Yes, it’s true. I’m doing another book tag! The Medieval Queens Book Tag was created by Jess at Jessticulates, and I’ve seen it on a couple of other blogs, most recently on Susy’s blog. It’s fairly short and I thought it would be fun since I don’t have a review ready for today. Thanks for a fun tag, Jess!
Empress Matilda (1102-1167)
After her father, Henry I, died naming her his heir, Matilda’s cousin, Stephen, subsequently took the throne for himself. Matilda never stopped fighting for what was rightfully hers. Though she would never be named Queen of England in her own right, she was able to convince Stephen to name her son, the future Henry II, his successor over his own children.
Choose a book with a protagonist who stands their ground.
The Bond by Robin Kirk. I just finished this wonderful book (and my review will be up tomorrow), and I immediately knew I that Dinitra from The Bond was the perfect choice for this prompt. She’s been taught to believe one thing, but all her values and beliefs are called into question after she leaves her home. When faced with some very strong female characters who are determined to force her into a life she doesn’t want, Dinitra ultimately makes her own choices.
Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)
Before she married Henry II and became Queen of England in 1152, Eleanor was Queen of France as the wife of Louis VII. She sought an annulment from her marriage to Louis and he eventually agreed because 15 years of marriage had produced no sons, only for Eleanor to go on to have eight children with Henry—five of whom were sons. Ouch!
Choose a book or series in which the heroine has more than one romantic relationship.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read an Anita Blake book, but I clearly remember what a guilty pleasure Cerulean Sins was. This is book #11 and I certainly haven’t read the whole series, but this was a fun one!
Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290)
A keen patron of literature and a successful businesswoman in her own right, Eleanor was Edward I’s first wife. He was so heartbroken when she died that he erected the Eleanor Crosses, 12 stone crosses marking the places where her body rested over night on its journey from Lincolnshire, where she died, to her burial place in London. Three of the crosses still survive today.
Choose a bittersweet book.
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. You know I’ll try to fit this book into any post I can, so of course this was the first bittersweet story I thought of. I fell in love with all the animal characters in this book, and I loved the humor, but there are some awful, painful moments that crushed my soul. Side note: Kira Jane Buxton just signed a deal for a sequel to Hollow Kingdom called Feral Creatures!!!
Isabella of France (1295-1358)
Often known as the ‘She-Wolf of France’, Isabella was Edward II’s wife. Unfortunately for Edward he wasn’t particularly good at being king, and Isabella soon grew tired of his (possibly homosexual) relationship with his favourite, Hugh Despenser. After she began an affair with English nobleman Roger Mortimer while on a diplomatic mission to France, the pair returned to England with an army and she deposed Edward and acted as regent until their son, the future Edward III, came of age.
Choose a book where the romance overtook the plot.
Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha. I recently read this fun sci-fi romance and really enjoyed it. Yes, it’s unabashedly a romance, but if you know that going in, it’s a ton of fun.
Philippa of Hainault (1310/15-1369)
Queen of England as the wife of Edward III, Philippa was beloved by the English people for her compassion and kindness. The Queen’s College, Oxford, founded in 1341, is named in her honour.
Choose a book set at a university.
There are so many possibilities for this prompt, but I decided to go with Vicious by V.E. Schwab, simply because I love this book so much, and the main characters, Eli and Victor, meet in college, which is the setting for the first part of the story.
Joan of Navarre (1368-1437)
Joan was Henry IV’s second wife. Six years after his death, Joan was accused of attempting to poison her stepson, Henry V, through witchcraft and was imprisoned for four years until he ordered her release, just six weeks before he suddenly died.
Choose a book about witches.
I’ve been lucky enough to read some really good books about witches, and A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers is one of my favorites. This is a time hopping story that follows four different, fascinating women over the course of several generations. I loved it!
You came up with good answers for the tag. I bet SO many people are looking forward to Buxton’s Feral Creatures.
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…Never Have I Ever, Writer Edition
Oh yeah, I don’t think there’s even a release date yet, but I’m beyond excited:-)
This was a great tag, lots of fun go read.
When Kit Rocha says Mercenary Librarians, does she really mean Mercenary Librarians?
Well, the librarian aspect isn’t developed that well, but I’m hoping in the next book there is more of it.
Fun tag! The only on of these I’ve read is Cerulean Sins. I enjoyed most of the Hamilton books up until 16/17 or so and then it got a little tiresome. I think she’s still writing them.
She is, I think one was just published:-P
This is such a cool tag! I might have to participate in the future. 🙂
Definitely do it, it’s fun:-)
What a fun and unique tag. I can see why you did it!
You even learn some history, lol.
This is a fun one, and I love the historical angle for the character inspiration 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…THE BOOK PREDICTIONS TAG
It was such a different tag, I think that’s why I enjoyed it:-)
Loved this tag and your book choices for the questions.
Debjani recently posted…The Sterling Directive by Tim Standish – Review & Blog Tour
Thanks Debjani:-)
I have seen this tag going around and it’s such a fun one! I might do it as some point! 😀
I haven’t read any of the books you mentionned but Deal with the Devil llooks like a lot of fun. I’ve read one of Kit Rocha romance books before and I wasn’t a huge fan because it had zero plot and it was basically just smut but I’m all about giving authors second chances! 🙂
Maryam recently posted…Book Review: Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky | Arthur C. Clarke 2020 Shortlist #3
This one actually has a really good plot as well as romance, I had fun with it:-)
I am so happy you did it too!! And now I am waiting for your next review, because what you wrote about the MC is really interesting!
It was a fun tag, and it actually makes me want to do more!
I will consider myself tagged! 😀 Loved all your answers, even though I’ve not read any of the books you mentioned. And I’m yet again reminded that I really want to read A Witch in Time. 😀
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…DNF Review: Unfettered Journey by Gary F. Bengier
I can’t wait to see your post if you do this, Stephanie!
What a wonderful tag, Tammy – and I love the choice of books you selected. I’m particularly drawn to The Bond, which looks like a fascinating read. I’ll certainly be checking out your review:)).
It was a fun tag, and it was fairly easy to do:-)
I haven’t read any of these yet. But I keep seeing that Hollow Kingdom popping up in your posts, so I’ll have to give it a try one of these days. 🙂
You definitely should try Hollow Kingdom, lots of animals and birds:-)
Such a fun tag. And some good choices!
Laura Thomas recently posted…Books From The Back Log #52 ~ The King Of Bones And Ashes
Thanks Laura!
This is so fun, Tammy, and your answers made it even more fun!
Thanks Jenni:-)
This is such a great tag! Other than Vicious I haven’t heard of any of the other books either! I really like the sound of A Witch In Time. 😀
Proxyfish @ Books by Proxy recently posted…Review: The Man with One Name by Tom Lloyd
I highly recommend A Witch in Time!
Great tag, and a nice history lesson as well 🙂
It was! I know nothing about medieval queens, lol:-)
Love this tag! I might have to fill it out. LOL at the Anita Blake series. Oh, how I used to love that series. 🙂
I’ve sort of put off picking up Deal with the Devil but I’ll have to get to it soon. I wasn’t that keen on the romance side of things but I’ll give it a shot.
Lynn 😀