Tag: historical fiction

Guest Post: “Historical Setting for ‘The Herb Knot’ by Jane Loftus”

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I am pleased to welcome Jane Loftus to my blog today to share a guest post about the historical setting of her novel, “The Herb Knot.” I would like to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Jane Loftus for allowing me to participate in this blog tour. 

The historical setting for the Herb Knot is mainly Winchester, where I live (which makes things a lot easier!).  The early chapters were set in Ghent, where I used maps, drawings, pictures, and the history of the Flanders cloth trade as a guide, but tried hard to focus on people and their interactions rather than straying too far into descriptions of Ghent itself. I’ve never been to Ghent, although, as it happens, I will be there at the end of August. 

Winchester, however, is within walking distance of my house, and its medieval layout and industry have been extremely well documented. The city itself was the former capital of England and seat of King Alfred, but compared to many other cities – Salisbury, for instance, which is also mentioned in the novel – it is quite small.  This gives the author fewer opportunities for geographical variety – you’re not going to get docks, as you would in Southampton, or mazes of streets to get lost in, as you would in London.  However, this does have advantages. 

When Rafi looks out the window in Joan’s turret, it is perfectly feasible for him to have seen all the way down the high street to where his enemies were having a menacing huddle. When he runs from Stefan and gets stuck at the bottom of Hammond’s passage, there really isn’t anywhere else for him to go. He can’t wander unseen through Seven Dials or hide in a Southampton dock warehouse. Unless you leave the city and hide out in the marshes or woods, you’ll probably get caught.  

It does make Rafi’s attempts to hide from Roger as he goes about his business that much more difficult, and, ultimately, futile.  Roger could stand in any number of places on the High Street and see absolutely everything. It does eventually bite Roger on the backside when Rafi is able to see him leg it up Blue Boar Hill and follow him, but we all know that incident doesn’t end particularly well. 

In terms of comparisons with then and now, the castle gate is still there, although the castle itself is long gone. The Guildhall has moved, the inns are now shops, and the Helle Tavern is somewhere beneath Montezuma’s chocolate shop and Occitane, the beauty shop. Not sure either of these would appeal to Adam as much as a large, frothy ale. St Maurice’s, where the curfew bell was rung, is just a tower now, with a flower market underneath. The Abbey has completely gone, bar a few stone tombs near the Tourist Information Board, and the charnel chapel is (probably) under the public toilets in Abbey Gardens. 

The cathedral, of course, is still there.  There are no markets in the immediate environs anymore; they’re on the High Street. It is not, as Rafi observes, as graceful and elegant as Salisbury Cathedral. It’s squat, it’s square, it’s a bit in your face. But it’s quite lovely and I’m very fond of it even though it was put there by the Normans and I’m not much of a fan of theirs. The top cathedral they built there, though. Gotta give them credit for that. 

St John’s is still there, on the hill in the east, overlooking the city. As with many churches, it’s rarely open. It is outside the soke, so not within the city proper, and as you climb, it’s as if you’re in a completely different world. It’s suddenly quieter; there are usually very few people around. If you decided to do a Stefan and hurl someone at a hawthorn tree, you probably wouldn’t be seen (please don’t do this). The frieze is still there and is quite remarkable. 

Doesn’t feature top of the list of things to do in Winchester, but it’s top of my list. If it’s open, go in; you won’t be disappointed. 

Try not to hide under any tombs, though. 

Blurb:   

The Hundred Years’ War comes to life in this spellbinding tale of love, betrayal, and conspiracy …  

A quest born on the battlefield will change a young boy’s destiny…  

Rafi Dubois is five years old when his mother is murdered after the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Alone and lost, Rafi is given a token by the dying Englishman who tried to save his mother’s life: a half-broken family seal which he urges Rafi to return one day to Winchester.  

Years later, when Rafi saves a wealthy merchant’s wife from a brutal robbery, he is rewarded with the chance to travel to England, taking the seal with him.  

But when he reaches Winchester, Rafi finds himself in a turbulent world full of long-held allegiances, secrets, and treachery. His path is fraught with danger and with powerful enemies working against him, Rafi falls in love with Edith, a market apothecary. But in doing so, Rafi unleashes a deadly chain of events which threatens to overwhelm them both…  

The Herb Knot is a sweeping and passionate novel set in one of the most tumultuous times in English history, from a powerful new voice. 

Buy Link:  

Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/bzN6Z2  

Author Bio:  

Jane Loftus gained a degree in 16th-century European and British history from Surrey before taking a postgraduate degree in modern political history. As a lone parent, she worked in Winchester Waterstones before returning to IT once her son was older. 

Hugely passionate about the Middle Ages, she drew inspiration for this novel from the medieval layout of Winchester, which has been painstakingly documented. 

Jane is originally from London but has lived in Winchester for over twenty years. When not writing, she is usually out walking or watching costume dramas on Netflix – the more medieval the better. She also plays far too many RPGs. 

Author Links:  

Website: https://janeloftus.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577760507961 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeloftusauthor/   

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/janeloftus.bsky.social  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0F3Q52X9Y  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29357528.Jane_Loftus  

 

Book Review: “Daughter of the Tarot” by Clare Marchant

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A single deck of cards changed the fate of generations of women. The tarot cards, created in 16th-century Italy, will connect two women separated by centuries. One was a woman in 17th-century London, originally from Milan, who used the cards to rescue women from abusive relationships. The other is a woman from modern-day London starting her life anew when she comes across an old tarot card deck with a missing card. What began as a hunt for a missing card will connect the two women and change lives forever. The cards hold secrets to the past, but will they bring hope or disaster? This is the premise for Clare Marchant’s latest dual-timeline novel, “Daughter of the Tarot.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I recently read her novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge,” which I enjoyed, so when I saw this novel, it had such an intriguing description that I wanted to read it. I am not familiar with the history of tarot cards, and I have not read many novels set in the 17th century, so I was excited for a new adventure.

As this is a dual-timeline novel, there are two protagonists from two different periods: Portia from 17th-century England and Beatrice from 21st-century England. We begin in Milan in 1629, which has just been hit by the plague, where we are introduced to Portia and her baby daughter, Vittoria, who are struggling to survive. The next time we see Portia and Vittoria, iits 1644 and they are living in London. Vittoria is 15 years old, and Portia is using her talent with tarot cards to help those in need. What Vittoria does not know is that Portia uses her readings to help women escape abusive relationships by using the Devil’s Card as a message for the boatsman Jack, who is in love with Portia. Secrets and truths slowly begin to reveal themselves as someone from Portia’s past has come to London and may destroy her relationship with Vittoria.

In the modern storyline, we meet Beatrice, or Bea, who is starting a new life in London and is opening her own antiques shop. Bea has been avoiding her father and his new love interest since her mother died. She has the gift of reading tarot cards, and one day, she comes across an old deck of cards. The only problem is that it is missing a key card, the Devil’s Card. Bea and her landlord, Jack, search high and low for the missing card and find exactly what they are searching for, and some surprises.

It took me a while to get into this book as it was a slower pace than the previous novel that I read by Marchant. While I enjoyed the modern storyline, the 17th-century portion felt a bit slower, and it didn’t feel like the 17th century to me, but more like the 16th century. Overall, I think it was a decent novel with an interesting pair of protagonists. If you want a story about the 17th century with a unique premise, I recommend you read “Daughter of the Tarot” by Clare Marchant.

Book Review: “Mistress of Dartington Hall” by Rosemary Griggs

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One of the greatest threats to England during the reign of Elizabeth I was the Spanish Armada, under the orders of King Philip II of Spain. In the year 1587, the Spanish ships were spotted off the coast of Devon. Fear grips the country, but one woman is up to the task of keeping her beloved Dartington Hall and its inhabitants from harm. Roberda Chapernowne knows what it means to fight for those she loves and is willing to do it again while her husband, Gawen, is away in Ireland fighting for the Queen after he almost divorced Roberda. Roberda’s life turns upside down when Gawen returns home. Can they rekindle their relationship, or will they fall into despair and ruin? Rosemary Griggs concludes Roberda and Gawen Chapernowne’s stories in her latest novel, “Mistress of Dartington Hall.”

I would like to thank Troubador Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have enjoyed Griggs’ previous novels, so when I saw that she had another novel coming out to end Roberda Chapernowne’s story, I knew I had to read it to see how Roberda’s story ended.

We are thrust straight into the action with this novel. It’s 1587, and rumors of Spanish ships have been spotted off the English coast. Fear grips the inhabitants of Dartington Hall, but the mistress of the house, Roberda Chapernowne, is ready to take control of the situation. She has been in charge for the last three years, following her husband, Gawen, who left her and his family to fight in Ireland for Queen Elizabeth I. Now, Gawen has returned home, which makes things extremely awkward as Gawen tried to divorce Roberda. Now, he is back and wants to reconcile their relationship, but Roberda’s faithful maid Clotilde, who has stood by her side every step of the way, is hesitant.

Gawen and Roberda reconcile while raising their children while dealing with the threat of a Spanish invasion. Unfortunately, their brief return to normalcy is dashed when Gawen is injured while hunting and dies, leaving Roberda to take care of the children and the estate. But being a widow who has mostly daughters and only one son is difficult. We see how Roberda deals with her children’s inheritances, her family in France, and a budding romance for Roberda.

I found this an enjoyable conclusion to Roberda Chapernowne’s story. I liked how this book series and this novel in particular focused on lesser-known figures in the Tudor age, instead of the typical royals. If you are a fan of the previous novels in this series, I recommend you read “Mistress of Dartington Hall” by Rosemary Griggs.

Guest Post: “Excerpt from ‘The Will of God’ by Julian de la Motte”

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I am pleased to welcome Julian de la Motte to my blog to share an excerpt from his novel, “The Will of God.” I would like to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Julian de la Motte for allowing me to be part of this blog tour.

Excerpt:

And so there had been, far more than a ‘little something’ in fact. Grandesmil was carrying in his panniers documents that entitled him to vast swathes of new lands in the Cotentin, and he was carrying in his head visions of the likely reaction to William’s death of certain of his more immediate family. And thus, to Robert, his eldest son: The boy had been with the King of France for four years now. Kept on a short leash and harboured by William’s greatest enemy, a boy caught in rebellion and open defiance of his father. To Robert, then, full pardon and restitution and the bestowing of the Duchy of Normandy for himself, but no Crown of England.

And thus, to Odo, his half-brother. A man so steeped in sin and villainy and treachery that he could no longer personally enjoy his former high estate. While he languished under close but comfortable confinement for his unchurchly crimes, the bounty of Kent, his bishopric of Bayeux, and a score of other properties and estates had gone, untasted by him and savoured by others. To Odo, then, forgiveness and a return of all his former glories and previous estate. To his problematic and scandalous second son William, called Rufus for his red hair and high complexion, the great prize of the Kingdom of England itself and all that it brought, good and bad. To Henry, his youngest and avaricious son, the sum of the weight of five thousand pounds of silver, to make of it what he would.

It was ever the fate of younger sons to make of themselves what they could. That, after all, was what the wild lands of Spain, of Italy, and Sicily and the possessions of the Byzantines were for, so that determined men with horses and swords could take and make of them what they could. But the strange and cold and calculating boy would not embark upon the world empty-handed.

Blurb: 

“Deus Lo Vult!” 

Gilles is the natural son of the Earl Waltheof, executed by William the Conqueror for supposed treachery. Raised in Normandy by Queen Matilda of England, Gilles is a young servant of Robert, Duke of Normandy, when the first call for a Holy War against the infidel and the liberation of Jerusalem is raised in Christendom. Along with thousands of others, inspired by a variety of motives, intense piety mixed with a sense of adventure and the prospects of richness, Gilles becomes a key and respected follower of the Duke of Normandy and travels through France and into Italy to the point of embarkation for Constantinople and the land of the Greeks. 

In this epic first phase of a long and gruelling journey, Gilles begins to discover a sense of his strengths and weaknesses, encounters for the first time the full might and strength of the Norman war machine and achieves his much coveted aim of knighthood, as well as a sense of responsibility to the men that he must now lead into battle. 

The Will of God is the literal translation of the Latin phrase “Deus Lo Vult,” a ubiquitous war cry and a commonly offered explanation of all the horrors and iniquities unleashed by the First Crusade of 1096 to 1099, when thousands of Europeans made the dangerous and terrifying journey to the Holy Land and the liberation of Jerusalem. It is the first of two books on the subject. 

Praise for The Will of God: 

“De la Motte has superpowers as a writer of historical fiction; he’s a warhorse of a writer bred to stun and trample the literary senses. You won’t stop turning the pages of The Will of God.”  

~ Charles McNair, Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of Land O’Goshen 

Buy Link: 

Universal Buy Link:  https://geni.us/uXe6u  

Author Bio: 

Julian de la Motte is a Londoner. He graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in Medieval History. He was further awarded a Master of Arts qualification in Medieval English Art from the University of York.  

 

He studied and taught in Italy for nearly four years before returning to the U.K. and a career as a teacher, teacher trainer, and materials designer before taking up a new role as the Director of Foreign Languages and of English as a Foreign Language. 

 

Married and with two grown-up children, He is now extensively involved in review writing and historical research, primarily on medieval history. 

 

”The Will of God” [the first of two books on the subject of the First Crusade] is his third novel. 

Author Links: 

Website: www.historiumpress.com/julian-de-la-motte  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.delamotteharrison.3  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XWMRPYK  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20873400.julian_de_la_Motte  

 

 

Book Review: “Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury” by Judith Arnopp

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews1 Comment

I would like to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Judith Arnopp for sending me a copy of this novel. I have enjoyed her novels about Margaret Beaufort, so when I heard that she was writing a novel about Margaret of Anjou, I was intrigued to see what she could add to her story.

Arnopp begins with Marguerite on the verge of leaving her beloved France to become the new Queen of England. She is to be the bride of the son of King Henry V, King Henry VI. She imagines that her new husband will be similar to his father, a warrior, and that Marguerite will be able to stop the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. Instead, she is married to Henry VI, a man who is extremely devout to his faith, and lives in an England that hates Marguerite. It’s not the picture-perfect situation, but Marguerite tries to make the best of it, including falling in love not only with her husband but also with Somerset and Exeter, men loyal to her husband.

In time, Marguerite does indeed become a mother to Prince Edward, the Lancastrian heir, but it is then that her life truly begins to fall apart. A few months before, King Henry VI fell ill and remained that way for the rest of his life. Marguerite tried to become the Protector of the Realm, but the position went to Richard, Duke of York. Rivalries would turn deadly, and the Lancastrians would face the Yorkists on the battlefield. With the king incapacitated, Marguerite must be a mother, wife, queen, and general to make sure that the Lancastrian cause survives and her family can live to fight for the crown that is rightfully theirs.

This was a very good novel about a woman who was trying to keep her family and her country together while finding love. Arnopp does a great job exploring what life must have been like for Marguerite in a turbulent time. If you want a novel that explores what life was like for the Lancastrian queen during the Wars of the Roses, I recommend you read “Marguerite: Hell Hath No Fury” by Judith Arnopp. 

Blurb: 

Marguerite: Queen of England 

From the moment Henry VI’s new queen, Marguerite of Anjou, sets foot on English soil, she is despised by the English as a foreigner and blamed for the failures of the Hundred Years’ War in France. 

 Her enemies impede her role as the king’s consort, and when Henry sinks into apparent madness, her bid to become regent is rejected. Marguerite must fight, not only for her position but to maintain Henry’s possession of the crown.  

The ambitious Duke, Richard of York, seizes control of the country, thrusting Marguerite aside and inflating the mutual hatred between the houses of York and Lancaster. But the queen refuses to relinquish power and fights determinedly for the rights of her son, Edward of Lancaster. 

The long and bitter civil conflict, which come to be known as the War of the Roses, commences. 

Buy Link: 

Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/mhhnf  

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

Author Bio: 

A lifelong history enthusiast and avid reader, Judith holds a BA in English / Creative Writing and a Master’s in Medieval Studies. She lives on the coast of West Wales, where she writes both fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels set in the Medieval and Tudor period, focusing on the perspective of historical women, but recently she has written a trilogy from the perspective of Henry VIII himself. 

Judith is also a founder member of a re-enactment group called The Fyne Companye of Cambria, which is where and why she began to experiment with sewing historical garments. She now makes clothes and accessories both for the group and others. She is not a professionally trained sewer but, through trial, error, and determination, has learned how to make authentic-looking, if not strictly historically accurate, clothing. A non-fiction book about Tudor clothing, How to Dress like a Tudor, was published in 2023 by Pen and Sword. 

She runs a small seaside holiday let in Aberporth and when she has time for fun, likes to garden and restore antique doll’s houses. You can find her on most social media platforms. 

Her novels include: 

A Song of Sixpence: The Story of Elizabeth of York 

The Beaufort Chronicle: the life of Lady Margaret Beaufort (three-book series) 

The Henrician Chronicle: comprising: 

A Matter of Conscience: Henry VIII, the Aragon Years (Book One of The Henrician Chronicle) 

A Matter of Faith: Henry VIII, the Days of the Phoenix (Book Two of The Henrician Chronicle) 

A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three of The Henrician Chronicle) 

The Kiss of the Concubine: A Story of Anne Boleyn 

The Winchester Goose: at the court of Henry VIII 

Intractable Heart: The Story of Katheryn Parr 

Sisters of Arden: on the Pilgrimage of Grace 

The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England 

Peaceweaver 

The Forest Dwellers 

The Song of Heledd 

The Book of Thornhold 

A Daughter of Warwick: The Story of Anne Neville, Queen of Richard III 

Marguerite: Hell Hath no Fury! 

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.judithmarnopp.com/ 

Blog: http://www.juditharnoppnovelist.blogspot.co.uk/  

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/JudithArnopp  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetudorworldofjuditharnopp  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tudor_juditharnopp/  

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tudor_juditharnopp  

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jarnopp.bsky.social  

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/jarnopp/  

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judith-arnopp  

Amazon Author Page: http://author.to/juditharnoppbooks  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4088659.Judith_Arnopp  

Book Review: “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle

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The year is 1599 in Rome, Italy. A young rich woman stands in front of an executioner’s block. She is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a lover, and a killer. Her victim was her father, a man who made her life and the lives of her family members a living hell. When she falls in love with one of her father’s spies, she believes that it is a way out. However, the path she chooses to embark on will bring deadly consequences. What is the truth surrounding this case, and is Beatrice Cenci a cold-blooded murderer or a victim looking for her freedom? Elizabeth Fremantle explores the life of Beatrice Cenci and the circumstances of this crime in her latest novel, “Sinners.”

When I heard that Elizabeth Fremantle had a new novel coming out soon, I jumped at the chance to read it. I loved “Disobedient” and “Queen’s Gambit,” so I was excited to see what story she would tell in this novel. I had never heard of Beatrice Cenci before reading this novel, which was a thrilling prospect, as it allowed me to discover a new historical figure.

We begin with Beatrice as a young girl being forced to leave the convent where she received her education. Her father, Francesco Cenci, had just remarried, and Beatrice had a new stepmother named Lucrezia. We then jump forward twelve years to the Palazzo Cenci in Rome. Beatrice found the body of her brother Rocco, who was killed by the Orestesi, the mortal enemy of the Cenci. After the funeral, Francesco decides to move to La Rocca, a fortress which is more of a prison than a home.

Francesco becomes paranoid and even more possessive of his family, especially Beatrice, who should have been married by now. Instead, Beatrice is trapped in her grief and fears her father. But, there is a glimmer of hope for Beatrice as she finds her soul mate in the castle keeper and spy for her father, Olimpio. Unfortunately, the glimmer can only last for a moment as Francesco’s paranoia reaches a fever pitch and a plan is hatched to rid the family of Francesco forever. Even with the death of Francesco, the family is not out of danger as they must deal with the consequences of their plan.

This is another grippingly beautiful and tragic novel written by Elizabeth Fremantle. Beatrice Cenci’s story was heartbreaking and heavy, but it was a stunning read. I found myself feeling so sympathetic towards Beatrice and Olimpio, even though she did commit a heinous crime. “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle is a binge-worthy read that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time and will give you a better understanding of the treacherous time and Beatrice Cenci, a woman trapped in an impossible situation. An absolute must-read for any fan of historical fiction.

Guest Post: “Spotlight for ‘A Shape on the Air’ by Julia Ibbotson”

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Today, I am pleased to welcome Julia Ibbotson back to my blog to share a blurb for her novel, “A Shape on the Air.” I would like to thank The Coffee Pot Book Club and Julia Ibbotson for allowing me to participate in this blog tour. 

Blurb: 

Can echoes of the past threaten the present? They are 1500 years apart, but can they reach out to each other across the centuries? One woman faces a traumatic truth in the present day. The other is forced to marry the man she hates as the ‘dark ages’ unfold.

How can Dr Viv DuLac, medievalist and academic, unlock the secrets of the past?  

Traumatised by betrayal, she slips into 499 AD and into the body of Lady Vivianne, who is also battling treachery. Viv must uncover the mystery of the key that she unwittingly brings back with her to the present day, as echoes of the past resonate through time. But little does Viv realise just how much both their lives across the centuries will become so intertwined. And in the end, how can they help each other across the ages without changing the course of history? For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. 

Buy Link:  

Universal Buy Link: https://myBook.to/ASOTA 

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

Author Bio: 

Julia Ibbotson is fascinated by the medieval world and the concept of time. She is the author of historical mysteries with a frisson of romance. Her books are evocative of time and place, well-researched and uplifting page-turners. Her current series focuses on early medieval time-slip/dual-time mysteries.  

Julia read English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language/literature/history, and has a PhD in socio-linguistics. After a turbulent time in Ghana, West Africa, she became a school teacher, then a university academic and researcher. Her break as an author came soon after she joined the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme in 2015, with a three-book deal from Lume Books for a trilogy (Drumbeats) set in Ghana in the 1960s. 

She has published five other books, including A Shape on the Air, an Anglo-Saxon timeslip mystery, and its two sequels, The Dragon Tree and The Rune Stone. Her latest novel is the first of a new series of Anglo-Saxon dual-time mysteries, Daughter of Mercia, where echoes of the past resonate across the centuries.  

Her books will appeal to fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. Her readers say: ‘Julia’s books captured my imagination’, ‘beautiful storytelling’, ‘evocative and well-paced storylines’, ‘brilliant and fascinating’, and ‘I just couldn’t put it down’. 

Author Links: 

Website: https://juliaibbotsonauthor.com 

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/@juliaibbotson 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaIbbotsonauthor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia.ibbotson 

Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/juliaibbotson.bsky.social 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/juliai1 

Amazon Author Page: https://Author.to/JuliaIbbotsonauthor 

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/juliaibbotson 

 

Book Review: “Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe’s Greatest Diplomat” by Rozsa Gaston

On By hmalagisiIn Book Reviews1 Comment

The 16th century was dominated by powerful women who left their indelible mark on European history. Take, for example, the aunt of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. No, not Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. I am talking about a woman who was the daughter of Emperor Maximilian I, was married three times, had no children, and helped raise her nephew Charles V, was an essential part of the Ladies’ Peace, taught Anne Boleyn how to live at court, and was a patroness of the arts and literature. Of course, I am talking about Margaret of Austria, the Governor of the Netherlands. A formidable woman who saw much change and chose to be part of politics, even though she was a woman. Her remarkable story is told in Rozsa Gaston’s novel, “Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe’s Greatest Diplomat.”

I would like to thank Rozsa Gaston for sending me a copy of this novel. I am someone who is always looking for a new aspect of the 16th century. I have heard about Margaret of Austria from other books about Anne Boleyn and the 16th century, but I did not know much about this woman. When Gaston asked if I would like to read and review her novel, I jumped at the chance to read it and learn more about her.

Gaston begins her novel with a chart of important figures that would be featured in this story, which was helpful for me as a reader. Then, we get some basic background information about Margaret of Austria, the daughter of Maximilian I of Austria and Mary of Burgundy (known as Mary the Rich). Margaret’s brother was Philip the Handsome, who was expected to inherit their father’s throne. Margaret was destined to be a bride for King Charles VIII of France, so she left her native Netherlands for France at a young age. Our story begins with Charles VIII rejecting poor Margaret because he was already married to Anne of Brittany. Rejected, Margaret goes home, where another marriage is arranged. Her brother Philip would marry Juana of Castile, and Margaret would travel to Spain to marry Juan, Prince of Asturias. This marriage would not last long as Juan would die young.

Her final marriage would be to Philibert of Savoy, which turned into a love match, but Philibert would die a few years into their marriage. Heartbroken, Margaret goes to live with Philip and Juana, which is a mistake because they are constantly at odds. When Philip dies unexpectantly, Juana, no matter how her mental state may be, rules Castile while her eldest son Charles lives with Margaret. Margaret becomes the Governor of the Netherlands for Charles until he is old enough to rule. For the remainder of her life, politics would play a major part in Margaret’s life as she saw issues like the Great Matter, the Sack of Rome, the League of Cambrai, the rise of Martin Luther, and the Ladies’ Peace.

Margaret of Austria was such a powerful woman who would do anything for her family and her beloved Netherlands. To stand toe to toe with some of these major political figures as a woman during the 16th century took guts, but Margaret showed how formidable she was. Gaston does an excellent job telling Margaret’s story, so much so that I want to read more books about her life. Suppose you want to learn more about the life of Margaret of Austria. In that case, I highly recommend you read “Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe’s Greatest Diplomat” by Rozsa Gaston.

Book Review: “Thus with a Kiss I Die” by Christina Dodd

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We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet. Two crazy kids in love, whose families hated each other they decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and die for each other. One of the greatest tragic love stories of all time. But what if it didn’t end in tragedy? What if Romeo and Juliet had their happy ending and had a large family? In this version of Verona, Romeo and Juliet have a large family, and their eldest daughter Rosaline is the most beautiful, headstrong girl in all of Verona. Unfortunately, Rosaline (Rosie) has got herself in quite a mess with an unwanted prince fiancé, a ghost who only she can see, and a murder investigation. Can Rosie solve the case and figure out her love life before things go horribly wrong? This is the premise of the second book of the Daughter of Montague series by Christina Dodd called “Thus with a Kiss I Die.”

I would like to thank Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. While I have not read the first book in this series, I thought the idea of Romeo and Juliet surviving and having a family was such a fun concept. Sometimes you just need a book that is based on a historical work of fiction as a way to escape reality, and that’s okay.

We begin where the first book in the series, “A Daughter of Fair Verona,” left off. Rosie is waiting in a garden for her one true love, Lysander, but her plans are foiled when the Prince of Verona, Escalus, kisses Rosie. Now, she is engaged to a prince. She should be thrilled, but Rosie is trying to think of every possible way to get out of this arrangement. Meanwhile, Rosie and her family are invited to dinner with the Prince and his family, which includes his Nonna Ursula and his young sister, Princess Isabella. Escalus (known as Cal in his family) is an orphan prince. His father was killed by an unknown assassin, and his mother died in a convent while giving birth to Princess Isabella.

While exploring the palace, Rosie hears a voice and discovers that it belongs to the ghost of Prince Escalus the Elder, Cal’s father. He wants Rosie to figure out who killed him, which kicks off the mystery portion of this book. On top of all of this, Juliet is about to give birth. Rosie has her hands full while she is trying to figure out her love life and solve a murder mystery before she is murdered or married to the prince.

This was a fun read that is more modern than historical, with the dialogue. Sure, it’s set in 16th-century Verona with Romeo and Juliet as side characters, but you could place Rosie and Cal in a modern setting and it would work just as well. Overall, I found this an absolute joy and a great escape. If you want a historical fiction novel with a unique twist, a murder mystery, and a love triangle, I suggest you read “Thus with a Kiss I Die” by Christina Dodd.

Book Review: “The Daughter of Time” by Josephine Tey

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Have you ever read about a historical mystery that captivated you so much that you spent your available free time trying to solve the case? Who was the man in the iron mask? Were the casket letters real? Who built Stonehenge and why? And yet, one of the greatest mysteries in all of history revolves around two missing princes who were last seen in the Tower of London. Nearly five hundred years later, an inspector from Scotland Yard named Alan Grant decides to take on the case. Can the inspector solve the ultimate cold case? Josephine Tey tells the tale of the detective and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower in her most famous novel, “The Daughter of Time.”

I have heard of this novel since I started my blog, but I never read it until now. I decided that it was time after it was announced that there was going to be a play adaptation of this novel. All I knew about this book was that it had something to do with the Princes in the Tower and Richard III, but I did not know the extent.

Tey begins with a bored Inspector Alan Grant staring at the ceiling as he lies immobilized in a hospital recovering from a broken leg. He has a stack of books to read, given to him by the nurses nicknamed the Midget and the Amazon, but none of them have caught his interest. One day, his actress friend Marta Hallard comes for a visit and convinces Grant to investigate a historical mystery. She brings copies of historical portraits, and Grant’s attention immediately goes to the one of Richard III. This portrait will propel Grant to investigate the mystery of the Princes in the Tower and prove Richard III’s innocence.

While I do see why this book is so beloved by Ricardians, it took me a while to get used to the dialogue in this novel, as I don’t read books from the 1950s. It was interesting to see the logic of Grant’s arguments for Richard III to be proved innocent, as someone who has no connection to history, but as an inspector. Personally, my favorite character in this novel is Brent Carradine, an American history student who helps Grant with his investigation.

Overall, it was a decent novel that investigates the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower from the perspective of someone who is not a history nerd. It is a well-researched novel for the information that was available at the time, which will appeal to novices and experts alike. If you want a novel with a different approach to the Princes in the Tower, I recommend you read “The Daughter of Time” by Josephine Tey.