Tempting Fate (The Immortal Descendants)

by April White

  The Armada Portrait c. 1588

  Reproduced by kind permission of His Grace the Duke of Bedford and the Trustees of the Bedford Estates.

  I discovered some other fascinating tidbits as I wandered around historical research sites. It’s true that the Tudor crown, which sits on the table behind Elizabeth in the Armada Portrait, was picked apart and melted down by Cromwell’s government in 1647 – along with almost the entire collection of crown jewels. And at one time the crown jewels actually were hidden in the sub-crypt of St. John’s Chapel in the White Tower. Historical record also shows the future queen’s childhood friend, John Dudley, was held in Beauchamp Tower when Elizabeth Tudor was a prisoner. And there’s a story that a child, whose parents worked at the Tower, brought Elizabeth a posy of flowers which may or may not have come from Dudley. There is speculation that something about Elizabeth and John Dudley’s relationship changed after that time. Maybe it was the shared experience of fear, or maybe it was something more …

  And finally…

  Thank you so much for reading Tempting Fate. If you enjoyed this book, your review on Amazon or Goodreads would be very appreciated. You can find more information and my blog on www.immortaldescendants.com.

  I sincerely appreciate hearing from readers, and thank you, again, for joining Saira, Archer and Ringo on their adventures in time.

  ~April White

  The Accolades

  The people without whom sanity would be optional as I wrote this book deserve trips to Tahiti. But barring that, VERY SPECIAL THANKS (in shouty caps) are in order. Mom and Valerie, you leave no room for self-doubt, and you are the standard-bearers for the unconditional support of moms. Angela Houle, you are an extraordinary editor and an even better friend. That the two are not mutually exclusive is as awesome as it is shocking.

  Alexandra, Tania, Linda, Jess, Maria, Dawn, Jill, Sara, Patty, Heather and Silvia; there is a special place reserved in heaven for readers who slog through beta drafts. May yours be filled with good books and great wine. My Hopeless Romantics Book Club; There. Are. No. Words.

  My amazing boys, you are my reason for breathing. And Ed, my heart and soul, you inspire me. And if there are sexier words in the English language than those, I don’t know them.

  Copyright 2014 by April White

  All rights reserved. Published by Corazon Entertainment

  Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

  Cover design by Edward Gorsuch

  Cover clock image by Zyllan http://www.flickr.com/photos/zyllan/5436985592/

  Cover digital texture by Skeletalmess

  Edited by Angela Houle

  ISBN 978-0-9885368-3-8

  First American edition, June, 2014