Fun Book Pictures

~Lizzie~

Giveaway: THE SEPTEMBER QUEEN by Gillian Bagwell

"Charles II is running for his life-and into the arms of a woman who will risk all for king and country.

Jane Lane is of marrying age, but she longs for adventure. She has pushed every potential suitor away-even those who could provide everything for her. Then one day, adventure makes its way to her doorstep, and with it comes mortal danger...

Royalists fighting to restore the crown to King Charles II implore Jane to help. Jane must transport him to safety, disguised as a manservant. As she places herself in harm's way, she finds herself falling in love with the gallant young Charles. And despite his reputation as a breaker of hearts, Jane finds herself surrendering to a passion that will change her life forever".

The Giveaway info: US and Canada only and up for grabs is one large ARC copy of The September Queen. Giveaway will end on 1.4.2012

For 1 entry enter your name and email

For 2 entries be a follower and say so in the form

For 3 entries share this and add a real link to where you shared it.

~Lizzie~

My Art Work: Pony Tail Red Head

This time around I did things a bit differently because I just could not help myself. Even though it literally kills my hands to do this I made this one completely with Prisma color pencils. No water color this time and this time the picture is completely un-edited. So this is the work in all of its natural glory. It  is a pretty good size too being 11 x 10. I figure as always I live my life in color so the more color the better. I hope you all enjoy her.
~Lizzie~

Today In History: Happy Birthday Mary Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots depicted in an 1885 engraving

469 years ago today Mary Queen of Scots was born on December 8th 1542. Happy birthday Mary

"Mary Stuart was born at Linlithgow Palace on 7th December 1542, the daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. Six days after her birth her father died, and she became Queen of Scotland. From her infancy, Scotland's rival pro-English and pro-French factions plotted to gain control of Mary. Her French mother was chosen as regent, and she sent Mary to France in 1548. Mary lived as part of the French royal family. In April 1558 she married the Dauphin Francis; she secretly agreed to bequeath Scotland to France if she should die without a son. In July 1559 Francis succeeded his father becoming King Francis II and Mary became Queen of France as well as of Scotland. In addition, many Roman Catholics recognised Mary Stuart as Queen of England after Mary I died and the Protestant Elizabeth I succeeded her to the throne in November 1558. Mary Stuart's claim to the English throne was based on the fact that she was the grand-daughter of Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII--Elizabeth's father. To the Roman Catholics, Mary's claim appeared stronger than Elizabeth's because they viewed Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn as illegal. Mary's young husband Francis II died in December 1560 after a reign of 17 months. Mary, who was about to become 18 years of age, was left in a difficult position. Unwilling to stay in France and live under the domination of her mother-in-law Catherine De Medici's she decided to return to Scotland and take her chances with the Protestant reformers".

Mary's bedroom at Holyroodhouse.

At The Palace of Holyroodhouse Queen Victoria made sure that Mary Queen of Scots' bedroom and outer chamber were diligently preserved exactly the way it was left by Mary. It was in the outer chamber that Mary's beloved assistant David Rizzo was brutally murdered by her husband in front of her face. David was ripped from behind Mary's skirts and dragged across the floor before he was murdered. To this day you can take a tour of Holyroodhouse and see these beautiful rooms.

For more on Mary check out this site Marie Stuart  and my previous posts on Mary Queen of Scots:

• Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots Quote Cards: Today in History
• HFBRT Christine Trent A ROYAL LIKENESS Event: Death Masks of Europe
• Book Review, The Royal Road to Fotheringhay by Jean Plaidy
• Today In History, Mary Queen of Scots Looses her Head
• Notorious Royal Marriages Leslie Carroll on Mary Queen of Scots
• Today In History, Happy Birthday Mary Queen of Scots
• Mary Queen of Scots Gets a New Voice
• Book Review of The Other Queen by Philipha Gregory
• Book Review of The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots by Carrolly Erickson
• Today in History, Wedding Bells for Mary
• My own Mary art work of Mary
• Mary Queen of Scots Last Letter goes on display

Lizzie

Mailbox Monday

The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer

One of Heyer's funniest Regency romances, and one of readers' favorites.

The Talisman Ring is one of Heyer's funniest and fastest-paced romantic comedies, telling the story of a fugitive heir, a tempestuous Frenchwoman, and the two sensible people who try to keep them out of trouble.

"... A long-lost family heirloom, a young heir falsely accused of murder, a band of smugglers, two utterly delightful Heyer heroines, a taciturn, but highly resourceful older gentleman - all play their parts in a tale funny enough to have you laughing aloud."

Keeper of the King's Secrets by Michelle Diener Releasing 4.3.2012

"The second elegant and gorgeously written historical novel from new author Michelle Diener, featuring King Henry VIII’s deadliest courtier and a royally commissioned artist caught in a web of Tudor court intrigue. Susanna Horenbout’s chance meeting with a jeweler from Antwerp pulls her and her betrothed, courtier John Parker, into a deadly plot against the King. Ever since Henry VIII’s sister Mary gave him the spectacular Mirror of Naples, part of the French Crown Jewels, the King of France has been plotting to get it back.

After the French king is captured in battle, the secret deal struck for the jewel’s return is in jeopardy—and French agents in London are taking matters into their own hands. But the powerful Duke of Norfolk has caught wind of the secret deal and sees the planned theft as an opportunity to rid himself of a hated rival at court—even if it means plunging England into an unwinnable war with France".

~Lizzie~