Ready to Become a Fan of... Katherine Longshore

Ready to Become a Fan of... focuses on those authors new and old whose works I have every intention of eventually reading, but haven't been able to devote the time to just yet. By discussing authors and their works that I'm sure I'll love, given the chance, hopefully I can be more easily compelled to take the next step in not simply acquiring one of their books, but actually take the time to read it.

This month I'm putting on record that I am ready to become a fan of Katherine Longshore.

About the author:
According to her Twitter profile, Longshore is a "YA writer, world traveller, author of the GILT series and MANOR OF SECRETS. [She likes] books and history (and chocolate). (source)

Work I'm most looking forward to reading:

Gilt

In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free--and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty's now caught between two men--the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head. (Goodreads)

Why this author & this work:
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, although I haven't read much of it recently. Part of the reason, I think, is that I have this perception that there isn't much in the way of quality YA historical fiction. It's a perception I'm fully aware is most likely skewed and wrong. So, I'm trying to correct it by reading some fantastic historical fiction written for a YA audience.

And where better to focus than with a time period I'm already very much a fan of? I've devoured all of Philippa Gregory's Tudor-era books (though I'm probably at least five years behind with her recent releases), and subsequently read a ton of adult historical fiction that also focused on the Tudor era. I think my familiarity with the time period will help make Longshore's books easy to get into and enjoyable.

I must say, though, that the Tudor books I've read focused on Henry VIII's earlier wives or his children, not so much on his later wives. So it'll be interesting to read about poor Catherine Howard. The fact that the story is told from an outsider's perspective also intrigues me.

I actually own copies of Gilt and Tarnish after winning a copy of the newly released bindup, Courted. I'm hoping to enjoy Gilt so much that I'll then dive into Tarnish right away. When I actually regain some reading time once again, that is.

For those of you who've already read some of Longshore's works, I'd appreciate hearing what you think about them. For those who also haven't read his works yet, let me know what's been holding you back!

Ready to Become a Fan of... is an original feature of Late Nights with Good Books.