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Three Rivers Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (In The Shadow of the Crown) 『I always love Jean Plaidy's books, and this is no exception. It is delightfully written in the first person, as though Mary herself is talking. An unusual approach to historical fiction. Thanks, Jean.』
(A likable Mary) 『I really enjoyed reading this book&and have re-read it several times. I never gave a lot of thought to Mary before reading it, as I previously focused on books about Elizabeth, but this story made me see her in a very sympathetic light. It's told from Mary's perspective near the time of her death, as she recalls the events of her life from her earliest memories, and even events surrounding her birth as told to her by others. It's a sad contrast to read of all the happy times she had as a child and then her experiences after her father decided to end his marriage to her mother. The rejection by her previously loving father would have been unimaginably devastating. While reading this story, I always wonder how different her life might have been if she had been able to marry Reginald Pole, or anyone for that matter if she could have married young enough to have children; I like to think she might have been fertile while younger and that her health might not have been such an issue if, as is implied, much of her illness was related to the misery of her circumstances. I'm not sure how historically accurate the business of their mothers hopes they would marry is, but it makes for a great story, since they seemed so well suited for each other. She struggles with loving and hating her baby sister, Elizabeth, and has her hopes of marriage dashed numerous times throughout her life; my guess is Henry VIII feared some challenge to his rule via offspring she might produce so nothing came of any of the numerous negotiations with possible husbands for her. She might have been a very different queen if she'd been able to marry and have children while young - I think some happiness might have helped her cope with all the negative things she experienced. Even the cruelties during her reign that earned her the nickname Bloody Mary are forgivable as presented in this story; she seems to have equated the people's celebration of her taking the throne with approval of returning to the Catholic religion - she was genuinely shocked when they rejected her moves in that direction. I highly recommend this book to anyone with interest in the Tudor period.』
(Mary has finally stepped out from the Shadows) 『I think Jean Plaidy's novel on Mary I, aka Bloody Mary, was a fascinating take on a woman who the world believes was a monster. I'll admit that even I thought so before reading this book, and Phillipa Gregory's novel The Queen's Fool.
Plaidy starts by telling of Mary's early childhood. This phase of her life is very important in shaping her later one. She goes from being the darling child of the Court, and heiress presumptive, to a [...] and being banished. From the moment she first realizes that her life will no longer be easy she falls into fanatical devotion to her mother's religion, Catholicism. Mary tells of her hatred for Anne Boleyn, who she believes is the cause of all her suffering.
Mary is given the unique postion of being able to tell what life was like under all of Henry's wives. She loves most of them, and while she feels her father didn't have to have a male heir, she understands his wanting and need for one. She also tells of how life was being branding a [...], but still receiving some love from her father at the request of his wives. She shows that her father wasn't all bad toward the end of his life, just highly misguided, a thing she means to correct when she's Queen.
Henry dies and her younger brother, Edward, becomes Edward VI. His reign is short and he dies young leaving Mary to become Queen if he hadn't changed the line of succession to Jane Grey. Mary is thrown into conflict because she doesn't feel any animosity towards Jane Grey, only the men and women who tried to set her up in her place. This episode will cause great grief to Mary in the coming days.
Mary is then married to Prince Phillip of Spain who she lavishes affection on, but receives none in return. It is through this marriage, and other factors, that Mary allows her own subjects to be burned and tortured leading to the rise of her nickname Bloody Mary. She also goes through two "pregnancies" which end up causing her further pain and hardship.
She dies a tortured and unhappy soul.
Plaidy throughout the entire book shows that Mary didn't necessarily hate those different from her out of spite, but fell into a fanaticism born of suffering and uncertainty. This is a good book to show that Mary I wasn't an evil monster out to kill, but a person trying to correct her suffering in a horrible manner.』
(Readable but didn't leave me wanting more!) 『Well written but it just reminded me of why I never liked Bloody Mary in the first place. Could have been a little bit more interesting if Plaidy had included information on her actual death and what happened to the crown in the aftermath. New readers in English History could be left a little confused because the book has an abrupt ending.』
(The surprising heartbreak of Bloody Mary) 『Princess Mary is born the beloved daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. But, when her mother can no longer bear children, Mary's life is thrust into turmoil as she is declared illegimate. As she grows to adulthood, she only wishes to bring Catholicism back to England and to marry and be a mother.
This is a heartbreaking story of a woman who has been vilified by history. This makes Mary human, something for which Jean Plaidy has a great talent.』 『As Henry VIII's only child, the future seemed golden for Princess Mary. She was the daughter of Henry's first queen, Katharine of Aragon, and was heir presumptive to the throne of England. Red-haired like her father, she was also intelligent and deeply religious like her staunchly Catholic mother. But her father's ill-fated love for Anne Boleyn would shatter Mary's life forever. The father who had once adored her was now intent on having a male heir at all costs. He divorced her mother and, at the age of twelve, Mary was banished from her father’s presence, stripped of her royal title, and replaced by his other children--first Elizabeth, then Edward. Worst of all, she never saw her beloved mother again; Katharine was exiled too, and died soon after. Lonely and miserable, Mary turned for comfort to the religion that had sustained her mother.
In a stroke of fate, however, Henry's much-longed-for son died in his teens, leaving Mary the legitimate heir to the throne. It was, she felt, a sign from God--proof that England should return to the Catholic Church. Swayed by fanatical advisors and her own religious fervor, Mary made horrific examples of those who failed to embrace the Church, earning her the immortal nickname "Bloody Mary." She was married only once, to her Spanish cousin Philip II--a loveless and childless marriage that brought her to the edge of madness.
WithIn the Shadow of the Crown, Jean Plaidy brings to life the dark story of a queen whose road to the throne was paved with sorrow.』
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Poisoned Pen Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (First in the Elizabethan Theatre Series) 『Edward Marston is the pseudonym of Keith Miles, a fairly prolific and extremely good writer of mainly Elizabethan and medieval mysteries. He has also written mysteries under his own name with both sporting and golf backgrounds. However it is primarily the books that take place earlier in history that I am interested in. He read modern history at Oxford and has had many jobs, including university lecturer, but fortunately for all his readers, he turned to the writing profession.
This book is one of his early offerings. In the year 1587 Mary, Queen of Scots head is separated from her body by one quick stroke of the headsman's axe, but will her death staunch the ceaseless plotting against her cousin, Elizabeth of England. A year later and the Spanish send their Armada to the very shores of England. It is a time of both terror, uncertainty and triumph.
All of these happenings are mirrored on the stages of theatres and inns all over London, but when a real life murder occurs within a troop of actors, Nicholas Bracewell, the company's book holder, an important role within the group of actors, has a twofold task. First to find a replacement for the unfortunate actor and secondly how to go about keeping his promise to the dying man and track down his killer.』
(Great Stuff) 『An Elizabethan theater troop is bedeviled by mishaps, including the murder of one its players in a tavern brawl, the theft of its one complete copy of the script with stage directions for a performance before the queen, an attempt to kill on the young boys who plays the female roles, and others. "Book holder" (akin to the director with extra duties) Nicholas Bracewell hunts for the killer while trying to hold the troop together. Great period details. General bawdiness and terrific dialogue add up to a fun read. Also, don't miss Marston's other series, which follows a group of traveling magistrates just after the Norman conquest of England. More terrific historical whodunits.』
(Murder and Mayhem in Elizabethan England) 『The year is 1588, England is at war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne, and London is a bawdy, boisterous mix of courtly elegance and general squalor. Against this background, Marston paints a picture of the precarious life of a small theater group, Lord Westfield's Men, who perform in the galleried courtyard of a pub called the Queen's Head. Nicholas Bracewell, the company's bookholder, not only holds the troupe together but also solves a murder in the bargain. The wild and colorful period comes vividly to life in Marston's mystery.』 『1587, and Mary, Queen of Scots, dies by the executioner's axe, her head, shorn of its auburn wig, rolling across the platform. Will her death end the ceaseless plotting against Mary's red-haired cousin, Elizabeth? 1588, the year of the Spanish Armada, is a time of more terror and triumph, not just for queen and court but for the whole of England. The turmoil is reflected in its theatres and under the galleries of inns like London's The Queen's Head where Lord Westfield's Men perform. The scene there on grows even more tumultuous when one of the actors is murdered by a mysterious stranger during a brawl. Nicholas Bracewell, the company's bookholder, a role far wider than mere producer, faces two immediate repercussions. The first is to secure a replacement acceptable to its temperamental star -- and chief shareholder -- Lawrence Firethorn. The second is to keep his promise to the dying Will Fowler and catch his killer. Soon further robberies, accidents, and misfortunes strike Lord Westfield's Men even as their stage successes swell. Bracewell begins to suspect a conspiracy, not a single murderous act, but where lies the proof? Then the players are rewarded with the ultimate accolade -- an appearance at court -- and the canny bookholder senses the end to the drama is at hand.... First published to great acclaim in 1988, The Queen's Head anticipated the lure of bawdy, boisterous, yet elegant epics like Shakespeare in Love. Actor and playwrite Marston has followed with, to date, ten more lusty, historically grounded, theatrically sound Bracewell mysteries that explore the face of England and reveal his deep love for its rich literary and dramatic heritage. The Roaring Boy was nominated for a 1996 Edgar Award for Best Novel.』
Kakaku：329 saved$3.29
Aloha Chapter RWA
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Great Local Stories) 『I'm not generally a fan of romance stories, but I found this collection of stories, set in Hawaii, turned me on to the romance genre. My favorite story is "Fireworks Over Waikiki" which delivered a great twist ending.』
(The Breakup Queen) 『"The Breakup Queen" is really a fun and sometimes oh-so-sad gathering of romantic tales from Hawaii. It starts great with the picture of a Hawaiian menu on the front page. And then it reads, "There's nothing like that first taste of something delicious." So true. And another obviously experienced author writes about a kiss with wine, "It is a most wonderful blend of tastes. There is the sweetness of the wine, but there is the taste of her man as well." And finally another observes, "When a guy was forced to let his bride buy her own wedding ring, he might as well cash in his manhood and start singing soprano." It's a page-turner you want to sing along with.
IPhone 3G used's review (Welcome to Moo :)) 『I loved this book. The Australian backdrop of the fictional town Moo, brought so much character to this book.
Dicey and friends travel to their hometown after bits of their lives have fallen apart. The extended vacation in Moo is their way of hiding from the world. While in Moo, the girls discover a lot about themselves, where they came from and where they are going in life.
The book was endearing, funny, and a fun view of Australia.』
(The Dairy Queen) 『I am really not sure how I feel about the book because I didn't love yet I didn't hate it. I felt it was a good freshmen effort by the author and I feel as though she will be a great author in a few years. I felt the charatctors could have been developed more and she left too much at the end to piece together. But all in all it was cute and worth borrowing from a friend.』
(A pleasure to read.) 『'The Dairy Queen' was not all what I expected it to be. It's a story about love, life, facing your demons, and living out your dreams.
Rushby did a great job writing this book and I hope she continues to write more great chick lit.』
(strong Australian character study) 『In Melbourne, Dicey is depressed as she loses her multi-million dollar business pajama business and her husband Simon who was having an affair; thank goodness loyal Fergus the dog is there for her. Her sister Titch is heartbroken because she is unable to conceive even with IVF and her mate Andrew believes two strikes and your out. Their best friend Sally has broken her leg and depends on painkillers to get around. The three dejected women make matters worse when they see one another as misery loves miserable company. The trio agrees they need solace and where better than their black and white home town Moo.
At home they each try to immerse themselves into the town's needs as a means of avoiding their personal woes. However, delaying what ails them does not make it better. Somewhere along the way each of these females will have to dump their troubles or get off the black and white pot to confront their tribulations.
The lead three females provide readers with a wonderful tour of rustic Australia while coming home to lick their wounds and they hope get a respite from their anxieties. As each one struggles with major problems, the locals bring humor to the mix. Allison Rushby provides a strong character study starring a superb cast including the town in which everything is painted with black and white stripes.
Harriet Klausner 』 『It's all about the milk . . . whenyou'reThe Dairy Queen
Want to know what I, said queen, wish for?
World peace
A positive pregnancy test for my sister.
A best friend who suffers momentary sanity.
A lifetime supply of "treaties" for my dog.
And something -- anything -- that would erase this capitalLfrom my forehead.
Not necessarily in that order.
Dicey doesn't remember the exact moment her world went splashing counterclockwise down the toilets of Australia. But it must have been somewhere between divorcing her husband, losing her pajama empire and being kicked out of an -- admittedly dodgy -- apartment. Yet now that it's just her; a bottle of red and a bucket of pistachios (yum, dinner), is there anything beyond rock bottom?
Yes. It's called Moo.
Dicey knows running home to the cow-obsessed town with her sister, best friend and hulking Irish wolfhound is madness. But when the girls are soon overwhelmed, er, embraced by the locals, Dicey realizes the quiet anonymity she was planning on milking won't be possible. Especially when her sour city life suddenly invades and she discovers going home isn't the same thing as giving up.
IPhone 3G used's review (OH, THOSE ROYALS!) 『Fun follow-up to "Sex with the Kings." Some overlapping, as the stories obviously involve the male and female counterparts of the royal lovers and the accompanying scandals. I enjoyed it and found it fascinating that some of the ladies ended up in royal positions, while others ended up in the convents, or got mysteriously sick, or were poverty-stricken and disgraced, or marched to the tune of the executioner. There was a clear explanation, I suppose, of what happened with Diana and her many lovers, and the devilish Rasputin and Empress Alexandra, and Queen Victoria and her Scot, John Brown, and other amorous royals; but there was always the threat of a STD and the many pregnancies, which of course, killed many women in those days. This is definitely a good primer in you ever try and sort out all the royal family members, that went back and forth across the English Channel in marriage, love and lust. Just a enjoyable, informative, interesting piece of work, with hours and hours of research. Recommended reading...』
(What's good for the gander is good for the goose) 『Dozens of royal mistresses had their stories told in detail, thanks to Eleanor Herman's "Sex With Kings" -- the good, the bad, and the romantic.
And Herman does not disappoint in her follow-up, about the other side of royal marriage -- "Sex with the Queen: 900 years of Vile Kings, Virile Lovers and Passionate Politics." Without gender bias or a shred of maliciousness, Herman explores centuries of queens who did the same as their kings, sometimes with tragic results. It's a juicy, scholarly book -- and that is not a contradiction.
Most European queens were raised to be chaste, demure and obedient, in the image of the Virgin Mary. They generally married young, knew nothing of sex or pregnancy, and were expected to spawn lots of kids. But some of these queens weren't content to just sit and embroider -- they ran straight into the arms of hot courtiers.
Some of these queens had mad or impotent husbands, and some were married to gay nobles -- one nobleman was overjoyed when his wife had an illegitimate child, which saved him from having to sleep with her. One or two (like Elizabeth I) never wed at all, leaving rumors of lovers and illegitimate children. They slept with warriors, peasants, priests, and other nobles, sometimes with tragic results -- and sometimes not.
There's Elizabeth I, the unwed queen with lots of weird rumours; the hot-blooded Catherine the Great, who lusted after many men but only really loved one; Queen Matilda, whose forceful lover (not her poor mad husband) ruled her country; Queen Victoria's much-whispered-about relationship with her Scottish groom; the flirtatious wives of Henry VIII; Czarina Alexandra and her diabolic lover Rasputin, and of course the ill-fated Princess Diana.
Just as she explored the royal mistresses in "Sex with Kings," Eleanor Herman provides some insights into how the queens of Europe lived and loved, often with men whom they were not technically married to. It's a fun, juicy read (that title says a lot), but also shows us an aspect of Europe's royal families that usually isn't addressed.
Herman also studies the role of the queens in society, the public perception of them, and why it was a bigger deal if they slept around than if the king did. Sexism isn't all to blame, as Herman reminds us. Similarly, she is fair to all the queens and kings, never going out of her way to justify anyone's behavior, but not condemning anyone unfairly either. Actually, some of the royal hubbies were absolutely delighted that their wives found comfort and/or sex elsewhere.
Her writing style strikes a good balance between slightly wry conversation and scholarly insights, with lots of historical details that add a lot of dimension to these illicit romances. It's a bit like trading gossip with a good pal, who has all the dirty laundry from the royal bedroom. Very fun, and it often offers insight into the lives of the pampered, lonely royals.
"Sex with the Queen" is an equally excellent follow-up to Herman's debut, and a delicious historical study. Absolutely one of 2006's must-reads.』
(Excellent!) 『VERY interesting book! I would certainly reccomend it to anyone who's in to history - or even if you're not! It's extremely well-written and gives the reader a very personal look into the lives of royalty.』
(Well done!) 『This book is very well written, I absolutely could not put it down. the title pretty much explains the book but, the information Eleanor provides us with is amazing. It almost seems fictional, but you know it's fact, which makes it even better. I recommend Sex with the Queen to nonfictional and fictional readers everywhere.』
(PERFECT FOLLOW UP TO "SEX WITH KINGS"!!) 『I LOVED, "Sex With Kings" and was SO happy when I heard there was to be a companion book about the Queens. So I waited what seemed like forever for it to come out and when it did, I couldn't put it down! I felt like I was reading, "People," but the historical version. That was great! (I get "People" by the way.) I laughed more than a few times at the insanity of some of the actions of the Queens. Better than a soap opera. But best of all-it REALLY happened! HA!
Two of the best books I've read in a very long time. I'll read whatever Ms. Herman decides to publish in the future. How about a book about all the crazy things the famous poets of the world did? THAT would be great! I have a degree in English Literature and some of the things I've heard would make a GREAT book!』 『This book is written by the bestselling author of "Sex with Kings". Featured on National radio interviews e.g., "Woman's Hour" and reviewed in national press e.g., "Daily Mail", it will appeal to readers of history, historical fiction, and of women's studies titles. In this follow-up to the bestselling "Sex with Kings", we discover the truth about what goes on behind the closed door of the Queen's boudoir. After all, Queen Victoria, that bastion of virtue, had nine children! You'll read about the notorious Catherine the Great, the passionately foolish Marie Antoinette, the destructively willful Tsarina Alexandra, and many more! Some Queens had numerous lovers, others seldom strayed, but all were full-blooded women who lived and loved under intense public scrutiny. And the men who loved these women sometimes gained riches, and sometimes lost their heads. Once again, Eleanor Herman has combined impeccable research while accessibly telling these fascinating stories. "Sex with the Queen" will both entertain and educate.』
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PublishAmerica
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Set in fifth and sixth century Gaul, this historical novel is the story of a very real woman and her remarkable life. Born a princess in Burgundy, Clotilda married the pagan king Clovis of the Franks. She convinced him to convert to her beloved Christianity. Always generous, Clotilda gave to the poor and tended the needy. Her life was full of catastrophes and yet in the end her example was enough to earn her sainthood. This is the story of an amazing woman in a difficult era.』 fetish『 Dark History of the Kings and Queens of Europe 』
Brenda Lewis
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
