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The Heretic's Wife    by Brenda Rickman Vantrease Amazon.com order for
Heretic's Wife
by Brenda Rickman Vantrease
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Griffin, 2011 (2010)
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* * *   Reviewed by Wanda Plourde

England in the time of the Tudors had outlawed certain writings - if caught you might be tortured and burned at the stake. This was not a good time to be a printer, nor to own a bookshop. But Kate and her brother John Gough do just that, selling forbidden translated Bibles. John Gough is imprisoned for being a bookshop owner and is under suspicion of selling forbidden works.

King Henry VIII is growing impatient for a divorce from Queen Katherine, or even an annulment, asserting that they are sinning against God. He is angry about the Pope's refusal to sanction his marriage to Anne Boleyn. King Henry is growing impatient, and people are losing favor quickly. As this develops, Kate begins a dangerous game, marrying an outlaw, and embarking on intrigues that set her against very powerful enemies.

What an impressive read, rich in history and filled with daring young characters to whom their beliefs are everything. One moment you find yourself dining in the halls with the King, and the next you are on a ship smuggling contraband. The story showcases passion and artistry in a compelling tale of treacherous times, and what some men and women are willing to do to set others free of the constraints of religion. I thoroughly enjoyed The Heretic's Wife and recommend it to anyone who loves history, and the struggles of the populace.

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