The King's Favorite by Susan Holloway Scott

SYNOPSIS
The acclaimed author of Duchess and Royal Harlot returns with the unforgettable story of a king’s last love and London’s darling…
BR>Nell Gwyn has never been a lady, nor does she pretend to be. Blessed with impudent wit and saucy beauty, she swiftly rises from the poverty of Covent Garden to become a sensation in the theater. Still in her teens, she catches the eye of King Charles II, and trades the stage for Whitehall Palace—and the role of royal mistress.

Even though she delights the king, she must learn to negotiate the cutthroat royal court, where ambition and lust for power rule the hearts of all around her. For beneath her charm and light-heartedness, Nell has her own ambition—to become no less than the king’s favorite.

MY VIEW
First of all I have to thank Marg from http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/ who told me about this book on Facebook. Nell Gwyn is one of my favourite historical women and the restoration period is one of my favourite along with the Tudor era, there aren't enough fiction books of the Restoration period IMO!

Anyway, this book was fantastic. I have only ome across one other fiction book on Nell by Diane Haeger and whilst I loved that this was miles better. This is written in the first person from Nell's POV, I loved how the author wrote all the sayings it gave me a real feel for Restoration London and reminded me much of Anna Neagles film portrayal of Nell.

This is the first book of Susan's I have read and I have bought another 2 of hers since finishing this.

Black Hills by Nora Roberts

SYNOPSIS
Lil Chance fell in love with Cooper Sullivan pretty much the first time she saw him, an awkward teenager staying with his grandparents on their cattle ranch in South Dakota while his parents went through a messy divorce. Each year, with Coop’s annual summer visit, their friendship deepens - but then abruptly ends.

MY VIEW
Anyone who reads my blog reguarly will know I am a massive fan of Nora Roberts but, her last 2 one off releases have not been so great and have left me a little disappointed.

I'm happy to say this is a huge improvement ,anyway ...

Based in the infamous Black Hills of South Dakota Lillan Chance and Cooper Sullivan have a lifelong friendship - Lillian has a deep fascination with big cats and is a biologist and is the founder of the Chance Wildlife Reserve, Cooper is a cop having worked in NYC he returns to South Dakota years later after having broken Lillian's heart .... he returns after a colleague of his was murdered.

But, when Coop returns home he finds out there is a murderer about and the murderer keeps getting closer to Lillian so Coopp just has to protect her. But, Lillian still feels hurt after how Coop left her, so will she let him protect her?

A brilliant romance Nora style with lots of suspense that just leaves you wondering whats going to happen next.

Kitty & The Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn

SYNOPSIS
Kitty Norville, the country's only celebrity werewolf, thinks she's finally got her life sorted. Her radio show is as popular as ever, and she and her cute lawyer boyfriend are the alpha pair of Denver's werewolf pack. Now she and Ben plan to tie the knot human-style - by eloping to Vegas. And just to make things more fun, she's going to do her midnight radio show live and on television from Vegas.

In between getting wed and going live on TV, she's also planning on sipping fru-fru drinks by the pool while she works on her tan. So what can possibly go wrong? Well, their hotel is the venue for a werewolf-hating bounty hunter convention. Elsewhere on the Strip, an old-school magician might just be wielding the real thing. The vampire community is harbouring a dark secret . . . and the irresistibly sexy star of a deeply suspicious animal act is determined to seduce Kitty. Sin City has never been so wild, and Kitty has never had to fight harder - to save not only her wedding, but her very life.

MY VIEW
This series is one of my fave Supernatural/Paranormal series - Kitty is just fab! Anyhow ....

This follows almost straight from KITTY AND THE SILVER BULLET, Ben has asked Kitty to marry him and though at first her mum wants a lavish affair Kitty & Ben decide to do the deed in Las vegas nice and easy? Not in Kittys world, its all action not only does she go to Las Vegas but, shje also also performing her famous 'Midnight Hour' show live, Ben has a new talent at Poker which ends with almost disastrous consequences.

If you haven't read any of the previous books I don't think this is one you can just dive into as you would need to know a bit of background otherwise you might not understand some of the story but, really thats no big deal as all the previous books are brilliant and highly recommended.

The Calling & Changeling by Cate Tiernan

SYNOPSIS
Morgan has discovered much about her powers. But who are her friends and who are her enemies? And who really is she? Morgan is now seventeen years old and her powers have grown with her. But as she struggles to discover who she really is, terrible dreams of someone else, someone in trouble, haunt her. Are they the person Morgan needs to find to truly find herself?

MY VIEW
The Calling is the 7th book in this great series and Morgan is getting strange dreams and has to go to New York but, not alone along with her goes Hunter, Bree, Robbie, Sky and Raven. Morgans aim is to find out about her real parents but, of course things aren't so straightforward and she finds things out that will change her life even more than events before have! This instalment was brilliant and even better than the last.

Changeling is quite sad as Morgan and Hunter have split up and not only that Morgan has to contend with the fact that the man she thought was her real father isn't. Eoifa, A witch from the council of witches turns up for a mission from Morgan which she hopes she agrees to.

I didn't find Changeling as engrossing as the others for some reason not sure why as its not as if there wasn't much going, overkill maybe so I will be leaving this series for a little while but, shall return ...

Awakening & Spellbound by Cate Tiernan

More spoilers!

SYNOPSIS FOR AWAKENING
Morgan begins to understand something of her power and to move on with her life after the terrible betrayal of Cal, her first love. She realizes that Wicca can work for good or for evil as she fights the dark magick of Seline and Cal - and later David, who runs the store "Practical Magick".

MY VIEW
Morgan was rescued from nearly being burned alive and emerges not knowing who she can trust. She found out Cal & Selene (Cal's mother) were practising dark magick and were only using her for her blood witch powers. To make matters worse the one place Morgan feels she can go the magickal store Practical Magick is in danger of closing as if tyhat wasn't enough of course after the ending of the last book Cal is no longer Coven leader life is pretty traumatic!

Not only that Hunter suspects David from the Practical Magick store is practising dark magick to help him keep the store Morgan doesn't believe him, he gained a injury on his hand but, Morgan thought it was doing something for the store - this was my fave in the series so far!

SYNOPSIS FOR SPELLBOUND
Morgan continues to discover her powers as a blood witch of the Woodbane clan. She can't forget Cal, her first love, who tried to kill her, but is surprised to feel a growing attraction for Hunter. Her powers are now so strong that she is in danger from others in her clan and it is important for her to learn to use her witchcraft responsibly. When Selene and Cal use her sister Mary K. to get to her, Morgan realises that she and her family are in real danger.

MY VIEW
As if this series couldn't get any better this book was amazing!

This book has snippets at the beginning of each chapter by Selene, Morgan is getting closer to Hunter in fact most of the members of the coven are becoming romantically attached. Selene & Cal are gone yet when Morgan goes past Cal & Selene's former home she swearts she sees a lit candle at one of the windows, and later Cal calls Morgan by witch message.

After the exit of Selene & Cal there are a number of 'accidents' or are they dark magick worked by Cal and his mother. Morgan becomes on talking terms with Bree again but, things are never what they were before.

Oh so many things happen this book was even better than the last.And with the huge cliffhanger at the end I just can't step away from this series just yet.

There are some things in here that are a little unrealistic and things that wouldn't happen in real life but, this is great entertainment!

Blood Witch & Dark Magick by Cate Tiernan

SYNOPSIS FOR BLOOD WITCH
Contains spoilers

Morgan continues to unravel her past and the story of her birth mother as her relationship with Cal develops. She begins to understand more about her power as a blood witch when she finds her mother's tools of magic. Morgan can't quite relax into her relationship with Cal and the rather mysterious Hunter begins to feature more in her life. Cal and Hunter fight and, when Morgan intervenes, Hunter falls over the edge of the cliff into the rocks and water below. The book ends as Morgan begins herseventeenth birthday convinced that she is responsible for Hunter's death.

MY VIEW
Morgan has so much to deal with! After getting her hands on her mothers book of shadows she finds out her birth parents are Woodbane, which is an evil clan. And then we meet 2 new characters - 2 witches Hunter & Sky. Hunter claims to be Cal's half brother Hunter tells her Cal is dabbling in dark magick and Hunter believes Cal is just using Morgan.

SYNOPSIS FOR DARK MAGICK
Evil forces are after Morgan, forces connected with a dark wave of magick. And she knows something is wrong with the way Cal is acting, although she can't put her finger on it. Cal is definitely hiding something, but is he out to hurt her, as Hunter says?

MY VIEW
Morgan thinks that she killed Hunter and is finding that so hard to deal with then Hunter comes back and she is ecstatic, Cal doesn't seem so pleased!

Hunter is still telling Morgan that Cal is no good she doesn't know who to believe or what to think. Cal and Hunter do a tath meanma on each other (read each others minds) and find out neither one of them is evil.

The book ending is quite traumatic for Morgan after the tath meanma she starts to doubt Cal and the ending has such a twist I was going to read something else but, just had to read on ...

Book of Shadows & The Coven by Cate Tiernan

This post CONTAINS SPOILERS!

SYNOPSIS FOR BOOK OF SHADOWS
Fifteen-year-old Morgan thinks witchcraft is laughable when her best friend, Bree, drags her to a meeting of the Cirrus Coven. But during a ceremony led by Cal, a new and very attractive boy who's just arrived in the area, Morgan starts to feel strange. Does she have special power? She doesn't want to get involved in witchcraft but it seems as though she doesn't have a choice. Gradually she discovers things about herself and her family that throw her whole life into question.

MY VIEW
At the time of writing this review I am up to book 5 in the Wicca series and I have to say its brilliant, this series is aimed at teens/YA readers thats not to say us older folk can't enjoy it!

This was quite sympathetic to the Wiccan way of life if Cate Tiernan isn't Wiccan she sure knows a lot about it!

The main characters and the case are brilliant very well developed and not immature like some characters in YA books can be in my experience. Morgan is so drawn to witchcraft and you will find out in book 2 why or if you read my next review!

This first instalment basically bases itself on Morgan and Bree's friendship and Cal who is the holder of a party that Bree takes Morgan along to, Cal effectively though not knowingly (as I thought at first) destroys their friendship, this series is highly addictive!

SYNOPSIS FOR THE COVENMorgan has discovered she is a blood witch - that means the people she thought were her parents and her sister are not related to her, that she was adopted. She confronts her parents who reluctantly admit the adoption. Morgan is determined to find out more about her birth parents but her family try to stop her - why don't they want her to know the truth? Morgan's story is intersperced with extracts from her blood mother's Book of Shadows (a witch's book of personal spells, etc.). At the end Morgan finds her mother's Book of Shadows in her boyfriend's mother's private library.

MY VIEW
As the synopsis says Morgan finds out her parents aren't her natural parents and this causes a lot of emotions for her (as it would anyone) so Morgan goes to find out more about her natural birth mother.

I loved the little snippets at the beginning of each chapter from Morgans mothers Book of Shadows.

Not only does Morgan have to deal with knowing her parents are not her real parents but, also they don't want her having anything to do with Witchcraft which is nigh on impossible for Morgan as a Blood Witch.

Read this if you love anything Supernatural.

Helen of Troy by Margaret George

SYNOPSIS
Bestselling novelist, Margaret George, here imagines the story of Helen of Sparta and Troy, one of the most amazing female mythical characters, ancient or modern. A war, which lasted for 10 years, was fought over her and nearly all the stories of the heroic age were bound into her story - a measure of her capacity to galvanise men into action. Using her unique gift for research and recreation, Margaret George brings to life a Helen who was a tantalizing enigma from the very first, flesh and blood certainly, but also immortal, as the daughter of Zeus. Her beauty is so overwhelming and dangerous that, as a child, she is protected from seeing her reflection. Kings and princes compete for her hand in marriage, and she marries Menelaus of Sparta, but before marrying him all her other suitors swear to help bring Helen back should she ever be abducted again. When she falls for Paris of Troy it is assumed that he has taken her by force, when her actions are far more complex. The suitors are obliged to honour their oath and so the Trojan War begins - the most pivotal event in the history of ancient Greece ...and the tragedy of these individuals.

MY VIEW
I was totally gripped with this, I'm ashamed to say I don't know a lot about Helen of Troy and this was a great insight told from Helen's point of view.

As a child she is not to look at her own reflection also as the daughter of the God Zeus she had many wanting to marry her and settled with Menelaus and bearing him a daughter only at the age of 24 falling for the Trojan Prince, Paris and leaving her daughter and husband.

This has been reviewed to be not as good as the Autobiography of Henry VIII and yes for me it wasn't as good as that but, I can't help feeling did I not enjoy this as much because it is a story I am not as familiar with? Maybe but, either way whether this is accurate or not it was a brilliantly told story that has given me an interest to find out more about Helen.

Witch Blood by Anya Bast

SYNOPSIS
Water witch Isabelle Novak must form an uneasy alliance with earth witch Thomas Monahan to hunt and destroy a demon of tremendous power, even though Thomas's very presence stirs deeper desires than she ever knew she had.

MY VIEW
This is the 2nd book in the Elemental Witches series and I would recommend reading Witch Fire before reading this.

This book is about Isabelle Novak's revenge for the murder of her sister. She fails to find the demon in question and so attempts to take her revenge on the leader of the warlocks.

However, things don't quite go as planned and there is a more urgent mission in that more witches are being killed by the same demon who killed Isabelle's sister. Thomas Monahan is the leader of a local coven and he first appeared in the first Elemental Witches book, Witch Fire.

Lots of action, lots of sex and romance this one was not as engrossing as Witch Fire however, it still flowed along nicely and was a good read without having to think about it too much.

I have the next 2 books in the series very high up in my TBR pile, this is a really good series if your inot paranormal romance especially the witches side of things - makes a change from were's and vampires.

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

SYNOPSIS
Lola has just found out that her boyfriend – charismatic politician Paddy de Courcy – is getting married. To someone else. Heartbroken, Lola flees the city for a cottage by the sea. But will Lola’s retreat prove as idyllic as she hopes? Journalist Grace wants the inside story on Paddy de Courcy’s engagement and thinks Lola holds the key to it.

Grace knew Paddy a long time ago. But why can’t she forget him? Grace’s sister, Marnie, might have the answer but she also has issues with the past. Her loving loving husband and beautiful daughters are wonderful, but they can’t take away memories of her first love: a certain Paddy de Courcy. What will it take for Marnie to be able to move on?

Alicia Thornton is Paddy’s wife-to-be. Determined to be the perfect wife, Alicia would do anything for her fiancé. But does she know the real Paddy? Four very different women. One awfully charming man. And the dark secret that binds them all...

MY VIEW
This book, I found was a little more deeper than Marian's other books as with all Marians books this was easy reading but, had a much darker side, TBH I wasn't expecting that at all.

I wasn't much keen on Lola maybe it was the way she was writing and I came so close to abandoning this but, as I hate to do that I persevered and am so glad I did. The other characters were far more engrossing and made the book for me.

I'm not going to say too much as I may spoil it for some but, if you love Marian read it, even if you don't you may like it too as its a little different to her usual fare.

Having said all that I still haven't found a Marian book to top Watermelon- I love that book!

Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice

SYNOPSIS
After 6000 years of stillness, Akasha, mother of vampires and Queen of the Damned has risen from her sleep. Her monstrous plan of ruling the worlds of the living and the undead must be stopped. The challenge is left to the vampire Lestat, for it was he who woke her from her sleep.

MY VIEW
I was a bit dubious about starting this book which is possibly why I didn't read it when I read IWTV & TVL four years ago as this was described as universes within universes which I thought might be a bit confusing but, it wasn't at all in fact I found the different stories really engrossing.

All the characters get a turn here Armand, Marius, Louis, Pandora, Lestat of course to name a few. We also see a return of the young reporter who originally wrote Louis story.

This is definitely s good as IWTV if not better this really is amazing I couldn't get enough of it!

Having watched IWTV I know for sure I definitely won't watch QOTD as from the description it deviates a lot from the storyline in the book seeing some characters killd that asn't in the book - the film would spoil it forme for sure.

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

SYNOPSIS
'Ah, the taste and feel of blood when all passion and greed is sharpened in that one desire!' Lestat: a vampire - but very much not the conventional undead, for Lestat is the truly alive. Lestat is vivid, ecstatic, stagestruck, and in his extravagant story he plunges from the lasciviousness of eighteenth-century Paris to the demonic Egypt of prehistory; from fin-de-siecle New Orleans to the frenetic twentieth-century world of rock superstardom - as, pursued by the living and the dead, he searches across time for the secret of his own dark immortality.

MY VIEW
The second ofthe Vampire Chronicles I read four years ago, here is my original review:

The follow-up to Interview With The Vampire, this is the story of LeStat. I have heard many people say that they were not fond of Lestat from IWTV but, changed their mind after this one. I agree with that, you see things from a different angle than before.

Lestat is the son of a nobleman from the 18th century. The first part of this book is basically Interview With The Vampire but, from Lestat's view, which personally I did find could have been a bit shorter but, I wouldn't say it detracts from this being a brilliant book, which it is.

It starts as Lestat as a rock star in the 1980s, then goes back to him being in Paris in the 18th century, then goes forward to present day.

I personally prferred IWTV but, this is brilliant, I have yet to read all the Vampire Chronicles so not sure yet which are my favourites but, this one is excellent, and essential if you plan on reading the whole of the Chronicles.

I enjoyed this heaps more this time around than originally not sure why that was but, that said I still don't think it was a patch on IWTV.

Anne Rice has created such an amazing world with these books and all other Vampire books pale into insignificance, these just seem more grown up and so sensual. I know Anne now writes religious books and heard somewhere that she repents the Vampire books she wrote I hope that wasn't true because these books are amazing.

Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice

SYNOPSIS
In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life - the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood. Anne Rice's compulsively readable novel is arguably the most celebrated work of vampire fiction since Bram Stoker's Dracula was published in 1897. As the Washington Post said on its first publication, it is a 'thrilling, strikingly original work of the imagination ...sometimes horrible, sometimes beautiful, always unforgettable'.

MY VIEW
I have actually read this book before, a friend of mine was talking about Anne Rice on Facebook and I just thought I've only read the first two books and there are over 10 in the series and I must get cracking! I first read this about 4 years ago so thought it should be re-read, actually I am reading the omnibus of the first three books but, thought I would review them seperately rather than all in one hit.

My review of four years ago:

This book is based on four very different Vampires.This is the story of Louis who became a vampire after his brothers suicide, he tells of how Lestat made Louis a vampire for economic reasons and aside from that he also wanted a companion. Lestat has Louis as a vampire only because as far as Louis knows there are no other vampires he can turn to.

Over the years he turns to distaste for Lestat, and Lestat who in his efforts to keep Louis by his side he takes a young girl whom Louis had fed upon and makes her a vampire.He knows Louis would never abandon her.The girl is called Claudia, she seems to accept what has happened, she is just a young girl and can barely remember her childhood. She does manage to get away from Lestat with Louis and its on their travels to Paris they encounter Armand.

This is quite a depressive story, Louis is not a happy Vampire! This is a classic book that everyone should read most especially if you love horror or occult.


Having re-read the book even though I loved it first time around I seemed to enjoy it more this time, strange but, true. Since I originally read this I have read lots and lots of Vampire books and in all honesty there is nothing like this its amazing, its engrossing so sensual.

A lot of other vampire books have a bit of a chick lit edge to them (not all just some) this is more your grown up Vampire tale.

The Knight of the Sacred Lake by Rosalind Miles

SYNOPSIS
Last in a line of proud queens elected to rule the fertile lands of the West, true owner of the legendary Round Table, guardian of the Great Goddess herself . . . a woman whose story has never been told--until now.

As High King and Queen, Arthur and Guenevere reign supreme across the many kingdoms of Great Britain. Still, Guenevere secretly mourns the loss of her beloved Lancelot, who has returned to the Sacred Lake of his boyhood, hoping to restore his faith in chivalry in the place where he learned to be a knight. In a glittering Pentecost ceremony, new knights are sworn to the Round Table, including Arthur's nephews, Agravain and Gawain. After many years of strife, peace is restored to Guenevere's realm.

But betrayal, jealousy, and ancient blood feuds fester unseen. Morgan Le Fay, now the mother of Arthur's only son, Mordred, has become the focus of Merlin's age-old quest to ensure the survival of the house of Pendragon. From the east comes the shattering news that Guenevere may have a rival for Lancelot's love. A bleak shadow falls again across Camelot--and across the sacred isle of Avalon, where Roman priests threaten the life of the Lady herself. At the center of the storm is Guenevere, torn between her love for her husband, her people, and Sir Lancelot of the Lake.

With rare and intuitive magic, Rosalind Miles brings to life a legendary woman's bravery and passion, and all the pageantry, heartbreak, violence, and beauty of an age gone by.

MY VIEW
Following on from Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country this is the middle book of the trilogy and I wasn't expecting any great shakes as personally I find middle books not that great! Actually, this was just slightly better than the first book ...

Arthur in this book seems like quite a weak character which is not how I imagined him to be and Guenevere seems a little more grown up than she was in GQOTSC. This book continues after Guenevere's affair with Lancelot and she has sent him away after Arthur's incestuous relationship with his sister, Morgan La Fay.

This book mainly covers Merlin's attempts in finding Mordred and Lancelot returning to Camelot, although the series is predominantly Guenevere's you do get the viewpoints of other characters thrown in for good measure.

Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country by Rosalind Miles

SYNOPSIS
Last in a line of proud queens elected to rule the fertile lands of the West, true owner of the legendary Round Table, guardian
of the Great Goddess herself . . . a woman whose story has never been told -- until now

Raised in the tranquil beauty of the Summer Country, Princess Guenevere has led a charmed and contented life -- until the sudden, violent death of her mother, Queen Maire, leaves the Summer Country teetering on the brink of anarchy. Only the miraculous arrival of Arthur, heir to the Pendragon dynasty, allows Guenevere to claim her mother's throne. Smitten by the bold, sensuous princess, Arthur offers to marry her and unite their territories, allowing her to continue to reign in her own right. Their love match creates the largest and most powerful kingdom in the Isles. Yet even the glories of Camelot are not safe from the shadows of evil and revenge. Arthur is reunited with his long-lost half-sisters, Morgause and Morgan, princesses torn from their mother and their ancestral right by Arthur's father, the brutal and unscrupulous King Uther. Both daughters will avenge their suffering, but it is Morgan who strikes the deadliest blows, using her enchantments to destroy all Guenevere holds dear and to force Arthur to betray his Queen.

In the chaos that follows, Arthur dispatches a new knight to Guenevere, the young French prince Lancelot, never knowing that Lancelot's passion for the Queen, and hers for him, may be the love that spells ruin for Camelot.

MY VIEW
Rosalind Miles is a great author I, Elizabeth was one of the best fiction books on Elizabeth I have read, so why has this been sitting on my bookshelf for over 4 years un-read? Well it hasn't had hugely great reviews and sometimes that makes me put any books further down my TBR list - this is a classic case of not listening to others but, making up your own mind.

Mists of Avalon will always be for me one of the best Arturian reads and whilst this was not as good it was a much easier read. This is not an action book so if your looking for that your not going to like this. Equally if you are looking for some really deep and something that needs 101% concentration on again it won't be your cup of tea - this would be a great book to start if your new to Arthurian literature.

The Chalice by Phil Rickman

SYNOPSIS
The magical Glastonbury Tor has been a lifelong obsession for Dianne Ffitch. But as the atmosphere of the place becomes soured by bitterness, violence and death, Dianne is convinced she is being warned of impending disaster. Could there be an anti-Grail in existence - the Dark Chalice?

MY VIEW
This was my first book by Phil Rickman and whilst it was good I don't think I would be in a huge rush to read another of his!

It was good to see both sides of the coin with the new age folk and all the cynics and the descriptions of Glastonbury sound pretty good but, as I haven't been there I can't say how accurate they are but, going by the reviews it seems pretty accurate.

The characters too are pretty interesting but, I found there were too many sub-plots going on that when something happened it flipped over to something else.

This is probably more interesting if you have lived in Glastonbury etc. but, I did find it slightly tedious although I did find it slightly similar to Kit Berry's books but, there were better than this so would recommend those over this.

Sorry to anyone who loved this as I know its seems quite popular but, I just didn't gel with it ...

The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson

SYNOPSIS
In this lush, romantic retelling of one of the most enduring Irish legends, acclaimed Celtic historical author Jules Watson reignites the tale of Deirdre—the Irish Helen of Troy—in a story that is at once magical, beautiful, and tragic.

She was born with a blessing and a curse: that she would grow into a woman of extraordinary beauty—and bring ruin to the kingdom of Ulster and its ruler, the wily Conor. Ignoring the pleadings of his druid to expel the infant, King Conor secrets the girl child with a poor couple in his province, where no man can covet her. There, under the tutelage of a shamaness, Deirdre comes of age in nature and magic…. And in the season of her awakening, the king is inexorably drawn to her impossible beauty.

But for Deirdre, her fate as a man’s possession is worse than death. And soon the green-eyed girl, at home in waterfall and woods, finds herself at the side of three rebellious young warriors. Among them is the handsome Naisi. His heart charged with bitterness toward the aging king, and growing in love for the defiant girl, Naisi will lead Deirdre far from Ulster—and into a war of wits, swords, and spirit that will take a lifetime to wage.

Brimming with life and its lusts, here is a soaring tale of enchantment and eternal passions—and of a woman who became legend.

MY VIEW
This was a totally amazing book, one of the quotes on back of the book was that Jules Watson doesn't jusr write the book she lives it (or something like that), how true the descriptions were utterly brilliant, the explanation of nature and everything - stunning!

I only discovered this book as a recommendation on Amazon whilst looking at Juliet Marillier books so if you love her books (as I do) I think you will most probably love this too.

Its so hard to write a review on books I love without spoiling it for someone who hasn't read it so I'm not going to say anymore about this book, I would even go as far as to say this is one of the best (if not THE best) books I have read this year.

Secrets of The Tudor Court: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson

SYNOPSIS
Beautiful. Seductive. Innocent. Jane Popyncourt was brought to the court as a child to be ward of the king and a companion to his daughters -- the princesses Margaret and Mary. With no money of her own, Jane could not hope for a powerful marriage, or perhaps even marriage at all. But as she grows into a lovely young woman, she still receives flattering attention from the virile young men flocking to serve the handsome new king, Henry VIII, who has recently married Catherine of Aragon. Then a dashing French prisoner of war, cousin to the king of France, is brought to London, and Jane finds she cannot help giving some of her heart -- and more -- to a man she can never marry. But the Tudor court is filled with dangers as well as seductions, and there are mysteries surrounding Jane's birth that have made her deadly enemies. Can she cultivate her beauty and her amorous wiles to guide her along a perilous path and bring her at last to happiness?

Basing her gripping tale on the life of the real Jane Popyncourt, gifted author Kate Emerson brings the Tudor monarchs, their family, and their courtiers to brilliant

MY VIEW

I am a bit undecided about this book, it is very well researched regarding the taste and flavours of the Tudor court, Jane Popyncourt is not someone I had come across before (either in historical fiction or non) so that was interesting to find out something or rather someone who did exist rather than a fictional character.

It was enjoyable but, not something unputdownable it was good also seeing things from the other side ie. not directly King Henry or any of his Queens or children, I personally don't feel there are enough books about Henry's sisters and I loved reading about Mary.

Jane was an interesting character I did feel for her at times it was almost as if she didn't quite belong, there are also some interesting parts in the book regarding the family tree and at the back there is a description of all the different people at court which is helpful as it can get a bit confusing at times.

The Spanish Bride by Laurien Gardner

SYNOPSIS
The queen who married a Tudor and a tyrant.

Her name was Catherine. For over two decades, she was Queen of England, until her failure to bear the king a son, her advancing age, and King Henry VIII's obsession with Anne Boleyn cost Catherine the crown, her marriage, and her life. This is her story, told from the point of view of Estrella de Montoya, her trusted maid of honor, who traveled from Spain to England with her, and witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of her amazing life.

MY VIEW
I am sad to say had I read this book first (of the three) I may well have not read the rest, so fortunate for me I read them out of order! I personally don't think its imperative to read them in order unless you are completely unfamiliar with the story of Henry's wives which I doubt.

I would add that of all the wives I would say Katherine is my least favourite but, thats not to say its the reason for not being completely bowled over by this book (I loved Philippa Gregory's Constant Princess) I think it has more to do with Estrella who is the narrater of this book, this book is written in the first person which is books I usually love but, Estrella was for me as dull as dull can be.

There are parts of this book which are quite dark and moody so not a book to be reading if you are depressed!

I liked (yes there were parts I did like) the fact it flitted back and forth between when Katherine was coming to England from Spain and when she first arrived in Spain to the later years, it was also good to hear about the journey coming over, most books on Katherine I have come across have started with her when she first marries Arthur.

Although as I said Katherine is not one of my favourite wives but, still I would like to read more on her so if anyone has any suggestions please feel free (with the exception of Philippa Gregory & Jean Plaidy).

Maid Marian by Elsa Watson

SYNOPSIS
An irresistible reimagining of the Robin Hood legend, Maid Marian brings to life the rollicking—and romantic—world of the Middle Ages.

An orphan and heiress to a large country estate, Marian Fitzwater is wed at the age of five to an equally young nobleman, Lord Hugh of Sencaster, a union that joins her inheritance to his. But when she is seventeen, Lord Hugh, whom she hasn’t seen in years, dies under mysterious circumstances. Marian is left alone again—a widow who has never been a bride. But now, like all unmarried young ladies of fortune, she is made the ward of King Richard the Lionheart. Since Richard is away on Crusade, Marian’s fate lies in the hands of his mother, the formidable Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The bridegroom Eleanor selects will get Marian’s lands and, in return, pledge his loyalty—and silver—to the king. Marian herself is irrelevant and she knows it. Determined not to be sold into another sham marriage, she seeks out the one man who can help uncover the queen’s intentions: Robin Hood, the notorious Saxon outlaw of Sherwood Forest.

Marian is surprised to discover that the famed “prince of thieves” is not only helpful but handsome, likeable, and sympathetic to her plight. Robin’s men intercept a letter from Queen Eleanor, from which Marian learns, to her horror, that she is to marry her late husband’s brother. His family has a history of mysterious deaths, and Marian knows she is in danger. Once married, she can be easily disposed of—a fate she may have escaped once already. On the eve of her wedding, Robin Hood spirits Marian back to the forest. The Queen believes her to be dead, and Marian begins a new life with Robin Hood’s outlaws, who pledge to help her regain her fortune and expose the treachery of her enemies.

MY VIEW
I adored this! The Marian created here was a brilliant character based of course, in the 1100s this is quite a fast read at a atouch over 300 pages and there were no boring parts it all flowed nicely.

I have not read many books based around the period of Robin Hood, in fact if any at all so this was a nice light introduction (I have Jennifer Roberson's on deck - hope they are as good!), firstly we see Marian as quite spoiled but, not irritatingly so but, as we go further along in the book she becomes worker in the field and becomes far less spoiled.

I loved how like the last book I read this was written in the first person and I do prefer books that way although sometimes you don't always get a good feel for the other characters but, I feel you do here.

This is Marian's story of course, and naturally Robin Hood is quite a central character but, more is based on Marian, loved it!