A History of Royals discussion

Many of you may remember reading C.W>'s book The Confessions of Catherine de Medici when we read it for our group read. In addition to that book, C.W. has written a book on Juanna of Castille and a Tudor Mystery. He is currently working on a book about Isabella of Spain and his second Tudor Mystery book.

Here is the link to C.W,'s website.
www.cwgortner.com
Check it out!

Thanks for joining us C. W. !

Lovely to be here. Sorry I've been so absent; writing is very time-consuming, but I'm more than happy to be part of the group and to answer questions, comments, etc.A special thank you to Lyn for all her efforts!

The Last Queen was my favorite historical fiction book on Juana. Very vivid, deep, and "real" unlike some others... ahem "Reign of Madness"...

Thank you for your praise! I'm delighted you enjoyed The Last Queen!

I am halfway through The Last Queen and am loving it as much as I loved Confessions. Now that I got my boys moved to Oregon, I am hoping to get back to it. I can't wait for the new book on Isabella.

Thank you! It's always such a delight and honor to hear that a reader has enjoyed my work. Hope the move to Oregon went okay. My novel on Isabella, titled THE QUEEN'S VOW, comes out in June, 2012.

June is much too far away ;)

I agree!

Christopher has also written several excellent mysteries set in the time of Elizabeth I. I read The Tudor Secret this summer and loved it.

I read the Tudor Secret this summer as well. I really liked and I am looking forward to your next book.

I wasn't a huge fan of The Tudor Secret. Please don't shun me!

* Runs away*

Orsolya wrote: "I wasn't a huge fan of The Tudor Secret. Please don't shun me!

* Runs away*"
You are very brave! It is more difficult to be honest but there are other readers who for the same reasons as you do not like certain books. But when I am looking for my next book to read and I check here on goodreads for the most part you read about those who loved the book but the ones who did not like, stay mute. So, good for you.

I never intend to stay mute and on my reviews, I make it very clear why I disliked a book (poor character development, text style, lack of organization, etc). The point of this website is to offer opinions, whether poor or 5-star (within reason-- obviously not taking personal jabs or uncredited remarks); and I don't care if my best friend, the president, or author reads my comments. That is what I am here for, and am NOT embarassed of my words. :)

Thanks for the kind words!

Writers know we can't please every reader, and honesty is always appreciated, Orsolya. My Spymaster series offers a different approach than my stand-alone historical novels and I understand that some readers will like one approach better than the other. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed it, however, Jackleen and Sharon (one of my favorite writers! :)

June is too far away...(& I've been waiting months already!) :) But anticipation can make it even sweeter when you DO get your hands on a copy. And some writers are so good, (like C.W.& Sharon Kay Penman) that fans (like many of us) can't wait for thier newest books. But to be fair, we need to give them TIME to WRITE them. (haha):) Seriously though,it is good to know the exact title of your upcoming book,C.W.,since the last time we corresponded the title was not yet settled upon,(& before that, I thought it was going to be "The Princess Isabella.") So, now we all know to look for "The Queen's Vow" in June. I can't wait!! Oh,& I agree with Orsolya about "The Last Queen"-it was also my favorite book about Juana. Way to go,C.W- Excellent book! I think "TQV" wiil be equally satifying & enjoyable,(hence my impatience.) :)

Now I'm really confused... I just visited C.W.'s website & it said that the title of his 3rd hist-fiction novel,(to be released in June 2012,) is called "I, Isabella of Castile." So, which info is correct-"The Queen's Vow" as it was listed here, or "I, Isabella of Castile," as it says on the author's website?

Thanks for your comments, Laura. As always, very delighted there is such anticipation around my next book. I actually need to get my website updated, The Isabella of Castile book is now titled THE QUEEN'S VOW. Thanks!

C.w. wrote: "Writers know we can't please every reader, and honesty is always appreciated, Orsolya. My Spymaster series offers a different approach than my stand-alone historical novels and I understand that so..."

That may be precisely it. I, personally, prefer "stand-alone" novels to series. Not just from you, but any author. As mentioned, I loved The Last Queen and also Confessions.

Thanks, Orsolya. I know you loved those books and it really means a lot to me!

I can't decide if I loved The Last Queen or The Confessions of Catherine de Medici more, but luckily I can treasure them both. As for Orsolya's remarks, personal preference plays such a big part in our reading experiences. Every now and then an author I adore will produce a novel that is clearly not for me...but is for somebody else to love!

Indeed, Stephanie. And part of the fun of being a writer is to challenge ourselves. My Spymaster books are different from my stand-alone novels on purpose; the former are much more adventurous and suspense-driven. Gives me a chance to flex some boy-muscle :)

Hey C.W., I heard you are working on a book about Lucrezia Borgia??? I can't wait.

Yes, Lyn. I just turned in the second Spymaster book and am starting my book on Lucrezia next month. Should be fun; I have always wanted to write about her.

Ohh, looking forward to that one (of course I look forward to all you books, lol) The Borgias really fascinate me. When I was a child I lived in a subdivision where all the streets were named for popes and my street was Borgia Lane. I have had a thing for the Borgias ever since. Weird, huh?

Wow, I've never heard of streets named for popes. Intersting. Where did you grow up?

Orsolya wrote: "Wow, I've never heard of streets named for popes. Intersting. Where did you grow up?"

I grew up in Saint Louis, Missouri, which is largely Catholic, or at least it was back then.

Interesting. Where I grew up, it was mostly Catholic and Jewish. And Italian Mobsters (which some would argue is a religion! hahaha).

Streets where I grew up are all named for saints or trades that were practiced there. Interesting to hear of streets named for popes :)

FYI, THE QUEEN'S VOW is now here on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

Hi everyone. A tour company called Academic Travel is considering doing an author-led tour with me to France or Spain, a traveling book group where we will retrace the footsteps of either Catherine de Medici, or Isabella of Castile and Juana la Loca. They did one this year with Sharon Penman that was veru successful. If you're interested, please use the link below to reach the survey and let us know. Your input is important at this stage, as we gauge interest. Thanks!

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22...

Just started The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile...

I really want to get to that one, Jennifer. I need to clear some reading time for it. C.W. is one of my faves.

Enjoying it so far, which is saying something, as Isabella is one of history's less sympathetic characters in my experience.

Did you read The Last Queen. It's about Isabella's daughter, Juana. She wasn't a very sympathetic figure either.

Lyn M wrote: "Did you read The Last Queen. It's about Isabella's daughter, Juana. She wasn't a very sympathetic figure either."

No but I have it waiting for me.....

Just started The Last Queen....

Jennifer wrote: "Just started The Last Queen...."

Such a great book!