HT News

Arleigh from Historical-Fiction.com is giving away a hardcover copy of In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant.

If you have already read In the Company of the Courtesan, maybe you are interested in the new Sarah Dunant book, Sacred Hearts which has just recentley been released. Zibilee from Raging Bibliomania has a copy of Sacred Hearts to give away.

If you are in the US, you have the opportunity to win a copy of American Lion by Jon Meacham. Full details over at Medieval Bookworm.

Amy from Passages to the Past has introduced a new feature to her blog - Series, Trilogies and Sequels, Oh My! For her first post, she is talking about the excellent Welsh trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman.

Daphne from Tanzanite's Shelf and Stuff is giving away 5 copies of the new book by Robert Hicks, A Separate Country. For all the details, click here.

Over at News and Random Musings about Historical Fiction, author Annamaria Alfieri is interviewed about her new book City of Silver.

Finally for today, Susan Higginbotham is about to go on tour. Blog tour that is! Here are the stops as they are scheduled for the next couple of weeks:

Musings of a Bibliophile (7/28)
Passages to the Past (8/1)
My Friend Amy (8/1)
Reading Adventures (8/2)
Jennifer's Random Musings (8/2)
Peeking Between the Pages (8/3)
Historical Novels.info (8/3)
Grace's Book Blog (8/4)
Historical Tapestry (8/5)
Mrs. Magoo Reads (8/5)
Historical Fiction (8/6)
Jenn's Bookshelf (8/6)
The Tome Traveller's Weblog (8/7)
Beatrice.com (8/8)
Book Addiction (8/9)
Steven Till (8/10)
Medieval Bookworm (8/11)
Carla Nayland (8/11)
The Literate Housewife Review (8/12)
Diary of an Eccentric (8/13)
Bookfoolery and Babble (8/14)

Upcoming Releases - August 2009

Ordered by publication date:

August 1
Georgette Heyer - Arabella (US)
Susan Higginbotham - Hugh and Bess (US)
Jane Singer - Booth's Sister (US)

August 4
Maggie Anton - Rashi's Daughters (US)
Sarah Bryant - The Other Eden (US)
Eugenia Kim - The Calligrapher's Daughter (US)
Jeane Westin - The Virgin's Daughter's, In the Court of Elizabeth I (US)

August 6
Erica Eisdorfer - The Wet Nurse's Tale (US

August 11
Boris Akunin - Sister Pelagia and The Red Cockerel (US)

August 18
Philippa Gregory - The White Queen (US)

August 24
Tracy Chevalier - Remarkable Creatures (UK)

Please note that some of these books may be reissues of out of print titles or new to the market in question.

HT News

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is a favourite for many people, so the news that the book is being adapted into a movie with a lot of big name cast members will be very exciting for many people. Amongst the stars who are working on the project are Rufus Sewell, Donald Sutherland and Ian McShane. You can check out all the details at the official website for the movie.

Over at Enchanted by Josephine, Lucy is having Pope Joan week. There is a giveaway and a guest post so far, with more treats to come during the rest of the week.

Kate Furnivall is talking about the process of naming a novel. So far all of her novels have had different titles depending on where it was being published so it was interesting to read her thoughts.

J Kaye is giving away Marsha Altmann's Austen sequels, The Darcys and The Bingleys and The Plight of the Darcy Brothers. You can find out all the details here.

HT News

Author Jeanne Kalogridis is In Conversation With A Book Blogger's Diary about her new book The Devil's Queen. I have only read one Kalogridis book, The Borgia Bride, which I just loved, so I am looking forward to getting hold of this one.

Diana Gabaldon has a huge giveaway on her blog. They’ll select 100 winners from those who fill out an entry form on or before 7/31. Each winner will be sent a carton with 24 copies of Outlander to give away. They’ll also select 20 people from all of those who offer to participate, to receive a pre-publication copy of Echo.

Did you know that Sharon Kay Penman's Devils Brood is being released in paperback this month? In the US, the first two books in the trilogy are also being rereleased in compatible covers as well.

Sarah from Reading the Past has just posted part 3 of her Fall preview - lots of interesting looking books coming out. You can check out the details here.

Sick of Shadows - Marion Chesney

Lady Rose Summer couldn’t be more delighted to assist Society’s most beautiful new debutante Miss Dolly Tremaine in negotiating her very first Season. Now engaged to Captain Harry Cathcart in order to avoid being shipped off to India, Rose is desperate to do something more useful than attend endless balls and parties. And the country-bred Dolly was totally at sea—and needed all the help Rose could give. But when Rose rushes to prevent Dolly from making a disastrous mistake, she discovers her stabbed to death and floating in a boat on the Serpentine River. And it isn’t long before Rose barely survives an attempt on her own life. Now, Rose and Harry’s race to uncover the secrets of Dolly’s life is stirring up a hornet’s nest of deceptions and devilish schemes from London’s most exclusive townhouses to the seemingly-peaceful Yorkshire coast. And a cunning murderer is only a breath away from burying the truth—and the persistent Lady Rose—with one devastating stroke...

I had a lot of fun reading this third entry in Marion Chesney's Edwardian Mystery series. Like in the previous books the mystery is actually only part of the charm as the story also deals with the relationship between the main characters - Lady Rose Summer and Captain Harry Cathcart - whose misunderstandings and continuous banter always brings a smile to my face, the situation of women, the contrast between the living conditions of the upper and lower orders as with several other aspects of the Edwardian society.

Although this is a mystery I think the main thing here is Rose and Harry's relationship and how Rose is growing from a naive young lady to someone with more substance. Rose and Harry planned a fake engagement to prevent her from being shipped to India by her parents. However Harry is very involved in his detective work and more often than not can't escort Rose to the social functions her family is invited to. This leads to much gossip and to Rose and her parent’s distress.

Regarding the mystery in this story Rose befriends a young woman who is found murdered a few days later. Rose is the one who discovers the body and soon after there's an attempt on her life as the killer(s) seems to believe she knows more than she actually does. Her family decides she must go away to a secret location in the country with only her companion and Inspector Kerridge suggests they go to a family he knows where Rose starts by being a bit of a spoiled brat but ends up doing some growing up.

The best part of the story for me is the relationship between the characters and Chesney funny humor. Especially Rose and Harry's on-again, off again engagement and their many misunderstandings but also their dealings with Daisy and Beckett and everyone else around them. Rose is bored an unhappy without Harry in attendance but he doesn't seem to understand that all would be solved by giving her more of his attention (which deep down he would really like to). While I much enjoyed their banter and misconceptions about each other I hope Chesney doesn't keep them like this in future books, they make up in the end so hopefully they'll stay that way in the next book.

This is a light and fun series that gives you an insight on the Edwardian period and while being labeled as cosy mysteries there's no doubt that the characters and their involvement with each other takes center stage and the mystery is kept as a secondary thing. I can't wait to get to the next one!

Grade: 4/5

The French Mistress by Susan Holloway Scott

The acclaimed author of The King’s Favorite returns to the decadent court of King Charles II to follow the dazzling life of Louise de Keroualle, a shy maid of honor who would rise to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful women of her time.

1668: The daughter of a poor nobleman, Louise leaves the French countryside for the glittering court of the legendary King Louis XIV. As a baby-faced maid of honor, the innocent Louise attracts little notice––until she catches the eye of the visiting English king, Charles II. Before long, she is sent by the scheming Louis to London as a royal “gift” for Charles. There she is expected not only to please the tastes of the jaded English king, but to serve as a spy for France.

Alone in a foreign land with few friends, many rivals, and ever-shifting loyalties, Louise soon learns the perils of her new role. Yet she is too clever—and too ambitious—to be merely a pawn in the intrigues of others. With the promise of riches, power, and even the love of a king, Louise dares to create her own destiny in a dangerous dance of intrigue between two kings—and two countries.

One of the regular subjects that I have seen discussed over the last couple of years in various forums is the fact that there are so many Tudor books around. Don't get me wrong, I still love to read a well written book on Henry VIII and his wives, but there are other very interesting English kings that don't seem to get anywhere near as much attention as Henry VIII. There are probably lots of other very interesting figures from history outside of English royalty that we don't hear about enough either.

One such king that I have only had small glimpses of in the past is the Merry Monarch, Charles II. He first came to my attention when I watched a mini-series that featured the very, very tasty Rufus Sewell as Charles II. Then there were glimpses in Forever Amber , enough to make me want to know more. And what a story it is. His father was dethroned and Charles II had to live in exile. Then Charles II was returned and he proceeded to have mistresses all over the place, whilst remaining married to his Queen. The long running struggle between Catholics and Protestants continued throughout his reign, especially when his heir came to the throne following Charles' death.

So what about this book? This is the third book in Susan Holloway Scott's ongoing series about the loves of Charles II, and features Louise de Keroualle. She was a young French lady who was a maid of honour to Charles sister, Henrietta, Duchess D'Orlean, known as Madame, who was married to the brother of Louis XIV (known as Monsieur). Louise came from a poor but noble family, and finds herself overwhelmed and overlooked at the French court, but she soon comes to be one of Madame's closest companions. When Henrietta travels to England to negotiate an integral treaty between her homeland and her adopted country, Louise accompanies her and so is introduced to the very handsome and virile King of England, Charles II.

Following the death of Henrietta, Louise finds herself sent back to England with a dual purpose. The first is to be a 'gift' to Charles, and the second is to be a spy for France. And so begins a love affair that stood the test of time, and the challenges associated with trying to love an English King but still serve the French nation. Even when Charles' attention strayed, he returned time and again to Louise.

The Charles that we see in this novel is a man of contradictions. He seems to have had unflagging energy (and he needed it with all those mistresses to keep happy, and the resulting children to be actively involved with), and appears to have an incredible charisma when it comes to charming the ladies. And yet, he obviously had his own personal integrity, stubbornly choosing to not put his queen aside despite the lack of an heir.

Having not read any of the other books in the series (yet!), it took me a few pages to get used to the way that the story was told. I was also a little uncomfortable with the first portion of the book that was set in the French court. I have read about Monsieur, Duc D'Orleans in other novels set in the French court, namely the Angelique novels, by Sergeanne Golon and he is inevitably portrayed as a very unlikeable character. It is no different here, but in a way it was a very intimate glimpse into a disastrously unhappy royal marriage and in some ways that was quite confronting to read.

Once the action moved away from the French court, Louise, and this book, really came into their own, becoming a very assured and confident lady and story. Without being graphic there was no doubt of the attraction between Charles and Louise, no doubt of the jealousy at Court as Louise is granted honours and gifts, and no doubt of the rivalry between Louise and the other established mistresses of the King, chief among them Barbara Palmer (Lady Castlemaine) and the actress Nell Gwynn.

If there was any other criticisms of this book, it is that the ending was quite rushed, and it would have been really interesting to see what happened to Louise once Charles died. I guess though, the fact that I wanted to read more about Louise, can be taken both as a bad thing and a good thing. The book was cut a little short, but I enjoyed the book enough to want to read more.

In the end I found this an enjoyable read, and I am now in the process of acquiring the first two books in the series. I will definitely be looking for the next book, which Susan has revealed will be called The Countess and the King about Catherine Sedley and should be released next year.

Thanks so much to the author for sending me an ARC of this book.

Spotlight On The Morland Saga by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

The Morland Dinasty series is, according to the author's website, the longest-running historical family saga ever! It's not difficult to believe it because it includes 32 books by now and covers the history of England from The Wars of The Roses to WWI. It seems the initial plan was to cover the period till WWII in 12 volumes but as the writing started so did the series start to grow.


The series focuses not only in the important political aspects of each period but also on the lives and problems of the fictional Morland family. It's interesting to see how the author combines both to enrich her story. In her own words:


THE MORLAND DYNASTY is the longest-running historical family saga ever, following the Morland family through five hundred years of British history. Though the Morlands are a fictional family, they interact with real historical events and characters, so you can witness through their eyes the great events of history from the Wars of the Roses through the Restoration, the French Revolution, the American Civil War, the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the sinking of the Titanic. More and more, people are coming to understand that history matters, that we cannot understand who we are unless we know where we have come from. The Morland Dynasty is both a family saga and a painless way to absorb the real history of this island and its people. It is intended to continue up to the Second World War. At present I have got as far as WW1.






Although the author has written other books (and has used Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Bennett as a pen name for some, which I felt was a nice nod to Jane Austen) the Morland saga is definitely her best known work. We have already reviewed the first two books at Historical Tapestry and we plan to continue with the series soon.

The Founding - Book 1

The Dark Rose - Book 2

HT News

Today, we have the chance to win a copy of Invasion by Julian Stockwin in not one but two places. Sarah from Reading the Past is giving away a copy as is author C W Gortner over at the Historical Boys blog. This is the tenth book in the Kydd series, but the books apparently stand alone quite well.

Another giveaway, but this time for a different book! Marie from The Burton Review let us know that she is giving away a copy of the new Susan Carroll book, Twilight of a Queen.

New Blogiversary Winner

We haven't heard from Bridget, so we had to draw a new winner for our Blogiversary giveaway. Our new winner is:

Whitelady3

who wins a copy of Silk

Please contact us at historical dot tapestry at gmail dot com with your address details and we will send you the book as soon as possible. Thank you!

Old Friends and New Fancies by Sybil J. Brinton

Originally published in 1914, this charming and original sequel to the novels of Jane Austen intertwines the lives of the most beloved characters from all six Austen novels with new characters of the author's devising. Inventive matchmaking leads numerous pairs of lovers through the inevitable (and entertaining) difficulties they must encounter before they are united in the end.

I haven’t read that many Austen sequels yet but I have read a few and I am happy to announce that this one just became a favourite. It was interesting to learn that this story, written in 1913, was the first ever sequel to the Austen books and contrary to many being written today it combines the characters of the several novels.

There is much to love in the story, we revisit familiar characters who may or may not be old favourites, we have the restraint and manners of the Austen stories and we have the misunderstandings and thwarted love pairings that existed in every of the original books.

The main characters are Georgiana Darcy, Kitty Bennet, Mary Crawford and Colonel Fitzwilliam. But there’s also Lizzy and Darcy, Jane and Bingley, Wentworth and Anne, William Price (Fanny’s brother), Tom Bertram, James Morland (Catherine’s brother) not to mention Knightley and Emma. We revisit them a few years after the original action and I must say that although I was in doubt throwing them all together would work the fact is that it made for a delightful story. It was really fun seeing how Emma and Lady Catherine de Bourgh continued to be the same characters, meddling in everyone else’s affairs and how all the others stay true to the idea I had of them. With the exception of Mary Crawford which is much improved.

When the story opens Georgiana Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are engaged, however it's soon clear that none of them is too happy and the engagement is broken. While Fitzwilliam goes to Bath with Lizzy and Darcy where he meets Mary Crawford, Georgiana goes to stay with the Bingleys. She later goes to meet with her friend Kitty Bennet who is convinced (influenced by Emma Knightley) that William Price is about to make her a marriage proposal. Of course things are not as easy as they seem and some heartache will follow.

I think it’s best to read the Austen books before delving into this one because part of the enjoyment is definitely the fact that we are revisiting old characters, however it can be read as a standalone as the facts of the past that influence the story are explained in due course. What is perhaps lacking from the original is the witty dialogue; even Lizzy seems a bit tamer and more conciliatory towards Lady Catherine. The less sympathetic characters, Miss Steele and Mrs. Robert Ferrars are not given enough room to possibly engage in some more aggressive discourse but maybe that was a good thing because I really didn’t like them!

A very enjoyable read and highly recommended especially for Austen fans.

Grade: 4.5/5

HT News

Over at Medieval Bookworm you can win a copy of Pope Joan. Details can be found here.

Have you always been meaning to read the popular Outlander series and never quite managed to do so. Or perhaps you are already a convert, but you have some people in your life that you would like to share the books with. If so, you might be interested in the huge giveaway that is going on as part of the Outlander Reading Challenge. Check out all the details at the challenge blog.

This week over at Royal Reviews it is Historical Fiction Week. I can't wait to see what all the lovely ladies over there come up with!

Our very own Teddy Rose is hosting the 36th edition of the Bookworms Carnival in September. The theme is Historical Fiction so if you would like to participate in the Carnival please get your submissions to Teddy by August 31. Full details on Teddy's blog.

Do you like reading historical sagas. There is a new blog on the block which focuses on these types of novels. All the details can be found at the blog at historicalsaganovels.blogspot.com

An Incomplete Revenge: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Book 5)

*Note: Because of library due dates, I did wind up reading book 5 before book 4 in this series! Something I try to avoid, but it was just how things worked out!

With the country in the grip of economic malaise, Maisie Dobbs is relieved to accept an apparently straightforward assignment to investigate a potential land purchase. Her inquiries take her to a picturesque village in Kent during the hop-picking season, but beneath its pastoral surface she finds evidence that something is amiss. Mysterious fires erupt in the village with alarming regularity, and a series of petty crimes suggest a darker criminal element at work. A peculiar secrecy shrouds the village, and ultimately Maisie must draw on her finely-honed skills of detection to solve one of her most intriguing cases yet.

Title and author of book: An Incomplete Revenge: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Book 5)

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Historical Fiction. Historical Mystery.

What led you to pick up this book? This is one of the series that I am aiming to finish this year. I just have to read book 6, the newest one, and I am all caught up!

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? Anyone that knows me will know that I am not a big fan of mysteries. It is just not a genre that I read a lot. I love this series, though! The use of actual history makes the series a learning experience, while at the same time there is a mystery to solve. The series is set leading up to the second World War, so it is the Great Depression around this time. Maisie, though, was in the First World War, which is a subject that comes up again and again throughout the series. This means that Winspear talks about the times as they are now, but also flashes back to Maisie's past. I learn a lot reading these books. The World Wars have some of the best books set during them, which makes it a time period that I am usually pretty quick to pick up a new book set during.

What did you like least? Nothing really jumps to mind.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Yes. At this point I have one more to read and then I am caught up. I will be reviewing book four after book five, though. Birds of a Feather (Book 2) and Pardonable Lies (Book 3). I read book one last year, but I didn't review it.

What did you think of the main character? I love Maisie. She is a fantastic character! If I didn't love her, I probably would not have read almost the entire series. She is a bit remarkable for her time period, but Winspear pulls it off. Her sweetheart was severely injured during the First World War, so she has been essentially single ever since. She is a career woman. She suits her time period, though. She might solve cases and act as a bit of a psychologist, but she doesn't overstep the boundaries of how women lived during this period. I love how Winspear has a mystery as the main part of the book, but at the same time with each new book you learn more about Maisie. As a result of five books, I feel like I really know her. I look forward to learning more about her in the future books. Frankly, Winspear writes good characters period. The secondary characters develop throughout the novels, too, which is another thing that I really like about the series.

What about the ending? I have no complaints about the ending. Any loose ends you know are going to be cleared up in future books, so there is no stress. The mysteries are always tied up by the end, but the character development is an on-going thing.

I strongly recommend this series!

The Love Knot - Vanessa Alexander

It is spring, in the year 1297. Recently widowed Joanna of Acre, lovingdaughter of Edward I, is pleased at her father's unexpected visit. But Edward has heard a rumour of an inappropriate friendship between Joanna, still officially in widow's weeds, and penniless commoner Ralph Monthermer. Edward, believing he has proof of a clandestine affair, immures Joanna in a nunnery and imprisons Ralph within Bristol Castle. Henry Trokelowe, Edward's clerk, stops him killing Ralph, who is allowed to live while the cold, almost passionless Henry investigates. Ralph and Joanna's only chance of survival now lies in Henry's hands, but how can a confirmed bachelor even begin to understand the all-consuming passion binding them?

The Love Knot is the story of Joanna of Acre and Ralph de Monthermer, or at least a small part of their story told in the form of letters between them and between the King of England and the man he sent to investigate whether Ralph could be the murderer of Joanna's first husband, Gilbert de Clare. Joanna had been widowed only a short time before starting a relationship with Monthermer and it is known that they secretly wed while Joanna's father was busy arranging another match for her.

On the discovery of their relationship Joanna, who seems to have been a determined young woman, and Ralph were, for a time imprisoned and out of favour but were later on accepted and restored in the king's good graces. Vanessa Alexander (a pen name for Paul Doherty) imagines what happened during those months and what led the king to accept and apparently approve of the match between a daughter of England and a commoner.

The letters between Joanna and Ralph were moving and compelling. They address not only their feelings but also what is happening to them, why and how strong they will be to protect their secret. In parts of it one almost feels like an intruder in someone's private life as they are of a most intimate nature.

The letters that the king's envoy writes were very interesting to read also but of a different nature. Through him we really feel we are watching a trial and it seems there is more eagerness to find evidence of guilt than of innocence. But Trokelowe is determined to find the truth. He successfully discovers Joanna and Ralph's secret and, despite this book not being labelled a mystery I felt there was enough for me to think of Trokelowe as a sort of detective which also appealed to me.

This is a small book and a very easy read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

Grade: 4/5

The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein

Stirring Portrait of an Artist

Pan Yuliang never envisioned that her life would turn out like this. When her mother died, she 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.

She was brought to "The Hall of Eternal Splendor" and was taught the ways of seduction and "bed business."

She was told to seduce the new inspector, Pan Zanhua. This was very important so that he could be kept in line and continue turning a blind eye, as the old inspector did. However, it did not work out that way. He could not be bought. He didn't fall for the hook as much as he was attracted to Yuliang.

Yuliang knew her fate. "Grandmother," the madam would beat her unmercifully. Pan Zanhua saw she was crying and he got her to tell him the truth. Zanhua rescued her from her fate and took her in as his concubine.

Zanhua really believed in equality and gave Yuliang an education. She became fascinated with art and started sketching. As her career as an artist took off both her and Zanhua become torn between her success and their love for each other.

Pan Yuliang was a real person, a famous artist. This book of historical fiction fills in what parts of her life may have been like. Jennifer cody Epstein really did her research and paints a colourful portrait of the life of Pan Yaliang. I felt like I was there as a witness to everything she endured and her triumph as an artist. The characters are believable and the writing is beautiful and richly textured.

This books is a real page turner and kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I just couldn't put it down! I cannot recommend this book high enough. It does not disappoint!

5/5

Baby Arms by Pan Yuliang

HT News

Diana Gabaldon's publisher in the UK is giving the readers the possibility of getting her first book earlier than the release date:

Orion, Diana’s publishers in the UK, are happy to make the following offer so that all her UK fans can enjoy An Echo in the Bone at the earliest opportunity. If you pre-order the Orion hardcover edition (publishing on 21 January 2010) from Amazon, Play.com or Waterstone’s.com and send the invoice/receipt, which includes your delivery address, to dianagabaldonorders@orionbooks.co.uk, we will then send you a copy of our export trade paperback edition absolutely free on 22 September, the first date the book is available anywhere in the world.’

Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Book 4)

Sue Feder/Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery Award Nominee London, 1931. On the night before the opening of his new and much-anticipated exhibition at a famed Mayfair gallery, Nicholas Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police declare it an accident, but the dead man's twin sister, Georgina, isn't convinced. When the authorities refuse to conduct further investigations, Georgina takes matters into her own hands, seeking out a fellow graduate from Girton College: Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. The case soon takes Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, as well as the sinister underbelly of the city's art world. She again uncovers the dark legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself in difficult times. But to solve the mystery of the artist's death, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death come out of the shadows to silence her. Jacqueline Winspear delivers another vivid, thrilling, and utterly unique episode in the life of Maisie Dobbs.

Title and author of book: Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Book 4)

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Historical Fiction. Historical Mystery.

What led you to pick up this book? Continuing on with the series.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? I think I would consider this my favourite book in the series. That might be because it was my most recent read, but I really liked the storyline to this one. It might be because of the art history courses I took in university. Anyway, in this book Maisie is investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding Nicholas Bassington-Hope. I think this book was the one that surprised me the most, actually. The others I had things generally figured out, but this one did not happen the way I expected it to at all! I will say that I really wish I could actually see the painting that was the central aspect of the novel. It sounds like it would be something that you would not soon forget. Nicholas was a World War I veteran who saw things that I can only begin to imagine. This book also has great secondary characters. I enjoyed them immensely! There were also some interesting developments in Maisie's life during the course of this book.

What did you like least? There were things that happened that I wished didn't happen, but they fit the book. It was just sad. You get to know the characters during these books, so you feel for them when something bad happens.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? By reviewing this one, it means that I just have to read book six and I will be caught up!

What did you think of the main character? Basically the same things that I said in my review for An Incomplete Revenge. I like her and enjoy the character development. I look forward to more from Maisie in the future novels.

What about the ending? The ending worked for the book. It tied up the mystery, which is really what you would expect. It had a happy, but bittersweet, ending. Anything else and I will be spoiling it!

Another recommended read!

HT News

How does a mystery with Shakespeare's brother as the investigator sound? Check out an interview with Rory Clements, author of Martyr, who has used this premise over at CW Gortner's Historical Boys blog!

Susan Holloway Scott has been interviewed by Michelle Moran about her new release, The French Mistress. There is also a mention of her next project which sounds very interesting!

Author of Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott, has been interviewed for Writer Unboxed. The first part of the interview can be found here.

One book that I have seen referred to a lot as a favourite of historical fiction lovers is Legacy by Susan Kay. Unfortunately, at the moment it is incredibly hard to find usually, which is why it is such good news to find out that it is being given away over at All Things Royal.

Blogiversary Giveaway Winners

Closing our blogiversary week it is time to announce the giveaway winners and here they are:

SARAH

wins The Liutenant

BRIDGET

wins Silk

BECCA

wins The Triumph of Deborah

TETEWA

wins Sophia's Secret

Please contact us at historical dot tapestry at gmail dot com with your address details and we will send you the book as soon as possible. Thank you all who participated!

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

The past won't let you forget...

When bestselling author Carrie McClelland visits the ruins of Slains Castle in Scotland to research her new book, she is unprepared for the magnetic pull the local area has on her. Enchanted by the stark and beautiful Scottish landscape, she rents an old stone cottage near the windswept ruins and decides to set her new historical novel at the castle itself.

History has all but forgotten the spring of 1708, when an invasion fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Steward in Scotland to reclaim his crown. Realising one of her own ancestors, Sophia Paterson lived around the same time. Carrie creates a fictional life for Sophia and places her at Slains to be a narrator for the events leading to the Jacobite uprising. It is a time seething with political unrest and there is no shortage of spies and clandestine meetings at Slains. Soon, the characters in her book come alive with almost frightening intensity and Carrie is shocked when she learns that Sophia was indeed a resident at the castle at the time. When further coincidences confirm her fiction is closer to fact, Carrie realises that this story is not entirely her own. As Sophia's memories draw Carrie more deeply into the intrigue of 1708, she comes to understand that a hitherto unrealised bond with her ancestor is providing her with an immediate window in to the true events of the time - and the two women have more in common than one might think.

Mesmerising and rich in historical detail, The Winter Sea is a haunting tale of two women's experiences of love and personal betrayal in two different times.

Every now and again you are lucky enough to pick up a book that fits your reading tastes perfectly. For me, this was one of those times. Within the first two pages I knew that I was going to love this book. The big question was could the enjoyment be maintained all the way to the end, and the answer was a resounding yes.

Carrie McLelland is a best selling historical fiction author. When the story opens she has been living in France trying to research a little known character in history (to most of us anyway) who was involved in some of the early Jacobite attempts to restore the Stuarts to the Scottish throne. She is however struggling a little. On her way to visit her agent in Scotland she finds herself drawn to an old castle ruin called Slains.

As a result of the visit, Carrie decides to make two significant changes. The first is to add a fictional female character to her book to give her a different perspective through which to view the events as they unfolded. She decides to name this character after one of her own family members that lived around the same time.

The second is to relocate to the small town near the castle, and to live in a rustic cottage there whilst she writes. This is not really unusual for Carrie as she lives a some what nomadic life style, moving from place to place in order to enable her to research the stories she is writing.

As soon as she is there, the story really picks up momentum. At first Carrie thinks that she is only dreaming her story, but as more and more things happen, and she is able to discover that her ancestor really was there, she realises that it is more than a dream, more like having shared memories. As she learns more about the events that happened during the events of 1708, the present begins to eerily echo the past.

In the past, Sophia is a young orphan who has been sent to stay with distant relatives at Slains after the death of her guardian. Little does she know when she arrives there that her influential family members are Jacobite sympathisers who are playing a direct role in a plan to bring King James to Scotland to try to reclaim his throne, and to stop the Union between England and Scotland. Among those who visit her new home are two men - one a captain in the navy and the other an outlaw sent to Scotland to drum up support for the cause.

One of the things that I really enjoyed about this novel was the fact that it was set in the earlier events of the Jacobite uprisings. Through my reading of other books and more famous incidents in history, I was relatively aware of the events that led up to the carnage at Culloden, and I vaguely knew that that wasn't the first attempt to bring the Stuarts back to the throne, but I really didn't know much more than that.

In her own life, Carrie soon feels comfortable in the town with the assistance of her landlord and his two sons who have very different temperaments. If I had to choose which of the romantic story lines I enjoyed more, I would say it was Carrie's story but I am not going to say not much more than that so that if you do choose to read this book you will discover it for yourself.

Normally if I am reading a book which has these two different time frames it will be the historical setting that I am most anxious to revisit, but with this book I was as engrossed in both settings. When I was with Sophia in 1708 I found myself wondering about Carrie, and when I was with Carrie I was wondering what Sophia was getting up to!

The ending is possibly a little too convenient, but not enough to impact my enjoyment. It isn't often that I do this, but I am seriously considering buying this book. Normally if I read a library book I don't go out and buy it, but I suspect that this is going to be a book that I might want to immerse myself in more than once.

I hope that I have been able to convey just how much I loved this book. I had not previously read any Susanna Kearsley, but you can be guaranteed that I will be reading more, and I will be making every attempt to read everything on her back list and looking out for anything coming out in the future as well.

Please note that in some places this book is published under the title Sophia's Secret. This book was also nominated for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year 2009 which was eventually won by East of the Sun by Julia Gregson which I really enjoyed as well.

It is not very often that I give a book full marks, but I have no hesitation in rating this book as a 5/5 read. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

Introducing Alex

As a part of our Blogiversary celebration we are happy to announce that we have a new member at Historical Tapestry. We are looking forward to all her reviews and recommendations and so we asked her to tell us a bit about herself:

Hello!

I think many people will identify themselves with me when I say that books always had a big part on my life. I cannot spend a day without picking up a book and read some pages even when I’m beat up tired. Even if it’s only to crack the book open and fall asleep a few minutes later. It’s my comfort ritual of the day.

My reading tastes are quite eclectic: historical fiction (obviously), fantasy, paranormal/urban fantasy, romance, non-fiction, biographies… I normally enjoy getting out of my comfort zone and try new things.

Historical fiction authors like Elizabeth Chadwick (I just cannot say how wonderful she is!), Elizabeth Peters, Dorothy Dunnett (Francis Lymond forever!), Paul Scott, M.M. Kaye, Ariana Franklin, Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn, Jennifer Donnelly are must reads for me.

While I read any kind of historical fiction I do have my favourite periods and I am especially fond of the Middle Ages, Victorian era and WWII. But Asian settings remain my true passion. I’m always happy to read another story set in India or Japan or any other Asian country, by that matter.

I normally blog at Le Canapé but as you can see, I spend most of my time at Lights, Camera…History! with my partners in crime, Ana T. and Ana O.

A little about me… I’m a 31 years old Portuguese living in Paris, France for several years now and working on social services. It’s easy to understand how I became completely addicted to historical fiction, after spending years studying history and archaeology. When I’m not reading or watching movies (another of my passions) I spend my time with my dear boyfriend and my narcissistic cat, Mr. Kiwi.

Alex

Why I love to Write Novels Set in The Biblical Period

I am by profession a sociologist, and sometimes people raise their eyebrows at me and ask: what overcame you, an academic person, to write these colorful novels set in the biblical period.

My reply is that, having written heavy academic books for years, I wanted to burst out into a completely different direction and write light books that people would not have to read for their coursework but would want to read for fun and reading pleasure. So I "reincarnated" myself as a novelist.

But then--some people ask--why turn to the writing of biblical novels?

My reply is that the Bible is not what many people think it is. In recent years I began to read the Bible, and I was entranced by it. I found it to be full of the most dramatic and the most traumatic stories about people who lived thousands of years ago, and yet are so strikingly similar to us in their anxieties, hopes and desires. I began to identify in particular with the women whose lives I could visualize as if they were my own.

So I decided to hand them a "loudspeaker," so that their voices could be heard loud and clear across the generations. I have done so in three novels, of which THE TRIUMPH OF DEBORAH is the most recent.

I wrote about them as I believe they deserve to be written about: tales of love, betrayal and redemption, with sensuous scenes, and twisting, suspenseful plots. Yet they are totally faithful to the Scripture and do not deviate from it, by even a hair's breadth.

But the biblical stories are brief and leave many gaps, and those I filled out with my imagination, my research, my identification and most importantly with the sense that this is how things really happened.

The next question I have been asked is: why do you identify with biblical women?

I do so because I find them inspiring for us today. They lived in a male-dominated society, in which they had few legal rights and their position in the family and society was far from equal to that of men. Yet they were strong personalities, who did not just sit around and bemoan their fate. Instead, they took destiny into their own hands and shaped it to do their bidding.

Deborah is a prime example. Despite the dismal conditions for women prevailing at the time, she "cracked the glass ceiling" over three thousand years ago, and did so without losing her femininity.

What contemporary women can learn from Deborah—as portrayed in the Bible and amplified in my novel--is that no matter what the field in which they choose to realize their potential, no matter what is right for them, they can draw on their inner feminine strength to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, THE TRIUMPH OF DEBORAH (like my previous novels) is not only for people interested in the Bible. It is a light novel designed for anyone who likes an enjoyable read. It is a tribute not only to the feminine power of Deborah, but to that of all women, in biblical times and in ours.

Eva Etzioni-Halevy

http://www.women-in-the-bible.com/

HT News

Donna Woolfolk Cross, author of Pope Joan, - released on June 9th by Three Rivers Press in a new and improved edition, has come up with an original form of promotion offering an opportunity for a reader and her guest to join her at the U.S. movie premiere of Pope Joan! You can find the details at http://popejoan.com/2009promo.htm.

Time is running short, for the red carpet offer expires on July 31st. The contest only applies to the brand-new Three Rivers Press edition.

Which is Your Favourite HT Feature?

As we thought of other features to introduce we realised it would be interesting to have some feedback regarding the ones we already have. We created a poll for you to select which is your favourite feature at HT and if you have any suggestions please do leave a comment.

HT News

Over at Historicalnovels.info there have been two author interviews this week. The first was was historical mystery author Ruth Downie who writes mysteries set in ancient Rome and the second is with Libby Cone whose previously self published book War on the Margins, has been picked up by a publisher and is being rereleased on July 23. War on the Margins is set in Jersey and talks about the island experience of WWII.

Carolly Erickson has been interviewed over at A Book Blogger's Diary about her new book, The Memoirs of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Sarah Waters is interviewed about her new book, The Little Stranger, over at Dovegreyreader. There is also a giveaway of three copies of the book as well.

DeAnna Cameron on Why I Love the Legend of Little Egypt

We are pleased to host a guest blog from debut author DeAnna Cameron whose first book, The Belly Dancer, is released today.

Everyone loves a good mystery, and for me, as someone who has had a passion for the art and history of belly dance for nearly 20 years, there’s been no more compelling a mystery than the one surrounding the legendary Middle Eastern dancer known as Little Egypt, a figure consider by many to be the country’s first well-known belly dancer.

Until I began to delve into the origins of belly dance in America as part of my research for my debut novel, THE BELLY DANCER, I simply accepted the common belief that Little Egypt was a dancer who got her start at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. I was fascinated to discover, however, that her story isn’t so simple at all. In fact, there continues to be a healthy debate over the identity of the original Little Egypt.

Some theorize, as author and history professor Robert Muccigrosso does in “Celebrating the New World: Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893,” that the true Little Egypt is the Syrian dancer named Fahreda Mahzar—often billed as Fatima—who did appear at the Street in Cairo exhibit on the fair’s Midway Plaisance.

There seems to be greater evidence, however, to suggest that another Little Egypt is responsible for establishing that name’s place in history. That candidate is Ashea Wabe, a New York dancer who went by the stage name of Little Egypt and who became the focus of a notorious police investigation detailed in the New York Times and other newspapers across the country a few years after the fair closed. The investigation centered on a police raid of a dinner held by Herbert Seeley for a group of prominent men that became known as the “Awful Seeley Dinner” and which went on to make headlines largely because Wabe and other dancers were alleged to have been hired to perform indecent dances. The scandal became a source of intense reader interest and was talked about from coast to coast, making its players – especially the comely and enigmatic Little Egypt – well-known public figures.

The Ashea Wabe theory is supported by extensive research conducted by dancer and historian Donna Carlton and presented in her book, “Looking for Little Egypt.” It’s also consistent with statements made by Sol Bloom, the man primarily responsible for the Midway Plaisance, in his 1948 autobiography.

And yet, despite these two strong candidates, there remains the possibility that the original Little Egypt is someone else altogether, that her real name has been so obscured by the haphazard record keeping habits of the World’s Fair exhibitors and in the flood of imitators who rushed to capitalize on her notoriety that we may never know her true identity.
As you can imagine, the storyteller in me embraces this possibility because it’s the kind of mystery that can set your imagination on fire. It leads to so many tantalizing questions: Who else could she have been? What led her to Chicago? How did she learn to belly dance?

Each question led to more questions, and I found myself following them like stepping stones as I wrote THE BELLY DANCER. My answers – my vision of what could have been – ultimately became the basis for my novel. And while my characterization of Little Egypt is entirely fictional, I was happy to pay homage to this wonderful icon by giving her something the mystery surrounding her identity had not – a life story at last.

Thanks so much to DeAnna for her post. If you would like to find out more information about DeAnna or The Belly Dancer, you can visit her website at www.deannacameron.com

Susan Holloway Scott on Why I Love Writing about Charles II & the Restoration

We would like to welcome Susan Holloway Scott to our blogiversary celebrations. Susan's new book, THE FRENCH MISTRESS: A Novel of the Duchess of Portsmouth & King Charles II, is being released tomorrow, July 7. You can find out more about Susan's books at her website which is SusanHollowayScott.com





How can I not love England at its very merriest? Coming on the heels of a horrific civil war, a regicide, and the puritanical protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, the reign of Charles II (1660-1683) is a writer’s delight. Called the Restoration in honor of Charles’s return to the throne, this period has much in common with other permissive eras that follow a repressive period. An entire generation of aristocratic children had grown into adulthood during the Civil War, and many who would once again form the ruling class were rootless, wild, and often undereducated. Once Charles returned from exile in France to take his father’s crown, traditional morality went out the window. There was considerable experimentation, not only in sexual behavior, but also in theatre, science, art, and music, even in fashion. It’s a fascinating time in which to set stories, looking forward to the humanist themes of the Age of Enlightenment, but still sufficiently medieval that traitors’ severed heads rotted on pikes on London Bridge.

Best of all, the Restoration had Charles himself, often dubbed the “Merrie Monarch.” Tall, athletic, witty, intelligent, and charming, with a tragic history that gave him a romantic air of melancholy, Charles was in many ways a model king. He was kind and tolerant by nature, self-deprecating instead of proud, and leaned more towards forgiveness than vengeance. He was sympathetic towards even the most humble of his subjects, and moved freely among them, walking each day in St. James’s Park. He did have flaws: he would have much preferred to have been an absolute monarch rather than having Parliament nipping at his heels, he much preferred hunting to diplomacy, and he had a king-sized libido that led to a queen, several official mistresses, and informal bedmates by the dozens, and produced nearly a score of recognized royal bastards.


Of course like every historical era, the reign of Charles II is not without tragedy and sorrow. The Restoration saw the last major outbreak of Plague in London, followed soon after by the catastrophic Great Fire that destroyed a sizable part of the city. A series of costly wars did little to settle the constant unease between France and England. And much like Henry VIII, Charles ironically sired no legitimate male son to inherit his throne, which instead was disastrously assumed by his younger brother James.

But to the people he ruled, Charles was their much-loved and very human king, and at his death the country was plunged into grief-stricken despair. If there had been political approval ratings in the 17th century, Charles’s would have been off the charts. He unified a country torn by civil war, restored its economy, and placed England firmly on the world stage. (For more about Charles II, visit my website & blog at www. Susanhollowayscott.com.)

Like fascinated moths at the flame, we historical fiction writers can’t resist Charles or the Restoration. Jean Plaidy, Jude Morgan, Elizabeth Goudge, Iain Pears, Karleen Koen, Diana Norman, and Kathleen Winsor are among those who’ve set books in this fascinating time. My three most recent novels (Royal Harlot, The King’s Favorite, and now The French Mistress, due in stores this week) all feature Charles and the women who loved him. There’s a different side of the king in each book, and yet I still feel I’ve likely only begun to “know” him and the 17th century England he ruled. If you’re tired of Tudors or weary of Regency dukes, look for a book with the Merrie Monarch and the Restoration. You will, I think, be most royally entertained.

And congratulations on Historical Tapestry’s blogiversary!


In order to celebrate the release of The French Mistress, we have a limited supply of bookmarks for the book. If you would like to receive one of these bookmarks please email your postal details to us at historical.tapestry@gmail.com and we will get them out to you as soon as we can.



Stay tuned for a review of The French Mistress to be posted next week.

HT's 2nd Blogiversary

We are very happy to announce the celebration of Historical Tapestry's 2nd Anniversary! During these past twelve months we've posted reviews, shared guest posts and interviews with historical fiction authors and blogger - the Why I Love posts - started a news feature - HT News - and recently had another HT Season, this time for Jean Plaidy - and generally had a wonderful time chatting about books with you all.

For the future we are planning a few more features, we would like to mention more historical fiction set in far away places, to start an upcoming releases monthly post and some other projects that are still being juggled about in our heads.

To celebrate our 2nd Blogiversary we would like to share with you some of the reading copies we received along this year and that ended up being among our favourite reads. There's nothing like sharing good reads is there? Please note that the books may have already been read by us once and that some may be signed by the author. Leave a comment on this post if you want to win one of the following books:

Alexander Baricco - Silk

Eva Etzioni-Halevy - The Triumph of Deborah


Kate Grenville - The Lieutenant






Susanna Kearsley - Sophia's Secret


Please specify which books you are entering the draw for (you can enter for as many as you like though!)

During these next few days we will have 3 Why I Love posts from special guest authors, and a poll about what you like the most on the blog. There will also be an opportunity to suggest new features you would like to see here. We hope you like what we have prepared and good luck for the giveaway! It will end on July 11th so you have a week to enter and we will announce the winners on July 12th.

Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer

Whilst not technically historical fiction as it was written at the same time it was set in, that setting is the 1930s so I thought I would post it here. It was originally posted on my personal blog a couple of weeks ago.

Every family has secrets, but the Fountains are turning deadly…

On a dark night, along a lonely country road, barrister Frank Amberley stops to help a young lady in distress and discovers a sports car with a corpse behind the wheel. The Girl protests her innocence, and Amberley believes her – at least until he gets drawn into mystery and the clues incriminating Shirley brown begin to add up…

In an English country house murder mystery with a twist, it’s the butler who is the victim, every clue complicates the puzzle, and the bumbling police are well-meaning but completely baffled. Fortunately, in ferreting out a desperate killer, amateur sleuth Amberley is as brilliant as he is arrogant, but this time he’s not sure he wants to know the truth…

Georgette Heyer is a name that I have always known as one of the most loved historical romance authors. I had no idea that she also wrote mysteries so when I was offered this book for review I jumped at the chance! Then I was without internet for what felt like an eternity and now I am trying to catch up with those books I have to review that I read during that time.

In this book the main character is a cocky young barrister by the name of Frank Amberley. He is on his way to visit some family members when he comes across a vehicle that is stopped in the narrow roadway with a visibly distressed young woman nearby and a dead man at the wheel. The young lady is insistent that she didn't do it and Amberley believes her. He is soon drawn into the investigation at the invitation of the local police force chief, although it is fair to say not all the police are happy about that.

What follows are a series of events that lead to more deaths, to other crimes, and to a complicated web of family relationships and servants faithfulness (or otherwise) that draws the readers into the upper class world of the English country house. Where normally the butler does it, this time it is the butler who got done, but who could possibly have wanted a butler dead, and how far will they go to protect their own identities?

In many ways this was an interesting read but it was by no means a perfect book. There is a certain irony in the fact that for me the weakest aspect of this book was the romantic subplot that just sort of happened towards the end of the book and came out of left field. Once the killer was unveiled it was also not a really surprising reason, but it was certainly an interesting journey getting to that point.

Whilst many of the secondary characters were pretty stereotypical, the main characters seemed to be overly brusque and arrogant and just generally unlikeable. The strange thing is that I can't work out whether it worked for me or not. Frank was arrogant, overly clever and patronising, and yet he also showed his family loyalties and was steadfast in his insistence that justice needed to be done. In a way Frank's characteristics kind of worked for this story, but for example I couldn't see a whole series being developed around him as a main character because he would just annoy too many readers - or this reader at least.

There was however some cracking dialogue throughout the novel, and some interesting details about life in an earlier time although I daresay if I had of been reading these books at an earlier time nearer to publication I would not have even noticed. For example, at one point there is a chase with our intrepid main character driving his car at hair raising speeds and stopping in each town to talk to the traffic policeman to ask if they had seen the car that they were chasing. Images from a time long gone!

I am glad that Sourcebooks are rereleasing so many of Heyer's books, and I am hopeful that I will continue to read more. I also really like the covers for a lot of their rereleased mysteries, some of which are show below. Thanks to Danielle from Sourcebooks for sending me this book for review.

Rating 3.5/5

The Triumph of Deborah by Eva Etzioni-Halevy

The richly imagined tale of Deborah, the courageous Biblical warrior who saved her people from certain destruction

In ancient Israel, war is looming. Deborah, a highly respected leader, has coerced the warrior Barak into launching a strike against the neighboring Canaanites. Against all odds he succeeds, returning triumphantly with Asherah and Nogah, daughters of the Canaanite King, as his prisoners. But military victory is only the beginning of the turmoil, as a complex love triangle develops between Barak and the two princesses.

Deborah, recently cast off by her husband, develops a surprising affinity for Barak. Yet she struggles to rebuild her existence on her own terms, while also groping her way toward the greatest triumph of her life.

First of all I have to thank author Eva Etzioni-Halevy for sending me her book. When she first contacted me I hesitated at first because I'm always a bit wary of reading books set in the Biblical period, in fact, till now I had only read one - The Red Tent - which I absolutely loved, and so I decided to give it a go. I'm very happy that I did. This book was an absolute page turner and I just couldn't put it down.

Although it is called The Triumph of Deborah the action revolves also around Barak, the warrior who defeated the Canaanites, as well Asherah and Nogah, the two daughters of the Canaanite King that he eventually marries.

Deborah is a Judge and a Prophetess of the Israelites, for years the Israelites and the Canaanites have been at war and after a first attempt at peace Deborah believes they will have to defeat the Canaanites so they can have peace. She enlists the help of Barak for the war but by doing so alienates her husband who divorces her. Against all odds the warrior defeats the powerful Canaanite army and eventually will invade and destroy the fortress of Jadin, the Canaanite king and bring his women as prisoners, Asherah, his youngest daughter and widow of Sisra, the army commander Barak defeated and Nogah, his daughter by an Israelite slave.

I found the relationship that each women forms with Barak very interesting. They try to stay true to what and who they are which is not always easy. While they are not always likeable we can understand their actions and worries. Deborah, who would like to have a relationship with him but knows that she must stay true to her role as a judge and prophetess, Asherah who finds it difficult to have any kind of tender feelings towards the man who destroyed her world and Nogah who is grateful that he saved her mother but is uncomfortable with her role in his life. In different ways they all show strength, resiliance and independence. Barak is usually more preoccupied with his wars and working his fields than women, his use for them is normally of a temporary nature, but as the women have to adapt to the changes in their lives so he will have to change his behaviour according to his feelings.

The story gives an interesting glimpse of the way of life at the time, both in palaces and farms, as well as about the status of women and the behaviour of men. I don’t know much about this period but I must say I am now curious and ready to go and do some investigation. It’s a very easy read with solid and interesting characters.

Grade: 4.5/5

HT News

G G Vandagriff has been interviewed at News and Random Musing about Historical Novels. His book The Last Waltz is set during WWII and would therefore be a good choice if you happen to be participating in the War Through the Generations reading challenge.

Would you like a chance to win an ARC of Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant? Head over to Passages to the Past for all the details.

Royal Reviews are giving away a choice of three books to win, one of which is the UK release of the new Philippa Gregory book, The White Queen. Click here to get all the details.

Alaine from Queen of Happy Endings has a choice of two books available to win this week. One is Blood Promise by Rachel Mead, but the other will probably be of more interest to die hard HF fans - a UK version of Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran! Apparently the UK version is released on 2 July, but the rest of us will have to wait a bit longer until September!

Plaidy Season Wrap Up

And our Plaidy Season comes to an end. We hope you had fun reading all the posts and reviews we had on Jean Plaidy's books and that if you aren't a fan yet that you have felt at least tempted to try one in the future. She wrote so many books covering different periods and focusing on the history of several countries that we really feel that there must be something for everyone.

This was our second Season here on Historical Tapestry. We really have a good time with these thematic events, it's a great way to spotlight some beloved authors. So far it has allowed us to find many interesting books to add to our reading list. This means you can expect another Season next year. Thanks to everyone who partipated in this event and who visited us!

If you are new to the blog we hope you have enjoyed it and we promise more interesting historical fiction news and reviews in the future and another giveaway real soon as we are celebrating our second blogiversary in July.


If you would like to read the posts related to our fist Season you can find them at Georgette Heyer Season.