Eagerly Anticipating in 2010

Today, each of us here at Historical Tapestry gets to choose just one book that we are eagerly anticipating for the year! Decisions, decisions.

Marg's pick:

As soon as we decided we were going to do this post, there was a bit of a scramble (dignified and lady like, but a scramble nonetheless) to claim this book! Because I was fastest (sorry Alex and Ana), I won! The book that I am eagerly awaiting is To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick. Here is the synopsis from her website, where you can also view the book trailer:

The privileged daughter of one of the most powerful men in England, Mahelt Marshal’s life changes dramatically when her father is suspected by King John. Her brothers become hostages and Mahelt is married to Hugh Bigod, heir to the earldom of Norfolk. Adapting to her new life is hard, but Mahelt comes to love Hugh deeply; however, defying her father in law brings disgrace and heartbreak. When King John sets out to subdue the Bigods, Mahelt faces her worst fears alone, knowing neither she, nor her marriage are likely to survive the outcome. A story of huge emotional power set against the road to Magna Carta and the fight to bring a tyrant king to heel.

Ana's pick:

Fortunately there are many historical fiction books being published next year! It wasn't difficult to find books we're interested in, in fact the only problem was to list only 5 of them. Catherine Delors only published one book so far but she totally captivated me with her Mistress of The Revolution. Since then I've been eagerly awaiting news of her next release and now it is official - For The King will be published in July 2010. Here's some information about the plot from the author's website:

Roch Miquel, a young policeman with a brilliant future and a beautiful mistress, investigates the Rue Nicaise attack. His father, a former Jacobin, has risen from the lowest rungs of society to owning a tavern. Roch's investigation takes him through the dark alleys and glittering salons of post-revolutionary Paris, and the studio of the prominent painter David, himself a former Jacobin rallied to Bonaparte.

Old Miquel is soon arrested because of his political sympathies, and threatened with deportation or summary execution. To save his father, Roch must discover and arrest the assassins before it is too late. As he hunts them down and faces their chief, Joseph de Limoëlan - a historical character - he tests the limits of his loyalties and discovers the meaning of truth.

For The King is a historical thriller, a police procedural, a tale of love, betrayal and redemption.

Alex's pick:

When I start reading The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner a few weeks ago, I was captivated by the refreshing new perspective about Queen Joan the Mad. After finding out the author was going to write a book about Catherine of Medici, one of the most mysterious and denigrated queens of France, I was immediately excited for the release of The Confessions of Catherine of Medici.

The most infamous queen of the Renaissance reveals her secrets in an epic tale of persecution, intrigue, and betrayal.

At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I's son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband's life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe's most powerful women.

Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, Catherine fights to save France and her children from savage religious conflict, unaware that her own fate looms before her -- a fate that will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and passion of her own embattled heart.

From the splendors of the Loire palaces to the blood-soaked battles of the Wars of Religion and haunted halls of the Louvre, this is the story of Catherine's dramatic life, told by the queen herself.

Teddy's pick:

Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir
I scoured the web looking for a picture of the cover but to no avail. It isn't going to be out until July, so that is probably why. I have never read any Alison Weir but some of my buddies here at HT have recommended her to me in the past. I think reading about Eleanor of Aquitaine will be so interesting. I would love to get to know more about her.

Renowned for her highly acclaimed and bestselling British histories, Alison Weir has in recent years made a major impact on the fiction scene with her novels about Queen Elizabeth and Lady Jane Grey.

In this latest offering, she imagines the world of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the beautiful twelfth-century woman who was Queen of France until she abandoned her royal husband for the younger man who would become King of England. In a relationship based on lust and a mutual desire for great power, Henry II and Eleanor took over the English throne in 1154, thus beginning one of the most influential reigns and tumultuous royal marriages in all of history. In this novel, Weir uses her extensive knowledge to paint a most vivid portrait of this fascinating woman.

Kailana's Pick:

One of my favourite historical fiction authors is Michelle Moran. In 2010 she is moving away from the ancient world to write a novel set during the French Revolution. I am really looking forward to it! Since it is not due to be released until later in the year, I only have a quote from her site about it.

For my fourth novel, I will be departing from the ancient world to write about the French Revolution. As my incredible agent Dan Lazar wrote in PM, this book will be "about the life of Madame Tussaud, in which young Marie Tussaud joins the gilded but troubled court of Marie Antoinette, and survived the French Revolution by creating death masks of the beheaded aristocracy."

Kailana's Best of 2009

It's funny. It seems the more I read, the picker I am about deciding my favourites. I am not sure if it is that there is not a lot that I loved, or if it is just there is so many to choose from I find the task a bit overwhelming! All I know is that I am really at a loss as to what to say in this post.

If I go by what comes to mind first, then I can think of three historical fiction books that have stuck with me and that I really loved. They are (in no particular order):

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan. This is a book by a debut author set in Niagara Falls, Canada. Told with vivid detail and fascinating historical accuracy I thought this was a fantastic book. I would almost hate to be her, though... When your first book is so wonderfully written, it must be very stressful trying to come up with a follow-up! Regardless, I look forward to what she gives us next. Read my review and read a guest post by the author.

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran. I read her debut novel, Nefertiti, as an ARC and have loved all of her books! This was another superbly written novel set in a period of history that really interested me. Moran keeps putting out the winners, which is helping her maintain her spot on my list of favourite authors ever! I am looking forward to her new book in 2010 and to her once again appearing on Historical Tapestry. Read my review and read one of her guest posts.

Twilight of Avalon by Anna Elliott. Another book by a debut author. I am all about the debut novels this year, I guess. I love Arthurian legends, so this one was no exception! Taking place afterwards and being about Tristan and Isolde further interested me because I haven't read very many retellings of their legend. I really enjoyed this book, though, and cannot wait until the sequel is released in 2010! Read my review and guest post by the author.

The Outlander by Gil Adamson. I was SHOCKED by how much I enjoyed a book set in the wilderness! It's something I am aware of, but don't really pay all that much attention to. This book, though, was fantastic! Considering the setting and the fact that there is only one character for the most part, I was really surprised by how much of a page-turner this was. I loved it and believe it has deserved all the press it has received in Canada since its release. It is a worthwhile read! Read my review.

Tatiana & Alexander by Paullina Simons. I started this book years ago, so I am so happy that I FINALLY finished it! I really loved it, so it was just one of those things... Set during WWII, one of my favourite time periods, this book was really a romance, so I am shocked that I loved it as much as I did. I suppose it was just so well-written, the time frame came alive, and the characters were likable so I could see passed the romance elements and not be bothered by them. I really need to read book three! Read my review.

I was going to do honourable mentions, too, but that tends to lead to me discovering that I forgot one in my five and then I wind up wanting to redo the post, so I am going to stick with these five...

Alex's Best of 2009

I'm still surprised how fast this year went by... I have to confess that I'm feeling a little frustrated after seeing that many of my reading resolutions from last year weren't accomplished. My TBR pile is pretty much the same size and I didn't step out of my comfort zone as I intended.
Among my reads, there were some disappointments but also some amazing surprises. These were the books who left me completely flabbergasted:

Sophia's Secret (aka Winter Sea) by Susanna Kearsley

My greatest find this year! Maybe the fact that I read it while spending some days in Scotland enhanced even more my feelings about this book. Everything was absolutely perfect. I still can't believe it took me so long to finally pick it up from my TBR. I'm still in awe after Kearsley's storytelling talent. She seems to effortlessly bring her characters alive! A auto-buy author for now on.

The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick

Elizabeth Chadwick is one of my favourite authors and this was one of the first books I read by her. This year, I decided to reread the new edition and this second time this story completely blow me away.

The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick

Another Chadwick and another fantastic story, as I expected. It also became one of my favourite historical fiction books. William Marshal is a fascinating character and I can't wait to continue his adventures in The Scarlet Lion.

Sasmira: L'Appel by Laurent Vicomte

A historical comic that rocked my world about 10 years ago and continued to do so this year. A spellbinding story with mystery, romance, intrigue and adventure. The drawings are mesmerizing with many details that will certainly capture the attention of any costume history fan.

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

Another new author and another great find. A sort of sequel of The Last of Mohicans, we follow here the story of the son of Hawkeye and Cora, Nathaniel and a young English woman newly arrived to the New World, Elizabeth Middleton.

Olivia and Jai by Rebecca Ryman

An intense love story between two strong characters set in India during the 19th century. A book who was already on my favourite list several years ago but this year I reread it in English. It was even better!

Honorable mentions:

The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent

The Mistress of the Arth of Death by Ariana Franklin

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.

Ana's Best of 2009

Time to look back at what I read this year once more. This is the second year we are doing this so I suppose we are starting a tradition. It's always fun to revisit the best books I read and this time I think I gave better grades than last year to my reads. I also read more historical fiction which is a good thing for the purpose of this blog. I gave top grades to four books:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Piel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

A lovely, cosy story that made me laugh and cry in turns. A wonderful story of book lovers and life during the war period.

A Dangerous Mourning by Anne Perry

I always feel like Perry has a wonderful way of describing the Victorian world and she has a knack for capturing the human psicology and complexities that I find very appealing.

The Marsh King's Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick

There's no one like Elizabeth Chadwick to bring the medieval world to life. Her characters may not always be likeable but they are definitely complex and believable and of course her portrayal of the period is without fault.

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

Sara Donati is a new find for me. I'm very glad I followed Marg's advice and picked this one up because I fell in love with the characters and the setting of America's wild frontier and I can't wait to pick up the next one.

And I have a few honourable mentions:

The Dark Rose by Cinthia Harrod-Eagles

Red Adam's Lady by Grace Ingram

Dissolution by C.J. Sansom

Lady of The Roses by Sandra Worth

I hope 2010 will prove to be an even better year in terms of Historical fiction!

Marg's Best of 2009

It's always an interesting exercise looking back on the books that you have read during a year. Today, I begin a series of posts where each of us here at Historical Tapestry picks out our favourite reads of 2009. I wonder if your favourites will appear on any of our lists?


Quite often I will look at books on my list and see a book that I marked as a particular grade but as I look back on it would probably grade differently now, some times better and some times worse. Then there are the stand out books. The books that you absolutely loved and would not change the grade of even if you read the books months ago.

My first favourite for this year is The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. From the first moment I picked up this book, I was sucked into the worlds of historical fiction Carrie, as she in turn was drawn into the world of Sophia who lived in the early 1700s in Scotland! I have been recommending this book to anyone I talked to. One thing to bear in mind is that the title has now been changed to Sophia's Secret. Regardless of which title the book has, the contents of the book are excellent, and I am looking forward to reading more from Susanna Kearsley next year.

You can read my review (including a synopsis) here.

If we travel back even further in time from the early 1700s, we will eventually find ourselves at the time of my other favourite book of 2009 - The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson. This isn't the first Jules Watson book that I have read, having enjoyed the three books of her Dalriaida trilogy over the last few years, but this is definitely the most confident and assured in terms of writing style yet.

This book is a retelling of a Celtic myth about Diedre, an unusual young woman who catches the eye of the King, Conor. She doesn't want to be forced into marrying him, so she escapes and in doing so comes across three young warriors who have been banished from the tribe. She falls in love with one of them, Naisi, but it is only a matter of time before Conor finds them, and when all of them have to face the consequences of their actions.

Beautifully written, and a lovely story, this is another highly recommended read. You can read our interview with Jules Watson as well as my reviews of her other books by clicking on this link.

There are lots of other Historical Fiction books that I really really enjoyed as well this year, and here are just some of those reads:

The Last Queen by CW Gortner (you can read both my own and Teddy's thoughts here)

The Water Horse by Julia Gregson

The Founding, The Dark Rose and The Princeling by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles - all part of the Morland Dynasty series of books.

Night of Flames by Douglas W Jacobson - read my review and a Why I Love guest post from this author

Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon (reread)

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

Royal Harlot by Susan Holloway Scott - read Susan Holloway Scott's Why I Love guest post.

The Kingmaking and Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick - read Helen Hollick's Why I Love guest post

Bones of the Hills by Conn Iggulden

The Conquest by Elizabeth Chadwick