A Daughter of Warwick - JM Ruddock ~A comfortable read ~

A quite enjoyable read which gives a positive spin on the relationship between Anne Neville and Richard III. Explanations on the events of their life together are plausible and within historical possibilities.

Starting with their first meeting as children and ending with her death it is nice easy read. Recommended for fans of Richard III- there are lots of us!

Out of the Shoebox - An Autobiographic Mystery by Yaron Reshef - # 1 Top Seller by Genre

Reading this book was a memorable and enlightening experience and I thank the author for making it available to me. I read until late last night and finished this afternoon, with trips to the computer to "see" certain areas and events I knew little about.

Yaron posted this this morning:"It was an amazing day. More than 30,000 readers downloaded my free eBook "Out of the Shoebox" from Amazon and the book reached No 1 Best Sellers in Kindle Store. Most of the readers were people with love and passion for genealogy and for family stories. This is a dream come true for every author, to have readers like you."

In the afterword the author explains that he told the story as it happened rather than reconstruct it into book format. I admit that some cultural aspects of his life is Israel and exactly where Chortkow Poland is, was, and became required look ups but he did it exactly in the correct fashion.

The truths that came to him were stark but the memories, stories and truths that were hidden from him were striking also. He had to wrest information from his past and from people and places who were determined to hide it.

Not only was his life changed but he impacted others in the telling of it and sharing of events and places. Did his father come to him in the night or was he always with him,through every day of all those years? I feel that I know and thank you Yaron for letting me share this journey with you. 

The Tinner's Corpse - Bernard Knight ~ A Favorite Series

A Crowner John medieval mystery set in 12th century Devon, England
When Crowner John is summoned to the bleak Devonshire moors to investigate the murder of a tin miner, he has little idea how difficult this new investigation will prove to be.

Crowner John is my favorite series ( 2 others very close) and my all time "comfort read". What is a comfort read? Well I know the characters, who have depth, the history is excellent and period details work very well for me as well as being a favorite era.


What to do now? Well I missed one in the series so must get that one. If you haven't explored Bernard's Knight's writing, I feel that you should! 

Pathway to Power - Jan Foxall

Goodness I didn't want this book to end..where is the next one in the series? Recommended for all those who read about the period before and after the Norman Conquest.

Jan Foxall is a very fine writer and knows her history of this period. Queen Emma, a favorite of mine, does not come off too well- definitely not the "Mother of the Era" and her sons' issues are surely the result. The relationships, of Earl Godwin, Duke William and all the protagonists, both political and interpersonal, are shared in a very succinct way.

The characters come to life, whether for good or for bad and make their lives and times understandable to the reader. A hard and violent period of change and turmoil described in a very coherent, believable tale.

I really very much enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars

The King's Favorite Son -Jan Foxall - So very readable!

 A slightly different perspective but one I enjoyed a great deal. I will of course read all three books and will also start the series on the Norman Conquest.Very happy to have finally decided to read this one, I am a Plantagenet junkie.

 I think that there was just the right pace and depth for an enjoyable read. Jan Foxall's historical facts work quite well for me. Definitely recommend! I give it 5 stars.

The Masque of a Murderer- Susanna Calkins~ Preorder links are up!

 The Masque of a Murderer is the third Lucy Campion mystery novel, although the first for me. Susanna Calkins is what I would call a social historian(which I understand well) and is drawn to this period of social mobility. She discusses this in her historical note which was very well done.

A complex and multilayered mystery which reflects the ups and downs of the period in which it is set. The disruption of societal roles at this time is sort of evident in the dialogue which is a bit stiff as is some of the interaction between the characters.

The final chapter does a heroic job of tying loose ends up in a complicated and sometimes baffling mystery. 3.5 stars. Very unique subject matter!

A Man's Word ( The Kings's Hounds #3) - Martin Jensen ~ A new favorite series

 "The crime-solving duo known as the King’s Hounds—Halfdan and his master, Winston—are investigating a possible plot against King Cnut by onetime enemy-turned-ally Jarl Thorkell. Joined on the arduous journey by Winston’s woman, Alfilda, and Atheling, his cranky mule, they venture to the markets in Thetford to gather information."

Really enjoyable book which I sincerely hope is going to continue as a series. I compare it to the Crowner John series which also is a favorite and like both of them a great deal. Especially interesting is the early time period of King Cnut, one of my very favorites.

Recommended for historical mystery fans as well as medieval of this particular time period.4.5 stars.The pace is a tad slow, but it does truly get there!