What have you read lately? Showing 1,051-1,100 of 1,702

[Misfit]

Sarah you might check out Margaret Irwin's book on Minette, Royal Flush The Story of Minette. A bit dry at times but interesting. Kinda like a Plaidy :p

[Sara W]

Misfit wrote: "Sarah you might check out Margaret Irwin's book on Minette, Royal Flush The Story of Minette. A bit dry at times but interesting. Kinda like a Plaidy :p"

Thanks for the recommendation! Boo about Plaidy being dry! ;) Well, some can be at times, but you didn't hear that from me!

[Misfit]

Well to be fair I've only tried two or three so far (not counting the Victoria Holt romantic suspense).

[Mandy]

I'm not a big Plaidy fan, but maybe it's the books I've read?
I tend to get bored. HOWEVER, I love that she's accurate, I learn a lot when I read her books and feel like I can fall back on that knowledge! I don't gravitate toward her books, but I don't shy away from them, either.
Maybe I should try her Victoria Hold books! Are they very different?

[Carla]

Mandy wrote: "I'm not a big Plaidy fan, but maybe it's the books I've read?
I tend to get bored. HOWEVER, I love that she's accurate, I learn a lot when I read her books and feel like I can fall back on that kn..."

The Victoria Holt books are Gothic romance - I remember them as featuring spooky ancient Cornish castles, mysterious goings-on during the night, brooding heroes with dark secrets, plucky heroines, and so on. Very different from the straight historical fiction she wrote under the Jean Plaidy name. I enjoyed both.

[Misfit]

I've read several of the Holt books and they are good but do space them out. They are a bit formulaic and you'll start getting a been-there done-that feeling. Personally I prefer Mary Stewart's romantic suspence as there's enough variety in storyline and locales that you don't get that problem.

Reading Young Bess by Margaret Irwin, as well as taking a gander at That Candance Sams Book. Lol

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[Kelly A.]

I am reading The Autobiography of Henry VIII With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George. I'm lovin' it.
Sounds like I need to read some Jean Plaidy too!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

That was one extraordinary Author Meltdown.

[Misfit]

Susanna wrote: "That was one extraordinary Author Meltdown."

Let's hope my review gets her back when I post it. I too would like 600 non-fan positive votes on Amazon. She rocketed from 3,000 to a 300 something ranking.

[Jenny]

I just read The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick and it was awesome!

I haven't read any Jean Plaidy yet, I've been a little overwhelmed by the number of titles to choose from. Which would you say are among her best?

[Robin]

Finished up Susan Higginbotham's "The Stolen Crown" and I've got either "The Queen's Mistake," "Young Bess," or "Her Mother's Daughter" to choose from next!

[Sara W]

Jenny wrote: "I just read The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick and it was awesome!

I haven't read any Jean Plaidy yet, I've been a little overwhelmed by the number of titles to choose from. Which would you say are..."

I started with her Tudor ones, and then I started reading all of them in chronological order. I admit that some can be a bit dry, but I read a lot of non-fiction too (which tends to be a tad dry, at least compared to novels), so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me as much. I like that I can trust her research (for the most part - some is dated due to when the books were written).

I would recommend The Queen's Secret about Katherine de Valois and Owen Tudor, Katharine of Aragon The Wives of Henry VIII or really any of the Tudor books currently out (The Rose Without a Thorn The Wives of Henry VIII about Katherine Howard, The Lady in the Tower about Anne Boleyn, Mary, Queen of France about Henry VIII's sister Mary Tudor, etc.).

[Jenny]

Thanks, Sara,

I read Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman recently and that was about Katherine Valois and Owen Tudor. I was intrigued by their story, so I think I'll start with The Queen's Secret. Thanks for the recommendations!

[Sara W]

Jenny wrote: "Thanks, Sara,

I read Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman recently and that was about Katherine Valois and Owen Tudor. I was intrigued by their story, so I think I'll start with The Qu..."

No problem! We are currently reading The Queen's Secret as a group read, so feel free to participate!

[Robin]

Finished "The Stolen Crown" but can't post my review until closer to the release date.

Finished "The Queen's Mistake" early this morning.

Will be starting "Young Bess" today. :)

[Holly P]

I recently finished Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin and just finished Murder Most Royal by Jean Plaidy. I liked it but I think I am going to lay off the Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard books for awhile. Getting a litle burnt out with those two :)

[Elysium]

I'm reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. Never read her books before but I'm liking it.

[Jenny]

Elysium wrote: "I'm reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. Never read her books before but I'm liking it. "

Here be Dragons is one of my favorites and was the first Sharon Kay Penman book I read. I have since read all of her historicals and hope to start on her mystery series later this year. She's a great writer. I hope you enjoy it!

[Misfit]

Elysium wrote: "I'm reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. Never read her books before but I'm liking it. "

One of the groups I belong to (a History of Royals I think) is reading Sunne in Splendour as a group read. Sharon has graciously offered to come back and answer reader questions when they're finished. She also has a Q&A with Sharon Kay group here as well.

[Robin]

Will be interested to see what you think of Penman once you finish Sunne. It is, without a doubt, my favorite book.

[Misfit]

Robin wrote: "Will be interested to see what you think of Penman once you finish Sunne. It is, without a doubt, my favorite book."

Sharon rocks, wait until you read Devil's Brood. She really outside herself, especially the dialogue.

I'm reading The Sins of the Lion by Annette Motley. Italian prince purchases captive slave princess to offset his b***** of a wife. Sounds smutty but so far it's not. Lorenzo Medici and Botticeli (sp?) are also in the story. Early days yet.

[Elysium]

Misfit wrote: "Sharon has graciously offered to come back and answer reader questions when they're finished. She also has a Q&A with Sharon Kay group here as well."
Good to know! I loved Here Be Dragons and I ordered Sunne. Gonna take some time before I get to read it though...

Now I'm reading Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen. Haven't read much yet but it's been good so far.

[Mandy]

I just finished A Health Unto His Majesty by Plaidy.
It started off strong but by the end was slow. The last chapter was torture. i skimmed most of it.
Plaidy didn't seem to like either Barbara Villiers or Queen Catherine. I didn't like how she portrayed either of them. Charles is the only character in the whole book that she didn't seem to hate.
Susan Holloway Scotts novel about Barbara was WAY better. Told the same story, but without painting her as a horrible person without any redeeming qualities.

I'm reading The Loves of Charles II, which is 3 plaidy books in one volume. The last one is about Nell Gwynn and Louise de Keroulle. It's not bad so far, but they've all gone downhill...

How did you like them, Sara?

I'll probably take a break and read the 19th Wife.

[Robin]

Almost done with "Young Bess" but can't put up my review until closer to the release date. :( I have several on the TBR pile, some I bought, some I have from the library! Just gotta decide which to start first!!











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[Sara W]

Mandy wrote: "I just finished A Health Unto His Majesty by Plaidy.
It started off strong but by the end was slow. The last chapter was torture. i skimmed most of it.
Plaidy didn't seem to like eith..."

These are the only books I've read about Barbara which is why I didn't care for her (I know you mentioned you liked her, but that just isn't a possibility based on Plaidy's portrayal! It is rather harsh). I'm interested to read that Scotts book about her.

I thought the first book was slow in the middle (but I did like the stuff with Henriette and Louis at the end), I didn't mind the second one (didn't love it though - I didn't like Barbara and didn't have much thought either way about Catherine). I did like the last book though. I really liked Nell, and I kind of get the feeling that is the mistress Plaidy liked the best since Nell's the only mistress seen in a positive light in this series.

I have really, really enjoyed The 19th Wife! It's not a book I probably would have picked up on my own, but it's been great!

[Elysium]

Finished Through A Glass Darkly and quite liked it. But I thought it would be much better, can't really tell what was missing but I had read so much about it and maybe expected too much of it.

Now reading The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham and I'm totally loving it!

[Robin]

I finished "Hugh and Bess" in less than a day. I absolutely loved it!

I'm working on "Lady Macbeth" now.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Currently reading Wolf Hall.

I have waiting on deck The Children of Henry VIII, which looks very good.

[Hannah]

Susanna wrote: "I have waiting on deck The Children of Henry VIII, which looks very good."

I liked Weir's Children of Henry VIII, Susanna.

[Carla]

Robin wrote: "I finished "Hugh and Bess" in less than a day. I absolutely loved it!

I'm working on "Lady Macbeth" now."

I enjoyed Hugh and Bess too!

[Peg]

Kelly wrote: "I am reading The Autobiography of Henry VIII With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George. I'm lovin' it.

I met Margaret this summer at the Historical Novel Society conference. What a nice person she is! And I loved that book!

[Peg]

Carla wrote: "Robin wrote: "I finished "Hugh and Bess" in less than a day. I absolutely loved it!

I'm working on "Lady Macbeth" now."

I enjoyed Hugh and Bess too!"

Don't mean to brag, but my historical romance, MACBETH'S NIECE, might be a good companion novel to that one.

[Tee]

Susanna wrote: "Currently reading Wolf Hall.

I have waiting on deck The Children of Henry VIII, which looks very good."

Hi Susanna,

What is estimated pub date and author? Is it fiction or none (not that it matters greatly, LOL)?

Thanks in advance,
Tee

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Wolf Hall is historical fiction published in 2009, by Hilary Mantel. It is about Thomas Cromwell (usually "he" in the novel).

It is the most recent Man-Booker Prize winner.

The Children of Henry VIII (The Children of England in Britain) is by Alison Weir, a history first published in 1996.

[Tee]

Susanna wrote: "Wolf Hall is historical fiction published in 2009, by Hilary Mantel. It is about Thomas Cromwell (usually "he" in the novel).

It is the most recent Man-Booker Prize winner.

The Children of Henry..."

Thanks for the info, now I place a hold on copy if my local library can find one.

Tee

[Nona]

I'm reading Elizabeth Chadwick's Running Vixen, very good when I get the chance to steal away and read.

The Childern of Henry VIII is really good I think I read ittwo years ago or so. I also have her non fiction books on Isabella and Eleanor, both are supposed to be good just haven't been able to read those yet.

[Cel]

Jenny wrote: "Elysium wrote: "I'm reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. Never read her books before but I'm liking it. "

Here be Dragons is one of my favorites and was the fi..."

I love all of Sharon Kay Penman's books. They are such good reads, and informative too.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Weir's books on Isabella and Eleanor are interesting. Not saying that I buy her way-out-there theory on Edward II, though! (It's in the Isabella bio.)

[Elysium]

I started To the Tower Born by Robin Maxwell and I've liked it so far. I didn't like Signora Da Vinci that much but this seems much better.

[Cel]

As an aside to any who love the Justin de Quincy books by Sharon Kay Penman, and would like to see more published, could you find "Fans of Justin de Quincy" on facebook and join. We are hoping to get enough members for Sharon to encourage her publisher that there would be enough custom.

[Keri]

Cel wrote: "As an aside to any who love the Justin de Quincy books by Sharon Kay Penman, and would like to see more published, could you find "Fans of Justin de Quincy" on facebook and join. We are hoping to g..."

Thanks for letting us know about this, definitely a fan.

[Nona]

read Elizabeth Chadwicks Running Vixen and loved it! can't wait till ILL library loan for Leopard Unleashed comes in!

Now reading an old favorite Devils Desire set in Napolean era or there abouts.

[Lori]

I just read "Hugh and Bess", but MUCH preferred "The Traitor's Wife".

[Elysium]

I finished The Tudor Rose: A Novel of Elizabeth of York by Margaret Campbell Barnes. It took me some time to get into it but it was kinda ok.

I just started Elizabeth, The Queen by Alison Weir. Only read one chapter so can't really say anything yet.

[Nona]

I'm reading The kings Rose on Kathryn Howard by Alisa Libby a YA novel but it's great so far. Now if only I could get more reading time in.

[Rusticgirl]

I'm currently reading Henry VIII Children by Alison Weir. I've read it once before, but it's a really good book.

If any of you are interested in the Tudors you could read any of the books by Alison Weir...Henry VIII: The King and His Court, The War of the Roses,Elizabeth I, and King Henry VIII's Wives.

[Jacinta]

I am currently reading Wolf Hall set in the reign of Henry VIII. The book's focus is on Thomas Cromwell, adviser to Henry. I am loving it. It was difficult to to into the groove to begin with as the author has adopted an interesting style which is different from the plain narrative that I am used to.

[Jenny]

Jacinta wrote: "I am currently reading Wolf Hall set in the reign of Henry VIII. The book's focus is on Thomas Cromwell, adviser to Henry. I am loving it. It was difficult to to into the groove to..."

I read one of her earlier works, A Place of Greater Safety: A Novel, and it was very good. I'm looking forward to Wolf Hall, but there's a long wait for it at my library!

[[deleted user]]

Reading Forever Amber and loving it. The chapters with Charles II are very fun - don't know much about his reign, but from what I've read he's a nice breath of fresh air after all the Tudor saturation.

[Jenny]

Karla wrote: "Reading Forever Amber and loving it. The chapters with Charles II are very fun - don't know much about his reign, but from what I've read he's a nice breath of fresh air after all the Tudor saturat..."

I love Forever Amber! One of my favorites! When I was reading it for the first time I couldn't believe it had been written so long ago, 1944, I think? It was actually banned in a number of states! Amber St. Clare is one of my favorite characters. Enjoy!