Follow this quiz to discover what kind of courtly hero you might prefer to curl up with!
Question #1- What word best describes you?A Ambitious
B Romantic
C Feisty
D Secretive
Question #2 – Complete this sentence: My preferred courtly hero is most likely to…A Set me up in a large palace with servants
B Serenade me with a lute
C Ride off with me on his horse
D Keep my head safe from the block
Question #3 - I prefer my hero’s kisses to be:A Forbidden
B Long and lingering
C Fierce
D Intriguing
Question #4 - My hottest historical hero wears…A A crown and ermine-trimmed robes
B Top designer doublet and hose
C Shining armor
D Black, for lurking in the shadows
Question #5 - On his day off from courting me, my hero usually…A Goes hunting
B Plays bowls
C Polishes his lance
D Reads Machiavelli
Question #6 - I like a hero whose bragging rights include:A Absolute wealth and power
B Fluency in five European languages
C Ancestors who led the charge at Agincourt
D A string of political assassinations
Question #7 - For my birthday, my ideal courtly hero would get me:A Diamonds, of course
B A love sonnet tied with a red ribbon
C A romantic, tumbledown castle
D A chess set
Question #8 - My hero’s worst feature is probably his:A Lack of long-term commitment
B Poor work/life balance
C Obsession with his horse
D Tendency to listen at keyholes
If you chose mostly ‘A’s, then you won’t settle for anyone else but the King himself. The King is the man with power over everyone, including his Queen. Regal and dynamic, he dominates his world with natural authority. But like many powerful men, he lives his private life in public. Only an ambitious woman, destined for the top and comfortable with celebrity, can keep pace with this dangerous Alpha male. You’ll need to keep him happy in the bedroom, and never stray yourself, as the King is not known for fidelity or a forgiving nature. Serial divorcer and beheader, Henry VIII got through six wives – and may have been contemplating a seventh marriage when he died!
If you chose mostly ‘B’s, then a charming Courtier is on the top of your list to love. The Courtier is a man skilled in the art of courtly love as well as international diplomacy. He was educated at Oxford or Cambridge, can sing and play the lute, and knows when to compliment the Queen’s eyes and when to hide in the closet. A lady who loves expensive gowns and state dinners would do well with the Courtier, as long as she is not too possessive and does not mind him disappearing off to another European court every few months. Many Tudor courtiers were of noble French descent, like Hugh Beaufort in Wolf Bride, and possessed substantial lands as well as looks and charm.
B Plays bowls
C Polishes his lance
D Reads Machiavelli
Question #6 - I like a hero whose bragging rights include:A Absolute wealth and power
B Fluency in five European languages
C Ancestors who led the charge at Agincourt
D A string of political assassinations
Question #7 - For my birthday, my ideal courtly hero would get me:A Diamonds, of course
B A love sonnet tied with a red ribbon
C A romantic, tumbledown castle
D A chess set
Question #8 - My hero’s worst feature is probably his:A Lack of long-term commitment
B Poor work/life balance
C Obsession with his horse
D Tendency to listen at keyholes
***
If you chose mostly ‘B’s, then a charming Courtier is on the top of your list to love. The Courtier is a man skilled in the art of courtly love as well as international diplomacy. He was educated at Oxford or Cambridge, can sing and play the lute, and knows when to compliment the Queen’s eyes and when to hide in the closet. A lady who loves expensive gowns and state dinners would do well with the Courtier, as long as she is not too possessive and does not mind him disappearing off to another European court every few months. Many Tudor courtiers were of noble French descent, like Hugh Beaufort in Wolf Bride, and possessed substantial lands as well as looks and charm.
If you chose mostly ‘C’s, then the strong and brave Knight is just right. The Knight is a courtier with other strings to his bow. He has the charm, wit and courtly manners to seduce the ladies, yet stands ready to charge into battle for his King at a moment’s notice. Less of a smoothie than the Courtier, he’s also better equipped to protect his lady from danger. If you hanker after a Knight, you’re probably earthy and ultra-feminine, and enjoy being in the arms of a big strong man. Although Lord Wolf is noble, he’s also a Knight at heart, a fierce lover and courageous soldier whose loyalty to his lady and his country is beyond question.
If you chose mostly ‘D’s, then you are meant for life at court directing the action behind the scenes with your powerful Political Advisor. The Political Advisor is often a commoner who has risen to power at court through his own skills. A cool and calculating strategist, his innate power and influence can be very seductive. Those who find this courtier intriguing are likely to be intelligent women with low boredom thresholds who enjoy mental stimulation (and maybe some power games in the bedroom). Your main challenge will be to sidestep the scandals that often surround the Political Advisor. Sir Thomas Cromwell was Henry VIII’s right hand man for years, becoming almost as powerful as the King himself during the period in Wolf Bride.
If you chose mostly ‘D’s, then you are meant for life at court directing the action behind the scenes with your powerful Political Advisor. The Political Advisor is often a commoner who has risen to power at court through his own skills. A cool and calculating strategist, his innate power and influence can be very seductive. Those who find this courtier intriguing are likely to be intelligent women with low boredom thresholds who enjoy mental stimulation (and maybe some power games in the bedroom). Your main challenge will be to sidestep the scandals that often surround the Political Advisor. Sir Thomas Cromwell was Henry VIII’s right hand man for years, becoming almost as powerful as the King himself during the period in Wolf Bride.
***
Series: Lust in the Tudor Court #1
Author: Elizabeth Moss
To Be Published: May 5/15 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Length: 352pgs
Genre: Historical Romance
Shelf: review
Rating: ★★★
Back Cover Blurb:
About the Author:
Born into a literary family, Elizabeth Moss lives with her husband and five children in South-West England, and is a keen countryside walker. She writes fun and sexy historical romances. She also writes award-winning fiction as Victoria Lamb. For more information, please visit her website: www.elizabethmossfiction.com.
My Review:
I did find the author’s writing a bit difficult to digest at times. While the flowery language definitely paints a very pretty and eloquent picture, giving readers more than just a glimpse into this world, the story gets lost at times. My other issue, if you can even call it that, was the slight muddying of time periods. Now, in reality, no one ever said ‘today we’re in the Tudor period, tomorrow the Regency period will start,’ however, in the world of literature we expect certain things in certain ‘eras.’ I found that Moss muddied this a bit. Most readers won’t notice and will simply be along for the ride, especially when the actual historical facts in the novel are correct (if with a bit of literary lenience at times), but those with historical background may get stuck on it.
The female lead’s sweetness & naiveté was a welcome change from your typical female lead. The feeling that she actually needed someone to protect her lent a great deal of credence to the story. With her counterpart being a cunningly ruthless man that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know, this became even more apparent. I enjoyed the fact that the characters’ romance heated up gradually. There was no ‘insta-love’ (even if ‘insta-lust’ was present). It really gave the relationship substance.
As a whole, this novel was rather enjoyable. I understand why so many will love it. Once you get past the flowery language, the story itself is very fun to read.
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