A Posioned Season by Tasha Alexander


London’s social season is in full swing, and the Victorian aristocracy can’t stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But he’s not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen.

Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Emily. But the strong-minded and fiercely independent Emily will not be shaken. It will take all of her considerable wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, even as a brewing scandal threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husband’s best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.

A Poisoned Season is a delicious blend of sparkling romance, heart-pounding suspense, and rich historical detail that only Tasha Alexander could create.


The second book in the Lady Emily suspense novels does not disappoint in the least. Once again, in Lady Emily is getting herself into peril, trouble, and this time it is in the full swing of the London season, which in itself can be treacherous enough! Follow twists as her reputation is shredded and she has to catch a thief and a murderer and finding out if they are one in the same or two different people can be sticky.

Tasha Alexander has a way of writing that will pull you in and wrap you around the characters. You cannot help but wonder what is going to happen next as the story takes so many delicious twist and turns. Lady Emily is a strong character who you cannot help but love. She stands up for herself in a time when most women simper and bat their lashes until they make a good match.

In addition, along with all this suspense and romance there is just a little bit of romance. Just a hint. If you are not a bodice ripper reader you do not need to worry about that Lady Emily is a sensible woman who does not simper, or follow the multitude of hunky fellows in her life. However, be assured there are a plethora of them. Lords, Dukes and the handsome Mr. Hargreaves all come across. If you like suspense and historical themes, this is a great book to sink your teeth into.

Book Review: Courtesans by Katie Hickman


During the course of the nineteenth century, a small group of women rose from impoverished obscurity to positions of great power, independence, and wealth. In doing so they took control of their lives — and those of other people — and made the world do their will.

Extremely accomplished, well-educated, and unusually literate, courtesans exerted an incredible influence as leaders of society. They were not received at court, but inhabited their own parallel world — the demimonde — complete with its own hierarchies, etiquette, and protocol. They were queens of fashion, linguists, musicians, accomplished at political intrigue, and, of course, possessors of great erotic gifts. Even to be seen in public with one of the great courtesans was a much-envied achievement.


I have long been curious about Courtesans; this book is a great one for anyone else who has the same curiousness. Katie Hickman does a fantastic job of showing you the powerful world of being a Courtesan; it is not an unknown adage that the most powerful woman in a kingdom was not the Queen but the Kings Mistress.

Much is the same about the most powerful Courtesans in the land. They had money and power and all sorts of other things that made them societies most wanted. All of this for essentially working in the oldest profession in the world.

But these women weren’t the kind of ladies you would see walking on the street. They were well educated, witty, beautiful and used to the finest things in life. This book was a fantastic read for anyone who is interested in the topic. And even for someone who may not know that much about it. Pick this one up and delve into the steamy underside of Sex, Money and Power.

Book Review: To The Tower Born by Robin Maxwell


The author of the highly praised The Wild Irish is back with a mesmerizing novel that probes one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in history — what happened to the lost princes of York

Debated for more than five centuries, the disappearance of the young princes Edward and Richard from the Tower of London in 1483 has stirred the imaginations of numerous writers from Shakespeare to Josephine Tey and posited the question: Was Richard III the boys’ murderer, or was he not? In a captivating novel rich in mystery, color, and historical lore, Robin Maxwell offers a new, controversial perspective on this tantalizing enigma.

The events are witnessed through the eyes of quick-witted Nell Caxton, only daughter of the first English printer, William Caxton, and Nell’s dearest friend, “Bessie,” daughter of the King of England, sister to the little princes, and founding ancestress of the Tudor dynasty.

With great bravery and heart, the two friends navigate this dark and dangerous medieval landscape in which the king’s death sets off a battle among the most scheming, ambitious, and murderous men and women of their age, who will stop at nothing to possess the throne of England.


Have you ever wondered just how the Tudor line came to be the one that ruled? The War of the Roses raged on for a very long time. The House of York and the House of Lancaster were bitter enemies. For a while though and so they thought they were secured it was the house of York and their King Edward on the throne of England.

This book is fantastic and exiting you follow “Bessie” who became the ultimate founder of the house of Tudor through her life. You meet her shortly after her son Arthur has died and than backtrack to her younger life. It is fantastic and thrilling to see these events through the eyes of Bessie and her best friend Nell Caxton.

Once King Edward dies it certainly is mysterious how two Princes of royal blood go into the Tower never to be heard from again. Robin Maxwell tackles just one thing that may have happened to him, but also the most logical. If you’re a fan of the War of Roses, or the Tudor line this is a book you should read. There is romance, intrigue, murder and mystery. There is a little bit of something for everybody and a good helping of well researched history.
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Book Review:Murder of Helen Jewett by Patricia Cline Cohen



In 1836, the murder of a young prostitute made headlines in New York City and around the country, inaugurating a sex-and-death sensationalism in news reporting that haunts us today. Patricia Cline Cohen goes behind these first lurid accounts to reconstruct the story of the mysterious victim, Helen Jewett.

From her beginnings as a servant girl in Maine, Helen Jewett refashioned herself, using four successive aliases, into a highly paid courtesan. She invented life stories for herself that helped her build a sympathetic clientele among New York City’s elite, and she further captivated her customers through her seductive letters, which mixed elements of traditional feminine demureness with sexual boldness.

But she was to meet her match–and her nemesis–in a youth called Richard Robinson. He was one of an unprecedented number of young men who flooded into America’s burgeoning cities in the 1830s to satisfy the new business society’s seemingly infinite need for clerks. The son of an established Connecticut family, he was intense, arrogant, and given to posturing. He became Helen Jewett’s lover in a tempestuous affair and ten months later was arrested for her murder. He stood trial in a five-day courtroom drama that ended with his acquittal amid the cheers of hundreds of fellow clerks and other spectators.

With no conviction for murder, nor closure of any sort, the case continued to tantalize the public, even though Richard Robinson disappeared from view. Through the Erie Canal, down the Ohio and the Mississippi, and by way of New Orleans, he reached the wilds of Texas and a new life under a new name. Through her meticulous and ingenious research, Patricia Cline Cohen traces his life there and the many twists and turns of the lingering mystery of the murder. Her stunning portrayals of Helen Jewett, Robinson, and their raffish, colorful nineteenth-century world make vivid a frenetic city life and sexual morality whose complexities, contradictions, and concerns resonate with those of our own time.



As far as murder mysteries go I have to say this is on the top of the list. Although perhaps a mystery is the wrong word for Murder of Helen Jewett it is a good book. You have elements of everything in it. From Romance to betrayal and everything in between. This review is a little short as I read this book a while back with some of my others and didn’t have a chance to post the review. But I do recommend this book if you like historical thriller. It will keep you on your toes and the information is very good.



Book Review: Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City’s wealthiest families? They’re powerful, they’re famous… they’re undead. Schuyler Van Alen’s blood legacy has just been called into question–is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. When one of the Gates of Hell is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Carnavale rages on. And in the end, one vampire’s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.


And here we have another installment of the Blue Bloods Novels. I have to say this was not my favorite of the series. It was a little bit slower and confusing than the other two books. It was not a bad read, just not as good in my opinion.

Once again we follow Schuler Van Alan her friends and family and of course Mimi and Jack Force through the world of the elite vampires. But now we delve more into the paranormal and more into the religion that has been placed into this kind of Vampire. I personally feel that some of the enjoyment of the first books was lost in this installment because of how much more they leaned on the religion.

That said there are a few things revealed in this story that you may or may not have seen coming. Schuyler takes her place among her people. She has her power and learns how to use it. While the true evil Silver Blood is revealed. Over the entire book was a good set up for the next book and while not the best in the series, is still enjoyable.


Book Review: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris


Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out….

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn’t such a bright idea.


I read this book a few months ago, but health kept me from making the Review Post. So here we go:

I had friends who were constantly talking about True Blood. But knowing that the show was based on the books I couldn’t let myself watch the show without at least reading the first book. Hubbys nagging to get to watch the show my friend sent on DVD made me read it. But I am very GLAD I did.

Dead until Dark is a very well written book that harkens back to your more traditional styled Vampires. Blood Hungry, day sleepers who don’t sparkle and can only come out at night. While she has tossed in the new synthetic blood so those who wish to be Good Vampires can drink that rather than human blood, the core of her Vampires are the traditional kind.

There is a love story involved, with undercurrents of dark sensuality that will make you shiver a bit. This is very much an adult book. With a cast of characters that may make you think of some backwoods rednecks but in essence they are. I have not decided if I like Sookie yet, she is slightly annoying to my minds eye. But they have given her a strong group around here. The Vampire Bill is mysterious as he is slightly off putting and yet romantic. Jason Stackhouse just needs to be neutered, but we love him anyways.

The book lays down a solid foundation for the series. With its own murder mystery along with the forbidden love and the promise of more to come. If you’re an Adult Vampire fan I highly recommend you read this book.

Book Review: Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran


Moran’s latest foray into the world of classical history (after The Heretic Queen) centers upon the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra . After the death of their parents, twins Alexander and Selene and younger brother Ptolemy are in a dangerous position, left to the mercy of their father’s greatest rival, Octavian Caesar. However, Caesar does not kill them as expected, but takes the trio to Rome to be paraded as part of his triumphant return and to demonstrate his solidified power. As the twins adapt to life in Rome in the inner circle of Caesar’s family, they grow into adulthood ensconced in a web of secrecy, intrigue and constant danger. Told from Selene’s perspective, the tale draws readers into the fascinating world of ancient Rome and into the court of Rome’s first and most famous emperor. Deftly encompassing enough political history to provide context, Moran never clutters her narrative with extraneous facts. Readers may be frustrated that Selene is more observer than actor, despite the action taking place around her, but historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre. (Sept.)
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What can be said about Cleopatra’s Daughter? I will tell you what can be said the book is beyond stunning. You get the feel of ancient Rome and the delicateness of it right at your finger tips. How must it have felt to loose your Mother and Father? To be left with a man who felt like a tyrant, the man who took you back to Rome in chains and paraded you around like you were a prize.

And that what happens when you find something else? A daughter of Egypt fathered by Rome…who finds…. Well I can’t ruin the whole story for you now can me!? But the stunning imagery of this book will keep you turning the pages again and again. The history is good, while I found a few comments to make myself I think it’s only because of my closeness to the topic. If you are a fan of Roman work you can not miss this book.

Personally I have been waiting a very long time for a book having to do with the children of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra Selene. And finally one has arrived. Make sure you go to your book store on Sept 15th 2009 and GET THIS BOOK.

Book Review: The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

Emerald rings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be…

Eloise Kelly has gotten into quite a bit of trouble since she’s been spying on the Pink Carnation and the Black Tulip — two of the deadliest spies to saunter the streets of nineteenth-century England and France. Not only has she been unearthing secrets that will change the course of history, she’s been dallying with Colin Selwick — great-nephew of Mrs. Selwick-Alderly, the keeper of important hidden documents — looking for a romantic adventure to call her own.

Little does she know there’s another fierce heroine running headlong into history…

It’s 1803 England, and Letty Alsworth awakens in the middle of the night to discover that her sister, Mary, is about to make the very grave mistake of eloping with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe (second in command of the League of the Purple Gentian). In an attempt to save the family name, Letty tries to break up the midnight assignation — only to find herself accidentally carried off in her sister’s place. The ensuing scandal forces Letty and Geoff into a hasty marriage — and just as hastily, Geoff disappears on their wedding night, under orders to hurry to Ireland and help the Pink Carnation squash a ring of Irish rebels led by the Black Tulip. Not to be outdone by her husband, Letty steals away on a ship bound for the Emerald Isle, armed and ready to fight for her integrity, and to learn a thing or two about espionage — never imagining she might learn a few things about love on the way…


The deception of the emerald ring proves to be another fantastic book in the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. Now I will admit that several times while reading this novel, I wanted to smack Geoffrey and than toss him into a river or something. He so very richly deserved that! But as most heroes do, he eventually redeemed himself.

Once again we find ourselves following a duel story line. One of modern time, and one of history. Sadly we still find Eloise in her very Bridget Jones like love match and mooning over the handsome Colin Selwick. She also finds herself out on a date with someone that her grandma thinks she will like and that ends just hilariously. You will have to read it to find out though; I won’t be the one to ruin that one for you.

And in historical time we find the lovely Letty who mistakenly gets herself ruined and steals her sister’s beau and ends up marrying him! Hence you see why we wish to toss Geoffrey into a river. But alas none the less the story is filled with what I have come to expect from these novels. Fun, adventure, love and much more. So I say with this one, keep on reading.

Book Review: Founding Mothers by Cookie Roberts


In the histories of the American Revolution, much has been written about America’s founding fathers, those brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution. Yet the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters who supported, encouraged, and even advised them have been virtually ignored.

In Founding Mothers, New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts brings to light the stories of the women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, sometimes even defending their very doorsteps from British occupation. While the men went off to war or to Congress, the women managed their husbands’ businesses, ran the farms, and raised their children. These women who sacrificed for the fledgling nation spent months or even years apart from their husbands, at a time when letters were their only form of contact.

Drawing upon personal correspondence and private journals, Founding Mothers brings to life the everyday trials, extraordinary triumphs, and often surprising stories of Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Reed Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Martha Washington, and other patriotic and passionate women, each of whom played a role in raising our nation.

Founding Mother’s is a fantastic novel, I am a revolution fanatic and like anyone who is, I of course love our founding Father. However, Founding Mother’s takes a look at the unsung and forgotten helpers of the revolution, the women of the Fathers. Behind every, man is a fantastic woman. Think about it for a moment John Adams spent well really most of his marriage away from his wife. We know how things went between them through letters. Abigail Adams was a bit of a saint if you ask me. She ran the farm, raised the children and still managed to support the cause. With her and the women league, she made Salt Peter and any number of other things.

Martha Washington was lovingly called Lady Washington by the men of the army. She made shirts did what she could with supplies. She risked her own life to see and talk to the men of the continental army. Mostly she wished for some time with her husband, but she also had a sense of duty a sense of what needed to be done. She cared about the men in her husband’s army; she looked at them like her sons. She held their hands and she looked forward to seeing them all the time.

There are many more women who helped the cause. Some of them are not even in this book. In addition, all of them are enjoyable, all of them you will enjoy. There needs to be more books like this, more books that sing the praises of the women of the revolution.


Book Review: Nectar from a Stone by


It is 1351 in Wales, a country subjugated by England, beaten down by superstition, war, and illness. Elise, prone to strange visions and the sole survivor of a plague-ravaged family, has fled her village for distant Conwy with her servant Annora, running from a murder she was forced to commit in self-defense.

On the road, they cross paths with Gwydion, a moody Welshman seeking to avenge his murdered family and reclaim his estate, and are drawn into a bloody confrontation with another traveler. In its aftermath, Elise and Gwydion find themselves shocked by their developing feelings for each other, and they part.

As the women ultimately reach Conwy, a menacing shadow from Elise’s past creeps toward her, and she must face it to find the peace she longs for, and help Gwydion recapture his home, and her heart, in the process.

In a dazzling narrative where mysterious visions, powerful desire, and dark secrets from the past converge, Jane Guill spins a masterful tale of romance, revelation, and breathtaking suspense.

This book takes part in one of my favorite periods. The Black Prince was alive and running around England. Now of course he was not in this book, but I wanted to read it because it was one of my favorite periods of course. Nectar from a Stone has been on my TBR pile for a while, and so finally, in July I got to it.

Luckily, I was not disappointed sorely. The book did start a little bit slow; some of the establishing pieces in my opinion took to long to do. However, after the first several chapters the book did pick up. The back promises love and romance and revelation as well as suspense and you do get all of these items once you are passed the initial report.

You do get all the things the book promises, although for the genre the romance is a little over done in my humble opinion. Nevertheless, over all I do recommend this book if you like historical fiction and adventures.

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