Elizabeth Chadwick.....coming this fall

Elizabeth Chadwick writes historical fiction and is a must read for me. When I open one of her books I get the feeling I am back in time. This October she will be releasing 2 books.

1. The Time of Singing: Expert from Amazon.uk Available in Hardback Oct 2, 2008.

In 1173, Roger Bigod is heir to the vast and powerful earldom of Norfolk When his treacherous father, Hugh, loses the family lands and castles in a rebellion against King Henry II, Roger finds himself in reduced circumstances and dogged by a bitter family dispute with his half brother over the remaining crumbs. Whilst trying to resolve the matter, he encounters Ida de Tosney, the King's young mistress. Seduced by Henry, Ida's gaze is now drawn to Roger in whom she sees a chance of lasting security beyond the fickle dazzle of the court. But she has to navigate a careful path between her dearest wishes and the King's reluctance to part with her. Every fulfilled wish has its price, and that price is losing the son she has borne to Henry. When King Richard comes to the throne, Roger is restored to his family's lands and becomes a great earl, and one of the richest men in England. He builds a great castle at Framlingham for himself and for Ida, but life is still riddled with uncertainty as Richard goes on crusade and the men left to govern the country quarrel their way into civil war. Ida struggles to come to terms with their new future...






2. A Place of Courage Expert from fantasticfiction.com Available in paperback October 4, 2008.

The early twelfth century is a time for ambitious men to prosper, and royal servant John FitzGilbert Marshal is one of them. Raised high, as the kin of the deceased King Henry battle each other for England's throne, John reaps rich rewards but pays a terrible price for the choices he makes ? as do his family. His wife, fragile, naive Aline is hopelessly unequipped to cope with the demands of a life lived on the edge and, when John is seriously injured in battle, her worst nightmare is realised. Sybilla, bright, forthright sister to the Earl of Salisbury, finds herself used as a bargaining counter when her brother seeks to seal a truce with his troublesome neighbour, John FitzGilbert. And then there is Sybilla's small son, William, seized hostage by the King for John's word of honour. But sometimes keeping your honour means breaking your word

Come and join the Book Blowout Challenge

I am joining yet another challenge, the July Book Blowout this can be done with my current challenges fits in well.

It's being hosted by Mrs. S of Blue Archipelago. The goal is to read as many books as possible from:July 1, 2008 -July 31, 2008.

Before August 7, 2008, you post the list of books that you've read. I am sitting myself a goal of 10 I normally read between 6-8 depending on the size of the books.

And Only To Deceive Tasha Alexander

The story is set in 1890’s Victorian London and tells the story of socialite Lady Emily Ashton who marry Phillip only to get away from her overbearing mother. Not long after they are married Phillip dies from an illness during an expedition to Africa. Emily knows very little about her husband and is unaffected by his death. Almost two years later she receives Phillip’s journals she learns her husband was an antiquities collector and apparently loved his new wife deeply.

Emily is her own woman and does not care to do as society dictates, learning that her husband was a scholar she decides to read some of his books and begins to learn more of ancient Greece. Phillip collected many antiques and donated them to museums for everyone to enjoy, but when Emily visits their country estate she finds the originals that she thought was in the museum. She cannot accept the horrible truth that he husband may have been a forger. Two of his friends who are also courting her now become suspects, but which one helped Phillip in his deception or his donations.

She soon learns that Phillip may not have died in Africa, so she sets out to uncover the truth.

The novel was a quick read, the story predictable, but I enjoyed the characters and the plot and the language. I give it 4 Stars.

The Prince Kidnaps a Bride

I have finished The Missing Princesses Series and was eager to read Sorcha's story the oldest of the three sisters, and I was not disappointed. This book had me from the first page, again Dodd brings action, mystery and a wonderful romance to life in this book.

Sorcha has been hidden away in a remote convent for her safety, but a mysterious fisherman rows to shore and a fire starts that quickly puts her life in jeopardy so a plan is constructed to get her back home. Prince Rainger disguised as the fisherman called Arnou, plans to escort Sorcha to her homeland, but is surprised to find she has left with another.

Sorcha disguised as a boy has no idea that Prince Rainger is alive and following her, when he is able to catch up with her he is still disguised as the fisherman, but something is familiar about him. They continue on, but soon she finds herself more comfortable with him and they share a kiss, Sorcha wants more, but Rainger wants her to have it all so he want allow their feelings to go to far.

The two end up in a village of where people from both Richarte and Beaumontagne live. Sorcha still disguised as a man does not fool the people they know who she and the fisherman really are. In order to share the same room, they must wed unknown to Sorcha this is actually a royal wedding.

Eventually she finds out the identity of the fisherman and is very distraught. They return to Beaumontagne, where things are still in turmoil. The man who locked Rainger up for eight years still rules Richarte.

Again, I enjoyed this story the characters romance is more genuine and enjoyable. I felt so many emotions reading this story and enjoyed the whole cast. I was happy the third book was good as the first in the series. FIVE STARS *****

The Barefoot Princess Christina Dodd

The second book in The Lost Princesses series and tells the story of Amy the middle sister who left her sister Clarice in Scotland in the first book. This story was also great with some mystery and danger. The love story itself fell flat for me in the middle of the book, not much chemistry between Jermyn Marquess of Northcliff. The secondary characters were wonderful.

Amy who washes up on shore and is found by Miss Victorine, and soon finds out how poor her living conditions her and everyone else is due to the lack of funding from the Marquess. Amy kidnaps him and shackles him in the basement of Miss Victorine's cottage. They soon send a ransom to his Uncle Harrison in order to help locals regain their losses. To their dismay the uncle refuses to pay the ransom.

Jermyn is surprised to learn his captures are the dear Miss Victorine and an unknown female companion. He has never trusted women since his mother abandoned him at a young age. Jermyn always enjoyed Miss Victorine when he was young and thought him very handsome and never believed his mother abandoned him. Soon Jermyn begins to fall in love with Amy and she confides in him that his uncle will not pay the ransom and come to the conclusion he does want him dead.

They begin to set a plan in motion to prove his uncle has been plotting his murder for years, but things don't go as planned. Prince Rainger also shows up to question Amy about her older sister and where she might be.

I rate the book as a four the beginning and ending were the best, the middle fell flat since I could not get into the characters falling in love it was to quick and no chemistry.

The Love Knot Elizabeth Chadwick

The story takes place during the feud around 1140 between England’s King Stephen and his cousin Empress Mathilda. The story begins when Oliver Pascal smells something burning and decides to investigate. When he arrives what he finds is a horrible scene and his friend who has been raped by lawless mercenaries, she soon miscarries and dies. The only survivors are her 10 year-old son and Catrin her widowed maid. Oliver escorts them to Bristol Castle, home of Earl Robert of Gloucester, who Oliver hopes will help him reclaim his family lands.

Catrin becomes bored and finds a friend in Ethelreda who helped raise Oliver. Ethelreda introduces and teaches her the ways of a midwife. Catrin is a quick study and is soon at Ethelreda’s side helping the local women with their births. Oliver and Catrin are attracted to each other, but are afraid. Oliver’s wife died in childbirth and does not want to be close to anyone, and Catrin loathes the thought of reliance upon and tries to ignore her feelings. They cannot run from their feelings and fall in love.

Ethelreda sees something bad in Catrin’s future, and warns’ her to watch out for this unknown man on a horse. Oliver is soon called into battle where he is captured. Catrin decides to go and ransom him, when she arrives she discovers her husband who was supposed to be dead. Catrin’s old feelings for him quickly returns and she chooses her husband over Oliver.

Soon Catrin realizes she made the wrong choice by going with her husband. Catrin is with child and soon gives birth. Their home becomes under attack, her husband leaves for reinforcements, but never returns.Catrin makes a decision about her and her child’s future, she must return to Oliver.

Catrin arrives she find Oliver badly injured during a fight when he visited his homeland, and she begins to nurse him back to health. Soon they begin to live their life together until Catrin's husband makes his final demand on her loyalty ...

Wow an amazing story there is so depth to this book and the characters. Every time I read an Elizabeth Chadwick book I am drawn back into time.

Read my first book in Christina Dodd's The Lost Princesses series, reading this book was like a breath of fresh air since the last few books have been duds great choice for a summer read. This book has it all from suspense, damager, mystery, love, strong woman, and a hero and the old men in the village are a great set of characters.

We learn in the prologue that three princesses (all sisters) are exiled into England and lose contact with each other and their country. The Prince of Richarte sets out to find the three princesses, but before he does he makes a bargain once he returns them all he will choose one to marry.An enchanting beauty rides into the town of Freya Crags her name is Princesses Clarice she has come to sell her potions to make women beautiful and appealing. Robert MacKenzie the Earl of Hepburn, is wary of this exquisite stranger, but she stirs emotions in him that have been dead for years. Although, not sure if she is being honest about being a princess he intends to use her in his scheme of revenge.

Soon we are introduced to another great characters Robert's sister Millicent. Also, we meet Clarice's younger sister Amy, who has a minor roll in this story. I could not wait to read the next page to find out what was going to happen next. Why did Robert want Clarice to pretend to be someone she was not, who was this hero Ogley, and the mysterious man sneaking outside Robert's home. I do hope to some of the characters show up in the next book, which I cannot wait to read.

I read another series by Dodd that was OK, but so far this one rates very high and I cannot wait for the next story..... 5 STARS

The story takes place in colonial times (1784) in Kentucky. The book begins with Linnet Blanche Tyler and her parents who left England for the American countryside. They are raided by Indians who steal the children and kill the parents. Unknown to them Linnet is not a child but a grown woman, when the Indians realize the mistake they made they are mad and begin to torture Linnet. She is soon rescued by Devon "Mac" Macalister and in return all he wants from her is to learn to read, which I don’t think ever happened.

He takes her to a small settlement Sweetbriar where we meet several characters including Devon’s cousin Cord. An incident with Cord and Linnet leaves her almost dead, her I was appalled that she gets no sympathy from Devon due to his jealousy. Linnet finally has enough of his rubbish and leaves town and possibly carrying Devon’s child. Many events transpire which makes the story an interesting and quick read.

The novel was up and down, for me I felt no emotion the characters are under developed, I did not like Mac at all in the story, even with a few good qualities they never made up for the treatment of Linnet. His anger and jealousy controlled him and never redeemed himself in my opinion. I wanted more of a background on both main characters and not so much fighting.I give it 2 Stars.

As the title suggests the book is about “The Pretenders” Baron Reeve of Ormsby, Earl of Cambridge and Deborah “Deb” who pretended they were engaged so that Reeve could get his hands on his inheritance. I cannot “Pretend” I liked the book, I kept reading in hopes something would happen, but I was greatly disappointed.

Reeve lost both parents and his father appointed his Uncle guardian over his estate and finances until he felt he was responsible. Well Reeve could not keep himself from visiting the gambling rooms or betting on horse races in which he entered his own horse and ended up not finishing the race and owing money that his Uncle did not want to pay out. In order to insure his uncle would pay off his debts he needed to get married.

Once he discusses his dilemma to Deb she agrees to pretend an engagement, her mother supports her since Reeve has always been so good to them since her mother only gets a small allowance from her step-brother.

The story has great potential but fails miserably, no chemistry between the two main characters. There are parts left out of the story, and I don’t understand why some of the things happened. There is only one book I have not finished reading during my lifetime of reading and this was almost the second, I just felt obligated to finish.

I give it ONE STAR.

A Well Rounded Challenge

A Well Rounded Challenge

Dates of Challenge 7/1/2008-12/31/2008

Could not resist this challenge!!! What a great idea.

To be well-rounded however means stretching yourself to include as many challenges (and books) as you can fit into this six month time frame. I will add more books on 7/1 not sure what I will have read by t hen.

Romance Book Club Reading Challenge:
1. Midnight Lady Rosemary Rogers


Historical Reading Challenge:
2. The Conquest Elizabeth Chadwick


2008 Summer Reading Challenge: