I finished The Queens Secret and now I'm reading The Traitors Wife -
TQS was really good - my favorite Plaidy so far.
TTW is wonderful and I'm really enjoying it, though the plot seems a bit unclear to me...it reads almost like a life story. Interesting things keep happening, and then resolving, and then we move on to another event. I'm loving it, I'm just not seeing a story arc.
I'm sure it will resolve itself - it's probably there and I'm just not seeing it yet. I'm about 1/3 of the way through, I think.

Lady of the Roses was better than The King's Daughter but still not good. And The Rose of York Crown of Destiny was the worst of those. Guess I won't be reading her books anymore.

Now I'm reading The King's Pleasure A Novel of Katharine of Aragon by Norah Lofts. It's good but I liked The Concubine much more. But haven't read that much yet so we'll see...

Don't remember the last book I posted but I have read in the last month or so "O, Juliet" by Robin Maxwell, "The Boleyn Wife" by Brandy Purdy, "The Greatest Knight" by Elizabeth Chadwick, "Willoughby's Return" by Jane Odiwe, and "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent.

About to start Michelle Moran's "The Heretic Queen."

Finished The King's Daughter. It didn't really get any better. And I didn't like how Rickhard III, Henry VII and young Henry VIII were portrayed.

Just started Lady of the Roses A Novel of the Wars of the Roses by Sandra Worth. I hope this one is better.

That one sounds interesting - I've read Jardine's book about the Scientific Revolution of the 17th Century, which was very interesting.

I'm reading a book called Wordly Goods, by Lisa Jardine, a fascinating look at the Renaissance from the view of commerce, as contrasted to the usual perspectives of art, politics and religion. This is part of my research for a new novel I am writing set in Florence in 1478. LEW

Elysium wrote: "I liked them. I think the first part of Katherine of Aragon had little too much Juana and Ferdinand on it. Lady in the tower was really interesting. Didn't know there's so many different versions o..."

I'm almost finished with Weir's The Lady in the Tower and I thought the same thing about George's speech (and others). It got me to thinking though - with so many different versions of what George said (relayed by people who supposedly heard it or got it from someone who did), it's obvious people heard/remembered different things and/or had their own agenda in what they recounted. It makes you wonder how much of what was recorded in primary sources is really accurate.

Elysium wrote: "Kelly wrote: "I am reading a biography of Jane Boleyn (my spell check wants to change Boleyn to Boolean!) Truthfully, it's not very good. It's more about Anne and Katherine Howard than Jane herself..."

I know! I had such a problem with the fact that she is portrayed as a saint and never making mistakes.

Ladies, you have been warned!

Elysium wrote: "I liked them. I think the first part of Katherine of Aragon had little too much Juana and Ferdinand on it. Lady in the tower was really interesting. Didn't know there's so many different versions o..."

RE: The King's Daughter. IMHO it doesn't get better, just worse.

I liked them. I think the first part of Katherine of Aragon had little too much Juana and Ferdinand on it. Lady in the tower was really interesting. Didn't know there's so many different versions of George's scaffold speach!

I started The King's Daughter by Sandra Worth. I don't know, I kinda hope it gets better...

How were they? (Katherine of Aragon and Lady in the Tower - I think we know what you thought of the bio of Jane Boleyn!)

Kelly wrote: "I am reading a biography of Jane Boleyn (my spell check wants to change Boleyn to Boolean!) Truthfully, it's not very good. It's more about Anne and Katherine Howard than Jane herself. "

I really hated that book. And it gave the impression that George and Jane were happily married and Jane and Anne best friends...

Finished Katharine of Aragon The Wives of Henry VIII by Jean Plaidy and I'm almost done with The Lady in the Tower by Alison Weir.

I am reading a biography of Jane Boleyn (my spell check wants to change Boleyn to Boolean!) Truthfully, it's not very good. It's more about Anne and Katherine Howard than Jane herself.

Finished A Hollow Crown and really loved it. Hope to get Harold the King soon.
I just started Eleanor of Aquitaine By the Wrath of God, Queen of England by Alison Weir.

Susan C wrote: "Well now I'm stumped, should I get Eleanor The Queen or not? Opinions Please!!!

right now i think it's 2-1 no."

Well, I'm certainly late to the discussion (worked 12 days straight and finally have a day off), but I enjoyed Eleanor the Queen by Lofts and have read it twice.

Misfit wrote: "The White Rose by Jan Westcott. About Elizabeth Woodville and thank God no Melusine or witches in sight."

Love Jan Westcott!!!!! She was the author that caught my imagination with this book on Elizabeth Woodville and "The Tower and the Dream" about Bess of Hardwick when I was about 12. I owe this author a great deal!

Susan C wrote: "Nona wrote: "I'm excited I ordered TheRunning Vixen by Elizabeth Chadwick part of her Ravenstow triology and it should be here the week of Christmas!! "

Congratulations! Nona you were the one t..."

I reccomended them too. Yes, read Eleanor the Queen first( NL's title is vQueen in Waiting but I think the US publishers changed it I never know why!)

It wouldn't really be the end of the world if you read Lute Player first, but they are about her as the young and then the old queen respectively.
BTW, both are wonderful.

Misfit wrote: "The White Rose by Jan Westcott. About Elizabeth Woodville and thank God no Melusine or witches in sight."

That's on my TBR pile. :)

Misfit wrote: "Elysium wrote: "I just started A Hollow Crown The Story of Emma, Queen of Saxon England by Helen Hollick. Haven't read much but it looks good so far."

I enjoyed that, but Harold ..."


We read "A Hollow Crown" as a group read a few months ago. I liked it...had not read anything about that time period before. I am hoping to get my hands on "Harold the King" but its a bit pricey.

The White Rose by Jan Westcott. About Elizabeth Woodville and thank God no Melusine or witches in sight.

Elysium wrote: "I just started A Hollow Crown The Story of Emma, Queen of Saxon England by Helen Hollick. Haven't read much but it looks good so far."

I enjoyed that, but Harold the King is soooo much better.

I just started A Hollow Crown The Story of Emma, Queen of Saxon England by Helen Hollick. Haven't read much but it looks good so far.

Lots of people likeThe Road to Avalon if you haven't already read it!

Misfit wrote: "Tanzanite wrote: "Robin - I'm sorry to hear that it was disappointing. I might still give it a try at some point. Ever since reading Nancy MacKenize's Queen of Camelot, I've hoped to find another r..."

I've been trying to find a good book on Guinevere as well since reading that one. Any suggestions?

You couldn't resist, and I'm still giggling!

Tanzanite wrote: "Robin - I'm sorry to hear that it was disappointing. I might still give it a try at some point. Ever since reading Nancy MacKenize's Queen of Camelot, I've hoped to find another really good book ab..."

I really liked Queen of Camelot as well. Might be a bit prettified and romantic for some but I like that on occasion.

Tanzanite wrote: "Robin - I'm sorry to hear that it was disappointing. I might still give it a try at some point. Ever since reading Nancy MacKenize's Queen of Camelot, I've hoped to find another really good book ab..."

I've had problems as well, although not quite the same. I've found blogs that have the comment on the blog page, instead of going to a new page to post comments to be very cumbersome. I've finally bailed out to find out later that my comment was posted five times. I tend to avoid them unless I really really have something to say.

Susanna wrote: "The Listopia List "Books Harriet Didn't Love So Much" ( http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3441.... ) still cracks me up. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, some poor book on..."

Heee, I couldn't resist :p

Tanzanite wrote: "Robin - I'm sorry to hear that it was disappointing. I might still give it a try at some point. Ever since reading Nancy MacKenize's Queen of Camelot, I've hoped to find another really good book ab..."

Hmm...that's weird. I'll see if anyone else has had any problems with that.

I gave it 2 stars...it wasn't HORRIBlE, it just didn't live up to what I was hoping it would be like.

The Listopia List "Books Harriet Didn't Love So Much" ( http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3441.... ) still cracks me up. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, some poor book only got 2 stars from Harriet!

Robin - I'm sorry to hear that it was disappointing. I might still give it a try at some point. Ever since reading Nancy MacKenize's Queen of Camelot, I've hoped to find another really good book about Guinevere. (by the way, I tried to leave a comment on your blog but for some reason every time I go to your actual blog I get a dozen new windows that say "blank page") and my computer locks up. I don't know if anyone else has had that problem but for some reason yours is the only blog that does that to me - weird.)

I finished Lackey's "Gwenhwyfar" last week and finally got my review up on my blog. Let me just say it is a really different take on the story but there is still enough of the known legends mixed in (and I really mean mixed and about all of them are thrown in) that you recognize what you're reading about.

I was pretty disappointed in it. Of course Harriet gave it 5 stars on Amazon...

I started Harlot Queen by Hilda Lewis. Never read her books before but I've liked this so far.

Susan C wrote: "Robin wrote: "Susan C wrote: "I just bought the Greatest Knight, let me know what you think. Who's ARC?"

An ARC is an advanced reading copy. I got it in the mail today to read and review befor..."

I've had a couple authors contact me via my book review blog asking if I would like to review their book.

Tanzanite wrote: "Nona wrote: "you don't have to but I think it would explain a few of the little things, but both stand alone so either way would be ok.


Another good if you have not read them yet is The Kings ..."

I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog for Gardiner's "The Spanish Bride" about Catherine of Aragon. As soon as I get it posted I will post the link here.

I working on Child from the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge. About Lucy Walter, mistress to Charles II and mother of the Duke of Monmouth.

I just started Isabella She-Wolf of France, Queen of England by Alison Weir

Nona wrote: "you don't have to but I think it would explain a few of the little things, but both stand alone so either way would be ok.


Another good if you have not read them yet is The Kings Pleasure if I..."

The King's Pleasure is about Katherine of Aragon; The Concubine is about Anne Boleyn.

Robin wrote: "Susan C wrote: "I just bought the Greatest Knight, let me know what you think. Who's ARC?"

An ARC is an advanced reading copy. I got it in the mail today to read and review before it's release."

How do you get to do that?

Elysium wrote: "Carla wrote: "I have the second of MK Hume's Arthur books lined up, but haven't started it yet. What do you think of Dragon's Child?"

It's ok. It's not bad but I'm not all hyper either.

I've..."
Cheers - that's roughly how I felt about it.

Susan C wrote: "I just bought the Greatest Knight, let me know what you think. Who's ARC?"

An ARC is an advanced reading copy. I got it in the mail today to read and review before it's release.

Nona wrote: "you don't have to but I think it would explain a few of the little things, but both stand alone so either way would be ok.


Another good if you have not read them yet is The Kings Pleasure if I..."

Thanks!!!!

you don't have to but I think it would explain a few of the little things, but both stand alone so either way would be ok.


Another good if you have not read them yet is The Kings Pleasure if I remember correctly it's on Anne Boleyn and if you don't mind reading about lesser known people and don't mind a good saga her House On Old Vine are great really well formed characters and the story gets more interesting as it goes.

Nona wrote: "I'm excited I ordered TheRunning Vixen by Elizabeth Chadwick part of her Ravenstow triology and it should be here the week of Christmas!! "

Congratulations! Nona you were the one to suggest the Concubine and the Lute Player by Lofts, what is your opinion of Eleanor the Queen? Do I need to read it before The Lute Player?

I'm excited I ordered TheRunning Vixen by Elizabeth Chadwick part of her Ravenstow triology and it should be here the week of Christmas!!

I just bought the Greatest Knight, let me know what you think. Who's ARC?

Working on EC's The Greatest Knight now and waiting for my ARC of The Boleyn Wife to arrive. :)

Misfit wrote: Don't expect much on PRM. Not bad, but didn't knock my socks off either. Fluffy...."
I couldn't finish it, so I started
The Concubine's Daughter A Novel and I like it so far.

Well now I'm stumped, should I get Eleanor The Queen or not? Opinions Please!!!

right now i think it's 2-1 no.

Carla wrote: "I have the second of MK Hume's Arthur books lined up, but haven't started it yet. What do you think of Dragon's Child?"

It's ok. It's not bad but I'm not all hyper either.

I've wanted to get Eleanor the Queen but I've heard not good things about it. I have The King's Pleasure but haven't read it yet.