Rebecca Hill

I loved this book!! I laughed and cried my way through its entirety. I had a very hard time putting it down! Elizabeth Owens takes readers through a sad tale of friends and loss, all the while adding the day to day that she and her husband are going through and the stress that seeing someone that you are close to and love fight cancer, and the feelings of helplessness and loss that go along with it as you stand by that person. This book was one that helped me to realize the good friends I had, and to rekindle some old friendships that I had let grow stale. Ms. Owens brings the day to day humdrum that we all dread back with a refreshing laugh as she tries to bake cookies and then ends up feeding them to dog next door, while pouring out her troubles to a eager listener. I would recommend this book to everyone! Its a must read!

LOVED this book! I am a huge World War II buff anyway, and I found myself learning something new as I was reading through the book.The view from the soldiers perspective and those involved was riveting. I couldnt put the book down once I started reading! I am looking forward to reading this again, as well as recommending it to my students! His use of history and narrative is amazing! This puts the Okinawa thrust into an entirely different picture, and actually gives you the feeling as though you are right there with the troops!
Thank you to Jeff Shaara for sharing with Goodreads the advance copies, and for allowing me to be among the first to read it. I am very excited to be encouraging friends to get their own copy and read it as well.

Great Book!! Susan Higginbotham did a great job in reviving history through the eyes of Margaret of Anjou. Her struggles and hopes for peace, as well as the future of her son and husband are born out beautifully through this novel. Royal history is sometimes a hard thing to fathom as the names, people and genealogies are a hard grasp for many, but Higginbotham manages to smooth sail over many of these anomalies and bring the reader not only a sense of what is going on, as the queen moves to rebuild her lost kingdom, but in the lives of those around her. She is able to seamlessly guide the reader through a small portion of history that has had much debate over the years. Was this woman really just scheming to get her own hands on the throne, or was it as Higgenbotham recounted it; a woman moving to get her husband placed back on the throne and ensure her sons future as the future King of England. I would suggest reading this book before reading “The Traitors Wife” also by S. Higgenbotham. I read in a reverse order, but they really go hand in hand. A must read!

In the second book, Richard takes the throne as king of England, after the death of his brother and the declaration of the illegitimacy of Edward's children. Richard quickly tries to turn the country around, and starts trying to rid the country of corruption. He learns though as the book unfolds that men are always driven by greed, and as small revolts turn up about the king, mostly driven by Elizabeth Woodville, he tries harder and harder to turn the country to peace. With the disappearance of the young princes from the tower, Richard is hit with the realization that they may have been murdered, but he was blamed from the start for their deaths.

In this last book, Richard and Anne, now King and Queen of England, suffer through their losses and the greed that is still tearing the country apart. Henry Tudor is making his claim for the throne, and his mother and step-father, Lord and Lady Stanley are heavily involved with his revolt, although Lord Stanley gives the air of being loyal to Richard.

As the world spirals out of Richards control, he learns of the loss of their son, Ned, and Anne's health is also declining to the point of there being nothing that the drs can to do help her. After her sons death, she quickly lost strength and will to live. Richard was hoping to shape his kingdom in the ideal of Camelot, and although the lower classes loved him, he had alienated some of the lords of the kingdom in his pursuit for everyone to have justice, and equality. In the end, during his battle with Henry Tudor, Lord Stanley defaults to his step-sons side and Richard is killed, bringing a new chapter into English history. The country mourned for Richard although Henry was able to keep his throne, he did so through bloodshed and even had his step-father killed for some trifle. Richard pardoned men that deserved death, but he gave them chances, as he wanted their loyalty out of respect, not fear.

great read! I loved this book!

For a woman who has lost everything, Revenge is the one thing that keeps her going. With her brother's support, who happens to be the King of France, Isabelle bides her time and exacts her price at just the right time. She hits when support for the English king is at its lowest, and his favorite Hugh Despenser is the most hated man in England. Her story is one that is riveting from the start, from bedroom to royal palaces, this story is an awesome read

Juanita Brooks took a huge risk in writing this book. She was once a practicing member of the Mormon faith, and when she decided that she could not keep the secret quiet anymore, she wrote this explosive book. I was riveted from the first page, and could not put it down.

Anyone that loves history, will love this book!

This was an interesting read. It puts Blanche of Castille into a new light, one of unforgiving steadfastness and interest only in holding the kingdom together for her young son after her husband dies. She was truly a force to be reckoned with. It was a quick read as well, it took me about four hours to read through the entire book.

Her life was truly interesting, she was determined to prove that she was not just a weak woman, but one who was capable of other and better things. She held fast and was able to rally the men of Paris to her sons defense as needed and when he was away, she held the kingdom as regent, something that was almost unheard of for women in those days. It was seen as something as woman couldnt do, in holding a kingdom together. Her love for her son was remarkable, and her hold on him was even stronger. He loved her to the end, and she could do no wrong in his eyes. Great read!

When I first started this book, I wasnt sure that I was going to enjoy it. But as I got into the book deeper I had a greater appreciation for Lady Isobel.

As a young woman she was blinded by love for Sir John Neville, but knows that nothing can ever come of it, especially since they are different sides of the war, the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. Somehow Queen Marguerite de Anjou finally agrees to the match of Lady Isobel and Sir John.
Their love story is one of the greats, a true love of each other, not just a match for monetary gain. While Marguerite de Anjou wrecked havoc on the countryside trying to secure the throne for her son, Lady Isobel is busy trying to manage the small estate that she and her husband live on, and raise their growing family. There is never enough money and the constant fear for her husband keeps Isobel on her toes. Her friend and lady in waiting, Ursula is a calming force in her life, always there at her side, and with her children and the love of her husband, Isobel thinks that life is eventually going to calm down.
After the deposing King Henry from the throne, and Edward, Earl of March accends the throne. The entire country breathes a sigh of relief, as the handsome King Edward slowly starts to bring peace back through the country. At least, until the secret marriage of Edward and Elizabeth Woodville is revealed. Isobel and Ursula know that nothing good can come from this marriage and most of the gentry is up in arms, as this low-born commoner is raised to queen of England, and slowly, her entire family starts taking larger portions of revenue, marrying her siblings into the noble families, and arranging marriages to their benefit, and no one elses. Sir John rises in the gentry, becoming Earl of Northumerland, and then shortly afterwards its taken away, and given to one of the Percies, which makes life hard again. As much as John did for his King, it was slowly stripped away by the queen and her favorites, once again plunging the country into civil war. As things got worse for England, Sir John Neville, couldnt help but question where his loyalty really was. As much as he had done for his king, it had come to naught, and everything that he had taken away, he decided to stand with his brother, Warwick, the Kingmaker. As much as he couldnt stand what was happening to his country, he couldnt turn on his King. When he finally met his end at the battle of Barnet, it was discovered that he wore the Kings colors under his armor. Isobel through all of this tries to keep her family together and her children shielded from as much of the turmoil as possible. Richard of Gloucester, the younger brother of King Edward and pupil of Sir John was just as torn as John Neville was. Anne, the younger daughter of Warwick, and wife of Richard, promises Isobel that they will take wardship of her young son George, so that he doesnt fall into the grasp of the Woodville family, allowing her to die in peace surrounded by her friends. One wonders if King Edward ever fully realized the inner turmoil of his faithful subjects.

Through the entire book, one finds themselves placing themselves into the shoes of the characters, and wondering how things would have been different if one or another event hadn't happened. I enjoyed the read immensely. It is definitely a page turner!

This book was a hard one for me to want to sit through the entire book. I read this one in two hours, and I was disappointed by most of it. Much of the story seemed to be skimmed over, and a huge lack in detail was present throughout much of the work.

Lettie Knollys, is the cousin of Queen Elizabeth, and she is sent to court to wait upon the queen. Throughout their entire relationship there is distrust and tantrums on the part of the queen. Lettie falls in love with Robert Dudley, the right hand man of the queen, but is married to another, and so after the death of her husband, she and Robert secretly marry, and keep it from the queen for several months. The queen throughout the work is portrayed as a spoiled brat, ruled by her temper, and not much common sense.

I was not impressed by any of the characters, most I felt were under developed and left a lot hanging that one has to assume the in between the lines way to often. There were large gaps, and as I was reading, I was wondering how much time it took her to write the book. I trudged through until the end, but I never got a feeling of satisfaction from this work. There is so much more that could have been added that would have created a better read.

Ella March Chase walks us through the lives of the Grey sisters, from the disastrous marriages of the older two sisters through the insecurities of the younger sister. Three women with royal blood, who went against convention. Jane would have been happy to live in a small house surrounded by her books and tutors, while Katherine wanted attention and to be married to a nobleman with people admiring her. Mary was one who stayed in the shadows, hidden by her parents because of her deformity. Ms. Chase reads between the lines of their lives and breathes new life into the story of the Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen, and her family. From palaces to the Tower, this books keeps the reader riveted.

Great read! I would recommmend this!

Have you ever wondered what Henry VIII's wives thought?? Well, here is a chance to find out!! Anne of Cleves leaves everything that she knows and loves to marry the English king and become wife number four. Throughout this read, you are giving glimpses of what her life must have been like, but you have to wonder if her kindness was really there, or if that was expanded to suit the authors view.

I enjoyed this read, quick and easy and fun. :)

After doing some brief research on Mountain Meadows, I wanted to know more. This book is a great resource for those who are wanting to know more about what happened on that terrible day. This massacre was the greatest loss of American life by other Americans until the civil war, and it was one that drew outrage from across the country, as women and children were included in that massacre. The insecurities that the Mormons felt were played out on this unfortunate wagon train, who were just trying to find a better life for their families. Their lives were ended after a short siege in which they were promised safety if they would come out and surrender. Instead they were separated and killed as they walked to what they thought was freedom.

The unfortunate outplay of these lives are mastered in this book, not only showing how it was set up, but showing some of the major players in the killings, as only one man was ever brought to trial, but it shows just how far up it went. The US Army investigated as well, as some of the children who were still young enough to be considered “innocents” were scattered among mormon families and raised there. The families of those were killed, demanded their release and the army spent two years investigating what happened. Although all those responsible were never brought to trial, the truth of what happened would not be fully uncovered for over a hundred years, until a site was to be dug for the memorial site, and bones were uncovered.

This book is truly one that is hard to read, yet hard to put down. You find yourself thinking almost that you are drawn into the story and wishing there was something you could do to go back and change time. Anyone who is a lover of history will enjoy this book, and there are several others out there that complement this book as well. I would suggest reading this one first and then moving on to some of the others and filling in the stories as you go along.

I really enjoyed this look into the life of Anne Neville. I have always enjoyed anything with her and Richard in it, starting when I read “The Sunne in Splendor” by Sharon Kay Penman. I was engrossed in this read as it expanded upon her life and the turmoil that she lived through. This was a time of change for England as Henry and Marguerite de Anjou were removed from power and Edward assumed the throne. With his unpopular marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, the country was again thrust into to turmoil as people voiced their displeasure of the news, not least of all was Anne's father, the Earl of Warwick, one of the most powerful men in the country.

In the midst of all of this, Edwards younger brothers, George and Richard, come to live at Middleham, the childhood home of Anne, and learn from her powerful father. The two immediately strike up a friendship, which turns to love for both of them, unbeknownst to the other. When George and Isabel hide Anne away where Richard cannot find her, he scours the countryside until he finds her, and makes his intentions of marrying her known. The love story between these two is one of magic and happiness in a time where there wasnt much to be happy about. After the death of Edward and the discovery of his dubious marriage status, Richard assumes the throne, and he and Anne are thrust deeper into the politics of the time, and away from their precious son.

The unfolding of this story and the life that Anne Neville lived was truly amazing, and almost a real Cinderella story. There were a few parts in the book that I was not thrilled with, but overall I loved the book!

I started this book with the hope that she might have been able to rekindle the investigation into the life of Anne Neville. I was sorely disappointed with this book, because it seemed to focus more on Richard III (of whom I am a fan, but was looking forward to reading about his wife for a change), and she has condemned him in her book. She implies his guilt more than once throughout the book, and while she does not come out and say it, she more than indicates that she believes he is guilty of numerous things. The information she gives on Anne Neville is nothing new, in fact it reads quite a bit like Sharon Kay Penman and Philippa Gregory's works. I read through the entire book, hoping that it would get better, and provide some fresh insight into her life. Chapter by Chapter I was disappointed. It took me longer to read this book than it did the last three books I read through. Instead of titling this work Anne Neville: Richard III's Tragic Queen, it should be called “The Trials of Richard III: Rhe Plantagenet's history from Richard of York to the death of his son Richard III.”

What a read!! Matilda was an enigma in her time. She took the role of queen consort and shaped it to something that more suited her lifestyle. What we might have missed out on if she had not taken her education seriously! What a life she led! As the first queen of England to effectively rule as regent in her husbands absences she proved that some women were capable of more than just managing a household and bearing children. She ruled in her own right and her husband who adored her, relied on her for council as well as children. In the end her own ambition and motherly love got in the way of her relationship with her husband but he forgave her, although he never left her as regent after that.

Matilda was the role model for every queen that cme after her. Benevolent, kind, caring and terrorism to a fault. She was witty a d capable of handing down justice and effectively managing her many households and land holdings.

This book was a great read!! I highly recommend it to all history buffs out there!

What a great read!! Varina Wescott has been sworn to secrecy by Queen Elizabeth of York, having been commissioned to sculpt effigies of her dead children and her missing brothers in the tower. As Varina deals with her overbearing suitor, and her growing affection for Nicholas Sutton, she is trying to figure out many things about herself and her future.

When she is asked by Queen Elizabeth to go with Nicholas Sutton to Wales to attend to the body of the Prince, after his untimely death, and to find out if foul play was involved. Death seems to follow Varina. With her business mainly being funerary candles, it is not unlikely, but it also bring it to the forefront for her. She must confront one of her demons to get her son back alive, and she must also attempt to figure out who is trying to kill the King and Queen and their family and why.

Will she be successful for not??

I loved this book! It was quite interesting, but it also had some historical inaccuracies that as time has now shown are wrong. Being written when it was, some of the facts were not known, but there were also a few issues of guessing. Overall this book was wonderful! It was pretty clean, and the book itself was wonderful. This is one that I would read again!

First and foremost, let me start off by saying that when you are writing biographical works, you have to try and leave bias out of it, and this is something that the author struggled with consistently throughout the entire book! It was very hard to read this as a historical work because of the obvious leanings that the author shows. I will leave the detective work to those that choose to read this book and not spoil it for those that might want to delve in. I would have liked to have given it a higher star rating, but due to the obvious biases that the author puts into her work, I could not rate it higher. If we could do half stars, I would have gone with 2.5

That being said, bias aside, I think that this work could be worth something. There is some great starter information in there for those that are curious about these three women. There really was not much new information, or explosive revelations that you do not find in other books, but no one has taken the time to really compare these women together, with their lives and private works that they were involved in. Both Elizabeth of York and Margaret Beaufort seemed to give quite a bit to religious charities, while Elizabeth Woodville seemed to almost prefer the church for its sanctuary.

I would have liked to see more work on Elizabeth of York, but I felt that the author drew quite a few of maybes, could have beens, and probably's when it came to Elizabeth and her formidable mother in law, Margaret. This book is worth a look, but do not let the bias of the author throw you off! It is a good starting point for future research and deeper study.

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review

Julia McKenzie is searching for herself in the far West. As she tries to mend the pieces of her heart, she finds a way that she can improve the lives of those around her.
The Chinese immigrants have long been seen as less than human and given jobs and wages lower than their white counterparts. Julia longs to help these people find a way to fit into the community and she befriends a young woman and her brother. Lee Mei and Lee Meng do not want to see anything happen to Julia, but when they need help, she is the one that they turn to.
Julia is blown away when someone from her pasts blows back into her life, will she able to forgive the past and move forward or will she keep her heart out of reach to the one person who understands her the most?


I really loved this read, and was actually able to read through it in about two hours. It was enjoyable, and kept the momentum going throughout the read. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I found this book to be hard to follow. It had some great information but it jumped around enough to get a little confusing to follow at times.

Ross Sinclair is thrust back in time to 1333 Scotland. He must try and remain alive long enough to figure out what he is doing there and why. He is desperate to return to 2013 and the woman he loves who is lying in a coma in the hospital.


Interesting read, decent research. I would have liked the book more if it flowed a bit more and the characters were not so forced.

I Won this book as an Advanced Read Copy

Set in ancient Greece, one city is determined to survive no matter the costs. Nikias is the son of the leader of the Platean city where they dwell. After a brutal surprise attack left the city reeling and the threat of another attack on its way, Nikias makes his decision, against his grandfather's wishes, to travel to Athens to search for warriors to come and defend his city from the Spartan attack.

As the old addage goes, if you go in search of trouble, trouble will find you. Almost from the beginning of the journey, Nikias is beset by troubles, those who are looking to kill him or those looking to use him to further their own cause. Although there are a few friends along the way, he he must be wary everywhere he looks and steps to avoid as much trouble as possible.

Eventually he is ready to make his way home, but will he get there in time to save his city from the Spartan Army?


I really enjoyed reading through this book. The story line was wonderful and it draws the reader in. You feel as though you become a part of the story itself, and you find yourself unable to put the book down. Noble Smith knows how to weave a story, and draw each character in to where they are all part of the tapestry. The one downside to the book for me was the blatant homosexuality that played through the entire story. Although in Greece it was not uncommon for some men to practice it to a point, it was played up in this book, and that is the only reason I could not give it five stars. Even without it, the book would have stood on its own. I really enjoyed the story line and the story of Nikias.

I don't think the author played out this story as well as she could have. In searching for his family history, James is also searching for information on his hero, but his hero has a darker side that was kept hidden from public view. In telling the story the author never really fully explains some of the twists hat she use in the plot and leave the reader scratching their head in wonder. One has to wonder if the author ran out of time to add to her story, but it would have been a better plot and a more fulfilling ending had she taken time to play it out. Very poor ending and to many things left undone to be a good book