Please join author C.W. Gortner as he tours the blogosphere for the release of THE QUEEN’S VOW: A NOVEL OF ISABELLA OF CASTILE from June 12th through July 13th.

Publication Date:  June 12, 2012
Ballantine Books/Random House
400p

{SYNOPSIS}

No one believed she was destined for greatness—until she became one of history’s most powerful and controversial queens.

Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she is thrust into danger. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, until, at age seventeen, she finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man whom she has vowed to love yet is forbidden to her—Fernando, prince of Aragón.

As together they unite their two realms under “one crown, one country, one faith,” Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor, Torquemada, even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, it will test Isabella’s resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny…

From the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and intrigue-laden gardens of Seville, The Queen’s Vow sweeps us into the tumultuous forging of a nation and the complex, fascinating heart of the woman who overcame all odds to become Isabella of Castile.

PRAISE FOR THE QUEEN’S VOW: A NOVEL OF ISABELLA CASTILE

“Isabella is most often remembered as the queen who financed Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas, but in this vivid novel, Gortner reveals that she is much more than this. She is an inspiring young woman who bravely faced the turmoil that surrounded her and managed to hold on to her crown…Gortner has again produced a richly detailed book that is hard to put down.” Historical Novels Review 

“Gortner turns his attention to one of Europe’s most formidable queens, Isabella of Castile… Unique among most royal women of her age (her daughters included), Isabella makes her own choice of a husband, and also grapples with the issues that lead to the launching of the Spanish Inquisition… Gortner avoids romanticizing and sentimentalizing and presents a believable account of a woman determined to control her own fate and shape Spain into a great country.” Booklist

“Isabella of Castile, the intelligent and fiery Spanish queen best remembered today for funding the voyages of Christopher Columbus, begins this historical novel as a mere pawn in the decadent court of her weak older brother… Isabella’s tenacity and ruthlessness allow her to seize the throne. After she is crowned, however, Isabella faces continued threats to the security of the realm… Gortner pays particular attention to the religious issues Isabella confronted, portraying her as a complex figure . . . Gortner’s latest historical novel should have strong appeal for historical fiction fans.” Library Journal<
Click HERE to download an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C.W. Gortner is the author of The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici and The Tudor Secret.  He holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies from the New College of California.

In his extensive travels to research his books, he has danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall and experienced life in a Spanish castle. His novels have garnered international praise and been translated into thirteen languages to date. He is also a dedicated advocate for animal rights and environmental issues.

He’s currently at work on his fourth novel for Ballantine Books, about the early years of Lucrezia Borgia, as well as the third novel in his Tudor series,The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles (US) or Elizabeth’s Spymaster (UK).

Half-Spanish by birth, C.W. lives in Northern California.

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 12th
Review at The Maiden’s Court
Review at Devourer of Books
Review at The Novel Life
Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, June 13th
Review at Savvy Verse & Wit
Review at Book Fan Mary
Review at A Novel Affair

Thursday, June 14th
Review at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Review at Drey’s Library
Author Interview at From the TBR Pile

Friday, June 15th
Book Spotlight at Teresa’s Reading Corner
Author Guest Post & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court
Author Interview at The Novel Life

Monday, June 18th
Review at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Review at The Owl Bookmark Blog
Review & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, June 19th
Review & Giveaway at Luxury Reading
Review at Diary of a Book Addict
Review at Reviews by Molly

Wednesday, June 20th
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Author Interview at The Owl Bookmark Blog
Live Author Chat Night & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, June 21st
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Friday, June 22nd
Review at The True Book Addict
Author Interview at Confessions of an Avid Reader

Monday, June 25th
Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, June 26th
Review at A Bookish Affair
Review at Confessions of a Book Hoarder
Review at Reflections of a Book Addict

Wednesday, June 27th
Review at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books
Review at The Book Faery Reviews
Interview at A Bloody Good Read

Thursday, June 28th
Review at Let Them Read Books
Review at From the TBR Pile
Author Interview at The True Book Addict

Friday, June 29th
Review at To Read or Not to Read

Review at Mrs. Q Book Addict
Author Guest Post at The Book Faery Reviews

Monday, July 2nd
Review at Bippity Boppity Book
Review at Book Drunkard
Author Interview at Reading the Past

Tuesday, July 3rd
Review & Giveaway at Royal Reviews

Wednesday, July 4th
Review at The Book Garden
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, July 5th
Review at Books, Belles and Beaux
Review at Stiletto Storytime
Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Friday, July 6th
Review at Raging Bibliophile

Monday, July 9th
Review at The Bookworm
Review, Author Interview & Giveaway at A Bookish Libraria

Tuesday, July 10th
Review at Just One More Paragraph
Review at Always with a Book

Wednesday, July 11th
Review at Jenny Loves to Read
Review at One Book at a Time
Author Interview at Acting Balanced

Thursday, July 12th
Review at Life in the Thumb
Review at The Literate Housewife
Review at Tina’s Book Reviews
Review at Acting Balanced
Author Interview & Giveaway at Always with a Book

Friday, July 13th
Review at The Broke and the Bookish
Author Interview at Just One More Paragraph

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4 responses to “C.W. Gortner on tour for The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile, June 12th – July 13th”

  1. C.W. Gortner says:

    Thank you!! Really enjoying the tour so far and am so very touched by your praise and generosity. Book bloggers rock!

  2. Congratulations, Christopher! Have a great tour.

  3. CelticLady says:

    I finished mine and the review…way ahead of schedule!! So proud of myself…Congrats on the book release!!

  4. Yay! Such a gorgeous cover

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