Jane the Quene

The Seymour Saga

By: Janet Wertman

Narrated by: Janet Wertman

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

All Jane Seymour wants is a husband, but when she catches the eye of a volatile king, she is pulled deep into the Tudor court's realm of plot and intrigue....

England. 1535.

Jane Seymour is 27 years old and increasingly desperate to marry and secure her place in the world. When the court visits Wolf Hall, the Seymour ancestral manor, Jane has the perfect opportunity to shine: her diligence, efficiency, and newfound poise are sure to finally attract a suitor.

Meanwhile, King Henry VIII is 45 and increasingly desperate for an heir. He changed his country's religion to leave his first wife, a princess of Spain, for Anne Boleyn—but she, too, has failed to provide a son. As Henry begins to fear he is cursed, Jane Seymour's honesty and innocence conjure in him the hope of redemption.

Thomas Cromwell, an ambitious clerk whose political prowess keeps the king's changing desires satisfied, sees in Jane Seymour the perfect answer to the unrest threatening England: He engineers the plot that ends with Jane becoming the king's third wife. For Jane, who believes herself virtuous and her actions justified, miscarriages early in her marriage shake her confidence. How can a woman who has committed no wrong bear the guilt of how she unseated her predecessor?

©2016 Janet Wertman (P)2022 Janet Wertman

Jane the Queen

Such a pleasure to hear Janet Wertman read her book about Jane Seymour. This story makes Jane real and not a pale shadow lost to history.

Historical Adventure and more

Jane was a homely woman with a desire to marry and raise a family although her parents sought to keep her home. King Henry VIII meets Jane and the rest is history. The courtship, the deceptions, the beheadings, and the political intrigue led by Thomas Cromwell and others is devious. The heart wants what the heart wants and, in this case, both King Henry VIII and Jane get what they want but at a terrible cost.

Janet Wertman, the author, painstakingly researches the historical culture, societal beliefs, and practices as well as weaving in fictional aspects to the story. The dialogue appears to be authentic to the time, class, and societal language. Each character is revealed and becomes a three-dimensional character that one cannot help but be captivated by the story and characters. One grows to experience relationships both negatively and positively. The fictional story woven is carefully and deliberately blended into historical accounting. Very well done!

As the narrator, Janet Wertman did an excellent job. Her words flowed smoothly as did her speech pattern - making it mesmerizing. Although I do not always enjoy books narrated by authors, this one was very well done! Janet did an excellent job of bringing Jane to life.

If you enjoy historical novels, this is a very good one, to begin with as it has intrigue and action as well as romance.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.

Very good

I loved this book. I would have preferred an English narrator, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Highly recommended.

Couldn't stop listening

Excellent story. Once I started the book, I just had to finish the story

Should have been read by a different reader

I listen to audiobooks frequently over the years. A good reader can give ‘life’ to each character by making them a distinct participant in the book. All by mastering the voice each one has. Making the book an experience and not just words written on paper. This audiobook feels like being in a car on a long commute, with a co-worker who insists on reading out loud during the whole trip… The book itself is solid.