Category Archives: Book Spotlight

Book Review: The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown

Posted on by
1

The Perfum Garden

High in the hills of Valencia, a forgotten house guards its secrets. Untouched since Franco’s forces tore through Spain in 1936, the whitewashed walls have crumbled, and the garden, laden with orange blossom, grows wild. Emma Temple is the first to unlock its doors in seventy years. Emma is London’s leading perfumier, but her blessed life has taken a difficult turn. Her free-spirited mother, Liberty, who taught her the art of fragrance making, has just passed away. At the same time, she broke up with her long-time lover and business partner, Joe, whose baby she happens to be carrying. While Joe is in New York trying to sell his majority share in their company, Emma, guided by a series of letters and a key bequeathed to her in Liberty’s will, decides to leave her job and travel to Valencia, where she will give birth in the house her mother mysteriously purchased just before her death. The villa is a perfect retreat: redolent with the exotic scents of orange blossom and neroli, dappled with light and with the rich colors of a forgotten time. Emma makes it her mission to restore the place to its former glory. But for her aging grandmother, Freya, a British nurse who stayed in Valencia during Spain’s devastating civil war, Emma’s new home evokes memories of a terrible secret, a part of her family’s past that until now has managed to stay hidden. With two beautifully interwoven narratives and a lush, atmospheric setting, Kate Lord Brown’s The Perfume Garden is a dramatic, emotional debut that readers won’t soon forget.

My thoughts:

On the Hills of Valencia, a house with secrets, and a garden that is so beautiful described you can almost smell the aroma coming through the pages. This evocative debut is brilliant! Let’s not forget love, ties of family, loss and war. Powerfully written and the author honors the reader with an emotional setting, time period, wonderfully written characters…long after I read this novel I continued to think of Freya, Rosa, Macu, Liberty, Emma and Joe. They are forever stamped in my mind.

This is one of the best stories I have read in 2015. What first drew me to this novel was the title and book cover. Then when I read the book description, I knew this would be a winner and it was. The story actually went beyond my expectations I had for it. I will definitely be reading this story again and I highly recommend it!

Five Star Rating

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Book Review: The Serpent Sword by Matthew Harffy

Posted on by
5

The Serpent Sword Cover

BRITAIN 633 A.D. Certain that his brother’s death is murder, young farmhand Beobrand embarks on a quest for revenge in war-torn Northumbria. When he witnesses barbaric acts at the hands of warriors he considers his friends, Beobrand questions his chosen path and vows to bring the men to justice. Relentless in pursuit of his enemies, Beobrand faces challenges that change him irrevocably. Just as a great sword is forged by beating together rods of iron, so his adversities transform him from a farm boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin’s slayer and the bodies begin to pile up, can Beobrand mete out the vengeance he craves without sacrificing his own honour … or even his soul? 

My thoughts:

Seventh Century Britain has been a deep fascination for me of late and there are few authors who write about this period-in my opinion-that really draws me in. Three comes to mind and Matthew Harffy is one of them. The setting in this story is Northumbria and it is made up of two Kingdoms, Berninia and Deira. I really like those names for some reason. To give you a picture of how small these Kingdoms were, Deira was probably smaller than the county I live in the USA. Civilization at this time was so untamed, wild and dangerous. Savagery was not uncommon. While reading through this book, I couldn’t help but keep thinking that just to survive in a single day in the Dark Ages was a challenge to put it mildly.

In this story, you will find Beobrand’s challenges greater still. What he came against is-what’s the word I’m looking for-brutality more times than not it seemed like. His will to survive and find his brothers killers were extremely courageous and admirable. Especially during those times. You saw him become stronger not only in his resolve to bring justice for his brother but he had to grow up quickly. He really didn’t have a choice. He was a man of conscious and that is often put to the test in this story. One example is when he witnessed violence towards women. Those scenes were hard to read but I felt in this story it was relevant and I was able to get through it. Maybe I was little scathed…

There was a battle in the story that was a significant time in Britain and I really enjoyed reading about it. Matthew has a knack for writing historical events with such imagery and clarity. One can only think he portrayed this as if he was actually there. A sign of a good historical fiction writer is to take the reader to the setting, period and have them believe they’re actually witnessing it for themselves.

This story is a great achievement for a debut and it was well worth investing my time reading. Harffy pursues his writing endeavors with zeal, passion and creativity. So much so, you will be swept away to the Dark Ages. A powerful story, rich with history, conflict, politics, religions of that time, intense situations, danger, powerful characters and historical figures. If you are interested in the Dark Ages or looking for a first read in this period, this book is for you.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Review: Godwine Kingmaker by Mercedes Rochelle

Posted on by
Reply

Godwine Kingmaker

Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine’s best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.

**********

I’d like to first say that this period in English history is probably without a doubt my favorite. I am quite the critic when it comes to reading historical fiction during this extraordinary time…when I saw this book tour available for this book, I knew that I had to read this story. I wanted to know how seriously Rochelle takes her history and how she will portray this period and the people. I’d have to say I was thoroughly fascinated with her look into this time. She gives you a really good sense of it if you will. That’s what I want in a story. To be transported back.

This story centers on Harold Godwineson’s Father, Godwine. He became Earl of Wessex under King Canute. For those of you who don’t know, Canute is Danish by birth. He and his father conquered England. I highly recommend you read up on King Canute.

Anyhow, I really have never had an opinion about Godwine. I knew he was powerful and how he got his power. I have always been more interested in his son Harold-the last king of the Saxon rule. They were both two powerful men in their own right. Although what Godwine built for his families power was amazing! It really is extraordinary how he rose from his commoner status and how his family rose even further with Harold. This story shows Godwine’s power and intelligence-I think-perfectly. The story begins with him as a young boy who was befriended by the Danes. By chance really and was befriended by King Canute. This is that story and more. A brilliant story at that. Gosh there is so much to this story and I could go on and on about it. But instead of me doing that, I really encourage you to read the book.

I will caution those who are critical of authors for taking liberties regarding the historical aspects of a story. I will say this with a firm voice, “This is Historical Fiction!” I did spot some of that in this story and even asked the author about one particular scene via social media. How she explained it to me worked perfectly in her story. Matter of fact there is a part of history about a piece of land that Canute and Godwine was viewing and where Canute was telling Godwine about it is where she took some liberty. Still she kept it believable and I actually want to do further study on it. So thank you, Rochelle for including the scene in your story. Readers, I can’t tell you what it is because I don’t want to give spoilers….so go read it and find out!

I adore the authors writing style, premise, how she brought it all together. She knows how to write historical fiction and I can’t WAIT for the second book to come out. I hope it will be soon! I’m rating this book five stars. Thank you, Rochelle for a fine story. We readers of history do appreciate it.

Oh, and one last thing….I pretty much agree with Rochelle’s portrayal of the Normans! Ha! 🙂

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Available at

Amazon US

Amazon UK

About the Author

03_Mercedes-Rochelle-Author-265x300

Born in St. Louis MO with a degree from University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they built themselves.

For more information please visit Mercedes Rochelle’s website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Godwine Kingmaker Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, April 20 Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views Spotlight at Genre Queen

Tuesday, April 21 Review at Book Nerd Spotlight at Unshelfish

Wednesday, April 22 Review at Flashlight Commentary Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, April 23 Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Saturday, April 25 Spotlight at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Tuesday, April 28 Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Wednesday, April 29 Review at Broken Teepee

Thursday, April 30 Guest Post & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More Spotlight at The Writing Desk

Monday, May 4 Review at Impressions in Ink Character Interview at Boom Baby Reviews

Tuesday, May 5 Guest Post & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 7 Review at Bookramblings Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book

Friday, May 8 Review at Layered Pages

Godwine Kingmaker banner

Book Review: Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen

Posted on by
Reply

01_Death-of-a-Dishonorable-Gentleman-673x1024

Publication Date: January 6, 2015 Minotaur Books Formats: eBook, Hardcover

Genre: Historical Mystery

Lady Montfort has been planning her annual summer costume ball for months, and with scrupulous care. Pulling together the food, flowers and a thousand other details for one of the most significant social occasions of the year is her happily accepted responsibility. But when her husband’s degenerate nephew is found murdered, it’s more than the ball that is ruined. In fact, Lady Montfort fears that the official police enquiry, driven by petty snobbery and class prejudice, is pointing towards her son as a potential suspect.

Taking matters into her own hands, the rather over-imaginative countess enlists the help of her pragmatic housekeeper, Mrs. Jackson, to investigate the case, track down the women that vanished the night of the murder, and clear her son’s name. As the two women search for a runaway housemaid and a headstrong young woman, they unearth the hidden lives of Lady Montfort’s close friends, servants and family and discover the identity of a murderer hiding in plain sight.

In this enchanting debut sure to appeal to fans of Downton Abbey, Tessa Arlen draws readers into a world exclusively enjoyed by the rich, privileged classes and suffered by the men and women who serve them. Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is an elegant mystery filled with intriguing characters and fascinating descriptions of Edwardian life—a superb treat for those who love British novels.

A Party for Winston, the second book in the series to be released in January 2016.

My Thoughts:

I had a real difficult time writing this review or starting it-if you will. I have two minds about this book. When reviewing a book that is a debut novel I take in a couple of considerations. Often times I come across debut novels that started off strong from the beginning and carried that same momentum throughout. For me, I have to say that this was not the case in this story. Now before you set a frown on your face, please hear me out. When I first saw this book. I was impressed with the title, book cover and premise. All three are fabulous! As I begun to read the story there wasn’t a character that was grabbing my attention-at first and I felt the character development needed to by flushed out a bit more in the beginning. It wasn’t until a little over half way through that the character development or the story really picked up for me. When it did, I was enthralled with the writer’s grasp of writing mystery. She did a brilliant job with weaving the mystery together and left me guessing throughout who done it. That is a sign of a brilliant mystery writer.

I enjoyed the relationship/partnership to solve the murder that developed between the housekeeper and the lady of the house! I love how that was told in the story. They make a great pair! I would have liked to have seen Lord Montfort play a bigger role in the story. I liked him and wanted to read more about him. I felt all the characters played an important role in the story. Great period and setting to write a mystery story and I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Buy the Book

Amazon (Kindle)

Amazon (Paperback)

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

Book Depository

Books-a-Million

IndieBound Kobo

About the Author

tessa arlen

TESSA ARLEN, the daughter of a British diplomat, had lived in or visited her parents in Singapore, Cairo, Berlin, the Persian Gulf, Beijing, Delhi and Warsaw by the time she was sixteen. She came to the U.S. in 1980 and worked as an H.R. recruiter for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games, where she interviewed her future husband for a job. DEATH OF A DISHONORABLE GENTLEMAN is Tessa’s first novel. She lives in Bainbridge Island, Washington.

For more information please visit Tessa Arlen’s website. Read Tessa Arlen’s blog at Redoubtable Edwardians. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Subscribe to Tessa Arlen’s Newsletter.

Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 5 Review at Reading the Past Review at Back Porchervations Review & Giveaway at Mina’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, January 6 Review & Giveaway at Unshelfish Spotlight & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court

Wednesday, January 7 Review & Giveaway at To Read, Or Not to Read Spotlight at The Never-Ending Book

Friday, January 9 Review at Mel’s Shelves Guest Post on The Writing Desk Review at Back Porchervations

Saturday, January 10 Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Sunday, January 11 Review at Buried Under Books

Monday, January 12 Review at Flashlight Commentary

Tuesday, January 13 Review at Girl Lost in a Book Interview at Back Porchervations Spotlight & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, January 14 Review & Giveaway at The Book Binder’s Daughter

Thursday, January 15 Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Friday, January 16 Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Monday, January 19 Review at Beth’s Book Book

Tuesday, January 20 Review at The Lit Bitch Spotlight & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Wednesday, January 21 Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Thursday, January 22 Review at Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Monday, January 26 Review at A Literary Vacation Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Wednesday, January 28 Review at A Book Geek

Thursday, January 29 Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Friday, January 30 Review at The Maiden’s Court Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict

Saturday, January 31 Review & Giveaway at The Calico Critic

Monday, February 2 Review at Book Nerd

Tuesday, February 3 Spotlight at I Heart Reading

Thursday, February 5 Review at Layered Pages

Friday, February 6 Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection

Death of a dishonorable gentelman

Book Review: Ultimatum by Simon Kernick

Posted on by
Reply

Paperback, 352 pagesPublished September 9th 2014 by Atria Books

cover41764-medium

#1 bestselling author Simon Kernick will leave you breathless with his sheer storytelling power in this race-against-time thriller about a terrorist threat in London. An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time. William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price. It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late…

My thoughts: 

It is not often I have a chance to read modern day thrillers and I’m so glad I chose this one to read next! I don’t know what made me decide this one. Maybe because I haven’t read anything from this author before….also, the premise sounded interesting…

This story packs a punch! I haven’t read a thriller quite like this one before. I was completely enthralled throughout the story. Fast-paced, at the edge of your seat read all the way. The opening scene was superbly done and sets up the story perfectly. I enjoyed the portrayals of all the characters, even the villains. I did find some of the content interesting in the book however. Like one in regards few thoughts on America and I was really amazed at the difference between the guns laws between the UK and America, police policy and the law dealing with criminals. The alternating point of views was a bit distracting for me but as I continued with the story, I became used to it and feel it works in this book. I highly recommend this read and I will definitely be reading more books from this author.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

 

Book Review: The Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff

Posted on by
Reply

cover48919-medium

The Winter Guest by Pam Jenoff

Harlequin MIRA

Pub Date   Aug 26 2014

My thoughts:

Two eighteen year old twin sisters-Helena and Ruth-are living in the mist of war and the Nazi occupation in Poland. Their father dead and their mother in the hospital, they struggle to take care of their younger siblings. Food is sparse and they are in fear of the constant threat of the Nazi’s arresting them or worse. Helena and Ruth couldn’t be more different in personalities. Helena has a daring, and courageous spirit-ventures out to the local village almost every day, to buy food. (A village where children grew up and married and the sons worked the same jobs their fathers did….no one left until the war…. For the daughters, marriage was the best option.) Every time she ventures out it becomes more and more dangerous and she can trust no one….

One day Helena discovers an American Soldier stranded and helps him. He is wounded, needs food and in the constant threat of the Nazis discovering him, she continues to help him. And even more dangerous is that he is a Jew. As she helps him, their relationship grows and her resolve to not abandon him even though she is keeping him a secret from her sister makes their situation more dangerous as Helena and the soldier make plans to flee, taking her family with them.

Ruth taking the role of care-giver to her younger siblings in her mother’s place, clothes them, makes sure they are clean and feeds them with what little they have, all the while longing for a husband and a home of her own (She was the sister that expected to marry). As Ruth discovers Helena’s secret of helping the soldier and sees how her sister feels for this soldier, Ruth becomes jealous and makes an unwise choice and betrays Helena that could put all their lives in danger. The choices that the two sisters make forever changes their lives and changes the course of their families’ future. Without giving too much detail away, I couldn’t help thinking throughout the story if that only Ruth would have realized the importance of her role to her siblings and their survival….would the outcome have been different then it was.

This story touches on several themes that really made an emotional impact. Betrayal and the effects of that, the importance of family, survival, the realities of war, persecution, and love. The author gives vivid and realistic details throughout the story and her flow of speech has you hanging on to every word. This book is one you won’t want to put down and when you are finished reading, you will remember for a long time after.

Stephanie Moore Hopkins

Review: Maggie’s Wars by Phil Pisani

Posted on by
Reply

02_Maggie's WarsPublication Date: November 6, 2013

American Book Incorporated Formats: eBook, Paperback

Genre: Historical Fiction

Combatting wars on two fronts – one of fame and the other love – Maggie Hogan never wavers as a rare woman reporter on the battlefields of World War II, the Nuremburg Trials and the beginnings of the cold war. But she makes the mistake of falling for an officer, complicating her ambitions. Learn of what one woman feels she must do in order to make it in a man’s world, no matter what. Maggie’s Wars is a story about the ultimate battle between love and prestige, and how you can’t win them both.

Review:

I’m going to have to admit when I first started reading this story, I wasn’t sure if it was the right fit for me. I had trouble with Maggie’s personality and was wondering if the author was going to show a softer side to her-she is a bit rough around the edges, so to speak. So for a few days I put the book aside and then picked it up again with a different outlook. Sure enough I did, as I read on. Maggie comes up against a tough crowd. It is a man’s world and she does some not so-ahem-appropriate things-in my opinion- to get what she wants.

As she goes across the sea to the battlefields of World War II to report what was going on over there….my opinion of her changes somewhat. She is outraged of the atrocities she is seeing around her, even by Americans themselves. She is learning the price of war and it is ugly. She is also comes up prejudices against her sex. She goes through a lot of prove her worth as a woman and a reporter.

I found this story to be unique and filled with vivid description of the war and the human conditions of that era. The author certainly has my attention now.

Stephanie Moore Hopkins

Praise for Maggie’s Wars

“Maggie’s Wars is a highly charged story, with power politics on a grand scale…the frighteningly realistic descriptions and technical know-how is right on the mark and Phil Pisani’s skill at painting a vivid scene in the mind’s eye of the reader is excellent and packs a wallop.” -William H. LaBarge, author of Sweetwater Gunslinger 201, Hornet’s Nest, Road to Gold and Desert Voices

Buy the Book

Amazon Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Phil Pisani grew up on the north side of the railroad tracks in an upstate New York blue-collar industrial town in a rough neighborhood filled with the most colorful characters in the world. Factory and tannery workers mingled with bar and restaurant owners, gamblers and gangsters, good people and bad people, brash rogues and weak loudmouths, all spawned by the early immigrant movement to America. Italians, Russians, Slovacks, Irish, and Germans formed a rough and tough section of town where few from the south side dared to venture. He learned to fight at a very young age, both in the ring and on the streets. Fights became badges of honor. He also was a voracious reader. His mother worked in the village’s library. After school, or fights or sandlot football games he would curl away into the adult reading section. Enjoying the polished blonde oak bookshelves, tables and chairs, he would choose a book from the stacks and delve into its smells and contents. Reading soothed him.

He studied history and humanities in Pisa, Italy, and Oswego State in New York and later earned a MA in Political Science from Binghamton University.

He worked as a labor investigator for NY and rose in the ranks through the years but never stopped writing or reading. He currently lives in Albany NY, with his wife Joanne.

For more information please visit Phil Pisani’s website. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Maggie’s Wars Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, August 18 Review at JulzReads

Tuesday, August 19 Review & Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book Interview at The Maiden’s Court

Wednesday, August 20 Review at Book Nerd Review at Layered Pages Spotlight at Flashlight Commentary

Thursday, August 21 Review at Man of la Book Spotlight & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Friday, August 22 Review at Jorie Loves a Story Review & Giveaway at Historical Tapestry Interview at Closed the Cover

Maggie's Wars_Tour Banner _FINAL

Book Review: The Queen’s Rival by Diane Haeger

Posted on by
1

The Queen's RivalThe Queen’s Rival is a story of a young girl name Elizabeth “Bessie” Blount whose father was injured in one of Henry VIII’s war with a neighboring country. Her mother, a lady in Katherine of Argon’s household comes home to take care of her husband and Bessie, dreaming of court life, takes her place. She is a beautiful and intelligent girl who captures many at Henry VII’s court and eventually Henry himself. Bessie becomes his mistress and rival to the Queen. As the story is told Katherine of Argon-Henry’s wife-is having one miss-carriage after another and Henry grows restless and the queen begins to worry about her position. Henry wants a son, an heir to the throne and to continue the Tudor line.

We all know that Henry had many mistresses and lovers and as Bessie’s light fades in his eyes she turns to the one person she can trust the most at court-a ward of Cardinal Wolsey. But there is much more to this story than meets the eye. I have not read a rendition of Henry’s court quite like this one. Nor of a side to him that we see in stories…..I found this refreshing and with this story, I wondered if there was possibly a softer side of Henry than portrayed today. Not excusing his treatments of his wives, of course, or with women of his court in general. In this story I even thought about what his relationship was really like with his brother Arthur and if Henry truly mourned Arthurs death-even years later after it happen. Also, his friendships with the men at court was really intriguing to follow in this story. Especially with his friendship with Charles Brandon.

This is a beautiful and truly a unique story and I look forward to reading more of Haeger’s books. The over- all layout impressed me and the story flowed really well and captured my interest right from the start to the very end. Two thumbs up for this Tudor story!

Stephanie Hopkins

Book Review: Murder by Misrule by Ann Castle

Posted on by
Reply

02_Murder by Misrule CoverFrancis Bacon is charged with investigating the murder of a fellow barrister at Gray’s Inn. He recruits his unwanted protégé Thomas Clarady to do the tiresome legwork. The son of a privateer, Clarady will do anything to climb the Elizabethan social ladder. Bacon’s powerful uncle Lord Burghley suspects Catholic conspirators of the crime, but other motives quickly emerge. Rival barristers contend for the murdered man’s legal honors and wealthy clients. Highly-placed courtiers are implicated as the investigation reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Bacon does the thinking; Clarady does the fencing. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even the brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss — and in danger — until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule.

The Francis Bacon Mystery Series

This series of historical mysteries features the philosopher-statesman Francis Bacon as a sleuth and spymaster. Since Francis prefers the comfort of his own chambers, like his spiritual descendent Nero Wolfe, he sends his pupil, the handsome young Thomas Clarady, out to gather information. Tom loves the work, not least because he meets so many interesting people, like Lord Burghley, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Christopher Marlowe. Murder by Misrule is the first book in the series.

My review:

I’m always up for an elaborate crime thriller and an historical one to boot. Funny thing is, as I was waiting for this book in the mail, I kept on thinking this was going to be a Victorian one! *laughing* I’ve been on a Victorian era kick lately and I guess that is why….and wow was I surprised when I started reading the story!

The premise intrigued me and the colorful cast of characters amused me. They all played an integrate part in the story, even the minor roles. It was entertaining seeing how they interacted together solving the crime and I really developed a fondness for Tom Clarady.

There were a lot of great scenes that grabbed my attention and a few in between that didn’t so much, I would have liked the momentum of the story to have been a little stronger. That is what I want in a mystery thriller.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story and learned a lot about Gray’s Inn….and Frances Bacon in how he must have been. And there is more to the story than meets the eye and leaves the readers imagination to explore that.

Praise for Murder by Misrule

“Though the plot keeps the pages turning, the characters, major and minor, and the well-wrought historical details will make readers want to linger in the 16th century. A laugh-out-loud mystery that will delight fans of the genre.” – Kirkus Starred Review

“Murder by Misrule is a delightful debut with characters that leap off the page, especially the brilliant if unwilling detective Francis Bacon and his street smart man Tom Clarady. Elizabeth Tudor rules, but Anna Castle triumphs.” – Karen Harper, author of Mistress Shakespeare

“Well-researched… Murder by Misrule is also enormously entertaining; a mystery shot through with a series of misadventures, misunderstandings, and mendacity worthy of a Shakespearean comedy.” – M. Louisa Locke, author of Bloody Lessons

“Historical mystery readers take note: Murder by Misrule is a wonderful example of Elizabethan times brought to life.” — D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review.

Buy the Book

Barnes & Noble Smashwords

About the Author

03_Anna Castle

Anna Castle has been a waitress, software engineer, documentary linguist, college professor, and digital archivist. Historical fiction combines her lifelong love of stories and learning. She physically resides in Austin, Texas, and mentally counts herself a queen of infinite space.

For more information please visit Anna Castle’s website and blog. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, June 2 Review at Flashlight Commentary Book Blast at Mari Reads

Tuesday, June 3 Interview at Flashlight Commentary Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Wednesday, June 4 Book Blast at The Musings of ALMYBNENR

Thursday, June 5 Book Blast at Our Wolves Den

Friday, June 6 Review at Book Nerd Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer Book Blast at A Dream Within a Dream

Saturday, June 7 Book Blast at Kelsey’s Book Corner

Sunday, June 8 Review at Carole’s Ramblings

Monday, June 9 Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Tuesday, June 10 Book Blast at West Metro Mommy

Wednesday, June 11 Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse

Thursday, June 12 Review at Curling Up By the Fire

Friday, June 13 Book Blast at Cheryl’s Book Nook

Monday, June 16 Book Blast at Closed the Cover Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read

Tuesday, June 17 Review & Giveaway at 100 Pages a Day Book Blast at A Book Geek

Wednesday, June 18 Book Blast at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, June 19 Review at Bibliotica Book Blast at Historical Fiction Obsession

Friday, June 20 Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews Interview at All Things Girl

Saturday, June 21 Book Blast at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Monday, June 23 Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway at A Bookish Affair Interview at Jorie Loves a Story Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, June 24 Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Wednesday, June 25 Book Blast at Susan Heim on Writing

Thursday, June 26 Review at A Bookish Girl Review at Layered Pages Review at Kinx’s Book Nook

Friday, June 27 Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes

Monday, June 30 Book Blast at Historical Tapestry

Tuesday, July 1 Interview at Starting Fresh

Wednesday, July 2 Review at Kincavel Korner

Thursday, July 3 Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict Guest Post & Giveaway at Bibliophilia, Please

Friday, July 4 Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Murder by Misrule_Tour Banner_FINAL

Book Review: The Secret History by Stephanie Thornton

Posted on by
1

the secret history book cover

Publication Date: July 2, 2013
NAL Trade
Paperback; 448p
ISBN-10: 045141778X

Where Theodora went, trouble followed…

In sixth century Constantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds, and rose from being a common theater tart to become empress of a great kingdom, the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. But the woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was, in fact, a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told…

When her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she can—first on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage of the city’s infamous amphitheater in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a back-door entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protector—only to face heartbreak and betrayal.

Ever resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the Emperor’s nephew. She will thrive as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day, this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonder—is she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it.

Where to begin in this review was the question when I first begun to write this. There are so many highlights to this story and what can be discussed on different viewpoints. Here is only a glimpse of my thoughts and feelings. Theodora is my new favorite heroine who will capture your attention from the beginning and leave you with wanting the story of her life to continue. She is an incredible and courageous women who inspired one not to give up on what life might throw at you and she is the model of a strong, vibrant woman. I’m looking forward to more of Thornton’s stories to come. I hope you enjoy my review below and I’m sure this story will give you newfound appreciation for the wonderful stories writers bring to their readers.

My review:

Historical Fiction is the echo of the past. Where the writer draws you in its fold and as you explore the timeless treasures it has to offer, you want to hold on tight to the- what if’s and the voices that resound through the pages. Thornton gives you that and much more…Every word, every emotion and thought awakens new senses and transcends you back to sixth-century Constaninpole.

She writes a wonderful backdrop of how the city must have looked and the daily life of its people. You can imagine how the different scents of spices must have smelled like at the markets, hear the street merchants as they sell their wares, the cries of babies wanting to feed and the beggar’s unrelenting voices as they beg for food and coin. Not only that- her story is rich with wonderful historical detail and beautiful characters. The love of Theodora and Justinian is one I will never forget. They are forever in my heart.

From what I gather -this is Thornton’s first published novel. She is a history teacher who has been drawn-to put it lightly- with infamous women from ancient history since she was a young girl. It definitely shows throughout this novel! An exceptional story that has left me with what can only be describe as adoration and inspired anew.

Stephanie

Layered Pages

Link to Tour Schedule: http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thesecrethistoryvirtualtour/
Twitter Hashtag: #SecretHistoryTour

the secret history banner