The glorious, turbulent sixteenth century is drawing to a close. Elizabeth, Queen of England, has taken on the mighty Spanish Armada and, in a stunning sea battle, vanquished it.But her troubles are far from over. At home she is challenged at every turn by the brilliant but reckless Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, whose dangerous mix of passion and political ambition drives the aging queen to distraction. Just across the western channel, her colony Ireland is embroiled in seething rebellion, the island’s fierce untamed clan chieftains and their “wild Irish” followers refusing to bow to their English oppressors.

The historic meeting of these two female titans — perfectly matched in guts, guile, and political genius — sets the stage for the telling of the little-known but crucial saga of Elizabeth’s Irish war, a conflict at the very root of every subsequent Irish uprising. No one breathes life into these strong and pugnacious women as does Robin Maxwell in this captivating novel, a rousing tale that makes history gloriously real.

Being Irish and the fan of the reign of Elizabeth I as well naturally I was drawn to this book. Now it did start off a little slow, I will not lie to you there. But once you get through about the first 30 pages or so the book picks up. After that first hard block it is like the writer found their rhythm and settles into telling you the story.

Getting to be privy to a fun fictional look at the meeting between the famous Queen and the famous Irish pirate is fantastic. Grace O’Malley was one tough cookie! The Irish Pirate Queen is a fantastic woman who stood up for what she believed in against the English. Now granted in true life not all of what she did was thought of as good, but nor was the tyranny the English committed against the Irish. And as much as I love Elizabeth I she was one of the worst with Irish relations.

But you have to admire how the famous meeting went between the two women when Ní Mháille (Grace)

Sons were taken captive she wasted no time in petitioning the great Queen and her enemy. She met with Elizabeth at Greenwich Palace, wearing a fine gown, the two of them surrounded by guards and the members of Elizabeth’s royal Court. Ní Mháille refused to bow before Elizabeth because she did not recognize her as the Queen of Ireland, and wished to show Elizabeth this. It is also rumored that Ní Mháille had a dagger concealed about her person, which guards found upon searching her. Elizabeth’s courtiers were said to be very upset and worried, but Ní Mháille informed the queen that she carried it for her own safety. Elizabeth accepted this and, though the dagger was removed from Ní Mháille’s possession, did not seem to worry The women were only 3 years apart in age, an its said they got along very well. Their meeting was conducted in Latin as Elizabeth did not speak Gaelic, and Ní Mháille spoke no English.

If you have a passion for history, and love the time period this is the book for you. It gives you a close look at not only the meeting but the inner workings of the court of the mighty English Queen. And just how much her courtiers were after. Generally their own purposes.

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird’s world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire–that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny–with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

He vowed he’d never marry.

Patience wasn’t about to succumb to Vane’s sensous propositions. Yes, his kisses left her dizzy; his caresses made her melt; but he was arrogant, presumptuous…and, despite his protests, bound to be unfaithful – just like every other man. Patience had promised herself she’d never become vulnerable to a broken heart. But was this one vow that was meant to be broken?

You have to love the Cynster’s on a purely girly level you have to. A group of strong virile males who love family and protect it at all cost? Not to mention just how handsome the whole lot of them are. But ah this all seems to play against one Vane Cynster (as in weather vane thank you very much) because right of the bat Patience labels him an “elegant gentleman” which of course he is. But in her terms this means a man who doesn’t love and feels fit to sleep with anything he wants while keeping a wife and nursery at home. Ah but Miss Patience doesn’t know the Cynster’s very well now does she.

We follow Vane as he isn’t sure what to do about fates plan, and than his inevitable acceptance. And Patience having some issues of her own with the whole idea. All the while we have aback cast of characters, and someone who is stealing things. Now the plot with the thief and the scepter at times drama drags. But in the end it is curious and you do follow some sweeps and turns. Although I knew one person involved in it from the moment they mentioned a certain clue, (no I am not going to give it away.). Truly though bar a few small blips is fantastic. Huzzah to Stephanie Laurens and Huzzah to the Cynster men bring on the next one!

Hope Merridew dreamed of dancing the perfect waltz with the perfect man — and he’s not the tough, dark stranger who has come to London to court another woman. Only how can she resist him?
Sebastian has his own demons: a dark past to come to terms with and two desperately needy little sisters to care for. For their sake he must resist Miss Hope Merridew — but can he?

The Perfect Waltz is not a typical romance novel in some ways, and in many ways it is. The difference in this novel and so many others is that it deals with some difficult subjects. Our wonderful hero Sebastian has two sisters; his sisters were kidnapped before he could protect them properly. You see Sebastian didn’t start out as a rich man in ton society, he married into it. Due to what happened to his sisters they are a hard pair to deal with, they run off governesses one straps a knife to her thigh the other doesn’t talk. What is he to do? Find the perfect wife, of course. Ah, yes this is where we find it is a typical romance novel.

The story is written well, and over all I enjoyed it better than the first one. It still has a few small moments where it drags, but over all I did enjoy it. I liked the subject matter, and I liked that it was not afraid to go into deeper topics. The nice thing about this book as well is that it is a stand a lone there are some references to The Perfect Rake, but not many. You will still be able to know what’s going on. And enjoy getting to know Hope Merridew. If you’re looking for a historical romance, I recommend this one.

Book Description:
She ran from a brute…
Fleeing the harsh guardianship of her grandfather, Prudence Merridew escapes with her beautiful younger sisters to London. One of them must marry—and fast. To act as her sisters’ chaperone, Prudence invents a secret engagement to a reclusive duke… But when the duke arrives unexpectedly in London, she needs his help to avert disaster.

…into the arms of a rake
Aristocratic Gideon, handsome, rakish and with a strong frivolous streak, casually hijacks Prudence’s game, awarding himself a stolen kiss or three along the way. Used to managing sisters and elderly men, Prudence is completely out of her depth with a charming, devious and utterly irresistible rake. And her plot goes terribly—if deliciously—awry…

The Perfect Rake started out as a fantastic novel, it is a fun and light hearted romance that fits perfectly in the genre. I don’t mind saying that I am a little bit addicted to your bodice rippers, while I try to go with some that go against the grain lightly I still love the formula and the happily ever after. Which with The Perfect Rake you do get. However, the story ends up being a little lack luster.

But all is not lost, the book may not be perfect but it’s not a failure either. Over all the characters are likeable, and there are some rather amusing moments between Gideon and Prudence. So if you don’t mind a little bit of melodrama, and a slight drag in the center, you will enjoy the book. And for me while it wasn’t perfect, It did make me want to continue on and read the next book in the series.

Lillian Haswell, brilliant daughter of the local apothecary, yearns for more adventure and experience than life in her father’s shop and their small village provides. She also longs to know the truth behind her mother’s disappearance, which villagers whisper about but her father refuses to discuss. Opportunity comes when a distant aunt offers to educate her as a lady in London. Exposed to fashionable society and romance–as well as clues about her mother–Lilly is torn when she is summoned back to her ailing father’s bedside. Women are forbidden to work as apothecaries, so to save the family legacy, Lilly will have to make it appear as if her father is still making all the diagnoses and decisions. But the suspicious eyes of a scholarly physician and a competing apothecary are upon her. As they vie for village prominence, three men also vie for Lilly’s heart.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this book is wow. The imagery set forth is beautiful and the prose is profound. Julie Klassen weaves a story of emotion, and beauty. Of a young woman just trying to find her way in the world. When we first come upon Lillian Haswell (Lilly) she is a daughter who wishes to do what most daughters do at some time in their life, flee home. But as the daughter of an Apothecary she isn’t sure how she will be able to do so. Enter the brother of her long missing mother Rosamond.

The Apothecary’s daughter is a coming of age story. You will follow the stories of everyone in the book, but mostly you stay with Lillian. She has heart ache, and confusion and happy moments too. This is a real story, and it sucks you in. You care about the characters, you love them. You begin to wish Lilly could go back to London, or should she stay home? You never know which would be better, not until the very end.

The Pink Carnation, history’s most elusive spy and England’s only hope for preventing a Napoleonic invasion, returns in Lauren Willig’s dazzling imaginative new historical romance. The Masque of the Black Tulip opens with the murder of a courier from the London War Office, his confidential dispatch for the Pink Carnation stolen. Meanwhile, the Black Tulip, France’s deadliest spy, is in England with instructions to track down and kill the Pink Carnation. Only Henrietta Uppington and Miles Dorrington know where the Pink Carnation is stationed. Using a secret code book, Henrietta has deciphered a message detailing the threat of the Black Tulip. Meanwhile, the War Office has enlisted Miles to track down the notorious French spy before he (or she) can finish the deadly mission. But what Henrietta and Miles don’t know is that while they are trying to find the Black Tulip (and possibly falling in love), the Black Tulip is watching them.

Let me start this review by saying I am sorry for the delay I have been ill. Now…to the good part. *Completed April 30th*

Miles is eventually given the job by the War Office of finding the Black Tulip, a very dangerous French spy. You really will enjoy following Miles and Henrietta as they see about catching the Black Tulip. Because Henrietta doesn’t see why Richard should have all the fun. Why should her brother be the only spy in the family? Along the way somehow the pair (separately) realise…they are in love. But the key is…will they tell one another? If you enjoy history, and a bit of fun you will love the Mask of the Black Tulip. This is one you can’t miss.

Even a proper vicar’s daughter can make a mistake…. and now Charlotte Lamb must pay a high price for her fall. To avoid the prying eyes of all who know her, she hides herself away in London’s forbidding “Milkweed Manor,” a place of mystery and lore, of old secrets and new birth.

Sprinkled with fascinating details about the lives of women in Regency England, “Lady of Milkweed Manor” is a moving romantic drama about the redemption of past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.

The story of Charlotte Lamb is a story that will pull at your heart strings. We come upon Charlotte when her Father and Sister have turned their back on her. Because she made the unfortunate mistake of getting pregnant. At the time of course that was the fastest way to ruin yourself, and so they shunned her and tossed her out to a lying in hospital. While Charlotte has to learn how to deal with things in a much different way, and constantly reminds herself of her sin, she does in the end make some friends.

More than half way through I found myself wondering if Charlotte would ever have a happy ending. She is given the choice of one at one moment, but she doesn’t take it. You can not help but feel pulled to her and find yourself urging her to take something for her own benefit. The Lady of Milkweed Manor is written beautifully. Julie Klassen does a wonderful job, and you will find yourself reading the book from cover to cover without looking up to see how much time has passed. And while it may take a while to come to happen, this story does make you believe happy endings do happen.

Nannerl Mozart’s early days seem to be the stuff of fairy tales — traveling far and wide, performing piano concerts with her younger brother, Wolfgang, before the crowned heads of Europe. But behind the glamour lurk dark difficulties — the hardship of travel, agonizing bouts of illness, and the constant concern over money. Their father, Leopold, is driven by a desire to bring his son’s genius to the attention of the world. But what about Nannerl? Is she not just as talented? In a world where women’s choices are limited, what hope does she have of ever realizing her own dreams? In this lovingly crafted novel, author Nancy Moser brings to life one of history’s hidden heroines.

The story of Nannerl Mozart has not really been told before. We all know of her famous brother. But he was not the only Mozart who could play. In their younger years Nan and Wolfie played together as the WunderKinder, but those days are fleeting and soon disappear as their Father puts Wolfgang forward, and Nannerl is forgotten. After all is that not a woman’s place in the 1700’s? Sadly it was. Women truly had little to depend upon besides the men in their lives. Only a small few had their own livings. And those choices were limited.

I am a historical fiction fan, I truly am and this story lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. I was riveted and pulled into the story. Nan has a life that truly is sad, and filled with disappointments to herself. And yet overcoming all of that is love. She strives to tell us about the love in her life. She has complaints, don’t we all? But so often throughout the book she changes her mind. She learns from her mistakes, and she forgives so many wrongs. A wonderful woman who was loyal, and strong and steadfast her whole life. Many compliments for her, and she proves in the end of her life that she has learned. She says she has regrets, but that her life was full of people. And full of love. How can anyone truly ask for more than that? Pick up this book for sure, it is a must read.

Set in 1786 in the township of Rufford, Maine, Lawrence’s impressive historical suspense debut poses a fascinating conundrum and vivifies the society in which it arose. The story centers on the investigation by midwife Hannah Trevor of the rape and strangulation death of a young mother, Anthea Emory. According to a letter presumably written by Anthea, the dead woman was raped on three successive nights, by three different men, before one of them finally killed her. One of the three men accused is Daniel Josselyn, father of Hannah’s illegitimate seven-year-old daughter. Because the marks on Anthea’s neck match the imprint of Daniel’s three-fingered hand, he becomes the target of a lynch mob and flees in search of Anthea’s husband, whom he believes can shed light on her sad life and tragic death. Before following Daniel into the dangerous wintry wilderness to save him from the mob, Hannah finds that two of the three men accused in Anthea’s letter, along with Constable William Quaid, were members of a Rufford Patriot division that stumbled into an ambush at Webb’s Ford in 1777. In retaliation, three of the Patriots raped Anthea, then a young girl, and slaughtered her family. The final revelation of Anthea’s killer comes as a surprise, although several plot strands are left vague, and a few discrepancies are disquieting. At intervals, inquest transcripts, recipes, diary excerpts and marginally relevant testimonials punctuate the narrative, vividly evoking the Revolutionary period and providing authentic, if occasionally obtrusive background detail. While not perfectly fluid, the story commands attention as it immerses readers in its mystery and the past; like the extended quilt metaphor that runs through it, this novel is greater than the sum of its parts. — Publisher’s Weekly

This novel is not so much a mystery as a suspense novel. It grabs you when you first open the pages and pulls you in. Set in post revolutionary war Maine you quickly are forced into the world from a midwife’s point of view. Hanna is what you would think of as a feminist. She doesn’t conform to societies ideals for a woman. And really that is alright.

If you’re looking for a good historical that is just a short time after the revolution this is a good read. It doesn’t really have any romance on it. And you will follow a very interesting cast of women through the story.