Illuminations by Mary Sharratt

About the Book:

Skillfully weaving historical fact with psychological insight and vivid imagination, Illuminations brings to life one of the most extraordinary women of the Middle Ages: Hildegard von Bingen, Benedictine abbess, visionary, and polymath.

Offered to the Church at the age of eight, Hildegard was expected to live in silent submission as the handmaiden of a renowned, disturbed young nun, Jutta von Sponheim. But Hildegard rejected Jutta's masochistic piety, rejoicing in her own secret visions of the divine. When Jutta died, Hildegard broke out of her prison, answering the heavenly call to speak and write about her visions and to liberate her  sisters. Riveting and utterly unforgettable, Illuminations is a deeply moving portrayal of a woman willing to risk everything for what she believed.

My thoughts:

I thought Mary Sharratt's Illuminations was a beautiful and imaginative account of 12th century abbess, Hildegard von Bingen. 

Given to the church as a "tithe" at the age of eight, the young Hildegard was forced to live in an anchorage of a monastery -- literally walled in as if living in a tomb -- to spend her days in self-sacrifice and prayer. Her only companion was the wealthy and beautiful Jutta von Sponheim who harbored deep secrets and embraced a life of self-torture and constant prayer as a form of holiness. Incredibly, despite this "living death," Hildegard possessed a deep and powerful spiritual core which helped her to rise above her horrific conditions. Forced into silence and obedience for most of her life, it is truly a testament of her courage and faith that she was able to emerge from the depths of deprivation and obedience to become a powerful spiritual force in her world.

 Hildegard's life and accomplishments are fascinating, and I recommend this deeply moving tale to anyone who enjoys medieval historical figures and empowered women.

About the Author

The author of four critically acclaimed historical novels, Mary Sharratt is an American who lives in the Pendle region of Lancashire, England, the setting for her acclaimed Daughters of the Witching Hill, which recasts the Pendle Witches of 1612 in their historical context as cunning folk and healers. She also lived for twelve years in Germany, which, along with her interest in sacred music and herbal medicine, inspired her to write Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen. Illuminations won the Nautilus Gold Award for Better Books for a Better World and was selected as a Kirkus Book of the Year. 

For more information please visit Mary's website and blog. 

Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Mariner Books
Paperback; 288p
ISBN-10: 0544106539

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the novel, Illuminations, from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Like Chaff in the Wind by Anna Belfrage

About the Book:

Matthew Graham committed the mistake of his life when he cut off his brother’s nose.  In revenge, Luke Graham has Matthew abducted and transported to the Colony of Virginia, there to be sold as indentured labour – a death sentence more or less.

Matthew arrives in Virginia in May of 1661, and any hope he had of finding someone willing to listen to his tale of unlawful abduction is quickly extinguished. If anything Matthew’s insistence that he is an innocent man leads to him being singled out for the heaviest tasks.

Insufficient food, grueling days and the humid heat combine to wear Matthew down. With a sinking feeling he realises no one has ever survived the seven years of service – not on the plantation Suffolk Rose, not under the tender care of the overseer Dominic Jones.

Fortunately for Matthew, he has a remarkable wife, a God’s gift who has no intention of letting her husband suffer and die, and so Alex Graham sets off on a perilous journey to bring her husband home.

Alex is plagued by nightmares in which her Matthew is reduced to a wheezing wreck by his tormentors. She sits in the prow of the ship and prays for a miracle to carry her swiftly to his side, to let her hold him and heal him before it’s too late. God, however, has other things to do and what should have been a two month crossing becomes a yearlong adventure from one side of the Atlantic to the other.

Will she find him in time? And if she does, will she be capable of paying the price required to buy him free?
(back cover)

My Thoughts:

A Rip in the Veil  and Like Chaff in the Wind are part of The Graham Saga by Anna Belfrage.

It's not usually a good idea to begin reading a series with the second book, but as I began reading Like Chaff in the Wind  which centers on the story of Alex and Matthew , I found the author did a good job of getting the reader up to speed on most back stories which kept the story moving right along.

Alex and Matthew are a unique couple -- a couple who wouldn't  be together except for a very strange phenomenon. Alex is a 21st century woman who disappeared on a Scottish moor during a terrifying thunderstorm....and was transported back to the seventeenth century. Their relationship is an unusual one -- she is a modern day woman (with a father and young son back in the 21st century), and is married to Matthew, a seventeenth century Scotsman.  The two are torn apart as his brother commits a terrible act of revenge against Matthew and transports him to the colonies as an indentured servant. The lengths each will go to, the struggles and sacrifices, and the depth of their commitment to each other, is at the heart of this novel. 

There are many different elements in this novel that are intriguing but all the puzzle pieces don't quite fit yet, so I guess I will be reading A Rip in the Veil to see how everything connects. There is  time travel , history, romance, and a bit of fantasy (her mother is a witch and paints pictures with time portals). Apparently, Alex isn't the only one who can time travel, but I'm not giving that information away! There's a little bit of everything here for those who enjoy adventure, romance, and time travel.


3/5 stars

Title: Like Chaff in the Wind
Author: Anna Belfrage
Publisher: Troubador Publishing, Ltd.
2013
381 pages

About the Author:

I was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result I’m multilingual and most of my reading is historical -  both non-fiction and fiction.

I was always going to be a writer - or a historian, preferably both. Instead I ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for my most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career I raised my four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive … Nowadays I spend most of my spare time at my writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and I slip away into my imaginary world, with my imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in my life pops his head in to ensure I’m still there. I like that – just as I like how he makes me laugh so often I’ll probably live to well over a hundred.

I was always going to be a writer. Now I am - I have achieved my dream.

www.annabelfrage.com

For more information about the virtual book tour for Like Chaff in the Wind, click here.

Note: I received a copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

River of Destiny by Barbara Erskine

About the Book:

An Anglo-Saxon Burial ground that must not be disturbed.....

A Victorian tragedy of forbidden love.....

And an ancient curse whose power grows ever stronger.....

From the bestselling author of Time's Legacy and Lady of Hay comes a thrilling new novel, River of Destiny, whose epic story spans Anglo Saxon Britain, Victorian Suffolk and the present day.



My thoughts:

I love Barbara Erskine books! They are a unique blend of the supernatural,  history, and mystery and they never fail to give me the chills!   She has a way of developing a chilling atmosphere in her books with cold mists and ghostly echoes from the past.

The novel centers on a modern day couple who have moved to Suffolk to enjoy a more leisure way of life by sailing on the River Deben and settling in to a development of restored historical barns. It doesn't take long for strange events to start frightening the couple.......a ghostly Viking ship that appears in the mists of the river while they're sailing......echoes of horses clopping on cobblestones in the night....

The contemporary setting is the stage for the two historical stories from the past to unfold. The ancient  Anglo Saxon tale of a powerful sword and a violent and tragic Victorian tale of forbidden passions came to life and I could not put it down! Awesome!

Why only four stars then? I thought way too much time was spent on unnecessary and uninteresting modern day relationships. The wow factor in this novel were definitely the historical threads and made this a great read.

4/5 stars

Title: River of Destiny
Author: Barbara Erskine
kindle edition
2013

*This book is from my personal library.

Guest Post - Portrait of a King by Anne Easter Smith

Today, I am thrilled to welcome historical fiction author Anne Easter Smith to my blog! She is currently touring with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours to promote her upcoming release, Royal Mistress, and to share her thoughts on the recent discovery of the remains of Richard III.
                             
                                                    ************

Portrait of a king

by Anne Easter Smith

Thanks for hosting me today!

So now we know! It was Richard III under the car park in Leicester, and the exciting announcement on February 4th made me cry. Now all of us who are Richard fans will have somewhere to go and pay our respects. It appears Leicester has won out in the re-interment battle between there and York Minster. A ceremony is being planned for early 2014, I understand.

Many of you may have seen pictures or videos already of the amazing and wonderful reconstruction of Richard’s face from his skull found in Leicester. I can’t tell you how powerful that was for me to see! You must agree with me, this is not the face of a murderous, evil tyrant. Sure, we have several portraits of him, but none of them is actually from his time. They are copies--estimated to have been done anytime during the 50 years following his death in 1485.

                                           Richard III reconstruction

So if we have reproductions of actual paintings to look at, why was the facial reconstruction such a delightful surprise? Because we know the portraits were altered to fit the descriptions the Tudor historians had written about King Richard.

John Rous, who was writing during Richard’s time but quickly latched on to Henry VII’s coattails wrote that Richard had been in his mother’s womb for two years and emerged with a mouth full of teeth and a headful of long hair. Really! And they bought it? Well, if they bought that, then of course they would buy all the other nasty slanders slung at Richard. That he had a withered arm, that he murdered people and that he poisoned his wife in order to marry his niece. Jezum! What a load of codswallop (as we say in England).

There are several portraits of Richard that would have been done during his two-year reign when he was 30-32. If you go to this link   you can hear an expert talk about how x-rays revealed the portrait in the Royal Collection was tampered with to create a haggard, older and bad-tempered face, added inches to the right shoulder, and turned the fingers into claws. Now the 16th century public had a portrait they could believe depicted the tyrant usurper Richard III!

                                                 Royal Collection Portrait - Richard III




However, if you look at the one belonging to the Societies of Antiquities in London, you will notice there is no discrepancy in the shoulder heights, his hands are elegant, and he looks more like a man of 30.

                                                 Society of Antiquities - Richard III

Of them all, I’ll take the reconstruction! Nicolas von Poppelau, a German visitor at Richard’s court in 1484, wrote in his journal that Richard was: “...three fingers taller than myself...also much more lean; he had delicate arms and legs, also a great heart...” No mention of a hunchback!

And Archibald Whitelaw, a Scottish Archdeacon, wrote: “Now I look for the first time upon your face, it is the contenance worthy of the highest power and kingliness, illuminated by moral and heroic virtue...never before has nature dared to encase in a smaller body such spirit and strength.”

The experts decided that even though Richard’s skeleton straightened measured 5 ft. 8 in., his scoliosis would have caused him to appear smaller. Scoliosis is quite common--in fact Usain Bolt has it--and Richard must have made up for his lack of inches with muscle and strength to have been able to wield those huge battle-axes and handle a destrier at the same time.

If a picture tells a thousand words--even if it’s computer-generated--then I’d say Richard was not evil-looking, but pretty handsome!

  



                                                     
About the Author:

Anne Easter Smith is an award-winning historical novelist whose research and writing concentrates on England in the 15th century.  Meticulous historical research, rich period detail, and compelling female protagonists combine to provide the reader with a sweeping portrait of England in the time of the Wars of the Roses.  Her critically acclaimed first book, A Rose for the Crown, debuted in 2006, and her third, The King's Grace, was the recipient of a Romantic Times Review Best Historical Fiction award, 2011.

Upcoming release by Anne Easter Smith, available in May 2013:

 About the Book: 
                                                                                    
From the author of A Rose for the Crown and Daughter of York comes another engrossing historical novel of the York family in the Wars of the Roses, telling the fascinating story of the rise and fall of the final and favorite mistress of Edward IV.

Jane Lambert, the quick-witted and alluring daughter of a silk merchant, is twenty-two and still unmarried. When Jane’s father finally finds her a match, she’s married off to the dull, older silk merchant William Shore—but her heart belongs to another. Marriage doesn’t stop Jane Shore from flirtation, however, and when the king’s chamberlain and friend, Will Hastings, comes to her husband’s shop, Will knows his King will find her irresistible.

Edward IV has everything: power, majestic bearing, superior military leadership, a sensual nature, and charisma. And with Jane as his mistress, he also finds true happiness. But when his hedonistic tendencies get in the way of being the strong leader England needs, his life, as well as that of Jane Shore and Will Hastings, hang in the balance.

This dramatic tale has been an inspiration to poets and playwrights for 500 years, and told through the unique perspective of a woman plucked from obscurity and thrust into a life of notoriety, Royal Mistress is sure to enthrall today’s historical fiction lovers as well.


To follow Anne Easter Smith on her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and read more guest posts and interviews, please click here.

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

About the Book:

In this "energetic" (Kirkus Reviews) re-creation of Anne Boleyn's tragic life -- and death -- Robin Maxwell offers a pitch-perfect version of a bawdy and exuberant time filled with lust, betrayal, love, and murder.

When the young Queen Elizabeth I is entrusted with Anne Boleyn's secret diary, she discovers a great deal about the much-maligned mother she never knew. And on learning the truth about her lascivious and despotic father, Henry VIII, she vows never to relinquish control to any man. But this avowal doesn't prevent Elizabeth from pursuing a torrid love affair with her horsemaster, Robin Dudley -- described with near-shocking candor -- as too are Anne's graphic trysts with a very persistent and lustful Henry. Blending a historian's attention to accuracy with a novelist's artful rendering, Maxwell weaves compelling descriptions of court life and devastating portraits of actual people into her naughty, page-turning tale. The result is a masterpiece of historical fiction -- so prophetic of our time that one would think it were ripped from today's headlines. (from back cover)

My Thoughts:

I'm hitting my TBR pile very hard this year, so it's quite possible to see many books that were all the rage quite some time ago just making an appearance on my blog. I'm determined to get to books that have been languishing on my shelf for three or more years, and this was one of them! I happen to love the Tudor period and never seem to tire of the tale of "the great matter" or the lustful life of Henry VIII and his parade of wives.

I was first intrigued with The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn a few years ago because I thought it would be a unique experience to read passages in a diary written by the doomed queen.....but in the last few years, we've seen an over abundance of "secret diaries," "missing manuscripts," "hidden letters," and "lost memoirs" on the literary scene,  haven't we? It might be time to put that plot device aside for a while.

The story alternates between the time of the beginning of Elizabeth's reign  and the diary entries written by Anne (beginning in January of 1522 and ending with the days before her death). The diary is Anne's legacy for her daughter and a way of expressing her thoughts and opinions in a time when no woman dared to exert her  independence in a man's world.  Through the words of the diary, the reader comes to know the many facets of Anne's life, as a daughter, an object of desire by the King of England, a wife, a mother, and a much-maligned figure. We all know the chain of events that will lead to her demise, but what comes across as particularly poignant in the words of Anne Boleyn are her feelings for her daughter and her desire to protect and teach her the hard lessons in life. Anne knows she will not live to see her daughter grow up, so in a last desperate act to reach out to her daughter to let her know of her mother's love, she writes in the last entry in her diary,

    "My darling Elizabeth,

          When last I laid my eyes upon your sweet self you were not yet three years old. More
     beautiful than a painted doll you were....Perhaps you have no memory of those early years
     but I can truly say, Elizabeth that tho our times together were sadly few, you knew me and 
    you loved me. ..I so cherished those rare, enchanted hours and hope you have some memory of them, because I must die knowing I leave you a motherless child in a cruel and dangerous
   world....

        Let no man be your master....."

I had a few quibbles with the historical facts (for example, too many references to Anne's sixth finger and witch's mark on her neck) and a great deal of artistic license with Elizabeth's private life which made me rate this book 3 stars. Fun for Tudor enthusiasts, but definitely as  much fiction as fact.

A new edition of the book is being published with this cover:

3/5 Stars

Title: The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
Author: Robin Maxwell
1997
Simon & Schuster
281 pages
genre: historical fiction

*This book is from my personal library.

The Road to Avalon by Joan Wolf

About the Book:

Shimmering with pageantry, emotion, and the court's passionate intrigues, here is the epic story of Arthur--the conqueror, the once and future king who vanquished the Saxons and loved but one woman, the beautiful Morgan of Avalon. She was the lover his country forbade him to wed but could never keep him from desiring. Held captive by deep feelings, the two dream of one future together...until fate sweeps them into a world where love is balanced on the knife's edge of danger. Never before has the telling of the story of Arthur made the drama of this charismatic king more real or more moving. Here a legend and a tale so vigorous with heroic deed and conflict, so glowing with wondrous love, are brought close enough for us to experience all the unforgettable emotions of Avalon...and all the magical moments of Camelot.

My thoughts:

The Road to Avalon is a beautifully written version of the legendary Arthur and his journey from boyhood to king. It is a tale of love and loss, courage, sacrifice, and secrets .....heartbreaking at times as the young man Arthur struggles with his deep love for a woman he can never have and the weight of his destiny.

"Be the king you were born to be...."

Loved this book -- a true gem from the past!  Joan Wolf is an author that I'll be searching for in used book sales as some of her books are out of print. I recently reviewed Born of the Sun, another enjoyable love story within a rich historical context.  Highly recommend!

I also have Helen Hollick's Pendragon series on my TBR shelf, so I'll be interested in reading another interpretation of the Arthurian legend.

  5/5 stars

Title: The Road to Avalon
Author: Joan Wolf
1988
New American Library
422 pages
genre: historical fiction

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

About the Book:

It's the spring of 1938 and no longer safe to be a Jew in Vienna. Nineteen-year-old Elise Landau is forced to leave her glittering life of parties and champagne to become a parlor maid in England. She arrives at Tyneford, the great house on the bay, where servants polish silver and serve drinks on the lawn. But war is coming, and the world is changing. When the master of Tyneford's young son, Kit, returns home, he and Elise strike up an unlikely friendship that will transform Tyneford-and Elise-forever.

My thoughts:

Solomons' The House at Tyneford had all the elements that promised a very satisfying read......an English estate with a handsome heir, an upstairs/downstairs hierarchy, the drama of impending war, and the poignant story of a lovely young Jewish woman in Vienna forced to leave her family and their lavish lifestyle for a life of servitude in an English manor.  The writing was very descriptive and evocative, and I found myself delighting in the author's ability to create a vivid image of life in an English country home and all the charming details of life by the sea. However, I felt that plot actually seemed to take a back seat to setting, and the story became a tedious re-creation of time and place -- not much happened to keep the plot moving forward until the very end of the story. 

It would be too spoilerish to discuss the main character's love life, but suffice it to say that I was not on board with the relationships that Elise had throughout the novel which was a huge disappointment. I didn't feel a real connection between her first liaison -- it just came out of nowhere and seemed to go nowhere -- and the path Elise found later in life was understandable under the circumstances, but it was a completely unsatisfying ending for me. What did work for me was the turmoil Elise felt over the years of never knowing the fate of her parents, and longing to be reunited with her sister in America. That particular aspect of the plot was very well done, and I can't imagine the suffering and persecution of the Jewish community during this time.

I'm glad I read The House at Tyneford, but somehow wish it could have been so much more.

3/5 stars

Born of the Sun by Joan Wolf

About the book:

"This compelling saga about a beautiful Celtic princess who gives her heart to a Saxon prince explodes with the passions of love and war. When the Saxon army, in its bloody charge against the Celts, captures the child-princess Niniane, they bring her to Cynric, King of the West Saxons. Enchanted by her innocence and beauty, he makes Niniane a favored prisoner. But she soon discovers that the King's court abounds with tempestuous intrigues and tormented rivalries. And when the adulterous and envious Queen arranges for a duel between the King's beloved illegitimate son and her own son. heir to the throne, intrigue turns to deadly peril.

With this epic novel of the star-crossed passion that swept the Celts and Saxons to the brink of war--and two lovers to the edge of oblivion--Joan Wolf brilliantly brings alive a little-know but fascinating age."

My thoughts:

Born of the Sun has everything I hope to find in historical fiction -- a rich tapestry of history, daily life, a compelling love story, and political intrigue. An interesting twist was the opposing religious beliefs of Niniane, the Christian Celtic princess, and her husband, Ceawlin, the pagan Saxon prince. Forced into marriage for political convenience, their relationship evolves over time with struggles and successes you would expect to find in any relationship trying to "meet in the middle" and "give and take" to find a common ground. The plot was rich in love, history, treachery, and war and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

This is the second novel in the Dark Ages of Britain trilogy, but it was a stand alone novel and it appears that they are chronologically arranged but can be read in any order.

The series includes The Road to Avalon (Book 1):

The Edge of Light (Book 3)

4.5/5 stars     Highly recommended for historical fiction fans -- a gem from the past.

Title: Born of the Sun
Author: Joan Wolf
Publisher: Onyx
1991
genre: historical fiction
508 pages

The Woman at the Light by Joanna Brady

About the Book:

One afternoon in 1839, Emily Lowry’s husband vanishes from Wreckers’ Cay, an isolated island off the coast of Key West where he tends to the lighthouse. As days stretch into months, Emily has no choice but take charge of Wrecker’s Cay and her husband’s duties tending the light to support her three children—and a fourth on the way. Unexpected help arrives when a runaway slave named Andrew washes up on their beach. At first, Emily is intensely wary of this strange, charming man, whose very presence there is highly illegal. But Andrew proves himself an enormous help and soon wins the hearts of the Lowry family. And—far from the outside world and society’s rules—his place in Emily’s life, as steadfast now as the light, will forever change their futures. When Emily’s family is ripped apart once again, she faces untold hardships that test her love and determination and show how the passionate love of a defiant, determined woman can overcome any obstacle. 

(synopsis from Goodreads)


My Thoughts:

The Woman at the Light is a beautifully written debut novel by Joanna Brady.

 Set in the early 1800's in New Orleans high society to the sparsely inhabited islands of Key West, this is a poignant and often heartbreaking tale of one woman's struggle to carry on and raise her children alone on an island after the strange disappearance of her husband. Reaching deep for strength she did not know she had, she earns her living as the keeper of the lighthouse on her island and over time, searches for ways to fill the void that the loss of her husband leaves. Throwing caution to the wind, she seeks comfort in ways that are unacceptable to society and sure to carry consequences.

 A beautiful story of survival and forbidden love.  I enjoyed the way the author expertly threaded bits of Key West's past and the women who had a place in history as light keepers. A keeper!

4/5 stars

Title: The Woman at the Light
Author: Joanna Brady
St. Martin's Griffin
2012
325 pages
genre: historical fiction

The Queen's Vow by C. W. Gortner

About the book:


"Isabella of Castile is one of history's most famous and fascinating figures. She was the warrior who united a fractured country, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Revered by some as a devout leader who transformed Spain into a world power, Isabella is reviled by others as a fanatic who ushered in an era of persecution. In his evocative, vividly imagined new novel, The Queen's Vow, acclaimed historical author S. W. Gortner challenges the controversial myth surrounding Isabella, revealing the dangerous youth and dramatic early reign of the woman no one believed would be queen."
(from the publisher)

My Thoughts: 

I always enjoy the opportunity to read and review historical fiction and experience a new author.  I have been reading positive reviews of Christopher Gortner's novels over the years and adding his books to my list of "to read," but I have to admit this was my first Gortner book. I'll have to make a better effort at getting to his backlist.

 Whenever I explore an author's writing for the first time, I usually look for a few specific points:  Does the research and historical facts blend seamlessly with the fiction? Does the author create an authentic sense of time and place? Was I informed as much as I was entertained by the story? I think Gortner did an excellent job recreating the past and enjoyed his interesting portrait of the early years of  Isabella.

Told in the first person point-of-view, the author brought to life a young Isabella of Castile. Strong of character and conviction, she faced many challenges head on despite her youth.  Following the death of her father, Juan II, Isabella and her younger brother, Alfonso, were sent to live with their half brother, King Enrique and it is here that the stability and security of their world is turned upside down. Secret plots, lies, threats of treason, an ineffective King and a conniving and jealous Queen test Isabella's fortitude, but she is firmly rooted in the conviction that she is destined for greatness and does not flee from her problems and struggles. Deeply devout with a firm belief in the will of God, she is portrayed as an intelligent, forward-thinking young woman with a mind of her own. Despite others efforts to marry her for political gain, Isabella insisted that Fernando, prince of Aragon, was the only man for her. Later in life, as Isabella and Fernando are married and united in their duties, she juggled many roles as wife, mother, and queen. She was actively involved in strategic planning against Spain's aggressors and enemies, had a keen interest in advancing women's education, supported the arts and the idea of exploring new world routes, and of course, was devoted to the ideal of "one crown, one country, one faith."

Gortner does a good job of breathing life into an historical figure most known for her association with Christopher Columbus and her religious zeal which unfortunately resulted in discrimination and persecution of those who refused to convert to Catholicism ( the Spanish Inquisition). We see her as a strong and dedicated ruler, contrasted with the more human, frailer side.....a daughter concerned about an ailing mother, a wife struggling to work out personal problems with her husband, a mother dealing with the highs and lows of raising children, as well as wrestling with her own conscience as she made decisions which were, in her opinion, for the good of her subjects and country.

A very informative book and a keeper on my historical fiction shelf.

4/5 stars


About the Author:

C. W. Gortner is the author of The Last Queen and Confessions of Catherine de Medici, as well as The Tudor Secret, a mystery novel set in Elizabethan England. He is currently working on his next historical novel about Lucrezia Borgia. To find out  more about the author and his work, please visit www.cwgortner.com.http://www.cwgortner.com/

Title: The Queen's Vow
Author: C. W. Gortner
Ballantine Books
June 2012
400 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

***I received a copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for inviting me to participate in the virtual tour for The Queen's Vow.***

Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman

"Thirteenth-century Wales is a divided country, ever at the mercy of England's ruthless, power-hungry King John. Then Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, secures an uneasy truce with England by marrying the English king's beloved, illegitimate daughter, Joanna. Reluctant to wed her father's bitter enemy, Joanna slowly grows to love her charismatic and courageous husband who dreams of uniting Wales. But as John's attentions turn again and again to subduing Wales--and Llewelyn--Joanna must decide to which of these powerful men she owes her loyalty and love."
(from Goodreads)

3 Reasons Review:



1.Reason(s) why I wanted to read this book:

To be honest, this book (along with 6 other Penman novels) has been sitting in my TBR pile for years. Sharon Kay Penman's books are considered the gold standard by many who love authentically written historical fiction and this book has received much acclaim. I read The Sunne in Splendour previously and knew I would have to invest time and attention to this rich and complex novel of 13th century Wales.

2.Reason(s) I liked (or disliked) the novel:

I know I'm in the minority here, but I had issues with Here Be Dragons. I found the first 250+ pages to be disjointed and there were many threads to the plot that weren't connecting for me. I understand that this is a very research-intense storyline, but I started it twice to get the momentum going and had a rough time making all the pieces of the plot "fit." At times, there was so much information and historical/political details that it seemed like retelling facts and not showing a great story through action.

On the other hand, I was fascinated with the story of Joan/Joanna, the illegitimate daughter of King John,and it held my interest throughout. Penman created many memorable scenes involving her loyalty to her husband, Llewelyn, and her father, the king, and I felt so badly for her at times as she could never please them both. Although she was used as a pawn by the king and her marriage was arranged, her relationship with Llewelyn became one of deep love over time despite periods of strain. The dramatic scene where she proudly stands by her husband and honors him by giving him a humbling curtsy in front of King John was beautifully written.

favorite quote: (p.352) "What I know, Papa, is that I love you and I love Llewelyn, and the two of you are tearing me apart!"

3.Reason(s) I'm recommending (not recommending) this
book:

Sharon Kay Penman doesn't need me to recommend her books -- she has legions of fans! Although I wanted to love this book (as so many blogging friends highly recommend it and LOVE it), it was easy for me to put it down. I kept asking myself, "What's wrong with me? Why am I not swept up by this story like so many others?" It's superbly researched and I learned much about the relations between England and Wales and many historical figures, I just found it a bit dry. Everyone's reading experience is uniquely their own, and this was my experience. I absolutely plan on reading more of Penman's work as it truly is enlightening and expands my (woefully lacking) knowledge of English and Welsh history. (About the only thing I did love about the book was the title! Brilliant! I won't spoil it for you as you can learn it in the author notes, but it is symbolic of the relationship and misunderstandings between 13th century England and Wales.)

3/5 stars

Title: Here Be Dragons
Author: Sharon Kay Penman
St. Martin Griffith Publishers
genre: historical fiction

**Thank you to Jenny @ Jenny Loves to Read for the brilliant Three Reasons Review.**

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

Donna Russo Morin, author of To Serve a King and The Secret of the Glass, puts her fresh, original spin on historical fiction with this intriguing novel set in 1500's Italy, as an agent for the king of France searches for an elusive masterpiece and discovers a woman with a dark secret.....


my thoughts:

The King's Agent was quite an unusual reading experience....while I began the novel expecting a fairly straight-forward historical fiction novel featuring Battista della Palla -- an actual "patriotic plunderer" of the 16th century -- I soon found out that I was quite wrong in my assumption.

Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Italy in the 1500's, Battista, along with his band of cohorts in crime, is commissioned to find a sculpture for Francois, the King of France. This sculpture, hidden for years from the world, is believed to have special powers, and once in possession of it, it would give France the power to overcome its enemies. The quest to find this powerful object begins with the clues from the canticles of Dante's Divine Comedy as well as a search for a Giotto triptych. Battista is nearly captured during one of his escapades, and the beautiful and mysterious Lady Aurelia (held for lifetime in seclusion) helps him escape. Delighting in her new-found freedom, Aurelia travels with Battista helping his group interpret clues and enjoying the rare opportunity for adventure. Their dangerous search for the powerful relic becomes of game of survival through "hell, purgatory and paradise" as they cross Italy following clues and outwitting dangerous traps and challenges. Will they be successful in reaching the artifact, or is its power too dangerous for mortal man?

A blend of mystery, art history, adventure, puzzles, the supernatural/mystical and a touch of romance makes the The King's Agent quite a unique read. The strength of the novel for me was that the author did a wonderful job of capturing the "flavor" of 16th century Italy, and the references to pieces of art and literature inspired me do a search for more information.

On a side note, I'm not familiar with the video game The Legend of Zelda, but the author mentions the inspiration for the adventures and challenges in The King's Agent were inspired by this video game.

3/5 stars

***I received an advance uncorrected proof from the author and publisher (Kensington Books) in exchange for a fair and honest review.***






Donna Russo Morin is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. In addition to writing, editing, and teaching, Donna dabbles as a model and actor. She lives with her family in Rhode Island.

For more information about Donna Russo Morin and her books, please visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com.



For more information about the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour for The King's Agent, click here.

Child of the Phoenix by Barbara Erskine

"The child whose hands would hold three crowns is born in fire......

In 1218 an extraordinary princess is born. Her mystical powers and unquenchable spirit will alter the course of history.

Raised by her fiercely Welsh nurse to support the Celtic cause against the predatory English king, Princess Eleyne is taught to worship the old gods, to look into the future and sometimes the past. However, unable to identify time and place in her terrifying visions, she is powerless. But her tempestuous life and loves tie her to the destinies of England, Scotland, and Wales."

my thoughts:

Child of the Phoenix was one of Erskine's best that I've read -- when she gets it right, she's good!!!! Like an alchemist, Erskine can blend history, religion, ancient beliefs and old magic, the supernatural, and the tragedies and triumphs of love and war that is storytelling at its best.

The strength of this book for me was that she set it entirely in the 13th century, (rather than a time-slip story as some of her other novels are) and nobody can transport me to the past like Erskine. While some historical figures have a role in this fictitous plot, the character of Eleyne, the beautiful and strong-willed heroine, is drawn from both the historical record and Erskine's own family history. She is a larger-than-life character from the moment of her dramatic birth during a devastating fire (a child of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and Joanna), "a child of the fire." Raised by her nurse, Rhonwen, who believed in the old Celtic gods, Eleyne is taught to "scry" by looking into fire...only the visions are terrifying and she is not able to properly interpret them. Through her long and dramatic life of love and loss, triumphs and heart ache, she is a survivor and a powerful and intelligent example of a beautiful woman of her times. Hers is a great love story that defies even death, and I was left feeling (after 900 pages plus!) that I had experienced her life with her and I was really going to miss the fascinating Eleyne of Mar.

Recommended for those enjoy large, sweeping sagas with a blend of history and the supernatural....although I do admit to getting a bit confused and weary at the end of the novel when Eleyne's grandchildren came onto the scene...I just longed for a peaceful end for her and a completion of a her destiny.


5/5 stars

Title: Child of the Phoenix
Author: Barbara Erskine
915 pages
Harper Collins
1992/2009
genre: fiction

The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot

"Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals....they were also queens.

Raised at the court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages...but never truly parted.

Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX, is considered the greatest monarch of his age. But he is also a religious zealot who denies himself all pleasure...including the love and companionship his wife so desperately craves. Can Marguerite find enough of her sister's boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in the guise of forbidden love?

Passionate, strong willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Her husband, Henry III, is neither as young nor as dashing as Marguerite's. But she quickly discovers he is a very good man...and a very bad king. His failures are bitter disappointments for Eleanor, who has worked to best her elder sister since childhood. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?"

my thoughts:

The Sister Queens was a lovely dual portrait of two historical figures, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, the two elder Savoyard daughters whose marriages were arranged for political power and prestige. One is destined to become queen in the French court of the devout Louis IX and the other to the English King Henry III, and although they were separated throughout many years, their relationship stood the test of time.

Like contemporary sisters today, they shared their secrets, their hopes and dreams, their joys and sorrows, and yes, even harbored anger and jealousy toward each other -- but sister-ties are a strong bond, and these two "sister queens" shared a special relationship. The novel unfolded through (fictional) letters written to each other over the span of twenty years, and each sister narrated her own story so the reader experienced their inner-most thoughts and feelings. While leading the life of a royal wife in the 13th century certainly has little bearing on life today, the relationships each sister shared with her husband, children, and extended family is certainly relevant to today's reader. We can sympathize with someone trapped in an unfulfilled marriage, or share tears with someone when they remain childless and want desperately to have a child...perhaps we've even listened with trepidation and judgment as someone we love is involved in a liaison that we know will eventually only lead to heartache or scandal. Through battles, crusades to the Holy Land, and personal and political triumphs and sorrows, Marguerite and Eleanor stood behind their two powerful husbands and kings, but.....

"Tis sisters who shape the world plain and simple."

4/5 stars

AUTHOR BIO



Sophie Perinot writes historical fiction. Ms. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree. She left the law to pursue artistic interests, including writing. An avid reader, especially of classic literature, and life-long student of history, it seemed only natural that Sophie should write historical fiction. As someone who studied French abroad and a devotee of Alexandre Dumas, French history was a logical starting point. An active member of the Historical Novel Society, she has attended all of the group’s North American Conferences.

Active among the literary twitterati as @Lit_gal (a moniker she also uses at Agent Query Connect www.agentqueryconnect.com), Sophie is a regular contributor to the group writers' blog From the Write Angle. You can also find her on facebook here.

For more information, please visit Sophie Perinot's WEBSITE.




For other tour information about The Sister Queens, please click here.

****I received a copy of The Sister Queens from Penguin Books as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thank you to Amy of HFVBT and Penguin Books for the opportunity to review this book.********

The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins

A tale of love and espionage from the author of Midwife of the Blue Ridge...

She spies for General Washington, betrays the Redcoats and battles for America's independence...

It's 1777, and a fledgling country wages an almost hopeless struggle against the might of the British Empire. Brought together by a fateful kiss, Anne Merrick and Jack Hampton are devoted to each other and to their Patriot cause. As part of Washington's daring network of spies, they are ready and willing to pay even the ultimate price for freedom.

From battlefields raging along the Hudson, to the desperate winter encampment at Valley Forge and through the dangerous intrigue of British-occupied Philadelphia, Anne and Jack brave the trials of separation, the ravages of war and an unyielding enemy growing ever more ruthless.

my thoughts:

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this year I am interested in reading more novels which feature events and settings in American history. I am delighted to be a part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Tour for Christine Blevins as she is an author with novels that I'd like to explore that are set in early America.


The Turning of Anne Merrick is the second book in a series which began with The Tory Widow. The author kndly sent me a copy of this novel along with The Turning of Anne Merrick, and I have to say that reading The Tory Widow first greatly enriched the reading of Anne Merrick. The author does a good job of bringing the reader up-to-date on story background, but character motives and the relationship between Anne and Jack is better understood in light of their journey from book one to book two.

While the relationship between Anne and Jack is an important aspect of the story, this is more a tale of dangerous adventure and espionage during the American Revolution. I enjoyed the author's use of historical details which enhanced the story and illustrated the historical times: the clothing, weaponry, wilderness survival, medical practices....interesting facts from the historical records gave the plot an authentic feel. I did wonder about the seeming abundance of available food during wartime, especially while Anne was with the Continental army, but that's a minor point. I enjoyed the dangerous risks the characters took to gather enemy intelligence that kept the story moving from her role posing as a scribe in General Burgoyne's camp to spying in Philadelphia in the Cup and Book. I thought the use of quotes from Thomas Paine's The American Crisis was very effective in setting the tone for each chapter.

Overall, The Turning of Anne Merrick was an interesting portait of one woman's courage and loyalty to the Patriot cause of freedom, and the sacrifices that many were willing to make for their country.


For more information about Christine Blevins and her novels:



Tour Schedule: http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2012/01/christine-blevins-on-tour-for-turning.html
Christine Blevins' Website: http://christineblevins.com/
Christine Blevins on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christine.blevins
Christine Blevins on Twitter: @Author_CBlevins
Tour Event Twitter Hashtag: #TurningofAnneMerrickVirtualTour




****I received an advance copy of The Turning of Anne Merrick from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.****

Title: The Turning of Anne Merrick
Author: Christine Blevins
Publisher: Penguin Group
2012
Genre: Historical Fiction (American Revolution)