The Muse in the Fog Book Review | Historical Fiction: April 2013

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

International Giveaway! Life after Life by Kate Atkinson

Welcome to the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Eve’s Fan Garden. Today I am offering one copy of the national bestseller Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. I have my own copy of this novel waiting for me on my nightstand, and I can't wait to dive into it as soon as school is out!

Publication date: 4/2/2013

Format: Hardcover 529pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"What if you could live again and again, until you got it right?

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can -- will she?

Darkly comic, startlingly poignant, and utterly original -- this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best."

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Suddenly Sunday!

Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Svea @ The Muse in the Fog Book Review. The purpose of Suddenly Sunday is to share all the exciting events that have occurred on your blog throughout the week. If you would like to participate, just grab the button and link back here.

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Good morning! Oh dear, I am so far behind on my reading and blogging. I've tried to keep up with it during the last month of school, but I have to realize that if I continue to do so, either school or the reading will kill me. Goodness, I hate to think what it will be like with a double major and then graduate school! Oh well, I love it despite the insanity. Only three weeks left of school and then it is time for a summer of epic reading proportions (that finish line is keeping me afloat right now)! Of course, so much reading means lots of reviews, giveaways and histfic updates as well. Huzzah! Speaking of giveaways, I have a great one going on right now:

International Giveaway! The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

I hope you are all doing well, and that things are a bit calmer on your end of the blogoshpere. I'll pop in later this week with the What's New Wednesday post for May, and a review. Until then, have a lovely week and happy reading!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

International Giveaway! The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

Welcome to the Showers of Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader Not a Writer and Books a la Mode! This is a giveaway I have been planning for months; the books have been sitting on my self just waiting to be announced as prizes. Today, thanks to the generosity of the lovely people from St. Martin's Press, I have 3 brand new copies of Lauren Willig's latest release, The Ashford Affair, to give away! The Ashford Affair is a splendid novel that will tantalize the senses and leave you, yet again, wanting more from this talented author (be sure to check back on Friday for my review). To enter, just fill out the form below. The winner will be notified by email. Good Luck!

Synopsis (From the Publisher):
"From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig comes The Ashford Affair, a page-turning novel about two women in different eras, and on different continents, who are connected by one deeply buried secret.

As a lawyer in a large Manhattan firm, just shy of making partner, Clementine Evans has finally achieved almost everything she’s been working towards—but now she’s not sure it’s enough. Her long hours have led to a broken engagement and, suddenly single at thirty-four, she feels her messy life crumbling around her. But when the family gathers for her grandmother Addie’s ninety-ninth birthday, a relative lets slip hints about a long-buried family secret, leading Clemmie on a journey into the past that could change everything. . . .

Growing up at Ashford Park in the early twentieth century, Addie has never quite belonged. When her parents passed away, she was taken into the grand English house by her aristocratic aunt and uncle, and raised side-by-side with her beautiful and outgoing cousin, Bea. Though they are as different as night and day, Addie and Bea are closer than sisters, through relationships and challenges, and a war that changes the face of Europe irrevocably. But what happens when something finally comes along that can’t be shared? When the love of sisterhood is tested by a bond that’s even stronger?

From the inner circles of British society to the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the red-dirt hills of Kenya, the never-told secrets of a woman and a family unfurl."

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Showers of Books Giveaway Hop

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Suddenly Sunday

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Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of posting over the past week and the quick Suddenly Sunday post today. It's been extremely busy at school and I've had little time to do anything besides write papers and study for my French class. I finished my upcoming papers yesterday, and my French test is tomorrow, so later this week I should be posting at full speed once again! I hope you have all been having a great month so far, and have found some time to enjoy a few great books. I'm looking forward to catching up on visiting your blogs this week as well :)

Have a great week and happy reading!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Suddenly Sunday - Link Up Post

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Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Finds at the Bookstore

Friday Finds at the Bookstore was created by Svea @ The Muse in the Fog Book Review. The purpose of this meme is to share an intriguing book that was found while browsing the bookstore or library during the week.

What a Friday this turned out to be. I went on Barnes and Noble's website this morning to take a peak at their nook daily find and was greeted by 1,000 nook books marked at 50% off! Apparently this weekend they are having a fantastic, and dangerous, promotion on their bestselling books. Below I have listed a few, yes only a few, of the books I purchased as well as the link to the sale page.

Barnes and Noble: 1,000 Nook Book Sale

Upcoming Historical Non-Fiction Release! Secrets of the Knights Templar: A Chronicle 1129-1312 by Susie Hodge

Publication Date: December 3rd 2013

Format: Hardcover 384pp

Synopsis (From the Publisher):

"Informally organized in 1119 to protect pilgrims on their journeys to visit the Holy Land, and officially sanctioned by the Catholic Church in 1129, the medieval Knights Templar grew into an elite fighting force that played a central role in the battles of the Crusades. They were highly trained, well equipped, and unafraid to take up the sword to defend the church at the limits of western civilization.

Secrets of the Knights Templar is the compelling chronicle of the warrior monks and their fight to defend the Catholic faith, and of their participation in the efforts to vie for control of the Holy Land with the Muslim armies of Kurdish military genius Saladin and his successors. Though they were initially celebrated for their military acumen and acts of bravery, the once-celebrated order was eventually dismantled in disgrace, accused of political crimes as well as crimes against the faith.

With its concise, authoritative, and accessible narrative—amplified by extensive citations from contemporary sources, and accompanied by generously captioned and stunning images of the period—Secrets of the Knights Templar brings a distant era of history dramatically and vividly to life. It is the perfect gift for anyone with a love of medieval, religious, or military history."

Pre-Order:

Amazon

Book Depository