Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors. This is a fun topic and easy to answer. Choosing only ten will be the problem! And trying to just pick one book as my favorite is hard. 

I am someone who loves series books so I have lots of authors to choose from who've written several books. I'm sure if you've read my blog for long the ones I choose won't surprise you but I'm trying to find some I haven't mentioned as often too. Here is my list!

Happy reading y'all!

*Click on the book to go to Goodreads for more information.

*Click on the book title for my review (if I have one).

1. Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman- The first three books in this series are amazing. And if I hadn't read the last two I'd have definitely said no way could book four be my choice for the best. And then I read Lionheart. It was indescribably good and it is one of those books that I'll never get to re-read in quite the same way again. The Land Beyond the Sea rivals this one but you just can't top the way Penman re-creates the time, place, battles, and bravery of King Richard I. It is a masterpiece. 

2. The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry- I am currently reading book 18 in this series, William Monk, and although they are all excellent, the first book is the classic for me. It introduces us to Inspector Monk, struggling with amnesia and having absolutely no recollection of his past life. I found this along with the mystery intriguing and I was completely hooked ever since. I haven't reviewed it because I read it long before I had my blog but maybe I will do a re-read when I finish the series one day. 

3. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon- I know, I know, this ends up on every favorite list of mine but, well, it IS my favorite! I have read this book three times and I could read it again tomorrow. It starts in Scotland with the battle of Culloden, takes you through time to an ocean voyage, Jamaica, voodoo, plantations....it is the most unique of all the Outlander books I think. It just never gets old for me.

4. Murder In An Irish Castle by Verity Bright- This is my favorite historical, cozy mystery series and the one I've kept up with in order. It always appears on my list of favorites due to the fun characters, great locations, and clever writing. Lady Eleanor, her butler Clifford, dog Gladstone, and beau Hugh are darling. I love to start a new one every few months. My favorite so far is this one set in Ireland. The author does a great job with the setting and it has that Christmas vibe too. 

5. Balian d'Ibelin by Helena Schrader- This author is so unique. I would never have heard of her if I hadn't gotten so interested in the history of the crusades during Covid. I started listening to a podcast and at some point her stories were mentioned. She is considered an expert on the crusader period and specifically on the d'Ibelin family who were influential during that time. She has written these books, which are fiction, and also some non-fiction books. 

Her website, helenapschrader.com has lots of interesting information for those interested in the crusader era. In addition, she has won awards for her books set during the Spartan period and WWII. I loved this first book in this trilogy and want to continue with the other two eventually. 

6. A Morbid Taste For Bones by Ellis Peters- I was surprised to find that I haven't reviewed this book. It introduces us to the beloved Brother Cadfael, the former crusader, turned monk who solves crimes within his Shrewsbury town. I am up to book seven and love Peters writing. She has introduced me to some great vocabulary and has a wonderful way of making you feel you are living in the 1100's. 

7. The Conscience of a King by David Field- He has become one of my favorite authors the last few years. Field is a retired lawyer who writes books that are meant to educate people on British history in an entertaining way. This book is my favorite and is about Simon de Montfort and his attempt to institute the first beginnings of democracy in England. I knew nothing about him until I read it and it was a great introduction without being bombarded with too many details. All of his books are amazing!

8. The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown- I am really enjoying these books and the Christmas ones are so cozy and atmospheric. The main characters are Lord Edgington and his grandson Christopher who share a bond inside of a somewhat obnoxious family and work together to solve the mysteries they just keep stumbling into. The author has a great way of using witty dialogue and unique circumstances to create one of a kind stories that are a dime a dozen in the 1920's cozy mystery world. 

9. The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy- This is another book I really need to re-read and do a review on. I read it years ago and it absolutely hooked me on learning everything about Eleanor of Aquitaine. Plaidy has a way of telling all the stories about a person in an easy to read yet very informative way. 

This book is one of her longer ones and is really detailed with Eleanor's life story, but It covers it in a way so the reader who is new to the period can keep up. Plaidy will always appear on my favorites lists....she's just a part of my life and childhood and got me interested in historical fiction. 

10. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett- I have yet to finish this trilogy. I started book two years ago and really need to finish it! I wasn't much of a fan of his Kingsbridge series but this book detailing the end of most of the monarchies of Europe and WWI is one of my all time favorite novels. It is such a great way to learn history through epic entertainment and is the kind of book I'd read over and over again. 

This is one that needs to be re-read and reviewed eventually. Although the next two books in the series interest me, this one in particular is special because it is hard to find good novels about WWI specifically. 

Stacking the Shelves #90

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick 

Kindle purchase: 99 cents this week

I confess I'm a sucker for highly acclaimed authors whose books are on sale this cheap and will almost always buy the book for this price. I still want to read Chadwick's Marshal series and her Eleanor of Aquitaine series, but this book looked pretty interesting on its own.

It's a stand alone novel about a young Irish princess who has to flee her home and gets caught up in the struggles of her father, King Diarmit of Ireland, Henry II and Richard de Clare in the 1100's. It looks like quite the epic. I know nothing about these events and so I'm sure I'll learn something new.

The Pioneers by David McCullough

Libby borrow

McCullough books are always great. I haven't read them all but years ago I really got into his works. He tells history like a story, does meticulous research, and picks unique people and events to explore. This book tells the story of five men who settle in the Northwest Territory forest and create a community there. I have always been fascinated with those who traveled west before steamboats and railroads and they seem so brave and adventurous. This book looks like a great way to learn about the earliest settlers. 

Rome by Ben Kane

Kindle purchase: 99 cents this week

I've read some of Kane's books about the crusader period and Richard II and while Rome isn't my favorite topic I know he will make it interesting and informative at the same time. 

He has great characters who live through major events and battles but adds personal stories to make them realistic. This book focuses on an unknown, but real person, Galla Placidia, a woman who tries to become a Roman empress. It's just good historical fiction to entertain and teach. He is also very accessible to his fans on his social media and that's always a plus with authors. 

20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge

 

I'm going to join the 20 books of summer challenge again even though I wasn't good about keeping up with it in the past. I'm currently trying hard to go through my TBR pile (never ending) and choose books from there first. But there are also some new books I'd like to try to read. I like this challenge in that the host is very chill about it and you can change up your list if needed as things go along. It gives me incentive to keep plugging along even if I don't stick faithfully to my original list. If you want to join in just click here AnnaBookBel.net.   

Here is my list...happy reading y'all!

1. Highgate Rise by Anne Perry

2. The Royal Hammer by David Field

3. The Enemy and Miss Innes by Martha Keyes

4. Hammer of the Scots by Jean Plaidy

5. A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry

6. The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman

7. The Rose and the Yew Tree by Agatha Christie

8. By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie

9. Offstage in Nuala by Harriet Steel

10. Murder in Manhattan by Verity Bright

11. The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick

12. The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters

13. Murder Under the Mistletoe by Erica Ruth Neubauer

14. Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy

15. Death From High Places by Benedict Brown

16. Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen

17. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

18. Murder at Rough Point by Alyssa Maxwell

19. 'Til Morning Light by Ann Moore

20. The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Royal Hammer by David Field (The Wars of the Roses Saga Book One)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Royal Hammer, by David Field. He has become a favorite author of mine over the last few years, writing about time periods I love. There are so few good, accurate historical fiction books on the three Edwards (Kings I,II, and III) and he has taken them on in this new saga of the Wars of the Roses. This series picks up where he last left off with the defeat of Simon de Montfort. 

I know it seems strange to start here for the Wars because most of us think of the 1400's but I am so glad he is because the background gaps and reasons for the wars start way before Edward IV and Richard III come on the scene. All of his books stay true to history and have entertaining fictional as well as historical characters. I cannot wait for this one!

Historical Fiction

June 5, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

As royal power changes, so do the fortunes of those who serve it…

England, 1265

The attempt by Simon de Montfort to force Henry III to abide by the Magna Carta has been put down, and those who rode in his train are scattered to the wind. Some, like William of Kenilworth, feel the need to assume a new identity, and as ‘William Bywater’ he finds himself in the service of the warlike Prince Edward. William’s proven loyalty and courage result in him regaining his long-lost family estate of Flint, and he is engaged to form the ‘King’s Escort’, an elite group of men-at-arms who guard the king. 

But a cloud gathers on the horizon when a young and impressionable prince falls under the spell of Piers Gaveston, whose influence will prove to be toxic as the throne passes from father to son. And as always, the fortunes of those who serve the Crown are destined to balance on a knife-edge. Will William find himself on the ruling side of history? Can he maintain the favor of the king? Or will fortune fail him once again…

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Secondary or Minor Characters

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is favorite secondary or minor characters. I really like this topic as I think it's fun to focus on those characters that aren't the spotlight of the book but often become special as the story unfolds. Many times in movie and tv shows these characters if well liked, get their own spin off shows. And they make for great reads as spin offs as well. So here is my list of secondary characters and I'm sure I'll find it hard to narrow it down to ten!

Happy reading y'all!

1. Lord John Grey- Outlander Novels- he has always been a favorite of mine. I love the whole British officer thing, his secret hidden life, and his relationship with Jamie, Claire, and William. Also, I absolutely love the actor who plays him in the show and hope he gets his own soon!

2. Charlotte Pitt- Thomas Pitt Novels- I guess you could make both of these characters "secondary" at various times but since the books are titled "Pitt" I kind of lean toward the wife being the minor character. I love how she is portrayed as a typical, realistic Victorian housewife but always manages to assert herself and help Thomas with his cases. She is fun to watch as she moves throughout proper society looking for clues.

3. Clifford the butler- Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries- without Clifford I doubt I'd read these books. He is so much fun, reminding me of Carson from Downton Abbey. He knows and anticipates everything and has a dry humor and wit that are adorable. In many ways he isn't the true secondary character but rather a protective companion to Lady Eleanor. 

4. Mrs. Bennett- Pride and Prejudice- Who doesn't love this woman's addition to the story? I find her drama hilarious and especially the interaction between her and Mr. Bennett, who is often exasperated by her hysterics. 

5. Hastings- Poirot mysteries- I adore this character as he is so endearing but lacks the common sense that Poirot has. My favorite books are the ones with him in them though as he adds a light touch to the story and he clearly adores Poirot. 

6. Christopher- Lord Edgington Investigates- The grandson who is always along for the ride and though he is the narrator he always feels like the secondary character in a way to me. His grandfather, Lord Edgington is, after all, the one the stories are named after. Christopher is his apprentice in solving the mystery and I love their relationship. 

7. Melanie- Gone With the Wind- The long suffering wife of Ashley who loves Scarlet no matter how many times she betrays her. I used to find her boring and mousey but over the years she's grown on me for being the loyal friend and wife who wins Scarlet over in the end with her love.

8. Hester- William Monk Mysteries- Anne Perry is always going to be on my book lists. Here she is mentioned twice! I consider Hester to be the more minor character since, like the Pitt novels, these are titled "Monk." Hester is the headstrong wife who is always up for investigating for herself and is not afraid to speak her thoughts. I love Perry's ability to keep her grounded in Victorian reality but also give her a stubborn, independent streak.

9. Mr. Rochester- Jane Eyre- The brooding, secretive romantic interest may not be lovable at first but he grows on you and the story is nothing without him. 

10. Redvers- Jane Wunderley Mysteries- First off, his last name is cool. I just like the sound of it. I also like how he loves Jane but doesn't cater to her either. Some of the other mysteries like this have male characters that come off as weak and following the little lady around. Not Redvers. He's a great mix of kind and loving but independent. I just like him.