Book Review: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Thursday 2 December, 2010 By 7 Comments


Title: The Winter Sea
Author: Susanna Kearsley
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Paperback: 544 pages
ISBN: 978-1402241376
Genre: Historical Fiction

From the Publisher:

History has all but forgotten…

In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth—the ultimate betrayal—that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her…

My Review:

When I first read the synopsis for The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, I was almost convinced I had read another book very similar, so it was with hesitation that I began reading. Fortunately I discovered an engrossing historical book, which took me to Scotland and the shadows of Slains Castle where writer Carrie McClelland moves to write her next book, and soon finds the story is writing itself. In a seamless manner Kearsley weaves together present events along with the unfolding memories of past events from 1708. Kearsley’s writing is touching, her imagery is vivid and her characters are deep, intense and intriguing. The Winter Sea successfully tells two stories at the same time leading up to an absolutely brilliant ending. I found the two stories to be compelling and enjoyed the historical aspects of the book and learned a lot more about the Jacobite uprising. The Winter Sea has so much to offer the reader it was difficult to set the book down as the story moves along at just the right pace to keep the reader alert and wanting to know more. The Winter Sea is a beautiful work of historical fiction and the blending of history and romance. I highly recommend The Winter Sea to any reader who enjoys historical fiction.

About the Author:

After studying politics and international development at University, Susanna Kearsley worked as a museum curator before turning her hand to writing. Winner of the UK’s Catherine Cookson Fiction prize, Susanna Kearsley’s writing has been compared to Mary Stewart, Daphne DuMaurier, and Diana Gabaldon. Her books have been translated into several languages, selected for the Mystery Guild, condensed for Reader’s Digest, and optioned for film. The Winter Sea was a finalist for both a RITA award and the UK’s Romantic Novel of the Year Award, and is a nominee for Best Historical Fiction in the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awareds. She lives in Canada, near the shores of Lake Ontario. For more information, please visit http://www.susannakearsley.com/.

I received a complimentary copy of The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,

Interview With Author Helen Hollick, Author of The Forever Queen

Wednesday 10 November, 2010 By 3 Comments

1. Did you always want to be a writer?
HH: Yes, I was scribbling stories when I was thirteen. If not writing I was reading. Characters, whether in books or my own made up ones, were my best friends. I was a lonely, shy child; I felt happy and secure in the world of Imagination.

2. You have a few different series out in publication, all of differing topics. How did you decide to write about these historical topics?
HH: The Arthurian novels, The Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy (The Kingmaking, Pendragon’s Banner, and Shadow of the King), I wrote because I wanted to tell the story of Arthur as it might have really happened. No magic or fantasy, no Merlin, Lancelot, or holy grail. Just Arthur as a post-Roman warlord who had to fight hard for his kingdom – and twice as hard to keep it.

I Am The Chosen King (coming to the US in March 2011; first published in 2004 and Harold the King in the UK) I wrote for a similar reason; I wanted to put the record straight about the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. I stripped the history of Norman propaganda and wrote the story from the English point of view – King Harold’s.  The first incorrect fact I uncovered while researching was that Duke William of Normandy had no right to the English throne whatsoever, and Harold was not killed by an arrow in the eye during the Battle of Hastings.

I started on The Forever Queen after finishing Harold/Chosen King, even though the story comes first chronologically. Queen Emma was the mother of King Edward the Confessor and therefore involved in Harold’s life.  I was so fascinated by her I decide to write her story as well.

My other series is the Sea Witch Voyages – pirate based historical adventure.  Sharp blended with Indiana Jones at sea.  All good fun and a cracking treasure chest of a read.

3. How long does it typically take you to complete a book?
HH: It took me ten years to write what eventually became The Kingmaking and half of Pendragon’s Banner, but I was only writing now and then; evenings, weekends, lunch hour. Harold/Chosen King and the original English edition of Forever Queen took me about two or three years to research and write.

Sea Witch I wrote in two months – non-stop, except for a break on Christmas day

4. Do you have a specific schedule you keep to when writing?
HH: I would like to show off and say “Yes of course,” but I’m nowhere near disciplined enough. I do try to answer e-mails, chat on Twitter and Facebook in the mornings, then I will usually update one of my several blogs, break for lunch, and then start work. I write better of an evening – and I’m an owl not a lark. I stay up late

5. Where do you get your inspiration or ideas for your books?
HH: I have a theory that at night because most people are asleep there is more spare Imagination to go round. LOL

Historical novels, of course, spark their own creativity, either through the events of the past or curiosity about the people themselves.  I came up with the idea for the Sea Witch Voyages because I was interested enough in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie to find out more about the reality of pirates – which led to me walking along a beach in the drizzling rain thinking up an entire plot.  I sat on a rock, looked up – and there was my Jesamiah Acorne.  Was he imagined?  Did I really see him?  Who knows.  He’s real enough to me now!

6. What do you think it takes to make a good story?
HH: I suppose it depends on what you particularly like. Some people avidly read horror – I hate horror (have enough nightmares as it is, thank you). I’m not keen on romance either. Whatever the genre, though, a well written novel should immediately take you into the story, the characters and action, intrigue, or historical drama sucking you in and holding you fast until the last page. For a good read the characters must be real, they must come alive; be the reader’s friend, lover, hero, heroine, or enemy. That last page should leave a feeling of regret that you’ve finished – and send you looking for another tale by the same author or in the same series.

7. Of all your books, which is your favorite? Why?
HH: Unfair question LOL – that’s like asking a mother which one of her brood of children does she love the most! The Kingmaking is a favourite because it was my first novel.  Harold the King is a favourite because I am the most proud of it. The Forever Queen is special because it is the first of my books to start doing very well in the US and Sea Witch is my best favourite because I loved writing every single word of it and I adore my pirate, Jesamiah..

8. Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?
HH: Jesamiah – but then he’d drink all my rum and I’d have to make sure he had a bath first (pirate)!  I think Queen Emma was a fascinating woman so I would like to invite her – but her first husband Æthelred was a tedious bore.  He can stay away.

9. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
HH: Well I suppose it has to be two things. One; that I can write. I was hopeless at school and no one had much faith in me.  I thought writers were clever people who had University degrees and things, I barely scraped through three basic exams. So to discover that I actually do have a gifted talent for telling a good story is still a wonder to me.  The second thing is that I would never have dreamed that through my writing I could meet so many lovely people – some only via the Internet, others in person. You are all fabulous, thank you.

10. Is there anything you would like readers to know that you have not previously been asked about before?
HH: Perhaps a practical answer here. Many of your readers will also be hopeful writers, and many novice writers want to write novels because they think they will make money from their books. I’m afraid that is wishful thinking. The majority of authors earn enough to pay a few everyday bills, maybe help out with the mortgage if they are lucky, but as a regular income? Forget it. If you are self or independently published the chances are you may just about cover your costs; don’t expect much else. The big money-earner authors are few and far between – although it’s those writers we hear about most.

If you want to write, do it for the love of writing, not for the financial reward.  That way, you will achieve your dream

THE FOREVER QUEEN BY HELEN HOLLICK – IN STORES NOVEMBER 2010
What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?

Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England’s shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Helen Hollick lives in northeast London with her husband, daughter and a variety of pets, which include several horses, cats and two dogs. She has two major interests: Roman / Saxon Britain and the Golden Age of Piracy–the early eighteenth century.  Sourcebooks Landmark will release the next chapter on Helen’s 1066 saga, I Am the Chosen King, in Spring 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.helenhollick.net/.

Thank you Helen for taking time out of your extremely busy schedule to answer questions for readers of my blog. I definitely would enjoy having dinner with Jesamiah. Fancy all the main characters meeting, now that would be an extremely entertaining dinner party!

I have been fortunate enough to read all of Helen Hollick’s books UK and US versions and look forward to further releases from her. My review of her US released title The Forever Queen may be read here.

My sincere gratitude to Sourcebooks for making all of this possible.

Filed Under: Guest Author Tagged With: ,

Guest Author Sharon Lathan-Author of In The Arms of Mr. Darcy

Thursday 28 October, 2010 By 7 Comments

Embracing a Time of Change

In the early days when I began writing about Mr. Darcy and his new bride, the former Elizabeth Bennet, my focus was centered on presenting them as a newly married couple and their fledgling life at Pemberley. Research primarily delved into the daily activities normal for the Regency Era, social mores, and estate management. Along the way I gradually found myself becoming intrigued by the era in a broader sense, moving past fashion and etiquette to politics and history.

History has fascinated me since high school. All history! Which means that I have tended to flip from culture to culture and century to century without deeply investigating a single one. Fortunately, the more I learned about these decades encompassing the latter part of the eighteenth century and first portions of the nineteenth I realized how interesting it was. I was hooked!

Largely my excitement was piqued by the Industrial Revolution that was in full swing and the rapid changes occurring in England. Wars had raged for a long while, the upsets resulting in economic, political, and social instability. A rising middle class gained power and disturbed the established supremacy of the aristocracy and gentry class. Social reform rose out of the ashes of war and the increasing poverty of the lower class. Educated, inventive, forward-thinking men turned to science for answers. Modernization of industry, improvement in medical care, efficient enhancements to daily life, and standardized law enforcement are only a few of the areas radically transformed during this time period.

Some commentators theorize that one of the reasons Society held to such strict standards of conduct with rules and regulations stringently dictated was due to the disintegration of these standards! More and more of the aristocrats and landed gentry were faced with the dilemma of their wealth and prestige diminishing as a result of economic decline and an emerging tradesman class buying land and involving themselves in politics. The government reacted to these threats in the status quo by passing repressive laws to favor the higher class and resist all change, not that the effort succeeded for long and by 1820 the “Age of Reform” truly took hold.

Burke’s Peerage records, “…almost all the Landed Gentry families of eighteenth century Origin are founded on commerce,” and goes on to say that many were granted baronetcies. In referring to the first half of the nineteenth century Burke then states that, “the dynasties founded by successful industrialists generally rose to the peerage or baronetage,” seemingly bypassing a mere gentleman of the land altogether!

Lines were beginning to blur. Indeed the structural classes would hold for a long while yet to come, but the grey areas were creeping in.

Could a man of Mr. Darcy’s class be involved in aspects of trade or commerce? Documentation exists showing numerous incidences of men in the gentry investing in industries such as steel, textile mills, and shipping. I decided to create a Mr. Darcy who was wise enough to see the turning tide and embraced the opportunities to diversify his wealth. I made him into a man intrigued by new inventions and the ingenuity of brilliant men. My Mr. Darcy is a man grounded in his ancestry, proud of his heritage, and in love with his estate lands while also looking to the future with an open mind to the possibilities and not afraid to risk innovative ideas. Personally I find this man very exciting to write about! And of course I hope you find him exciting to read about.

IN THE ARMS OF MR. DARCY BY SHARON LATHAN—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010

If only everyone could be as happy as they are…

Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever—even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance blossoms around them.

Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow; Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously; the very flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.

But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings, and lovers’ quarrels to reach their own happily ever afters…

About the Author
Sharon Lathan is the author of the bestselling Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, and My Dearest Mr. Darcy. In addition to her writing, she works as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. She resides with her family in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. For more information, please visit www.sharonlathan.net, as well as the two group blogs Sharon contributes to: www.austenauthors.com and www.casablancaauthors.blogspot.com.

Thank you Sharon for taking time out of your busy schedule to write an article for my blog and my readers.  I have been fortunate to be able to read and review Sharon Lathan’s novels.  My review of In the Arms of Mr. Darcy may be read here.  My sincere thank you to Sourcebooks for making this post possible.

Filed Under: Guest Author Tagged With: ,

Book Review: Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine

Saturday 23 October, 2010 By 7 Comments


Title: Lady of Hay: Two Women, Eight Hundred Years, and the Destiny They Share
Author: Barbara Erskine
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reprint edition
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Paperback: 592 pages
ISBN: 978-1402241185
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Paranormal


From the Publisher:

With a story as mesmerizing as it is chilling, Lady of Hay explores how Jo, a journalist investigating hypnotic regression, plunges into the life of Matilda, Lady of Hay—who lived eight hundred years earlier. As she learns of Matilda’s unhappy marriage, her troubled love for Richard de Clare, and the brutal treatment she received from King John, it seems that Jo’s past and present are hopelessly entwined. Centuries later, a story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to begin again—and she has no choice but to brave both lives if she wants to shake the iron grip of history.

My Review:

I have been struggling with my review of Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine and putting it off hoping my feelings toward the book would change with time, they have not. I had truly wanted to adore Lady of Hay and quite unfortunately, I did not care for the book.  There, I said it.   I enjoyed the idea of the story, especially the descriptions of life in the twelfth century. Erskine did an excellent job at creating two realistic and vividly described centuries and creatively moves in and out of them seamlessly. I immensely enjoyed learning about Matilda de Braose and the life she led. So, what did I not care for in Lady of Hay? In short I did not care for the paranormal aspect of the book, many of the characters, and Jo.   Had Erskine told a tale about Matilda de Braose, The Lady of Hay, and left it solely about her life, I would have been raving about this book, however the story is about Jo’s regression through hypnosis to become the Lady of Hay, a twist I did not care for. With that said, Lady of Hay is brilliantly developed, chock full of drama to keep the reader turning the pages long into the night and when dealing with Matilda, a brilliant historical fiction novel. I would recommend Lady of Hay to those who enjoy paranormal novels as well as historical fiction. Even though Lady of Hay was not all I hoped for, I do look forward to more novels by Erskine, as she is a masterful storyteller.

I received a complimentary copy of Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,

Guest Author Abigail Reynolds Author of Mr. Darcy’s Obsession

Thursday 14 October, 2010 By 1 Comment

I write Pride and Prejudice variations. I take an imaginary plot outline of Pride and Prejudice – and, having read it at least 50 times, I can do this in my sleep – and I give it a little twist. Same beginning, same scenario, same brilliant characters Jane Austen wrote, but then I throw a monkey wrench in the works. Sometimes it’s an event, sometimes it’s something a character says, sometimes it’s nothing more than a change in the weather, but it’s always something that makes the plot take a new direction.

Variations are relatively new to the publishing world, though they’ve been available online on fanfiction sites for some time. That’s where I started writing them, with no intention of publishing them. I wasn’t by any means the first, and there have been many others since, several of whom will be published this year. I think of it as a new subgenre of Austen-related fiction.

Why do I choose to rethink Austen? First I’ll start out by excluding possible reasons. It’s not because I think I can do a better job of it than Jane Austen. That’s impossible. It’s not because I think Austen’s novels needed more intimate scenes. They don’t; they’re perfect as is. It’s not even because I think my books can create new insights into Pride & Prejudice, though I hope sometimes they do.

It’s much more basic than that. Jane Austen wrote about characters and a world that fascinates me, but she only wrote six books, and sometimes I want more. Since Jane isn’t likely to be producing any posthumous works, the only way to get more is to write it. The internet played a big role, too. I started writing an Austen variation for fun, but I posted it on the internet in case anybody was interested in reading it. Astonishingly, there were lots of people who not only read it, but asked for more. Suddenly I was writing variation after variation, posting them online in serial form, until one day the publishing world caught up to the fact that lots of people wanted more Jane Austen.

There are lots of books for which I’d love to write variations, but unfortunately for me, most of them are still under copyright. It would be great fun to write another Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, or another book set in a favorite fictional universe like the ones by Robin McKinley or Kate Elliott, but even if it weren’t illegal, I’d be reluctant to touch, even privately, the characters of a living author. Mind you, there are thousands of people writing variations on just those stories, calling them fan fiction and posting them on the internet, but they can’t be published. As for other books in the public domain, well, those would remain on my hard drive because no one would ever want to read them! Oh, the variations I could write on War and Peace, which for some reason has gotten the reputation as the Brussels sprouts of classic literature, but which is actually quite a nail-biter if you understand the time and the style. My publisher won’t even accept a variation on Jane Austen’s Persuasion, so I think Tolstoy is clear out of the ballpark!

Thanks for inviting me to blog here today! And if you also think there’s never enough Jane Austen, I hope you’ll give Mr. Darcy’s Obsession a try. I think you’ll like it!

MR. DARCY’S OBSESSION BY ABIGAIL REYNOLDS—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010
The more he tries to stay away from her, the more his obsession grows…

“[Reynolds] has creatively blended a classic love story with a saucy romance novel.” —Austenprose
“Developed so well that it made the age-old storyline new and fresh…Her writing gripped my attention and did not let go.”—The Romance Studio
“The style and wit of Ms. Austen are compellingly replicated…spellbinding. Kudos to Ms. Reynolds!” —A Reader’s Respite
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth is called away before Darcy proposes for the first time and Darcy decides to find a more suitable wife. But when Darcy encounters Elizabeth living in London after the death of her father, he can’t fight his desire to see and speak with her again…and again and again. But now that her circumstances have made her even more unsuitable, will Darcy be able to let go of all his long held pride to marry a woman who, though she is beneath his station, is the only woman capable of winning his heart?

About the Author
Abigail Reynolds is a physician and a lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast. She began writing the Pride and Prejudice Variations series in 2001, and encouragement from fellow Austen fans convinced her to continue asking “What if…?” She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit http://www.pemberleyvariations.com/ or http://www.austenauthors.com/.

Thank you Abigail for taking time out of your busy schedule to write on my blog. If you do get permission to do a version of Austen’s Persuasion, I will be first in line. Now your choice of Tolstoy does intrigue me, as I am devoted to Russian Literature.

My review of Mr. Darcy’s Obsession.   My sincere thank you to Sourcebooks for making this post possible.

Filed Under: Guest Author Tagged With: ,

Book Review: Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds

Thursday 14 October, 2010 By 6 Comments


Title: Mr. Darcy’s Obsession
Author: Abigail Reynolds
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN: 978-1402240928
Genre: Fiction, Romance


From the Publisher:

What if…Elizabeth Bennet was more unsuitable for Mr. Darcy than ever…

Mr. Darcy is determined to find a more suitable bride. But then he learns that Elizabeth is living in London in reduced circumstances, after her father’s death robs her of her family home…

What if…Mr. Darcy can’t Help himself from seeking her out…

He just wants to make sure she’s alright. But once he’s seen her, he feels compelled to talk to her, and from there he’s unable to fight the overwhelming desire to be near her, or the ever-growing mutual attraction that is between them…

What if…Mr. Darcy’s intentions were shockingly dishonorable…

My Review:

Abigail Reynolds is known for her Austenesque writing style and her Pride & Prejudice variations. In her newest release, Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, Abigail Reynolds opens with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, both rather discontent and neither married. It has been two years since Darcy almost proposed to Elizabeth Bennett and he learns from Bingley that the Bennett family’s circumstances have changed and they have fallen on rather hard times. Mr. Bennett passed away; Mr. Collins inherits Longbourn, putting the Bennetts out of their home. When Bingley learns that Jane married, not for love but out of necessity, to an older milliner, his heart breaks again, wishing he had never listened to Darcy and longing to leave society. Darcy on the other hand is appalled to learn that Elizabeth is living with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in London, caring for their children. Darcy convinces himself if he just speaks with her once, to see she is doing well, then he can move on. Mr. Darcy’s Obsession contains many of the original characters of Pride & Prejudice and also some delightfully new ones to create a wonderful, charming and fascinating novel. Charlie and Aunt Augusta, two new characters are certain to delight the reader, as are the new twists and variations. So well written is Mr. Darcy’s Obsession that I was transported back as though I was continuing on with Pride & Prejudice. Reynolds takes creative license and creates a far more romantic setting and suspense than Austen ever did and it works brilliantly. I would highly recommend Mr. Darcy’s Obsession to any reader, even to Pride & Prejudice purists like myself, for even I was swayed. Mr. Darcy’s Obsession makes a delightful and enticing read.

I received a complimentary copy of Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds from Sourcebooks.  Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,

Book Review: Take A Chance On Me by Jill Mansell

Tuesday 12 October, 2010 By 9 Comments


Title:  Take a Chance on Me
Author: Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Paperback: 432 pages
ISBN: 978-1402237515
Genre: Fiction


From the Publisher:

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life…

Cleo Quinn doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will’s come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo… apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing’s Hill and tormenting her as if he’d never been away.

Meanwhile Cleo’s sister Abbie has a problem of her own—husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she’s determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?

The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places…

My Review:

Each time I settle in with a book by Jill Mansell I know I am in for a delightful evening of reading and Take a Chance on Me proved to be just as brilliant as Mansell’s previous books.  Take a Chance on Me takes place in the village of Channings Hill where we are introduced to Cleo and Abbie, sisters with a 15-year age difference, and very different lifestyles.  Cleo, the younger sister, still not escaped from the torment she received in High School yet perfectly lovely in every way except with men, has dreadfully poor judgment.  Abbie is 15 years Cleo’s senior, has been happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Tom, for the past 22 years, or so it seemed.  Mansell rounds out her main cast of characters with Will Newman, the man Cleo just knows is “Mr. Right”, so how could she be so blind? Also in the cast are Johnny LaVenture, Cleo’s main tormentor in school to whom she is strangely drawn, Des Abbie’s wonderful friend, confidant and boss, and last but not least, Ash, who has all the women swooning at the sound of his voice. Unfortunately he does not quite have the looks to match.  Mansell brings this cast of characters together with their joys, sorrow, foibles, and misperceptions creating flawed, realistic characters that the reader can identify with and quite easily connect.  Mansell uses her trademark wit in once again creating a successful comedic romance in a delightful setting.  Take a Chance on Me is a book not to be missed and is certain to liven anyone’s mood.  I strongly recommend Take a Chance on Me to any reader.

I received a complimentary copy of Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,

Book Review: The Princeling by Cynthia-Harrod Eagles

Thursday 7 October, 2010 By 3 Comments


Title: The Princeling
Author: Cynthia Herrod-Eagles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Paperback: 448 pages
ISBN: 978-1402240584
Genre: Historical Fiction

From the Publisher:

The Morlands’ rise to power, as tenuous as it was unexpected, now faces its greatest threat. Elizabeth I is on the throne and Protestantism is sweeping the land, threatening the position of the Catholic Morlands and forcing them to seek new spheres of influence. John, the heir, rides north to the untamed Borderlands to wed the daughter of a Northumberland cattle lord. But he finds he must first prove himself and win her heart through blood and battle. John’s gentle sister Lettice is given in marriage to a ruthless Scottish baron, and in the treacherous court of Mary, Queen of Scots, she learns the fierce lessons of survival. Through birth and death, love and hatred, triumph and heartbreak, the Morlands fight to hold on to their place among England’s aristocracy.

My Review:

Elizabeth I is on the throne, Protestants and Catholics are fighting, and thus begins book three of the Morland Dynasty, The Princeling by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.  Her previous two books, The Founding and The Dark Rose followed the rise and fall of the Moreland Dynasty until the Elizabethan Period, which is where The Princeling begins.  While it is not crucial to read the previous two books to follow The Princeling, I would recommend both novels, as they were wonderful works of historical fiction.  While less emphasis is placed on the royal court than in her previous two novels, Harrod-Eagles takes the reader deep in to the lives of the Morlands, especially Nanette, John, Jan, Lettice, Jane and their spouses.  While speculation abounds from court regarding Queen Elizabeth I, her relationship with Dudley, and the church, The Princeling is more focused on life outside court and how the religious tensions affect the people, in this instance, the Morlands.  Harrod-Eagles has crafted an extremely well woven tale of love and loss, suffering and achievement in the Morland family through the years 1558-1597. Exquisitely detailed, allowing the reader to not only feel a part of the family, but to also offer a glimpse of life in the latter half of the 16th century, book three of the Morland Dynasty is indeed a change of pace from the previous two books, however, I found The Princeling to be a delightful change of pace and look forward to a return to court in the next book.  I would recommend The Princeling to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of The Princeling by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ,

Book Review: The Making Of A Gentleman by Shana Galen

Friday 1 October, 2010 By 4 Comments

Title: The Making of a Gentleman
Author: Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-1402238666
Genre: Historical Romance, Fiction

From the Publisher:

Twelve years in prison has stripped him of his humanity…

Armand, Comte de Valère has lost the ability to interact with polite society, until his family hires him a beautiful tutor, and he starts to come alive again…

Saving him is her only chance to escape a terrible fate…

Felicity Bennett vows she’ll do whatever it takes to help Armand fight back the demons that have held him captive for so long…

With Felicity’s help, Armand begins to heal, until a buried secret threatens to destroy their growing passion…

My Review:

Those who know me well may very well ponder why I am reviewing a romance novel since I typically shy away from the genre, but there are exceptions. Transport me to 1801 England, add a strong female character and the hint of romance in a well placed storyline, and I am hooked. This is exactly what Shana Galen does in her Sons of the Revolution books.
The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen is the second book in her Sons of the Revolution trilogy which began with the book, The Making of a Duchess, and let me assure everyone now, they can indeed be read independently of one another but having read two-thirds of the trilogy I believe readers will want to read all three books. Twelve years in a French prison has taken its toll on the once dashing Armand Harcourt, Comte de Valere. He no longer cares for life’s pleasures and seems incapable of even trying to be civilized, confounding his family, at a loss at what else to do with Armand, Felicity Bennett is hired to help Armand re-enter society. While Armand is a hero whose spirit has been broken, he is well rounded out by the heroine, Felicity, who certainly has her own share of worries, is feisty and independent for women of this time period.
Galen is a strong writer replete with a lively wit, vivid descriptions, strong characters, likeable and not, filled with conflicts, emotional upheaval, a hint of mystery and a dose of romance. Galen masterfully writes a witty, fun, mysterious and intriguing tale of secrets, lies, and passion and I would indeed recommend The Making of a Gentleman to my readers as well as to those a bit reluctant to read a historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of The Making of a Gentleman by Shana Galen from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,

Book Review: Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson

Friday 10 September, 2010 By 6 Comments

Title: Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister
Author: C. Allyn Pierson
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: September 7, 2010
Paperback: 448 pages
ISBN: 978-1402241369
Genre: Fiction

From the Publisher:

Pride and Prejudice continues…
Georgiana Darcy grows up and goes in pursuit of happiness and true love, much to her big brother’s consternation

A whole new side of Mr. Darcy…

He’s the best big brother, generous to a fault. Protective, never teases. But over his dead body is any rogue or fortune hunter going to get near his little sister! (Unfortunately, any gentleman who wants to court Georgiana is going to have the same problem…)

So how’s a girl ever going to meet the gentleman of her dreams?

My Review:

While I tend to be hesitant to read novels based off Jane Austin’s Pride & Prejudice, I must admit C. Allyn Pierson did her homework when crafting her novel, Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister.   As the title suggests, this novel puts the focus on Georgiana Darcy, a character that I always wished to know more about in Austen’s novel.  Pierson gives Georgiana a decisive voice as she matures and is looking for true love, but can one exist when her well-meaning, loving and over-protective brother frightens away any man she may hope to marry?  Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister is extremely well written in an Austenesque manner, making this a very realistic sequel to Pride & Prejudice.  Pierson’s command of the language, dress, and mannerisms of the time are splendid and her characters shine through her prose.  I found myself immensely enjoying learning more about Georgiana and reading again about the Bennets, Bingleys and Darcys along with a very intriguing, page-turning plot twist.  I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister to any reader.

About the Author:

C. Allyn Pierson, is the nom-de-plume of a physician, who has combined her many years of interest in the works of Jane Austen and the history of Regency England into this sequel to Pride and Prejudice.

I received a complimentary copy of Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »