Review-War Dogs by Rebecca Frankel

 

War Dogs
Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love
Rebecca Frankel
Palgrave Macmillan Trade (2014),
Hardcover, 272 pages


Disclosure: A copy of War Dogs was sent to me by Library Thing Early Reviewer program in exchange for an unbiased review... submitted below.






This book offers a view of the relationship between dog handlers in the military and their dog. 
The bond that develops over time during training and ultimate deployment in action is remarkable. Rebecca Frankel has put together a collection of war dog stories that is memorable and thoughtful. Readers will no doubt take pause to reflect as each story is unique. However, a common thread exists throughout the book that ties these tales together. Each handler and his dog have an unbreakable bond. Each is devoted to the other with an unbreakable trust and love. So much so that they will often give their life for each other....dog for man and man for dog. 

Rebecca Frankel presents her stories with clarity, sensitivity and realism. Highly recommended. ~©Wisteria Leigh

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2015]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Review-Crown in Candlelight

CROWN IN CANDLELIGHT, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2008, $12.95/C$13.95/ £6.99, pb, 414pp,








Originally published in 1978, Crown in Candlelight covers a tumultuous period of English and French history from 1405 to 1461. This is the story of Katherine of Valois, the strikingly beautiful, yet demure daughter of King Charles VI, told through her eyes. Parented by a father who was mentally unstable, The Mad King, and a mother, Queen Isabeau, who was more interested in her own concupiscent behavior then attending a sick child.
When the ambitious and handsome, King Henry V conquers France, he later strengthens the joining of the countries by making Katherine his wife and Queen. King Henry adores his sweet Katherine, but tragically their life together is short lived when Henry dies of sickness, not before giving life to an heir. This leaves Katherine alone, in a hostile and dangerous court where deceptive trust and treachery is teeming at every turn.
When Owen Tudor returns two of Katherine’s repaired harps, their eyes meet. With that fleeting moment Katherine feels lonely no longer. Feeling “re-baptized” she meets him clandestinely. They agree to meet in one week, leaving each of them feeling a mutual sensual sensitivity of unbearable anticipation.
Jarman has compiled extensive research to write this expertly detailed novel. I felt her strength was in the development of her main characters and the descriptive setting and ambiance of the period. I really felt close to Katherine and could empathize with her plight. This is a richly complex historical novel with a profusion of characters making it difficult to follow at times. A romantic historical fiction tale to get caught up in. With elaborate details and plot entanglements, Jarman, a master of her craft, will command your focus.

Wisteria Leigh

Special Post for New Years Day

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Years Eve!

There is no secret that my favorite genre is historical fiction, and I do read a lot of it. When I heard about Sandra Worth's new book I couldn't wait to read it. You know how it is though, many books are stacked ahead of others and I had to unwillingly put The King's Daughter to the back of the pack. It was with mixed emotions that I had to save it till I was off from teaching to read it. I was dying to read it, but I had so many other commitments. Now, I'm glad, I waited and could spend this holiday with The King's Daughter, as I savored time reading every page curled up in my cozy chair. Here is my review.


The King’s Daughter
A Novel of the First Tudor Queen
by Sandra Worth
Berkley Trade Paperback(Penguin Group,USA)
978-0-425-221440

Sandra Worth has written a gripping dramatic historical novel based on the ruthless rise to power of the Tudor court. It is a complex history that is presented through the eyes of Elizabeth of York, the King’s Daughter who became the first Tudor Queen upon marrying the usurper Henry Tudor.

Bewitched from the beginning I was a captive reader until the last page. This book is an Elizabethan page-turner from the fifteenth century best seller's list. It offers realistic melodrama, intrigue and suspense, illegitimacy and bigamy, plotting and murder, love and hate all from European History.

Unrequited love and self sacrifice surround Elizabeth’s life. Her only true happiness is the joy she receives from the birth of her son Prince Arthur, heir to the throne.
As Elizabeth the Good learns, marrying Prince Charming does not always guarantee you get you a prince. King Henry VI is the antithesis of the Queen. Virtually invisible, and supplicant to Henry’s mother, Elizabeth is forever pleading with King Henry to grant leniency when punishing his enemies. In most cases begging is wasted on his heartless unmerciful soul.

This novel has been researched with careful attention to historic accuracy and details. Author’s notes clarifying the writer’s process, historical notes and bibliography are included.

The King’s Daughter is an evocative tapestry of the time that presents a history lesson with each passionate page. Sandra Worth tells historical fiction with an enchanting allure making expectations for her next novel an impatient wait. I highly recommend this book.

Wisteria
December 28th 2008

For further information visit Sandra
Worth's Website