Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page, and is currently being hosted by Laura Library of Clean Reads for the month of February. 

This week, I was thrilled to receive three wonderful books for review:

The Queen's Rival: In the Court of Henry VIII

by Diane Haeger

Publish Date: March 1st 2011

Format: Paperback 416pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"From the author of The Queen's Mistake comes the untold story of King Henry VIII's first well-known mistress. 

As the beautiful daughter of courtiers, Elizabeth "Bessie" Blount is overjoyed when she secures a position as maid of honor to Katherine of Aragon. But when she captures the attention of the king himself, there are whispers that the queen ought to be worried for her throne.
When Bess gives birth to a healthy son the whispers become a roar. But soon the infamous Boleyn girls come to court and Henry's love for her begins to fade. Now, Bess must turn to her trusted friend, the illegitimate son of Cardinal Wolsey, to help her move beyond life as the queen's rival..."

A Race to Splendor: A tale of rivalry, redemption, and the rebuilding of a devastated city

by Ciji Ware

Publish Date: April 1st 2011

Format: Paperback 544pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Inspired by female architect Julia Morgan, this is the riveting tale of a race against time to rebuild two luxury hotels after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed 400 city blocks and left 250,000 homeless. 

Morgan's fictional protegee Amelia Bradshaw and client J.D. Thayer will sacrifice anything to see the city they love rise from the ashes; in the process, they can't help but lose their hearts."

Where Shadows Dance: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery

by C.S. Harris

Publish Date: March 1st 2011

Format: Hardback 352pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Sebastian St. Cyr proves his courage once again, with murder and marriage-in a brand new historical mystery.

Sebastian St. Cyr finds himself in the realm of international intrigue when he investigates the murder of a foreign office diplomat-a murder his reluctant bride-to-be, Hero Jarvis, knows something about. And when a second body is found, Sebastian must race to unmask a ruthless killer who is now threatening Hero's life-and the life of their unborn child."

What exciting books arrived at your door?

Guest Post: Helen Hollick talks about the Normans

Today I am happy to bring you the very talented Helen Hollick, author of the newly released I Am Chosen King, as she shares with us her thoughts on the Normans.

What type of life did a Norman lead after the Battle of Hastings?

"Oh I’m not sure I want to answer this one *laugh* - I’m not a big fan of the Normans! (as you will discover when reading I Am The Chosen King (Harold the King is the UK title)

First, it is highly unlikely that Duke William of Normandy expected to keep England. He knew he would have to subdue the North of England first (which eventually happened by the Normans razing everything to the ground, slaughtering livestock and virtually destroying everything in their path, a devastation that had repercussions even several centuries later) Also, Denmark held a claim for England so war would have been expected from that quarter.

The idea that the Normans built those great big stone castles to dominate and “show off” their power is a bit of a misconception. They actually erected them for their own safety and protection! Nor did Duke William have things all his own way after the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. He needed to get to London to be crowned, a distance of a little over 50 miles, yet it took him two months. He was finally crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. (And no, he was not the first King to be crowned there, although the history books – and the Normans – say he was. King Harold II, Harold Godwineson, was crowned legally and legitimately by the rule of English law and in the sight of God on January 6th 1066. The Normans, of course, repressed this fact.

In truth, William had no right whatsoever to the English throne.

His army met resistance as they marched towards London through Kent, many of them dying from dysentery.
Even on his coronation day there was tragedy for the English. Part of the service entails the acclamation “God Save the King!” shouted three times. The Norman soldiers posted outside the abbey could not understand English, when they heard the shouting they assumed their was trouble and started killing people in the gathered crowd.

There was rebellion too in the Midlands, a rebellion which very nearly succeeded. Hereward, who was possibly a younger son of the Earl of Mercia, raised a guerrilla army and held up in the marshy fenlands of Ely. They were betrayed by the monks of Ely Cathedral (who were probably bribed by William – certainly soon after they had enough money to rebuild the Cathedral)

Vast areas of forest and woodland were taken into royal possession by William, the New Forest in Hampshire, for instance, had been common ground during Anglo Saxon England, but William took it for his own which caused huge repercussions for the people who dwelt there. No more rights to graze their livestock, hunt, gather wood. Feudal law was brought in – and the law of primogeniture – all different from Anglo Saxon laws and customs.

Cathedrals were erected, but it is very likely that had Harold won at Hastings these beautiful buildings would have been built anyway. Westminster Abbey and Waltham Abbey were founded well before 1066 by King Edward and Harold. England was not a backward, uncivilised Kingdom!

The Domesday Book is probably one of the most famous artefacts of Duke William’s reign as King of England, but even that is not accurately accounted. The information in it was already available under Anglo Saxon Kingship, all William did was have it all put together in one big book. Nor, it has now been shown, was it for the purposes of tax collection book, it is more likely that William wanted to know exactly what he was now lord and master off, so he had a massive Land Registry compiled. A book of all that he had stolen from England’s rightful King – Harold II.

Well, I did say I don’t like the Normans much!"

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Thank you, Helen, for this informative and interesting guest post! Excellent job, even for one who does not like the Normans :)

Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page, and is currently being hosted by Laura Library of Clean Reads for the month of February. 

I hope you have all had a wonderful start to your week! Last week was a  bit crazy with this nasty cold that's going around, but my mailbox did not fail in brighting the days.

I received three exciting novels for review:

Exit the Actress: A Novel 

by Priya Parmar

Publish Date: January 4th 2011

Format: Paperback 446pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"While selling oranges in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, sweet and sprightly Ellen "Nell" Gwyn impresses the theater’s proprietors with a wit and sparkle that belie her youth and poverty. She quickly earns a place in the company, narrowly avoiding the life of prostitution to which her sister has already succumbed. As her roles evolve from supporting to starring, the scope of her life broadens as well. Soon Ellen is dressed in the finest fashions, charming the theatrical, literary, and royal luminaries of Restoration England. Ellen grows up on the stage, experiencing first love and heartbreak and eventually becoming the mistress of Charles II. Despite his reputation as a libertine, Ellen wholly captures his heart—and he hers—but even the most powerful love isn’t enough to stave off the gossip and bitter court politics that accompany a royal romance. Telling the story through a collection of vibrant seventeenth-century voices ranging from Ellen’s diary to playbills, letters, gossip columns, and home remedies, Priya Parmar brings to life the story of an endearing and delightful heroine."

Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain 

by Margaret Irwin

Publish Date: April 1st 2011

Format: 336pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

" First published in 1946, Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain continues the “vivid, psychologically brilliant” (Times Literary Supplement) journey begun in Young Bess and Elizabeth, Captive Princess. Philip, Prince of Spain, the unwilling bridegroom of Queen Mary, has been warned about the young Elizabeth. According to all reports, she is a heretic, a rebel, and a potential enemy—but she’s also alluring. Accused of treachery by Mary, Elizabeth finds herself teetering between Mary’s vengeance and Philip’s uneasy ardor, with her life in the balance."

Sins of the House of Borgia 

by Sara Bower

Publish Date: March 1st 2011

Format: 544pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

" Violante isn’t supposed to be here, in one of the grandest courts of Renaissance Italy. She isn’t supposed to be a lady-in-waiting to the beautiful Lucrezia Borgia. But the same secretive politics that pushed Lucrezia’s father to the Vatican have landed Violante deep in a lavish landscape of passion and ambition. Violante discovers a Lucrezia unknown to those who see only a scheming harlot, and all the whispers about her brother, Cesare Borgia, never revealed the soul of the man who dances close with Violante. But those who enter the House of Borgia are never quite the same when they leave—if they leave at all. Violante’s place in history will test her heart and leave her the guardian of dangerous secrets she must carry to the grave."

 What intriguing novels arrived at your door?

Book Review: The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

The Queen of Last Hopes by Susan Higginbotham

Publish Date: January 2010

Format: Paperback pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"A man other than my husband sits on England's throne today.

What would happen if this king suddenly went mad? What would his queen do? Would she make the same mistakes I did, or would she learn from mine?

Margaret of Anjou, queen of England, cannot give up on her husband-even when he slips into insanity. And as mother to the House of Lancaster's last hope, she cannot give up on her son-even when England turns against them. This gripping tale of a queen forced to stand strong in the face of overwhelming odds is at its heart a tender tale of love.

Award-winning author Susan Higginbotham will once again ask readers to question everything they know about right and wrong, compassion and hope, duty to one's country and the desire of one's own heart."


My Review:

When it comes to the Wars of the Roses, there are always a couple questions that come to mind: are you of a Yorkist or a Lancasterian opinion? Did Richard III kill the princes in the tower? Was Richard III a corrupt and merciless man? These questions are often the focus of many historical novels set during this time period, and it is not very often that a book is written with an emphasis of how it all began. The Queen of Last Hopes begins with Margaret of Anjou preparing to leave for England, where she will become the Queen of King Henry VI. Margaret is just 15 when she sets sail for England, and she is full of hope and determination to bring peace to the English and French people. Unfortunately, she quickly learns that the her striving to enter the political world, no matter how good her intentions might be, only leads to bitterness from the English people and slander against her name. Despite these unsavory results, Margaret is no less determined in defending her crown when the House of York tries to dethrone her husband and take away her sons birthright.

Being of a Yorkist opinion myself, I was quite surprised by how well Hgginbotham made me soften to the Lancasterian cause. Told from a first person perspective, Margaret becomes more than just a strong willed and "she-wolf" character, instead she becomes a woman desperate for peace, deeply in love, and above all, a protective mother. It was this method of writing that really made me feel a strong connection to those who fought for the House of Lancaster. Higginbotham also did a wonderful job of creating a lovable character out of King Henry VI. Of course Henry was still a weak king and on the verge of madness, but he was also a loving husband and a man who knew he didn't live up to his predecessors reign, which resulted in my heart going out to his plight and creating a better opinion of the Lancasters.

The Queen of Last Hopes is written in great historical detail, and delivers an exceptional telling of one of the most controversial time periods in history. With subtle wit, heart wrenching events and life-like characters, you will finish the novel only wanting more of this talented author.


FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.



Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

What's New Wednesday: A Look at Next Weeks New Releases

~ For the Week of February 20th - 26th ~

Every Wednesday I will be posting the new historical fiction releases for the upcoming week. If you would like to join in on this weekly event (any genre is applicable), just link back to this blog :)

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The Raven Queen by Jules Watson

Publish Date: February 22nd

Format paperback: 544pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"In this dazzling retelling of one of Ireland’s most stirring legends, acclaimed author Jules Watson brings to life the story of Maeve, the raven queen, who is as fierce as she is captivating.

She was born to be a pawn, used to secure her father’s royal hold on his land. She was forced to advance his will through marriage—her own desires always thwarted. But free-spirited Maeve will no longer endure the schemes of her latest husband, Conor, the cunning ruler of Ulster. And when her father’s death puts her homeland at the mercy of its greedy lords and Conor’s forces, Maeve knows she must at last come into her own power to save it.

With secret skill and daring, Maeve proves herself the equal of any warrior on the battlefield. With intelligence and stealth, she learns the strategies—and sacrifices—of ruling a kingdom through treacherous alliances. And to draw on the dangerous magic of her country’s oldest gods, Maeve seeks out the wandering druid Ruan, whose unexpected passion and strange connection to the worlds of spirit imperil everything Maeve thought true about herself—and put her at war with both her duty and her fate."

Giveaway Winner!

I am so excited that this giveaway had such a large turnout. A big thank you to everyone who entered for a chance to win! 

And the winner of The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift is:

Jennifer from Book Noise

Congratulations Jennifer! I will be sending you an email shortly to obtain your mailing information. 

Be sure to take a look at my other giveaway:
The Princess of Nowhere by Lorenze Borghese

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the exciting books that came into their house last week via post. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists!

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page, and is currently being hosted by Laura Library of Clean Reads for the month of February. 

This week I received two tantalizing novels for review!

Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"From the award-winning author of The King's Daughter comes a story of love and defiance during the War of the Roses.

It is 1497. The news of the survival of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, has set royal houses ablaze with intrigue and rocked the fledgling Tudor dynasty. With the support of Scotland's King James IV, Richard-known to most of England as Perkin Warbeck-has come to reclaim his rightful crown from Henry Tudor. Stepping finally onto English soil, Lady Catherine Gordon has no doubt that her husband will succeed in his quest.

But rather than assuming the throne, Catherine would soon be prisoner of King Henry VII, and her beloved husband would be stamped as an imposter. With Richard facing execution for treason, Catherine, alone in the glittering but deadly Tudor Court, must find the courage to spurn a cruel monarch, shape her own destiny, and win the admiration of a nation."

Elizabeth I: A Novel by Margaret George

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"One of today's premier historical novelists, Margaret George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma-the Virgin Queen who had many suitors, the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel- bedecked woman who pinched pennies. England's greatest monarch has baffled and intrigued the world for centuries. But what was she really like?

In this novel, her flame-haired, lookalike cousin, Lettice Knollys, thinks she knows all too well. Elizabeth's rival for the love of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and mother to the Earl of Essex, the mercurial nobleman who challenged Elizabeth's throne, Lettice had been intertwined with Elizabeth since childhood. This is a story of two women of fierce intellect and desire, one trying to protect her country, and throne, the other trying to regain power and position for her family and each vying to convince the reader of her own private vision of the truth about Elizabeth's character. Their gripping drama is acted out at the height of the flowering of the Elizabethan age. Shakespeare, Marlowe, Dudley, Raleigh, Drake-all of them swirl through these pages as they swirled through the court and on the high seas. "

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And I purchased one novel from the bookstore.

Désirée: The Bestselling Story of Napoleon's First Love by Annemarie Selinko

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"To be young, in France, and in love: fourteen year old Desiree can’t believe her good fortune. Her fiance, a dashing and ambitious Napoleon Bonaparte, is poised for battlefield success, and no longer will she be just a French merchant’s daughter. She could not have known the twisting path her role in history would take, nearly breaking her vibrant heart but sweeping her to a life rich in passion and desire.

A love story, but so much more, Désirée explores the landscape of a young heart torn in two, giving readers a compelling true story of an ordinary girl whose unlikely brush with history leads to a throne no one would have expected. 

An epic bestseller that has earned both critical acclaim and mass adoration, Désirée is at once a novel of the rise and fall of empires, the blush and fade of love, and the heart and soul of a woman."

What exciting books arrived at your door?

Upcoming Release! Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

I am so very excited to bring you the latest information on Stephanie Dray's next novel in her Cleopatra's Daughter Trilogy! Her previous book, Lily of the Nile (my review), was fabulous and I am eager to read this upcoming release. Song of the Nile should be released sometime this Autumn, but the exact publish date is yet to be announced; I will update you as soon as I find out any more information.

Publish date: Autumn 2011, exact date TBA

Format: Paperback

Synopsis (From the authors blog):
"Sorceress. Seductress. Schemer. Cleopatra’s daughter has become the emperor’s most unlikely apprentice and the one woman who can destroy his empire…

Having survived her perilous childhood as a royal captive of Rome, Selene pledged her loyalty to Augustus and swore she would become his very own Cleopatra. Now the young queen faces an uncertain destiny in a foreign land.

Forced to marry a man of the emperor’s choosing, Selene will not allow her new husband to rule in her name. She quickly establishes herself as a capable leader in her own right and as a religious icon. Beginning the hard work of building a new nation, she wins the love of her new subjects and makes herself vital to Rome by bringing forth bountiful harvests.

But it’s the magic of Isis flowing through her veins that makes her indispensable to the emperor. Against a backdrop of imperial politics and religious persecution, Cleopatra’s daughter beguiles her way to the very precipice of power. She has never forgotten her birthright, but will the price of her mother’s throne be more than she’s willing to pay?"

Book Review: Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

Publish Date: January 4th 2010

Format: Paperback 368pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Heiress of one empire and prisoner of another, it is up to the daughter of Cleopatra to save her brothers and reclaim what is rightfully hers...

To Isis worshippers, Princess Selene and her twin brother Helios embody the divine celestial pair who will bring about a Golden Age. But when Selene's parents are vanquished by Rome, her auspicious birth becomes a curse. Trapped in an empire that reviles her heritage and suspects her faith, the young messianic princess struggles for survival in a Roman court of intrigue. She can't hide the hieroglyphics that carve themselves into her hands, nor can she stop the emperor from using her powers for his own ends. But faced with a new and ruthless Caesar who is obsessed with having a Cleopatra of his very own, Selene is determined to resurrect her mother's dreams. Can she succeed where her mother failed? And what will it cost her in a political game where the only rule is win-or die?"

My Review:

We first meet Selene as she comes to the realization that her world is about to change forever. With the suicide of her mother and father, and Egypt being conquered by Rome, Selene and her brothers have no choice but to become the "prisoners" of Octavian. Paraded through the streets of Rome during Octavian's triumph, Selene is disgusted when she must bow to Octavian and plead for their lives. Taken by surprise, Octavian shows mercy and welcomes them into his family, but little did Selene know her actions were not by chance but orchestrated by Octavian's cold and calculating mind... and it is just the beginning of his theatrical play.

As Selene lives amongst the other children of rulers who have been conquered by Rome, she tries to find a way to make the most out of her captivity, but when her beloved goddess Isis begins using her as a vessel of communication, not only is her life in danger but the whole Isiac faith. Desperate to save the lives of her remaining family and claim what is rightfully hers by birth, Selene must navigate her way through a court of intrigue and learn how to use Octavian's calculated nature for her own purpose.

As soon as I began reading Lily of the Nile, I was captivated by the intense emotions the book relayed. From the start I was empathetic to Selene, and my heart went out to her as she watched her world crumble before her. Not only did I feel a strong connection towards Selene, but I was surprised to find myself captivated by Octavian. He was such an intriguing character, extremely complex and utterly mind boggling; I did not know whether to admire his cold brilliance or shake my head at his self serving plots.

Having read Michelle Moran's take on Selene with her novel Cleopatra's Daughter (my review), I was intrigued to see how Stephanie Dray's version on Selene's early life would compare; I am thrilled to say Dray's novel held its own and was a delightful read. The whole feeling of the book was different than Moran's; while Moran weaved a brilliant novel focused on historical fact and detail, Dray brought a mesmerizing sense of magic to her novel with all the mystical beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians.

With Lily of the Nile, Stephanie Dray has created an intriguing and delightful novel that captures the readers attention and holds it until the very end, leaving the reader craving more... and more we shall have! This is the first book in the Cleopatra's Daughter Trilogy, with the second, Song of the Nile, scheduled with a tentative release date of Autumn 2011.

Be sure to take a look at Stephanie Dray's interesting guest post from when she stopped by last month: 

Cleopatra and Patriotism by Stephanie Dray

FTC: I received this book from the publisher. As always, these are my own honest opinions.


Copyright © 2011 Svea Love. All Rights Reserved.

What's New Wednesday: A Look at Next Weeks New Releases

~ For the week of February 13th - 19th ~

Every Wednesday I will be posting the new historical fiction releases for the upcoming week. If you would like to join in on this weekly event (any genre is applicable), just link back to this blog :)

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Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Publish Date: February 15th 2011

Format: Hardcover 464pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire…but who was this woman and how did she become one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous story comes to life as only Michelle Moran could tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to begin…

Marie Tussaud has learned the secrets of wax sculpting by working alongside her uncle in their celebrated wax museum, the Salon de Cire. From her popular model of the American Ambassador, Thomas Jefferson, to her tableau of the royal family at dinner, Marie’s museum provides Parisians with the very latest news on fashion, gossip, even politics. Her customers hail from every walk of life, and when word arrives that the royals themselves are coming to see their likenesses, Marie never dreams that the king’s sister will request her presence at Versailles as a royal tutor in wax sculpting. Yet when a letter with a gold seal is delivered to her home, Marie knows she cannot refuse—even if it means time away from her beloved Salon and her increasingly dear friend, Henri Charles.

As Marie becomes acquainted with her pupil, Princess Élisabeth, she is taken to meet both Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, who introduce her to the glamorous life at court. From lavish parties with more delicacies than she’s ever seen, to rooms filled with candles lit only once before being discarded, Marie steps into to a world entirely different from her home on the Boulevard du Temple, where people are selling their teeth in order to put food on the table.

Meanwhile, many resent the vast separation between rich and poor. In salons and cafés across Paris, people like Camille Desmoulins, Jean-Paul Marat, and Maximilien Robespierre are lashing out against the monarchy. Soon, there’s whispered talk of revolution…Will Marie be able to hold on to both the love of her life and her friendship with the royal family as France approaches civil war? And more importantly, will she be able to fulfill the demands of powerful revolutionaries who ask that she make the death masks of beheaded aristocrats, some of whom she knows?

Spanning five years from the budding revolution to the Reign of Terror,Madame Tussaud brings us into the world of an incredible heroine whose talent for wax modeling saved her life and preserved the faces of a vanished kingdom."

Upcoming Release! The Lady and the Poet by Maeve Haran

Previously released in hardcover, March 2010

Publish Date: March 15th 2011

Format: Paperback 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Set against the sumptuousness and intrigues of Queen Elizabeth I’s court, this powerful novel reveals the untold love affair between the famous poet John Donne and Ann More, the passionate woman who, against all odds, became his wife. 

Ann More, fiery and spirited daughter of the Mores of Loseley House in Surrey, came to London destined for a life at the court of Queen Elizabeth and an advantageous marriage. There she encountered John Donne, the darkly attractive young poet who was secretary to her uncle, the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. He was unlike any man she had ever met—angry, clever, witty, and in her eyes, insufferably arrogant and careless of women. Yet as they were thrown together, Donne opened Ann’s eyes to a new world of passion and sensuality. 

But John Donne—Catholic by background in an age when it was deadly dangerous, tainted by an alluring hint of scandal—was the kind of man her status-conscious father distrusted and despised. 

The Lady and the Poet tells the story of the forbidden love between one of our most admired poets and a girl who dared to rebel against her family and the conventions of her time. They gave up everything to be together and their love knew no bounds."

Giveaway! The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift

I have one brand new copy of Deborah Swift's intriguing novel, The Lady's Slipper (my review), up for grabs. It is not often I am able to offer an international giveaway, so I am pleased to announce that this will indeed be an international drawing!

Since this giveaway will be apart of the "Follower Love Giveaway Hop", hosted by Kathy @ I am a Reader not a Writer, the giveaway guidelines are a bit different than my normal entry procedure, so make sure you take a look at them.

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"1660. King Charles II has returned from exile, but memories of the English Civil War still rankle. There are old scores to settle, and religious differences threaten to overturn a fragile peace. When Alice Ibbetson discovers a rare orchid, the Lady’s Slipper, growing in a wood belonging to Richard Wheeler, she is captivated by its beauty— though Wheeler, a Quaker, is determined to keep the flower where God intended it to grow. Knowing that the orchid is the last of its kind, she steals the flower, little dreaming that her seemingly simple act will set off a chain of events that will lead to murder and exile, and change her life forever…"

Giveaway Guidelines:

~6 possible entries~

• +1 entry for posting a comment with your e-mail and being a follower via Google Friend Connect (no comment with e-mail and follow via GFC = no entry)
• + 3 entries for adding a link to this giveaway on the sidebar of your blog. (please post link with your comment)
• + 2 entries for tweeting about this giveaway (please post link with your comment)  

~Please post all your entries in one comment, thanks :)

~This giveaway will international.

~Ends February 13th~

Good Luck everyone!

Be sure to check out my other current giveaway for:
 The Princess of Nowhere by Lorenze Borghese