Category Archives: Historical Fiction

November 4, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review and Giveaway: Certainty by Victor Bevine

Today I welcome TLC Book Tours back to The Book Binder’s Daughter with an historical fiction novel entitled Certainty.  I invite you to read my review, learn more about the author, enter to win your own copy, and visit the other stops on the tour.

My Review:

ICertainty_A-Novel_Victor-Bevine_96dpi-677x1024-198x300n honor of the centennial anniversary of World War I, I have reviewed quite a few books set during The Great War.  I have learned so much from all of the historical novels I have read about World War I, and Victor Bevine’s novel set in Newport, Rhode Island is no exception.

This story is based on real events that happened in Newport just after the war.  The navy has twenty five thousand sailors stationed at the Naval base in Rhode Island and now that the war is over the idle soldiers are looking for entertainment that includes drinking, parties and women.  Captain Arnold, one of the commanding officers, has decided to recruit some of his sailors for a secret mission that includes trapping and arresting men who are homosexual.

The references to homosexuals as “fairies” throughout the book is disturbing but also drives home the point that the navy was rabidly homophobic during this time period. Arnold and his group of recruits launch a campaign to gain the trust of gay men, catch them in sexuals act and then arrest them.  During the roundup and arrest of these gay sailors, a popular priest is also arrested and falsely charged with carrying out lewd acts. One lawyer in this small town bravely steps up, risking his family, career and reputation, to defend the kind priest. Continue reading →

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October 20, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review- First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love and Jane Austen by Charlie Lovett

I received an advanced reader copy of First Impressions from the publisher through NetGalley.

My Review:

First ImpressionsThis book is a mix of genres, including historical fiction, romance, and Jane Austen fan fiction.  The narrative alternates between two periods of time.  The first point of view is through the eyes of Sophie who has grown up on an estate that has been in her family for generations.  Although her parents house has a grand library which contains rare editions of many books, it is her Uncle Bertram who instills in Sophie a love of reading and old books.  Sophie’s Uncle Bertram lives in a flat in London where she often visits him and looks through his own unique collection of rare books.

When Sophie’s uncle dies suddenly in an accident, Sophie suspects foul play.  This is where the novel veers toward being a mystery.  She comes to believe that his knowledge of a certain old book that is contained within the family’s library might have something to do with his untimely demise.

Continue reading →

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October 18, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review and Giveaway: The Sharp Hook of Love by Sherry Jones

I am thrilled to welcome France Book Tours back to The Book Binder’s Daughter today with an historical fiction novel set in twelfth century France.  Emma, the owner and tour coordinator,  does such a great job with all of her tours and it is always a pleasure to work with her.  Please visit France Book Tours to see a complete list of current and upcoming tours. I invite you to read a synopsis and my review of The Sharp Hook of Love, enter the giveaway to win your own copy, and stop at the other blogs on this tour.

Book Synopsis:
“To forbid the fruit only sweetens its flavor”

Sharp Hook of Love - coverAmong the young women of 12th century Paris, Heloise d’Argenteuil stands apart. Extraordinarily educated and quick-witted, she is being groomed by her uncle to become an abbess in the service of God. But with one encounter, her destiny changes forever.

Pierre Abelard, headmaster at the Nôtre Dame Cloister School, is acclaimed as one of the greatest philosophers in France. His controversial reputation only adds to his allure, yet despite the legions of women swooning over his poetry and dashing looks, he is captivated by the brilliant Heloise alone. As their relationship blossoms from a meeting of the minds to a forbidden love affair, both Heloise and Abelard must choose between love, duty, and ambition. Continue reading →

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October 6, 2014 · 12:00 am

Review and Giveaway: Best Seller by Martha Reynolds

Today I am welcoming Masquerade Book Tours to The Book Binder’s Daughter with another great Indie pick, Best Seller by Martha Reynolds.  I invite you to read my review, learn a little bit about the author, and look at the other blogs on the tour.

My Review:

kindle coverThe plot of this book really took my by surprise, in a good way, a very good way.  Robin has just been expelled from Boston University for selling pot and she has no choice but to move back to her close-knit hometown in Rhode Island, rent a small apartment and work 6 days a week in a diner.  Her father is so furious at her that months go by before he will even talk to her.

I really thought this was going to be another typical coming-of-age story with a whiny teenage girl, but Martha Reynolds’ characters are much more interesting than I suspected.  Robin understands that she has made an immature and stupid mistake and views her exile to a tiny apartment and her tedious job at the diner as a sort of penance.

While Robin is doing her “penance” she meets a few men in her life that bring a bright spot to her otherwise dull world.  Andrew, one of her regular customers at the diner, is handsome and generous with his tips.  When he learns that Robin is an aspiring writer and has hand-written a novel, he volunteers his wife’s services to type up a manuscript for her.

Robin also begins dating a local boy named Frank.  The way in which the author developed this relationship was intriguing.  At first Robin seems almost bored or indifferent to Frank.  We are left wondering until the very end whether or not Frank is truly “the one” for Robin.

Robin’s upstairs neighbor also has an interesting role in the plot.  He is overweight and Robin seems repelled by his presence, but at the same time she is drawn to him and seeks him out at a couple of key points in the storyline.

And finally, we are introduced to Robin’s dysfunctional family which includes her mother, father, older brother and sister-in-law.  What amazed me about Martha Reynolds’ writing abilities is that she deftly weaves together many different storylines without making them confusing or convoluted.

I highly recommend BEST SELLER if you like a quick, light read that is full of surprises until the end.

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Giveaway:

The author is giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value.
There will be one winner. This giveaway is Open Internationally and ends 10/20. Void where prohibited. Click HERE to enter the giveaway!

About the Author:

Martha 2ndMartha Reynolds ended an accomplished career as a fraud investigator and began writing full time in 2011. She is the author of five novels, including the award-winning Chocolate for Breakfast (her debut novel), Chocolate Fondue, Bittersweet Chocolate, and the Amazon #1 bestseller Bits of Broken Glass. Best Seller is her latest release. Her essays have appeared in Magnificat magazine.

She and her husband live in Rhode Island, never far from the ocean.

Connect with Martha:
Website: www.marthareynoldswrites.com
Twitter:@AuthorMReynolds
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarthaReynoldsWriter

 

Click on the banner below to follow all of the stops on the Best Seller Tour!

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October 3, 2014 · 12:00 am

The Naive Guys By Harry Patz: Book Trailer and Giveaway

Book Trailer:

This week I did a post entitled “5 Ways that Indie Author Have Successful Wooed this Book Blogger.”  Many readers asked me to recommend some of my favorite Indie Books.  The Naïve Guys by Harry Patz is definitely one of my favorite Indie picks lately.  It is well-written, funny and has fantastic, likeable characters.  Please watch the trailer for the book and you can also read my full review here.

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So do you like book trailers?  Do they make you want to read the book?  Let me know what you think in the comments!

Giveaway:

The author is generously giving away 2 SIGNED paper back copies of The Naïve Guys (US/Canada) and 2 e-books (International) so there are great odds of winning your own copy!  Click HERE to enter!

The Winners of this giveaway are:

Paperback copies- Kara S. and Linda R

Ebooks- Lucy P and Brandi D.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

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