Month: July 2019

Posted on

Top Ten Tuesday – New Author Discoveries This Year

Today’s Topic:  Freebie

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

I’m extremely author loyal. But I also love discovering new to me authors. One of my goals this year has been to read more by authors I’ve never read before. So far, I’ve had great success with this. So for this week’s freebie, I thought I would share some of my favorite new author discoveries this year.

Naomi Stephens – Shadow Among Sheaves -This cross between the biblical story of Ruth and Boaz and Bronte’s Jane Eyre fascinated me. And I was impressed by how well written this debut novel is.

Scarlette Pike – In Spite of Lions -This historical novel transported me to the plains of Africa and introduced me to one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever met – and it turns out he is a real life historical figure.  My Review for The Silver Petticoat.

 

Jenn Bennett – Starry Eyes, Anatomical Shape of a Heart  – This popular YA author is one I’m behind on discovering. I enjoyed Starry Eyes better than the latter.

Lucy Parker – Act Like It, Pretty Face, Making Up – Several people have recommended Parker’s contemporary romances, including Modern Mrs. Darcy. I devoured these three on the plane and loved them.

Melanie Benjamin – The Girls in the Picture – I loved this fictionalized story of real life female film pioneers, Mary Pickford and Frances Marion. My review.

J’nell Ciesielski  – The Songbird and the Spy – Though I haven’t yet read her well-received debut, I did enjoy her sophomore WWII romantic drama.

Jules Wake – From Rome with Love, From Italy with Love – Rom-coms and Europe? This author’s books are right up my alley.

Sarah McCoy – Marilla of Green Gables – As a fan of the Anne of Green Gables series, this is the book I never knew I always wanted to read. Just perfect. My review for The Silver Petticoat.

Carla Kelly – The Wedding Journey – Author Rachel McMillan has never steered me wrong with her book recommendations. I enjoyed this historical about a group of vagabonds making their way across war-torn Spain.

Nadine Brandes – Fawkes – Too much hype often turns me off a book. It took me a while, but I finally gave this historical fantasy a chance and am so glad I did.

Dorothy Adamek – Carry Me Home – This historical set on an Australian island is one of the best books I’ve read this year. My review.

Who are some authors you’ve discovered this year? Are there any you would recommend?

Posted on

Book Review – Fearless by Tamara Leigh

SUMMARY

When the haze of battle settles on the fields of Hastings, Norman warrior Guarin D’Argent does not expect to be the savior of a Saxon woman. But in rescuing her, he risks his own freedom when he is taken captive by her people.

Hawisa Wulfrithsdotter despises the Normans, not only for the atrocities committed against her people but also for the deaths of her husband and son. To her, all Normans are the same, until a certain silver-haired soldier saves her from his own kind.

During his time in captivity, Guarin and Hawisa come to know each other better, learning that a potential ally can hide behind the face of an enemy. However, despite their growing connection, they remain at cross purposes. Hawisa remains part of a rebellion against the Norman King William. She is convinced that the Saxons will once again rule England. Guarin knows better and owes his allegiance to her enemy king. But when betrayal comes from one of her own, will Hawisa be able to trust her enemy savior? Continue reading “Book Review – Fearless by Tamara Leigh”

Posted on

Classic Film Review -The Swan (1956)

Grace Kelly was a popular and talented actress beloved by her public. But she became even more loved by a larger public when she became the Princess of Monaco.

According to The American Film Institute,  MGM decided to capitalize on Kelly’s relationship with Prince Ranier by casting her as Princess Alexandra in the film The Swan. They even co-ordinated the release date of the film with that of her wedding. Helen Rose who costumed Kelly for this film also created her famous wedding dress.Talk about a genius marketing move by the studio! Because of this, The Swan is a good example of life imitating art.

THE SWAN SUMMARY

Princess Alexandra is her family’s only hope of regaining their royal eminence, generations after losing their throne. Her desperate mother, Princess Beatrice hopes to marry her off to Crown Prince Albert, who is travelling Europe in search of a wife.

When Albert arrives for a brief visit, Beatrice does all she can to throw the two together. But Albert mistakes Alexandra’s awkward shyness as disinterest and coldness and undertakes to avoid her.

Distraught, Beatrice talks her daughter into publicly flirting with the family’s tutor, in an effort to make the Crown Prince jealous. But her plan backfires in ways she can’t forsee.

To read my full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

 

Posted on

Top Ten Tuesday – Characters Who Have Overcome Disabilities & Adversity

Today’s Topic: Character Freebie (any topic you want that deals with book characters!)

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

I love a freebie topic! And as most of you probably can tell, I love a good romantic story. But even more, I swoon over a well written romantic hero. So originally, I was going to list the romantic leading men I had fallen for lately. But then I realized it is a topic I have covered more than once and wouldn’t it be nice to do something different.

One of the things I’ve been seeing more and more of in fiction in recent years is the inclusion of characters with disabilities and/or trauma. I appreciate that authors are writing these types of characters. Not only are they generally inspirational, but it also gives readers a glimpse into the challenges they face. Hopefully, this also makes us more understanding and compassionate humans in real life. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Characters Who Have Overcome Disabilities & Adversity”

Posted on

Queens of Mystery (2019)

Every now and then, something comes along that is really special. In its’ own unique way it captures your imagination and admiration. Such is the case for me with Acorn TV’s new series Queens of Mystery. As a fan of cozy mysteries, I’m always on the lookout for ones I haven’t already seen. This quirky little mystery series is an unexpected pleasure which fits the bill perfectly.

SUMMARY

Matilda Stone has returned home to her village of Wildemarsh to take up her new position as a Detective Inspector with the local police force. Mattie is also returning to her three single aunts who raised her after her mother’s mysterious disappearance.

Beth, Cat and Jane Stone are all crime mystery writers. They can’t seem to help getting involved in Mattie’s cases, much to the frustration of her boss Derek Thorne. Though Mattie takes her job seriously, she has a hard time setting boundaries with the women who raised her. To make matters worse, she falls hard for the local doctor and pathologist, Daniel Lynch. She finds herself frazzled every time they work a case together even though he already has a girlfriend. In the mean time her aunts can’t help but set her up with every eligible man they meet.

Together the Stone women are a crime-solving team to reckon with. But the mystery Mattie most wants to solve is the one her aunts don’t want her to – what happened to her mother.

For my full review, please follow me over to The Silver Petticoat Review.

 

Posted on

Top Ten Tuesday – Childhood Book Favorites

Today’s Topic: Childhood Favorites

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

Good grief, I’ve been reading so long and have devoured so many books that it is hard to remember back far enough to my childhood favorites. Living in a small town, both my city and school library was somewhat limited. And while I know my parents provided plenty of books at home, I can only remember a few.  So making this list proved a challenge. Continue reading “Top Ten Tuesday – Childhood Book Favorites”