Tag: Romance

Book Review: “Graceless Heart” by Isabel Ibanez

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

In the Italian states during the 15th century, a time of war coexisted with a period of art flourishing. But what if magic was thrown into the fray? Sculptress Ravenna Maffei desires nothing more than to create art and to protect her family while keeping her own magical powers a secret. To protect those she holds dear, Ravenna enters an art contest, hosted by the immortal family of Florence, the Luni. Ravenna is taken by the family to complete an important task, but if she fails, she will be killed by the heir of the family, Saturnino Luni. Unfortunately, the greatest danger lurks outside of Florence as the pope is waging war against magic itself. Can Ravenna uncover the secrets of the Luni family and finish their difficult task before war engulfs all of Florence? Ravenna’s story is told in Isabel Ibanez’s latest historical fantasy novel, “Graceless Heart.”

This was a spontaneous buy for me. It was really the cover that caught my eye, and then I read the description. I realized that this was a historical fantasy novel, a genre that I have not dabbled in much, but one that I have heard of before. I decided to go on a whim and give it a shot to see how well she could blend magical elements with historical figures and settings.

Ravenna has always had a gift for art, especially sculpting, but when she was younger and exploring a quarry with her aunt, she soon discovered that she has a darker talent, one that she has to keep secret from the rest of the world. We then jump to Volterra in 1478, Ravenna’s hometown, where she is on a mission to save her brother. She decides to enter a sculpting competition, where the prize is anything she asks for. Obviously, she wins the contest and can release her brother from his prison, but the Luni family, the immortal family of Florence, has decided to use Ravenna’s talent for magic for their own goals. They want her to free five mystic stones from marble, which is more difficult than it sounds. The entire family keeps an eye on her, but her biggest threat is the heir to the family, Saturnino.

While Ravenna believes Saturnino and the Luni family are her enemies, she will soon learn that her greatest threat is Pope Sixtus IV who is wanting to wage a war against the Luni family and magic itself. It was nice to see Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo de’ Medici, and Federico da Montefeltro the Duke of Milan featured in this novel. It was a nice touch to add depth to the story and give it a foundation in the past.

The story itself was engaging, so much so that I ended up binge reading quite a bit of it. It was a delightful blend of history and fantasy with a dash of romance. I didn’t know what to expect when it came to reading a historical fantasy, but I had so much fun and I can’t wait to see what Ibanez will write next. If you are someone who enjoys stories set in the Italian Renaissance but you want to dabble in historical fantasy, I think you will enjoy “Graceless Heart” by Isabel Ibanez.

Book Review: “Shades of Yellow” by Wendy J. Dunn

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Have you ever wondered what it might be like for a historical fiction writer during their writing process? How do they balance both their own lives and the lives of their characters? While we can read author interviews to find out what goes on in an author’s mind, why not take a fun twist of a historical fiction author writing about a historical fiction writer writing her first historical fiction novel? Meet Lucy Ellis, a new writer who is writing her first novel about the death of Amy Robsart while recovering from cancer and going through a divorce. Can Lucy finish her novel about Amy Robsart before her life and her health come crashing down? Wendy J. Dunn tells the tale of two women betrayed in her latest novel, “Shades of Yellow.”

I would like to thank Wendy J. Dunn and The Coffee Pot Book Club for sending me a copy of this novel. I am a fan of Dunn’s writing style, especially when it comes to her novels, so when I heard she was writing a new novel, I knew I wanted to read it before I knew the premise. The idea of a novel about writing a historical fiction novel was very intriguing, and to throw in the story of Amy Robsart in the mix adds to the complexity of this idea, which I love.

We begin with Lucy Ellis about to leave Australia for a research trip to England. Her mother does not want her to go because Lucy’s doctor found something concerning. Lucy is a survivor of breast cancer and is on the verge of a divorce from her husband, Ben, and she is nearing her 30th birthday. Life is hitting her hard, but along the way, she found a historical figure that she resonates with: Amy Robsart. She wants to tell the story of what really happened to Amy in her first novel, so she has to do research in England to make it more authentic.

Once in England, Lucy meets up with her aunt Jo, her cousin Max, and her grandpa, who is a blind author. We get to see her novel-writing process and bits of the novel while Lucy deals with a whole host of family drama. While the main focus of this book is Lucy’s story, sprinkled within are flashes of Amy’s life, how she felt about her husband Robert Dudley, and her rival in love, Elizabeth I. It is by studying Amy’s life that Lucy learns how to embrace life’s challenges and realize that she has people around her who love her. 

It takes a lot of skill to write not just one novel, but a novel within a novel, but Dunn nails it perfectly. I would love to read the finished novel about Amy Robsart one day. This novel takes the aspects of a dual timeline novel and flips it on its head in such an innovative way. If you want a contemporary novel about healing between two women centuries apart and their strengths to keep fighting when life throws so many obstacles their way, I highly recommend you read “Shades of Yellow” by Wendy J. Dunn. 

Blurb: 

During her battle with illness, Lucy Ellis found solace in writing a novel about the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, the first wife of Robert Dudley, the man who came close to marrying Elizabeth I. As Lucy delves into Amy’s story, she also navigates the aftermath of her own experience that brought her close to death and the collapse of her marriage. 

After taking leave from her teaching job to complete her novel, Lucy falls ill again. Fearing she will die before she finishes her book, she flees to England to solve the mystery of Amy Robsart’s death. 

Can she find the strength to confront her past, forgive the man who broke her heart, and take control of her own destiny?

Who better to write about a betrayed woman than a woman betrayed

Buy Link: 

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

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

Author Bio: 

WENDY J. DUNN is a multi-award-winning Australian writer fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of Dear Heart, How Like You This, her first Anne Boleyn novel, which narrated the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder.  

Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their holdings. It seems very likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally. 

Wendy gained her PhD in 2014 and tutors in writing at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. She loves walking in the footsteps of the historical people she gives voice to in her books.  

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.wendyjdunn.com/ 

Newsletter: https://wendyjdunn.substack.com/ 

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

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

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@wendyjdunnauthor  

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/wendy-j-dunn  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wendyjdunn  

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wendy-J.-Dunn/author/B004FRTZFA  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/197156.Wendy_J_Dunn 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-wendy-dunn-6358181a  

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

On By hmalagisiIn guest post1 Comment

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

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

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: “My Lady Jane” by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

Do you have a favorite historical figure whom you have wondered what would have happened if they survived their dark fate? Have you wondered what would happen if they had fantastical abilities, such as transforming into animals? Maybe the last piece sounds a bit too far-fetched, but it makes for an interesting concept for a novel. What if we took the story of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine-Day Queen of England, and turned the tale into a fantastical comedy full of romance and adventure? Then, you would get the premise of “My Lady Jane” by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows.

Now I know what you are all thinking: why would you pick up a book that is purposefully fanciful with historical figures sprinkled in? I have always been a fan of YA fantasy novels, and so when I first heard about this book with the announcement of the Amazon show of the same name, it kind of confused me. I mean, there is nothing comedic about the story of Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Gifford Dudley; I wanted to see how these authors approached the Tudors with fantasy elements. I wanted to see how the book was before I decided whether to watch the series or not.

This story is in an alternative version of England where the people are divided not by religious affiliations but rather by whether or not they can transform into animals or not. Those who can transform are known as Edians, and those who believe that humans should stay as humans are known as Verities. For the longest time, the Verities were firmly in control, which meant that the Edians were persecuted, but things are changing. For those of us who study the Tudor dynasty pretty regularly, it is easy to see which side represents the Catholics and which side represents Protestants.

Now that we have that all cleared up, let’s dive into the actual plot of this book. King Edward VI is dying, and to make sure that the Edians are protected, he decides to override his father’s will and declare his cousin Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England, surpassing his sister Mary, who is a Veritie, and his sister Elizabeth, who is pretty neutral on the matter. Under the guidance of Lord Dudley, Edward decides that Lady Jane Grey, an only child in this novel, must marry Dudley’s son, Gifford, known as G in this novel. Marriage between strangers is not uncommon during this time, but the wedding takes place at night because during the day, G turns into a horse. Jane the bookworm must navigate her new married life with a horse husband, learn how to become a queen quickly, and uncover what happened to her beloved cousin Edward.

If you are looking for a historically accurate novel, you need to look elsewhere. This is a novel that is fun, fanciful, and full of adventure, mischief, and romance. It is also a novel that might get young adults interested in the Tudors with a fantasy twist. I think my only real big issue with this novel is that it didn’t feel like Tudor England to me, so it was a bit difficult to be fully immersed in the story. If you want a good novel to escape reality for a while with Tudors and a bit of magic, I recommend you read “My Lady Jane” by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows.

Book Review: “The House of Echoes” by Alexandra Walsh

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

A love that can get through any obstacle even when the couple is married to other people is considered very rare. However, star-crossed lovers at court were practically unheard of, especially multiple couples from the same family. Anne Brandon knows how rare these matches are as her father Charles Brandon married the sister of King Henry VIII. Now she must figure out her feelings about romance while navigating court life. In the modern day, Caroline Harvey has relationship problems while she navigates the loss of her famous writer, grandfather Dexter Blake. How are these two women from different centuries connected and can they fight for who they love or are they destined to be alone? Alexandra Walsh tells both women’s stories in her novel, “The House of Echoes.”

I want to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. The concept of this novel and the cover were what pulled me into the story. I know about the children of Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor, but when it comes to Charles’ other children, I don’t know much. I wanted to learn a bit about Anne Brandon and have a good time with the story of Caroline Harvey.

We begin with the story of Caroline Harvey as she returns home to England from America after a bad break-up with her former fiance Travis Hibbert. She is the personal assistant to her grandfather, the recluse writer Dexter Blake, the author of the Ether Heracles book series. Dexter Blake is dying and it is up to her and her family to announce it to the rest of the world while releasing the last book in the series and making movies about the books. While the world mourns Dexter’s death, Caroline is given the gift of Dexter’s home and she begins researching the history of the house, which will lead her to an old fling Gideon and his book store Ten-to-Midnight. It is through Caroline’s research that she discovers the story of Anne Brandon and the truth about her life.

Meanwhile, in Tudor England, Anne Brandon is getting used to being the step-daughter of Mary Tudor, the sister of King Henry VIII. She is not used to court life, but she has friends who will become famous like Anne Boleyn and Margaret More Roper. As a young girl, Anne falls head over heels in love with Randall Hanworth and she believes that she is destined to marry him. However, fate and her father have someone else in mind; Edward Grey 3rd Baron of Powis, which made Anne Baroness of Powis. That doesn’t mean it was a happy marriage as the couple never had any children. Anne lived throughout the reign of Henry VIII, saw two of his wives beheaded including her friend Anne Boleyn, and had a great falling out with her father Charles Brandon before he died, which meant that she was left out of his will. Anne was willing to fight for the lands that she believed rightfully belonged to her and the love of her life Randall.

This was a fun novel with so many twists and turns, including one at the end that I did not see coming. I especially love the little details that Walsh included especially coming up with blurbs for each of the Dexter Blake books as well as the inner workings of the Brandon household. As someone who reads a lot about the Tudors, it was refreshing to read about Tudors that were new to me. If you want a fresh take on the Tudor with a modern twist, I greatly recommend you read, “The House of Echoes” by Alexandra Walsh.

Guest Post: Spotlight for “The Dragon Tree” by Julia Ibbotson

On By hmalagisiIn guest post1 Comment

I am pleased to welcome Julia Ibbotson to my blog today to share a spotlight for her novel, “The Dragon Tree.” I want to thank Julia Ibbotson and The Coffee Pot Book Club for allowing me to be part of this blog tour. 

Blurb: 

A haunting medieval time-slip (#2 in the Dr. DuLac series, the sequel to A Shape on the Air, but can be read as a stand-alone) 

Echoes of the past resonate through time and disturb medievalist Dr Viv DuLac as she struggles with misfortune in the present. She and Rev Rory have escaped to the island of Madeira on secondment from their posts, yet they are not to find peace – until they can solve the mystery of the shard of azulejo and the ancient ammonite. Viv’s search brings her into contact with two troubled women: a noblewoman shipwrecked on the island in the 14th century and a rebellious nun at the island convent in the 16th century. As Viv reaches out across the centuries, their lives become intertwined, and she must uncover the secrets of the ominous Dragon Tree in order to locate lost artifacts that can shape the future. 

For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorne, Susanna Kearsley, and Christina Courtenay. 

“The idea of being able to ‘feel’ what happened in the past is enticing … The sense of the island is wonderful … Julia brings it to life evocatively.”
~ Joanna Barnden 

 “Julia does an incredible job of setting up the idea of time-shift so that it’s believable and makes sense.”
~ book tour reviewer 

“… an engaging and original time-slip novel that keeps the reader turning the pages…the characters are authentic and the mystery is neatly woven between the centuries … seamless time transitions …”
~ Melissa Morgan  

Buy Links: 

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited. 

 

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

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, specializing 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, and 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 work in progress is a new series of Anglo-Saxon mystery romances, beginning with 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:   https://x.com/JuliaIbbotson  

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

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julia-ibbotson-62a5401a/  

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

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

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julia-ibbotson  

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

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/juliaibbotson  

Book Review: “Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors” by Carol Ann Lloyd

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

As humans, we love a good love story. Tales of courtships, grand confessions of love, over-the-top weddings, and marriages that last decades. These seem like high expectations, especially when we compare these expectations to royal courtships of the past. The majority of royals married and they were more focused on political matches instead of love. However, few chose a different path altogether, they decided to be single. One of the most famous monarchs with a single status was Queen Elizabeth I of England, the Virgin Queen So why did Elizabeth stay single throughout her reign, and how did she navigate her numerous suitors? Carol Ann Lloyd tries to answer these questions in her latest book, “Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors.”

I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoyed Lloyd’s previous book, “The Tudors by the Numbers,” so when I heard about this book and that it would be about Elizabeth I and her romances, I knew I wanted to read it.

Lloyd breaks her book down into sections focusing on the suitors and the aspects that made her reign rather unique. While she was a child, Elizabeth’s primary purpose was to create a powerful alliance with another country, however, issues of legitimacy and religion hampered any real chance of her marrying anyone before she became queen. Once she was crowned, the marriage market became even more complicated as she not only had a great number of eligible suitors both in England and abroad, she needed to make sure her kingdom was secure and that she remained in power. She had to balance her natural and her political body of a ruler, a task that was difficult for a man to accomplish let alone a queen whose legitimacy and religious standings were on shaky grounds.

I think Lloyd did a great job of presenting new information about Elizabeth I, her suitors, and how different aspects of courting affected how the queen ruled. I will say that the way the book was organized did hinder my enjoyment of this book a little bit. I think it would have made more sense to have the aspects of Elizabeth’s courting and how it affected her reign before diving into her numerous suitors and why things didn’t go so well, which led to Elizabeth becoming the titular Virgin Queen.

Overall, I did find this a rather informative and fascinating read. If you want a solid book about Elizabeth I and her numerous romances, I recommend you read, “Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I and Her Suitors” by Carol Ann Lloyd.

Book Review: “The Queen’s Frog Prince: The Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou” by David Lee

On By hmalagisiIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

the queen's frog princeRomances in the Tudor era are legendary for their effects on English, European, and world history. From international matches to domestic love stories, the Tudors had a way of capturing our attention with whom they married. The one Tudor whose relationships caught everyone’s attention just as much as Henry VIII is his daughter with Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I. The legendary “Virgin Queen” did have some men who caught her eye and some that she even considered marrying. There was Robert Dudley, but the one who may surprise a lot of people is the French prince, Francis Duke of Anjou. So how did this whirlwind romance begin and why did Elizabeth choose to stay single instead of marrying to secure a strong alliance with France? In his latest book, “The Queen’s Frog Prince: The Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou,” David Lee explores the heart of this long-forgotten international romance.

I would like to thank Chronos Books for sending me a copy of this book. I am always looking for a new book about the reign of Elizabeth I. I will admit that I was one of those people who did not take her relationship with the Duke of Anjou as a serious infatuation, but when I heard about this title, I wanted to see if I could be proven wrong.

Unlike many books dedicated to the reign of Elizabeth I, Lee begins in 1579, when the relationship between Elizabeth and the Duke of Anjou began. Elizabeth knew that if she was going to marry anyone, it had to be soon or there would be no Tudor heirs to inherit the throne. The top contender for her heart, Robert Dudley, betrayed the queen and married Lettice Knollys behind her back in 1578. The following year, she was presented with an opportunity to marry the younger brother of the King of France, Francis Duke of Anjou.

The bulk of this book examines the correspondence between Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou through their letters from 1579 until the end of the relationship in 1581. When we think about Elizabeth I and her international romantic relationships, we often have an image of a stoic queen who wants to keep relationships with other countries cordial even when she rejects their advances. These letters are so heartfelt and present a new side of Elizabeth I which I was not expecting to see, especially not for someone who was not Robert Dudley. There was true passion and love between the queen and her frog prince, but it was not meant to be as religious differences, her age, and the question of Elizabeth’s ability to rule with a man by her side made it impossible for the relationship to continue.

Lee has presented a heartbreaking tale of love and loss between a queen and her frog prince. He has done meticulous research to show a different side of Elizabeth I that I did not know even existed. It begs the question if nothing was standing in her way, would Elizabeth have married the Duke of Anjou and how would that have affected English and European history as a whole?

If you want a book that makes you question the end of Elizabeth I’s reign and her last international romance, I highly recommend you read, “The Queen’s Frog Prince: The Courtship of Elizabeth I and the Duke of Anjou” by David Lee.

Guest Post: “His Castilian Hawk” by Anna Belfrage- AudioBook Blast

On By hmalagisiIn guest post2 Comments

His Castilian Hawk Tour BannerToday, I am pleased to welcome to my blog Anna Belfrage to promote the audiobook for her novel, “His Castilian Hawk.” Thank you, Anna Belfrage and The Coffee Pot Book Club, for allowing me to participate in this tour. 

Blurb:

For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale. 

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to bring Wales under English control once and for all. 

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply. 

Two strangers in a marriage bed are not accessible. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith, who has warmed Robert’s bed for years. 

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that she is not only spirited and proud but also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king, or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

His Castilian Hawk audiobook coverBuy Links: 

The Kindle ebook of this title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Link: http://myBook.to/HISHAWK

Audible Amazon: https://www.audible.com/pd/His-Castilian-Hawk-Audiobook/B0BLPXJL8M 

Bingebooks : https://bingebooks.com/book/the-castilian-hawk 

NOOK (Barnes and Noble): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-castilian-hawk-anna-belfrage/1137734133 

Chirp: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/his-castilian-hawk-by-anna-belfrage 

Libro: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9789198507249 

Storytel: https://www.storytel.com/se/sv/books/3555095 

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/audiobook/600535465/His-Castilian-Hawk 

Kobo & Walmart: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/his-castilian-hawk 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Anna_Belfrage_His_Castilian_Hawk?id=AQAAAEBCAX5BLM 

Audiobooks: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/his-castilian-hawk/640346 

Anna BelfrageAuthor Bio:

Anna Belfrage

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time traveler. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time-traveling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th-century Scotland and Maryland, and the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy, set in 14th-century England.

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients.

Her Castilian Heart is the third in her “Castilian” series, a stand-alone sequel to her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales; His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In the second installment, The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain. This latest release finds our protagonists back in England—not necessarily any safer than the wilds of Spain!

Anna has also authored The Whirlpools of Time, in which she returns to the world of time travel. Join Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveler Erin on their adventures through the Scottish Highlands just as the first Jacobite rebellion is about to explode! 

Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals and has won different Gold, Silver, and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Find out more about Anna and her books, and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, http://www.annabelfrage.com.  

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.annabelfrage.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelfrageauthor

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/annabelfrageauthor

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-belfrage

Amazon Author Page: http://Author.to/ABG

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449528.Anna_Belfrage