To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn (Ladies in Waiting, #1)

by Sandra Byrd

Sandra Byrd takes readers back to the court of Henry the Eighth in a novel that imagines the life of Anne Boleyn's best friend, a young woman whose fortunes depend on the queen's.

When Anne Boleyn's star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg Wyatt along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne's favor rises and falls, so does Meg's. And though she's pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love-and her own life-because of it.

Meg's childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord, she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of drama and intrigue, Meg finds her place in history and follows her own calling to the Lord. Meg and Anne must determine what love really means and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Readers continue to be captivated by the Tudors, that most famous of English ruling families. To Die For seamlessly blends fact and fiction in an unforgettable tale of two fascinating lives and one unshakable faith.

• ISBN10: 1439183112
• ISBN13: 9781439183113
• Publish Date: 9 August 2011 (first published 18 February 2011)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 14 December 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Howard Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[cherryblossommj]

I've been excited about Sandra Byrd's Ladies in Waiting series for a long time and kept meaning to pick up the book, but life just kept getting in the way. I wanted to be able to really read it and give it justice in attention. I knew Sandra to be a contemporary author and though I have not read her contemporary novels I was intrigued to read her historicals and now having stayed up late into the night finishing her first in the Ladies in Waiting series I realize I have sorely missed out and I'm delighted to put her novels on the permanent keeper shelf.

When To Die For was first announced it had an interesting cover that did not entice me. But then as it was published it was released with the most delightful and gorgeous cover! The details in the dresses and attitude of two friends standing arm and arm is fabulous and gives an interesting look to Anne Boleyn and her lifelong friend Meg Wyatt.

As a reader I was captivated from the first preview scene and then thus into the story from the beginning in their childhood. The romance between Meg and the not-to-be Will Ogilvy was heart wrenching and barely palpable as even a glance might be enough to provide a little warmth to the heart for both of them. Also getting a fictional account of the romance between Anne and King Henry was interesting and believable as well as of course sad knowing how the story ends. Reading this tale along side lots of historical detail transports the reader to a place long gone and imagine how things might have been.

There seem to be lots of stories that tell of Anne Boleyn, but of the ones I have read or watched this one from the viewpoint of Meg Wyatt was the most enjoyable and tastefully done. Without a doubt I believe that readers from both the Christian Historical Fiction and secular pool would enjoy this story. Today I'm delighted to pick up the next Ladies in Waiting novel [b:The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr|13005049|The Secret Keeper A Novel of Kateryn Parr|Sandra Byrd|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323115564s/13005049.jpg|18166315] and jump into this next adventure of a time long past. I really hope I'll be blessed to get my hands on the third novel of Elizabeth,[b:Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I|15763945|Roses Have Thorns A Novel of Elizabeth I|Sandra Byrd|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344897688s/15763945.jpg|21466384], in the months to come as well.

*Thanks to Sandra for providing a copy for review.*

posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/02/02/to-die-for/

[elysium]

3.5 stars

Meg Wyatt grew up as a neighbor to Anne Boleyn and the two were best friends since childhood. When Anne is sent to court in the service of the king’s sister, Meg is married off to an elderly baron while her heart belongs to Will Ogilvy who chooses priesthood over her.
But when Anne starts to rise at court, Meg joins her as one of Anne’s ladies and finds herself in the middle of court intrigue.

I really liked the idea of telling the story from the point of view of Anne’s friend and it was nice change as well. And I loved that she was a real person who could have actually been Anne’s friend.
Meg was likeable person but she could also see the flaws of her friend while still being loyal till the end.

I would have liked to hear and see more about Anne’s relationship with Henry Percy and what did Meg make of the rumors about Anne and George. Since Meg and Anne were childhood friends Meg probably knew George also and it would have been interesting to see her view of it,

Religion is a major theme in the novel thankfully it doesn’t come off as preachy as I feared.