Presented by Sue and Jon Kinne
"Fiction" Author Conversations

“History as it should have been, Henry Tudor Must Die delivers the delicious revenge we’ve been craving for centuries.”
—Kirsten Miller, author of The Change and The Women of Wild Hill

In this feminist, witchy fantasy, journalist and author Jillian Laine reimagines the tale of Henry the VIII, weaving together historical facts, magic, a secret society, and the power of vengeful women.

Her story begins with one queen living in exile. Another headed for the gallows. Both are hungry for revenge. Anne Boleyn is going to die, and neither her cleverness nor her witchery can save her. So when her late rival, Catalina de Aragón, miraculously appears in her cell at the Tower of London on the eve of her execution, very much alive and offering a daring escape plan, no one is more surprised than Anne.

Lina doesn’t have Anne’s magic—but she has just as much hate for England’s wretched king. Severed from her daughter and stripped of all her influence, Lina breathes only for the Hellebore Sisterhood, a clandestine and powerful society with a vested interest in keeping both queens alive… and using their particular skills to advance womankind.

Anne and Lina’s old rivalries pale in comparison to a common enemy. And they're not alone. Anna von Kleve, Kat Howard, and even Catherine Parr all have their own bones to pick with the king. One by one, they capture their pawns, infiltrating the court and eliminating the men who plotted against them. Always inching closer to their true target… and they want his head.

Jillian Laine is an author, journalist, and editor. She has written multiple children’s books and has worked as an acquisitions editor, book festival director, and literary award judge. Henry Tudor Must Die is her first novel. She and her husband live with their pride of cats in Traverse City.

Guest host 

Beth Milligan is the head writer for the Traverse City Ticker and has served in marketing, PR, and board roles for numerous community organizations. She is the co-host of Currently with Christal Frost, a weekly podcast featuring local journalists discussing the region's top news stories.

Event Details

The livestream will begin with a slideshow at 6:50 p.m. Please note this slideshow will have no audio. The programming will begin at 7:00 p.m., a great time to test your audio. If you have any problems please double check the troubleshooting tips in your confirmation email. If that still doesn't help email marketing@nwstc.org.

Virtual attendees may participate in the Q&A via moderated chat. You must be logged into YouTube via a Google account to chat, or email questions to marketing@nwstc.org.

Virtual Ticket Pricing
Virtual Ticket (No Book): $14
Virtual Ticket + Book Pickup: $39
Virtual Ticket + Book Shipped: $47
Student / Educator Ticket (No Book): $10

About Our Book Sales

Each book bundle benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal. Horizon Books will ship anywhere in the continental U.S., with shipping costs applied at checkout. If you'd like your book shipped before July 22, please call Horizon Books. If you are local to Traverse City, you may opt to have your book picked up. To check on the status of your order with Horizon, call (231) 946-7290.

We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.

Sustaining Sponsor: Green Brick Foundation
Season Sponsors: Greenleaf Trust, image360, Cottage Books, NorthGuard Technology Group, Golden Fowler Home Furnishings
Livestream Underwriter: Nancy Davy
Entertainment Sponsor: The Folded Leaf