Synopsis

For fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Elizabeth Fremantle, an untold story about how the plot against Anne Boleyn entrapped a gifted young musician.A glamorous queen, a volatile king, a gifted musician concealing a forbidden romance. Everyone knows Anne Boleyns story. No one knows Mark Smeatons. On May 17, 1536, a young court musician was executed, accused of adultery and treason with the queen. Most historians believe both he and Anne Boleyn were innocentvictims of Henry VIIIs rage. Mark Smeaton was a talented performer who rose from poverty to become a royal favorite. He played for the king in private and entertained at sumptuous feasts. He witnessed Anne Boleyns astonishing rise and fallher reign of a thousand days. History tells us little about him, other than noting his confession and execution. The Queens Musician imagines his story, as seen from his perspective and that of the young woman who loves him. It all takes place amid the spectacle and danger of the Tudor court.

About The Author

Martha Jean Johnsonis a writer of fiction and non-fiction and the author of a series of books and articles on public opinion and public policy.The Queens Musicianis her debut novel. She also reviews trends in historical fiction and discusses her own love of reading and writing in her biweekly blog,Historical Magic. She currently divides her time between writing and her work with the National Issues Forums Institute, an organization that encourages civil discourse and nonpartisan deliberation on national and local issues. During a long public policy career, she analyzed and reported on American public thinking, working with noted social analyst and public opinion pioneer, Daniel Yankelovich. She has published articles inUSA TodayandThe Huffington Postand appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and PBS. She is the author of a series of nonfiction paperbacks on major political issues, co-authored with Scott Bittle and published by HarperCollins. She holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Brown University, and Simmons College. She lives in Jersey City, New Jersey

This is a standard paperback/soft cover version.