Cover Crush: The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling

Hello, my name is Colleen and I am a cover slut. I know, I know....you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover. I just can't help myself!  A beautiful cover draws my eye every single time and I can't help but pick up the book it's dressing and see if the inside seems as intriguing as the outside. Sometimes it does, and sometimes a pretty cover is just a pretty cover. Either way, I love getting an eyeful! 

One of my favorite bloggers, Erin at Flashlight Commentary, created a weekly blog post called Cover Crush and she and some other blogger friends are sharing their favorite covers each Thursday. I've decided to join in this year and will link to their posts down below.

So, without further ado, my Cover Crush this week is.....

I love the bright colors on this cover that, for me, evoke thoughts of peaceful and empty lands untouched by man. The bold red barbed wire slashing through the title  makes me think that this land has been trapped and taken over in some capacity, and that something or someone has been imprisoned. It makes me need to know more!

Let's see what the story is really about:

From a forgotten moment in history comes an inspiring novel about finding strength and courage in the most unimaginable places. 

In turn-of-the-century South Africa, fourteen-year-old Lettie, her younger brother, and her mother are Dutch Afrikaner settlers who have been taken from their farm by British soldiers and are being held in a concentration camp. It is early in the Boer War, and Lettie’s father, grandfather, and brother are off fighting the British as thousands of Afrikaner women and children are detained. The camps are cramped and disease ridden; the threat of illness and starvation are ever present. Determined to dictate their own fate, Lettie and her family give each other strength and hope as they fight to survive amid increasingly dire conditions.

Brave and defiant, Lettie finds comfort in memories of stargazing with her grandfather, in her plan to be a writer, and in surprising new friendships that will both nourish and challenge her. A beautiful testament to love, family, and sheer force of will, The Lost History of Stars was inspired by Dave Boling’s grandfather’s own experience as a soldier during the Boer War. Lettie is a figure of abiding grace, and her story is richly drawn and impossible to forget.

Don't forget to check out what covers my blogger buddies are drooling over this week:

Magdalena at A Bookaholic Swede

Erin at Flashlight Commentary

Heather at The Maiden's Court

Stephanie at Layered Pages

Holly at 2 Kids and Tired

Created by Magdalena of A Bookaholic Swede

Audiobook Review: The Secret Life of Anna Blanc by Jennifer Kincheloe

Publisher: Jennifer R. Kincheloe, Ltd⎮2016
Author: Jennifer Kincheloe
Narrator: Moira Quirk

Length: 12h 44m
Release date: Nov. 14, 2016

Genre: Historical Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis

It's 1907 Los Angeles. Mischievous socialite Anna Blanc is the kind of young woman who devours purloined crime novels, but must disguise them behind covers of more domestically-appropriate reading. She could match wits with Sherlock Holmes, but in her world women are not allowed to hunt criminals. Determined to break free of the era's rigid social roles, Anna buys off the chaperone assigned by her domineering father and, using an alias, takes a job as a police matron with the Los Angeles Police Department. There she discovers a string of brothel murders, which the cops are unwilling to investigate. Seizing her one chance to solve a crime, she takes on the investigation herself. If the police find out, she'll get fired; if her father finds out, he'll disown her; and if her fiancé finds out, he'll cancel the wedding. Midway into her investigation, the police chief's son, Joe Singer, learns her true identity, and shortly thereafter she learns about blackmail. Anna must choose - either hunt the villain and risk losing her father, fiancé, and wealth, or abandon her dream and leave the killer on the loose.

What Did I Think About the Story?

Reading the synopsis of The Secret Life of Anna Blanc, I was instantly drawn to it as it has so many components that I love in historical fiction: a look into the customs and culture of the time period in which it takes place; a resourceful, intelligent female battling against the set stereotypes of the time; some sort of drama/action/adventure to keep me interested.  I've also been hearing great buzz about this audiobook version and was delighted at the prospect of finding another delicious audiobook to make my commute less frustrating and boring then it typically is. I'm happy to say that I did enjoy listening to Anna's story unfold very much, even if I did have some issues with the main heroine herself.

Speaking of Anna Blanc (or Anna Holmes or Ami Amour depending on whether she was using one of her aliases or not), I'm sorry to say that I wasn't a huge fan of her as a character. She was quite selfish, impulsive, and arrogant and this all served to undermined her natural talents at detective work and obvious intelligence. She seemed to act without any regard for how her actions would effect other people and even destroyed the property of other people without seeming to care. She also came off as somewhat flighty at times, which made for a really odd dichotomy between her obvious abilities and her ditzy persona. She seemed shocked when people didn't take her seriously, but then did things over and over again that would  make anyone not take her seriously! I'm not sure if I missed something by this being a listening experience over reading the actual book but I just had the hardest time wrapping my head around Anna Blanc.

Now, that being said, I loved almost all of the other characters! Joe Singer was an amazingly charming character and the brothel girls were hilarious. Actually, there was quite a bit of humor amongst most of the characters and I found the banter to be very entertaining. The actual search for the killer of the brothel girls was interesting as well and I can honestly say that I had no idea who the killer was and was surprised when he revealed himself.

Even with the delightful secondary characters, my absolute favorite aspect of this audiobook would have to be the narrator, Moira Quirk. She was amazing! Her ability to change her voice and make every single character distinct was unlike any other narrator I've listened to before. She was easily able to express the humor and danger and romance wherever it needed to be and made me excited to keep turning it on to listen to a little bit more whenever I could.

Anna Blanc herself aside, The Secret Life of Anna Blanc was very entertaining.  While I didn't connect with this particular heroine I can see how others might really enjoy her contradictory nature and, regardless, her adventures searching for a killer definitely keep your attention.

What Did I Think About the Cover

I found the audiobook cover that I've included above quite plain, but the book cover has a fashionably dressed woman hiding her face behind a large hat and I find that cover to be much more fitting for the story.


My Rating: 3.5/5.0





Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions for a free audiobook copy of The Secret Life of Anna Blanc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. Please see below for more information about the author, narrator, and the rest of the blog tour.

  



About the Author

Jennifer has been a block layer, a nurse's aid, a fragrance model, and on the research faculty at UCLA, where she spent 11 years conducting studies to inform health policy. A native of Southern California, she now lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two teenagers. She's currently writing book three in the Anna Blanc Mystery series. Book two, THE WOMAN IN THE CAMPHOR TRUNK, is coming out in Fall of 2017 from Seventh Street Books.

About the Narrator

Moira grew up in teeny-tiny Rutland, England’s smallest county, which is fitting as she never managed to make it past five feet herself. Moira’s work spans the pantheon of the voiceover world: plays for BBC radio, plays for NPR, video games, commercials, television promos, podcasts, cartoons, movies and award winning audiobooks. She's won Multiple Audie Awards, Earphone Awards, as well as Audible's prestigious Book-of-the-Year Award. She has lately set foot in front of the camera again, appearing in “Pretty: the Series” and the Emmy-winning “Dirty Work.”

Buy the Book

Audible⎮Amazon

The Secret Life of Anna Blanc Tour Schedule

Mar. 1: Chapter Break (Review, Spotlight, Dream Cast, & Narrator Interview)

Mar. 2: Candid Ceillie (Review & Author Interview)

Mar. 3: The Bookworm Central (Review)

             Rolo Polo Book Blog (Spotlight & Music Playlist)

Mar. 4: Lilly's Book World (Review)

Mar. 5: The Desert Bibliophile (Review & Spotlight)

Mar. 6: A Bookaholic Swede (Review)

             terriluvsbooks (Review & Dream Cast)

Mar. 7: Working Mommy Journal (Review)

Mar. 8: The Maiden's Court (Review)

             The Bookworm Lodge (Spotlight)

             A Literary Vacation (Review)

Mar. 9: Babs Book Bistro (Review & Spotlight)

Mar. 10: Dab of Darkness (Review)

               Desert Rose Reviews (Review, Music Playlist, & Dream Cast)

Mar. 11: Literature Approved (Review)

              Spunky 'n Sassy (Review & Spotlight)

Mar. 12: History From A Woman's Perspective (Review)

Mar. 13: Jorie Loves A Story (Review)

               Bound4Escape (Review)





Spotlight on Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story by Ann Hymes + Tour-Wide Giveaway!!

Publication Date: June 15, 2016
Secant Publishing
Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Genre: Contemporary/Women’s Fiction/Literary


Several generations of one family have lived, loved, and lied at Whimsy Towers, a unique oceanfront house in Chatham, Massachusetts. Strong women who refuse to be suffocated by marriage have found excitement and refuge in this house filled with artists and parties. Love surfaces in unexpected ways.

The newest owner, Theresa Alston Crandall, has just inherited the property and leaves her too-predictable husband in Virginia to spend time on the Cape and unravel family secrets and history. She swims, reflects, explores, and watches dramatic cloud formations float high over the ocean as she sorts through the choices in her path forward.

Romance arrives in the form of a young widower and landscape gardener with an awesome pickup truck, who likes Theresa’s dog and provides temptation to stay at Whimsy Towers. Tips of tree branches dance with the weight of birds that seem to scream warnings of danger, and the churning ocean disrupts family continuity.

Theresa learns how her Southern grandmother came to buy a storm-weathered New England house and how loveless marriage is not a mandatory life style. The final decision feels just right.

Praise for Shadow of Whimsy

“In her debut novel, Hymes presents a conflicted young woman who is beginning to question her humdrum existence. From grief and loss to forgiveness and redemption, Hymes does not hold back. The author steers clear of predictable outcomes in this unexpected story, providing ample romantic suspense and witty prose to keep the reader turning pages. Chock-full of rich descriptions of the New England coast, as well as surprising scandals and an adorable dog named Gypsy, the book should satisfy even seasoned beach readers. A captivating and uplifting tale best suited for fans of meaningful beach-town romances.” -Kirkus Reviews

Buy the Book

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Ann Hymes is a retired real estate broker and mother of two grown daughters. She has a B.A. in English from Mills College and an M.A. in English from Washington College. Her published work includes creative nonfiction. An active international volunteer, including service in the Peace Corps in the 1960s, Ann lives in St. Michaels, Maryland.

 

 

It's Giveaway Time!!

 

Five copies of Shadow of Whimsy: A Cape Cod Love Story are up for grabs during the blog tour! To enter, please click the link HERE.

Rules

 Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

 

Giveaway is open to residents in the US only.

 

Only one entry per household.

 

All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

 

Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 

Good Luck!!

 

 

Shadow of Whimsy Blog Tour Schedule

 

 

Monday, February 27

Kick Off at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, February 28

Spotlight at The Lit Bitch
Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, March 1

Review at Books, Dreams, Life

Thursday, March 2

Review at A Chick Who Reads

Friday, March 3

Spotlight at Cafinated Reads

Monday, March 6

Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Tuesday, March 7

Review at Book Drunkard
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Friday, March 10

Review & Interview at The Book Junkie Reads

Tuesday, March 14

Spotlight at Susan Heim on Writing

Wednesday, March 15

Review at Book Nerd

Thursday, March 16

Spotlight at CelticLady’s Reviews

Tuesday, March 21

Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Friday, March 24

Review at Blushing Babes Are Up All Night

 

 

 

 

 

 



Upcoming Release: A Lady in Disguise by Sandra Byrd

Publisher: Howard Books
Pub. Date: March 21st, 2017
Pages: 384

Book Series: Daughters of Hampshire #3
Genre: Historical Fiction


In this intriguing novel of romance, mystery, and clever disguise set in Victorian England, a young woman investigates the murder of her own father.

After the mysterious death of her father, Miss Gillian Young takes a new job as the principal costume designer at the renowned Drury Lane Theatre Royal. But while she remembers her father as a kind, well-respected man of the Police Force, clues she uncovers indicate he’d been living a double life: a haunting photograph of a young woman; train stubs for secret trips just before his death; and a receipt for a large sum of money. Are these items evidence of her father’s guilty secrets? His longtime police partner thinks so.

Then Gillian meets the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Their attraction is instant and inescapable. As their romantic involvement grows, Gillian begins to suspect even Lockwood’s motives. Does Lord Lockwood truly love her? Or is his interest a front for the desire to own her newly inherited property? And what should she make of her friend’s suggestion that Lockwood or men like him were involved in the murder of her father?

Soon Gillian is convinced that her father has left evidence somewhere that can prove his innocence and reveal the guilty party. But someone wants to stop her from discovering it. The closer she comes to uncovering it, the more menacing her opposition grows. With her life on the line, Gillian takes on an ingenious disguise and takes on the role of a lifetime to reveal the true killer—before it’s too late both for her and for those that she loves.

Advanced Praise for A Lady in Disguise

"Capturing a distinctively gothic feel, the third standalone novel in Daughters of Hampshire series beautifully pairs mystery with romance. Byrd's research into the traditions, culture and dark under belly of England in the 1800s resonates on each page to help readers become immersed in the era. Descriptions of lavishly sewn gowns and the fascinating world of the theater are brought to life by Byrd's superb writing." - RT Reviews


"This Victorian inspirational romance features everything fans of the genre expect: a plucky, relatable heroine with a visible Christian faith, a dashing but kind love interest, and a mystery element to foster tension until the dénouement and 'happy ever after' epilogue." - Book list


"With impeccable research and elegant writing, Sandra Byrd brings Victorian England to life in her latest novel, A Lady in Disguise.Readers of historical fiction will be delighted with the romance, mystery, and inspiration in this page-turning story, and they will be kept guessing until the end to see how the heroine will uncover the truth behind her father's death. Well done and highly recommended!" - Carrie Turansky, the author of A Refuge at Highland Hall and Shine Like the Daw


"Sandra Byrd's talent for keeping readers on the edges of their seats once again shines throughout this well-written tale. Brimming with mysteries from the very first page, lovers of historical fiction and historical suspense will adore discovering the startling truths alongside the heroine in A Lady in Disguise." - Dawn Crandall, award winning author of The Everstone Chronicle

 

Buy the Book

 

 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Books-A-Million

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than forty books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named by Library Journal as a Best Books Pick, as was The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr.

A life-long lover of Victorian Gothic romances, Sandra’s new series, Daughters of Hampshire, Mist of Midnight, the series’ first book, was honored with a coveted Editor’s Choice designation from the Historical Novel Society. The second book in the series, Bride of a Distant Isle, launched in March, 2016 and the third, A Lady in Disguise, will publish in 2017.

A devotionalist as well as a novelist, Sandra’s best-selling devotional for tweens, One Year Be-Tween You and God will be followed up with her first devotional for adults, The One Year Home and Garden Devotions. Sandra has also published dozens of books for tweens and teens.

weaves elements of that mystical, traditional genre with inspirational and literary threads.

 

Fine out more about Sandra on her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

 

 



Cover Crush: The Girl from Rawblood by Catriona Ward

Hello, my name is Colleen and I am a cover slut. I know, I know....you aren't supposed to judge a book by it's cover. I just can't help myself!  A beautiful cover draws my eye every single time and I can't help but pick up the book it's dressing and see if the inside seems as intriguing as the outside. Sometimes it does, and sometimes a pretty cover is just a pretty cover. Either way, I love getting an eyeful! 

One of my favorite bloggers, Erin at Flashlight Commentary, created a weekly blog post called Cover Crush and she and some other blogger friends are sharing their favorite covers each Thursday. I've decided to join in this year and will link to their posts down below.

So, without further ado, my Cover Crush this week is.....

Oh, doesn't this look spoookyyyy?? Right away I'm thinking ghosts and haunted houses and evil lurking within that house. With all the dark blues and (what I believe to be) flying ravens it's hard to miss the butter yellow title and the matching light on in that one window. Who's in the house? Is it the titular "Girl from Rawblood"? What might they be doing? These are the things the cover makes me want to find out! 

Here's the synopsis:

The genre-bending creativity of David Mitchell meets the gothic voice of Susan Hill in this highly praised debut

Iris and her father are the last of the Villarca line. For generations, the Villarcas have been haunted by "her." Her origins are a mystery, but her purpose is clear: when a Villarca marries, when they love, when they have a child—she comes, and death follows.

Confined in their lonely mansion on Dartmoor, Iris makes her father a promise—to remain alone all her life. But when she's fifteen, Iris breaks that promise. She dares to fall in love, and the consequences of her choice are immediate and heartbreaking. From the sun-spotted hills of Italy to the biting chill of Victorian dissection halls, The Girl from Rawblood is a lyrical and haunting historical novel of darkness, love, and the ghosts of the past.

Don't forget to check out what covers my blogger buddies are drooling over this week:

Magdalena at A Bookaholic Swede

Erin at Flashlight Commentary

Heather at The Maiden's Court

Stephanie at Layered Pages

Holly at 2 Kids and Tired

Created by Magdalena of A Bookaholic Swede

TLC Book Tours: Review of The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

Publisher: MIRA
Pub. Date: February 21st, 2017
Pages: 368

Synopsis

A powerful novel of friendship set in a traveling circus during World War II, The Orphan’s Tale introduces two extraordinary women and their harrowing stories of sacrifice and survival


Sixteen-year-old Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and being forced to give up her baby. She lives above a small rail station, which she cleans in order to earn her keep… When Noa discovers a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, she is reminded of the child that was taken from her. And in a moment that will change the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.

Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she must learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in undetected, spurning the resentment of the lead aerialist, Astrid. At first rivals, Noa and Astrid soon forge a powerful bond. But as the facade that protects them proves increasingly tenuous, Noa and Astrid must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another—or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything.

What Did I Think About the Story?

Please excuse me while I completely gush over The Orphan's Tale! I've read a few books by Pam Jenoff (The Winter Guest, The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach) but this newest book has now become my favorite.  I will try to organize my thoughts as concisely as possible for this review, but I'm on a kind of reading high at the moment after finishing this so please excuse any rambling.

First off, I cannot think of a more interesting and complicated setting for a novel than a European traveling circus during WWII.  Where else would you find such a dichotomy in one setting: the cold, bleak, terror-filled landscape of Nazi occupied Germany and France and the bright, bold, exhilarating circus that washes through to bring excitement and mystery to the people? Pam Jenoff does an exceptional job of bringing both aspects to life and creating a sense of both hopelessness and freedom within the hearts of the characters and the reader. This background also serves as the perfect hiding place for these vagabond characters as they all have things they are hiding or running away from, whether that be literal or figurative, yet they are all front and center when the Big Top opens.

Speaking of characters: it has been quite a while since I've found myself genuinely caring about what happened to the characters in the book I'm reading. My heart ached for not only Noa and Astrid but for Pete, the circus clown with a broken heart, Herr Neuhoff, the circus owner who used every resource he had to keep those in his care safe, and so many more. Each character is remarkably complicated and just as contradictory as the setting. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Noa and Astrid and watching how each helped the other when they needed it the most even when it put their own lives in danger. And the ending....it is a true testament to the sacrifices one will make for those they love. These characters go through so much, both physically and emotionally, and yet for so many of them it made them seem to fight that much harder and sacrifice that much more for those that are innocent and those they loved.

One aspect I wasn't quite expecting but which I ended up really loving was the time spent developing this circus life that plays such a huge part in the story. Everything surrounding the circus is just so fascinating! Learning about the dedication, skill, and practice it takes to be a performer, the customs and culture, what it takes to physically and logistically move such a large production around...everything is just so intricately presented with all the bright lights, colors, and grit by the capable hands of the author.    

The Orphan's Tale is top tier historical fiction. There are so many contradictions within the characters and the setting and these very contradictions are what fleshes it all out so perfectly. It's a beautiful look at the many and varied faces of love and family and the mesmerizing fact that both are  not always found where you expect them but forged when people are brought lowest and their real  nature shines through. I recommend this book to everyone!

What Did I Think About the Cover?

It is GORGEOUS! It's somewhat stark, but that fits the darker aspects of the story so well. Much of the story takes place in bleak and wintery settings and the boxcar could either be the one where Noa found Theo or one of the cars from the circus train, so it fits the actions within the story very well. It could also represent many of the emotions underlying the characters - loneliness, isolation, depression - so figuratively matches the story as well. Overall it's just a great cover!


My Rating: 5.0/5.0

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for a free copy of The Orphan's Tale in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Please continue below for more information about the book, the author, and the rest of the blog tour!

 

 

Praise for The Orphan's Tale

“I read this novel in a headlong rush, transported by the relationship between two vastly different women during World War II: a Jewish circus aerialist and a teenage runaway with a baby. Deftly juggling secrets, lies, treachery, and passion, Pam Jenoff vividly brings to life the agonizing choices and life-or-death consequences for a hardy band of travelers under Nazi occupation.”—Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

“Readers who enjoyed Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants will embrace this novel.”—Library Journal

“In prose that is beautiful, ethereal, and poignant, The Orphan’s Tale is a novel you won’t be able to put down.”—Bustle

“A gripping story about the power of friendship to save and redeem even in the darkest of circumstances, The Orphan’s Tale sheds light on one of the most colorful and inspiring stories of heroism in Nazi Germany. This is a book not to be missed.”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife

“Jenoff expertly performs a pirouetting tale worthy of a standing ovation. A circus of hidden Jews, a powerful friendship, The Orphan’s Tale proves that the human spirit defies hate, fear, and gravity with a triumphant ta-da!”—Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of The Mapmaker’s Children

Buy the Book





Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

 

 

About the Author

 

 

Photo credit: Mindy Schwartz-Sorasky

 

Pam Jenoff is the author of several novels, including the international bestseller The Kommandant’s

Girl, which also earned her a Quill Award nomination. Pam lives with her husband and three children near Philadelphia where, in addition to writing, she teaches law school.

 

Find out more about Pam on her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

 

 

The Orphan's Tale Excerpt Tour Schedule

 

 

Monday, February 6th: The Sassy Bookster
Tuesday, February 7th: Just Commonly
Wednesday, February 8th: From the TBR Pile
Thursday, February 9th: Chick Lit Central
Friday, February 10th: Bibliotica
Monday February 13th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Tuesday, February 14th: Read Love Blog
Wednesday, February 15th: The Lit Bitch
Thursday, February 16th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Friday, February 17th: Books a la Mode

The Orphan's Tale Review Tour Schedule

Monday, February 20th: A Chick Who Reads
Monday, February 20th: Barbara Khan
Tuesday, February 21st: Savvy Verse and Wit
Wednesday, February 22nd: Caryn, The Book Whisperer
Thursday, February 23rd: West Metro Mommy
Friday, February 24th: Reading is My SuperPower
Friday, February 24th: A Bookish Affair
Monday, February 27th: Building Bookshelves
Monday, February 27th: Just Commonly
Tuesday, February 28th: Bibliotica
Wednesday, March 1st: Kahakai Kitchen
Wednesday, March 1st: Susan Peterson
Thursday, March 2nd: A Literary Vacation
Friday, March 3rd: Cindy Burnett
Monday, March 6th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Monday, March 6th: Literary Quicksand
Tuesday, March 7th: The Lit Bitch
Wednesday, March 8th: The Romance Dish
Thursday, March 9th: Just One More Chapter
Friday, March 10th: Suzy Approved
Monday, March 13th: Reading Reality
Monday, March 13th: Diary of an Eccentric
Tuesday, March 14th: Patricia’s Wisdom
Wednesday, March 15th: Bibliophiliac
Thursday, March 16th: The Maiden’s Court
Friday, March 17th: View from the Birdhouse
Monday, March 20th: A Bookish Way of Life
Tuesday, March 21st: Write Read Life
Wednesday, March 22nd: 100 Pages a Day
Thursday, March 23rd: Silver’s Reviews
Friday, March 24th: Not in Jersey
Friday March 24th: SJ2B House of Books
Tuesday, March 28th: Travelling Birdy

 





Audiobook Review: The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Pub. Date: August 25th, 2015
Length: 18 hours, 3 minutes


Book Series: (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels #11)

Genre: Historical Fiction/English History/Tudor History

Synopsis

By the number-one New York Times best-selling author behind the Starz original series The White Queen, a riveting new Tudor tale featuring King Henry VIII's sixth wife, Kateryn Parr, the first English queen to publish under her own name.

Why would a woman marry a serial killer?

Because she cannot refuse.

Kateryn Parr, a 30-year-old widow in a secret affair with a new lover, has no choice when a man old enough to be her father who has buried four wives - King Henry VIII - commands her to marry him.

Kateryn has no doubt about the danger she faces: the previous queen lasted 16 months, the one before barely half a year. But Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn's trust in him grows as she unites the royal family, creates a radical study circle at the heart of the court, and rules the kingdom as regent.

But is this enough to keep her safe? A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn stands out as an independent woman with a mind of her own. But she cannot save the Protestants, under threat for their faith, and Henry's dangerous gaze turns on her. The traditional churchmen and rivals for power accuse her of heresy - the punishment is death by fire, and the king's name is on the warrant.

From an author who has described all of Henry's queens comes a deeply intimate portrayal of the last: a woman who longed for passion, power, and education at the court of a medieval killer.

What Did I Think About the Story?

I don't think I will ever get tired of reading about the Tudors or reading Philippa Gregory's books! It was actually Philippa's novel, The Other Boleyn Girl, that really cemented my love of historical fiction. While I've found myself getting behind with reading her newest books the last few years, my introduction to my library's audiobook rentals has presented the perfect way to get caught up. First up on the available books to listen to: The Taming of the Queen.

The Taming of the Queen is Henry's last wife - Kateryn Parr's - story and stretches from right before they are married until shortly after Henry's death. While there isn't anything new or revolutionary in this telling (at this point how could there be?!) I did find it to be a very interesting and entertaining presentation of what it would have been like to be married to such a mercurial and vicious man. Being from Kateryn's point of view we are able to see her husband go from a caring and giving man to one who gets pleasure from manipulating and abusing those closest to him at the drop of a hat. We also get to see  her grow into an intelligent and thoughtful woman ready to fight, however she can, for the reformist cause.

While I enjoyed seeing the political side of Kateryn's time at court, my favorite aspect of the story by far was the more emotional and tender personal side she had to keep as hidden as possible from those that would use that information to their advantage. Her love for Henry's mistreated and often ignored children was tangible and it was interesting seeing her effect on them, especially Elizabeth, knowing how their lives would eventually unfold. Her great love for Thomas Seymour was also very clear to see and I liked that he was presented as truly loving her as well and not just the cad he's often depicted to be. Her sister, Anne, also played a large part in the story, protecting her and guiding her as best she could, and their relationship was quite interesting as Anne, having served each of Henry's wives, was able to guide her like no other. I would love to read a book with Anne as the main protagonist as she comes off as very strong, capable, and intelligent in this story.

The narrator, Bianca Amato, was wonderful and did an amazing job of moderating her voice to keep the tone of the story appropriate: when Kateryn's marriage is new, happy, and the bond between husband and wife respectful, if not overly loving, the tone is appropriately light and hopeful; when Henry's leg begins to fester and his mood darkens the tone becomes tense and stifling. She really shone during these darker times and I give her credit for making the fear and anguish surrounding the court palpable for the listener.

Having loved Philippa Gregory novels in the past but having always read them instead of listened to them, I am very pleased with the audiobook version of The Taming of the Queen. Those who are already fans can find a new way to appreciate her work, and those new to her might find a story style to appreciate further. I definitely recommend this to those who love Tudor history as much as I do, or someone looking for something to keep them occupied during a long commute.
      

What Did I Think About the Cover?

If I'm reading a novel about the Tudors, then dangit I want a cover that shows them (or at least has the people on the cover appropriately dressed to represent them)! This cover is exactly what I like to see and represents the story within so well, especially since we get to hear about the painting of this particular portrait in the story. Perfectly fits the story!


My Rating: 4.0/5.0

 

I borrowed this audiobook from my library's Overdrive account. All opinions are my own. You can find more reviews and links to where you can purchase a copy of your own on Goodreads HERE.