The Other Boleyn Girl

Phillipa Gregory

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both the golden prince and her growing role as an unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots when the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her powerfully ambitious sister, Anne Boleyn. As Mary watches Anne manipulate her rise to the throne, Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king and take her fate into her own hands.A rich and compelling tale of love, ambition, lust, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the very center of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.





My Take:

"The Other Boleyn Girl" is a wonderfully written, character driven story. While many of the facts are in question, I don't think it really matters with this book, because it is not about the facts, it is about the personalities of the these people. I can never resist a story about history being told from an often over-looked character's point of view. I think that is what makes this book stand out from all of the others based on these events. Books from Anne's perspective are a dime a dozen but this is special as it focuses on a very interesting, yet basically unknown woman. Another positive quality is the fact that the book really resonates with you after you have read it. You can't stop thinking about it for days. It was difficult to decide on the rating, but I settled with a 1 Pay Full Price. "The Other Boleyn Girl" is a book you want to read several times over, as there are more layers to get through each time.

Need more Historical Fiction? The Perfect Royal Mistress, Too Great a Lady,
Pride and Prejudice, Nefertiti, Abundance, Witch Child


Looking for some love that's a little more modern? Its About Your Husband


Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie (which they did make a movie out of it :) it would be rated PG-13 for strong sexual content and adult themes.

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

My Take: This is one of the greatest books of all time. The characters are perfect, the writing is perfect, the story is perfect. I have never really been one for fantasies involving fictional characters, but I am in love with Mr. Darcy. If you are a fan of this masterpiece, I highly recommend the A & E mini series. Colin Firth is perfection. As I love this book so much, I feel that I am totally inadequate to review it. I rate this a 1, Pay Full Price. A+++++++

Like Historical Romance? Check these out: The Perfect Royal Mistress, Too Great a Lady,
The Other Boleyn Girl

Do you just like the History, but want less of the mushy stuff? These books are for you: Nefertiti,
Abundance, Witch Child

Or are you looking for some romance a little more modern? Its About Your Husband

Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way. Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated G, there is no offensive content.  

Too Great a Lady

Amanda Elyot

"Emma Hamilton is renowned as the real-life heroine of the greatest love story in British history, as legendary for her beauty as for her passionate love affair with England's greatest hero, Horatio Nelson. Now Amanda Elyot breathes new life into this remarkable woman, in what might have been Emma's very own words...

The impoverished daughter of an illiterate country farrier, young Emy Lyon sold coal by the roadside to help put food on her family's table. By the time she was fifteen, she had made her way from London nursemaid to vivacious courtesan, and continued her meteoric rise through society, rung by slippery rung, to become the most talked-about woman in all of Europe, a key envoy in Britain and Italy's war against the French, and a confidant to a queen.

This novel, inspired by her remarkable life, recounts Emma's many extraordinary adventures, the earth-shattering passion she eventually found with Lord Nelson, and how they braved the censure of a king and country, risking all in the name of true love."

My Take:

The Positives: "Too Great a Lady" is very rich in the details of every day life of the period in which it takes place. Emy is mostly likable, and the many of the events in the book are quite exciting. The beginning is very much a page turner.

The Negatives: The book describes her love of Horatio Nelson as the greatest love story of all time, but their romance didn't even come into play until the last fourth of the book. Even then, it wasn't that exciting or passionate, I much preferred reading about her romance with her husband, the much older Lord Hamilton. I also felt that that the author just glanced over some of the more interesting events, and dwelled on the more tedious events.

Overall I didn't dislike "Too Great a Lady", but I would have to rate it as a 4, Borrow from a Friend, I wouldn't spend money on it, but it definitely isn't a waste of time.

If you like Historical Fiction, definitely check out Witch Child, Abundance, Nefertiti, The Other Boleyn Girl, Too Great a Lady, The Perfect Royal Mistress

If Historical Action is more your thing, you have to check out The Jester and Running Out of Time

Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13, for sexual content.  

The Lake House

James Patterson


The memorable story begun in When the Wind Blows continues in this thrilling new novel, and it's one that really soars! Frannie O'Neil, a Colorado veterinarian, knows a terrible secret that will change the history of the world. Kit Harrison, an FBI agent under suspension has seen things that no one in his right mind would believe. A twelve-year-old girl named Max and five other incredible children have powers we can only dream of. These children can fly. And the only place they will be safe is the Lake House. Or so they believe...








My Take:

First off, I would like to state that I read "The Lake House" not knowing it was a sequel, and it is a testament to a good writer that you can just pick up a sequel and enjoy it. This book was very different from Patterson's classic whodunnits, which is why I enjoyed it overall. The book is very well paced and very exciting. However, at the very end, it felt a bit rushed. The very last surprise and scare didn't feel very well executed, it was as if the writer felt obligated to put in just one more "Gotcha". The last encounter ended as abruptly as it began, making you think "wait, what just happened?" Toward the end, there was a death that I felt robbed the book of it's simple love and beauty, but at the very end, another even took place that restored much of that beauty. While I enjoyed "The Lake House", there were a few disappointments that were not redeemed by the end, and so I rate this book a 3, Find a Used Book Store.

For more James Patterson reviews, check out The Jester

For more Action Adventure, check out The Book of Names, The DaVinci Code, and Running Out of Time

Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated R.  It has strong language, and strong sexual content.


 

The Perfect Royal Mistress

Diane Haeger

"A legendary actress. A mistress to a monarch. A woman who would rise from the ashes of London to take her place in history.

Nell Gwynne, born into poverty and raised in a brothel, starts her working life selling oranges in the pit at London’s newly reopened King’s Theater, just after the plague and the subsequent Great Fire have devastated the city. Her quick sense of humor and natural charm get her noticed by those who have the means to make her life easier, though Nell is street-smart enough to know that a woman doesn’t get ahead by selling her body. Through talent, charm, intelligence, and sheer determination–as well as a realistic understanding of how the world works–Nell makes her way out of the pit and onto the stage to become the leading comedic actress of the day. Her skill and beauty quickly win the attention of all of London–eventually even catching the eye of the king himself. Before she knows it, the scrappy orange girl with the pretty face and the quick wit finds herself plunged into the confusing and dangerous world of the court, and she must learn quickly who to trust–and who to never turn her back on.

From the grit of the streets and the backstage glamour of London’s theaters to the glittering court of Charles II, The Perfect Royal Mistress is a love story for the ages, the rags-to-riches tale of a truly remarkable heroine."


My Take:

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed "The Perfect Royal Mistress". It is a classic Cinderella story, only in this book, Cinderella has a biting wit that absolutely entrances you. It is easy to see why the king would keep her as a mistress for so long, she was faithful, loving, and hilarious. This book will make you absolutely fall in love with "pretty witty Nell". An interesting insight this book has to offer, is that people were very much the same back then as they are now. People love their celebrities, and Nell surely was one worthy of such adoration. The relationships in this book were very complicated and very real. The love between Nell and the King was really something special. It was really wonderful to see that in a time of such political intrigue, with everyone having an agenda, that there was at least one pure soul out there who truly loved the king for himself. While reading the book, you knew that if the king had lost everything, she would be by his side. I would give The Perfect Royal Mistress" a rating of a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Do you enjoy Historical Fiction? Then you will like Witch Child, Abundance, Nefertiti, The Other Boleyn Girl, Too Great a Lady, and The Jester



Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated PG, possibly PG-13.  It is about a mistress, so the theme is there, and there are crude references toward illegitimate children, and some suggestive humor, but overall, quite tame.

The Jester

James Patterson and Andrew Gross

Every thousand years or so, a great adventure comes along....

Hugh De Luc, a poor innkeeper, returns home from the Crusade wearied from battle and disillusioned by carnage. After journeying from the Holy Land back to his own small village, he finds his nightmare is just beginning.

In his absence, Hugh's son has been killed and his beloved wife, Sophie, abducted by a ruthless duke in search of a priceless relic dating back to the Crucifixion. Taking on the role of a jester, Hugh infiltrates the court where he believes Sophie is held captive. There he confronts men more evil than he ever imagined and embarks on an epic battle to restore his broken life.

With the breakneck pace and dizzying action of a thriller and the timelessness and romance of an Arthurian legend, The Jester is a pulse-pounding and enchanting novel. This classic tale of good against evil and the search for love is the grandest story yet from the writer the San Francisco Chronicle calls "the page-turningest author in the game right now."

My Take:

Warning! "The Jester" is not for the faint of heart! The language is heavy, the battle scenes are bleak, and most of the book is totally depressing. Now, having said that, all of those things are ultimately what make the ending that much more triumphant. This book is very thrilling and very fast paced, but I wouldn't recommend reading it at a stressful time in your life. The events that transpire will weigh heavily on your mind until you finish the book. On the plus side "The Jester" is such a page turner, you will finish it very quickly and looking back, you will like it. I'd give this book a good solid 2, Use a Coupon at Borders.
 

Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

Did you enjoy Jester? If you did, you might enjoy Witch Child
or another action packed book- The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Like James Patterson? Then you might enjoy The Lake House, also by Patterson

If this book were a movie, it would likely be rated R, not suitable for people under the age of 17.  Due to vivid and graphic presentation of violence in warfare strong sexual content, and repeated strong language.

It's About Your Husband

Lauren Lipton


"What do you do when the big apple bites back?

San Fernando Valley native Iris Hedge left her husband and traded coasts for the job of a lifetime--only to lose it in a New York minute. Now unattached, unemployed, and broke, she dreads her loneliness and imminent credit card bills...until she's offered and exciting new gig: spying on possibly cheating, uptown husband named Steve. Soon Iris is trading her business wardrobe for he stalker chic of sweatpants and dark eyewear, and navigating the hazards of urban surveillance--Central Park's fascist dog-walking rules, rejection from exclusive boutiques, and a series of unnatural hair colors. But as she steps into uncharted territory, she wonders if her life will ever go back to normal--and whether normal is anything she'll ever be happy with again."


My Take:

"It's About Your Husband" was like a steam engine train, slow to start, but once it gets going it can't stop. In the beginning, I found myself not really caring what happens to any of the characters in the story. About a third of the way through, I was simply reading it just to finish it, but at about the half way point, it really picked up speed. I found I was unable to put it down, especially toward the end. I somewhat predicted the ending, but I have to say that when I did finish it, I didn't mind that I had guessed it. By the end I was heavily rooting for the main character, and found her to be very realistic. I also enjoyed that the book was from a New York newcomers perspective. The totally chic and over-styled Manhattan-ites seemed so snooty and inaccessible, but the writer shows you, through the eyes of someone you could relate to, that everyone has layers and feelings. Even pampered princesses that live in the ritziest parts of town can develop meaningful friendships with the average Joe or Josie like you or me. It's About Your Husband" is very light and fluffy, and would be good for a long car ride or flight. Overall I would rate this book at a 3, Find a Used Book Store, its very enjoyable, but I think that if you payed full price for it you wouldn't like it as much.

Do you agree with my review? Do you think I'm totally off base? I'd love to hear about it either way! Be sure to comment and tell me how you feel!

Like this Author? Check her out at www.laurenlipton.com/

Like this book? Try Wicked, see my review here

Also, take a look at some other romances I've reviewed.