The Unicorn of Historical Fiction, Rochester: the Mad Earl by Kathleen Kellow

This is a compiled list curtesty of my local library's WorldCat program. WorldCat as made for just this type of situation. A early pen name of the prolicfic historical fiction authour Jean Plaidy was Kathleen Kellow. Under Katherine Kellow she wrote/published "Rochester: The Mad Earl" in 1957. At 253 pages, it is a rarity in the historical fiction world and it is quite possible that as little as a thousand copies were printed in 1957. I call it the unicorn of HF because there really is nothing out there on the web about it and amazon even has nothing on it. I got this cover art image from the web but I am still very unsure where it came from because the book was a leather bound book.

"This is the true story of John Wilmott, Earl of Rochester, a poet and libertine who lived at the time of King Charles II."

Where in the world is it?

US, AL Auburn University

US, CA Stanford University Library

US, CA University of California, Berkly

US, CA University of California, N Reg Library

US, DC Library of Congress

US, IA University of Iowa Library

US, MA Harvard University, Harvard Col Library

US, MT University of Montana, Mansfield Library

US, NC Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

US, NY Cornell University

US, NY New York Pub Library Resource Lib

US, PA Pennsylvania State University

US, PA University of Pennsylvania

US, WI Marquette UNIV Raynor Memorial Library

AUSTRALIA University of Newcastle Auchmuty Library

AUSTRALIA University of Sydney

U.K. British Library

U.K. University of Oxford

The Arrival

Since I enlisted the help of the library on this wild goose chase, I got lucky with their help. The reason being that I was so lucky is that with the libraries WorldCat system you can REQUEST a book but that does not mean you will get it. Once the request is made it is up the library if they feel they want to lend the book out. I was quite shocked to say the least that the book was delivered less than two weeks after I made the request. My copy was loan from Montana. 

With the libraries request system you can order all kinds of things even hundred year old documents. Granted you might not be able to take them home but you can read them at the library. Which ever library fills your request they can put guidelines on the loan like you have to wear special gloves, can not take it home, can not be renewed, or anything else they need to protect the item you requested. I emplore everyone to use this feature of the library if you need it becasue there is nothing like holding a book that is a rare true treasure.

From the inside first page: 

"This is the story of John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester-Restoration poet, wit and rake. As a boy he was eager to take his place among the immortals. Two passions prevented him; women and wine. He was the lover of many women, but there were two who had his life-long devotion.

He sought an heiress in marriage and, when she refused, abducted her under her grandfather's eyes. He realized the genius of a serving girl and made her a great actress.

He set up as a quack doctor, roamed London in disguise, and mocked the King to his face. Nothing was too daring or too fantastic for 'The Mad Earl '; and madly he squandered his life and his gifts, until, with life scarcely begun, he found that it was over.

This is the story of the most brilliant, the most gay, and the most tragic of men".

The question I know you are dying to know is will I review it? The answer is YES, and be sure and stay tuned for it. I will post it shortly.

Mail Box Monday and Brandy Purdy is having a Giveaway!

Today it seems like something is up with Bloggers Draft and  I am not able to upload my own images . Since for some reason it is not  working  I had to use the new Amazon feature that was recently added to get to cover art  put in.  Looks like another wonderful Monday.... not, it is raining here and kids are going back to school today. This is not a big mailbox this time but I figured it is at least interesting. I only reccived one book this past week and it is from the author who just so happenes to be a Oregonian just like me.

"I Serve, A Novel of the Black Prince" by Rosanne E. Lortz

"A Tale of Arms, of Death, of Love, and of Honor.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Hundred Years' War, I Serve chronicles the story of Sir John Potenhale. A young Englishman of lowly birth, Potenhale wins his way to knighthood on the fields of France. He enters the service of Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, and immerses himself in a stormy world of war, politics, and romantic intrigue.

While campaigning in France, Potenhale develops an interest in Margery, a spirited lady-in-waiting with a close-kept secret. He soon learns that Sir Thomas Holland, a crass and calculating baron, holds the key to unlock Margery's mystery and possesses the power to overturn all of his hopes.

When the Black Death strikes Europe, however, Potenhale realizes that the fiercest enemy does not always appear in human form. Seeing the pestilence as a punishment for the sins of his generation, he questions his calling as a knight and considers entering the cloister. Margery or the monastery? Torn between losing his soul and losing the love of his life, he finds friendship with a French knight who might--just possibly--help him save both".

Well, well lets see here lovely Brandy Purdy is having a giveaway at her place you know you want to go and check it out. At least go and check out her really funny and cute pictures of her biggest fan ever "Tabby".

Go here for more info!

Book Review: THE SCARLET LION by Elizabeth Chadwick

I really went into this read with an oblivious perception. I have no prior knowledge of King John Except what I have read in “The Greatest Knight” but in that he was still Prince John. I loved “The Greatest Knight” and that follows William on his younger exploits. Starting with him as a young squire nicknamed “guzzle guts” and then in his later crusade years to Jerusalem. Yet even later in his middle age when he meets the divine Isabelle.

“The Scarlet Lion” can be a stand-alone novel and I originally set out with “The Scarlet Lion” first. To be completely honest I got to page sixty and just knew I was missing the full value of William Marshall’s hotness. I NEVER do this but I dropped everything and went to the closest bookstore, which happened to be a “Barnes and Noble”, and bought myself a brand new copy of “The Greatest Knight”. I am so glad I did, my instinct told me I was getting the glory years first and I had to go back. I was on the PBS (paper back swap) list for “The Greatest Knight” my spot in line was in the two hundred plus range. The PBS wish list was at a large three hundred plus people waiting to get their wish granted for this one book. For more on “The Greatest Knight” check out my review here.

“The Scarlet Lion” picks up right where “The Greatest Knight” ended. Thank goodness too because I did not want to miss a single one part about William. At times in this read I found it different from "The Greatest Knight" in the fact that it seemed like it was more of a dual prospective on things that were going on. It was William and Isabelle’s stories combined that made for excellent reading. Trailing William in his days of service to King Richard all the way to his later years of service to Richard's little brother who became King John. I loved how the different prospective played off on each other. I enjoyed the divided of locations and events when the couple were not together, it enabled a 360 degree prospect.

Playing like in reality, William away at court serving the King John was in the dark about what Isabelle was going through and it was the same for Isabelle too at times. She would be in the dark about his adventures until he showed up at the home front. This read really surprised me every time I though I knew what was going to happen it completely took a different turn.

Isabelle to William:

“My father had no ear for music and it was one of his worst sins in her (Aoife, Isabelle’s mother) eyes. He said it all sounded like cats mating in a cauldron”.

How far can a man's honor be stretched? This is the question that must have been going through William’s mind during the whole time. After years of dedicated service to the royal family one person in the family had grown quite green with envy over William Marshall’s rise to earldom. One person that was not to be taken lightly either, King John was bound and determined to break William pride and honorable standing in the world. Since John was of the devious type of personality it did not take long for William’s honest nature to become an issue between them. Honor bound William would not give in to John’s evil ploys.

William in thought about Baron Fulke FitzWarin’s Irish gaze hound:

“The beast had taken a fancy to William and kept trying to sleep on his feet, thereby threatening to crush all feeling from them. Now and again its front end snored and its rear end produced quieter contributions that were nevertheless impossible to ignore.

5/5 Loved it! What a wonderful author to start with in this time period. I could not have done better in my selection of which author I would read first when it comes to knights. Highly recommended reading for everyone because Chadwick has a gift for fully immersing you in the time. She enables you to live and breathe the life of her novels. I have now added Chadwick to my list of favorite authors. Thank you Source books for sending me this wonderful novel, I am so glad you did!

Be sure and click on the image above to go to the Historical Fiction Bloggers Round Table website to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of the "Greatest Knight" and "The Scarlet Lion". I know WOW a chance to win both copies that is amazing, so just go you know you want to!

Book Review: THE GREATEST KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick

The greatest knight indeed, that William Marshall is by far one of the hunkiest men ever written about, besides Robert Dudley. I do not know what I can say that has not already been said about him. Yes Elizabeth Chadwick breathes life into historical fiction. She even takes it a step farther and makes it more than that. As a reader it is like being Alice in Wonderland and falling down a rabbit hole finding your self transported to another place and time. I became immersed in William’s time and it is proof that history is still hot. "The Greatest Knight" is a prime example that history is still sexy even today.

Set during the tumultuous Elenore of Aquitaine days in England. William is set to carve his story into history. Being a “newbie” to this period I found this sometimes-intimidating period easy to follow through heartthrob William. At heart he was Elenore’s man but he also became my new man. He gave chivalry a new meaning to me right along with loyalty. Prior to this read I did not know that when a knight swore loyalty it was for life only to be broken by death.

William’s story of the middle son with a terrifying childhood story of almost getting hung by his giblets at five years old by King Stephen was just his first lesson in loyalty to the King. Going on to fight his own way into the tourneys he found great success. What was it about William that was so enticing, was it is benevolent personality and impeccably noble character? I believe it was a combination of the mix along with a few other honorable traits including singing and sewing. A romantic you could say but still a realist.

In an era like this it can be down right confusing as The War of the Roses. This family feud that started between a husband and wife led to their children against each other and against their parents. How did William fit into this battlefront, he became the queens man and swore his loyalty to her eldest young son. They called him the “Young King” and he was brash but William had known him since he was a child. Together they roamed the tourney circuit like modern day movie stars. But even movie stars fall from grace; knights and Kings were no exception to the rule.

5/5++ add me to the pool of people that have been constantly buzzing about this book. The buzz is right, read it, just read it, there can not be once person who will not think William Marshall is one of the hottest HF men ever written about after this read. It is worth all the attention and I must read more and follow up with “The Scarlet Lion”. I can finally say I read one of Chadwick’s book and now I can add a new author to my list of great historical fiction writers.

Be sure and click on the image above to go to the Historical Fiction Bloggers Round Table website to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of the "The Greatest Knight" and "The Scarlet Lion". I know WOW a chance to win both copies that is amazing, so just go you know you want to!

HFBRT Special Edition Sundays Art, Edmund Leighton

HFBRT event post time is so exciting I love it. This one is just a give in for me and what I tend to like. I found that during reading "The Greatest Knight" and "The Scarlet Lion" by Elizabeth Chadwick that in my mind I pictured nothing but these famous works of art. In picturing these I had more of a feel of what the times were like during my reads and it enabled me to visualize everything much more clearer.

Edmund Leighton: English Painter Victorian Neo-classicism 1853-1922

"Leighton was the son of the artist Charles Blair Leighton. He was educated at University College School, before becoming a student at the Royal Academy Schools. He married Katherine Nash in 1885 and they went on to have a son and daughter. He exhibited annually at the Royal Academy from 1878 to 1920.
Leighton was a fastidious craftsman, producing highly-finished, decorative pictures. It would appear that he left no diaries, and though he exhibited at the Royal Academy for over forty years, he was never an Academician or an Associate".

"Stitching the Standard" year?Edmund Blair Leighton - A little prince likely in time to bless a royal throne.jpg

"Lady Godiva" 1892

"In time of Peril" 1897

"God Speed!" 1900

"The Accolade" 1901

"Alain Chartier" 1903

"A little prince likely in time to bless a royal throne" 1904

Now here is the hard part tell me which one is your favorite? I find it hard to pick just one but if I had to I would say that "The Accolade" has always been the front runner in my heart with "Lady Godiva" trailing not that far behind.

Be sure and click on the image above to go to the Historical Fiction Bloggers Round Table website to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of the "Greatest Knight" and "The Scarlet Lion". I know WOW a chance to win both copies that is amazing, so just go you know you want to!

Kate Emerson Update!

Kate Emerson author of "The Secret of the Tudor Court Series"; "Pleasure Palace", "Between Two Queens", and December 14th 2010 is the release day of "By Royal Decree". My mouth is watering thinking about the read, I really can not wait to get my hands on this one.

"Emerson returns to the Tudor Court in By Royal Decree, where engaged lady-in-waiting Bess must resist handsome and similarly unavailable Will Parr".

In the mean time Kate had a wonderful announcement about her very unique list of Tudor women on her website:

"A WHO'S WHO OF TUDOR WOMEN is now available as an e-book original exclusively from the new e-book store at a writers work where, together with other multi-published authors, I am now offering, direct from writer to reader, e-book editions of two other e-book originals and of some of my back list novels. Although the WHO'S WHO still exists in html files at my Kate Emerson Historicals website, this text-only e-book offers the convenience of having all 622 entries (the number as of the end of February 2010) and the list of titles used in Tudor times in one, easy-to-search electronic file. A WHO'S WHO OF TUDOR WOMEN completely replaces my very out-of-date and inaccurate WIVES AND DAUGHTERS: THE WOMEN OF SIXTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND (1984), which is no longer in print. I hope you'll help spread the word about this better, more accurate version. Thanks".

Thank you Kate for sharing the insight. Your skills in your research are apparent leaving your readers able to reap the benefits of your hard labor of love.

Mailbox Mondays

Another wonderful Mail Box Monday. The funny thing about Mondays for me is that books never show up in the mail box on actual Mondays. Okay well I take that back I did get a BRAND new book this Monday but that was at the store "Costco". That was by chance though, I had to exchange some stuff there and everything I saw was not right for me. I really wanted a new pair of pants but then "The Books" saw me and I saw them from there is was over. I have been eying this one for some time, its cover is very enticing. The book I actually almost completely paid full cover price for is..

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
"Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe has a perfectly ordered life--solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient. In response, Marlowe finds himself going beyond his own legal and ethical boundaries to understand the secret that torments this genius, a journey that will lead him into the lives of the women closest to Robert Oliver and toward a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Ranging from American museums to the coast of Normandy, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth, from young love to last love, THE SWAN THIEVES is a story of obsession, the losses of history, and the power of art to preserve human hope."

Mind you this picture of the book cover does not do it justice. It is stunning with gold embossed text, a unique matte paper cover, and a solid gold glossy spine. Once I laid eyes on it the attraction was magnetic.

I also received in the mail from the publisher "Claude and Camille" and I am pleased to say I got the second cover below. I like both covers and the first one is the final version. The one with the human people is the Arc.
"Behind every great artist stands a woman driving him to inspiration, aspiration, and desperation, according to Cowell (Marrying Mozart), who bases her latest novel about an artist and his muse on the life of Claude Monet. Beautiful bourgeoise Camille Doncieux leaves her family and fiancé for Monet, whom Cowell depicts early on as a rebellious young man trying to capture in his paintings fleeting moments of color and light before he matures into the troubled genius whose talent exceeds his income. In an art world resistant to change, Camille remains Monet's great love as he and fellow unknowns Renoir, Pissarro, and Bazille struggle to make ends meet, but, eventually, parenthood, financial pressure, long separations, career frustrations, and romantic distractions take their toll, and even after Monet finally achieves commercial success, the couple still faces considerable difficulty. While glimpses of great men at work make absorbing reading, it's Camille who gives this story its heart. A convincing narrative about how masterpieces are created and a detailed portrait of a complex couple, Cowell's novel suggests that a fabulous, if flawed, love is the source of both the beauty and sadness of Monet's art."

My sister also bought for me at a local rummage shop,

The India Fan by Victoria Holt
Bride of Pendorric by Victoria Holt

Goodwill
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Elizabeth by David Starkey
Marie Antoinette, The Journey by Antonia Fraser

Happy Birthday Historically Obsessed!

It is official Historically Obsessed is one year old as of today. I have more than ejoyed this past year. I have made some of the most wonderful friends and I would not take the past year back for anything in the world. Thank you all for a amazing first year.Up there WTH (What the Hell) is she talking about? I have noticed that in posting all of the wonderful historical things that I love it has become a bit cluttered on the blog and dang hard to find things. To make it more efficient and friendlier for users I decided to add PAGES. Yes pages, look up there below the header, see the row of links? Those links are made just for you. I also completely updated the upcoming HF book releases so be sure and check them all out.

Favorites
A compiled list of every single one of my all time favorite posts. That could be anything from art to history or even a bit of both. 

Places and Times
Use my labels to search posts by time period or location, either way it has some really pretty pictures to check out.

HFBRT
One of my favorites, Historical Fiction Bloggers Round Table. This past year I was lucky enough to be able to work with some really special ladies in creating this wonderful group of historical fiction lovers. We have a monthly book that we feature and it tends to be the cream of the HF crop. Only books that we have been dying to read are picked. I have a list of past events with links to my feature posts. Plus more but you are just going to have to check it out to get the full down low on it

Today in History
A link list of every single "Today In History " post done to date. I actually put in the dates of the events so it is fun to see if anything is on your birthday. 

Sundays Art
Another wonderful list of every post that has been for "Sundays Art". The fun part about Sundays art is that some bloggers take weekends off and I have noticed there was not too much to read on Sundays. I figured what a wonderful way to feature creative works of art. Typically it is fine art but it can be anything from creative writing, physically crafty things, or just plain artistic stuff. I have noticed that you have been really loving the Pre-Raphaelites and the hidden symbolism and do not fret I have so so many in store for you. Eventually this summer I will be going to the dark side of the Pre-Raphaelites. Exploring some of the more sinister pieces.

Art
This page feature my original art work. It is yet another link list to all of the art works I have posted. It also has some of the pictures which enables you to cherry pick which ones you would like to read more about.

Book Reviews
A full alphabetical list of books I have reviewed and a link to how I rate my reads by the Muse Rating System. My current review requirements with contact info and a list of the author interviews I have done which sadly is not that many.

As many of you have noticed I added the beautiful "Elizabeth" graphic that I made in Photoshop recently. I fell in love with it so much that I decided to work together with Allie from "Hist-Fic Chick" and make a whole bunch of them. Featuring real historical quotes with the character from the movies. Thank you Allie it has been a blast and be sure and check out Allie's post on the quote graphics I am sure she has something that you did not see here.

I just love these beautiful "Quote Cards" but I am sorry to say that I will not be sharing these ones because I made these so that my blog will have it own original graphics that displays my abilities as a designer. Thank you for the undying support and here is to another wonderful year of being "Historically Obsessed!

 

Sundays Art: What makes a painting a Pre-Raphaelite?

The guide lines of what constitutes a painting to be regarded as a Pre-Raphaelite is a tricky subject and everyone has their own opinion. In researching this I have noticed one common trend, the trend being that everyone has their own idea of the guidelines and which artists fall under that guideline. I am sticking to what the National Museums Liverpool has listed. I have to believe that if not all, then most of the Pre-Raphaelites have a literary work that accompanies the piece because the inspiration usually comes from a great literary work.

"Toward the middle of the 19th century, a small group of young artists in England reacted vigorously against what they felt was "the frivolous art of the day": this reaction became known as the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Their ambition was to bring English art (such as it was) back to a greater truth to nature. They deeply admired the simplicities of the early 15th century, and they felt this admiration made them a brotherhood".

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Lady Lilith
Oil on canvas
37 1/2 x 32 in
Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington

Guide lines of Pre-Raphaelites from National Museums Liverpool

Subject matter - Pre-Raphaelite paintings are often about serious or religious subjects
Symbolism - many Pre-Raphaelite paintings contain visual symbols
Technique - Pre-Raphaelite painters often used bright, clear colours and small detailed brushwork with paint put onto a wet white 'ground'. Landscape painting was often done out-of-doors with and concerned with 'truth to nature'
Literary links - the painters' inspiration often came from literature.

If the piece has these guide lines then you can bet that it is a Pre-Raphaelite. I do hope that this post will clear up some of the confusion that surrounds these wonderful Pre-Raphaelites. They are very unique in the fact that what you see is not always what you get never take them at face value. There are always deeper meanings in these pieces and I enjoy trying to figure them out. They are like art history puzzles and you never know what you are going to get.

Tudor Mongrel Steals the Show, The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose Organization has some new and exciting news about the preservation of the Mary Rose. The Mary Rose is one of the things on my bucket list because I have to see Henry's ship before I die. It has such an amazing story and is rich with history some day I will be able to see it with my own eyes.

DFS Crufts Hosts Mary Rose Dog before She Returns Home After Nearly 500 Years

"A 16th century sea dog, the only female crew member aboard Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose, takes pride of place at DFS Crufts this year as special guest of the Kennel Club.

Visitors to the world’s largest and greatest dog show can meet ‘Hatch’, a two-year old mongrel lost aboard the ill-fated Tudor warship 465 years ago, and find out more about the fund raising appeal to provide her with a permanent home at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The painstakingly preserved and reconstructed skeleton of the Mary Rose’s dog is on display at DFS Crufts, Birmingham NEC, along with a selection of amazing Tudor artifacts, including an original stone cannon ball and piece of ship’s rope as well as an array of replicas, including some of the carpenter’s tools.

The old sea dog acquired the nickname ‘Hatch’ after divers discovered her remains near the sliding hatch door of the Mary Rose’s carpenter’s cabin, where she had lain since the ship sank in mysterious circumstances in 1545.

Hatch almost certainly earned her keep as the ship’s ratter – superstitious Tudor seafarers did not have cats on board ship as they were thought to bring bad luck. And she was probably very good at her job – only the partial remains of rats’ skeletons have been found on board the Mary Rose.

John Lippiett, Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust and Hatch’s guardian, said: “We are delighted to bring Hatch, the world’s oldest lost sea dog, to the world’s premier dog show, so that visitors can meet an ancestor of their much loved pets.

“Expert analysis of Hatch’s bones suggests that she spent most of her short life within the close confines of the ship. It is likely that the longest walks she took were along the quayside at Portsmouth , her home town.

“Hatch is just one of 19,000 extraordinary Tudor treasures recovered with the wreck of the Mary Rose, but she has never been on display in Portsmouth simply because we have not had the room.

“All that is set to change with the building of a new permanent Mary Rose museum, bringing together the remains of the ship itself with the pick of her artifacts, displayed at last in their historic context.

“But to make that a reality and to ensure Hatch is not homeless for another 500 years, we must complete our final push to secure the funds needed to complete the new Mary Rose Museum by 2012.”

Caroline Kisko, Communications Director of the Kennel Club, which organizes the show, added: “It is fantastic to host Hatch before she finally returns home. She is undoubtedly the oldest, most unusual and most historically important exhibit that we have ever had at DFS Crufts and her tragic story is bound to fascinate visitors. We are delighted to have her with us - after nearly 500 years of loyal service she is due a little ‘shore leave’!”

Hatch is the mascot of the Mary Rose 500 Public Appeal which is seeking 500 individuals, schools, businesses and organizations to come on board and symbolically become the ‘new crew’ of the Tudor warship, by each pledging to raise £500 towards the Public Appeal.

After her visit to DFS Crufts, Hatch will finally return home to Portsmouth on Friday 26th March to take pride of place in the current Mary Rose Museum , after 465 years away, while she waits for the new Mary Rose Museum - her final permanent home, to be completed.

Visitors to DFS Crufts should visit hall 3 stand 56 to join the Mary Rose 500 appeal new crew, discover the history of Henry VIII's famous warship, hear what life was like for a Tudor ship’s crew and their dog, and uncover the truth about what happened on the Mary Rose’s final voyage"

The Mary Rose

"The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. Launched in 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a favorite of King Henry VIII.

After a long and successful career, she sank during an engagement with a French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of maritime archaeology.

A separate dedicated Mary Rose museum, also sited in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, remains open while the ship hall is temporarily closed during the new museum construction period. The amazing artifacts discovered with the great ship, remain on display and new exhibits, including Hatch, are being introduced to maintain the highest quality of visitor experience.

The new Mary Rose Museum will, for the first time since her sinking, re-unite the ship and her contents, fully preserved and presented in a context that portrays a time capsule of Tudor life at sea".

For more on the Mary Rose check out my previous posts on the Mary Rose appeal and Help The Mary Rose.

You can also visit their site at www.maryrose500.org for some very interesting facts on this amazing ship.

Giveaway for book bloggers only, The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy

The Lovely Brandy Purdy has offered up a copy of The Boleyn Wife for a Book Blogger Giveaway.

Who: Open to Book Bloggers only, sorry but that is just how it has to be. The invitation is open to any book bloggers to do a review or to host a giveaway or both. Just do not forget to add your E-Mail or I will have no way to contact you if you win. If you would like to read my review it is here. I did read this book and yes I have noticed that others have not enjoyed it but I have to say that I did enjoy it. Yes it is a bit racy but I know there are other book reviewers out there that would love this book that enjoy racy reads.

When: Starting today this contest will run until the 1st of April.

Where: USA residence only.

Why: Because I can and I still find that I chuckle to myself when I think of this read, especially the ghost of Anne Boleyn.

"Shy, plain Lady Jane Parker feels out of place in Henry VIII's courtly world of glamour and intrigue--until she meets the handsome George Boleyn. Overjoyed when their fathers arrange a match, her dreams of a loving union are waylaid when she meets George's sister, Anne. For George is completely devoted to his sister, and cold and indifferent to his bride. As Anne acquires a wide circle of admirers, including King Henry, Jane's resentment grows. But if becoming Henry's queen makes Anne the most powerful woman in England, it also makes her highly vulnerable. And as Henry, desperate for a male heir, begins to tire of his mercurial wife, the stage is set for the ultimate betrayal. . .Encompassing the reigns of four of Henry's wives, from the doomed Anne to the reckless Katherine Howard, The Boleyn Wife is an unforgettable story of ambition, lust, and jealousy, of the power of love to change the course of history, and of the terrible price of revenge".

Winner of Impatient by Desire by Gabrielle Burton

I know many of you have been waiting patiently and here is the winner of "Impatient by Desire" by Gabrielle Burton....

Barb
Congratulations Barb and be sure to check your email so I can get your snail mail info and I hope you enjoy the good read.

The Book Review Journal Challenge: Lizzy's Review Art

I love Lucy from Enchanted by Josephine for finding this one. I know I said "NO MORE CHALLENGES THIS YEAR" but what the heck was I to do? This is so perfect for me since I make stuff for my reads, I must jump in on it.

Roberta is proposing an ART JOURNAL for reading and reviews!! She calls it:

THE BOOK REVIEW JOURNAL
To read more on this- and if you’re interested in joining, please visit Roberta at Con-tain-it.

This is the button for Roberta’s Art Reviewing Journal Challenge to place on your sidebar with link back to her-once you’ve joined at her site.

So after reading this post I went to work and doodled a little something to go into my review journal. It is for my current read "The Greatest Knight" by Elizabeth Chadwick keep in mind it is a doodle and it took me a whole whopping 15 minutes to make it: so nothing too spectacular. Maybe I will go back and make a bigger version of it in color but who knows.