Currently Reading

Tegan Mae's bookshelf: currently-reading

Witch Finder
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Gilt
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tagged: currently-reading, historical, queens-and-kings, ya, the-tudors, an...

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Book Blog Tour: The Black Cane (Dowager Diaries #1) by Eileen Harris










About the Author:

From living off the grid in the Arizona desert, Eileen has moved to the woods of upstate New York. She has authored a standalone adventure novel called Desert Shadow. She is also the author of Alicia Trent Series. The Black Cane : Dowager Diaries Book 1 is her latest release.



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Synopsis:
The decision to help one small boy turns eight elderly women's lives upside-down. Danger becomes a way of life. If the women are going to save the boy and stay alive, they are going to have to use skills that have been dormant way too long.

Book Links:
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22825881-the-black-cane
Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cane-Dowager-Diaries-Book-ebook/dp/B00JGHCRTU/
Wings e Press : http://www.wingsepress.com/Bookstore/The%20Black%20Cane.htm


"I was really excited to read The Black Cane when I received the email about doing the book blog tour. The premise was unique and sounded like it could be the start of a great new series! The lives of eight elderly women change drastically one day when they decide to save a young boy, Marc. Once they do this their path is altered and nothing is the same.

I really enjoyed the mystery and adventure in this novel; it isn’t something you would expect when you read a synopsis about eight older women that play bridge regularly. It is great to see them actively take these adventures and tasks on, showing you you’re never too old to go on an adventure. The author has given a great introduction to this world and I can see her doing some exciting new things with it as the series continues!"

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Hump Day Spotlight Novel: The Constant Princess (The Tudor Court #1) by Philippa Gregory

The Constant Princess (The Tudor Court #1) by Philippa Gregory

"'I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England.'

Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is a Katherine the world has forgotten: the enchanting princess that all England loved. First married to Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, Katherine's passion turns their arranged marriage into a love match; but when Arthur dies, the merciless English court and her ambitious parents -- the crusading King and Queen of Spain -- have to find a new role for the widow. Ultimately, it is Katherine herself who takes control of her own life by telling the most audacious lie in English history, leading her to the very pinnacle of power in England.

Set in the rich beauty of Moorish Spain and the glamour of the Tudor court, The Constant Princess presents a woman whose constancy helps her endure betrayal, poverty, and despair, until the inevitable moment when she steps into the role she has prepared for all her life: Henry VIII's Queen, Regent, and commander of the English army in their greatest victory against Scotland."
 
For some reason Fall and Winter are my favorite times to read historical fiction. So in honor of it being September I thought I'd make this week's Hump Day Spotlight Novel the first in the "Queen of Historical Fiction's" The Tudor Court series. Although this novel wasn't published first, chronologically it is the first novel, followed by the ever popular, The Other Boleyn Girl. If you haven't read these and enjoy history, or are looking to get into historical fiction, check these out!

Sunday Funday List: Top 10 Novels that Have Stuck with Me

Hey everyone! Sorry this one is a little late, quite a busy Labor Day weekend! But this weekend my list was practically handed to me by Tana. Thanks Tana!! I was asked by her to make a list of the top 10 books that have stuck with me. So here they are below, in no particular order:

1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is and forever will be my favorite series. I catch references to it in everyday life and it has affected me as a reader, as well as a person. I grew up with these characters and learned a lot from them. Their stories are ones that I never get tired of and I miss when I'm not reading them. Every September first I'm sad I'm not on the train to Hogwarts. But I can always go back by picking up one of these books. Thank you so much J.K. Rowling for creating a series that has touched so many peoples' lives.


2. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
I'd heard of The Secret History, but what got me to read it was reading a quote on the back of another book (The Raising by Laura Kasischke, I recommend it) saying that it was reminiscent of The Secret History. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I'm a huge fan of a mystery, especially a dark, twisted one. This is especially good for those in college, or that have been to college, as it plays a lot off of what occurs on a college campus. Definitely pick this one up.


3. Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke
Speaking of Laura Kasischke, this novel has not left me alone. I just recently read it, but it's still the only thing I can think about! This thriller is on another level. Once you finish it you see all the signs of what's going on, but while you're reading it you just want to know WTF is going on. Keep an eye out for my review which I will be posting soon on The Founding Fields.


4. The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman
This is not the first Carol Goodman book I read, but so far has probably been my favorite. I stayed up all night tearing through it, and once I went to sleep, wasn't able to. I kept thinking about the story, and was a little uncertain of what lurked in the shadows across the room. All of her novels are fantastic and I highly recommend all of them, but definitely start with The Lake of Dead Languages, you won't be sorry.


5. A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle Trilogy #1) by Libba Bray

This is one of my favorite YA series. It's set in Victorian England at a private school where some pretty strange things happen. The world building in this is so unique and Libba Bray's description makes you feel like you're there the whole time. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, and have read this a million times. It's always on my list for recommendations.


6. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This book is in almost in a dystopian vein, which would make it appealing to many kids reading today. The idea of a group of kids being stranded on an island and slowly devolving and losing their minds is terrifying. This book has stuck with me, imagining what would I do if I was in a situation like this? If you like Lost, this is a darker, scary story of what would happen (which if you like Lost, is hard to imagine!), but all involving young, teenage boys. Good luck! Also, it'll help you win at trivia games, thanks Piggy!


7. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
This was a required reading the summer before senior year AP English and I loved it! It's under 200 pages, but Kate Chopin fits so much in there you feel like you've read over 500 pages and run a marathon. The Awakening is a glimpse into life in French Creole Louisiana and what it was like to be a woman there at the end of the nineteenth century. Having been written in 1899 the themes in this novel were definitely a little more "risque" than what the public expected, but it is definitely important for people to read, women and men. I also suggest reading the short story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Comparing the way these authors write about womens' lives in this period gives you a lot of insight.


8. The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
I thought the first novel I read by Jennifer McMahon, Don't Breathe a Word, scared me. Oh no. That was nothing compared to The Winter People. Holy. Crap. Yikes. I'm still afraid of my closet some nights, and I read this months ago. This atmospheric novel will suck you in and keep you there until you think you're done, but then you suddenly find yourself in the woods and hear something scurry by. ::shudders:: Such a good book. Please read it, and check out my review here.


9. In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows #1) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

One of the best vampire series, period. These are REAL vampires. No sappy love triangles. No one trying to be something they're not. These are scary, dark creatures. And the series is amazing, especially for the age of the author when this was written! When asked for a vampire YA series, this is always the first that pops into my head. She also has a great shapeshifter series!


10. The Magicians (The Magicians #1) by Lev Grossman
I love this fantasy series. It is definitely a growing up story, but also a great fantasy world that I would love to live in. Magic here is difficult and you have to work for it, it's science and math and depends on the weather. Lev Grossman's writing is amazing and you instantly fall in love with the characters, Brakebills and Fillory. If you're looking for a good fantasy/sci-fi series, check this one out!!