Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin

A beautifully written historical portrayal of the political and personal conflicts of the royal half sisters.

Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy) by Margaret Irwin

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781402229985
• ISBN-13: 978-1402229985

     Genre: Historical Fiction
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

First published in 1946, Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain continues the “vivid, psychologically brilliant” (Times Literary Supplement) journey begun in Young Bess and Elizabeth, Captive Princess. Philip, Prince of Spain, the unwilling bridegroom of Queen Mary, has been warned about the young Elizabeth. According to all reports, she is a heretic, a rebel, and a potential enemy—but she’s also alluring. Accused of treachery by Mary, Elizabeth finds herself teetering between Mary’s vengeance and Philip’s uneasy ardor, with her life in the balance.

Review: I found this a bit slower to read but still engaging and interesting.
This is the concluding book of the trilogy which included Young Bess (which I did not read) and Elizabeth, Captive Princess: Two Sisters, One Throne which I did read and review.

As I noted in my review of Elizabeth, Captive Princess, the writing style is unusual as if flows yet twists in a puzzling fashion that seems to fit Princess Elizabeth. The thought process presented is almost frenetic as Elizabeth tries to maintain such a fine line between her fierce independence and her need to show submissiveness to Queen Mary and Prince Philip. There is already political tension between Queen Mary and the imprisoned Elizabeth due to their respective claims to the throne and due to their religious differences. Queen Mary has brought England back to the Catholic faith as the only true religion which is supported by Rome and Prince Philip. On the other hand, Elizabeth was raised with their father's less formal ritual in the Protestant church. The tension is increased by the jealousy evoked by Prince Philip's interest and leniency towards Elizabeth. Prince Philip, aged 27, marries Queen Mary, aged 38,  as a political move to increase the power of Spain. Philip convinces Mary to show mercy and release Elizabeth from The Tower and allow her to live freely, if guardedly. 

Elizabeth is portrayed as a bright young woman who draws men, young and old, to her ethereal manner and charms the common masses with her natural exuberance. She continually chants  in word games and speaks in riddles to keep her meaning ambiguous or at least uncommitted.  The author catches this character so well that, for me, it made the reading slower as I had to pay close attention to catch the nuances and think about the implications of what Elizabeth is saying outwardly compared to what she is thinking or feeling that she is not expressing.

It appears that the author did detailed research into the important events and times of the story and into the known letters written by the participants. These then are fleshed out in fiction that gives the characters depth - and life. A large part of the story focuses on portraying the development and character of Philip before shifting back to Elizabeth. It can not be known how they truly interacted and felt, but the author pulls you into their lives in a vivid way. The book made me want to look up what factually happened to these historical characters and try to determine how close to reality the story is.

The story makes me glad that I do not live a life that must play such political games of manipulation. It was somewhat surprising that Elizabeth was allowed to live by Queen Mary. This was due in great part to Prince Philip who was inclined to subtly be with Elizabeth with the hope they might be together if Mary died.  Ultimately Elizabeth does succeed to the throne upon Mary’s death but she continues to keep Philip at bay. As the bookmakers in Europe took bets that Elizabeth’s reign would not make it past six months one gets a glimpse from the author of the matters of state, marriage proposals and considerations that Elizabeth had to  juggle. This is a remarkable historical portrayal of very interesting historical figures.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC:

1. Tell me what you like about historical fiction.
Please leave your e-mail!

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on May 13, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Audible Book Review: First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

A solid romance offering.
First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Dell (February 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780440244226
• ISBN-13: 978-0440244226

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

  Product Description:
  Against the scandal and seduction of Regency England, New York Times
    best-selling author Mary Balogh introduces an extraordinary family - the fiery, sensual Huxtables. Vanessa is the second daughter, proud and daring, a young widow who has her own reason for pursuing the most eligible bachelor in London. One that has nothing to do with love. Or does it?
    The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can't keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret - one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables - Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed...and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can't be far behind.

Review: This is a pleasant historical romance. 

This book introduces the Huxtable family. The eldest sister, 25 year old Margaret, is beautiful, reserved and dedicated to raising her younger siblings. The youngest sister, 18 year old Katherine is another beauty with a vibrant and sweet personality. Middle sister Vanessa is the “plain Jane” of the family but she is well loved for her wonderfully warm and sunny disposition. All of the girls are devoted to helping raise their younger brother, 17 year old Stephen.

Vanessa is a young widow who married a childhood friend who loved her dearly. He was dying and she married him to be a loving companion and to bring him happiness by fulfilling one of his dreams since so many would go unfulfilled.

Viscount Lyngate, is a very rigid, proper and dutiful gentleman. He appears at the Huxtable cottage and surprises the family when he announces that Stephen has inherited a title and estates.  Elliott is to be Stephen’s guardian and is prepared to take him away immediately to put him with proper tutors for training in the ways of the nobility. The sisters are not about to let Stephen go off on his own so they all head to Stephen’s new estate under the escort of Elliott.

Elliott has decided it is time to settle down and begin the business of producing heirs. He takes the usual ton view of marriage, seeking ‘a suitable arrangement’ and not concerning himself with romance. After brief thought it appears that he will seek Margaret’s hand but Vanessa brashly proposes in order to protect Meg. The bold Vanessa and stuffy Elliott have already butted heads a few times so this seems surprising. Vanessa doesn’t have the beauty of her sisters but Elliott sees determination and life in her and so agrees to the proposal.

There is only a little bit of intrigue in the story, which I imagine will get answered later in the series. There is lots of conflict, not only with the opposite characters of Vanessa and Elliott, but also with Elliott’s estranged friend, Con, and Elliott’s beautiful former mistress.

There is some slight repetition of thought patterns in the first half of the book but it still moved quickly enough. I particularly liked the second half which displays Vanessa’s optimism and strength as she slowly charms Elliott out of his dour presence.  The early battles between them and later philosophical enlightenments were enjoyable.  It was nice to see an eligible lord accept and grow to love a woman for her character rather than just her looks. 

The narration was not the most exciting that I have listened to as it was rather flat and expressionless so this might be a better read than audio listen. Still I enjoyed Ms. Balogh’s usual flawed and likable characters, the charming writing flow and the romance that is full without being graphic.

Celebrate Children's Book Week May 2-8, 2011

I'm participating in the Children's Book Week Spotlight Hop. 

Hosted by Mymcbooks & Co-host at Family Literacy and You.

It's the 1st annual Children's Book Week Spotlight and you are all invited to party with us!  There are 20 blogs participating in this giveaway hop. Be sure to visit each and enter their giveaways and tell them Thanks for sharing too!
  To enter the other giveaways please visit Family Literacy and You  for the linky list.

I have several groups of books but my pictures are lost on a thumb drive I don't have at home so I have used Amazon pictures for now. All of the books are gently used - like new.

Package #1

Two Dr. Seuss books:  Hop on Pop and The Foot Book: Dr. Seuss's Wacky Book of Opposites

Package #2

Two Veggie Tale books:
Junior's Colors (Veggietales Series) and Bob and Larry's ABC's (Veggietales Series)

Package #3

Rapunzel (Picture Puffin Books) (hardcover) and a second book - I will post the picture Monday morning. Elmo's Guessing Game About Colors

Package #4 - INTERNATIONAL ONLY

Winner's choice of children's book(s) from Book Depository - value up to $10.00

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM. 



Again, To enter the other giveaways please visit Family Literacy and You  for the full list.

It's Monday! What are you Reading May 2, 2011?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a slower reading week it seemed as my print book went slowly. I finished one Kindle and two Audible books; posted three reviews, one with Giveaway; Friday Pick giveaway; a personal family announcement :-); Enquiring Mind Meme, Sunday post and hop winners' post.

I did get to visit over ten blogs last week. That was better but I'll keep trying.

These were last week's posts plus a Winners' post not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? April 25, 2011.

• Book Review Audible, Print Giveaway of Glory in Death by J.D. Robb; Mystery/Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review Riddle of Berlin by Cym Lowell;  International Thriller; my rating 4.25.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 29, 2011.  Ends 5/5.

•  Our New Granddaughter.  :-)

• Audio Book Review: Maeve Binchy Collection; Women's Fiction; my rating 4.75.

•  Enquiring Minds Meme Week #35 with Comment Giveaway.  Ends 5/6.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 1, 2011.

Finished Reading:

Print: -------

Kindle:
Riddle of Berlin

by Cym Lowell

Good Thriller.
Review linked above.

Audible:

First Comes Marriage
by Mary Balogh

I enjoyed this historical romance
although the narrator wasn't
my favorite. I hope to review soon.

Against the scandal and seduction of Regency England, New York Times

best-selling author Mary Balogh introduces an extraordinary family - the fiery, sensual Huxtables. Vanessa is the second daughter, proud and daring, a young widow who has her own reason for pursuing the most eligible bachelor in London. One that has nothing to do with love. Or does it?

The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common can't keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret - one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables - Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed...and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love can't be far behind.

Audible: 

Immortal in Death

by J.D. Robb
Another good Eve Dallas Mystery.
Eve tracks a drug related killer
as she and Roarke prepare to marry.

She was one of the most sought after women in the world. A top model who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted - even another woman's man. And now she was dead, the victim of a brutal murder. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas put her professional life on the line to take the case when suspicion fell on her best friend, the other woman in the fatal love triangle.

Beneath the façade of glamour, Eve found that the world of high fashion thrived on an all-consuming obsession for youth and fame. One that led from the runway to the dark underworld of New York City where drugs could be found to fulfill any desire - for a price.

Line Edits/Releases:

I have finalized formats of Silicon Self by Kirtimaya Varma. Once the author does the last review then the book will be released this week. :-)

Currently reading:

Print:
Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain (Elizabeth I Trilogy) 

by Margaret Irwin

This really been slow reading for me.
The writing is good but I don't think I've been 
in the mood for royal politics.

I hope to post a review and 

ARC Giveaway later this week.
This is a review for Sourcebooks.

From the Publisher:
First published in 1946, Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain continues the “vivid, psychologically brilliant” (Times Literary Supplement) journey begun in Young Bess and Elizabeth, Captive Princess. Philip, Prince of Spain, the unwilling bridegroom of Queen Mary, has been warned about the young Elizabeth. According to all reports, she is a heretic, a rebel, and a potential enemy—but she’s also alluring. Accused of treachery by Mary, Elizabeth finds herself teetering between Mary’s vengeance and Philip’s uneasy ardor, with her life in the balance.

Print:

Holy Guacamole

by Dan Harmer, Denise Harmer

This is such a fun and fast read!
This is for Glass Road PR Blog Tour
posting May 5.

Product Description
Nestled along San Diego's coast, the former romantic getaway of the silver screen's most notorious lovers is now the sizzling hacienda of Bonnie Miller's culinary boot camp. "If you are what you eat, make it hot, spicy and irresistible," is her motto, and this queen of Southwestern cuisine enjoys quite a savory life; success, fame, and a reputation for the finest palate west of Barcelona. That is, until a pot-rattling bang causes Trace Domingo, a washed-up sports writer, to crash into her life. His arrival turns up the heat at the culinary boot camp as Bonnie discovers in life's recipe book, it is not the spices which add the most flavor, but how truly hungry you are.

Kindle:
Hood (The King Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

by Stephen R. Lawhead

This different "Robin Hood" story is interesting.
I am reading this for our church ladies' Book Club.

I will post a review and Giveaway later this week.

Robin Hood: The Legend Begins Anew

For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.
Hunted like an animal by Norman invaders, Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne Elfael, has abandoned his father's kingdom and fled to the greenwood. There, in the primeval forest of the Welsh borders, danger surrounds him—for this woodland is a living, breathing entity with mysterious powers and secrets, and Bran must find a way to make it his own if he is to survive.
Like the forest itself, Hood is deep, dark, and at times savagely brutal—yet full of enchantment and hope. Internationally-acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead has created a lyrical rendering of a time-honored story that will lead you down strange pathways into another time and place.

Audible:

One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2)

by Jeaniene Frost

I am reading this from my own TBR.

Publisher's Summary
You can run from the grave, but you can't hide. Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her.
But when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.
Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever and that Bones won't let her get away again.

Audible: 

I am listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at Judges 11 and Psalm 100 and Mark 6.

Line Edits: I am doing a quick format on the first of eTreasures spring novellas: Coming Home by Joy Brooks. I am ready to complete the formats on Desperate Measures by Cindy Comer too. I also have to finalize formats on Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf.

Review books for May:
May 5: Holy Guacamole by Dan & Denise Harmer; Glass Road PR Blog Tour. May 11: The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) by Margaret Mallory; Hachette Review, Giveaway and Author Q&A.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 1, 2011

This morning we did a Love Can Wait ring Ceremony with teens in our church. That was quite nice.
Then our pastor did a sermon titled: Holiness - A Matter of the Heart. Followers of Christ are called to be holy as "He who called us is holy." 1 Pet 1:15-16. This is not something we can do on our own. Mark 10:27.
But God gives us four things that help us towards holiness.
1>   He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. John 16:13.
2>   He gives us His Word (the Bible) to instruct us. Psalms 119:105.
3>   He gives us forgiveness when we stumble. 1 John 1:9.
4>   He gives us Christian friends to support us. Heb 10:25.
Pastor gave us this quote from Leonard Ravenhill: 

The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, and make that man holy, and put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.

Paul encourages: "I ...urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Eph. 4:1b.
The first step though is to change our hearts, then the change can work outward to our life style.

This song seemed appropriate to go with the message.
We can only be holy if we commit our lives to His will in all things.

A Verse for today:

Hebrews 12:14 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

We prayed this morning for the families, in Alabama and else where, who have lost and suffered through the tornadoes this past week.