See Me Tour: Book Trailer and Giveaway

Title: See Me

Series: Rise, Book 1

Author: Natalie-Nicole Bates

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Leap of Faith

Format: Ebook

Length: 22,000 words

Purchase: Leap of Faith

Book Description:

Carly Anders is hearing voices in her head. Another one of her kind is trying to contact her. She knows of the malevolent freaks—others who are eternal like her and seek out the weak to inflict pain upon. For years, Carly has held up huge protective walls to keep herself and her secrets safe. Now, physically and mentally exhausted, Carly needs protection and rest.

She accepts the invitation to visit an internet friend who needs help appraising a collection of antique photographs. The situation is not ideal, but Carly hopes a male presence in her life will deter the determined suitor who haunts her thoughts and dreams.

Daniel Tremont is not what Carly is expecting.

The former funeral director has a secret of his own. Not only is he eternal like Carly, he is her creation from all those years before—her abomination she thought she killed.

Daniel has been searching for Carly for years. He knows she is the piece of his life that he has been missing for so long. Now that he has found her, he has no intentions of letting her go.

Book Trailer LINK:

Giveaway:

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You Quit Money, but Not Technology

The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen

Summary: In 2000, Daniel Suelo left his life savings—all thirty dollars of it—in a phone booth. He has been living without money—and with a newfound sense of freedom and security—ever since.

The Man Who Quit Money is an account of how one man learned to live, sanely and happily, without earning, receiving, or spending a single cent. Suelo doesn't pay taxes, or accept food stamps or welfare. He lives in caves in the Utah canyonlands, forages wild foods and gourmet discards. He no longer even carries an I.D. Yet he manages to amply fulfill not only the basic human needs-for shelter, food, and warmth-but, to an enviable degree, the universal desires for companionship, purpose, and spiritual engagement. In retracing the surprising path and guiding philosophy that led Suelo into this way of life, Sundeen raises provocative and riveting questions about our relationships with money and the decisions we all make, by default or by design—about how we live and how we might live better.

Review: An interesting story of a man who quit money along the adventures of his life marred by the narrator. 

Quitting money is certainly a great idea and I bet some of us wish they could quit money or at least not have to worry about it so much. Unfortunately, the way our society is set up does not allow people to quit money. People have debt, people spend beyond their means, people live paycheck to paycheck, people need to dip into their savings to pay for emergencies, and so forth. I honestly don't have a problem with money although I do agree that a lot about our current system of capitalism needs to be changed. 

I am sure Daniel is a fine person, but the narrator made him seem like a holier than thou man. I didn't agree with some of Daniel's views. An example is that he won't barter with other people yet will accept charity. Daniel has to accept a lot of charity to get by. I don't see how he is any better or worse than a person that depends on paid charity (Medicare, Medicad, Welfare, food stamps, etc). Perhaps it's an ideal, but I feel that someone who quits money should be able to self sufficient to provide for themselves and barter for what they need and don't have. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy biographies about people trying to live a different way of life than most Americans. 

This is Not Historical Fiction!

The Nine Days Queen: A Portrait of Lady Jane Grey by Mary M. Luke

Summary: Lady Jane Grey, that tragic teenager caught up in the tempests of Tudor intrigue, has always exercised considerable attraction for biographers. More, one might add, than her historical importance deserves, but for all that this is a welcome treatment. Her story, essentially that of a pawn in family members' hands as they strove for both riches and power during the uncertain years following Henry VIII's death, is a dramatic one which is well told.

Review: A good history of Lady Jane Grey marred by the author assuming what the historical figures, Lady Jane Grey especially, were thinking and feeling. 

The story of Lady Jane Grey is a fascinating one. How could someone only be queen for nine days? It also reiterates to me that I would hate to be a queen. I cannot imagine being forced into becoming queen. Jane was queen for only nine days. She was later executed at the age of either sixteen or seventeen. It's a period filled with turmoil, unrest, and grabs for power. Any good history of Lady Jane Grey has to start before she becomes queen, perhaps even before she is born.  

The author, Mary Luke, certainly starts in the appropriate place to give the reader a good background to what eventually causes Jane to be crowned. Luke covers the death of Edward VI, the short reign of Jane, and the rebellion of Jane's father, which causes Jane's death. As far as I can tell, the history is accurate and fits in with what I've read about the time period and the events in this book. You can assume or make educated guesses, but you really don't know. What really bothered me was how Luke assumed that Jane was feeling this or feeling that. Rumors and half truths are best kept for fiction. You can certainly mentioned that it was rumored that Jane's mother was abusive to her, but please don't assume it as fact and incorporate it into your supposed nonfiction book. 

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that are fascinated by Lady Jane Grey. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey. This meme lets you show fellow readers what you have read, what you are reading, and what you will be reading.

Recently Read:

Currently Reading:

To Read:

The Amazing World of the Elements

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean

Summary: The Periodic Table is one of man's crowning scientific achievements. But it's also a treasure trove of stories of passion, adventure, betrayal, and obsession. The infectious tales and astounding details in THE DISAPPEARING SPOON follow carbon, neon, silicon, and gold as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, war, the arts, poison, and the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them.

We learn that Marie Curie used to provoke jealousy in colleagues' wives when she'd invite them into closets to see her glow-in-the-dark experiments. And that Lewis and Clark swallowed mercury capsules across the country and their campsites are still detectable by the poison in the ground. Why did Gandhi hate iodine? Why did the Japanese kill Godzilla with missiles made of cadmium? And why did tellurium lead to the most bizarre gold rush in history?

From the Big Bang to the end of time, it's all in THE DISAPPEARING SPOON.

Review: A delightful collection of science, history, and the elements. 

As far as I can tell, this book has stories about all or almost all the elements. I was expected it to go element by element, but Kean grouped elements together in reasonably logical groups, which does make for an easier read. The Disappearing Spoon focuses more on the history of the elements and those who discovered those elements than the science of those elements. The science that Kean provided was very basic and did a good enough job so people could understand the stories. I really had hoped for more in depth science, especially since there was a lot of overlap between chemistry and physics. 

I have always been a big fan of science, especially physics. I haven't read too much about chemistry though this book has me intrigued. I still would love to learn more about the science behind the elements and the development of the periodic table. Reading this book made me realize how many personalities and characters there are in science. I will probably be reading some biographies in the future. Most people know the standard periodic table, but the fact that there are many other versions is pretty cool. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy science, especially chemistry or physics, and history. 

Watch the Show Instead

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read (Psych #1) by William Rabkin

Summary: After the PSYCH detective agency gets some top-notch publicity, Shawn's high-school nemesis, Dallas Steele, hires him to help choose his investments. Naturally, their predictions turn out to be total busts. And the deceptive Dallas is thrilled that he has completely discredited and humiliated Shawn once and for all--until he's found murdered.

But the police have a suspect found--at the scene with a smoking gun. And she says Shawn took control of her mind and forced her to do it. After all, he is a psychic...

Review: A novelized version of the show Psych that has a jerky main character and falls short of the enjoyment one gets from watching the show.

I can only assume it is hard to turn a tv show into a novel. The novel is going to contain more information than an hour tv can convey. For me, I usually like the characters or people best when it comes to tv shows. I like watching their interaction. You lose the non-verbal, but still highly visual aspect of the characters' interactions with each other. A perfectly timed Gibbs' head slap isn't going to have the same impact in a book. Still, for those of us like reading, novels about a tv show are a great way to experience it any time, especially when there aren't new episodes or when the show has ended. 

I like Psych. I don't watch it on a regular basis nor do I feel the need to catch up on new episodes or watch the show from the beginning (although I do have Netflix now which is tempting). It is a funny show though and I will watch it if it's own and nothing else appeals to me. I know enough about the show to know the characters. What bothered me most about this book is how much a jerk Shawn was. Gus acted like he is portrayed on the show. Shawn's dad, O'Hara, and Lassiter played small parts. The mystery and whole psychic slave thing was odd and make little sense.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would tentatively recommend this book to people who are big fans of the show. 

Frost Tour: Spotlight and Giveaway

Title: FrostSeries: 1Night Stand -Sleepy Hollow #3

Author: Taryn Kincaid

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Format: Ebook

Length: 12636 words | 39 pages

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Decadent | ARe |Smashwords | BookStrand | CoffeeTime |

Book Description:

Dagney Night, a sought-after succubus, is no stranger to blazing hot sex. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, she longs for something more. When oddly erotic paintings arrive for display at her art gallery, arousing everyone who views them, she wonders about the mysterious artist who created the works.

Maxwell Raines, a fire-sex demon, lives a life of solitude and seclusion behind the walls of his compound at Sleepy Hollow, channeling his lustful impulses into his art—until his muse deserts him and his temperature rises past the danger point. He needs sex. Now.

When Madame Evangeline arranges a torrid Valentine’s 1Night Stand for them, will the flames of their encounter be too hot to handle? 

About the Author:

Taryn Kincaid lives in scenic Serendipity-By-the-Sea. (Go ahead. Try to find it on a map. If you do, Taryn will send you a smooch. Also a Nutter Butter.)  She is an Olympic caliber athlete in egg rolling contests and spends a great deal of her time petitioning the U.S.O.C. to introduce fantail shrimp competition. When she's not bungee jumping off the Palisades or parasailing up and down the Hudson River, she devotes her time to caring for her aging pet walrus,  arranging her voodoo doll-pin collection and practicing rhythmic chants.  At this moment, she is busy picking up loose wholewheat spaghetti sticks that spilled out of the cupboard and onto her kitchen floor. Wait. Is that something…sparkly?
Website | Blog | Twitter: @TarynKincaid | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Amazon Author Page |

Giveaway:

Enter below to win Book swag and chocolates and 1 ebook from Taryn Kincaid's backlist (not FROST)

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Please Take the Red Pill

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Summary: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Review: Another unbelievable young adult dystopian novel with a love triangle. 

I will be glad when young adult dystopian novels aren't the rage anymore. It seems like every time a genre gets popular, people grab hold of the genre and churn out young adult novels that are marginally related to the genre and merely serve as backdrops for the inevitable love triangle. I know I shouldn't complain too much since I will read those young adult novels even though they may have love triangles and will probably range from good to bad. I just want something new, something original, something unique, something that hasn't been done before and no love triangles. 

The world that Cassia lives in is unbelievable. I don't remember too many details about the Society, but it felt so poorly put together. The dystopian setting feels like it is only there to provide conflict and an excuse for the idiotic love triangle. The setting adds nothing to the story. Xander was a glorified carpet and was still helping Cassia out even when she was in love with Ky. Why did she fall in love with Ky? I'm not really sure. There were woods and words and forbidden knowledge and ever changing eyes and not much else.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to people that enjoy young adult dystopian novels with love triangles. 

A Very Selective History

The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History by Molly Caldwell Crosby

Summary: Slave ships brought it to America as far back as 1648-and over the centuries, yellow fever epidemics plagued the United States. Carried along the mighty Mississippi River, it ravaged towns from New Orleans to St. Louis. New York City lost 2,000 lives in one year alone. It even forced the nation's capital to relocate from Philadelphia to Washington, DC.

The American Plague reveals the true story of yellow fever, recounting Memphis, Tennessee's near-destruction and resurrection from the epidemic-and the four men who changed medical history with their battle against an invisible foe that remains a threat to this very day.

Review: A patchy overview of yellow fever and its effect on history.

I love medical history. Medicine has come so far in such a short amount of time. It's fascinating to learn how people used to deal with diseases and what they thought actually caused some diseases. I might have heard of yellow fever before I read this book, but if I had, I didn't know much about it. The book's title makes some big claims and I was prepared to be impressed. I went into this book thinking it would be close to a definitive history of yellow fever like The Emperor of All Maladies did with cancer.

Unfortunately, this book disappointed me. The book only briefly mentions how the disease works and its symptoms. I would have liked a lot more detail about that since this book is supposed to be about yellow fever. It starts off in Africa and tells the story of how it came to America. It makes me think about how quickly yellow fever would have come over to America if it wasn't for slavery. Then it jumps to Memphis and it was interesting to learn how disease did shape Memphis as a city. Then we jump to the present day. I had hope for a more continuous narrative and feel that I don't know nearly enough about yellow fever as I should after reading this book.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this people interested in diseases, American history, or medical history.

Dry as a Bone

The Confederacy of Heaven by Margaret Taylor

Summary: There has been no rain for two hundred years. Nasan Rattlingbones has been exiled from her clan and left to fend for herself in the waste. She discovers she may be at the heart of a heavenly conspiracy involving the curse on her world.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Review: An interesting fantasy with unique elements and a realistic main character.

This book was a collection of different elements and genres although fantasy was the main genre. The idea of no rain for two hundred years was an interesting one although I wondered how anyone could have survived without water. It does turn out that there is snowfall, but no water, which does confuse me quite a bit. I also wasn't sure how people still had electricity (the townies) after 200 years nor did I understand how Nasan understood certainly technology so well. The world was not as primitive as I expected.

I really liked Nasan. She was a warrior who doubted her skills and wasn't this incredibly strong super bad ass warrior. She was a very realistic character. The story focuses on her journey and her strength of character, not how attractive she is or how unbelievably talented she is. My enjoyment of this book did wane a little as the book progressed due to what felt like needless complications and plot devices. I am glad that there was a happy ending and I would love to read more about the universe and Stars.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to those that enjoy fantasy with elements of dystopia and science fiction. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey. This meme lets you show fellow readers what you have read, what you are reading, and what you will be reading.

Recently Read: 

Currently Reading:

To Read:

It’s All Fun and Games…

Pretty Girls Make Graves by Nicole Trilivas

Summary: “My name is Justine and I have a story to tell. I have a story the way everyone has one, and it’s not a new story the way no one’s story is new. You’ve heard this one before. You hear it everyday.”

So begins the story of the peculiarly pretty misfit Justine with the persistent need to recount her misadventures—even if it’s nothing you haven’t heard before. Sparked by a break-up with her married boyfriend, Justine trades in university for the underbelly of international cities, and descends into a destructive reinvention.

Acutely aware that she’s not the first girl to experience these formative misadventures, Justine hijacks the vocal chords of archetypal characters from myths, fairy tales, literature, and pop culture. She employs the stories that echo her story—the violent exit from girlhood via a botched love life—better than her own.

She doesn’t have to profess another mistress’s manifesto: Kalypso, one of the paramour goddesses from Homer’s Odyssey, has that one covered. She was never overtly vicious without provocation, that’s the job of a sadomasochistic Wicked Witch of fairy tale infamy. She doesn’t have a penchant for picking the wrong guy over her soul mate, Catherine of Wuthering Heights does.

PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES is a dark and stylized examination of the vicious things we do in the name of self-preservation, and questions the frantic necessity to tell our stories to establish human connection—however ugly they may be.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Review: An incredible story of a haunted and troubled girl that could have been pulled from real life.

This book is fiction, but it is incredibly true to life. It felt like I could have been reading a memoir of a troubled young adult. While this book could have stood on the merits of Justine’s personal story, what really stood out to me was the use of myth, mythology, and faerie tales to tell her story. It adds a surreal depth to Justine's story, but still manages to add a humanity to her tales. Some tales are timeless for a reason. 

I honestly can't imagine feeling as aimless and miserable as Justine is. I was able to sympathize with her a number of times throughout the book, but I was glad that I do not have to resort to sleeping around, alcohol, and drugs to deal with any sadness or ill feelings. She seems to have no shortage of money, but money, past a certain point, does not buy happiness. Would actual responsibility cause her to toughen up? I can only hope there is a happy ending for Justine, but I feel that if there is, it will have taken her a long time to get there. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to fans of stories about tragic figures or those that enjoy mythological devices in stories. 

Glitz, Glam, and Fool’s Gold

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver by Rick Harrison, Tim Keown

Summary: In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned business called the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, run by three generations of the Harrison family: Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Now "License to Pawn" takes readers behind the scenes of the hit History show Pawn Stars and shares the fascinating life story of its star, Rick Harrison, and the equally intriguing story behind the shop, the customers, and the items for sale. 

Rick hasn't had it easy. He was a math whiz at an early age, but developed a similarly uncanny ability to find ever-deepening trouble that nearly ruined his life. With the birth of his son, he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and they started their booming business together. 

"License to Pawn" also offers an entertaining walk through the pawn shop's history. It's a captivating look into how the Gold & Silver works, with incredible stories about the crazy customers and the one-of-a-kind items that the shop sells. Rick isn't only a businessman; he's also a historian and keen observer of human nature. For instance, did you know that pimps wear lots of jewelry for a reason? It's because if they're arrested, jewelry doesn't get confiscated like cash does, and ready money will be available for bail. Or that WWII bomber jackets and Zippo lighters can sell for a freakishly high price in Japan? Have you ever heard that the makers of Ormolu clocks, which Rick sells for as much as $15,000 apiece, frequently died before forty thanks to the mercury in the paint? 

Rick also reveals the items he loves so much he'll never sell. The shop has three Olympic bronze medals, a Patriots Super Bowl ring, a Samurai sword from 1490, and an original Iwo Jima battle plan. Each object has an incredible story behind it, of course. Rick shares them all, and so much more--there's an irresistible treasure trove of history behind both the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the life of Rick Harrison.

Review: A quick read that tells the stories of Rick, Corey, the Old Man, and Chumlee and how the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop was born.

I read this book because I am a big fan of the show and I would suggest that fans of the show read this book as well. The history about the interesting items is great and I love the interaction between the cast. Who doesn’t love the cranky Old Man? This book focuses mainly on Rick’s life, but also contains chapters from Corey, the Old Man, and Chumlee which give you an idea of what everyone had to go through to the get the pawn shop started.

Rick certainly does not sugarcoat his early life and airs his dirty laundry, but does it in a way that is matter of fact and not attention seeking. I was really glad when he decided to turn his life around. I also liked how he handled his son’s addiction. I also really liked all the stories Rick had to tell of the pawn shop and the many customers they have had. I think I would read a book just about the weird characters that show up at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. It is a shame that Rick and the Old Man can’t interact with their customers like they used to since they have gotten famous.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book to fans of the show or those who like celebrity memoirs. 

Alice in Whatland?

Alice in Deadland (Alice in Deadland #1) by Mainak Dhar

Summary: Civilization as we know it ended more than fifteen years ago, leaving as it's legacy barren wastelands called the Deadland and a new terror for the humans who survived — hordes of undead Biters. 

Fifteen year-old Alice has spent her entire life in the Deadland, her education consisting of how best to use guns and knives in the ongoing war for survival against the Biters. One day, Alice spots a Biter disappearing into a hole in the ground and follows it, in search of fabled underground Biter bases. 

What Alice discovers there propels her into an action-packed adventure that changes her life and that of all humans in the Deadland forever. An adventure where she learns the terrible conspiracy behind the ruin of humanity, the truth behind the origin of the Biters, and the prophecy the mysterious Biter Queen believes Alice is destined to fulfill. 

A prophecy based on the charred remains of the last book in the Deadland — a book called Alice in Wonderland.

Review: A very loose retelling of Alice in Wonderland with plenty of zombies. 

This was a free read on Amazon and I snagged it since I really enjoy retellings. Alice in Wonderland is already a very strange and weird story and zombies would only add to the weirdness. This book starts off like Alice in Wonderland with a zombie (aka biter) wearing rabbit ears and Alice following him down a hole. Rabbit Ears almost eats her until he discovers that she looks like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Then Alice goes to meet the queen. There are a few other characters from the original story in there as well. 

It soon diverges from the original story and turns into a fight with the humans and the zombies against Zeus, the evil baddies. The queen is convinced that Alice is part of a prophecy and other people soon start to view Alice as some incredible hero. I honestly didn't believe how incredible Alice's fighting skills were nor how skillful she was with a gun. I know she had to learn how to fight from a young age, but experience does count for something. So war commences and there is plenty of tragedy and I don't remember the ending. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those who enjoy retellings, Alice in Wonderland, or end of the world stories with zomibes. 

Inside the Needle

The Annihilation of Foreverland by Tony Bertauski

Summary: When kids awake on an island, they’re told there was an accident. Before they can go home, they will visit Foreverland, an alternate reality that will heal their minds. Reed dreams of a girl that tells him to resist Foreverland. He doesn’t remember her name, but knows he once loved her. He’ll have to endure great suffering and trust his dream. And trust he’s not insane. Danny Boy, the new arrival, meets Reed’s dream girl inside Foreverland. She’s stuck in the fantasy land that no kid can resist. Where every heart’s desire is satisfied. Why should anyone care how Foreverland works? Together, they discover what it’s really doing to them.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Review: An incredible young adult dystopian read that slowly and tantalizingly reveals the truth behind the island and Foreverland.  

This book really was a nail biter. It's a short read, but packs a lot of punch and I found myself wanting to read more and more so I can finally get to the truth. The reader is just as lost as Danny Boy is at the beginning and as he gains more knowledge, so does the reader. I guessed the big secret before it was revealed, but it still was unpleasant to be proven right since it was such a horrible situation. Paradise always has a dark side. Paradise will not please everyone. 

I liked Reed the best. He didn't blindly believe what everyone else had been told and wasn't ready to given in. Reed had a lot of strength, both physical and mental. He was the most tragic character and while I am sad at what happened to him, it still turned out all right in the end. I would like to think that Foreverland would never be allowed to happen, but I suppose that it could happen with enough money and power and that is it the most horrifying aspect of this book. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy young adult dystopian fiction or dystopian fiction in general. 

She Sees the Future

The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr (Ladies in Waiting #2) by Sandra Byrd

Summary: Mistress Juliana St. John is the lovely, forthright daughter of a prosperous knight’s family. Though all expect her to marry the son of her late father’s business partner, time and chance interrupt, sending her to the sumptuous but deceptive court of Henry VIII.

 Sir Thomas Seymour, brother of the late Queen Jane, returns to Wiltshire to conclude his affairs with Juliana’s father’s estate and chances upon her reading as lector in the local church. He sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves and wants most to please, Kateryn Parr. Juliana’s mother agrees to have her placed with Parr for a season and Juliana goes, though reluctantly.

For she keeps a secret.

 As Juliana accompanies Kateryn Parr to court, Henry’s devout sixth queen raises the stakes for all reformers. Support of firebrand Anne Askew puts the queen and her ladies in life-threatening jeopardy, as does the queen’s desire to influence her husband’s—and the realm’s—direction and beliefs. Later, without Henry’s strong arm, the court devolves to competition, duplicity, and betrayal. The risks could not be higher as Juliana must choose between love and honor, personal fulfillment and sacrifice. Ultimately, her course is driven by a final kept secret, one that undoes everything she thought she knew.

Review: An enjoyable Tudor historical fiction novel featuring Katherine Parr.

I enjoyed this book although I must admit that not much has stuck with me after a few days. Unlike the last Tudor historical fiction novel I read, The Secret Keeper actually involved the Tudors. I like Katherine Parr well enough even though she isn't as interesting as some of Henry VIII's other queens like Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boyeln, and Catherine Howard. Katherine Parr's left story is pretty tragic though. She was forced to marry for duty three times and had to worry about her life when married to Henry VIII. She only got to marry for love once and died soon after having her first child. 

I know Juliana is the main character, but she isn't much of a main character. She is more of a vehicle by which to tell the story of Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour. Her gift of prophecy felt mainly like a plot device. I did like Juliana well enough though and was sad about what happened to her at court. I was glad that she got her happy ending. I did like the portrayal of Elizabeth and how she reacted around Thomas Seymour. I was glad to see that she was confused and upset about Thomas' behavior towards her. 

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction about the Tudors.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Book Journey. This meme lets you show fellow readers what you have read, what you are reading, and what you will be reading.

Recently Read:

Currently Reading:

To Read: