Books Belles and Beaux

Happy Day - The Garden Intrigue is here!

2012-02-16T12:29:00.005-06:00

It's always something to cheer about when Lauren Willig's latest book in The Pink Carnation series hits the shelves! Today is release day for The Garden Intrigue and I can't wait to get back into the world of Pink.

I've been a bit under the weather so I've been laying very low on the blogosphere....hoping to curl up with The Garden Intrigue and a cup of hot tea and honey to cure what ails me.

Have a wonderful day!

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

2012-01-28T09:39:00.011-06:00

"Julia Beckett believes in destiny. When she moves into Greywethers, a beautiful sixteenth-century farmhouse, she suspects that more than coincidence has brought her there. The locals are warm and welcoming, especially the eligible squire of Crofton Hall, yet beneath the ordinariness, Julia senses a haunting sadness about her new home. Then she learns of Mariana, a beautiful young woman who lived there three hundred years ago. It seems history has been waiting for Julia....."

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This is the gorgeous new cover for Sourcebook's April 2012 release of Mariana, one of my very favorite books by Susanna Kearsley. Haunting, romantic, with time travel and history, this book blew me away when I first read it in 2010 and started me on a search for every book I could get my hands on by Susanna Kearsley!

Here is my review of Mariana from 2010 and the beautiful book trailer.....hope you enjoy this wonderful book! If you enjoyed The Winter Sea, and The Rose Garden, you must put Mariana on your TBR list and grab it when it is released in April!

What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris

2012-01-25T12:03:00.007-06:00

"In London, 1811, a young woman is brutally raped and murdered, her body left on the altar steps of an ancient church. The prime suspect: Sebastian St. Cyr, a brilliant young nobleman still haunted by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars. Now he is running for his life, desperate to catch the killer and prove his innocence. Moving from Mayfair's glittering ballrooms to St. Giles's fetid back alleys, Sebastian is assisted by a band of unlikely allies and pursued by a Machiavellian powerbroker with ties to the Prince Regent himself. What Angels Fear seamlessly weaves an intimate knowledge of the period with a multi-layered and compelling story, and is the first of a series of novels featuring these characters."
(from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

A very well-written historical mystery featuring the handsome Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, being accused of a heinous crime. Evidence at the scene of the rape/murder of a beautiful young actress implicates him as the culprit. During his arrest, he escapes and becomes a fugitive of the law while donning several disguises to disappear into the seedy underworld of Regency-era London searching for the real killer. Aided by a young street-wise pickpocketer, the duo set out to prove Sebastian's innocence and uncover a sinister plot of blackmail, love affairs, political intrigue, and spies. So impressed were the magistrates with Sebastian's investigative skills that they recruit him to assist them (unofficially, of course) in future cases!

I enjoyed this fast-moving plot as it kept me guessing how it would all play out. Some graphic descriptions of the murder and sex crime may be a bit much for some readers, so be forewarned. I'm definitely interested in continuing the series as there are several intriguing layers to Sebastian's character that should have interesting possibilities. In the author's note, Harris describes a condition (later called Bithil Syndrome) which gives Sebastian an abnormally keen eyesight and hearing, even the ability to have "night vision," as well as unusually quick reflexes. Pretty good qualities to have if you are an investigator!

3.5/5

Title: What Angels Fear (#1 Sebastian St. Cyr)
Author: C. S. Harris
genre: Regency-era historical mystery
kindle edition

To Marry An English Lord by Gail MacColl and Carol Wallace

2012-01-20T09:41:00.019-06:00

"In 1895, nine American girls, including a Vanderbilt (railroads), LaRoche (pharmaceuticals), Rogers (oil) and Whitney (New York trolleys), married peers of the British new money, among them, a duke, an earl, three barons and a knight. It was the peak year of a social phenomenon that began when the entrenched members of old New York snubbed these "new money" families after the Civil War, sending them off to England in quest of class and bequeathing to us Anglomania, Preppy, the Jet Set, and even Princess Di.

Here is the American Heiress's story. Filled with tales of wealth and marriage, sex and snobbery -- and 100-year-old gossip that's still scorching -- To Marry an English Lord is a heavily illustrated and energetically presented popular history. A rich tapestry of essays, sidebars, fact-filled boxes, and lively anecdotes combined with a wealth of portraits, drawings, photographs, and other rare Victoriana -- it chronicles the era of Mrs. Astor, Edith Wharton, King Edward VII, and the Marlborough House Set. Over 100 heiresses swapped dollars for titles. To Marry an English Lord is the only book to tell how they did it."(from goodreads)

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Today I am spotlighting a book for Downton Abbey fans that might be worthwhile trying to locate in your library for a look-see. I read in The World of Downtown Abbey that Julian Fellowes was inspired to create the character of Cora after reading To Marry an English Lord. It's more of a pictorial and anecdotal book so it looks like an enjoyable way to learn about this period in history.

I've been reading many posts around the blogosphere with requests for books that might be similar to the Downton Abbey plot, and I'm also on the lookout for similar books. I've ordered a used copy, so I'm looking forward to receiving it. (Especially since someone in my household removed the season 2 episodes from the DVR lineup in order to make room for American Idol and House of Anubis! grrr! I have plotted my revenge......tonight I am steaming broccoli and clauliflower for dinner --they will be clutching their throats and begging for mercy! That will teach them to muck with mom's Downton Abbey episodes!!!!!)

Top 10 Tuesday - Books I Would Recommend for Readers Who Don't Read Romance

2012-01-17T10:07:00.032-06:00

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

The topic today is: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read _______
(fill in the blank with any genre)

Today's topic was too fun to pass up, so I'm joining in with other bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish to make up my list of books for non-romance readers.

I read quite a large number of great books that fall more into the romance category, particularly the historical romance genre, that are very well-written and enjoyable. Here's my Top 10 list of great books and authors for the non-romance readers with a link to my review:

l. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley (She's a top favorite of mine.)

2. Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught (She has a great list - try any one of them!)

3. She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

4. My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

5. Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald

6. Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

7. Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

8. The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

9. Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise

10. Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

All are wonderful books with a romance at the heart of the story with an equally compelling plot. I hope one of these titles will tempt you to give something in the historical romance genre a try!

When My Baby Dreams by Adele Enersen

2012-01-17T08:54:00.015-06:00

From the brilliant mind of new mother Adele Enersen comes this imaginative journey through the irresistible dreamscapes of a newborn. A love letter to babies everywhere.

"Sometimes, Mila dreams she’s a butterfly . . . .

Sometimes, she’s a bookworm . . .

Or a surfer girl , or even an astronaut.

When Mila dreams, she can be anything."

(from Amazon.com)

my thoughts:

I made a rule when I began my blog that I wouldn't include children's literature or young adult titles as I was pretty burned out on that topic being a reading specialist for almost fifteen years.....but today I have to make an exception. (Just this once!) I saw this creative mom and her new book featured on the Today show this morning and instantly fell in love with this storybook!

Is there anything more sweet and peaceful looking as a sleeping baby? If you are a mom, have you ever wondered what visions may be floating through your baby's mind as he or she is napping? Well, this inventive mom created adorable vignettes to illustrate images of what her baby girl, Mila, might be imagining as she sleeps. Utterly charming! I wish I knew someone who was expecting (or a new mom) so I could give it as a baby gift!

For information about the author, visit milasdaydreams.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

2012-01-15T20:00:00.011-06:00

Set in New York City in 1938, Rules of Civility tells the story of a watershed year in the life of an uncompromising twenty-five-year-old named Katey Kontent. Armed with little more than a formidable intellect, a bracing wit, and her own brand of cool nerve, Katey embarks on a journey from a Wall Street secretarial pool through the upper echelons of New York society in search of a brighter future.

The story opens on New Year’s Eve in a Greenwich Village jazz bar, where Katey and her boardinghouse roommate Eve happen to meet Tinker Grey, a handsome banker with royal blue eyes and a ready smile. This chance encounter and its startling consequences cast Katey off her current course, but end up providing her unexpected access to the rarified offices of Conde Nast and a glittering new social circle. Befriended in turn by a shy, principled multimillionaire, an Upper East Side ne’er-do-well, and a single-minded widow who is ahead of her times, Katey has the chance to experience first hand the poise secured by wealth and station, but also the aspirations, envy, disloyalty, and desires that reside just below the surface. Even as she waits for circumstances to bring Tinker back into her orbit, she will learn how individual choices become the means by which life crystallizes loss.
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Drawn in by the gorgeous cover, I thought everything about Rules of Civility sounded fascinating. Elegant couples, jazzy 1930's parties and nightclubs, and the world of high society in New York appealed to me. While all of these elements were a part of the story, it didn't quite all come together to make it a great read.

The backdrop of Jazz Age music, fashion, night life, and NY attractions were the highlights of the book, while it seemed liked plot was secondary. Other than a handful of events, nothing much happens except for a whole lot of shots of gin, bar hopping and cigarette smoking, and jumping in a cab from one party to the next. A tragedy early in the story shapes one of the major story lines and I thought, finally, now we're getting somewhere with a real conflict; however, I disliked the way things developed (and stayed that way for most of the book!) so the book went downhill from there. It was one of those novels that I thought had much promise and could have been really great, but it just didn't quite meet my expectations.

A+ for style and setting, (definitely a nod to all that was fun and exciting about New York in the 30's), but just a "meh" on characters and plot.

3/5

Title: Rules of Civility
Author: Amor Towles
Viking
2011
kindle edition

The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes

2012-01-13T11:02:00.008-06:00

A lavish look at the real world--both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama--of the spellbinding Emmy Award-winning Masterpiece TV series Downton Abbey

"April 1912. The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear that it seems as if the way it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't."

Millions of American viewers were enthralled by the world of Downton Abbey, the mesmerizing TV drama of the aristocratic Crawley family--and their servants--on the verge of dramatic change. On the eve of Season 2 of the TV presentation, this gorgeous book--illustrated with sketches and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from both seasons--takes us even deeper into that world, with fresh insights into the story and characters as well as the social history.
(from Amazon)

my thoughts:

Are you a fan of Masterpiece Theatre's Downton Abbey? Are you enthralled with all things related to the upstairs/downstairs world of the characters and their secrets and heartaches? Then this delightful and beautiful hardbound edition, The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes, is for you!

For the ultimate Downton Abbey fan, there is glorious photography with text on the following chapters:

Family Life
Society
Change
Life in Service
Style
House and Estate
Romance
War
Behind the Scenes

It also includes suggestions for further reading on related topics which is very helpful.

The inside photographs and text are copyrighted material so I am not able to illustrate the content here, but click here to go to Amazon.com to view examples of the photography and content. My copy is staying on my coffee table for constant enjoyment! I love it!

Title: The World of Downton Abbey: The Official Companion to Seasons 1 and 2
Author: Jessica Fellowes
December 2011
St. Martin's Press
304 pages

Charlotte and Emily by Jude Morgan

2012-01-11T14:51:00.012-06:00

"From an obscure country parsonage came three extraordinary sisters who defied the outward bleakness of their lives to create the most brilliant literary works of their time. Now, in an astonishingly daring novel by the acclaimed Jude Morgan, the genius of the haunted Brontes is revealed an the sisters are brought to full, resplendent life: Emily, who turned from the world to the greater temptations of the imagination; gentle Anne, who suffered the harshest perception of the stifling life forced upon her; and the brilliant, uncompromising, and tormented Charlotte, who longed for both love and independence, and earned their ultimate price."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I approach every book I read with an open mind and with great anticipation. With my passion for all things related to the Brontes and their works, I chose Jude Morgan's Charlotte and Emily for the Victorian Reading Challenge as the publisher's blurb seemed quite promising. Unfortunately, after a few chapters in, I was ready to call it quits.

I've read quite a few biographies and Bronte-inspired novels, so I wasn't really expecting to find any new revelations...there just wasn't any depth to any aspect of the story. I found that Morgan's characters were not fully formed (each sister had such unique personalities and characteristics) and they came across as flat paper-dolls. In my opinion, the life of the Brontes, while tragic and bleak, had great passion and genius and the whole effort to tell this story just fell flat. I had to force myself to finish this novel.

I'm in the minority here -- mostly glowing 4 and 5 star ratings by other readers so many people found it to be a very satisfying read. I guess this just goes to show that "no two people read the same book."

2/5 stars

Title: Charlotte and Emily
Author: Jude Morgan
St. Martin's Press
2009
373 pages
genre: historical fiction

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

2012-01-09T08:24:00.017-06:00

"My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next."
(from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

What a terrific paranormal story and a very promising beginning to the Graveyard Queen trilogy! The Kingdom, book 2, and The Prophet, book 3, are to be published this year.

Lots of thrills and chills with southern gothic elements of crumbling cemeteries, ghostly apparitions, murder, and ancient secret societies set in sultry Charleston, South Carolina. Add in a spunky taphophile (graveyard restorer) who sees ghosts and a dark, attractive, enigmatic police detective with a tragic past and you've got a great sensual thriller/murder mystery. If you are a fan of Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, you'll likely enjoy The Restorer as it had that same kind of dark, sexy vibe with a spirit world intermingling with the main players.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read, and I'm so glad I won't have long to wait for the continuation!

4.5/5 stars

Title: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1)
Author: Amanda Stevens
paranormal/southern gothic
2011
MIRA
kindle edition

11/22/63 by Stephen King

2012-01-06T20:05:00.009-06:00

"November 22nd, 1963 was a rapid-fire sequence of indelible moments: Shots ring out; a president slumped over; a race to the Dallas hospital; an announcement, blood still fresh on the First Lady's dress. But what if President John F. Kennedy didn't have to die; if somehow his assassin could have been thwarted? For Maine schoolteacher Jake Epping, those hypothetical what if's become real possibilities when he walks through a portal to the past. Without special skills and still unfamiliar with his new/old surroundings, he struggles to discover a way to change the history he left. Like its Under the Dome predecessor, Stephen King's 960-page novel shows that this master of suspense is back at the top of his game."
(from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

I really stepped outside of my comfort zone on this one! I'm not usually one to pick up a Stephen King novel, but I'm always on the hunt for a great time-travel story and this one came highly recommended...and I have to say that everyone who said "go for it" was right.

How many times have we watched with horror the famous Zapruder film footage of JFK's limousine ride past the Texas Book Depository that fateful day in Dallas and wished fervently....please, God, PLEASE! Don't let this tragedy happen!

In this thrilling novel of suspense, Stephen King takes us on a journey back in time to the late 1950's and early 60's to explore the possibility of changing the course of history.

Armed with the knowledge of the assassination, Jake Epping steps through a strange portal in time to the year 1958 to attempt to find out the truth about JFK's assassination. Was Lee Harvey Oswald the lone shooter? Did he have an accomplice? He soon finds that there are forces working against him....ominous forces as we learn that "the past is obdurate." It doesn't want to change. And for every change that is put in motion, there is a "butterfly effect." Ripples of change occur...but is it for the best?

At times humorous and nostalgic with Americana in the late 50's, and other times chilling and suspenseful, this ride through time has many threads of story that intersect -- I found it got a bit tedious and rambled overmuch! I just wanted to get to the day of the assassination to see how it would all play out. But King's storytelling kept me glued to the pages and I felt like I had a front row seat to watch the movements of Lee Harvey Oswald and his wife, Marina, as the fateful date of November 22, 1963 drew closer and closer.....and the obdurate past fought back. Will he succeed in thwarting the assassination?

Gotta read it yourself to find out.

4/5 stars

Title: 11/22/63
Author: Stephen King
kindle edition

Victorian Challenge 2012

2012-01-02T17:31:00.012-06:00

Welcome to another year of book blogging! I hope your holidays were filled with good times and good memories! I have enjoyed visiting my favorite blogs and reading about your goals and proposed challenges for 2012, and I'm ready to join you on your reading journey in 2012.

My goal in creating this blog has always been to use Books, Belles, and Beaux as a way to share my thoughts on the books I read, learn about new authors, and connect with other readers. I like to keep the number of challenges to a minimum, and this year I have chosen to participate in just one challenge. Laura at Laura's Reviews has enticed me with the Victorian Challenge she will be hosting in 2012. Here are the details from her blog:

"For the Victorian Challenge, we will focus on the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. We will count books that were written by Victorian authors during this time period, books set during the Victorian age, or books about a Victorian author, history, manners, architecture, Queen Victoria etc... Also besides reading books, short stories, audiobooks and movies will also be accepted. The sky is the limit; I would love to make this a true celebration of all things Victorian.

Challenge Details

1. The Victorian Challenge 2012 will run from January 1st to December 31st, 2012. You can post a review before this date if you wish.

2. You can read a book, watch a movie, or listen to an audiobook, anything Victorian related that you would like. Reading, watching, or listening to a favorite Victorian related item again for the second, third, or more times is also allowed. You can also share items with other challenges.

3. The goal will be to read, watch, listen, to 2 to 6 (or beyond) Victorian items."

My first book selected for this challenge is:

Charlotte and Emily by Jude Morgan

Good luck in your challenges!

2011 Highlights: Books & Authors

2011-12-17T19:28:00.002-06:00

It's time to close another year of book blogging and look back at all the wonderful reads I had in 2011 to see which ones stand out as my favorites. There's no scientific method for selecting my best reads nor does it necessarily mean that they were a five-star read. My picks are simply books that made an impression on me -- either the writing or the characters struck me as unique....and they definitely land on my keeper shelf.

Here are my top choices for 2011 by category with a link to the review - hope some of them are your favorites, too. (Note: Not all of them are 2011 releases.)

BEST LITERARY FICTION AND MY TOP PICKS:

These two beautiful and poignant novels left me feeling that I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the characters when their story was over and are at the top of my "favorites" list.

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

And now on to some other awards:

BEST HISTORICAL FICTION:

The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

BEST HISTORICAL MYSTERY:

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

BEST AUSTENESQUE:

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise

BEST ANTHOLOGY:

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Laurel Ann Nattress, editor

BEST TIME TRAVEL:

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

BEST GEM FROM THE PAST:

Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald

BEST SCARED THE BEJEEZUS OUT OF ME:

House of Echoes by Barbara Erskine

BEST NOT-YOUR-TYPICAL ROMANCE:

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (This one was a hoot!)

BEST SMOKIN' HOT ROMANCE:

Untamed by Pamela Clare (You might not want to read this one at work --ahem--.)

WISH I'D GOTTEN IT FROM THE LIBRARY AND SAVED A FEW BUCKS:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

BEST PIRATE ADVENTURE:

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

MOST CREATIVE:

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston.

PRETTIEST COVER:

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

THE BEST 'JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS' PRESENT:

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

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BEST AUTHOR EVENT: Romance Writers' of America Book Signing in New York - Wonderful event in NY this summer and had the opportunity to meet Susanna Kearsley, Deanna Raybourn, and the always-fabulous Lauren Willig! (Also had a chance to meet up with book blogging buddy Julie @ Outlandish Dreaming! (waves at Julie)

QUOTED IN REVIEWS: I was thrilled to notice in the paperback edition of Nocturne by Syrie James, a blurb from my review was used. Thank you, Syrie!(My blog was formerly called Slice of Life.)

Hope your year was filled with good books and all good things! See you in 2012!

Royal Mistress Challenge 2011 - Wrap Up!

2011-12-11T21:49:00.015-06:00

A big thanks to Miss Moppet of The Misadventures of Moppet for creating and providing reading recommendations for the Royal Mistress Challenge. I enjoyed this challenge very much and found several books by Susan Holloway Scott to be perfect for exploring the world of court intrigue and forbidden romance. I have a few more of her books which I'll get to in 2012.

Royal Affairs by Leslie Carroll (4 stars)

The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott (4 stars)

Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar (3.5 stars)

Royal Harlot by Susan Holloway Scott (4 stars)

Time Travel Reading Challenge 2011 - Wrap Up!

2011-12-09T09:29:00.030-06:00

It's that time of year when I begin to look back at my reading challenges and make a summary post of my results. I like to keep things simple and select only those challenges that fit easily into my normal reading habits, and since I love time travel or time slip novels, this one is an easy category to complete. A big thanks to Alyce of At Home With Books for hosting this challenge and creating a suggested reading list for the past few years. I understand she will not be hosting again in 2012, but I certainly will continue to explore books in this fascinating category.

I can't wait to start visiting around the blogosphere as my favorite book bloggers start wrapping up their "year end" and "challenge" posts. Let the fun begin!

Here's my list with a link to the reviews for the TIME CHALLENGE/TIME SLIP NOVELS:

Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine (3 stars)

House of Echoes by Barbara Erskine (4 stars)

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon (short story - 4.5 stars)

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley (4.5 stars)

Midnight on Julia Street by Ciji Ware (3 stars)

Legacy by Jeanette Baker (3.5 stars)

Passage by Connie Willis (3.5 stars)

All in all, a fairly good group of time travel books read this year with the lovely historical romance, The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley being my personal favorite in this category. No surprise there as just about everything by Kearsley lands on my keeper shelf. A strong second place read was Barbara Erskine's House of Echoes , a delightfully haunting story with time travel and the supernatural.

Surrender by Pamela Clare

2011-12-08T09:04:00.005-06:00

A hand-picked cadre of warriors, they had the fierce courage of their Scots forefathers, combined with the stealth and cunning of the Indians who lived beside them in the wilderness. Battling the French in no-holds-barred combat, they forged a new brand of honor, became a new breed of men…

MacKinnon’s Rangers

Iain MacKinnon had been forced to serve the British crown, but compassion urged him to save the lovely lass facing certain death at the hands of the Abenaki. He’d defied his orders, endangered his brothers, his men and his mission, all for a woman. But when he held Annie’s sweet body in his arms, he could feel no regret. Though he sensed she was hiding something from him, it was too late to hold back his heart. In love and war, there are times when the only course of action is… Surrender.

Book news! Pamela Clare's MacKinnon Ranger series has a new publisher and the books are getting a fresh cover look and new material added as they are re-released.(And it's available on kindle.) If you love a great adventure, an historical setting during the French and Indian War, and a passionate love story, then Surrender is for you!

As Pamela explained on her website, her previous publisher had strict guidelines for the length of books they printed. She was forced to cut some material from Surrender to meet those guidelines. Now, the story has been tweaked to include scenes that Pamela feels will make the story even more enjoyable, and I'm glad she was given the opportunity to write Iain and Annie's story the way she originally intended. I'm sure she made an already terrific book even better.

I won a signed copy of this newly released edition, so I'm looking forward to reading it again. (My glowing review of the original version is here.)

Royal Harlot by Susan Holloway Scott

2011-12-07T08:10:00.012-06:00

"London, 1660.

Ready to throw off a generation of Puritan rule, all England rejoices when Charles Stuart returns to reclaim the throne. Among those welcoming him is young Barbara Villiers Palmer, a breathtaking Royalist beauty whose sensuality and clever wit instantly captivate the handsome, jaded king.

Though each is promised to another, Barbara soon becomes Charles’s mistress and closest friend, and the uncrowned queen of his bawdy Restoration court. Rewarded with titles, land, and jewels, she is the most envied and desired woman in England––and the most powerful.

But the role of royal mistress is a precarious one, and Barbara’s enemies and rivals are everywhere in the palace. Even kings can lose their heads to treason, and swirling political intrigue brings new threats and danger—until not even Charles himself is safe.

In this world where love is no more than a game, and power the ultimate aphrodisiac, only one woman holds the key to it all: Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, Duchess of Cleveland, and the royal harlot."

my thoughts:

A delightful and very sensual portrait of the beautiful Barbara Villiers Palmer, mistress of the merry monarch, King Charles II. The world of 17th century England comes alive as Susan Holloway Scott recreates this fascinating period of history when the exiled Charles Stuart returns to the throne.

As a young woman, Barbara learned early on that her beauty and self-assurance were powerful assets, and she was not afraid to be adventurous. Her first encounter with His Majesty occurred when she happily agreed to act as a courier to secretly bring gold to Charles in Flanders; her husband, Roger Palmer, was also eager for her to gain favor with the king by informing him of the Palmer's loyalty and sacrifices made on behalf of the crown. Enchanted by Barbara's beauty and charm, this was the beginning of a long and passionate relationship that lasted many years and produced several (illegitimate) children. Knowing she had a powerful sexual hold on the king, she flaunted her position as royal mistress and accumulated jewelry, titles, and land. Her presence at the palace was a source of pain to the barren Queen, Catherine of Braganza, and there were enemies who plotted to see her removed from royal favor.

Through the great plague, the fire of London, and the decadent world of romance and intrigue at the court, Royal Harlot was a fascinating look at a woman who many vilified as an evil, immoral woman who had too much power with the king; however, Scott's portrayal left me feeling that despite her choices, Barbara, the Countess of Castlemaine, was a strong woman that was not ashamed of the way she lived her life, and was not one to live with regrets. I think she would approve of the way Susan Holloway Scott recreated her.

4/5 stars

Title: Royal Harlot
Author: Susan Holloway Scott
2007
New American Library
380 pages

Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley

2011-12-01T10:39:00.003-06:00

'No one lives for ever. But the truth survives us all'.

"Kate Murray is deeply troubled. In front of her lies a dead man, a stranger who only minutes before had approached her wanting to tell her about a mystery, a long-forgotten murder. The crime was old, he'd told her, but still deserving of justice. Soon Kate is caught up in a dangerous whirlwind of events that takes her back into her grandmother's mysterious war-time past and across the Atlantic as she tries to retrace the dead man's footsteps. Finding out the truth is not so simple, however, as only a few people are still alive who know the story - and Kate soon realises that her questions are putting their lives in danger. Stalked by an unknown and sinister enemy, she must use her tough journalistic instinct to find the answers from the past - before she has to say goodbye to her future."
(from goodreads)

my thoughts:

Originally published under the pen name Emma Cole, the new Every Secret Thing e-book is Susanna Kearsley's contemporary thriller. I am a fan of her historical/romantic suspense titles (particularly those with a time slip element), so I was curious to sample her contemporary mystery. It was well-crafted dual storyline thriller that had me guessing until the end how all the threads tied together.

Kate Murray is a Canadian journalist working on assignment in London when she is approached by an elderly gentleman who tells her....

"I have a story I could tell you, if you're interested...there's a murder in it.
An old murder, but one still deserving of justice."

Being far too busy working on her assignment, Kate doesn't give the elderly man much of her attention. He gives her his card and invites her to call him when she has more time, and leaves with a very mysterious comment.

"Oh, and do say hello to your grandmother for me. I hope that she's well....
You have her eyes, you know."

But Kate never has opportunity to learn more of the cryptic message about an old murder as Andrew Deacon is dead within minutes.

This shocking event leads Kate to begin using her journalistic skills and instincts to begin investigating the secret that Andrew Deacon had wanted her to know. Her investigations bring to light her grandmother's secret past during WWII that she kept hidden throughout her lifetime. But more people will die, and every step that Kate takes to uncover more information causes more danger. No one can be trusted and people are not all who they seem to be, and someone will stop at nothing to keep the story from being uncovered. Going under cover with a different name and look, Kate's clues lead her to Lisbon where wartime spies and secret business deals left someone getting away with murder many years ago. Clue by clue, she desperately tries to fit the pieces of the puzzle together before the murderer strikes again.

While this mystery was fast paced and suspenseful, the strength of the plot for me was the lovely back-story that unfolded of two ordinary people making an extraordinary sacrifice as part of their duty during the war. Fate brought them together briefly, but their short time together left a lasting bond. Their sacrifice was not unrealistic as Kearsley based her story on the true British Security Coordination in NY, a spy agency established under the cover of the British Embassy and Passport Office, where the United States, Britain, and Canada shared intercepted intelligence during WWII. It was a very interesting piece of history that was new to me.

A bit of a departure for me as I don't usually read many contemporaries, but a treat if you are looking for something unique from Susanna Kearsley.

4/5 stars
Kindle edition

The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

2011-11-25T12:02:00.021-06:00

"Already known as a knight of uncommon skill and honor, William Marshal has earned the friendship of King Richard and the love of a wealthy heiress. But when the Lionheart dies leaving his treacherous brother John on the throne, William and Isabelle need all of their strength and courage to face a shattered world. Their sons held hostage, their integrity at stake, the two must choose between obeying their king or honoring their hearts. Breathing life into history, Elizabeth Chadwick provides a riveting novel of an uncommon marriage between a man of valor and the only woman who could match him."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Actually, this will be two-reviews-in-one as I read The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion back to back. Although each is marketed as a stand alone novel based on the life of William Marshal, I highly recommend reading The Greatest Knight first. In this novel, the foundation of William's chivalrous character is set, from his harrowing childhood experience of his father's betrayal to his journey of becoming legendary for his skills as a soldier and champion of the tournament circuit. He grows to earn the confidence of kings and queens due to his loyalty and keen intellect (although he remained illiterate), and these characteristics contributed to his role as a diplomat and magnate. Chadwick fleshes out the legendary knight as a young man of honor and simple pleasures, respectful of women and committed to duty and his oath of fealty. Quite a man and hero, according the Chadwick.

The Scarlet Lion continues the story of William Marshal, now married to the beautiful heiress, Isabelle de Clare. Isabelle and William are a devoted couple enjoying their large family and balancing responsibilities to the king. Chadwick portrays William as a devoted husband and respectful of his wife's opinions which was very unusual for the times. He publicly acknowledged his pride in Isabelle's powerful position in her own right and often referred to his wife as his "safe harbor." Throughout the years, though, their relationship is tested as William's loyalty to his oath to King John (despite the king's treachery) brings troubled waters into their relationship with each other and their two eldest sons. William also created trouble for himself (and his sons!) by pledging an oath of support to the French King Philip in order to retain lands in France. King John is not one to take an offense lightly. Despite the trials that William's decisions and responsibilities bring to their married life, they weather the storms together. A wonderful love story and a glimpse of the intrigue of King John's court makes The Scarlet Lion a very enjoyable portrait of this historical figure. A bit dry at times (sometimes reads more like a retelling of historical facts), but still impeccable research and an authentic depiction of medieval life.

I plan on continuing with the story of their daughter, Mahelt Marshal, in To Defy a King.

4/5 stars for both The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion

Let's Talk Turkey....

2011-11-23T11:45:00.013-06:00

...or stuffing, or sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie, or any other delicious dish that must be on your Thanksgiving table in order to have that complete feeling of satisfaction.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a wonderful day for all my readers who celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday -- filled with family and friends, a delicious meal, and -- if it's your thing -- football!

I thought it would be fun to ask you a Thanksgiving question:

What item is absolutely necessary for you to have on Thanksgiving?

We all have that "must have" food that Thanksgiving just would not be complete without.

For me, I live for the dressing (or stuffing, depending on where you live). I'm not much of a cook, but I make a delicious autumn dressing that I developed by combining the best of several recipes. It's a mix of sweet/savory flavors and is so easy to make:

Joanne's Autumn Dressing:

INGREDIENTS:
olive oil & butter
1 onion (chopped)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
1 red apple and 1 granny smith apple (chopped)
1 package pork sausage (Italian sausage is good, too!) (remove casing)
1 small package cubed ham
1/2 cup dried cranberries/raisins (Sun-Maid makes a combo pack)
chopped pecans
fresh sage -- chopped finely
1 package dried cornbread and herb stuffing mixture
1 large container chicken stock
salt, pepper to taste

EASY DIRECTIONS:

Sautee chopped ingredients (onion, celery, and apples) in olive oil and butter. Add dried cranberries and raisins (I like lots), chopped pecans, and a bit of fresh sage for light browning. Remove and place in large mixing bowl. Brown sausage (remove casing) until fully cooked and add ham to lightly brown. Add to bowl, and mix in dried cornbread stuffing mix, salt & pepper according to your taste, and add chicken stock to desired consistency. Place in greased baking dish and top with a few extra pats of butter and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown and warmed through, about 25-30 minutes.

This is so easy and delicious! The above recipe is good for a fairly large family; double it for a big crowd. It's all good. I developed this recipe as my mom always stuffed her turkey with her elegant oyster dressing...and I don't eat oysters! I won't even go there.

So here's to wishing you and yours abundant blessings (and good eating) on Thanksgiving Day!

Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine

2011-11-18T20:33:00.014-06:00

"Whispers in the Sand is set in richly mysterious Egypt where the past and present collide. Recently divorced, Anna Fox decides to cheer herself up by retracing a journey her great-grandmother made in the nineteenth century: a Nile cruise from Luxor to the Valley of the Kings. Anna carries with her on the voyage two mementoes of her great-grandmother Louisa: an ancient Egyptian scent bottle and the diary of that original Nile cruise which has lain unread for a hundred years. As she follows in Louisa's footsteps, Anna discovers in the diary the chilling secret of the scent bottle and is pursued by the same terrifying spectres as her great grandmother."

my thoughts:

I'm very happy that Sourcebooks has been reissuing some of Barbara Erskine's titles in the US as I've had to shop for some of her older books in used bookstores and/or online from the UK (with high shipping prices!) So thanks, Sourcebooks - keep them coming!

Barbara Erskine is known for her fascinating historical fiction storylines in her books with supernatural forces and time-slip. However, I feel her contemporary characters and storylines are sometimes weak and often detract from the enjoyment of the novel. If she could work on getting the contemporary aspects of her novels tweaked, her books would be greatly improved! (The men in the present day can be condescending and chauvinistic, women are often near hysteria, and at least one character is certifiably the Most Annoying Person on the Planet!)

Having said all that, I enjoyed aspects of Whispers in the Sand, and the star of the show was the charming Victorian love story as told through a one-hundred-year-old diary. Erskine's descriptions of a young woman's experiences in ancient Egypt and the Victorian-era cruise along the Nile was intriguing and very poignant. I almost feel that the historical story could have been a stand alone book (without the present day story) and it would have been just fine.

Not Erskine's best and certainly not as atmospheric and suspenseful as some of her other books (i.e. House of Echoes), but still a pleasant read.

3/5 stars

Title: Whispers in the Sand
Author: Barbara Erskine
2011
Sourcebooks
481 pages
genre: historical fiction/time slip

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

2011-11-17T18:11:00.016-06:00

"A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, and a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory from the international best-selling author Kate Morton.

Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early twentieth century - Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself." (from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

This novel has been on my TBR list for so long I almost forgot all about it! I'm so glad I finally managed to make time for it as I loved it.

I admit it -- I love gloomy, gothic, melancholy storylines. (I'm not sure just what that says about me, as I think I am a very nice, upbeat person in real life!) But I never get tired of plots with dark family secrets and an old English estate. Add in a cottage by the sea, a smugglers' cave, a secret garden, and a cameo appearance by Frances Hodgson Burnett (of The Secret Garden), and you have a winner for me.

Kate Morton knows how to draw out the suspense -- she layers her mysteries and secrets, weaves the story of several generations together, and keeps the suspense high until the shocking conclusion. I admit that I have to be in the right frame of mind to read her novels as they are very haunting and there is a pervasive sadness throughout her books, a great sense of loss.....and even though there is closure, it's bittersweet. Still many questions linger in my mind -- this would be a great book club read as I would love to have a long discussion about some threads of the story.

I have now enjoyed all three of her novels and look forward to her next writing project. You can also read my reviews of The Distant Hours and The House at Riverton.

Kate Morton discusses The Forgotten Garden:

5/5 stars

Title: The Forgotten Garden
Author: Kate Morton
2008
Simon & Schuster
552 pages
genre: mystery/suspense

Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar

2011-11-11T14:29:00.006-06:00

"While selling oranges in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Ellen "Nell" Gwyn impresses the proprietors with a wit and sparkle that belie her youth and poverty. She quickly earns a place in the company, narrowly avoiding the life of prostitution, to which her sister has already succumbed. As her roles evolve from supporting to starring, the scope of her life broadens as well. Soon Ellen is dressed in the finest fashions, charming the luminaries of Restoration England.
Ellen grows up on the stage, experiencing first love and heartbreak and eventually becoming mistress of Charles II. Despite his reputation as a libertine, Ellen wholly captures his heart -- and he hers --but even the most powerful love isn't enough to stave off the gossip and bitter court politics that accompany a royal romance."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Darn it, I really wanted to love this book!

It has all the ingredients of a great big juicy read about everyone's favorite orange-girl-turned-actress-turned-favorite-mistress-of-Charles II, but for me, it didn't quite all come together. It's quite a lovely novel to behold, from the gorgeous cover to the interior which consists of diary excerpts, playbills, letters, gossip columns, recipes, and other snippets of seventeenth century life. However, I found myself skimming and scanning, trying to find the real "meat" and was a little disappointed that the pieces, while interesting, didn't make for a satisfying whole. A strong beginning, a large cast of players and characters, but would have liked a bit more depth.

A pleasant read, perhaps good for someone just beginning to explore Restoration England or the mistresses of Charles II. (I'm always glad to give a balanced review, and Exit the Actress has received many 5 star ratings, so this is just my view.)

3.5/5

Title: Exit the Actress
Author: Priya Parmar
2011
Simon & Schuster
446 pages

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston

2011-11-08T09:38:00.027-06:00

"The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt is a visually stunning, totally unique, full-color novel in the form of a scrapbook, set in the burgeoning bohemian culture of the 1920s and featuring an endearing, unforgettable heroine. Caroline Preston, author of the New York Times Notable Book Jackie by Josie, uses a kaleidoscopic array of vintage memorabilia—postcards, letters, magazine ads, ticket stubs, catalog pages, fabric swatches, candy wrappers, fashion spreads, menus and more—to tell the tale of spirited and ambitious Frankie’s remarkable odyssey from Vassar to Greenwich Village to Paris, in a manner that will delight crafters, historical fiction fans, and anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story ingeniously told."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

As a longtime memory keeper, scrapbooker, journal writer, and family historian, I've always loved old letters, heritage photographs, and vintage ephemera. However, you don't have to be crafty or into scrapbooking to enjoy this thoroughly original and visually delightful book, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt. Imagine discovering your grandmother's old photos and cherished mementos in a box in the attic -- a time capsule of memories! That is what it is like to experience Frankie's scrapbook.

Frankie's story of the ups and downs of her adult life beginning with her experiences as a Vassar student is told with wit and honesty, and can easily be read in one sitting. It appears Frankie painstakingly typed out her journey from student to world traveler and aspiring writer on a Corona typewriter, adding authenticity to a tale told in days of old. I'm keeping this little gem on my nightstand to browse through it to savor each page which captures the world of the roaring '20's --the fashion, music, popculture, literature, and history created with authentic vintage ephemera. A delightful way to spend a lazy evening and dream about what is was like to live in the world of the jazz age.

4.5/5 stars

I hope you can take a few minutes to watch the booktrailer and author interview as you will get a glimpse inside this utterly charming book:

Title: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt
Author: Caroline Preston
Harper Collins
2011

Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

2011-11-07T19:32:00.009-06:00

SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS AND HALF THE WORLD, WILDFLOWER HILL IS A SWEEPING, ROMANTIC, AND COMPELLING STORY OF TWO WOMEN WHO SHARE A LEGACY OF SECRETS, HEARTBREAK, COURAGE, AND LOVE.

Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she’s mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beattie’s death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Emma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.

Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success—-but only after following an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma’s heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.

Wildflower Hill is a compelling, atmospheric, and romantic novel about taking risks, starting again, and believing in yourself. It’s about finding out what you really want and discovering that the answer might be not at all what you’d expect.

my thoughts:

I just loved this book to pieces!

From the very first page, the story of the indomitable Beattie just captured my heart and wouldn't let go. Her journey from an unwed mother to a successful businesswoman is such a bittersweet and courageous struggle and I experienced such a range of emotions! Her life is filled with challenges and overwhelming obstacles from bigotry and sanctimonious hypocrites, but no matter how hard life knocked her down, she brushed herself off and forged ahead. The love for her child spurred her on to make a life for themselves (difficult as this was for a woman in the 1920's) and I cheered for her every difficult step of the way.

Intertwined in Beattie's story is the life of her granddaughter, Emma. Once a famous ballerina, an injury forces her to give up her career and reevaluate her life. With time on her hands and an inheritance of Wildflower Hill from Beattie, she travels to Australia to prepare the estate for sale. But once there, Emma begins sorting through Beattie's personal belongings and it seems that Beattie kept painful secrets from her family. As Emma examines the heart and life of her grandmother, she learns about her own confused and unsettled life. Sometimes pain can cause you to take risks and find the courage to do what brings you peace.

5/5 stars Beautiful, just beautiful!

Title: Wildflower Hill
Author: Kimberley Freeman
Touchstone Book
2011
526 pages
genre: literary fiction

House of Echoes by Barbara Erskine

2011-11-03T20:42:00.015-05:00

"Joss Grant is eager to begin a new life when she inherits Belheddon Hall. She brings her busband, Luke, and their small son, Tom, to the dilapidated house, and sets about discovering her family roots which lie in the village.

But not long after they move in, Tom wakes screaming at night. Joss hears echoing voices and senses an invisible presence, watching her from the shadows. Are they spirits from the past? Or is she imagining them? As she learns with mounting horror of Belheddon's tragic and dramatic history, her fear grows very real, for she realizes that both her family and her own sanity are at the mercy of a violent and powerful energy which seems beyond anyone's control."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Whenever autumn rolls around and the weather turns cooler, I immediately get in the mood for some good old-fashioned mysteries and ghost stories. Throw in a little history or time slip into the mix, and I'm a happy camper. I enjoyed Erskine's Lady of Hay very much, so I set out to get as many books from her backlist as possible. House of Echoes sounded like an appropriately scary Halloween read, so I settled in and prepared myself to be spooked. I was not disappointed!

When Joss and her financially-strapped husband discover that she has inherited an ancient ancestral home from her birth mother, Belheddon Hall, it appears that it is the answer to their prayers. Joss is anxious to settle in and delve into the history of her new home to discover as much as she can about her birth family. It doesn't take long for her to locate cryptic journals and letters which hint at a malevolent spirit that has haunted and harmed the males in the family for generations. And the villagers, wary of the house, warn them of the family's tragic history in the house.

Dark, stormy nights......whispers from the shadows......white roses left on the bed pillow......laughter in the attic......a baby crib that moves from the wall to the window......a bone-chilling coldness that takes over a room.....hello! One night in that house and this would have been me:

That's me, hightailing it outta there!!! But if they left the house, there wouldn't be a story, would there? So the family settles in with the help of her sister/nanny, and Joss, now pregnant, continues to be plagued with terrifying dreams and visions. Luke, ever the macho-realist, scoffs at the idea of ghosts and attributes the events on Joss's over-active imagination or the stress of her pregnancy. In his mind, everything has a logical explanation and Joss is over-reacting. Joss and her good friend, David, begin to research the history of the home and discover that it has a royal connection and a witch's curse which has cast a chilling terror in the inhabitants of Belheddon Hall since the fifteenth century. How can they deliver the house of this evil before it claims another victim?

Definitely an A+ for the creep factor, and if you can overlook a few minor annoying points (too many "There, there, dear, you're just overwrought" type comments and a sister that brings obtuse to a new level), it's a darn good spooky read. Had me looking over my shoulder a few times and turning on a few extra lights!

4/5 stars

Title: House of Echoes
Author: Barbara Erskine
1996
Harper Collins Books
genre: mystery/paranormal

A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander

2011-11-02T18:35:00.005-05:00

"Newly returned to her home in Mayfair, Lady Emily Hargreaves is looking forward to enjoying the delights of the season. The delights, that is, as defined by her own eccentricities—reading The Aeneid, waltzing with her dashing husband, and joining the Women’s Liberal Federation in the early stages of its campaign to win the vote for women.

But an audacious vandal disturbs the peace in the capital city, splashing red paint on the neat edifices of the homes of London’s elite. This mark, impossible to hide, presages the revelation of scandalous secrets, driving the hapless victims into disgrace, despair and even death.

Soon, all of London high society is living in fear of learning who will be the next target, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, favorite agent of the crown, must uncover the identity and reveal the motives of the twisted mind behind it all before another innocent life is lost."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Sadly, I think this series has run its course for me. I am a big fan of the first three books, And Only to Deceive, A Poisoned Season, and A Fatal Waltz, and I was very much looking forward to the evolution of this elegant and sophisticated Victorian sleuthing couple. However, I've been underwhelmed with the last few books and I'm finding that the now-married Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves have lost their luster. Of course, they are a devoted and charming couple, but the relationship (which was such a highlight in the beginning) has faded to the background. The mystery of the splashed crimson paint upon unsuspecting victims' doorstep was intriguing -- the red paint indicated that there was a scandal soon to be revealed to society -- but the race to find clues led Emily on a search through the British museum (ho hum) and the conclusion was rather anticlimatic.

I'm sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but I think it's time for Tasha Alexander to try her hand at something different -- perhaps a stand alone with new characters and a completely different setting. I truly enjoy her very elegant writing style, and her recreation of Victorian society is charming, but I'd like to see her try a new direction.

3.5/5

Title: A Crimson Warning
Author: Tasha Alexander
2011
Minotaur Books

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon

2011-10-31T00:05:00.008-05:00

"A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" is a short story by Diana Gabaldon and is part of the anthology, Songs of Love and Death, George R. R. Martin, Editor.
Here she gives us the bittersweet tale of a man torn out of his proper time and place who will go to almost any length, and endure any hardship, to make it home again.

*****SPOILERS AHEAD! Do not read this post if you do not want to know any spoilers from An Echo in the Bone or A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows!*****

A very happy All Hallows Eve to you! I've been waiting for this very special day to discuss Diana Gabaldon's short story, A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows. A word of warning, though -- I've outlined the story and I'm including spoilers and exact quotes which I thought were key, so please be aware of that. I welcome everyone to help me speculate on what this new information may mean in the on-going puzzle of Outlander. Ready? Alrighty, here we go!

As the story begins, it is actually two weeks until Halloween, but "the gremlins were already at work." Jerry MacKenzie, preparing the Dolly II on the runway for a test flight, is having engine trouble. When the mechanic notes a punctured fuel line and a few other glitches, the flight plans are cancelled until the problems are fixed.

Once inside the building, Jerry is called over to be introduced to someone...."a tallish chap in army uniform with dark hair and a pleasant, if sharp, look about him, eyes like a good sheepdog." When Jerry is introduced to Captain Randall, he "feels a qualm in the pit of his stomach" as he senses Randall has an "air of confidence peculiar to men who kept secrets." Captain Randall is a member of the British Intelligence (M16) and is searching for a top-notch pilot to fly a special solo reconnaissance. The plan is to take a Spitfire II and install cameras in place of a second pair of wing guns. He must first train for the secret mission in Northumberland and will receive further details later. Realizing this was a dangerous venture, Jerry requests to see his wife one more time before he goes. Randall agrees to this, "touching his own gold wedding ring in reflex."

Delighted to be reunited with her husband, Marjorie (Dolly) and their little baby (Roger) spend some quality family time together. (We learn from details that Jerry is twenty-two years old and Roger is young enough to still be wearing nappies and sleeping in a basket.)

Following his training, Jerry learns the details of his dangerous mission: the Nazis have labor camps in Poland, and Jerry is to fly as close as possible to take photos to document evidence of this activity.

Interestingly, while Jerry is preparing to begin his flight, he completes a little pre-flight ritual. He tells Dolly that he loves her, and he carries a sapphire (his lucky stone) in his pocket that his wife found in a rocky hill while on their honeymoon.

Several pages follow of his in-air flight training, and it is noted that he flies above a stone rectangle attached to Hadrian's Wall (made by old Roman legions). The flight abruptly ends due to major engine failure and his fighter plane becomes a glider. "The ground appeared in a sudden burst of yellow and brown. He jerked the nose up, saw the rocks of a crag dead ahead, swerved, stalled, nose-dived, pulled back, pulled back, not enough, oh, God---"

Unconscious but alive and not gravely injured, Jerry regains his equilibrium and looks around -- there is no plane anywhere! Only ancient standing stones! His head was splitting and buzzing, he suffers from vertigo, and is struck with terror as he realizes there are no marks where his plane should have gouged the earth when it crash landed!

Some time later, he begins to believe he is still in Northumbria, "the northern part, where England's billowing fields crash onto the inhospitable rocks of Scotland." But something was very wrong.....the landscape is too different, too rough. He was losing touch with reality and confused about time. His first encounter with people was strange -- they were dirty, ragged, and uncivilized. They beat him, stole his jacket, took his dog tags, and locked him up.
*****
Two Years Later:

Captain Randall visits Dolly MacKenzie; when she sees him at the door, she is flooded with emotions....she's hoping there's been a mistake...maybe Jerry hadn't been killed and they found him alive! But that is not to be. Randall feels a personal obligation to bring a medal of honor, awarded posthumously, to Lieutenant MacKenzie's widow and spends some time visiting and playing with her little boy. The visit is very hard for Dolly, and she breaks down sobbing, "You said you'd come back, Jerry...you said you'd come back!"
**************

Meanwhile, back in a strange time and place, Jerry notices that the stone that was in his pocket has burned to a fine powder. He questions what could possibly have the power to burn a rock -- and leave the man who carried it alive???

Hearing voices outside his prison, Jerry shouts for help. He is rescued from the shack by "biggish buggers, both of them, taller and broader than he was. One fair, one black-haired as Lucifer."

"What's your name, mate?" the dark chap asked with a Scots accent.

"MacKenzie, J.W. Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. Service number...."

Astounded by this information, the dark one with vivid green eyes is floored as understanding dawns. Jerry is desperate to know about these strangers -- where did they come from? They tell him they are from Inverness, but tell him they are from a time a long way away and are lost. (The other stranger is described as fair-haired with a deeply weathered and lined face.) They have no idea what time period they are presently in, but they tell Jerry he must return to the stones "where you came through." Jerry is ecstatic that they understand how to get him back and eagerly goes with them. They explain to him that he must have a gemstone when he goes back (they give him a gemstone) and tell him urgently to think about his wife, Marjorie when he goes back. "Don't think about your son! Just your wife," they tell him.

Jerry is shocked that they knew his wife's name and that he has a son! He demands an explanation, but there is no time....they are being pursued as a light is coming closer! "It's near Samhain... ye need to go, man, and NOW!"

Just as Jerry is desperately thinking of his wife while nearing the stones, the dark haired man stops and tells him, "I love you."

The fair haired stranger asks why he said such a stupid thing like that, and he replies that it is the only chance he will ever get. He says he isn't going to make it back.

But Jerry does make it back!!! When he returns to his own time, the plane is not there but there is a deep gouge where it had been. Making his way to London (and getting strange looks) and desperate to get to Dolly, he is shocked by the terrible damage to the city from bombs. When he reaches his home, it is nothing but a pile of rubble. He is fearful his family is dead when someone tells him that the family is safe and staying at the home of Dolly's mother. While desperately trying to get to that house, the sirens begin to wail and crowds pour out onto the street to get to shelter. Panic ensues as the hysterical crowds try to storm the Tube station....Jerry hears the bombs above the tunnel, the shouts, the sirens.....the tunnel is damaged from the bomb. He is down on the tracks and looks up and sees Dolly with their son. She SEES Jerry and is ecstatic but she can't get to him because of the crush of the crowds and the panic. She pushes people out of the way and can only get as far as a railing. She lowers Roger over the railing to Jerry and the little boy strikes his father in the head -- he grabs him and falls onto the tracks holding onto the boy with his life. As Jerry falls, his head cracks on the tracks and he is gravely injured. Rescuers take the child who is unharmed away from the dying man. They see he is RAF but not wearing any identification. As the tunnel begins to crack and collapse, the rescuers run out with little Roger.

"He felt her hand stroke his hair. He smiled and turned his head to see her smiling back, the radiant joy spreading round her like rings in shining water..."

And the tunnel collapses.

*************************************************************************************
Let's take a deep breath to take this all in.....!!!

As usual, when Diana answers one question, she raises twenty, so while I've learned new information, I now have just as many questions. But here are some of my major observations and/or questions:

l. Now we know that Jerry MacKenzie time traveled, met Roger (as an adult) during the experience, AND made it back home in time to see his wife and son before his death (and his wife's death). (In Outlander we are told by the Reverend that Roger's father was shot down over the channel and his mother was killed in the Blitz.)

2. The fact that Frank brought Dolly the medal and spent time talking to little Roger and playing with him intrigues me. Even though Roger was only two, Frank felt it was his personal responsibility to check on Dolly and her son. (Later, in Outlander when he and Claire are at the Reverend's home and young Roger is in the chair in the study, did Frank recognize him or know who he was?? Wouldn't it make sense that Frank would ask about Roger's father if he was told the father was a member of RAF and shot down over the channel???? Or did he already know this information and just didn't say anything? Hmmmm, interesting.....verrrrry interesting!

3. I was on the fence after reading An Echo in the Bone as to whether or not Roger and Buck actually did go back in time (at least for me it was very vague). Does this mean that the two strangers (Roger and the fair-haired man) did go through the stones and meet Jerry MacKenzie while going to try to find Jem? Since Jem is not actually back in time but stuck in a tunnel, then Roger's time travel got whacked and he met up with his dad instead?! If so, then this piece of plot has to be (or should be) worked into the next book.

4. The ending of the story was just.....heartbreaking. Beautiful and heartbreaking that they went together.

Your thoughts? Questions? Observations?

4/5 stars

Cashelmara by Susan Howatch

2011-10-30T08:37:00.006-05:00

"There were two subjects which lonely widower Edward de Salis never discussed: his dead wife and his family home in Ireland, 'matchless Cashelmara'. So when he meets Marguerite, a bright young American with whom he can talk freely about both, he is able to love again and takes her back to Ireland as his wife. But Marguerite soon discovers that married life is not what she expected, and that she has married into a troubled family bitterly divided by love and hatred. Cashelmara becomes the curse of three generations as they play out their fates in a spellbinding drama, which moves inexorably towards murder and retribution."
(from Amazon)

my thoughts:

What an absolutely fabulous, impossible-to-put-down family saga!

Spanning several generations of a titled English family beginning with Edward de Salis in 1859, this sweeping story of duty, passion, ambition, and revenge has it all! From the family home, Cashelmara, in Ireland, to glittering London society, and the nouveau riche of New York, the author reveals each character's story from their point-of-view, painting fascinating contrasting portraits of the dramatic events 0f 1859 through 1891.....and indeed, Cashelmara has it's share of high drama! Marriages of duty rather than love; an irresponsible heir leads to near financial ruin....secret, twisted passions turns life for one bride into a nightmarish hell.... smoldering tensions of Cashelmara's Irish tenants living in poverty threaten the security of the inhabitants of the home...I could go on and on raving about this rich and mighty saga! The story just sucked me in from the very first page and kept me hanging on until the very last shocking and thrilling conclusion. I felt I knew the characters so well and became very emotionally involved in the story --- I so admired Marguerite, whose strength and dignity carries the family through so many heartaches and tragedies, and I just wanted to strangle Patrick, the spineless, spoiled heir who's immaturity and selfishness just left me speechless! I experienced a roller coaster of emotions while reading Cashelmara, and I love that in a book!

Long ago, I read Howatch's The Rich are Different and I remember enjoying it very much. I think it's time to dust off some of her other titles and experience more family dramas. (I recently picked up Penmarric at my parish library sale, so I'm eager to get started on it.)

5/5 stars Fantastic read!

Title: Cashelmara
Author: Susan Howatch
Ballantine Books
1974
672 pages
genre: historical fiction

Jane and the Canterbury Tale by Stephanie Barron

2011-10-28T21:13:00.003-05:00

"Three years ago, after a night of reckless gaming, Curzon Fiske fled England for an uncertain future in India, leaving scandal and prodigious debts behind him. When news of his death from fever in Ceylon reached his raven-haired wife, Adelaide, she mourned him for a time—then quietly restored her damaged reputation.

Now Adelaide is at the altar again, her groom a soldier on the Marquis of Wellington's staff. The prospects seem bright for one of the most notorious women in Kent—until Jane Austen discovers a corpse on the ancient Pilgrim's Way that runs through her brother Edward's estate. Why is the dead stranger dressed as a pilgrim, and who wrote the summons he carries in his pocket? Who is the aristocrat masquerading as a sailor? And why will none of Adelaide's friends reveal Curzon Fiske's final wager, the night he abandoned his wife? As Chief Magistrate for Canterbury, Edward is forced to investigate, with Jane as his unwilling assistant. From the shooting parties and balls of her wellborn neighbors, to the grim and airless cells of Canterbury gaol, Jane leaves no stone unturned. When a second corpse appears beside the ancient Pilgrim's Way, Jane has no choice but to confront a murderer...lest the next corpse be her own...."
(synopsis from Stephanie Barron's website)

my thoughts:

Since the synopsis above so succinctly summarizes Jane and the Canterbury Tale, I'm just going to cut to the chase.

I could easily picture dear Jane each evening, after retiring to her room at her brother's home, drawing close to the warmth of a fire to reflect on the days' events and journal her thoughts in her little sewn notebooks. In this autumn of 1813 (only a few years before her actual death), she has come to spend some time at Godmersham Park with brother Edward and his family. Relishing the change of pace from quiet country living, she is enjoying the pleasure of parties and social events in the Canterbury area making mental notes about the people and places to help enrich her novel writing. As the story opens, she is attending the glittering wedding of the beautiful Adelaide Fiske and Captain Andrew MacCallister at Chilham Castle and keeping a close eye on her popular niece Fanny and her beaux. While the guests are enjoying dancing and toasting the happy bride and groom, a mysterious package from a stranger is delivered to the bride....and thus begins a series of mysterious and tragic events, including two dead bodies, that will require all of Jane's keen powers of observation and crime-solving skills as she assists Edward with his magesterial duties.

Lovely storytelling in Austen's voice and a tie-in to Chaucer's Canterbury Tale, Barron's cast of characters each has a story to tell on the road to solving the multiple mysteries -- why was Adelaide's first husband (who was supposed to be dead) still alive at the time of the wedding? Who sent a mysterious package to the bride on her wedding night, and what does it mean? Who has a motive for murder...and who will be the next victim?

I have been enjoying this series as part of the Austenprose Jane Austen Mystery Challenge as I always come away from the books marvelling at Barron's expertise and obvious devotion to the Austen style. Barron weaves actual events in Austen's life as a backdrop for her mysteries, and her depiction of Regency life and customs makes her books entertaining as well as informative.

4/5 stars

Title: Jane and the Canterbury Tale
Author: Stephanie Barron
2011
Bantam Books
307 pages
genre: Historical fiction/Regency mystery

The Marsh King's Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick

2011-10-23T20:35:00.016-05:00

England - 1216: Dissatisfaction with King John has bred a civil war which threatens the social order...

Unwanted and unloved, rebellious Miriel Weaver is forced to a convent by her violent stepfather. Her plan to escape from the harsh life of a novice nun crystallizes with the arrival of recuperating soldier of fortune Nicholas de Caen. Miriel sees in his pride and self-sufficiency a kindred spirit and, once he is well enough, a way out.

The two part in Nottingham on bad terms which are to blight both their lives. When they meet again by chance, they agree to call a truce -- but the truce becomes first friendship and then a dangerous passion. Almost too late, Nicholas and Miriel realise that the chain of events triggered by their first meeting could now ensure they never know the pleasure of living...
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

One of the great things about discovering a wonderful historical fiction writer like Elizabeth Chadwick is that she's still producing stellar novels, and she has a long backlist for me to work my way through. For the King's Favor was one of my favorites from last year, and The Marsh King's Daughter was another fascinating historical read.

The Marsh King's Daughter centers on Miriel, the granddaughter of a master weaver who has passed on his skills to his beloved granddaughter. After his death, Miriel's violent stepfather and mother try unsuccessfully to curb her willful personality. Sent to the nuns at St. Catherine's Abbey, Miriel's strong spirit will not bend to the strict regimen and often cruel attempts to make her conform.

Miriel's life changes drastically the day Nicholas de Caen is found by the nuns near death in the vicinity of the abbey. Nicholas had been captured by King John's soldiers as he was involved in an attempted seige. Tied up and thrown in a cart to be interrogated later, he was part of the king's baggage train that traveled across the treacherous marshlands. As the mists rolled in and the waters began to rise, the helpless baggage train began to descend in murky waters and quicksand, drowning men, horses, and burying the royal treasure. Nicholas escapes in the confusion and steals what he can of the king's gold and treasures, although the effort nearly costs him his life.

As Nicholas slowly begins to recover at the abbey under Miriel's medical care, she befriends him and sees him as a way of escape. When his strength returns, the two make a daring escape. Miriel knows she is in grave danger as a young woman out in the world is liable to come under suspicion. She steals a part of the royal treasure from Nicholas and takes off on her own to make her way in the world pretending to be a young widow.

The journey Miriel takes from a runaway novice to a successful businesswoman in the wool industry was interesting and believable. Her intelligence and sense of independence carries her through the difficult times....and many challenges are ahead, particularly as Nicholas and Miriel cross paths again and realize that their lives are meant to be spent together. But evil villains, secret plots, a hidden treasure, and jealous spouses will stand in the way of their happiness.

Loved it! Chadwick's authentic portrait of daily life in the twelfth century is fascinating. From the mind set of medieval men and women, the dress, customs, manners, and mores of the times, Chadwick truly does make the past come alive.

But I do have one curious observation.....does anyone know why this book is called The Marsh King's Daughter??? There is obviously some symbolic meaning that I am missing, or some historical reference that I am not familiar with. I did a quick search and all I could find was a story by Hans Christian Andersen entitled "The Marsh King's Daughter" which contains a refrain:

“Gold and possessions will flee away,
Friends and foes must die one day;
Every man on earth must die,
But a famous name will never die.”

This does have some connection, but I'm just guessing. I'm curious about this and there's nothing that I can find on her website that addresses this. Any info from those in the know would be appreciated!

5/5 stars Highly recommmended for historical fiction fans.

Title: The Marsh King's Daughter
Author: Elizabeth Chadwick
2001
Warner Books

Island of the Swans by Ciji Ware

2011-10-21T00:45:00.002-05:00

A Passionate, Flamboyant Duchess and a Cruel Twist of Fate.....

Jane Maxwell, the fourth Duchess of Gordon, was one of the most influential women of her time--a patroness of poet Robert Burns, advisor to King George and friend to Queen Charlotte, the mastermind behind her husband's political success, and a rival of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.

Rich in historical detail, passion, and intrigue, Ciji Ware's Island of the Swans paints a fascinating portrait of one of the most celebrated and controversial beauties of eighteenth-century England.

my thoughts:

I spent quite a bit of time savoring this fascinating portrait of the historical figure, Jane Maxwell, (who became the fourth Duchess of Gordon) and I loved every page! Ciji Ware did a wonderful job of capturing the historical and social details of the time period spanning 1760 - 1797 while weaving in the heartbreaking fictional account of her great first love, Thomas Fraser. From beautiful Scottish landscapes to plantations in Maryland, this rich and dramatic tale of lost love and secret longing kept me glued to the pages!

As young people, Jane and her true love, Thomas Fraser, planned to marry....but Jane's ambitious mother and Thomas' godfather, Simon Fraser, have other plans. The Frasers lost their lands and titles after the defeat at Culloden, and the Master of Lovat devises a scheme to train his godson in military skills to receive a commission in the Black Watch -- a regiment sent to fight in the Colonies. Through this maneuver, the Frasers would have influence with the king to get back what was rightly theirs. Declaring their love for each other and dreaming of their future marriage, Thomas leaves for his duty....but fate is cruel. Their marriage can never be and Jane painfully tries to put the hurtful past aside and forge ahead with life. She is indeed a strong and beautiful woman, intelligent and charismatic, and if she had not been deeply affected by her first love, perhaps her marriage would have been a happy and successful one. On the surface, the Duke and Duchess of Gordon seemed to have everything - children, beautiful homes, a prestigious place in society, a comfortable attraction to each other - yet complete peace and happiness eludes them as they are both haunted by ghosts from the past.

The only place that Jane finds a bit of peace and solace is at Kinrara, one of her smaller homes near Loch-an-Eilean:

"....a body of water in the shape of a perfect oval sapphire. A small
green island on which stood a miniature, vine-covered fortress, studded
its center like a precious emerald jewel. Sun poured down on the center
of the loch, leaving the gravel beaches at its edge shrouded in billowing
mist. ....Two large white swans, their necks arching proudly, swam in a
stately procession from a thicket of reeds, encircling the castle walls."

If you'd like to know why this is an enchanting place for Jane, you must read Island of the Swans for yourself...it is not to be missed! It's going right next to A Cottage by the Sea as my favorites from Ciji Ware.

5/5 stars Highly recommended

Title: Island of the Swans
Author: Ciji Ware
Sourcebooks 2010
579 pages
genre: historical fiction

Lord John and the Plague of Zombies by Diana Gabaldon

2011-10-17T10:36:00.014-05:00

Lord John and the Plague of Zombies is a novella by Diana Gabaldon; it is included in the anthology, Down These Strange Streets, a collection of urban fantasy/paranormal stories (editor George R. R. Martin).

my thoughts:

I have to be honest.....I've been a long-time Outlander fan and eagerly anticipated all of the books in the series since first discovering them over ten years ago. However, when the Lord John books began appearing as an adjunct to the series, I didn't run out to get them for several reasons. One, I just wasn't that enthralled with Lord John as a character. While he certainly plays an important role in the overall storyline (his attraction and friendship with Jamie and his eventual role as father to Willie is key), I just wasn't interested in Lord John's life when he wasn't "on stage" in the Outlander books. I thought I would just keep these books somewhere in the background, and if and when the Outlander series eventually came to an end, I'd still have some Gabaldon books left to read. After all, they were supposed to be "stand alone" novels and stories, so I wouldn't be missing out on any important events. Or so I thought....

Fast forward to today.....more and more stories and novellas have been written by Diana about characters from the Outlander series that DO in fact shed more light on the puzzle pieces that fans have been trying to fit together for years. I'm beginning to feel completely out of the loop, and I hate being in the dark about anything related to the Outlander series! After reading An Echo in the Bone and then reading "A Leaf On the Wind of All Hallows," (a short story featuring Roger's father that I'll discuss in a future post), there is a definite connection and we learn an astounding piece of information regarding what we "thought" was Roger's parents' fate. I'm now convinced that I have to start reading the Lord John series and all the short stories just to make sure I'm completely up-to-date. I'm not thrilled to have to purchase an entire anthology just for the Gabaldon selection, but at some time in the future I intend to read some of the other selections -- there are some interesting authors in the anthologies. Gabaldon discusses that the reading order does not have to be strictly chronological, but those interested in starting at the beginning of her Lord John books can click here to see her suggested chronological order.

In the spirit of the month of October and Halloween when I enjoy reading things that have spooky overtones, I started with "Lord John and the Plague of Zombies." Lord John has been called to assist the Royal Governor of Jamaica as the threat of a slave rebellion has the island inhabitants fearing the worst. Arriving with a battalion of soldiers for protection, Lord John's first encounter with the Governor at his home indicates that there are quite a bit of strange and eerie forces at work on the island...in addition to the threat of a slave rebellion, there is the fear of zombies and supernatural magic here in this remote post. This installment reinforces Lord John's character as one of intelligence, integrity, and a deep sense of duty. It also reveals his inner thoughts about his longing for someone with "reddish whiskers" as well as his attraction to a well-formed male house servant. Nothing terribly new or different, just reinforcing what is already known about his character. However, it was exciting to learn that he has an encounter at Rose Hall that adds to the overall sense of danger to Lord John while he is on the island. Literal and figurative snakes play an important role in "Lord John and the Plague of Zombies," and I believe that anyone who enjoyed the latter part of Voyager will certainly enjoy Lord John's adventure with zombies, snakes, a green-eyed witch, and things that go bump (and reek of decay) in the night.

4/5

Winner: Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

2011-10-15T09:43:00.004-05:00

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of Wildflower Hill! The winner chosen randomly is.......

Anne from The Book Garden

Congratulations, Anne! You will be receiving an e-mail from me. I hope you enjoy it!

Sea Witch by Helen Hollick

2011-10-11T08:46:00.004-05:00

THE FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JESAMIAH ACORNE

The Time: The golden age of piracy -- 1716
The Place: The pirate round - from Africa to the Caribbean

"At 15 Jesamiah Acorne escapes the bullying of his elder half-brother to become a pirate with only two loves -- the sea and his freedom. But his life is to change after an attack on a merchant ship off the coast of South Africa when he meets the mysterious Tiola Oldstagh, an insignificant girl -- or so he assumes -- until he discovers her true identity, that of a white witch. Tiola and Jesamiah become lovers, but the wealthy Stefan van Overstratten also wants Tiola as his wife. Meanwhile, Jesamiah's half-brother, Phillipe Mereno, is determined to seek revenge for resentments of the past.

When the call of the sea and an opportunity to commandeer a beautiful ship, the Sea Witch, is put in Jesamiah's path, he must choose between his life as a pirate or his love for Tiola. He wants both -- but Mereno and van Overstratten want him dead.

Tiola must use her gift of Craft to rescue her lover, but first she must brave the darkness of the ocean depths and cnfront the supernatural presence of Tethys, the goddess of the sea, who will stop at nothing to claim the soul of Jesamiah Acorne."
(from back cover)

my thoughts:

What a glorious adventure with an irresistible rogue!

Sea Witch is the first book in the series chronicling the adventures of Captain Jesamiah Acorne, a pirate who loves the thrill of living-on-the-edge with dangerous encounters at sea...and sharing the plundered treasures with his loyal crew. On the surface, he's a handsome soundrel who loves his rum and women, but deep inside he suffers from shameful secrets and unspeakable abuse in his childhood from his jealous half-brother.

During a skirmish at sea with another ship, Jesamiah encounters the beautiful Tiola, a healer with the gift of Craft, a white witch. She is to haunt his mind and soul....and take over his heart with his love for her. But there is to be no peace for them as lovers as others reach out in pursuit....his brother Phillipe is not finished with his revenge, and Stefan van Overstratten wants Tiola for his wife. Most powerful of all, Tethys -- the soul of the sea in the dark abyss -- wants to claim Jesamiah as her own.

From a plantation in Charleston to Capetown and Nassau, the thrilling adventures and heartwrenching struggles of the two lovers was non-stop action and kept me glued to the pages. I adored this lovable rogue and his devoted Tiola and enjoyed the blending of history, nautical adventures, romance, and fantasy. There were moments of real anguish and heart-pounding danger, and a couple of times I laughed out loud at Jesamiah's naughty antics! Tiola was a strong and admirable heroine, devoted to upholding the truth and integrity of her craft and sensitive to the uses of her power.

I've already purchased the next two installments in the series, Pirate Code and Bring it Close, as I absolutely have to follow Jesamiah and Tiola on another adventure! Their journey is by no means complete in this first installment as there are still many conflicts to work through. I'm delighted to learn that Helen Hollick is busy working on the fourth novel, Ripples in the Sand. I'm hooked and will follow Jesamiah wherever the sea takes him!

4.5/5 stars

***Thank you to Helen Hollick and Laura's Reviews for a copy of Sea Witch.****

Title: Sea Witch: The First Voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne
Author: Helen Hollick
2011
Silverwood Books
314 pages
genre: historical adventure

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

2011-10-03T18:00:00.003-05:00

"Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.

But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs.

The Rose Garden is a haunting exploration of love, family, the true meaning of home, and the ties that bind us together."
(from the publisher)

My thoughts:

If you are a fan of Susanna Kearsley's novels, then you already know what to expect in The Rose Garden... lyrical writing... vivid images of nature and the landscape...historical settings... characters that you come to know and really care about...time travel that changes seamlessly from one frame to the next...and a breathtaking and poignant ending. The Rose Garden is no exception.

Susanna Kearsley has a very distinctive voice and her "comforting" stories of history and romantic suspense transport me to another time and place. I actually feel a bit out of sorts when I finish Kearsley's novels as I get so wrapped up in another world that I find it jarring to finish the book and realize the journey with the characters is over! That speaks volumes for the magic of her writing.

The Rose Garden introduces us to Eva Ward, a young woman who finds herself alone in the world after the death of her sister. She travels to Cornwall to Trelowarth, an old house where she and her family spent many happy summers as children. Eva believes that this would be the perfect resting place for her sister's ashes as they had such fond memories in Cornwall. She is welcomed by the Halletts, her long-time friends and the family which lives in Trelowarth, and they encourage her to stay for a while to help her get through this difficult time. Feeling stressed and grieved, Eva accepts their invitation and settles into life at Trelowarth. It is not long, however, before strange things begin to happen to Eva that have her questioning her sanity. Who are the voices she is hearing as she is sleeping in her room? Why is the landscape changing as she is walking in the woods?

Eva is experiencing time travel, and soon finds herself back in the 1700's at Trelowarth where two brothers, Mark and Daniel Butler, are involved in mysterious activites. Both smugglers and Jacobite supporters, Eva becomes more and more involved in their intrigue (and falls in love) as she travels back and forth in time. The time travel elements and the challenges Eva faces coming back and forth in time are handled well, but I do wish that the relationship between Eva and her love interest had a bit more spice. I like relationships that have depth and chemistry, and this didn't quite get off the ground until the very end. It was well worth hanging in there for things to develop, though.

Eva has many questions and must confront several issues: how is this happening to her? Can she change the course of history (or the course of someone's life) with her knowledge of the past? Will the present or the past be the place that will bring her a sense of belonging? I thoroughly enjoyed Eva's journey all the way to the stunning conclusion.

"Whatever time we have," he said, "it will be time enough."

***Thank you to Susanna Kearsley and Sourcebooks for sending me a copy for review.****

4.5/5 stars

Title: The Rose Garden
Author: Susanna Kearsley
Sourcebooks
2011
441 pages
genre: historical romantic suspense

Giveaway Time! Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman

2011-09-30T07:38:00.009-05:00

I am fortunate to have an extra copy of the lovely new release, Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman and I would love to share it with the wonderful followers of my blog!

To enter, you must be a follower of this blog (or become a follower) -- please leave a comment with contact information, and one lucky winner will receive a copy of Wildflower Hill. Open to U.S. residents only.

Here is the book synopsis:

Spanning three generations and half the world, Wildflower Hill is a sweeping, romantic, and compelling story of two women who share a legacy of secrets, heartbreak, courage, and love.

Emma, a prima ballerina in London, is at a crossroads after an injured knee ruins her career. Forced to rest and take stock of her life, she finds that she's mistaken fame and achievement for love and fulfillment. Returning home to Australia, she learns of her grandmother Beatrice's death and a strange inheritance: a sheep station in isolated rural Australia. Certain she has been saddled with an irritating burden, Enma prepares to leave for Wildflower Hill to sell the estate.

Beattie also found herself at a crossroads as a young woman, but she was pregnant and unwed. She eventually found success -- but only after folloiwng an unconventional path that was often dangerous and heartbreaking. Beattie knew the lessons she learned in life would be important to Emma one day, and she wanted to make sure Emma's heart remained open to love, no matter what life brought. She knew the magic of the Australian wilderness would show Emma the way.

Wildflower Hill is a compelling, atmospheric, and romantic novel about taking risks, starting again, and believing in yourself. It's about finding out what you really want and discovering that the answer might be not at all what you'd expect.

***Winner will be randomly chosen and announced October 15, 2011. Good luck!***

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU. 10/15/2011

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

2011-09-29T08:52:00.012-05:00

Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

About the Anthology:

"My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy's heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen -- her novels, her life, her wit, her world. Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history's most cherished authors.(from the publisher)

My thoughts:

Can Austen fans ever get enough of quality Austen-inspired sequels, prequels, retellings, and story continuations? I don't think so! Actually, you don't have to be a Janeite to enjoy this creative collection of short stories as there is enough variety here to entertain a wide reading audience.

Laurel Ann Nattress, editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It and the creator of the popular Austenprose blog, assembled her dream team of authors to create stories based on Austen's novels and her world. Challenging the authors to remain true to Austen's novels, spirit and philosophies of life and love, twenty-two stories with unique interpretations were created for the anthology and include contributions from top-notch authors such as Lauren Willig, Stephanie Barron, Syrie James, Adriana Trigiani, Monica Fairview, Amanda Grange, and Laurie Viera Rigler, just to name a few, and a contest-winning story from aspiring author Brenna Aubrey.

Here's a sampling of what readers can expect from this creative anthology:

In "Jane Austen's Nightmare" by Syrie James, Jane is plagued by a nightmare in which she encounters her characters while taking a walk, and they are not very happy about the way she has created them (with a few exceptions being the blissfully happily married couples from P&P.)

If you've ever watched an episode of Ghost Hunters on the SyFy channel, you'll get a kick out of Lauren Willig's spoof in "A Night at Northanger."

Fans of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mystery series will enjoy another mini- installment of Austen-as-sleuth in "Jane and the Gentleman Rogue."

Adriana Trigiani's lovely creation, "Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane," is a beautiful story celebrating the art of letter writing with a modern-day Austen giving her soon-to-be-wed niece advice from the heart. Have a hankie ready....it will tug at your heart!

Laurie Viera Rigler imagines Mr. Darcy bringing charges against authors of Pride and Prejudice spin-offs in "Intolerable Stupidity," a courtroom drama with none other than the honorable judge, Lady Catherine de Bourgh presiding!

My advice.......set aside a quiet evening, curl up with a cup of tea or glass of wine, and settle in for a celebration of all things Austen in Jane Austen Made Me Do It.

Available October 2011

**Thank you to Laurel Ann Nattress and Random House for sending me an advance copy for review. You can visit Austenprose and the blog Jane Austen Made Me Do It for more information about events and news.**

4.5/5 stars

Title: Jane Austen Made Me Do It
Editor: Laurel Ann Nattress
Random House
2011
445 pages
genre: Anthology of Austen-inspired stories

The Queen's Gamble by Barbara Kyle

2011-09-21T11:05:00.003-05:00

Book Synopsis:

Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears that once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.
Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—-Isabel’s son will be the queen’s pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel’s husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.
Set against a lush, vibrant backdrop peopled with unforgettable characters and historical figures, The Queen’s Gamble is a story of courage, greed, passion, and the high price of loyalty…

*************

My thoughts:

I'm always on the lookout for great historical fiction authors, and Barbara Kyle is a new-to-me author. When Cheryl @ Pump Up Your Book asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing The Queen's Gamble by Barbara Kyle, I jumped at the chance to discover someone new. Although The Queen's Gamble is part of the Tudor-era Thornleigh series and is the fourth installment, it was fine as a stand-alone novel.

Set during the rich and excting period in history when Queen Elizabeth I reigned and faced her first major crisis, The Queen's Gamble focuses on the story of Isabel Thornleigh and her husband, Carlos. It is an exciting tale filled with elements that create page-turning drama: danger and secrets plots, hostages, tested relationships and loyalty, Catholic and Protestant zeal....and many twists and surprises. Kyle's writing gives the reader an excellent sense of time and place and keeps the story going forward with a fast-moving plot. I will definitely be exploring her earlier titles in The Thornleigh series and highly recommend The Queen's Gamble.

********

Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series of novels, which have been published internationally: The Queen’s Captive, The Queen’s Lady, and The King’s Daughter, praised by Publishers Weekly as “a complex and fast-paced plot, mixing history with vibrant characters.” Her new novel, The Queen’s Gamble, was released in August, 2011.

Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’, including Beyond Recall (a Literary Guild Selection), After Shock and The Experiment. Over 400,000 copies of her books have been sold.

Barbara has taught courses for writers at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and is known for her dynamic workshops for many writers organizations.

Before becoming an author, Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S.

Visit www.BarbaraKyle.com for more information about the author and her works.

To follow Barbara Kyle on her virtual tour, click here.

***I received an advance uncorrected proof in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Crime Through Time: Original Tales of Historical Mystery

2011-09-04T10:19:00.009-05:00

"The Best in Mystery Take on History......

Today's best American and British mystery authors are featured in this outstanding collection of original historical mysteries. The stories in Crime Through Time span thousands of years -- from Steven Saylor's ancient Rome to Anne Perry's Victorian England -- and feature an amazing variety of detectives -- from Peter Lovesey's Prince Albert to Maan Meyer's Charles Dicken to Laurie King's Mrs. Hudson, housekeeper to Sherlock Holmes and a star sleuth in her own right.

This one-of-a-kind anthology will appeal to history buffs, mystery buffs, and anyone who loves a good story."

My thoughts:

I picked up this historical mystery collection for one reason: I'm a big fan of Regency mystery author Kate Ross and unfortunately this talented author had time to create only four wonderful novels and one (that I know of) published short story before her passing. This Crime Through Time anthology includes her short story featuring Regency dandy sleuth, Julian Kestrel, in The Lullaby Cheat.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a very nice mix of historical periods and enjoyed selections from Anne Perry, Laurie King, and other top historical mystery writers. Entries are arranged in chronological order based on the setting and include Ancient Thebes and Rome; twelfth-century Spain, Elizabethan England, seventeenth-century Salem, Regency and Victorian England, nineteenth-century Germany, America, and England; and World War II America.

Here's a sampling of some of the short stories:

Archimedes' Tomb by Steven Saylor

The Hangman's Apprentice by Leonard Tourney

Suffer a Witch by Miriam Monfredo

The Lullaby Cheat by Kate Ross

Mrs. Hudson's Case by Laurie King

3.5/5 stars

Title: Crime Through Time: Original Tales of Historical Mystery
Edited by Miriam Monfredo & Sharon Newman
373 pages
Berkley Mystery
1997

She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

2011-09-01T17:16:00.011-05:00

"For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage in the late 1890's, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling. Yet Clara wonders if this is the life she really wants, especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is, and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her heart at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game."
(from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

Mitchell's She Walks in Beauty is one of those delightful reads, one that is sure to please those who enjoy a charming love story.

Set against the glittering backdrop of banquets and balls during New York's Gilded Age, Clara's story is a real eye-opening experience of what the social season entailed for nineteenth century young ladies. Debutantes were strictly guided in the rules of the "game" for the coveted "prize". The rigid rules set by society forced uncomfortable and often painful lacing into tight corsets to achieve a tiny waist, and the slightest impropriety could likely cause a scandal. The prize, of course, was the proposal of marriage from the most eligible and wealthy bachelor.

Clara is forced by her father and overbearing aunt to do her best to attract the attention -- and a proprosal of marriage -- from Franklin De Vries, the wealthiest of all eligible bachelors. His younger brother Harry, however, is the one who captures Clara's attentions and she would like nothing more to have the freedom to make her own choices in life. If it were only possible, she would shun the endless rounds of parties and shopping and strict training for her role in society. When she expresses her fears to her aunt that marriage to the De Vries heir would not likely bring her happiness, her aunt's icy response was a reflection of the times:

"Marriage is not meant to be a paradise. It's an institution. One which
you are destined to enter."

Life becomes even more complicated for Clara when her dearest friend, Lizzy, becomes a competitor to catch Franklin De Vries. At every turn, Clara seems to have something to lose....her friendships, her freedom, her sense of self, her hope for a happy future....I felt so badly for her as she was a sacrificial lamb being brought to the slaughter for the sake of her ambitious father and aunt.

Family secrets add a bit of mystery to the main storyline...and a surprising turn of events finally provides Clara with an opportunity to take control of her own destiny. She Walks in Beauty is a truly heartwarming story with lessons for all girls and women without being preachy.

4/5

Title: She Walks in Beauty
Author: Siri Mitchell
Bethany House Publishers
2010
400 pages
genre: historical romance; Christian historical romance

Something to Think About....

2011-08-26T09:30:00.009-05:00

We interrupt this book blog to bring you a public service announcement....

Seriously, what with earthquakes and dangerous hurricanes taking up a large part of the news lately, I thought it might be helpful to pass along a little bit of advice that has been learned through first-hand experience.

With many past mandatory evacuations due to hurricanes and recovering from the most catastrophic one, Katrina, I've learned a few important lessons that may be helpful to you in general, not just in the event of a natural disaster.

I tend to be a very organized person, so I didn't have a tremendous amount of difficulty in gathering the important things in life when we had 24 hour notice to leave before Hurricane Katrina hit -- but for those people who had documents in haphazard, unorganized places, I can imagine they were left leaving empty-handed or in a frenzy doing last-minute searches. The lesson here: Have a central place in your home where all your important documents are kept (life insurance, home insurance, health insurance, titles and deeds, passports, credit card info, certificates (birth, marriage, etc..), financial info, wills, and make sure you have a COPY of all this documentation! You want to file all the copies of this vital information in one type of file folder or container that you can pick up and leave with on a moment's notice. Having copies scanned to a disc is fine, but you also need hard copies. If you have a waterproof/fireproof home safe, it's even better to store your copies here. It's also a good idea to go room by room in your house and take a picture -- this is important documentation of your valuables in case of theft, fire, or water/wind damage. File the disc of photos with your vital info. *****Keep your originals and your copies of documents in two completely separate areas of your home.***** If something happens to one set, you still have another set of copies for backup in another place.

Many people lost everything -- everything -- during Katrina. Houses, furniture, tv's, cars, jewelry, clothes, etc.... You know what really hurt and caused the most distress? The lost wedding photos, the baby pictures, the portrait of a beloved family member that was ruined by the water. The lesson here: Material things don't matter in life, but sentimental things that are irreplaceable are heartbreaking to lose. Do you have backups of your photos, wedding albums, baby pictures, family pictures, etc...? If you have priceless family photos that were before the days of digital photography, make scans of one-of-a-kind photos and save to a file and backup with a cd or some other type of backup service. The disc can be stored with your documents as mentioned above. I took my entire wedding album and my children's baby books with me when I evacuated because they were well before the digital age and I had no copies, but I have since scanned them in the event I have to evacuate again. Heaven forbid!

Believe me, I hope you never have to experience a catastrophe, but no one is immune to the dangers of a house fire or a dangerous weather situation no matter where you live in the world. Start implementing a plan to organize and safekeep the important documents and photographic treasures that you value and it will give you great peace of mind.

If you live on the east coast of the U.S., stay safe!

Suddenly Sunday - End of Summer Beach Party

2011-08-21T08:53:00.012-05:00

Happy Sunday, everyone! Hope all is well with you and you have been enjoying reading and collecting some great new books!

With all the hoopla related to getting into the back-to-school mode, I haven't accomplished much leisure reading. Hopefully, after I'm finished with shopping for uniforms and school supplies, filling out tons of teacher forms, and have all the Parent Back to School Nights behind me, I'll be able to give my attention back to some of those new books that are calling to me. Right now, I've just enjoyed these last few weeks of summertime with my kids and loved having them hanging around the house. They're growing up way too quickly for me.

In book news, I'm excited to receive a copy of Helen Hollick's Sea Witch which I won from Laura's Reviews. Thanks so much to both the author and Laura as it looks absolutely wonderful!

There will be a fun event tonight, End of Summer Beach Blowout, at Writerspace with many big-name authors (Deanna Raybourn, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jayne Ann Krentz, Sabrina Jeffries, Julie James, just to name a few) giving away great prizes such as advance-copy books, signed books, and lots of other goodies. Sounds like a fun opportunity to attend a virtual beach party and maybe win some prizes!

Happy reading and have a wonderful week!

Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Svea at The Muse in the Fog Book Review.

Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

2011-08-03T08:33:00.013-05:00

"Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, cousin of King George V of England, is penniless and trying to survive on her own as an ordinary person in London in 1932.

So far she has managed to light a fire and boil an egg...
She's gate-crashed a wedding...
She's making money by secretly cleaning houses...
And she's been asked to spy for Her Majesty the Queen.

Everything seems to be going swimmingly until she finds a body in her bathtub and someone is definitely trying to kill her."(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Looking for a light, charming, and entertaining cozy mystery? Then look no further -- Lady Victoria Georgiana, a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria known simply as Georgie, is delightful in her approach to life despite her royal connections. Born and raised in privilege to one day marry into more wealth, she suddenly finds herself needing to find a better way to support herself rather than an arranged marriage with an obscure foreign prince. What's a royal to do after getting fired from the cosmetics counter after only one day? How about advertising as a char lady? And imagine her surprise when she is recruited by the Queen to spy on a certain prince and his scandalous American love interest! Add a dead person in a bathtub and you have all the ingredients for a murder and mayhem mystery.

Georgie is endearing, spunky and down-to-earth and this is a promising beginning to a 1930's era English royal mystery series. Her Royal Spyness is strong on charm and characterization and light on mystery, so it's perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer mysteries.

For more information about the Royal Spyness series, click here.

3.5/5

Title: He Royal Spyness
Author: Rhys Bowen
Berkley Prime Crime
324 pages
genre: cozy mystery

Women Running from Houses

2011-07-26T10:49:00.052-05:00

I guess I can blame it on the weather.....it's been raining for the past few days with roof-rattling claps of thunder and dark, gloomy mornings. (I'm not complaining, mind you, as it is blessed relief from the heat.) While it's perfect weather for curling up with a book to read, I have a wide assortment of newly released books that are just not tempting me. I've picked up a book here and there and quickly lost interest.

What's a body to do when you've fallen into a slump?

Turn to comfort reads! My choice for comfort reads on a rainy day? Anything that is gloomy gothic goodness -- you know, those old battered paperbacks with the woman on the cover that is running away from the house (or castle) in terror. What is it that she fears? The human inhabitants or the supernatural ones? I eat these books up!

I literally sat on the floor with my pile of old paperbacks and the rain beating against the windows and had the best time revisiting old ghosts and tormentors. Over the years, I've pretty much read everything by Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Stewart. I recently acquired an entire collection of old Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters) supernatural mysteries, so I'm just beginning to dip into her wonderful backlist.

Here's a sampling of some of the quick rereads I enjoyed in my trip down memory lane. Didn't need to read the whole thing -- just bits and pieces to refresh my memory, and I have to say they are still as good as ever!

Kirkland Revels
The Legend of the Seventh Virgin
The Quicksilver Pool
Thunder Heights
Nine Coaches Waiting
Mistress of Mellyn
Window on the Square

I even enjoyed watching Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier in Rebecca while I was in the gothic mood.

How about you? Do you have any old favorites in the gothic romance/romantic suspense genre? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

The Daphne du Maurier Companion, Helen Taylor (Editor)

2011-07-24T09:24:00.012-05:00

"Daphne du Maurier is one of Britain's best-loved authors, her writing captivating the imagination in a way that few have been able to equal. Rebecca, her most famous novel, was a huge success on publication in 1938 and brought du Maurier international fame. This enduring classic remains one of the nation's favourite books.

In this celebration of Daphne du Maurier's achievements, today's leading writers, critics and academics discuss the novel, short stories and biographies that made her one of the most spellbinding and genre-defying authors of her generation. The film versions of her books are also explored, including Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca and The Birds, and Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now.

Featuring interviews with her family, essays by contemporary authors, and a long-lost short story by the author herself, this is the essential companion to Daphne du Maurier's life and work."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

The Daphne du Maurier Companion is a fascinating look at the personal and professional life of Daphne du Maurier (1907 - 1989), one of Britain's most popular authors. She was an extraordinarily talented author who created such memorable gothic tales such as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek, and the short story, The Birds, and many of her novels and stories have been made into equally popular adaptations for film, theatre, and television. I'm very intrigued by the "story behind the story," and often an examination of an author and his/her creations is as fascinating as any thrilling work of fiction. I first discovered du Maurier in high school when I read The House on the Strand, and I believe this was my first experience with an historical time travel plot -- I loved it and moved on to Rebecca, another great favorite of mine, and have been a fan of her writings ever since.

A deeply complex person, Daphne was raised in privilege as a daughter of a famous actor, Gerald du Maurier. Surrounded by artists and intellectuals, she was encouraged to explore and live life adventurously "like a man" (her father had daughters but wanted a son), and it is no secret that Daphne had psychological complexities in her personality that identified with a male voice and point-of-view -- this manifested itself in both her personal and professional life, and when the reader begins to examine her writings, some of the dark psychological torments of her characters could easily be a reflection of her own inner feelings. She strongly resisted the label of "romantic writer" -- she felt her writings were much more complex and addressed deeper issues. While her adult children have spoken openly about their mother's life and sexuality, they insist that there are no secrets about Daphne that are not already known; the author put a fifty year embargo on her personal diaries, so it will still be quite some time before the public can have access to Daphne's private thoughts.

The book is divided into five parts and is written in an easy and engaging style.

Part 1 - Daphne du Maurier by the People Who Knew Her
Inerviews with her adult children and her editor.
Part 2 - The Lasting Reputation and Cultural Legacy of Rebecca
In-depth analysis and discussions of her most popular novel.
Part 3 - Daphne du Maurier's Writings
A summary of each of du Maurier's novels and stories (with no spoilers).
Part 4 - Daphne du Maurier in Adaptation
A discussion of film adaptations of her work, with particular emphasis on Hitchcock's creations.
Part 5 - A rediscovered short story.

A wonderful handbook for all Daphne du Maurier fans -- her passion for the landscape and nature is evident in many of her novels, and her ability to describe a sense of time and place is sheer poetry. Here is a lovely passage from Frenchman's Creek, and hearing it read in her own voice is wonderful. Enjoy!

4/5 stars
Title: The Daphne du Maurier Companion
Edited by Helen Taylor
424 pages
Virago
2010
genre: nonfiction

The Road to Pemberley, Edited by Marsha Altman

2011-07-18T13:02:00.009-05:00

A Romantic, Engaging and Witty Collection of New Short Stories that Feature Jane Austen's Most Beloved Characters

Including over a dozen stories from both emerging and established Regency romance authors, this new anthology celebrates Jane Austen with a series of brilliant adaptations. Austen’s masterpiece has spawned an entire genre of literature, and The Road to Pemberley brings together the best of the best from published and new writers alike to create a cornucopia of Darcy-and-Elizabeth intrigues. England during the Regency Era, with its country estates, horse-drawn carriages, and formal balls, continues to captivate modern readers and The Road to Pemberley brings this fabled world to life in all its glory. Each author casts Darcy and Elizabeth in their first full year together at Pemberley, where the storied husband and wife find themselves in the throes of the newlywed experience, navigating a host of new social quandaries, old personal dilemmas, and exciting adventures.
(from Goodreads)
**********

It's one of those days...it's been raining buckets for days -- various parts of the city are without electricity....streets are flooding.....yet my trusty UPS man had a special delivery for me today and it's just what I've been waiting for. This is not going to be a review, but rather a spotlight on a new anthology of Pride and Prejudice short stories.

The Road to Pemberley, edited by Marsha Altman, is a new collection of Austenesque stories which all focus mostly on Darcy and Elizabeth's first year of marriage ( of course, with different interpretations and dilemmas). Perfect for curling up with a cup of tea on this dreary day or keeping on my nightstand for a quick Austen-fix before going to sleep at night.

Gotta go.....I'm off to read their first adventure, "The Pemberley Ball."

Title: The Road to Pemberley: An Anthology of New Pride and Prejudice Stories
Edited by: Marsha Altman (stories by Regina Jeffers, Sarah A Hoyt, Ellen Gelerman, Valeria T. Jackson, Jessica Keller, Tess Quinn, J. H. Thompson, Bill Friesma, Nacie Mackey, Marilou Martineau, Lewis Whelchel, and Marsha Altman)
Ulysses Press
2011
485 pages

The Devil in Music by Kate Ross

2011-07-12T20:00:00.004-05:00

"At a mist-shrouded villa on Lake Como, an Italian nobleman is grooming a young English tenor for a career on the glittering operatic stage. Before their sojourn is over, one will die by violence and the other will disappear.

Enter Julian Kestrel, Regency dandy and amateur sleuth. Traveling on the Continent with his ex-pickpocket valet, Dipper, Kestrel is irresistibly drawn into this baffling murder case. Among the suspects are a runaway wife and her male soprano lover; a liberal nobleman at odds with Italy's Austrian overlords; a mocking Frenchman with perfect pitch; and a beautiful, clever woman who begins to haunt Kestrel's dreams.

Soon Kestrel is caught between the shadowy Carbonari - secret rebels against the Austrians - and the equally ruthless Austrian-sponsored police. But at the heart of the mystery is the captivating tenor known only as "Orfeo." Was he a political agent? A callous adventurer? A jealous lover? These questions take on a new urgency when the killer strikes again. And as Kestrel uncovers the truth, he risks becoming the next victim."
(from Goodreads)

my thoughts:

The Devil in Music, the fourth and sadly the last installment of the Julian Kestrel Mysteries, is by far the most sophisticated and complex plot of the series. This a tale that incorporates a host of characters and their passions...passion for music, the opera, and passions of the heart which lead to revenge and murder. The story takes on multiple layers of mystery and intrigue as the characters become entangled in a web of secrets, spies, and hidden identities against the backdrop of a dangerous political climate in the northern Italian states in the 1820's. A bit tough at first to get everyone and their backstory straight, but once all the Italian characters were firmly in place and the politics of the time became clear, my patience was rewarded with a truly spectacular turn of events!

Kate Ross is a master of weaving the most intelligent and intriguing threads of mystery that I have ever experienced.....I've enjoyed each one of the books, but A Broken Vessel remains my top favorite. They are so rich in secrets and clues that I cannot wait to read them again even though I know how it will all work out in the end. It will be fascinating to watch how all the puzzle pieces "click" in to place and just marvel at the talent of this author (who sadly has passed away.) We learned so much more about Julian Kestrel, the popular English dandy, and we can only wonder what might have been planned for his future adventures. A highly recommended series for those who enjoy tough-to-solve mystery puzzles.

4/5 stars

Title: The Devil in Music
Author: Kate Ross
Viking
1997
447 pages
genre: historical mystery

Jane and the Canterbury Tale by Stephanie Barron

2011-07-11T08:20:00.004-05:00

New Stephanie Barron book to be released August 28, 2011 in the Jane Austen Mystery series.....Jane and the Canterbury Tale.

Book synopsis:

"Three years ago, after a night of reckless gaming, Curzon Fiske fled England for an uncertain future in India, leaving scandal and prodigious debts behind him. When news of his death from fever in Ceylon reached his raven-haired wife, Adelaide, she mourned him for a time—then quietly restored her damaged reputation.

Now Adelaide is at the altar again, her groom a soldier on the Marquis of Wellington's staff. The prospects seem bright for one of the most notorious women in Kent—until Jane Austen discovers a corpse on the ancient Pilgrim's Way that runs through her brother Edward's estate. Why is the dead stranger dressed as a pilgrim, and who wrote the summons he carries in his pocket? Who is the aristocrat masquerading as a sailor? And why will none of Adelaide's friends reveal Curzon Fiske's final wager, the night he abandoned his wife? As Chief Magistrate for Canterbury, Edward is forced to investigate, with Jane as his unwilling assistant. From the shooting parties and balls of her wellborn neighbors, to the grim and airless cells of Canterbury gaol, Jane leaves no stone unturned. When a second corpse appears beside the ancient Pilgrim's Way, Jane has no choice but to confront a murderer...lest the next corpse be her own."

Click here to read the first chapter at Stephanie Barron's website.

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

2011-07-07T08:23:00.013-05:00

"The Spirits Speak of Secrets.......

Partners now in marriage and in trade, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let along Brisbane's private enquiry business.

Among the more unlikely clients: Julia's very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be let out of anything concerning her beloved -- if eccentric - family, spirtied Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.

It leads to the exclusive Spirit Club, where the alluring Madame Seraphine holds evening seances....and not a few powerul gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

A new installment in The Lady Julia Grey series is always a cause for celebration, and I got my hands on the eagerly anticipated The Dark Equiry that was hot off the presses at RWA. Once again, Raybourn expertly blends the history and lifestyle of Victorian England with mystery, romantic suspense, and a bit of the supernatural in her distinctive and witty voice.

Book #5 reveals a bit more about the enigmatic Brisbane's past, and at the same time drops some tantalizing teasers that there is still much more to be revealed about the half-gypsy, half-Scottish hero -- secrets he fears may cause Julia to turn away from him. The relationship of Brisbane and Julia is one of mutual devotion and love, but there are still conflicts in the relationship to work out. Contrary to the times, Julia is not content unless she has some interesting projects of her own, and this independent streak and interest in crime-solving puts her at odds with her husband who would like nothing more than to keep her safely out of his dangerous investigations. When one of her brothers finds himself in a situation that would bring scandal to his family and career, he turns to Brisbane for help....thus putting Julia and Brisbane investigating in the world of spiritualism and seances....and murder.

I savored each new layer of mystery, intrigue, and smoldering chemistry between Brisbane and Lady Julia. I was paticularly pleased that we experience more of the quirky and eccentric March family as well as more adventures among Brisbane's people in a gypsy camp. A truly surprise ending (did NOT see the culprit)and a clever teaser ending left me assured that while this installment brought them closer-than-ever with a taste of tragedy and heartache, the devoted husband-wife investigative team will be back soon and hot on the trail of another exotic adventure!

4.5/5 stars

Title: The Dark Enquiry (#5 in the Lady Julia Grey series)
Author: Deanna Raybourn
MIRA
2011
387 pages
genre: historical fiction/Victorian mystery

Highlights from New York & RWA!

2011-07-03T12:50:00.012-05:00

I've been absent from my blog for quite a while, but there's a very good reason... I've just returned from a looong vacation in fabulous New York that was jam packed with broadway shows, exhibits, tours, and best of all -- meeting authors at the Romance Writers of America conference!

We stayed at the hotel which was hosting the RWA conference and Literacy Signing, so throughout the week I had many close encounters in elevators and in the restaurants with both aspiring and published authors, and I even managed to meet a few new-to-me authors while sitting at the bar sipping an iced tea and hoping to see some famous authors. (I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a woman on a mission... I'll hunt down a big name author! ha!) I spotted Deanna Raybourn and Robyn Carr chatting at a nearby table and got up my courage to stop at her table to tell her that I loved her books. Deanna was delightful and very sweet, just as you would expect....and beautiful to boot.

The highlight of the RWA experience was when I met up with partner in crime and book blogging buddy Julie from Outlandish Dreaming for the Literacy Signing, and that was quite an experience!! Oh, my.....literally hundreds of authors lined up alphabetically in a huge ballroom with their latest books for sale for literacy charities. Julie and I were like kids in a candy store -- a feast of books and authors!! We each had our "must see" authors, but we began with visiting a mutual favorite, Lauren Willig. I had a little gift for her (I made a Pink Carnation bracelet for her with portraits of a few of her books, including Mistletoe, for good luck -- she was nominated for a RITA award for her Mischief of the Mistletoe.) She loved it and told me she would wear it all week for good luck....and was sweet enough to mention it on her blog and facebook page! And I'm happy to announce that she WON the RITA for Best Regency Historical Romance Novel!! Hurray!!
Lauren has a new Pink book coming out in 2012, The Garden Intrigue, and has a short story in an upcoming anthology titled Jane Austen Made Me Do It (Laurel Ann Nattress, editor).

The next big thrill for me was stopping to chat with Deanna Raybourn again. I couldn't wait to get her newest installment of the Lady Julia series, The Dark Enquiry, and I'm looking forward to more Brisbane goodness.

One of my newest favorite authors is Susanna Kearsley, and she was at the top of my "must meet" list. I discovered her books last year and I think I've read all but one of her terrific novels. The Winter Sea and Mariana remain my top favorites, but really all of her books are a wonderful mix of history, suspense, subtle romance, time slip, and adventure. I highly recommend all of her books, and I am very much looking forward to her fall release in the US of The Rose Garden. What a delight meeting her!

There were many other great authors I met such as Colleen Gleason, Tessa Dare, Robin Kaye, Christine Trent, Julie James and so many others! After an hour and half of wandering around a very HOT and stifling ballroom that was deafening with roaring, excited crowds, I was beginning to fade and had to make an exit. I checked out with my book goodies (see sidebar at right for my picks -- I had to exercise restraint as only so much will fit in my packed suitcase.) Julie and author Robin Kaye are longtime friends, so we all met up after the signing to relax at the lounge at the top of the hotel, and then headed out for a late night dinner. Thanks to Julie and Robin Kaye for a great night of fun and book talk!

Julie from Outlandish Dreaming and bestselling author Robin Kaye

New York is such an exciting place to visit, and the sights and sounds that are in my memory from my trip are amazing. We especially loved The Harry Potter Exhibit and all the broadway shows:

Here's a little taste of the Wicked experience....so fun!

The haunting opening scene and overture from my favorite, The Phantom of the Opera!

Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business

Spider-Man Turn off the Dark -- Really cool Bono music! We were in the balcony and Spider Man practically landed in our lap!

Whew! It's good to be back home, but one thing is for sure.....New York, we will be back!

WINNER: Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith

2011-06-25T08:28:00.007-05:00

It's time to announce the winner of Anne Easter Smith's Queen By Right as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours..........and the winner chosen at random is.......

Carole Rae!!!

Congratualtions to Carole Rae -- an email has been sent today notifying you. Thank you very much to everyone for your enthusiastic participation and comments for the giveaway and guest post!

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

2011-06-22T09:00:00.003-05:00

"Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters" --and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best -- sin and sin again --and all that' going swimmingly, thank you....until the day a shop door opens and SHE walks in.

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him--and with him, her family and future--means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is -- herself!"
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels is a hugely popular novel, often topping the list of polls at the #1 spot for all-time favorite romances. Naturally, I wanted to see what all the buzz was about, and now I understand what sets this book apart from all the other conventional romances.

The core of the story is a beauty and the beast theme....with lots of suprises! Not sure I'm a fan of everything that happened in the plot, but it sure was a book like no other.

Jessica Trent is a refreshingly unique character and I enjoyed her from the start. Although she's a spinster, it's not for lack of beauty or brains. She's just been busy being smart and sensible in handling her family's financial affairs as well as raising her insipid brother and a passel of male cousins. Having a really-cool-grandmother as her confidante in matters of men, Jessica is very frank about sexual matters and is completely unashamed of her instant attraction to.....Sebastian, the Lord of Scoundrels!

Sebastian Ballister, on the other hand, is Satan personified. Deeply wounded by his abandonment as a child and the torture he experienced at the hands of bullies, he's hidden his pain by wearing a protective armor. He revels in his reputation for debauchery and fully expects the world to quake in fear when he bellows. He views women as strictly entertainment for his depraved amusement and discards them at will...until a pert little woman named Jessica walks into his life and makes his world wobble on its axis.

These two characters take the reader on one of the most maddening and unusual journeys I've ever experienced in a romance....it's funny and sexy and, at times, shocking; I lost count of the times I said, "Well, I didn't see THAT coming!" Expect the unexpected in this entertaining romance!

4/5 stars

Title: Lord of Scoundrels
Author: Loretta Chase
1995
Avon Books
357 pages
genre: historical romance

WINNER: Margaret Mitchell & John Marsh: The Love Story

2011-06-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker......... and the winner is........

ANJULI!!!!!!!!

Anjuli, I will notify you by e-mail as well as inform Peachtree Publishers to ship it off to you! Congratulations and enjoy!

Suddenly Sunday

2011-06-19T08:47:00.020-05:00

Happy Sunday to everyone, and a very Happy Father's Day to the special men in your life!

Many things happening here on the blog, so it's a busy Suddenly Sunday.

First, we have a blog name change.....formerly Slice of Life, my new name is Books, Belles, & Beaux. Followers do not need to change a thing as my URL has stayed the same. I hope you like it!

Next, I currently have two GIVEAWAYS for June. In time to celebrate Gone With the Wind's 75th anniversary this June, I have one copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker. I also have the fabulous Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith for historical fiction fans. Click on the book cover in the side bar to enter!

I highly recommend two books that are perfect for relaxing summer reading. You can read my thoughts on The Violets of March by Sarah Jio and Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise.

And lastly, since today's post is in honor of Father's Day, I'm going to share a little memory of my father. My dad was very hard working and did not spend any of his rare leisure time reading other than work related papers or the newspaper. But there was one book that he always took time to read to me (or listen to me read to him). Aww...makes me happy just remembering.

Have a great week!

***Suddenly Sunday is hosted by Svea @ The Muse in the Fog Book Reviews.*****

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise

2011-06-18T09:05:00.012-05:00

"Her worst fears come true....
After her father's death, Elizabeth Bennet goes to work as a governess. Little does she know the Willstones are social acquaintances of the Bingleys and the Darcys, and Elizabeth finds herself once again drawn into Mr. Darcy's orbit. To make matters worse, Mrs. Willstone's sister sets her sights on Mr. Darcy. With Elizabeth's social status even lower than it was before, she knows she must abandon all hope of Darcy renewing his proposal, even as she begins to see him in a completely different light....."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Kara Louise is quickly becoming my favorite Austenesque author! Darcy's Voyage was a delightful P & P adaptation, and now with Only Mr. Darcy Will Do, I have two keepers on my shelf.

Thrown into circumstances beyond their control after the death of Mr. Bennett, the family must leave their home to make way for Mr. Collins and his wife. Jane is saddened as, thanks to Darcy's interference, she and Charles Bingley have gone their separate ways. After angrily turning down a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth must set out to make her own way as a governess. Thus begins the really refreshingly original take on Elizabeth's journey to discover her own feelings as well as coming to learn the true character of Mr. Darcy. Much conflict and interest is added to the story by Rosalyn, the aunt of Elizabeth's charge. She is a pretty society young lady who has every intention of becoming the mistress of Pemberley...even though we know how it will end, the path to get there was quite intriguing and original.

A beautiful love story and highly recommended!

5/5 stars

Title: Only Mr. Darcy Will Do
Author: Kara Louise
Soucebooks
2011
353 pages
genre: historical fiction/historical romance

What's in a Name? I need your help!

2011-06-17T10:17:00.014-05:00

I've been thinking about changing my blog name for a very long time, and I think it's time to have a chat with my faithful followers (and newbies, of course).

When I first started my blog, I had a vision of writing a creative blog that posted about some of my hobbies such as reading, scrapbooking, creative projects, and other interests....thus, each post would be a little "slice of life" or "a little part of me." The blog evolved into strictly a book blog and I feel it's time for a name change. I'm also picking up a book here and there for review for publishers and authors, and I think the blog name should be more indicative of books.

Now I'm not going to do anything drastic like changing the URL, so hopefully I won't lose any followers and my readers won't have to do a thing except remember the blog name change.....everything visually will stay the same and the content will remain with just a different title. I'll still be posting as "Joanne" in my comments. Simple. (I think - I Hope!)

Here's where I would like your help. I like my header and have studied it for inspiration. I thought about what all the books that I read have in common......they are all mostly set in the past with heroines (or belles), and they all have heroes (or beaux). So I've come up with a few names and I'd like to get your feedback.

Which blog name do you like?

A) Books, Belles & Beaux

B) Belles & Beaux Book Reviews

C) Belle of the Ball Book Reviews

D) Don't do it! I suffer from CRS and will not remember the name change! Keep Slice of Life.

Thanks for your input!

Guest Post & Giveaway: Anne Easter Smith, Author of Queen By Right

2011-06-17T05:00:00.001-05:00

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, The King’s Grace , and Queen By Right to Slice of Life today! Queen By Right is a captivating historical novel that tells the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories.

Guest Post by Anne Easter Smith

Protagonists in Anne Easter Smith Novels

While I was writing Queen By Right, people would ask me whether Cecily Neville was anything like my other protagonists. Certainly all of them were not afraid to speak their minds, except perhaps for Grace, until she was pushed. I like my medieval women feisty, history tells us they were--to a point. I confess my ladies are probably a little too contemporary in their behavior for the academic medievalist, but that’s why fiction is such fun.

Studies of the texts from the period tell us that men thought we had a greater desire for sex, that we were easily led, prone to unfaithfulness--especially sexually. That’s why men felt the need to control us. Fathers, priests and husbands thought it was their duty to keep us virtuous and threatened our reputations if we were not. A sullied reputation often meant no one would marry you, and that was a disaster.

Bold-speaking in women was a vice, so the men said, and there was nothing worse than being a “clatterer”! (Magpies, jays and women were dubbed the three clatterers, so droned on the men.) You could be punished for gossiping or scolding by being put on the cucking stool barefoot with your hair hanging down (very humiliating). It was a chair to which a woman was tied and left outside her door or in a public place, and some even had wheels so the clatterer could be clattered over the cobblestones around the neighborhood. (It is similar to a ducking stool, but no water is involved.) I know Kate Haute should have been put on one for sure! Margaret and Cecily were royalty, so I expect their husbands chastised them in private instead.

Another question I am asked is which of my “heroines” I like the most. Of course, I love them all, but here is what I love about them individually.

• Kate Haute because she was my first and, I thought, my only (and because I wasn’t expecting to write another book). I grew as a writer with her, so she’s special. And she is modeled on my younger daughter, Kate, who in puberty and teenage years mostly definitely would have been on the cucking stool a lot!

• Margaret of York is the one I related to the most as I was living with her. She was a rebel at heart, she was her father’s favorite, and she left her homeland for a new life (just like I did). She was also tall for a woman (like me) and loved books (like me).

• Grace is probably my antithesis. Petite, quiet, gentle, but I loved that she gave her heart in the wrong place at first (like me). I admired her tremendously for rising above her convent upbringing, being a bastard, being invisible at court, and yet managing to find herself among her beautiful and strong-minded siblings. I loved her loyalty to Elizabeth Woodville and John of Gloucester, and I loved the way she gently kept the peace and sorted out the mystery of who was Perkin Warbeck.

• Cecily is the woman I admire the most, and whereas I’d love to sit down to lunch with Margaret and have a natter, I’d be a bit intimidated by Cecily. This is no simpering miss! I am in awe of her strength, amazing health (she lived until she was 80), and her political savvy. She was lucky enough to experience one of the love matches of her century with Richard, duke of York, and her story is so colorful and dramatic it took me two years to tell. Cecily was in Rouen when Joan of Arc was tried and executed, she gave birth to a dozen children, she had a passionate marriage, she watched her husband fight his way to the throne to claim his right which eluded him in the end with his death at the Battle of Wakefield. And she watched her son, Edward, crowned in June 1461--550 years ago.

I invite you to dive into Cecily’s world with Queen By Right. I have been told by the wonderful woman who owns our local bookshop that this is my best book and she could not put it down. And Michelle Moran, author of Madame Tussaud, said “it kept me up for most of one night needing to know how it all wrapped up." It is my hope you will all be up nights reading it.

“Thank you Joanne, for hosting me here at Slice of Life”. – Anne Easter Smith

It is my pleasure! -- Joanne

For more information please visit Anne Easter Smith’s WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

As part of the Anne Easter Smith Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour, I have one copy of Queen By Right available for one lucky winner! Contest is open to U.S. residents only, and the winner will be announced June 25, 2011.

Simply leave a comment with contact information for a chance to win. GOOD LUCK!

**************THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. 6/25/11***************

Queen By Right by Anne Easter Smith

2011-06-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

"From the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, and The King’s Grace comes another masterful historical novel—the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories.

In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, she has found her most engrossing character yet. History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour."

My thoughts:

When I read historical fiction, it is important to me that the author creates a seamless blend of the facts and fiction and evokes an authentic sense of time and place. Of course, I also want to be entertained as well as informed. In Queen By Right, author Anne Easter Smith succeeds on all levels.

Smith's attention to the details of daily life in the 15th century as well as the political and historical events of the period transported me to an intriguing time when claims to the throne of England from the Houses of York and Lancaster eventually resulted in the Wars of the Roses. Even though some readers may have definite loyalties to a particular side of the issue, the journey of Cecily of York is a compelling and poignant one as she evolves from a spirited and independent young girl betrothed at an early age to Richard, Duke of York, into a deeply spiritual, courageous, and devoted wife and mother.

I also commend the author for including helpful guides for the general reader. Queen By Right includes a list of characters and geneology charts, a map, bibliography, glossary, and an author's note detailing a few areas in which Smith used her creativity to embellish her story. (For example, the storyline of Cecily's encounter with Jeanne D'Arc is vividly told and plausible, but there is no evidence that the two historical figures ever met.) Together with her discussion questions at the end of the novel, these additions to the story enriched my knowledge of the period and added to the enjoyment of the story. I'm very much looking forward to reading more of Anne Easter Smith's novels.

Queen by Right was a delight to read and highly recommended for all historical fiction enthusiasts.

PLEASE CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR A GUEST POST & GIVEAWAY DETAILS TO WIN A COPY OF QUEEN BY RIGHT BY ANNE EASTER SMITH!

4/5 stars

Title: Queen By Right
Author: Anne Easter Smith
Simon and Schuster
2011
genre: historical fiction

Special thanks to Amy @ Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

****I received a copy of Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith for review from the publisher. I was not compensated for my review, and the thoughts expressed are my own personal opinion.*****

GIVEAWAY: Margaret Mitchell & John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker

2011-06-14T14:06:00.010-05:00

I am pleased to announce that Peachtree Publishers is providing one copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker to one lucky winner here at Slice of Life!

All you have to do is leave a comment below WITH CONTACT INFORMATION and I will select one winner at random on June 20, 2011. The contest is open to U.S. addresses only.

GOOD LUCK!

Here's my review of this wonderful resource for GWTW fans!

*****6/20/11 THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.********

Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker

2011-06-13T12:00:00.013-05:00

"The marriage of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh was more than one of great love and deep friendship; it was a lucky literary match, both for them and for a world made richer by the creation of GONE WITH THE WIND.

Based on almost 200 previously unpublished letters and extensive interviews with their closests associates, Walker's biography of Margaret Mitchell and her husband, John Marsh, offers a new look into a devoted marriage and fascinating partnership that ultimately created a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. This edition of Walker's critically acclaimed biography celebrates the seventy-fifth anniversary of the publication of GONE WITH THE WIND in 1936."

my thoughts:

It's been seventy-five years since Margaret Mitchell's phenomenal novel of the Old South took the world by storm, and Gone With the Wind to this day remains a beloved favorite of countless readers. It is certainly one of my personal favorites, and I am always interested to read about the background of the creation of both the novel and the blockbuster movie. What many may not know is that the love story behind the creation of GWTW is just as fascinating as that of the fictional love triangle of Scarlett O'Hara, Ashley Wilkes, and Rhett Butler.

In Margaret Mitchell & John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind,
Marianne Walker, through interviews and extensive research, has written a fascinating portrait of Margaret ("Peggy") Mitchell that indeed seems to reflect many of the same facets of Scarlett O'Hara's fiesty and sparkling personality.

As a young southern debutante, Peggy enjoyed being the center of attention -- a pretty and pert flirt, she had no shortage of handsome young men to escort her to a never-ending round of parties and dances. Not very interested in school or studies but very much interested in being a writer, she could often be found at places where artists, writers, and others interested in a creative life frequented.

When she met the tall, quiet John Marsh in 1921, they became very close friends and shared an interest in books and writing. Marsh was a serious man who worked incredibly hard as a respected journalist, and he fell deeply in love with the vivacious and fun-loving Peggy. He knew she dated many other men and was very popular, but their friendship was very strong and deep and he believed one day they would be married. Peggy often found herself at odds with her social-conscious family over her impulsive and improper behavior, and the icing on the cake was when she shocked everyone by marrying "Red" Upshaw, a dashing and handsome bootlegger with a scandalous reputation!

I mention this background material of the book as it is important to see how the seeds of Gone With the Wind may have begun in Peggy's own experiences. Walker's biography continues to reveal how Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh finally, (as destiny must have planned all along) got together and became utterly devoted and supportive of each other.

Although Peggy worked as a reporter in Atlanta for a time, she was often sick in bed or in pain from numerous maladies, and her enforced bedrest gave her time to work on a story of the Old South that had been germinating in her mind. She had a keen interest in southern history and was entertained since birth with tales of the Confederacy. To quote her,

"I spent the Sunday afternoons of my childhood sitting on the bony knees of
Confederate Veterans and the fat slick laps of old ladies who survived the
war and reconstruction." p. 24

Her manuscript, which had no title up until the time of publication, was the couple's "baby." For years, Peggy worked on her manuscript, researched extensively, traveled to Civil War sites, and worked tirelessly to get her historical facts completely accurate. In the evenings when her husband returned home, they sat together and reviewed her writing of the day. The writing was deeply personal to them, and they did not share the manuscript with anyone -- indeed, it seemed as if her novel was a very intimate part of their relationship, and it's a wonder the world ever had a chance to see it. Peggy suffered from bouts of depression and insecurities, and she referred to her work as

"...just that old dog-eared and dirty bunch of copy paper which took up
so much space in our small apartment and seemed with each rewriting
to get worse." p. 289

Thankfully, a publisher did get to see this "dirty bunch of copy paper" as it eventually became a Pulitzer Prize winning novel! It is clear, though, in Walker's biography, that without the help and support of her beloved and devoted husband, Gone With the Wind might never have been completed.

Marianne Walker's meticulously researched biography is a richly detailed look at a complex love story every bit as compelling as the characters in GWTW.
Recommended for all GWTW fans, with many black and white photos and excerpts from personal letters included.

For more information about the book and Marianne Walker, visit Peachtree Publishers.

4/5 Stars

Title: Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind
Author: Marianne Walker
Peachtree Publishers
paperback, 554 pages
June 2011
ISBN 978-1-56145-617-8
genre: biography

***Thank you to Samantha Grefe and Peachtree Publishers for sending me a copy of Margaret Mitchell and John Marsh: The Love Story Behind Gone With the Wind by Marianne Walker for review. I was not compensated for this review, and the thoughts expressed are my personal opinion.***

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

2011-06-08T12:09:00.012-05:00

"In a mystical place where violets bloom out of season and the air is salt drenched, a heartbroken woman stumbles upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author.

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world; she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily-ever-after.

Nearly a decade later, the tide has turned on Emily's good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and an intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

The Violets of March was an absolutely beautiful story.....I loved the author's seamless blending of romance, mystery and suspense with a haunting story of a long-ago love affair. I found myself unable to put this book down as I immediately became emotionally invested in the players.....a hidden diary with stories of youthful, carefree times before World War II that reveal, over time, heartbreaking memories of love, betrayals, loss, and a lifetime of regrets.

Who is the author of this diary and why was it locked away in unused room in her aunt's house?

As Emily tries to find closure for her own failed marriage and find a new direction in her life, can she draw lessons from the mistakes of the past in the pages of this diary?

An utterly charming tale that left me deeply moved and holding on to the book long after I finished the last page.

5/5 stars

Title: The Violets of March
Author: Sarah Jio
Plume/Penguin Publishers
2011
296 pages
genre: literary fiction

Books Have a Soul

2011-06-07T08:17:00.014-05:00

Yesterday, I took my daughter to the bookstore for our annual summer reading shopping spree. Both of my children attend schools where there is a required summer reading list (which I'm happy to support), and when we have time we try to make a regular stop at the library. I'm so grateful that my kids enjoy reading and are just as interested as I am in collecting books in their own particular genre. Interestingly, even though my kids are "technology kids" -- I have to ask them how to do everything from computers, iphones, ipods, you name it -- they haven't embraced the e-book phenomenon. I actually gave them both e-readers for Christmas last year, and neither one of them uses it much. I was also a little sad walking into B&N yesterday as an entire section of the store is now stark and empty.... they have moved shelves with rows upon rows of glorious newly released titles to make room for their electronic books, and it looks.....bare and sterile.

There is a terrific article on the Poisoned Pen bookstore blog (The Romance of the Written Word by Steve Schwartz) that articulates how I feel about the future of paper-and-ink books better than I could ever express. I love how he describes that "books have a soul" and that beloved, well-worn books make your senses come alive with the smell and feel of the novel in your hands. What wonderful memories come flooding back when I hold a cherished favorite book in my hands!

I truly understand the absolute necessity of e-books (and audiobooks)...they are very convenient for people who want and need to read on-the-go, it's such a space saver with thousands of books in one place (not to mention environmentally friendly to the trees!), and so fast, easy, and less expensive to download.

So my question to you as a bibliophile is this -- what do you see for the future of your personal library? Have you begun to switch to an e-reader (or audiobooks) exclusively? Do you still purchase paper-and-ink books? Are you 50%/50%?

For me, I have an e-reader, but I rarely use it. Nothing can replace the feeling of a supple, flexible book in my hands -- so currently I'm 90% paper, 10% e-reader/audio. I have the Outlander series on audio which I listen to often, but they are enhancements to the books, not a replacement. I enjoy my audiobooks when driving by myself or working in the kitchen/doing chores around the house.

Your thoughts? What's your preference? (BTW, I'm not trying to sway anyone either way -- I just love talking about books in every way possible, and I enjoy hearing how others incorporate reading into their lives. It's all good!) :)

Untamed by Pamela Clare

2011-06-06T09:18:00.020-05:00

"In the breathtaking tradition of The Last of the Mohicans....

MacKinnon's Rangers - They were a band of brothers, their loyalty to one another forged by hardship and battle, the bond between these Highland warriors, rugged colonials, and fierce Native Americans stronger even than blood ties.

Though forced to fight for the hated British, Morgan MacKinnon would no more betray the men he leads than slit his own throat--not even when he was captured by the French and threatened with an agonizing death by fire at the hands of their Abenaki allies. Only the look of innocent longing in the eyes of a convent-bred French lass could make him question his vow to escape and return to the Rangers. And soon the sweet passion he awoke in Amalie had him cursing the war that forced him to choose between upholding his honor and pledging himself to the woman he loves."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Another terrific adventure and passionate love story from Pamela Clare! I was blown away at how compelling Surrender was (book #1), and I've been looking forward to continuing this series of the three MacKinnon brothers, exiled Scottish Highlanders forced to serve in the British army during the French and Indian War. Book #2, Untamed, was more great storytelling, and the long-awaited story of the third brother, Connor, will be published (Feb. 2012) to complete the trilogy. The title is Defiant, and I can't wait!

As a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon, I often have discussions with other Outlander readers about books that might be similar. We're all on a quest to find books "like the Outlander series" because nothing seems to compare to Gabaldon's fabulous books and we want more! Well, while I've yet to find anything that comes even close to Gabaldon's series, I think it's safe to say that people who enjoyed Gabaldon's Drums of Autumn and The Fiery Cross might also enjoy Pamela Clare's MacKinnon trilogy (there's no time travel). She's a great storyteller with a talent for recreating the raw, edgy danger of the wilderness, and of course, creating fabulous heroes who love with a fierce passion.

The MacKinnon brothers are fierce Scottish warriors, deeply loyal and proud of their clan heritage, and received Mahican training to survive in the harsh wilderness.

"They were Clan, bound not by the blood in their veins, but the blood they'd lost and spilled together."

In Untamed, we learn Morgan's story where he is gravely injured and captured in a skirmish with the French army outside of Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga). Part adventure story, part passionate romance (sex scenes are HOT!), this story of Morgan and Amalie Chauvenet, (a sheltered and convent-bred daughter of a French officer) is one of love, secrets, and betrayals, and the reader follows them on their journey as they overcome conflicting loyalties and danger to find their happiness.

Another keeper!

BTW, Pamela Clare has a new publisher and will be re-releasing the trilogy with material that was left out of the original books, and the cover art is going in an entirely different direction. Here's a look at the new art for Book #1, Surrender.

Surrender and Untamed are both enthusiastically recommended! Be on the lookout for the upcoming re-releases.

4.5/5 stars

Title: Untamed
Author: Pamela Clare
Dorchester Publishing
2008
347 pages

Summer Reading

2011-06-01T08:00:00.013-05:00

Ahhhhhhh, the lazy days of summer are upon us.....my margarita (with salt) is chilled and I'm heading out to the pool for some relaxing reading.

I don't know about you, but my reading tastes change in the summer....nothing complicated for me in the sizzling heat! Summer reading calls for something light and fresh, with an emphasis on romance and easy mysteries -- historical fiction takes a back seat. Here's a peek at few books I'll be tucking inside my tote bag along with my sunscreen:

All About Romance has a terrific list of top 100 romance books of all time....and I haven't read the #1 favorite on the list! I must rectify this oversight, and try to read a few more top picks that I've missed along the way.

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
"They call him many names, but Angelic isn't one of them . . .
Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters"—and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again—and all that's going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.
She's too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world . . .
Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him—and with him, her family and future—means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is—herself!" (from amazon)

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise
"Her worst fears come true...
After her father's death, Elizabeth Bennet goes to work as a governess. Little does she know the Willstones are social acquaintances of the Bingleys and the Darcys, and Elizabeth finds herself once again drawn into Mr. Darcy's orbit. To make matters worse, Mrs. Willstone's sister sets her sights on Mr. Darcy. With Elizabeth's social status even lower than it was before, she knows she must abandon all hope of Darcy renewing his proposals, even as she begins to see him in a completely different light..."

The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
"The vast multi-generational epic that began with The Tea Rose and continued with The Winter Rose now reaches its dramatic conclusion in The Wild Rose.
London, 1914. World War I is looming on the horizon, women are fighting for the right to vote, and global explorers are pushing the limits of endurance at the Poles and in the deserts. Into this volatile time, Jennifer Donnelly places her vivid and memorable characters:
- Willa Alden, a passionate mountain climber who lost her leg while climbing Kilimanjaro with Seamus Finnegan, and who will never forgive him for saving her life.
- Seamus Finnegan, a polar explorer who tries to forget Willa as he marries a beautiful young woman back home in England.
- Max von Brandt, a handsome sophisticate who courts high society women, but who has a secret agenda as a German spy;
- and many others." (from goodreads)

The Peach Keeperby Sarah Addison Allen
"Allen juggles smalltown history and mystical thriller, character development and eerie magical realism in a fine Southern gothic drama. The underlying tension will please and unnerve readers, as well as leave them eager for Allen's next."
-Publisher's Weekly

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
"Partners now in marriage and in trade, Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane have finally returned from abroad to set up housekeeping in London. But merging their respective collections of gadgets, pets and servants leaves little room for the harried newlyweds themselves, let alone Brisbane's private enquiry business.
Among the more unlikely clients: Julia's very proper brother, Lord Bellmont, who swears Brisbane to secrecy about his case. Not about to be left out of anything concerning her beloved—if eccentric—family, spirited Julia soon picks up the trail of the investigation.
It leads to the exclusive Ghost Club, where the alluring Madame Séraphine holds evening séances…and not a few powerful gentlemen in thrall. From this eerie enclave unfolds a lurid tangle of dark deeds, whose tendrils crush reputations and throttle trust." (from amazon)
Hoping to get a signed copy from Deanna Raybourn at the Romance Writers of America book signing!

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
"When Sophy goes to stay with her cousins in Berkeley Square, she finds them in a sad tangle of affairs – some romantic and others of a more pecuniary nature. Perhaps the Grand Sophy has arrived just in time to save them." (from goodreads)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers (A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery)
"When Harriet Vane attends her Oxford reunion, known as the "Gaudy," the prim academic setting is haunted by a rash of bizarre pranks: scrawled obsentities, burnt effigies and poison-pen letters -- including one that says, "Ask your boyfriend with the title if he likes arsenic in his soup." Some of the notes threaten murder; all are perfectly ghastly; yet in spite of their scurrilous nature, all are perfectly worded. And Harriet finds herself ensnared in a nightmare of romance and terror, with only the tiniest shreds of clues to challenge her powers of detection, and those of her paramour, Lord Peter Wimsey." (from amazon) Both Diana Gabaldon and Lauren Willig are fans of this author, so I'm curious to check out her mysteries.

So, what's in your beach bag this summer?

WINNER: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

2011-05-31T07:49:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Laura @ The Calico Critic -- you are the winner of A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin! You will be contacted by e-mail for your mailing information. I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron

2011-05-29T12:22:00.013-05:00

"Jane and her family are looking forward to a peaceful holiday in the seaside village of Lyme Regis. Yet on the outskirts of town an overturned carriage forces the shaken travelers to take refuge at a nearby manor house. And it is there that Jane meets the darkly forbidding yet strangely attractive Mr. Geoffrey Sidmouth. What murky secrets does the brooding Mr. Sidmouth seek to hide? Jane suspects the worst--but her attention is swiftly diverted when a man is discovered hanged from a makeshift gibbet by the sea. The worthies of Lyme are certain his death is the work of "the Reverend," the ringleader of the midnight smuggling trade whose identity is the town's paramount mystery. Now it falls to Jane to entrap and expose the notorious Reverend--even if the evidence points to the last person on earth she wants to suspect--a man who already may have won her heart."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Jane and the Man of the Cloth (there's a play on words here) is a delightful cozy mystery from the very talented Stephanie Barron, with all the period details and manners of speech that you find in Jane Austen's writing. It's so very realistic in style and substance that I have to keep reminding myself that this is not actually written by Austen, nor is it an actual account of what happened to her during her lifetime! Barron does base her fictional mysteries on some authentic material gleaned from Austen's letters and known facts about her life, so this makes the stories seem as if they truly are a peek inside Jane's innermost thoughts and feelings in journal form. For anyone who enjoys Austen-inspired works written in true Austen style with mystery and adventure, the Jane Austen-as-sleuth collection is highly recommended. Barron creates Austen as a self-assured sleuth with wit and charm guaranteed to make you want to curl up with a cup of tea. I especially enjoyed this adventure with smugglers, contraband, midnight spying in secret caves, and Jane's tender hearted affection for a gentleman...or is he a rogue?

To read about the historical background and letters Barron used to create Jane and the Man of the Cloth, visit Stephanie Barron's website here.

This book completes the third book I've read for Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011 sponsored by Austenprose.

4/5 stars

Title: Jane and the Man of the Cloth
Author: Stephanie Barron
1997
Bantam
335 pages
genre: historical mystery

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

2011-05-28T15:47:00.015-05:00

"Deep in the heart of Oxford's Bodleian Library, scholar Diana Bishop requests a manuscript called Ashmole 782 in the course of her research. Coming from an old and distinguished lineage of witches, Diana senses that the ancient book might be bound up with magic--but she herself wants nothing to do with sorcery; and after making a few notes on its curious images, she banishes it quickly back to the stacks. But what she doesn't know is that the old alchemical text has been lost for centuries, and its sudden appearance has set a fantastical underworld stirring. Soon, a distracting horde of daemons, witches, and vampires descends upon the Bodleian's reading rooms. One of these creatures is Matthew Clairmont, an enigmatic and eminent geneticist, practioner of yoga, and wine connoisseur--and also a vampire with a keen interest in Ashmole 782.

Equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense, A Discovery of Witches is a novel of epic scope, traveling from the cobbled streets of Oxford to the chateaus and mountains of the Auvergne to a small town in upstate New York. It also takes us into a rich fifteen-hundred-year history that spans Clovis and the Crusades, the Knights Templar, and the American Revolution. As Matthew and Diana's alliance deepens into intimacy, Diana must come to terms with age-old taboos and her own family's conflicted history--and she must learn where the modern woman she is meets the course of ancient power that is her legacy. With a scholar's depth and the touch of a great storyteller, Deborah Harkness has woven a tale of passion and obsession; the collision of magic, alchemy, and science; and the closely guarded secrets of an enchanted world."(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I had high expectations and hopes for this novel.

I thought the premise of the book sounded absolutely fascinating, and what could be better than a rich combination of historical, romantic, and paranormal elements? There has been quite a buzz (good and bad) on some book sites about A Discovery of Witches, so my interest was piqued and I just had to get my hands on this book!

To be honest, it was a letdown.

Now I know that too much hype about a novel can raise a person's expectations too high, but I went in with an open mind expecting to read a fresh take on witches and vampires. I gave it my undivided attention for many days and kept hoping it would take off and be magical, but I struggled to stay interested. I found it hard to like the character of Diana Bishop, the powerful witch at the center of the story, as she constantly needed answers and help from others around her. For an alchemical scholar at Oxford, she is awfully dense and naive. She was far too weak and dependent throughout the entire book -- no real character arc here at all. Matthew Clairmont, the vampire and love interest, was a more richly drawn character, but I still couldn't get past the fact that he was an expert on everything and far too perfect.

Chalk it up as just one of those books that is either a hit or a miss, and for me, it was a miss.

I hasten to add that others thought it was fantastic, and I've seen many five star reviews, so this is just one person's opinion. I thought it was one of those ideas that if it had been in the right hands, it could have been brilliant. It had a strong beginning but lost steam along the way, and I'm not sure I'm interested enough to read any of remaining books in this trilogy when they are published. Glad I read it, though, as I wouldn't be able to rest until I satisfied my curiosity. Now I know better. :)

2/5 stars

Title: A Discovery of Witches - Book 1 in the All Souls Trilogy
Author: Deborah Harkness
2011
Viking
579 pages
Genre: fiction/paranormal

I'm getting angry!

2011-05-24T20:21:00.008-05:00

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I'm getting angry and it isn't pretty! I'm tired of Blogger problems. I've tried several times to respond to my readers who've left comments and blogger won't allow me to sign in. I've also attempted to leave comments on other blogs, and I'm blocked. Oddly, I can post but can't comment. So sorry if I'm unable to respond to you or visit your blogs -- hopefully, this new Blogger headache will be solved shortly -- again.

Update: Wednesday 5/25/11 -- Problem with Blogger has not been remedied, and there are many still affected. I can post but not comment on my own blog and some other blogs. It appears that I can post as "anonymous" but that's it. :(

****GIVEAWAY: Game of Thrones -- Someone contacted me by e-mail trying to enter the giveaway and they were also not able to leave a comment. I apologize for this inconvenience, but if you will send me an e-mail at joannemccabe9@cox.net, I will make sure you are entered into the contest. Thanks!

Midnight on Julia Street by Ciji Ware

2011-05-24T08:00:00.023-05:00

"The sultry allure of New Orleans comes to dazzling life in this enthralling tale of romance and mystery that sweeps from the modern heart of the Big Easy back to the shimmering city of a century past. Reporter Corlis McCullough's search for the truth drives her to chase a story involving historical preservationist King Duvallon, an adversary from her college years. After a decade, he still manages to incite her fury--and worse: a growing attraction as strong and unstoppable as the tides along the Delta. But as Corlis is swept back in time, she witnesses the yearning desires and daring passions of a drama that will be replayed in the present..."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I always approach books set in New Orleans with a bit of apprehension and cynicism as it could either turn out to be an extremely interesting experience or just.... make me cringe. When I picked up Midnight on Julia Street, my first thought was, "Well, let's see if we can get through this book without reading a reference to voodoo or alligators," (rolling eyes) and sure enough, I lost count of the voodoo rituals, and I think I found at least two references to alligators! LOL! Really, we aren't all disciples of Marie Leaveau; we only carry a gris gris during football season, and we'll put a hex on you if you trash talk the Saints! ;)

It's clear Ciji Ware has done her research, though, including everything from the history and geography of the city, politics, landmarks, culture, and the sights and sounds that make the city unique -- and for the most part, she does a good job of capturing the overall flavor of New Orleans. But -- there is a tendency to go overboard here and throw in way too much local color, and at times, it gets to be very cliche'. Every other page, someone was quoting, "This is Louisiana, Sugar!" I felt like shouting, alright already! We know where we are and that almost anything crazy can happen around here. And one last rant, and then I'll promise to be quiet. I understand taking literary license for the sake of setting, but Ware has Corlis McCullough, her tv reporter character, taking a swig of Dixie beer while covering a story in the Saint Louis Cathedral -- now, we are definitely a party town (the number one selling t-shirt to tourists is "I got bourbon faced on Sh*t Street!") but drinking beer in church?! That's stretching it a bit too far, even for N'Awlins, Sugar.

Ok, now I'll behave.

Midnight on Julia Street is a time slip story, similar in structure to A Cottage by the Sea, with the present day storyline alternating with vignettes from the past. Corlis McCullough is assigned the job of reporting on a very controversial real estate deal in an historic area of the city. Preservationists are up in arms that glorious buildings of historical and architectural significance are about to be destroyed to make way for a huge commercial development. King Duvallon, a college professor and preservationist, is determined to fight city government and the development group that has its eye on the bottom line -- making a bundle of money rather than preserving history. While Corlis is covering the story, she begins experiencing visions of the past, and the plotline following her ancestor and the people of free color in New Orleans is where Ware's writing shines. Prior to the Civil War, some white men entered into a legally recognized "arrangement" (placage) with African or Creole women (free people of color). These beautiful women were hand picked, usually at Quadroon Balls, and were promised lifelong financial support for themselves and any children resulting from their secret relationship. (It is a fact in the historical records of some Creole women--they were called a placee'--becoming wealthy entrepeneurs and property holders as a result of their arrangements.) This particular storyline is significantly tied to the events of the present day and was compelling and poignant. The ghosts from the past cast their shadows on the developments in the present and influence the outcome of the present-day development deal. These ancestral vignettes more than made up for the sometimes hokey present-day plot.

Do I recommend Midnight on Julia Street? Sure, if you enjoy a mix of political drama, romance, time slip, history and can handle a very heavy dose of sugar.

3/5 stars

Sourcebooks is reissuing Midnight on Julia Street in August, 2011 with this new cover.

Title: Midnight of Julia Street
Author: Ciji Ware
Fawcett Books
1999
470 pages
genre: romance/historical romance

Suddenly Sunday

2011-05-22T09:07:00.026-05:00

Happy Sunday to everyone -- hope your weekend so far has been full of good things for you! It's been a very busy time around my house with my children's end-of-school year final frenzy: last minute projects, final exams, out-of-town school trips, and end-of-year parties and dances, and for my son, graduation from 8th grade. Whew!

I've been planning a few getaways that I'm very much looking forward to. A New York trip will put me in the city at the same time as the Romance Writers of America annual conference, so I plan on attending the authors' book signing event. Since there are going to be hundreds of romance writers in attendance, it should be a fabulous time to meet some great authors (and discover some new ones).

I'm also super excited to get a little R&R (that means without the kids) at one of my favorite plantations. Nottoway is a gorgeous antebellum plantation (a former sugarcane plantation) not too far away from where I live, and while I've visited it several times, I've never had the opportunity to stay overnight. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of the home's grandeur. (I could get used to this!) You can click on the photo for a much larger view.

(Do you see the small arched alcove in the middle of the stairways? At one time when guests arrived by carriages along a curved driveway, a carriage boy stood at attention in that alcove and came out to assist with the horses.)

This is known as the famous White Ballroom. It is here where the daughters of the master of the house made their debuts to society, and five of his eleven children were married in the White Ballroom.

Here is the grand dining room. They do not serve guests dinner here now, though -- we will be served lunch and dinner at lovely outdoor tables on a balcony overlooking the grounds.

Tea, anyone? Join me in the Tea Parlor.

These are just two of the countless bedrooms in the home where guests can stay.

Can't you just see the gentlemen retiring here for cigars and brandy in the study? And check out the draperies....reminds me of Carol Burnett's spoof of GWTW, doesn't it?

In book news, I've been on a buying spree lately and have been collecting books faster than I can read them. I'm currently reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and will be reading A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin next.

Speaking of A Game of Thrones, I'm having a giveaway of this popular novel, so any US residents may take a chance on winning a paperback copy here at Slice of Life. Click on the novel in the sidebar to take you to the post to enter.

With summertime fast approaching, I hope to have a little more time to get back to reading more. Happy Reading!

Suddenly Sunday is hosted by Svea at Confessions and Rambings of a Muse in the Fog.

GIVEAWAY: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

2011-05-16T12:30:00.007-05:00

"In A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin has created a genuine masterpiece, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill the pages of the first volume in an epic series sure to delight fantasy fans everywhere."

****This contest is now closed.************* 5/31/11

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Sounds like a book you would like to win and read? Well, if so, today's your lucky day! (Long story short, I have an extra paperback copy of A Game of Thrones due to an order mixup, so I thought I would share it with a lucky reader of my blog.) Since the book and shipping are on me, the giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses (sorry). You don't need to be a follower to enter (but it's always appreciated).

Just leave a comment on this post with contact info, and I will randomly select one winner to be announced on May 31, 2011. Good luck!

********This contest is now closed.************* 5/31/11

Title: A Game of Thrones -- Book One of A Song of Ice and Fire
Author: George R. R. Martin
2011
835 pages
mass market paperback

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard

2011-05-15T07:53:00.010-05:00

WHAT WOULD MAKE THE PERFECT MAN?

"That's the deliciously racy topic that Jaine Bright and her three girlfriends are pondering one night at their favorite after-hours hot spot: Mr. Perfect. Would he be tall, dark, and handsome? Caring and warmhearted -- or will just muscular do? As their conversation heats up, they concoct a tongue-in-cheek checklist that becomes an overnight sensation, spreading like wildfire at work and sizzling along e-mail lines. But what began as a joke among friends turns deadly serious when one of the four women is murdered....Turning to her neighbor, an unpredictable police detective, for help, Jaine must unmask a killer to save her friends---and herself. Now, knowing whom to trust and whom to love is a matter of survival -- as the dream of Mr. Perfect becomes a chilling nightmare."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Let me start off with a warning: don't pick up this book if you have a busy day ahead -- because I promise you, once you read the chilling prologue, you won't be able to put this book down until you've read the last page! It was so good! I had my nose stuck in the book all day long, and I was practically bumping into walls while I moved through my activities.

Jaine Bright is the fiesty, outspoken heroine of the story. At the age of thirty (with three failed engagements under her belt!), she's very proud of the fact that she's settling into her quaint new home in a lovely neighborhood. There's one big problem, however, that is marring her newfound domestic tranquility -- her next door neighbor is a surly, loud-mouthed jerk! Sam Donovan is unkempt, drives a car with a muffler that could wake up the dead, and comes in at odd hours during the night, depriving Jaine of a peaceful night's sleep. She is certain he is either the town drunk or a drug dealer, and it's just her luck he lives right next door to her! Their first few encounters end up in a shouting match, and Jaine is discouraged that this derelict is going to be a constant thorn in her side. Trust me, things get really interesting between these two! (wink, wink)

Meanwhile, Jaine and her three friends from work meet for their regular Friday night dinner and drinks. As usual, the conversation turns to men and relationships, and they begin joking around about what makes the perfect man. They are having such a good time laughing and deciding on their priorities, that one of them pulls out a pad and starts to take notes. Unfortunately, these notes that were supposed to be a private joke make their way into the public and become a local and national sensation! Although their names were not originally attached to the list (they were identified as A, B, C, and D), their identities are discovered and they are hounded by reporters from magazines, tv, and newspapers. Women are amused by the list, and men are annoyed at the physical attributes for the perfect man -- let's just say that most men would "come up short" in that department! The list has also angered a psychotic killer, and one by one the women's lives become a nightmare as the killer begins to stalk them and strike out to retaliate.

I won't spoil the twists and turns in the plot, but not everyone is as they seem. (I guessed the killer's identity but that did not detract from the enjoyment of the story as there were more surprises ahead that I didn't see coming). This is a really funny, sexy thriller with lots of fireworks and sizzling scenes with Jaine and her new love interest. My only minor complaint is that for someone who has had such a bad track record (three broken engagements), she moves awfully fast to commitment -- seems pretty risky to me! Overall, a great read, laugh-out-loud moments, and real page-turning suspense.

4.5/5 stars

Title: Mr. Perfect
Author: Linda Howard
2000
Pocket Books
405 pages
genre: contemporary thriller/romance

Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood by Ellen Brown & John Wiley, Jr.

2011-05-09T08:11:00.029-05:00

"In the seventy-five years since Gone With the Wind's publication, millions of people the world over have speculated about what happened after Rhett Butler told Scarlett O'Hara he didn't give a damn. Whether author Margaret Mitchell envisioned a reconciliation for her famous lovers is one of many intriguing questions surroung the legendary novel and its enigmatic creator.

Granted unprecendented access to GWTW records and correspondence, Ellen F. Brown and John Wiley, Jr. examine the biggest mystery of them all: how a disorganized and incomplete manuscript by an unknown Southern writer was discovered by a major New York publisher and became one of the most popular, profitable, and controversial novels in literary history. Various Mitchell biographies and several compilations of her letters tell part of the story, but until now no single source has delved into the full saga.

Brown and Wiley answer the question once posed by her husband, "How in the hell did she do it?"
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Every once in a while I pull out my copy of Gone With the Wind and just pick a chapter at random....it doesn't take me long to get totally swept up in this amazing saga of one of the most controversial heroines in southern literature.....Scarlett O'Hara. Once, someone compared the fiesty Margaret Mitchell to her fictional creation, Scarlett, and the author was most offended!

"About the only good qualities Scarlett had were courage and a refusal to admit defeat. But on the other side she was selfish, vain, almost illiterate, a bungler in her dealings with other people, a person with shoddy tastes and a fondness for cheap companions. She neglected her children and she was the ruination of every man who loved her. She stopped at nothing in her grasping determination to make money, including cheating, swindling, and cruel abuse of the helpless convicts she hired. She committed murder, she stole her sister's sweetheart with a lie, and she offered her body for sale at a price." (p. 193)

Whew! Yet millions of fans are enthralled with Mitchell's Civil War-era tale and after seventy-five years, the story of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara is still going strong, considered by some to be one of the Great American Novels.

This account, although tedious at times (copyright issues = ZZZZzzzzzzzzz), traces the origins of GWTW. Margaret Mitchell was the epitome of the southern lady.....gracious, charming, pretty and petite, with a family legacy of Civil War stories told to her from the time she was born. The only real writing experience Mitchell had was childhood stories and news articles. She had an idea for a story in her head, and over the years began quietly working on her manuscript in a haphazard way. As she completed chapters or ran into a road block, she filed away the papers in large envelopes and stashed them all over her tiny apartment in Atlanta that she shared with her husband. After several years, the apartment was crowded with overstuffed envelopes! She had no intention of showing her work to anyone, much less getting it published, but as we all know, this mishmash of envelopes was eventually fine-tuned and honed into a blockbuster masterpiece. A former reporter friend of Mitchell, Lois Cole, went to work for Macmillan Publishing House in New York. It was this connection with the publishing world that eventually brought Harold Latham, a Macmillan publishing executive, to seek out Mitchell while on a trip to the south. Margaret was horrified to learn that her friend had discussed her work as the quiet lady suffered from severe self-doubt. She simply couldn't believe anyone would be interested in reading her material, much less publishing it and paying good money for it! The manuscript was not even complete or organized into any cohesive start-to-finish format. At first she denied ever having written anything, but Latham convinced her to share her work and asked to see what she had on hand. She reluctantly gathered together the envelopes she could find and handed them over against her better judgement, and the rest is history. Those stuffed envelopes held a future Pulitzer Prize winning novel!

What followed for Margaret Mitchell, however, is not a happily-ever-after fairytale. The job of completing the manuscript, researching for historical accuracy, proofreading and editing, and filling in gaps for continuity over the next year took it's toll on her mentally and physically. Working from dawn and well into the night, she and her husband (who assisted her) almost dropped from exhaustion to try to meet the deadline Macmillan had set for publication. It was an arduous task for her, and once her manuscript was finally completed to her satisfaction, she vowed she would never write again. The toll was just too great, and "Tote the Weary Load" could well have been the title!

Unfortunately for Margaret, the publication of her novel was not the end of her worries. In fact, she and her husband spent the remaining years of her life fiercely guarding and overseeing the overwhelming universe that Gone With the Wind created. Everything from copyrights for radio, audio recordings, film, stage, merchandise, foreign translations and overseas rights, etc... kept them working full-time to protect their financial interests and legal rights. Everyone wanted to cash in on the phenomenal success of GWTW, and the publicity-shy, reclusive new author was thrust into the glare of worldwide success and high-stakes business deals. In one way, she was like her Scarlett: she was a fierce warrior when it came to protecting her personal interests. Margaret Mitchell dug in her heels and made her views known to Macmillian and the world: she would not appear in public to promote her book -- her poor health would not allow her to travel extensively; she would not speak about her book in public -- her few attempts ended in a bad case of stage fright; she was not up to writing again; and NO ONE would profit from her intellectual property without her consent. (The one thing Mitchell was dedicated to was her fan mail -- she and her assistant diligently answered the thousands of fan letters she received and believed each person should be individually thanked.) She was pleased with the Hollywood version of GWTW, but again, she wanted little to do with the movie's creation after signing a deal with MGM for the movie rights. She did appear at the movie's Atlanta premiere and made a brief statement, thanking the people of Atlanta for their kindness to "me and my poor Scarlett."

The one thing everyone wanted to know was, "What happens to Rhett and Scarlett? Will you write a sequel?" Her coy answer to the first question was always, "Why, I don't really know." As to the question of a sequel, she had a definite answer: "No." She was so insistent that a sequel not be written that her will stated the all future heirs/trusts should respect her wishes. The book ended exactly how she intended it to end. Period. She insisted she simply didn't have time to write again as managing the business of GWTW was a full-time job. Her untimely and tragic death in 1949 (she was hit by a car while crossing Peachtree Street) put an end to the possibility of the world ever experiencing another book from this extraordinary woman.

Why, then, did her brother (who became her heir upon the death of Margaret's husband) agree to a sequel? Stephens Mitchell, her brother, also had spent his life protecting his sister's interests and deflected offers to have a sequel written for many years. He also fought unauthorized fan fiction versions of his sister's writings. However, he was in his eighties, and he was weary of fighting. He had no idea how much longer he would live, and after his death, he felt people would have a field day with GWTW. If he authorized a sequel, at least the Margaret Mitchell Trust could handpick the author and to a certain degree, guarantee that it would be in keeping with the integrity of the novel. Alexandra Ripley, a southern author, took on the job, knowing that it would be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" job. People would criticize her work as inferior to Mitchell's (which she was willing to admit she was no Margaret Mitchell), and she would not please everyone with her plot for Scarlett and Rhett. The world finally had their sequel in 1991, Scarlett, and one alternative to what may have happened to Scarlett and Rhett. Rhett also got his story in 2007 with McCaig's Rhett Butler's People.

So, join me and dust off your old copy of Gone With the Wind, raise a glass and toast to seventy-five years of stunning success for Margaret Mitchell and her "poor Scarlett."

Original cover of 1936 first edition

Title: Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood
Authors: Ellen F. Brown, John Wiley, Jr.
Taylor Trade Publishing
2011
379 pages
nonfiction: literature and film industry

M. M. Kaye's Autobiographical Trilogy

2011-05-06T08:45:00.023-05:00

I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this autobiographical trilogy of M. M. Kaye, The Sun in the Morning, Golden Afternoon, and Enchanted Evening. Anyone who has read Lauren Willig's The Betrayal of the Blood Lily knows that this book was her homage to Mollie Kaye's books and her enchantment with India, and being a fan of Willig's novels, I began collecting M. M. Kaye's works (which, unfortunately, are not easy to find -- I buy used copies.) Trade Wnd just blew me away and became a favorite last year, and I'm looking forward to reading Kaye's other epic novels. What an exciting and privileged life Mollie Kaye must have lived to have needed THREE volumes to write about her adventures in England, India and China! I know it will take me a while to work my way through these volumes (jam packed with fabulous photos of exotic settings, social gatherings, and fashions through the years), so I plan on savoring them. Here's a preview of each of her memoirs:

Volume I - The Sun in the Morning
In this wonderfully evocative autobiography M. M. Kaye, bestselling author of The Far Pavillions, Shadow of the Moon, and Trade Wind, recounts her first eighteen years in India and England. Rich in period detail and peopled with extraordinary and unforgettable characters, The Sun in the Morning is a brilliant and vivid memoir of life under the Raj.

Volume II - Golden Afternoon

Returning from an English boarding-school to India in 1927, Mollie Kaye plunges into the glories -- and embarrassments -- of the Delhi Season. But more than the social life of the Raj, she rediscovers her love for the country -- the magic paradise of Kashmir, the sun-scorched plains of Rajputana, the teeming life of the markets and the complexities of high-caste life. Spiced with humour, incident and her trenchant views of the world, both then and now, Golden Afternoon is suffused above all with the enchantment that is India.

Volume III - Enchanted Evening

M. M. Kaye is forced to leave her cherished home in India when her father takes a new post in China. Though at first disoriented by the unfamiliar customs and confusing protocol of her new surroundings, it is in China that she discovers the pleasures that come from independence. Coming into her own as a painter, Kaye first meets with artistic success in China and then moves to cramped quarters in London's South Kensington neighborhood where she begins to flourish as a writer. With vivid descriptions that comes with age, Mollie Kaye looks back on the years spent as a young woman in a world as yet unmarked by World War II's devastation.

*****************

To explore more of M. M. Kaye's works, click here. She's an author not to be missed!

Legacy by Jeanette Baker

2011-05-05T20:00:00.005-05:00

"THE LAST OF THE MURRAYS.....

Christina Murray is elated to inherit her family's ancestral home in Scotland. But upon her arrival she is confronted by her breathtakingly handsome new neighbor, Ian Douglas...and an ancient family curse that comes with the castle.

A VIOLENT LEGACY OF PASSION...

Seduced by Ian's easy Scottish charm by day, Christina dreams at night of three raven-haired beauties, ancestors who fell victim to the curse one generation after another: Katrine, the fiery Jacobite supporter who lost her heart to an Englishman; Jeanne, an accused witch; and Mairi, who shared a forbidden passion with the King of England.

Now it's Christina's turn to lie in that cursed bed....and loving Ian might just cost her her life."(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I'm always on the search for a good story that combines some of my favorite elements: Scottish history, romance, and time travel, and Jeanette Baker's Legacy fits the bill. It is the story of four women, all of whom share a legacy of tragedy and an ancient curse.

Christina Murray is the modern day heroine, a thirty-eight year old American who has spent her life studying Gaelic history and exploring Scotland's history. But after many years teaching at Boston College and experiencing a painful divorce, she travels back to Scotland when she is mysteriously summoned to Traquair House, Scotland's oldest manor house. Upon her arrival, she is presented to the dying Lady Ellen Maxwell, who becomes terrifyingly agitated when she sees Christina, and suddenly dies. Christina learns that upon the death of Lady Maxwell that she in now an heiress and has inherited Traquair House! And if that was not enough of hitting the jackpot, the manor house also comes with it's own gorgeous, unattached neighbor, Ian Douglas.

Here's where the story really kicks into high gear -- Ian and Christina quickly develop a very interesting and close relationship, but she is troubled by several strange events. She is a diabetic and knows the weakness and fatigue that can occur if she does not have her insulin; however, her moments of fatigue and illness are turning into visions or dreams of the past, where she begins to experience glimpses of ancestors who, the reader learns over time, are all linked through a witch's curse and an ancient secret of Scotland's stone of destiny. Stories from the thirteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth, and modern day times are woven together to finish with a very dramatic and page-turning conclusion. Great for those who enjoy a nice mix of romance, fantasy, and Scottish history.

By the way, Traquair House really exists, dating back to 1107 as a hunting lodge for Scottish kings and queens.

3.5/5 stars

Title: Legacy
Author: Jeanette Baker
1996, 2011
Sourcebooks Casablanca
368 pages
genre: historical romance/time travel

Elizabeth I by Margaret George

2011-05-04T07:14:00.031-05:00

About the book, Elizabeth I

It is 1588, and the showdown between England and Spain has finally come. Elizabeth and her island kingdom stand alone against the strongest country in Europe. Yet after that triumph, she cannot rest. There are many other challenges to her, and the ever-hanging question of the succession to the childless queen. Surrounded by such larger-than-life characters as Drake, Shakespeare, the Earl of Essex, Raleigh, and Francis Bacon, the queen proves bigger than all of them.

Her cousin and rival, Lettice Knollys, mother of the Earl of Essex and widow of Robert Dudley, who was Elizabeth’s love and soul mate, provides a dark counterpoint to the glittering aura of Elizabeth’s legend. Bound together in a love-hate relationship, the two women pursue their linked destinies.

My thoughts on the novel, Elizabeth I

I was so pleased to be a part of the virtual tour for such a noteworthy author as Margaret George. I was already familiar with her work because of the popularity of her book, The Autobiography of Henry VIII, so I felt honored to be able to preview her latest historical fiction release, Elizabeth I.

Let's start with the amazing cover, shall we? With the much over-used "headless woman" covers lately, it was refreshing to see this elegant and classic design. Bravo!

Next, this novel is unique in that it does not retell the story of her life from its beginning, a story that most people familiar with the Tudor era already know; rather, the story opens in the year 1588 as the queen and her army are preparing for the attack from the Spanish Armada, and continues with the remaining fifteen years of her life.

Margaret George creates a powerful drama of the loves, passions, rivals, and power of Elizabeth I, including such figures as Drake, Raleigh, the Earl of Essex, Robert Dudley, Lettice Knollys, and Shakespeare (among others). Dramatic and rich with historical detail of the era, I was very impressed with this fascinating portrait of the Virgin Queen's final years of reign. Reading Elizabeth I has made me want to explore the other works of Margare George as well, and I can highly recommend Elizabeth I to all historical fiction enthusiasts and to all who enjoy a well-researched, richly told tale.

Read an excerpt

May 1588
ELIZABETH

The whip cracked and snapped as it sought its victim.

I could see the groom cowering in the bushes, then crawling away in the underbrush as the whip ripped leaves off a branch just over his head. A stream of Spanish followed him, words to the effect that he was a worthless wretch. Then the face of the persecutor turned toward me, shining with his effort. “Your Majesty,” he said, “why do you keep my whip?”

It was a face I had thought never to see again—that of Don Bernardino de Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador I had evicted from England four years earlier for spying. Now he rounded on me and began fingering his whip as he walked toward me.

I sat up in bed. I could still smell the leather of the whip, lingering in the air where it had cracked. And that smirk on the face of Mendoza, his teeth bared like yellowed carved ivory—I shuddered at its cold rictus.

It was only a dream. I shook my head to clear it. The Spanish were much on my mind, that was all. But . . . didn’t Mendoza actually leave me a whip? Or did we just find one in his rooms after he hurriedly left? I had it somewhere. It was smaller than the one in the dream, useful only for urging
horses, not punishing horse grooms. It had been black, and braided, and supple as a cat’s tail. Spain’s leather was renowned for its softness and strength. Perhaps that was why I had kept it.

It was not light out yet. Too early to arise. I would keep my own counsel here in bed. Doubtless devout Catholics—secretly here in England, openly in Europe—were already at early Mass. Some Protestants were most likely up and studying Scripture. But I, their reluctant figurehead, would commune with the Lord by myself.

I, Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England for thirty years, had been cast by my birth into the role of defender of the Protestant faith. Spiteful people said, “Henry VIII broke with the pope and founded his own church only so he could get his way with Anne Boleyn.” My father had given them grounds with his flip quote “If the pope excommunicates me, I’ll declare him a heretic and do as I please.” Thus the King’s Conscience had become a joke. But out of it had come the necessity of embracing Protestantism, and from that had grown a national church that now had its own character, its own martyrs and theology. To the old Catholic Church, I was a bastard and usurper queen; thus I say that my birth imposed Protestantism upon me.

Why must England, a poor country, be stuck with subsidizing three others—the French, the Dutch, the Scots—and facing Spain, the Goliath champion of Catholicism? God’s teeth, wasn’t it enough for me to defend and manage my own realm? The role was a sponge that soaked up our resources and was driving us slowly but inexorably toward bankruptcy. To be the soldier of God was an expense I could have done without.

Soldier. God must be laughing, to have handed me his banner to carry, when all the world knew—or thought it did—that a woman could never lead troops into battle.

About Margaret George

Margaret George is the author of six epic biographical novels, all New York Times bestsellers, featuring larger than life characters like Henry VIII and Cleopatra. Although painstakingly accurate historically, their real focus is the psychology of the characters. We know what they did, we want to know why. Her latest release is Elizabeth I.

Margaret’s research has taken her from the islands of Scotland to the temples of Upper Egypt, with experiences that include snake-keeping and gladiatorial training.

She lives in Wisconsin and Washington DC. Interests include reptile conservation efforts, Middle Eastern dance (aka bellydancing), and archeology.

For more information about the author and her books, you can visit Margaret George’s website at www.margaretgeorge.com.

***************

I would like to thank Cheryl Malandrinos of Pump Up Your Book! for inviting me to take part in the Margaret George tour and The Penguin Group for providing me with an advance review copy of Elizabeth I by Margaret George.

Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross

2011-04-18T17:49:00.009-05:00

"Alexander Falkland hasn't an enemy in the world. Young, talented, charming, he shines in every field he enters: law, architecture, the investment market. But one night his luck runs out with a vengeance. In the midst of one of his famous parties, he is found in his study with his head smashed, a blood-stained poker beside him. No wonder the inscription on his gravestone reads: WHOM THE GODS LOVE DIE YOUNG....."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

Whom the Gods Love is the third in the Julian Kestrel Regency mystery series, and as usual, Kate Ross delivers another sharp, tight plot that keeps you guessing at every twist and turn of events.

When the Bow Street Runners come up empty with clues or suspects in the highly publicized murder of society's golden boy, Alexander Falkland, his father seeks the assistance of dandy Julian Kestrel, an amateur sleuth. With his trusty sidekick,the reformed pickpocket Dipper, he embarks on another murder investigation that takes him on a journey in the darker side of life to explore Alexander's life, his business and social acquaintances. In the process, Julian uncovers layer upon layer of lies, false identities, and scandalous deceptions. Who was this Alexander Falkland.....really? And who among the long list of family, servants, and associates had reason to want to murder him in cold blood?

Kate Ross is a master at structuring her stories and deftly weaving many threads of mystery together. Her characters from different social classes and their dialogue rings true and the everyday details of the Regency period are completely authentic. A thoroughly enjoyable read, although I still think A Broken Vessel is my favorite.

4/5

Title: Whom the Gods Love
Author: Kate Ross
Viking Press
1995
382 pages
genre: Regency mystery

The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy

2011-04-18T10:30:00.011-05:00

"When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor. But such a position for an unmarried woman puts the whole kingdom at risk. So on his deathbed William made a will that would ensure his daughter's protection: he promised her hand in marriage to the future King of France.

Eleanor grows into a romantic and beautiful queen, but she has inherited the will of a king, determined to rule Aquitaine using her husband's power as King of France. Her resolve knows no limit and, in the years to follow she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:

I'm so pleased to have been able to acquire a beautiful set of Plaidy's Plantagenet series from the UK, and I know it will be a delight to savor each one. Jean Plaidy has a gift for bringing history alive, and her novels weave history and everyday life and drama togther to give the reader an imaginative glimpse into the past. I also have two more Eleanor of Acquitaine books to read (The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy and To Be Queen by Christy English), so it will interesting to compare and contrast the depictions of this very intriguing historical figure.

In The Plantagenet Prelude, Plaidy paints a portrait of young Eleonor (English Eleanor) that was one of beauty, intelligence, and courage. As a young queen, she was renowned for her passion for music and storytelling, and her court would often sit before a fire in the great hall and sing songs of love and chivalry. Her arranged marriage to Louis VII, the King of France, brought her more power and two daughters, but not happiness. Proud and haughty, strong enough to boldly embark on a Crusade, she eventually began to show disdain for her husband who was more devoted to the Church than to her, and sought the attentions of other men. The marriage of Louis and Eleanor was eventually ended on the basis of consanguinity (related by blood).

Eleanor's marriage to England's king, Henry II, brought her more children and contentment, but unfortunately, it was not to last. After many years, Henry's long relationship with Rosamund Clifford was a devastating shock to her after her support of Henry and the many children that they had together. Plaidy also details the relationship between Henry and Thomas Becket, the once close friend and confidante of the king. As the story ends, Henry is lamenting his part in the murder of Becket as Henry wanted to be supreme ruler of both the State and Church, and Becket was against this. As a result, Thomas was murdered and Christendom considered him a martyr.

The next installment, The Revolt of the Eaglets, continues with Henry's precarious predicament: he is punished by the Pope for his involvement in Becket's death, and he now has an enemy in his Queen, as Eleanor is now determined to seek vengeance and will use her sons to conspire against their father.

For a complete list and synopsis of Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet series, click here.

And thanks to a heads-up from Misfit, I learned that the fabulous Elizabeth Chadwick has recently signed a deal to write an Eleanor of Aquitane trilogy!! The novels will be The Summer Queen, The Winter Crown, and The Autumn Throne. Click here for Chadwick's website for more info!

3.5/5 stars

Title: The Plantagenet Prelude
Author: Jean Plaidy
original publication: 1976, 2006
Random House
417 pages
genre: historical fiction

My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

2011-04-10T16:40:00.006-05:00

"Played against the exciting background of the War of 1812, My Love, My Enemy ranges in colorful setting from Annapolis and Washington to Bermuda, Europe and the high seas..."
(from goodreads)

my thoughts:

I think it's terrific that Sourcebooks Casablanca is bringing back some writers to a new generation of readers by publishing some bestsellers from decades ago. Author Jan Cox Speas came to my attention through Susanna Kearsley's recommendation, and I went on a search to find old copies of her books. So far, Bride of the MacHugh and My Love, My Enemy are being reissued by Sourcebooks this year, and I hope My Lord Monleigh will follow suit as I think it's the best of the bunch. My only minor complaint is that the new Sourcebook covers may be misleading....I adore a hot romance novel and have absolutely nothing against well written sex scenes. But I believe the new covers give the impression that her novels are sexy romances, while in fact they are fairly chaste and completely old-school romance. (A kiss or a touch is about all you'll get.) Her novels are being marketed as historical romances, while I think the term historical adventure is a better description. Readers who enjoy a little spice in their romances will feel misled if they're expecting that from the cover, and those who avoid romances will be pleasantly surprised to find that her writing is much more a blend of history and adventure than romance. Now that I've got that cleared up, on to my thoughts about My Love, My Enemy.

What began as an ordinary day for young Page Bradley quickly turns into a series of events which will change her future forever. Sneaking away from Bradley House without her father's permission is typical mischief for Page -- she has Duncan MacDougall (a Scotsman in her father's employ) as her partner in crime to bring her safely by boat into the town of Annapolis to do some shopping. Knowing there will be hell to pay if anything happens to her, and there is very real danger from the British ships in the area, Duncan is wary of letting his charge too long out of his supervision. But like a magnet to metal, Page seems to attract trouble and soon finds herself almost run down by a horse -- and it's handsome English rider, in a most gentlemanly manner, apologizes and bids her to be more careful. A short while later, Page finds that an angry mob has surrounded this same Englishman and are in the mood to hang him as an English spy. Without thinking, Page steps forward and pretends to know him and extracts him from this volatile situation. Grateful for her assistance, Joycelyn Trevor, Lord Hazard, agrees to accompany her to see her home safely.....until their boat is unfortunately fired upon by the British ship, The Falcon and all are captured.

From Annapolis to the tropical island of Bermuda, to France and England and back to America, this is a tale of high seas adventures, privateers, spies, loyalties to one's country -- and staying true to the heart.

A light, charming read for a quiet afternoon. I preferred her other two books with their Scottish settings, but this was entertaining with its multiple settings and nautical adventures.

*****Edited to Add: Avid Reader gave me a heads up about the kindle cover for this book, which I think is much closer to the spirit of the story.

3/5 stars

Title: My Love, My Enemy
Author: Jan Cox Speas
Originally published 1961
Sourcebooks Casablanca 2011
263 pages
genre: historical adventure

A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander

2011-03-30T20:23:00.008-05:00

Available in hardcover 25 October 2011

Here's a sneak peek at Tasha Alexander's newest novel, A Crimson Warning:

"Secrets prove deadly in this new novel featuring Lady Emily Hargreaves. Some very prominent people in London are waking up to find their doorsteps smeared with red paint, the precursor to the revelation of a dark secret – and worse – by someone who enjoys destroying lives.

Newly returned to her home in Mayfair, Lady Emily Hargreaves is looking forward to enjoying the delights of the season. The delights, that is, as defined by her own eccentricities—reading The Aeneid, waltzing with her dashing husband, and joining the Women’s Liberal Federation in the early stages of its campaign to win votes for women. But an audacious vandal disturbs the peace in the capitol city, splashing red paint on the neat edifices of the homes of London’s elite. This mark, impossible to hide, presages the revelation of scandalous secrets, driving the hapless victims into disgrace, despair and even death. Soon, all of London high society is living in fear of learning who will be the next target, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, favorite agent of the crown, must uncover the identity and reveal the motives of the twisted mind behind it all before another innocent life is lost."

************
I enjoy Tasha Alexander's lovely style, so I'm committed to following her handsome sleuthing couple, Emily and Colin Hargreaves through their next adventure!

Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald

2011-03-28T09:00:00.017-05:00

"A magnificent love story unfolds against the backdrop of exotic splendor and stirring deeds as young Englishwoman Laura Hewitt journeys to the East to the fabled fiefdom of the Zemindar, Guardian of the Earth. He is Oliver Erskine, hereditary ruler of his private kingdom, commander of his own native army - and brother of the man she loves. Subject to Britain's Queen, but also a son of India,, he walks the tightrope between treason to the Crown and betrayal of his own native land, a world both beautiful and dangerous, lit with splendor and torn by despair. Challenged by Erskine to plumb India's innermost secrets, Laura's quest puts her in thrall to the Zemindar himself, arrogant and demanding, lustful and compassionate, tender and persuasive. He infuriates her, invades her soul - and claims her as his own, forcing her to confront her own divided loyalties, her own mutinous heart."
(from the publisher)

My thoughts:

It's been a long time since a novel has so captured my imagination and my heart -- Zemindar was simply wonderful and has now joined the ranks of my favorites! It is a rich, sweeping tale of adventure, love, and the horrors of battle during the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 in India, and Valerie Fitzgerald's magnificent storytelling brings to life both the beauty and the dangers of the exotic Indian setting.

Laura Hewitt, a twenty-four year old Englishwoman, is living with her aunt and acts as a companion to her pretty younger cousin, Emily. Laura, by no means considered a beauty, has hopes that her feelings for Charles Flood will be returned, but unfortunately, he falls for Emily's charms and they marry. Hurt but stoic, Laura hides her pain and agrees to accompany the couple as they travel to India. Charles' half-brother, Oliver Erskine, is a rich and powerful zemindar (landowner and ruler) and Charles hopes to develop a relationship with him. Since Oliver is unmarried without an heir, Charles has plans to establish himself as a business partner and eventually share a portion of Hassanganj, Oliver's luxurious and palatial home. The British community here views Oliver with suspicion as he is harsh, unattractive, and a loner, and rumors abound of his relationships with Indian women and other questionable loyalties.

How Laura and Oliver come together, and the pain and suffering they each endure as they are separated during the rebellion, is just an extraordinary tale of mutual devotion and courage. After all the tragedies they survive, in the end, will Laura be able to commit to Oliver and stay in India, a place where she is haunted by terrifying memories? Or will she return to England, her home, where there is safety and security -- without Oliver?

**sigh** They just don't write them like this anymore! If you love novels such as Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, or M. M. Kaye's Trade Wind or The Far Pavilions, you'll love Zemindar.

Loved it! Highly, highly recommended!

5/5 stars

Title: Zemindar
Author: Valerie Fitzgerald
Bantam Books
1983
799 pages
genre: historical fiction

New RT Interview with Susanna Kearsley

2011-03-26T10:17:00.010-05:00

For those who enjoy the works of author Susanna Kearsley (that would be me!), RT has posted a new Q&A with the author and her plans for a companion novel to The Winter Sea following the character of Anna. You can read her interview here. Enjoy!

Suddenly Sunday - A Beautiful Day!

2011-03-20T16:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Sunday, everyone! Hope this weekend brought you all good things (good books, relaxation from the long work week, and time with family and friends)!

I've had a wonderful weekend as my husband decided to take the kids camping and they were eager to get out into nature and have some fun. I'm not the huntin'-fishin'-kinda-gal, so I opted to stay home and get a few things done here. Oddly enough,(hee hee) all the projects I had planned didn't pan out, but I got some lovely reading done and quality me-time. ;)

Spent the morning immersed in the most wonderful novel -- Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald. Will be luxuriating in all its goodness for a while as I don't want to rush it. It is a novel to be savored, and I spent the morning in my yard with my book, a tall glass of iced tea, and the pup curled up under my chair.

This was my view from my lounge chair for most of the morning -- :)

I took a walk around my property and just soaked in all the beauty of this time of year. Everything in my garden is just a profusion of pinks and creams and purples.....just gorgeous! Pretty soon the gardenias, magnolias, and the sweet jasmine will begin to bloom, and the scent is like heaven on earth. I love springtime!

On another note, were any of you like me recently and glued to the tv on Sunday watching Downton Abbey? I thought it was a wonderful period piece, and below is a hilarious spoof of it (which I saw on Ruth's blog, Booktalk & More). Enjoy!

(Suddenly Sunday is hosted by Svea at Confessions and Ramblings of a Muse in the Fog.)

My Lord Monleigh by Jan Cox Speas

2011-03-19T22:15:00.006-05:00

“Scotland was a land divided. The rightful Stuart had been driven into exile in France, his country ruled by the dour Presbyterians who had ridden into power on the coattails of Oliver Cromwell’s rise to power in England. All who opposed them were rebels and outlaws, to be hunted down and branded as traitors. And the man with the highest price on his head was Monleigh.

Anne Lindsay met him first on the windswept moors, though when first she saw him she had no idea who he might be. She knew only that he was handsome and that he did something to her heart, that here was the one man who could bring warmth and happiness into a life seemingly forever chilled by the bleakness of her early childhood. Monleigh was to give her everything that a man can give a woman, though in the process he was to change her whole life, for this was a man who believed passionately in the freedom of the individual and of his obligation to control his own life. What Anne Lindsay had to learn, and it meant that she all but lost him in the process, was that there is a responsibility in love that goes beyond the mere desire to love another.

Here is a novel of rare and haunting beauty, yet one whose broad narrative sweep is packed with movement and pageantry. It is a brilliantly exciting book by a writer of distinction.”
Original dustcover summary from 1956 Publication by Bobbs-Merrill

my thoughts:

Another glorious tale of love and adventure from Jan Cox Speas that is rich with historical detail and vivid descriptions of another time and place.

Anne Lindsay, left orphaned as a child at the hands of English soldiers, is resigned to live out her days as a personal maid to her dour and fanatically religious aunt, Margaret. Margaret, desperately unhappy and bitter, feigns illness often and brow beats those around her, especially Anne, to attend to her every whim. Anne is frustratingly mild and meek around her aunt, but having been raised in this strict environment for many years and with no alternative, she has no choice but to be subservient. On a rare day out of the house to walk along the moors, she walks too far from Clennan House and meets a man that, unbeknownst to her, is the notorious Lord Monleigh. He is Scotland's most dangerous traitor, an outlawed highland chief. Even worse, he is rumored to indulge in debauchery -- and even murder -- when it comes to the women in his life. As fate would have it, he comes to Anne's rescue as she foolishly loses her footing along a steep slope. From this day forward, Anne begins a gradual transformation from meek and obedient to daring and courageous as her attraction and interest in Monleigh develops. Once afraid to dare cross her aunt for fear of punishment, she arranges secret meetings with Monleigh as they begin to share a passionate and dangerous attraction to each other. They share intimate evenings together in his castle where she sheds her puritan clothes and revels in gifts of clothes made from rich and sumptuous velvets, and meet secretly in the woods under glorious blue skies where he serenades her with lovely tunes on his lute. Anne learns a painful lesson, though, that the man she is falling in love with is as easy to tame as the waves on the sea....he is a smuggler, an adventurer, a rebel, a highland chief, an outlaw.....and destined to break her heart.

I adored this book and enjoyed the beautiful prose and descriptive passages of the Scottish setting and the period details. Since it was originally published in 1956, the romance is passionate and heartbreaking, but never explicit -- there's something to be said for leaving things to your imagination. ;)

One of my favorites is a passage where Anne, trying to understand her conflicting feelings, reflects on the nature of Simon Stewart, Lord Monleigh:

"I was under his spell, as I had come to be under the spell of this
west coast of Scotland. And his was the nature of a Highlander, after all,
a man forever fighting for the possession of himself. There was a dark
heritage in his blood, that same heritage of violence and disquiet
which had seethed through Highland history since the beginning of
time; and I would imagine that this unrest, this dark vein of passion,
must be guarded with a constant vigilance lest it stealthily conquer
a man's soul and abandon him to the darkness.

There was no portion of land in the world with so contradictory a
nature as the Highlands. Now, it was a land of sunlit moors stained
red with heather, knowing only the peace of quiet sky and the heart-
shaking beauty of the blue hills; now it was a harsh and awesome
place where silent mists obscured the peaks and a bitter relentless
rain came down from the skies, where an angry sea washed against the
shore, and sullen clouds reflected in sullen gray lochs.

Scotland in the sun and Scotland in the rain -- it was as true a description
of Simon Stewart as anyone might give."

Loved it!

original 1956 cover -- so pretty!

4.5/5

Title: My Lord Monleigh
Author: Jan Cox Speas
Avon, 1978
(originally published 1956)
297 pages
genre: historical fiction/historical romance