Hope to Marry for Love? So Did Mary Tudor, the Beautiful, Blonde, Little Sister of the Formidable, Much-Married English King Henry VIII; Discover if She Succeeded...

Geraldine Hartnett's first Historical Novel, Reluctant Queen (Robert Hale 2004 ISBN No 0 7090 7561 8 Price 18.99), tells the little-known story of Mary Rose Tudor, English King Henry VIII's beautiful little sister, for love of whom he named his famous ship, The Mary Rose. 'Mary Tudor is a little-known royal figure, but her life was every bit as colourful and complex as that of her more famous brother. Reluctant Queen is a very readable account of a fascinating woman who dared to stand up to Henry VIII and survived. It is thoroughly researched, admirably written and the author's love of the Tudor period shines through.' Historical Novels Review

(PRWEB) August 16, 2004 -- Geraldine Hartnett's first historical novel, Reluctant Queen (Robert Hale 2004, ISBN No 0 7090 7561 8 Price 18.99), tells the story of Mary Rose Tudor, the little sister for love of whom English King Henry VIII named his famous ship The Mary Rose. But when she refused to marry the aged King Louis XII of France, Mary Tudor discovered a less loving side to her elder brother. Mary is in love with Charles Brandon and longs to marry him. But after being alternately cajoled and threatened, Mary gives in to Henry's wishes.

In France, Louis's heir, Francis, ardently pursues Mary. Then Louis dies and Mary, in widowed seclusion, is at the mercy of a Francis heedless of the dangers of fathering his own usurper. Then Henry plans another match for her...