Berkley Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0-425-23251-4. Reviewed by Jennifer Melville Posted on 06/14/2010 Fiction: Historical

Look out Tudors fans, there's a new powerhouse in town when it comes to historical fiction. Sarah A. Hoyt rocks when it comes to time-period fiction. Her new book No Will But His takes a look at the life of Henry VIII's sixth wife, Kathryn Howard, in an intriguing and can't-put-it-down kind of way. There has been plenty of Renaissance historical fiction on the market in the past few years, but this book is in a class of its own. If you like The Tudors or The Other Boleyn Girl, you can't miss this book.

Kathryn Howard was the daughter of a poor aristocrat, whose only chance at wealth and happiness came when her wealthy step-grandmother brought her into her home. A beautiful girl and talented musician, Kathryn was used by her relatives, who schemed how to best employ her to advance their social position in court. This meant sending her to court to marry her distant cousin, with the actual purpose of attracting the eye of the wayward king Henry. It's a dangerous game, as one wrong move means her death and the downfall of her family. Can Kathryn avoid her cousin Ann Boleyn's fate and keep the heart of the king?

I chose this book because I love the time period and have read practically every book about the Tudors. No Will But His didn't disappoint. I was instantly drawn in by the character's voice and her vivid surroundings. This is the best portrayal of Queen Kathryn that I've read. I grew attached to Hoyt's version and could sympathize with Kathryn. I loved following her along her adventures and experiencing her romances and trysts with her. Even though I knew from the start what ultimately was her fate, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next in the story. I can't wait to read more of this series!

Sarah A. Hoyt is an award-winning author who has written multiple book series, including the Shifter Series, the Musketeers Series, her Shakespearean fantasy series, and Magical British Empire series. She has also written under the name Sarah D'Almeida. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two sons. Visit her website.

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