Review - Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin

TITLE:    Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain
AUTHOR:    Margaret Irwin
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 336 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    Young Elizabeth, half-sister of Queen Mary has a hazardous path ahead of her. Reports of her as a heretic, a rebel and a potential enemy with 'a spirit full of enchantment' have reached the queen's reluctant bridegroom, Prince of Spain. Elizabeth must advance warily towards her destiny, amid courtly machinations, running the gauntlet between Bloody Mary's jealousy and Philip's uneasy adoration.

This is the final volume installment of the evocative trilogy charting young Elizabeth's precarious path to the throne.

MY TAKE:    This was an enjoyable conclusion to the three part trilogy by famed author Margaret Irwin.  The book can be read as a stand alone, but I am looking forward to reading the first two in the series: Young Bess: The Girl Who Would Be Queen and Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne.

These books were originally published in the 40s and 50s. Sourcebooks is continuing their grand tradition of reintroducing fantastic books to readers of today.  The books come across a bit more reserved than many of the modern stories about the Tudors that we're used to reading.  I felt it was a refreshing change to see these characters in a different light.  Obviously the historical facts can't be altered, but the author's own inspirations and influences reflect in her writing.  It was also nice to see a lot of the sexual content toned down and not becoming the central theme or focus of the story. 

I found it interesting that Margaret Irwin was able to tell us Philip's story while still being true to Elizabeth and her glory.  So many of these characters that played such important roles in Elizabeth's life don't usually get a chance to share in the spotlight.  She was such a larger-than-life individual that others faded into the background when she was near.

I definitely recommend this book to fans of the Tudor stories and good historical fiction.  It was a quick read and I know I will be re-reading it after I'm done with the first two installments.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

 WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

   

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Georgette Giveaway with Sourcebooks and The British Babes Book Brigade

I mentioned the great giveaways that are going on all week at The British Babes Book Brigade in my Weekly Wrap post.  To celebrate the Royal Wedding, they're giving away a ton of fabulous goodies!  Every day 3 winners will get mementos of the wedding as well as their choices of books from the talented British Babes.

 

Click on the logo above and it will take you to the page where you can enter every day! 

BUT, before you do that...leave a comment on THIS POST to be entered in a drawing HERE at One Book Shy.  TWO winners will each receive a mystery title of a Georgette Heyer novel.  Pretty cool huh?

Must be at least 13 years old, contest is open internationally.  Leave a comment WITH your email address and tell me if you would (or did) wear a tiara for your wedding. Guys too :)  Ends May 1st!

  
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom

TITLE:    Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend
AUTHOR:    Linda Wisdom
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 354 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer—that is, until she’s assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and a sleazy boyfriend. A group of satanic Mayans priests has decided Courtney has a drop of divine blood in her—making her just the virgin sacrifice they need to release their God and rule the world.


To prevent this catastrophe, Maggie must team up with half fire demon Declan, the proprietor of Damnation Alley, an underground club and busy demon portal. Declan will be damned if he’ll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some evil Mayans. So he decides to seduce the sexy witch in an effort to discover what the law enforcement agency knows about the Mayan’s plans, but then things get more than a little hot, and Declan finds himself seriously entangled with the sexiest woman he’s ever met…

MY TAKE:    This is another fun read from best-selling author Linda Wisdom, famous for her "Hex" series.  She has created a somewhat dark alternate world with strange and powerful inhabitants roaming the streets.  Many plots and dastardly plans are in the works behind the scenes.  Our main character Maggie is a paranormal cop with the Hellion Guard.  She is tasked with the unenviable job of protecting a teen with a boulder-sized chip on her shoulder.  Maggie also just happens to be one kick-ass witch. While she looks like a normal young lady, she is not a little girl to be messed with. 

When Maggie meets the mega-hot demon by the name of Declan during a messy arrest at his nightclub, sparks and barbs fly and the smouldering begins.  I enjoyed that there was a very healthy dose of sexual tension and some actual romance.  It was well written and aided the forward progress of the plot instead of overshadowing it or becoming just gratuitous additions to the book. 

There was a large cast of supporting characters surrounding the lovestruck and star-crossed pair.  Elegance aka Elle, was probably one of my favorites.  The fact that Elle is a diamond-encrusted spider tattooed on Maggie's arm just makes it even more fun.  The relationship between the two of them is a riot.  The witty dialogue and sense of humor that saturates the entire story is another plus for me, as always.  I do enjoy books that make me laugh.  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - The Return of Black Douglas by Elaine Coffman

TITLE:    The Return of Black Douglas
AUTHOR:    Elaine Coffman
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 448 pages
PUBLISHED:   Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM Author's Website:    The beloved ghost of the Black Douglas is back and up to his usual mischief. . .


And this time he takes you back to the ancient Scottish ancestors of the Mackinnon’s, from Elaine’s award-winning Mackinnon Series.

Longing for a man like Mr. Darcy and haunted by the feeling she was born two hundred years too late, Isobella Douglas never dreamed she would get what she wished for-- until she was hurled back five centuries to the Isle of Mull in the year 1515. She arrived in the midst of a battle between the Mackinnon’s and Maclean’s, only to be abandoned there by the capricious ghost of Black Douglas. Left to the mercy of her fate, she prayed for a hero when she saw him, a man as fierce and wild as the barbarous place that surrounded her.

Alysandir Mackinnon was a man who lived by his wits and the edge of his sword. He was a man of strong desires and in his prime, but what he wanted now were the answers to a lot of questions: Why is she here? Who sent her? And what am I going to do with her? In spite of suspicion that she is an English spy, Isobella adapts readily to castle life, and being an archaeologist, is soon up to her elbows digging in broken crockery bits, ancient bones and priceless relics, in spite of being forbidden to do so. Alysandir finds it difficult to trust the headstrong woman, or believe her preposterous time-travel story and battles the desire and distrust he feels, for Alysandir has been betrayed before.

Life in Early Renaissance Scotland is fraught with danger, deceit, clan rivalry and constant threats from the English- hardly the place for the course of true love to run smoothly. It seems the hapless couple is forever trapped in a series of unfortunate circumstances, and a happy ending never seems so far away. But, never underestimate the power of a man’s love, a woman’s understanding or the tenacity of a beloved Scottish ghost.

MY TAKE:    Elaine Coffman has a gift for creating characters that are immensely likable even when you don't particularly like them at first.  She adds a lot of depth to the people she brings to life in her stories.  This book was definitely no exception.

I loved Isobella.  She has what I would consider a dream occupation of an archaeologist.  When she is transported back into the 16th century by the ghost of her meddling ancestor, the Black Douglas, she is in her element.  She immediately finds a cave and starts preserving artifacts that she finds.  She is quite a handful for the handsome laird who has her "captive".  He's not sure that Isobella is completely sane at times.

Alysandir is a bit of a stick in the mud in the beginning.  While he does have a ton of responsibility on his shoulders, he needs a good kick in the pants to loosen up.  Isobella seems to be just the person to shake him up and rock his world - in many ways.  The chemistry between them is explosive.  There was humor in the story, usually at Isobella's klutzy ways or at Alysandir's dry demeanor.  The story was not light and fluffy though.  A few darker elements were introduced that cast a shadow on their attraction and romance.

I did have a little problem with the dialogue between Isobella and Alysandir in the beginning of the story as it came across a bit stilted.  It didn't flow quite as well as I'm used to reading from the author.  Their conversation did improve as the story progressed though and it didn't detract from the overall storyline.

The end of the book had me really tearing up and sniffling, but in a very good way.  Throughout the tale I kept wondering how on earth Ms. Coffman would be able to give the reader a satisfactory conclusion.  She succeeded well beyond my expectations.   The wrap up was perfect with the exact details I was wanting and needing to be able to leave the story completely fulfilled and happy. 
  
Readers who enjoy historical romance, time travel, yummy men in kilts, strong women out of their element, the men who love them and a just plain great story, will enjoy this book.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Weekly Wrap 042411

The first part of this feature is inspired by The Story Siren's "In My Mailbox" posts.  Let me show you the books that I've come across in one way or another for the past week. 
 

   

  

Who Will Care When You're Not There? Estate Planning for Pet Owners

Instant Influence: How to Get Anyone to Do Anything--Fast

Queen By Right

America Pacifica

Thank you to Carob Tree Press, Hachette Books and Touchstone

   

Touch If You Dare

A Gentleman Never Tells

In the Heat of the Bite

Just One Season in London

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca

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13 Little Blue Envelopes

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all from Paperbackswap



   

Out of Avalon: An Anthology of Old Magic & New Myths
LabyrinthDream Stone
The Chalice and the Blade

~~~~~

The second part of this post is to show you what happened here in the last week and give you an idea of what is scheduled (so far) for next week. 

Last Week

Open Giveaways

Roxanne St. Clair prize package (4/30)
Never a Gentleman (5/5)

Reviews

Never A Gentleman
Mary of Carisbrooke
The Coffins of Little Hope
Finding Emilie

Other

Sourcebooks' British Babes Book Brigade is having an awesome contest this week to celebrate and build up to the Royal Wedding!  They are offering three fantastic prize packages EACH DAY that will include wedding mementos and books from some of their awesome authors.  Be sure to go and check it out now as the contest starts tomorrow (Monday).  Good luck!

Next Week.....

  
  

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.