Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr

Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr

Virgin River #13

ISBN: 9780778329213

Mass Market Paperback

Synopsis: After years spent on ranches around Los Angeles, Clay Tahoma is delighted to be Virgin River's new veterinary assistant. The secluded community's wild beauty tugs at his Navajo roots, and he's been welcomed with open arms by everyone in town—everyone except Lilly Yazhi.

Lilly has encountered her share of strong, silent, traditional men within her own aboriginal community, and she's not interested in coming back for more. In her eyes, Clay's earthy, sexy appeal is just an act used to charm wealthy women like his ex-wife. She can't deny his gift for gentling horses, but she's not about to let him control her. There's just one small problem—she can't control her attraction to Clay.
But in Virgin River, faith in new beginnings and the power of love has doors opening everywhere.…

My Review: As with the rest of the Virgin River series I loved this book and was sad to finish it. I will have to say though that it took me just a little a bit to get into this story, which was unusual for me. The story line with the horses and Native Americans was great for me as I love story with both of those in them. You can't help but love Clay and Lilly from the first page, both of them have old souls to me and they both have been through bad times and deserved to be happy. There is also a twist with a resident of Virgin River that I was not expecting and was kind of sad to read about. Then we have Luke's brother with his problem and I felt so bad for him. This book had me smiling at times as well as in tears at times. I do feel as if Robyn left a few things undone and us hanging at the end so I can't wait to read the next one in this awesome series. 

My Lady Viper by E. Knight

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My Lady Viper by E. Knight
ISBN: 9780990324508
Synopsis: May, 1536. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen.

When Anne Boleyn falls to the executioner’s axe on a cold spring morning, yet another Anne vows she will survive in the snakepit court of Henry VIII. But at what cost?

Lady Anne Seymour knows her family hangs by a thread. If her sister-in-law Jane Seymour cannot give the King a son, she will be executed or set aside, and her family with her. Anne throws herself into the deadly and intoxicating intrigue of the Tudor court, determined at any price to see the new queen’s marriage a success and the Seymour family elevated to supreme power. But Anne’s machinations will earn her a reputation as a viper, and she must decide if her family’s rise is worth the loss of her own soul…

Book Two, Prisoner of the Queen, will be released later in 2014.

My review: This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it as I can never get enough of Tudor books. I enjoyed reading about the Seymour family and another Anne in Tudor history. The author did a very good job in my opinion with the development of the characters and they just see to jump off the page at you. I think she also did very good with the setting so she made feel as if you were right there in Henry's court. Another thing I enjoyed was the telling of yet another love triangle from the Tudor court. Anne was known as a vicious woman and after reading her story here you will understand why while at the same time getting you to understand her side. Anne was a very strong woman to survive being at court. I will be looking forward to book two in this series. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. 

Praise for My Lady Viper

“E. Knight breathes new life and new scandal into the Tudors. This is an engrossing historical fiction tale that readers will love!” ~ Meg Wessel, A Bookish Affair

“A brilliant illustration of a capricious monarch and the nest of serpents that surrounded him, My Lady Viper is an absolute must. Intricately detailed, cleverly constructed and utterly irresistible.” ~ Erin, Flashlight Commentary

“Author E. Knight proves that though there are a plethora of Tudor novels out there a writer can still create a fresh and unique view of one of history’s most treacherous courts, that of England’s King Henry VIII. Schemes and scandalous trysts abound in ‘My Lady Viper’, making for a very captivating read. Racy and deliciously sensual, once started I was hard pressed to put the book down. I eagerly await the next installment in E. Knight’s stand-out Tales of the Tudor Courts series!” ~ Amy Bruno, Passages to the Past

Buy the Book

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

Audio: Coming June 16, 2014 — Available for Pre-Order

About the Author

E. Knight is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America and several RWA affiliate writing chapters: Hearts Through History, Celtic Hearts, Maryland Romance Writers and Washington Romance Writers. Growing up playing in castle ruins and traipsing the halls of Versailles when visiting her grandparents during the summer, instilled in a love of history and royals at an early age. Feeding her love of history, she created the popular historical blog, History Undressed (www.historyundressed.com). Under the pseudonym Eliza Knight, she is a bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author of historical and erotic romance.

She is avid in social media and readers can find her at:

Website
Facebook
Twitter (@ElizaKnight)
Goodreads

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, May 5
Spotlight at The Tower of Babel
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, May 6
Review & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, May 7
Review & Giveaway at The Tudor Enthusiast

Thursday, May 8
Review at Curling Up By the Fire

Friday, May 9
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Monday, May 12
Review & Giveaway at The Tudor Book Blog
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Tuesday, May 13
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession

Wednesday, May 14
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Thursday, May 15
Review at Luxury Reading

Friday, May 16
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Interview & Giveaway at Luxury Reading

Monday, May 19
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Tuesday, May 20
Review at A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, May 21
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection

Thursday, May 22
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, May 23
Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Review at The Musings of ALMYBNENR
Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland - Review and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland
ISBN: 9780385537520
Hardback

Synopsis: From the author of the beloved Josephine B. Trilogy, comes a spellbinding novel inspired by the true story of a young woman who rises from poverty to become confidante to the most powerful, provocative and dangerous woman in the 17th century French court: the mistress of the charismatic Sun King.

1660, Paris

Claudette’s life is like an ever-revolving stage set.  From an impoverished childhood wandering the French countryside with her family’s acting troupe, Claudette finally witnesses her mother’s astonishing rise to stardom in Parisian theaters. Working with playwrights Corneille, Molière and Racine, Claudette’s life is culturally rich, but like all in the theatrical world at the time, she’s socially scorned.

A series of chance encounters pull Claudette into the alluring orbit of Athénaïs de Montespan, mistress to Louis XIV and reigning “Shadow Queen.” Needing someone to safeguard her secrets, Athénaïs offers to hire Claudette as her personal attendant.

Enticed by the promise of riches and respectability, Claudette leaves the world of the theater only to find that court is very much like a stage, with outward shows of loyalty masking more devious intentions. This parallel is not lost on Athénaïs, who fears political enemies are plotting her ruin as young courtesans angle to take the coveted spot in the king’s bed.

Indeed, Claudette’s “reputable” new position is marked by spying, illicit trysts and titanic power struggles. As Athénaïs, becomes ever more desperate to hold onto the King’s favor, innocent love charms move into the realm of deadly Black Magic, and Claudette is forced to consider a move that will put her own life—and the family she loves so dearly—at risk.

Set against the gilded opulence of a newly-constructed Versailles and the blood-stained fields of the Franco-Dutch war, THE SHADOW QUEEN is a seductive, gripping novel about the lure of wealth, the illusion of power, and the increasingly uneasy relationship between two strong-willed women whose actions could shape the future of France.

My review: This was a good book to me. The author does a good job with the characters and the use of history. I think she really did her research when writing this book. I did not know anything about this character in history so I was happy to read and learn some more about her. It was neat to read about the early days of theater. Another fun thing about this book was the tangled webs and conflict between the different classes that were told throughout the story. I recommend this book to history lovers.

 Sandra Gulland is the author of the Josephine B. Trilogy, internationally best-selling novels about Josephine Bonaparte which have been published in over seventeen countries. Her forth novel, Mistress of the Sun, set in the 17th-century court of the Sun King, was also a bestseller and published internationally.
Her most recent novel is The Shadow Queen, also set in the era of the Sun King, published in April of 2014 by HarperCollins in Canada and Doubleday in the U.S.

See more on her website: www.sandragulland.com

Sign-up for her author newsletter: http://www.sandragulland.com/contacts/

Follow her on Facebook  | Twitter  |  Pinterest  | GoodReads

Go to France Book Tours to check out the rest of the stops on the tour. (click here)

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Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum - Review and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Murder in Merino by Sally Goldenbaum
Seaside Knitters #8
ISBN: 9780451415363
Mass Market Paperback

Synopsis: It’s autumn in Sea Harbor, and as the tourists leave, a mysterious guest arrives. When she’s implicated in a crime, the Seaside Knitters must quickly table their knitting project and search out a motif for murder.

Fall is usually a relaxing time in Sea Harbor, but it’s turning out to be a busy season for Izzy Chambers Perry. Not only is she helping the Seaside Knitters make a magnificent throw to celebrate the fortieth wedding anniversary of her aunt and uncle, but she and her husband are finally selling the cottage she lived in before she got married and had a darling baby girl. To Izzy’s surprise, newcomer Julia Ainsley seems determined to buy the home—although she’s never set foot inside.

But on the day of the open house, things take a dark turn. A body is uncovered in the cottage’s backyard. When the police find Julia’s name and phone number in the victim’s pocket, this slender thread of evidence makes her a person of interest. Soon the spotlight of suspicion widens to include old friends and town leaders as a tragic happening, long buried in the sleepy seaside town, is slowly brought to the surface.

Before the joyful anniversary celebration can be realized, the Seaside Knitters must work to unravel the real reason Julia Ainsley has come to their town—and the tangled and troubled ties from the past that bind friends and townsfolk together.

My review: This is the first book I have read in this series and I enjoyed it. I am a sucker for a new cozy mystery so I was excited to read it. Even though I have not read any others in this series I did just fine reading it. Now I will have to go back and get the rest of this series so I can catch up since I enjoyed the book so much. I can't knit to save my life but I liked that that was the theme of the book and that there are patterns included. The author did a good job with the characters as I really liked them and I loved the setting, I would love to visit this town. I was left guessing right up until the end as to who committed the crime. I would recommend this book to all mystery lovers. 

Tour Participants

May 6 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Giveaway

May 7 – Our Wolves Den – Review, Giveaway

May 8 – Books-n-Kisses – Review, Interview

May 9 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review

May 10 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Interview, Giveaway

May 12 – Books Are Life – Vita Libri – Review

May 13 – deal sharing aunt – Review, Giveaway

May 14 – Back Porchervations – Review

May 16 – Community Bookstop – Review

May 17 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Interview, Giveaway

May 19 – Watching the Words – Review

May 20 – A Chick Who Reads – Review

May 21 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Review

May 22 – Brooke Blogs – Review

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Postcards from the Dead by Laura Childs

Postcards from the Dead by Laura Childs
Scrapbooking Mystery #10
ISBN: 9780425252277
Mass Market Paperback

Synopsis: Kimber Breeze of KBEZ-TZ is broadcasting live from a hotel balcony in the French Quarter, interviewing locals and capturing the spectacle in the streets. But as Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine scrapbooking shop, waits to be interviewed next, someone sneaks onto the balcony and strangles Kimber with a cord, leaving her body dangling above the parade.

Soon after the murder, Carmela begins receiving strange postcards at her shop -- signed by the late reporter. Now she and her friend Ava must risk their own necks to find out who's posing as a ghost and expose a killer...

My review: As you all know I am a big fan of Laura's and her books. I have to say she did not disappoint me with this installment in this series. Carmela has a way of always finding herself in the middle of a murder and wants to help find the person who committed the crime. In the midst of solving the crime she starts getting getting creepy postcards and as she goes along more trouble comes her way. I like how Laura makes you think it could be a number of people as a suspect but waits until the very end to reveal the real killer. The only thing that I did not like about this book was that for some reason this time Ava drove me nuts. She seemed a little pushy and just annoying this time. But I will not let this keep me from reading this series. I recommend this book to mystery lovers.

Puritan Witch by Penni Jo Renner - Book Blast

PURITAN WITCH: THE REDEMPTION OF REBECCA EAMES is a fictionalized account of one Puritan family’s ordeal during the witchcraft hysteria of colonial Massachusetts. When Rebecca Eames makes one careless utterance during a verbal attack on her family, she is falsely accused of witchcraft. After her fate is decided by three magistrates, Rebecca must endure a prison sentence during which she and her fellow captives have no choice but to valiantly struggle to find humanity and camaraderie among dire conditions. 

Peni Jo Renner is the direct descendant of Rebecca Blake Eames, one of over 150 innocent people accused of witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. Rebecca Eames is her ninth great-grandmother.

About Puritan Witch

Publication Date: September 17, 2013
iUniverse
Formats: Ebook, Hardcover, Paperback

On a cold night in 1692, two young girls are caught up in the divining games of a slave woman-and then begin to act very strangely when the game goes wrong. Suddenly, Salem Village is turned upside down as everyone fears that witches may be involved. Six months later, as news of the girls' strange behavior becomes known, fear and suspicion overwhelm a nearby farming community, pitting neighbors against neighbors and turning friends into enemies. When Rebecca Eames makes one careless utterance during a verbal attack on her family, she is falsely accused of witchcraft. After her fate is decided by three magistrates, Rebecca must endure a prison sentence during which she and her fellow captives have no choice but to valiantly struggle to find humanity and camaraderie among dire conditions. In this novel based on a true story, a woman wrongly imprisoned during the seventeenth-century witchcraft trials comes full circle where she must determine if she can somehow resume her life, despite all she has endured.

Praise for Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames

"Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames is a story of the fear, suspicion, and accusations as they permeate the surrounding communities. The narration was exquisite, really painting a picture in my head and bringing to life the language of the Puritans much better than it usually is done. I loved that it was based on a true story and that the story really expands on a piece of the darkest of American history. Such a cool read!" - Katelyn Hensel, Readers' Favorite

“Elegantly written, meticulously researched, and historically accurate, the author’s work rings true. … Renner’s vast talent as a writer is enhanced by the fact that she’s telling the story of her own family, completely captivating from beginning to end.” - Kelly Z. Conrad, award-winning author of Shaman

“In the colonial-era tale Puritan Witch, the plight of Rebecca Eames and her family plays out against the backdrop of one of the most intriguing periods in American history.” - Julie Castillo, writer and editor

About the Author

Peni Renner is the author of "Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames", an award-winning historical novel based on the true-life account of Peni's 9th great grandmother.  The book is Renner's first published work, and follows Eames' life and struggles in 1692 Massachussetts during the Salem Witchcraft Trials.

Writing historical fiction has always been a lifelong dream of mine. I was discouraged for many years after receiving multiple rejection slips, and turned to other creative outlets like crocheting, quilting and cross-stitch for many years. Then I met a 3rd cousin of mine online who is also into geneology and history. She told me we shared a common ancestor who was involved in the Salem Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692, and her story had never been told. My love of writing was rekindled and I began to research this ancestor, Rebecca Blake Eames. In August of 2012 I had the privilege of visiting her grave in Boxford, Massachusetts.

After months and months of research, writing, rewriting and revising, Puritan Witch came into being, featuring a lovely sketch done by my sister-in-law, Jane Sisk.

I have several other story ideas I am working on at the moment, all pertaining to interesting ancestors my 3rd cousin has introduced me to.

For more information please visit the Puritan Witch Facebook Page. You can also follow Peni Jo Renner on Twitter.

Please go to Historical Fiction Virtual Booktours (click here) to click on the links for each stop on the tour. 

Virtual Tour & Book Blast Schedule

Monday, April 28

Book Blast at Broken Teepee

Book Blast at Our Wolves Den

Tuesday, April 29

Book Blast at The Lit Bitch

Book Blast at A Book Geek

Book Blast at The Musings of ALMYBNENR

Book Blast at Literary Chanteuse

Wednesday, April 30

Review & Giveaway at Closed the Cover

Thursday, May 1

Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Book Blast at Historical Fiction Obsession

Friday, May 2

Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Book Blast at Caroline Wilson Writes

Saturday, May 3

Book Blast at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Sunday, May 4

Book Blast at I’d Rather Be Reading

Monday, May 5

Book Blast at Kincavel Korner

Tuesday, May 6

Review at Just One More Chapter

Wednesday, May 7

Review at Books in the Burbs

Book Blast at Kelsey’s Book Corner

Thursday, May 8

Book Blast at Curling Up with a Good Book

Friday, May 9

Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Book Blast at Carpe Diem

Monday, May 12

Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Book Blast at West Metro Mommy

Tuesday, May 13

Book Blast at Let Them Read Books

Wednesday, May 14

Book Blast at Historical Tapestry

Thursday, May 15

Review at A Bibliotaph’s Reviews

Review at Impressions in Ink

Friday, May 16

Book Blast at Historical Fiction Connection

Monday, May 19

Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Tuesday, May 20

Review at 100 Pages a Day

Book Blast at The Maiden’s Court

Wednesday, May 21

Book Blast at So Many Books, So Little Time

Thursday, May 22

Guest Post at Bibliophilic Book Blog

Friday, May 23

Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Book Blast at The Mad Reviewer

Book Blast at Reviews by Molly

Saturday, May 24

Book Blast at Book Nerd

Monday, May 26

Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, May 27

Review at WTF Are You Reading?

Guest Post at Layered Pages

Wednesday, May 28

Book Blast at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, May 30

Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict

Monday, June 2

Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Book Blast at To Read or Not to Read

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

I received this book from Litefuse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley
ISBN: 9781401686840
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: From the servant halls of Cleopatra’s Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.

Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra’s palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm’s length. She’s been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she’s had to a family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

My review: I could not wait to read this book as this is a time period that I have been wanting to read more and more about. One thing I really liked was how history was told along with Christian history. Normally you get one or the other but not both so being a history lover this was  bonus for me. There is a little for everyone in this book - history, adventure and romance all things to keep me turning the pages well into the night. The author did a good job The author does a very good job with the details of the story from describing the characters to describing the scenes. A definite must read for history lovers.