Pretty, flirtatious, and ambitious. Nan Bassett hopes that an appointment at the court of King Henry VIII will bring her a grand marriage. But soon after she becomes a maid of honor to Queen Jane, the queen dies in childbirth. As the court plunges into mourning, Nan sets her sights on the greatest match in the land…for the king has noticed “her.” After all, it wouldn’t be the first time King Henry has chosen to wed a maid of honor. And in newly Protestant England, where plots to restore the old religion abound, Nan may be the only one who can reassure a suspicious king of her family’s loyalty. But the favor of a king can be dangerous and chancy, not just for Nan, but for her family as well…and passionate Nan is guarding a secret, one that could put her future — and her life — in grave jeopardy should anyone discover the truth.

Based on the life of the real Anne Bassett and her family, and drawing extensively from letters and diaries of the time, “Between Two Queens” is an enthralling picture of the dangers and delights of England’s most passionate era.

The Second in the Secrets of the Tudor Court series this book was very enjoyable. There was a couple of points that for me dragged a little bit I think that seems to be a pitfall when getting into deep well covered historical time periods, like the Tudor era.

Anne Bassett was a real person in the court and this is based on her life with of course some creative license like you do in a fiction. Anne goes along many different paths in her life, from young love, a secret pregnancy, freeing someone from the tower, to the kings bed. You can not ask for anymore action and intrigue then what you get in this book. There were moments that I really disliked Anne, but in others I enjoyed her and I could understand what motivated her over all. Its a good book one I enjoyed it had just the right peppering of The King without being overwhelming it really did focus on the people around him.

My Gemstone Rating:

In Mistress Shakespeare, Elizabethan beauty Anne Whateley reveals intimate details of her dangerous, daring life and her great love, William Shakespeare. As historical records show, Anne Whateley of Temple Grafton is betrothed to Will just days before he is forced to wed the pregnant Anne Hathaway of Shottery. The clandestine Whateley/Shakespeare match is a meeting of hearts and heads that no one, not even Queen Elizabeth or her spymasters can destroy. From rural Stratford-upon-Avon to teeming London, the passionate pair struggles to stay solvent and remain safe from Elizabeth I’s campaign to hunt down secret Catholics, of whom Shakespeare is rumored to be a part. Often at odds, always in love, the couple sells Will’s first plays and, as he climbs to theatrical power in Elizabeth’s England, they fend off fierce competition from rival London dramatists, ones as treacherous as they are talented. Persecution and plague, insurrection and inferno, friends and foes, even executions of those they hold dear, bring Anne’s heartrending story to life. Spanning half a century of Elizabethan and Jacobean history and sweeping from the lowest reaches of society to the royal court, this richly textured novel tells the real story of Shakespeare in love.(

Whether or not there was another Anne in Shakespeare’s life has been something that has been hotly debated. Some say there was a clerical error and she never existed others have found some fairly supporting evidence that she did exist at the very least. The book starts off a little bit slow for me but it does pick up once Anne goes to London. The story is not a typical oh they meet oh they fall in love story and I love it for that. The two love each other deeply and passionately but they also fight, and at times seem to “hate” each other. A very real life kind of story.

There is danger around every corner and that also seems to effect their love story. The time of Elizabeth Tudor’s reign was not one of total peace by any means especially if you did not agree with everything the Queen does and say’s. Overall this was a great book with good writing and complex characters. If you like Shakespeare and the Tudor era your going to like this book.

My Gemstone Rating:

Welcome to a world of intrigue of the most intriguing kind, where emperors and popes desperately vie for power, even as their subjects and servants engage in behind-the-scenes machinations of their own. “The Holy Roman Empire circa 1200 A.D.”

Impoverished young knight Willem of Dole believed he would spend his life in rural Burgundy, struggling to provide for his widowed mother and younger sister, Lienor. And so it’s with surprise–and apprehension–that he obeys a summons to the magnificent court of Konrad, Holy Roman Emperor, whose realm spans half of Europe. Willem’s mischievous friend Jouglet, Konrad’s favorite minstrel, is no doubt behind it somehow . . . but what’s in it for Jouglet?

Court life is overwhelming to the idealistic young Willem, who is shocked by the behavior of his fellow knights, for whom chivalry is a mere game. Yet under Jouglet’s witty, relentless tutelage, the naive knight quickly rises in Emperor Konrad’s esteem–until suddenly his sister, Lienor, becomes a prospect for the role of Empress. This unexpected elevation of the sibling “nobodies” delights Jouglet, but threatens three powerful–and dangerous–men at the court: the Emperor’s brother, Cardinal Paul, who has in mind a different bride for Konrad; the Emperor’s uncle, Alphonse, Count of Burgundy, who would keep secret certain things that only Willem can reveal; and most especially the Emperor’s own steward Marcus, who is hopelessly in love with Konrad’s cousin Imogen. For if Willem’s star keeps rising, Imogen will be betrothed to the knight by royal decree–and Willem’s star will surely continue to rise, unless Marcus figures out a way to stop it. But that would entail outscheming cleverJouglet, ablest of schemers.

Gossip, secrets, and lies are the fuel of daily life in Konrad’s court. As Konrad edges closer to proclaiming Lienor his bride, those around Willem play a perilous game of cat-and-mouse as they attempt to secure their own fortunes, knowing that even the slightest move can shift the playing field entirely. And through it all, Jouglet remains Willem’s most maddening yet staunchest ally. But what, really, does Jouglet stand to gain . . . or lose?

Transporting the reader to the brilliant, conniving heart of the largest empire of medieval Europe, “Revenge of the Rose” is a novel rich in irony and tongue-in-cheek wit, and reveals all the grit and color, politics and passion, of court life in the Holy Roman Empire.

It is books like this that made me fall in love with historical fiction. There are so many layers and so much fun with the different characters that you just enjoy reading each and every word as it unfolds. A couple of the twists I did guess them before they were revealed, however I did not care because it was still so artfully written you could not help but enjoy it.

I actually really liked Konrad even though he could be a bit of an ass sometimes. Overall as a ruler he was fair and forgiving unless you really crossed him in an unforgiving way. Willem really reminds me of William Thatcher from a Knights tale on several levels, but on others he is very much his own character so for me I connected to him the most. I would highly recommend this one to any lover of Historical Fiction.

My Gemstone Rating:

Release Date: May 28th 2013

From New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan comes this Romeo and Juliet-like story-the scorching second book in her wickedly sexy Legendary Lovers regency romance series, following Princess Charming.

When Lord Jack Wilde’s cousin tries to match him with Lady Sophie Fortin, he isn’t too thrilled by the prospect since Sophie’s family has long feuded with the Wildes. Nevertheless he attends a masquerade ball in disguise and when he meets Sophie, he’s drawn to her. The attraction is mutual-until she learns who he is. Angry that Jack has tricked her into lowering her guard under false pretenses, Sophie declares she doesn’t ever want to see him again. But then Jack shows up in unexpected places, driving her crazy with his seductive advances. She doesn’t want her parents finding out that she even knows him, let alone succumbed to his passionate kisses. If her father discovers Jack courting her, blood could be shed. Yet, Sophie still wants him and realizes that in order for the star-crossed lovers to be together, they must try to somehow settle the bitter feud between their families once and for all

This was the first book that I have read by Nicole Jordan and I did like it. I think for me some of the Romeo and Juliet stuff was a little bit to much, maybe even unbelievable which to me made the story drag in parts which is why the rating I have chosen for this one.

However the writing itself is solid and enjoyable it was not a bad book to read and if you like the genre or are already a fan of the author your going to enjoy this book. Lord Jack is your typical hero in a romance novel, he does not want to Marry he is a bit of a rake and a handsome devil. But hey that is what makes you adore him, and he does find himself attracted to Lady Sophie whether he wants to be or not. Over all not the greatest book I have ever read but it was a fun read and one I do not regret picking up. Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this one.

My Gemstone Rating:

China, 1929. For years Lydia Ivanova believed her father was killed by the Bolsheviks. But when she learns he is imprisoned in Stalin-controlled Russia, the fiery girl is willing to leave everything behind- even her Chinese lover, Chang An Lo.

Lydia begins a dangerous search, journeying to Moscow with her half-brother Alexei. But when Alexei abruptly disappears, Lydia is left alone, penniless in Soviet Russia.

All seems lost, but Chang An Lo has not forgotten Lydia. He knows things about her father that she does not. And while he races to protect her, she is prepared to risk treacherous consequences to discover the truth.

Again we join up with Lydia and her rag tag group of her Brother Alexei and Leiv but this time they are going across Soviet Russia. Just when things look the darkest when her brother has seemed to go away and leave her behind. Chang An Lo shows up and things for them seem to pick up right where they left off.

This is a wonderful book that brings to life the same pictures and ideals that you had painted for you in the last book. This time however instead of a bright flower like china being painted we get Soviet Grey and really a feeling for how things were in those days in Russia. While things were dark and gloomy some people bound together. I really enjoyed the twists and turns this novel took including where Alexei ended up, never would have thought it of him and yet at the same time it seemed to suit. If you enjoyed the Russian Concubine I think this second installment will be on the top of your list as well. I know I did!

My Gemstone Rating:

Rarely, if ever, does a new writer dazzle us with such a vivid imagination and storytelling, flawlessly capturing the essence of a land, a people, a legend. Conn Iggulden is just such a writer, bringing to vivid life one of the most fascinating eras in human history. In a true masterpiece of historical fiction, Iggulden takes us on a breathtaking journey through ancient Rome, sweeping us into a realm of tyrants and slaves, of dark intrigues and seething passions. What emerges is both a grand romantic tale of coming-of-age in the Roman Empire and a vibrant portrait of the early years of a man who would become the most powerful ruler on earth: Julius Caesar.
On the lush Italian peninsula, a new empire is taking shape. At its heart is the city of Rome, a place of glory and decadence, beauty and bloodshed. Against this vivid backdrop, two boys are growing to manhood, dreaming of battles, fame, and glory in service of the mightiest empire the world has ever known. One is the son of a senator, a boy of privilege and ambition to whom much has been given and from whom much is expected. The other is a bastard child, a boy of strength and cunning, whose love for his adoptive family-and his adoptive brother-will be the most powerful force in his life.
As young Gaius and Marcus are trained in the art of combat-under the tutelage of one of Rome’s most fearsome gladiators-Rome itself is being rocked by the art of treachery and ambition, caught in a tug-of-war as two rival generals, Marius and Sulla, push the empire toward civil war. For Marcus, a bloody campaign in Greece will become a young soldier’s proving ground. For Gaius, the equally deadly infighting of the Roman Senate will be the battlefield where he hones his courage and skill. And for both, the love of an extraordinary slave girl will be an honor each will covet but only one will win.
The two friends are forced to walk different paths, and by the time they meet again everything will have changed. Both will have known love, loss, and violence. And the land where they were once innocent will be thrust into the grip of bitter conflict-a conflict that will set Roman against Roman…and put their friendship to the ultimate test.
Brilliantly interweaving history and adventure, Conn Iggulden conjures a stunning array of contrasts-from the bloody stench of a battlefield to the opulence of the greatest city in history, from the tenderness of a lover to the treachery of an assassin. Superbly rendered, grippingly told, Emperor, The Gates of Rome is a work of vaulting imagination from a powerful new voice in historical fiction.

First thing you have to keep in mind when your reading this series, it does take some creative license. Second thing to keep in mind is that while we all know about Caesar’s later life we do not know as much about his young life. Now with my official I am a history buff and generally freak out about these things warning.

This is one of the few books that end up on my keeper shelf that are fiction. The Gates of Rome is one of the best written books of Ancient Rome there is. The characters come alive and leap off the page. You can smell the dirty streets and feel the bruises that come from practicing and then further along. I love seeing the shape that Caesar begins to take as he is a young man, we can see how he is going to become the great General that he becomes.

Brutus is almost likeable in this first book. I am not much of a Brutus fan anyone who knows me knows that, but in this book he is nearly likeable. There are moments when you feel bad for him, moments when you smile at his friendship with Young Gaius and moments where you can see what is going to happen coming clear as day. Overall this book gets a thumbs up must read from me.

My Gemstone Rating:

For all who have suffered great loss of heart, home, health or family; true home and genuine lasting love can be found.

When a horrific battle rips through Gettysburg, the farm of Union widow Liberty Holloway is disfigured into a Confederate field hospital, bringing her face to face with unspeakable suffering-and a Confederate scout who awakens her long dormant heart.

But when the scout doesn’t die she discovers he isn’t who he claims to be .

While Liberty’s future crumbles as her home is destroyed, the past comes rushing back to Bella, a former slave and Liberty’s hired help, when she finds herself surrounded by Southern soldiers, one of whom knows the secret that would place Liberty in danger if revealed.

In the wake of shattered homes and bodies, Liberty and Bella struggle to pick up the pieces the battle has left behind. Will Liberty be defined by the tragedy in her life, or will she find a way to triumph over it?

The Civil war was a trying time for all of those involved in it. Liberty is a widow who thought she would be able to move forward with her life with her plan and after the war. Sadly that does not happen for her. I did enjoy this book although parts of it dragged a little bit and a few times I just wanted to shake a few of the charters. Overall though it was a very enjoyable book. I feel if your someone who enjoys historical titles you will enjoy this one.

My Gemstone Rating: