Imperial Scandal by Tracy Grant
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 7:35 AM
In 1815, the excitement of Vienna pales when the news that Napoleon escaped sends chills amongst his enemies. Wellington prepares for the battle near Brussels that will shape the future of Europe. British attaché Malcolm Rannoch and his wife Suzanne had enjoyed the galas, but he must return to work as a spy for the crown since the Emperor returned.
Malcolm meets with French agent La Fleur who is selling information when Colonel Harry Davenport, aide de camp to Wellington, arrives to warn them. Shots are fired killing La Fleur. In the garden, Malcolm finds the murdered corpse of Harry's sister-in-law highly regarded Lady Julia Ashton who should not have been there unless she was spying. As the city is gripped by the nearby hostilities, Malcolm and Suzanne, trusting no one as they fear an insider betrayal, investigate who murdered Julia and why.
The latest Rannoch Napoleonic Era amateur sleuth In 1815, the city of Vienna was abuzz with excitement until the news of Napoleon's escape sent shivers down the spines of his enemies. The Duke of Wellington prepared for the imminent battle near Brussels that would determine the fate of Europe. British attaché, Malcolm Rannoch, and his wife, Suzanne, had enjoyed attending the galas, but Malcolm had to return to work as a spy for the crown after the Emperor's return.
Malcolm met with a French agent named La Fleur, who was selling information, when Colonel Harry Davenport, an aide de camp to Wellington, arrived to warn them of danger. Shots were fired, killing La Fleur. In the garden, Malcolm discovered the murdered body of Lady Julia Ashton, Harry's sister-in-law, who should not have been there unless she was spying. With the city gripped by the nearby hostilities, Malcolm and Suzanne didn't trust anyone as they feared an insider betrayal. They decided to investigate who killed Julia and why.
This latest Rannoch Napoleonic Era amateur sleuth (see Vienna Waltz) is an entertaining whodunit that uses the real suspense of the pending battle at Waterloo as a powerful backdrop to the investigation. The murder mystery is cleverly devised, with super red herrings and terrific twists that make for a fabulous early nineteenth-century thriller. is an entertaining whodunit that uses the real suspense of the pending battle at Waterloo to serve as a powerful backdrop to the investigation. The murder mystery is cleverly devised as super red herrings and terrific twists make for a fabulous early nineteenth-century thriller.
His Dark Lady by Victoria Lamb
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 9:33 AM
The book entwines Lucy's story with Shakespeare's and plotting against Elizabeth. The book switches viewpoints to keep the pace up and make it more compelling to keep reading. The vivid sense of time and place is maintained from the previous book, and most of the characters will be familiar to you from it, although they have all aged. Shakespeare behaves badly, but it's good to have a character that you can dislike. Lucy, on the other hand, gets herself into several scrapes, and it's hard not to feel sorry for her. A lot of things happen in this book, and they might surprise you. The ending isn't as good as the first book, but it's difficult to squeeze history into neat structures. The author's notes at the end of the book explain which parts of the story are based on fact and which are made up.
If you haven't read The Queen's Secret yet, you should read it first because this book has spoilers and you'll want to get to know the characters from the beginning. If you have read The Queen's Secret, you should get this book to find out what happens next. The characters, setting, and pacing are just as good as before.
A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder, the fourth book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, is a delightful mix of humor, murder, and scandal.
The Countess of Harleigh series is a fantastic and entertaining read. It's full of wit that is in line with the Victorian era in which it is set. The main character, Frances, is an American from birth, who has been widowed and is also a dollar princess. She's smart, feisty, and doesn't shy away from any challenge or problem. Being a widow, she has some level of independence, and she's found a second chance at love with her next-door neighbor, George. George is very supportive of Frances, and together they make a sweet and endearing couple. The banter between them is quite entertaining. The supporting characters are also well-developed, making the series a must-read.
The mystery revolves around Irena, a flamboyant woman who often exaggerates, seeks attention, and is exhausting to be around. Despite this, I felt sorry for her death and remained interested in her story until the end. The story features several suspects with strong motives, including her husband, a business partner at the theater, and a fellow actress. Although her background is a bit tragic, I enjoyed learning about her connections to the Russian royal family. Even though clues were hinting at the tense and exciting climax, I did not see it coming. Its connection to Frances makes it even more intriguing.
"A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder" is an exceptional historical mystery book that can be enjoyed as a standalone, but it is highly recommended to read it in a series order to get the most out of it. This lighthearted escapade is perfect for any historical reader looking for a thrilling adventure.
Month of November : Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 6:19 AM
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The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 11:21 AM
“So long as we remember names, so long those people live.”
Cornwell's writing quality, unpredictable plot, and well-developed characters didn't fail to impress me. I appreciate how he narrates the present action as a memory of an old man, dropping hints about what's to come. It's a clever technique that adds depth to the story. While this story doesn't have as much fighting action as the previous ones, it's packed with intrigue and plots, which I find equally enjoyable. Cornwell's depiction of Uhtred's inner thoughts on war, fear, necessity, and readiness is impressive, and the way his perspective changes with age, as well as his pragmatism on the subject, is well-conveyed. It's a beautifully written, human story that reminds me why Cornwell is one of my favorite authors.
I'm also impressed with the amount of conniving and deception that other characters and the reader are subjected to, which Cornwell skillfully pulls off. The plot is intricate, and complicated, yet completely believable, and it completely engrossed me in the story as I read. It's a fantastic historical action adventure that I would highly recommend.
“Play with the devil," Finan said, "and you get burned.”
In this story, Uhtred defends Mercia for Aethelflaed, who is the daughter of Alfred and the queen of Mercia. However, Northumbria is in a vulnerable state and is constantly being attacked by various warlords. Although Aethelflaed's brother, Edward, is the ruler of Wessex, he is not in a position to help Mercia as he has his issues to deal with. England needs to be unified under Edward's rule, but that seems like a distant possibility as he is unable to march towards Mercia or retake Northumbria.
Ragnall is an invader who aims to conquer Northumbria. However, he lands in Mercia, and Uhtred, along with Aethelflaed, must figure out his true intentions. Uhtred must sift through feints and double feints to determine Ragnall's game, and one wrong move could mean death.
The story is about loyalties that are divided by conflicting national, religious, and family ties. Ragnall's brother Sigtryggr is now Uhtred's son-in-law, which raises questions about his involvement in the invasion. Uhtred's daughter, Stiorra, is also a concern. Finan, Uhtred's right-hand man, finds himself in a similar situation, as his brother Conall has joined Ragnall's force. The reason behind Finan's years of exile is also revealed.
Uhtred does not have enough men to handle Ragnall directly. He must use his cunning to hold him off, which includes making desperate journeys to convince enemies to join him and save his daughter. Brida, Uhtred's former lover, is another obstacle as she wants to reclaim England for the pagans and has become a crazed witch.
The conflict involves Norse and Christians on both sides, with pagans fighting for the Christian Aethelflaed and Irish Christians siding with the pagan Ragnall. The Saxons, Norse, and Irish fight for control of the British Isles, making for an interesting tale.
The choice of Joan Vaux as the protagonist to narrate the story is commendable. Being a commoner who rose to prominence in the Tudor court, gives us a unique perspective of the events from an outsider's point of view. This provides us with a more comprehensive view of life in the country at that time. Joan's character itself is captivating and remarkable for a woman of her time. I found it fascinating to read about her intimate relationships with the young Queen Elizabeth and her mother. The book provides insight into the challenges faced by women at that time, who had little personal power and were often treated as commodities to be traded for power and favor. It also highlights their resourcefulness in finding ways to influence events despite their limitations.
The Tudor dynasty was newly founded and tried to solidify its power in England. Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, to build alliances. However, Yorkist rebels continued to challenge the throne, and rumors persisted about the fate of the 'Princes in the Tower'.
Despite the tension, the detailed accounts of daily life in court and out of it during this time are fascinating. The author vividly describes household management, child-rearing, and court protocol, providing a great history lesson. The writing is modern, refreshing, and passionate about the period.
The book is not only a great story, but also a rich and immersive history lesson. The author's attention to detail, from the sights and sounds to the food and drinks of the time, is impressive and enhances the story.
Overall, the book is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction, especially those interested in the Tudor period. The stunning book design is a bonus.
Month of October: Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 9:37 AM
The Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 5:17 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Elizabeth I has always been a fascinating historical figure to me, and this novel presents a gripping and realistic portrayal of her much-discussed relationship with the Earl of Leicester. The author beautifully portrays the characters, making us empathize with all the people caught up in this impossible love triangle by the end of the book.
Lucy Morgan, one of the characters, is a wonderful and likable protagonist who exhibits both grit and determination to rise in court and show considerable physical courage in the unfolding of the plot. I look forward to seeing how her story develops in 'His Dark Lady.'
The author's note at the end of the book is also very interesting, where Victoria Lamb describes her research process and clarifies which elements of the story are drawn from historical sources and which ones are purely fictional.
The Paris Secret Natasha Lester
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 2:43 PM
I recently read a book that I found to be beautifully written, emotionally engaging, and entertaining. The characters in the book were captivating from start to finish, making it an exquisite read.
The book, titled "The Paris Secret", is set in Cornwall in 2012, where a fashion conservator named Kat discovers a cache of Dior dresses in a remote home closet. The house belonged to her grandmother, whom Kat wasn't even aware of until she received a call from London asking her to check on the empty house.
The story then takes us back to 1939 and introduces us to Skye, a woman with a passion for flying who wants to use her skills to help with the war effort. Skye is faced with the challenge of breaking down the barriers that prevented women from flying at the time. During her flying career, she meets two women, Margaux Jourdan and Catherine Dior, who worked for the French Resistance.
When a historian and author named Elliott Beaufort contacts Kat, asking if her grandmother's friend Margaux Jourdan was a spy who gathered information from the Nazis to pass on to the resistance, Kat is shocked. Her grandmother refuses to talk about her early years in France, causing Kat to wonder how much she knows about her grandmother's life.
"The Paris Secret" is a story that beautifully weaves together two timelines and two narrators, creating a web of characters and events that come together in a truly emotional ending. The book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and strong female characters. I loved the suspense, the romance, and the mystery of it all, and I appreciated the author's notes at the end of the book, which shed light on the real people and events from history that inspired the story.
Overall, "The Paris Secret" is a fascinating read that I highly recommend. It's a story of war, friendship, deep love, family, loss, and tragedy that will stay with me for quite some time.
Enchantress of Paris: A Novel of the Sun King’s Court by Marci Jefferson
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 9:07 AM
The book was a perfect blend of romance, power struggles, and rich historical details. It transported me to the French court, where I could witness the beautiful dresses and dances.
Marie's character was well-developed, and her growth from a naive to a smart, strong, intelligent, and cunning woman was impressive. In the end, she made the best decision, which was a perfect conclusion to their love story.
The King's character was charming, likable, and idealistic. His response when reality struck was appropriate and understandable.
Their relationship was realistic and believable. Although based on a real-life affair, the author used creative license in constructing the characters and their actions. Every action they took had a clear purpose, and the story flowed seamlessly.
Month of Septembert: Best of Quotes
by
Natasa Djordjevic
- 11:23 AM
