Review: Dark Horse by Honey Brown

Long term followers of my book blog will remember me raving about Red Queen by H.M. Brown in November 2010. 

Well, since then, Honey Brown has gone on to publish a number of bestselling novels - including The Good Daughter and After The Darkness - and is now one of Australia's prominent and successful authors.

I also had the privilege of participating in a Google Hangout with Honey Brown in June this year and just couldn't wait to read her latest novel Dark Horse.

Set in the Australian bush, this is the story of Sarah, a divorcee who appears to set out on horseback for some 'alone time' in the Mortimer Ranges on Christmas morning.

Bad weather soon springs up and flash flooding takes out the bridge and most of the riding tracks.  Sarah takes her horse to high ground, setting up camp at Hangman's Hut.  All is relatively calm until a handsome and well-built man walks out of the bush and turns the story on it's head.

Where did he come from?  Why doesn't he have any supplies and why is he behaving strangely?  All these questions will be answered, but not in the way you expect.  Dark Horse is a thriller of the highest order, and the twist totally blew my head off! I definitely did not see it coming.  

Author Honey Brown is able to create a realistic scenario where two characters are essentially trapped in the Australian bush while her descriptions of the bush are both eerie and impressive at the same time.  

Readers who love horses will enjoy the role Sarah's horse Tansy plays, although by the end of the novel I must admit I was a little tired of the horse and the name Tansy.  That's my only complaint though, and thoroughly recommend Dark Horse to readers who enjoy a good thriller, a twist they don't see coming and of course novels by Aussie authors!

My rating = ****

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Review: Sweet Damage by Rebecca James

After devouring the debut novel Beautiful Malice from Australian author Rebecca James a few years ago (and giving it 4 stars), I was very excited to read her latest novel, Sweet Damage published early this year.

Set in Syndey, Australia, the novel opens with Tim living with his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend. In an effort to improve his living situation he replies to an ad for a cheap room in a huge house in an expensive part of town.

Anna is the owner of the house and appears to have no social skills, however, the fact that she is a little 'weird' seems to be the only catch. As Tim slowly gets to know her though, strange things begin to happen in the house.

Sweet Damage is an entertaining read, and once again is great for YA readers. There's a real sense of Sydney on the page, my favourite quote being: 

"...the water [was] tinted an unbelievable shade of Brett Whiteley blue..." Page 111.

I can easily imagine Sweet Damage being made into an Australian thriller movie, although I'd have to look away from the spider scene.

You can read the first 14 pages of Sweet Damage for free, by clicking here.

My rating = ****

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Review: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

* Provided by The Reading Room for review *

Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of the No. 1 bestseller Eat, Pray Love, and her newest book The Signature Of All Things is being released next month, in October 2013.

I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) from The Reading Room along with a lovely letter from the author.

The Signature Of All Things is a big novel and tackles many themes and ideas, contains complex and likeable characters and the covers the progression of botany and science in the time of Charles Darwin. I don't really know that much about botany, and couldn't say I was ever excited by the topic, but when seen through the eyes of Alma Whittaker - the genius main character of the novel - I was enthralled.

Alma is born in 1800, and we learn about her Father's rise to success before learning more about the real star of the novel, his daughter Alma. She is a born genius and with encouragement from her parents chooses a life of science; very rare for a woman in this period.

Much of the novel is spent in America, however the author also takes us to Tahiti and Amsterdam in addition to other locations in this worldly novel. The pursuit of knowledge is a common theme in this fictional novel and the library at the family mansion sounds magical. The reader is also privy to Alma's sexual desires and love life which was fascinating; some of the scenes were surprisingly racy despite the lack of regular sex in her life.

I looked forward to reading The Signature Of All Things every night, and was surprised by the twists, turns and revelations along the way. I would thoroughly recommended this historical fiction novel for the 'thinking' reader and those who enjoy a sweeping adventure story with many life themes along the way.

My rating = *****

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Tracey from Carpe Librum blog is interviewed by Pages Abound

Today I'm very excited to see my interview with Briana from Pages Abound published online.

It was fun being the one interviewed for a change, and Briana asked some fabulous questions:

Q. What fictional character would you most like as a sibling?

Q. What book’s movie would you most like a role in? 

If you'd like to read my answers, you can check out the interview in full, by clicking here.

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Review: O, Juliet by Robin Maxwell

I've been a fan of Robin Maxwell's writing for some time now; having read the following novels already:

• Virgin - Prelude to the Throne
• The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
• The Queen's Bastard: A Novel
• The Wild Irish
• To the Tower Born

As the title suggests, O, Juliet is the re-telling of the famous tale of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in a novel format with some small changes to the original plot.

Juliet and Romeo both adore the work of Dante, and this forms a great part of their falling in love. They enjoy quoting poems to each other and they clearly share an adoration of the written word.  In fact, Juliet is represented as quite the poetess; a quality Romeo admires.

The famous feud between the two families was expertly told and unfolded in a logical and relatable way, although different to the original.

O, Juliet is heavy on the romance and the character's longing for each other - which isn't usually my thing - but is generally what you expect from such a classic tale. This is the only reason I didn't enjoy O, Juliet as much as her other novels, and is the problem of the reader, not the author.

I definitely recommend O, Juliet for fans of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, or those who would like to get to know the family members surrounding the famous couple in a more intimate manner.

My rating = ***

Guest Writer Lisa Barstow On Controversial Novel Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Readers and book-lovers will no doubt have heard about the controversial new book Tampa, by Alissa Nutting.  I won't be reading it based on the plot, however it gives me great pleasure to introduce guest writer Lisa Barstow who will share her perspective on this provocative book with Carpe Librum readers.

Tampa by author Alissa Nutting
Many books generate controversy, or feature sexual content, but Alissa Nutting's novel Tampa has managed to eclipse even the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey, both in terms of the amount of explicit material and the level of media coverage that is has generated.

What's It All About?
The reason Tampa has been so controversial is that it focuses on the relationship between a 26-year-old teacher and her 14-year-old pupil. Over the course of the novel, the main character, Celeste Price, targets a boy in her English class, Jack, and begins a relationship with him that is described in excruciatingly explicit detail. It is clear from the outset that Celeste's intentions are far from educational, when she begins her new job at a school in Tampa, Florida. To the community, she appears to be an attractive, happily married woman, just the sort of person who can be trusted to teach their children, but in reality, Celeste is a manipulative, obsessive predator who became a teacher just in order to gain access to teenage boys. Every action she takes in the book is driven by her desires, or by the need to present a respectable face to the community. Towards the end of the book, Celeste's relationship with Jack is exposed, leading to much shock and confusion in the community, but most of the book focuses on the relationship itself, and the majority of this relationship is about sex. Nutting writes explicitly about Celeste's sexual fantasies, which she seems to have constantly, when she is not actually having sex with Jack, or with the adult partners she finds so repulsive.

The Inspiration
Nutting was inspired by the real life case of a teacher in Florida, a woman with whom she had been at school, and who was later convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. The disparity between the media coverage of that case and the responses to similar situations in which the perpetrator was a male teacher was truly shocking, and questioning why there is this division in the perceptions of male and female sexuality is surely a worthwhile venture. 

Literary Aspirations
The subject matter of this novel has invited many comparisons to Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, but though Tampa appears at first glance to be a reversal of the gender roles in Lolita, the two books actually have very little in common beyond this. Nabokov's protagonist is far more eloquent, and his mind goes beyond an obsession with sex. His eloquence is a warning to the reader of the danger of falling for the words of a smooth talker. The flat, uninspiring language of Nutting's Celeste might be seen as a similar warning, this time of the banality of crime, but it leaves little for the reader beyond the sexual imagery. Celeste is clearly a sociopath who is incapable of caring about the consequences of her actions, but this means that none of the characters we are introduced to from her perspective can be fully formed. Jack, in particular, remains a bland and superficial character, but Nutting does not spend much time on exploring any of her character's psychologies. It is the response of the community to the revelation of her true nature that is important. It is just a pity that the author didn't skip to this part of the book rather than forcing her readers to endure all of Celeste's longings and seductions.

Controversy
Given the plot-line at the centre of this novel, it is hardly surprising that Tampa has generated a lot of controversy, with some bookshops refusing to stock it. It is the quantity of explicit sexual content that has been particularly controversial, and it is also what makes this book a poor substitute for Lolita. The quality of the writing is nowhere near Nabokov's work. Tampa verges on the pornographic rather than the literary. It does not contribute anything to the understanding of what good writing is and what it can do to help us deal with important issues. The focus on detailed descriptions of Celeste's sex life and fantasies prevents sufficient development of the characters or exploration of the double standard that applies to male and female sexuality and abuse. The problem with this book is not that it deals with a controversial topic, but rather that it relies on this controversy too much. The graphic level of detail also makes it appear that the intention is not to critique media coverage of these types of cases, but rather to use the way the media responds to them to fuel its own publicity and boost sales. This is a book that is trying to shock us, not to make us think.

Review

The media reviews of this book prepared me to expect a certain level of explicit content, but I found that the focus on the main character's fantasies and desires was still more pervasive than I thought it would be. It appears that Celeste cares about nothing else. I found it somewhat unbelievable that such an obsessive personality would have been able to graduate college let alone hold down a job. Celeste is a horrific character, but having an unlikeable protagonist is no reason not to like a book. The problem, for me, was not that Celeste was a nasty person, but rather than I could not believe in her as person at all.

The central idea in the book, that female predators are often treated differently than male ones, seems interesting enough to produce a challenging and important book, but Tampa is not that book. Unfortunately, the author has spent too much time trying to titillate readers and court controversy, and not enough on exploring the issues. A better challenge to Lolita might be Emily Maguire's Taming the Beast, which is told from the perspective of the female student who has been seduced by her male teacher, and does not shy away from the long lasting consequences of this abuse.

Rating = * (and only because I think this is an issue that is worth exploring)

Thank you so much for your insights Lisa, and for being a guest writer on Carpe Librum.  If you enjoyed this article, have read the book or have an opinion on the controversy, please leave a comment below.

Review: The Age of Desire, A Novel of Edith Wharton by Jennie Fields

About The Age of Desire, by Jennie Fields

For fans of The Paris Wife, a sparkling glimpse into the life of Edith Wharton and the scandalous love affair that threatened her closest friendship.

They say that behind every great man is a great woman. Behind Edith Wharton, there was Anna Bahlmann, her governess turned literary secretary and confidante. At the age of forty-five, despite her growing fame, Edith remains unfulfilled in a lonely, sexless marriage. Against all the rules of Gilded Age society, she falls in love with Morton Fullerton, a dashing young journalist. But their scandalous affair threatens everything in Edith's life, especially her abiding ties to Anna.

At a moment of regained popularity for Wharton, Jennie Fields brilliantly interweaves Wharton's real letters and diary entries with her fascinating, untold love story. Told through the points of view of both Edith and Anna, The Age of Desire transports readers to the golden days of Wharton's turn-of-the century world and like the recent bestseller The Chaperone‹ effortlessly re-creates the life of an unforgettable woman.

My Review for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
I picked up The Age of Desire having never read a single line by Edith Wharton, and I'm happy to say it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the novel whatsoever. Primarily The Age of Desire is Edith's life story, in combination with sections narrated by her secretary and ex-governess Anna.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's depiction of salons in France, journeys by motor and talk of seasons and crossings (to America). Edith's salons and social engagements were full of wit and intellect, and her friendship with Henry James was warming and generous.

I found myself constantly shaking my head in pity though when I read about Edith's relationship with her husband and it truly broke my heart. I was also shocked that Edith was such a successful writer having no knowledge or experience of an orgasm until she was in her mid 40s. Her yearning for love and desire for Morton was understandable to me, as was her husband's reaction and her attempted maintenance of it.

The end came as a shock to me, and I couldn't help but wonder if author Jennie Fields had been writing this as a fictional novel, whether she would have selected a different ending. The Age of Desire was a fabulous read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has also inspired me to check out some of Edith Wharton's work in the future.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Carpe Librum now reviews for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

I'm pleased to announce that Carpe Librum has become an official book blogger for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

This means that from time to time I'll be participating in virtual book tours hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, which will involve posting reviews, interviews, guest posts and giveaways for different books.

This will bring more internet traffic to my site, access to bestselling authors and more giveaways and interesting posts. I'm hoping readers will benefit from these book tours and enjoy the associated posts in the future.

My first book tour is The Age of Desire by Jennie Fields, and my review will be published on 12th August.

Check it out and stay tuned!

Review: Cemetery Girl by David Bell

Cemetery Girl opens with Caitlin's father Tom explaining that his daugher disappeared four years ago at the tender age of twelve.  He goes on to recount a day when she was just six, and lied directly to his face, without so much as a twitch or expression of guilt.  

Tom wonders about the circumstances of Caitlin's disappearance six years later and wonders if she could have run away.  Tom's wife Abby believes her daughter is dead and makes arrangements to hold a memorial in her memory.  Their daughter's disappearance has devastated their marriage, with Abby seeking solace in her church.

It is at this time, that Caitlin is found dirty and dishevelled, walking beside a deserted road and taken swiftly to hospital.

The majority of Cemetery Girl is around Caitlin's return and Tom trying to find out where she's been for the past 4 years.  The reaction of her parents couldn't be more different and as a reader it made for interesting reading.

What made this book even more fascinating for me was the recent case in America of Ariel Castro's abduction of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.  In finding out about Caitlin, I was also thinking of these three women in real life and searching for answers.

Unfortunately I found that while the pace and suspense was great throughout the novel, the ending was somewhat of a let down for me.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review of Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Vanitha Sankaran

Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Vanitha Sankaran is set in 1320 in a small town in France. The main character is Auda, an albino girl thought to be a devil child from the moment she was born.

Auda is mute but can read and write having been raised by a papermaker. It's rare for women to read let alone write during this period, and Auda's striking features put her very existence in danger when the Inquisition comes to town.

If you love paper at all, you'll revel in this book as the plot follows the early creation of paper using rags. The subsequent use of paper by the wealthy and the avoidance by the Church was fascinating to me and I couldn't get enough.

Interweaved between these historical facts is Auda's story as a mute albino woman who doesn't want to marry and her efforts to survive and prosper in France during the 1300s.

The novel also includes a short history of paper-making at the end, including a recipe for making paper.

Watermark is an exciting read, laced with fear, danger and a love for paper, stories and verse.  Perfect!

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Feature in the Pittsburgh Examiner: 10 Questions with Historical Fiction Blogger Tracey Allen

I'm so excited today, because a few days ago I was interviewed for the Pittsburgh Examiner!!!  An article called 10 Questions with Historical Fiction Blogger: Tracey Allen was published today and I'm over the moon!

I enjoyed answering questions from Kayla Posney about historical fiction, including: my favourite historical fiction novels, the castle I'd most like to live in, and who I'd invite to dinner from history (that was a hard one).

(UPDATE: Unfortunately this interview is no longer available online).

Carpe Librum!

Screen shot of my interview with the Pittsburgh Examiner today

I'm in the Top 1% of Reviewers on GoodReads!

I'm thrilled to announce that I'm in the top 1% of reviewers on GoodReads!

This is a significant achievement considering there are currently more than 20 million members of GoodReads! If you're a member of this brilliant site for book-lovers, then come and check out my profile.

If you're not a member and you love books and reading then join now; it's the biggest and most popular website for book-lovers in the world.

Carpe Librum!

Interview with Wanda Wiltshire, author of Betrothed

Author Wanda Wiltshire

It gives me pleasure to welcome Wanda Wiltshire to Carpe Librum today.  Wanda is the Australian author of Betrothed, a YA fantasy romance novel, published by Pantera Press this month.

I heard in an ABC interview recently that you only started writing 4 years ago, what gave you the confidence to begin?
Knowing it was what I was meant to do. Until a few years ago I was just dreaming my way through life, feeling like I didn’t fit and doing my best to be unconcerned by it. Then something happened that threw my world into chaos and began the most challenging time of my life – the kind of time that makes you question the meaning of it all. Eventually my questioning led me to God. It was quite literally like walking out of the storm and into the calm. Soon I realized that if He created me, then it had to have been for a purpose. It was a light-bulb moment. With no idea what that purpose might be, I asked Him to reveal it to me. Three little words came directly to my mind – ‘Write a book.’  I argued for a while, believing it far too big for me, but that quiet voice was insistent. Later that day I went to my daughter and said ‘God’s telling me to write a book.’ She rolled her eyes and said, ‘Whatever, Mum,’ but joined me in trying to come up with an idea. We came up with nothing. So that night I went to bed and prayed. ‘God, I hear you, but if you want me to write a book you’d better send me something because I’ve got nothing!’ The next morning, in that hazy time between sleeping and waking, Betrothed slipped into my mind. 

What was the hardest part of writing Betrothed?
I can’t say there was anything hard about writing Betrothed, but it was time consuming. It took around eight or nine months to complete the first draft which sat at around 126,000 words. I tucked it away and took it out six months later after I’d written the end on my second book. Then the real work on Betrothed began – all the editing and refining. 

Do you plan your writing in advance or does it unfold as you go?
With Betrothed, there was no planning at all. The story was given to me beautifully presented and complete – a gift. Even the characters came ready named and alive to me! As I wrote, it was almost as though the wrapping was being slowly peeled from the parcel as small details and surprises were revealed to me! With subsequent books, I have done a little planning, often in the form of notes which frequently get lost never to be found again.

When do you do your best work?  Where do you do most of your writing?
I do my best work when I begin early in the day – the earlier the better. Sometimes when I sit down to write at five or six in the morning, it’s nothing for me to still be going at midnight! But, if I procrastinate much beyond midday I’m lost and usually only endure til 6pm or so. I have an eight year old and need to be accessible to him, so I write in the family room. Although nowhere near as ideal as the lonely cottage by the sea of my dreams, it works well enough.

Why do you think the Young Adult (YA) genre is so popular at the moment compared to 10-15 years ago?
Hmm … The popularity of Harry Potter might have something to do with it. I clearly recall the criticism adult lovers of the first in J. K. Rowling’s series endured. These days however, it’s common to see older people reading books written for a younger audience. I’m not sure how accurate it is but I heard the target age for YA is now 13 – 55! With a greater number of people reading YA books, it stands to reason a greater number of people would choose to write them too. I love well written YA. It possesses a freshness and innocence lacking in adult literature.

What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading Jane Austen’s, Persuasion – again. As always, I’ve been left wanting more!

What are some of your favourite books/authors?
I love books that pull me quickly into the story. They also must make me feel deeply and create a vivid picture with as few words as possible.  My favourite authors are genius at this and include Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Maggie Stiefvater, Markus Zusak and Jane Austen. These five all combine compelling story with exceptional writing – the winning combination. (I'm a big fan of Anne Rice too!)

Do you buy your books or borrow them from the library? Do you prefer paper or e-books?
The library doesn’t work for me. I can rarely find the book I’m after and when I manage to, I usually end up with a fine for not returning it on time! Nor do e-books appeal. I’m way too forgetful and disorganised. Within a month I would leave my kindle somewhere and lose my entire collection in the space of a moment! So, when I want a book, I borrow from a friend or go to the bookshop and buy the paper kind.

The Enchanted Wood
by Enid Blyton was
one of Wanda's most
loved childhood books

Do you have any literary influences or want to mention any books that had a significant impact on your life?
I think every book a writer reads has the potential to influence his or her writing in some way or other, almost as though each book contains a lesson – what to do or what not to do. This has been true for me anyway. 

As for impacting my life, I would have to say that when I was young, books in general saved me from loneliness. I was an awkward child but if I had a book, I had a friend. Enid Blyton was my favourite author, The Enchanted Woods, my most loved book. It taught me the possibility of a more exciting world and ignited a lifelong love of fairies and fantasy!

I understand Betrothed is the first in a six book series, what’s the next book called? What can you tell us about it?
The next book in the series is called Allegiance. Readers can expect to be surprised. They can expect to be caught up in a whirlwind of twists and romance and revelation. They can also expect to spend a lot more time in Faera, discovering the beauty, customs and challenges of this magical world. 

Anything else you'd like to add?
Only, thanks for having me, Tracey!

You're more than welcome, and thanks so much!

There is Nothing New Under the Sun: How Historical Fiction Illuminates the Present by J.L. Spohr

I'm proud to introduce a guest post today from writer J.L. Spohr, author of Heirs & Spares.  Today she'll be sharing her thoughts on How Historical Fiction Illuminates the Present; I hope you enjoy her insights!

I’d always thought historical fiction would be boring – like someone took the literary version of a bedazzler to history textbooks. And who cares about the past anyway? A bunch of crusty white men in various forms of tights. Yawn. But then I read Gore Vidal’s Lincoln.  All of a sudden I started to consume anything to do with the Civil War (thank you Ken Burns!) and minored in history in college. To this day, my favorite reads are historicals (and yes, I’m unabashedly lumping classics like Dickens, Austen, and Tolstoy in here too).  So it’s no surprise that when I started to write my own novel, Heirs & Spares, it was set in 1569. 

But loving historical fiction’s not just an escapist longing to the days where men were gallant, women wore fabulous clothes, and everyone had a horse. Digging deep into the past shines a light on our present. The old adage “history repeats itself” is an old adage because it happens. Sometimes we see this in families when the toddler has the same wonky grin as grandpa, and less pleasantly when cruelty is passed through generations. We see it globally, not only in repetitive wars (let’s not be a downer), but also in the sad fashion mistakes of the 80’s rearing their very ugly heads. Debbie Gibson hat anyone?  People, acid washed denim was horrid then. It is still horrid now. Please…just, please. But I digress. 

Even if history doesn’t repeat precisely as the past, we can still use it as a lens to better understand current events. Take for example, the new royal baby Prince George of Cambridge. Some may mock all the fervor swirling about, but many a woman used to lose her standing — if not her head — without the requisite boy and heir. When it boils down to brass tacks, Anne Boleyn was killed because she couldn’t give Henry a son. Now, nobody would’ve lopped off Kate Middleton’s head if the prince was a princess (since they passed the new royal succession law – phew!), but part of why we are glued to our televisions is because today’s royals carry the mantel of the past. A past that teams with scandal and sex and betrayal and violence and world-shaking events. And who wouldn’t want to read about that? 

People ask me if I do a ton of research. Actually, probably three tons, but I have a dirty little secret: the one constant that never changes, no matter what period one writes about, is human nature. While the context and content may, the motivations of love, greed, envy, hope, lust, power, safety, and wanting a really tricked-out ride (be it horse or car) that drive my characters in fictional Troixden—these motivations have carried forth the human race for as long as we’ve been stumbling around. And it is those motivations, in the hands of the powerful, that change the course of our present and our future. 

So will this Prince George, like monarchs of England before him, change the face of history? Odds are probably not, but one never knows. Even one hundred years ago, people didn’t think America would be the super power that it is. Fifty years ago, a person of color would never have been allowed to run for, let alone win, the White House. Ten years ago, who would’ve thought we’d all be cramming ourselves like sausages into Spanx? And who would have thought we’d see chartreuse in the Gap again, oh, excuse me “neon kiwi?” I’m still waiting for Esprit to make tote bags again, but while I wait, I’ll be plunging back a few hundred years to help me enjoy the next 100.  

Author J.L. Spohr

J. L. Spohr is the author of Heirs & Spares and several short stories. 

An incurable Anglophile, she turned her attention to historical fiction and fictional monarchies after studying the Reformation in graduate school. 

She is an ordained minister and lives with her brood in Seattle. 

Review: Heirs & Spares by J.L. Spohr

* From author for review *

Heirs & Spares is an historical fiction novel, but setting it apart from others in the genre is the fact that the setting is fictional. Set in 1569 during the reign of Elizabeth I, the main character Lady Annelore is based just north of France in a place called Troixden; a place which doesn't exist in real life.

It took me until 3/4 of the way through the novel before I realised it was complete fiction; Lady Annelore and King William weren't real characters from history, and I wish so much I'd known this at the beginning.

Generally historical fiction takes real characters from the past and the author plots a tale around them. Of course there are fictional characters as well, however in the case of Heirs & Spares there are no true historical figures in the direct plot, linking the tale to the past.

If I review Heirs & Spares as a fiction novel, I would comfortably say it was a good and entertaining read. For regular readers of historical fiction though, this was light in terms of court intrigue, betrayal and general action. Having recently read The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner probably ruined my complete enjoyment of Heirs & Spares, simply because it was so rich with plot, court activity and intrigue, betrayal, love and action.

Perhaps I'd recommend Heirs & Spares to YA readers of historical fiction, providing a gentle introduction to life at court during this period, two very likeable characters in Annelore and William and a pleasing romance.

Heirs & Spares is FREE for Kindle download today in honour of the new Prince George.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Stay tuned for a guest post by J.L. Spohr on "Tying Historical Fiction to Current Events" which I'm thoroughly looking forward to; particularly with the recent arrival of Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge!

Review: Property of a Lady by Sarah Rayne

* From author for review*

Property of a Lady is the first in a series of ghost stories written by one of my favourite authors Sarah Rayne, featuring characters Nell West and Michael Flint.

Michael Flint is an academic living in Oxford and is asked by friends based in the USA to look at an old house they've just inherited.  When Michael sees Charect House, he becomes interested in its history and stumbles across a mystery that goes back generations.

Michael enlists the help of local antiques dealer Nell West who is buying back the original furniture belonging to the once grand house, and the two begin to dig into the past together.  Nell's daughter is having terrible nightmares about a man with no eyes, the same dream that is terrorising the daughter of his American friends.

Property of a Lady is a modern day ghost story with characters employing straight forward sleuthing techniques to get to the bottom of the tragedies that occurred inside Charect House several generations ago.

Together they discover letters, diaries and other source material that is expertly drip fed into the story in a believable fashion and at just the right time.  The connections and mysteries take Michael and Nell to a prison, and to an asylum both of which give the novel a creepy ghostly feel, but mostly it's about unravelling sad tragedies of the past.

I read Property of a Lady at lighting pace, and from a reader's perspective felt it was perfect in every way.

But, decide for yourself!  You can read the first chapter of Property of a Lady here.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Dragonclaw: Book One of the Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth

I received my signed copy of Dragonclaw: Book One of the Witches of Eileanan in a competition being run on author Kate Forsyth's website earlier this year.

I absolutely adored her novel Bitter Greens and thoroughly enjoyed The Wild Girl, and so came to Dragonclaw (the author's first published novel) with high expectations.

I knew before turning the first page that Dragonclaw is a YA fantasy novel, however in the very beginning when two witches are discussing the events of the land in front of an open fire, I found I had no idea what they were talking about and even wondered if I'd missed a book.  I felt lost until I realised that the main character is feeling the same way, and the reader isn't supposed to have knowledge of the events being discussed.  It was after this scene that I was able to let myself fall completely into the story.

My signed copy of
Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth

Dragonclaw is a rich tale full of witches, magic and dragons, and it isn't long before our protagonists are on a significant quest.  There is much backstory to learn and Kate does a great job of drip feeding it into the plot although I was hungry for more.  It was clear midway through the book that their quest would take them beyond book one of this series in much the same way that readers of Eragon realise they're settling in for a great journey a few hundred pages in.

My favourite part of the book were the few scenes with the dragons; I found their characteristics and view of human life fascinating and I hope they appear again later in the series.  In summary, I recommend Dragonclaw to readers who enjoy fantasy novels and quest-driven plots where good and evil must battle for control of the realm.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

The complete series contains the following novels and they all rate above 4 stars on GoodReads:

The Witches of Eileanan (The Witches of Eileanan 1) 

The Pool of Two Moons (The Witches of Eileanan 2) 

The Cursed Towers (The Witches of Eileanan 3) 

The Forbidden Land (The Witches of Eileanan 4)

The Skull of the World (The Witches of Eileanan 5) 

The Fathomless Caves (The Witches of Eileanan 6) 

Review: Books Do Furnish A Room by Leslie Geddes-Brown

No surprises here why a book-lover and book-blogger like myself would pick up a book called: Books Do Furnish A Room by Leslie Geddes-Brown. For the pictures of course!

This beautiful coffee table type book is broken down into chapters along the lines of functionality and rooms of the house. There are some interesting interior design tidbits disbursed amongst a great deal of logical information and it makes for good reading.

It must be said that the hero of Books Do Furnish A Room though are the stunning photographs that feature on each page. The owners of the bookshelves and gorgeous libraries are mostly well to do, designers or architects, although I guess these are the types of people an author would come across when sourcing photographs of beautiful bookshelf designs and home libraries.

Books Do Furnish A Room is the perfect book for book-lovers to dip into and I enjoyed drooling over the various styles of bookshelves and dreaming about the day I have that much space for all of my bookish treasures.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Sneak peak inside Books Do Furnish A Room by Leslie Geddes-Brown

Review: One Zentangle A Day - A 6-Week Course In Creative Drawing For Relaxation, Inspiration, And Fun by Beckah Krahula

For those of you who have never come across the art form called Zentangle, here's a definition: 

"Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns."  (Source: zentangle.com).

In this beautifully illustrated book One Zentangle A Day, Beckah Krahula shows the reader step-by-step how to create and draw the many zentangle patterns used in this relaxing art form.

Drawing in this way is said to be a meditative experience, and furthermore: "studies show that this type of activity increases mental retention, stimulates creativity, improves one's mood, can be calming during stressful situations, and can be used as a tool for anger management." Page 9

Traditional Zentangle shape

All you need to get started is a pen and a piece of paper, and you can decide to upgrade to better felt pens and nicer paper if you really want to get into Zentangling as a hobby.  The possibilities are endless.  

I found the instructions in this book super simple to follow, which was extremely important as I cannot draw to save myself.  Each pattern has a name and you can see these patterns used by other Zentangle artists the world over. This is what differentiates Zentangle from mere doodling.

Here are some Zentangle creations from the internet to give you a better appreciation of this beautiful artwork.

Zentangle bookmark

Zentangle book spines

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this art form, and have completed a few Zentangles myself now.  It's a world I would love to lose myself in if I had the time, but I just can't give up my bookish pursuits.  If you'd like to explore this artform online, I discovered Tangle Patterns which is a comprehensive site dedicated to Zentangle, and you can visit author Beckah Krahula's own blog here.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Betrothed by Wanda Wiltshire

*From Publisher for Review*

Betrothed is the debut novel from Australian author Wanda Wiltshire and is the first in an 'enchanting faery series'. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Wanda Wiltshire at a Pantera Press Book Launch event in April this year and was immediately impressed by her love of books and writing.

Betrothed is about 17 year old Amy Smith, a sufferer of chronic allergies who's been having weird dreams about the name 'Marla'.  Amy finds out that she's been connecting telepathically with the drop dead gorgeous Leif, a Prince from another land with so much to tell her.

Amy asks her friends to call her Marla and her best friend Jack supports her but her feelings for Leif make it hard for Jack and Marla, who seem to mean more to each other than just best friends.

My copy from Pantera Press

Betrothed is the perfect fantasy romance for young readers and is a very quick and enjoyable read.  There are questions about identity, and I thoroughly enjoyed the construction of the Fae world and its inhabitants; my favourite parts of the novel.  

I also found it refreshing that Marla told her sister and parents what was happening with Lief straight away.  It's so cliche when the main character can't share their news for some reason, or it has to remain a "secret".  I was so glad that everyone could see Lief and Wiltshire did not fall into the same narrative traps that plague many other authors in the YA genre. 


While romance isn't really my cup of tea, I have to remember the audience Betrothed is written for and I'm confident it'll be popular amongst YA readers. Well written and without a single error - extremely rare in this day and age - the cover of Betrothed is a delight and the storyline is well positioned for the next in the series.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!