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Review: Long Live the King (Love & Inheritance Trilogy #2) by Fay Weldon
Like many fans of the show, Downton Abbey, I am constantly on the look out for upstairs/downstairs inspired books to tide me over until the next season of Downton comes out! I stumbled upon Fay Weldon’s latest novel in the Love and Inheritance series, Long Live the King and was thrilled to learn that Weldon was actually the writer of the original series Upstairs Downstairs. This novel is full of Edwardian era intrigue, not to mention a healthy dose of occultist practices such as seances and communicating with the dead. Queen Victoria is dead and along with her, the restrictive lifestyle that had defined her reign. Her son, Bertie is to take the throne and…
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Review: Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman
Hugo Delegate sits in jail for a series of murders he may or may not of committed. He is passionately in love with Bronwyn, the young wild girl who was raised by wolves. Hugo is from a wealthy family, and after leaving Harvard he joins his family on a railroad trip to the western United States. It is here that he meets Bronwyn and his family agrees to adopt her. Upon returning to the East Coast, the Delegate family takes it upon themselves to educate her and present her to high society. Surprisingly, Bronwyn takes well to her new life, but she does have her own set of motives. Bronwyn…
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Review: The Secret Woman by Victoria Holt
Anna Brett was born abroad in India but was sent to live in England with her spinster aunt, Charlotte, where she would be educated. Anna’s parents promise that it will be a short stay only but when tragic circumstances occur, Anna finds herself stuck in England indefinitely. Anna’s Aunt Charlotte is we well known antiques dealer in the busy port town of Langmouth. There the wealthy Crediton family runs the town. They live in a ‘fake castle’ on the hill and the family is the talk of the town. When Anna and her aunt visit the castle to purchase some antiques, Anna meets the dashing Captain Redvers “Red” Stretton. Though she…
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Review: Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt
On the storm coastline of Cornwall lies Mount Mellyn, a magnificent old family home. The Mount is home to the TreMellyn family, Connan and his daughter Alvean. Connan is recently widowed and looking for a governess for Alvean, who seems to go through governess’ at an alarming rate. Martha Leigh has agreed to take the governess post at the house, and she is dreading it. Having had her season she has not obtained what every Victorian woman dreams of–a husband. So after a couple of unsuccessful seasons her only option is to find a position. When she arrives at Mount Mellyn the house is imposing, dark, and basically all around creepy! When…
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Interview: The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston
Double bubble, toil and trouble! Come celebrate the spring equinox with a bewitching tale of historic fiction, romance, and magic! This spring, you don’t want to miss Paula Brackston’s latest novel, The Midnight Witch. Brackston is the best selling author of The Witch’s Daughter and The Winter Witch. This latest novel is set in Edwardian London where the Duke of Randor has just passed away leaving his daughter, Lilith, as the leader of Lazarus Coven. I am thrilled to be able to offer a copy of this novel in a giveaway which will be happening all week (see the giveaway post to enter for a chance to win). There is…
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Review: Cloaked in Danger by Jeannie Ruesch
Ballrooms and proper etiquette are not Aria Whitney’s area of expertise. She is not your typical British debutante but rather a free spirit who prefers breeches over corsets and adventure over balls. However, when her father goes missing she must force herself into the upper crust of English society to discover what happened. Her father disappeared while on an archaeological dig in Egypt. When his trusted friend and colleague is gravely injured, there isn’t much hope that her father will be found alive but she must try and unravel the mystery. The only thing that Aria has to go on in a list of rich benefactors in London society. Aria…
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Announcement: Winner The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey
And the winner of The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey is….. Christine K (Re-Tweeted about the giveaway) The winner will be notified via email. Thank you to everyone who entered and a huge thank you to the publisher for making this giveaway possible!
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Giveaway: The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey
Are you going through Downton Abbey withdrawals? I don’t know about you but I know I am! If you are longing for more history and mystery from this exciting era in English history this book is going to be exactly what you are looking for! Thanks to the publisher, I am ecstatic to be able to offer a copy of The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey for your enjoyment! Giveaway runs 1/23/13 to 1/29/14 Winners will be announced 1/30/14. (how to enter) On this blog you must leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. Your comment MUST include your email so I can contact you….if you do not enter an…
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Review: The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret by Catherine Bailey
Non-fiction books are often a double edged sword for me. I love that I get the historical information and facts about a period in history or a specific person etc, however often the material is presented in a very scholarly manor and can at times be on the dry side. However ever once in a while I get a non-fiction book for review that really catches my eye and that was the case with The Secret Rooms but Catherine Bailey. This book promised a Downton Abbey-esque, real life mystery in the upper echelons of WWI English society…how could I pass it up? This story roped me in almost immediately.
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Special Feature: Cloaked in Danger Facebook Launch Party
What: Jeannie Ruesch’s Facebook Launch Party for Cloaked in Danger Where: https://www.facebook.com/events/479465215499279 When: Monday, January 27th 3:00 – 7:00pm PST About Cloaked in DangerPublication Date: January 27, 2014 Carina Press eBook ASIN: B00F93X7ZIAria Whitney has little in common with the delicate ladies of London society. Her famous father made his fortune hunting archaeological treasures, and her rustic upbringing has left her ill prepared for a life of parties and frippery. But when Gideon Whitney goes missing in Egypt, Aria must embrace the unknown. Armed with only the short list of highborn men who’d backed her father’s venture, she poses as a woman looking for a husband. She doesn’t intend to find…