The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

This book, published in 1997, was the first for bestselling author Maxwell. A once you start, you can't stop read, this novel moves back and forth between the newly crowned Elizabeth Tudor and her long deseased mother Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth has recently been given a long hidden diary of Anne's by Lady Sommerville, an elderly woman who's uncle was the constable of the Tower during Henry VIII's reign, and through it discovers the whole story of her parents courtship, Anne's rise, her own birth and Anne's infamous beheading. On Elizabeth's side, we follow the challenges of wearing the crown and her intensely passionate relationship with the love of her life Robert Dudley. I love that Anne's parts are written in diary form and the way Maxwell makes it all come alive in a fresh, new way. This book is a deffinite must read especially for those who never tire of the Henry/Anne story. 5 out of 5 stars :-)