history

The Book of Alys by Alan Gold

This was an interesting historical fiction set during the reign of King Henry II. It focuses on a young French princess, Alys, who arrived in King Henry’s court at the age of 8 years old betrothed to Henry’s son, Prince Richard. Alys suffered constant cruelty from Richard and was ignored by Henry and his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alys made it through Eleanor and Henry’s son’s rebellion unscathed, becoming Henry’s mistress shortly thereafter.

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July 26, 2023 0

A Short History of the World in 50 Lies by Natasha Tidd (Blog Tour)

I’m excited to be a part of Love Book Tours book tour for
this book.

This book is fascinating. I’ve always been a fan of history, so if you’re a history buff, or just like reading about how historical events occurred, you’ll love this book. The author does a great job of writing in the information in an approachable way so that even when I wasn’t aware of certain events or persons, I understood what the author was talking about.

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February 17, 2023 0

King of Kings (The Brunanburh Series) by M.J. Porter

I’m excited to feature 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 by 𝗠.𝗝. 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, one of my favorite Medieval England writers. The book is out now and I urge you to pick up a copy. I’m halfway through the book and enjoying this detailed account of the battle to unite the kingdoms of England. If you like character driven stories with plenty of court intrigue and battles, this is the book, and author, for you.

In the battle for power, there can be only one ruler.

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February 15, 2023 0

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

This is a sweet and heartwarming historical fiction set in England during WWII. After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott’s home and design business is bombed in the London Blitz, she leaves London and returns to her familial home in a small village. Hoping that her niece and nephew are more welcoming than her deceased, estranged brother, she appears on their doorstep with nothing but the clothes on her back. She wonders how she will handle living in a small village while she tries to rebuild her business and life back in London.

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June 3, 2022 0

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

This is a charming historical fiction set in 1950s London and is a follow up to the Jane Austen Society book, but can be read as a stand-alone. The story is set in Bloomsbury Books, a new and rare book store that has been running for a hundred years. It is run by men that are set in their ways. The general manager created 51 unbreakable rules that all employees must abide by, and they especially chafe the women working at the store.

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May 28, 2022 0

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a good YA Fantasy continuing the story of the Disney movie Brave. The book is set several years after the movie and we find Merida traveling the countryside learning new skills and the triplets languishing at home, unchanged and unmotivated. In fact, most of her family seems to be stuck, with little purpose or motivation to change things. Which is the problem.

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May 12, 2022 1

The Interpreter by Isabella Pallavacini

This is a good historical fiction book based on true events of the author’s father during WWII. It depicts parts of the war that I haven’t read much about – what was going on in Italy and Sicily during the war and how it affected the country and it’s people. The book focuses on one family’s experiences, ranging from Switzerland, Germany, Sicily, Italian and the United States.

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March 29, 2022 0

1979 (Allie Burns #1) by Val McDermid

This is a good historical fiction mystery thriller set in 1979 Scotland. Allie Burns is an investigative journalist at a newspaper in Glasgow, Scotland. She’s living in a “man’s world” and struggles to make her way and write the kind of stories she wants to write. Allie teams up with a co-worker to follow the trail of an illegal tax evasion scheme. From there the story escalates to much bigger issues that could cost Allie her life.

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November 1, 2021 0

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

This is a good historical fiction mystery set in Harlem in the early 1960s. Ray Carney came from nothing and with his drive and ambition he’s opened his own furniture store selling reasonably priced furniture. Money is always tight, so if his cousin Freddie drops off the occasional piece of jewelry, he doesn’t ask questions, and neither does the jeweler he takes it to.

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October 31, 2021 0