Shades of Yellow
by Wendy J. Dunn
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
Wendy: Hey Lucy, do you mind talking to me for a bit?
Lucy halts on her way to her bedroom. She frowns and checks her watch.
Lucy: I suppose so. But I really need to get back to my novel.
Wendy: Thanks, Lucy. I appreciate this.
Wendy points to Lucy’s wrist.
Wendy: I recognise that watch. Isn’t it the Anne Boleyn watch they used to sell at … was it the National Portrait Gallery in London? I think it was there, but I could be wrong.
Lucy: Yes, yes, it is. Ben brought it for me on our honeymoon in London.
Wendy: I can’t remember you wearing it during the time I spent with you in England.
Lucy: It was a gift from Ben. I didn’t want to take anything with me on that trip that reminded me of Ben.
Wendy: Are things different now?
Lucy: Yes. Very much so.
Wendy: Are you two back together?
Lucy: I’ve just got to Australia, Wendy. I go in for my operation tomorrow. I rather not think about the future until after that.
Wendy: Okay. So, we are still in 2010. And I understand. But the Coffee Pot Book Club has asked me to discuss what motivates you, your challenges, your conflicts. I thought you should answer these questions, not me…
Lucy: That’s a lot to cover. I thought you only wanted to talk to me for a bit?
Wendy: I know, and I understand you are busy. I am a writer, too, so I understand the desire to keep writing. But if you could just answer these questions, I would be most grateful. So, tell me what drives you, Lucy?
Lucy laughs.
Lucy: What drives me? Passion, I suppose. Passion to give voices to the silenced voices of the past. Passion to write and finish my novel about Amy Robsart. Passion to live my life to feed my soul, and heart. To be true to myself, I suppose.
Wendy: Any challenges?
Lucy sighs.
Lucy: Life. If there is one thing the last five years has taught me is that life isn’t easy. I suppose it is true that life isn’t meant to be easy.
Even writing isn’t easy. Don’t get me wrong. I love writing, but to craft a novel? Well, that is no small thing. And to write a novel you’re truly proud of… a work if historical fiction? Well, for me, it takes time and so much mental energy.
Lucy laughs.
Lucy: And then I made it harder for myself by setting my first novel in Tudor times, and in England. You and I both know that getting to England from Australia means a long journey from home. And it is not a cheap journey either.
Wendy: But it is worth doing, don’t you think?
Lucy: For the sake of writing a novel set in England? Of course! I just wish I had had more time to get more done during my time in England, but the weather and my health made that impossible.
Wendy: Are there any conflicts you would like to tell me about?
Lucy: I suppose the main one involves human relationships. They are never easy… goodness; I use that word a lot. My time in England saw me dealing with so many conflicts. I fled from Australia because life felt too hard, and I just wanted to forget about my own life and focus on finishing my novel. Then I discovered there was nothing simple about finishing a book too.
Wendy laughs.
Wendy: I could have told you that. Nothing about writing is simple.
Lucy laughs.
Lucy: Makes you wonder why we do it.
Wendy: It keeps us sane, don’t you think?
Lucy: Yes. (She glances toward the door to her bedroom.) Forgive me, but I have a mountain of work to do before tomorrow. I best get back to it.
Wendy: Thank you, Lucy. And wish you so much luck and hope everything goes well tomorrow, and for the future.
Thank you, Wendy and Lucy, for your insightful chat.
We're keeping fingers & toes crossed.
We're keeping fingers & toes crossed.
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.
Connect with Wendy:
Amazon Author Page • BookBub • Goodreads
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