Thursday, June 2, 2011

WORTH DYING FOR by N. Gemini Sasson: Review & GIVEAWAY!!!

Blurb:


One day. One battle. Bannockburn, 1314.

The rise of Robert the Bruce. The vengefulness of James Douglas. And the ruin of Edward II.

Robert the Bruce has known nothing but hardship since seizing Scotland’s crown. Parted from his wife and daughter and forced to flee through the Highland wilderness, he struggles to unite a kingdom divided by centuries old blood feuds. The price, however, must be paid in lives and honor.

Falling to temptation, Robert’s only means of redemption―and to one day win his wife Elizabeth back―is to forgive those who have wronged him. One by one, Robert must win back Scotland’s clans and castles. The one man who can help him purge the land of English tyranny is the cunning young nobleman, James ‘the Black’ Douglas, who seeks vengeance on those who took both his inheritance and his father’s life.

With the death of Longshanks, Edward II ascends to the throne of England. His first act as king is to recall the banished Piers Gaveston. Too soon, Edward learns that he cannot protect the one he loves most and still preserve his own life and crown. To those who demand the ultimate sacrifice, he must relinquish all power. To have his revenge, he must do what his father never believed him capable of―defeat Robert the Bruce on the field of battle.



My Review:



After reading the first novel in The Bruce Trilogy by N. Gemini Sasson, The Crown in the Heather, I was hooked and already counting her among my favorite authors of historical fiction. I immediately bought the second novel in the trilogy, Worth Dying For, and I also bought her novel Isabeau, because after reading the first novel, I knew that Sasson was an author who will remain among my all time favorites. I only wish she had written a hundred  more novels, so that I could own them all! I know I sound a little over the top, but I guess I’m the type of reader who discovers an author that I like, and then reads every single one of their novels!

Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that I loved the second book in The Bruce Trilogy just as much as I loved first one. I have so much anticipation built up for the third and final novel in the trilogy! I can’t believe that I have never read a historical fiction novel dealing with Robert the Bruce’s life. I’ve read hundreds of books dealing with royalty and also dealing with the time period that The Bruce was alive, but somehow either I missed the books, or maybe there just aren’t many historical fiction novels dealing with The Bruce. Plus, there’s also the fact that in the majority of books that I’ve read that did mention Robert the Bruce, he’s portrayed as a horrible traitor, and is given no redeeming qualities. I enjoyed getting “his” side of the story! 

Sasson also brings other legendary men to life; such as the brave and ruthless Scot, James Douglas, and the cowardly, fey-like Edward II of England. I really like how the narrator switches between different men involved on both sides of the war between Scotland and England. As a reader you’re able to get a more balanced point of view, and to understand more than just one side of the story. Although it's obvious that Robert the Bruce is the hero of Sasson's novels, it's still nice to see things from his perspective as well as Edward II. I’ve always preferred to read books from multiple P.O.V.’s, because it makes the novel more rounded as a whole.

Sasson’s research and writing style are, in my opinion, flawless. I know that I sound like I’m gushing, but I really am THAT impressed with her novels. I love a good historical fiction novel that is so well researched, and written so well, that by the end of the book I feel like an expert on the content. I honestly think that a show about Robert the Bruce's life would be as popular as THE TUDORS or THE BORGIAS on SHOWTIME! If her novels were turned into a SHOWTIME series the world would fall in love with Robert the Bruce, and of course the author, N. Gemini Sasson.

Ok, so now that I’ve gushed about how absolutely fascinating THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER and WORTH DYING FOR are, how does everyone feel about the fact that N. Gemini Sasson has offered to give TWO of my readers a copy of the first book in the trilogy, which is THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER!  

The winner of the giveaway will have their choice between a signed paperback copy of the first novel in the trilogy, or an ebook compatible with Kindle.  If you are a fan of historical fiction, then I think it’s impossible not to love this book.

Now, onto the good stuff! The GIVEAWAY!

Mandatory Entry:

+1 In order to enter the giveaway you must be a blog follower and leave a comment including your email address.


Additional (Bonus) Entries:

+1 Follow me on TWITTER

+1 Tweet this giveaway (leave the link in comment)



About the Author:

N. Gemini Sasson is the author of The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy: Book I), Worth Dying For (The Bruce Trilogy: Book II) and Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer. She holds a M.S. in Biology from Wright State University where she ran cross country on athletic scholarship. She has worked as an aquatic toxicologist, an environmental engineer, a teacher and a track and cross country coach. A longtime breeder of Australian Shepherds, her articles on bobtail genetics have been translated into seven languages.




58 comments:

  1. Enter me! Donna
    dkmtheriot@yahoo.com
    http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a delightful book giveaway! Historical
    fiction is my favorite genre...
    I follow you publicly via Google Friend
    Connect. (windycindy)
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow @kdaze10 on Twitter...
    Again, many thanks to you!
    Cindi
    cmh512
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Tweet!"
    http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/75977982124109824.
    Merci, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a good series! Thanks for the giveaway! (I'm a follower and would love the paperback)

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Blog Follower

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  7. OOOOH!!! I really want this one. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
    I follow on GFC under Bethie.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am a follower.

    katietamblingson at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds interesting, and your review is proof of the author's writing talent, so please enter me!
    Rae, a follower
    bestobooks@gmail.com
    http://thebestobooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a follower and so glad I saw this because I didn't know there was a second book. Going to go to Amazon and order it right now. Loved The Crown in The Heather! Thanks for the giveaway and crossing my fingers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm dying to read this series! I follow you.Thanks for the heads up via email and goodreads!
    allisonmharper@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you everyone who has entered so far! It is an AMAZING series! I also recommend her novel, ISABEAU! I recently reviewed that book as well! After reading her books I have become fascinated with Robert the Bruce!

    ReplyDelete
  13. GFC and twitter follower. :)

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

    These books sound really good!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just signed up to follow you and would love to be entered in the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a follower of your fab blog!

    teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I now follow you on Twitter.

    teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I tweeted, here is the link:

    http://twitter.com/#!/teddyrose1/status/76023835048165376

    teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for this contest - I'd love the opportunity for a chance to win.

    I'm a follower.

    confessions(dot)avidreader(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful review -- I've heard nothing but glowing things about N. Gemini Sasson's books -- so thrilled the 2nd book is as good as the first. No need to enter me as I just won your previous giveaway -- but now I'm hot to find Crown!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I tweeted the giveaway http://twitter.com/#!/thekidfromtexas

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    vanessanicole21 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Add me to it. I follow you on this blog, on Goodreads and on twitter.
    Mike
    mikedraperinguilford.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. thank you for the giveaway!!!! my ToBeRead list is growing everyday!!!!!

    Cynthia
    cyn209@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow you on Twitter!
    @Cassie629

    mccown629 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Patricia Gardner GriffithJune 1, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I'm a follower on Facebook, pag4003@windstream.net.

    ReplyDelete
  25. @Audra
    You can enter every giveaway I ever have if ya want! I'm just happy to have people visit my blog! :) But yes, the 2nd book is amazing, and I cannot wait for her to complete the final book in the trilogy!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello, I'm a blog follower. -laura
    L_Hogg at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hello, I follow via twitter. -laura
    L_Hogg at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love Scottish historical fiction! Thank you!
    GFC follower
    Twitter follower @LiederMadchen
    tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/LiederMadchen/status/76108332426997760

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Please add me to your giveaway!

    candacem10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sign me up please! =D

    carodepena (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for the giveaway.

    If it is open worldwide, please enter me.

    Carol T

    I follow via GFC (buddyt)

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. madwoman-in-the-atticJune 2, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    With so many book blogs out there in cyberspace I really appreciate your emails. Enter me as this books sounds very interesting. I follow you on Google Connect (Lucky Brown)

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. madwoman-in-the-atticJune 2, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    I also follow you on Twitter
    @hopscotchlime

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I’m a Twitter follower @aikchien

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone who is entering this giveaway! I promise that the winners will NOT be disappointed! ONE follower away from 200 BLOG FOLLOWERS! I'm so excited! :)
    I'll be having a 200 follower giveaway as soon as the two giveaways I'm currently hosting have ended!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love your review. I have only just started getting into historical fiction, with Phillipa Gregory. My husband is a great lover of historical fiction but reads mainly male authors like Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, but he has progressed onto Robyn Young. I think he would enjoy this book too from your review.
    I am a follower on here and on twitter.
    My e-mail is lisa1301[dot]hardy[at]ntlworld[dot]com
    Thank you for the opportunity of entering and for your great review.

    ReplyDelete
  38. p.s I don't know how to tweet the giveaway as I'm new to tweeting!

    ReplyDelete
  39. @Lisa: All ya have to do to tweet one of my giveaways is to go to the bottom of my entry, where it has the timestamp, and near that is a little row of boxes, one has a T on it. If you click the T (for Twitter) it will automatically take you to twitter, and automatically post the giveaway for you! :) Hope that helped, I'm terrible at explaining things!

    ReplyDelete
  40. After reading your review I definitely want to read it . :) Thanks for the giveaway

    I'm following you now.
    Tasha
    lostinbooks40(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a great giveaway!

    Following you here and on Twitter

    geekgirl at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  42. Followed, twitter-followed, and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/sheiladeeth/status/76492146319958016

    sheiladeeth@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I just read your review, sounds like a great book!

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/QuixoticWeetzie/status/76493609377083393

    quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. consider me intrigued and entered into the giveaway!
    following on twitter and http://twitter.com/#!/msjessieee/status/76496199535964161
    jeskimo.kimono(at)gmail(dot)com
    if possible, IF I win, I'd prefer the first so I would have a better understanding of the setting!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am a new follower. I also like most any books but especially historical books.
    mnleona@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom this looks like a really awesome book! twitter follower Icecream1891 tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Icecream1891

    ReplyDelete
  48. GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom this looks like a really awesome book! twitter follower Icecream1891 tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Icecream1891

    ReplyDelete
  49. GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom this looks like a really awesome book! twitter follower Icecream1891 tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Icecream1891

    ReplyDelete
  50. Yhanks for the chance !!!
    i'm a GFC follower.

    dl(dot)love(dot)freedom(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. So excited about this giveaway! I found your blog from the author's Goodreads page and became a follower today. I first came across Ms. Sasson on the Amazon HF boards and added her book to my wishlist. I am so happy to see the second one is out and also being received and reviewed so well!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I was so excited I forgot to leave my email address.
    DaSwee94@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. http://twitter.com/#!/jdonnelly14/status/82023841714536448

    GFC Following as Jenn Donnelly
    on Twitter as @jdonnelly14

    ReplyDelete
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