Emmie and the Tudor King

Natalie Murray, Literary Crush Publishing (JUN 11) Softcover $12.99 (304pp), 978-0-9984484-7-3

As satisfying as it is suspenseful, Natalie Murray’s Emmie and the Tudor King presents itself as a young adult romance and tiptoes into mystery and action genres, too.

When eighteen-year-old Emmeline Grace is assigned to write a history report on the notorious King Nicholas Tudor, she wants nothing more than a (hopefully) passing grade so that she’ll be accepted into her dream design college and can pursue her passion for jewelry making. A strange neighbor, a yard sale, and a beautiful blue diamond ring have other plans for strong-willed Emmie.

Suddenly finding herself imprisoned in sixteenth century England, Emmie realizes that the mysterious ring holds the key to her time traveling. All she has to do is regain possession of it. The only problem is that its owner—the one and only King Nicholas—is not known for playing nice. It seems that he’s captured her heart right along with her only means of returning home.

A tale of two teens torn between desire and duty, Murray’s novel is rich with raw emotion and timeless ideals of sacrifice and loyalty. Fastpaced and intriguing, the book sometimes borders on rushed, while its slower, more intimate scenes stir up sympathy for the lovers’ dilemma.

A cast of colorful characters includes a sweet friend, Alice, and adorable Princess Kit. They are crafted with care, relatable both in their strengths and their weaknesses. Nicholas’s fierce loyalty to his sister is an underlying cause of his temper; this raises age-old questions about identity and destiny. Spirited heroine Emmie wrestles with pursuing what she really values and risking everyone she cares about.

From prison beds to palace ballrooms, Emmie and the Tudor King is an inspiring young adult romance. More than just another tearjerker, it is a tale of hardship, second chances, and the power to change.