Five Minute History with Wendy J. Dunn
What is the history behind Shades of Yellow? Actually, two historical periods inform my novel. The story takes place mostly in 2010, fifteen years ago. During the time I wrote my story, it became clearer and clearer the world had changed a lot since 2010. So much so, it embodied those powerful words that identify a work as historical fiction: ‘The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.’ It surprised me how much research I needed to do to re-create this less dark time to that of our present world. For example, if you possessed a membership card, visiting the Tower of London was a lot simpler in 2010. You just showed your card and entered. The cityscape of London has changed a lot too. If had set the story in 2025, Lucy Ellis, my twenty-nine-year-old main character, would have had a few more life-changing options regarding her medical treatment. Also, if she was born in 1996 instead of around 1980, other factors would have shaped her worldview.
The second period of history to inform my story is that of the Tudors, an era of history that keeps me fascinated. Lucy is writing a novel about Amy Robsart, the first wife of Robert Dudley, the man who came closest to marrying Elizabeth Tudor. Amy was born in 1532, and met Robert when, in 1549, he accompanied his father, John Dudley, then the Earl of Warwick, to put down the Kett rebellion in Norfolk. History suggests Robert and Amy fell in love, and their parents agreed to their marriage when they were both about eighteen. Amy was the heir of her father, after all.
The next few years threw tragedy after tragedy into their lives after John Dudley, now the Duke of Northumberland, attempted to place Lady Jane Grey onto the throne. Mary Tudor succeeded in claiming the crown and executed John Dudley. Robert and his four brothers are all imprisoned in the Tower of London. The following year, another rebellion results in the execution of Lady Jane Grey and her husband Guildford Dudley. Robert and his other brothers remain at the Tower for another year. The oldest brother died shortly after his release because of his poor health by the time he and his brothers were released. It is my belief that this dark time affected Amy and Robert’s relationship. By the time Elizabeth became Queen, Robert and Amy, most of the time, were living separate lives. Robert and Elizabeth appeared then to be in love – and became the epicentre of scandal. Amy died in suspicious circumstances the day after Elizabeth I turned twenty-seven. No one has ever solved the mystery of Amy Dudley’s death, and her husband Robert never escaped the suspicion that he set in motion her murder.
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Find out more about Wendy's new book - Scroll down!
Publication Date: February 28th, 2025
Publisher: Other Terrain Press
Pages: 350
Genre: Women's Fiction / Literary Fiction
During her battle with illness, Lucy Ellis found solace in writing a novel about the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, the first wife of Robert Dudley, the man who came close to marrying Elizabeth I. As Lucy delves into Amy’s story, she also navigates the aftermath of her own experience that brought her close to death and the collapse of her marriage.
After taking leave from her teaching job to complete her novel, Lucy falls ill again. Fearing she will die before she finishes her book, she flees to England to solve the mystery of Amy Robsart’s death.
Can she find the strength to confront her past, forgive the man who broke her heart, and take control of her own destiny?
Who better to write about a betrayed woman than a woman betrayed?
Praise for Shades of Yellow:
"Shifting between 2010 and the Elizabethan era, Wendy J. Dunn's compelling new novel Shades of Yellow explores the complexities of relationships, creative ambition, and medical pain through the eyes of two brave women living centuries apart. Forced to confront the decisions that have brought them to their respective crisis points, Lucy and Amy seek to rewrite their own destinies. A treat for lovers of history and strong stories."
~ Lauren Chater, author of The Beauties
Buy Link:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Wendy J. Dunn
Wendy J. Dunn is a multi-award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of Dear Heart, How Like You This, her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder.
Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally.
Wendy gained her PhD in 2014 and tutors in writing at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. She loves walking in the footsteps of the historical people she gives voice to in her books.
Author Links:
Amazon Author Page • BookBub • Goodreads
Thank you so much for hosting Wendy J. Dunn today, with such a fabulous post about the historical mystery linked to her new dual-timeline story, Shades of Yellow.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club