The Medici Boy by John L'Heureux

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

The Medici Boy by John L'Heureux
ISBN: 9781938231506
Hardcover

Synopsis: The worlds of art, politics and passion collide in John L’Heureux’s masterful new novel, The Medici Boy. With rich composition, L’Heureux ingeniously transports the reader to Donatello’s Renaissance Italy—directly into his bottega, (workshop), as witnessed through the eyes of Luca Mattei, a devoted assistant. While creating his famous bronze of David and Goliath, Donatello’s passion for his enormously beautiful model and part time rent boy, Agnolo, ignites a dangerous jealousy that ultimately leads to Agnolo’s brutal murder. Luca, the complex and conflicted assistant, will sacrifice all to save the life of Donatello, even if it means the life of the master sculptor’s friend and great patron of art, Cosimo de’ Medici. John L’Heureux’s long-awaited novel delivers both a monumental and intimate narrative of the creative genius, Donatello, at the height of his powers. With incisive detail, L’Heureux beautifully renders the master sculptor’s forbidden homosexual passions, and the artistry that enthralled the powerful and highly competitive Medici and Albizzi families. The finished work is a sumptuously detailed historical novel that entertains while it delves deeply into both the sacred and the profane within one of the Italian Renaissance’s most consequential cities, fifteenth century Florence

My review: This book appealed to me because it was set in historical Italy. The author did a great job on his historical research so much so that I felt as if I was in Renaissance Italy. I also found the way he wrote about the characters was very good to me. The descriptions of Donatello's works was just amazing and very detailed. The more I read this book the more I wanted to read and learn more about Dontallo and the Medici family. I recommend this book to fans of historical books, books about Italy and plain ole' fiction lovers. I look forward to more book by this author. 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1i8UhyW

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1kkIpLL

Astor+Blue:  http://bit.ly/1dIUz2I

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer
ISBN: 9780307731296
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn't old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

My review: I wanted to read this book because I have read a little about the Harvey Girls and wanted to hear the story of someone who wanted to become one. Dinah's story was an emotional one to read about.  Each of the characters were so well developed that I felt as if I knew them personally. This book was so well written and grabbed my interest so well that I read it quickly - in just a weekend. Kim did a very good job with her historical research for this book. I highly recommend this book to everyone. 

Check out Kim's website by clicking here

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling, award-winning author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print. She lives in central Kansas where she and her retired military husband, Don, enjoy spoiling their ten granddarlings. - See more at: Waterbrookmultnomah (click here)

Up at Butternut Lake by Mary McNear

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

Up at Butternut Lake by Mary McNear
Butternut Lake Trilogy - Book 1
ISBN: 9780062283146
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: It’s summer, and after ten years away, Allie Beckett has returned to her family’s cabin besides tranquil Butternut Lake. Now, newly widowed after her husband is killed in Afghanistan, she’s brought her five-year-old son, Wyatt, in search for a new start in a peaceful place. In town, Allie reconnects with familiar faces—Jax, now a young mother of three with one more on the way, and Caroline, the owner of the local coffee shop. But what she doesn’t expect is a newcomer to Butternut Lake, the handsome Walker Ford. Moving forward is never easy, but Allie must learn to unlock the hidden longings of her heart, and to accept that in order to face the future we must also confront—and understand—what has come before.

My Review: I was drawn to this book because it seemed like it would be a touching story and I was not disappointed. The author did a good job with the character development and the emotions of them showed through with her writing. Also the story line itself was so believable and could happen to anyone which was another plus in my book. Since the writing in this story flowed so well I did not want to put it down. I will absolutely be reading the rest of the trilogy. For lovers of a great fiction book this is for you. 

MARY MCNEAR is a writer living in San Francisco with her husband, two teenage children, and a miniscule white dog named Macaroon. She bases her novels on a lifetime of summers spent in a small town on a lake in the Northern Midwest. BUTTERNUT SUMMER, the second in the series, is scheduled for release in August 2014.

Daughter of Sherwood by Laura Strickland

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

Daughter of Sherwood by Laura Strickland

The Guardians of Sherwood - Book 1

ISBN: 9781612179179

Synopsis: Raised as a scullery maid in Nottingham Castle, Wren has no idea she is the daughter of the legendary Robin Hood. When she is forced to defend herself against the unwanted advances of an influential man, she flees the castle and finds refuge in Sherwood Forest. It is then she learns a powerful secret: she has a destiny as a guardian of Sherwood, charged with the responsibility of defending its ancient magic.

 
Since Robin's death many years before, his supporters have kept his legend alive.  Now one of the three guardians holding the spell has died. With two young men, Sparrow and Martin, Wren must form a new bond strong enough to protect Sherwood and continue her father’s fight.  Drawn equally to Martin’s warrior spirit and Sparrow’s gentle strength, she finds it nearly impossible to choose between duty and love.
 
Laura takes us on a journey into the world of Robin Hood's daughter, where we experience her struggle to accept her identity and the demands of her father's legacy.  Along with Wren, we learn that what is loved in life can never be lost, and that great love is worth the price paid.  For at last, when Martin is captured and held at Nottingham Castle, the path becomes clear for Wren and she finds the strength to become the woman she was born to be, the Daughter of Sherwood.

My review: I have not read any books about Robin Hood but do like his story so this book caught my attention. This book has a little historical romance and little fantasy as well as a little adventure. The author did such a good job with the character development that it draws you even further into the story. I could not decide who was my favorite Sparrow or Martin. They are both strong characters. The scenes were written so well that I felt as if I was there. The story of Robin Hood was brought more to life for my by reading this book. This was a hit in my book and I am glad I took the chance on it. I look forward to the rest of the series. 

Serpents in the Garden by Anna Belfrage

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

Serpents in the Garden by Anna Belfrage
The Graham Saga - Book 5
ISBN: 9781781321737
Paperback

Synopsis: After years of hard work, Matthew and Alex Graham have created a thriving home in the Colony of Maryland. About time, in Alex’s opinion, after far too many adventures she is really looking forward to some well-deserved peace and quiet.  

A futile hope, as it turns out. Things start to heat up when Jacob, the third Graham son, absconds from his apprenticeship to see the world – especially as Jacob leaves behind a girl whom he has wed in a most irregular fashion. 

Then there’s the infected matter of the fellow time traveller Alex feels obliged to help – no matter the risk. Worst of all, one day Philip Burley and his brothers resurface after years of absence. As determined as ever to make Matthew pay for every perceived wrong – starting with the death of their youngest brother – the Burleys play out a complicated cat and mouse game, and Alex is thrown back into an existence where her heart is constantly in her mouth, convinced as she is that one day the Burleys will achieve their purpose. 

Will the Burleys succeed? And if they do, will the Graham family survive the exacted price?

Serpents in the Garden is the fifth book in Anna Belfrage’s time slip series featuring time traveller Alexandra Lind and her seventeenth century husband, Matthew Graham.

My review: I enjoyed this current book in the Graham Saga. One thing I like about this series is the time traveling as well the historical aspect. I think the characters are very strong and interesting. The author did a good job with describing the settings and has a way to make you feel like you are a part of the book. I look forward to the next book in this series. 

Be sure to stop by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours (click here) to see the other stops on the tour. 

About the Author

I was raised abroad, on a pungent mix of Latin American culture, English history and Swedish traditions. As a result I’m multilingual and most of my reading is historical – both non-fiction and fiction.

I was always going to be a writer – or a historian, preferably both. Instead I ended up with a degree in Business and Finance, with very little time to spare for my most favourite pursuit. Still, one does as one must, and in between juggling a challenging career I raised my four children on a potent combination of invented stories, historical debates and masses of good food and homemade cakes. They seem to thrive … Nowadays I spend most of my spare time at my writing desk. The children are half grown, the house is at times eerily silent and I slip away into my imaginary world, with my imaginary characters. Every now and then the one and only man in my life pops his head in to ensure I’m still there. I like that – just as I like how he makes me laugh so often I’ll probably live to well over a hundred.

I was always going to be a writer. Now I am – I have achieved my dream.

For more information, please visit Anna Belfrage’s website.  You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon - Review and Giveaway

A Killing Notion by Melissa Bourbon
Magical Dressmaking Series #5
ISBN: 9780451417206
Mass Mark Paperback

Synopsis: Harlow is doing everything she can to expand her dressmaking business, Buttons & Bows—without letting clients know about her secret charm. When she has a chance to create homecoming dresses with a local charity and handmade mums for several high school girls—including Gracie, whose father, Will, has mended Harlow’s heart—she is ready to use her magical talents for a great cause.
 
But when Gracie’s date for the dance is accused of murder, Harlow knows things won’t be back on course until she helps Gracie clear the football player’s name. If Harlow can’t patch up this mess before the big game, her business and her love life might be permanently benched.

Review: I really enjoyed this book. The characters in this book are so nice and fun, they are just like your friends. I would love to live in this little down it is so cozy. I really like that Harlow was creating homecoming dresses for charity.  The mystery part of the book is fun for me, I never seem to figure out how did it until the end but that is the part that I like. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and look forward to more. I hope you enjoy it as well. 

Be sure to check out Escape with Dollycas (click here) to see all of the other stops on the tour.

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Queen Elizabeth's Daughter by Anne Clinard Barnhill

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

Queen Elizabeth's Daughter by Anne Clinard Barnhill
A Novel of Elizabeth I
ISBN: 9780312662122
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Mistress Mary Shelton is Queen Elizabeth’s favorite ward, enjoying every privilege the position affords. The queen loves Mary like a daughter, and, like any good mother, she wants her to make a powerful match. The most likely prospect: Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. But while Oxford seems to be everything the queen admires: clever, polished and wealthy, Mary knows him to be lecherous, cruel, and full of treachery. No matter how hard the queen tries to push her into his arms, Mary refuses.

Instead, Mary falls in love with a man who is completely unsuitable. Sir John Skydemore is a minor knight with little money, a widower with five children. Worst of all, he’s a Catholic at a time when Catholic plots against Elizabeth are rampant. The queen forbids Mary to wed the man she loves. When the young woman, who is the queen’s own flesh and blood, defies her, the couple finds their very lives in danger as Elizabeth’s wrath knows no bounds.

My review: This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Elizabeth I has interested me so for me I was really looking forward to this book. I for some reason did not realize Mary was her ward so it was nice to learn something as I was reading this book. The author did a very good job developing the characters and the setting of this book so that I felt as if I was right there. I highly recommend this book to fans of the Elizabethan time period especially if you are looking for a book that you will not be able to put down. I look forward to finding more books by this author. 

Buy the Book

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About the Author

Anne Clinard Barnhill has been writing or dreaming of writing for most of her life. For the past twenty years, she has published articles, book and theater reviews, poetry, and short stories. Her first book, AT HOME IN THE LAND OF OZ, recalls what it was like growing up with an autistic sister. Her work has won various awards and grants. Barnhill holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Besides writing, Barnhill also enjoys teaching, conducting writing workshops, and facilitating seminars to enhance creativity. She loves spending time with her three grown sons and their families. For fun, she and her husband of thirty years, Frank, take long walks and play bridge. In rare moments, they dance.

For more information, please visit Anne Clinard Barnhill’s website. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, March 10
Review at Words and Peace
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Wednesday, March 12
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Thursday, March 13
Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Friday, March 14
Review at The Lit Bitch

Monday, March 17
Review at The True Book Addict
Feature & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, March 18
Spotlight & Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Wednesday, March 19
Review at One Book at a Time

Thursday, March 20
Review at Book-alicious Mama

Friday, March 21
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Monday, March 24
Review at Scandalous Women
Review at She is Too Fond of Books

Tuesday, March 25
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Wednesday, March 26
Interview at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Thursday, March 27
Review at Book of Secrets

Friday, March 28
Review at The Musings of ALMYBNENR

Monday, March 31
Review at HF Book Muse – News
Review & Giveaway at WTF Are You Reading?

Tuesday, April 1
Interview at HF Book Muse – News

Thursday, April 3
Review at Books in the Burbs

Friday, April 4
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Monday, April 7
Review at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Tuesday, April 8
Review at A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, April 9
Interview & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, April 10
Review at The Most Happy Reader

Friday, April 11
Review at Silver’s Reviews