The Queen's Exiles by Barbara Kyle

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

The Queen's Exiles by Barbara Kyle
Thornleigh Saga #6
ISBN: 978075827324
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: 1572. Europe is in turmoil. A vengeful faction of exiled English Catholics is plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and install her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. And in the Netherlands the streets are red with the blood of those who dare to oppose the brutal Spanish occupation. But amid the unrest, one resourceful young woman has made a lucrative enterprise. Scottish-born Fenella Doorn salvages crippled vessels. It is on one of these ships that she meets wealthy Baron Adam Thornleigh. Secretly drawn to him, Fenella can’t refuse when Adam enlists her to join him in war-torn Brussels to help find his traitorous wife, Frances—and the children she’s taken from him. But Adam and Fenella will put their lives in peril as they attempt to rescue his young ones, defend the Crown, and restore a peace that few can remember. 

With eloquent and enthralling finesse, Barbara Kyle illuminates one of history's grimmest chapters. The Queen's Exiles breathes new life into an extraordinary age when love and freedom could only be won with unmitigated courage.

My review: This was a great addition to the Thornleigh Saga. I enjoyed this book from page one as I have each one in this series. It was packed full of drama and action which keeps you turning the pages. Barbara does a great job with her character development as well as making you feel as if you are in Europe at this time by her descriptions of the scenes. Another thing that I liked about this book is that even though it is a Tudor novel it is not set in England which is a change of pace for these types of books. It gives us a new perspective of this time period. If you have not read any of the rest of the series that is ok you can read this by itself but I am sure you will want to go back and read the rest after you are done. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. 

Be sure to stop by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours (click here) to see all the stops on The Queen's Exiles book tour.

Praise for The Queen’s Exiles

“Riveting Tudor drama in the bestselling vein of Philippa Gregory” – USA Today

“A bold and original take on the Tudors that dares to be different. Enjoy the adventure!” – Susanna Kearsley, New York Times bestselling author

“This moving adventure pulses with Shakespearean passions: love and heartbreak, risk and valour, and loyalties challenged in a savage time. Fenella Doorn, savvy and brave, is an unforgettable heroine.” – Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival

“Brilliant. A page-turner of love and loyalty in treacherous Tudor times. A truly unforgettable adventure.” – Deborah Swift, author of A Divided Inheritance

“A vivid and compelling novel by an author at the very top of her craft.” – Diane Haeger, author of I, Jane

Praise for Barbara Kyle’s Books

“Kyle knows what historical fiction readers crave.” – RT Book Reviews on Blood Between Queens

“A complex and fast-paced plot mixing history with vibrant characters” – Publishers Weekly on The King’s Daughter

“An all-action thriller, bringing to life the passion and perils of the Tudor period.” – Lancashire Evening Post on The King’s Daughter

“Riveting…adventurous…superb!” – The Historical Novels Review on The Queen’s Gamble

“An exciting tale of the intrigue and political manoeuvring in the Tudor court.” – Booklist on The Queen’s Captive

“Boldly strides into Philippa Gregory territory…sweeping, gritty and realistic.” – The Historical Novels Review on The Queen’s Lady

Buy the Book

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Amazon UK
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Book Depository
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About the Author

Barbara Kyle is the author of the acclaimed, internationally-published Thornleigh Saga novels which follow a middle-class English family’s rise through three tumultuous Tudor reigns:

The Queen’s Exiles
Blood Between Queens
The Queen’s Gamble
The Queen’s Captive
The King’s Daughter
The Queen’s Lady

Barbara was a speaker in 2013 at the world-renowned Stratford Festival with her talk Elizabeth and Mary, Rival Queens and is known for her dynamic workshops for many writers’ organizations and conferences. Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S.

For more information visit www.barbarakyle.com. You can also connect with Barbara at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, June 16Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Tuesday, June 17Excerpt & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court

Wednesday, June 18Review at The True Book Addict

Friday, June 20Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Monday, June 23Review & Giveaway at Flashlight Commentary

Tuesday, June 24Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Wednesday, June 25Review & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books

Thursday, June 26Guest Post at Oh, for the Hook of a Book

Monday, June 30Review at HF Book Muse-News

Wednesday, July 2Guest Post & Giveaway at HF Book Muse-News

Monday, July 7Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Wednesday, July 9Review at Historical Tapestry

Thursday, July 10Guest Post & Giveaway at HF Connection

Friday, July 11Review at Dianne Ascroft Blog

Monday, July 14Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Wednesday, July 16Review & Giveaway at Luxury Reading

Thursday, July 17Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Friday, July 18Interview at Griperang’s Bookmarks

Monday, July 21Review at Always with a Book

Wednesday, July 23Guest Post & Giveaway at Always with a Book

Thursday, July 24Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, July 25Review at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Monday, July 28Review at A Bookish Affair

Wednesday, July 30Guest Post & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair

Thursday, July 31Interview at Passages to the Past

Interview with Barbara Kyle - Author of The Queen's Exiles

I would like to welcome historical fiction author Barbara Kyle to my blog today. I had the pleasure of interviewing her so we can all learn a little more about her.

Barbara Kyle is the author of the acclaimed Thornleigh Saga novels – The Queen’s Exiles, Blood Between Queens, The Queen’s Gamble, The Queen’s Captive, The King’s Daughter and The Queen’s Lady – which follow a middle-class English family’s rise through three tumultuous Tudor reigns during which they make hard choices about loyalty, allegiance, family, and love. Barbara is also the author of the contemporary thrillers Entrapped (a B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree) and The Experiment. Over 450,000 copies of her books have been sold in seven countries.

Barbara is known for her dynamic workshops and master classes for writers. She also gives popular talks about Tudor history, most recently for the University of Toronto Lecture Series and the world-renowned Stratford Festival.

Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S. Barbara and her husband live in Ontario.

You can learn more about Barbara and her books by going to her website (click here) and now for the interview. 

What made you decide to write historical fiction?

It was one of those "epiphany" moments. I saw an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario of the works of Hans Holbein featuring people at the court of Henry VIII. Holbein's drawings of these men and women were so brilliantly lifelike I was utterly captivated. That experience led me to read widely abou the cour of Henry VIII, and that research led me to create my first historical novel which became The Queen's Layd. That first book launched the six-book Thornleigh Saga. 

Who designs your covers? Do you have any influence on them?

Kensington Books has published all six of my Thornleigh Saga novels and their in-house designer, Kristine Mills-Noble, created all the covers. I've made suggestions during the process, but basically Kristine and her team work with my editor who shepherds the book through production, and collectively they make all the decisions. I'm very happy with what they've created. 

I know this question is asked a lot but where do you get the ideas for your books and how long does it take you to do your research?

I get the ideas from my research. I read extensively about Tudor times - historical works, biograpies, letters, ambassadors' reports, etc. - and that reading invariably yields wonderful nuggets aboutt people and sparks ideas for plots. The question of how long the research takes ia alittle tricky because , really, the research never stops. However, after I've got a first draft of a book written the research shrinks to just checking that I've got certain facts correct. 

What keeps you focused when you are writing?

My contract deadline! But seriously, I don't find focusing a challenge. Once I begin the day's writing I'm totally involved in the work. 

What can we expect from you in the future?

I'm just finishing the next book in the Thornleigh Saga (book #77). It's called The Traitor's Daughter and it will be released by Kensington Books in June 2015. 

What is a favorite book or author you like to read or would like to recommend to your readers"

The best book I've read recently is Robert Harris's new novel., An Officer and a Spy. It's gripping, moving, and brilliant. And right now I'm in the middle of Donna Tartt's Pulitzer-winning novel. The Goldfinch , which is magnificent. 

Who or what influenced your love of books?

I've been inspired all my life by big sagas. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. Herman Wouk's The Winds of War. Leon Uris' Trinity, Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, Jame Clavell's Shogun. I admire the way these works combine adventure, game-changer moments in history, and personal crises of conscience.

Is there someone who encourages you most in your writing? Who is it and how do they influecne you?

Two people are big influences on my writing. The first is my agent, Al Zuckerman of Writers House in New York. He comments on every draft I send him, from the outline to the final draft. The second is my husband, Stephen  Best, who is a filmmaker and an excellent writer himself. I give him each chapter as I write them and his feedback is always helpful. 

When you are not writing what do you like to do?

Take long walks. And cook. I enjoy both!

List five random things about yourself.

I was an actor for twenty years: TV, film and theater. Writing full time is my second career.

I'm a vegetarian.

I'm a sailor. (My husband and I sail our Cal-46 ketch on beautiful Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.)

I'm a fan of both "Downton Abbey" and "Game of Thrones" How's that for variety.

I've just started learning Tai Chi and I love it. 

I would once again like to thank Barbara for giving me the chance to interview her. I look forward to all of her future books. 

Be sure to stop by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours (click here) to see all the stops on The Queen's Exiles book tour. 

A Biscuit, A Casket by Liz Mugavero - Review and Giveaway

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

A Biscuit, A Casket by Liz Mugavero
A Pawsitively Organic Mystery - Book 2
ISBN: 9780758284808
Mass Market Paperback

Synopsis: The small town of Frog Ledge, Connecticut, has wholeheartedly embraced Kristan "Stan" Connor's new business - preparing quality organic treats for dogs and cats. On a healthy diet, the animals may live longer...but one local farmer won't be so lucky. As Halloween approaches, Stan is asked to cater a doggie costume party hosted by the Happy Cow Dairy Farm. Part of a local co-op, Happy Cow specializes in organic dairy products, and farmers Hal and Emmalee Hoffman have started opening up the farm for parties, offering a "haunted" corn maze as an added attraction. When Hal's lifeless body is found in the maze, the police at first suspect his wife, but Stan soon learns the dairy farmer had plenty of enemies - from bitter family members to shady business associates. If Stan can't extract a kernel of truth from the labyrinth of lies, she may be the next one to buy the farm...

My review: This was a fun new cozy mystery series. The name of the town is kind of funny. I liked that it was centered around organic treats for your pets. The cutest thing in the book was a doggie costume party how fun would that be to go to. The not so fun part was that one of the owner's was found dead in the maze. I fell in love with this community from the first page. Like normal for me I did not have the exacted killer figured out until the very end. Read along through all the twists and turns and see if you can guess the killer. I have not had the chance to read book yet but will be going back and reading it now. For a fun light read I suggest you pick this book up. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate

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

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate
ISBN: 9781414386998
Trade Paperback
Published: September 2014

Synopsis: When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discover a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the burn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and rising in her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen's suspicions about the identity of the unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains ... and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.

My review: I am so glad that I got picked as one of the sisters in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book by Lisa. This book was every bit as good as the first book that I read by her (The Prayer Box). The fact that there was a story within a story in this book is an added bonus in my opinion. Jen is such a strong character in this book, she new she needed to leave home at a young age to get away from her past but with the drop of manuscript on her desk she finds the past is not as far away as it seemed. I enjoyed meeting some other characters along the way like sweet Hannanh - I found myself feeling sorry for her and Evan - who is not who he seems at the beginning. I did not care for Jen's dad or sister Mirah as they just did not seem nice to me but then again it is a whole different world where they live and how they choose to survive. There is a mystery in this book and some twists that kept me turning the pages long into the night. I must admit that I read a little over half of this book in one day and I don't do that often. I give this book 5 stars and would recommend it to everyone.

The Revealing by Suzanne Woods Fisher plus a giveaway

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

The Revealing by Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Inn at Eagle Hill Series #3
ISBN: 9780800720957
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Naomi King, soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked, has a gift. She sees what others can't see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don't know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether.

When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. She can't ignore the feeling that something sinister is at work--- something more than a threat to the tenuous love begun between her and Tobe.

As signs mount, they begin to point to Jake Hertzler, the elusive mastermind behind Schrock Investments' downfall. Soon, events spiral hopelessly out of control and Naomi must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.

In this riveting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

My review: This is the last book in the Inn at Eagle Hill series and I am going to miss reading this series. Amy did a very good job though in tying up the story and bringing it all to a close. You must read all the books in the series or you will feel like you are missing something. I would love to find the Eagle Inn and visit as it seems like a nice place with many friendly people. Another thing that I liked about this book it that it has a little mystery and suspense in it so you don't won't to put this book down. Then you have your touch romance which just adds to the story line. If you are looking for a good series then pick up this one as you will not be disappointed. 

About the author: 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: website, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Be sure to check out Litfuse (click here) to see the other stops on the blog tour

In The Revealing, the riveting conclusion to the Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

Suzanne is celebrating by giving away THREE iPads!

  THREE grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Five second place winners will receive:

• The Inn at Eagle Hill series (The Letters, The Calling, and The Revealing) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 20th. All winners will be announced July 21st at Suzanne's blog. AND ... if you're looking for more in the Inn at Eagle Hill series, be sure to pick up the ebook novella, The Rescue, for just $1.99!

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
Suzanne is also giving away two 10-book mystery prize packs! 
One of the major themes of The Revealing is learning to trust your intuition and instincts. These are God-given qualities that we sometimes are too timid or unsure of to act on. For a chance to win one of the 10-book prize packs, leave a comment on this blog and share about a time when your intuition or instinct saved the day—or a time you ignored it and missed an opportunity. 

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston plus a giveaway

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

A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston
Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel Series #2
ISBN: 9780310335818
Trade Paperback

Synopsis: Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?

Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.

His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.

When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance.

After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family-and the unconditional love-she's longed for?

My review: This was a nice story to read that at times pulled at my heart strings. It is a story about love and forgiveness. Amy did a good job with the character development in this story. I felt bad for Carolyn even though her parents have forgiven her for her past her brother is not in fact he at times is not very nice to her. When Carolyn first meets Joshua it is because of her son causing trouble and Joshua thinks that her son is her brother and Carolyn is afraid to tell him the truth for fear he won't like her any more. It must have been hard for her. The plot of this story is very realistic and happens a lot. That is one of the things that make this book good. Even though this is a second book in a series you can read it as a stand alone but you will find yourself wanting to read the first one. Fans of Amish fiction or someone looking for a good summer read will enjoy this book.

About the author: 

Amy Clipston holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, and two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.

Amy can be found at: website,Twitter, Facebook

Be sure to check out Litfuse (click here) to see the other stops on the book tour. 

Don't miss the newest offering in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from Amy Clipston, A Mother's Secret. An unwed Amish woman yearns for real love and a family. The only thing in her way is the shame she’s been carrying for half of her life. The novel received 4-1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was chosen as a Top Pick.

Amy is celebrating with a Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Books 1 and 2 in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series, A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on July 6th. Winner will be announced July 7th on Amy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Amy's blog on July 7th to see if you won.

Heaven Sent Rain by Lauraine Snelling - Book Blast and Give Joy Giveaway

Summary:
Dinah Taylor has an orderly life, and that is just how she likes it. A perfectly furnished luxury apartment, a satisfying career as a scientist and CEO of her own company, and an uncomplicated personal life. But all of that changes when she meets seven-year-old Jonah.
The boy shows up one day, a scruffy dog by his side, in front of her office building. Dinah knows nothing about kids and even less about animals, but after she buys him breakfast, he shows up the next day...and the next. She tries to learn more about him, to help him, but he's remarkably skilled at evading her questions.
And then, late one night, he calls her in a panic--his dog has been badly injured. Dinah rushes them to a local animal clinic, where she meets Garret, a veterinarian with a thriving practice and a passion for drawing.
Though Jonah takes to Garret right away, for some reason neither understands, Dinah and Garret just don't mesh. But for Jonah's sake, their lives continue to collide, and slowly the relationship between these three strangers begins to change.

Book Info & Sample Chapter:
Can be found at http://laurainesnelling.com/html/othernovels.html

To celebrate the release of this heart-warming novel, FaithWords and author Lauraine Snelling are pleased to present the GIVE:JOY Sweepstakes.  This sweepstakes features three spectacular prizes, each closely connected to the story, but each prize also comes with a twist: you “Enter to Give”, rather than “Enter to Win”!
This is your chance to do something beautiful and make a difference for a friend, family member, shelter, church, or charity.

GRAND PRIZE:

HELP & HOPE SUPPORT GIFT
In Heaven Sent Rain, Dinah meets an extraordinary little boy named Jonah, and his dog, Mutt. Jonah faces a life of struggle, hunger, and poverty, but his courage in these challenges inspires Dinah to step outside her well-ordered world and do something wonderful for him. Through her choice, Dinah discovers joy is found not in getting more for herself, but in giving to make someone else’s life better. Our Grand Prize winner will have the same opportunity for joy, with their choice of :
• A $250 VISA gift card for a friend in need, or
• A $250 donation to the faith-based charity, church, or shelter of their choice

SECOND PRIZE:

BLESSINGS & BLOOMS SURPRISE BOUQUETS
A mysterious thing happens to Dinah several times in the story: flowers! Beautiful encouragement bouquets—with no sender's name—appear on her office desk during difficult times when she feels she can’t go on. In honor of Dinah's secret flower sender (you'll have to read the story to find out his or her identity) we're offering our Second Prize winner the chance to become a secret flower sender themselves, and brighten the day of a sick friend, a new mom, a military spouse, a weary co-worker, or some other deserving person in their life, with:
• A 3-month gift subscription to ProFlowers Bouquet of the Month Club

THIRD PRIZE:

VALIANT VET ENCOURAGEMENT GIFT
Like Jonah's dog, Mutt, the animals in our lives are priceless sources of help, comfort, and unconditional love. No one understands this better than our story's hero, veterinarian Garret Miller. Throughout the book, “Dr. G” works tirelessly to save and heal people's furry friends, including Mutt, and an injured service dog named Valiant.

And Like Dr. G, many real-life veterinarians and animal shelter workers make all the difference in the lives of our animals, often giving services beyond what's billed. Our Third Prize winner will have a chance to do something extra special for their favorite vet or animal shelter, with:
• A $100 veterinary/shelter donation to be used toward treatment of an animal whose owner cannot afford to pay for veterinary care, or
• A $100 Starbucks card sent to the veterinary/shelter staff as a special encouragement gift

How to Enter:
Go to: Lauraine's website (click here) and complete the entry box, anytime between July 1 and July 21