Throughout her early years, the princess who was to become England's greatest queen faces dangers and palace intrigues which threaten her very life. Author Rinaldi, who usually uses American history as a setting, here recounts the tale of the survival of the woman who gave her name to a lengthy part of British history. Preceded on the throne by her strong-willed father, Henry VIII; her beloved but sickly brother Edward; and her older sister (known to history as Bloody Mary) - Elizabeth is forced to walk a "tightrope" of at once not appearing to be scheming to gain the throne while at the same time preparing herself to rule, which she is always convinced she will someday do. At one point she is taken through the Traitor's Gate into the Tower of London to be held as a prisoner. She is terrified that she might lose her head as her mother, Anne Boleyn, did. But somehow with the support of a few very faithful men and the backing of the "common folks" who see in her a worthy successor to her father, Elizabeth manages to emerge victorious. This charming piece of historical fiction is an easily read, well-researched introduction to an interesting era.
Anna Grazinsky’s story is tragic. She is a Russian Countess who had to flee her homeland for England when the revolution threatened the lives of all of her family. The family jewels were sent ahead with a servant who has disappeared, leaving the Grazinsky family penniless. Anna hides her royal background and finds a job as a maid at the Westerholme estate, Mersham. Despite the warranted skepticism of the other maids, cooks and butlers, Anna becomes a very hard working and valued member of the staff.
Rupert, the Earl of Westerholme, promises his brother just days before he is killed in the great war that, despite their family’s current financial hardships, he will do whatever it takes to keep the family estate, Mersham. While recuperating in hospital after a war injury, Rupert is preyed upon by wealthy Muriel who desperately wants the royal title that a marriage to an Earl would bestow. Muriel is beautiful and charming and persuades Rupert to marry her. Muriel’s wealth would enable Rupert to honor his promise to his dead brother and keep the Westerholme estate from being sold. As the wedding quickly approaches it becomes more and more evident that the two will not make a good match. Rupert is kind and caring while Muriel is cruel and calculating. Although Rupert realizes he will be miserable in a marriage to such a woman, his honor will not allow him to jilt her at the alter. To complicate matters, Rupert has fallen madly in love with his perfect mate, Anna Grazinsky, and she with him. Are Rupert and Anna doomed to spend eternity apart, or can the butler make a miracle happen?
Libby writes her troubles and joys in her private blog. Like how she accidentally caught her hair on fire in chemistry class while she was daydreaming about Seth, how Angel torments her, how her best friend Keisha threatens violence to everyone, and how her cousin, Roger, is Keisha’s secret admirer. When her password is compromised, Libby discovers her personal online diary – her blog – has been posted on the internet for the whole high school to see! Now the other students laugh at her and her friends hate her. Can it get any worse? Of course it can! Libby’s mom is in a serious relationship with Angel’s dad. Libby and Angel could become stepsisters and have to live in the same house. Will Libby allow her mother to be happy with the man she loves? Can Libby repair the damage and get her friends back or have their friendships gone up in smoke like her hair? Discover whether she is able to avert her mom’s romance and salvage her relationships with her friends by reading the rest of her blog.
