Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Upcoming Releases & Masterpiece Classics

There are lots of newsworthy posts in the book world that have me very excited for some upcoming releases.

First, Deanna Raybourn has revealed her new cover for the fifth installment of the Lady Julia Grey series, The Dark Enquiry, scheduled to be released this summer. It is already available for preorder.



Next, a recent post by Sheila Lamb on Historical Novel Review highlighted an author that I had planned on exploring this year. After reading Susanna Kearsley's website, she highly recommended the historical fiction books by Jan Cox Speas and mentioned that she was one of her favorite authors. Speas's historical romance books were published in the 1950's and '60's and were very popular for their vivid descriptions of the historical settings (England, Scotland, America, etc.) They are titled My Love, My Enemy.....Bride of MacHugh(I'm currently reading this one).....and My Lord Monleigh. Danielle at Sourcebooks communicated to me that Sourcebooks Casablanca Classics has plans to reissue all three this year! My Love, My Enemy in February, Bride of the MacHugh in June, and My Lord Monleigh in September.

Here are the original 1960's covers as they look in my collection (which I purchased from ebay sources)... if you click on each title, you will go to the Goodreads summary.



My Love, My Enemy


Bride of the MacHugh


My Lord Monleigh

Lastly, if you are a fan of period dramas (that would be me!), Downton Abbey is scheduled to air in the US on PBS beginning January 9. "A stately country house, a noble family, and a succession crisis.....Downton Abbey is an Edwardian spellbinder of a glittering bygone era."



Enjoy!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Gosh, I can't wait for Deanna Raybourns's new book! And those Speas romances sound FABULOUS! I'm going to pre-order the one releasing in February. And I won't even get started with how excited I am for the beginning of Downton Abbey on Masterpiece!

Joanne said...

Hi, Ruth! So glad you share my excitement! Can't wait to read your thoughts on these books and, of course, your comments on Downton Abbey.

Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Reader said...

The Raybourn book has been added to my wish list...still need to read Dark Road to Darjeeling though :-)

I'll be curious to find out what you think of the Jan Cox Speas book, Joanne. I'm up for trying anything that Susanna Kearsley recommends, but I admit to not being a fan of the romance genre in general so I'm always a little leery when I see the historical romance tag...it's not to say I don't read or enjoy historical romances, I just prefer ones that aren't too romancey - if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the info re: Downtown Abbey. I LOVE period dramas, too, especially when they come from the UK!

Joanne said...

Hi, Avid Reader! I totally get what you mean about too "romancey" -- I actually read many types of historical novels, some more straight historical fiction with a love story (like Elizabeth Chadwick) and some more romance with an historical setting (like Deanna Raybourn). I believe the Jan Cox Speas may fall more into the second category, but the jury is still out as I haven't finished the book. I'll post my thoughts soon when I'm finished.

Enjoy Downton Abbey!

Favorite Period Dramas

Mount TBR

Joanne's to-read book montage

On a Highland Shore
A Light on the Veranda
Entwined
The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile
The Edwardians
Maisie Dobbs
Howards End
Lady's Maid
Instruments Of Darkness
When Maidens Mourn
Where Shadows Dance
What Remains of Heaven
Where Serpents Sleep
Why Mermaids Sing
When Gods Die
Shadowfever
Before Ever After
The Sugar Queen
Garden Spells
After the Night


Joanne's favorite books »
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