Just picked up Philippa Gregory’s “The Red Queen.” I had no plans of reading it at this time but I happened to run into it at Books-a-Million yesterday. I understand it has gotten a lot of mixed reviews in this forum, so we’ll see how it goes………..

I have just finished reading Behold The Marshal, by Ronald Hamilton. Story about the life and times of William Marshall.
Now reading I Am The Chosen King, by Helen Hollick. This book is a follow up to Forever Queen. Story of Queen Emma, Edward the Confessor’s mother. I Am The Chosen King is about Edward the Confessor, Harold and William the Conqueror. Both books are excellent.

KellyMarie said

Don’t really know much about William the Conqueror apart from my Year 7 history lessons, maybe I should pick up the book and find out what i’m missing out on Sharon.

Recently i’ve been reading my favourite childrens classics from when i was little. I got a lot of them for christmas since I stupidly didn’t keep my old copies. Ive read the three Faraway Tree books, Peter Pan, Ballet Shoes and Clockwork the past few weeks. I decided it was time to get back to history and so have picked up the set text book I had for my Tudor module at uni that I never actually used. Its called Tudor and Stuart Britain by Roger Lockyer. So far i’m finding it very basic although maybe thats its purpose.

These are great books Kelly. Hollick follows history as much as possible, which is always a plus for me when I choose a novel. She is a very good author. I suggest you read Forever Queen first, then, I Am The Chosen King. The Forever Queen is the story of Emma who was married to AEthelred, and then Canute. She is the Aunt of William. Most of the book concerns Edward and Harold. I haven’t reached the end yet, but it will probably end with Harold’s defeat at Hastings by William. I did not know much about William either. Other than he assumed Edward would name him king and he was crowned on Christmas Day 1066. So much for what I learned in school.

Wow that all sounds really interesting….if not bizarre haha. Will definitely have to start learning more about this period. Will pick up those books Sharon suggested to start me off. I’m one of those weird people that have to read a novel about the historical figures first otherwise all the names that you read about in the history books just don’t stick in my mind…..is that strange?

Oh wow i’ve got such a booklist to be getting on with!

Anyanka said

I’m reading the latest in the Morland Dynasty by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. The Winding Road deals with the Great Strike and the Wall Street crash.

Great minds and all that jazz Anyanka I’m reading the Dancing years by Cynthia at the moment. I’ll read The Winding Road after it.
Cynthia Harrod Eagels is a brilliant author I was hooked on the Morland Dynasty book since I read The Black Pearl.

Hiya Duchess, hope you are ok? Yeah I think I read the Nell Gwyn book you have mentioned or one very like it years ago. Poor Nell only survived for 2 years after Charles 2nd death, and yet of all the mistresses that Charles had, she was the one who is the most remembered.

DuchessofBrittany said

I am okay, Boleyn. Thanks for asking. Things are busy at the moment, and I’ve finally found the time to log-on.
I have a real respect for Nell, considering her early circumstances. Who’d thought a poor girl from the streets of London would become the mistress of a king. I believe Nell was a good match for Charles, and she seemed to love him for him, and not the crown. “Exit the Actress” is a good novel, and one that shines a wonderful light into Nell’s life.

Yes that is true about Nell, his other mistresses were really only with Charles for what they could get. Barbara Castlemaine was perhaps the most villious of the whole bunch, but somehow Nell didn’t care for wealth or titles she just as you say loved Charlie for him.
She was just a natural human being and not concerned with all the politics and power that were part of everyday life back then. Charlie if I have remembered rightly on one or 2 occations actually asked her advice on matters, and she gave him the no nonsence replies that he needed, not what he wanted to hear, and certainly none oof the yes sir, no sir blarney. She told him honestly and straighforwardly what was what.
She had a good heart and would have been the best freind any person could have.

Geez Kelly, I certainly hope the book gets better. I don’t know where one goes with that storyline. If you haven’t read it yet, Karen Harper wrote The Queen’s Governess, which was very good.
Love Nell Gwyn. I’ve read Beauclerk’s rendition and Parmar’s. Enjoyed them both. If I remember correctly Beauclerk is related to Nell.

Right now books on 16th century house keeping, and a book called The Tudor wife. Love social history of the period, and stuff about day to day life amongst ordinary folks back then.

In the middle of reading “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte. I can see why this book is a literary classic! It’s a VERY good book.
The characters of Catherine and Heathcliff, are not likable characters. In most romance novels, the heroine is a virginal, doormat or sweet as sugar, friendly, and nice and the hero is a alpha male, with a haunted past. At least in all the romance novels I seem to keep reading, for some reason, and it’s getting on my nerves!! NOT this book, which is why I kinda like it. It’s different. The characters are SO different then what I’m used to reading in romance novels. I’m not even finished yet, and I can’t put it down!!