Book of Fires by Jane Borodale

It's the year 1752 and poor Agnes Trussel, a teenager living in the rural country side of Sussex, in in trouble. She is pregnant. What is she to do? Now that the boy has had his way with her all he does is laugh and make jokes at her expense. If she tells her parents, they will force the two teenagers to marry. She can't bear the thought of that.

Agnes comes up with a plan when she happens to find a neighbor dead whith come coins spead out in front of her. The coins are no use to a dead woman, so Agnes takes them and plans her escape to London.

Agnes has never been in London before and finds it a dirty and scarry place but she knows that she must find a way to survive. She happens upon a house that has a sign for help wanted. She knocks on the door and the man tells her that he already found somebody. However, he gives her a second look and thinks that perhaps he could use her after all. Mr. Blacklock makes fireworks and takes on Agnes as his apprentice.

As the weeks pass Agnes settles into her new life and is happy. However, she knows that she cannot conceal her pregnancy forever. Little does she know, but Mr. Blacklock has some secrets of his own.

It took me awhile to get into this book and to care for Agnes or the other characters. They just didn't have much depth to them. The story itself wasn't very beleavable. For instance, in her last triemester she tries to con a man in to marrying her and pass off the baby as his. At 7 months pregnant, I don't think so. It was very funny to me but it wasn't written to be funny.

That said, Borodale does a good job capturing 18th century life in the city and country side. I also found the pyrotechnics aspect interesting. Fireworks didn't have all of the variety of colors that they have today. They were just silver and white. Borodale certainly did her reaserch on time and place. This is Jane Borodale's first novel and she shows a lot of promise.

3/5

Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse

Last year, I had the opportunity to review the award winning 'My Splendid Concubine' by Lloyd Lofthouse. I really enjoyed it and told Lloyd that I would love to review his sequel. Luckily, he took me up on and my offer.

'Our Hart' is the continuation of the fictionalized account of the real person, Robert Hart. In 'My Splendid Concubine' he was an interpreter for the British Consulate in China. He fell in love with two concubines, Ayaou and her younger sister Shao-mei. At the end of the book, Shao-mei, was killed by someone out to get revenge on Robert.

In 'our Hart', Robert and Ayaou grieve over Shao-mei and Robert tries to better protect Ayaou. As his career grows, so does his family. Ayaou has children and their eunuch servant, Guan-Jiah becomes a surrogate uncle for the children. Robert became the deputy commissioner of customs for the Ch’ing dynasty in his late 20's. and it kept him away from his family for long stretches at a time. He was indispensible to the dynasty and work for them in to his senior year. They fondly referred to him as "Our Hart".

Our Hart is the story of Robert's lifelong career in China and his relationship with Ayaou and his lifetime servant, Guan-Jiah. Lloyd Lofthouse does a great job pacing the story and keeping the reader engaged. I thought the story got a bit repetitive with Ayaou's whining and questioning Robert's love but other than that it was a great story. Note, that I read an uncorrected proof, so perhaps some of Ayaou's whining was reduced.

Though 'Our Hart' could be read as a standalone book, I highly recommend that you read 'My Splendid Concubine' first, as it gives you quite a bit of background that makes 'Our Hart' a richer read. I highly recommend both of these books to historical fiction lovers who are interested in Chinese culture.

If you are interested in learning more about the books, Robert Hart, and China, Lloyd Lofthouse has a blog with some great links to explore. It is called, Learning China.

4/5

My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse

This review was first posted on June 7, 2009 over at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time.  I forgot to post it here on Historical Tapestry but wanted you to see this review, before I post my review to the sequel, Our Hart.  Stay tuned for that review in a couple days.

This book is a fictionalized account of Robert Hart who was known as the 'Godfather of China's modernism'. Hart was born and raised in Ireland . In 1954 we went to China to work for the British Consulate as an interpreter.

Robert Hart was set on making up for his days of drinking and womanizing in Ireland. He went to China to prove himself and "grow up." When faced with the possibility of getting a concubine for himself, he felt quite conflicted. However, it was what men did in China, even most of the "foreign devils". He got a Chinese instructor and immersed himself in Chinese customs and culture.

He did end up getting two concubines, his first year in China. Ayaou and her younger sister Shao-mei. He taught Ayaou and Shao-mei how to read and enjoyed life with them both.

When he first met Ayaou, it was love at first site. He planned to buy her from her father but Ward, an American Opium smuggler, beat him to it. He was devastated and set out to rescue her from Ward, who is known for his mistreatment of his concubines. Robert does end up with Ayaou but with tragic consequences.

It took Lloyd Lofthouse close to 9 years to research and write this wonderful book. The pages kept on turning late into the night. This novel mostly covers Robert Hart's life in China for his first year. He did eventually move on from the British Consulate and became Inspector General of Chinese Mandarin Customs, the Senior Guardian of the Heir Apparent of the Ch'ing dynasty, and the chief adviser for the Emperor.

My only complaint is that I would have liked to have learned more about Hart and how he became so important to China. I also would have liked to know what finally happened to Ayaou. This book is only 250 pages and I wish that it would have been long enough to touch on these important details. Could there be a book II in the works? I hope so!

I highly recommend this book! Be forewarned, there are some juicy sex scenes in this book. If that kind of thing bothers you, don't read this book.

4/5

Her Mother's Daughter: A Novel of Queen Mary Tudor by Julianne Lee

Mary Tudor had a very hard life as a child.  First she was the object of her father's, King Henry VIII affection.  Then cast out as a illegitimate child with her mother Catherine of Aragon.  She went from Princess to Lady and was to be re-trained to accept her new rank and the new religion. 

When Henry married Jane, Mary was finally returned to the Castle and reunited with her father but still as a Lady not a princess.  Before his death, Henry VIII reinstated Mary as princess and was to be queen in the event that her half brother Edward VI died.  Edward carried forth the new religion at the bidding of his counsel and the practice of Catholicism was outlawed, even for Mary.

Mary defied this order however and was threatened by Edwards council.  The threats turned out empty and eventually, when the ailing Edward died, she became Queen Mary.  She vowed to return England to the old faith. 

Today, Queen Mary is often referred to as Bloody Mary because of all the burnings of so called heretics in her land.  Julianne Lee wrote this book in an attempt to humanize Mary and show her point of view.  She succeeded in this.  She brought Mary to life.  We got to see how hard her up bring was and her continued devotion to her faith even when her life was threatened for it. 

The opening of the story was some modern day children at a slumber party.  One of the kids is dared to stare into a mirror and repeat the words "bloody Mary".  This summons Mary and she recalls her life in flashback fashion.  Each chapter begins with her narration and the falls into third person narration.  This technique worked for me but I didn't care for the modern day slumber party scene.  It made me think of a "B" movie from the 10970's.  LOL!

Julianne Lee also focuses on Mary's devote religious beliefs which was important to the story but seemed to drag on a bit for me.  I got the point, now let's move on a bit.  That said, most of the parts of this novel were first rate.  Lee succeeds in bring Queen Mary Tudor to life and gains some of the reader's sympathy for her.

This is the first book by Julianne Lee that I have read but I am interested in reading more by her.

3.5/5

The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan

Set in 16th and early 17th century rule of the Mughal Empire in India, Mehrunnisa is born to a Persian courtier to the Mughal emperor, Akbar.  The family came from humble beginnings but Akbar earned his way into the life of courtier.

When Mehrunnisa was 8 years old, she got a glimpse of Salim, the crown prince of the royal family.  It is then that she makes it her life's goal to marry him.  She was devastated when her father told her that  that she was to marry a not so royal man but did as she was bid, as women had no choice back then.  Her marriage was not a happy one.  She had several miscarriages until she finally has a daughter.  Her husband seemed to think she miscarried and didn't give him a son on purpose.

Eventually Mehrunnisa has another chance meeting with Salim, who is just as infatuated with her.  He has many wives but his chief wife, Jagat Gosini is the main contender to stand in the way of Mehrunnisa finally getting her dream.

This is a deeply moving story of love and the history of the Mughal Empire.  I listened to the audio version and the narrator Sneha Mathan brought the characters to life.  I felt like I was living life back in India with Mehrunnisa.  Indu Sundaresan has a way of painting the story with words.   I can hardly wait to read the sequel, The Feast of Roses.

5/5

The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane

In the 1950'sJohanna and her sister, Greta lived with their parents, Lily and Big Tom and their brothers in Ballyroan, Ireland. It was a very quiet little town, as many people from the town had immigrated to America. They lead a simple life of farming and fishing salmon. Joanna and Greta went to school while their brothers farmed with Big Tom. The family didn't think that Greta would really amount to much, she was quite awkward and they called her a goose. She stuck to Joanna like glue and rarely left her side.

One day a gypsy woman and her son, Michael came to their home looking for a handout. Johanna was drawn to Michael right away, wondering what it was like to roam the country side and not live in any one place.

Then, Johanna and Greta's father was shot for poaching salmon and died. It left the family without much means to survive. All except for one of the brothers, Little Tom went to Australia. They found work and send what money they could back home to help the family. Joanna then got the idea that her and Greta should also find work and they did in a nearby town, lying about their ages. They worked in a bed and breakfast however, there were very few customers and they were finally let go.

They ran into Michael every once in awhile and then one day, he showed up on their doorstep again. He was fascinated by the family and wondered what it would be like to live in a house. Lilly let him stay and he pitched in with chores and farming with Little Tom.

Johanna started sneaking out at night to visit Michael in the barn , where he slept. She wanted to convince him to go to America with her. She told Greta of the plan and she wanted to go too. Lily didn't know about it until Greta spilled the beans by purposely leaving a letter out from a family friend in America. Lily decided that it would be a good idea for both her girls to go with Michael to America and work for awhile. They could send some money home and eventually move back home to Ballyroan.

It was now the 1960's and Johanna, Greta, and Michael end up in New York. It is quite disconcerting at first, coming from such a small town with few people to the hustle and bustle of a big city. Also, soon after they arrive, Joanna discovers that she is pregnant from the nights she spent with Michael on the ship.

The Walking People is Mary Beth Keane's first novel. Though not perfect, I really enjoyed it. She wrote in beautiful prose about the people and landscape of Ballroan, Ireland. The character development was very strong and rang true for me. She effortlessly transitioned the story to America and captured the heart of 1960's New York. There is a lot more to the story but I don' want to risk giving away spoilers. I recommend this to historical fiction fans and lovers of the immigrant experience.

4/5

Etta by Gerald Kolpan

The real life of Etta Place of the Wild Bunch has been a mystery. What is known is that she was the lover of Harry Longabaugh, best known as the Sundance Kid. After Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were killed in 1908, Etta Price disappears, never to be heard from again. There are many myths and speculation as to what may have happened to her but we will never know for sure. In this novel, Gerald Kolpan tells a fictional story of her life.

After her father's death, Etta is forced to flee her family home. The Black Hand mafia is after her to collect her father's debt. If she has no money, they will collect it another way, perhaps by disfiguring her as they have done to other women.

She becomes a “Harvey Girl", serving meals at a restaurant. She must defend herself against a rich customer who has tried several failed advances. One day he jumps out at her outside and becomes violent. Etta ends up killing him in self defence and has to flee again. This time she ends up with the Wild Bunch, where she meets the love of her life and starts her life of crime.

Etta is constantly on the move but spends some time in New York in disguise, where she meets and befriends Eleanor Roosevelt. She also meets Buffalo Bill and works for him for awhile as Annie Oakley.

Kolpan tells the story with the use of a fictional diary of Etta's, newspaper articles, and letters, intergraded with narrative. This style really worked for me and added more interest to the story. Kolpan obviously did his research about time and place and captured it beautifully. I really liked the fictional relationship that Etta had with Eleanor Roosevelt but I did find it hard to believe, especially when Eleanor found out about Etta's crimes with the Wild Bunch, yet remained good friends with her. That said, this is a beautifully crafted story and I recommend to historical fiction lovers.

4/5

The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes

One woman holds the key to England's most glorious empire

Elizabeth of York, the only living descendant of Edward IV, possesses the most precious thing in all of England - a legitimate claim to the crown. Two princes meet to determine a country's destiny: whoever wins will take Britain's most rightful heir as his bride and her kingdom for his own. On one side is her uncle Richard, the last Plantagenet King, whom she fears to be the murderer of her two brother's the would-be kings. On the other hand is Henry Tudor, the exiled king. Can he save her from a horrifying marriage to a cuthroat soldier.

Marg's Thoughts

Her mother was the beautiful woman who secretly captured a king's heart. Her father was a charismatic and handsome king whose brother was a loyal general, but who took the throne for his own. Her younger brothers disappeared in one of the enduring mysteries of the ages.

There are times when a book has a main character who just can't carry a story on their own, and for me, this book is one of those. Whilst Elizabeth of York was very important in her time, particularly as a marriageable young princess, she must have been a bit difficult to write about because in some ways it seem as though the interesting things happened around her instead of her being an active participant. Her story is interesting given the events that happened to people around her and her early life, but certainly her marriage appeared very much to be one of duty and is portrayed as being very lonely, despite the attempts from Henry's mother to welcome her into the family. Henry's mother is portrayed as a loving mother-in-law when everything else I have read about her suggests that she was controlling and overbearing. Elizabeth's own mother, Elizabeth Woodville doesn't come out of this portrayal too badly given the reputation that has carried through the ages.

Much of the content of the book revolves around what happened to the Princes in the Tower, as well as the two pretenders. One of the positives of this book for me is the way that the story of Perkin Warbeck is told. My interest has certainly been piqued, and I am definitely looking for more to read about him, and his life.

The other dominating character in the novel is that of Richard III - a love him or hate him kind of guy if ever there was such a thing! Many people are either strongly pro or strongly anti Richard, and there are many novels where you can clearly see the author's personal bias in the characterisation that they choose. In this novel it is almost as though Barnes tried to be even handed when it came to Richard III but instead comes off as inconsistent.

As we follow Elizabeth through her life we get brief glimpses of her children, the ill fated heir, Arthur and the dashingly sporty and handsome Henry but for me the book ends at a very strange point, very abruptly, and I think that this has flavoured my final rating of the book.

I received an ARC of this book from Sourcebooks. I have no idea if the blurb above ended up being the blurb on the final book but I really hope not! I am pretty sure that Elizabeth's sisters were living descendants of Edward IV, and I don't think Henry Tudor was an 'exiled king' when she married him.

Over the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to read a couple of Margaret Campbell Barnes' books that have been being republished by Sourcebooks. This was an okay read, but not as good as either Brief Gaudy Hour (about Anne Boleyn) or My Lady of Cleves (about Anne of Cleves). I am on the lookout for The King's Fool though, and if I can find them, will definitely read more from this author. I believe that another of the author's books is due to be rereleased next year.

I was interested to see on Fantastic Fiction that they have grouped Brief Gaudy Hour and My Lady of Cleves together with this book as part of a trilogy called Shadows of the Crown. Whilst the Tudor connection was obvious, I hadn't actually seen this title for the group of books before.

I'm glad that I have read this, but if I was asked to recommend a book by this author, I would start with one of the others.

Rating 3.5/5

Teddy's Thoughts

Elizabeth is daughter of Edward IV and niece to Richard III. When her father dies, it is her brother who is to take the crown. However, Richard III decides that the only one suitable to be King is himself. He sends both of Elizabeth's brothers to the tower to be held. Richard has his coronation and all of a sudden Elizabeth's brothers go missing and are presumed dead.

Many think that Richard III ordered their disposal . Now Elisabeth is the only living descendent to Edward IV and should be the rightful Queen. Elizabeth is horrified when Richard III proposes marriage to her. Not only is she convinced that he murdered her brothers but he is her uncle, after all!

There is much plotting and it is decided that she must marry Henry Tudor and that he must fight Richard III for the crown. The first attempt fails but eventually Richard III is killed and Henry Tudor becomes Henry VII. However, he doesn't hold up his end of the bargain to marry Elizabeth and give her a coronation to become queen of England. Eventually, due to public and private pressure he makes good and marries Elisabeth. However, he does not make her queen until after she has their first son.

The marriage itself, is loveless. Elizabeth has romantic notions that they would grow to love each other and have a passionate one. Henry doesn't seem to know what romance is and seems incapable of love. He couples with her only to produce heirs. Poor Elizabeth longs for more out of life.

This book was first published in 1953. Sourcebooks has re-published it and it is due out in the United States on October 1, 2009. I'm glad they did. Barnes has a way with words and I love some of her descriptions of the time and place. I must admit, that there are a few places that I would nod off to sleep while reading it. Some of the time that Elizabeth interacted with her mother seemed boring to me. It took me a good 50 pages to finally get drawn into the story.

That said, I am glad I stuck with it. I learned more about the period and really enjoyed it, once it got going. If you like historical fiction and are interested in this important period in English history, you will enjoy this book.

4/5

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire by C.M. Mayo

I usually write my own summary of what a book is about. I am at a bit of a loss for this one. The book had so much going on with different sub-plots and character's that I have decided to use the publishers book description.

Book Description:

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire is a sweeping historical novel of Mexico during the short, tragic, at times surreal, reign of Emperor Maximilian and his court. Even as the American Civil War raged north of the border, a clique of Mexican conservative exiles and clergy convinced Louis Napoleon to invade Mexico and install the Archduke of Austria, Maximilian von Habsburg, as Emperor. A year later, the childless Maximilian took custody of the two year old, half-American, Agustín de Iturbide y Green, making the toddler the Heir Presumptive. Maximilian’s reluctance to return the child to his distraught parents, even as his empire began to fall, and the Empress Carlota descended into madness, ignited an international scandal. It is based on the true story and illuminates both the cultural roots of Mexico and the political development of the Americas.

Historical fiction is my passion, however I have never read any based on Mexican history. In fact, I know very little about Mexican history so I was very excited when I got the chance to receive a review copy of this book!

C.M. Mayo is a gifted writer and kept Mexican history at the forefront of this novel, with some beautiful passages. However, I had trouble picking this book up. It's over 400 pages long and the list of characters didn't seem to end. I would just start to remember who a character was and then a new character was introduced. We never get to fully explore any one character which, made it very hard for me to maintain my interest in this book. Because of this, I think that it would have been better if Mayo would have written it as a non-fiction book.

I think that C.M. Mayo has very promising talent but needs to work on her character development and try to look at which characters are important to introduce, for a story's development.

Though this book was a difficult read for me, I am glad that I stuck with it. I did learn some Mexican history. I would recommend this book if you are interest in Mexican history. If you do decide to give it a read, here is a link to an outline of all of the characters. It helped me a bit in keeping track of who was who.

3/5

Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly

Survival Against the Odds

Honora Kelly of Galway Bay had her life worked out. She was to become a nun. Her parents wanted this for her and she was quite willing. She was just about to start her days in the convent when she saw a mysterious man and his horse rising out of the sea. This man, Michael was to change her destiny forever.

It was love at first site, Honora wasn't going to be a nun after all. Yes, her parents were disappointed as they wanted a better life for her. Yes, in Ireland, the convent was a better life. However, her parents really liked Michael and eventually agreed to giving their daughter's hand in marriage.

Michael and Honora Kelly made a life for themselves farming. They raised horses and a variety of crops. Most of the crops went toward paying rent to the brutal English landlords but the potato crop was for the family. They had an abundant supply of delicious, life sustaining" pratties". Enough to sustain their growing family.

Then the potatoes blight happened. It was the beginning of the potatoes famine for the entire country. The first year, they we able to selvage a few pratties. They found a way to survive. However, the second year there was nothing to selvage. Michael had to walk miles to work breaking up rocks for the government for pennies a day. The family lined up for soup every night, and every once in a while Honora's father, a fisherman, had fish to sell.

The third year it was announced that there would be no more government jobs or soup lines. The land lords wanted the Irish families to leave and if that meant dying, that was fine with them.

Michael and Honora made the gut wrenching decision to leave their beloved country and head for "Amerikey".

This book has something for everyone. It is Irish historical fiction, a family saga, a story of the American immigrant experience, and even a romance. It started off a bit slow for me however, there was quite a bit of Irish mythology at the beginning that wasn't to my taste. I'm sure that there are other reader who would enjoy this part.

Within about 75 pages, I really warmed up to the story. So much so that I became a part of the Kelly family every time I picked up the book. I experience their joy's, sorrow's and triumphs along with them. I even felt that pangs of hunger that the family suffered. Mary Pat Kelly has a poetic writing style that sweeps the reader in. Her strong characters are well drawn out and is the landscape and back drop. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Mary Past Kelly.

4/5

The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick

Ancient Legend Comes to Life

In 450 AD. the British are under the rule of Vortigern. He is a mean and cruel king. Uthr Pendragon was king before that but Vortigern took his kingdom from him and Urthr dies. It is believed that Urthr didn't have an legitimate male heir, but he did. When Arthur was born he was switched to protect t his real identity, the rightful heir the Pendragon thrown.

As a child, Arthur meets Gwenhwyfar and know that she is the one he will marry but as adults, there are obstacles in the way of their union.

When Arthur is old enough to become a warrior he gets his training in Vortigern's army. By then Vortigern knows his true identity be wants to keep his enemy close. Arthur brought some loyal friends with him who also served in the evil army. They learn the art or war together and vow to overthrow Vortigern eventually and make Arthur the rightful king.

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.

This book is over 550 pages but reads very fast. I had some late nights because I had trouble putting this book down and when I did, I couldn't stop thinking of it! Hollick's writing is smooth and beautiful. She seamlessly transports her readers back to the Dark Ages.

This is book one of a trilogy. I don't usually finish trilogies due to the time commitment. There are so many books out there that I want to read and not enough time. However, I plan to read this complete trilogy. I can hardly wait to read what happens next!

4.5/5

General Historical Fiction

The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
The Seventh Son by Reay Tannahill
The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gulland
Vivaldi's Virgins by Barbara Quick
The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Harold the King by Helen Hollick
Green Darkness by Anya Seton
The Cheney Sisters Trilogy by Susan Carroll
The Principessa by Christie Dickason
The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor by Sally Armstrong
The Huntress by Susan Carroll
Ivy by Julie Hearn
The End of Sorrow by JV Love
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
A Catch of Consequence by Diana Norman
The Temple Dancer by John Speed
City of Dreams by Beverly Swerling
Taking Liberties by Diana Norman
The Sparks Fly Upward by Diana Norman
Taj: The Woman and the Wonder by Sandra Wilson
Lords of the White Castle by Elizabeth Chadwick
In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles
The Tilecutter's Penny by Caiseal Mor
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott
Lucrezia Borgia by John Faunce
Dreaming the Bull by Manda Scott
The White Mare by Jules Watson
Madamoiselle Victorine by Debra Finerman
The Dawn Stag by Jules Watson
Peony in Love by Lisa See
The Boar Stone by Jules Watson
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra
The Last Great Dance on Earth by Sandra Gulland
Winnie and Wolf by A N Wilson
The Observations by Jane Harris
Dreaming the Hound by Manda Scott
Sylvia by Bryce Courtenay
Barbed Wire and Roses by Peter Yeldham
Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Persuasion by Jane Austen
A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith
Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
The Persimmon Tree by Bryce Courtenay
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Alchemist's Daughter by Katherine McMahon
Rasputin's Daughter by Robert Alexander
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Crystal Skull by Manda Scott
Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks
Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
Shadowbrook by Beverly Swerling
City of Glory by Beverly Swerling
Lion's Honey by David Grossman
Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
Uneasy Lies the Head by Jean Plaidy
Never Surrender by Michael Dobbs
Churchill's Triumph by Michael Dobbs
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry
The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon
Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue
A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer
The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland
The Founding by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Ringside 1925: View from the Scopes Trail by Jen Bryant
The First Princess of Wales by Karen Harper
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer
Angelique by Sergeanne Golon
Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King
The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields
Ride the Wind by Lucia St Clair Robson
The Longest Journey by Diana Patterson and Rita Turner
Lucia Lucia by Adriana Trigiani
The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn
Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani
The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Lords of the Bow by Conn Iggulden
Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
East of the Sun by Julia Gregson
Conceit by Mary Novik
A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Gutterson
Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz
A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
The Islands of Divine Music by John Addiego
My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Master of Verona by David Blixt
Under a Blood Red Sky by Kate Furnivall
The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland