by admin | Jun 5, 2012 | Books, England, Historical
MY REVIEW:
I am usually a fairly speedy reader but “The Secret Keeper” was so rich in historical details that I had to slow down in order to assimilate them and understand exactly what was going on. It has been years since I spent any time reading anything about the Tudors so it took me awhile to get up to speed on the multitude of characters and their roles in this story.
In “The Secret Keeper”, Juliana is a young woman who is devoted to the Lord and is plagued by prophetic dreams. Through a family connection she is sent to London to serve as a lady-in-waiting to the woman who became King Henry VIII’s final wife. Her time spent in court opened her eyes to the undercurrents there where men used religion to further their personal quests for power and did not hesitate to manipulate the king in order to reach their goals. It was an era during which no one felt safe. One unguarded word could send them to the tower or even to their death. Even family members turned against each other. Although Juliana was sometimes tempted to return to her home, especially after a vicious attack, she was certain that she was exactly where the Lord wanted her and she put her total trust in Him.
Although the plot seemed to move slowly at times, “The Secret Keeper” exposed strong women who were willing to do anything for their faith and the secrets they shared in order to protect others. With its attention to historical detail and a story filled with danger, intrigue, and a touch of romance as well as more than one surprise along the way, “The Secret Keeper” is a must read for those who enjoy historical fiction set during the Tudor period.
This book was provided for review by Howard Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
What she sees in secret, she may not tell. Mistress Juliana St. John is the lovely, forthright daughter of a prosperous knight’s family. Though all expect her to marry the son of her late father’s business partner, time and chance interrupt, sending her to the sumptuous but deceptive court of Henry VIII.
Sir Thomas Seymour, brother of the late Queen Jane, returns to Wiltshire to conclude his affairs with Juliana’s father’s estate and chances upon her reading as lector in the local church. He sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves and wants most to please, Kateryn Parr. Juliana’s mother agrees to have her placed with Parr for a season and Juliana goes, though reluctantly. For she keeps a secret.
As Juliana accompanies Kateryn Parr to court, Henry’s devout sixth queen raises the stakes for all reformers. Support of firebrand Anne Askew puts the queen and her ladies in life-threatening jeopardy, as does the queen’s desire to influence her husband’s—and the realm’s—direction and beliefs. Later, without Henry’s strong arm, the court devolves to competition, duplicity, and betrayal. The risks could not be higher as Juliana must choose between love and honor, personal fulfillment and sacrifice. Ultimately, her course is driven by a final kept secret, one that undoes everything she thought she knew.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Byrd has published more than three dozen books in the fiction and nonfiction markets, including the first book in her Tudor series, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. For more than a decade Sandra has shared her secrets with the many new writers she edits, mentors, and coaches. She lives in the Seattle, Washington, area with her husband and two children. For more Tudor tidbits, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com.
by admin | May 18, 2012 | Books, England, Regency, Romance, Suspense
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingChameleonRealms (May 15, 2012)byJillian KentABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jillian Kent is a busy writer and the alter ego of Jill Nutter, a full-time counselor.
Jill spent the first semester of her senior year of college at Oxford studying British Literature, where she fell in love with England. During this season, she came to appreciate the written word, the rich imagery of romantic poetry like The Highwayman, and historical novels of many types, including Jane Austen and all things Regency.
Jill received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Masters Degree in Social Work from WVU, and she brings her fascination with different cultures and societies into her writing.
Jill has always been a romantic at heart, so readers will find a good dose of romance woven through each of her novels. Jill, her husband Randy, and children Katie and Meghan are animal lovers. They currently own two dogs, Boo-Boo and Bandit and a menagerie of cats, Lucky, Yuma, Snow, and Holden. Critters of all assortments make their appearance in her stories.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
How much can you really know about someone?
Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.
Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.
Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Chameleon, go HERE.
Learn more about Jillian and her books on her Website
MY REVIEW:
Although there were no haunted castles or mentally deranged wives locked in a tower or any other common scenarios from the gothic romance novels I loved when I was young, Chameleon brought them to mind. Set in Regency England, this romantic suspense had that dark and brooding atmosphere that so typified that genre yet was also so much more. Rather than a shy and fearful heroine in need of a strong hero to rescue her, Victoria Grayson had intelligence and spunk and even rode to the rescue herself a time or two. Lord Witt was a special hero – strong and confident yet understanding and sympathetic.
What can I say about Chameleon without giving the story away? I did not understand the purpose of the title until near the end of the book when I realized just how perfectly it covered what was going on. The mystery and suspense built throughout the story along with plenty of action. Sufficient twists and surprises kept me guessing and on edge to the end. A touch of humor broke the mounting tension at just the right times. The romance between Lord Witt and Lady Victoria progressed at a perfect pace and came to a satisfying conclusion. A strong message of faith was woven seamlessly throughout the narrative.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed “Secrets of the Heart”, the first novel of The Ravensmoore Chronicles, I liked Chameleon even more. I look forward to the next installment of this great series.
by admin | Apr 20, 2012 | Books, England, Regency, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The second installment of the Forgotten Castles series, “The Forgiven Duke” takes up where “The Guardian Duke” ended with Alexandria Featherstone and her fiance John Lemon on a ship to Iceland on a quest to find her missing parents. Her guardian, the duke of St. Easton arrived just in time to watch them sail off. With plans to follow her and bring her safely home, the duke finds himself delayed by one crisis after another and his deafness certainly does not aid in his endeavors. His determination to prevent Alexandria’s marriage and her realization that she can’t marry Lemon are indications of their growing love for each other. But with such a distance between them and the increasing danger as they race against time to find her parents and the missing manuscript, will Alexandria and the duke ever see each other again, much less share their lives?
Although I found “The Forgiven Duke” a tad slow at times, its pace usually picked up fairly quickly. Overall, it was an enjoyable story with interesting characters and settings. The plot had several twists and surprises that kept things interesting. I particularly liked the way the Lord ministered to the Duke through music and colors despite his deafness. I am interested to see where the author goes with this aspect of the story. Readers will be happy to know that there is resolution to some issues but they will have to wait until the third volume of the series to learn the fate of Alexandria’s parents. I look forward to finding that out myself.
This book was provided for review by Angie Loschiavo with Flyby Promotions.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon – the path of least resistance – Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton – the path less traveled by – on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.
Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.
The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.
Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.
The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.
As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.
Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.
Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.
If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”
GIVEAWAY:
I have one copy of “The Forgiven Duke” available to giveaway. Please leave a comment on this post no later than Friday, April 27 for a chance to win. The winner will be chosen from all entries by a random drawing. U. S. residents only please.
by admin | Mar 15, 2012 | Books, Colonial America, England, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingBefore The Scarlet DawnAbingdon Press (February 2012)byRita GerlachABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.
“Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love,” she says. “The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite, and inspire them to live fully and gratefully.”
In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Currently she is writing a new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled ‘Daughters of the Potomac’. See her ‘Novels In Progress’ page on her website to learn more.
There are other novels on her list to be published, and a proposal for another book series.
She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs. Her family claims that storytelling is their blood, handed down from centuries of Irish storytellers. Rita believes there just may be something to that theory.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,
Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.
Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it’s a temporary reprieve. Hayward
joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Before The Scarlet Dawn, go HERE.
Learn more about Rita and her books on her Website.
Watch the book video:
MY REVIEW:
Even as I begin this review, I am not entirely sure how to go about it. Before The Scarlet Dawn is not your usual historical romance, in fact there is very little true romance in it. After reading it I was left with very mixed feelings about what happened in the story and wondered if that could be exactly what the author intended.
Before The Scarlet Dawn was very well written with descriptive language that drew me into the story. I could almost feel and hear the cold winds of a fierce winter blizzard and experience the hardship and loneliness of two women trying to survive in the frontier wilderness without a man. Characters were well defined – well enough that I thoroughly disliked at least one of them. The story abounds with unexpected twists and turns and some moments when you just want to shake one of the characters.
Before The Scarlet Dawn is a story filled with emotions that range through love, hate, lust, compassion, desperation, depression, and grief to mention but a few. It is a story about choices and the effects those choices have on each person involved. It is a story about dependence on God and the power of His forgiveness. It is also a story that will leave you wanting more. Thankfully, two more installments will be forthcoming in this series that should help wrap up some of the loose ends.
by admin | Mar 3, 2012 | Books, England, Historical, Ireland, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“The Guardian Duke” is a light Regency romance novel that is quickly read. It contains an interesting blend of characters and a unique but mysterious plot that reminded me of a fairytale at times. Some of the characters were very well developed while I was left wanting to know more about others.
Despite the fact that what little romance there was took place in the minds of Gabriel and Alexandria based on their somewhat limited correspondence; Alex’s tendency to lie about most everything; and the way several men miraculously happened along at just the right time to protect her and to help her with her quest, I still found the story entertaining. I was surprised by the ending which had no real resolution but left me wanting more (like a good soap opera). Guess I will have to wait for the release of “The Forgiven Duke” and “The Duke’s Promise” to get the rest of the story. I would really like to know what caused Gabriel’s bouts of deafness, dizziness, nausea, and vision symptoms. Hopefully that will be explained before the series ends.
“The Guardian Duke” is a good book if you are in the mood for a light and entertaining read. If you are looking for more meat, you should probably look elsewhere.
This book was provided for review by Angie LoSchiavo with Propeller Consulting.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.
Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.
When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.
Preview The Guardian Duke HERE.
Read the USA Today review HERE.
Purchase a copy of The Guardian Duke HERE.
Check out The Guardian Duke on Facebook.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.
Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.
The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.
As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.
Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.
Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.
If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”
Learn more about Jamie and her books on her website.
by admin | Jan 4, 2012 | Books, England, Historical, Regency, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Maid of Fairbourne HallBethany House (January 1, 2012)byJulie KlassenABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now writes full time. Two of her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA awards.
She graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt–and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?
Observing both brothers as an “invisible” servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?
On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of “serve one another in love.”
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, go HERE.
Learn more about Julie and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was a thoroughly enjoyable tale with a delightful twist on the usual Regency novel. Electing to run away rather than allow herself to be victimized by the plotting of her stepfather and his nephew, Margaret experiences a side of life she has never imagined in her own pampered existence. Forced to accept employment as a servant in order to survive, she discovers that her new master is the man she had refused to marry earlier. Would Margaret be able to hide her identity from the members of the Upchurch family long enough to avoid detection by her stepfather?
I loved the reversal of roles in this story and how Margaret began to empathize with the servants she had once overlooked unless she needed their assistance. This novel has it all, a bit of action and suspense, swashbuckling pirates, glamorous balls, details of life below stairs, and of course some romance. Mix all these elements with historical facts and a faith based message and it becomes the perfect book for my reading preferences. I am looking forward to the next novel by Julie Klassen and must make sure I haven’t missed any of her previous ones. Do NOT hesitate to pick this one up if you are even slightly interested in historical fiction.
