Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Book Review: Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey

With Becoming Marie Antoinette, author Juliet Grey provides a fascinating, riveting and well-researched account of the young woman from Austria who would become the last queen of France.

Becoming Marie Antoinette is the first book in a trilogy about Marie Antoinette. It follows Maria Antonia as she is molded and educated to become the dauphine of France all the way through to the death of King Louis XV, which lead to her and her husband Louis Auguste becoming king and queen of France.

In this richly detailed, well-researched novel, Grey shares her love of Marie Antoinette with the world. A story whose history we already know, this novel portrays a young woman who becomes her mother's puppet to advance political motives. Marie Antonia is a sympathetic character, made even more sympathetic when her husband chooses to spend more time hunting and forging than with his beautiful wife.

Admittedly, this book started off slow for me. As Marie Antoinette arrived in France and married Louis Auguste, however, the story of her challenge to fit in and be accepted and find love with a distant and self-conscious man, drew me in. From that moment, the pages turned rapidly.

It was nice to see this book end on a positive note considering the sequel will cover somber and more tumultuous years in their reign. I would definitely read the next two installments of this trilogy.


Series: Marie Antoinette (Book 1)
Paperback: 466 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345523865
ISBN-13: 978-0345523860

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Twelve Years and The Book Connection is Still Going Strong



I don't talk about this a lot. I guess blogiversaries aren't a big deal. Well, they are, but they kind of slip away unnoticed in between the craziness of work, writing, and life.

Maybe I should have done something spectacular at 10 years. Looks like it will have to wait until the next milestone - 15 years of blogging. I'm sure I'll still be here. I'm hoping my schedule has calmed down a bit so I can blog more.

Truth be told, I started my first blog 14 years ago. I had just finished my writing course with Long Ridge Writers Group, and knew online exposure was important to success. Not quite ready --or knowledgeable -- when it came to creating a website, I figured I would give blogging a shot.

In 2007, Pump Up Your Book opened its virtual doors. I began hosting authors as a way to bring additional exposure to my blog (and hopefully my own writing). Within a few months, I went from blog host to virtual book tour coordinator working with Dorothy Thompson of Pump Up. That lasted for over seven years, until it became too challenging to juggle a busy real estate career and virtual book tours.

Blogging keeps me connected to the world of books and VBTs. Having published four children's books, I know how important marketing and promotion are to success. Blogging also helps me explore my creative side, which always yearns to be heard.

Thank you to all my loyal readers and the authors who have asked me to host them or review their books. It has been a fun 12 years. Let's see what the next 12 bring. 

Monday, July 22, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - July 22



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


Where has the month gone? I swear, we were just leaving on vacation. Now we are heading into the last week two weeks of July. I hope you're having a great summer.

Two new books arrived this week.




I am working on finishing this one:


Poor Marilla needs to be put aside so I can focus on book reviews. 



I started this one yesterday. My review is due August 19: 



Up next will need to be this one for review:



That's it from me. What are you reading?

Monday, July 15, 2019

New Release: Lacewood by Jessica James




An abandoned house has secrets to tell in a love story that spans centuries.

Two people trying to escape their pasts find a connection through an old house—and fulfill a destiny through the secrets it shares. Part love story, part ghost story, Lacewood is a timeless novel about love and loss, roots and belonging, and spirits of the past that refuse to be quieted.

MOVING TO A SMALL TOWN in Virginia is a big change for New York socialite Katie McCain. But when she stumbles across an abandoned 200-year-old mansion, she’s enthralled by the enduring beauty of the neglected estate—and captivated by the haunting portrait of a woman in mourning.

Purchasing the property on a whim, Katie attempts to fit in with the colorful characters in the town of New Hope, while trying to unravel the mystery of the “widow of Lacewood.” As she pieces together the previous owner’s heartrending story, Katie uncovers secrets the house has held for centuries, and discovers the key to coming to terms with her own sense of loss.

The past and present converge when hometown hero Will Durham returns and begins his own healing process by helping the “city girl” restore the place that holds so many memories. As the mystic web of destiny is woven, a love story that might have been lost forever is exposed, and a destiny that has been waiting in the shadows for centuries is fulfilled.

Rich in emotion and poignant in its telling, Lacewood is an unforgettable story about love and loss, roots and belonging…and spirits of the past that refuse to be quieted.

A haunting story from award-winning author Jessica James that connects the past with the present—and the present with eternity.

"Strong storytelling prose." - The BookLife Prize




Paperback: 404 pages
Publisher: Patriot Press (May 13, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1941020224
ISBN-13: 978-1941020227

All Retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mYoj2P

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PW8BQJ4

Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, Christian fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

She is a three-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy. By weaving the principles of courage, devotion, duty, and dedication into each book, she attempts to honor the unsung heroes of the American military—past and present—and to convey the magnitude of their sacrifice and service.

James resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and the Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of the American Legion Post 202, Gettysburg.

Visit Jessica online at  www.jessicajamesbooks.com and www.facebook.com/romantichistoricalfiction


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - July 15



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.


We are back! It was a delightful two weeks, but back to reality. Work is calling and it's time to GIT-R-DONE.

I am reading these two right now:


Though I was concerned that this book would take me a long time, I'm at a place where I am enjoying it more, so I'm reading faster. 

Loving this one so far, but it is a bit tough to think of Marilla as a young woman and with parents. 

I want to get back into this one this week. 




I'll read these two next.



That's it from me. What are you reading?

Monday, July 8, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - July 8



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Hello from the Outer Banks. The weather has been a bit wet the past two days, but my philosophy is always that a rainy day at the beach is still better than a sunny day at home. Theo thinks so too. He loves the beach. Not a huge fan of the water, though.



I haven't read as much as expected. I'm still working, which is part of it, but just haven't found a book I must read cover to cover yet. 

Finished this one and need to post a review at TC&TBC


I am reading these two right now:


This first one is slow going. Right before I started it, I discovered it is part of a trilogy. That might have a bit to do with why I'm not thrilled. 


This was supposed to be my first read of the year, but I had to put it aside to stay up on reviews. I'm about 30 pages in. It's hard to imagine Marilla as a young woman, but I bet I'll enjoy this one.

I read the preface, but haven't gone further with this one. I also read some of the workbook I bought to go with it.




I'll probably read these two next.



What are you reading right now?

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Summer 2019 Beach Reads

We are hanging out at the Outer Banks of North Carolina this week. I definitely brought a bunch of books with me Here are some beach reads for you to take with you this summer.