The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell

Title: The Last Kingdom (Saxon Chronicles Bk 1)
Author: Bernard Cornwell
Publisher: Harpercollins, January 2006
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 368
Rating 4 Crowns

Last Kingdom, the first in Cornwell’s Saxon Chronicles introduces us to Uhtred, the ten year old heir to the Earl of Northumbria. It is 866 AD, England is full of unrest and Uhtred’s home is attacked by the Danes, his family is killed and he is taken prisoner by the Danes and their leader Ragnar the Fearless and raised in the way of the Vikings. We see Uhtred grow into a young man as he is introduced to the joys of women, battle and freedom and he becomes like a son to Ragnar. Being English and never forgetting his lost home of Bebbanburg Castle in Northumbria, Uhtred is torn between loyalty to Ragnar and the Vikings and the desire to reclaim his family’s land. The Danes seek to conquer Alfred, the pious Christian King of the Kingdom of Wessex, the last remaining Kingdom in England that they haven’t conquered. In a particularly savage attack by a rival group on Ragnar’s family, Uhtred’s fate is decided for him. He puts forth the rumor that he was also killed in the attack and escapes to join the side of King Alfred against the Danes. He has one condition on fighting for Alfred and that is to marry the Saxon girl Mildrith. In the great siege of Guthrum, Alfred’s wife is captured by the Danes and Uhtred is offered up by King Alfred in a hostage exchange. Now back with the Danes and reunited with Ragnar the Fearless’ son Ragnar the Younger, Uhtred must search out his wife and decide on which side of the Battle his loyalties really lay.

I have got to hand it to Bernard Cornwell-he is in my opinion bar none one of the best writers of historical adventure out there today. The main character in this novel, Uhtred is dominant, unapologetic and I completely loved him. The novel was like a window into the Viking way of life at this time and learning the customs and beliefs of the Danes through the eyes of Uhtred was fascinating. By far though, the best part of the book was the battle scenes. Cornwell writes them in such a way that you can picture exactly what a shield wall looks like. You can clearly see in your mind Uhtred standing shoulder to shoulder with other men waiting to march forward, sword drawn, smelling the fear of those around him and trying hard to fend off extremely skilled opponents while trying not to slip in the gore covering the battlefield. There is so much more going in addition to the battles. It’s Viking against Saxon and Christianity against the Viking belief system and also Uhtred’s struggle with where he really belongs.

The only thing in the entire book that made me wonder just a bit was how the author portrays Alfred. This is supposed to be the “Great” English King Alfred who drove the Danes from England when all the odds were stacked against him. Here we get Alfred as somewhat of a weakling, completely wrapped up in his religion and easily influenced by those around him. Not exactly the guy you would picture saving the day for England is it? I think though that since this is the first book in what is now a five book series with more on the way, that we will see this character evolve quite a bit as the novels continue on.

I know when I first picked up this book I was a bit apprehensive thinking it was something that would be geared more towards male readers with all the battles and whatnot but the story is just so good I think it can be enjoyed by everyone. With his equally good Warlord Chronicles about King Arthur, Bernard Cornwell is quickly climbing my top ten list of favorite historical fiction authors.




Visit Holly @ Bippity Boppity Book

For a Queen’s Love by Jean Plaidy

Title For a Queen’s Love
Author- Jean Plaidy
Publisher Random House
Release Date 2010
Rating-Rating: 4.25 Crowns out of 5


From the Back Cover:

Power-hungry monarch, cold-blooded murderer, obsessive monster – who could love such a man?

Set against the glittering courts of sixteenth-century Europe, the Spain of the dreaded Inquisition, and the tortured England of Bloody Mary, For a Queen’s Love is the story of Philip II of Spain – and of the women who loved him as a husband and father.


This was my very first Plaidy novel and I chose to start with this one because I knew very little about Philip aside from his time as Mary Tudor’s husband. I was hoping to get a feel for this prolific author’s style while learning something new in the process and I was not disappointed.

The novel begins with Philip as a child, raised as the heir to Charles I and the greatest kingdom in the world with all of the pressures and formalities that go along with such a heavy burden. He is a solemn child, anxious to perform as expected, almost obsessive in his desire to please and to be loved in return. The novel follows him as he grows and demonstrates how each of his first three wives had an effect on shaping his personality, from the awkwardness and tragedy of first love during his teenage marriage to Maria Manoela, to the smothering, unstable, loveless marriage of state to a much older Mary Tudor, and then on to a more satisfying, if not perfect marriage to the young and pretty Elisabeth Valois of France. And all the while Philip’s first son and heir, the undesireable Don Carlos, haunts his footsteps and creates a great sense of urgency and obligation to produce another male heir.

Throughout Philip’s life two frightening themes pop up over and over: the abundance of inbreeding within the royal family, which seemed to be the cause of some serious mental and physical deficiencies, and the horrors of the Inquisition. Philip is devoutly Catholic and was taught from an early age that the greatest threat to his empire was the heretic and thus as he grows older his desire to serve God by ridding the world of heretics begins to consume him. He fails to achieve the English crown, he fails to secure great military victories, but he believes that he may achieve greatness yet in his efforts to please God and feels justified in his actions during the Inquisition, actions that have led to his depiction as a “monster”:

Philip was thinking of God’s pleasure in the drama which was about to be enacted; he was thinking of the delight of God in maimed and tortured bodies, in the cries of agony.

The Inquisition in its mercy gives these people a foretaste of Hell that they may repent in time and save themselves from an eternity of suffering.

Plaidy's take on Philip appears to be historically accurate for the most part, although the fate of Philip's first son, Don Carlos, is debated. Plaidy has taken the dramatic route in this novel, but while scholars agree he was physically deformed and mentally unstable and there is evidence that he may have plotted to kill Philip, most modern historians believe Don Carlos died from complications of his own ill treatment of his body and not at the hands of his father.

I do wonder why the author chose not to go on to Philip's fourth marriage to his niece, Anna of Austria, daughter of Philip's cousin, Maximillian, and Phillip's sister, Maria, who bore him five children over ten years, including Philip III. Historians seem to agree that this was a happy marriage and that Anna had a positive effect on Philip and the Spanish court. It may very well have been that in this last marriage Philip finally received the love of a queen he had so desperately been searching for. After reading up a bit on this last marriage, I feel like no portrayal of Philip’s life could be complete without its inclusion and that’s my main reason for not rating this higher.

This novel combines vividly evocative, engrossing, informative, and eye-opening historical content with a poignant tale of a boy turned man turned king who struggled to please too many at the expense of himself. A fascinating, entertaining portrait of a man who has been often overshadowed in history by his father and his second wife. Highly recommended.

Visit Jenny @ Let them Read Books

Lord of the Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier

Title: Lord of the Changing Winds
Author: Rachel Neumeier
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit, 2010
367p
Rating: 4 crowns

The desert winds have come to the village of Minas Ford. Griffins, creatures of fire, have appeared in a burning haze - searing the sky a blinding white and scorching the earth to parched, barren sand. These majestic beasts, half-lion, half-eagle, spread arid desert wherever they roam!

For shy young Kes, gathering healing herbs alone in the meadows, they are a sight to wonder at and she feels none of the fear that the other villagers do when they discover the presence of the griffins. So when a dark stranger appears in Minas Ford and tells her many griffins are wounded and the king of the griffins is dying and only she has the power to heal them , she goes with him.

King Iaor's response is very different. He is a good king and very aware of his responsibilities but with the kingdom of Feierabiand bordered on both sides by other kingdoms he is constantly vigilant for the signs of any aggression that will disturb the peace of his land. He sees the griffins as a threat and will not tolerate the destruction of his people's farmland. Like a medieval ruler he holds the power and he makes the decisions. He sends his friend and trusted advisor, Bertaud , with an army to drive the griffins away with force. An act that ends in defeat but opens the way for more peaceable negotiations between Iaor and the king of the griffins which results in the discovery that all is not what it seems and the greater threat lies with the neighbouring king.

I don't read a great deal of fantasy and I'm particular about the sort of fantasy I read but I enjoyed this immensely. It starts a little slowly as the author builds her fantasy world but once the action begins it's a very exciting page turner. The descriptions of the individual griffins and the desert of fire they live in are stunning although I did have some problems with the complexity of their names. Anasakuse Sipiike Kairaithin and Eskainiane Escaile Sehaikiu don't exactly roll off the tongue! Kairaithin is the griffin fire mage and is definitely the strongest and most intriguing character although not always likeable in his attempts to take away the humanness of Kes and turn her into a fire mage also. Kes makes an interesting heroine as the more she takes on griffin qualities the more remote and indifferent she becomes while Iaor and Bertaud provide the necessary earthy human contrast.

Lord of the Changing Winds is the first book of the Griffin Mage Trilogy - a tale of kings and mythical creatures, mages and warriors, battles and political intrigue that will surely please fantasy lovers. The second in the series - Land of the Burning Sands has already been released and I look forward to reading it.



Visit Cat @ Tell Me A Story

The Rose of York Trilogy by Sandra Worth

Rating 5 Crowns



Love & War

In a tumultuous era marked by peril and intrigue, reversals of fortune and violent death, the passions of a few rule the destiny of England and change the course of history . . .

Set in Malory’s England during the Wars of the Roses, this stirring tale of passion and romance tells the true love story of the two star-crossed lovers, Richard of Gloucester and Lady Anne Neville, before they become King and Queen of England.





Crown of Destiny

After Edward IV's death in 1483, his detested queen Elizabeth Woodville makes a grab for power in court rotten with intrigue. To avert civil war, Richard of Gloucester must betray his royal brother's secret, for which another brother has already died. With war looming, to protect those he loves, Richard is forced into the most excruciating decision of his life, one that will change the course of history




Fall From Grace

The dramatic conclusion to the Rose of York trilogy, this well documented, historically accurate novels bring Richard III vividly to life as reluctant king and tragic hero whose legacy, centuries later, flowered into modern Western democracy. Plunging the readers into the swirling currents of Malory’s England and the War of the Roses for a stirring tale of passion, romance, lust, intrigue, betrayal, and murder.

*Please note that each of those descriptions are from the back of the book. I felt that if I give my own synopsis, I would giveaway too many of the details that readers should read on their own.



My Thoughts

When I opened the book Love & War the first thing that I noticed was the dedication from Sandra saying:

“For Richard,
For John,
and for all who shine a light across the dark chasm of Time.”
When I read those words I felt that it was a very weighty statement, and throughout the series the dedication would ring through my mind. I felt that Sandra truly was writing this series for Richard, to show him in a more humanistic light. For once I felt as though Richard had a voice, no long was he this Machiavellian villain, hideous in both appearance and actions that Shakespeare had dream up to please his Queen, but he was a true human. Sandra seems to have a connection with Richard III that shines through the pages of her novels, illuminating the true person. She has done an outstanding job portraying Richard III as who he really was, a man who was caring and kind. Not only does she show readers who he really was, she allows the readers to see the trials and tribulations that he suffered throughout his life time.

I believe that Sandra Worth is a master at Richardian literature, never before has an author been able to capture the emotions of this misrepresented King. This heartfelt trilogy features chronicles Richards life from childhood to king, and leaves nothing out.

Although this is s trilogy of war, loss, and betrayal it is also the story of eternal love.


Please not that the novels are all standalone novels and can be read on their own, although I will guarantee that you will want to read them all.

If you should only want to read one, please read, Fall From Grace, as I feel it is most powerful of the trilogy.








Murder Most Royal
The Case of the Princes in the Tower
By Sandra Worth

One of history’s most enduring mysteries involves the disappearance of the two little princes in the Tower believed murdered by their uncle, Richard III. But did he really murder his nephews? And was a murder even committed?

New research into the age-old mystery of the lost princes suggests an even more dramatic and staggering possibility: that one of the princes survived, and that the pretender the Tudors nicknamed “Perkin Warbeck” was really who he claimed to be-Richard of England.

The truth can never be known for certain. The mystery is shrouded by the passage of time. Evidence has been lost, or destroyed, sometimes by royal decree, and Shakespeare has forged myth into historical fact. For theses reasons, what happened to the princes will forever remain a cold case. But now, a new book gathers together all that is known for certain, and from the ashes of history a different picture emerges. One that is powerful, dramatic, epic, and brutal.

My forthcoming novel, Pale Rose of England, takes this new information and shapes it into story of what might have been. For centuries, questions have swirled around the fate of the princes and it has been assumed that they were probably murdered. But there are holes in all the theories and much remains unexplained-we turn history on its head and ask, What if the younger prince survived? Suddenly, the loose ends and odd pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Did Richard III murder his nephews? My research has convinces me he didn’t. I can’t explore all my reasons in the space of this brief post, but let’s examine Richard III’s most famous detractor, William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare wrote for a Tudor queen, and he has a good reason to be careful. His uncle and aunt, and their daughter and son-in-law were tortured in the Tower of London and executed when Shakespeare was eighteen years old. They were Catholics, and one night when the son-in-law was drunk, he made a politically very incorrect remark in a tavern about Queen Elizabeth I, a protestant. Shakespeare never forgot what happened to his family and wasn’t going to make the same mistake. He gave the Tudors what they wanted to hear-the official line that Richard III murdered the little princes in the Tower. The death of King Edward IV’s two sons left his daughter, Elizabeth of York heir to the throne. When she married Henry Tudor, she legitimized the Tudor dynasty.

By the way, in passing-did you know Richard III had three little princes, not just two, standing between him and the throne? So what happened to the third prince?

He was murdered-excuse me, executed-by Henry Tudor. Therein lies a tale.




Giveaway Details



Sandra Worth has kindly offered to host a lovely contest for Royal Reviews.
One lucky winner will win a signed book of their choice from Sandra’s award winning titles.
These titles include:

The King’s Daughter
Lady of the Roses
Love & War
Crown of Destiny
Fall from Grace.


To enter the giveaway please email Sandra Worth at historyworthreading at gmail dot com with Royal Reviews Constest in the subject line.

The contest will also be posted on Sandra’s website and her FaceBook page after August 1st.

The contest is open until September 1st.

Best Wishes & Happy Reading


My Thanks to Sandra Worth for the guest blog as well as the giveawy.





Visit Angela @ Renee's Reads

The Red Priest's Annina by Sarah Bruce Kelly

Title-The Red Priest's Annina

by Sarah Bruce Kelly

ISBN-13: 9780578025667


ISBN: 0578025663


Publisher: Bel Canto Press


Format: Hardcover, 260pp

Appropriate for Ages 12 and older





Synopsis from Goodreads:


THE RED PRIEST'S ANNINA, based on actual events, tells the story of 15-year-old Annina Girò, an aspiring singer who faces abandonment, cruelty, and harassment in her quest for theatrical stardom. Annina arrives in Venice in the winter of 1722 in hopes of studying with the great Venetian priest-violinist and opera impresario Antonio Vivaldi, known as the "Red Priest" because of his fiery red hair. But on her arrival she discovers that he has left for Rome. Her dream of singing in the opera is further hindered by family problems, a disparaging singing master, a malicious rival singer, a noble patron who becomes a sexual predator, and a mysterious Gypsy's prediction that she will suffer much and be silenced. Annina's struggle to break into and survive the treacherous, cutthroat world of Venetian opera is set against the colorful back-drop of 18th-century Venice, with its carnivals, masks, drama, intrigue, and music.


My Thoughts:


I was fascinated from the opening line "I bit back the song I ached to sing" to the very end reading through the credits. Annina's truest desire is to sing opera. Not only does she want to sing opera, she longs to sing opera with her favored Don Antonio, Vivaldi, aka, the "Red Priest" for his red locks and priesthood. I chose this book because it was about Vivaldi and I adore all types of music from the loud, raucous guitar, drums, and keyboards my son plays to classic rock to opera and classical. I have portions of The Four Seasons on my iPod that I listen to while doing homework even! I've even been to the local college with my daughter to a Italian composers medley concerto BUT I don't think I ever knew that Vivaldi was called the "Red Priest" or that he had red hair or that he was even a priest! So I found this book so fascinating!


Annina is fifteen years old when circumstances work out for her to move from her father's home in Mantua to Venice so that she may study voice under her beloved Don Antonio. Her older sister, Paulino takes her to Venice to the boardinghouse in which she is to reside paid for by the Duke of Massa Carrara. On the way to the boardinghouse Annina encounters a gypsy who gives her an ominous warning and a carnival mask:


"You will suffer much." The woman's hissing tone and strange accent sharpened the sting of her sinister words.


My heart lurched. "Scusi?" I fumbled to apologize, but she cut me off.


"La moretta. She will shelter you."


I gawked dumbly at the ghoulish black mask she'd shoved into my hand, unsure how such an evil looking thing could protect me.


"La moretta was given to me by a countess, as payment for telling her fortune," the woman said. "She has much value. But for you, one soldo." "There are no bands or strings. Inside the mask there is un bottone, a button you will clutch with your teeth. You will have no voice. The silence of la moretta will shield you."


Once Annina arrives at the boardinghouse she realizes that not all is at it seems. She is at the mercy of the other girls living in the home, especially Chiara, a jealous, vindictive opera singer who only seems out to ensure the failure of Annina. The twists and turns the story takes are all the more fascinating because it is history and not just an imaginary tale. It is not until Annina overcomes her fear and doubts and speak up for herself that she is able to fly like the butterfly she longs to play.

Some interesting links

Music Composed for Beloved Anna Giro by Vivaldi

Vivaldi Music & Pictures
Timeline of Vivaldi Operas

Ode to Anna Giro

Bel Canto Press






Visit Stacy @ A Novel Source

The Thief by Megan Whalen-Turner

The Thief by Megan Whalen-Turner
Publisher: Puffin Books (Penguin)
Genre: YA
Paperback, 219 pages
Book Source: Free Library of Philadelphia
My Rating: 95/100
From the author's website:

The most powerful advisor to the King of Sounis is the magus. He's not a wizard, he's a scholar, an aging solider, not a thief. When he needs something stolen, he pulls a young thief from the King's prison to do the job for him.


Gen is a thief and proud of it. When his bragging lands him behind bars he has one chance to win his freedom-- journey to a neighboring kingdom with the magus, find a legendary stone called Hamiathes's Gift and steal it.

The magus has plans for his King and his country. Gen has plans of his own.

My Thoughts:

This story begins with Gen in jail. He was caught because he boasted about a huge heist he did. (Hmm....why would he do something as stupid as that?) Gen winds up in the King's jail and it is not an easy existence down there in the bowels of the palace. Due to his reputation of being a great, yet boastful thief, the King's magus gets him released in order to perform an important and secret mission for the King, steal Hamiathes's Gift. The Gift has the power to affect the course of history for the three surrounding countries in this story, Sounis, Attolia, and Eddis.


Gen, the Magus and several companions embark on their secret journey to find the Gift and along the way we discover more about Gen, and more about this world that Whalen-Turner has created. It is very similar to ancient Greece in landscape, foods eaten, manner of dress, and religion of course. I came to adore Gen on this journey because he is such a smart ass. He knows how to get under people's skin and he enjoys it. But for all his stone breaking, when push comes to shove, Gen is there when you need him. And he has the back of his companions too, much to their surprise. Yes, Gen is quite the character.

That is all I want to say about the plot because you really must read this book for yourself. I want you to get lost in the story and experience as I did. I read this book so quickly because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There were also several surprises along the way, and I know more will be revealed in the next book. No cliff hanger, but the story is certainly not finished. The Thief is a fun adventurous read and I can't wait to pick up the next one in the series.

For more information please visit the author website: http://meganwhalenturner.org/index.html





Visit Jenny Girl @ Jenny Loves to Read

The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner

Hello Royal Readers,

This week is Young Adult Week. So be sure to join as our Royal Reviewers explore this wonderful genre.


-The Queen of the Quill




Title: The Red Necklace
Author: Sally Gardner
Publication date: 2008
Genre: YA historical fiction

Yann Margoza works as an assistant to the French magician Topolain along side the gypsy dwarf Tetu. Yann has the unusual ability to throw his voice and read minds. Together, he and Tetu work to make Topolain look like a gifted magician and all goes well until they are asked to perform at the home of the Marquis de Villeduval. In attendance is the evil Count Kalliovski. Topolain makes the mistake of angering Kalliovski and in the process loses his life during the magic act. The Count also tries to kill Yann and Tetu but they are able to escape with the help of Sido, the beautiful young daughter of the Marquis de Villeduval. When Tetu is shot by one of Count Kalliovski's henchmen, Yann is sent to England to live with Sido's aunt and uncle. Meanwhile Sido becomes a pawn in Kalliovski's evil plans and Yann is determined to rescue her and make Kalliovski pay.

Yann is a poor orphan with a mysterious past. Tetu has become like family to him so Yann is devastated when Tetu is shot and he is sent away to England. Yann's abilities and the mystery of his parentage are central to the story and connect him with Count Kalliovski. Yann is a likeable and brave character. He faces some very difficult situations and he puts himself in harm's way to help those he cares about. Just like Yann, Sido has also lost a parent. Her mother was killed when she was a baby and her father treats her horribly. It is because of the Marquis that Sido finds herself in the clutches of the vile Count Kalliovski. While I liked Sido's character I do wish that she had been stronger and more assertive. The other main character is Count Kalliovski. He makes a fantastic creepy villain with a sense of the macabre. The Red Necklace is set during the French Revolution and combines historic detail, interesting characters, a dash of romance, and plenty of mystery. I particularly enjoyed how the magical/supernatural element was added to the story. The sequel, The Silver Blade, was published in 2009. The Red Necklace would appeal to fans of historical fiction and mystery.

Readalikes: Sovay by Celia Rees, The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliott, The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap


Visit Christina @ Reading Extensively

Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly

TITLE: Galway Bay
Author: Mary Pat Kelly
Pgs: 567
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating 4 Crowns

In 1839 on the sparkling shores of Galway Bay we meet the young Keeley sisters-18 year old Maire and 16 year old Honora. Maire is recently married to her love Johnny while Honora is destined for the church, that is until a man appears out of the sea from nowhere and captures her heart. Honora changes her mind about the church and marries Michael Kelly, the man from the sea. They seek happiness despite the turbulent times, with the English repeatedly trying to destroy the Irish and drive them out. The first of many hardships occurs when on their wedding day, Major Pyke, the abusive English landlord comes to claim Honora's first night as a bride. Maire sacrifices herself and goes in Honora's place becoming the mistress of Pyke's son Robert. The families start to grow as Michael and Honora have children, as does Maire in her captivity. Further tragedy strikes when blight poisons the potato crop three years in a row-the only crop the Irish have to survive on as the English take everything else and ship it home. In a final act of cruelty the English drive Honora and Maire, both now widowed and their families out of the village forcing them to gain passage on a vessel bound for America with the hope they'll be able to find Michael's brother, rumored to be in a place called Chicago.

The two widows travel to Chicago and do their best to build lives for themselves and their children but encounter much prejudice against the Irish They long for the Ireland they left while trying to adapt to Amerikay, a country that is also in turmoil and heading for war. When war does break out the family is divided as several of Honora and Maire's boys enlist in the fighting. They continue to adapt and overcome even as tragedy continues to strike and slowly start to give up hope of saving Ireland from the English and decide to stay in America for good.

Galway Bay, a fascinating and touching family saga, spans over 60 years and several generations. I admired the tenacity of the Kelly clan and their way of never giving up hope despite several hardships-the blight, poverty, loss of loved ones and the war among them. I especially enjoyed spirited and bold Maire, a contrast from level headed Honora. I didn't like the subplot of Honora deciding whether or not to follow her heart and seek love again with Michael's brother Patrick after she had been widowed. I enjoyed the family story a lot more. Also around the time the book moves on to the civil war there are so many family members and other assorted characters it became a bit difficult to remember who was who. For example, an Irish couple that Maire and Honora met on the boat over were mentioned much later in the book and I couldn't remember who they were. I had to go back and look to see where they originally featured in the story.

The author based this novel on her own family history and you can tell that the writing is from the heart. I really enjoyed reading this take on Irish history and the struggles this family faced from the English in Ireland and then with establishing themselves in America.

Visit Holly @ Bippity Boppity Book

Wild Irish by Robin Maxwell

Title: The Wild Irish

Author: Robin Maxwell

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publishing Date: 2003

Rating: 4 Crowns

Synopsis: The glorious, turbulent sixteenth century is drawing to a close. Elizabeth, Queen of England, has taken on the mighty Spanish Armada and, in a stunning sea battle, vanquished it. But her troubles are far from over.
At home she is challenged at every turn by the brilliant but reckless Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, whose dangerous mix of passion and political ambition drives the aging queen to distraction. Just across the western channel, her colony Ireland is embroiled in seething rebellion, the island's fierce untamed clan chieftains and their "wild Irish" followers refusing to bow to their English oppressors.

In the midst of the conflict is Grace O'Malley, notorious pirate, gunrunner, and "Mother of the Irish Rebellion." For years, the audacious Grace has plotted and fought against the English stranglehold on her beloved country. At the height of the uprising Grace takes an outrageous risk, sailing up the River Thames to London for a face-to-face showdown with her nemesis, the Queen of England.

The historic meeting of these two female titans - perfectly matched in guts, guile, and political genius - sets the stage for the telling of the little-known but crucial saga of Elizabeth's Irish war, a conflict at the very root of every subsequent Irish uprising. No one breathes life into these strong and pugnacious women as does Robin Maxwell in this captivating novel, a rousing tale that makes history gloriously real.

My Review: I started out this book knowing virtually nothing about the history of Ireland - I knew there had been fights with the English, trying to take over Ireland as it tried to take over so much of this world - but beyond that, very little. This novel did a great job of pulling me in with the Tudor world we are all so familiar with, and then throws you right into the middle of the Irish rebellion and Grace's story.

Alternating between the history of the Irish Rebellion from Grace's perspective, and that of Essex trying to get what he wants from Queen Elizabeth, you get a taste of what it would have been like on both sides of this brutal story. I truly got the impression that Elizabeth truly did not understand the affect her actions had on a lovely people whose lives were dashed to pieces by decisions that seem pointless from a modern standpoint.

The reader knows all along that Grace and Elizabeth are on opposite sides, and I for one have been a long standing fan of Elizabeth. Despite this, I found myself drawn to Grace, as she is such a charming, yet brazen character. I found myself identifying with her so much that I too, was against the English!

I also loved that Grace O'Malley was a real life person, and the author does a great job of keeping seemingly close to her actual story, from what I can tell. Regardless of how much of the story is fictionalized, I felt like I learned a lot about English brutality and how poorly they treated the people of other lands. Having a character like Grace tell the story from her perspective really shows a personal side to the other side, and paints a picture you won't quickly forget.





Visit Crystal @ I Totally Paused

Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor

Title: Star of The Sea
Author: Joseph O'Connor
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Secker & Warburg, 2002
Rating: 4.5 crowns

In the bitter winter of 1847, from an Ireland devastated by the potato famine, a ship sets sail for New York. It's name is the Star of the Sea and on board are hundreds of desperate souls fleeing their suffering homeland in the hope of a better life.
Among the fifteen first class passengers are the bankrupt Lord Merridith and his family, their nanny, the widowed Mary Duane and an American journalist.Below decks in steerage the poor and starving will suffer the twenty-six day voyage in cramped and unsanitary conditions with very little food and walking among them is a shadowy killer hungry for vengeance.The threads that bind these people together will gradually be revealed as each looks back on their life and recalls the events that have brought them to where they are. Passionate loves and guilty secrets, neglected responsibilities and nefarious activities.............they leave their homeland but some things are not so easily left behind.

The story is told in a variety of ways. As a narrative from different perspectives, from newpaper articles and letters , quotations, ballads, and each day the harrowing entries in the Captain's log as this kind and compassionate man writes the numbers who have died overnight and whose bodies will be given to the ocean.Throughout the book there are many wonderful pen and ink drawings that originally appeared in newspapers of the time such as the Illustrated London News and Harper's Weekly.

While the format of the book has a unique and very Victorian feel which definitely adds to the reading experience it is the quality of Joseph O'Connor's writing that takes the breath away. Haunting descriptive prose that is both beautiful and brutal in its honest portrayal of the social injustices so many of the Irish people suffered it is heartbreakingly tragic yet filled with the spirit of hope and healing.

Magnificent historical fiction which I highly recommend.




Visit Cat @ Tell Me A Story

Ireland by Frank Delaney

This week Royal Reviews is featuring Ireland. So join us as we read our way through the Emerald Hills of Erin


Title- Ireland a novel

Author Frank Delaney

Publisher Harper Collins

Publication Date 2005

A novel of huge ambition, beautifully told, Ireland is the unstoppably readable story of a remarkable nation. On a November evening in 1951, an itinerant storyteller, the last of a fabled breed, arrives unannounced and mysterious at a house in the Irish countryside. By the fire, he begins to tell the story of this extraordinary island. One of his listeners, a nine-year-old boy, grows so entranced by the storytelling that, when the old man leaves, he devotes his life to finding him again.

It is a search that uncovers both passions and mysteries, in the boy's life as well as the old man's. In addition, a remarkable document is quoted from throughout the book - the Storyteller's own chronicle, poignant, sharp and frequently amusing. Together they comprise the narrative of a people, the history of a nation, the telling of Ireland in all its drama, intrigue and heroism, its philosophy, its spirit, its national ego.

Ireland travels through the centuries by way of story after story, from the savage grip of the Ice Age to the green and troubled land of brochures and headlines. Along the way, we meet foolish kings and innocent monks, god-heroes and great works of art, shrewd Norman raiders and envoys from Rome, leaders, lovers and poets. Each illuminates the magic of Ireland, the troubling power of England and the eternal connection to the raw earth.
(from the back cover)

I first happened upon Frank Delaney by shire luck, I was researching Boudicca for a research paper, and found an article by Frank Delaney. Well needless to say I was interested in finding more from this very heartfelt writer. Finally I found the book “Ireland”. Needless to say I was hooked from the first page. The way that Frank Delaney unravels Ireland's intricately woven history along with the one boys struggle to find himself is breathtaking. This book has so many layers and hidden depths that makes it truly engaging. A brilliant look into the history of Ireland from the master of Irish History, Frank Delaney. Take it from me once you have read something from this man, you will thirst for more. A book the embodies the heart, spirit, and soul of Ireland and it’s people.

Here is a few quotes from Ireland that made me fall in love with it.

“The wisest men tells is that everything sooner or later changes. And all change commences with a specific moment. We say to ourselves, “I won’t do this again, I must become different.” And one day we succeed-eventually”

“The heroic in man is something for which we should all reach in ourselves. If we find we don’t possess our own heroism, we should respect it whenever we come across it friend or foe”.

On a side note you may want to look for the Hardback edition if you plan to keep this in your permanent library. I have noticed that the spin breaks in the paperback edition due to the amount of pages.




Visit Angela Renee @ Renee's Reads

Drake's Bay by T.A. Robert

Here is a review that I was unable to post during mystery week due to technical problems. So please enjoy.

-The Queen of the Quill




Drake's Bay by T.A. Robert
Publisher: The Permanent Press
Genre: Mystery
Hardback 239 pages
Book Source: Free Library of Philadelphia
My Rating: 93/100
Recommended By: Jenna A from Luxury Reading
From Goodreads:

On a quiet Sunday morning in San Francisco, scholar Ethan Storey and his girlfriend are touring an open house in the hills. It is an archive of rare books and Ethan comes to believe that the rarest of the rare may be here: the logbooks of the 1577–1580 world voyage of Sir Francis Drake. These have been lost to history—suppressed by Queen Elizabeth, who thought they contained the state secrets of the Northwest Passage. Where had Drake sailed? A brass plate purportedly left behind by Drake near San Francisco Bay and found in the 1930s had been accepted as genuine, then exposed as fraud, re-validated and exposed again. It was always suspected that the actual records of the voyage might still exist, and if found would make the plate, validated, a treasure for its owner. But if the powerful California family that held the “plate of brass” was desperate for cash, yet would rather destroy the logbooks than see them made public, something else must be going on.

The logbooks are the nexus of a contemporary story of greed as violent and conspiratorial as anything in the sixteenth century. As Ethan, a university professor in midlife with doubts about his much younger lover, searches for the logs, he also discovers much more about her, his emotionally detached father, and the power of historical events to shape our lives.




My Thoughts:

I read a review of this book over at Luxury Reading and instantly requested it from the library. I was not disappointed. The story opens with an innocent tour of an odd looking house, the Williams Institute in the hills of San Francisco. The Institute has an extensive private book collection, which is in dire need of a historian to help assess its value. In the blink of an eye history professor Ethan Storey decides to help and just as quickly he is drawn into a mystery regarding Sir Francis Drake's lost log books.

The action is pretty fast, and some of the things that happen were quite surprising. As for character development, I never felt like I got to know Storey's wife, Kay. Even when I was finished I still wasn't sure about her. As a matter of fact, I'm not that fond of her either. Ethan I liked and thought he was pretty developed. I got to know him and his quirks, and he was quite endearing. If there is another book that features Professor Storey, I would definitely read it.
There was a slow spot in the beginning when Storey (love the name) is sailing his boat up the coast and the descriptions are nautical like sails and stuff. I did not have a clue as to what he was talking about, and almost considered putting the book down. However, I sucked it up and these pages passed quickly until the end of the story where there is a, I guess you could say, high speed chase across the waters surrounding San Francisco. Those parts I read eagerly and straight through until finished due to the suspense and anticipation of what was going to happen next. Apparently I could figure out the nautical jargon enough so you can too. Don't let those beginning few pages dissuade you. Consequently, I was late for work the next day, so thanks Mr. Robert!

All in all this was a delightful book and I was surprised at how the mystery worked out. I will certainly look into the author's previous books and if Professor Storey makes another appearance, I'm there.



Visit Jenny @ Jenny Loves to Read

The Last Celtic Witch by Lyn Armstrong

Title- The Last Celtic Witch

Author- Lyn Armstrong

Publisher- Resplendence Publishing

Release Date- 2007

Pages- 150

Age Group- 18+

Genre- Historical erotic paranormal

Rating- 2.5 Crowns

Young Adele MacAye has seen her own death, she is the last Celtic Witch and she does not that legacy to end with her. That would end all the good magic in the world, and lead the path for darkness. So she does what ay good witch would do, she created a fertility spell and lets that lead her to the man who can sire a child.

Laird Phillip Roberts is a warrior and lives a rough life fighting a bloody battle against a neighboring clan. One way to end this would be to marry and make an alliance. But after meeting a fairy like creature in the woods he is not sure of anything anymore.

I do feel that this book could have been better. It had a very interesting story about a woman trying to escape the fate she has seen, and not letting good magic die. She did not think she fall for the man fate chooses. And then there is the Laird who wants to save his people but is losing his heart to an alluring witch. He does not want to marry another. And there we have the villain, an evil, sorceress who plays black magic and wants to crush the good witch, and gain more power, not to mention more land.

That had the premise to be a great story, and it was good and short when it played out. And then there was the times when the author put in those spicy scenes, but that is of course to be expected. But what I mean in the end is that didn’t always feel like a part of the story, just something to use of the sensual aspect of it all. These two didn’t always mix as well as they could have, and either mix it, or cut it out.

But for people who wants some spice with their historical, and some paranormal then this might be it. In that way it sure has it all.


Visit Blodeuedd @ The Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

The Man from Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller

Title: The Man from Stone Creek
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Historical Romance
Date published: May 29, 2007
Rating: Five crowns

Synopsis:
Lawman Sam O'Ballivan heads to Haven, Arizona posing as a schoolteacher so he can help to catch a group of outlaws causing trouble in the area. Running a school full of rough and tumble ranch kids requires a strong hand, and Sam has no problem doing that. What he didn't expect was that one of the students most in need of discipline would lead him to a woman who would change everything.
Maddie Chancelor runs the town general store as a way to provide for herself and her younger brother. She longs to own the store outright, but the wealthy landlord refuses to work with her. When Sam O'Ballivan drags her brother home with a stern reprimand for her as well, Maddie is furious. She can't stand the overbearing new schoolteacher, who seems nothing like what a schoolteacher should be.
Gunslingers, train robbers, fiances dying of outbreaks, secret sons, and shoot outs keep Maddie and Sam busy and on their toes. Still, this doesn't stop their undeniable connection and smoldering passion. As their love grows and they surmount obstacle after obstacle, it becomes clear that they must be together.

My review:
The action in this book starts quickly. In the opening pages, Sam O'Ballivan arrives at his teaching post to discover the students tormenting their current teacher. He rescues the man and reprimands the students. This one scene sets the stage for the whole book, starting a chain of events that prove exciting for the duration.
Sam O'Ballivan is a strong character, who, despite his necessary toughness, has a good heart. Maddie Chancelor offers a strong contrast to Sam's rough exterior, with her dedication to her younger brother and her job at the store. They share a sense of obligation to their promised duties, even when their hearts urge them to find a different path.
The minor characters in the book fill out the world of Haven, Arizona Territory so convincingly that it becomes a wholly believable world. Linda Lael Miller also makes the setting in the book take on the life of a character. Arizona Territory actually breathes and moves with the characters.

My Thoughts:
I have read a lot of Linda Lael Miller books, and this is by far my favorite. The story moves quickly, the love feels real, and the historical context seems right. Unlike many other romance novels, this book departs somewhat from the standard formula. Miller delves richly into the history, which makes the story live in my imagination even now as I write this.
If you love historical romances and are looking for something with a different flavor, I highly recommend this book.





Visit Liz @ Liz'a Book Nook

Love in the Afternoon by

Title- Love in the Afternoon (the fifth book in the Hathaway series)
Author- Lisa Kleypas




As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted, and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man - just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul - and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep, and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love - and a passion that can't be denied.
(description from Fantastic Fiction)


My Thoughts:

First I just want to say that that Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors. There isn’t a book of hers that I haven’t liked. This is the last book in the Hathaway Series. I have loved this series and I am sad that it has come to an end and that Ms. Kleypas is going to be concentrating on writing contemporary novels for the time being. I do lover her contemporaries!

This is Beatrix’s story she is the youngest of the Hathaway family. I really enjoyed this story. I love how Beatrix and Christopher fell in love through the letters they wrote to each other while he was fighting in the war. When Christopher comes home and realizes that it was Beatrix writing to him and not Prudence I love that the author didn’t drag out the story. Overall it wasn’t my favorite in the series, but it nicely wrapped up the Hathaway series.


Visit Randi @ Randi Romance Reader

The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen

Title- The Making of a Duchess
Author: Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-1402238659
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating 4.5 Crowns


From the Publisher:

A very dangerous attraction…
Julien Harcourt, duc de Valère, is more than willing to marry the lovely young lady his mother has chosen. Little does he know, she’s been sent to prove him a spy and a traitor…

And an even more dangerous secret…
Sarah Smith’s mission is to find out whether the Duc’s trips to the Continent are as innocent as he claims, but the way he looks at her is far from innocent…

Their risky game of cat and mouse propels them from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris, and into a fragile love that may not survive their deceptions…

My Review:

A seemingly simple request leads to a delightfully fun, quirky, and fast-paced game of charades in The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen, the first in her trilogy I am thrilled to announce. How does one describe a novel such as this without giving away the points that make the novel so delightful?

In 1789, Julien and his mother escape the peasant uprising, making 13-year-old Julien the duc de Valere. He and his mother escape France and head to England and begin a new life for themselves and all is fairly calm for twelve years when trouble finds Julien once again. Sir Northrop, a former Naval Officer now part of the Foreign Affairs Office and head of overseeing and training operatives, has been watching Julien, believing him to be an informant and a traitor. Northrop sets up an elaborate ruse to have a spy planted within Julien’s household, an intimate with the hope of an engagement between Julien and Sarafina Artois which would allow for confidences to be shared. The only problem for Northrop is he needs an operative with no family and no ties to the London ton. His choice is his governess, Sarah Smith, who has approximately three days to learn about the elite before being sent to stay with Julien and his mother. And oh yes, how is her Italian?

Galen weaves together a delightful and witty tale of cat and mouse with deception, intrigue, mystery and romance into her fast-paced Regency novel. The Making of a Duchess makes for exceptionally entertaining reading with a cast of brilliantly written characters both central and minor. An example of Galen’s wonderful command of description, wit, charm, and her delightful cast of characters is evident during Lord Aldon’s ball. One cannot help but adore Sarah as she goes from the happy and content governess to an unwilling spy, entering the Season and the ton, both entirely foreign to her. And what of Julien and his mates? Is he indeed a spy as the British government suspects or are his dealings on the continent legitimate and quite legal? Galen’s descriptive writing and wonderful dialogue makes her novel impossible to set down.

I am personally looking forward to the release of the other two novels in this trilogy, The Making of a Gentleman and The Making of a Rogue. If it is not evident yet, let me point out that I highly recommend The Making of a Duchess to any reader who is looking for an intellectual, witty, and all around delightful read.

I received a complimentary copy of The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Visit Jennifer Higgins @ Rundpinne

To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine

It's Historical Romance Week here at Royal Review and to kick it off we will be giving away 2 copies of To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine. Don't forget to check out Mary Wine's guest post.



Title- To Conquer a Highlander
Author- Mary Wine
Publisher- Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre- Historical Romance
Publication Date- July 6th, 2010
Rating- 5 Crowns ( I know that 3 reviews have to give it a high marks before it becomes a Royal Read, but I am going out on a limb and stating that more than 3 reviewers will fall in love with this book)


A FIERCE HIGHLAND LAIRD READY TO KILL FOR KING AND COUNTRY……….

Torin McLeren is outraged when he learns of his neighbor’s plot against the king. To foil the McBoyd’s scheme, he takes his enemy’s daughter hostage. But kidnapping Shannon McBoyd stirs up far more trouble than the rugged Highlander could ever have imagined…..

A STOLEN BRIDE WHO’S AS MUCH TROUBLE AS SHE IS TEMPTATION……………

Shannon fights tooth and nail, only to be captivated by the Highlander who treats her like a lady, rather than with the scorn and derision that she expects.

She can’t resist his high ideals and her fiery spirit enflames him, but consorting with the enemy could be a fatal mistake…………….


My review:

Shannon McBoyd was no use to her father, being born a girl deemed her worthless in the eyes of her father, Laird McBoyd. Pushed aside most of her life, she now finds that she is to marry a man who may become Scotland’s next king. Unable to do anything but comply with the wishes of her sire, Shannon is packed-up and shipped off to her husband-to-be. Although the Highlander Laird Torin McLeren is determined not to let that happen. Kidnapping the daughter of his enemy, Torin begins to foil McBoyds plans.

Once he has captured Shannon, he is surprised to find that he is drawn to her. Torin begins break through the defensive wall that Shannon has built around her. Will Shannon be Torins downfall or will she be his saving grace?

My thoughts:

I have read numerous Scottish themed romances, but none compare to this amazing book. I found that I was unable to put it down and the 300 plus pages flew by in one sitting. To Conquer a Highlander will have you sitting on the edge of your set with its intensity. I found that the characters were well formed, and historically true to the period from which they came. The one thing that peaked my interest about To Conquer a Highlander was the way that Mary Wine created the character of Shannon. Normally in romance book we see the woman portrayed as weak, pathetic, and helpless, with Shannon she was a strong willed character that could do for herself, which was a refreshing change.

To Conquer a Highlander is a definite page-turner, with a plot that never slows. It should be at the top of everyone’s to be read list. Although please note that this book does contain some steamy romance scenes.

This was my first encounter with a book from Mary Wine and I do have to say that it will not be my last. She has become one of my favorite romance authors.

To Conquer a Highlander is the first book in the Scottish Highland Trilogy please look for my review of Highland Hellcat coming in October.




What interested me about Medieval Scotland?

Wow… I could write a book on that question. Wait… I did write three books set in the time period…lol. Writing To Conquer a Highlander was actually a necessity after a week of historical reading. I enjoy history, actually find it fascinating. I make clothing from many time periods and I wear it too. When I say wear the clothing, I mean that I have spent an entire wee camping in “period” clothing. The things I have learned from these outings are invaluable. It is suddenly very clear why women dressed the way they did. For instance, those bodices that hold all your…..um…..fruit in so tightly…well… when one is leaning over a fire, you want those apples to stay in place!

Scotland fascinated me with its rich history that is entwined with England so tightly, it’s almost impossible to separate them. People were at the mercy of the elements and bacteria. Superstition and myth has as much power as the king or the church and in many cases they were all twisted together. Many holidays remained on the same dates but changed names as religions spread.

But it was the people of Scotland that drew my interest to placing a story there. The Romans failed to conquer them. They also endured “Hells Army” attacking them and many of those Vikings actually settled down there. By the time of To Conquer a Highlander these people were bold and tough…something I admire. This facet of their personality often caused a lot of trouble when it came to unifying under one king. I set To Conquer a Highlander during a time when clans were fighting for power but there were other clans that could see the value of remaining loyal to one king, even a boy because it would keep England from invading while the clans were brawling. When I consider the fact that there was no postal system and no way to gain information from outside your area without great effort…the fact that some men looked toward building a stronger society amazed me. I wanted to place a couple in the middle of it and see how they over came the politics of the day in order to find love. Because that’s the other thing about Scotland that enthralls me…..the romance!

Mary Wine
MaryWine.com


About The Author

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written nearly twenty works of erotic fantasy, romantic suspense, and historical romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives with her husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California. For more information please visit the authors website.

On behalf of Royal Reviews I would like to thank Mary Wine for her charming guest post.


My thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for the arc of To Conquer a Highlander. As well as the two giveaway copies.

I will be giving away 2 copies on July 30th. Open to US Residents only. To enter please leave your name and a valid email address.




Visit Angela Renee @ Renee's Reads

A SPY IN THE HOUSE by Y.S. Lee

Title- A Spy in the House

Author- Y.S. Lee

I sometimes find that novels with historical settings can be a bit dry, but Y.S. Lee has rekindled my love affair with Victorian England. A SPY IN THE HOUSE is a fantastic novel, bursting with mystery, lies, greed, secret alliances, and, of course, romance.

With her quick wit and adventuresome spirit, Mary Quinn has quickly become one of my favorite heroines! A SPY IN THE HOUSE is set in Victorian London, where Mary’s secret life as a spy is one of the many traits that sets her apart from her peers. Even with her schooling and fine manners, she doesn’t fit the mold of a typical Victorian woman. Her history is a bit blurry, her origins are unknown, and she’s bursting with opinions. Mary definitely stands out in Victorian London, but her character is so vibrant that I believe she’s stand out in any setting.

I admire Lee’s ability to use just the right amount of foreshadowing. Too much and a novel will lose much of its mysteriousness, too little and the reader will become frustrated and completely confused. There were enough clues present that I could determine some of the lies and secrets, but the biggest aspect of the mystery remained a riddle for most of the novel. I was impressed with Lee’s ability to weave seemingly independent plot lines into a complex and compelling mystery, while still keeping the mystery intact.

I was thrilled to discover that there was a romantic plot line in A SPY IN THE HOUSE. Mary is forced to hide in a wardrobe when she is nearly discovered poking through an off-limits office, only to find the wardrobe is already occupied. One can assume that if you meet a man in a wardrobe, he probably isn’t the boring sort. Mary has met her match in James Easton, who, against his better judgment, is intrigued by “Miss Closet.” The conversations between James and Mary were humorous and tension-filled; the chemistry between the two is evident from the moment they tumble out of the wardrobe.

A fast paced read, narrated by a feisty heroine, I highly recommend A SPY IN THE HOUSE! Be sure to look for A BODY AT THE TOWER, the next Mary Quinn Mystery, which hits shelves in August 2010


Visit Sara @ The Hiding Spot