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Betrayal Reviewed By Sandra Shwayder Sanchez of Bookpleasures.com
- By Sandra Shwayder Sanchez
- Published April 26, 2012
- Historical Fiction
Sandra Shwayder Sanchez
Reviewer Sandra Shwayder Sanchez: Sandra is
a retired attorney and co-founder of a small non-profit publishing
collective: The Wessex Collective with whom she has published two short fiction collections
(A Mile in These Shoes and Three Novellas) and one
novel, Stillbird.
Her most recent novel, The Secret of A Long Journey is soon to be released by Floricanto Press in April 2012 and her first novel, The Nun, originally published by Plain View Press in 1992 is being  reissued in a 2nd Edition with additional material by PVP in March 2012.
Follow Here To Purchase Betrayal
Author: Michele Kallio
ISBN: 978-1-4620-0408-9
Growing up on the
historical novels of Thomas B. Costain, Anya Seton and Zoe Oldenbourg
I developed a real taste for good historical fiction and the Tudors
did indeed inspire a lot of it. From Anne of A Thousand Days,
made in 1969 with Richard Burton as Henry VIII to the more recent
film The Other Boleyn Sister, the tragic story of Anne Boleyn has
inspired a considerable amount of modern day speculation and
rightfully so.
The mystery of her rise and demise is as intriguing as
the mystery that forms the basis for The Da Vinci Code and Betrayal
is, in my opinion, a much better book. Both modern day and historical
characters are portrayed with a depth of psychological acumen that
makes them believable and immediate. The chapters alternate between
two fascinating stories, the romantic relationship of Lydia and Dan
which is constantly interrupted by a series of mysterious nightmares
afflicting Lydia and the speculative story of how Anne Boleyn was set
up and sentenced to death by beheading for adultery, incest and
treason.
Clearly there is a connection between the two that is revealed in due time at the end. The plotline starts slowly and builds steadily to a crescendo with a righteous and fortunate ending for all. Melded into the consummate mystery writing are thought provoking commentaries on topics that include reincarnation and the rescue of mistreated animals, revealing the author’s interest in social issues.
“So how do you feel about all this regression and past life stuff Dan?”
“To tell the truth George I don’t know. I mean past lives affecting present life? I just don’t know. . . . I was raised to believe that this is it. Make it or break it, our once chance of salvation. Sure, I’d like to believe in reincarnation especially as a doctor who sees the injustice of physical and mental handicaps. One who sees so much suffering in the world.” Dan paused to collect his thoughts. “For many people one chance is not enough. Suppose, George, this is it. What of the sick, the poor the masses of humanity who will never experience a full belly or a cupful of our wealth? Can God be so cruel to condemn millions to such suffering? (p.219)
At 481 pages this book is
lengthy but well worth the extended journey back and forth in time
and across the ocean. I highly recommend Betrayal to readers
interested in history, psychology, reincarnation and suspenseful
mysteries. It should be noted that the author’s story of what
happened in the mid 1530s is completely imagined but so believably
enmeshed in actual history that it seems a highly credible theory.