The Queen's Game by Raymond Wemmlinger

The Queen's Game My Rating: 4.8

England, 1565

Queen Elizabeth Tudor is wary of the Grey cousins. Ever since the ill-fated Lady Jane Grey nearly wrested the throne from her family, Elizabeth has been determined to ensure that the fate of England does not fall into Grey hands.

She has banished Catherine Grey from court, along with her two children, but Catherine’s unmarried sister, Mary, remains at Whitehall Palace as one of Elizabeth’s courtiers. Mary has ambitions for her family and realizes she may be the only one who can continue the Grey bloodline, since Catherine’s marriage has been declared illegitimate. Worried that her scoliosis may make pregnancy difficult, Mary does not want to waste any time and begins searching for a suitable husband at court.

Meanwhile, she discovers that her cousin, Lord Darnley, is scheming to marry the widowed Mary, Queen of Scots. If the marriage goes ahead, Darnley’s child could have a strong claim to the English throne, making Mary Grey even more determined to produce an heir of her own. As the battle for succession intensifies, will Mary see the Grey family name rise to victory, or tumble into obscurity?

I’m really glad I read Philippa Gregory’s series first. Even though Wemmlinger’s books focus on more minor historical figures, I was already familiar with so many of the people and events surrounding them, details that aren’t explored as fully in this series. Having that background made the stories feel much richer to me.

I really enjoyed this five-book series. The books were very readable, and more importantly, the series stayed consistently good from beginning to end.

The Queen's Children by Raymond Wemmlinger

The Queen's Children My Rating: 4.8

Anne of Denmark, Queen of England, gives birth to her daughter Mary, her first child since coming to England in 1603, when her husband James succeeded to the English throne.

Although they would have preferred a son, both parents are pleased that the child is healthy, and their courtiers are thrilled by the birth of the first royal child on English soil in nearly seventy years.

The Scottish royal family has been welcomed by the English, and the reign has begun well, despite continuing tensions between Catholics and Protestants.

Anne enjoys the opportunities England gives her to pursue her artistic interests, but she often feels inferior to James and finds fulfillment in raising her four children, particularly her eldest son, Henry.

She is determined to arrange an engagement between Henry and the Spanish infanta. But with anti-Catholic sentiment on the rise, it may not be the wisest match.

Anne becomes pregnant again, but almost immediately the happy news is overshadowed by the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot—a conspiracy aimed at the near-total destruction of the royal family.

Wow, does this family go through a lot! I really felt for all of them, and even when I didn't agree with their plotting and choices, I could understand the motives behind them. Queen Anne was very tough!

I definitely recommend this series. I love how much history these books pack in while still being quick, absorbing reads. I'm off to the next book—the fifth and final one in the series!

The Queen's Cousin by Raymond Wemmlinger

The Queen's Cousin My Rating: 4.8

Scotland, 1594

Nineteen-year-old Anne of Denmark, Queen of Scotland, is thrilled and triumphant at the birth of a healthy baby boy, destined to reign as King of Scotland and, possibly, England.

But Anne’s enjoyment of maternal glory quickly fades as her husband, King James, fearing his son will be politically manipulated against him as he was against his mother, the deceased Mary Queen of Scots, removes the child permanently from her care.

Outraged, Anne tries to regain control of her son, initiating a bitter marital struggle that sours what had been a loving and harmonious marriage.

Anne is haunted by the giant legacies of Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor on the thrones of Scotland and England, and she is determined to make her own mark.

Central to that ambition is securing the succession to the English throne from her husband’s cousin, the elderly and childless Queen Elizabeth.

I love how these books bring lesser-known people and events in history to life. I had no idea that Anne went to battle against James over their son Henry, or how the crowns of Scotland and England eventually came together. So interesting!

I also love how readable the writing is and that the books are relatively short while still giving me so much fascinating history. I’m diving right into the next one!

Dark Canyon by Louis L'Amour

Dark Canyon My Rating: 4.7

Dark Canyon follows Gaylord Riley, a former outlaw who leaves the Coburn gang behind to build an honest life. After establishing a ranch and falling in love with Marie Shattuck, his dreams are threatened when he is falsely accused of cattle rustling and murder. As a lynch mob closes in, Riley's former gang rides back to help, forcing them to outwit both the law and those determined to see Riley hanged.

If you enjoy Westerns and haven't discovered Louis L'Amour yet, you're in for a treat. Dark Canyon has everything that makes his novels so enjoyable - fast-paced action, memorable characters, and a strong story of loyalty, redemption, and courage. It was an entertaining read from beginning to end.

The Queen's Favorite by Raymond Wemmlinger

The Queen's Favorite My Rating: 4.9

England, 1558

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Seymour has always idolized her elder sister, Jane. Groomed from childhood to be a queen and marry her cousin, King Edward VI, Jane has remained determined to restore her family’s claim to the throne following her father's death death.

After spending time at Queen Mary’s court, Jane returns home to Hanworth Park, much to the delight of Catherine and their brother, Ned. To their surprise, Jane brings with her Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Jane Grey, the ill-fated nine-day queen, and an heiress to the throne after Princess Elizabeth.

Jane confides in Catherine that she hopes to arrange a betrothal between Lady Grey and Ned, giving their brother—and his future children—a chance to lay claim to the throne.

But everything changes when Queen Mary suddenly dies and Elizabeth succeeds her as queen. Now the sisters must seek the favor of a new monarch.

I really enjoyed The Queen’s Favorite. I felt for so many of the characters, but especially Catherine Seymour. There is so much plotting and maneuvering as the family tries to control its fate in a world where one wrong move can change everything.

This was very well done and such a quick, engaging read. I’m jumping straight into the next book in this five-book series!

Good People by Patmeena Sabit

Good People My Rating: 4.4

The Sharaf family is the picture of success—prosperous, wealthy, and admired. They arrived in America as refugees with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and through years of hard work built an enviable life in an exclusive neighborhood, with their children attending prestigious schools. Zorah, the eldest daughter, is especially cherished by her father.

When an unthinkable tragedy strikes, the family's carefully crafted image begins to unravel. Rumors spread that behind closed doors, the Sharafs' seemingly perfect life was anything but. Did they truly achieve the American dream, or was their reputation built on a carefully maintained façade?

Good People is told in the style of a true crime documentary, with friends, family members, and others recounting events through a series of interviews. It's a unique storytelling approach that kept me turning the pages, although I felt there wasn't quite enough substance to fully support the format.

I'm very familiar with Afghan culture and grew up in a different but somewhat similar environment, so that aspect of the story wasn't especially new to me. Readers who aren't familiar with the culture will likely find those elements much more compelling. What the book captured exceptionally well was how quickly gossip and the media can convict people without evidence, and how eager communities can be to speculate and judge. Ironically, that constant uncertainty was what kept me reading to the end. Shout-out to shoegaljeana on Instagram for putting this on my radar. 

The Queen's Rival by Raymond Wemm;inger

The Queen's Rival My Rating: 4.7

Lady Margaret Clifford is seventh in line to the English throne, so she expects her marriage to be a matter of great political importance. At just sixteen, she is stunned when her father considers a proposal from Sir Andrew Dudley, a mere knight.

As the powerful Dudley family maneuvers to strengthen its influence, Margaret finds herself caught in the dangerous politics surrounding the young King Edward VI. With Edward failing to produce an heir, the Dudleys place Lady Jane Grey on the throne in a bold attempt to secure their power.

When Edward dies, however, everything changes. Lady Jane's brief reign comes to a tragic end, Queen Mary claims the throne, and Margaret is sent to court as one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting. Although the Dudleys quickly fall from favor, Margaret still hopes to make a marriage worthy of her royal blood. First, though, she must earn the trust of a queen who sees rivals everywhere.

I enjoyed The Queen's Rival, but I was especially glad I had already read Philippa Gregory's Tudor novels. While Wimminger tells the story from a different perspective, I felt he moved through many major historical events fairly quickly. Because I already knew the broader history surrounding Lady Jane Grey, Queen Mary, and the political struggles of the period, I found this novel much richer than I think I would have otherwise.

If this had been my introduction to these events, I would have wanted more depth and detail. Instead, the book offers a lighter, faster-paced take on Tudor history. It reads more like a historical novel set during the period than a deeply immersive historical fiction. For readers who enjoy Tudor history but prefer a quicker, more accessible read than Philippa Gregory's novels, this is an enjoyable choice. I will definitely continue on with this series.

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

The Whistling Season My Rating: 4.8

Set in rural Montana in 1909, The Whistling Season begins when widower Oliver Milliron answers a newspaper ad from Rose Llewellyn, a cheerful housekeeper who arrives with her brilliant, unconventional brother, Morris Morgan. When the local schoolteacher unexpectedly leaves, Morris steps in, bringing lessons that extend far beyond the classroom and forever change the lives of Oliver, his sons, and the children of the small farming community.

I started this as an audiobook, but the narration made it feel overly syrupy sweet, and I almost DNF'd it. Thankfully, I switched to the Kindle version and decided to give it another chance. I'm so glad I did—it turned out to be a wonderful, heartwarming story with memorable characters and plenty of wisdom. I highly recommend this book, but I'd skip the audiobook and read it instead. I will be interested to hear what my book club thinks of this when we meet next week.

The Levee by William Kent Kreuger

The Levee  My Rating: 4.0

Set during the catastrophic Mississippi River flood of 1927, The Levee follows four men in a small rowboat as they attempt to rescue a family stranded behind a massive circular levee. Three of the men are convicts temporarily released from prison to help with rescue efforts, while their leader has motives of his own. When they reach the family estate, they discover that not everyone wants to leave, and as the floodwaters continue to rise, secrets, pride, greed, and loyalty complicate every decision.

I enjoyed this unique storyline, which read more like a murder mystery than a historical novel. The suspense kept me engaged, and I especially enjoyed listening to the audiobook. While it wasn't a favorite, it was an entertaining and worthwhile read.