September 11th

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin

From Litfuse... " Helen Carlisle is recovering from the death of her war hero husband in Sarah Sundin's, Blue Skies Tomorrow (Revell (Baker), August 1, 2011, ISBN: 0800734238, $14.99). Healing from the year, she runs into Lt. Ray Novak-a childhood crush. She has been surviving her loss through copious volunteering, but deep down she is troubled. How much longer can she do this? Is she living a lie? Was her dead husband a hero? How can she live with the past?
Lt. Novak faces his own life uncertainty as a dedicated officer who has postponed his calling to be a pastor for the duration of the war. His secondary passion to fly is quenched as an instructor, until he is deployed to Europe for a combat mission just as a romantic relationship with Helen is building.
As Helen tries to make ends meet back home and begins to confront the past, Ray encounters a deadly enemy of his own. Will they find the courage to face their challenges? Will the truth come out? Will hope and redemption ring true for Helen?
Sure to live up to the high praise of the previous books in the Wings of Glory series, Blue Skies Tomorrow completes the story of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in World War II, covering the infamous Port Chicago Explosion, which occurred close to Antioch, Calif., where Helen and the Novaks live, to victory in Europe."


In celebration of the release of Blue Skies Tomorrow, the final installment of the Wings of Glory series, Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Vintage Kindle Prize Package!

One winner will receive:

* Kindle with Wi-Fi

* Handmade vintage apron for you and a friend (see a photo here)

* Blue Skies Tomorrow (for Kindle)

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/10. Winner will be announced on 9/12 at Sarah Sundin's blog. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest. Please visit her blog... http://www.sarahsundin.com/

You can purchase the book here... http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Skies-Tomorrow-Novel-Wings/dp/0800734238/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310054631&sr=sprightly-20

Wow! What can I say about Blue Skies Tomorrow?!? It was so, so very wonderful! I know I sound like a gushing fan... well, honestly, I am! This series is perfect! My only complaint is that Blue Skies Tomorrow is the concluding novel in the series. I'm sad to let go of these characters that I have come to admire, love and, yes, grieve for.

Ms. Sundin has such a wonderful gift for writing. She writes "small" scenes with as much care as she does for the scenes that keep the pages turning. World War II was not only a period in our history that changed our country but it was just "life". People still had to work, go to school and church as well as deal with its life-altering consequences. This is, I think, what I enjoyed most... watching these characters deal with it all. Yes, it can be tragic and devastating but, even in the midst of war and all that entails, there is still beauty, love and faith.

Faith is, obviously, a major part of this series. And, while Ms. Sundin writes it effortlessly, it is so important to the core of this novel. The characters, even in the most dire circumstance, believe that they are part of something profound and important.

I have to, again, mention how beautiful this novel's cover is! It is, in my opinion, art! It is so evocative of the period but it also evokes, especially for those who have read other books in the series, meaning. We begin the book with Helen and Ray in our mind's eye and travel their journey alongside them. The cover artist is a master at beautiful art and, I hope that Ms. Sundin's future novels have such beautiful covers.

I LOVE this series and am so very happy to have had the opportunity to read and review it!

Thanks to Amy at http://www.litfusegroup.com/ for sending me a copy of Blue Skies Tomorrow in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review. Thanks also to Ms. Sundin for writing such a wonderful series. I can only hope that she might, someday, return to these characters. If not, though, I will, most definitely, read (and love, I'm sure) her other works!

What Happens in Vegas by Natasha Deen

From the author's website... "It’s not that Binda Morningstar’s an idiot—the girl’s got more degrees than a thermometer—but there’s something about a crisis that makes her lose her mind…and accidently injure anyone within a ten foot radius. But if she’s going to rescue her boss from a cursed jewel, she’s going to have to keep it together. Unfortunately for her, the cop on the case, Corin Hawthorne, has her losing her mind and her heart…and if he gets anymore drool worthy, she’s going to lose her inhibitions, too. To save her boss and win her man, she’s got to outrun a mobster, outwit the YIFFS at a sex fetish convention, and outthink an ex-wife—and she’s got to do it all without breaking an arm or inadvertently hitting anyone with pepper spray…it’s all got Binda hoping that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."


About the author... "When I was little, there was only one thing I wanted to be: a superhero. But there came a day when my dreams were broken, and that was the day I realized that being a klutz was not, in fact, a super power, and my super weakness for anything bright and shiny meant a magpie with self-control could easily defeat me in a battle of wills. I turned to writing as a way to sharpen my mental super-hero skills. I don’t get to orbit the earth in a space station (and thank God, because I get sick on merry go round), but I do get to say things like: “Stand aside! This is a job for Writing Girl!!”

What Happens in Vegas is, literally, LOL funny. I read in bed every night, more often than not... annoying my husband with the turning of the pages. Well, that wasn't quite the case with this novel. Because I read it on my ereader, there was no turning pages. His annoyance came from the fact that I would randomly start laughing. What a great gift to be able to write humor effectively!

I'm not usually a fan of humorous mysteries as the humor, sometimes, seems forced or "added in". This book was real in its humor and I appreciated it. It was not slapstick but very much in keeping with Binda's adventures. Las Vegas is one of my favorite places and this novel captured it so well.

The "mystery" aspect was well-written and thought out. I didn't "figure it out" as I don't usually try to. I enjoyed this book to the end and then sat back and "put it together".


Thanks to Partners in Crime Tours and Natasha Deen for providing a copy of What Happens in Vegas in exchange for my review. Please check out their website... http://www.partnersincrimetours.net... for more What Happens in Vegas tour stops

Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis

From the author's website... "Set against the exotic world of an 1875 circus and the high-society milieu of Denver, Colorado, Mary Ellen Dennis's THE GREATEST LOVE ON EARTH sweeps readers into a story of death-defying feats, dangerous rivalries, and a love that has all the thrills and romance of the greatest show on earth.
Bold, beautiful Calliope Kelley has two passions in life: her father's circus and Brian O'Connor, and she just may lose them both. For years she has singlehandedly struggled to keep the Sean Kelley Circus going. Then Brian O'Connor, the daredevil animal trainer Calliope has adored since childhood, returns to the circus, having found everything a man can want... except the right woman.
Soon their passion will explode under the Big Top. Soon a deadly enemy will begin sabotaging Calliope's beloved circus. As terror becomes the star attraction, it will take a woman's indomitable dreams and a man's enduring love to survive and triumph over the most impossible odds of all."

Well, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this novel. Was it a mystery, was it a love story, was it the "circus" aspect going to take away from the plot? I took a chance and was, very happily, intrigued and engaged from the first line! Ms. Dennis has written a story that incorporates all three into a tight story that I read in just a few nights. It was one that I couldn't wait to get back to.... which is saying a lot right now... we are in the midst of the first weeks back to school.

I was surprised to be taken back to 19th century Denver. Many of the events, places and people of my town (albeit WAY before my time)... I know well. It made the story come alive that much more. I look forward to reading the other novel set in Colorado that Ms. Dennis has written. She does Colorado proud!

Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing a copy of The Greatest Love on Earth in exchange for this review.

To Die For by Sandra Byrd

What would you sacrifice for your best friend? Would you die for her?

Meg Wyatt has been Anne Boleyn's closest friend ever since they grew up together on neighboring manors in Kent. So when twenty-five-year-old Anne's star begins to ascend, of course she takes Meg along for the ride.
Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling...at first. Meg is made mistress of Anne's wardrobe, and she enjoys the spoils of this privileged orbit and uses her influence for good. She is young and beautiful and in favor; everyone at court assumes that being close to her is being close to Anne.
But favor is fickle and envy is often laced with venom. As Anne falls, so does Meg, and it becomes nearly impossible for her to discern ally from enemy. Suddenly life's unwelcome surprises rub against court's sheen to reveal the tarnished brass of false affections and the bona fide gold of those are true. Both Anne and Meg may lose everything. When your best friend is married to fearsome Henry VIII, you may soon find yourself not only friendless but headless as well.
A rich alchemy of fact and fiction, To Die For chronicles the glittering court life, the sweeping romance, and the heartbreaking fall from grace of a forsaken queen and Meg, her closest companion, who was forgotten by the ages but who is destined to live on in our hearts forever.

I have been reading a lot of Tudor fiction lately. And, while I like reading about the "major players"... it's nice to read the story of one of the many who were (as it says in the synopsis)... "forgotten by the ages". Meg's story may not be as dramatic and dangerous as Anne's but it is, most definitely, worth reading.

My favorite part about this novel was to see Anne from a different point of view. I've seen her as the victim and the villain but I've never really seen her through the eyes of her best friend. We all have a best friend... someone who's seen us at our best and at our worst and loves us no matter what. Anne had such a friend in Meg.

While Anne's fate is known and is just as sad as always, this was Meg's story. She was an ordinary girl who lived in extraordinary circumstances. Above all, though, she was a friend to another who was also living in extraordinary circumstances.

I loved that Ms. Byrd wrote Meg as a strong character... flaws and all. Although her friendship with Anne was the basis for her story, there was so much more. As with any historical figure... those remembered and those forgotten... it is so wonderful to remember that they are just like us. Meg just lives her life...even while at Henry's Court. Granted, she lives it in beautiful gowns and sumptuous surroundings (for the times, of course).

You can read more about To Die For by Sandra Byrd on her website...www.sandrabyrd.com

Thanks to Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours...http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html. Thanks as well to the publisher for providing a copy of To Die For in exchange a fair and thoughtful review.

Please check out HFVB for more blogs reviewing this beautifully written story of true friendship in desperate times and the woman who was "forgotten by the ages" but readers will remember every time they think of Anne Boleyn.

Venetia by Georgette Heyer

From Wikipedia... "Venetia Lanyon grew up in the country, away from the world with only her younger brother Aubrey, bookish and lamed, for company. Her peace and quiet is one day disturbed by the rakish Lord Damerel. At first, she sensibly keeps away from him for his very discourteous treatment of her, but when Lord Damerel finds an injured Aubrey and not only takes him into his home to recover but also treats him with great kindness, she revises her first opinion of him and they soon become the best of friends. When Venetia and Lord Damerel fall in love, however, Damerel is convinced that marriage with him would cause Venetia's social ruin. Venetia disagrees, and sets about creating her own happy ending."


Today is the 109th anniversary of Georgette Heyer's birth. She was born on August 16th, 1902.I thought it was the perfect day to review Venetia. Happy Birthday, Georgette!

I didn't begin to read romance novels until I was in college and I can pretty much say for certain that, until very recently, I had never read anything by Georgette Heyer. I have since read two... Cotillion and, now... Venetia.

It is a wonderful story whose characters, settings and, most importantly, dialogue combine to create such a well-crafted story. It took me by surprise that I read it so quickly. I was just drawn in. Venetia (as well as Cotillion) not only entertained but enlightened me. Most regency romance novels seem to focus on the "glittering" side of the era... the balls, the gowns and the societal "obligations". Venetia goes beyond that with a story that captured all that as well as an intimate story about a young woman coming to terms with her "lot" and doing what she can to rise above it.

I just loved that there was a character named Jasper. I adore that name! I will, someday, have a cat with that moniker. And, with said feline, I will be curled in chair reading one of the many novels that Georgette Heyer wrote.

I'm not the only one celebrating her birthday. Sourcebooks (who sent me a copy of Venetia in exchange for for this review) is offering many of Georgette Heyer's novel (in ebook form) for just $1.99... just click on this link... http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/casavip/happy-birthday-ms-heyer.html

Happy Birthday, Georgette Heyer, Queen of the Regency Romance!!

A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Most Unsuitable Match Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Stephanie Grace Whitson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.



Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.



ABOUT THE BOOK

An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...



She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana. Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way... except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.



If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shadows on the Sand Multnomah Books (July 19, 2011) by Gayle Roper





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gayle is the award winning author of more than forty books. She has been a Christy finalist three times for her novels Spring Rain, Summer Shadows, and Winter Winds. Her novel Autumn Dreams won the prestigious Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Summer Shadows was voted the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Book of the Year (tied with fellow author Brandilyn Collins).



Gayle has won the Holt Medallion three times for The Decision, Caught in a Bind, and Autumn Dreams. The Decision won the Reviewers Choice Award, and Gayle has also won the Award of Excellence for Spring Rain and the Golden Quill for Summer Shadows and Winter Winds. Romantic Times Book Report gave Gayle the Lifetime Achievement Award.



Her Amhearst mystery series, Caught in the Middle, Caught in the Act, and Caught in a Bind, originally published by Zondervan, was reprinted in 2007 by Love Inspired Suspense with a fourth original title added, Caught Redhanded. Another original single title, See No Evil, was also released. Caught in the Middle has been optioned for film.



For her work in training Christian writers Gayle has won special recognition from Mount Hermon CWC, St. Davids CWC, Florida CWC, and Greater Philadelphia CWC. She directed St. Davids for five years and Sandy Cove CWC for six. She has taught with Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Services (CLASS), serving for several years as their writer in residence. She enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality.



Gayle is married to to Chuck Roper and has been "for more years than seems possible!". Gayle and Chuck live in southeastern Pennsylvania where they enjoy their family of two great sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and the world's five most wonderful grandchildren. When she's not writing, or teaching at conferences, Gayle enjoys reading, gardening, and eating out every time she can talk Chuck into it.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.



When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But Carrie has a painful past, too, and when the reason she once ran away shows up in town, the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg threatens to implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry. Two wounded hearts struggle to find a way to make one romance work. Failure seems guaranteed when Carrie locates her waitress but is taken hostage...



If you would like to read the first chapter of Shadows on the Sand, go HERE.

This novel was so not what I expected! I guess I thought it would be a strsight-forward mystery. It was so much more.

The characters all had complex back stories that were interwoven into a seamless story that, literally, kept me reading until way too late at might. This is, definitely, a quick read, as I had to know what would happen next. Some authors can kill a book by putting too much into it. Not here... everything just fits!

How have I never read anything by her before. It's such a delight to find a new author who you really connect with. Ms. Roper is a new-to-me author and I am thrilled that I have such an extensive backlist to read... yay!

Wednesday

It's been a while since I blogged about the randomness that is my life. So, on a lazy Wednesday night, that is what I am going to do :D

The dress code at work has changed. We are now in white tops and blue jeans. While I am truly ecstatic for the jeans, I am not as excited for the white shirts. Since I've been there for almost four years, I have an abundance of black tops (old dress code). With my coloring, I also think I look better in black (as do most women, I believe). I also think black tops with blue jeans is more "sophisticated" as opposed to white tops and jeans. And even though, we wear aprons... white shirt show a lot more dirt. That's not to say we're slovenly. We open freight boxes, we demo lotions, splashes, soaps, etc... it can get messy. At the end of my shift, I always felt better walking out of there in black. But, because I'm so happy about the jeans... I'll live with the white shirts.

I have a wonderful dilemma! I finished a great book last night and need to start a new one tonight. I have about three or four that are on my "short list". I'm still deciding which one but I'm thinking I will read M the first lines of each and see which one she chooses. Don't you just love the anticipation of beginning a new book?!?

I finally firmed up dates to visit Kansas City. My best friend lives there (and I'm from there) and we try to go every summer. So, now the dates are decided and I CANNOT wait. I've known her since high school and she is so wonderful! Her twin boys are J's age and her third son is M's age. She also has two other beautiful children and her husband looks just like Vince Gill.


I am also excited to go to Winsteads in KC. Winsteads is a landmark Kansas City diner... think Arnold's from "Happy Days". My father went there as a teenager... lol. They have the WORLD'S GREATEST onion rings!!! I love them so much that I only eat them there as no other onion rings even remotely compare. Yes, that means I only have onion rings once a year! Their chocolate milkshakes are TDF, too. But, when we're there... we go "gangbusters!! We stop at Winsteads before we even go to E's house. We'll be there five days... we'll eat there at least five times...if not more!! Horrible for my diet, I know... but, I can only do it once a year!

My friend, D, and I met for lunch the other day. Afterwards, we went to TJ Maxx. I love the handbag assortment there. I found two great bags. okay, really... it was the same bag but in two different colors. They were both leopard print but one was brown.black while the second one was black/grey. I could not decide which one I liked better and, because the price was so low... I bought BOTH!! And, I've worn each several times so I really got a great deal. In these pictures, the handles look a little long but, it is truly a handheld bag. It also has a strap so it can be carried on as a shoulder bag. I haven't used it as such but I do let the handle dangle. I like that look.

My mystery book club met last night. We discussed the new Craig Johnson mystery, Hell Is Empty. We are all huge Walt Longmire fans and we are so excited that a series based on these amazing books is coming to A&E this fall. There was even talk, last night, of having a potluck viewing party. I hope that comes to fruition... what fun! I just love the ladies in my book club! Next month, we are reading Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly. We read The Lincoln Lawyer a while back. I liked it... didn't love it. This book teams up two of Connelly's characters... "Lincoln lawyer Mickey Haller and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch team up in Michael Connelly's biggest novel ever.
Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is ready to go back to the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent's killer may be coming for him next.
Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent's killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.
Have you met Mickey Haller yet? If not, read The Lincoln Lawyer. Do you know his connection to Harry Bosch? If not, read The Black Ice for a reminder." If you've read it, let me know what your thoughts.

Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond

From the author's website... "When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.
With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister’s homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn’t see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.
In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn’t look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father’s veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse’s ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.
But Susannah’s feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can’t believe that Jesse’s praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie."

As an avid reader, I am frequently asked if I ever want to write. My answer is always "No". I enjoy the art of reading more then the art of writing. That said, though, I would definitely write if I could write a (debut, no less!) novel like Ms. Richmond has written with Spring for Susannah. She has taken a story that could be very trite and predictable and crafted a story that surprised me. While it is a "Christian" romance, it read more like a historical fiction novel.

Ms. Richmond has written characters that I have thought about even after I finished reading. The relationship between Susannah and Jesse was what made the story but their relationships with the secondary characters made the story fill out.

I am always struck by the amount of faith people of that time had. I cannot imagine leaving everything I know behind to live in what, at that time, was, essentially, wilderness to marry a man I did not know. Yes, this is fiction but it is based on the countless stories of women who did just that. I loved the strength that Susannah found... not only through Jake's love but through herself and her actions.

~~Thanks to the author and Amy at Litfuse for a preview copy in exchange for this review.~~

Queen By Right Review and GIVEAWAY!

From Anne Easter Smith's website... "In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, Anne has found her most engrossing character yet. Cecily earned two monikers from her contemporaries: Rose of Raby for her fair-haired beauty and Proud Cis for her fierce loyalty and courage in the face of the many history-making events she experienced in her eighty years. This was a woman who could have been queen had her husband lived to win the day over Henry VI and his queen, Margaret of Anjou, in the winter of 1461.
History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of Ludlow Castle, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, Duke of York who she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match, and together they face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue.
All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her own hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and the kingdom. As civil war escalates between the cousins of Lancaster and York, Cecily will lose her love, her favorite brother and her dearest child. But in the end, she will watch proudly as her oldest son takes his father’s place at the head of a victorious army and is crowned at Westminster Abbey as King Edward IV."

My thoughts... I am always a little surprised at how little of the English Monarchy I know about. So, I love to read well-written fiction that not only gives me a great story but teaches a bit in the process. Anne Easter Smith has delivered with Queen By Right! Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, is someone I had only heard about as a peripheral character in other novels. She is the mother of two kings and an ancestor to the British Royal Family that captures our attention even today.

I was pleasantly surprised to read the first page and see the setting... Baynard's Castle February 8, 1461". Why is that so surprising? Well, February 8th is my birthday! So, I knew that I would have a "kinship" with Cecily... which by the way is such a great name!

Having never read a novel by Ms. Smith, I have to say that her writing style is perfect for a historical novel. She adds the perfect amount of research so that I'm not completely lost. I love dialogue in novels but found that I actually enjoyed the narrative passages more in this novel. Ms. Smith writes so eloquently and uses dialogue to enhance the story. I honestly think she could write nonfiction that is interesting and "fall asleep" boring. I also enjoyed how she used flashbacks to show Cecily's thoughts about events in her life. I honestly think she could write nonfiction that is interesting and "fall asleep" boring.

Like I said, I don't know that much about her so having the maps, the family tree and the Dramatis Personae (cast of characters) and glossary to refer to was so helpful. This is why I will never give up "real" books. It's just easier to flip to the front (or back) as opposed to trying to navigate on an ereader. Ms. Smith wrote not an interesting Author's Note but there is included a book club guide and an interview. These are really helpful tools that increased my enjoyment of this novel.

** Thanks to Anne Easter Smith, the publisher and Amy from Historical Fiction Book Tours for providing Queen By Right, in exchange for my honest and thoughtful review.


***GIVEAWAY***

Anne Easter Smith has graciously offered a copy of Queen By Right to a reader of Bags, Books & Bon Jovi.

I'm keeping this simple... just leave comment about this novel or Ms. Smith's guest post and you'll be entered to receive this book. You can also enter Tuesday when I post my review... you'll just need to comment on my review or tell me what other Queen By Right blog review you read. So... maximum... two entries!

The contest (open to US readers only) will start when this post is published and I will choose a winner at 11:59pm Tuesday June 21, 2011.

Queen By Right ~~ Anne Easter Smith~~

I am excited to be part of Anne Easter Smith's virtual book tour for her latest historical novel, Queen By Right. You can find other reviews as well as Anne Easter Smith's guest posts here... http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2011/05/virtual-book-tour-for-queen-by-right-by.html

Please come back tomorrow as I will be posting my review of Queen By Right.

From her website... "In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, Anne has found her most engrossing character yet. Cecily earned two monikers from her contemporaries: Rose of Raby for her fair-haired beauty and Proud Cis for her fierce loyalty and courage in the face of the many history-making events she experienced in her eighty years. This was a woman who could have been queen had her husband lived to win the day over Henry VI and his queen, Margaret of Anjou, in the winter of 1461.
History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of Ludlow Castle, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, Duke of York who she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match, and together they face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue.
All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her own hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and the kingdom. As civil war escalates between the cousins of Lancaster and York, Cecily will lose her love, her favorite brother and her dearest child. But in the end, she will watch proudly as her oldest son takes his father’s place at the head of a victorious army and is crowned at Westminster Abbey as King Edward IV."

I would like to welcome her and thank her for giving us a little more insight into this interesting woman and the times she lived in.


Thank you Kathy, for hosting me here at Bags, Books & Bon Jovi. – Anne Easter Smith


Medieval ideas of love and marriage: A Guest Post by Anne Easter Smith

Cecily Neville and Richard, duke of York, are said to have had one of history’s few real love matches in an arranged marriage. This probably came about because they were together at Cecily’s father’s castle of Raby from an early age. Richard was orphaned when he was only four, and after being put in the care of Sir Robert Waterton for several years, his wardship was eventually purchased by Ralph Neville, earl of Westmorland. And so Richard would have met and been under the same roof as Cecily when he was twelve and she was eight. It was not long afterward that Ralph wisely betrothed his youngest daughter to the young duke. Richard Plantagenet had a strong claim to the throne (but that’s another story!), so when he married Cecily she became the highest ranking of all the Neville clan.

When Ralph died in 1426, he willed the wardship to his wife, Joan, who was then placed in the king’s household with Cecily and Richard until Richard took his place at court, probably when he was 17. In Queen By Right I have the couple married before November 1429 when we know Richard received a Papal indulgence to have a portable altar and a confessor “for the duke of York and his duchess” (so we know they were married by then).

You might ask why it was unusual for theirs to be a love match? As lovers of historical fiction, I’m sure you know that most marriages from the gentry up to the royals were those of political and economical expedience. Many contracts were arranged between families when their offspring were only a few years old. But these young people might live at opposite ends of the country from each other and never meet until the legal age for marriage arrived: 12 for girls and 14 for boys. Sometimes--in the case of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou--one or other had someone stand proxy for them and you might be married before you even saw your husband! Imagine dreaming about your knight in shining armor or your Guinevere and being forced to live the rest of your days with Eygor from Frankenstein or Cruella Deville. Yes, a familiar love grew between couples in many cases, but it was hardly what we know today as conjugal bliss! Romantic love was most definitely missing for these very often mismatched pairs; can you blame them for looking for it elsewhere?

And so early in the medieval period, the troubadours began to sing about love and romance, which quickly spread to literature and pretty soon, anyone born with a silver spoon in his or her mouth were caught up in what we would probably call affairs today. We now refer to this idealized version of romance as “courtly love.” We would laugh at it now as it was highly exaggerated and artificial; we would also deem it highly dangerous as it’s most exciting aspect was secrecy. When a knight or lord fancied a lady, he was supposed to let her know by sending her secret gifts, singing her songs or penning poems. The lady on the other hand was supposed to only afford her pining lover a mere nod of approval and hint at affection. The relationship was more of a mistress dominating her servant, and the men apparently went for it.

Did they go all the way? You betcha! In fact medieval intellectuals believed that romantic love had to be adulterous because everyone knew that marriage was just for begetting children, thus real love was precious and lovers should be allowed to carry on in secret. Andrew the Chaplain, a medieval clergyman, wrote: “Love rarely survives when it becomes common knowledge.” And Heloise (the lover of Abelard) is said to have stated: “The love freely given matters. The name of ‘wife’ may seem more sacred or more worthy, but sweetest to me will always be the words ‘lover, concubine or whore.’” Quite controversial for even our time, wouldn’t you say!

Back to Cecily and Richard. Compared with many of their rank in the 15th century, there is no evidence of Richard ever having a mistress--or a bastard that has surfaced in this age of genealogy fascination--and Cecily faithfully followed her husband around the country or to France or to Ireland or wherever his career took him dragging her children with her. When Richard returned from 10-months exile in Ireland and the king had tried to stop his progress from the North Wales coast to London, the first person he sent for was Cecily, who raced up to meet him at Worcester, to where he’d pushed his way down, gathering men as he went. It was one of the few times she went to him without her children. I am sure it wasn't to talk about the weather or how little George and Richard were, I think they were hungry to wrap their arms about each other.

For more information please visit Anne Easter Smith's WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE.


***GIVEAWAY***

Anne Easter Smith has graciously offered a copy of Queen By Right to a reader of Bags, Books & Bon Jovi.

I'm keeping this simple... just leave comment about this novel or Ms. Smith's guest post and you'll be entered to receive this book. You can also enter Tuesday when I post my review... you'll just need to comment on my review or tell me what other Queen By Right blog review you read. So... maximum... two entries!

The contest (open to US readers only) will start when this post is published and I will choose a winner at 11:59pm Tuesday June 21, 2011.

Lady of Bolton Hall by Elizabeth Camden

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe Lady of Bolton Hill Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Camden


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.

A word from Elizabeth: I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts, and lives, hang in the balance?

If you would like to read the first chapter ofThe Lady of Bolton Hill, go HERE.
To purchase The Lady of Bolton Hall, please click here...http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764208942

I am definitely loving novels set in The Gilded Age. And this book, the Lady of Bolton Hall, is no exception. Setting alone, though, cannot carry a story. No worries here... this is such a well-written novel. I found the dialogue especially good and, unlike a lot of novels where dialogue is almost a "filler", Ms. Camden really took care to use it to move the story forward as well using it to define the characters.

I've been reading on some "romance" forums the debate of epilogues... do we love them or should the story end when it ends? Well. I'm definitely on the "love them" side of that debate. And the epilogue of The Lady of Bolton Hall is the cherry on a great ice cream sundae. Why that particular analogy? Because there's some Häagen-Dazs ice cream in my new freezer! Anyway, the epilogue just closes the book on such a great note. I love to how the characters have changed and are living their "happily ever after".

~~Thanks to Bonnie at CFBA and the publisher for sending me a copy of The Lady of Bolton Hall in exchange for my review.~~

Meet Me on Sunday... I Mean Monday!

From Java's blog... "Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other!
Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post four get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
Java will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!! Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!!
I have decided to change the meme to four questions each week.

Questions:

1. What is was the last piece of candy that you ate?

Right before I started reading Java's blog, I ate a mint. My favorite, too :D

2. Do you "read" in the bathroom?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
I have never, ever understood this concept. Really... you cannot find anywhere in your entire home that's more comfortable to read? Besides taking a relaxing bubble bath or shower, the bathroom is a very utilitarian room... do what you need to do, wash your hands and get out.

3. I can't stand when someone _________?
... has not mastered the concept of "common courtesy". Saying "please" and "thank you" is truly not a difficult thing. Thank you :D

4. Do you do daily, weekly or monthly grocery shopping?
For whatever reasons, my husband has been doing the grocery shopping for about the past year. He goes, generally, about once a week with our daughter. I love not going!

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment so I can check out your answers!

First Line Friday

I began First Line Friday because first lines have always intrigued me since I heard an author say that writing the first sentence is, by far, the most difficult part of writing a novel. The reasoning was that a first sentence can make the reader continue reading or cause the book to be tossed aside. So, go to your To Be Read Pile, choose as many books as you want and share the first line. Be sure to include the title and author so that if your reader also finds it intriguing, they can find the book. Also, share your thoughts about the first line. Does it draw you in? Is it...exciting...thought provoking...scary...funny? Join in, if you enjoy first lines as much as I do! Be sure to use my great First Line Friday graphic and leave me a comment so I can read your blog! I'm not the only one with a meme celebrating first lines... Becky at Page Turners at http://pageturnersbooks.blogspot.com/ hosts Book Beginnings... check her blog, too.



"Even before it all went bad, she had the feeling it was going to be a rotten day."
The Death Artist
Jonathan Santlofer

This is about as good as a first line can be! Granted, it's a novel of suspense and I know it's going to go bad but to read it in the first line...genius! I just hope the rest of this novel is as well written.

I know this is First Line Friday but I have to talk about this amazing cover! It's beautiful and kind of scary all at once. This book is set in the art world with murders that mimic famous works of art. I'm very intrigued.

I bought this book today at the Friends of the Library book sale. M and I braved the first day crowds and found some great books. As I was looking through the tables, I overheard a woman say to her friend that she would scream with joy if she found the book in hardback. So, I asked her what book. She told me The Stand by Stephen King. I told her I'd look. And, seriously... not five minutes later... I found a withdrawn library copy in a box under the table. I handed it her and, while she didn't scream with joy, she was very happy.

Sunday is $5 a bag day and we'll go back and get enough books to read over the summer... even though I think we're still reading some of the books we bought last year :D