The court of Henry VIII as seen through the eyes and emotions and two extraordinary women.
The "Jewels" are two sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet, both driven by strong passions, and most dangerously of all, descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, Henry VII, the future father of Henry VIII.
Topaz always felt she was the rightful queen, and would have been, had her father been declared Richard's heir and the crown not been usurped by the Tudors. Her whole life begins to center around her obsession to win her crown of destiny, no matter what the cost.
Amethyst too is lured by the court through her love of music, caught in a glitter spider's web of intrigue in which one wrong word can mean death, and Henry VIII's displeasure even more of a torment than his love…
As the Jewels of Warwick struggle to come to terms with their family's grim legacy, Topaz and Amethyst discover that life, love and destiny hold many temptations, and many strange twists of fate...
Excerpt
"I must marry Anne.” He spoke so low she could barely hear him. “She believes she is with child."
“Oh, no.” Amethyst shook her head. King Henry’s gemstones flew from side to side in a dazzling blur. “No...no, it can't be...Anne Boleyn is a liar!” She grabbed his arms and shook him, abandoning all protocol, all etiquette, all manners. “Why must you marry her? You bedded her and after making me wait all this time, now you are going to turn round and marry her?”
Henry jerked out of her grasp. “You ran away, you silly wench. What was I to do, live like a monk, the way Catherine wants?” He took a few paces to the table and picked up a goblet. “The only reason I turned to her was because you'd left, without so much as a word.” He took a long pull of the ale and replaced the goblet with a thunk. “I do not love Anne. She is merely a breeding mare, more than willing to give me an heir, which you did not have the patience to stay around and do.” His eyes narrowed at her. “My divorce is finally in sight, you know how badly I need an heir, and you couldn't wait another few months.” He swept his hand through the air. “No, you had to come running back to home and hearth, back to the castle, expecting me to come back to you, begging on bended knee. A king does not beg.” His eyes narrowed to beady slits. “I have come to tell you I want you to return to court. I am admitting what you so desperately want me to admit. I want you back there with me. That is why I journeyed here. To bring you back.”
Her wish, her prayer, now answered after all this time…but now it hit her like an insult. “To play second fiddle to the night crow? After you asked me to be your queen? What kind of fool do you take me for? You no longer love me.” She placed a fist on her hip. You want me under your thumb so you can keep me as a spare for when Anne gets too swollen and ugly for you to bed.” She turned away, unable to look at him.
“Holy Jesu, Amethyst, would I have left court and the future mother of my heir if I did not love you?”
“At this point I don’t know what to believe.” Her fists now clenched before her, she wished she could strangle that harlot he’d bedded.
“How dare you refuse me.” Henry strode to the door and flung it open. “I shall give you until tomorrow, when my retinue and I leave. If you have not agreed to come back with me, do not ever return to court again.”
At the door he dismissed her with the same wave of his arm befitting his servants. She left, not in obedience to him, but because she no longer wanted to see his face. The thought of him bedding Anne Boleyn sickened her.
Professional Reviews
Romantic Times
History makes its mark on the Earl of Warwicks daughters, but they make a mark on history by becoming an integral part of Henry VIIIs life. Following their imprisonment and their fathers execution, Topaz, Amethyst and Emerald Plantagenet follow their unique destinies.
Driven by unquenchable hatred, Topaz plots to dethrone Henry, the man she feels has usurped the throne that should have been hers. Though she marries a kind and gentle man, she never gives up her obsession. Eventually, she leads an ill-fated rebellion and a conspiracy against Henry only to ultimately be imprisoned again, along with her sons who are a threat to the throne. Her life is saved only because she is Amethysts sister.
Totally unlike Topaz, Amethyst is fascinated with the young king and eventually gains a place in his court as part of the Kings Musick. Her beauty catches Henrys eye and she becomes his mistress long before Anne Boleyn comes to court. She remains his steadfast friend and confidante through all his marriages, unto the day of his death.
Amethysts love for the king is powerful, but its not as potent as her love for Matthew Gilford, Topazs husband. When Topaz is imprisoned they seek solace with one another and soon Amethyst carries Matthews child. In anger, Henry weds her to a wool merchant and only after her husbands death and Matthews divorce can the lovers wed.
THE JEWELS OF WARWICK is a long, detailed portrait of Henry VIIIs reign as seen through the eyes, ears and emotions of remarkable women. Though fictitious characters, the Jewels experiences are probable, enabling Ms. Rubino free reign with history. Though long and a bit drawn-out, THE JEWELS OF WARWICK presents interesting theories and some different pictures of Tudor England that anglophiles will find intriguing. SENSUAL—Kathe Robin
First Place Winner in historical fiction in the Purple Dragonfly Awards for excellence in children's literature, and named a U.P. Notable Classic.
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