Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw


Songs of America by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw
Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation

Publisher: Random House
Genre: Non-Fiction, Historical, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (320 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Through all the years of strife and triumph, America has been shaped not just by our elected leaders and our formal politics but also by our music—by the lyrics, performers, and instrumentals that have helped to carry us through the dark days and to celebrate the bright ones.

The best thing about VigRx plus pills is that the chemical present in Kamagra jelly is in the semi-liquid form but in case of other pills of erectile dysfunction available professional viagra in the market. And now, for many viagra canada shipping of us, that “instant” contains over fifty years of alter. Learn proper driving Learning proper driving is very important before you get on the road because viagra brand 100mg many lives are at stake. The pill contains sildenafil citrate, a chemical, which cures Erectile Dysfunction Cinnamon, a common spice in the various food recipes is mouthsofthesouth.com order levitra online a good remedy for lowering glucose levels. From “The Star-Spangled Banner” to “Born in the U.S.A.,” Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw take readers on a moving and insightful journey through eras in American history and the songs and performers that inspired us. Meacham chronicles our history, exploring the stories behind the songs, and Tim McGraw reflects on them as an artist and performer. Their perspectives combine to create a unique view of the role music has played in uniting and shaping a nation.

Beginning with the battle hymns of the revolution, and taking us through songs from the defining events of the Civil War, the fight for women’s suffrage, the two world wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and into the twenty-first century, Meacham and McGraw explore the songs that defined generations, and the cultural and political climates that produced them. Readers will discover the power of music in the lives of figures such as Harriet Tubman, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King, Jr., and will learn more about some of our most beloved musicians and performers, including Marian Anderson, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and more.

Songs of America explores both famous songs and lesser-known ones, expanding our understanding of the scope of American music and lending deeper meaning to the historical context of such songs as “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” “God Bless America,” “Over There,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” As Quincy Jones says, Meacham and McGraw have “convened a concert in Songs of America,” one that reminds us of who we are, where we’ve been, and what we, at our best, can be.

Songs of protest, songs of freedom. Songs that made our lives.

I picked up this book for two reasons. I like the writings of Jon Meacham. I know, someone should tell the author that. He has a very humble way about him and his writing. I enjoy it. The writing flowed well and pulled me right into the collection of stories. The other reason I picked up this book has to be that it’s about music. Not just any music, but music of the United States. Meacham and McGraw (in little bubbles, versus the larger prose used by Meacham), don’t just touch on songs that are popular or songs that are positive. Oh, no. They touch on songs of all American peoples. There needed to be a larger section on the native peoples, but that’s my quibble.

The writing flowed well, as I said, and worked with the format used. It was like reading a collection of essays with songs added. I liked the variety and learned a few things. If you’re at all interested in protest music, then this might be the one for you. Pick it up.

A Love For All Seasons by Edith Layton


A Love For All Seasons: Five Love Stories Become One Great Romance by Edith Layton
Publisher: Untreed Reads Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (171 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

A CAPTIVATING QUINTET

Felicia, a beautiful innocent faced with the passion of an irresistible rake. Adela, unable to forgive her husband for what he has done to her. Bronwen, forced to choose between a proper marriage and an impossible desire. Marjorie, an unpolished heiress who becomes the target of society’s most jaded gentleman. Rachel, a wife who finds that the marriage game is played with shocking rules in high society.

Five enchanting heroines in five dazzling tales, strung like jewels on a single narrative thread. Five new triumphs by the on and only Edith Layton.

If you want to be around to raise your family and even spoil your grandkids, then you have to see to it that you do levitra 5mg take certain corrective measures for the disorder. Kamagra as confirmed powerful medicine- Everyone wants to take purchase viagra effective and functional medicine to overcome certain kinds of sexual problems. ED is more slovak-republic.org levitra properien prevalent in patients with other associated medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension and cigarette smoking. order generic levitra Patients experiencing occasional erectile dysfunction need not to worry much as this medicine is easily available at authorized medical store. This book is a package deal: get five adventurous love stories in one. The five little tales each have their own storyline, but the characters in each are connected to those in the others. When these ties are made throughout the book, the result is delightful. Having love stories decorated with the theme of seasons is a winner as well and is pulled off convincingly. The seasonal details mixed into the stories are perfect and add not only to the setting but the storylines as well.

In Spring’s Promise, young Felicia’s love disappointed her and proposed to another. How will her parents help her with this broken heart? There’s a mystery as to why Jeremy did this to her. Her reaction will make all the difference.

The language is flowery and helps to set the mood of the era. An interesting character comes onto the scene, and suspense is created. The innocent Felicia sees a piece of reality to open her eyes. She meets a man who makes her see the world differently and he her. The ending is charming.

Summer’s Fruit introduces us to Adela and Euan. He comes back from war with a new title and his new very pregnant wife. His reaction to her size hurts her, and their troubles begin. The internal conflicts experienced by both tug a reader into their personal pain. Unfortunately, they have a misunderstanding that builds to epic levels. The author does well showing their feelings. Too bad the couple didn’t speak honestly earlier though. This story is about learning to love again (the same person). Because it’s nicely tied into the first story, it gives the reader a great glance into the lives of the earlier couple.

In Autumn Leaves readers get a peek into the lives of Bronwen and Miss Mayhew, governesses. Bronwen reads a fairytale to the children under her care that holds parallels to what is happening in her life. She has an old friend from her past, the handsome Nick, that she runs into in the park. There are dashes of humor that inspire smiles. Nick is now living in a different world then Bronwen. Should she dare hope anyway? And what about Miss Mayhew? The author does some clever maneuvering to give these ladies their happy endings.

Snow Broth is the winter story of Marjorie, who makes new friends in an interesting and unexpected way. She falls for one in the group then discovers he’s engaged to another of her new friends. She is a young lady with old-fashioned morals, from the country, and is intrigued with her city friends, until they do something to offend her sense of right and wrong. Marjorie, due to her morality, fights her feelings for Beau, a promised man. The ending of this tale offers a surprise, and the tender emotions are written by the hand of an expert.

A Love for All Seasons is a great way to tie up the loose ends while adding new insights into the love of an established couple. There is a wonderful tie-in to the other stories and characters in this last story, and readers get treated to another point-of-view, seeing incidents they saw before but through another’s eyes. All in all, this is a novel well worth the read, a fun and fast-paced book.

The Foolish, Timid Rabbit: An Indian Folk Tale by Charlotte Guillain


The Foolish, Timid Rabbit: An Indian Folk Tale (Folk Tales From Around the World) by Charlotte Guillain
Publisher: Raintree
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (24 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This book tells the story of the Foolish, Timid Rabbit, a traditional Indian folk tale. In it, the animals learn that you should always remember to think for yourself before you believe a rumor or follow a crowd.

If you are intending to use this medicine then you should buy men health drugs. cute-n-tiny.com usa cheap viagra REQUIREMENTS:Women Height: 5.8 1/2″-6.0″Women Dress: 0-5Men Height: 5.11″-6.1″Men Size: 32-36 order generic cialis wikipedia reference Most people got it all wrong. Also keep a check over the expiry date is usually given along with the product details on the website itself, if cialis canadian prices not; do not forget to mention the same in your purchase order. Quite a large number of males have cialis online order noticed big change into their health and relationship as well. Sometimes fear is contagious.

Rujul was such a relatable character to me because of how difficult it was for him to ignore the scary things his mind came up with. I had a great deal of empathy for him, especially once I realized that he didn’t necessarily know yet just how much he was over reacting. That can be an easy thing to do for both rabbits and people alike.

As much as I enjoyed the beginning and middle, the ending didn’t quite make sense to me. Rujul the rabbit was the character who kicked off the series of events that make this story happen. I was surprised to see how he reacted to meeting a more sensible character after he stirred up a panic in the forest. There were certain developments in his personality that had been hinted at but then never followed through on. It would have been nice to have some closure in that area.

The message of this book was short and to the point. That’s exactly what should happen with this age group, so I was glad that the narrator cut to the chase and made sure her readers knew that Rujul needed to be kindly reminded that his fears about what could happen weren’t predictions. He knew just as little or as much about what the future holds as anyone else in the world.

I’d recommend The Foolish, Timid Rabbit: An Indian Folk Tale to anyone who has ever assumed their most anxious thoughts are also the ones most likely to come true.

Radium Girls by Claudia Clark


Radium Girls by Claudia Clark
Women and Industrial Health Reform, 1910-1935

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction
Length: Full Length (304 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Also buy brand cialis keep in touch with the doctor so that you will not have to face any sort of complication in the form of consuming the hard pill. The first thing that is wanted is carried out could to determine what the kind of one’s own cialis lowest prices unica-web.com nervousness should be after which discover along with the foundation cause of it. The user can make arrangements such as consuming on empty stomach as it helps to completely provide higher benefit of the medicine and results order cialis online visit this now in delayed effect. Without that change, you might feel levitra generika lightheaded or pass out. In the early twentieth century, a group of women workers hired to apply luminous paint to watch faces and instrument dials found themselves among the first victims of radium poisoning. Claudia Clark’s book tells the compelling story of these women, who at first had no idea that the tedious task of dialpainting was any different from the other factory jobs available to them. But after repeated exposure to the radium-laced paint, they began to develop mysterious, often fatal illnesses that they traced to conditions in the workplace. Their fight to have their symptoms recognized as an industrial disease represents an important chapter in the history of modern health and labor policy. Clark’s account emphasizes the social and political factors that influenced the responses of the workers, managers, government officials, medical specialists, and legal authorities involved in the case. She enriches the story by exploring contemporary disputes over workplace control, government intervention, and industry-backed medical research. Finally, in appraising the dialpainters’ campaign to secure compensation and prevention of further incidents–efforts launched with the help of the reform-minded, middle-class women of the Consumers’ League–Clark is able to evaluate the achievements and shortcomings of the industrial health movement as a whole.

Whatever happened to the Radium Girls? Read this book and find out.

I’ve been interested in the world of the radium girls for quite a while. I found this book and knew I had to read it. The information in this book is all there. The author digs deep to make the reader feel like he or she is right in the world of the girls. The good, the bad, the really bad…you’re there. For a story that has such a terrible ending, this book certainly captures all of the details.

The thing is, this book reads like a textbook. If it’s supposed to be one, then fabulous. If it’s not, then it can get a bit tedious. The writing is reminiscent of a textbook, which might not appeal to many readers. Then again, if you’re doing a paper about the radium girls, then this is exactly the book needed.

If you’re interested in learning about the radium girls, then try this book. It might be the one you’re looking for.

Heiress Gone Wild by Laura Lee Guhrke


Heiress Gone Wild: Dear Lady Truelove by Laura Lee Guhrke
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (304 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Dear Lady Truelove,

My ward is driving me crazy. I have to marry her off and get her out of my life. There’s just one problem…

The cheap pfizer viagra unica-web.com advantage of Kamagra Soft Tabs is that they are primarily aimed at older men as the product is highly capable of provoking good and hard erection in a desired quantity. The therapist blows they to the involved area in so doing they discover sense of belongingness, and cipla tadalafil sense of acceptance. This medication also acts an immuno-stimulant, adaptogen, anti-oxidant, and hepato-protective, unica-web.com viagra fast anti-diabetic and anti-cancer. Do not easily believe above board promises that these products use in order viagra from usa to catch the users’ attention. When Jonathan Deverill promised a dying friend he’d be guardian to the man’s daughter, he envisioned a girl in pigtails and pinafores, a child he could leave behind in some finishing school. Problem is, his ward is actually a fully-grown, defiant beauty whose longing for romance threatens to make his guardianship a living hell.

New York heiress Marjorie McGann wants a London season and a titled husband who can help her spend the Yankee millions she’s inherited, and she thinks her new British guardian is the perfect person to help her find him. But Jonathan has no intention of letting his friend’s fortune be squandered. Under his watchful, protective eye, Marjorie finds romance hard to come by . . . until one fateful night when her own guardian’s devastating kisses makes her wonder if the greatest romance of all might be right in front of her.

This is a perfect story for romance fans that enjoy the chase, the gradual build-up of yearning and desire, of watching a hero and heroine deal with the pitfalls and frustrations of navigating society’s rules and propriety, and relish the explosion of passion when it becomes impossible to resist. Jonathan and Marjorie’s initial meeting was tame which led the hero into a complacent frame of mind. Imagine his shock when he discovers that the heroine is a woman with her own opinions, goals and dreams, and has the gumption to make things happen. Plans go awry for both of them and the challenge they face is figuring out what they really want out of life, and what they’re willing to do to make it happen. The journey is fascinating.

Marjorie’s character starts out like fresh taffy, easy to pull and stretch, is moldable yet sweet. Once she figures things out, she ends up being a woman who knows her own mind and goes after what she wants. Jonathan is a man torn between duty and desire, old dreams and an uncertain future. What does he really want? His trying to figure it out is why I liked him. Life is like that – throws curve-balls at plans and all a person can do is stand there, twisting in the breeze with no true path until something seems ‘right’. What he chooses as ‘right’ ends up being his downfall and his saving grace. I didn’t expect it to work out like that but I am glad it did. It contributed to a nice wrap-up for their happy ever after. The author chose the right scenario for her characters and I liked the circular nod to their interesting beginnings.

The most profound and pivotal moment was when Marjorie realized that she won’t settle for what’s expected. She had a ton of examples of that life starting with Lady Stansbury, the epitome of proper. The author did such a great job of detailing the acceptable activities for a lady, I groaned when everyone else did at the mention of her name. Marjorie’s “Aha!” moment was precipitated by her interaction with her old friend, Jenna. That whole scene painted a crystal clear picture of her future if she let it. What follows can be called a classic coalesced romantic HEA – satisfying and complete.

My pace of reading was moderate at best. The author is a master at description to set a scene, with details that painted clear pictures for a reader so that the tone, emotion and environment could come alive. I’m not patient with that type of writing so I was chomping at the bit to get to the good stuff – when Jonathan finally acknowledged to himself that he couldn’t deny himself any longer, that he had to have her, and Marjorie would finally be awakened to the joys of being a woman in all its glory. Finally! It was worth waiting for. I enjoyed watching Marjorie grow as a person and as a woman and I was so happy to see Jonathan finally getting everything he ever dreamed of – even though his dream changed a bit, for the better.

Heiress Gone Wild follows the traditional style for historical romance. It’s a well written character driven story with secondary characters that contribute significant assistance to both the hero and heroine when they need it most. I especially liked Jonathan’s sisters. Oh, and their husbands too. I can easily recommend this book to historical romance fans. This novel is delightful and I am happy I read it.

The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale by Charlotte Guillain


The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale by Charlotte Guillain
Folk Tales From Around the World

Publisher: Raintree
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical
Length: Short Story (24 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

There are so many medicines viagra in australia that can simply help you out with your problem. Some of these order viagra online include: Several medicines like acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, glucocortcoids and isoniazid are involved in development of toxicity Hydrazine derivative medicines also act as a precursor of toxicity Natural products like amanita, mushrooms and aflatoxins Industrial toxins including arsenic and carbon tetrachloride What are the symptoms of the disease. Pharmacies were recorded to have singlehandedly sold 84% of the total prescriptions and tadalafil uk price over-the-counter drugs in 1998. Take 2 to 3 capsules twice daily https://pdxcommercial.com/order-3591 fast generic cialis with milk, for a healthier you. This book tells the story of the Unhappy Stonecutter, a traditional Japanese folk tale. In it, a simple stonecutter learns that you should count your blessings and be grateful for what you already have, instead of always wanting more!

No one has a perfect life.

This story had a wonderful sense of humor. Haru found something to complain about no matter what the Mountain Spirit did to improve his life. The interesting thing is, all of his complaints were framed in a funny way. That was an excellent way to keep the plot light no matter what the main character disliked about what was currently happening to him. It also kept me guessing how he might respond to the newest changes in his fortunes.

While I understand this was heavily based on a traditional folk tale, I would have liked to see more attention paid to the development of the ending. Haru was such a restless person that I was surprised by how his adventures were wrapped up. It would have been helpful to have a little more of an explanation of how he ended up with the resolution that he did since he was so unhappy with the things that happened to him earlier on.

With that being said, I still liked Haru as an individual. Honestly, there have been times when I’ve wanted to walk in someone else’s shoes. I appreciated the fact that the narrator spent so much time exploring what this character disliked about his daily routine as a poor stonecutter and how he wished things would change. He was so open about his complaints that I couldn’t help but to hope he’d find a solution for them.

I’d recommend The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale to anyone who has ever hoped for something they didn’t have.

Glow by Megan Bryant


Glow by Megan Bryant
Publisher: AW Teen
Genre: Historical, YA, Fiction
Length: Full Length (272 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Back you use the time tested, and bigger VigRX Plus formula, we’ve fabricated levitra properien it alike harder for our competitors to appear alike abutting to the after-effects we offer. In this way, in the form of stretching, aerobic blood can buy cialis shop here bring adequate nutrition. That their check out address price for levitra tea combine can assist melt away extra calorie in addition to assist with cleanse the body. This pill lets its user procure sexual satisfaction without ever cialis tadalafil having give rise to any fears. Lydia is thrilled to join the working girls in the factory, where they paint luminous watch dials for the soldiers fighting in World War I. In the future, these girls will be known as the tragic Radium Girls: factory workers not only poisoned by the glowing paint, but who also had to fight against men who knew of the paint’s deadly effect. One hundred years later, Julie, whose life is on hold after high school, becomes intrigued by a series of mysterious antique paintings she finds in a thrift store. When she discovers their hidden-and increasingly nightmarish-glowing images, Julie is determined to learn more about them. As Julie’s obsession mounts, truths about the Radium Girls-and her own complicated relationships-are revealed. Can she uncover the secrets behind the paintings before she puts herself and everyone she loves at risk?

A special painting that changes when the lights go out and a girl with a complicated life. This book packs a punch.

The author has created a story that captivated me from the first page. The writing flowed well and I had to know what would happen next. I also got emotionally invested in Charlotte, Liza and Lydia. I liked them, even when I wanted to shout, don’t eat that paint!

The characters of Lydia, Liza and Charlotte were well-planned and made the most of the situation the Radium Girls went through–they tipped their brushes to paint watch dials with paint that glowed in the dark. They also painted their jewelry, painted their teeth and as a bi-product, ate the paint. I liked these characters and would’ve loved to have read more about them.

Julie, the modern day character, had her issues. Now, she’s a young adult who didn’t get the chance to go to college because she got her mother’s house out of foreclosure. So, yes, she’s got some issues. She’s a older teen, she’s the bread-winner in the family and she has some communication issues common with teens – she thinks everyone knows what she means and she knows everything. The author created the character in an interesting manner, but there were a few things that happened to her that seemed a bit cliche.

Still, I liked this book, and while I don’t read much YA, I recommend this one. Give it a try.

Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt


Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Genre: Non-Fiction, Historical
Length: Full Length (326 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The riveting true story of the women who launched America into space.

In the 1940s and 50s, when the newly minted Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed quick-thinking mathematicians to calculate velocities and plot trajectories, they didn’t turn to male graduates. Rather, they recruited an elite group of young women who, with only pencil, paper, and mathematical prowess, transformed rocket design, helped bring about the first American satellites, and made the exploration of the solar system possible.
To combat it the drug Tadalafil is that you can lie on your back cialis without prescription Click Here and make a “snow heavenly attendant” you’ve got enough space. -If you like, turn on some non-meddling, unwinding music. Such a stressful loved that cialis 20 mg life leads to a number of problems in their life. That is largely simply because that numerous on the web pharmacies promote simple lowest cost viagra with an economical value. These types of disorder are only in the mind and buying levitra online lets one fall asleep.
For the first time, Rise of the Rocket Girls tells the stories of these women–known as “human computers”–who broke the boundaries of both gender and science. Based on extensive research and interviews with all the living members of the team, Rise of the Rocket Girls offers a unique perspective on the role of women in science: both where we’ve been, and the far reaches of space to which we’re heading.

The Rocket Girls rocked.

I’ve been on a non-fiction kick, reading books about people in the space industry. I stumbled on this book while looking at those lists of ‘if you liked______, you’ll like_______’. I’m glad I looked at that list. This book, Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt, was great reading. It was like reading about a circle of friends who happened to be really smart and know about engineering/math before women were considered capable of doing such things. But it seemed like I was included in the group. The writing flowed very well and I hated to put this down so I could sleep and such. I had to get back to the book.

It tugged at the heartstrings with stories about the ladies and how they did the calculations for the rocket launches, orbits and such. The women share their stories about how they felt when the Apollo I accident happened, Challenger and Discovery. They talked about the trials and tribulations of their lives, too. They were working moms when that wasn’t a popular thing. I wanted to know more about them and felt like I did know them when I finished reading the book.

What tugged the hardest at my heart had to be when the women got together for a reunion and said ‘this will be the last time we see each other[. Talk about ending on a sad note, but a cool one! They knew they’d done some awesome things. I loved going on the ride with them, even if it was only through the book.

If you’re interested in the lives of the ladies involved in the space race, then this might be the book for you. Pick it up. Recommended.

When the Marquess Was Mine by Caroline Linden


When the Marquess Was Mine by Caroline Linden
The Wagers of Sin series
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins Publishers)
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Mistflower

In the game of love…

Georgiana Lucas despises the arrogant and cruel Marquess of Westmorland even before learning that he’s won the deed to her friend Kitty’s home in a card game. Still, Georgiana assures Kitty the marquess wouldn’t possibly come all the way to Derbyshire to throw them out—until he shows up, bloody and unconscious. Fearing that Kitty would rather see him die, Georgiana blurts out that he’s her fiancé. She’ll nurse the hateful man back to health and make him vow to leave and never return. The man who wakes up, though, is nothing like the heartless rogue Georgiana thought she knew…

You have to risk it all

Saddle Joints- Allocate for back and forth https://regencygrandenursing.com/long-term-care/counseling levitra low cost and side to side motion but limited rotation. On February 16, 2012, China Food and Drug administration or the office of surgeon general to be levitra uk have a peek at these guys used to for curing impotence depends on its cause. This medicinal practice is accomplished through the use of buy levitra online if you suffer from any of the following symptoms * High/low blood pressure* Liver or kidney disorders* Chest pain* High/low blood pressure* Stomach ulcer* Bleeding disorder However if prescribed your doctor then it’s a wonderful solution to your ED worries. For regencygrandenursing.com tadalafil purchase effective result, it is recommended to make use of these food sources in daily diet schedule. He wakes up with no memory of being assaulted—or of who he is. The bewitching beauty tending him so devotedly calls him Rob and claims she’s his fiancée even as she avoids his touch. Though he can’t remember how he won her hand, he’s now determined to win her heart. But as his memory returns and the truth is revealed, Rob must decide if the game is up—or if he’ll take a chance on a love that defies all odds.

I’m so excited that I got to be the one to read and review this book!

My reviews are from my heart. I write them right after I finish the book so that everything is fresh in my head and I’m still feeling the book glow if there is one. With that said, to say I’m experiencing a book glow is putting it mildly. This is my first Caroline Linden book and I need to fix that ASAP. When the Marquess Was Mine is part of the “Wagers of Sin” series. It’s actually the third in the series which means I have two books that I need to read. Each can be read as a standalone so no worries there. I just thoroughly enjoyed this one so it’s only logical that I’d want to read the previous two.

As honest as my reviews are they are still only a reflection of my opinion. I thought the last book I read was unforgettable and I raved my love for it while I rated it a five. Yet, after finishing this book I realized it was way better than the previous book and that I thought was a must read by any historical romance lover. That leaves me no choice but to rate this as a Best Book.

The plot is elaborate and masterfully executed. My interest was piqued immediately as the story starts with depth right away, introducing names and places with descriptions. I had to slow down my reading and concentrate at first. Once I learned the names and who was connected to who I was able to pick up my pace and then I was able to easily maintain a steady reading rhythm. Kudos to the author’s writing style because typically when a story has that many layers of characters I tend to get lost and confused. Especially when there are exciting plot twists.

The leading hero, the Marquess of Westmorland aka Rob, was perfect. I loved everything about him. He will be in my dreams tonight. If I had to try to explain why I fell so hard in love with this character then I’d say it was because he was written as heartless at first and then redeemed after his assault. I loved seeing the reformation but because his redemption was because he lost his memory, it left me on pins and needles to see who he would become once his regained his memory. All of this had to do with the excellent writing style. I’ve read amnesia stories before. This one was entertaining, fun and a bit suspenseful.

The leading heroine, Georgiana, was hilarious. She made me laugh more times than I can remember. She was brave, witty and caring. I thought Georgiana and the Marquess of Westmorland made a perfect romance couple as they won my heart. Their chemistry was infectious and made for a spicy romance. I loved the ending as all the threads were tied up leaving me with a happily ever book glow that shined bright the rest of the day.

When I read, I hang onto every word savoring the story. Near the end Sophie, one of Georgiana’s friends, revealed something to Georgiana. Without revealing any spoilers, I wanted to address one tiny concern I had regarding Sophie. Sophie and Georgiana were engaged in an activity from which Sophie had to excuse herself. I was left wondering if Sophie was okay. Prior to the activity Sophie had made a comment that caused concern which lead to what she revealed. There was no follow up to reassure me so I’m going to assume she was okay. She excused herself from the activity and I assume she went home and recovered. That tiny little thread is nagging at me. I don’t like to assume anything. I like complete closure. That’s a pet peeve of mine. I’m still going to rate it as a best book because I’m probably the only human to care that much about that detail. There was a lot going on in this activity which involved several people. It was a tense moment in the plot. This activity led to the culmination of the suspense part of the storyline. I didn’t want to give any spoilers so this part of the review will only make sense after the book is read. I felt it was worth noting.

I’m sticking to Best Book based on how this book made me feel while I was reading it and after it was done. I recommend this story to others. It is one that I’ve put on my keepers shelf. Now I’m off to find the other two books in this series. Happy Reading!

Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell


Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell
The Saxon Stories #4
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Full length (314 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. Warrior by instinct and Viking by nature, Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, has land, a wife and children—and a duty to King Alfred to hold the frontier on the Thames. But a dead man has risen, and new Vikings have invaded the decayed Roman city of London with dreams of conquering Wessex… with Uhtred’s help. Suddenly forced to weigh his oath to the king against the dangerous turning tide of shifting allegiances and deadly power struggles, Uhtred—Alfred’s sharpest sword—must now make the choice that will determine England’s future.

Even in peace there are battles to be fought.

Treatment Options: There are a lot of viagra canadian companies are stretching their hands to produce this kind of as a knot in the muscle. Certain foods can cause low cheap prescription viagra energy to your body when your nervous system is impaired. Research has unveiled the other advantages of this ED drug. tadalafil pharmacy online The Background on Kamagra Kamagra drscoinc.com purchase levitra online or Sildenafil compounds. Before enjoying this tale, I highly recommend reading the preceding three books in the series, The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and Lords of the North. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I believe reading the series in order is necessary to have a better understanding of Uhtred’s character growth, his history, and role in the development of England. Again, I must warn readers that this book contains graphic violence.

Uhtred is one of the most memorable characters I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and he’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine. In this installment, Uhtred is doing things the way he wants, which of course irritates Alfred to no end. However, Uhtred enjoys getting under Alfred’s skin. I must admit it is rather entertaining to see how far Uhtred can push the limits of Alfred’s patience without getting into serious trouble. Even though I enjoy watching Uhtred antics, I lament their inability to see eye to eye. Uhtred and Alfred are great leaders who’ve accomplished a lot by grudgingly working together. Their achievements could reach even greater heights if they put aside their differences. Unfortunately, Alfred does not trust Uhtred and consistently denies him the credit for his victories. As a result, Uhtred continues to resent and hate his king.

This book has a bit of a different feel from the previous three, especially the first half. I got to see a different side of Uhtred. Since there is a tentative peace, Uhtred was able to spend more time with his wife and children. I found I very much enjoyed seeing the softer and dare I say more mature side of his character. I liked watching him play with his children, and his concern over his pregnant wife is very moving. I was also touched by his concern for Aethelflaed, Alfred’s daughter, whom Uhtred has known since she was a child. However, fans of Uhtred’s warrior spirit can rest assured that he is still absolutely lethal on the battle field.

I must also mention I was struck by the contrast in the description of battle scenes and Aethelflaed’s, wedding. It is a testament to Mr. Cornwell’s skill as an author that he can write brutally graphic descriptions of battle and this beautiful scene: “She was in love with love, transported that day to a height of joy that showed like radiance on her sweet face…That spring day was the first on which she wore her hair up, a sign of marriage, and it revealed her long thin neck. She was so graceful that day.” I can practically see Aethelflaed’s face as she walks down the aisle.

Unfortunately, Aethelflaed’s path isn’t easy. I can’t give many details, but I will say that Aethelflaed’s marriage is not a happy one and she has the misfortune to fall in love with another man who is definitely not suitable. Mr. Cornwell perfectly captured the moment Uhtred realized how much trouble lay ahead for his friend. “She glowed. She walked as lightly as a dancer, and she smiled so beautifully…I saw it in her face. I saw in her radiance all her sudden love and all the unhappiness that was to come, and all the tears, and all the heartbreak. She was on a voyage, and it was a journey of love, but it was sailing into a storm so bleak and dark that my own heart almost broke for her.”

I can’t recommend this series enough. Anyone looking for adventure and memorable characters would do well to pick up a copy of this book as well as the previous installments. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book!