THE
CHALICE
By
NANCY
BILYEAU
Paperback
Publication Date: February 13, 2014
Orion Publishing
Paperback; 432p
ISBN-13: 978-1409135807
Orion Publishing
Paperback; 432p
ISBN-13: 978-1409135807
Series:
Joanne Stafford, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery
Genre: Historical Mystery
About the book
A
curse to kill a king, a fight to save a nation. Follow young Joanna Stafford
right into the dark heart of King Henry VIII’s court in this stunning Tudor
thriller.
England,
1538. The nation is reeling after the ruthless dissolution of the monasteries
by King Henry VIII.
Cast
out of Dartford Priory, Joanna Stafford – feisty, courageous, but scarred by
her recent encounter with rebellion at court – is trying to live a quiet life
with her five-year-old charge, Arthur. But family connections draw her
dangerously close to a treasonous plot and, repelled by violence and the whispered
conspiracies around her, Joanna seeks a life with a man who loves her. But, no
matter how hard she tries, she cannot escape the spreading darkness of her
destiny. She must make a choice between those she cares for most, and taking
her part in a mysterious prophecy foretold by three compelling seers.
Joanna
embarks upon a testing journey, and, as she deciphers the meaning at the core
of the prophecy, she learns that the fate of a king and the freedom of a nation
rest in her hands.
Praise for The Chalice
“Expect treason, treachery, martyrs and
more.” — Choice magazine
“A time in which no one at all can be
trusted and everyday life is laced with horror. Bilyeau paints this picture
very, very well.” — Reviewing the Evidence
“Bilyeau creates the atmosphere of
1530s London superbly.” — Catholic Herald
“Bilyeau continues from her first novel
the subtle, complex development of Joanna Stafford’s character and combines
that with a fast-paced, unexpected plot to hold the reader’s interest on every
page. — Historical Novel Society
“Joanna Stafford is a young novice
caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Hilary Mantel and C.J.
Sansom, but with elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate
Mosse.” — S.J. Parris, author of ‘Heresy,’ ‘Prophecy’ and ‘Sacrilege’
“Second in this compelling and highly
readable Tudor thriller series following the 16th century adventures of (now
cast out) nun Joanna Stafford. Treason, conspiracies and a dangerous prophecy
draw Joanna back from the quiet life she had made for herself after being cast
out of Dartford Priory – but she isn’t prepared for the gravity of the
situation she finds herself in or the responsibility she now holds. Nancy
Bilyeau has followed up her impressive debut with an accomplished historical
thriller perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Philippa Gregory and S. J. Parris.”
— Lovereading UK
“Sharply observed, cleverly paced and
sympathetically written, this book more than fulfils the promise of THE CROWN,
itself named as last year’s most impressive debut novel by the CWA Ellis Peters
judges. If Joanna Stafford is to return to see out the final years of Henry’s
tempestuous reign and the accession of his Catholic daughter Mary, I am sure I
will not be alone in waiting eagerly for her.” — crimereview.co.uk
“A stunning debut. One of the best
historical novels I have ever read — ALISON WEIR
THE CHALICE offers a fresh, dynamic
look into Tudor England’s most powerful, volatile personalities: Henry VIII,
the Duke of Norfolk, Stephen Gardiner and Bloody Mary Tudor. Heroine and former
nun Joanna Stafford is beautiful, bold and in lethal danger. Bilyeau writes
compellingly of people and places that demand your attention and don’t let you
go even after the last exciting page” — KAREN HARPER, bestselling author of
MISTRESS OF MOURNING
“Rarely have the terrors of Henry
VIII’s reformation been so exciting. Court intrigue, bloody executions, and
haunting emotional entanglements create a heady brew of mystery and adventure
that sweeps us from the devastation of the ransacked cloisters to the dangerous
spy centers of London and the Low Countries, as ex-novice Joanna Stafford
fights to save her way of life and fulfill an ancient prophecy, before
everything she loves is destroyed.” — C.W. GORTNER, author of THE QUEEN’S VOW
“Bilyeau paints a moving portrait of
Catholicism during the Reformation and of reclusive, spiritual people adjusting
to the world outside the cloister. This intriguing and suspenseful historical
novel pairs well with C. J. Sansom’s Dissolution (2003) and has the insightful
feminine perspective of Brenda Rickman Vantrease’s The Heretic’s Wife (2010).”
— BOOKLIST
“As in The Crown, Bilyeau’s writing
style means that the story reads almost flawlessly. The narrative really makes
the reader throw themselves into the story, and makes it so the book is really
difficult to put down. I was really very impressed with Bilyeau’s writing (As I
was in The Crown), and honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough.” —
LOYALTY BINDS ME
“THE CHALICE is a compelling and pacey
time machine to the 16th Century. And when you’re returned to the present,
you’ll have enjoyed an adventure and gained a new perspective on a past you’d wrongly
thought to be a done deal.” — Andrew Pyper, author of THE DEMONOLOGIST
“The Chalice is a gripping,
tightly-plotted mystery, with a beguiling heroine at its heart, that vividly
conjures up the complex dangers of Reformation England. Bilyeau’s deftness of
touch and complete control over her complex material make for a truly exciting
and compelling read.”— ELIZABETH FREMANTLE author of QUEEN’S GAMBIT
“THE CHALICE is brimming with sinister
portents, twisted allegiances, religious superstition and political intrigue.
It’s a darkly fascinating Tudor brew that leaves you thirsting for more.” —
PATRICIA BRACEWELL, author of SHADOW ON THE CROWN
Buy the Book
About the Author
Nancy
Bilyeau has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment
Weekly, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently the executive editor of
DuJour magazine. Her screenplays have placed in several prominent industry
competitions. Two scripts reached the semi-finalist round of the Nicholl
Fellowships of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her screenplay
“Zenobia” placed with the American Zoetrope competition, and “Loving Marys”
reached the finalist stage of Scriptapalooza. A native of the Midwest, she
earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. THE CROWN, her
first novel, was published in 2012; the sequel, THE CHALICE, followed in 2013.
Some
earlier milestones: In 1661, Nancy’s ancestor, Pierre Billiou, emigrated from
France to what was then New Amsterdam when he and his family sailed on the St.
Jean de Baptiste to escape persecution for their Protestant beliefs. Pierre
built the first stone house on Staten Island and is considered the borough’s
founder. His little white house is on the national register of historic homes
and is still standing to this day.
Nancy
lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
Author Links
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Friday, February 21
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Monday, February 17
Mari Reads
The Lit Bitch
Book Drunkard
Closed the Cover
Historical Tapestry
Royalty Free Fiction
Passages to the Past
Just One More Chapter
Mari Reads
The Lit Bitch
Book Drunkard
Closed the Cover
Historical Tapestry
Royalty Free Fiction
Passages to the Past
Just One More Chapter
Tuesday, February 18
Princess of Eboli
Words and Peace
Big Book, Little Book
Curling Up By the Fire
Peeking Between the Pages
Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Historical Fiction Obsession
Princess of Eboli
Words and Peace
Big Book, Little Book
Curling Up By the Fire
Peeking Between the Pages
Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Historical Fiction Obsession
Wednesday, February 19
Broken Teepee
Kincavel Korner
A Bookish Affair
CelticLady's Reviews
The True Book Addict
Teresa's Reading Corner
So Many Books, So Little Time
Broken Teepee
Kincavel Korner
A Bookish Affair
CelticLady's Reviews
The True Book Addict
Teresa's Reading Corner
So Many Books, So Little Time
Thursday, February 20
Drey's Library
Booktalk & More
Must Read Faster
Reading the Ages
The Maiden's Court
Historical Fiction Connection
Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
Drey's Library
Booktalk & More
Must Read Faster
Reading the Ages
The Maiden's Court
Historical Fiction Connection
Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews
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