Review-The American Heiress, by Daisy Goodwin

THE AMERICAN HEIRESS

Daisy Goodwin

St. Martin's Press, June 2011

480 Pages

$25.99

978-0312658656

Review by Wisteria

When I read the title, The American Heiress, you may think as I did, “Who cares?” Prepare to read a highly entertaining story and I guarantee, you will care as much as I did for Cora Cash, The American Heiress. Daisy Goodwin will take you back to a glimpse of The Guilded Age as the story of Cora Cash unfolds. It is a world of glitz, respectability and if nothing else the illusion and appearance of public propriety.

To visit the behemoth mansions of Newport, RI, a visitor sees these stately, grand, pretentious homes as cold ghosts of a past era. Walking along the cliff-walk overlooking the oscillating seas and the wildness of the ocean, most would find it is hard to fathom how a little over one hundred years ago, this was the epicenter of high society and culture. Back then, the grounds and homes were untouchable to all but the very elite. This is the setting of The American Heiress, a story about Cora Cash, the daughter of an opulent tycoon has both beauty and intelligence coupled with a domineering and social piranha.

Mrs. Cash has dreams for her daughter and visions that a suitable match will also secure her own position at the pinnacle of the social strata. After her coming out, an event that has tragic consequences, Cora travels to England with an eye on capturing an English nobleman for her husband. With a vast fortune in tow she sails to Europe on her father’s yacht. On board she is accompanied by her maid servant Bertha, and her own horses. Once in England, while out riding one day with a party of friends, she is thrown from her horse.

Somewhat like a fairy tale, Cora meets her Duke and they are married, but what follows is a bumpy ride that is unpredictable. It will remain to be seen whether it will end happily ever after. The Duke is in need of money, and fortunately for him, the girl he marries is an heiress, impressively rich. The novel is very well written and highly engaging. Cora is a captivating and courageous heroine, extremely naive, but an embraceable character. She is approachable and easy going, easily loved and wanting to always do the right thing. In trying to please, she alienates her husband, or so it seems.

This is not a story of wealth and status in The Guilded Age, but a story of betrayal, deception, devotion and love that crosses over all socio-economic barriers. It’s just not all about money, the lessons gleaned and the lives within The American Heiress will touch every reader. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book at no charge by Library Thing's Early Reviewer Program. 

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Review: To Defy a King, by Elizabeth Chadwick

TO DEFY A KING
by Elizabeth Chadwick
Sourcebooks Landmark
March 2011
$14.99, 544 pages
978-1-4022-50879-7

Synopsis from Sourcebooks

The adored and spirited daughter of England’s greatest knight, Mahelt Marshal lives a privileged life. But when her beloved father falls foul of the volatile and dangerous King John, her world is shattered. The king takes her brothers hostage and Mahelt’s planned marriage to Hugh Bigod, son of the Earl of Norfolk, takes place sooner than she expected. Mahelt and Hugh come to care for each other deeply, but Hugh’s strict father clashes with the rebellious Mahelt. When more harsh demands from King John threaten to tear the couple’s lives apart, Mahelt finds herself facing her worst fears alone, not knowing if she—or her marriage—will survive.

A brilliant story of a vibrant woman in a tyrant’s world, To Defy a King is another impeccably researched masterpiece from a beloved author. ~Sourcebooks

✎ My Review ✎

Elizabeth Chadwick continues to astound me with her imaginative, insightful writing, with scrupulous detail.  To Defy the King is a continuation of the story and the characters who were introduced in For the King’s Favor,  one of my favorite book choices for 2010. 

To Defy a King was equally affecting.  Favorite characters of mine reappear in this new novel, albeit with less spunk and energy.  Roger Bigod and Ida become background and less foreground, as each exhibits an aging temperament appearing now decidedly different. Roger Bigod is now somewhere in his 60’s and as his character has become set in his ways, he appears as an opinionated curmudgeon. Now a new generation of sons and daughters emerges in a fresh plot and large cast of diverse characters.

Mahelt arrives with tumultuous energy.  Roger Bigod's quickly discovers that his soon to be daughter in law this is a recalcitrant and feisty female who is not afraid to stand up to him. She could care less what others think or what gossip surrounds her deeds.  Bigod believes she needs to be watched, yet his plan to engage her with his wife’s sewing activities are short lived.  Mahelt abhors sewing, a favorite pastime of his wife Ida.  With an urgent need to harness or at least keep Melhelt stay out of trouble,  Bigod outlines alternative household duties that seem to satisfy Mahelt, for the short term.  The marriage of Mahelt Marshall to  Hugh Bigod will serve as an alliance between their two families. With Roger Marshall in the King’s favor, it is the perfect match.  However, Hugh and Mahelt come to adore one another and the small spark that begins as an ember of spousal duty turns to wanton passion. As King John continues to reign with eccentricity and brutality,  Hugh, is honor bound to serve his King.  Conflict develops when his fealty to the King and fealty to Mahelt and his children collide.

This book will bring page turning anxiety and lost sleep as you want to get to the finish, only to discover you didn’t want it to end. You just might miss the people who for a while became your world and the emotional emptiness is disconsolate.   I adored Mahelt, she is enchanting, alluring, intelligent and impressive, a rare personality of extreme power who will endure in print because her image was shaped by an exceptional storyteller.  When you read one of Elizabeth Chadwick’s books, you are cocooned in a wondrous historical fiction assignation.

See the exciting trailer and tune in to my blog tomorrow for Elizabeth Chadwick's guest appearance.  Elizabeth Chadwick Website.



Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing a review copy of this book. As always, reviews on my blog represent my honest unbiased opinion.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Blog Tour-I Am the Chosen King, by Helen Hollick

I AM THE CHOSEN KING

The Lost Kingdom 1066
by Helen Hollick
Sourcebooks Landmark
March 2011
$16.99, 592 pages
978-1-4022-4066-9

Synopsis from Sourcebooks

England, 1044. Harold Godwineson, a young, respected Earl, falls in love with an ordinary but beautiful woman. He marries Edyth despite her lack of pedigree, pitting him against his turbulent family and his selfish King, Edward. In France, William, the bastard son of a duke, falls in love with power. Brutal and dangerously smart, William sets his sights on England, finding ambition a difficult lust to conquer.

In 1066, with the old King Edward dying, England falls vulnerable to the winds of fate—and the stubborn will of these two powerful men. In this beautifully crafted tale, Helen Hollick sets aside the propaganda of the Norman Conquest and brings to life the English version of the story of the last Saxon King, revealing his tender love, determination, and proud loyalty, all shattered by the unforgiving needs of a Kingdom. Forced to give up his wife and risk his life for England, the chosen King led his army into the great Battle of Hastings in October 1066 with all the honor and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes. ~Sourcebooks

My Review

I am honored to be a part of Helen Hollick’s 2011 Blog Tour. Last year I was introduced to this author’s writing when I read The Forever Queen. I was so impressed with the quality and enchantment of her writing. When I was given the opportunity to preview I Am the Chosen King, and participate in this promotion of her second book in her trilogy about the Battle of Hastings, I couldn’t resist. Helen Hollick has captured my attention with much enthusiasm once again.

Harold Godwinesson, the chosen king, is a romantically compelling character, in fact, a woman’s dream: charming, loving, handsome, supportive and brave. At times his character is almost too good to be real. Where is this man, the loving father who is deeply in love with his first love, Edith, a woman who can never be queen, nor accepted as anything but his concubine, yet they will have many children?  It has the elements of a star-crossed relationship, with a prescient and foreboding future. However, he deeply loves and adores her. They share this unique and rare heart match. He is determined to have a life with her.

When King Edward dies without an heir, Harold is selected by the council to become England’s King. At this time he is compelled to chose a woman to be his Queen, solidifying an alliance for the future of England, his kingdom. However, this also means he must face severing his relationship with Edith.

Ms. Hollick presents her version of this famous day in history and the events that lead up to October 14, 1066. With precise clarity she gives the reader what is necessary to imagine the setting and characters who lived during this time. Her keen eye has puzzled the threads from 11th century tapestries she uncovered in her research to evoke the ambiance that is presented in I Am the Chosen King. The battles are vividly brutal, the gore inescapable. The serious scenes of this nobel fight for power turn quickly from the bright glitter of sharpened metal and anticipation, to the dull red bloodbath of defeat known as The Battle of Hastings.

Helen Hollick has unwoven the dusty threads of the past to assemble a unique visionary interpretation of the history that surrounded two men Harold, King of England and William, “The Bastard” Duke of Normandy and their lust for one crown in this powerful historical fiction novel.





Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my honest unbiased opinion. 


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011]. 

Review-The Anatomy of Ghosts, by Andrew Taylor

THE ANATOMY OF GHOSTS
Andrew Taylor
Hyperion
January 2011,
$24.99, 432 pages
978-1401302870

Book Description from Publisher

“1786, Jerusalem College, Cambridge
The ghost of Sylvia Whichcote is rumored to be haunting Jerusalem ever since student Frank Oldershaw claimed to have seen the dead woman prowling the grounds and was locked up because of his violent reaction to these disturbed visions.
Desperate to salvage her son’s reputation, Lady Anne Oldershaw employs John Holdsworth, author of The Anatomy of Ghosts—a stinging account of why ghosts are mere delusion—to investigate. But his arrival in Cambridge disrupts an uneasy status quo as he glimpses a world of privilege and abuse, where the sinister Holy Ghost Club governs life at Jerusalem more effectively than the Master, Dr. Carbury, ever could. And when Holdsworth finds himself haunted—not only by the ghost of his dead wife, Maria, but also by Elinor, the very-much-alive Master’s wife—his fate is sealed. He must find Sylvia’s murderer, or else the hauntings will continue. And not one of this troubled group will leave the claustrophobic confines of Jerusalem unchanged.

- Hyperion Books

My Review

I don’t often read mysteries, although when I picked up The Anatomy of Ghosts, I was lured into this haunting tale that took place at Jerusalem College, a fictitious campus in 18th century England. I have included the publisher synopsis above and a trailer is available at the Hyperion site,so for the sake of brevity, I will forgo a plot review.

If you have not read anything written by Andrew Taylor, you will definitely want to pick up his newest book. A new author to me, I was charmed throughout. His writing is exciting, each page adds another layer of complexity that complicates and masks the ability to unravel all the ends. There are over twenty intriguing characters who provide a continuous barrage of activity. Each unique and essential, the cast creates a perfect counterpoint to this composition. His writing adds intense clarity with distinct attention to the nuances within each scene. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: This was an ARC sent as a gift from the publisher. My review is my honest unbiased opinion.



© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Review-The Wolves of Andover, by Kathleen Kent

THE WOLVES OF ANDOVER
By Kathleen Kent
978-0-36-06862-8
$24.99/CAN$29.99
320 pages
Reagan Arthur Books
Published November 2010

Synopsis from the publisher:

"A story of love and intrigue from America's earliest days, by the author of the national bestseller The Heretic's Daughter.

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and for his mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether in the form of the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves—in many guises—who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of historical drama."

My Review

If you read Heretic’s Daughter and liked it as much as I did, then The Wolves of Andover will be a gratifying encore! Taking place in Massachusetts, during the Colonial time period beginning in 1649, the setting is a personal favorite of mine. As the author states in her author’s notes at the beginning of the novel, the characters are based on actual people. In 1692, Martha Allen Cartier was accused and hanged as a witch in Salem. She was married to Thomas Cartier and had children with him. Kent weaves a dramatic story of intrigue around these two characters based on her research and family lore.

Thomas, in the novel, is pursued by a party of ruthless men, desperate to capture him. Their cold indifference to life and harsh methods of acquiring information are brutal. The action provided by the relentless stalkers is chilling at times reflecting the barbaric and crude methods of punishment and slow painful death and suffering of the condemned typical during this period. Kent holds nothing back in this boldly graphic and haunting tale.

Martha, comes to live with Patience and husband, Daniel. To date, her woeful nature has discouraged any suitable marital possibilities. She has come to assist her cousin Patience with her pregnancy. Martha is determined to be more than a servant and soon insinuates herself as a strong force in the household. A blooming courtship between the obdurate and wise Martha and the mysteriously silent and serious Thomas is predictable and satisfying. Kent gently teases the reader as their friendship and trust for each other moves forward with just the right sensual tension and sweetness.

As I read The Wolves of Andover, I became curious about the political and religious climate in England during the reign of King Charles I that led to his execution. I love when historical fiction is an impetus to pursue further study of history. Once again, Kathleen Kent has written an inspiring read that will give you much to ponder and generate inquiry into the past.

Disclosure: I received The Wolves of Andover from the publisher.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Blog Tour-The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick

THE FOREVER QUEEN
Helen Hollick
Sourcebooks Inc.
656 pages
9781402240683
Publication Date: November 2010
$16.99

Synopsis from Sourcebooks

What kind of woman becomes the wife of two kings, and the mother of two more?

"Saxon England, 1002. Not only is Æthelred a failure as King, but his young bride, Emma of Normandy, soon discovers he is even worse as a husband. When the Danish Vikings, led by Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, cause a maelstrom of chaos, Emma, as Queen, must take control if the Kingdom—and her crown—are to be salvaged. Smarter than history remembers, and stronger than the foreign invaders who threaten England's shores, Emma risks everything on a gamble that could either fulfill her ambitions and dreams or destroy her completely.

Emma, the Queen of Saxon England, comes to life through the exquisite writing of Helen Hollick, who shows in this epic tale how one of the most compelling and vivid heroines in English history stood tall through a turbulent fifty-year reign of proud determination, tragic despair, and triumph over treachery."

MY REVIEW

Until I read The Forever Queen, given a choice, if queried to name a favorite Queen in history, hands down I would choose Queen Elizabeth or Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The schema most readers, including this reader, most likely possess about Emma of Normandy, who reigned as queen of England with two different kings would most likely be insubstantial. When you read Helen Hollick’s portrayal of the prideful and perspicacious Emma from the 11th century, you may have a new royal to consider among your best-loved Queens.

I do love Queen Emma. I guarantee after reading this historical fiction, she will become endeared to most readers, at the very least a curious fascination. In April 1002, Emma, at thirteen is ripped from her family and native Normandy and sent to marry King Aethelred of England, an aging king. She despises him on sight, he repulses her. And so her life story begins in this magnificent historical fiction marathon that has the potential to sabotage many readers’ will power to put this book down.

Queen Emma is a glorious monarch, strong with unwavering pride and resilience. Her keen intellect and quick wit are a match for any who try to challenge her. She is respected for her competence and loyalty and loved as Queen. She endures horrible abuse by one husband and delights in the passionate love by another. Her subtle power and influence and her innate ability to understand her people and her role as Queen are a testament to her historical significance.


The Forever Queen is the first book in what is planned as a trilogy with the next book called Harold the King. A brilliant and totally fulfilling escape back to Anglo-Saxon England, The Forever Queen is a definite snuggle up with a good book read!

HYPERLINK "http://www.helenhollick.net" http://www.helenhollick.net/

Disclosure: ARC copy of The Forever Queen was sent by the publisher.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Review You've Been Waiting For-Lady of the Butterflies

LADY OF THE BUTTERFLIES
by Fiona Mountain
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Group
$25.95, 544 pages
ISBN 13 :978-0-399-1563666
On Sale:July 2010

Eleanor Glanville is viewed by the people who knew her as possessed, a bit odd, possibly a witch and all because she chased butterflies. In history she was a brilliant entomologist, with a butterfly named after her, The Glanville Flitillary. Emma Campion’s version of Eleanor Glanville’e life is one of the best historical fiction books I have read this year. Her writing is beautiful and flows with grace and charm. I cherish each chapter of her novel as many beg to be read again and again. Her writing has a natural cadence and lyrical flow page after page. I didn’t want it to end. A word of caution: read it slowly, you will want to savor this story, it is an emotional journey to remember.

Synopsis from the cover:

“So begins the unforgettable story of Eleanor Glanville, the beautiful daughter of a seventeenth-century Puritan nobleman whose unconventional passions scandalized society. Still known as on of the great natural scientists of her age Eleanor was a woman ahead of her time. But her life was marked by two reckless obsessions: a fascination with science-especially the study of butterflies-and a romance that nearly cost her everything she held dear.”

My Review

This is a difficult review to write without revealing too much of the story. Therefore, I will concentrate more on the character of Eleanor who is the foundation of the story. Campion has lifted the real Eleanor Glanville from the history books and gives her voice and soul. We may not know what she was really like, but in this story she becomes touchable. As Eleanor studies the perfection in butterflies, Campion exposes the imperfections in humans, and Eleanor is no different, making her truly believable.

Eleanor is a woman out of sync with her time period. She is a strong willed, free spirited woman of the seventeenth century, who will not submit to the wifely roles society expects of her. She is so passionate about her views, true love is often secondary. She is a woman alive during the Age of Reason, yet her Puritan upbringing always haunts her decisions. She faces difficult choices about her property, her religion and her loves. Her father’s voice is an omnipresent reminder that has influence on her conscience, a burden throughout her life, especially her inability to trust. Whether right or wrong, good or bad she lives with the consequences of her actions. Eleanor would fit nicely in contemporary society. She must balance career and family, at odds with the 17th century female role, yet perfectly normal today. The three men she loves are completely different men who satisfy her in very different ways. There were so many times while reading, I would pause and a foreshadow of doom would arise. I had no power to stop it. I wanted to shake her and say, “NO!” This is what makes this book such an agonizing yet fulfilling read. The unexpected, the expected, the frustration, the joy, the sadness, the agony, the bliss and the hope for Eleanor’s future. Lady of the Butterflies is a kaleidoscope of feelings that radiated from beginning to end. Highly recommended. as it is without question one of my favorite books of 2010.

Disclosure: This book was sent to me as part of the Early Reviewer program on Library Thing. This book was sent at no cost to me and my review is my honest unbiased opinion.

Historical Context: Plague, London Fires, Charles II, Age of Reason, Disease-Ague(Malaria), James Petiver, Eleanor Glanville, Draining of Moors, Age of Reason


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Review & Book Giveaway-Days of Grace

DAYS OF GRACE
by Catherine Hall
Viking/Penguin Group
$25.95 pages, 304 pages
ISBN 13 :978-0-670-021765
Published 5/27/2010


Synopsis from the Book Jacket:

Be careful what you say, like everyone else, you will hear things that the enemy mustn’t know. Keep that knowledge to yourself-and don’t give away any clues keep smiling.

On the cusp of World War !!, this warning resonates with Britain’s fearful population. But to Nora Lynch, these words carry another layer of meaning, one more intimate and shameful. And for more than fifty years, she will keep her lips tightly sealed.

When the war breaks out, twelve-year-old Nora is one of thousands of London children evacuated to the safety of the English countryside. Her surrogate family, Reverend Rivers, his wife, and their daughter, Grace, offer Nora affection and a wealth of comforts previously unknown to her. But what Nora is too young and too naive to understand is that the place she’s been sent to isn’t the Eden she originally believes it to be.

As the dogfights rage ever more fiercely overhead, Nora’s friendship with Grace intensifies, but Nora aches to become even closer. What happens next is a secret that she hill harbor for decades, a secret that Nora begins to reveal only when, elderly and ill, she can no longer bear its haunting corrosive power.

My Thoughts:

The story is told with alternating chapters of Nora speaking: the elder Nora, and Nora in the present. I realized pretty early on that the elder Nora is angry and reflects upon her life. She is a cranky, bitter old woman who stares out the window at her young neighbor across the street, a pregnant young girl. The young Nora is jaded by the wonderful life she now has in the country. She adores Grace and they become fast friends. In fact Nora falls in love with Grace. On the outside, Grace seems to have it all, loving parents and a good home in the country. Nora feels she was sent away and struggles with her feelings about her mother. When given the opportunity to return to London to be with her mother she makes a difficult decision that weighs on her.

The early part of the book reads a bit slowly, hang in there, I promise when Nora and Grace make adventurous plans you will be anxious for the details that follow. There are many secrets in Days of Grace that propels the reader ahead. Many years later, Nora old, frail and on the verge of crossing over, reflects on a secret so dark it has shadowed her life with grayness.

Catherine Hall’s debut novel is a haunting story of friendship and love and the secrets of life that determine our destiny if we allow it.

Disclosure: This was a free copy sent to me by the publisher.

Win a copy of this book!!!! Contest runs till July 16th, 2010

New Giveaway-Power of a Woman, by Robert Fripp

Book Giveaway-Power of a Woman, Memoirs of a Turbulent Life: Eleanor of Aquitaine

Robert Fripp has graciously sent me three copies of his awesome book about Eleanor of Aquitaine to give away to three lucky winners. I have recently read a few historical fiction books about this vivacious and powerful Queen. Here is an opportunity to read a memoir style account or her life. An unusual look at Europe during the Middle Ages from her perspective.





Synopsis from http://eleanor.robertfripp.ca

"Eleanor of Aquitaine prevailed in an "iron, bearded world" as she puts it in Power of a Woman. Memoirs of a turbulent life: Eleanor of Aquitaine. Her long life was a fight to build and sustain feminine power and influence in an era controlled by the male-dominated Church and royal courts. Power of a Woman captures Eleanor's thoughts in her own voice, recalling exploits that carried her over the peaks and troughs of eighty turbulent years.

While she dictates, Eleanor lives her roles again: duchess of Aquitaine, queen of France and warring courtier, patron of troubadours, crusader, queen and regent of England, empire builder, femme fatale and the subject of romantic verse, mother of too many sons, founder of her Court of Ladies in Poitiers, instigator and arbiter of family strife, scorned wife, banished exile, regent of England again, tax collector, ransom gatherer, peacemaker, matchmaker, and perpetual negotiator. At eighty-one years of age this magnificent lady dictates the royal progress of her life."

The contest will end on the 31st of July. I have all three copies ready to send to each winner. Good luck!!

The first five people who respond will also be included in a special drawing for his comprehensive timeline of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Power of a Woman, by Robert Fripp



Contest Rules:

Contestants must be from the US and provide an email address for notification. Comment why you would like to win this book. (one chance) Tweet about the contest. (one chance) Become a follower of Bookworms Dinner. (one chance) Mention this contest on your blog. (two chances)

Teaser Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along!






This week from The King's Mistress by Emma Campion

"This is what I wanted and there was on one, not even God Himself, who whould condemn me for giving in to Janyn, my betrothed. I melted in his arms and as I opened my lips to his he pressed me to him so tightly that I could feel his excitement." page 62

Review-Alchemy and Meggy Swann

ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN
by Karen Cushman
Clarion Books
978-0-547-23184
Page Count: 176
Ages: 10-15, grade 5-9

The year is 1573 when Meggy Swann arrives in London after traveling in a wagon “between baskets of cabbages and sacks of flour.” Her companion and friend is a crippled white goose. And like the goose, Meggy does not walk, she waddles with the aid of two sticks to support her crippled legs. She is raised by her Gran after her mother turned her back on her. Now she is summoned to live with her dad, Master Peevish, an alchemist. An alchemist who makes it quite clear his transformations, his search for gold are paramount.

Meggy must find her way alone. With willful determination she carries on, unaided, struggling as she learns to care for herself. She is angry with understandable reasons. She is befriended by a young boy, an actor, smitten by her angelic face. She has a gift of language, crude yet humorous. She can’t help but spit out threats and insults with each searing word. You have to love this impish character Cushman has created. In one tirade Meggy aims her wrath at Roger as she says,

“Go then you writhled, beetle-brained knave. You churl, you slug, you stony-hearted villain! May onions grow in your ears.”

You can’t help but chuckle as the author makes it so easy to visualize this hot-tempered gammin turning red faced, blowing off steam. If she could, she would probably stomp her foot! The streets of Elizabethan England come alive when you walk them with Meggy Swan, a delightfully quick witted soul on a virtuous mission.

Karen Cushman is one of my favorite children’s authors. Of her many works I especially liked, The Midwife’s Apprentice and Catherine, Called Birdy. Both excellent. I highly recommend Alchemy and Meggy Swann for historical fiction bookshelves in classrooms, and libraries. A great read aloud and perfect for literature circles.

Disclosure: Alchemy and Meggy Swann was sent to me by Picnic Basket for review.

A Cottage by the Sea, by Ciji Ware

A COTTAGE BY THE SEA
by Ciji Ware
Sourcebooks Landmark
9781402222702
June 2010
$15.99US/$18.99CAN
544 pages



Blythe Barton, desperate and mortified following her highly publicized Hollywood divorce from the flamboyant director Christopher Stowe, flees to England, the land of her ancestors for solitude and rest. Even the millions that become hers in the settlement will not assuage the humiliation she suffered when she discovered the steamy affair between her husband and sister. To add salt to the festering wound, upon leaving court she learns with added embarrassment that the two have wed.

Arriving at Barton Hall in Cornwall, she meets the owner, her landlord Lucas Teague. He informs her that her attorney Lisa, has extended her lease by three months. When she calls Lisa she is told that the media is in a frenzy after the announcement that her sister is pregnant and it would be best for her to stay put.

Resigned to her fate she begins to build a new life, with hope of erasing her past. She settles into Painter’s Cottage by the sea surrounded by lush plantings and incredible views of the sea. Lucas, she admits When she meets her landlord and the owner of Barton Hall she notes how attractive and British he is and her curiosity rises, but with reserved caution she maintains her distance. Lucas shares his recent financial troubles with Blythe and she uses her skills as a production designer to generate a business plan that she hopes will make Barton Hall solvent.

She falls in love with Lucas, but his inability to share his life with his son disturbs her. Through some anomaly in the Barton genealogy chart, she discovers the linkage between her present and ancestral past life. She has vivid visions that uncover the buried history of her namesake leaving her confused with many unanswered questions. Then an unwelcome surprise visit by her ex-husband infuriates her as she is forced to deal with her psychologically unbalanced sister and a life changing plea from her remorseful ex.

With a mystical allure, the story slowly teases the reader as the present, past and future are plaited together. Through the lives of Blythe Barton and her forbears who lived in the 18th century, the history of Barton Hall emerges with a surprising twist. Blythe and Lucas are sensually hot, passionate lovers who were destined for each other. Each character is so compellingly real and touchable the story breathes believability. Once again, Ciji Ware has written an absorbing romance of historical fiction. Cottage by the Sea is a scintillating summer read offering pure enchantment.

This book was sent by Sourcebooks, Inc in exchange for a review.

Devil's Cub-Georgette Heyer

Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer
Sourcebooks Inc.
Published 12/09, c. 1932,310 pages
978-1-4022-1953-5

From the Cover....
“Dominic Alistair, Marquis of Vidal and fiery son of the notorious Duke of Avon, has established a rakish reputation that rivals his father’s, living a life of excess and indulgence. Banished to the Continent after wounding his opponent in a duel, Vidal schemes to abduct the silly aristocrat bent on seducing him into marriage and makes her his mistress instead. In his rush, however, he seems to have taken the wrong woman....”



Instead of Sophia Challoner, the Marquis is dumbfounded to find he has abducted her sister, less beautiful, but intricately more clever. The plan to deceive the Marquis in order to spare her sister’s ruin backfires on Mary. His temper is legend, and he is enraged by the pretense. Instead of letting her go as she expects, he takes her on board the Albatross as his captive. When he realizes that Mary is a woman of honor and rectitude, his compunction for licentious intentions abruptly end. The story continues with a surprising direction as the Marquis tries to rectify Mary’s ill conceived plan.

The story centers around the family of the Duke and Duchess of Avon, and their son the Marquis of Vidal. He is a source of challenge and concern, and his exploits keep them on their nobel toes. The story contains a complicated family tree of characters who intersect to create an exciting, funny and romantic plot. I loved this Heyer novel. There is quick adroitly executed humor that flows easily in the dialogue. You can visualize this novel as if it were a play performed live. The personalities of the characters as so precise. I recently read No Wind of Blame, a Heyer mystery, and I much prefer her romantic novel genre. I highly recommend this deliciously engaging and fun read.

Thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for providing this review copy.

Book Review-The Bolter by Frances Osborne

A while back I told you to keep your eye on this biography about Idina Sackville. I was unable to post the review until now, but this is a book to grab on to. It has been getting great reviews elsewhere as well. Don't miss this one if you like to read about a somewhat eccentric and unusual personality. This is certainly not a dull read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

My Review

The Bolter
Frances Osborne, Knopf, June 2, 2009, $30.00/$35.00C,HC, 320 pp, 978-0307270146.

Frances Osborne, the great granddaughter of Idina Sackville has written a shockingly candid biography of a brazen woman who defied the convention of upper society’s expectations. She glowed in the scandalous acts of the choices she made, but always yearned for love. She was born in 1933, the Jazz Age. She married Euan Wallace, the first of five husbands and they set sail to Kenya to build a home. She was surrounded by majestic breathtaking vistas and she fell in love. After having two sons, the marriage began to disintegrate, a divorce was inevitable. When she lost custody and visitation from her boys, she was devastated. She returned alone to her idyllic hideaway of hedonism with only short respites back to England. Idina’s world was wrapped in a cocoon of pleasure with a sharp edge of danger looming about. Her friends, The Happy Valley Set, knew Idina for her outrageous behavior, including frequent nude appearances, adultery and couple switching and the endless flow of alcohol. The Bolter is absorbing with Idina’s life bare and detailed. Her quest for love and freedom was paramount to her. Osborne succeeds brilliantly in conveying a sense of compassion not condemnation for this petite powerhouse.

A Biography to Watch For

I have been reading a book called The Bolter. The author is Frances Osborne who is the great-grand daughter of Idina Sackville and her biography is amazing. I wanted to share a little of the write up from the jacket until I write my review since I have been stuck in my chair since I opened the book. It's so fascinating.

The front cover reads:

The story of the wild, beautiful, fearless IDINA SACKVILLE, descendant of one of England's oldest families, who went off to KENYA in search of adventure and became known as the high priestess of the scandalous "Happy Valley Set"

Juat to give you an idea..on the back jacket it reads:

British society may have adored eccentrics whose differences celebrated the values they cherished, but it did not embrace those who upset the order of things. And in 1918, just after the Armistice was signed, Idina Sackville bloted from her life in England and, setting out with her second husband, headed for Mombasa, in seaarch of new adventure. A parade of lovers, a murdered husbanc, chaos everywhere-as her madcap world of excess darkened and crumbled around her.

Published in 2008 by Alfred Knoff it contains 65 photographs that adds visual clarity and welcomed details. If you like a great biography, this unusual woman's life story is a must read.

Review-Hangman Blind by Cassandra Clark

HANGMAN BLIND
by Cassandra Clark,
Minotaur Books, 2008,
$24.95/C$27.95,pb,320pp,
978-0-312-53730-2






In the year 1382, England emerges from violent religious rebellion into precarious peace. It is during this time, Hildegard, recently widowed, and financially wealthy, becomes a Cistercian nun at the Abbey of Meaux. Her grief is deep and her husband’s death a mystery. It is here she discovers her life’s purpose: to set up a priory to help care for the sick, poor and homeless. Even though the countryside is unsafe, she undertakes an uncertain journey to Castle Hutton in York to ask the Abbot of Meaux for assistance. On the way she stumbles upon the gruesome sight of five hanging eviscerated corpses. Later, she discovers a slaughtered young boy and can’t help but wonder if the two incidents are connected.


Arriving at Castle Hutton, Hildegard reports her findings to Lord Roger. Murder follows her inside when during a celebration feast Lord Roger tumbles over into his plate of food. Assumed poisoned, his apparent death sets up a game of deception and intrigue to catch a killer. Hildegard the key crime investigator faces deceit, evil, lust, greed, and her own divergent feelings.


A debut author with raw nerve, Cassandra Clark places Hildegard, an independent women of means in an unheard of role during this age. This courageous nun is an anachronism I can only describe as CSI meets the 14th century. Hangman Blind, the first book in the Clark’s series, will delight historical crime fans who enjoy constant plot twists with clever subterfuge.


Wisteria Leigh