A Rose Without a Thorn, by Marilyn Kohinke Washburn, offers a powerful and intriguing look inside the tumultuous; and too often, bloody Royal Court of King Henry VIII. Set in 16th century England, King Henry's kingdom is in the throes of the Protestant Reformation, while his Royal Court is in desperate search of a new Queen and male heir to secure the Tudor line. King Henry has already divorced his first wife and beheaded his second, causing many ladies of his court to pray he does not set his cap for them. Nevertheless powerful patriarchs of both Protestant and Catholic factions at court are in strong pursuit of King Henry to marry a woman of their own choosing and beget a male heir by her, whether or not the woman they choose wishes to wed King Henry VIII. In a time when religious freedom was nonexistent, and when women were still considered their husband's property, timeless motivators such as love, hate, greed, jealousy, betrayal, and hubris were very much in existence. The stage is thus set for the rise and fall of many powerful courtiers close to King Henry VIII, including those he once passionately vowed his enduring love for. King Henry VIII had a tumultuous reign, where many heads rolled, culminating in a bloody finale for all those who crossed his unforgiving path. In this fascinating offering of historical fiction, get a closer look at a vengeful Henry VIII and the men and women behind his powerful throne as they rose and fell at the vain and whimsical mercy of tyrant, who ruled absolutely.
