Waiting on Wednesday: Sigrun's Secret by Marie-Louise Jensen

Sigrun's Secret by Marie-Louise Jensen (Published by Oxford University Press, January 2011)

"Their garments are black as night. They carry torches in their hands, darkness and anger in their hearts. They are coming."
When a dark family secret is exposed, Sigrun's peaceful life is shattered. Forced to pay for her parents' misdeeds, she finds herself exiled from all she knows - and from the boy she loves - for three long years.
Yet more secrets lie ahead; not least the power Sigrun finds awakening in herself, seemingly passed to her from a mysterious amulet. Can she use her new-found gift to save herself and those around her from the dangers they face? And will true love wait until her return?


I have loved all of Marie-Louise Jensen's books so far and can't wait to read her next book!

In My Mailbox - 6/19/10

Credit goes to The Story Siren for creating and hosting the In My Mailbox feature. Here are my new books for this week.

For review:

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

Addy knows there's so much more to life than what she has. She must be destined for more than being a maid to an eccentric elderly man. And so when she finds a mysterious contraption in the gentleman's study, of course she steps inside. Of course she bumps into the wrong button. Suddenly Addy is in medieval England, mistaken for the young woman betrothed to the lord of the nearby manor. It's destiny. But is it home? And will she ever find her way back to her own time? Will she want to, once she's met the shy, handsome falconer's apprentice?


Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall

For the sake of her ailing mother, Marianne Denton becomes engaged to Noah Brennin---a merchantman she despises. But as the War of 1812 escalates, Jonah's ship is captured by the British, and the ill-matched couple learns vital information that could aid America's cause. As they battle to save their country, will they also find love?


Bought:

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men—ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable—vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones—and garner suspicion from her friends—by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love?


Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in proper servant etiquette, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. After all, the one rule of the house is no romance below stairs.
But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs, their aspirations ...and their hearts.

Book review: The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry

The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry (Published by Henry Holt, June 8, 2010)

As the youngest daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her husband, King Henry II of England, Joan is forced from a very young age to be wise and observant beyond her years. Her parents have a troubled relationship, and Joan often feels torn between them, and worried about her older brothers, particularly Richard who is her favorite, as her parents often have arguments about their sons.

While still a young girl, Joan is married off to King William of Sicily, who is ten years older than her. The marriage is not a loving one, as William has little use for Joan except to try and produce an heir, which is not successful as they are unable to have a child. Although she does not find happiness in marriage, as Queen of Sicily Joan matures into a strong and capable young woman, even going on Crusade with her brother Richard after the death of her husband.

The Queen’s Daughter is a fascinating novel rich in historical detail. I love historical fiction about the Middle Ages and I love novels about real queens and princesses from history so this book combined two of my favorite topics in historical fiction. The Middle Ages is a time period often heavily romanticized in fiction, but as Joan’s story shows, wealthy women of that time were virtual prisoners, married off by their families for political or monetary gain. Since only the basic facts of Joan’s life are known, the author fills in the details, imagining Joan’s life starting when she is seven and ending when she is in her early thirties. This is a book that I would highly recommend to both teens and adults who love historical fiction, particularly those who enjoy stories about real queens and princesses from history.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.

Interview with Susan Coventry, author of The Queen's Daughter

Susan Coventry is the author of The Queen's Daughter, a young adult historical novel about the life of Joan, the youngest daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine and her second husband, Henry II, King of England. The book is set during the Middle Ages, one of my favorite historical time periods, so I am especially excited to feature this interview! And if you would like to learn more about Susan Coventry and The Queen's Daughter you can visit her website.

What inspired you to write a novel about Joan? Her parents are quite famous, but it seems not much has been written about Joan herself.

I wanted to write about Joan because not much has been written about her. I discovered her in a roundabout way- through her husband Raymond, not through her parents, and was kind-of taken aback. I knew the story of Eleanor and Henry and the rebellious sons. How had I never heard of the daughters?!! I started researching Joan and was amazed by the rich life she must have led. She traveled as much as her mother. She was also married to a king. She nearly married a Saracen! At the same time, I thought: imagine having Eleanor of Aquitaine as a mother. It was difficult enough for the sons, but try being a daughter living up to Eleanor’s expectations. And after all that, she suffers the indignity of being all but forgotten by posterity. It didn’t seem fair. I wanted to tell Joan’s side.

Why did you decide to tell her story as a novel for young adults?

I didn’t actually set out to write a story for young adults, but just to tell Joan’s story. The book is influenced by her age and her voice, and my writing is probably influenced by novels I was reading as I wrote. I read a lot with my own kids, and they’re teens now. In fact, I’m not really sure that if I had sat down and said "I’m going to write a YA book" I could have done it that way.

The Queen's Daughter is a novel that is really rich in historical detail. What kind of research did you do?

I wish I could say I traveled to all the places Joan lived, but I only visited Toulouse/southern France. The bulk of my research was more mundane. I read everything I could find. I made a lot of use of the public library and the university library to scour any medieval sources for references to Joan or her husbands. I borrowed and bought a lot of books. There is more information available on-line now than there was when I started writing the book, but I did use the internet too. Not everything on-line is reliable, but then again, some of the books also contradict each other. There was a lot going on in Joan’s world at the time, so there was plenty of information to absorb. The frustrating thing was how little reference was ever made to Joan.

The Middle Ages is an era that is often highly romanticized but in reality was very different, particularly for women. Were you surprised by what you learned about the lives of Medieval women?

I wasn’t so much surprised as I was impressed by the strength and resilience of these women. Their lives were very physically difficult and in a lot of ways dangerous. Their lifespans (excluding the remarkable Eleanor) were short. Women had so little voice and left so little record. One of Raymond’s wives, for example, was the daughter of an emperor, and her name was never even recorded. (In my book, I called her Theodora.) And yet, of course women played crucial roles– it’s just most of the time they weren’t given credit for what they did except for giving birth. They must have wielded influence in subtle ways. Love is not a modern concept and it is a powerful force. I’m not saying they used love to be manipulative, but I imagine they influenced the men in their lives. Medieval women’s lives were very different from ours but I can’t help thinking that at a basic level, we are very much the same.

If you could go back in time for a day (with guaranteed safety!), what place and time would you visit?

I would visit Southern France just before the crusades against the Cathars-- the early thirteenth century. It was supposed to have been a mini-Renaissance, a time when troubadours flourished and Count Raymond VI tried to maintain a semblance of peace and stability in Occitania. (Maybe I have a romanticized view!) The ruins of some the old castles are still there. It’s a great place to go and imagine the Middle Ages.

What are some of your own favorite books and authors?

Historical fiction is my passion. I love everything I’ve read by Cecelia Holland, particularly Great Maria. I’m also a fan of Colleen McCullough and Sharon Kay Penman’s meatier historicals and of the Lymond chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett.

In the children’s/young adult realm, I really enjoyed What I Saw and How I Lied. I’ve been a fan of Judy Blundell/Jude Watson since reading her various Star War series with my son. I’ve reread The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander with both my kids, and Watership Down will always be one of my favorites. Gerald Morris’s Squire’s Tales books are also at the top of my list.

When you are not writing, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I love to read, but with a largely sedentary day-job and all the sitting required while I’m writing, what makes me happiest is getting outside and away from home with my kids. It has to be away from all the distractions of home so that we can really focus on family time. I love camping and hiking. My daughter likes the challenge of climbing things-- rock-climbing, tree-climbing. And my son likes canoeing. My husband is in charge of making it all work out!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

The Poisoned House by Michael Ford (Published by Bloomsbury UK, August 2, 2010)

The year is 1856, and orphan Abigail Tamper lives below stairs in Greave Hall, a crumbling manor house in London. Lord Greave is plagued by madness, and with his son Samuel away fighting in the Crimea, the running of Greave Hall is left to Mrs Cotton, the tyrannical housekeeper. The only solace for the beleaguered staff is to frighten Mrs Cotton by pretending the house is haunted.
So when a real ghost makes an appearance - that of her beloved mother - no one is more surprised than Abi. But the spirit has a revelation that threatens to destroy Abi’s already fragile existence: she was murdered, and by someone under their very own roof. With Samuel returned to England badly wounded, it’s up to Abi to nurse him back to health, while trying to discover the identity of the killer in their midst. As the chilling truth dawns, Abi’s world is turned upside down.


A Victorian murder mystery set in a creepy old house - sounds rather Gothic, doesn't it? And the cover is very creepy.

Note: This book is publihed in the UK, if you live outside the UK and wish to purchase it, it can be pre-ordered from The Book Depository with free worldwide shipping: http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781408804506/The-Poisoned-House (I am not affiliated with them in any way other than as a customer, I just think they are awesome!)

In My Mailbox - 6/12/10

Credit goes to The Story Siren for creating and hosting the In My Mailbox feature. Here are my new books for this week.

For review:

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.


Bought:

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Grace Parkes has just had to do a terrible thing. Having given birth to an illegitimate child, she has travelled to the famed Brookwood Cemetery to place her small infant's body in a rich lady's coffin. Following the advice of a kindly midwife, this is the only way that Grace can think of to give something at least to the little baby who died at birth, and to avoid the ignominy of a pauper's grave. Distraught and weeping, Grace meets two people at the cemetery: Mrs Emmeline Unwin and Mr James Solent. These two characters will have a profound affect upon Grace's life. But Grace doesn't know that yet. For now, she has to suppress her grief and get on with the business of living: scraping together enough pennies selling watercress for rent and food; looking after her older sister, who is incapable of caring for herself; thwarting the manipulative and conscience-free Unwin family, who are as capable of running a lucrative funeral business as they are of defrauding a young woman of her fortune. A stunning evocation of life in Victorian London, with vivid and accurate depictions, ranging from the deprivation that the truly poor suffered to the unthinking luxuries enjoyed by the rich: all bound up with a pacy and thrilling plot, as Grace races to unravel the fraud about to be perpetrated against her and her sister.


Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon be married. She dreams of a handsome and charming prince, but when the first suitor arrives, she finds him stodgy and boring. Prince Aethelbald from the mysterious land of Farthestshore has traveled far to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be approaching Parumvir.
Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his warnings. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir, and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in grave danger. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.


The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart


Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers--a religious group that does not marry--she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country--and her own household--on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road toward unforeseen peace--and a very unexpected love.


The Protector by Carla Capshaw

Quintus Ambustus is a slave — Adiona Leonia is a wealthy socialite. He fights for his life in the gladiator's ring — she plays cutthroat politics in Rome's high society. He's sacrificed everything for his Christian faith — she believes in nothing and no one. But when Adiona's life is threatened, Quintus is chosen as her bodyguard, and their fascination with one another shocks them both. Neither thought to find joy in a match society would condemn…but their feelings cannot be denied. Have they lost too much to believe in happiness? Or will their growing love let them leave the past behind—and build a new future together?

Interview with Lee Nichols + Giveaway

Lee Nichols is the author of Deceptions, the first book in the Haunting Emma series, which I just reviewed today. In addition to the interview, thanks to Bloomsbury I have one ARC of the book to give away to a lucky winner! Information on how to enter can be found below the interview and if you want to learn more about Lee and her books, you can visit her website.

Can you tell us a little bit about Deception and the Haunting Emma series?

When seventeen-year-old Emma Vaile's parents disappear she discovers she can see and control ghosts and that her parents knew this all along. So where are they and what have they done? She also loses her best friend, battles an evil ghost and falls for the wrong guy.

After writing several adult books, what inspired you to write a YA paranormal about ghosts?

I first conceived of DECEPTION as an adult novel and the more I worked with the idea, the more I realized I really wanted it to be a YA. My goal was to write a contemporary Gothic novel with a kick-butt heroine.

If you could have any paranormal ability, what would you choose?

I love dogs, so I think I'd like to be a werewolf. Or maybe a wereFrechbulldog.

Is anything in the story based on your own experiences as a teenager?
I think Emma's teasing relationships with her friends is how I interacted with my friends. And I moved from California to Massachusetts for college, so Emma's feelings about that transition in high school are akin to my own. And a lot has been made lately about missing parents in YA fiction, but that really was my experience. My parents were divorced, my father lived 2000 miles away and my mother worked and had a life other than her children. So I had a lot of autonomy at seventeen.

When will the next Haunting Emma book be released?

BETRAYAL comes out March, 2011! The cliff hanger at the end of the first book is making people desperate for book two. All I can say is Emma becomes even more kick-butt and Bennett turns into a bad boy.

When you are not writing, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I've got a 5 year old son, so he sucks up most of my free time. When I'm not with him, I'm with husband, friends, or the dogs. Or, more likely, sleeping.


Contest rules:
To enter the contest, just post a comment on this interview with your email address. Contest is open to US residents only (no PO boxes).
For one extra entry, you can link to this post anywhere such as your blog, Twitter, etc. If you do, be sure to let me know in your comment!
Entries must be posted by Saturday, June 19th. Good luck!