THE BOLEYN BRIDE

Publication Date: February 25, 2014

Kensington Publishing

Paperback; 272p

ISBN-10: 0758273363

From carefree young woman to disillusioned bride, the dazzling lady who would become mother and grandmother to two of history's most infamous queens, has a fascinating story all her own...

At sixteen, Elizabeth Howard envisions a glorious life for herself as lady-in-waiting to the future queen, Catherine of Aragon. But when she is forced to marry Thomas Boleyn, a wealthy commoner, Elizabeth is left to stagnate in the countryside while her detested husband pursues his ambitions. There, she raises golden girl Mary, moody George, and ugly duckling Anne--while staving off boredom with a string of admirers. Until Henry VIII takes the throne...

When Thomas finally brings his highborn wife to London, Elizabeth indulges in lavish diversions and dalliances--and catches the lusty king's eye. But those who enjoy Henry's fickle favor must also guard against his wrath. For while her husband's machinations bring Elizabeth and her children to the pinnacle of power, the distance to the scaffold is but a short one--and the Boleyn family's fortune may be turning...

About the Author

Brandy Purdy (Emily Purdy in the UK) is the author of the historical novels THE CONFESSION OF PIERS GAVESTON, THE BOLEYN WIFE (THE TUDOR WIFE), THE TUDOR THRONE (MARY & ELIZABETH), THE QUEEN’S PLEASURE (A COURT AFFAIR), and THE QUEEN’S RIVALS (THE FALLEN QUEEN). An ardent book lover since early childhood, she first became interested in history at the age of nine or ten years old when she read a book of ghost stories which contained a chapter about Anne Boleyn haunting the Tower of London. Visit her website at www.brandypurdy.com, you can also follow her, and her cat Tabby, via her blog at http://brandypurdy.blogspot.com where she posts updates about her work and weekly book reviews.

my thoughts

I enjoyed this book, however, I found it to be more about Anne's meteoric rise and cataclysmic downfall than about Elizabeth Howard. 

What little we learned about Elizabeth was quite contradictory.  For example, she claimed to be an unemotional mother, but she was destroyed when two of her children lost their heads..

Elizabeth Howard Bullen, excuse me...Boleyn...is not a likable person.  She is vain, frivolous and just not a nice person.  Some of this changes as she ages, but even with age, she is not a likable woman. We see a glimpse of her unhappy marriage to a man who thinks more of the king and his own position at court than he does of his family.

This is a well written book.  Despite my lack of love for the main character, I was intrigued enough to finish the book.  I will read more by Brandy Purdy, I enjoy her writing style.  

I give this book 3.5/5 stars

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Please don't tell my parents I'm a SUPER VILLAIN

Genre: young-adult, science-fiction, fantasy  

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Date of Publication: February 15th, 2014

Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan

Penelope Akk wants to be a superhero. She's got superhero parents. She's got the ultimate mad science power, filling her life with crazy gadgets even she doesn't understand. She has two super powered best friends. In middle school, the line between good and evil looks clear.

In real life, nothing is that clear. All it takes is one hero's sidekick picking a fight, and Penny and her friends are labeled supervillains. In the process, Penny learns a hard lesson about villainy: She's good at it.

Criminal masterminds, heroes in power armor, bottles of dragon blood, alien war drones, shape shifters and ghosts, no matter what the super powered world throws at her, Penny and her friends come out on top. They have to. If she can keep winning, maybe she can clear her name before her mom and dad find out.(less)

Paperback

Expected publication: February 15th 2014 by Curiosity Quills Press

ISBN139781620074633

edition languageEnglish

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about the author

Richard Roberts has fit into only one category in his entire life, and that is ‘writer’, but as a writer he’d throw himself out of his own books for being a cliche.

He’s had the classic wandering employment history – degree in entomology, worked in health care, been an administrator and labored for years in the front lines of fast food. He’s had the appropriate really weird jobs, like breeding tarantulas and translating English to English for Japanese television. He wears all black, all the time, is manic-depressive, and has a creepy laugh.

He’s also followed the classic writer’s path, the pink slips, the anthology submissions, the desperate scrounging to learn how an ever-changing system works. He’s been writing from childhood, and had the appropriate horrible relationships that damaged his self-confidence for years. Then out of nowhere Curiosity Quills Press demanded he give them his books, and here he is.

As for what he writes, Richard loves children and the gothic aesthetic. Most everything he writes will involve one or the other, and occasionally both. His fantasy is heavily influenced by folk tales, fairy tales, and mythology, and he likes to make the old new again. In particular, he loves to pull his readers into strange characters with strange lives, and his heroes are rarely heroic.

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Isabella: Braveheart of France

About Isabella: Braveheart of France

Publication Date: September 3, 2013

Cool Gus Publishing

Paperback; 218p

ISBN-10: 1621250911

She was taught to obey. Now she has learned to rebel.

Isabella is just twelve years old when she marries Edward II of England. For the young princess it is love at first sight - but Edward has a terrible secret that threatens to tear their marriage - and England apart.

Who is Piers Gaveston - and why is his presence in the king’s court about to plunge England into civil war?

The young queen believes in the love songs of the troubadours and her own exalted destiny - but she finds reality very different. As she grows to a woman in the deadly maelstrom of Edward’s court, she must decide between her husband, her children, even her life - and one breath-taking gamble that will change the course of history.

Does she submit to a lifetime of solitude and a spiritual death - or seize her destiny and take the throne of England for herself?

This is the story of Isabella, the only woman ever to invade England - and win.

my thoughts

Fabulous!!!  Isabella is an amazing woman.  We see her grow from a young child to womanhood.  She becomes the wife of Edward to form an alliance between England and France.  The title says it all, remember the movie Braveheart?  Isabella was the young wife of Edward, daughter in law of Longshanks.   Historically, the movie took several liberties with history.  Young Edward was already king when he married 12 year old Isabella.  

We watch her grown as a young girl, wife, woman and mother.  The character development is fabulous.  Not just with her, but with many of the other characters in this book.  I literally could not put it down!  

Colin Falconer has done a stellar job creating characters that appeal to the readers senses.  We feel Edward's pain throughout this book.  He is a sympathetic character, just not a good king.

I've read stories about the intrigue surrounding his death.  This book does a great job of tackling that issue.

All in all, a great read.  If you enjoy history, specifically British or French history, trust me, you will enjoy this book.

5/5 stars

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Twitter Hashtag:  #IsabellaTour

Watch the Official Book Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGBgmrsZLMA

Praise for Isabella: Braveheart of France

“What an intriguing story! … I'm enchanted indeed! Loved it!” - Montreal Times

“Author Colin Falconer has brought Isabelle's story to life … wonderful descriptive and succinct prose graces each page of this biographical novel.” - Great Historicals

“Isabella: Braveheart of France is a gripping read … this is phenomenal historical fiction that is highly recommended.” - Crystal Book Reviews 

About the Author

Born in London, Colin first trialed as a professional football player in England, and was eventually brought to Australia. He went to Sydney and worked in TV and radio and freelanced for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines. He has published over twenty novels and his work has so far been translated into 23 languages. 

He travels regularly to research his novels and his quest for authenticity has led him to run with the bulls in Pamplona, pursue tornadoes across Oklahoma and black witches across Mexico, go cage shark diving in South Africa and get tear gassed in a riot in La Paz. 

His most recent novels are Silk Road, set in the 13th century, and Stigmata, set against the backdrop of the Albigensian Crusade in Southern France in 1209. He currently lives in Barcelona.

For more information please visit Colin Falconer's blog. You can also find him on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

An Untitled Lady

Publication Date: December 20, 2013

Musa Publishing

eBook

ISBN: 9781619375963

Shocking family news forces Madeline Wetherby to abandon her plans to marry an earl and settle for upstart Manchester merchant Nash Quinn. When she discovers that her birth father is one of the weavers her husband is putting out of work—and a radical leader—Maddie must decide which family she truly desires, the man of her heart or the people of her blood.

An earl’s second son, Nash chose a life of Trade over Society. When protest marches spread across Lancashire, the pressure on him grows. If he can’t make both workers and manufacturers see reason he stands to lose everything: his business, his town, and his marriage.

As Manchester simmers under the summer sun, the choices grow more stark for Maddie and Nash: Family or justice. Love or money. Life or death.

my thoughts

Not your average historical fiction book.

An interesting and unique novel. NIcky Penttila has done her homework. She has combined history, mainly the Peterloo Massacre, with the aristocracy, working class and poor class.  

I did not like many of the characters, but I think many of the characters were not supposed to be high on the readers favorite list.  Of course, as a reader, I was interested in Maddie and Nash (main characters), but that's about it...the rest of the bunch were less than stellar. I had a difficult time finishing this book. I had to keep putting it down and going back to it. 

The end of the book includes an author's note explaining the Peterloo Massacre.  I admit, I was unfamiliar with the event.  She gave enough info to satisfy a history lover's interest.

Nicky Penttila writes stories with adventure and love, and often with ideas and history as well. She enjoys coming up with stories that are set in faraway cities and countries, because then she *must* travel there, you know, for research. She lives in Maryland with her reading-mad husband and amazing rescue cat. She’s chattiest on Twitter, @NickyPenttila, and can also be found at nickypenttila.com and on Facebook.