Carole's Monday: This son of York by Anne Easter Smith

Author: Anne Easter Smith 

Title: This Son of York

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Publication Date: November 10th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Richard III. A man. A king. A legend.

He ruled England for only two years, but the legacy of Richard III remains both fascinating and divisive.

From his childhood in the intensely loyal and close-knit York family to his rise as a thoughtful but troubled ruler, This Son of York is a passionate and deeply personal account of the life of Richard III. A man who loved his family and his country. A king who struggled to overcome the challenges not only of a turbulent time but his own human frailties. A legend whose true life is only now coming to light.

Inspired by the discovery of Richard III's grave and its revelations, award-winning author Anne Easter Smith brings together her decades of intense research, five celebrated novels on the Wars of the Roses, and her sustained passion for Richard III in this culminating book on the last Plantagenet king.

Been an eon since I read a book by this author and this came out about Richard...so I couldn't resist giving this a try.

This follows Richard from childhood until his death on the battle field. This is inspired by the discovery of Richard's grave recently, so we get to have little glimpses of the team who uncovered the body. 

I have always been back and forth about Richard. I never believed he was the monster that is portrayed but was he a saint? Absolutely not. He was a man of his time for sure, but I don't really believe he killed his nephews...but did he know the truth? Probably. Who knows? 

The author is really good and I enjoyed the other book by her. I really must read more. She has such a way of bringing these characters to life and absorbing you into the story and the drama. She makes these characters complex and human. Love it!

Even though I have my doubts about Richard, I really enjoyed his story here. She didn't butter him up to be a hero or a villain. He felt real to me and this version is my favorite of him. I did even pity him at the end there. Poor guy. Lost everything. He was so disrespected in his death. Darn that Henry. BUT you can understand why Henry just wanted to bury him and forget about him. 

At first I wasn't a huge fan of the glimpses of the modern day uncovering of his grave. As we did get closer to the end I appreciated it then. 

Overall, I really did like this story. I was completely absorbed into the story and our characters. Richard felt so real and this was my favorite version of him. This is a must-read if you have any sort of interest in the War of the Roses. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.  

Carole's Monday: Trailing the Hunter

Author:  Heidi Eljarbo

Title: Trailing the Hunter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, & Fantasy

Pages: ebook

Publication Date: October 30th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased opinion)

1661 in Norway.

Clara Dahl has made a decision. She has seen the dread and sorrow witch-finder Angus Hill has caused in her hometown and sets out to find him. Her goal is to fight the wrongful and wicked misconceptions about witch hunting. But the witch-finder’s influence is strong. How can she warn the villagers of something they don’t understand?

Clara’s heartfelt desire is to protect and rescue the women who are in danger without causing more harm. As Clara develops secret plots to thwart the plans of the notorious witch-finder and works to help the villagers, she finds friendship and the possibility of true love.

I didn't know this was technically book 2, but it works as a standalone and you really don't have to read the other one. This caught my eye right away. First, by the cover. Second the summary. 

The story follows Clara Dahl. She has seen the onslaught and sorrow the witch-finder, Angus, has caused. She decides it is time to end this and find the man. However, his influence and power is larger then she originally thought. She wants to protect and rescue the women who are in danger.

The beginning was a little slow for me, but then I was hooked and read this in a couple of sittings. I had to know what was going to happen! I was soooooo worried about everyone.  

Darn that witch-finder and his partner! Evil, evil men. 

I liked Clara a lot and bless her heart. All she wants is to help people and teach kids. I was worried about her and all the women. So scary that any woman could be accused and arrested. Doesn't matter...rich, poor, old, young. Anyone is suspect especially if a woman shows any sort of spirit. How no one can see this and understand this blows my mind. If everyone stood up against these terrible men and women then none of the tragedy would happen! 

Loved Christian too. I was a wee bit suspicious of him at the beginning, but I didn't trust anyone to be honest. 

There was a sprinkle of romance here, but it didn't take over the story which I liked. It's not the focus and there are much bigger things at stake so I'm glad it was just in the background. 

LOVE, LOVE that cover!!

Overall, this was a good read. I enjoyed it even though I was scared for everyone and suspicious of everyone at the same time. I am curious about the other book. I recommend this if you are looking for a good historical with a touch of fantasy and romance. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Carole's Monday Review: The Bittersweet tapestry

Author:  Kevin O'Connell

Title: Bittersweet Tapestry (The Derrynane Saga, Book Three)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 380

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Unhappily returned to Derrynane, within a year, under the auspices of their uncle, a general in the armies of Maria Theresa, Eileen and her sister, Abigail departed for Vienna and a life neither could have ever imagined – one at the dizzying heights of the Hapsburg empire and court, where Abigail ultimately became principal lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself, whilst Eileen, for nine momentous years, served as governess to the Empress’s youngest daughter – during which time Maria Antonia, whom Eileen still calls ‘my wee little archduchess’, has become Marie Antoinette, dauphine of France, though she continues to refer to her beloved governess as “Mama”.

As Bittersweet Tapestry opens, it is the High Summer of 1770. Having escorted the future Queen of France from Vienna to her new life, Eileen and her husband, Captain Arthur O’Leary of the Hungarian Hussars, along with their little boy and Eileen’s treasured friend (and former servant) Anna Pfeffer are establishing themselves in Ireland.

Their ties to Catholic Europe remain close and strong; in addition to Abigail and her O’Sullivan family and General O’Connell, his wife and young daughter in Vienna, their brother Daniel is an officer in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV, whilst their youngest brother, Hugh, is studying at École Militaire in Paris, his path to a commission in the Dillons’ Regiment of the Brigade. His gentle Austrian friendship with Maria Antonia having inevitably waned, Hugh’s relationship with the strikingly-beautiful young widowed Princess Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy is blossoming.

Though happily ensconced at Rathleigh House, the O’Leary family estate in County Cork, being prominent amongst those families which are the remnants of the old Gaelic order in the area, Eileen and Art find that the dark cloud of the Protestant Ascendancy hovers heavily, at times threateningly, over them

Been itching for more when book 2 ended! I was so excited when this was ready to be read. 

The story continues with Eileen and her friends/family. After escorting Maria Antonia to the Versailles, they have withdrawn back home to Ireland. However, not all is happily ever after for them or for the archduchess. There is a dark cloud on the horizon. 

I feel so bad for everyone. I just want them to have a HEA and live peacefully, but that is never the case. There is always something so it  made this story more realistic. Sad things happen and we all know the story of Marie Antoinette especially at the beginning of her unhappy marriage. I still wanted it to be different for her! I just want her to be loved! SIGHS. And I want Art and Eileen to be all happy and live their lives in peace in Ireland. But alas....not meant to be. 

The beginning was a little slow, but it worked and I liked it. It does allow for those who didn't read book 1 of 2 to be able to know what is going on. However, I do encourage reading books 1 and 2 to fully fall for the characters and get attached.

The writing is just as lovely as the others. The author really knows how to bring the story and characters to life in a beautiful way. 

OOoooOOOOO the feels in this one especially after a certain event. My poor heart! It did get a tear from me. Ugh. Won't say what, but it got me right in my heart there. 

Grrrr that baddie!!! *shakes fist* 

I want to be like Eileen when I grow up! And I loveeeee Art too!

The ending has me wanting more even though I am worried for our characters especially as time trickles on and we know Marie Antoinette and her family will have their own doom cloud heading towards them. Sobs!

In the end, this was addictive! I couldn't put it down just like the others. I think this was my favorite so far even though I was so upset at that one scene. Sob! I highly recommend this series for historical fiction lovers. 5 stars. :) 

Carole's Monday Review: The Christmas Eve Secret by Elyse Douglas

Author:  Elyse Douglas 

Title: The Christmas Eve Secret (Book 3)

Genre: SciFi, Romance, Historical, Mystery

Pages: ebook

Published: September 16th, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Despite their happiness, Eve is having premonitions that something dreadful is about to occur. Concerned about the future and the safety of their child, she insists that they destroy the time travel lantern. Patrick is more cautious.

One afternoon when Patrick is out, a sinister man breaks into the apartment and forces Eve to give him the lantern. In many ways, Eve is relieved the lantern is gone. She hopes they can now live a more normal life.

A day later, Patrick shadows a woman who has been staking out the Gantly’s brownstone apartment, and he confronts her. To his and Eve’s utter shock, they learn that Lucy Rose is from 1924 and that she time-traveled with the man who took the lantern. He returned to 1924, but she chose to stay behind. She offers to sell the lantern back to Eve and Patrick, and they reluctantly agree, hoping to keep it out of unscrupulous hands.

Convinced that the lantern is a threat to their future happiness, Eve and Patrick decide to destroy it.

But the lantern has more power than they could have ever imagined. Once the lantern is destroyed, Eve’s life is completely changed. She must set off on an adventure, in a struggle that will return her to the past, where she will learn the secret of the lantern’s origin and delve into the farthest reaches of her heart.

Book 3! So exciting! I really enjoyed the last one quite a bit!

The story continues with Eve and Patrick. Despite everything seeming to be perfect, Even cannot brush off this fear and premonition something bad is on the horizon. In order to protect her and Patrick and their unborn baby, they decided to destroy the time travel lantern once and for all. And of course....this does not end well.

Even though I wanted book 3 and more of their stories, I also didn't. I want Eve and Patrick to be happy!! They really deserve it! Time travel is not all rainbows and kittens. Even though it brought them together, it keeps messing things up. 

I adore Eve and Patrick. I like Joni too even though I wanted to shake her sometimes! No one forced you to go woman!

OooOOOooo what to say without spoilers? 

Honestly, I was hooked from page one. I think I liked this book better even though it ripped my heart out! Ugh! SOBS! So good, so good. 

The middle dragged a touch there, but after some events, the ball got rolling again. I was so anxious and I wanted Eve and Patrick to be happy. 

Oh, that ending! Melted my cold heart! I love it. 

And that big reveal of how the lantern(s) got created??????? WOAH! I did not see that coming. Such a good twist! A fun twist! But made me want to shake somebody!

All-in-all, this was really good. I liked it just a touch more than the last one I think. The story was good and I loved the reveal! Didn't see that coming. The ending was good too! I for sure recommend this series. I'll stamp this one with 5 stars. 

Carole's Monday: Odell's Fall by Norman Bacal

Author:  Norman Bacal
Title: Odell's Fall
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Romance
Pages: 352
Published: October 2nd 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Where do you go once you've clawed your way from obscurity to the pinnacle of success? When you've finally found the woman of your dreams. When the ethical rules guiding your life need to be broken in order to have her. When you've eloped to avoid the stigma of an inter-racial marriage among Alabama's elite. If you're Odell Moore, one of New York’s most successful lawyers, the entire world is watching your inevitable descent. And two New York detectives will be waiting to greet you in hell.

Love, jealousy, and deceit lead to murder in a penthouse apartment. But did Odell do it? Even he can’t be sure.

Othello has re-emerged in modern Manhattan. Will it end better for him and Desdemona this time?

Othello had been one of my favorite plays by William Shakespeare so when I read that this is pretty much a modern version, I could not help but give this a read. 

The story follows Dee and Odell. The two fell in love right away and married quickly. Odell is extremely successful and rich and charming and Dee comes from a prestigious Alabama family. However, due to his race, they knew they wouldn't find acceptance so they eloped. They move to New York and things don't get better. Jealousy and deceit start plaguing them.

The beginning was a drag for me if I am to be frank here. Maybe we are supposed feel bored alongside Dee and Emily? They live lonely existences because their husbands, Odell and Jackson, are busy successful men and simply just want to work all day and all night. Booo! They are just the wives at home and we barely got to see Odell and Dee just be together and be in love. I think I was missing that bonding time with them to see the love. 

However, after a certain event started unfolding at the store and then at the beach I was intrigued again and I knew it was beginning to happen. Iago...I mean Jackson...was beginning his insidious plan to ruin Odell's life. Ooooo that baddie. Always so bad!!!! 

I was ABSOLUTELY hooked at this point. The intrigue and the drama. Ooooooo that father-in-law!!!!! I hated him. Horrible, horrible man.

I felt for Dee. She was just a dumb, rich girl who just wanted to be happy and in love. 

Odell has a lot of issues and I felt for him. Poor guy! I also felt for his friend Michael. 

Poor everyone! Except for our baddie and the father-in-law. Heck! I even felt for Emily. She was equally a victim. 

The ending was awesome. TOTALLY didn't see that coming. I loved the detectives. The ending made me happy. 

What else to say without giving away spoilers?? MMMmmmmmMMM

Yes, this was a good one. It was like the original play but with many different twists and turns and we got to see a lot more character development. The modern take was fun and done well. Kuddos to the author for not just copy-pasting this story. The author truly found a different way to tell this story and make it different. You don't at ALL have to read the original play. This was its own story. 

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was dragging there for a bit, but once the ball got rolling I was totally glued to the pages. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good people story. I'll stamp this with 4 stars with a touch of romance and a bunch of mysteries. 

19 out of 16/25