The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I bring you my review of this lovely novel by the bestselling author Karen Harper. It tells the story of Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald, a young woman born into a high Irish family with ties to royalty on both sides: her mother was Elizabeth Grey, a granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville, and her father was a cousin to King Henry VIII by his first marriage. It begins in 1533, with 10 year old Gera's world changing forever when her father is arrested then dies in the Tower of London and her family is separated. She then manages to escape to England and becomes a refugee in Henry's court where she bides her time managing the machinations of court life, try to rally support to restore her family, and take revenge on the King. Along the way, she harbors a secret love for a courtier and looks out for Henry's daughter Princess Elizabeth. As with most of Harper's writing, the story is both descriptive and fluid which makes for pleasant reading. It also gives a glimpse into the life a remarkable woman not many people has heard of. A must read for not only Tudor/renaissance lovers, but ones of anything Irish as well. I give "The Irish Princess" 4 out of 5 stars.