Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

As Henry I’s Marshall, John FitzGilbert has all of the qualities to be successful – he’s smart, quick-thinking, resourceful, brave, respected and good-looking (which helps with his duties overseeing the court prostitutes). But history remembers him as the uncaring father who would rather let his young son die as King Stephen’s hostage than keep the promise he had made saying that he had the “anvils and hammers” to make better sons than the one he was about to lose. That son (William) would later become one of England’s greatest knights, a powerful noble and Regent of England.

A Place Beyond Courage explores the man behind that infamous speech – was John Marshall as uncaring and cold as this incident would lead one to believe? Or was there possibly more to the story and to the man? In Elizabeth Chadwick’s capable hands, medieval life during the war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda (daughter of Henry I) comes alive as men are forced to walk a fine line between loyalty and survival.

Although highly esteemed by Henry I, John’s position as Marshal is respectable but still fairly low in the court hierarchy. He decides to settle down and marries a young, skittish woman named Aline who proves to be too meek and pious for John. They have two sons but otherwise, their marriage is a disaster.

With the death of Henry I, two rival claimants for the throne emerge and men are forced to take sides. John initially supports Stephen and continues in his position as Marshal, but treachery and mistrust run high forcing John to switch sides and to make an uneasy alliance with his enemy - by taking a new wife, Sybilla.

As war wages around them, John and Sybilla develop a strong relationship and partnership – one that is put to the test when John is forced to hand over his youngest son to the king as a surety for his good behavior. John gambles on the fact that Stephen will not be able to call his bluff – a gamble he wins, but just barely.

As always, Chadwick’s strengths are in her ability to write wonderful, believable, dialogue and to breathe life into the names from history. Having completely fallen in love with the grown William Marshall in The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion, I found the young William here to be totally adorable with an innocent strength and a mischievous nature. One of my favorite scenes is during the poker game between John and Stephen when one of the king's men asks William if he wants to swing. Seeing that the man is grumpy, William tells him that he can have the "first turn".

A Place Beyond Courage is written with the attention to detail and balance between romance and war (a day-to-day fact of life at the time) that is the hallmark of Chadwick’s writing. It is the story of an ordinary man in extraordinary times

Rating: Excellent

This Giveaway is now closed.


Earlier this month a Weekly Wishlist post included A Separate Country by Robert Hicks (The Widow of the South) which will be released September 23, 2009. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I have 5 copies of the book to giveaway! All you have to do is leave a comment by August 31, 2009. The contest is limited to those in the US and Canada. Good luck!Here is a summary:

Set in New Orleans in the years after the Civil War, A Separate Country is based on the incredible life of John Bell Hood, arguably one of the most controversial generals of the Confederate Army--and one of its most tragic figures. Robert E. Lee promoted him to major general after the Battle of Antietam. But the Civil War would mark him forever. At Gettysburg, he lost the use of his left arm. At the Battle of Chickamauga, his right leg was amputated. Starting fresh after the war, he married Anna Marie Hennen and fathered 11 children with her, including three sets of twins. But fate had other plans. Crippled by his war wounds and defeat, ravaged by financial misfortune, Hood had one last foe to battle: Yellow Fever. A Separate Country is the heartrending story of a decent and good man who struggled with his inability to admit his failures-and the story of those who taught him to love, and to be loved, and transformed him.

Please note: I do allow anonymous comments, so if you do not have a blog ID through which I can easily identify you, please make sure you leave your name (and an email address would be helpful ) in your comment or I won't know who you are if you win! Thanks.

Eleanor the Queen by Norah Lofts. Reissue of her novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine. US release April 20, 2010

Nearly 20 years before Mary Boleyn emerged from obscurity in Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl, her story was told by Karen Harper in the book Passion’s Reign. Marketed as a romance novel at the time, in 2006 the book was reissued and re-titled, The Last Boleyn.

Beginning shortly before Mary leaves for France as part of the retinue of the English princess, Mary Tudor, Harper covers Mary’s life up to around the time of her sister Anne’s death. In between, is a mostly entertaining, easily readable account of Mary’s role as a daughter, pawn, sex object, mistress, wife, lover and sister that seems to stick fairly close to known history (with one exception which forms the “romance” part of the story).

Mary is dazzled by the ways of the French court and by Francois (later Francois I). A young pre-teen, she imagines herself in love with the young heir and wonders what it would be like to be loved by him in return. Of course, it is not long before she finds out – and what she discovers devastates her youthful ideals of love. When she leaves the French court, she is disillusioned and disgraced. But not to worry. Father has grand ideas.

As Mary goes on to become the mistress of Henry VIII and wife to William Carey, she is plagued by a handsome young courtier, William Stafford. Stafford (or “Staff” as he is referred to) is taken with Mary’s beauty and sweetness and makes no secret that he cares for her. There is the typical romance novel “tension” between Mary and Staff with Mary infuriated, yet also intrigued by what she views as his arrogance and impudence. In spite of herself and finding herself discarded by another king, she falls for him.

Told in third person, the story is firmly Mary’s. Of course her sister Anne has a role, but unlike The Other Boleyn Girl, the focus does not shift and Anne’s problems do not take over the story. Mary watches her sister rise –and fall -in the king’s affection, sometimes from a distance as she deals with her own life. Often yearning for her father to love her or to show any measure of concern, she nonetheless finds enough courage to refuse to allow her son to be used as her father’s pawn as Anne’s demise becomes obvious and the stakes for power become greater.

For the most part, I liked Harper’s portrayal of Mary. Not as smart or sophisticated as her sister, Mary has an inherent charm about her and tries to make the best out of the situations she finds herself in. And Staff, well, let’s just say that he might give Chadwick’s William Marshall or Penman’s Llywelyn the Great a run for their money! Since it was written as a romance novel, there are a fair number of sex scenes written in the typical early 80’s style (somewhat on the over the top descriptive side but not crude).

As far as I know there is no evidence to suggest and Mary and William Stafford met and began their relationship as early as Harper’s story would indicate. But I didn’t mind that bit of fictional license as it allowed Mary to have something to hold on to that make her life more bearable. I felt sorry for Mary most of the time – except when she was with Staff. Then I was just jealous! Harper does make a couple of minor mistakes, including referring to Jane Parker (wife of George Boleyn) as Jane Rochford before they are married and she does refer to Anne’s alleged sixth finger.

In Passion’s Reign, Mary is not merely “the sister of Anne Boleyn”, but a woman in her own right with her own story that deserves to be told.

Rating: Good

I recently finished reading the recent biography about Mary Boleyn (review will be posted in a day or so) and one of the pictures included is a color one of William Carey, Mary's first husband. He appears to be a pleasant looking guy. From the credits, it looks like it is from a private collection. Born around 1500, Carey's mother was a Beaufort (on her mother's side), descended from the Edmund Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somserset which made Carey a distant cousin of Henry VIII. Carey and Mary Boleyn were married in 1520. He died in 1528 of the sweating sickness.

I posted these covers a few weeks ago of the new paperbacks of Sharon Kay Penman's Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy that are scheduled for release in the US on July 28, 2009. Even though the first two books are not currently listed on Amazon, I had emailed Ms. Penman about them and she assured me that they would be available on the 28th.



The Kingmaker's Sisters by David Baldwin. Non-fiction. Based on archival sources that have not previously appeared in print, this history of the Wars of the Roses is told from the perspective of the women behind some of the key participants as the conflict between York and Lancaster ebbed and flowed. An examination of the six sisters of Warwick the Kingmaker who all married powerful noblemen fighting on opposite sides in the Wars of the Roses, this history serves also as an exploration of the role of these women in 15th century society. This is the first time that the Wars of the Roses have been studied from a feminine perspective. US release August 1, 2009. Released earlier this year in the UK.

(Just in case you can't hear it through your internet connection, please note that there is enough w(h)ine in that title to last a mesnie of knights for weeks!)

Several weeks ago I came across a web site devoted to Anne Boleyn: The Anne Boleyn Files. Claire's website is devoted to debunking myths about Anne and she has some great posts. In addition, you can buy some wonderful Tudor inspired jewelry! This week, she announced that she had put together an awesome tour built around Anne's life.

The trip is May 17-21, 2010 and includes accomodations at Hever Castle, trips to Hampton Court, the Tower of London, meetings with authors, special tour guides, meals and other goodies. Unfortunately, it is a little out of my price range (especially considering we just went this year) - about $2500 to $3100 (depending on room options). This does not include airfare. If you want to check it out, Claire has set up a special website with all the info.

Now, about that w(h)ine - anyone have any cheese?

The Perkin Warbeck Conspiracy by Ian Arthurson. Non-fiction reissue. Perkin Warbeck, pretender to the English throne, claimed to be Richard, Duke of York, the younger of the two sons of Edward IV murdered in the tower. This book looks at who Perkin Warbeck was, how he was used by those in power in Burgundy, France, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, and the progress of the conspiracy itself. Perkin Warbeck has often been considered a side issue to Henry VII's reign, even as something of a joke, but this new book reveals how close the conspirators came to bringing about a fundamental change in the sway of European politics, and how Perkin Warbeck was used by those in power to further their own ends. Importantly, Arthurson not only sets the plot within the context of what was going on in fifteenth-century European politics, but also reveals new truths about Henry VII's reign. Illustrated with a wealth of contemporary portraits, paintings,engravings and documents, and with full notes and genealogical tables, this book, the first in-depth study of Perkin Warbeck, will appeal to all students of the fifteenth century. UK release October 2009.

The Plantagenets: Devil's Brood by Guy Fraser-Sampson. Fiction. Guy Fraser-Sampson takes history out of the classroom and brings the Plantagenets, a remarkably dysfunctional family who ruled England for three centuries, to a whole new class of readers. This is an absorbing historical narrative written as a story, not a dry academic discussion with dozens of footnotes, which will enthuse countless new readers whether young or old. Gripping and well written, the author's gentle humour and warm humanity shines through this remarkable history book. UK release May 1, 2010.

The Eagle and the Lion by Alison Weir. Fiction. It is the year 1152 and a beautiful woman of thirty, attended by only a small armed escort, is riding like the wind southwards through what is now France, leaving behind her crown, her two young daughters and a shattered marriage to Louis of France, who had been more like a monk than a king, and certainly not much of a lover. This woman is Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, and her sole purpose now is to return to her vast duchy and marry the man she loves, Henry Plantagenet, a man destined for greatness as King of England. Theirs is a union founded on lust which will create a great empire stretching from the wilds of Scotland to the Pyrenees. It will also create the devil's brood of Plantagenets - including Richard Cur de Lion and King John - and the most notoriously vicious marriage in history. "The Eagle and the Lion" is a novel on the grand scale, an epic subject for Alison Weir. It tells of the making of nations, and of passionate conflicts: between Henry II and Thomas Becket, his closest friend who is murdered in Canterbury Cathedral on his orders; between Eleanor and Henry's formidable mother Matilda; between father and sons, as Henry's children take up arms against him; and finally between Henry and Eleanor herself. UK release April 1, 2010.

A couple of weeks ago I indicated that Paullina Simons The Bronze Horseman was going to be reissued in the US in September. This is the cover. You can read my review of this captivating love story set during the siege of Leningrad here.

Mary Boleyn was the sister of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. From this picture, I can see why men - including two kings - were quite taken with her.

The Devil's Queen by Jeanne Kalogridis

US and UK Release Date: July 21, 2009

Catherine de Medici (1519–89) was the wife of one French king and mother to three. Intensely disliked by the French and kept in the background during her husband's reign, she came into her own after the death of her eldest son. The period of her strongest influence was also one of great political and religious unrest in France; she will be forever associated with the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of French Protestants. Making her hardcover debut with this well-researched and highly readable historical novel, Kalogridis (The Borgia Bride) treats Catherine with far more sympathy than most chronicles. In this portrayal, Catherine is highly superstitious, and her dealings with the astrologer Ruggieri lead her to commit unspeakable acts for the sake of her husband and children. In the end, though, fate cannot be cheated, and Catherine must deal with the consequences of her actions.






Hugh and Bess by Susan Higginbotham

Although scheduled for an August 1, 2009 release date, Amazon is showing this as in stock and Susan indicated on her blog that it is already in some bookstores. I read this shortly after it was first published and if you liked The Traitor's Wife, you will like this one as well.

Forced to marry Hugh le Despenser, the son and grandson of disgraced traitors, Bess de Montacute, just 13 years old, is appalled at his less-than-desirable past. Meanwhile, Hugh must give up the woman he really loves in order to marry the reluctant Bess. Far apart in age and haunted by the past, can Hugh and Bess somehow make their marriage work?
Just as walls break down and love begins to grow, the merciless plague endangers all whom the couple holds dear, threatening the life and love they have built.
Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham's impeccable research will delight avid historical fiction readers, and her enchanting characters will surely capture every reader's heart. Fans of her first novel, The Traitor's Wife, will be thrilled to find that this story follows the next generation of the Despenser family.

I have two words for this book – Loved it! (I ordered the UK version since I did not want to wait until the US release in September - I hate when they release books at different times!) Michelle Moran moves from the Egyptian setting of her first two books to that of ancient Rome, following the children of Marc Antony and Cleopatra – Alexander Helios, Kleopatra Selene, and Ptolemy Philadelphus- after the defeat and death of their parents.

Alexander and Selene are twelve year old twins when they are taken from Egypt by the victorious Octavian (nephew and heir of Julius Caesar) where they will be placed in the household of his sister, Octavia (who in a “truth-is-stranger-than-fiction” fact is the wife Marc Antony abandoned for Cleopatra). The children are naturally suspicious and hostile but are treated kindly by Octavia and her family and soon realize that they will not be treated as prisoners, but as guests (with the exception of course that they can’t leave Rome). They settle into their new life, make friends and hope that one day they will be able to return to Egypt. By the end, Selene learns that things as well as people are not always as they appear to be and that trusted friends are sometimes found where you least expect to find them.

With one third of the people in Rome living as slaves, not everyone is happy with the idea of slavery nor of the possibility that some day the slaves will outnumber the Romans. Stirring up trouble for Octavian on the issue is the Red Eagle – a sort of anti-slavery super hero. No one knows who he is, but suspicions fall on members of Octavian’s own inner circle and household. Moran weaves the Red Eagle’s antics through the story and along with a Gallic princess-turned-slave (to Octavia) and a couple of trials involving slaves and their owners, demonstrates some of the issues with the Roman way of life and their sense of justice.

From entertainment to shopping, the kind of food eaten and clothes worn, the political maneuverings and the unfortunate fate of unwanted children (especially girls), for a few days I was transported to Ancient Rome. I have read all three of Moran’s books and one of her strengths is the ability to create wonderful visual images that make you feel like you are there. The cast of characters is extensive (and dsyfunctional enough to rival any soap opera!) and their family relationships somewhat confusing. A list of characters helps, but a family tree to illustrate how everyone is related through marriage and remarriages would have been nice. A map of Rome as well as a glossary of unfamiliar terms are also helpful. Additional information includes what happened to the characters after the story’s end and a historical/author’s note.

Selene is extremely intelligent and sophisticated for her age, perhaps in part due to the education she would have received while in Egypt. With Selene as the narrator, it was sometimes easy to forget that during the course of the story she was just twelve to fifteen years old. But at times, you get reminders of her age as she struggles through those timeless teenage problems – fitting in, making friends and the difference between infatuation and love. First person is not my favorite, but I think it works fairly well and it didn’t seem to bother me as much as it sometimes can.

One word of warning – if you do not know much about Selene or what happened to her, do not Google her or you will ruin the end of the story!

Hazards of the job: "Charmion used to say that women who couldn’t keep their legs closed couldn’t keep their purses shut either." Selene as she looks at one of her father’s former mistresses.

Rating: Excellent

Katherine of Valois was a French princess but you would never know it by the way she was raised. The youngest daughter of King Charles VI and Isabeau of Bavaria, Katherine and her younger brother Charles were raised in near poverty, often without enough food to eat or decent clothes to wear. Their mother paid little attention to them, preferring to spend her time with men, parties and eating sweets.

I have read a couple of books about Katherine, her marriage to Henry V and her subsequent marriage to Owen Tudor and didn’t really think they did justice to her story. Vanora Bennett’s Blood Royal however seems to get it right.

Bennett spends a considerable amount of the story on Katherine’s childhood, the conditions of the French court and of the country. Katherine knows her father suffers bouts of an illness but for several years she does not realize that he is “mad”. She fears her mother who she knows is conniving and power-hungry and the subject of nasty gossip and speculation. Ignored by their mother, Katherine and Charles are often cared for by Christine de Pizan, an author in royal favor who takes pity on them and tries to make sure they are fed and keep out of trouble.

Into their world comes an English delegation looking to negotiate a marriage between their king, Henry V, and Katherine. The thought terrifies not only Katherine but also Charles who can’t comprehend the thought of being separated from his friend and protector. But a young man in the delegation, Owain Tudor, is befriended by Christine Pizan and included in her dealings with the royal children. Owain is captivated; Katherine welcomes his friendship.

Owain and Katherine’s friendship turns into something a little more but discouragement from Christine and renewed talks of an English marriage make them both see the futility of it. Although Katherine was initially against marrying Henry, changes in the political arena and continuing strife at home make Katherine see the marriage as a way out of her misery. Ultimately Katherine and Isabeau concoct a plan to make the marriage happen but even though the wedding doesn’t come about quite as planned, Katherine falls in love with Henry and is only too happy to disinherit her brother and leave France behind to become queen of England.

Katherine’s happiness is short lived however as she realizes her husband would rather be on the battlefield then with her. Alone in a strange country and struggling to learn the language, Katherine finds a friend in Bishop Beaufort and comfort in Owain’s presence in her life.

The last third of the book covers Katherine’s life as the Queen Mother, her struggles with those who have control of her son (Harry) and their return to France for his coronation. When her brother Charles has some military success (with the help of Jehanne of Arc), Katherine begins to question the competing claims of her brother and of her son and wonders if she has helped put a curse on the country. Through it all Owain remains her friend, confidante, advisor and eventually, her lover. But in their happiness they become a little careless, and when the Earl of Warwick (who has been responsible for Harry’s training and who hates Katherine) observes them kissing, only a quick thinking Isabeau saves them both. Bennett ends their story around the time of their marriage.

Although I don’t believe there is any evidence to suggest that Katherine and Owain met and developed a relationship as early in their lives as indicated here, Bennett creates a story that is well written and enjoyable. Katherine and Owain are both likeable and real – they make mistakes, have regrets and almost let happiness slip away. Isabeau is somewhat of a caricature, but the scene at the end between her and Warwick made me laugh. I thought some of the scenes between Katherine and her father (after she learns what his illness really is) were very touching and sad - made more so as Harry starts to display some of the same behaviors as his grandfather.

Bennett does a good job of explaining the political situation in France at the time as members of the royal family turn on each other. Blood Royal is only available in the UK, but you can get it from The Book Depository with free shipping!

Rating: Very Good

I've been able to find covers for some of my recent Weekly Wishlist postings so I thought I would share them with you. Please keep in mind though that things can always change and as I recently found out after ordering a book online, the cover you get may not be the one pictured.

US release September 1, 2009. UK release November 2009.

The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen. Based on thetrue but little-known story of Sofonisba Anguissola,the first renowned female portraitist of the Renaissance.After a scandal in Michelangelo’s workshop, Sofonisbaflees Italy and joins the Spanish court of King Felipe II to be alady-in-waiting to his young bride. Sofonisba befriends thequeen, only to become embroiled in a love triangle involvingthe queen, the king, and the king’s illegitimate half brother,Don Juan. The Creation of Eve combines art, romance, and historyfrom the golden age in Spain in a story that asks the question:Can you ever truly know another person’s heart?

US and UK release March 23, 2010

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. Yes, you read that right. According to Amazon, this will be released in the US on September 8, 2009. So far, this is the only one of the trilogy that I see is being released, but it's my favorite of the three. It is also listed on the Amazon UK site with a September 2009 release date, but says it is "currently unavailable".

The Queen's Lover by Vanora Bennett. There is no summary for this one yet, but the description for her last book, Blood Royal (about Katherine Valois) says that it is the first in a series of books about queens. US and UK release March 16, 2010.

Here's what is new in stores this week:

Here Was a Man by Norah Lofts. Fiction about Sir Walter Raleigh and Elizabeth I. US release July 14, 2009. Released earlier this year in the UK.

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant. Fiction set in 16th century Italy. US release July 14, 2009. Released in the UK June 25, 2009.

Claudius by Douglas Jackson. Fiction set in England in 43 AD. UK release July 16, 2009.

In every book that I have read about the Norman conquest in 1066, the focus has been either on King Harold of Britain or William of Normandy with the story mostly from their point of view and the author clearly sympathetic towards their subject. In The Golden Warrior (written in 1949), Hope Muntz presents a more balanced story of the two men whose actions nearly 1000 years ago would dramatically change the course of European history.

"The Kingdom of the English belongs to God; after Edward, He shall provide a King according to His pleasure." So said St. Peter in a dream of Bishop Brihtwold (William of Malmesbury). This prophecy would form the basis for the competing claims of William and Harold as each looked for a sign from God that he was the chosen one.

I had a hard time writing up what I thought of this book. Written in a style that I found somewhat difficult to get used to, the story alternates between what is going in Britain and in Normandy. You will not find grand descriptions of medieval life nor side stories not directly related to developing the plot towards its eventual conclusion. The other people involved in both men's lives - Tostig, Edith Swan-Neck, Matilda, Aldyth and Bishop Odo - are included in the story but only minimally where necessary. There is not a lot of historical context either – the reader is assumed to know something of Britain’s history at the time. It is a story about two men – who probably could have been friends but who were on opposite sides of ambition. Each thought their cause was right and believed that God would reward them with victory.

The introduction to the book describes its style as that of the great epics – straightforward renditions largely lacking in emotion or sentiment. I think that is a pretty accurate assessment as it brought to mind The Odyssey or The Illiad. And even though I can’t really say that those are among my favorite books that I have ever read, I do have a certain level of appreciation for them. I think that’s how I feel about The Golden Warrior. There is no editorializing, no contemplating “what ifs” and no speculation as to what might have been.

Muntz indicates in a brief note that where legends were useful to the story and did not conflict with the known historical record, she utilized them. The style in which it is written seems to have tried to imitate the way people would have talked then, with some slight "modernization". As a result, the sentence structure is often odd and somewhat awkward to read, making it hard to get through sometimes.

I can't say that I disliked the book; it's just different. And although I think The Golden Warrior is a good rendition of the saga between these two men, it may not be for everyone due to the way in which it is written.

Rating: Good

In case anyone didn't know, Plaidy's Plantagenet Series has been slowly being reissued in the UK. The final three volumes will be published in October. I posted the new covers on my Book Covers Blog - here is the link: http://tanzanitesbookcovers.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-plaidy-plantagenet-covers.html. The Book Depository has free shipping worldwide and you can pre-order them there.

I will probably start doing some cross posting between the two blogs regarding new book covers - many of them are so pretty and I think it's easier to get excited about a book once you can see what it's going to look like! I'll admit it - I'm a cover slut (maybe I'll make that the name of a new feature!).

So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’


According to my "to read" shelf on Goodreads, I have 201 unread books. Since I only list books on Goodreads (and Library Thing) that I either actually own or have already read (including library books and ones that I have read and gotten rid of) that means I own 201 books that I have not read yet. Yikes! Here are some pictures of my bookcases:



















These are my unread fiction books. I apologize for the books on the bottom shelf looking like they are in jail, but because of the narrow gallery (it's barely wide enough for the folding chair that I use to reach the top shelfs), I had to take the pictures from the other side of the stairway.