tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53689290946608777712024-02-19T01:02:53.368-08:00All Things Royal...a blog with the electic reader in mind.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-36628098099965266382013-04-29T09:57:00.000-07:002013-04-29T11:00:29.679-07:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12160906-the-sins-of-the-father" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Sins of the Father" border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347452456m/12160906.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12160906-the-sins-of-the-father">The Sins of the Father</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4820.Jeffrey_Archer">Jeffrey Archer</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/602339340">3 of 5 stars</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This being the 2nd book in the Clifton Chronicles started out "amazing" and then petered out to being </span><span style="font-size: large;">"I liked it" resulting in the 3 star rating. I was so looking forward to this after how much I enjoyed the 1st book <i>Only Time Will Tell</i> and have to say I was some what disappointed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't so much how the story continued but how ridiculous the characters became. Does everyone have to be a heroine or hero Mr. Archer? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I mentioned in my review of <i>Only Time Will Tell </i>that the story was a bit cheesy, but <i>The Sins of the Father</i> was an extra order of cheese on top! It just became un-realistic on so many levels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By far the most interesting character was the villain <b>Hugo Barrington</b>. The most un-realistic and ridiculous part of the story was the finale! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will read the newly released 3rd book in the Clifton Chronicles <i>The Best Kept Secret</i>, but not right away, I will need to be in a real Archer mood for that.
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2228712-susie-fiorito">View all my reviews</a>
Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-4010103339081276912013-04-26T10:58:00.001-07:002013-04-26T10:59:57.494-07:00Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer Review...<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10872085-only-time-will-tell" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Only Time Will Tell" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317068009m/10872085.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10872085-only-time-will-tell">Only Time Will Tell</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4820.Jeffrey_Archer">Jeffrey Archer</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/600464322">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is Harry's father anyway? That is the question. Is it Arthur Clifton the "docker" or Hugo Barrington the son of a shipping baron? Not even his mother really knows. Her one night stand with Barrington just weeks before her marriage to Arthur could of resulted in pregnancy since Harry was born eight months later. At the time no one even needed to know about her rendezvous with Hugo, little did she know that this one mistake would have such power to devastate so many lives twenty years later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Harry who is so likable never had a clue until his wedding day that he may be or may not be Hugo Barrington's son whom he blames for the death of his assumed father Arthur Clifton. How will anyone ever know, I guess Only Time Will Tell. O the tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did really like this book, thus the four crown rating! I have been a fan of Jeffrey Archer for a long time, he tells a good story! To me he is a "gentleman author". He doesn't get caught up in hyperbole. He is tasteful and gets to the point without dragging on the plot. Some of his characters can be a little cheesy, but in today's world that can be refreshing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a good fast read that left me wanting more, so I am glad that the Harry Clifton saga will continue for at least two more books, <i>Sins of the Father and newly released The Best Kept Secret.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Archer does not disappoint. Well done!!</span><br />
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Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-26413599899242494702013-04-10T10:23:00.000-07:002013-04-10T11:06:33.987-07:00The Iron King beginning of The Accursed Kings Series...<span style="font-size: large;">In 1955 the french author Maurice Druon began writing a series of books called <i>The Accursed Kings. </i>The series in total is seven books and took twenty years to complete. I first noticed these books on a Goodreads advertisement of the 1st in the series <i>The Iron King. </i>I ordered it on Amazon prime and began reading it right away. I didn't put it down. A marvelous book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story begins with<i> The Iron King</i>, Phillip IV(Phillipe the Fair) the year 1307. The country is broke from war and poor money management. King Phillip is young and ruthless. He goes to the Knights Templar for a loan and is refused. That very night </span><span style="font-size: large;">Friday October 13, 1307 </span><span style="font-size: large;">he has the Templar's put under arrest, and seizes the gold anyway. Over the next seven years 15,000 Templar's have been arrested, tortured and executed by the King's order and sanctioned by the Pope. The last to be executed is the Grand Master </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_de_Molay" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Jacques de Molay">Jacques de Molay</a><span style="font-size: large;"> who upon his death puts a curse on Pope Clement and the King and their descendants for 13 generations...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">King Phillip IV of France</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grand Master Knights Templar Jacque de Molay</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The King has three sons, Louis, Charles and Phillipe and one daughter, Isabella the queen of England, married to Edward II mother of Edward III. All of the King's children are involved in the intrigue in one way or another which will result shortly in the 100 years war between France and England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is just the first book of seven. I understand that they will be re-publishing all seven on a monthly basis. The next one in the series is<i> The Strangled Queen </i>being released tomorrow, April 11, 2013. I look forward to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How refreshing to be reading 14th century France instead of 14th century England for a change. Completely fascinating on the two countries are intertwined through-out history. But seriously who doesn't love France.</span></div>
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The seven books are:</div>
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<dl style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">I. <i>Le Roi de fer</i> (The Iron King), 1955</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">II. <i>La Reine étranglée</i> (The Strangled Queen), 1955</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">III. <i>Les Poisons de la couronne</i> (The Poisoned Crown), 1956</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">IV. <i>La Loi des mâles</i> (The Royal Succession), 1957</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">V. <i>La Louve de France</i> (The She-Wolf of France), 1959</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">VI. <i>Le Lis et le Lion</i> (The Lily and the Lion), 1960</dd><dd style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">VII. <i>Quand un Roi perd la France</i> (When a King Loses France), 1977</dd><dd style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><br /></dd><dd style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><br /></dd><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Maurice Druon</b> (23 April 1918 – 14 April 2009) was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="France">French</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novelist" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Novelist">novelist</a> and a member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acad%C3%A9mie_fran%C3%A7aise" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Académie française">Académie française</a>.</span></dl>
<dl style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was also a French Resistance fighter in WWII and received the Grand Cross of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Honour" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Legion of Honour">Legion of Honour</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> for his service along with many other awards over his lifetime for academia contributions.</span></span></dl>
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<dl style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maurice Druon</span></span></dl>
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Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-46664013636681848012013-03-11T14:43:00.001-07:002013-03-13T11:11:19.526-07:00Book Review: The Five Red Herrings, Dorothy Sayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I belong to the </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1232263-march-2013-group-read---five-red-herrings-by-dorothy-l-sayers"><span style="color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 18px;">Kindle English Mystery Book Club</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #382110; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #382110; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1232263-march-2013-group-read---five-red-herrings-by-dorothy-l-sayers">discussion Group</a> on Goodreads. <i>Dorothy Sayer's The Five Red Herrings</i> was the book chosen for March. I really looked forward to this since I have watched several of the Lord Peter Wimsey episodes on BBC. Gladly I haven't seen </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #382110; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 18px;"><i>The Five Red Herrings </i>yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The book was first published in 1931 and very true to the time period, the servants the large cars and post great war attitude. Ms. Sayers wrote this book while staying at the above Anworth Hotel in Kirkcudbright, on the west coast of Scotland County Galloway near the English border. The places in the story are all actual places that Ms. Sayers frequented while staying in Kirkcudbright. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story is very atmospheric you can imagine being right there in the pub or on the winding country roads. You can see the storms coming in from the sea and here the wild clap of thunder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was just my cup of tea, literally speaking I made myself a pot of Bangel Spice tea and sat down in my cozy living room escaping to Kirkcudbright to solve a murder.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwAXD4rzOPDwTesAaTupumfdwhliTS0oM4iHERsETCHOm04deKGhkaMv__M4MiJgltlUbJNG8VF9MNxGPiSpCSh27mJWYacwwF6FG73N8DCp7m5tg1eGihq1C4LeLuF5_rIWjYmB2s1Y/s1600/Calloch+Church+Newton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwAXD4rzOPDwTesAaTupumfdwhliTS0oM4iHERsETCHOm04deKGhkaMv__M4MiJgltlUbJNG8VF9MNxGPiSpCSh27mJWYacwwF6FG73N8DCp7m5tg1eGihq1C4LeLuF5_rIWjYmB2s1Y/s400/Calloch+Church+Newton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Auld Kirk Yard</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You almost feel like you are reading in a foreign language, Ms. Sayers is that true to the Scottish dialect in the dialogue. There is no mistake between who is the British Gentlemen and who is the Scottish Constable. This in itself makes it fun to read. I love the Scottish dialect so I fancied my self speaking it while reading it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ms. Sayers is not for the quick read, she pays very particular attention to details which can be daunting at times, but stick with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An artist is found in the burn (stream). Was it suicide or murder? Six suspects and five are <i>red herrings.</i> Who can be really sure? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the aid of Lord Peter Wimsey all will come clean in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's on the case with a host of fun characters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYJaGsePW3DiBfsGxzeWCabCUYX49nx4zGuv6QFYgA2jygA41q7cvUIqglmiV21YonQJ2ShEdFQ9sCgN2oZnWAl__lR4-ZEmlwNGvwAAO8Ck6nSomAm1sVUZBrU93tBM746JLApDeCC4/s1600/Map-of-Dumfries-and-Galloway.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYJaGsePW3DiBfsGxzeWCabCUYX49nx4zGuv6QFYgA2jygA41q7cvUIqglmiV21YonQJ2ShEdFQ9sCgN2oZnWAl__lR4-ZEmlwNGvwAAO8Ck6nSomAm1sVUZBrU93tBM746JLApDeCC4/s400/Map-of-Dumfries-and-Galloway.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">County map of Galloway. Kircudbright is south central.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDHcwzCjdxUohfYd4hzAE6DLFRrhXNWZn_HtgSeZPhhRQEvTXvl0fCB7u3NOTuy2-fh4Q87WDOeJ4PEPwH24L7UppmW2opdsPhRBLKkZgQha5pq-8cMYh6JYlsWKYtZmFhdzRss5zjCs/s1600/Galloway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDHcwzCjdxUohfYd4hzAE6DLFRrhXNWZn_HtgSeZPhhRQEvTXvl0fCB7u3NOTuy2-fh4Q87WDOeJ4PEPwH24L7UppmW2opdsPhRBLKkZgQha5pq-8cMYh6JYlsWKYtZmFhdzRss5zjCs/s400/Galloway.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful open country near Kircudbright where <i>suspects </i>can disappear in or </span><span style="font-size: large;">even fall down a mine shaft.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooeFymm2WlTxcwnrpF3OYDwiF-r52kfdZDoKYchEQxiRDCJ8sUYaocXAGtKiShMhNCt6AznAg42zC_TnxQG56yLdU7BlsAi-yjU7L0_YmB4MJu8yhqZhTkO7ibHW1XAnx15sUk3-lq-o/s1600/Galloway+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooeFymm2WlTxcwnrpF3OYDwiF-r52kfdZDoKYchEQxiRDCJ8sUYaocXAGtKiShMhNCt6AznAg42zC_TnxQG56yLdU7BlsAi-yjU7L0_YmB4MJu8yhqZhTkO7ibHW1XAnx15sUk3-lq-o/s400/Galloway+road.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Typical Galloway country road where a <i>suspect on a bicycle </i>could</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">make a fast get away. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8TR_2RVNtlBtCI77rZsh_w1ciVOZMRh1NPk-ZXZUiCHsU0oW6kUBPPiTzrsOkTIjnKOZBxioV5PZXr3oM9VfOfUa5hR28UK_zvCpWn5aNzJkjamvgy9Ojm2MlFMHxtOwAckuMaGd1o4/s1600/4.5+queencrowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8TR_2RVNtlBtCI77rZsh_w1ciVOZMRh1NPk-ZXZUiCHsU0oW6kUBPPiTzrsOkTIjnKOZBxioV5PZXr3oM9VfOfUa5hR28UK_zvCpWn5aNzJkjamvgy9Ojm2MlFMHxtOwAckuMaGd1o4/s1600/4.5+queencrowns.jpg" /></a></div>
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4.5 royal crowns for The Five Red Herrings~Dorothy Sayers</div>
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Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-58635810909485766002013-02-12T10:54:00.003-08:002013-02-12T10:54:44.236-08:00Night Stakler Series: Military Romance...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Can you believe this? Military Romance? Who would have thunk? Well apparently </span><a href="http://www.mlbuchman.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">M.L. Buchman </a><span style="font-size: large;">did. I think I may have finally found a romance I can get into. I always have good intentions and after reading the 1st chapter or two I'm done with the bodice ripping highland lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Night Stalker Series caught my eye this morning while on <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/">Jenny Loves to Read</a> (one of my favorite blogs) I noticed her <a href="http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/">Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell</a> side bar button. I checked it out and found this wonderful<a href="http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-and-giveaway-ml-buchman-wait.html"> interview</a> with M.L. Buchman about his new release to his Night Stalker Series, <i>Wait until Dark.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's such a fascinating interview that I have checked it out on Amazon and ordered the 1st int he series</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Night-Is-Mine-Stalkers/dp/1402258100/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360693331&sr=8-2&keywords=night+stalker+series">The Night is Mine</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(amazon link)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the idea it's written by a man. I am anxious to see how he pulls off the romance and heroine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It sounds refreshing and intriguing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It looks good according the amazon reviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be posting later my own review.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Give yourself a treat and check out Jenny's blog, Mr. Buchman's interview and his website. All links above.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur0Cy5SsCyHSpSRAb14E1eHIPMt6kzN_voe7i2dhBOT36oQ9IASOOdkPjaYYQrcfuP4xZ1atHUNQxiYHNeld7IhNbNfdq8YhyphenhyphenrCSP8RC4plk-d6qaQ1VsFDvNp3C3wbus4pL_mogYE1U/s1600/Night+Stalker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjur0Cy5SsCyHSpSRAb14E1eHIPMt6kzN_voe7i2dhBOT36oQ9IASOOdkPjaYYQrcfuP4xZ1atHUNQxiYHNeld7IhNbNfdq8YhyphenhyphenrCSP8RC4plk-d6qaQ1VsFDvNp3C3wbus4pL_mogYE1U/s400/Night+Stalker.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<a href="http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/?action=view&current=sue1.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/sue1.gif" /></a>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-88833947060421695862013-02-06T15:22:00.004-08:002013-02-06T15:22:52.688-08:00Who Can Resist Gothic Suspense...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just received this in the mail from Ebay. My first Phillipa Carr Gothic Novel written in 1979. Being a vintage novel I had to go to Ebay to obtain it, but luckily there is good availability of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Phillipa Carr <i><b>Daughter of England </b></i>novels on Ebay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You may wonder who is Philippa Carr? Have you heard of Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt? Phillipa Carr is one and the same, another pseudonym for Eleanor Hibbert!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have read many Vicotria Holt novels and Jean Plaidy Historical Novels. They are some of my favorites. <br />It was Marie at <a href="http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2013/02/frenchmans-creek-by-daphne-du-maurier.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheBurtonReview+%28Burton+Book+Review%29">Burton's Review </a>that got me wanting to read Philippa Carr.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mean how can you resist when the book cover reads:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The miracle is the discovery, on a Christmas Day in the 16th century of a living child in the Christmas crib in St. Bruno's Abbey, a replacement for the wooden figure of the Christ child,. The child is named Bruno and is raised and educated by monks.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Colse by, Damsk Farland is born to a lawyer's family, some nine months later Henry VIII is on the throne of England and his problems in producing an heir are becoming apparent. As Damask grown-and this is her story-times change, ease and comfort give way to religious difficulties, betrayals and terror... Barbara Bannon Publishers Weekly</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does this sound yummy or what? I have never been disappointed by Victoria or Jean so I'm sure Philippa will deliver the goods as well! So far the 1st chapter has been very intriguing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePHsZk1DzVX5Awu4V_dZZ7eov1UZxMa_1HR8y_hPVVP0rGzwNaAvFIlCsGRM1QJv18NPMgQFGt14dEphxRhj3f_ztnxc3LFRB54lrRiHp2f6aOPV2ojq99WRy5pRAG3EdPzw6TCSzadg/s1600/DSC_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePHsZk1DzVX5Awu4V_dZZ7eov1UZxMa_1HR8y_hPVVP0rGzwNaAvFIlCsGRM1QJv18NPMgQFGt14dEphxRhj3f_ztnxc3LFRB54lrRiHp2f6aOPV2ojq99WRy5pRAG3EdPzw6TCSzadg/s400/DSC_0062.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will post a review when finished. Hopefully you other blogging friends </span><span style="font-size: large;">will be curious as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a list of Philippa Carr's Daughters of England Series:</span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="As_Philippa_Carr">As Philippa Carr</span></h3>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Daughters_of_England_Series_2">Daughters of England Series</span></h4>
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px; list-style-image: none; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 3.2em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Miracle At St. Bruno's</i> (1972)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Lion Triumphant</i> (1973)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Witch from the Sea</i> (1975)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Saraband for Two Sisters</i> (1976)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Lament for a Lost Lover</i> (1977)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Love Child</i> (1950) (first published under the name Eleanor Burford)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Song of the Siren</i> (1980)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Drop of the Dice</i> (1981)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Adulteress</i> (1982)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Zipporah's Daughter</i> (1983)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Voices in A Haunted Room</i> (1984)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Return of the Gypsy</i> (1985)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>Midsummer's Eve</i> (1986)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Pool of Saint Branok</i> (1987)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Changeling</i> (1989)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Black Swan</i> (1990)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>A Time for Silence</i> (1991)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>The Gossamer Cord</i> (1992)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><i>We'll Meet Again</i> (1993)</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQctHg3PzLXrqZYp02xJwFZiGCQ9mOIUcVKypIIfyOJKDnDPvumnQ4XzLzon4vRHVBNmXGUdGBY6uGOKC-ET36Fv6ndW6uLnnOvhk0XQDUzD4xeGv25K6XoqE-q-h-z7Ce3_G2JSEvTQU/s1600/220px-Eleanor_Hibbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQctHg3PzLXrqZYp02xJwFZiGCQ9mOIUcVKypIIfyOJKDnDPvumnQ4XzLzon4vRHVBNmXGUdGBY6uGOKC-ET36Fv6ndW6uLnnOvhk0XQDUzD4xeGv25K6XoqE-q-h-z7Ce3_G2JSEvTQU/s400/220px-Eleanor_Hibbert.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Eleanor Hibbert</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1906 - 1993</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/?action=view&current=sue1.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/sue1.gif" /></a>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-32323413953278813922012-06-13T20:49:00.001-07:002012-06-13T20:49:49.505-07:00In the Garden of Beasts Book Review<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpK0__Hr-GJmp7SJ0BkgkAAmhlrDzE4w07Eork3c91S-Lczp2E6JoviapqpnYf2U_QJbG7UqFCnZNoDjxo06P9HYNr93qTltM9y1sJgfAQZv5MEE79oBVrINRSy-dd5zpsgjS5wRAqQs/s1600/160877539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpK0__Hr-GJmp7SJ0BkgkAAmhlrDzE4w07Eork3c91S-Lczp2E6JoviapqpnYf2U_QJbG7UqFCnZNoDjxo06P9HYNr93qTltM9y1sJgfAQZv5MEE79oBVrINRSy-dd5zpsgjS5wRAqQs/s400/160877539.JPG" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This week I'm featuring a book I just finished by Erik Larson: <i><b>In the Garden of Beasts</b>.<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b></i><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin.</i></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i> I received this book for a Mother's Day gift from my daughter Katie. It's a long standing joke in our home of my love/hate relationship with the Nazi's. I hate them, but I love to read about them. Go figure. It seems I'm not alone in this, there has been countless books written on the subject of WWII Germany, Hitler and Nazi's in general. I think the reason for the fascination is because it's so hard to believe that a country of 65 <a href="http://puddlejumpercreations.blogspot.com/#" id="_GPLITA_3" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MTQyNTI6NjgwOm1pbGxpb246MGVkYzA0M2VkZjEzYWYyY2Y0MWJiZDMwNGJhM2VjNmY6ei0xMDQyLTExNDg1OnB1ZGRsZWp1bXBlcmNyZWF0aW9ucy5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20%3D" style="color: #d94c50;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">million</a> civilized people could descend into such evil. We WWII buffs are always searching for the answer, something clear and reasonable, but there isn't any justification it, was sheer evil it it's greatest form. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just when you think you have heard the worse or the more fantastic the Nazi's could be, you are always surprised, there is always new information. <i style="font-weight: bold;">In the Garden of Beasts </i>does not disappoint. I have always wondered about Germany in the early 30's when Hitler just became Chancellor, and the Nazi party was getting a foothold. How fascinating this case study is!!! 1933 a turning point in history. Hitler and his goons are manipulating through fear, terror and propaganda the German people and the world looks on in shock sure that this will pass and Germany will settle down. It's only been thirteen years since the Great War and the devastation of France. Europe is in economic disaster and the United States is advocating isolationism, they have their own problems with the Great <a href="http://puddlejumpercreations.blogspot.com/#" id="_GPLITA_0" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MjA1Njg6MzU2OmRlcHJlc3Npb246ZDY3NGNlODEyNjY1MDk1OGU1YTMzMjI0MmE1YWNmZmE6ei0xMDQyLTExNDg1OnB1ZGRsZWp1bXBlcmNyZWF0aW9ucy5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20%3D" style="color: #d94c50;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">Depression</a> and Europe always seems to be in trouble. <i>Let's let them figure this out with-out us. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The world as a whole seems to be out of a job and starving yet the League of Nations ambassadors to various countries are spending lavish amounts of money trying to impress their host countries. It's all one big party for the politicians. American ambassadors were not chosen for their knowledge of current affairs or ability to represent their country's agenda, but for their ability to pay for lavish parties, homes and <a href="http://puddlejumpercreations.blogspot.com/#" id="_GPLITA_2" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MTk5MDc6MTQ3OTpjYXJzOmU4ZTRiNzY2NDM2Y2E1MGVlNzBlMGJiMWMwNzBjNjdjOnotMTA0Mi0xMTQ4NTpwdWRkbGVqdW1wZXJjcmVhdGlvbnMuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29t" style="color: #d94c50;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">cars</a>. That is why William H. Dodd being chosen by Roosevelt to go to Berlin as the American Ambassador in 1933 was so <span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">extraordinary. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Dodd was neither rich or flamboyant. He drove an old Buick and taught history at the <a href="http://puddlejumpercreations.blogspot.com/#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://www.textsrv.com/click?v=VVM6MTk2OTg6MTM1NDp1bml2ZXJzaXR5Ojc2MjI2MmMyMTM5N2UwNWUwZDc0Njk4NWY4NzQ2NTk5OnotMTA0Mi0xMTQ4NTpwdWRkbGVqdW1wZXJjcmVhdGlvbnMuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29t" style="color: #d94c50;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">University</a> of Chicago. He was a shy person and disliked the lime light. He and his wife were home bodies that hardly ever entertained. His greatest pleasure was going to his farm in Virginia and working on his manuscript </span><i style="line-height: 16px;">The Old South. </i><span style="line-height: 16px;">Why then was he chosen to go to the most pivotal European city, Berlin and represent the United States? Can he make a difference in the United States attitude towards isolationism? Will he be able to convince the <i>Pretty Boys Club</i>back home that Hitler is a maniac and lier? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Oh the fun you will have reading this book. Buckle up and be ready for a fast, scary ride through history. There are parts where you will be screaming WHY, WHY, WHY didn't they listen. You will experience first hand what it was like to be a German citizen with an opinion opposite that of the REICH. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Once you have read this you will want to read all of Best Selling Author <b><i>Erik Larsen's</i></b> books. Fanatistic.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-72417513296844350062011-03-21T09:55:00.000-07:002011-03-21T09:56:22.563-07:00Winner of Kiss Me I'm Irish Giveaway....Congratulations <span style="font-weight:bold;">Michelle</span> you are the winner of My Kiss Me I'm Irish Romantic Nora Roberts Giveaway!!! I will be contacting you through email for your address!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-89598057971606179602011-03-11T14:12:00.000-08:002011-03-11T14:54:19.577-08:00Unforgettable Fire...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzcmlXG5OY9mwMgX8z6GLQSQIpk7Eg0IOaTH-NIKT_UX-7qgP0KsX8AKjOjJCmU_SnkuhTjZn0DxXQ2TpmNdcLwF4N1wa2OOMPGnCq9K959xRDDnsNdQdCavtrjt_MYRDsnVCvP_IOro/s1600/U2-Unforgettable-Fire-promo-photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzcmlXG5OY9mwMgX8z6GLQSQIpk7Eg0IOaTH-NIKT_UX-7qgP0KsX8AKjOjJCmU_SnkuhTjZn0DxXQ2TpmNdcLwF4N1wa2OOMPGnCq9K959xRDDnsNdQdCavtrjt_MYRDsnVCvP_IOro/s320/U2-Unforgettable-Fire-promo-photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582949317030116290" border="0" /></a><br />Who can forget U2 the best rock band to come out of the 80's and Ireland. This particular album, Unforgettable Fire is my favorite of theirs. Such classics as <span style="font-style: italic;">Pride in the Name of Love, Bad, A Sort of a Homecoming, MLK, Heartland (Elvis Presley tribute), etc. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wi0uvLMEHjzSAvdf08M-mZ3Kja54iwHTB1xkHaAZqAQy5fW6W_8G1hNdKfSNBw0HNPnsiTOOYmbZBYnwMEW0Utw8BJB0TbKJKXcT5Qt0l2TTVk1q7cPEotZQfOZZPLOLuWoSolrEsxQ/s1600/U2-very-early-promo-photo-onstage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wi0uvLMEHjzSAvdf08M-mZ3Kja54iwHTB1xkHaAZqAQy5fW6W_8G1hNdKfSNBw0HNPnsiTOOYmbZBYnwMEW0Utw8BJB0TbKJKXcT5Qt0l2TTVk1q7cPEotZQfOZZPLOLuWoSolrEsxQ/s320/U2-very-early-promo-photo-onstage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582952718459006066" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">A young Bono and Edge at about the time of the Boy Album</span><br /></div><br />U2 is truly a homegrown Irish commodity with a voice. Out of Dublin comes 4 young men who attended high school together and formed a band in Larry Mullens (drummer) kitchen. They didn't have any political agenda they just wanted to make music. They came from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds. All very talented and committed young men who have become great mentors for future aspiring rock stars. They sky rocketed to fame after their Live Aid performance of <span style="font-style: italic;">Bad and Sunday Bloody Sunday</span> in 1985.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDCP7b4zcWbpMIjNk6M89BK5ij6jGPwCgDGASxRp7uT1fNSNkIksMuotA04OTvNK-MR-HJc96siu4tO4OovhuakwBd98klMqlbnq1xijkJH73QQJXs4vdNPQ9flasYv8DNIefW_o2y04/s1600/U2-Island-promo-photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDCP7b4zcWbpMIjNk6M89BK5ij6jGPwCgDGASxRp7uT1fNSNkIksMuotA04OTvNK-MR-HJc96siu4tO4OovhuakwBd98klMqlbnq1xijkJH73QQJXs4vdNPQ9flasYv8DNIefW_o2y04/s400/U2-Island-promo-photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582953685781396546" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Rattle and Hum days</span><br /></div><br />In celebration of my St. Paddy's Day Party (that no one seems interested in) I absolutely had to include these guys, a living Irish legend.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LHcP4MWABGY" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pride in the Name of Love, Unforgettable Fire</span>, 1984</span><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sHnXOSxka1Q" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Live Aid Concert 1985. Fantastic!!! Performing </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Bad</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> from </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Unforgettable Fire</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vI92Y-bfVIE0QN7hRv7uRuYpvytmx6T96dOmFoLt6u5cdosM6f5-OYQjfDPW-TmeY0U6k_hsti7PPrtAUq-1y59Qcc-_2WcsYuzN0H17v7XwnnmPDIIQxPHEdaFfUDZjbYrzdvqw4mA/s1600/21FJ4GV9DBL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20onblur=%22try%20%7Bparent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully%28%29;%7D%20catch%28e%29%20%7B%7D%22%20href=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6E3cIpNPUXOQHQb4USrE4NIzUDfwxrnNOvQLfCyl7SiQFPAo2A2n4yAMwTRAdX3JjWw5gtyi2SV3UmyZDNyav-W9ZlJCa-ihu4GpehwziFiK59Wb4d71QMboVjyY06BjyIkqq-nzJpE/s1600/U2-Unforgettable-Fir-214516.jpg%22%3E%3Cimg%20style=%22display:block;%20margin:0px%20auto%2010px;%20text-align:center;cursor:pointer;%20cursor:hand;width:%20240px;%20height:%20350px;%22%20src=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6E3cIpNPUXOQHQb4USrE4NIzUDfwxrnNOvQLfCyl7SiQFPAo2A2n4yAMwTRAdX3JjWw5gtyi2SV3UmyZDNyav-W9ZlJCa-ihu4GpehwziFiK59Wb4d71QMboVjyY06BjyIkqq-nzJpE/s400/U2-Unforgettable-Fir-214516.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22id=%22BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582958046747643154%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6E3cIpNPUXOQHQb4USrE4NIzUDfwxrnNOvQLfCyl7SiQFPAo2A2n4yAMwTRAdX3JjWw5gtyi2SV3UmyZDNyav-W9ZlJCa-ihu4GpehwziFiK59Wb4d71QMboVjyY06BjyIkqq-nzJpE/s400/U2-Unforgettable-Fir-214516.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582958046747643154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Truly great biography of the Band. I love it, couldn't put it down. Available on Amazon (used) or <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Unforgettable-Fire-Definitive-Biography-of-U2-Dunphy_W0QQitemZ220741748028QQcategoryZ378QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7670155616368236729">Ebay</a>. It's worth the investment if you are a fan.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Gives you some great insight into Ireland during in the 70's and 80's.</span><br /><br /><br />Don't forget to sign up for my Nora Roberts Irish Trilogy giveaway!!!<br />Feel free to grab my Kiss Me I'm Irish button for your side bar.<br /></div>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-23032477409508816162011-03-09T10:11:00.000-08:002011-03-09T10:18:19.483-08:00For Your Love for the Irish Viewing Pleasure...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlrKDwOa2bFH6EcFv8vJTaCcyxANaEsf5ObdFbE_xlCQCNProd2S4mmV1hTzULc5FR_AwQxDpa0IJa1eusNzELLK4Hh5QFP0p6na5GzReGTAW4yLT4Alr_ylqRDTB05sz7Gk1n8lK4os/s1600/t72431hiev9.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlrKDwOa2bFH6EcFv8vJTaCcyxANaEsf5ObdFbE_xlCQCNProd2S4mmV1hTzULc5FR_AwQxDpa0IJa1eusNzELLK4Hh5QFP0p6na5GzReGTAW4yLT4Alr_ylqRDTB05sz7Gk1n8lK4os/s320/t72431hiev9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582144921812740674" border="0" /></a><br />I am recommending today for my St. Paddy's Day month long party <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hanging Gale<span style="font-style: italic;">. </span></span>A BBC production done in 1995 filmed on location in Ireland.<br />I really enjoyed this series. Great stars, the men are hot, hot, all very passionate and dramatic. Cinematography is beautiful. Just know that it is about the famine in 1846 so this isn't a warm and fuzzy type of flick, but so worth it. Gives you food for thought.<br />I found this on Netflix.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The four-part {@BBC1} miniseries {#The Hanging Gale} was set in 1846, the year of the Irish potato famine. As starvation stared them in the face, a group of farming families banded together to survive. Among these hardy souls were the {%Phelan Brothers} (played by the real-life {$McGann} brothers), who struggled to save their family farm despite the persecution of a cruel British land agent. Filmed on-location in Ireland, {#The Hanging Gale} was initially telecast from May 14 to June 4, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi</span>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-14506900270305707852011-03-07T15:06:00.000-08:002011-03-11T15:14:00.831-08:00Kiss Me I'm Irish ROMANCE GIVEAWAY!!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dH6XCTl24hSvLaj64hbfrwuriRLWHCtB3Tyjl6T1APFpokXDW7hlwfSp5-UYJccXPuC5e3sRK4QVz3GGx3D8-80451PdNWVwi03yYc58D1ca0juibKW5qhCc-_NePuwSVMlqknrO_8w/s1600/41547258.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dH6XCTl24hSvLaj64hbfrwuriRLWHCtB3Tyjl6T1APFpokXDW7hlwfSp5-UYJccXPuC5e3sRK4QVz3GGx3D8-80451PdNWVwi03yYc58D1ca0juibKW5qhCc-_NePuwSVMlqknrO_8w/s400/41547258.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582964550802171266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />O.K. ,like it has been forever since I have done a giveaway. Now it's time once again! I'm having fun with this one. I am giving away the Irish Trilogy by Nora Roberts in celebration of St. Paddy's day. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Fire-Trilogy-Book/dp/0515114693/ref=pd_sim_b_19"><span style="font-style: italic;">Born of Fire</span></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Ice-Trilogy-Book/dp/0515116750/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b"><span style="font-style: italic;">Born of Ice, </span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Shame-Trilogy-Book/dp/051511779X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b">Born of Shame</a><br />The next couple of weeks I am going to be featuring an Irish theme for your great reading and viewing pleasure.<br /><br />I love the Irish!!! They are so passionate and have such a tumultuous history.<br /><br />I thought I would start the month off with this romantic fiction give away by none other than Nora Roberts who does know how to write romance. I for one am not a big romance reader, maybe one book a year. These are the exceptions. I read these straight through in a week while on vacation in Florida!<br /><br />Many of you probably have already indulged but I know there are some young ones out there who haven't had the pleasure.<br /><br />There will be other give aways coming up in the next couple of weeks, and because I have started a little late I will be having this St. Paddy's party for the rest of the month so check back often and make sure you don't miss out.<br /><br />Rules of the game:<br /><br /><ul><li>Must be a follower</li><li>Make a comment indicating why you want to read these or let me know you already have.<br /></li><li>Leave your <span style="font-weight: bold;">email</span><br /></li></ul>Added Points:<br /><ul><li>Post my Kiss Me I'm Irish Giveaway button on your blog! Leave me the link.<br /></li><li>Tweet or facebook about it</li></ul>This contest ends:<br /><ul><li>Friday March 18th</li></ul>USA followers only<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday<br />Susie<br /></div>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-5404013743295973632011-02-18T11:45:00.000-08:002011-02-18T12:04:09.523-08:00Black History Month 5 Star Recommendations!The following books are books I have read and loved every page! February is Black History Month and I am recommending these books in honor of this occasion. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Warmth of Other Sons by Isabel Wilkerson</span> </span>is about the great American migration of the southern African Americans to the northern United States. Featuring three families and their trials and triumphs.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, autobiography</span> </span>simply is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. I read it in an afternoon, I just couldn't put it down. All Americans should read this book it's part of their heritage. Available for free kindle addition.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Help by Kathryn Stockett </span></span>is the only fiction book I am recommending for Black History month. A delightful, beautifully written book. Started out as a sleeper and now has become a national bestseller. Couldn't put this down either. So much to love in this book!<br /><br />Would love to hear from you if you have read any of these three or have other Black History Month recommendations of your own. All of these books are available on Amazon either in paperback or Kindle. <br /><br />Susie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/WARMTH-OTHER-Warmth-Random-Author/dp/B0041XOJAY/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298058524&sr=1-4"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41QnS4oFwHNaKIfXoeRSTKHjnPjl6li4wP-_93g-uZCtY4wSxuBxqJ6_VihyEmVcCo17HVSYd9HcpK3i067xZgXHsShBHQ_T-mCyPf3jCruSoo5le6L4RXRDb_MeXRscv6QTp3VebEmo/s320/51oBZIPutCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575119075318923842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Life-Frederick-Douglass-American/dp/0312257376/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298058617&sr=1-3"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtudJ51dE4RWcdqipgcCWdGeGqhU2jlHJE2dCy-rHb-BvOjnsvH2QYw_113n_gBRCaq6pmFBr32ngHWnW_Fcv5TGl1qXOLLYzamQyYgB6LHccBssKo_-vwxCrkDcNcdDcmaU1BGswmeA/s320/41H8RKAWYHL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575118837299579250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298058654&sr=1-1"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHhnSpNoK9FGWAvUdRuRaIPgR-_DUoD-CYTMZNXIhq8wvDyeHkpIIG1xXt6lSx-tEBiylCa5exvD8vcq2vRgtOKQVA5ZeB5dklpEBryKOV7TNC060aLCZ1RufleRelFVKmtJYsmHL6_U/s320/51KeiFcRfSL__SL500_AA266_PIkin3%252CBottomRight%252C-5%252C34_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575118741367691746" border="0" /></a>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-76296015172802729412011-02-11T15:55:00.000-08:002011-02-11T17:23:40.826-08:00Book Review:Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horowitz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0I6nDftkIaDLRbTnCo_sftfkN1cY2Z3OI0W75zQMYRIPdqpWqFavHlSk6jTJJRop6LfJXTHVHTvHhf3ZYJmrWo2Md_qDl_x5uNM7RqYmlmvDAX6maa6I0c9pWrDbT-oX3NhFRXWi4jik/s1600/73243076.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572586297769037266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0I6nDftkIaDLRbTnCo_sftfkN1cY2Z3OI0W75zQMYRIPdqpWqFavHlSk6jTJJRop6LfJXTHVHTvHhf3ZYJmrWo2Md_qDl_x5uNM7RqYmlmvDAX6maa6I0c9pWrDbT-oX3NhFRXWi4jik/s320/73243076.jpg" /></a><br />Imagine if you will that your Great Great Grandfather at nineteen years old immigrates from Eastern Europe at the turn of the 2oth century. He can't speak a word of English. You might wonder<br />what does this adventurous 5'2" Yiddish speaking young man do when he first arrives in New York City? Of course, he wanders into a book store. Does he purchase an English translation book or a map of New York City? No, he purchases a pictorial history of the <em>American Civil War! </em><br />Is this for real? Yes indeed it is. That young man was the Great Great Grandfather of Tony Horowitz the renowned war time journalist and author of Confederates in the Attic...<br /><br />This one purchase by Isaac Horowitz 80 + years ago set the pattern for the future Horowitz men in the family. Tony, his father and grandfather all know Isaac's book intimately. They know every battle, general and both minor and major players of the conflict. Tony was woken up every morning by his father charging up the stairs brandishing a sword shouting "Rouse the TROOPS". The Horowitz family took the American Civil War very seriously. It wasn't just a hobby but a commitment of serious study for life.<br /><br />Tony grew up and won a Pulitzer prize for his journalistic coverage of the volatile Middle East conflicts over the years as well as the war in Bosnia. Coming home to America to settle down with his new wife in Virginia he discovers an aspect of the Civil War that the Horowitz family wasn't really aware of THE REENACTORS! Oh my what a discovery it was too. You know there is a cast system classes of reenactors. There are the once in awhile hobbyist, then the more serious weekend group, but nothing compares to the <em><strong>hardcore</strong></em> enthusiasts.<br /><br />Being the man Tony is he couldn't let this opportunity pass by he had to see for himself what it means to be truly <em>hardcore</em> reenactors of the Civil War. He sets upon a year long journey through-out the southern united states finding out more than he could ever imagine about <strong><em>The War Between the States.</em> </strong><br /><br />Tony meets all kinds of <em>folks, </em>all with definite opinions about slavery, Yankees and state rights.<br />The journey will end with Tony finding out more about himself than he could ever imagine and what he stood for. Don't miss out on this journey with Tony. It will make you laugh out loud, cry, scare you to death and angry! Every one should read this book American or not. We can all thumb our noses at the actions of our ancestors in the past, but wait a minute, has things really changed in human nature that much? Find out!<br /><br />This book is now available in Kindle as well as paperback through Amazon.<br /><br />5 big stars rating from me!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-24367853771765962302011-02-10T11:44:00.000-08:002011-02-10T12:12:50.334-08:00Changed it up a bit...I needed a change for the new year. I no longer am a part of the HFBRT. I just couldn't keep up with it and found myself wanting to read other things. I am a very eclectic person especially when it comes to literature. One day I will get in a mood and need to read all about the American Civil War and then on another day jump back into 14Th century England.<br />I eat up anything worth reading about WWII in particular involving rescue and resistance stories. I am always surfing the net when something strikes me as interesting. I am not beyond reading trial transcripts about Adolf Eichman or researching the Opium Wars between China and England. I just never know what will strike me as interesting. I just find the world is a very interesting place and I want to learn as much as possible about the people, culture and history that inhabits it.<br /><br />That is why from now on I will be reviewing what I read and there will be no rhyme or reason to it, but if I choose to review the book then I'm recommending it as well. Hopefully my followers will be pleased with some of my recommendations and find new discoveries.<br /><br />I promise to be posting far more often now that I don't feel so confined. I really appreciate all you wonderful followers who have stuck with me in my absense!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-43576052633215510092010-12-17T11:01:00.000-08:002010-12-17T11:18:34.877-08:00I say to Kindle that is the answer...to the question <em><strong>To Kindle or not to Kindle</strong></em>. I love it!!!! I have had it for a month now and take it every where with me. It's easy to read and no glare. What is so fun is the highlighting feature that saves into your clippings folder. Also having the classics available for free is outstanding. You always have your wish list with you so when you finsih one book you can look at your wish list and start another one. I have read and recommend Kindle Editions:<br /><br /><br />The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff <em><em>4 stars</em></em> Very exciting and fast paced. Great ending!!<br /><br />The Girl with the Dragon Tatto by Stieg Larrson <strong><strong>4.5 stars</strong></strong>~beware very graphic, but I couldn't put it down!!<br /><br />My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveria <em><strong>3.5 stars</strong></em> A good story but sometimes a bit boring.<br /><br />Moon Rock by Arthur Rees <strong><em>4.5 stars</em></strong> Loved it!!! Had no idea about this author or the book. Found it in British classic mystery section of Kindle store for .99. Grabs you from the beginning. Very atmospheric. Takes place in Cornwal, England in Edwardian time period.<br /><br />and currently reading~Pentacost Alley by Anne Perry.<br /><br />Anyway I wanted to check back and let y'all know how I liked it. I ended up getting one for my husband for Christmas.<br /><br />I say take the plunge and go Kindle!!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-5196654333880515492010-11-11T10:58:00.000-08:002010-11-11T11:20:42.830-08:00Book Review of Sarah's Key by Tatian de Rosnay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1_fqpWNwPnjKLkgLlkJi0ckPAgC1UUm-nJuSDP04JWDJSXdifp61PlYe78AWvSgZZP0wQ2K7iL8YETSHyxWnBZAKHPTS4xyEgH3VxPxIm3Gqt5lkYcuFoaFCxFOCR9Hn0kLBiHMhItw/s1600/51cmN3eWbdL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538369391076306930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1_fqpWNwPnjKLkgLlkJi0ckPAgC1UUm-nJuSDP04JWDJSXdifp61PlYe78AWvSgZZP0wQ2K7iL8YETSHyxWnBZAKHPTS4xyEgH3VxPxIm3Gqt5lkYcuFoaFCxFOCR9Hn0kLBiHMhItw/s320/51cmN3eWbdL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><br />Recently I went on a field trip with my daughter. While visiting with one of the other mother's she mentioned this book and how good it was. I am a real fan of anything WWII especially concerning the surviving citizens. I quickly came home and purchased the book and was not disappointed. A wonderful read, grabbing you right from the beginning.<br /><br />The story begins in Paris during the German occupation and deportation of Jews, many of which had recently immigrated from Slavic countries fleeing the same persecution. The Vichy government of France at the time were only too pleased to hand over their Jews, something I hadn't realized before. The local citizens couldn't move into the vacant residences after the Jews were gathered for deportation fast enough. The French anti-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Semitic</span> attitude was quite surprising to me, I always thought of the French as mainly being involved with the <em>resistance</em>. The story takes you from Paris to the French country side, eventually ending up in the United States covering at least 50 years and 2 generations. Sarah's Key is a heart wrenching story of a child and what it cost her and her descendants at the hands of the Nazi's. I read this book in a day and half. This is a great selection of the month for your book clubs.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-51162768957129344162010-11-10T15:52:00.000-08:002010-11-10T16:15:45.949-08:00To Kindle or Not to Kindle...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrsUEmR0dXI3x2pYqERbWqSY-TcnO6AFDVzRRUR-X-xkmRy-ZdchVCSK7-WilSAIgqMlwUg_YBxqTVPzcscs7Kkr1_5zuTQMJY655j6j7AOObfoblH19W5O4rYNEfucAKRmChi40xA6M/s1600/big-viewer-3G-01-lrg__V188696038_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538079145870744354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrsUEmR0dXI3x2pYqERbWqSY-TcnO6AFDVzRRUR-X-xkmRy-ZdchVCSK7-WilSAIgqMlwUg_YBxqTVPzcscs7Kkr1_5zuTQMJY655j6j7AOObfoblH19W5O4rYNEfucAKRmChi40xA6M/s320/big-viewer-3G-01-lrg__V188696038_.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>that is the question</em>... </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was very against this little devise at first. I love books, I love the feel of them and of course the gorgeous covers. In my mind using a Kindle you would lose all of the ambiance. I mean I can't really picture sitting curled up by the fire with a cup of tea and instead of a book you have a Kindle in your hand. However; with all this being today I broke down and purchased the little beast and I'm anxious to get it and start messing around with it. To be truthful the motivating factor was the lack of room I have to store any more books. I'm beginning to feel like a used book store.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I would love to hear any of your thoughts positive or negative about <em>The Kindle.</em> I look forward to it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-43253545981839317892010-09-29T10:59:00.000-07:002010-09-29T11:01:29.446-07:00A Great Message for Americans...This is a message well worth viewing.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wDUO2C_nsqE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wDUO2C_nsqE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-89943619245006208462010-09-28T09:27:00.001-07:002010-09-28T09:28:27.996-07:00Announcing the WINNER!!!!Congratulations <strong>Kelly</strong> you were the random # picked by Randomizer.org to win The Countess and The King by Susan Holloway Scott!!<br />I have sent you an email.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-19786611457736706272010-09-13T15:09:00.000-07:002010-09-13T15:12:02.450-07:00Book Giveaway The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott...<strong>Great giveaway of this wonderful book!!!!</strong> To enter in the giveaway make a comment including your email address. This is for U.S. and Canada only. Sorry about that.<br />Giveaway runs from today 9/13 - 9/27.<br /><br />Good Luck!!!!!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-8030678486152007312010-09-07T15:43:00.000-07:002010-09-07T16:36:30.649-07:00Book Review of The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB3iRCf3LpMbjTOa36uTf9bpLkglBJ7rHX82d1UqOJ462TUfpCBAtkgAjBQhhLStNbwyw0H-duQmljDzhAOSb6QIUTwfJX6AKilAP6qAdqvxaMhT1fdJHLRXYMzA5BuTyyDxP75PeBsc/s1600/51v0XHgtwWL__SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514319575057837490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB3iRCf3LpMbjTOa36uTf9bpLkglBJ7rHX82d1UqOJ462TUfpCBAtkgAjBQhhLStNbwyw0H-duQmljDzhAOSb6QIUTwfJX6AKilAP6qAdqvxaMhT1fdJHLRXYMzA5BuTyyDxP75PeBsc/s320/51v0XHgtwWL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><br />This is a mesmerizing story of 17th century England during the regin of Charles II. Such a tumultuous time to have lived. Scandalous affairs, libertines, and religious unrest. This is the world that Katherine Sedley was born into and raised. Her mother was crazy and her father was a well known libertine and favorite of King Charles II.<br /><br />Katherine went to live with her father at the age of 10 and was brought up with indulgence and no discipline in the company of less than desirable characters such as the Duke of Buckingham and Rochester. Her father was her world and she was his. Katherine was never considered a beautiful child even said to be homely. She made up for her lack of beauty with her scathing wit. She was clever and <span style="color:#ffff00;">percoious.</span><br /><br /><em>It is said that the habits established in youth are the hardest to break as the years pass, and certainly that was the case with me. My father's indulgence gave me much freedom and little guidance, and like the fledgling bird that tries to fly too soon to flutter unformed wings, my first attempts to act beyond my tender years were often not sweet. I told unseemly jests, I swore when I lost at cards, I laughed too loudly, and my ever sharpening wit was much more suited to one of Father's libertine friends than a brash, ungainly girl of thirteen.<strong> The Countess and the King pg. 43.</strong></em><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />When Katherine was 15 she was not the least bit interested in marriage much to the dismay of her father <em>the girl just wanted to have fun. </em>Her world was just fine as it was until her father found his true love, Mrs. Ayscough. Katherine's life of late nights and late mornings were about to come to an end along with her inheritance. Mrs. Ayscough would become Lady Sedley and produce the longed for male heir which diminished Katherine's fortune by half. Her father will no longer be the fun loving libertine but a faithful, dutiful and responsible husband.<br /><br />Katherine will be invited to court to attend to the newly married Duchess of York who the King feels will relate well to Katherine because of their similar ages. Katherine will go to court and attend the Duchess of York where she will for-go a respectable marriage to become the mistress of the handsome Duke of York who will later become the King James II. The story continues with intrigue, betrayal and scandal. Katherine does find love and stays true to her Protestant convictions in spite of her lover being a Catholic who will have to morally rationalize to himself his affair with her.<br /><br />There is so much more to this amazing story. I am usually stuck in 14th and 15th century England so this was a refreshing change. I really think it would make for a good period piece. I think we are all a little intrigued by Charles II's court.<br /><br />Last summer I had the opportunity to visit Windsor Castle and my favorite part was visiting the apartments of King Charles. Also visiting London and seeing where the great fire started, etc. was fascinating to say the least.<br /><br />I loved this book and I am a new fan of Ms. Scott's. She captures the essence of the feelings she is portraying. One part that was particularly poignant to me was when Katherine realized her father was in love with another woman and she was asked to accept her. I have been there and done that with my own father and I am ashamed to say that I acted in much the same way as Ms. Scott portrayed Katherine's reaction.<br /><br />Thank-you Ms. Scott for giving me this opportunity to read and review your marvelous new novel I look forward to reading your previous works.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-67348406764871439592010-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:002010-09-05T16:43:07.553-07:00Book Review re-schedule...Just a little note to let everyone know that my review of The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott will be rescheduled for Tuesday Sept. 7.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-89087194716755656922010-09-02T09:31:00.000-07:002010-09-02T09:47:32.967-07:00Guest Post with Susan Holloway Scott author of the newly released The Countess and the King...It is a great privilege to present this awesome guest post from Susan Holloway Scott the author of the newly released The Countess and the King about Katherine Sedley who becomes the mistress of King James II the brother of King Charles II. It's an extraordinary story and Ms. Scott does an awesome job in presenting it. I am sure you will enjoy her post on Two Brothers, Two Kings...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMSuTgR7Q_cPF0TYG6NH4eV2tV7yChMrzNQeS1XUi_8Y0cgph9QuKOADo6NnXpkWb7-JkSTuS4KwelXa3XQGSSRmMgIrpPyM-SUmVkXgJlQ5scV6KM627Z0MvUw8jcqlMSe-PjSIT3KI/s1600/The_children_of_Charles_I_of_England-painting_by_Sir_Anthony_van_Dyck_in_1637.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512357233209796130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMSuTgR7Q_cPF0TYG6NH4eV2tV7yChMrzNQeS1XUi_8Y0cgph9QuKOADo6NnXpkWb7-JkSTuS4KwelXa3XQGSSRmMgIrpPyM-SUmVkXgJlQ5scV6KM627Z0MvUw8jcqlMSe-PjSIT3KI/s320/The_children_of_Charles_I_of_England-painting_by_Sir_Anthony_van_Dyck_in_1637.jpg" /></a><br />Two Brothers, Two Kings<br />By Susan Holloway Scott<br /><br />As a visitor here at All Things Royal, it seems only fitting to discuss the two king in The Countess and the King. Charles II (1630-1685) and James II (1633-1701) were the last two Stuart kings to sit on the English throne. They were also brothers. Charles was the elder, ruling from 1649 until his death. With no legitimate son and heir, James inherited the throne, though his reign was considerably shorter. But more about that later….<br /><br />It’s unusual for royal brothers to both become kings, but then the lives of these Stuart brothers didn’t follow the customary plan for royal princes. The eldest sons of Charles I and Henrietta Marie, Charles and James were part of a large family of healthy, handsome children, including another brother and three sisters – a rarity for any family, high-born or low, in 17th century England. (They’re preserved with heartbreaking beauty in the lovely group portrait by court painter Anthony Van Dyck.) Even more rare, the king and queen weren’t distant parents, but dearly loved one another and their children as well. All three young princes were educated to be potential kings. English history was sadly filled with young heirs who died before their fathers –– Henry VIII was a second son, as was Charles I himself –– but no one expected the family to be broken apart as it was.<br /><br />For although Charles I was an excellent father, he was a lamentable king who resisted the desires of his people. Most disastrously, he believed his monarchy was divinely appointed, and refused to listen to Parliament’s wishes regarding taxation and religion. His defiance led to the two English Civil Wars between his own Royalist supporters and the Parliamentary forces led by General Oliver Cromwell. The Royalists lost and the king was captured, tried for treason, and, on a cold January morning in 1649, beheaded.<br /><br />While the teenaged Charles, Prince of Wales, fought for his father in the early stages of the Civil Wars, by 1646, he was sent abroad for safety’s sake. He never saw his father again. James, Duke of York, was seized by the Parliamentary troops and held as a prized political pawn. But the fifteen-year-old prince boldly managed to escape his captors and join his older brother in exile. The queen also fled to France with Henrietta, the youngest princess. The last brother, Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was only nine when his father was executed. Unlike his older brothers, he remained in England as a prisoner with his sister Elizabeth, who died in captivity 1650 at fifteen. At last, in 1652, Henry was released to join his mother in France.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQHFy7qPJCjRcHziMuCLqC_JaKWbtsT-WtXcwaU-pkhrjUUfggxWR7pP-fBaUyBHDmkVVCG5DQfAOr3x21q38j86pHkcz9uUagF-Edx2Hvyu9E4iQV1dm6wF7M6Xhs5SJGUYx-rWQHQ/s1600/cropped+Charles.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 252px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512357670897321746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQHFy7qPJCjRcHziMuCLqC_JaKWbtsT-WtXcwaU-pkhrjUUfggxWR7pP-fBaUyBHDmkVVCG5DQfAOr3x21q38j86pHkcz9uUagF-Edx2Hvyu9E4iQV1dm6wF7M6Xhs5SJGUYx-rWQHQ/s320/cropped+Charles.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The exile was devastating to the once-close royal family. Scattered among several royal courts in Europe and pawning jewels for living expenses, the Stuarts survived largely on hope. When Cromwell died, Charles II was invited back to London to be restored to his throne in 1660. Charles and his two brothers returned to the joyful celebration known as the Restoration. But the personal sorrow wasn’t over. Their oldest sister, Mary of Orange, died in 1660, and their youngest brother, Henry, died of smallpox the same year. The youngest sister, Henrietta, was unhappily wed to the younger brother of Louis XIV, and she, too, died too young at 26. Queen Henrietta Maria died in 1669. By 1670, Charles and James were the only ones left.<br /><br />So much tragedy left its mark on both men, but in surprisingly different ways. Charles was determined not to repeat his father’s errors. He resolved not to keep himself apart from his people, but moved freely among them, in parks, playhouses, and churches. Ever-charming, he avoided conflict if he could help it, whether with his mistresses or with Parliament. To keep himself as independent from Parliament as he could, he engaged in elaborate secret diplomacy with France and other countries, even accepting private subsidies as part of his backstairs diplomacy. While known to history as the Merry Monarch, Charles had an inescapable air of melancholy about him that shows in his portraits. For a king who lived so publicly, he was also very private; though he most likely converted to Catholicism on his deathbed, he had always remained an Anglican for the good of England.<br /><br />James, however, reacted very differently to the family’s misfortunes. Just as Charles was dark-eyed and olive-skinned while James was blue-eyed and fair, their personalities, too, were equally at odds. While James was known for his hearty bluster and bravery in battle, he lacked his brother’s wit and intelligence. He could be stubborn and inflexible, much as their father had been. Also like their father, James believed in the divine right of absolute monarchy, and regarded Parliament as something to be bent to royal will. When he followed his conscience and publicly converted to Catholicism, his popularity among Protestant England sank, and he refused to see the reason why. He endorsed a large standing army, and defensively wished to eliminate any sort of dissension among the people.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwsez_ZAIuiGiY9Cj_61Rcrnyx5ueeaDLyA-GgQfxzgDyhth04otJik9a-NNWDiCcewiwhkcfo90ScW3eyPFqC5UC-atNInY82-w9vnZ0aSIQtwtoJ-g1QOFc4GiLgBkbbHu0JWXgOUE/s1600/James_II_by_Sir_Peter_Lely.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512358450560634850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwsez_ZAIuiGiY9Cj_61Rcrnyx5ueeaDLyA-GgQfxzgDyhth04otJik9a-NNWDiCcewiwhkcfo90ScW3eyPFqC5UC-atNInY82-w9vnZ0aSIQtwtoJ-g1QOFc4GiLgBkbbHu0JWXgOUE/s320/James_II_by_Sir_Peter_Lely.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />It was all the proverbial recipe for disaster, and when James became king at the childless Charles’s death, the disaster was not long in coming. After three years of James’s reign, he was chased from his throne in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and replaced by his son-in-law and daughter, William and Mary. Yet James was not a bad man (and certainly not the monster that many later historians have painted him.) He followed his conscience, however misguided the results, and he believed that he was acting for the good of England. He was, quite simply, the wrong man for a vastly complicated job.<br /><br />When Katherine Sedley fell in love with a Stuart brother, it was not the charming Charles who caught her heart, but the challenging James. And that is the story of The Countess and the King.<br /><br />Here’s a link (http://www.susanhollowayscott.com/books/countesspreview.htm) to an excerpt from The Countess and the King on my website (www.susanhollowayscott.com).<br />I hope you’ll also stop by my blog with fellow author Loretta Chase, where we discuss history, writing, and yes, even the occasional pair of great shoes: http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com<br /><br />Many, many thanks to Susie for having me here today!Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-15587138657540380292010-08-31T09:15:00.000-07:002010-08-31T09:21:54.702-07:00Upcoming HFBRT Event The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511608768340323922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgTXt-c8NejAiSlJaP9-lHdZNQuPSyCTUOA0RybToVpzEkG4LYsl1DKhzllcNewQJv8N_x1qxG8aW0EELoX8Y1kOeE5fg3MjNSUc3nQsnUMa3v7vtA4sVs9ByJ8aw06muDuuMKX1kKr8/s320/countessbanner.jpg" /><br />We at the Historical Fiction Bloggers Round Table are proud to announce our upcoming event featuring Susan Holloway Scott's new release The Countess and the King beginning Sept. 1 through Sept. 7th. We each will be sponsoring a giveawy of this great book at the end. There will be the usual guest posts, an interview and our book reviews. Should be a great week.Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368929094660877771.post-30869037140298009222010-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:002010-07-29T13:06:26.938-07:00Announcing Winner of For the King!!!!Congratulations <strong>SouthernBelle</strong> you are the winner of <em>For The King by Catherine Delors</em>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/?action=view&current=sue1.gif" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg58/susiefio/blog/sue1.gif" /></a>Tudor Daughterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131682484394615563noreply@blogger.com3