BOOK REVIEW: The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick

Blurb:

Young Eleanor has everything to look forward to as the heiress to the wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly, childhood is over. Forced to marry Prince Louis of France, she barely adjusts before another death catapults them to King and Queen. Leaving everything behind, Eleanor must face the complex and vivacious French court. She is only 13. Barely out of childhood and forced to deal with great scandals, fraught relationships, and forbidden love at every turn, Eleanor finally sees what her future could hold if she could just seize the moment.

My Review:

“The Summer Queen” by Elizabeth Chadwick was absolutely fantastic. I might be a little biased, since I love anything to do with Eleanor of Aquitaine, but I really can’t say enough good things about this book! The great use of descriptions grabbed me from the beginning, and I was really able to picture what was going on through the use of great imagery. Also, the writing style flowed smoothly, so my interest was kept from beginning until end. I like how the focus was mainly on her first marriage, because had the author tried to fit the adventures of both marriages into one book, I think a lot would have been lost in the telling. I was surprised that the author described Louis and Eleanor’s marriage as somewhat passionate at the beginning. Other books I have read have shown that the marriage was pretty much doomed from the beginning, this novel showed that there possibly was the chance at love between them at first, but through different events in their lives, that chance was ruined. It’s sad that their marriage fell apart due to Louis’ poor advisors and overzealous religious beliefs. However, it is definitely easy to hate Louis in this novel due to the way he treats Eleanor! The adventures that Eleanor had during her lifetime are astounding, and it’s hard not to like someone with as much strength of character as Eleanor of Aquitaine! To think, this novel is only covering the FIRST half of her crazy life! I really like that the author ended the novel (the first in a trilogy!) at a positive point in Eleanor’s life. There are so many ups and downs throughout her life, with one of the major ‘downs’ happening during her marriage to Henry II, so it’s nice to end this first book with a little hope towards her future.

I would 100% recommend this novel to any lover of historical fiction. It has it all, romance, adventure, and intrigue! I give this novel a solid FIVE out of FIVE stars!

Praise for Elizabeth Chadwick:

“Like a fine wine Chadwick is to be savored all the way down to the last drop...”—Historically Obsessed

“I swear, each Elizabeth Chadwick book I read is even better than the last.”—Devourer of Books

“An author who makes historical fiction come gloriously alive.” —Times of London

“A star back in Britain, Elizabeth Chadwick is finally getting the attention she deserves here.” ―Deirdre Donahue, USA Today

Biography

Elizabeth Chadwick is a best selling, award winning author of historical fiction. A born storyteller, her first novel The Wild Hunt won a Betty Trask Award in 1990. She has been four times shortlisted for the RNA Award in the UK for the best mainstream romantic novel. Her book The Scarlet Lion was selected as one of the top ten works of historical fiction of the decade by Richard Lee, founder of The Historical Novel Society.

Available for PRE order at Amazon.com!

BOOK REVIEW: A Triple Knot by Emma Campion

Blurb:

The critically acclaimed author of The King's Mistress brings another fascinating woman from history to life in an enthralling story of political intrigue, personal tragedy, and illicit love.
Joan of Kent, renowned beauty and cousin to King Edward III, is destined for a politically strategic marriage. As the king begins a long dynastic struggle to claim the crown of France, plunging England into the Hundred Years’ War, he negotiates her betrothal to a potential ally and heir of a powerful lordship.

But Joan, haunted by nightmares of her father’s execution at the hands of her treacherous royal kin, fears the king’s selection and is not resigned to her fate. She secretly pledges herself to one of the king’s own knights, one who has become a trusted friend and protector. Now she must defend her vow as the king—furious at Joan’s defiance—prepares to marry her off to another man.

In A Triple Knot, Emma Campion brings Joan, the “Fair Maid of Kent” to glorious life, deftly weaving details of King Edward III’s extravagant court into a rich and emotionally resonant tale of intrigue, love, and betrayal.

About the Author:

Emma Campion did her graduate work in medieval literature and history, and has continued to study the period while working first as an editor of scientific publications and now for some years as a freelance writer. She was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, grew up in Cincinnati, and has lived most of her adult life in Seattle, which she and her husband love for its combination of natural beauty and culture. Emma enjoys walking, hiking, and gardening, and practices yoga and vipassana meditation. She travels frequently to Great Britain.

Emma's current passion is exploring fuller and more plausible interpretations of the lives of women in the 14th century than are generally presented.

My Review:

“A Triple Knot” by Emma Campion is a fascinating historical fiction novel. Joan of Kent and Eleanor of Aquitaine are two of my favorite women in history to read about, so I jumped on reading a novel about Joan. Her life was seriously like a soap opera. She was loved by three different men, betrothed to one but married to another, then that marriage was annulled and she was remarried to the first one, and all of this while being love by Edward of Woodstock, who was to be the future King of England. Her life story is so crazy that it’s almost hard to believe! I really like that the novel began when Joan was young, because it gives the reader the whole picture of her life and her background, and it shows the hardships she went through after the loss of her father. “A Triple Knot” was well-written and smooth flowing. Once I started reading it, I had trouble putting it down! Joan’s life is perfect for a novel. It was full of intrigue, love, lust, and lies. She was a strong woman of her time, and she definitely made her mark in history.

I would recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction, especially those who are fascinated with England’s Kings and Queens. You really get a good look into the lives of royalty in this novel, and overall it’s a great read.

I give this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars.

BOOK REVIEW: Flower from Castile trilogy Book One: The Alhambra Decree by Lilian Gafni

Blurb:

Publication Date: November 9, 2011

The Flower from Castile Trilogy opens in 1491 during the tumultuous unification of Spain under Catholicism. The battle for

the conquest of Granada, which was held by the Islamic Moors for 700 years, empties Spain's coffers and decimates the ranks of her soldiers. 

Beautiful young Isabella Obrigon lives a life of privilege in Seville until she is caught between these two powerful nations. She is forced to uncover a secret about her birth and becomes trapped between two faiths and two peoples. She must decide whether to follow her heart and join her endangered brethren seeking exile from the brutal and infamous Inquisition, or stay and live a lie. When Isabella is held prisoner in the fabled Alhambra palace in Granada, an encounter with Miguel Costa seals her fate. 

Nearby, Christopher Columbus-who may have secrets of his own-waits impatiently for the war to be won. His dreams of exploration and fabulous wealth can only come true if he receives a summons from Queen Isabella.

Reviews:

"Truth and convenience all too often pit themselves against one another. The Alhambra Decree is the first book from Lilian Gafni's Flower from Castile Trillogy, discussing the late fifteenth century wars between Islamic and Catholic Spain, as the two faiths form two nations and battle over the Iberian peninsula. Isabella Obrigon, blessed with a noble life, finds that she has the power to turn the conflict if she faces the truth. But doing so, she makes many enemies but few friends. A riveting tale of medieval Spain, The Alhambra Decree is an excellent choice for fans of historical fiction." -Midwest Book Review 

"Gafni's understanding of the time period seems paramount, and her plot is solid. Isabella's movement between different cultures allows readers to explore what it was like to be a Catholic, Jew, or Moor during one of history's darkest periods." -Kirkus Reviews 

"Flower from Castile Trilogy: Book One: The Alhambra Decree is an accessible novel that inspires interest in, and relays the complexities of, a fascinating period in history." -ForeWord Clarion Reviews

"Lilian Gafni's Flower from Castile Trilogy is the human account describing the atrocities inflicted on the unfortunate Marranos and Sephardic Jews, and even on the Moors living in the Iberian Peninsula. So much human cruelty and so many wars caused over the centuries by different religions. The detailed dialogues provide historical information, and make the protagonists more real. This book is a monument to the Marranos that suffered and lost their lives." -Manuel Luciano da Silva and Silvia Jorge da Silva, Authors of Christopher Columbus was Portuguese!

My Review:

“Flower from Castile Trilogy: Book One The Alhambra Decree” by Lilian Gafni was an outstanding novel! I was intrigued from beginning until end, and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. I was a little lost at the beginning, because several characters were introduced at once, and it was a little unclear to me as to how they all tied into the story, but as I continued to read it all started to make sense to me. I loved that the story is told from several different points of view. Not only do we know what’s going on in Isabella’s head, but we also get to read Christopher Columbus’ story as well as get inside the evil Torquemada’s mind a little bit. The author’s writing style is great, and she did an awesome job with descriptions. The battle scenes were described using so much imagery that you could picture exactly what was happening. She also did a great job when describing the different buildings and places that the characters were at. There were several strong characters in this novel, and I was rooting for most of them. Isabella is a great main character, because you actually care about her well being, and want to know what is going to happen to her next. I also like that there is a love story within all of the intrigue and action.

I would definitely recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction. It is an easy read with great characters and a great story line. The author obviously did her research, and you won’t be disappointed.

I give “Flower from Castile trilogy” a FIVE out of FIVE stars.

PURCHASE FLOWER FROM CASTILE HERE!

REVIEW: Song at Dawn; 1150 in Provence (The Troubadours) by Jean Gill

Blurb:

Book 1 in the Troubadours Series

1150 in Provence, where love and marriage are as divided as Christian and Muslim.

A historical thriller set in Narbonne just after the Second Crusade. On the run from abuse, Estela wakes in a ditch with only

her lute, her amazing voice, and a dagger hidden in her petticoats. Her talent finds a patron in Alienor of Aquitaine and more than a music tutor in the Queen's finest troubadour and Commander of the Guard, Dragonetz los Pros. Weary of war, Dragonetz uses Jewish money and Moorish expertise to build that most modern of inventions, a papermill, arousing the wrath of the Church. Their enemies gather, ready to light the political and religious powder-keg of medieval Narbonne.

Winner of Global Ebooks Award for Best Historical Fiction

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading “Song at Dawn” by Jean Gill. Any book that has something to do with Eleanor of Aquitaine grabs my interest right away. I also thought the author’s writing style had a nice flow to it, which made it easy to read. The intrigue within the novel between the characters was also interesting,and  the suspense kept me reading to find out what would happen next. There were some really great and unexpected twists within the novel, which was great, but I did feel a little lost at times when new characters or twists were introduced without enough background information.

The sexual tension that existed between Dragonetz and Estela was great. It definitely piqued my interest and kept me rooting for them to get together!

The author did a great job with imagery and descriptions in the novel, especially when describing the troubadours music, as a reader you could almost imagine you could hear the clear tunes from Dragonetz’s voice.

I’ve read several books which focused solely on Eleanor of Aquitaine, so it was great to read a book that focused on the “normal” people who surrounded her on a daily basis. I love getting a look at what life was like during the time that Eleanor was alive, and this novel really brought it to life for me. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction.

I give this novel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.

BUY SONG AT DAWN HERE!

REVIEW: The White Princess (Cousin's War) by Philippa Gregory

Blurb:

Caught between loyalties, the mother of the Tudors must choose between the red rose and the white. 

Philippa Gregory, #1 New York Times best­selling author and “the queen of royal fiction” (USA Today), presents the latest Cousins’ War novel, the remarkable story of Elizabeth of York, daughter of the White Queen.

When Henry Tudor picks up the crown of England from the mud of Bosworth field, he knows he must marry the princess of the enemy house—Elizabeth of York—to unify a country divided by war for nearly two decades. 

But his bride is still in love with his slain enemy, Richard III—and her mother and half of England dream of a missing heir, sent into the unknown by the White Queen. While the new monarchy can win power, it cannot win hearts in an England that plots for the triumphant return of the House of York.

Henry’s greatest fear is that somewhere a prince is waiting to invade and reclaim the throne. When a young man who would be king leads his army and invades England, Elizabeth has to choose between the new husband she is coming to love and the boy who claims to be her beloved lost brother: the rose of York come home at last.


My Review:

Philippa Gregory is one of my all time favorite authors of historical fiction. I have read every one of her books, and have yet to be disappointed. She is able to bring historical characters to life in a way that makes you believe that things happened exactly as she writes. I also appreciate that she researches her novels so well. Of course she takes some creative license when writing her novels, but overall she sticks with the facts, and creates a story that’s hard to put down.

I loved Elizabeth’s (Henry VII’s wife/queen) character. She’s passionate and loyal; whish is exactly as I would imagine her to have been in real life. Philippa Gregory did an amazing job of brining her character to life in this novel. I wasn’t really a fan of how she portrayed King Henry VII, but that is just my bias. I’ve read so many books where he is described as a loyal, faithful, loving husband to Elizabeth, that it’s hard for me to see him as a jerk, for lack of a better word!

Her descriptions allow the reader to imagine everything that is going on clearly, whether it is a characters dress or personality, or the landscape they are travelling through. I would recommend this novel, and really any Philippa Gregory novel, to lovers of historical fiction. It’s definitely a page-turner.

I give this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars!

Purchase The White Princess (Cousin's War) Here!

REVIEW: Royal Mistress: A Novel by Anne Easter Smith

Blurb:

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. Marriage doesn’t stop Jane from flirtation, however, and when the king’s chamberlain, Will Hastings, comes to her husband’s shop, Will knows King Edward 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 those of Jane and Will Hastings, hangs in the balance. Jane must rely on her talents to survive as the new monarch, Richard III, bent on reforming his

brother’s licentious court, ascends the throne.

This dramatic tale has been an inspiration to poets and playwrights for five hundred years, and, as 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.

  Review

"This story of a freewoman makes for a refreshing change, and Easter Smith, who specializes in the mistress subgenre, includes some rich historical text."

(The Washington Post)

"Anne Easter Smith is Queen of the 15th-century British scene, the chronicler of the endlessly fascinating and monstrously complex War of the Roses. . . . Meticulously researched and with a real sense of place and time — and pretty steamy."

(Newburyport Current)

“A very readable, intriguing look at Jane as both a mistress and an intimate participant in the royal circle.”

(Historical Novel Society)

“Anne Easter Smith creates a vivid tapestry of life in the slippery court of Edward IV and illuminates the masterful commoner mistress who survived by her instincts and charm."

(Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I)

  About the Author

A native of England, Anne Easter Smith has lived in the United States for more than forty years. She was the features editor at a newspaper in New York State and now lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts, with her husband, Scott. You can visit her website at AnneEasterSmith.com.

My Review:

Anne Easter Smith does not disappoint with “Royal Mistress: A Novel”. I have read and loved all of her books, and this one was a great read as well. I appreciate how she stays true to historical facts, but does so in an interesting and engaging way. The characters were well developed, and by the end I felt like I knew them all. Jane Shore’s character was very well written, and as a reader you really cared for her and for her welfare. I really liked that the author chose to write from several different character’s perspectives. It really helps the reader to follow the entire story of what was going on during that time period, not just what was going on with Jane during that time. I’m a huge history buff, so I really liked reading about the lives of other people, like King Richard and Will Hastings.  I also liked that the author continued Jane’s story past when King Edward IV died. Her life didn’t end at his death, and although she was his mistress, she did have a life outside of him. It was nice to read about what happened to her, and where her life lead her after he died. In fact, some of the most interesting events happened after he died, and she was no longer a royal mistress.

The author was very descriptive, and I was able to imagine what was happening clearly while reading. This is a novel that anyone interested in historical fiction would really enjoy. Her description of Jane and the people in Jane’s life are clear and creative. Anne Easter Smith is an amazing author, and those who are fans of England’s Kings and Queens should definitely pick up her books to read if they have not already done so. She is wonderful at creating a novel about a historical character, and adding just enough romance and action to make it a novel that is hard to put down!

I definitely give this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars!

Purchase "Royal Mistress: A Novel" HERE!