Teddy's Best of 2009

Below are my top five favorites of 2009, starting with my most favorite.  You can click on the covers to read my reviews:

Have you ever wondered what happened to Cleopatra's children after her after her death? Michelle Moran tells us in her new engrossing novel.   Michelle Moran writes a sweeping novel of some of the beauty and severe brutality of Rome.  This is my top pick for 2009. 




 

Juana, daughter of Queen Isabel & King Ferdinand of Spain was raised to be a pawn. She was betrothed as a toddler to Philip of Flanders, heir to the Hapsburg throne, to improve political alliances with Spain.  This is an enthralling story of greed, lust, power, loyalty, and friendship. C.W. Gorther keeps the story going in perfect pitch!  I could not put this book down and it kept me up into the wee hours of the morning.

When her mother died, Pan Yuliang was sent to her uncle's house. He raised her along with the help of a maid. She was to be promised to a man and then be married. That is what her mother's wish for her and a promise from her uncle.  However, her uncle had a drug habit and ran out of money. He had to get drugs somehow, so he sold Yuliang into prostitution at the age of 14. How she become a famous painter from there is a very interesting story!  I cannot recommend this book high enough. It does not disappoint!

Will Somers starts out with a dull life in the country on the family farm. Even his family admits that he doesn't make a good farmer. That doesn't leave him with any real options, until an option lands in his lap. Margaret Campbell Barnes envelopes the reader into the pages of her book. It is a compelling read and captures the period and Will Somers well. This book is hard to put down! Highly recommended!  This is the story of how Will became King Henery VIII's fool.  

This is the story of how Arthur became King and how Gwenhwyfar became his Queen.  There is no magic here as in some of the other books on the subject.  Helen Hollick leaves out all the usual mystery and magic. There is no mention of Merlin and Lancelot, which in my opinion, makes her version more plausible than other versions of the story.Hollick's writing is smooth and beautiful. She seamlessly transports her readers back to the Dark Ages.