I am so pleased today to be hosting JUDITH ARNOPP on the Coffee Pot Book Club book tour to shine the spotlight on her new book, A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix. This is the second book in Judith’s historical fiction series, The Henrician Chronicle, and was published on March 20th this year.

What is the book about?

Finally free of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII is now married to Anne Boleyn and eagerly awaiting the birth of his son. In a court still reeling from the royal divorce and growing public resentment against church reform, Henry must negotiate widespread resentment toward Anne. He places all his hopes in a son to cement his Tudor blood line, but his dreams are shattered when Anne is delivered of a daughter.

Burying his disappointment, Henry focuses on getting her with child again, but their marriage is volatile and as Henry faces personal bereavement, and discord at court, Anne’s enemies are gathering. When the queen miscarries of a son, and Henry suffers a life-threatening accident, his need for an heir becomes critical. Waiting in the wings is Jane Seymour, a lady-in-waiting who offers the king comfort and respite from Anne’s fiery passions.

But, when Anne falls foul of her former ally, Thomas Cromwell, and the king is persuaded he has been made a cuckold, Henry strikes out and the queen falls beneath the executioner’s sword, taking key players in Henry’s household with her.

Jane Seymour, stepping up to replace the fallen queen, quickly becomes pregnant. Delighted with his dull but fertile wife, Henry’s spirits rise even further when the prince is born safely. At last, Henry has all he desires but even as he celebrates, fate is preparing to deliver one more staggering blow.

Henry, the once perfect Renaissance prince, is now a damaged middle-aged man, disappointed in those around him but most of all in himself. As the king’s optimism diminishes, his intractability increases, and the wounded lion begins to roar.

Book details

A Matter of Faith is available to read on Kindle Unlimited.

Buy links

Universal Link

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About the author

Judith Arnopp

When Judith Arnopp began to write professionally there was no question as to which genre to choose. A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds an honours degree in English and Creative writing, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of Wales, Lampeter.

Judith writes both fiction and non-fiction, working full-time from her home overlooking Cardigan Bay in Wales where she crafts novels based in the Medieval and Tudor period. Her main focus is on the perspective of historical women from all roles of life, prostitutes to queens, but she has recently turned her attention to Henry VIII himself.

Her novels include:

The Henrician Chronicle

A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years (Book One)

A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the years of the Phoenix (Book Two)

The Beaufort Chronicle

The Beaufort Bride (Book One)

The Beaufort Woman (Book Two)

The Kings Mother (Book Three)

Standalones

The Heretic Wind: The life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England

A Song of Sixpence: The story of Elizabeth of York

Intractable Heart: The story of Katheryn Parr

The Kiss of the Concubine: A story of Anne Boleyn

Sisters of Arden: On the pilgrimage of Grace

The Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII

The Song of Heledd: at the hall of Cynddylan

The Forest Dwellers: and the killing of William Rufus

Peaceweaver: The story of Eadgyth

Her non-fiction articles feature in various historical anthologies and magazines and an illustrated non-fiction book, How to Dress like a Tudor, will be published by Pen & Sword in 2023.

You can connect with Judith and follow her on Social Media:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

LinkedIn | Instagram

Book Bub | Amazon Author Page

See who else is sharing Judith’s book tour!