The Daughters of Palatine Hill - A Novel by Phyllis T. Smith ~ Marvelous and Masterful~

 I would give more stars if I could! It was an absolutely marvelous book, even better than "I Am Livia" the first one. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me an ARC.

Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus for more than 50 years, was one of the daughters the book was written about. The author, who has made Rome come to life in a vivid fashion for me, has made very long dead historical figures spring to life and tell their own stories.

Living on the Palatine Hill also were Cleopatra Selene daughter of Mark Antony and Cleapatra and her half brother Jullus( Iullus) Antony as foster children of Octavia sister to Augustus. Raised in the household of Livia and Augustus was Julia only child of Caesar and sometimes Livia's sons Tiberius and Drusus.

What an amazingly complicated life Livia lived; her father was killed at Phillipi and her mother killed herself.She was married quite young to her cousin Tiberius Nero, who she divorced when she was pregnant with her 2nd son. She divorced at the insistence of Octavian who she called Tavius who would be come Augustus.

Julia who has a lot of children with Agrippa who she did not wish to marry, was first married to her cousin Marcellus and lastly to Livia, her stepmother's son Tiberius. She rebelled in many ways including numerous adulterous affairs and lastly is exiled to a small island off Italy. Does she return?

Realizing now that when this book ends Livia and Augustus have a lot more years left~ Can I hope for a sequel? Please? Phyllis T. Smith is a remarkable and sophisticated writer who truly breathes life into her characters and her era. A masterful work and recommended highly.

Luther and Katherina - Jody Hedlund ~ Satisfying~

I liked reading about Martin Luther and his wife. I knew a bit about the period but have read little about his personal or family life. I did some outside research and apparently they had a good sized household, consisting of homeless relatives and refugees,which Katharina ran effectively and economically.

The story began as Katharina is escaping the convent that she had been in since she was five years old. That fact alone is astounding and could have been more developed. Their life together evolved suscessfully. What more can you wish for?

Jody Hedlund did a good job making the historical facts fit into a readable and enjoyable fictional tale. It was a cross between a romance and a historical novel but well done as either. This couple's marriage and life would have been difficult to fit into either one.

Although not my usual genre, it was a fine read. Recommended for those who like this period and biographies.

Loving Eleanor - Susan Wittig Albert - Cum Laude!

I took my time and savored this book.. now to write my review. I learned a great deal about people and time that I had thought I understood. I greatly appreciate getting an ARC through NetGalley and enjoyed reading about a time that is in the not too distant past.

Susan Wittig Albert has long been a favorite author and is superb at fictional biographies. I am a stickler for accuracy in time and period and the Biographical Afterward was detailed and satisfying. I know exactly what was factual and what was somewhat guessed at.

I will put on my work experience as a social worker to be absolutely and positively amazed at the dysfunctional dynamics of this family. I really had no idea, although I think it was general knowledge that Roosevelt was with a mistress at his death.

I must explore this all some more as it has such parallels to modern politics and its players. In this era we lived in putting these love letters in limbo for years would not be possible and would be very explosive.

The novel was about Lorena Hickok who the author admired but "Hick" is just one of the characters of this drama. Eleanor and FDR were the opposite poles that their friends and loved ones bounced between, or so it seems to me.

The book was more about Hick's feelings for Eleanor, and less about herself, although she was a prominent individual in her own right.
Albert,in her fine afterward does a synopsis of Lorena's life alone and mentions some biographies that I will pursue now.

My curiosity is also aroused about the Roosevelt's marriage and were the early years as dysfunctional as the last 20 or so? Was I so sheltered about these things and this family? Did I rely on my 1950s girlhood reading experience and not really what occurred? Was it just a different era?

Recommended for all who enjoy biographical works that flow like novels, as that is what this one is. Cum Laude , Susan Wittig Albert!

The Saltergate Psalter - Chris Nickson ~ Never ever disappoints~

Riveting and sometimes even scary mystery set in Chesterfield in 1361, a time when mysteries and myths abound. The position of Coroner was established by King Richard before 1200 and had its origins even earlier perhaps in Saxon times. This period in Chesterfield illustrates a great deal of power in the office, as demonstrated by de Harville, which John the Carpenter had to work to overcome.

Some of his reluctance to not pursue an outcome had to do also with his own moral sense and curiosity about the events that were transpiring. Too many murders were happening without resolution and both John and the Coroner had their own family issues to attend to.

When Walter, John's brother in law goes missing and is found gravely injured, enough is enough.
An unexpected twist in the story is a nail-biter, or it was for me.

Chris Nickson is a fine historian and an even finer writer. His period detail is so accurate and descriptive that when his characters assume their own life, we are not surprised.

This is the third series I have read by this author, who never ever disappoints. 

Daughter of Sand and Stone- Libbie Hawker- Fine historical

Definitely 4.5 stars,thanks to NetGalley for the ARC which was quite enjoyable.I adored much, or even most, of the book but thought the end was a bit rushed. It could have even been two books, possibly?

I knew nothing about Zenobia but very much enjoy Libbie Hawker's books.and this one was no exception. The young adulthood of Zenobia-bat-Zabbai was quite fascinating and exciting, her downfall a bit less so. Did she redeem herself at the end by sparing her people a revolt? I sort of think that she did. 

A complex and complicated time to be living for sure and good to read about at this time in our history. Palmyra, after all is part of modern day Syria, and was old in the period in this novel. There was a Neolithic settlement, as well as written evidence of a historic trading tribal settlement in the Bronze age. 

The author has  a fine author's note referencing this period known as the "Crisis of Third Century" referencing the Roman period. Although Rome had annexed many areas touching Palmyra in the pre Christian era, Palmyra was only dominated for 200+ years by Rome. Apparently that was enough for Odenathus who rebelled and was killed leaving Zenobia a widow.

I recommend the extremely fine period descriptions and scenic word pictures. This was and surely still is an amazing place with breathtaking historical import.

Death Riddle-Maureen Ash- An Anglo-Norman mystery- Fine period detail and mystery - 5 Stars!

A very fine and enjoyable book by Maureen Ash which I hope will be the first of a series?

"It is 1088 and England has been under Norman domination since the successful invasion of William of Normandy twenty-two years before. But William’s recent death has once again plunged the island kingdom into war. The town of Rochester is at the centre of the conflict."

Godric, a young Englishman, is blamed for a crime and claims sanctuary. Estrid, his widowed mother,daughter of an English thegn killed at the Battle of Hastings is determined to exonerate him.

All of this is played out against Odo Earl of Kent's occupation of the town after his troops fell in battle against King William Rufus.

A fine thriller and even better period novel of the first few decades of Norman occupation.

I loved it! Just released and free on KindleUnlimited

A Holy Vengeance- Maureen Ash's fine outing!

In the newest Templar Knight Mystery, Bascot de Marins is called to investigate when a young woman is killed and villagers suspect evil forces are to blame.


 Medieval Lincoln is brought to life for me in the person of Nicolaa de la Haye who was the Castellan of Lincoln Castle for 30 years. It is a superb and strong series which I snatch up whenever one comes along.

Bascot de Marins and his young protégé Gianni deliver quite well, but I thought the relationship between Roget and the Perfumer really hit a high note.

It was a complex plot and the supernatural elements and their resolution made the book even more exciting. I thought the Templars riding in war apparel to support the Bishop and the faithful in the town was a tremendous touch that I could visualize.


Recommended for all Medieval and medieval mystery fans.