*review copy*
Among Catherine of Aragon’s ladies was a young woman, who was perhaps a kinswoman, named Maria de Salinas. Maria suffered alongside Catherine during the long years of her widowhood. She remained unmarried until 1516, when she married William Willoughby, 11th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, and their sole child was a daughter named after the Queen. When Catherine lay dying in 1536, it was Maria who rode through the night to be with her friend.
Falling Pomegranate Seeds: All Manner of Things by Wendy J Dunn is the fictional account of the life of Maria de Salinas. We follow the young Maria through the trials and tribulations by the side of Catherine. While deeply connected to the Princess to whom she has sworn her loyalty, she falls deeply in love with the married William Willoughby, whom she would eventually marry after the death of his wife. Although fictional, it is a wonderful look at the Tudor court from a different perspective than that of a King or Queen. However, it does get a little long-winded sometimes, so you may have to keep focus.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book!
Falling Pomegranate Seeds: All Manner of Things by Wendy J Dunn is available now in the UK and the US.
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