Once Upon a Rose: Once Upon a Rose

A country-and-western singer and a favorite courtier of King Henry VIII make an incongruous pair, but readers' initial skepticism is likely to yield to delight. While filming a music video in England, Deanie Bailey wanders through a maze in Hampton Court and travels 400 years into the past--and into the arms of Christopher Neville. Christopher accepts Deanie's sudden appearance with unlikely ease and guides her through the complex court politics swirling around King Henry and his fourth queen, Anne of Cleves. A richly detailed backdrop of food, clothing and manners heightens the drama and provides a touch of humor as Deanie's 20th-century sensibilities encounter 16th-century reality. After King Henry invites Deanie to be his mistress and Christopher foils a plot that endangers her life, Christopher and Deanie try to flee back through time. Complications ensue, and a sweet love story unfolds amidst deadly intrigue. This beautifully realized romance by the talented author of Ashton's Bride uses the magic and mystery of time travel to full effect. (May)