TLC Blog Tour-The King's Daughter

THE KING'S DAUGHTER
Christie Dickason,Harper Collins Publishers,Publication Month:December 2010, $14.99,Paperback, 496pp,978-0061976278.

Book Description from the Publisher

The daughter of James I, the Princess Elizabeth would not be merely her father's pawn in the royal marriage market.
The court of James I is a dangerous place, with factions led by warring cousins Robert Cecil and Francis Bacon. While Europe seethes with conflict between Protestants and Catholics, James sees himself as a grand peacemaker—and wants to make his mark by trading his children for political treaties.
Henry, Prince of Wales, and his sister, Elizabeth, find themselves far more popular than their distrusted father, a perilous position for a child of a jealous king. When Elizabeth is introduced to one suitor, Frederick, the Elector Palatine, she feels the unexpected possibility of happiness. But her fate is not her own to choose—and when her parents brutally withdraw their support for the union, Elizabeth must take command of her own future, with the help of an unexpected ally, the slave girl Tallie, who seeks her own, very different freedom.

My Review

James I is not a familiar king to me and curiosity brought me to agree to this blog tour. I was drawn to this novel of Dickason’s more for the historical fiction elements of his daughter, Elizabeth. She is portrayed as an intelligent and energetic woman who is a puppet to her father, available as an object to parade and show those of interest her suitability as a wife. The potential alliances this will achieve has her mercurial father, King James I in constant flux. He uses her as a toy, and it always appears as a game of power to him and a source of irritation for Elizabeth. James I comes across as an arrogant and cold father with little love for his daughter. She is treated with equal harshness by her mother. Her slave Tallie, is granted her manumission, but it will take Tallie’s help and courage to stand up to her father to free herself.

This was a quick and delightful read by an author who imagined the life of Elizabeth. Without primary sources to help her formation of the character, she presents a likable and lively personality. Her author’s notes separates the truth from the fiction, always appreciated. I enjoyed this book and would hope that Elizabeth was in life as she is portrayed, an astute witty female determined to find love and happiness in her life.

Historical fiction is a genre I embrace because when well written, will stimulate inquiry leading me to research more about the period or the subjects in the book. THE KING'S DAUGHTER intrigues me to that point, with a desire for more.

http:www.christiedickason.com

Disclosure: My copy of The King's Daughter is an ARC provided by TLC Book Tour.

Special Weather Note:
I apologize for not being able to publish my post today until now. (7:00PM) The storm in CT caused widespread power outages due to the high winds. I am still digging out. I hope everyone loves the snow. I do, but today, I am exhausted.


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

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].

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].

Daughters of the Witching Hill, by Mary Sharratt

Daughters of the Witching Hill
by Mary Sharratt
978-0-547-069678
352 pages
April 7, 2010
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt


They call her Demdike, her name is Elizabeth Southerns, Bess to some, and she lives in Pendle Forest in Malkin Tower. She is a poor woman known to many as a healer, a blesser, but to others she is feared as a witch. In concert with her familiar spirit Tibbs, she uses her folk magic to heal the sick, both man and beast. She can foresee the future.

One day her best friend Anne, pleads with her to share her charms to use against a man who has taken advantage of her daughter. Reluctantly, Bess agrees, realizing only too late that her friend has harnessed the power for nefarious plans. She soon recognizes that her friend is “unstoppable.


Over the years, Bess tries to pass her healing craft along to her granddaughter Alizon, a reluctant recipient. Ironically, as Alizon takes a walk one day she encounters a peddler on the road. She intends to purchase pins from him in order to mend her threadbare clothes. She becomes incensed when he refuses her, and calls her a beggar and thief. Brandishing threatening words of malice, she lashes out in anger declaring, “The Devil take your mean heart.” As the peddler proceeds along, he is felled by a stroke causing Alizon to freeze in disbelief. Could she really be the instrument of his malady?

A local official eager to bring the coven of witches to justice proceeds to investigate this incident leading to his discovery of many other unexplained happenings in Pendle Forest. Through countless interviews and clever manipulation of friends and relatives, Roger Nowelle seeks to bring the accused to the hangman’s noose.

Daughters of the Witching Hill, provides an historical fiction account of the actual Lancaster witch trials of 1612. The main characters and the story are taken from the actual records filed by the court clerk, Thomas Potts in 1613.

In her novel, Mary Sharratt has uncovered an alarming tale from this pre-Reformation period England. A story of powerfully strong women, friendship, betrayal and forgiveness, it unfolds like a magnet of intrigue shedding light on how easily the lines can become blurred between Christianity and folkcraft/witchcraft, leaving the innocent to suffer with pending death. An elegiac story, historically rich and hauntingly memorable.

Review-Salem Witch Judge, by Eve LaPlante

SALEM WITCH JUDGE: The Life and Repentance of Samuel Sewall, Eve LaPlante, Harper One, 2008,$14.95/C$16.25, pb, 352pp. 978-0-06-085960-2








In 1692 Samuel Sewall, 44, was one of the nine judges presiding over the Salem Witch Trials. Eve Laplante, a direct descendent of Sewall, states her purpose in writing this biography was to uncover the truths and restore Sewall to the hero she believes he was.
Her bibliography shows extensive research including Sewall’s daily journals. He was devoutly religious and struggled with his sense of right versus wrong during and after the trial. After five years he was compelled to repent for his role in condemning twenty witches to death by hanging based on spectral evidence.
Sewall was the only judge to ever take any responsibility. His admission was just the beginning of what would be a lifetime of self-mortification and praying to God for his restoration to good grace. Sewall spent his life working for the rights of women, blacks and Native Americans. His actions demonstrated his courageous nature and sense of morality. His relationship with God that would be the most important part of his life.
LaPlante tells her history in a fluid narrative style. This is a gripping account of a conflicted man; an essential biography for understanding the allure of the Salem Witch Trials.


Wisteria Leigh