New Book Alert: New Stars for Old by Marc Read

New Stars for Old: Stories from the History of Astronomy
by Marc Read
Ebook/Hardcover, 272 pages
Candy Jar Books
ISBN: 0957154860
July 9, 2013

Book Blurb:

“New Stars for Old is a collection of twenty short stories, each dealing with a specific character or episode from the history of astronomy. Accompanied by historical notes, the book covers the changing relationships between science, astrology, religion and general intellectual culture from Aristotle to Newton through the eyes of central and peripheral figures.”

Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon – I didn’t see this anywhere else yet.

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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New Book Alert: Seamstress of Jamestown

The Seamstress of Jamestown
by Barbara Hettwer
Paperback, 276 pages
WinePress Publishing
ISBN: 1414124562
August 12, 2013

Book Blurb:

“From an extremely young age, Emma Randall has been fascinated by stories of the Wild West and the California Gold Rush. The daughter of an aristocratic family in mid-nineteenth century Baltimore, Emma feels disconnected with the social life of Baltimore society and without direction ... until she makes the radical decision to go West on her own, leaving everything and everyone she knows behind. Emma secretly convinces her family's servants to teach her to cook, take care of livestock, and perform other skills she deems necessary for life in the unpredictable West. At the young age of twenty-one, when she can no longer stand the frivolous focus of Baltimore society, Emma boards a train to the great unknown adventure awaiting her in the California West.”

You can read an excerpt of the book on the author’s website.  This book is a Christian Historical novel.

Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon and B&N.

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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Book Review: The Serpent and the Pearl by Kate Quinn

The Serpent and the Pearl by Kate Quinn
Book 1 of A Novel of the Borgia series

Paperback, 432 pages
Berkley Trade
August 6, 2013
★★★★½☆

Genre: Historical fiction

Source: Received from publisher for review

Rome, 1492. The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous--or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web...

Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope--and passionately in love with her.

Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias.

The thing that stands out the most to me when thinking back on my experience with this book is all of the mouthwatering foods that Quinn describes. Even if I just finished dinner, this book made me hungry all over again. I am compelled to look up Renaissance recipes now to try them out.

This was another hit for Kate Quinn – her first step outside the Ancient Romans, but still within the comfort zone of Italy. Her witty style of writing shines through here as I expected; what I didn’t expect was to enjoy the Borgia clan quite so much. When hearing about the Borgia’s we always hear of the poisons, incest allegations, and general debauchery. While we still get a little bit of the debauchery in terms of the Pope’s mistress, the Borgias were relatively real here – and rather mild. I actually liked them!

I was glad that the narrators of this novel were not actually Borgias. The closest we get is Gulia, the Pope’s mistress. We certainly see and hear from Borgia family members, Roderigo, Cesare, Lucrezia and more, but also enjoyed the non-Borgia characters. I loved Leonello, a sort of body-guard for the Borgia ladies. He was so funny and I couldn’t help but picture Peter Dinklage while reading his chapters. Gulia was great – I loved seeing how she dealt with the various hands dealt to her. I started out disliking Roderigo Borgia, but he grew on me as the book wore on.

The book leaves off on a great cliff-hanger and you can’t help but wanting to know what happens next. I have a feeling that the main characters are all going to come out of this a little different than they went into it. I can’t wait for the next book in this duo!

Author Kate Quinn also has written 3 books set in Ancient Rome: Mistress of Rome, Daughters of Rome, and Empress of the Seven Hills. The second book in the Borgia series is expected for release in 2014. You can visit Quinn’s website or blog for additional information about the book. If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book?

My reviews of other books by this author:

• Mistress of Rome
• Daughters of Rome

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:

• Peeking Between the Pages
• My Book Addiction and More!

Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon, B&N, RJ Julia (my fav indie bookstore).

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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Mailbox Monday #150

It’s Monday – what did you get in your mailbox this week?  It has been generally quiet around here in terms of my mailbox – with regards to ANY mail at all!  I received one book this week – and it actually arrived on the day that I was home which was nice. 

The only book I received this week was Jane Austen’s England by Roy and Lesley Adkins.  I have a small pile starting of non-fiction books about the life of the everyday person in “so-and-so’s England”.  I’m sort of excited to read this one since I don’t know a lot about this period of English history (received from publisher for review).

Mailbox Monday is on a monthly blog tour and for the month of August it is being hosted by The Reading Fever.

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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Book Review: The Little Bride by Anna Solomon

The Little Bride by Anna Solomon
Paperback, 320 pages
Riverhead Trade
September 6, 2011
★★★½☆☆

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Received from author for review

When 16-year-old Minna Losk journeys from Odessa to America as a mail-order bride, she dreams of a young, wealthy husband, a handsome townhouse, and freedom from physical labor and pogroms. But her husband Max turns out to be twice her age, rigidly Orthodox, and living in a one-room sod hut in South Dakota with his two teenage sons. The country is desolate, the work treacherous. Most troubling, Minna finds herself increasingly attracted to her older stepson. As a brutal winter closes in, the family's limits are tested, and Minna, drawing on strengths she barely knows she has, is forced to confront her despair, as well as her desire.

I was really interested in this book because of two things: the concept of mail-order brides and the theme of settling the West. The book did pull through on both of these promises; however I found I was very disconnected with the book. Let me explain.

First, what I liked. The early portion of the novel, when Minna, is still in Odessa, was probably the most interesting to me. I didn’t know anything about the real concept of mail-order brides – you only typically hear people speaking jokingly about them. In this novel, Minna, is trying to escape from the familial and societal hard times she is facing and makes the choice that trying to get to America is what she needs to do. We experience what it was like to go through the physical examination to determine if Minna meets the needs to the man looking to marry her. Here, you feel her fear of answering “incorrectly” and being excluded from being chosen. You also are privy to her hopes and fears regarding a better life. I even enjoyed the packed-in-a-sardine-can boat trip to America. The Western experience was also very enlightening. To see just how hard it was to cut you way into a small parcel of semi-successful land was so inspiring.

I did however have some issues with the book – mostly because it was slow moving. There were many times where it felt like it was just dragging on and the story wasn’t moving forward. It was more of a character driven novel rather than an events driven novel. It is building the Western American immigrant experience – particularly focusing on the Jewish immigrant experience. I realized that I would have NEVER survived out there. By the end of the novel – I found that I didn’t really like Minna. She seemed like a complainer and I didn’t like the choices she made toward the end of the book. Overall, it was something I learned from, but maybe wouldn’t choose to read again.

This is author Anna Solomon’s debut novel. You can visit her website or blog for additional information about the book. The website provides really nice add on information about The Little Bride – you can explore the different aspects of Minna’s trip or check out the reader’s guide.

You can also watch the book trailer below.

Reviews of this book by other bloggers:

• 2 Read or Not 2 Read
• Candace’s Book Blog

Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon, B&N, RJ Julia (my fav indie bookstore).

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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New Book Alert: A Barren Landscape by Geraldine Smith Priest

A Barren Landscape: In Search of an American Culture 1811-1861: A Memoir of Eliza Rupp
by Geraldine Smith Priest
Paperback, 180 pages
JoSara MeDia
ISBN: 0984304924
December 1, 2011

Book Blurb:

America in the early 1800s was a cultural blank canvas, a barren landscape awaiting texture in the form of learning, literature and the arts.Geraldine Priest creates this fictional historical memoir of Eliza Rupp, the embodiment of the many Americans striving to fill that void. The story of Eliza's family and her study of piano are interwoven with those of the leading literati, artists and educators of the day. Like so many of them, she journeys to Europe to further her studies and make her own cultural contribution to America's Barren Landscape.

Ok, so maybe it’s not that new…but it was a cute idea that I wanted to point out to you all.  This is a fictional historical memoir. 

Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon, B&N, RJ Julia (my fav indie bookstore).

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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Essex Steam Train and Passengers from the Past

I just HAD to tell you about this awesome semi-local historical fun event that I encourage you and your families to attend if you have the chance.

I have always loved visiting the Essex Steam Train for their Halloween and Santa/Christmas lights train rides, but for the month of August this year they are offering something new…Passengers from the Past!  Passengers from the Past introduces the young and old to several famous historical personages: Mary and Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, and William and Helen Gillette. 

Twain and Gillette were famous people from Connecticut.  Gillette has hometown appeal for me because his famous castle was located just across the river from our town and was a favorite place to visit. 

Here are the descriptions from the website for each event:

The Lincolns: August 8 – August 11 (unfortunately already passed)

The president who led the United States through the Civil War will be visiting the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat along with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, for four days in August. Played by Lewis Dubé, the nationally renowned "President Lincoln" has performed throughout the country for audiences including modern day presidents. President and First Lady Lincoln will charm visitors with their sweet sense of humor, historical accuracy and famous words of wisdom.

The Gillettes: August 17 – August 18

William Gillette, the American actor and playwright famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, will be joined by his wife Helen during his weekend visit to the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Mr. and Mrs. Gillette are best recognized in the Connecticut River Valley for their expansive home in Hadlyme, known as Gillette Castle. As they join passengers aboard the train and riverboat, Helen will share her fabulous style tips and William will show everyone where his castle sits as the Becky Thatcher riverboat passes by his hilltop estate.

Mark Twain: August 24 – August 25

Mark Twain, one of Connecticut's most famous residents, will visit the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat to do what he does best - entertain crowds with storytelling and humor. Often called "the father of American literature," Mark Twain is best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He is also a celebrity humorist and will be sure to share many, many stories with fellow passengers. Always with a smile, always with whit, Mr. Twain plans to make the "Passengers from the Past" experience fun and exciting. A tip for your ride aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat: be sure to ask Mr. Twain about the Tom Sawyer character the riverboat is named after.

If any of you get the chance to go – please come back here and tell us about it.  I don’t think I will be able to go, but I would love to.

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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