Tudor Tuesday - Teaser & Giveaway

In preparation for the release of Katherine Longshore's Tarnish in June, I have the pleasure of starting off this year's edition of the Tudor Tuesday. So keep reading for a teaser, some notes on the inspiration for what's in the teaser and a giveaway. Enjoy!

Teaser

I follow the other ladies from the queen's chambers down the great start and into the fall. It is already decorated with swags of colored silk, as the lists will be. The forest green of the Tudors, accented with white and gold.

And alternating with swags of blue.

Jane falls back to join me as the ladies make their way to the viewing towers. The duchess casts one scathing look back at her, and I wonder that Jane doesn't combust on the spot.

"Are you sure you want to be seen with me?" I ask. "I'm certainly persona non grata today."

"I'm through with the Duchess of Suffolk and her crowd. I want to be like the Boleyns."

"And what are the Boleyns like?" I ask. We are opinionated. Ambitious. Jealous.

"Different. Exciting."

"No one wants to be a Boleyn."

She looks into my eyes, and the strength of the passion behind hers surprise me.

"I do. More than anything."

Inspiration

Jane Parker (Boleyn) is such a complex (and possibly misunderstood) historical character. We see her in GILT, after the Tudor court has sucked much of the life out of her. I wanted to write her younger self as someone with spirit and hope--someone who believed in love even when faced with the cynicism of the court and society. Someone who might inspire Anne to believe the same.

Giveaway

Since today is also the day that Gilt comes out in paperback, here is your chance to win a signed copy of the book. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US/Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to look out for the other Tudor Tuesday post coming up every week for your chance to win a copy of Tarnish

May 14 - Katie @ BlookGirl
May 21 - Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
May 28 -  Kathy @ A Glass of Wine
June 4 - Kelly @ Belle of the Literati
June 11 - Jessica @ Read My Breath Away