Title: Dangerous Sanctuary
Author: Michelle Diener
Series: Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1.5
Publication: March 6th 2012 by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: ebook, 64 pages
Cover Rating: 3/5
Overall Rating: 5/5
Purchase: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ All Romance
Artist Susanna Horenbout is commissioned by King Henry VIII to paint a picture of the ceremony in St. Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate the capture of the French king Francis I in battle. While working on a sketch before the ceremony begins, Susanna overhears a bitter nobleman hinting at violence to the King, and she realizes she might be the only one who can stop an attack on Henry. As the King makes his way to the cathedral through the cheering crowds, Susanna desperately tries to find a way to save his life—while saving the nobleman from the certain death his anger will bring down upon him.
Dangerous Sanctuary is a short story set between In a Treacherous Court, the first novel featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, the “King’s Blade,” and Keeper of the King’s Secrets, the second novel a featuring Susanna and Parker.
~My thoughts:
Another amazing story about Susanna Horenbout and John Parker.
Dangerous Sanctuary is a short story set between the first book, In a Treachrous Court, and the second book, Keeper of the King’s Secrets.
This story begins with Susanna working on a painting of the ceremony in St. Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the capture of king Francis from French I. By coincidence Susanna overhears word of someone who’s thinking about hurting the king.
With Parker not able to reach the bitter nobleman until it’ll be too late, Susanna realizes she would be the only one who can save the king as well as nobleman from his own death because of his anger.
I decided to read this when I received Keeper of the King’s Secrets in my mailbox last week, since this story comes before the second book I wanted to read it before that.
I have yet to read a book by Michelle Diener that I dislike, the first couple of books I read from her were amazing and this short story isn’t an exception.
There is just something about Michelle Diener’s writing that captivates me. I was hooked from the first to the very last word.
I love Susanna’s character. She’s so brave and talented and not to mention Flemish. She’s definitely one of my favorite fictional female main characters.
John Parker as always was handsome, sexy and ready for action. I love how much he wants to protect Susanna but not always can. But Susanna is definitely capable of standing up for herself, which we see in this book by the way she confronts Pole.
Not many authors can pull off short stories, but this one was absolutely successful. It had the right amount of everything that’s needed from a short story that sets between books. Danger, suspense, amazing heroines and sexy heroes, ready to save the say and stop the villain (who in my eyes wasn’t exactly a real villain because I understand his reasons) right in time.
This short story was just the perfect addition to the Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series.
Also, I would urge you to read the extra stuff after the actual story about the history. It’s very interesting.
Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout and John Parker series starts with IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. Set in the court of Henry VIII, it features the real historical figures of artist Susanna Horenbout and Henry’s Keeper of the Palace of Westminster and Yeoman of the King’s Robes, John Parker. It was followed by KEEPER OF THE KING’S SECRETS, also featuring Susanna Horenbout and John Parker, and DANGEROUS SANCTUARY, a short story with the same characters, set between the two books, is currently available as an ebook only.
A new historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars in London in 1811, THE EMPEROR’S CONSPIRACY, is set for a November 27th, 2012 release.
Michelle also contributed a short paranormal story to the ENTANGLED entitled BREAKING OUT. All the proceeds of the sale of ENTANGLED go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Michelle grew up in South Africa, and now lives in Australia with her husband and two children.Visit Michelle Diener on http://www.michellediener.com
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