The Jewels of Warwick and Crown of Destiny

Domhan Books

Can be ordered from 

www.barnesandnoble.com  www.amazon.com, 

Reviewed in Romantic Times
and The Book Nook

ISBN: 1-58345-080-7

           1-58345-456-x

The “Jewels” are two severely contrasting sisters, Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet. They are descendants of Richard III, who lost his life and kingdom to Henry Tudor, future father of Henry VIII.

Topaz always felt she was the rightful queen, and would have been, had her father been crowned as Richard’s heir. But her father was executed as a young man, and the girls never got to know him. Topaz is very bitter about their father’s wasted life, and vows to get revenge and recapture the crown.

Amethyst and King Henry begin a passionate and enduring romance that survives his divorce from Catherine of Aragon through his marriage to the doomed Anne Boleyn and up to the death of his beloved third wife, Jane Seymour, his unconsummated marriage to Anne of Cleves, his marriage to the young and spirited Catherine Howard, which also ends in her execution, and his final union with Kate Parr, who outlives him. Amethyst remains a faithful supporter, confidante, lover, and friend, through Henry’s tragic marriages and England’s break with Rome.

Until the night King Henry dies in her arms, she is torn between her love for him and for her sister. Topaz is furious at Amethyst for entering a liaison with the man whose father killed theirs. This creates a painful rift between the sisters that remains unresolved until the story's end. While Amethyst lives a comfortable but troublesome life at court as the king’s mistress, despised by some and revered by others, the determined and ambitious Topaz has her own agenda. She goes into battle with King Henry VIII, who is forced to defend his crown, and throws Topaz into prison for treason. Amethyst begs the king to release her, but he dies while she’s still imprisoned.

The stormy conflict between the sisters resolves in the end. Topaz is finally set free by Henry’s heir, the boy king, Edward VI. King Edward banishes Topaz to the New World and she embarks on a voyage with explorer Sebastian Cabot, hoping to colonize her own democratic and monarch-free realm, in what will someday be New England.

“Though fictitious characters, the Jewels’ experiences are probable, enabling Ms. Rubino free reign with history.” Romantic Times

What Readers Say:

“Diana Rubino presents the court of Henry VIII in an informative and interesting way and mixes the actual and fictional characters very smoothly. A book you’ll want to read more than once.” Doris Love

"THE JEWELS OF WARWICK is a hard-to-put-down, fast-paced, dynamic, character-driven novel with a sound historical base and wonderful descriptive passages. However, it is the strength of the "Jewels" - Topaz and Amethyst Plantagenet - that shines through the drama, intrigue, and love lives of these remarkable women. The authenticity of dress, manner, and historical events added interest to this many-faceted and multi-splendored depiction of court life in England during the early years of the 16th century."  Janet Adams (as reviewed on the Barnes & Noble website)

"A perfect ending to the saga--or is it?Having read all four books in the series, I was expecting there to be some letup in the thrills and action, but this book was even better than I had hoped for. All of the characters' fates were apt ones, and of course the happily ever after ending came, but in some unexpected ways. The action and adventure were super. All I can say is, these books cry out for a sequel. Gorgeous settings and excellent historical research make this series, and this last book in particular, well worth reading." A reader in Seattle (as reviewed on the amazon.com website)