The Muse in the Fog Book Review

Mailbox Monday

2012-01-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and her Books, and is currently being hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books for the month of January.

For Review:

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

Publish Date: February 15th 2012

Format: Hardcover 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England.

Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.

New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.

As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison. The catch? The only way in is with Emma, who has been asked to write a masque for the weekend's entertainment.

Emma is at a crossroads: Should she return to the States or remain in France? She'll do anything to postpone the decision-even if it means teaming up with that silly poet Whittlesby to write a masque for Bonaparte's house party. But each soon learns that surface appearances are misleading. In this complicated masque within a masque, nothing goes quite as scripted- especially Augustus's feelings for Emma."

What delightful books arrived at your door?

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Guest Post: Kate Emerson, Author of At the King's Pleasure

2012-01-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am delighted to host the lovely Kate Emerson, author of the newly released At the King's Pleasure. Thank you, Kate, for honoring The Muse in the Fog Book Review with your presence once again!

What Does “At theKing’s Pleasure” Really Mean?

Kate Emerson

"Finding theright title for a novel isn’t always easy. My original title for AT THE KING’SPLEASURE, in stores January 3, 2012, was NO GAME FOR TUDORS, which comes from astatement allegedly made by the 3^rd Duke of Buckingham when hediscovered his sister, Lady Anne Stafford, in a compromising situation withWilliam Compton, Henry VIII’s boon companion, and leapt to the conclusion thatLady Anne was dallying with both Compton and the king. According to a letterwritten by the Spanish ambassador, Buckingham declared that “women of theStafford family are no game for Comptons, no, nor for Tudors, either.”

Although myeditor liked this title, there was a problem. The overall title of the series ofbooks I was writing about various alleged mistresses of Henry VIII was “Secretsof the Tudor Court” and she thought it would be better if we did not repeat theword Tudor. By an ironic twist of fate, it was decided this past August tobring AT THE KING’S PLEASURE out without the series title on the cover. Now itis simply identified as “a novel” with “author of the Secrets of the TudorCourt series above my name.

But Idigress. I was talking about coming up with the current title. With my firstchoice off the table, I considered a number of possibilities. Some I discardedbecause other people had used them recently. To tell the truth, I debated aboutAT THE KING’S PLEASURE because there is an older novel called THE KING’SPLEASURE (about Catherine of Aragon) that is still in print. But as any readerknows, the same or similar titles often crop up on more than one book,sometimes even on books published at around the same time. No doubt it’ssomething in the ozone. What sounds like a great title to one publisher alsostrikes another (or several others) as a terrific title, too. Anyway, I endedup decided that adding AT to THE KING’S PLEASURE changed the meaningsufficiently.

Indeed, thatone word IS significant. You see, in Henry VIII’s day, courtiers served “at theking’s pleasure,” something the characters in my novel know all too well. But servingat someone’s pleasure isn’t as antiquated an idea as you might think. Deputysheriffs in rural American counties, for example, still serve “at the will and pleasure”of the local sheriff. Strictly speaking, they can be fired for displeasing him,just as any courtier could be dismissed from court for upsetting Henry Tudor.

In AT THEKING’S PLEASURE, when the Duke of Buckingham removes Lady Anne from court aspunishment for her alleged “sins,” the king banishes him and his other sister,Lady Elizabeth. For interfering IN the king’s pleasure, they are sent away ATthe king’s pleasure. That theme that is repeated throughout the novel andallowed me, in developing the plot, to present Lady Anne with many challenges. Thatshe survives in the intrigue-filled hotbed of life at court is a tribute to herstrong, resilient character."

---------------------------

In stores now!

At the King's Pleasure by Kate Emerson

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Married to one man. Desiring another. Beautiful Lady Anne Stafford, ladyin- waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon, is torn between her love for her husband, George, Lord Hastings . . . and the king’s boon companion, the attentive Sir William Compton. But when King Henry VIII, amorous as always, joins the men clustering around her, Anne realizes she has become perilously enmeshed in the intrigues of the court. Will she be forced to decide between the two men she desires—and the one she doesn’t?Kate Emerson charms again with a heroine who steps out of the pages of history to win our hearts in this sumptuous novel of Tudor scandal and intrigue."

Come back for my review this weekend!

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! The Rebel Wife Taylor M. Polites

2011-12-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

The Rebel Wife by Taylor M. Polites

Publish Date: February 7th 2012

Format: Hardcover 304pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Augusta Branson, born of a prominent Southern family made destitute by the Civil War, is forced by her family into marriage with a wealthy upstart. Ten years after her marriage and the end of the war, she watches her husband, Eli, die from a horrifying blood fever.

Newly widowed, Augusta begins to wake to the realities that surround her: her social standing is stained by her marriage, she is alone and unprotected in a community that is being destroyed by racial prejudice and violence, the fortune she thought she would inherit does not exist, and the deadly blood fever is spreading like wildfire. Nothing is as she believed, everyone she trusts is hiding something from her, and if Augusta can’t find a missing package, she and her son face certain death.

Using the Southern Gothic tradition to subvert literary archetypes like the white Southern Gentleman, the good Mammy, the conniving scalawag, and the defenseless Southern Belle, The Rebel Wife shatters the myths that still cling to the antebellum South and creates an unforgettable heroine for our time. "

Ebook Deals!

2011-12-27T12:20:00.000-08:00

Wicked by Gregory Maguire: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"For a limited time at a special price, go back to where The Wicked Years all began—and read excerpts from the rest of the series, including the masterly final book, Out of Oz, available November 1.

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil."

Searching for Pemberly by Mary Lydon Simonsen: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"History, romance, and even a little mystery all combined in one wonderful book."
Best Sellers World, Five Star Review

Maggie went in search of a love story, but she never expected to find her own...
Desperate to escape her life in a small Pennsylvania mining town, Maggie Joyce accepts a job in post-World War II London, hoping to find adventure. While touring Derbyshire, she stumbles upon the stately Montclair, rumored by locals to be the inspiration for Pemberley, the centerpiece of Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice.

Determined to discover the truth behind the rumors, Maggie embarks on a journey through the letters and journals of Montclair's former owners, the Lacey family, searching for signs of Darcy and Elizabeth.

But when the search introduces her to both a dashing American pilot and a handsome descendant of the "Darcy" line, Maggie must decide how her own love story will end..."

A Darcy Christmas

by Amanda Grange, Sharon Lathan, Carolyn Eberhart: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Wish You a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Share in the magic of the season in these three warm and wonderful holiday novellas from bestselling authors.

Christmas Present
by Amanda Grange

A Darcy Christmas
by Sharon Lathan

Mr. Darcy's Christmas Carol
by Carolyn Eberhart"

Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen Wasylowski: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A gentleman in love cannot survive without his best friend...

Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam couldn't be more different, and that goes for the way each one woos and pursues the woman of his dreams. Darcy is quiet and reserved, careful and dutiful, and his qualms and hesitations are going to torpedo his courtship of Elizabeth. His affable and vivacious cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam is a military hero whose devil-may-care personality hides the torments within, until he finds himself in a passionate, whirlwind affair with a beautiful widow who won't hear of his honorable intentions.

Cousins, best friends, and sparring partners, Darcy and Fitzwilliam have always been there for each other. So it's no surprise when the only one who can help Darcy fix his botched marriage proposals is Fitzwilliam, and the only one who can pull Fitzwilliam out of an increasingly dangerous entanglement is Darcy..."

The Queen's Bastard by Robin Maxwell: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Historians have long whispered that "the Virgin Queen" Elizabeth's passionate, lifelong affair with Robin Dudley, Earl of Leicester, may have led to the birth of a son, Arthur Dudley. In this exquisite sequel to The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Robin Maxwell fashions a stunning fictional account of the child switched at birth by a lady-in-waiting who foresaw the deleterious political consequences of a royal bastard. Set against the sweeping, meticulously rendered backdrop of court intrigues, international scandals, and England's battle against the Spanish Armada in 1588, Maxwell deftly juxtaposes Elizabeth and Leicester's tumultuous relationship with the memoirs of the adventurous son lost to them-yet ultimately discovered.

The Queen's Bastard artfully weaves two tales, the first told by Arthur Dudley himself, who, exchanged at birth by Elizabeth's intimates for a stillborn infant, grows up as a country gentleman, never knowing his true identity. A dreamer, a romantic, and a magnificent horseman, Arthur sets off to fight Philip II of Spain. Meanwhile, the lifelong love affair of Elizabeth and Leicester has only been strengthened by the presumed loss of their child. The two narratives collide when Arthur learns who his true parents are. Religion, sex, and the sixteenth century's most fascinating personalities are woven into a rich tapestry of betrayal, the quest for power, and love."

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas

In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr. Darcy turns her world upside down.

When Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy throws convention overboard in a plan that will bind them to each other more deeply than he ever could have imagined. But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive?"

The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A Tale of Two Gentlemen's Marriages to Two Most Devoted Sisters

Three days before their double wedding, Charles Bingley is desperate to have a word with his dear friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, seeking advice of a most delicate nature. Bingley is shocked when Darcy gives him a copy of an ancient, illustrated book of sensual secrets-but it does tell him everything he needs to know.

Eventually, of course, Jane finds this remarkable volume and in utmost secrecy shows it to her dear sister Elizabeth, who goes searching for a copy in the Pemberley library...

By turns hilarious and sweet, The Darcys & the Bingleys follows the two couples and the cast of characters surrounding them. Miss Caroline Bingley, it turns out, has such good reasons for being the way she is that the reader can't help but hold her in charity. Delightfully, she makes a most eligible match, and in spite of Darcy's abhorrence of being asked for advice, he and Bingley have a most enduring and adventure-prone friendship."

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Sharon Lathan presents Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, A fascinating portrait of a timeless, consuming love - and the sweetest, most romantic Jane Austen sequel.

It's Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding day, and the journey is just beginning as Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice characters embark on the greatest adventure of all: marriage and a life together filled with surprising passion, tender self-discovery, and the simple joys of every day.

As their love story unfolds in this most romantic of Jane Austen sequels, Darcy and Elizabeth reveal to each other how their relationship blossomed. From misunderstanding to perfect understanding and harmony, theirs is a marriage filled with romance, sensuality, and the beauty of a deep, abiding love."

Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woolley: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Among the first to look at the story of Camelot through Guinevere's eyes, Woolley sets the traditional tale in the time of its origin, after Britain has shattered into warring fiefdoms.

Hampered by neither fantasy nor medieval romance, this young Guinevere is a feisty Celtic tomboy who sees no reason why she must learn to speak Latin, wear dresses, and go south to marry that king. But legends being what they are, the story of Arthur's rise to power soon intrigues her, and when they finally meet, Guinevere and Arthur form a partnership that has lasted for 1500 years.

This is Arthurian epic at its best-filled with romance, adventure, authentic Dark Ages detail, and wonderfully human people."

The Last Pendragon by Sarah Woodbury: 2.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Set in 7th century Wales, the Last Pendragon is the story of Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon (Cade)--heir to the throne of Arthur--and of Rhiannon, the bastard daughter of the man who usurped Cade's father's throne. Born to rule, yet without a kingdom, Cade must learn to be both Christian king and pagan hero, and Rhiannon must decide how much she is willing to risk to follow her heart."

The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick: 1.99

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Who was THE MAN
Who became THE LEGEND
We know as KING ARTHUR?

"You are the Pendragon, rightful Lord of Dumnonia and the Summer Land; Lord of less Britain. By all that is right, you ought be seated where Vortigern sits . . . You ought to be King."

Here lies the truth of the Lord of the Summer Land.

This is the tale of Arthur flesh and bone. Of the shaping of the man, both courageous and flawed, into the celebrated ruler who inspired armies, who captured Gwenhyfar's heart, and who emerged as the hero of the Dark Ages and the most enduring hero of all time.
This is the unexpected story of the making of a king - the legend who united all of Britain."

A Very Merry Christmas To You!

2011-12-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

May you have a joyous day filled with heartfelt love and laughter!

Guest Post: Lauren Willig, Author of The Orchid Affair (Pink Carnation Series #8)

2011-12-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

I was sorting through my unpublished drafts the other day and came across this lovely guest post by Lauren Willig which unfortunately didn't auto-publish correctly so many months ago! Lauren Willing is the author of the scrumptious and enchanting Pink Carnation Series, and I am honored to have her as a guest on The Muse in the Fog Book Review. And now without any further delay, I give you Lauren's thoughts on the art of writing historical fiction:

"Writing historical fiction is a bit like piecing together a quilt. Even though the final pattern is something individual and unique, if you look closely, you’ll find that most novels employ a lot of repurposed materials.

While my characters are my own inventions and take on a life of their own in my head, I often base them closely on real people, or, at least, borrow bits of peoples’ lives which I then piece into the characters I’ve created. Truth is, indeed, stranger than fiction, which means I’m always coming across stories I can’t resist using—like the rebellion in Dublin in 1803 which formed the basis for my third book, The Deception of the Emerald Ring, in which the conspirators were betrayed when a member of their group accidentally blew up their secret hideaway, sending rockets spiraling into the air like teenagers setting off fireworks on the 4th of July. Ooops.

I’ve been feeling this connection to the fabric of history particularly strongly in my most recent book, The Orchid Affair, in which my fictional characters are involved in a complicated plot to unseat Napoleon that took place in the winter and spring of 1804. The plot, while somewhat simplified for the purposes of my story, was real enough. Most of the fictional bits, though, were also based on real people and events.

In The Orchid Affair, my hero, Andre Jaouen, the assistant Prefect of Paris, is locked in a deadly struggle with his colleague and rival, Gaston Delaroche, who works at the Ministry of Police. Although both my Andre and the rather insane Delaroche are entirely fictional, their rivalry was inspired by the actual grudge match between the Prefect of Paris, Louis-Nicolas Dubois, and Napoleon’s sinister Minister of Police, Joseph Fouche. In early 1804, when this book takes place, Napoleon had dissolved the Ministry of Police, making the Prefecture the official center of surveillance. He had, however, made Fouche a gift of the remains of the Ministry of Police funds, over one million francs, money which Fouche used to build a bigger and better network of informers, with which he challenged the authority of the Prefecture and Dubois. The Royalist plot which Andre and Delaroche are shouldering each other out of the way to investigate was, in fact, the catalyst that Fouche used to bring about the reinstatement of the Ministry of Police, relegating Dubois and the Prefecture to the sidelines.

Andre is a widower. (And a good thing, too, or else how would he be able to flirt with his children’s governess?) His wife was a painter, and a famous one, a friend of David and the other luminaries of the revolutionary art world. I based Andre’s artist wife, Julie Beniet, off a combination of Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Marguerite Gerard, and Adélaïde Labille-Guiard. Although Julie Beniet’s politics and career are closest to Labille-Guiard, it was a sketch by Marguerite Gerard of a provincial gentleman in a brown coat provided the visual inspiration for my hero, Andre.

On the flip side, we can look at the “real” parts of the story, such as the interrogation of one of the conspirators, Jean-Pierre Querrelle, or the discovery of the hiding place of the prime conspirator, Georges Cadoudal. Even though both those events actually happened, when and where described, they were, of necessity, doctored to allow my characters to have a role, rendering the factual bits somewhat less factual even while the fictional bits aren’t always entirely fictional.

In the end, maybe that’s the trick to writing historical fiction: sewing a seamless enough seam that we can’t tell where fact and fiction divide."

Thank you, Lauren, for this delightful guest post and for giving us a look at the making of The Orchid Affair!

---------------------------------

The next upcoming Pink Carnation novel is only 2 months away!

The Garden Affair by Lauren Willig

Publish Date: February 16th 2012

Format: Hardcover 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England.

Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.

New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.

As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison. The catch? The only way in is with Emma, who has been asked to write a masque for the weekend's entertainment.

Emma is at a crossroads: Should she return to the States or remain in France? She'll do anything to postpone the decision-even if it means teaming up with that silly poet Whittlesby to write a masque for Bonaparte's house party. But each soon learns that surface appearances are misleading. In this complicated masque within a masque, nothing goes quite as scripted- especially Augustus's feelings for Emma."

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! Elizabeth I by Margaret George [paperback edition]

2011-12-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth I by Margaret George

Publish Date: March 27th 2012

Format: Paperback Edition 688pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"New York Times bestselling author Margaret George captures history's most enthralling queen-as she confronts rivals to her throne and to her heart.

One of today's premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma-the Virgin Queen who had many suitors, the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel- bedecked woman who pinched pennies. England's greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like?

In this novel, her flame-haired, lookalike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth's rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth's throne, Lettice had been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood. This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family and each vying to convince the reader of her own private vision of the truth about Elizabeth's character. Their gripping drama is acted out at the height of the flowering of the Elizabethan age. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake-all of them swirl through these pages as they swirled through the court and on the high seas.

This is a magnificent, stay-up-all-night page-turner that is George's finest and most compelling novel and one that is sure to please readers of Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Hilary Mantel."

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! The Borgia Mistress by Sara Poole

2011-11-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

The Borgia Mistress by Sara Poole

Publish Date: May 22nd 2012

Format: Paperback 416pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"From the author of Poison and The Borgia Betrayal, comes a new historical thriller, featuring the same intriguing and beautiful heroine: Borgia court poisoner, Francesca Giordano.

Mistress of death Francesca Giordano—court poisoner to the House of Borgia—returns to confront an ancient atrocity that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance and plunge the world into eternal darkness. As the enemies of Pope Alexander VI close in and the papal court is forced to flee from Rome, Francesca joins forces with her lover, the brilliant and ruthless Cesare Borgia to unravel a conspiracy that strikes at the heart of Christendom. But when a shattering secret from her past imperils her precarious hold on sanity, only Francesca’s own courage and resolve can draw her back from the brink of madness to save all she values most."

Mailbox Monday

2011-11-20T13:38:00.001-08:00

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and her Books, and is currently being hosted by Marcia at Marcia's Mailbox for the month of November.

For Review:

The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot

Publish Date: March 6th 2012

Format: Paperback 528pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals.
They were also queens.

Raised together at the 13th Century court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages—but never truly parted.

Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX, is considered the greatest monarch of his age. But he is also a religious zealot who denies himself all pleasure—including the love and companionship his wife so desperately craves. Can Marguerite find enough of her sister’s boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in the guise of forbidden love?

Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Her husband, Henry III, is neither as young nor as dashing as Marguerite’s. But she quickly discovers he is a very good man…and a very bad king. His failures are bitter disappointments for Eleanor, who has worked to best her elder sister since childhood. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?"

Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange

Publish Date: December 6th 2011

Format: Paperback 288pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A charming retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey—a tale of gothic misunderstandings through Henry Tilney's eyes...

At the age of four and twenty, Henry is content with his life as a clergyman, leaving his older brother Frederick to inherit Northanger Abbey. But General Tilney is determined to increase the family's means by having all three of his children marry wealthy partners.

During a trip to Bath, Henry meets the delightful Miss Catherine Morland and believes he may have found the woman he's been looking for, although she has no great fortune. When the General takes an unusual liking to Catherine and invites her to visit the Abbey, Henry is thrilled. But just as in the Gothic novels Henry loves, not everything is as it seems..."

What delightful books arrived at your door?

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Suddenly Sunday

2011-11-19T21:54:00.001-08:00

Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Svea @ The Muse in the Fog Book Review. The purpose of Suddenly Sunday is to share all the exciting events that have occurred on your blog throughout the week.

-------------

Good morning everyone. Huzzah, it's raining!!! I really don't know what to say after that, the rain is just too exciting, lol. Hopefully this weather system sticks around for a while so I can enjoy it after I kick this blasted cold to the curb. It's been a busy week here at The Muse in the Fog Book Review so lets get straight to the details:

Reviewed:

Events:

Guest Post: Gillian Bagwell, Author of The September Queen

Upcoming Releases Posted:

Current Giveaway!

Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange

Currently Reading:

Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange

The Wars of the Roses (non-fic) by Desmond Seward

Coming Up This Week:

Review:

The Wars of the Roses (non-fic) by Desmond Seward
Rivals in the Tudor Court by D.L. Bogdan
The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

A guest post by Lauren Willig (this is a very late posting of her guest post. I discovered it while I was clearing out drafts in blogger and apparently it didn't publish as it should have.)

Spontaneous Sunday Question:

Whatare you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Have a great week & happy reading!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Review: The King's Witch by Cecilia Holland

2011-11-19T12:32:00.001-08:00

Publish Date: June 2011

Format: Paperback 320pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Of the women in King Richard's life, she is the least known-and the most powerful.

During the Third Crusade, deaths from fever and starvation are common, but King Richard the Lion-Hearted has a secret ally against these impassable enemies-a mysterious healer by the name of Edythe.

She was sent to him by his mother Eleanor, and Richard first assumes that Edythe is a spy. But when her medical knowledge saves his life, she becomes an indispensable member of his camp-even as his loyal soldiers, suspicious of her talent for warding off death, call her a witch."

My Review:

In her latest novel, The Kings's Witch, Cecilia Holland does a fabulous job of bringing to life the trials and destruction created during the battles of Richard the Lionheart's Third Crusade. It's not often I find a novel where the Crusades are the main setting, instead it is merely mentioned as a an event occurring far away from England, so I thoroughly enjoyed Cecilia's representation of this tumultuous time. Another aspect I appreciated while reading this novel was learning more about the key players of the Third Crusade; Cecilia really focused on the political drama throughout The King's Witch.

Although the aforementioned aspects were quite intriguing, I found the rest of the plot to be a bit lacking. Due to the numerous political figures mentioned in the beginning of the book, the story had a somewhat choppy and overwhelming feeling for the first handful of chapters. But this might not be an issue for someone well learned in the political aspects of the Crusades. After 100 pages or so the story picked up and the characters began to take on distinct personalities. The plot had a few slow moments but overall it was an easy read with intriguing drama and likable characters. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an introduction to the main players of the Crusades and the type of life they lived.

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.
FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.

Friday Finds at the Bookstore: Jane and the Canterbury Tale by Stephanie Barron

2011-11-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

Every Friday I will be posting my latest book discovery that I found while browsing the bookstore or, in some cases, the library. It needn't be a book you purchased, but merely a newly found novel that caught your attention. If you would like to join in on this weekly event, just link back to this blog.

-----------

Jane and the Canterbury Tale

by Stephanie Barron

Publish Date: August 2011

Format: Paperback 320pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Three years after news of her scandalous husband’s death, Adelaide Fiske is at the altar again, her groom a soldier on the Marquis of Wellington’s staff. The prospects seem bright for one of the most notorious women in Kent—until Jane Austen discovers a corpse on the ancient Pilgrim’s Way that runs through her brother Edward’s estate. As First Magistrate for Canterbury, Edward is forced to investigate, with Jane as his reluctant assistant. But she rises to the challenge and leaves no stone unturned, discovering mysteries deeper than she could have anticipated. It seems that Adelaide’s previous husband has returned for the new couple’s nuptials—only this time, genuinely, profoundly dead. But when a second corpse appears beside the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, Jane has no choice but to confront a murderer, lest the next corpse be her own."

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! Imperial Scandal by Teresa Grant

2011-11-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Imperial Scandal by Teresa Grant

Pub. Date: April 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Amid the treachery of war and the whirl of revelry, no one is what they seem. . .

Nights filled with lavish balls. . .lush, bucolic afternoons. . .. Removed to glamorous Brussels in the wake of Napoleon's escape from Elba, Intelligence Agent Malcolm Rannoch and his wife, Suzanne, warily partake in the country's pleasures. But with the Congress of Vienna in chaos and the Duke of Wellington preparing for battle, the festivities are cut short when Malcolm is sent on a perilous mission that unravels a murderous world of espionage. . .

No one knows what the demure and respectable Lady Julia Ashton was doing at the château where Malcolm and a fellow British spy were ambushed. But now her enigmatic life has been ended by an equally mysterious death. And as the conflict with Napoleon marches toward Waterloo, and Brussels surrenders to bedlam, Suzanne and Malcolm will be plunged into the search for the truth--revealing an intricate labyrinth of sinister secrets and betrayal within which no one can be trusted. . ."

Giveaway! Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange

2011-11-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader not a Writer and All-Consuming Books. Lately I have been thinking of how blessed I am to have 655 amazing followers, and so when I saw this gratitude giveaway hop I just had to sign up. Thank you to each and every one of you for making this blog so worthwhile and a sheer joy to host.

Thanks to the generosity of Penguin Publishing Group, I have one copy of Henry Tilney's Diary to giveaway by random selection via Rafflecopter.

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A charming retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey—a tale of gothic misunderstandings through Henry Tilney's eyes...

At the age of four and twenty, Henry is content with his life as a clergyman, leaving his older brother Frederick to inherit Northanger Abbey. But General Tilney is determined to increase the family's means by having all three of his children marry wealthy partners.

During a trip to Bath, Henry meets the delightful Miss Catherine Morland and believes he may have found the woman he's been looking for, although she has no great fortune. When the General takes an unusual liking to Catherine and invites her to visit the Abbey, Henry is thrilled. But just as in the Gothic novels Henry loves, not everything is as it seems..."

Giveaway Guidelines:

Open to Us and Canadian residents only

Must be a follower via GFC (google friend connect)

Fill out the form below

Giveaway ends November 27th

Good luck!

Review: The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell

2011-11-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

Publish Date: November 2012

Format: Paperback 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Charles II is running for his life-and into the arms of a woman who will risk all for king and country.

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...

Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever."

My Review:

After reading the first few chapters of The September Queen I knew I was in for an adventure that would keep me up into the wee hours of the morning. In the opening scene we meet Jane Lane, a loving girl who is enamored by her books and the thought of adventure, not the prospect of a loveless marriage. So it is not surprising that when the opportunity rises to aid King Charles II in his desperate attempt to evade Cromwell's men and escape to the safety of France, she willingly gives herself to his cause.

Despite the risks involved, Jane is elated at the prospect of the trilling adventure that lies before her, but little does she know the emotional turbulence that will rise in its wake. It is not long before Charles' charismatic charm and Jane's passionate and fearless spirit collide, creating a love between them that equals no other. But as time passes and the fight for Charles' throne continues, Jane discovers that the heartbroken women who preceded her place in Charles' heart are not an exaggeration, and she soon fears she might very well be next. Can the love they shared throughout their perilous journey endure for a lifetime, or will it be forgotten once Charles is restored to power and reunited with his courtiers?

Filled with dangerous encounters, a passionate love affair, and vivid scenery, The September Queen is a novel that will thrill and enchant you. The connection between Charles and Jane was so strong that I could have been reading a pop-up book, watching them come to life on each page. Their romance was quite steamy, but I would not let that deter you in any way because the loving emotion exudes from the pages, making it some of the most beautiful and touching moments I have ever read. I found myself completely immersed in their story, and, in the final chapters, I wish I could have seen my face as I intently read each page since I'm sure it would have reflected the intense emotion I was feeling as their story came to a close. Without a doubt The September Queen is a novel that will appeal to all readers of historical fiction, and is one I'll recommend for years to come.

Don't miss the delightful by:
Gillian Bagwell, author of The September Queen

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Guest Post: Gillian Bagwell, Author of The September Queen

2011-11-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

Today I am pleased to bring you a guest post by Gillian Bagwell, the talented author of two captivating historical fiction novels, The Darling Strumpet and The September Queen. Thank you, Gillian, for honoring The Muse in the Fog Book Review with your presence, it's a pleasure to have you!

Portrait Miniatures by Gillian Bagwell:

-Charles I by Petitor - Charles II later by Cooper - miniature back of frame

A lost art from centuries past is the painting of portraitminiatures. With no photos or phones,having a portable portrait was one way to feel connected to an absent lovedone. Lovers might present miniatures toeach other.

Anne of Cleves by Holbein

Sometimes miniature portraits had a political use. If a monarch shopping for a bride couldn’tmeet the lady in person, he could send an artist to paint her portrait. WhenHenry VIII was scouting for a fourth wife, he sent Hans Holbein to paintvarious candidates, and ended up choosing Anne of Cleves partly on the basis ofher portrait. He was mightily disappointed that she didn’t live up to it, andwas so put off by her appearance that he though he felt forced to go throughwith the marriage, he could not bring himself to consummate it, and divorcedher only six months later. Holbein was rnoted for his lifelike representations, but it seems that he must haveflattered poor Anne, with disastrous results.

Minette by Cooper

Samuel Cooper was a seventeenth century artist whospecialized in miniatures, and he painted several members of the royal family,giving us likenesses of many of the Stuarts, including some from the years after the execution of Charles I and before theRestoration of Charles II. It’sinteresting to see the striking difference between his painting of Charles IIas a very young man, while in exile, and one many years later. Had the cares of the monarchy aged him soseverely? Or had Cooper flattered theyounger Charles? Cooper also providedthe likeness of Charles that was used on new coins in 1662.

The diarist Samuel Pepys knew Cooper, and said was anexcellent musician, playing the lute and speaking French well. He paid Cooper £30 to paint a miniature ofhis wife Elisabeth in 1668. Elisabeth’sfather Alexandre de St. Michel was French – perhaps they conversed in Frenchwhile he painted her.

Another painterof miniatures, Mary Beale, recorded Cooper’s death on May 5, 1672 in herjournal, calling him “the most famous limner of the world for a face.”

Photo by: Brendan Elms

Gillian Bagwell’s novel The September Queen, the first fictional accounting of the story ofJane Lane, an ordinary English girl who helped Charles II escape after theBattle of Worcester, was released on November 1. Her first novel, The Darling Strumpet, tells the story of Nell Gwynn, seventeenthcentury actress and mistress to Charles II. Please visit her website, www.gillianbagwell.com, to read more about her books and read her blogJane Lane and the Royal Miracle www.theroyalmiracle.blogspot.com, which recounts her research adventures and thedaily episodes in Charles’s flight.

--------------

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Charles II is running for his life-and into the arms of a woman who will risk all for king and country.

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...

Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever."

My review of The September Queen!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-11-15T04:53:00.001-08:00

This Week my teaser comes from:

The Queen's Witch by Cecelia Holland

Page 184:

"There in the empty corridor a brazier burned, and she paused long enough to throw the letters into it."

Page 228:

"At that moment she hated him; if she had found a knife she would have plunged it into him. Instead, she crept out of the room, went down onto the balcony, and there wept into the salt sea."

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

Mailbox Monday

2011-11-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and her Books, and is currently being hosted by Marcia at Marcia's Mailbox for the month of November.

For Review I Received:

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy

by Victoria Connelly

Publish Date: January 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 368pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Fledgling illustrator and Darcy fanatic Kay Ashton settles in the seaside town of Lyme to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy, when a film company arrives to make a new adaptation of Persuasion. Kay is soon falling for the handsome bad boy actor playing Captain Wentworth, but it's the quiet screenwriter Adam Craig who has more in common with her beloved Mr. Darcy. Though still healing from a broken heart, Adam finds himself unexpectedly in love with Kay, but it will take more than good intentions to convince her that her real happy ending is with him."

Purchased from B&N.com:

Mozart's Last Aria

by Matt Rees

Publish Date: November 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 336pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The news arrives in a letter to his sister, Nannerl, in December 1791. But the message carries more than word of Nannerl’s brother’s demise. Two months earlier, Mozart confided to his wife that his life was rapidly drawing to a close . . . and that he knew he had been poisoned.

In Vienna to pay her final respects, Nannerl soon finds herself ensnared in a web of suspicion and intrigue—as the actions of jealous lovers, sinister creditors, rival composers, and Mozart’s Masonic brothers suggest that dark secrets hastened the genius to his grave. As Nannerl digs deeper into the mystery surrounding her brother’s passing, Mozart’s black fate threatens to overtake her as well.

Transporting readers to the salons and concert halls of eighteenth-century Austria, Mozart’s Last Aria is a magnificent historical mystery that pulls back the curtain on a world of soaring music, burning passion, and powerful secrets."

Mary Boleyn, The Mistress of Kings

by Alison Weir

Publish Date: October 2011

Format: Hardcover 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Sister to Queen Anne Boleyn, she was seduced by two kings and was an intimate player in one of history’s most gripping dramas. Yet much of what we know about Mary Boleyn has been fostered through garbled gossip, romantic fiction, and the misconceptions repeated by historians. Now, in her latest book, New York Timesbestselling author and noted British historian Alison Weir gives us the first ever full-scale, in-depth biography of Henry VIII’s famous mistress, in which Weir explodes much of the mythology that surrounds Mary Boleyn and uncovers the truth about one of the most misunderstood figures of the Tudor age.

With the same brand of extensive forensic research she brought to her acclaimed book The Lady in the Tower, Weir facilitates here a new portrayal of her subjects, revealing how Mary was treated by her ambitious family and the likely nature of the relationship between the Boleyn sisters. She also posits new evidence regarding the reputation of Mary’s mother, Elizabeth Howard, who was rumored to have been an early mistress of Henry VIII.

Weir unravels the truth about Mary’s much-vaunted notoriety at the French court and her relations with King François I. She offers plausible theories as to what happened to Mary during the undocumented years of her life, and shows that, far from marrying an insignificant and complacent nonentity, she made a brilliant match with a young man who was the King’s cousin and a rising star at court.

Weir also explores Mary’s own position and role at the English court, and how she became Henry VIII’s mistress. She tracks the probable course of their affair and investigates Mary’s real reputation. With new and compelling evidence, Weir presents the most conclusive answer to date on the paternity of Mary’s children, long speculated to have been Henry VIII’s progeny.

Alison Weir has drawn fascinating information from the original sources of the period to piece together a life steeped in mystery and misfortune, debunking centuries-old myths and disproving accepted assertions, to give us the truth about Mary Boleyn, the so-called great and infamous whore."

What delectable books arrived at your door?

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

2011-11-13T13:49:00.001-08:00

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

Publish Date: March 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 368pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"To the casual observer, Battista della Paglia is an avid art collector, or perhaps a nimble thief. In reality, the cunning Italian is an agent for François, the King of France, for whom he procures the greatest masterpieces of the day by any means necessary. Embroiled in a power struggle with Charles V, the King of Spain, François resolves to rule Europe's burgeoning cultural world. When he sets his sights on a mysterious sculpture, Battista's search for the elusive objet d'art leads him to a captivating woman on a mission of her own. . .

Having spent her life under the controlling eye of her protector, the Marquess of Mantua, Aurelia longs for freedom. And she finds it in Battista. Together, they embark on a journey to find the clues that will lead him to the sculpture-- a venture so perilous it might have spilled from the pen of Dante himself. From the smoldering depths of Rome to a castle in the sky, the harrowing quest draws them inextricably together. But Aurelia guards a dark secret that could tear them apart--and change the course of history. . ."

Suddenly Sunday

2011-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Svea@ The Muse in the Fog Book Review. The purpose of Suddenly Sunday is to share all the exciting events that have occurred on your blog throughout the week.

--------------

Good morning my lovely followers! What an eventful week here at The Muse in the Fog Book Review. I am quite happy with the routine I have fallen into with prepping blog posts a week in advance and replying to the kind comments you leave... now if only I could successfully manage to throw my writing into the mix. Today shall be a day of baking holiday cookies, reading/writing, and football, of course! I threw together a stew in the crock pot late last night so my dinner is taken care of which means... yep, you guessed it: more reading time (I wish things worked out like that more often, lol). As I type this post my laptop battery is about to die so I better make this quick. Here are the latest happenings at The Muse in the Fog Book Review:

Reviewed:

Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

Events:

Interview with Stephanie Dray, author of Song of the Nile

Upcoming Releases Posted:

NaNoWrMo Update:

...... ummmm.... yeah..... about that, lol. I haven't accomplished as much as I thought I would have by now, but I'm hoping to make up for that this week.

I'm Currently Reading:

The Wars of the Roses and the Lives of Five Men and Women of the 15th century (non-fic) by Desmond Seward

The King's Witch by Cecelia Holland

Coming up this Week:

My review of The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell along with an intriguing guest post!
2 new giveaways!

Spontaneous Sunday Question:

Kindleor Nook, what’s your ebook preference?
(or do you refuse ebooks of any format?)

Have a great week & happy reading!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Interview with Stephanie Dray, Author of Song of the Nile

2011-11-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I am extremely pleased and exited to bring you my latest interview with Stephanie Dray, author of the captivating novel Song of the Nile. In her latest novel about Cleopatra Selene, Stephanie has gracefully combined historical fiction with historical fantasy, delivering an deliciously satisfying reading experience. To learn more of this novel be sure to read my review.

Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: the interview!

When did you first feel compelled to write about Cleopatra Selene's extraordinary life?

Almost as soon as I learned about her existence, I was obsessed. I read anything I could get my hands on, and it made me sad that there was so little available. One day, she just seemed to start speaking to me. Now, I know how that sounds. I’m not that kind of author usually. Though I’ve written numerous books in different genres, I don’t have characters who speak to me. I don’t channel a muse in the fog, as it were. But this one time, I heard a young woman speaking to me about the voice she’d been robbed of, and I had to write it all down.

Of your current two novels about Cleopatra Selene, or even the upcoming conclusion, is there one you've enjoyed writing more than the other?

What a great question. Lily of the Nile was my first historical fiction project and it was a time of exploration for me. I wrote with joy and without much self-consciousness. I didn’t have deadlines at the time, so I just wrote when I felt like writing. It was glorious. Song of the Nile, on the other hand, was a misery to write. First of all, there was a deadline. Secondly, I was a much improved writer, so I was always worrying about what I was doing wrong. Third, I knew that the material was darker and more controversial, and I made myself cry more than once because I felt so badly for Selene. But in the end, I actually think Song of the Nile is the stronger book. (Though, at the time I wrote it, I had no such belief, which only added to the misery.)

When you began writing Cleopatra Selene's story did you have the plot completely planned out or have things evolved throughout the writing of each novel?

I knew the historical arc of her life, so I had that to guide me. But I wanted to weave so much more between the dry dates and battles and milestones of the historical record. I wanted to bring alive a personal, intimate life for this woman. So, that part of it has evolved a great deal as I’ve come to understand her better. My Selene suffers from intense survivor’s guilt. Her whole family is dead, but yet, she thrives. I can only imagine what that must have been like for her...and so as I explore her psychology, the plot shifts accordingly.

Out of all the historical figures who played a part in your novels, who, besides Cleopatra Selene, would you most want to meet?

I wish I could say that I’d like to meet either Cleopatra or Augustus, but the truth is that both of them were very ruthless and dangerous people. They would make mincemeat of me. So, I think I would have to go with King Juba, who was, by all accounts, a gentleman scholar.

Can you tell us a bit about the next novel in this trilogy?

In Song of the Nile, I was very aware of Selene as the personification of Persephone (or Kore). If she was a young maiden with the problems of maidens in this middle book, she is now very firmly a mother, with the problems of a mother in the next novel. Like Demeter, she has to worry about her beloved daughter being stolen away to Rome, where the emperor has a claim on her. Selene has finally carved out some happiness for herself, and I intend to show in this last book, how she struggles to hold onto it at all costs!

Thank you, Stephanie! It's been an honor to interview you :)
The honor is all mine!

About Stephanie…

Stephanie graduated with a degree in Government from Smith, a small women’s college in Massachusetts where–to the consternation of her devoted professors–she was unable to master Latin. However, her focus on Middle Eastern Studies gave her a deeper understanding of the consequences of Egypt’s ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of female-oriented religion.

Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the transformative power of magic realism to illuminate the stories of women in history and inspire the young women of today. She remains fascinated by all things Roman or Egyptian and has–to the consternation of her devoted husband–collected a house full of cats and ancient artifacts.

Synopsis of Song of the Nile...

"Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra’s daughter has become the emperor’s most unlikely apprentice and the one woman who can destroy his empire…

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

Forced to marry a man of the emperor’s choosing, Selene will not allow her new husband to rule in her name. She quickly establishes herself as a capable leader in her own right and as a religious icon. Beginning the hard work of building a new nation, she wins the love of her new subjects and makes herself vital to Rome by bringing forth bountiful harvests.

But it’s the magic of Isis flowing through her veins that makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra’s daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother’s throne be more than she’s willing to pay?"

Friday Finds at the Bookstore: India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

-----------

India Black and the Widow of Windsor

by Carol K. Carr

Publish Date: October 2011

Format: Paperback pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Black is back-Her Majesty's favorite spy is off to Scotland in this new adventure to ensure the Queen doesn't end up getting killed.

When Queen Victoria attends a séance, the spirit of her departed husband, Prince Albert, insists she spend Christmas at their Scottish home in Balmoral. Prime Minister Disraeli suspects the Scottish nationalists plan to assassinate the Queen-and sends the ever resourceful India and the handsome British spy, French, to the Scottish highlands.

French will take the high road, looking for a traitor among the guests-and India will take the low road, disguised as a servant in case an assassin is hiding among the household staff. India is certain that someone at Balmoral is determined to make this Her Majesty's last Christmas..."

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! The Midwife of Venice Roberta Rich

2011-11-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich

Publish Date: February 14th 2012

Format: Paperback 336pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A “lavishly detailed” (Elle Canada) debut that masterfully captures sixteenth century Venice against a dramatic and poetic tale of suspense. Not since The Red Tent or People of the Book has a novel transported readers so intimately into the complex lives of women centuries ago or so richly into a story of intrigue that transcends the boundaries of history. Hannah Levi is renowned for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers using her secret “birthing spoons.” When a Christian count implores her to attend his dying wife and save their unborn son, she is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but the count’s payment is enough to ransom Hannah’s husband, Isaac, who has been captured at sea. Can she refuse her duty to a woman who is suffering? Hannah’s choice entangles her in a treacherous family rivalry that endangers the child and threatens her voyage to Malta, where Isaac, believing her dead in the plague, is preparing to buy his passage to a new life.

Beautifully told with exceptional skill, The Midwife of Venice brings to life a time and a place cloaked in fascination and mystery and introduces a captivating new talent in historical fiction."

Review: Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

2011-11-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Publish Date: October 2011

Format: Paperback 416pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra’s daughter has become the emperor’s most unlikely apprentice and the one woman who can destroy his empire...

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

Forced to marry a man of the emperor’s choosing, Selene will not allow her new husband to rule in her name. She quickly establishes herself as a capable leader in her own right and as a religious icon. Beginning the hard work of building a new nation, she wins the love of her new subjects and makes herself vital to Rome by bringing forth bountiful harvests.

But it’s the magic of Isis flowing through her veins that makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra’s daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother’s throne be more than she’s willing to pay?"

My Review:

Once again Stephanie Dray has created a novel of fast paced intrigue, gripping plot twists, and intense emotion. Picking up where Liliy of the Nile left off (my review), Song of the Nile tells the story of Cleopatra Selene's life as the new queen of Mauretania and her ongoing pursuit for the throne of Egypt. Throughout the novel we witness the transformation of Cleopatra Selene from a young and vulnerable girl into a woman of strength and cunning spirit. Embracing her power as the daughter of Isis, she learns to wield her magic for the good of Mauretania and ultimately in attempt to show Cesar, the Emperor, her ability to rule a prosperous nation. But Cesar desires more from Cleopatra Selene than just proof of being a dutiful client queen, he will test her loyalty in every way, even the unimaginable.

After being mesmerized by Lily of the Nile earlier in the year, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the second installment in the trilogy on Cleopatra Selene's life... it was well worth the wait! The characters were well developed and the scenery was vivid. I loved the tedious drama played out by the Emperor and Cleopatra Selene, and I often found myself liking the Emperor despite his monstrous ways. Maybe that comes from a desire to find a bit of good in everyone, but Stephanie's complex portrayal of him was definitely the key ingredient. Since this novel greatly builds upon the conflicts created in the beginning of Cleopatra Selene's life I would definitely recommend reading Lily of the Nile first... though you should read it anyway since it's fabulous!

Gracefully combining historical fiction with historical fantasy, Song of the Nile is a book that will fulfill your reading desires with every page.

Be sure to come back later this week for an interview with the lovely Stephanie Dray!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! Empress of the Seven Hills (US Title) - Empress of Rome (UK Title) by Kate Quinn

2011-11-08T11:51:00.000-08:00

(US Cover & Title)

(UK Cover & Title)

_____________

Publish Date: April 3rd 2012

Format: Paperback 512pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Powerful, prosperous, and expanding ever farther into the untamed world, the Roman Empire has reached its zenith under the rule of the beloved Emperor Trajan. But neither Trajan nor his reign can last forever…

Brash and headstrong, Vix is a celebrated ex-gladiator returned to Rome to make his fortune. The sinuous, elusive Sabina is a senator’s daughter who craves adventure. Sometimes lovers, sometimes enemies, Vix and Sabina are united by their devotion to Trajan. But others are already maneuvering in the shadows. Trajan’s ambitious Empress has her own plans for Sabina. And the aristocratic Hadrian—the Empress’s ruthless protégé and Vix’s mortal enemy—has ambitions he confesses to no one, ambitions rooted in a secret prophecy.

When Trajan falls, the hardened soldier, the enigmatic empress, the adventurous girl, and the scheming politician will all be caught in a deadly whirlwind of desire and death that may seal their fates, and that of the entire Roman Empire."

Teaser Tuseday

2011-11-07T20:09:00.000-08:00

This week my teaser comes from:
The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell

Page 147:

"Jane's eyes went to the gibbet at the center of the marketplace and a cold knot of fear gripped her stomach."

Page 337:

"It grew more and more like a plot from Shakespeare, Jane thought, with Sir Charles acting a very Iago to the Duke of York."

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release! Iago by David Snodin

2011-11-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Iago by David Snodin

Publish Date: January 3rd 2012

Format: Hardback 464pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"An unforgettable adventure beginning where Shakespeare's Othello leaves off...

Wounded in love, tormented by his past, Shakespeare's most complex villain is brought magnificently to life in this tale of two adversaries—one an accused killer; the other, one of the most powerful men in Venice. Having escaped from Cyprus, accused of the murders of the governor, known as the Moor, and his lovely young wife, Iago is now locked in battle with Annibale Malipiero, known as Il Terribile, the chief inquisitor of Italy's greatest city.

Malipiero is repelled by the more brutal tasks of the interrogante. His obsession is with the very nature of evil. What makes a man into a murderer, he longs to know? Is Iago a lone psychopath, or does he lie at the heart of a more widespread Ottoman conspiracy? Malipiero knows that torture will not provide him with the answers he seeks. But there is, perhaps, a more audacious and unusual route to the truth . . .

Exuberantly inventive, thrillingly complex, and richly entertaining, Iago will captivate fans already familiar with Shakespeare and appeal to anyone who loves a rich historical novel. Iago marks the emergence of a remarkable new literary voice."

Masterpiece Monday

2011-11-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Sir Thomas Lawrence.

Caroline, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte. 1801-02.

Upcoming 2011 Historical Fiction Release! Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones

2011-11-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones

Publish Date: November 29th 2011

Format: Paperback 368pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Based on an episode in Henry James's life, the captivating story of a young heroine with ambitions and desires beyond her time.

By the start of the Civil War, Emily Hudson has lost her entire family to consumption. Wholly dependent upon her puritanical uncle, Emily forms a close bond with her ailing cousin, William, an ambitious young writer. When a promising engagement is broken, William, obsessed by Emily's spirit and beauty, becomes her patron and takes her to England-only to manipulate and neglect her for the sake of his own creativity. There, Emily finally spurns her cousin's rules and sets out alone to pursue an artist's life in the eternal city of Rome. Reminiscent of the novels of Edith Wharton and the films of Merchant Ivory, Emily Hudson will resonate with anyone who has ever sought to be true to herself."

Upcoming 2011 Historical Fiction release! The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath

2011-11-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath

Publish Date: December 6th 2011

Format: Paperback 304 pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Pride and Prejudice's Mary Bennet gets her own story...

The third of five daughters, Miss Mary Bennet is a rather unremarkable girl. With her countenance being somewhere between plain and pretty and in possession of no great accomplishments, few expect the third Bennet daughter to attract a respectable man. But although she is shy and would much prefer to keep her nose stuck in a book, Mary is uncertain she wants to meekly follow the path to spinsterhood set before her.

Determined that Mary should have a chance at happiness, the elder Bennet sisters concoct a plan. Lizzy invites Mary to visit at Pemberley, hoping to give her sister a place to grow and make new acquaintances. But it is only when Mary strikes out independently that she can attempt to become accomplished in her own right. And in a family renowned for its remarkable Misses, Mary Bennet may turn out to be the most wholly unexpected of them all..."

Suddenly Sunday

2011-11-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

--------------

Good afternoon everyone! How has your Sunday been so far? I am so very happy that the weather this past week has finally reflected the season. There is nothing I love more than curling up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee on a rainy day... of course I have to finish my homework first (she says as she is neglecting it while blogging). Speaking of school, how are there only 5 weeks left?! I just found out that I will have to do a presentation in my American Lit class instead of a written final exam; I've chosen to do mine on Edgar Allan Poe's The Purloined Letter. Have any of you read The Purloined Letter? Well, I guess it's time to sum up what's been going on here at The Muse in the Fog Book Review:

Reviewed:
The Women of the Cousin's War
by Phillipa Gregory, David Baldwin, and Michael Jones.

I Began Reading:

The September Queen
by Gillian Bagwell

I am once again a participant of NaNoWrMo. Last year was my first attempt at this writing challenge and I failed miserably, but this year I plan to fail to a lesser degree, lol. I doubt with my current schedule I will be able to complete all 50,000 words, but as long as I surpass last years word count I am happy. If you are interested in NaNoWrMo, or are already a participant and want to add me as a writing buddy, here is the link: http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Sunday's Spontaneous Question:
As a new feature on my Suddenly Sunday posts I will be asking a weekly question just for fun :)

What's your favorite reading location and/or setting?

My favorite setting is definitely a rainy day, or at night when I can dim the lights and turn on the fireplace. As far as location I am yet to find a favorite go to place, but I hope to transform my little office/library into a cozy nook soon.

Have a great week everyone & happy reading!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Ebook promotion!

2011-11-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sourcebooks has launched a delightful ebook promotion focusing on current popular British authors of today. This sale will run through November 7th and is available at all major ebook retailers:

The Greatest Knight by Elisabeth Chadwick $1.99

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

"Royal Protector. Loyal Servant. Forgotten Hero… A penniless young knight with few prospects, William Marshal is plucked from obscurity when he saves the life of Henry II’s formidable queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In gratitude, she appoints him tutor to the heir to the throne. However, being a royal favorite brings its share of danger and jealousy as well as fame and reward. William’s influence over the volatile, fickle Prince Henry and his young wife is resented by less favored courtiers who set about engineering his downfall.

A writer of uncommon historical integrity and accuracy, Elizabeth Chadwick resurrects the true story of one of England’s greatest forgotten heroes in a captivating blend of fact and fiction. The Greatest Knight restores William Marshal to his rightful place at the pinnacle of the Middle Ages, reflecting through him the triumphs, scandals, and power struggles that haven’t changed in eight hundred years."

I am the Chosen King by Helen Hollick $1.99

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

"In this beautifully crafted tale, Harold Godwinesson, the last Saxon King of England, is a respected, quick-witted man both vulnerable and strong, honorable and loving -- and yet, in the end, only human. After the political turmoil and battles leading up to 1066, we all know William the Conqueror takes England. But USA Today Bestseller Helen Hollick will have readers at the edge of their seats, hoping that just this once, for Harold, the story will have a different ending."

Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange $1.99

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

"The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings was in the private pages of his diary... Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love. Mr. Darcy's Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy's point of view. This graceful imagining and sequel to Pride and Prejudice explains Darcy's moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennet. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy's words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing - qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennet's heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself."

Review: Women of the Cousin's War by Philippa Gregory, David Baldwin & Michael Jones (Non-Fic)

2011-11-04T01:09:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: September 2011

Format: Hardcover 352pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"#1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory teams with two eminent historians to explore the historical characters in the real-life world behind her Wars of the Roses novels.
PHILIPPA GREGORY and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII

In her essay on Jacquetta, Philippa Gregory uses original documents, archaeology, and histories of myth and witchcraft to create the first-ever biography of the young duchess who survived two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at two rival courts. David Baldwin, established authority on the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the first commoner to marry a king of England for love; and Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes of Margaret Beaufort, the almost-unknown matriarch of the House of Tudor.

In the introduction, Gregory writes revealingly about the differences between history and historical fiction. How much of a role does speculation play in writing each? How much fiction and how much fact should there be in a historical novel? How are female historians changing our view of women in history?

The Women of the Cousins’ War is beautifully illustrated with rare portraits and source materials. As well as offering fascinating insights into the inspirations behind Philippa Gregory’s fiction, it will appeal to all with an interest in this period."

My Review:

The Women of the Cousins War provides the reader with a brief history of the three courageous women who are the focus of Philippa Gregory's novels set during the Wars of the Roses. Broken into three segments, the book covers the lives of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, Elizabeth Woodville, and Margaret Beaufort.

The introduction of the novel is written by Philippa Gregory and covers the research, means of inspiration, and the delicate task of balancing fact and fiction. It was this part of Gregory's contribution to the biography that I enjoyed most. Her other segment in the book, the one on Jacquetta, read slowly and after its completion there was not a feeling of knowing Jacquetta on a deeper level than what was derived from The White Queen.

After the essay on Jacquetta, David Baldwin begins his discussion on Elizabeth Woodville. This was by far my favorite section of this book. Even though Elizabeth is the most well known figure of the three, it was not a repeat of the basic facts about her life. Baldwin wrote a compelling essay and kept the rhythm flowing from start to finish.

The final essay, written by Michael Jones, gave new life to the historical figure Margaret Beaufort. The first few pages of this segment were a bit slow, but after that it was an easy and light, yet informative experience. Margaret Beaufort has always seemed like such a domineering and dismal character whenever she appeared in a novel, but after reading Jones's essay, a greater understanding of her personality and why it came to be is quite apparent.

If you are looking for an in-depth and highly detailed biography of these three women, I would suggest to purchase another book in addition to this one. The reason I say "in addition to" is because while the section in Jacquetta was a bit lacking, it is currently the most easily accessible work on her life. Now, if you are someone who is overwhelmed by the thought of reading non-fiction, this is a great piece to start with! The Women of the Cousin's War is a mild work of non-fiction that will give you a sturdy foundation before you read Phillipa Gregory's Wars of the Roses novels.

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.
FTC: I received this book from the publisher for review.
As always, these are my own honest opinions.

Upcoming 2012 Historical Fiction Release: The Secret Keeper, A Novel of Kateryn Parr by Sandra Byrd

2011-11-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

(Cover not available)

The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd

Publish Date: June 5th 2012

Format: Paperback 352 pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight in Marlborough, who has since passed away. Though her future seems charted for her to marry the son of her father's business partner, a set of circumstances interrupt that certainty and set her on a God-directed course toward the court of Henry the Eighth and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.

Sir Thomas Seymour, the brother of Jane Seymour, late mother to the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his business with Juliana's father's estate, and as he does, chances upon her reading as Lector in the local church. He sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in Parr's household for "finishing" and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly. For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king's daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.

As Juliana accompanies Parr to court, Henry's devout sixth queen raises the stakes for all reformers. Their support of Anne Askew puts them in life-threatening jeopardy, as does the queen's desire to direct her husband's, and the realm's, direction and belief. In the end, Juliana must choose between love and honor, personal fulfillment and sacrifice; she ultimately learns the secret that will undo everything she thought she knew about her own life."

Upcoming 2012 HF Release (cover update): At the King's Pleasure by Kate Emerson

2011-11-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

At the King's Pleasure by Kate Emerson

Publish Date: January 3rd 2012

Format: Paperback 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Married to one man. Desiring another. Beautiful Lady Anne Stafford, ladyin- waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon, is torn between her love for her husband, George, Lord Hastings . . . and the king’s boon companion, the attentive Sir William Compton. But when King Henry VIII, amorous as always, joins the men clustering around her, Anne realizes she has become perilously enmeshed in the intrigues of the court. Will she be forced to decide between the two men she desires—and the one she doesn’t?Kate Emerson charms again with a heroine who steps out of the pages of history to win our hearts in this sumptuous novel of Tudor scandal and intrigue."

Giveaway Winner!

2011-11-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

And the winner of Dracula in Love by Karen Essex is:

Kimyunalesca

In Times LikeThese

Congratulations! An email has been sent to obtain your mailing information.

Thank you to everyone who entered in this giveaway!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:17:00.000-07:00

I hope you have all had a safe and enjoyably spooky Halloween! It's amazing how quickly today has gone by; it seems like I barely got home before the first trick or treaters arrived at my door. Despite the crazy blur of events, my little ones excitement at each little aspect made it all worth it. Although I am thoroughly exhausted, I am not giving up on the night just yet. It's time to watch some old black and white Halloween movies... or at least watch part of one before I fall asleep on the couch, lol.Whatever you are doing this Halloween night, have a boo-tifil time :)

Friday Finds at the Bookstore: Richard and John, Kings at War by Frank McLynn

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

-----------

Richard & John, Kings at War

(non-fic) by Frank McLynn

Publish Date: September 2008

Format: Paperback 608pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Legend and lore surround the history of kings Richard and John, from the ballads of Robin Hood and the novels of Sir Walter Scott to Hollywood movies and television. In the myth-making, King Richard, defender of Christendom in the Holy Land, was the “good king,” and his younger brother John was the evil usurper of the kingdom, who lost not only the Crown jewels but also the power of the crown. How much, though, do these popular stereotypes correspond with reality? Frank McLynn, known for a wide range of historical studies, has returned to the original sources to discover what Richard and John, these warring sons of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, were really like, and how their history measures up to their myth. In riveting prose, and with attention to the sources, he turns the tables on modern revisionist historians, showing exactly how incompetent a king John was, despite his intellectual gifts, and how impressive Richard was, despite his long absence from the throne. This is history at its best-revealing and readable."

What's New Wednesday: A Look at Next Week's New Releases

2011-10-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday I will be posting the upcoming historical fiction & historical non-fiction releases for the coming week.

-----------

Mozart's Last Aria
by Matt Rees
Publish Date: November 1st 2012
Format: Paperback 336pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The news arrives in a letter to his sister, Nannerl, in December 1791. But the message carries more than word of Nannerl’s brother’s demise. Two months earlier, Mozart confided to his wife that his life was rapidly drawing to a close . . . and that he knew he had been poisoned.

In Vienna to pay her final respects, Nannerl soon finds herself ensnared in a web of suspicion and intrigue—as the actions of jealous lovers, sinister creditors, rival composers, and Mozart’s Masonic brothers suggest that dark secrets hastened the genius to his grave. As Nannerl digs deeper into the mystery surrounding her brother’s passing, Mozart’s black fate threatens to overtake her as well.

Transporting readers to the salons and concert halls of eighteenth-century Austria, Mozart’s Last Aria is a magnificent historical mystery that pulls back the curtain on a world of soaring music, burning passion, and powerful secrets."

---------------------

The Tiger's Wife
by Tea Obreht
Publish Date: November 1st 2012
Format: Paperback 368pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Weaving a brilliant latticework of family legend, loss, and love, Téa Obreht, the youngest of The New Yorker’s twenty best American fiction writers under forty, has spun a timeless novel that will establish her as one of the most vibrant, original authors of her generation.

In a Balkan country mending from years of conflict, Natalia, a young doctor, arrives on a mission of mercy at an orphanage by the sea. By the time she and her lifelong friend Zóra begin to inoculate the children there, she feels age-old superstitions and secrets gathering everywhere around her. Secrets her outwardly cheerful hosts have chosen not to tell her. Secrets involving the strange family digging for something in the surrounding vineyards. Secrets hidden in the landscape itself.
But Natalia is also confronting a private, hurtful mystery of her own: the inexplicable circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather’s recent death. After telling her grandmother that he was on his way to meet Natalia, he instead set off for a ramshackle settlement none of their family had ever heard of and died there alone. A famed physician, her grandfather must have known that he was too ill to travel. Why he left home becomes a riddle Natalia is compelled to unravel.

Grief struck and searching for clues to her grandfather’s final state of mind, she turns to the stories he told her when she was a child. On their weeklytrips to the zoo he would read to her from a worn copy of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which he carried with him everywhere; later, he told her stories of his own encounters over many years with “the deathless man,” a vagabond who claimed to be immortal and appeared never to age. But the most extraordinary story of all is the one her grandfather never told her, the one Natalia must discover for herself. One winter during the Second World War, his childhood village was snowbound, cut off even from the encroaching German invaders but haunted by another, fierce presence: a tiger who comes ever closer under cover of darkness. “These stories,” Natalia comes to understand, “run like secret rivers through all the other stories” of her grandfather’s life. And it is ultimately within these rich, luminous narratives that she will find the answer she is looking for."

---------------

The September Queen
by Gillian Bagwell

Publish Date: November 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Charles II is running for his life-and into the arms of a woman who will risk all for king and country.

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...

Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever."

-------------

Guinevere, The Legend in Autumn
by Persia Wooley

Publish Date: November 1st 2012

Format: Paperback 544pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Surrounded by traitors, trapped by destiny, Britain's spirited Queen Guinevere recounts the last, dramatic years of Camelot. At King Arthur's side, she reigned over the fabled heroes of the Round Table as her heartbreaking honesty, courage, and integrity were challenged by those she loved most. Torn between duty and desire as he rescued his Queen, condemned to the stake for treason, Lancelot swept her away as she bartered her soul to save Arthur and Camelot from the furies of fate. This is Arthurian epic at its best–filled with romance, adventure, authentic Dark Ages detail, and wonderfully human people."

Teaser Tuseday

2011-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

This week my teaser come from Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray:

Page: 54

"My legs gave out and I sat down hard on the edge of the bed, waves of nausea rolling over me. I put my hands over my face, squeezing the tears against my palms. 'Are you satisfied now?' "

Page: 149:

"Now he stopped, his eyes snapping to mine. 'There it is, madam. You're an Egyptian.' "

________________________________________

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Released Today! A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander

2011-10-25T12:53:00.000-07:00

A Crimson Warning by Tasha Alexander

Pub. Date: October 25th 2011

Format: Hardcover 320pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Secrets prove deadly in this new novel featuring Lady Emily Hargreaves. Some very prominent people in London are waking up to find their doorsteps smeared with red paint, the precursor to the revelation of a dark secret – and worse – by someone who enjoys destroying lives.

Newly returned to her home in Mayfair, Lady Emily Hargreaves is looking forward to enjoying the delights of the season. The delights, that is, as defined by her own eccentricities—reading The Aeneid, waltzing with her dashing husband, and joining the Women’s Liberal Federation in the early stages of its campaign to win votes for women. But an audacious vandal disturbs the peace in the capitol city, splashing red paint on the neat edifices of the homes of London’s elite. This mark, impossible to hide, presages the revelation of scandalous secrets, driving the hapless victims into disgrace, despair and even death. Soon, all of London high society is living in fear of learning who will be the next target, and Lady Emily and her husband, Colin, favorite agent of the crown, must uncover the identity and reveal the motives of the twisted mind behind it all before another innocent life is lost."

Mailbox Monday

2011-10-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and her Books, and is currently being hosted by Serena from Savvy Verse and Wit for the month of October.

For review I received:

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England:

A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century

(Non-Fic) by Ian Mortimer

Publish Date: October 25th 2011

Format: Paperback 352pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The past is a foreign country. This is your guidebook. A time machine has just transported you back into the fourteenth century. What do you see? How do you dress? How do you earn a living and how much are you paid? What sort of food will you be offered by a peasant or a monk or a lord? And more important, where will you stay?

The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England is not your typical look at a historical period. This radical new approach shows us that the past is not just something to be studied; it is also something to be lived.

Through the use of daily chronicles, letters, household accounts, and poems of the day, Mortimer transports you back in time, providing answers to questions typically ignored by traditional historians. You will learn how to greet people on the street, what to use as toilet paper, why a physician might want to taste your blood, and how to know whether you are coming down with leprosy.

The result is the most astonishing social history book you’re ever likely to read: revolutionary in its concept, informative and entertaining in its detail, and startling for its portrayal of humanity in an age of violence, exuberance, and fear."

What goodies did you receive?

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Giveaway! Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have one brand new copy of Karen Essex's haunting novel, Dracula in Love (my review), up for grabs!

Since this giveaway will be apart of the "Spooktacular Giveaway Hop", hosted by Kathy @ I am a Reader not a Writer, the giveaway guidelines are a bit different than my normal entry procedure, so make sure you take a look at them.

Publish Date: July 5th 2011

Format: Paperback edition 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

" 'Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become—or to destroy—one who has risen above the human condition…The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind.'

London, 1890. Mina Murray, the rosy-cheeked, quintessentially pure Victorian heroine, becomes Count Dracula’s object of desire. To preserve her chastity, five male “defenders” rush in to rescue her from the vampire’s evil clutches. This is the version of the story we've been told. But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover that the story is vastly different when told from the female point of view.

In this captivating, bold act of storytelling, award-winning author Karen Essex breathes startling new life into the characters of Bram Stoker's Dracula, transporting the reader into the erotic and bizarre underbelly of the original story. While loosely following the events of its classic predecessor, Dracula in Love deviates from the path at every turn.

The result is a darkly haunting, propulsive, and rapturous tale of immortal love and possession.
From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Dracula’s eternal muse—the most famous woman in vampire lore—vividly recounts the joys and terrors of a passionate affair that has linked her and the Count through the centuries, and her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.

Mina’s version of this gothic vampire tale is a visceral journey into Victorian England’s dimly lit bedrooms, mist-filled cemeteries, and terrifying asylum chambers, revealing the dark secrets and mysteries locked within. Time falls away as she is swept into a mythical voyage far beyond mortal comprehension, where she must finally make the decision she has been avoiding for almost a millennium.

Stoker’s Dracula offered one side of the story, in which Mina was a victim bearing no responsibility for the unfolding events. Now, for the first time, the truth of her secret history, and of vampirism itself, is revealed. What this flesh and blood woman has to say is more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have expressed or perhaps even imagined."

Giveaway Guidelines:

~6 possible entries~

+1 entry for posting a comment with your e-mail and being a follower via Google Friend Connect (no comment with e-mail and follow via GFC = no entry)

+ 3 entries for adding a link to this giveaway on the sidebar of your blog. (please post link with your comment)

+ 2 entries for tweeting about this giveaway or posting about it on your blog (please post link with your comment)

~Please post all your entries in one comment, thanks :)

~This giveaway is open to US only.

~Ends October 31st~

Good Luck everyone!

Upcoming 2012 HF release! The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

2011-10-23T18:13:00.000-07:00

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

Publish Date: February 16th 2012

Format: Hardcover 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"In the ninth installment of Lauren Willig's bestselling Pink Carnation series, an atrocious poet teams up with an American widow to prevent Napoleon's invasion of England.

Secret agent Augustus Whittlesby has spent a decade undercover in France, posing as an insufferably bad poet. The French surveillance officers can't bear to read his work closely enough to recognize the information drowned in a sea of verbiage.

New York-born Emma Morris Delagardie is a thorn in Augustus's side. An old school friend of Napoleon's stepdaughter, she came to France with her uncle, the American envoy; eloped with a Frenchman; and has been rattling around the salons of Paris ever since. Widowed for four years, she entertains herself by drinking too much champagne, holding a weekly salon, and loudly critiquing Augustus's poetry.

As Napoleon pursues his plans for the invasion of England, Whittlesby hears of a top-secret device to be demonstrated at a house party at Malmaison. The catch? The only way in is with Emma, who has been asked to write a masque for the weekend's entertainment.

Emma is at a crossroads: Should she return to the States or remain in France? She'll do anything to postpone the decision-even if it means teaming up with that silly poet Whittlesby to write a masque for Bonaparte's house party. But each soon learns that surface appearances are misleading. In this complicated masque within a masque, nothing goes quite as scripted- especially Augustus's feelings for Emma."

Suddenly Sunday

2011-10-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

--------------

Good evening! I hope you have all been enjoying a pleasant and relaxing weekend. This post is being written while feeding my little one and doing homework, so let's get the recap started...

This week I reviewed:

Three Maids for a Crown
by Ella March Chase

I also updated the upcoming historical fiction novels list on the right-hand side of the blog!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a chance to win:

Dracula in Love
by Karen Essex

Have a great week & happy reading!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Released Today! The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev (Non-Fic)

2011-10-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev

Format: Hardcover 336pp

(Non-Fic)

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The astonishing life of a long-misunderstood Renaissance virago

Wife, mother, leader, warrior. Caterina Riario Sforza was one of the most prominent women in Renaissance Italy—and one of the most vilified. In this glittering biography, Elizabeth Lev reexamines her extraordinary life and accomplishments.

Raised in the court of Milan and wed at age ten to the pope’s corrupt nephew, Caterina was ensnared in Italy’s political intrigues early in life. After turbulent years in Rome’s papal court, she moved to the Romagnol province of Forlì. Following her husband’s assassination, she ruled Italy’s crossroads with iron will, martial strength, political savvy—and an icon’s fashion sense. In finally losing her lands to the Borgia family, she put up a resistance that inspired all of Europe and set the stage for her progeny—including Cosimo de' Medici—to follow her example to greatness.

A rich evocation the Renaissance, The Tigress of Forlì reveals Caterina Riario Sforza as a brilliant and fearless ruler, and a tragic but unbowed figure."

Teaser Tuesday

2011-10-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

This week my teaser comes from The Women of the Cousins' War by Philippa Gregory:

Page: 135

"Jacquetta's grief fo the loss of her husband and son must have been intense."

Page: 233

"Elizabeth Woodville was not perfect– perhaps no one is– but she seems to have fulfilled her difficult and demanding role admirably."

________________________________________

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Review: Three Maids for a Crown by Ella March Chase

2011-10-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: August 2011

Format: Paperback 432pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"In the second novel from Ella March Chase, we meet sixteen-year-old Jane Grey, a quiet and obedient young lady destined to become the shortest reigning English monarch. Her beautiful middle sister Katherine Grey charms all the right people--until loyalties shift. And finally Lady Mary Grey, a dwarf with a twisted spine whose goal is simply to protect people she loves--but at a terrible cost.

In an age in which begetting sons was all that mattered and queens rose and fell on the sex of their child, these three girls with royal Tudor blood lived under the dangerous whims of parents with a passion for gambling. The stakes they would wager: their daughters' lives against rampant ambition."

My Review:

Three Maids for a Crown follows the lives of the Grey sisters, Jane, Katherine and Mary, as they are used as pawns throughout their life in the political battle for the crown of England. The story is narrated by each sister, with some chapters having multiple narrators. It is through their eyes we witness the forceful and greedy nature of the Duke of Northumberland and their parents, the uncertainty of England's future, and the dire consequences of their families actions. As the chapters progress the reader is compelled to read each sisters tragic story, and is ultimately rewarded with a deeper understanding of their lives and devotion to the ones they love.

Looking back on the structure of the novel, I am quite impressed with how smoothly Ella made the transitions between the multiple narrations of the novel. Often times multiple narrations, especially in the middle of a chapter, lead to a choppy feeling and sometimes confusion, but this felt effortless and increased the dynamics of the plot quite well. Out of all the characters I was most interested in the sections dedicated to Mary Grey and Princess/Queen Mary. Unlike the others, their story read at a quick pace and I thoroughly enjoyed their unique personalities. One aspect I was quite intrigued by was the portal of Princess/Queen Elizabeth. We all know her as England's most beloved Queen, a woman of fierce spirit and temper, and the kinder one when compared to her sister Mary, but in this novel Mary becomes the tender one while Elizabeth is cruel and completely unlikable. If you are an ardent fan of Elizabeth do not let this hinder you from reading this novel for it was very refreshing to see both sisters portrayed in a different light. Overall, Three Maids for a Crown is an enjoyable novel that will have your heart aching for a multitude of characters and leave you closing the book wanting to read more about these brave Grey sisters.

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.
FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.

Masterpiece Monday

2011-10-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Dante Gabriel Rossetti. La Ghirlandata. 1873

Mailbox Monday

2011-10-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at A Girl and her Books, and is currently being hosted by Serena from Savvy Verse and Wit for the month of October.

For review I received:

Song of the Nile

by Stephanie Dray

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra's daughter is the one woman with the power to destroy an empire...

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

The magic of Isis flowing through her veins is what makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra's daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother's throne be more than she's willing to pay?"

What arrived at your door?

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Review: The Queen's Gamble by Barbara Kyle

2011-09-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Publish Date September 2011

Format: Paperback 448pp

Amazon.com

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Young Queen Elizabeth I's path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.

Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen's loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth's trust only goes so far—Isabel's son will be the queen's pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel's husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.

Set against a lush, vibrant backdrop peopled with unforgettable characters and historical figures, The Queen's Gamble is a story of courage, greed, passion, and the high price of loyalty. . ."

My Review:

Barbra Kyle's latest novel, The Queen's Gamble, is set during the early part of Elizabeth I's reign, before her position on the thrown is secure from foreign advances. It is this tense atmosphere that greets Isabel and Carlos Valverde as they arrive in England. Returning to the land of her birth, Isabel is on a mission to rescue her mother from the gallows, but she soon discovers that her time in England will only ensnare her in greater missions that will force her to choose between her love of family and country. With her family torn apart by religious and political sympathies, Isabel must learn to secretly appease both sides while unraveling a deadly plot she unknowingly helped create.

The Queen's Gamble is an engrossing novel that captures its readers from the first page. The intensity starts on a high and continues throughout the novel like a rolling wave; just enough time to catch your breath before the next shocking moment occurs. The novels' focus is on the fictitious characters Isabel and Carlos Valverde, with the historical characters taking on a minor role.While reading the novel, it was easy to be transported to Elizabethan England, and I often found myself disappointed to set the book down for even a short period of time. Since the main characters are from Peru, they often said little phrases in Spanish to one another. Barbara did an excellent job of translating these phrases within the same line without having it sound choppy and out of place. In addition to the ease of the translations, the whole novel was written with great fluidity and attention to detail. This is the fourth novel in the Thornleigh series, but if you haven't read the others don't worry, this novel stands alone perfectly and will more than likely encourage you to read the others. I definitely recommend The Queen's Gamble to anyone who loves a fast paced plot that twists with every chapter!

It's been too long...

2011-09-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

You are probably wondering where I have been lately, and I have been wondering the same exact thing! I know I have been completely off the radar the past few months so I want to thank all of you who are still following this blog!!!

Now, let me explain why I have been absent for so long. Over the summer it became clear that I was going to be able to start school again in the fall, but that meant no more stay at home mom for me since my little girl would be starting preschool at the same time. So I took as much time as I could going on mini adventures with her and enjoying every last minute of our special time together... how did 4 years of being home with her go by so quickly? Well, the summer ended and school began, and that's where the really craziness began! It has been a bit of a challenge figuring out the best way to fit in school work and family time with my husband's and my opposite schedules, but I think it is finally under control.

This blog and how I would continue with it has been on my mind for many months, and while I could never say farewell to it, I do have to make peace with the fact that I just wont be able to post as often as I used to. I am setting my goal for 2 reviews a month with giveaways and news on the upcoming historical fiction releases throughout the rest of the month. Of course if I can post more reviews I will surely do so, but you can count on this as the bare minimum. I have missed all of you and our exploration of what's new and exciting in historical fiction these past months, and I am exited to be back in a more manageable fashion!

Once again, thank you all for your support in making The Muse in the Fog Book Review such a splendid blog to host!

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Guest Post: Karen Essex, author of Dracula in Love

2011-08-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today I am pleased to bring you a witty and unique look into the world of Karen Essex's novel, Dracula in Love (my review), via a hypothetical phone interview written by the lovely Karen Essex. Thank you, Karen, for stopping by The Muse in the Fog Book Review as a part of your virtual book tour!

"In Dracula in Love, a new novel by Karen Essex, Mina Harker finally comes clean about what happened between her and a certain Count. Ms. Harker agreed to a short telephone interview under the condition that she not be asked about her present identity or her life today. Here is what the vampire’s eternal muse had to say:

Q: Ms. Harker, journalists and vampire hunters have been trying to track you down for one hundred thirteen years. Why did you choose now to come out with your own—and, may I say, startlingly different—version of the story?

Ms. Harker: As you can imagine, I needed to wait until some people died, and in my circle, death can take a very long time, if it comes at all. Also, for a long time, I thought my story too outlandish for the public to accept. I did not wish to be scorned as a fantasist or attention seeker. But whereas humans once shuddered at the very notion vampires, now more and more “normal” humans are fantasizing about becoming one. The timing seemed perfect.

Besides, this is the age of the tell-all, so I am telling all; I’m just omitting the modern habit of going into rehab first. I find this need to repent for, be cured of, and then confess one’s “transgressions,” a tedious aspect of today’s culture. I prefer to keep a stiff Victorian upper lip. I am telling my story; I am not confessing it. Do you know the expression, “never complain, never explain?” My version is “never repent, never recant.”

Q: Well, I confess that I found some of your revelations surprising and shocking. You didn’t hold back on the sexual exploits, did you?

Ms. Harker: When I was a young woman back in the 1890s, women’s sexual pleasure was a taboo subject. We do not want to return to those days, do we?

Today’s world is drenched in sexual imagery. I admit that I, too, have surfed the ‘net and seen its pervasive porn. In such an environment, how could anyone find the erotic scenes with the man I love shocking? Many of today’s vampire stories are written for young girls, and it would not be appropriate to expose those gentle maidens to the spectacular eroticism that one can experience with an immortal. However, my story is for the more discriminating adult reader, who is bound to be curious about these delicious details. Besides, my ghostwriter, Ms. Essex, tends to lean in that direction. “God is in the details, Mina,” she always says. “Don’t be shy. Tell me more.”

Q: Without revealing any spoilers, you take us on a journey that crosses centuries and introduces exotic mythological creatures into what used to be a traditional vampire tale. Are we really to believe this hidden history of blood-drinking?

Ms. Harker: Modern readers have no idea of the real roots of the vampire. Bram Stoker gathered a lot of information, some of it true and some of it based on old wives’ tales. He simplified a very complicated matter for easier public consumption, creating rules for the vampire’s creation and destruction. Please! As I say in the book, crosses and garlic have no power in the supernatural world!

People love things served up in the form of good versus evil, though we all know that reality is always more complex. There have always been sexy, scary blood-drinkers, and there have always been immortals—obviously. I’m not going to explain it to you again. You did read the book, didn’t you?

Q: Yes, and you do make a good case for the history of these immortal blood drinkers. I just had no idea that it dated back to pre-biblical times.

Ms. Harker: It predates Time itself, my dear.

Q: In Dracula in Love, you accuse your tormentors, who were the heroes of Mr. Stoker’s classic, of some appalling behavior. How do we know that you are telling the truth, and moreover, how did he get your side of the story so wrong?

Ms. Harker: Bram needed what you now call a “blockbuster.” He had spent years and years as a theater manager living in the shadow of the actor Henry Irving. He had written a few books that didn’t sell very well, and he was determined to reverse that. Besides, he needed money! And to be fair, he was completely under the spell of the man he named Van Helsing, who as you now know, had some very strange ideas about blood and about women! I don’t hold any grudges. Men of that era had absolutely no clue into the female psyche, nor did they want one. Today’s men are much more understanding.

As to my telling the truth, well, madam, you did not live in the 19^th century! I decided to reveal what life really was like back then. “Career” women like you were considered freaks. You have no idea of how “fallen” women were treated. Despite all of that, I miss those days—candlelit rooms, feather beds, soft velvet gowns, satin gloves, not to mention the beautiful lingerie. Don’t get me started! As you know, sometimes the forbidden enhances eroticism…or is that all lost now?

Q: Why did allow Ms. Essex to call the book Dracula in Love when it really is your story? Why not Mina in Love?

Ms. Harker: I’m a little miffed about that. I thought I was being clever, telling my story at a time when the world has a mania for vampires, and when women have made unprecedented gains. I gave the story to a writer known for retelling the stories of history’s misunderstood women, and I certainly have been one of those. But she sat me down and explained that, feminism be damned, the Count is still the bigger draw—at the box office, on bookshelves, everywhere! “Face it, Mina, in the eyes of the public, you’re nothing without him.” Indeed! I don’t want to imply that he and I are competitive with each other; we’re not. I was just hoping that in the 21^st century, a woman could get equal billing.

I guess I’ll have to wait another hundred years.

Q: Whoa, are you saying that you and he are still together…that he is still…but at the end of the story….

Ms. Harker (interrupts): This interview is now over. (Click.)"

-----------------------------

To visit Karen and learn more about her work, please visit her at:

Dracula In Love Tour Schedule...

Tuesday, July 5th

Review at The Book Buff

Author Guest Post at Book Flame

Wednesday, July 6th

Review at Book Flame

Thursday, July 7th

Author Guest Post at The Book Buff

Friday, July 8th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at To Read or Not to Read

Monday, July 11th

Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Tuesday, July 12th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Wednesday, July 13th

Review at The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Thursday, July 14th

Book Highlight at Books Devoured

Friday, July 15th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Monday, July 18th

Review at Jenny Loves to Read

Tuesday, July 19th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Tina's Book Reviews

Thursday, July 21st

Author Guest Post at Jenny Loves to Read

Review at Just One More Paragraph

Friday, July 22nd

Review at My Reading Room

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Just One More Paragraph

Monday, July 25th

Author Interview & Giveaway at All Things Historical Fiction

Tuesday, July 26th

Review at Book Rat

Review & Giveaway at Book Reviews by Molly
Review at Tina's Book Reviews

Wednesday, July 27th

Author Interview & Giveaway at Book Rat

Review at All Things Historical Fiction

Thursday, July 28th

Review at Debbie's Book Bag

Friday, July 29th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Monday, August 1st

Author Guest Post at Debbie's Book Bag

Review at Broken Teepee

Review & Giveaway at From the TBR Pile

Tuesday, August 2nd

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at vvb32 reads

Wednesday, August 3rd

Review at P.S. I Love Books

Thursday, August 4th

Review at The Muse in the Fog Book Review

Author Interview & Giveaway at P.S. I Love Books
Author Guest Post at My Reading Room

Friday, August 5th

Author Guest Post at The Muse in the Fog Book Review

Monday, August 8th

Review at Black Lagoon Reviews

Tuesday, August 9th

Review at vvb32 reads

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Black Lagoon Reviews

Book Review: Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

2011-08-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

Publish Date: July 5th 2011

Format: Paperback edition 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

" 'Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become—or to destroy—one who has risen above the human condition…The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind.'

London, 1890. Mina Murray, the rosy-cheeked, quintessentially pure Victorian heroine, becomes Count Dracula’s object of desire. To preserve her chastity, five male “defenders” rush in to rescue her from the vampire’s evil clutches. This is the version of the story we've been told. But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover that the story is vastly different when told from the female point of view.

In this captivating, bold act of storytelling, award-winning author Karen Essex breathes startling new life into the characters of Bram Stoker's Dracula, transporting the reader into the erotic and bizarre underbelly of the original story. While loosely following the events of its classic predecessor, Dracula in Love deviates from the path at every turn.

The result is a darkly haunting, propulsive, and rapturous tale of immortal love and possession.
From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Dracula’s eternal muse—the most famous woman in vampire lore—vividly recounts the joys and terrors of a passionate affair that has linked her and the Count through the centuries, and her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.

Mina’s version of this gothic vampire tale is a visceral journey into Victorian England’s dimly lit bedrooms, mist-filled cemeteries, and terrifying asylum chambers, revealing the dark secrets and mysteries locked within. Time falls away as she is swept into a mythical voyage far beyond mortal comprehension, where she must finally make the decision she has been avoiding for almost a millennium.

Stoker’s Dracula offered one side of the story, in which Mina was a victim bearing no responsibility for the unfolding events. Now, for the first time, the truth of her secret history, and of vampirism itself, is revealed. What this flesh and blood woman has to say is more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have expressed or perhaps even imagined."

My Review:

Bram Stoker's Dracula has been captivating readers for over a century, with its chilling tale of unnatural forces, combined with an elusive love theme that's ultimately overshadowed by the sinister plotting of Count Dracula himself. It is this mysterious love that is the focus of Karen Essex's novel, Dracula in Love.

Told from the vantage point of Mina Harker, the reader is given a fresh and evocative take on the haunting tale. Plagued with dreams of passion and desire, Mina soon realizes she is not merely dreaming, but instead experiencing a passion that has been fated for her throughout the centuries. As the story unfolds, we learn of how Mina comes to be controlled by Dracula and the passion that drives them together, not out of evil purpose but by choice and need.

When I first began reading Dracula in Love, I was amazed at how quickly I was drawn into the story. The first paragraph captivated me in such a way that the book might as well have been Dracula beckoning me close for a bite. Karen's talent for weaving Bram Stoker's classic novel into her own work, yet allowing the story to have strong and original take, was brilliant. Her use of scenery was also brilliant, and I often felt myself chill as the story enveloped me like an eerie fog. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with the story of Dracula and is looking for a novel to be consumed by.

Dracula In Love Tour Schedule...

Tuesday, July 5th

Review at The Book Buff

Author Guest Post at Book Flame

Wednesday, July 6th

Review at Book Flame

Thursday, July 7th

Author Guest Post at The Book Buff

Friday, July 8th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at To Read or Not to Read

Monday, July 11th

Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Tuesday, July 12th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

Wednesday, July 13th

Review at The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Thursday, July 14th

Book Highlight at Books Devoured

Friday, July 15th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Monday, July 18th

Review at Jenny Loves to Read

Tuesday, July 19th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Tina's Book Reviews

Thursday, July 21st

Author Guest Post at Jenny Loves to Read

Review at Just One More Paragraph

Friday, July 22nd

Review at My Reading Room

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Just One More Paragraph

Monday, July 25th

Author Interview & Giveaway at All Things Historical Fiction

Tuesday, July 26th

Review at Book Rat

Review & Giveaway at Book Reviews by Molly
Review at Tina's Book Reviews

Wednesday, July 27th

Author Interview & Giveaway at Book Rat

Review at All Things Historical Fiction

Thursday, July 28th

Review at Debbie's Book Bag

Friday, July 29th

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Monday, August 1st

Author Guest Post at Debbie's Book Bag

Review at Broken Teepee

Review & Giveaway at From the TBR Pile

Tuesday, August 2nd

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at vvb32 reads

Wednesday, August 3rd

Review at P.S. I Love Books

Thursday, August 4th

Review at The Muse in the Fog Book Review

Author Interview & Giveaway at P.S. I Love Books
Author Guest Post at My Reading Room

Friday, August 5th

Author Guest Post at The Muse in the Fog Book Review

Monday, August 8th

Review at Black Lagoon Reviews

Tuesday, August 9th

Review at vvb32 reads

Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Black Lagoon Reviews

Book Review: Mary of Carisbrooke by Margaret Campbell Barnes

2011-07-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: May 2011

Format: Paperback pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A Girl, A King, and the castle that changed them both Forever...

Charles I, king of England, thought that Carisbrooke Castle would be safe, an Isle of Wight refuge far from the madding crowd of Cromwell. But Charles ran straight into the arms of betrayal, his retreat morphing to prison and his allies few and far between.

Mary, a quiet servant girl in awe of her king and country, vaults into intrigue and danger as she helps to plot the king's escape.

A moving story of royal hopes and misfortunes, Mary of Carisbrooke is at its heart the tale of a charming girl who is as romantic and alluring as she is smart and bold. Loyal to herself and to the Crown, Mary's brush with history reveals just how quickly fate can shift the paths of power."

My Review:

My first introduction to Margaret Barnes was a bit shaky with her medieval novel, Within a Hollow Crown (my review), but I can say without a doubt that this novel has propelled her to my favorite authors list!

Mary of Carisbrooke is one of those novels that will transport you to the location of the novel and make you never want to leave. From the very beginning there is a compelling edge to the story, with each character being unraveled with precision and great detail. Margaret Barnes has created a compelling novel that will stay with you long after finish the last page.

The story opens with everyday life on the island of Carisbrooke. Following Mary on her daily chores and routine visits to friends, we are given a special glimpse into their simple and contented lifestyle. It is this opening scene that sets the stage for the rest of the novel, by allowing us to enjoy their pleasure we can understand what they long for when the turbulent times overtake them. The turbulent times begin once King Charles I arrives at the castle, and it soon becomes clear that he is never meant to leave by his own free will. Determined to serve her sovereign and return her island to its peaceful state, Mary embarks on a path of espionage, finding herself and love along the way.

The months are flying by and so are the novels being read, but of all my 2011 reads so far, Mary of Carisbrooke is definitely one of my favorites this year! I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for an engrossing reading experience that will satisfy completely.

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.
FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.

New Release! Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

2011-07-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: July 5th 2011

Format: Paperback edition 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

" 'Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become—or to destroy—one who has risen above the human condition…The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind.'

London, 1890. Mina Murray, the rosy-cheeked, quintessentially pure Victorian heroine, becomes Count Dracula’s object of desire. To preserve her chastity, five male “defenders” rush in to rescue her from the vampire’s evil clutches. This is the version of the story we've been told. But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover that the story is vastly different when told from the female point of view.

In this captivating, bold act of storytelling, award-winning author Karen Essex breathes startling new life into the characters of Bram Stoker's Dracula, transporting the reader into the erotic and bizarre underbelly of the original story. While loosely following the events of its classic predecessor, Dracula in Love deviates from the path at every turn.

The result is a darkly haunting, propulsive, and rapturous tale of immortal love and possession.
From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Dracula’s eternal muse—the most famous woman in vampire lore—vividly recounts the joys and terrors of a passionate affair that has linked her and the Count through the centuries, and her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.

Mina’s version of this gothic vampire tale is a visceral journey into Victorian England’s dimly lit bedrooms, mist-filled cemeteries, and terrifying asylum chambers, revealing the dark secrets and mysteries locked within. Time falls away as she is swept into a mythical voyage far beyond mortal comprehension, where she must finally make the decision she has been avoiding for almost a millennium.

Stoker’s Dracula offered one side of the story, in which Mina was a victim bearing no responsibility for the unfolding events. Now, for the first time, the truth of her secret history, and of vampirism itself, is revealed. What this flesh and blood woman has to say is more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have expressed or perhaps even imagined."

Suddenly Sunday

2011-06-18T23:36:00.000-07:00

--------------

I am back!!! After a long drive home I am finally back from vacation and quickly settling back into the routine of motherhood and blogging. It has been a splendid couple weeks but I can definitely say it is good to be home... especially after an exhausting and lengthy drive home. Somehow I once again brought too many books with me on the trip. So next time I will bring only one, just to see if I will find myself in more of a bookish need when unprepared, lol. Since I have been gone the past couple weeks there has not been much activity here, but below are the few events you will definitely want to catch up on:

Reviews:

Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith

Interviews:

The winner of my giveaway for The Confessions of Catherine de Medici is:

Krystal @ Live to Read

Congratulations, Krystal! I will be sending you an e-mail shortly to obtain your mailing information :)

Be sure to enter my current giveaway for:

Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith

Author Interview with Anne Easter Smith & Givaway!!!

2011-06-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

As apart of Anne Easter Smith's virtual book tour, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to interview one of my favorite Wars of the Roses historical fiction authors today. And not only am I bringing you this interview, but a chance to win one brand new copy for yourself! Now, let's forgo any more buildup and get straight to this delightful event:

All of your novels are steep in historical accuracy and detail, please tell us a bit about the research process behind your fantastic novels.

First of all, thanks so much for inviting me to post, Svea.

As well as the usual book research I do, studying the contemporary chroniclers, reading well respected biographies or non-fiction history, and using the internet, I like to walk all the paths my characters would have walked, which meant in Cecily’s case going to Richard of York’s main residences, like Ludlow, to Anglesey in Wales where the couple set sail for Ireland, to Dublin Castle, to Rouen in Normandy and of course talking to historians at those locations and delving into their archives (with previous appointments, of course!). I spent a whole day reading the transcripts of Joan of Arc’s trial, because Cecily and Richard were in Rouen at the time of her trial and burning. I am never NOT researching, even when writing--there are always questions that pop up about the life and culture and costumes that need to be right before I am happy with my day’s writing. I cannot write about a place unless I have seen it, so yes, traveling to all these castles, towns and villages constitutes a huge part of my research. Once in a great while, I have to resort to the internet, but I can count the places on the fingers of one hand. Some of the highlights were Belgium (for “Daughter of York” and “The King’s Grace”), Lisbon for “The King’s Grace, and Ludlow Castle for “Queen By Right,” where I really felt Cecily’s presence the most.

When did you first discover your passion and great talent for writing?

How nice of you to say that I have a "great talent" for writing. I cannot compare myself to Jane Austen, Tolstoy or Dickens or my favorite historical fiction author, Anya Seton, but I try! I actually never knew I could put a sentence together that people other than my Mum wanted to read was when I wrote a couple of articles as a favor for a friend who was starting up a little magazine in Plattsburgh NY in 1980 when the Olympics were held nearby in Lake Placid. I was folksinging at the time and she asked me to write something about the local musicians. She liked it enough to ask for another one about playing tennis (another thing I was passionate about), and I became a regular writer for her. No money though :-( That happened when the local newspaper hired me to be the features editor a few years later in my 40s, and then I really learned how to write!

Cecily of York, with her strength, courage and passion, is such an inspiring woman, can you tell us a bit about what might have instilled these characteristics within her?

I hope you won't mind a tiny correction, Svea. Cecily Neville was the duchess of York, yes, but in fact the person known as Cecily of York was Cecily's granddaughter by her son Edward IV. Cecily Neville was known as The Rose of Raby in ballads of the period because of her fair-haired beauty, and in later life, she was also called Proud Cis for her regal bearing, intelligence and no-nonsense demeanor. I have been intrigued by Cecily Neville since enjoying Sharon Kay Penman’s Sunne in Splendour almost twenty years ago. She never appeared in my first book, A Rose for the Crown, but you could almost imagine her imposing presence every time I mentioned her. Some of my favorite scenes in Daughter of York were between Margaret and her mother, and it occurred to me that after three books describing the lives of her children and grandchildren, that I should go back to the beginning of the York family in the Wars of the Roses and tell their parents’ story. I think being the youngest of 22 meant she had to assert herself to be noticed from a young age, and I am sure she was probably her father's favorite! As a mother, I cannot imagine losing a child--let alone half a dozen. I think that made Cecily strong. I also think her faith sustained her in times of tribulation--something I am not familiar with, but which was common in those days.

Your stunning novels have so far been focused on the political intrigue between the rivaling families of the Wars of the Roses, are there any other time periods that you are inspired to write about?
I am quite interested in the Regency period and I could probably get passionate about the 17th century in New England now that I know more about how this region was settled. Living in Newburyport, MA, I am steeped in that history.

Is there any advice you can give for those aspiring to write historical fiction novels?

Be passionate about your subject, do your research, and have faith in yourself. Just don't expect to become a millionaire overnight! A good friend and best-selling author, Andre Dubus III told me when my first book was sold to Simon & Schuster that only a tiny percentage of writers ever get to find an agent, only a tiny percentage of those find a publisher, and only a tiny percentage of those actually become rich and famous! It was good advice, and once I heard that and it didn't deter me, I knew that my reason for writing is because I loved it.

Publish Date: May 2011

Format: Paperback 598pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"From the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, and The King’s Grace comes another masterful historical novel—the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories. Anne Easter Smith’s novels are beloved by readers for their ability “to grab you, sweep you along with the story, and make you fall in love with the characters.”

In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, she has found her most engrossing character yet.History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour."

Giveaway Guidelines:

~10 possible entries~

+1 entry for posting a comment and leaving your e-mail. (no comment with e-mail = no entry)

+5 entries for becoming a Follower, or already being a Follower. (if possible, please follow through "google friend connect" so I can verify)

+ 3 entries for adding a link to this giveaway on your sidebar or for posting about it on your blog. (please post link with your comment)

+ 1 entry for tweeting about this giveaway. (please post link with your comment)

~Please post all your entries in one comment, thanks :)

~This giveaway will be open to USA residents only.

~Ends July 3rd~

Good luck!

Upcoming Non-Fic Paperback Release... Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

2011-06-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: September 6th 2011

Format: Paperback Edition 400pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt.

Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Above all else, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist and an ingenious negotiator.
Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. She was married twice, each time to a brother. She waged a brutal civil war against the first when both were teenagers. She poisoned the second. Ultimately she dispensed with an ambitious sister as well; incest and assassination were family specialties. Cleopatra appears to have had sex with only two men. They happen, however, to have been Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, among the most prominent Romans of the day. Both were married to other women. Cleopatra had a child with Caesar and--after his murder--three more with his protégé. Already she was the wealthiest ruler in the Mediterranean; the relationship with Antony confirmed her status as the most influential woman of the age. The two would together attempt to forge a new empire, in an alliance that spelled their ends. Cleopatra has lodged herself in our imaginations ever since.

Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Shakespeare and Shaw put words in her mouth. Michelangelo, Tiepolo, and Elizabeth Taylor put a face to her name. Along the way, Cleopatra's supple personality and the drama of her circumstances have been lost. In a masterly return to the classical sources, Stacy Schiff here boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff 's is a luminous, deeply original reconstruction of a dazzling life."

Book Review: Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith

2011-06-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Publish Date: May 2011

Format: Paperback 598pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"From the award-winning author of A Rose for the Crown, Daughter of York, and The King’s Grace comes another masterful historical novel—the story of Cecily of York, mother of two kings and the heroine of one of history’s greatest love stories. Anne Easter Smith’s novels are beloved by readers for their ability “to grab you, sweep you along with the story, and make you fall in love with the characters.”

In Cecily Neville, duchess of York and ancestor of every English monarch to the present day, she has found her most engrossing character yet.History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour."

My Review:

Without a doubt, any novel written by Anne Easter Smith will have the reader taking away with them a greater understanding of the time period in which the novel was set. Focusing on the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, Queen by Right gives us an in depth look into the lives of Ceciley Neville and Richard of York. Like all her novels, Queen by Right unfolds in panoramic detail, allowing the reader to experience a type of virtual history lesson, one that is gripping and completely satisfying. Often times, while reading such a historically intense novel, one might feel the story lacking or want to skim through certain sections in order to speed up the plot, but I am happy to say that this novel never left me feeling any of these desires.

Being a lover of the Wars of the Roses, it was wonderful to read a novel that lead up to this chaotic time period in history. Following the life of Ceciley, from her childhood to the day her son Edward was crowned king, we witness a spirited young girl grow and cultivate her personality into a proud and strong woman, one who rightly earned the nickname of "Proud Cis". Her proud and outspoken ways were entertaining and, not wanting to give too much away, the meeting between Ceciley and Jacquetta Woodville was probably one of my favorites considering what the future held for the two women. I throughly enjoyed getting to know Ceciley and Richard through Anne's novel, and was sad to see their story come to an end. If you are looking for a good piece of historical fiction that will not only educate but entertain you as well, I definitely suggest picking up a copy of Queen by Right.

TOUR SCHEDULE

May 9th

Author Interview at A Writer’s Life: Working with the Muse

May 10th

Author Guest Post at The Lady Gwyn Kingdom’s

May 11th

Author Interview & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

May 12th

Review at Broken Teepee

May 13th

Author Guest Post at Rundpinne

Review at Readin’ and Dreamin’