Their affair persists through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already-married Katherine. Please leave a link to your Book Beginning post, not your blog home page or social media landing page.

So it was a week or so ago that I decided to finally give it a go. It has since remained unread on my bookshelf, along with many others I am yet to read. This classic romance, published in 1954, brings to life the historic tale of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. I bought Katherine by Anya Seton a couple of years ago, way back when I first decided to read by way through the BBC Top 100. MY BOOK BEGINNING In the tender green time of April, Katherine set forth at last upon her journey with the two nuns and the royal messenger. Do you plan to do any challenges in 2022? Which ones? I hope you consider the European Reading Challenge - it's the 10th anniversary of that challenge here on Rose City Reader! And the TBR 22 in '22 challenge, also here on my blog. I plan to spend this New Year's weekend reading Katherine and organizing my 2022 reading challenges. I just started it this morning and I am already sucked into this lavish, intricate tale of court life in 14th Century England. I'm ending the year with a chunky historical fiction classic, Katherine by Anya Seton. Share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week, or just a book you want to highlight. Please share the last book beginning of 2021 in the Linky box below. Happy New Year to all of you! And a heartfelt THANK YOU for playing along with me for another year of Book Beginnings on Fridays! This weekly event is the highlight of my book blogging and I appreciate all of you who join me, whether you come every week or drop in now and again.

Katherine anya