UNEASY LIES THE CROWN, A Novel of Owain Glyndwr by N. Gemini Sasson

Blurb:

The story of Owain Glyndwr, the last Welsh Prince of Wales.

In the year 1399, Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndwr is living out a peaceful gentleman's life in the Dee Valley of Wales with his wife Margaret and their eleven children. But when Henry of Bolingbroke usurps the throne of England from his cousin Richard II, that tranquility is forever shattered. What starts as a feud with a neighboring English lord over a strip of land evolves into something greater--a fight for the very independence of Wales.

After a harrowing encounter on the misty slopes of Cadair Idris, the English knight Harry Hotspur offers Owain a pact he cannot resist.

Peace, however, comes with a heavy price. As tragedies mount and temptations loom, Owain questions whether he can fulfill the prophecies and lead his people to freedom without destroying those around him.

For centuries, the bards have sung of King Arthur's return, but is this reluctant warrior prince the answer to those prophecies?


My Review:

I have yet to be disappointed by one of N. Gemini Sasson’s novels. Her novels have the perfect balance of romance, adventure, and historical accuracy. This is the first novel I’ve read about the Welsh struggle for freedom, and I was able to learn so much about it from this book. 

The characters/historical figures in this novel are written so incredibly well. As a reader you are completely pulled into their lives and struggles. Their stories are so incredible and well written.  More than once, tears came to my eyes while reading.  I found the story of Owain Glyndwr and his family to be absolutely fascinating. His long struggle for the freedom of his country is so inspiring. His family went through so much during his struggle for freedom. From the early years of love and happiness, and then through the years of sadness and pain while Owain struggled for the freedom of his country. It reminds me of the struggle that Robert the Bruce went through while attempting to save his country, Scotland.

I love Sasson’s writing style. The way she describes the setting of the story, takes the reader right into the action. I was able to clearly picture the terrain of the Welsh lands while reading. I was able to ‘see’ the battles taking place, and the different journeys that they were taking through the land. I love that she is able to describe things so clearly, without bogging the reader down with unnecessary details. The thoughts and feelings of the characters are described so clearly, that as a reader you almost feel what they’re going through.

N. Gemini Sasson is an amazing author of historical fiction. She keeps the events historically accurate, and gives the characters personalities that are so real, that you can believe they might have actually been like that when they were alive.  I would recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction, regardless of the time period of your interest. I knew absolutely nothing about the Welsh struggle for freedom, but by the end of this novel, I feel like I had a pretty good understanding. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book, and I’m looking forward to all future books by N. Gemini Sasson.

I give this book five out of five stars.

BUY UNEASY LIES THE CROWN HERE!!!

THE HONOR DUE A KING by N. Gemini Sasson

Blurb:

(THE BRUCE TRILOGY: BOOK III)

In the dawn of a kingdom, loyalties and lies collide. The truth will change England and Scotland forever.

In the triumphant aftermath of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce faces unfamiliar battles. His wife Elizabeth, held captive in England for eight long years, has finally returned home to Scotland. With his marriage in ruin and hopes for an heir quickly fading, Robert vows to fulfill an oath from long ago-one which will not only bind his daughter to a man she does not love, but challenge the honor of his most trusted knight, James Douglas.

While Ireland falls to the Scots, King Edward II of England must contend with quarrelsome barons. Hugh Despenser is the one man who can give him both the loyalty and love he so desperately craves. War with France looms and Edward's only chance at peace rests with his queen, Isabella-a woman who has every reason to seek her own revenge.

Tormented by his past, James returns to a solitary, ruthless life of raiding into the north of England. When a bewitching spy promises him the ultimate victory, James must weigh whether to unveil the truth and risk losing her love-or guard his secrets and forever preserve Robert's faith in him.

My Review:

I enjoyed everything about this book, in fact, the entire series was amazing to read. I've always been very interested in the life of Robert the Bruce, as well as the history of Scotland. Sasson's trilogy brought everything to life for me. The characters are well rounded and it's easy to empathize with them. As a reader you're drawn into their lives, and you feel their pain. You get to know The Bruce on a personal level that you don't get in any other books that I've read about his life. Her writing style is smooth flowing, and the timeline in which the events take place follow along with history quite well. I finished this book within a week, because I couldn't seem to put it down. 

I would recommend all of N. Gemini Sasson's novels. I've read her trilogy on Robert the Bruce, as well as her novel Isabeau. I will definitely continue to read any novels that she puts out in the future. I love the topics she chooses to write about, and the care she takes when it comes to the characters in those books. If you're a fan of medieval history and/or historical fiction, than you won't be disappointed.

I give this novel five out of five stars.

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

WINNERS OF TWO GIVEAWAYS!

Sorry I'm a day late announcing the winners of the giveaways for ACROSS THE DESPERATE MILES by Patrick Michael Murphy and THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER by N. Gemini Sasson; long day working at Applebees yesterday..booo!

Anyways!

The ebook winner of ACROSS THE DESPERATE MILES is ManOfLaBook, and the winner of his paperback is Rose Red.

The winners of either a paperback OR ebook copy of N. Gemini Sasson's novel THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER are Allison Macias and Cyn209. 

I have emailed all winners, please make sure that you confirm either your snail mail address, or if it's an ebook, please confirm your email address so that I can get the winners names to the authors!

If you did not win, but would still like to purchase either of these books, please visit the following Links!

ACROSS THE DESPERATE MILES

THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER

Thank you to EVERYONE who entered my giveaways! I will be having another one shortly!

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)

Click here to read my review for THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER!

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.

http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Dying-Bruce-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B004DI7L0W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1306945804&sr=8-5

Mailbox Monday! Lots & Lots to Read!

Over the past couple of days I have received several review requests! I think it's due to the fact that I've been bored, so I've been roaming around goodreads.com and bookblogs.com and posting my information! Either way, I'm happy to receive review requests, because I never know what I'm going to get, and I love all the different genres of novels that authors send me!


Next on my list to read and review:

The Ghosts of Melrose by Buzz Malone

During the past week I have received:

Replica by Lexi Dick
The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey
Escaping Innocence by Joe Perrone
Feuding Hearts by Shari Richardson
God Complex by Trevor Hallam
On Dark Shres: The Lady by J.A. Clement
Doorway of the Triquetra by Lenore Wolfe
Amanda in Arabia by Darlene Foster
Paradox: The Angels are Here by Patti Roberts
Her Dear and Loving Husband by Meridith Allard
True Intentions by Lissa Kuehne
The Final Companion of Lady Holmeshire by Debra Brown
Magic By Moonlight by D.L. Cocchio

And there are a couple more that will be arriving by mail. I know it seems like a ton of books to read and review, but I read three and sometimes four books per week. I'm a substitute teacher and I tutor two students during their online classes at school, so I have around eight hours per day where I am doing absolutely nothing, so I read! As a sub there is really nothing for me to do but give students their work, and tell them what to do. And tutoring is easy, because it's an online course that two students who were expelled last year need to take, so basically I'm there to babysit.

I was excited to receive a couple of review requests for middle grade levels! I will be teaching 7th grade English in the next couple of months, and I'm excited to see what's out there for students to read at the 7th and 8th grade level.

Finally, I will be doing another giveaway in the next couple of days. N. Gemini Sasson has offered to provide two of her novels from The Bruce Trilogy to two of my blog followers who enter the giveaway. I have no doubt that my followers will enjoy her novels. I've read three of her novels so far, and I'm patiently waiting for the third novel in The Bruce Trilogy to be completed!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer: Review

Blurb:

The story of Queen Isabella, who sought revenge on her husband Edward II, and her lover Sir Roger Mortimer, who masterminded the invasion that accomplished it.

The marriage of Isabella of France and Edward II of England in 1308 is a union meant to secure lasting peace. For years, Isabella is a loyal wife, who repeatedly salvages her husband's kingship, even as she endures his neglect. When she finally speaks out against Edward's favorite, Lord Hugh Despenser, her income, lands and children are taken from her. In an age when women are not supposed to openly defy their husbands, Isabella vows to get her children back and have her revenge on Despenser - no matter what the cost.

Imprisoned in the Tower of London for leading a rebellion against King Edward, Mortimer escapes with Isabella's help and finds refuge in the French court. But when Isabella arrives in Paris to negotiate a peace treaty, it is a temptation the ambitious Mortimer cannot resist.


My Review:

Coming across author N. Gemini Sasson is one of the best discoveries I've made on Amazon.com. I was browsing through my recommendations on Amazon around two months ago, and I happened across her Trilogy on Robert the Bruce. I hadn't read very much about him, and the Kindle edition price was incredibly cheap ($2.99), so I bought the first book in the trilogy, THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER, read it in less than two days and became completely hooked. I finished the first two novels in the trilogy in less than a week, and then discovered that the third novel in the Bruce trilogy hasn't quite been completed yet, so I bought ISABEAU knowing that I would love it because Sasson was the author!


I was right, I adored it! Throughout history Isabel of France and Sir Roger Mortimer have been given a bad rap. She's known as a "she-wolf" who cheated on her husband and stole his crown, and Mortimer is known as a devil who wanted to usurp England's crown, and who ran the country through Isabel's son, Edward III, until he finally smartened up and got rid of Mortimer. People never get Isabel or Roger's story, because it's always so biased and one sided. Yes, I'm sure Isabel wasn't the perfect wife, but heck, King Edward II was a horrible husband and a horrible King! He only cared about his current favorites, and his concern was not for his country or his wife, but for the men he was in love with!


Sir Roger Mortimer started off as a loyal follower of the king, but he began to see the true side of the king, and realized that he wasn't worth following anymore, so Mortimer joined in a rebellion against him. Mortimer was lucky to keep his head, and escaped to France after some time spent in The Tower. After Isabel is sent to France to make peace at King Edward II's command, Isabel and Roger Mortimer reconnect and they end up falling in love. Mortimer knows what Isabel has gone through as a wife to Edward II, and he also sees what a beautiful and strong woman she is. As a team they plot to overthrow Edward II, and put the king's son Edward III on the throne. At first working together seems to bring Isabel and Mortimer closer together, but toward the end of the novel you can begin to see the cracks in the love beginning. Mortimer wants to be the man in the relationship, and make all the big decisions without Isabel's help. However, Isabel is a Princess of France and the Queen of England, and she is aware of her power, and wants to use it. Mortimer loves her as a woman, but it's hard for him to back down and listen to her as a Queen. Several times he angers her in public by not listening to her as a Queen, and trying to tell her what to do. It's obvious that Isabel is not going to continue to put up with his less than reverent treatment of her.


I enjoyed getting to know Isabel and Roger as two people in love, rather than as the two power hungry traitors they are usually described as. I also like that this book ends with hope. We obviously know what ends up happening to Roger Mortimer, and we also know that the remainder of Isabel's life isn't all smiles and butterflies, but at least at the end of this book the reader is able to imagine that things do work out for them, and that love endures. I always love a happy ending, and in historical fiction it's often hard to give reader that happy ending, because, well, there wasn't a happy ending! So, although things didn't turn out so well for the love of Isabel and Roger, at least in this fascinating novel there is hope for their future.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! 
I can't imagine N. Gemini Sasson writing a novel that I wouldn't give five stars. Anyone who is a fan of historical fiction needs to check out her novels.

I will be reviewing N. Gemini Sasson's novel WORTH DYING FOR (the second novel in The Bruce Trilogy) within the next week. I would have reviewed that novel before ISABEAU, but I am hosting a giveaway for N. Gemini Sasson when I post the review of WORTH DYING FOR. She has been generous enough to offer to provide TWO copies of her novel THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER to two of my followers, and I already have a giveaway going on right now, so I will wait until that giveaway is close to being completed before starting another one!
Anyways, if you would like me to remind you when I host the giveaway for THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER, all you have to do is send me an email stating that you would like to be kept up to date as to when the giveaway begins, and I will send you an email!

Email: kimbers10 [at] yahoo [dot] com


If you would like to order this book please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Isabeau-Novel-Queen-Isabella-Mortimer/dp/0982715811

To Be Reviewed Tuesday: Books Read, but Not Yet Reviewed

I think I've been making pretty good time when it comes to READING the books I've been given to review, it's the part where I post the written review of the novel to my blog that I'm slacking on a little!
I make sure to take notes of the books I'm reviewing while I'm reading them of course; so now I need to focus on putting it all together and getting the reviews posted!

One of the reviews I plan on doing soon is for the book WORTH DYING FOR by N. Gemini Sasson. She did not ask me to do this review for her, but I was introduced to her novels, which are part of her BRUCE TRILOGY, from my amazon.com recommendations. I read the first novel in her trilogy, THE CROWN IN THE HEATHER, and I became completely hooked! After reading and reviewing the first novel I contacted  her via twitter, and she has offered to provide a print copy or e-book of her novel in a future giveaway on my blog! I am beyond honored that such an amazing author would not only respond to a tweet I sent her regarding the review of her book I posted on my blog, but also offer to provide one of her novels to give to one of my blog followers!

Anyways, the current giveaway I'm doing, TREASURE ME by the amazing author Christine Nolfi, will end on the 23rd of May. Once that giveaway ends I will more than likely take a couple of days off before starting another giveaway, but as I said N. Gemini Sasson will be giving away one her her novels from her BRUCE TRILOGY.  I have NO doubt that any fan of historical fiction will LOVE her any one of her novels. In fact, I think any lover of literature will have a difficult time putting any one of Sasson's books down!

Ok, enough with my rambling. This post is about the books I have read, but still need to write and post my reviews.

So....TO BE REVIEWED (but have finished reading!):

WORTH DYING FOR by N. Gemini Sasson
ACROSS THE DESPERATE MILES by Patrick Michael Murphy
THE BONUS by Georgia Lowes
MY COUSIN JEREMY by Susan Spears
CURRY AND SPICE CHICKEN RECIPES by Kakoli DasGupta (I know this is a random one, but I thought it had some pretty amazing recipes in it, and was asked by the author to do a review of it on my blog!)

Ok, so there you have it. I have several other books that authors and publicists have sent me to read and review on my blog, but I'll post the author's names and the titles in a later post!

Much love to all of my followers, and to all of those who have entered my giveaways! I'm so thankful to have found a hobby that is so fulfilling, and hopefully soon I'll have more time to get the reviews of the novels (from all of the wonderful authors) posted to my blog!