord's Wife: A Novel of the Tudor Court

Ladies of the Golden Age

by Anne R. Bailey

Historical fiction with a dash of romance for those who love the Tudors.

Following your heart’s desire is never easy.

The odds have always been stacked against Bess Throckmorton. Her family tree is riddled with traitors and her mother seems eager to give away the family fortune. Left without an inheritance Bess’ future looks bleak until she snags a coveted position at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. With a newfound optimism Bess embarks on her new life never imagining a pair of green eyes would captivate her like this. Walter Raleigh’s reputation precedes him yet it doesn’t stop her from yearning for his company and more… Discover Bess’ harrowing journey of loss and love in the Golden Age.

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This book can be read as a standalone.
Written in UK English.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Tudor Period

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

Anne is a novelist, entrepreneur and when she can find the time: wife.

Her love of historical fiction, writing, and romance encouraged her to dive head first into the world of publishing. With a cup of warm coffee by her side and her dog at her feet, she can be found at her desk writing late into the night.

Reviews

[🐝 Shaz 🐝 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, not much of a love story. More a back drop of Elizabeth 1 court life.

[Regan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bess Throckmorton grew up with the shadow of treason in her family and she had to work hard to become one of Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting. Some other movies/books make her to be very close to the Queen, but in this book, she’s on the fringe and often provides information to William Cecil. The last thing she expects is to attract the attention of Sir Walter Raleigh, who is a notorious womanizer. The only thing I was a bit upset about is that it ended a little abruptly.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone.

[Melisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun and fast-paced story about a little known woman from Queen Elizabeth II 's court. I enjoyed the story, even though some of it made me roll my eyes.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are searching for a rollicking romp through the pages of a bodice-ripper, you'll need to look elsewhere. Although the title would suggest something fanciful, this pirate is Sir Walter Raleigh and the wife is Bess Throckmorton, a long-time lady in waiting for Elizabeth I. I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about their relationship but I learned quite a bit reading this new book. The author fully admits that she had to invent some of the story as it pertained to Bess since history rarely recorded the events of women, even the highborn. It provides another interesting glimpse into Elizabeth's court, well beyond the glamor and enough to cement my view that I definitely would not have wanted to be there. If you enjoy historical fiction about little-known women, you'll definitely want to read this one.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

The only things I knew about Bess Throckmorton was from either the movies or TV shows so I was looking forward to this book. It's very short and it runs through her life at a fast pace. However, the author does attempt to give you a glimpse into understanding what kind of woman Bess was. I do wish it was longer though. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[kathleen r. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derivative and a little too far-fetched

I feel that I have seen so many movies and read just so much about Elizabeth I that this script is just a sequel to more Hollywood bs.
Historians cannot be100% sure this describes with any accuracy how these lives may or may not have played out but I think the base story describes the firm and unyielding stance of the times in pretty unconventional and harsh ways.
I don't ever recall any accuracy that persons who were found or suspected to have indulged in premarital sex not to mention having a child from that encounter or relationship were ever sent to the tower as means of punishment. Too harsh, too dramatic and, if we are honest, too unlikely.
There were simply far too many children born on the QT with or without the benefit of marriage to make this seem possible. With about a zero possibility of any birth control this scenario simply rings false. Are they going to slaughter every person who played around because it was wrongly thought of as a sin? Really? Who would be left alive to populate the world?
I thought the writing was a bit juvenile and the blame of course was never put on the man in question. Down through the ages it's always the womans' fault. The tango is not the first dance ever, but if there is blame to be placed you'd think it's all about men never taking responsibility. For anything. It still took two to tango.
I can't see the value or entertainment from reading further in the series. Once was enough. A lightweight story that reads like teen fiction but given our current societal standards, most kids are likely to wonder only why the woman wasn't on the pill, not whether or not there was ever a time when sex outside of marriage ever happened or if it was ever believed to be wrong.
Boring and, I suspect, far out in left field in terms of reality.

[Miriel68 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read my share of useless books, but this one could easily make it to the top ten. The protagonists are historical figures, lord Walter Raleigh was one of the most picturesque heroes of the Elizabethan age and his wife, Bess Throckmorton is authentic as well. Both were portrayed many times in fiction and film, most notably in the famous Bette Davis's movie "The Virgin Queen".
So, what new & interesting do we learn about these people in Anne Bailey's novel? Spoiler: Absolutely nothing. We have a protagonist who becomes the queen's lady-in-waiting, stays at court, meets a handsome lord who happens to be also a pirate and falls in love with him (why? Because he is handsome), he falls in love with her (why? Just because), they have an affair, marry in secret and after some troubles (described in a very uninspired way) are allowed to live together. End of the story. All the characters in the book are so boring you could fall asleep hearing their names and this is an achievement of sorts, considering how fascinating their real counterparts were. Are you interested in Raleigh? Read Wikipedia's entry, you will learn from it more than from this book.

[Yasemin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 Thai book had humour, romance and realism which made it enjoyable to read. When I was reading this book I didn’t expect it to be based on real people; I thought the author just made them up but turns out they’re real. I lied how Bess knew what she wanted and didn’t leave her job just to be with a man.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Love

I have Always love the story of sir Walter Raleigh and lady Elizabeth.I knew this was based on history but the embellishments a grade and it really reminded me of that wonderful movie with Joan collins and Richard Todd Betty Davis It was just a wonderful reminder The love and intrigue of the Elizabethan court And these to captivating characters.

[Kim Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story set in the Elizabethan era. I learned more about the queen, court life and Sir Walter Raleigh than I already knew. The story moved at a great pace too. I met the author at Word on the Street and she is a very nice person, I even got an autograph. This was the first book of hers I have read and I can't wait to read more.

[Ronda Thomison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read of Elizabeth Throckmorton, who was an English courtier, a Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England. Her secret marriage to Sir Walter Raleigh precipitated a long period of royal disfavour for both her and her husband.

[Katie Sacco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute, easy story to read but not lacking in the content. I enjoyed the recall storytelling that spanned a lifetime. I could probably finish this book in one sitting and love every second, if I wasn’t distracted by my dog and other books. I am curious to read all of her other books now!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance featuring famous people in the Elizabethan period, but it has minimal historical accuracy about those two lead characters, except for the heated romance between them. They had no children, and she had no siblings for starters. It is fast-paced, however.

[Candy Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

I could not put the book down. It is a good read.😍 I highly recommend this book for those who !I've historical fiction.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the tale of Bess Throckmorton and Sir Walter Raleigh there future looks bleak under the reign of Elizabeth I or does it?

[Annie DiFolco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page Turner

Definitely had me wanting to read more ,,I enjoyed this story ended to quickly... But recommend it to anyone who enjoys Anything Tudors!

[barbara walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I really enjoyed this book, it sets the scene so well at the Elizabethan court and draws you in to the lives of the characters. Thoroughly enjoyable