Tanzanite's Castle Full of Books

It is Britain, AD 60. Three Roman towns are in ashes and thousands lie dead. With her new allies, the Trinovantes and the Catuvellauni, Boudica and the Iceni march defiantly towards their enemy. They seek one last pivotal victory to drive the Romans from their land forever. Not far away the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus awaits them. His ground chosen, his strategy decided, his small force awaits the great native army. If his strategy is sound they will prevail, if not they will be massacred, losing the province forever. Is it really revenge Boudica wants for the vile humiliations the Romans heaped on her? Or is she playing for much higher stakes? And Paulinus, can he defeat the odds to win the day? To answer these questions, this book will re examine events from a fresh, tactical perspective and produce a clearer picture of a revolt crushed on a newly suggested battle site, offering a new interpretation of a battle that decided 2000 years of Britain's cultural heritage.



King Harold II and the Bayeux Tapestry – Gale Owen-Crocker (editor). Non-fiction. US and UK reissue February 2011.
The papers collected here seek to shed new light on the man and his milieu before and after the Battle of Hastings. They explore the long career and the dynastic network behind Harold Godwinesson’s accession on the death of King Edward the Confessor in January 1066 The essays in the second part of the volume focus on the Bayeux Tapestry, bringing out the small details which would have resonated significantly for contemporary audiences, both Norman and English, to suggest how they judged Harold and the other players in the succession drama of 1066.


The French Queen’s Letters: Mary Tudor Brandon and the Politics of Marriage in Sixteenth Century Europe (Queenship and Power) by Erin Sadlack. Non-fiction. US and UK release April 12, 2011.
In this biography, Erin Sadlack contends that Mary was neither a weeping hysteric nor a love-struck romantic, but a queen who drew on two sources of authority to increase the power of her position: epistolary conventions and the rhetoric of chivalry that imbued the French and English courts



Aethelstan: The First King of England by Sarah Foot. Non-fiction. UK release May 31, 2011; US release June 28, 2011.
The powerful and innovative King Æthelstan reigned only briefly (924-939), yet his achievements during those eventful fifteen years changed the course of English history. He won spectacular military victories (most notably at Brunanburh), forged unprecedented political connections across Europe, and succeeded in creating the first unified kingdom of the English. To claim for him the title of "first English monarch" is no exaggeration. In this nuanced portrait of Æthelstan, Sarah Foot offers the first full account of the king ever written. She traces his life through the various spheres in which he lived and worked, beginning with the intimate context of his family, then extending outward to his unusual multiethnic royal court, the Church and his kingdom, the wars he conducted, and finally his death and legacy. Foot describes a sophisticated man who was not only a great military leader but also a worthy king. He governed brilliantly, developed creative ways to project his image as a ruler, and devised strategic marriage treaties and gift exchanges to cement alliances with the leading royal and ducal houses of Europe. Æthelstan's legacy, seen in the new light of this masterful biography, is inextricably connected to the very forging of England and early English identity.



The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller. Young Adult. US release July 2011.
Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia. Like the fingers on a hand - first headstrong Olga, then Tatiana the tallest, Anastasia the smallest, and Maria most hopeful for a ring. These are the daughters of Tsar Nicholas II, Russian grand duchesses living a life steeped in tradition and privilege. For these young women each on the brink of beginning their own lives at the mercy of royal matchmakers, summer 1914 promises to be a precious last wink of time to be sisters together - sisters that still link arms and laugh, sisters that share their dreams and worries, and flirt with the officers of their imperial yacht.
But in a gunshot the future changes - for them, and for Russia.
As World War I ignites across Europe, political unrest sweeps Russia. First dissent, then disorder, mutiny - and revolution. For Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, the end of their girlhood together is colliding with the end of more than they ever imagined.
At the same time hopeful and hopeless, naive and wise, the voices of these sisters become a chorus singing the final song of Imperial Russia. Impeccably researched and utterly fascinating, acclaimed author Sarah Miller recounts the final days of Imperial Russia with lyricism, criticism and true compassion.


The Courtesan’s Choice by Gabrielle Kimm. UK release July 7, 2011.
It is 1564 in Naples, and Francesca Felizzi, former mistress of the Duke of Ferrara, is now an aspiring courtesan. Beautiful and ambitious, she revels in the power she knows she wields over the men who pay for her company. What happens when she is visited by an inexperienced seventeen year old boy comes as a complete shock to her. In his company, it quickly becomes horribly clear to Francesca that, despite the many, many admiring patrons she has entertained over the years, she has never in fact been loved. And, in the face of that knowledge, the glittering and sumptuous life she has been leading for years seems suddenly little more than a gaudy facade. She has no choice but to continue working: she has two children to support. But then, a few weeks later, another unexpected encounter has far more devastating implications, which then plunge both her and her children into the sort of danger she has dreaded ever since she began to work the streets all those years ago.


The Roots of Betrayal (working title) by James Forrester. UK release July 7, 2011.
The brilliant new Tudor thriller from the highly acclaimed author of SACRED TREASON. 1564: Catholic herald William Harley, Clarenceux King of Arms, is the custodian of a highly dangerous document. When it is stolen, Clarenceux immediately suspects a group of Catholic sympathisers, the self-styled Knights of the Round Table. Francis Walsingham, the ruthless protégé of the queen’s Principal Secretary, Sir William Cecil, intercepts a coded message from the Knights to a Countess known to have Catholic leanings. He is convinced that Clarenceux is trying to use the document to advance the cause of the Catholic Queen. And soon Clarenceux enters a nightmare of suspicion, deception and conspiracy. Conflict and fear, compounded by the religious doubts of the time, conceal a persistent mystery. Where has the document gone? Who has it and who really took it? And why? The roots of betrayal are deep and shocking: and Clarenceux’s journey towards the truth entails not just the discovery of clues and signs, but also the discovery of himself.



The Pianist in the Dark by Michelle Haberstadt. US and UK release July 15, 2011.
A stirring novel of love and music inspired by the life of pianist Maria-Theresa von Paradis, a blind virtuoso who was a contemporary of Mozart and Salieri. Maria-Theresa von Paradis, the only daughter of the secretary of the empress of Austria, was an exceptionally gifted child. By the age of seventeen, she was a full-fledged virtuoso, playing for the royal family, acclaimed for her beauty and talent . . . and because she was blind. Her father, unable to accept her condition despite her soaring musical gifts, enlists the help of Franz Anton Mesmer, the forerunner of the modern practice of hypnotism, where Maria-Theresa discovers the passions and emotions from which her blindness had previously protected her. In the tradition of Sleeping with Schubert and The Cellist of Sarajevo, the novel is moving portrait of courage, loss, the elation of first love—and the pain of lost innocence.




Tyrant: Destroyer of Cities by Christian Cameron. UK release January 1, 2012.
Demetrius, son of Alexander's former comrade, Antigonus One-Eye, was perhaps the most dashing and charismatic of the Successors, the Macedonian generals who fought a bitter war for the spoils of Alexander's short-lived empire. Still smarting from his epic defeat at the hands of Ptolemy, Demetrius has his eye on one of the richest prizes in the ancient world - the naval superpower of Rhodes. But the Rhodians know that defeat will mean annihilation, and Demetrius's campagin will entail five separate naval battles over several years before he can begin to breach the city walls - leading him to employ an array of fantastic war machines: ancient super-weapons like his gigantic lens of polished bronze used to focus on the city's wooden ramparts and set them ablaze. If she is to survive against such a merciless assault, Rhodes will need the help of every ally she can muster - including the newly crowned King of the Bosporus, Satyrus, and his fiery twin, Melitta...



And for all you Outlander fans, a 20th anniversary edition of the book will be available in the US and UK in July 2011.

Here are a few covers for upcoming paperback releases:

Dangerous to Know by Tasha Alexander.  US release October 26, 2010; (UK release December 6, 2010).  Set in the lush countryside of Normandy, France, this new novel of suspense featuring Lady Emily Hargreaves is filled with intrigue, romance, mysterious deaths, and madness.  Returning from her honeymoon with Colin Hargreaves and a near brush with death in Constantinople, Lady Emily convalesces at her mother-in-law's beautiful estate in Normandy. But the calm she so desperately seeks is shattered when, out riding a horse, she comes upon the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered. The girl's wounds are identical to those inflicted on the victims of Jack the Ripper, who has wreaked havoc across the channel in London. Emily feels a connection to the young woman and is determined to bring the killer to justice.  Pursuing a trail of clues and victims to the beautiful medieval city of Rouen and a crumbling chateau in the country, Emily begins to worry about her own sanity: she hears the cries of a little girl she cannot find and discovers blue ribbons left in the child's wake. As Emily is forced to match wits with a brilliant and manipulative killer, only her courage, keen instincts and formidable will to win can help her escape becoming his next victim.


100 Dresses.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Non-fiction.  US release October 26, 2010; (released in the UK in September 2010).  What woman can resist imagining herself in a beautiful designer dress? Here, for the first time ever, are 100 fabulous gowns from the permanent collection of the renowned Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, each of which is a reminder of the ways fashion reflects the broader culture that created it.  Featuring designs by Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel, Madame Grès, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and many others, this one-of-a-kind collection presents a stunning variety of garments. Ranging from the buttoned-up gowns of the late 17th century to the cutting-edge designs of the early 21st, the dresses reflect the sensibilities and excesses of each era while providing a vivid picture of how styles have changed—sometimes radically—over the years. A late 1600s wool dress with a surprising splash of silver thread; a large-bustled red satin dress from the 1800s; a short, shimmery 1920s dancing dress; a glamorous 1950s cocktail dress; and a 1960s minidress—each tells a story about its period and serves as a testament to the enduring ingenuity of the fashion designer’s art.  Images of the dresses are accompanied by informative text and enhanced by close-up details as well as runway photos, fashion plates, works of art, and portraits of designers. A glossary of related terms is also included.



The True Memoirs of Little K by Adrienne Sharp.  US and UK release October 26, 2010.  Ninety-nine years old, with a sharp memory for every jewel she owned and every conquest she made, Mathilde Kschessinska—prima ballerina assoluta of the long-vanished Russian Imperial Ballet—sits down to write her memoirs.  And what a life it has been. The greatest dancer of the age, her scything technique caught the eye—and heart—of one Nikolai Romanov when she was only seventeen years old. When Nikolai ascended the throne as czar and was forced to give up his mistress, she turned her gaze on his cousins, the grand dukes; despite betraying each man with the other, her loyalty to Niki never wavered. As the last czar presided over a fatally crumbling empire, her devotion to the imperial family was tested in ways she could never have foreseen.  In Adrienne Sharp’s richly imagined novel, we see the seething beginnings of revolution and the blind giddiness of a doomed court. Based on fact, The True Memoirs of Little K is historical fiction as it’s meant to be written: passionately eventful and alive with emotions that resonate today. It is a magnificent entertainment.



The Wars of the Roses by Michael Hicks.  Non-fiction.  US release October 26, 2010;  (released in the UK in August 2010).  The Wars of the Roses (1455–85) were a major turning point in English history. But the underlying causes for the successive upheavals have been hotly contested by historians ever since. In this original and stimulating new synthesis, distinguished historian Michael Hicks examines the difficult economic, military, and financial crises and explains, for the first time, the real reasons why the Wars of the Roses began, why they kept recurring, and why, eventually, they ceased. Alongside fresh assessments of key personalities, Hicks sheds new light on the significance of the involvement of the people in politics, the intervention of foreign powers in English affairs, and a fifteenth-century credit crunch. Combining a meticulous dissection of competing dynamics with a clear account of the course of events, this is a definitive and indispensable history of a compelling, complex period.


 
 
 
 
Atilla:  The Judgment by William Napier.  US release October 26, 2010;  (released in the UK in 2008).  Third in a trilogy.  The Wars of the Roses (1455–85) were a major turning point in English history. But the underlying causes for the successive upheavals have been hotly contested by historians ever since. In this original and stimulating new synthesis, distinguished historian Michael Hicks examines the difficult economic, military, and financial crises and explains, for the first time, the real reasons why the Wars of the Roses began, why they kept recurring, and why, eventually, they ceased. Alongside fresh assessments of key personalities, Hicks sheds new light on the significance of the involvement of the people in politics, the intervention of foreign powers in English affairs, and a fifteenth-century credit crunch. Combining a meticulous dissection of competing dynamics with a clear account of the course of events, this is a definitive and indispensable history of a compelling, complex period.


 
 
 
 
The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig.  US and UK release October 28, 2010.   'Tis the season to get Pink! Lauren Willig's beloved Pink Carnation series gets into the holiday spirit with this irresistible Regency Christmas caper.   Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...   Reginald "Turnip"Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation- has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle," the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens'modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: an elaborate twelve-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?
 
 
Lives of the Queens of England by Agnes Strickland.  8 volumes.  Non-fiction.  US and UK reissue October 28, 2010.  The English writer Agnes Strickland (1796-1874) began her career writing poetry and romances before turning to biographical studies. This eight-volume series, written in collaboration with her sister Elizabeth, and first published between 1840 and 1849, was her most ambitious project. It provides accounts of the queens of England from Matilda of Flanders to Queen Anne. Hugely popular in the Victorian period, Lives of the Queens of England and its sequel Lives of the Queens of Scotland remain important landmarks in the development of biography as a genre, and provide interesting perspectives on women's contribution to modern historiography. Volume 1 contains eight biographies of medieval queens, from Matilda of Flanders (c.1031-1083) to Anne of Bohemia in the fourteenth century.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard III and the Bosworth Campaign by Peter Hammond.  Non-fiction.  UK release October 30, 2010;  (US release February 2011).  On 22 August 1485 the forces of the Yorkist king Richard III and his Lancastrian opponent Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond clashed at Bosworth Field in Leicestershire in one of the decisive battles of English history. Richard was defeated and killed. Henry took the crown as Henry VII, established the Tudor dynasty and set English history on a new course. For the last 500 years this, the most famous battle of the Wars of the Roses, has excited passionate interest and continuing controversy. Peter Hammond, in a vivid and perceptive account of the battle, retells the story of the tangled dynastic and personal rivalries that provoked the conflict, describes the preparations of the two converging armies and offers a gripping analysis of the contest itself. The latest documentary and archaeological evidence is considered, and the author weighs up the merits of conflicting interpretations of the battle and the battlefield. He also pays particular attention to the contrasting characters of Richard III and Henry Tudor, the villain and the victor of the drama, who are reconsidered as individuals and as commanders. This lucid, authoritative and readable new history will be essential reading for anyone who is intrigued by the short, unhappy reign of Richard III and the trial of strength that destroyed him.

(I finished this the day before we left for England and since that's been a couple of weeks ago, this will be rather short.)  Not much seems to have been written about Isabella of Angouleme – the beautiful, young heiress who was bethrothed to Hugh de Lusignan (Hugh IX) but caught the eye of the lecherous King John and became Queen of England.


Published in 2006, Queen Without a Conscience is Isabella’s story told by Isabella herself as well as several of those close to her – Hugh, Anne, her primary lady, King John, Isabella’s son Henry (later Henry III) and her second husband, Hugh X. Each chapter is clearly labeled with who the narrator is (as well as the time period covered) and most of the time the multiple POV worked pretty well.  Unfortunately by the end, I felt like it was all pretty shallow - lots of history but not a whole lot of insight into Isabella's character.

Initially you can’t help but feel sorry for Isabella. Betrothed at a young age to Huge IX, she goes to live with his family and as the two spend time together, they become genuinely fond of each other. Isabella even begins to look forward to her marriage. And then her parents are offered a bigger prize and with some lies about the fate of Hugh and the dangling of a crown and pretty dresses and jewelry in front of their vain daughter, the deal is done. Of course Hugh is mad as hell when he finds out his bride has been snatched away from him and he vows vengeance on England’s king.

Isabella finds she is happy with John – for a while. She quickly learns that she can get her way with him through sex and she uses it to her advantage whenever possible. But eventually she becomes disillusioned and as unrest grows in the country over John’s high-handed treatment of the barons, she begins to worry about her future. When John’s unexpected death fails to bring her the role she envisioned for herself in the government, she finds herself exiled to France where she makes a scandalous marriage – with Hugh’s eldest son who had been betrothed to her daughter.

Although I’m not so sure I would go so far to say that Isabella didn’t have a conscience, a definite change comes over her as she gets older and she becomes more grasping, ambitious, ruthless and requires constant validation as the former Queen of England. Even Hugh comes to no longer recognizes her and the pair become estranged.

While not a great book, I enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to reading the author’s other book, Queen Without A Country about Richard I’s queen, Berengaria.



In case the FTC asks: This one came from Paperback Swap.

My husband managed to get all of the pictures downloaded from his camera - there were more than he thought so I think the total between the two of us is now over 4,000 pictures!!  Anyway, here is the picture of me with Helen Hollick at the Battle of Hastings re-enactment.  It was very warm that day and me with a black shirt on, so not the best hair day...



Helen was very nice and extremely patient in talking with us - especially since I think we were delaying her eating her lunch!!  I took my copy of Harold the King with me and she was kind enough to sign it for me.  We talked about Harold, her writing in general and the 1066 movie project.  The battle was very interesting to watch and just like while reading Helen's book, I wished it had ended differently.

After 10  packed days of driving around England/Scotland, we managed to make it home late Sunday evening.  Although we had a really great time, by Sunday morning, we were ready to come home - sleeping in our own bed never felt so good!!  After 10 days, two trans-Atlantic flights and 1500 miles in the car together, it's amazing we didn't kill each other - we haven't spent that much time together since we were in college!   I'm still having some time adjustment issues (I woke up at 2 am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep...) but it's a small price to pay.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we ended up having to skip two places on our itinerary:  Ely and York.  The first was due to our flight leaving late from Denver, getting late to London and having to circle the airport for a while, the line at customs taking forever which didn't leave us enough time to do anything that afternoon like we had planned.  The second was because we decided we needed to catch up on some sleep by the middle of the trip.  I was disappointed, especially at not going to York, but being overly tired wasn't going to end well for anyone - especially the poor people of York!!

I ended up not buying any books there which was a good thing since on the flight back, one suitcase was .6 kilograms under weight and the other one was 1 kilo under - that was close!!  I did buy guide books though for all of the places we visited, some small trinkets and these (when I saw they had a whole set, I just had to have them - Happy Anniversary to me!!!!):




The day before I also had the opportunity to meet Helen Hollick at the Battle of Hastings re-enactment.  I"ll post a picture of that as soon as my husband gets it downloaded from his camera (I'm not allowed to touch it!).  Given that I got to meet two of my favorite authors, I was fine with not buying any books!!!!!

I'm hoping to start posting about the trip on my travel blog in the next day or so - I have about 3500 pictures to go through (we got a littel carried away...gotta love digital cameras!) so please pop over there and add it to your reader if you would like to hear about our trip.  Cheers!

Mary, Queen of Scots:  Truth or Lies by Rosalind Marshall.  Non-fiction.  UK release October 22, 2010.  Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most famous Scots in history. And yet the debate rages on as fiercely as ever about what this enigmatic Queen was really like. To some, Mary was a naive fool who allowed her errant heart to rule her head. To others, she was a clever, strategic thinker who secured the Scottish throne and the direction of the British monarchy. Murder, infidelity and intrigue permeate this story of one of the most turbulent times in history. Rosalind Marshall is renowned for her work on 'Mary, Queen of Scots' and she takes us through the key myths that surround this fascinating story.

It’s 866 and life is uncertain for the Saxons in Britain. As their ancestors invaded the land before them, now they are being invaded by men from the north. And as the King Arthur of legend united the Britons against the Saxons, now it is time for someone to bring the Saxons together in an effort to drive the Danes from their shores. That man will be King Alfred (later known as Alfred the Great).


Bernard Cornwell covers this period of history in (currently) five books of which The Last Kingdom is the first. The narrator and main character is Uhtred – a young boy who witnesses his families defeat by the Danes and who is taken prisoner by them. His captor, Earl Rangor, takes a liking to Uhtred’s character and spirit, sparing his life. Uhtred will be raised by the Danes and over the course of the next several years will come to think of himself as a Dane, even killing Saxons in the process. But as Uhtred becomes an adult, a small part of him longs to return to what he once was.

As one by one the Saxon kingdoms fall to the Danes, it is the last kingdom – King Alfred’s Wessex – that will finally hold their own. A Dane-trained warrior, Uhtred suffers an ugly betrayal and finds himself pledged to Alfred as they unite against a common enemy. He doesn’t like Alfred, but he comes to respect him.

Uhtred is a fictional character and overall, I liked him well enough and the first person narration works pretty well. Alfred is a little sketchy but definitely has the makings of a good king – he’s smart, thoughtful and cautious. He also suffers from a chronic stomach problem. Life was not easy during this time and Cornwell does nothing to pretty it up or make it something that it probably wasn’t.

There is no question that this is a male centered and oriented story and had I not heard such good things about the series (and of Cornwell’s writing in general) there is no way that I would have picked this up on my own. Despite the testosterone and sometimes battle heavy story, I enjoyed it very much. And that surprised me. I think it’s because at its heart, this is a story of loyalty, betrayal and finding one’s identity in a constantly changing world.  I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Women:  “I have heard some women complain that they have no power and that men control the world, and so they do, but women still have the power to drive ment to battle and to the grave beyond.” Uhtred on one of the reasons men fight each other (the others being land and power).



In case the FTC asks: This one came from Paperback Swap.

The Contess by Rebecca Johns.  US and UK release October 12, 2010.  The Demon's Parchment by Jeri Westerson.  US and UK release October 12, 2010. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein.  Young Adult.  US and UK release October 12, 2010.  Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.  Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

 
 
 
 
The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans.  US and UK release October 12, 2010.  Ellen Gowan is the only surviving child of a scholarly village minister and a charming girl disowned by her family when she married for love. Growing up in rural Norfolk, Ellen’s childhood was poor but blessed with affection. Resilience, spirit, and one great talent will carry her far from such humble beginnings. In time, she will become the witty, celebrated, and very beautiful Madame Ellen, dressmaker to the nobility of England, the Great Six Hundred.  Yet Ellen has secrets. At fifteen she falls for Raoul de Valentin, the dangerous descendant of French aristocrats. Raoul marries Ellen for her brilliance as a designer but abandons his wife when she becomes pregnant. Determined that she and her daughter will survive, Ellen begins her long climb to success. Toiling first in a clothing sweat shop, she later opens her own salon in fashionable Berkeley Square though she tells the world – and her daughter - she’s a widow. One single dress, a ballgown created for the enigmatic Countess of Hawksmoor, the leader of London society, transforms Ellen’s fortunes, and as the years pass, business thrives. But then Raoul de Valentin returns and threatens to destroy all that Ellen has achieved.
In The Dressmaker, the romance of Jane Austen, the social commentary of Charles Dickens and the very contemporary voice of Posie Graeme-Evans combine to plunge the reader deep into the opulent, sinister world of teeming Victorian England. And if the beautiful Madame Ellen is not quite what she seems, the strength of her will sees her through to the truth, and love, at last.




Insurrection by Robyn Young.  UK release October 14, 2010.  1262 A.D. In the dusty heat of French fields, knights battle for supremacy in a fierce tournament. At its violent heart is Edward of England, who leads his men under the banner of the dragon, a potent reference to the legendary King Arthur. As heir to the throne, Edward has a vision for his future kingdom – a vision sprung from the words of an ancient prophecy written in the time of Arthur himself – that will change the face of Britain forever.

1286 A.D. Scotland is in the grip of the worst winter in living memory. Some say the Day of Judgement has come. The king of Scotland rides out from Edinburgh into the stormy dark. On the road he is murdered by one of his own men, leaving the succession to the throne wide open. The king’s death is as a stone thrown into a pool, the ripples spreading far and wide. Civil war threatens as powerful Scottish families jostle for power, not knowing that Edward, now king of England, has set his own plans in motion.   But all is not destined to go Edward’s way. Through the ashes of war, through blood feuds and divided loyalties, a young squire will rise to defy England’s greatest king. His name is Robert the Bruce. And his story begins in INSURRECTION.

The Traitor's Wife by Kathleen Kent. UK release January 7, 2011. 
In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin’s home, taking charge of the neglected household and locking wills with everyone around her – including a mysterious Welshman who works for the family, a man whose forceful nature matches her own. Thomas Carrier is known throughout New England for his immense strength and height, and as Martha discovers pieces of his past, and his role as a soldier in the English Civil War, her fascination with him grows. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, near and far. In London, King Charles II is assembling a crew of assassins to capture or kill the man who executed his father.  As the threat of the assassins draws closer, Martha and Thomas’ relationship deepens and grows, and Thomas suddenly has everything to lose. It seems that even in the remotest parts of New England, he cannot be free from the haunting legacy of his past.





A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake.  UK release March 4, 2011.  Introducing a major new historical mystery series

The year is 1740. George II is on the throne but England’s remoter provinces remain largely a law unto themselves. In Lancashire a grim discovery has been made: a squire’s wife, Dolores Brockletower, lies in the woods above her home, Garlick Hall, her throat brutally slashed. Called to the scene, Coroner Titus Cragg finds the Brockletower household awash with rumour and suspicion. He enlists the help of his astute young friend, Doctor Luke Fidelis, to throw light on the case. But this is a world in which forensic science is in its infancy, and policing hardly exists. Embarking on their first gripping investigation, Cragg and Fidelis are faced with the superstition of witnesses, obstruction by local officials and denunciations from the Squire himself.







Rome:  The Spy's Revenge/The Coming of the King by M.C. Scott.  UK release May 12, 2011.  Two men. Divided by hate. Bound by war. The new historical adventure in M.C. Scott's Rome series.   AD 65: Two men will change the destiny of an empire. Sebastos Pantera, spy to the Emperor Nero, has undertaken the most dangerous of missions. Hunting often alone, with few he can trust, he must find Saulos, the most dangerous man in Rome’s empire, and bring him to bloody justice. Against him is Saulos. Consumed by private enmities and false beliefs, Saulos is pledged to bring about the destruction of an entire Roman province. Brilliantly clever, utterly ruthless, he cares only for his vision of total victory – and not the death and devastation such a campaign would bring. Between them is the huntress Ikshara. Beautiful and deadly, feared by men, loved by the beasts she cares for, she must decide who to support if she is to avenge her father’s death. Fought in the alleys and palaces of a royal city and inside the rocky fastness of a desert fortress, this is a violent and personal war between two men who have everything to gain – and a kingdom to lose …



Memoirs of a Bitch by Francesca Petrizzo.  US and UK release May 19, 2011.  The bitch. That's what the crew call me. The bitch. They say it behind my back. But I can hear them. My name's Helen, I was born in Sparta, but I went away for love. They used to say I was the most beautiful woman in the world. The minstrels are already making up stories about how little I've won and how much I've lost. Lying tales. They weren't there, after all. But I was. From her childhood in Sparta, through the turbulent years of her marriage, and of course her disappearance with Paris and its consequences, Helen of Troy tells her own story. In a lyrical and musical style, Helen sheds her legendary persona and walks from the page as a real woman of flesh and blood; the archetype of all the women who, throughout history, have followed their hearts, forsaking wealth and power.







With a Sword in My Hand by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem.  UK release June 3, 2011; release in the UK in April 2010.  Marguerite's father is desperate for a son. Instead he's stuck with a feisty, stubborn, red-headed daughter who refuses to behave like a lady. Shaking off the strict expectations of court life, Marguerite roams free - learning to ride, fence and outwit the boys. But the Count of Flanders has plans for his wayward daughter. Will Marguerite be able to resist the combined pressure of politics, power and a foreign prince? And has she met her match in Philip, the valiant knight in shirtsleeves? Based on the real life of Marguerite van Male (1348-1405), With a Sword in My Hand is an intense medieval adventure, and Marguerite herself is a brave, headstrong and thoroughly charming heroine.







The Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick.  UK release June 2, 2011. 


The Sword of Damascus by Richard Blake.  UK release June 9, 2011.  Murderous intrigue brings Aelric - Blake's engaging, murderous antihero - to Damascus as the triumphant Muslim caliphate sweeps up from Arabia to threaten Constantinople itself. Aelric knows the secrets behind Greek Fire - the flame-throwers that have kept what is left of the once-mighty Roman empire safe until now. And he has very little choice about sharing them with the new rulers. Or so they think . . . for Aelric has not lost any of the cunning and courage that so far, have kept him alive.

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted this month - been busy getting ready for our vacation.  There are two choices for this month's giveaway. 




To enter, please complete the form below by midnight October 31, 2010.  The winner will have 48 hours after they are notified to send me their choice of bookmark and mailing address.  International entrants and previous winners are welcome to enter.

This month my husband and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary and I decided it was as good a time as any to clean out some of the ARCs that I have lying around.  I have six books to giveaway so there will be six winners.  Here are the choices:


Great Maria by Cecelia Holland
Dark Moon of Avalon by Anna Elliott
Poison by Sara Poole
The Queen's Pawn by Christy English
Captive Queen by Alison Weir
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by CW Gortner


To enter, please complete the form below and indicate your first and second choices by October 20th. International entrants are welcome!! Winners will have 48 hours after being notified to send me their mailing address.  Winners whose first two choices have already been taken will be notified by me to make another selection. 

Penelope's Daughter by Laurel Corona.  US and UK release October 5, 2010.   The award-winning author of The Four Seasons retells The Odyssey from the point of view of Odysseus and Penelope's daughter.   With her father Odysseus gone for twenty years, Xanthe barricades herself in her royal chambers to escape the rapacious suitors who would abduct her to gain the throne. Xanthe turns to her loom to weave the adventures of her life, from her upbringing among servants and slaves, to the years spent in hiding with her mother's cousin, Helen of Troy, to the passion of her sexual awakening in the arms of the man she loves.  And when a stranger dressed as a beggar appears at the palace, Xanthe wonders who will be the one to decide her future-a suitor she loathes, a brother she cannot respect, or a father who doesn't know she exists...







Washington:  A Life by Ron Chernow.  Non-fiction.  US release October 5, 2010 (will be released in the UK in December 2010).  In Washington: A Life celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one-volume life of Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his troubled boyhood, his precocious feats in the French and Indian War, his creation of Mount Vernon, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America's first president.  Despite the reverence his name inspires, Washington remains a lifeless waxwork for many Americans, worthy but dull. A laconic man of granite self-control, he often arouses more respect than affection. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow dashes forever the stereotype of a stolid, unemotional man. A strapping six feet, Washington was a celebrated horseman, elegant dancer, and tireless hunter, with a fiercely guarded emotional life. Chernow brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods. Probing his private life, he explores his fraught relationship with his crusty mother, his youthful infatuation with the married Sally Fairfax, and his often conflicted feelings toward his adopted children and grandchildren. He also provides a lavishly detailed portrait of his marriage to Martha and his complex behavior as a slave master.   At the same time, Washington is an astute and surprising portrait of a canny political genius who knew how to inspire people. Not only did Washington gather around himself the foremost figures of the age, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, but he also brilliantly orchestrated their actions to shape the new federal government, define the separation of powers, and establish the office of the presidency.   In this unique biography, Ron Chernow takes us on a page-turning journey through all the formative events of America's founding. With a dramatic sweep worthy of its giant subject, Washington is a magisterial work from one of our most elegant storytellers.



She Wolves:  The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor.  Non-fiction.  UK release October 7, 2010 (will be released in the US in February 2011).    The boy in the bed was just fifteen years old. He had been handsome, perhaps even recently; but now his face was swollen and disfigured by disease, and by the treatments his doctors had prescribed in the attempt to ward off its ravages. Their failure could no longer be mistaken. When Edward VI – Henry VIII’s longed-for son – died in 1553, extraordinarily, there was no one left to claim the title King of England. For the first time, all the contenders for the crown were female. In 1553, England was about to experience the ‘monstrous regiment’ – the unnatural rule – of a woman. But female rule in England also had a past. Four hundred years before Edward’s death, Matilda, daughter of Henry I and granddaughter of William the Conquerer, came tantalisingly close to securing her hold on the power of the crown. And between the 12th and the 15th centuries three more exceptional women – Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, and Margaret of Anjou – discovered, as queens consort and dowager, how much was possible if the presumptions of male rule were not confronted so explicitly. The stories of these women – told here in all their vivid humanity – illustrate the paradox which the female heirs to the Tudor throne had no choice but to negotiate. Man was the head of woman; and the king was the head of all. How, then, could a woman be king, how could royal power lie in female hands?