Tag: historical (Page 21 of 22)

My most moving romantic scene

December 18, 2013 / Kaetrin

There are some books which leave an impression. Some beloved favourites which are comforts to be read over and over again. I posted a while back about my favourite sex scene and I thought I’d share today one of the most memorable and moving and romantic scenes I’ve read in romance fiction. For me, it is the ultimate in grand gestures. It’s from a historical book – I don’t know the correct term for it but it’s the novel equivalent of a docu-drama. Based on fact, using real people, but where the historical record is blank or obscure, fiction (via the author) steps in to complete the story. I borrowed the book from the library many years ago. I’ve only read it once and yet, it left a huge impression on me and, there is one scene in particular which, when I read it, caused me, literally, to catch my breath.

The book is Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman.

The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles

December 8, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I heard a lot of buzz from trusted blogger and Goodreads friends about this book by debut author KJ Charles, so I bought it. Of course.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

A Charm of Magpies, Book 1

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He’s also inherited his family’s enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn’t expect it to turn up angry.

Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane’s family. Unfortunately, it’s his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he’s ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude…and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That’s definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane’s dangerous appeal isn’t the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can’t find a way through it—they’re both going to die.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): There were many things I liked about The Magpie Lord – I thought the concept was interesting and unique (at least to me), the build of dramatic tension toward the final denouement was great and the world building was deft. I didn’t feel bogged down by a lot of details but I understood what was going on and there was enough to give me a picture of a very different Victorian world than I’m used to reading about. There was only one place I was a little confused but that became clear very soon after so it was not a big deal.

I’m Over at Dear Author…

November 9, 2013 / Kaetrin

reviewing an old favourite of mine – Gilliane by Roberta Gellis. The new digital edition has this lovely cover:

but my copy is from 1979 and looks like this, except more worn:

Regardless of the cover, it is a much beloved book. See why here.

At Your Pleasure by Meredith Duran

October 21, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I listened to My Sweet Folly recently and that put me in the mood for a rich and lush historical. I thought this one from my giant TBR pile might be just the ticket.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) By candlelight she lures him…

Glittering court socialites and underworld cutpurses alike know that Adrian Ferrers, Earl of Rivenham, is the most dangerous man in London. Rivenham will let nothing—not the deepening shadow of war, nor the growing darkness within him—interfere with his ambition to restore his family to its former glory. But when tasked by the king to uncover a traitor, he discovers instead a conspiracy—and a woman whose courage awakens terrible temptations. To save her is to risk everything. To love her might cost his life.

At swordpoint she defies him…

Lady Leonora knows that Rivenham is the devil in beautiful disguise— and that the irresistible tension between them is as unpredictable as the dilemma in which Nora finds herself: held hostage on her own estate by Rivenham and the king’s men. But when war breaks out, Nora has no choice but to place her trust in her dearest enemy—and pray that love does not become the weapon that destroys them both.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): The central conflict of the story is widowed Nora being torn by the love she has for her brother, David, who is a Jacobite rebel and her love for Adrian, Earl of Rivenham – who is a man loyal to the King. For much of the book, I wondered how on earth the story could end happily. Nora has a choice to make – she cannot support both her brother and Adrian. She tries hard to walk a middle line but it is impossible. If she chooses David, she will lose her love (and he might lose his life), if she chooses Adrian, she will most likely watch his execution.

I’m Over at AudioGals…

October 18, 2013 / Kaetrin

with a review of My Sweet Folly by Laura Kinsale, narrated by the amazing Nick Boulton. It really is a match made in heaven. See my full thoughts here.

I’m Over at AudioGals…

August 30, 2013 / Kaetrin

with a review of Untamed by Pamela Clare, narrated by Kaleo Griffith. I’d only heard him narrate contemporary romance before. Does he work in an historical? Can he pull of the accents? See what I thought here.