ShellieLovesBooks

  For this week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl , the topic was a "genre freebie." So of course I have to post about my favorite genre: historical fiction. It's a very busy time right now....school, baseball, band, etc....so this week I needed to be short and sweet as I'm low on time! But I wanted to post on this topic because I just know  my fellow bloggers will jump in and make it fun by giving me the books they've read set in these eras to broaden my reading. So here are the time periods I have never, ever read about in fiction. Give me all the books you recommend! 1. Pre-1066 Norman Invasion - I have not read anything prior to the conquest of England by William the Conqueror. It is not an era that appeals to me...the whole "Last Kingdom" time. I'm sure there are some great books about it though. Circa....600-1000 Britain. 2. Ancient Greece-   Maybe I've never looked hard enough but there seems to be a shortage of good

Publication Date: 1929 Length: 214 pages My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When I started this book for the Read Christie challenge this month, I had no idea it was a series of short stories. I wasn't thrilled as I'm not a big fan of short stories or novellas. I just find it is hard to get into the characters and storyline when it is such a short piece. But I was pleasantly surprised by this book and thought it worked well. Having never read any Tommy and Tuppence books before I knew nothing about them and it was a great way to get small glimpses into their relationship.  When the book begins, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford have been asked to pose as owners of the International Detective Agency. Their old friend, Mr. Carter, who works for the government has asked Tommy to pretend to be Mr. Theodore Blunt and for Tuppence to be his assistant. They are to continue taking on legitimate cases while also looking for any information regarding the whereabouts of enemy spies that need to be apprehended.

  For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at  Wishful Endings , I am excited to feature  The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick. I have yet to read one of her books (still working my way through other novels from the same periods) but I am determined to read one this year and review it. This one really appeals to me because it is set in Wales in 1093 which is a rare find in novels and features a real person in the character of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth's daughter, Nesta.  April 18, 2023 Historical Fiction Book description courtesy of Amazon Wales, 1093. The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honor is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances. Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight is rewarded for his u

Publication Date: March 8, 2021 Length: 286 pages My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The setting for this book was not one I was familiar with. Being American I didn't know much about Brighton, England, or why people choose to vacation there. It was a lot of fun to be given a lesson in geography and culture along with a cozy mystery! I love all things water.....sea, ocean, whatever, so this sounds like a place I'd like to visit. Clifford the butler was a great tour guide in this one as he and Ellie work to solve who has murdered her husband.....the one she thought was already dead. When the story begins, Ellie is taking a much deserved holiday to celebrate her 30th birthday, with her butler Clifford and her bulldog Gladstone. Also tagging along is her cook, Mrs. Trotman, housekeeper Mrs. Butters, and awkward but loveable kitchen maid, Polly. As Ellie and Clifford arrive ahead of the others they are once again thrust into a murder mystery, this time involving Eleanor's husband, Hilary, who wa

  This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl , is a Valentine's Day freebie choice. I decided to list the top ten books with romantic themes that I haven't read yet. I know the title sounds a bit awkward...but these aren't necessarily "romance novels." So I chose to call them "romantic themes." Just to be extra confusing....lol. Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day, however you choose to spend it!  1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - consistently listed as  the best novel of all time...it's on my Classics Club list as number 1. 2. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak- I've seen the movie numerous times and love it, but I should probably read the actual book. 3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte- I enjoyed Jane Eyre but never got around to this one. Everyone recommends it so it must be good. 4. The Bride by Julie Garwood- I don't generally read these types of romances but I've seen it on top ten lists for

  Publication Date:  January 1, 1981 Length:  219 pages My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ This series has always interested me due to its unique time period, well written dialogue, and intriguing plots. The continuation of Brother Cadfael's story along with recurring characters make it a must read, I have to check in and see what happens next. I struggle to read new authors for this reason.....I just love series books! And Ellis Peters has such a good grasp of vocabulary and description of the medieval period I always feel like I'm actually there myself.  This story centers around real events, (as do all the Cadfael Chronicles), during the period known as The Anarchy. King Stephen and Empress Matilda are still warring over who will rule England, and the monks in Shrewsbury are caught in the middle. Empress Maud is trying to gain support for an invasion and takeover along with her brother, Robert of Gloucester and his son-in-law, Ranulf, the Earl of Chester, who she hopes will join the cause. Ra

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings , I realize I've chosen a book that will be quite the wait! This book doesn't even come out until September 2023 but it is sure to be a popular one.  I have only read the first book in this series, The Pillars of the Earth, so I am very behind but even if I don't make it to this one this year, I know others who would want to see it coming. I was especially intrigued to see it covers the Napoleonic Era which I want to know more about so I may just have to jump in and read it out of order.  September 2023 Historical Fiction Book description courtesy of Amazon The long-awaited sequel to A Column of Fire, The Armor of Light, heralds a new dawn for Kingsbridge, England, where progress clashes with tradition, class struggles push into every part of society, and war in Europe engulfs the entire continent and beyond. The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing a

Publication Date: November 3, 1994 Length: 410 pages My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ I came across these books last year and thought the idea behind them was really unique. The author wanted to create a sort of "history without tears" approach to British history and decided to write these books covering chronologically the era from the Wars of the Roses through World War II. She got as far as the Great Depression era before the publishers decided to call it quits. That's a real shame because they are gems and apparently are making a comeback recently. Maybe they will decide to let her continue if the demand is there. I decided to start with this one because it covers an often neglected time period between the Glorious Revolution and the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. I have the first one called The Founding and will definitely have to go back and read it because I admit to being a bit lost with all the characters and no knowledge of their backstories. It was still readable though. The stor