"A Dominum factum est illud, et est mirabile in oculis notris"
or in plainer English
"It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Quote of the Day
This quote is from Queen Elizabeth I upon learning that she was now Queen of England.
"A Dominum factum est illud, et est mirabile in oculis notris"
or in plainer English
"It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
"A Dominum factum est illud, et est mirabile in oculis notris"
or in plainer English
"It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Teaser Tuesday
Hey everyone! Another Tuesday down - only 2 more workdays for me and then a 3 day weekend for Independence Day! I love short weeks.This week's teaser is from The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell.
"'It is a diary. Your mother Anne Boleyn's diary.'" At once the skin on Elizabeth's body began to crawl and her heart heaved. Her mother!" (pg. 21)
Hope everyone has a great rest of the day!
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Monday, June 29, 2009
Mailbox Monday #4
Hello everyone! Hope you are having a half-way decent Monday, not too bad at my end. I love coming home from work and getting to join in on blogging!This week only brought in a few items in my mailbox. They actually both came today, so the mailbox was kinda lonely! So on with the show.
1. The House at Riverton ~Kate Morton (ordered from UK Book Depository)
2. The Forgotten Garden ~Kate Morton (ordered from UK Book Depository)
I saw The House at Riverton at the local bookstore about 2 weeks ago and it sounded so exciting. I passed on spending an undue amount of money there and ordered it from the Book Depository as soon as I got home. Gotta love free shipping worldwide!
The House at Riverton
This debut page-turner from Australian Morton recounts the crumbling of a prominent British family as seen through the eyes of one of its servants. At 14, Grace Reeves leaves home to work for her mother's former employers at Riverton House. She is the same age as Hannah, the headstrong middle child who visits her uncle, Lord Ashbury, at Riverton House with her siblings Emmeline and David. Fascinated, Grace observes their comings and goings and, as an invisible maid, is privy to the secrets she will spend a lifetime pretending to forget. But when a filmmaker working on a movie about the family contacts a 98-year-old Grace to fact-check particulars, the memories come swirling back.
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Sunday, June 28, 2009
True Fairy Tale Award!
Isn't that a beautiful picture? Everyone loves fairy tales, that's why I am so excited to have received the True Fairy Tale Award from Gwendolyn B. at A Sea of Books. This is also exciting because I always am excited to work on my blog and it feels so unreal that people actually read it and contribute to it. When I first started my blog... (only a little over a month ago!) I didn't really know if anyone was going to find it or be interested. In that short period of time I have met some really great bloggers, had the opportunity to talk and make connections with some amazing authors, and offer a couple giveaways. It really has been an exciting time for me.
I would like to pass this award on to:
Virginie at Virginie Says...
And
Marie Burton at The Burton Review.
May all of your dreams come true!
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Audiobook Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Abridged, 6 hr.
Penguin Audio
Joanna David (narrator)
June 16, 2005
★★★★☆
Genre: Classic
Source: Personal Collection
Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity.
She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.
With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers.
I chose to read this book for a couple of reasons. First, I am currently working on a book challenge: The Four Month Challenge and one of the stipulations were to read a classic. So I sat there for awhile before I decided what classic to read. I had never read this book before, but I had heard a lot of people talking about it and figured it was probably something I should read. Coming into this, I had no idea what to expect from this book, I hadn’t read a classic in awhile and I didn’t know what it was about. I chose to have this in audio book because I have a long drive to and from work and it would not interrupt my normal reading schedule.
I really, really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed it in a different way than I have enjoyed other books I have reviewed recently. This story begins with a young Jane Eyre living with the family of an aunt who really doesn’t treat her like family. She is eventually sent away to a boarding school and then takes up the role of governess for a Mr. Rochester. This is when the story really starts to pick up. There is romance, secret desire, heartbreak, a little bit of a mystery, sadness, and then a happy ending…which we all enjoy. There were times when I cried and times when I yelled at Jane for making a dumb decision – such as leaving her post of governess.
There really were only two main characters in this story: Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. I really went back and forth in my opinion of the character of Mr. Rochester. Sometimes I thought he was clearly crazy. Things that he said did not make sense sometimes, but it truly could have been me not hearing right in the car. I felt for Jane from day one: she was treated poorly by people who were her family, was sent from home, and was angst ridden from her secret desire for love. As I said before, there were times I was mad at her choices, but overall she was a very likeable character.
I would definitely read another classic book after reading this one; well, actually I would probably do an audio book so I can still read another book. It actually made me interested in this genre again without feeling like I was reading for school.
I really, really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed it in a different way than I have enjoyed other books I have reviewed recently. This story begins with a young Jane Eyre living with the family of an aunt who really doesn’t treat her like family. She is eventually sent away to a boarding school and then takes up the role of governess for a Mr. Rochester. This is when the story really starts to pick up. There is romance, secret desire, heartbreak, a little bit of a mystery, sadness, and then a happy ending…which we all enjoy. There were times when I cried and times when I yelled at Jane for making a dumb decision – such as leaving her post of governess.
There really were only two main characters in this story: Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. I really went back and forth in my opinion of the character of Mr. Rochester. Sometimes I thought he was clearly crazy. Things that he said did not make sense sometimes, but it truly could have been me not hearing right in the car. I felt for Jane from day one: she was treated poorly by people who were her family, was sent from home, and was angst ridden from her secret desire for love. As I said before, there were times I was mad at her choices, but overall she was a very likeable character.
I would definitely read another classic book after reading this one; well, actually I would probably do an audio book so I can still read another book. It actually made me interested in this genre again without feeling like I was reading for school.
★★★★☆
This being an audio book I think that the choice of narrator is very important as to how enjoyable the experience is. I have heard some awful narrators and it can really ruin the story. The narrator for the version I listened to was Joanna David and she was a phenomenal narrator. First of all she was British, which was very appropriate because the book was set in England and made it more believable and felt like Jane was actually narrating her story. She was also very amazing at evoking the emotions of the characters. It really felt like I was listening to a play and helped me enjoy my ride.
You can preview a sampling of the audiobook below:
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Monday, June 22, 2009
Giveaway Results!!!
Today is the day when I announce the winner of one gently used paperback copy of Sex with the Queen by Eleanor Herman. I want to thank the 44 people who entered this contest, generating 70 entries!!! What a great turn-out. Now on with the winner...(thanks to Randomizer)Ms. Lucy!!!
Congrats!! I will be emailing you to get your contact info.
Thanks again everyone. Keep an eye out next week or so for a new giveaway!
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Mailbox Monday #3
I recieved several books in the mail this week, although most of them were ones that I ordered myself ;). I did receive one from a giveaway tho!Ok...so on with the show...
Ordered from the UK Book Depository (free shipping worldwide!!!)
1. The Accidental Demon Slayer ~ Angie Fox
2. Jane Eyre (audio book) ~ Charlotte Bronte
3. Tutankhamun: Book of Shadows ~ Nick Drake
4. The Heretic Queen ~ Michelle Moran
Won from Plaidy's Royal Intrigue blog
5. Lilith ~ Jean Plaidy
So far I have only been able to start enjoying Jane Eyre, as I have been listening to the audio book in the car on the way to work. It is hard to say whether I am more excited about the Demon Slayer book or the Heretic Queen (I have been wanting Heretic Queen for awhile but really loved the last Demon Slayer book). Can't wait to read!
What was in your mailbox?
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Book Review: Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
ARC, Paperback, 416 pages
Ballantine Books
February 27, 2007
★★★★½☆
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Personal Collection
"I am now a condemned traitor . . . I am to die when I have hardly begun to live.
Historical expertise marries page-turning fiction in Alison Weir’s enthralling debut novel, breathing new life into one of the most significant and tumultuous periods of the English monarchy. It is the story of Lady Jane Grey–“the Nine Days’ Queen” –a fifteen-year-old girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of the religious and civil unrest that nearly toppled the fabled House of Tudor during the sixteenth century."
This was my first book by Alison Weir and I enjoyed it a lot. As a historian, Weir brings much to the fiction table in this book. She is able to integrate a lot of intricate historical details into the overall story. When historical details are in question, Weir chooses the most believable route to follow creating a vastly interesting historical adventure.
The focus of this book is the Lady Jane Grey and her rise to the throne of England and subsequent downfall 9 days later. Her story is told from just before her birth and the life of her mother and father. She is a smart girl and lives a rather quiet life at her home of Bradgate Hall. Her mother is not the warmest person and does everything she can to advance the family in the hierarchal structure of English society. Her greatest ambition is to bring Jane to the throne, regardless of the manner or the repercussions.
This story is told through the voice of many different narrators; at last count I think there was 8, but it could be a few more than that. I am on the fence as to whether this many narrators are effective or not. Each of these people brings a different perspective of the events of the day to the table. At the same time it can sometimes get confusing as to exactly who these people are and what their purpose is. Some of the narrators appear frequently (Jane and her mother) and some only appear once (Jane Seymour). I have read other books where multiple narrators are employed (The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory) but the number has been limited to a few. I think this was more effective because you can really make a connection with the characters and understand their importance.
The character of Jane Grey is exceptionally well written. I had no previous experience with the story of Jane Grey and I have to say that I learned a lot. There were times that my heartstrings were pulled. The author really knows how to create an emotional scene.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the reign of Lady Jane Grey as well as politics of the time period.
The focus of this book is the Lady Jane Grey and her rise to the throne of England and subsequent downfall 9 days later. Her story is told from just before her birth and the life of her mother and father. She is a smart girl and lives a rather quiet life at her home of Bradgate Hall. Her mother is not the warmest person and does everything she can to advance the family in the hierarchal structure of English society. Her greatest ambition is to bring Jane to the throne, regardless of the manner or the repercussions.
This story is told through the voice of many different narrators; at last count I think there was 8, but it could be a few more than that. I am on the fence as to whether this many narrators are effective or not. Each of these people brings a different perspective of the events of the day to the table. At the same time it can sometimes get confusing as to exactly who these people are and what their purpose is. Some of the narrators appear frequently (Jane and her mother) and some only appear once (Jane Seymour). I have read other books where multiple narrators are employed (The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory) but the number has been limited to a few. I think this was more effective because you can really make a connection with the characters and understand their importance.
The character of Jane Grey is exceptionally well written. I had no previous experience with the story of Jane Grey and I have to say that I learned a lot. There were times that my heartstrings were pulled. The author really knows how to create an emotional scene.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the reign of Lady Jane Grey as well as politics of the time period.
Other bloggers reviews of this book:
Also by Alison Weir:
Alison Weir also has written both non-fiction and fiction novel. Her other historical novels are:
Captive Queen
A Dangerous Inheritance
The Lady Elizabeth
The Marriage Game
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Quote of the Day - Lady Jane Grey's Final Poem
I should be getting up two reviews this weekend - The audio book of I Am America, and So Can You by Stephen Colbert and Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir. In the meantime, I thought I would leave the last poem Jane Grey wrote on the day that she was executed for you to read.
"Last light has fallen,
I awoke today with trepid consternation,
This morning will be my last,
The Tower outside is busy,
Tower hill is ready
Oh poor Guilford!
Thou doest say numbers there are vast
The beating of drums,
relocates me to the window.
I watch him, Guilford Dudley, walking, pacing himself slowly,
Tears weep from my eyes, as I watch him walk his last walk of life.
Departed, now, from my view,
From this here lieutenants room.
I look upon the heavens above,
'God our father bequeath to, Guilford your holy love'.
Nearby, a sound of constant clanging,
It is no longer the drums I hear beating.
Left of the window is a commotion on Tower green,
They are finishing a structure,
A scaffold,
Oh,
It is for me."
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Historical Spotlight: Marriage of Lady Jane Grey to Lord Guilford Dudley
The marriage of Lady Jane Grey to Lord Guilford Dudley was purely a strategic move by both sets of parents. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, wanted to connect his family to the royal line by marrying his youngest son, Guilford, to the Duke of Suffolk's daughter, Jane. The Duke and Duchess of Suffolk had always wanted to elevate their family and putting Jane in line for the throne was the best way. The two were married in May of 1553.
The wedding was a triple wedding: Jane and Guilford, Katherine Grey (Jane's sister) and Lord Herbert, and Guilford's sister Katherine to Lord Hastings.
Jane and Guilford did not get along well. She is said to have described the consummation of their marriage as rape, as he was so forceful. Once Jane was Queen, she refused the attempts by the Duke of Northumberland to have Guilford crowned as King. She would only agree to have him named the Duke of Clarence.
When the Lady Mary was proclaimed Queen, Jane and Guilford were housed in the Tower until February 12, 1554. Queen Mary signed the death warrant for both of them for the reason of treason and both were beheaded.
Jane was buried in St. Peter ad Vincula between Queen Anne and Queen Katherine, who had both suffered the same fate.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
The wedding was a triple wedding: Jane and Guilford, Katherine Grey (Jane's sister) and Lord Herbert, and Guilford's sister Katherine to Lord Hastings.
Jane and Guilford did not get along well. She is said to have described the consummation of their marriage as rape, as he was so forceful. Once Jane was Queen, she refused the attempts by the Duke of Northumberland to have Guilford crowned as King. She would only agree to have him named the Duke of Clarence.
When the Lady Mary was proclaimed Queen, Jane and Guilford were housed in the Tower until February 12, 1554. Queen Mary signed the death warrant for both of them for the reason of treason and both were beheaded.
Jane was buried in St. Peter ad Vincula between Queen Anne and Queen Katherine, who had both suffered the same fate.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mailbox Monday #2
First off, I want to apologize for not being around much last week. I started a new job on Monday and had just been so tired when I got home that I didn't have any time to do the things I love to do: read and blog! I'm going to try to be better this week, honest!Ok, so this week's Mailbox Monday was quite a haul for me, let's check it out!
Won from Book Reviews By Bobbie
1. The Shack by William P. Young
2. Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kaye
3. God's Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips **I'm really excited about this one**
4. Tin Angel by Shannon Cowan
5. See Jane Read: 99 Ways for Women to Take Charge at Work by Lois P. Frankel
6. Love and Other Natural Disasters by Holly Shumas
7. Rage: The True Story of a Sibling Murder by Jerry Langton
8. Dream in Color: How the Sanchez Sisters are Making History in Congress by Linda & Loretta Sanchez
9. Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston
10. The Bishop's Daughter by Tiffany L. Warren
11. Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
Also, I got something in the mail that isn't exactly a book, but it is very book related so I thought I would count it.
From Angie Fox, author of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers
She sent me a "Kiss My Asphalt" t-shirt which one of her characters wears in her book. She sent this to me as well as a nice handwritten note thanking me for the book review that I wrote a week or two ago. It shows that authors really do check out these blogs!
I have a couple other things that should be coming this week, so until then...what did you get?
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Historical Spotlight: Lady Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk
Lady Frances Brandon - Lady Frances Grey - Lady Dorset - Duchess of SuffolkFrances Grey was the mother of Lady Jane Grey - the Nine Day Queen of England. Frances was the daughter of the well known Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor (King Henry's sister). She married Henry Grey in 1533. They had three daughters: Jane, Katherine, and Mary.
During the reign of King Henry VIII, Frances was 4th in line to the throne, after Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the King's younger sister. His oldest sister Margaret and her children were passed over in the line of succession because she was married to the king of Scotland and that was not what Henry wanted ruling England.
Frances is known for being a very harsh mother to her girls - partly because they did not have the son they desired and also because they had high aspirations in politics. She disliked the more quiet personalities of her girls. Her third daughter, Mary, was born with a hunch in her back and kept out of the public eye - not for her protection but to avoid embarassment of the family.
Frances was a schemer - her and her husband tried to have their eldest daugher, Jane, married to King Edward. This did not happen, but she became queen in her own right for nine days after Edward died. After Mary came to power, Jane and her father Henry Grey were executed in 1554. Despite this, Frances was able to secure a pardon from her.
Within a month of the loss of her husband and daughter she married again - Adrian Stokes. They had three children within the next 4 years, but all died in infancy. She lost political power during the reign of Elizabeth and died in 1559.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Monday, June 8, 2009
My First Mailbox Monday!!
Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. This is my first chance to do a Mailbox Monday and I am pretty excited about it. This week I only got one book in the mail, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox. This book was sent to me by Marie Burton of the Burton Review for me to review; to help her out. I got it Wednesday I think, and had it finished by Saturday, so this is actually old news, but I wanted to share anyway.
I might have something more interesting next week, I ordered a book, won some books, and have a surprise coming. This should be good!
Anything good in your mailbox?
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Unimportant Meme
I was tagged for this by Jennygirl from Jenny Loves to Read.
These are the rules:
1. Mention who tagged you.
2. List six unimportant things that make you happy.
3. Tag six more blogs, then go and comment on their blogs. Let them know that they have been challenged, and invite them to play along.
This could be fun, actually thinking about these things. So after some thought, here are my answers.
1. Listening to the rain fall outside as I lay in bed. It is such a relaxing sound and I never want to get up in the morning when this is going on. Not just because it is dark and dreary and that in itself is a good reason to stay in bed, lol.
2. A clean kitchen. It is just nice to know that when I go in there to do something I will be able to find stuff and not walk into a pile of dishes a mile high.
3. When the mail comes. I don't really get all that much mail that is actually for me, but I love the prospect of something coming in that I was waiting for or not suspecting. And I really love it when that something is actually there!
4. The fact that some version of Law & Order, CSI, or something similar is on tv almost any time of the day. Whenever I can't find anything on, I can usually count on this, even if I have seen most of the episodes.
5. Finding change in my pockets when I put on a pair of pants or change to a different purse. Its a nice little surprise that brightens up my day.
6. Finding my cat. She has many different sleeping places throughout the house and you never know where she is going to be. And like any other cat, she doesn't come when you call her, so finding her is awesome.
I would like to pass this meme onto:
1. Marie Burton @ The Burton Review
2. LizzyJ @ Historically Obsessed
3. Virginie @ Virginie Says...
4. Bobbie @ Book Reviews by Bobbie
5. Annie @ Reading, Writing, and Ranting
6. Susie @ All Things Royal
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
These are the rules:
1. Mention who tagged you.
2. List six unimportant things that make you happy.
3. Tag six more blogs, then go and comment on their blogs. Let them know that they have been challenged, and invite them to play along.
This could be fun, actually thinking about these things. So after some thought, here are my answers.
1. Listening to the rain fall outside as I lay in bed. It is such a relaxing sound and I never want to get up in the morning when this is going on. Not just because it is dark and dreary and that in itself is a good reason to stay in bed, lol.
2. A clean kitchen. It is just nice to know that when I go in there to do something I will be able to find stuff and not walk into a pile of dishes a mile high.
3. When the mail comes. I don't really get all that much mail that is actually for me, but I love the prospect of something coming in that I was waiting for or not suspecting. And I really love it when that something is actually there!
4. The fact that some version of Law & Order, CSI, or something similar is on tv almost any time of the day. Whenever I can't find anything on, I can usually count on this, even if I have seen most of the episodes.
5. Finding change in my pockets when I put on a pair of pants or change to a different purse. Its a nice little surprise that brightens up my day.
6. Finding my cat. She has many different sleeping places throughout the house and you never know where she is going to be. And like any other cat, she doesn't come when you call her, so finding her is awesome.
I would like to pass this meme onto:
1. Marie Burton @ The Burton Review
2. LizzyJ @ Historically Obsessed
3. Virginie @ Virginie Says...
4. Bobbie @ Book Reviews by Bobbie
5. Annie @ Reading, Writing, and Ranting
6. Susie @ All Things Royal
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Saturday, June 6, 2009
GIVEAWAY - Sex with the Queen
Giveaway – 1 Gently Read Copy of Sex with the Queen by Eleanor HermanHey everyone, another giveaway here! I am holding a giveaway for one paperback, gently read copy of Sex with the Queen by Eleanor Herman. I read this book over a year ago and enjoyed it. This book chronicles several queens, from our favorites Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, to Catherine the Great, Marie Antoinette, and even more recently Princess Diana. If you want more information on this book check out this website.
The entry rules are as follows:
1) Leave a comment with your email address for 1 entry (I need to be able to contact you if you win!)
2) Become a follower of my blog for an additional entry (if you already are a follower let me know and you will get the extra entry)
3) Post about this giveaway on your blog and you will get an additional entry (please leave the link to your blog).
The contest ends June 21st 2009. The winner will be drawn June 22 and notified by email and posted on the blog. Good luck everyone!
This giveaway is closed and is not accepting additional entries.
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Book Review: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox
The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox
Book 2 in the Accidental Demon Slayer series
Book 2 in the Accidental Demon Slayer series
Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Love Spell
April 28, 2009
★★★★★
Heat Level:
Source: Passed on by Marie at Burton Book Review for Review
"Demon slaying powers should come with an instruction book ...
Seriously. Why does a new hair dryer have a twelve-page how-to manual, but when it comes to ancient demon-fighting hocus-pocus, my biker witch granny gives me just half a dozen switch stars and a rah-rah speech? Oh, and a talking terrier, but that's another story. It's not like my job as a preschool teacher prepared me for this kind of thing.
So I've decided to write my own manual, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, because no one tells me anything. Dimitri, my "protector," may be one stud of a shape-shifting griffin, but he always thinks he can handle everything by himself. Only he's no match for the soul-stealing succubi taking over Las Vegas. If I can't figure out how to save him - and Sin City - there'll be hell to pay."
First, I feel like I need to discuss why I read this book. I understand that this is very different from the things that I normally read/review. Marie from The Burton Review asked for a volunteer to read/review this book because she did not have enough time to read it. I volunteered and am really happy I did. This book was so much fun and I really enjoyed it! (Thanks Marie!)
Ok, now onto some details about this book. This is actually the second book in a series. The first book is called The Accidental Demon Slayer and that is the name of the series as well. I am pretty sure that there is going to be another one as well. I have not read the first book but that didn’t seem to be a problem while reading this one. There was just enough information to give a new reading background into what happened in the first book, but not so much that a series reader would feel like it was redundant. I definitely will be picking up the first book to find out more to the stories they touched on.
This type of book is not my typical style read, but I enjoyed it right from the beginning. Right off the bat it reminded me of the TV show Charmed, in the sense that she is new to the paranormal world and is fighting demons. The main character, Lizzie, is a pre-school teacher who just a month ago found out she is a demon slayer. She is a perfectionist who likes to plan EVERYTHING out (just like me) and is finding that hard to handle with her new “job”. She finds out that her uncle has been taken by succubi (female demons who are empowered by sex) who have some plan to destroy the world. Lizzie’s major problem is that she is still learning how to manage being a slayer and how she is going to save the world (at least she has some help from her boyfriend, a shape-shifting griffin, and her grandmother’s biker gang of witches). I think the funniest part was when she was taking the test for her slayer’s license (imagine the worst case scenario at a driver’s license test). This is the paranormal part.
I think the romance portion of the genre is stressed a little less. There are 2 sex scenes in the book but I felt that they were used tastefully and both served a purpose. They were an integral part at moving the plot along and actually were very important to the paranormal part.
I read this book in 3 days, which is SUPER FAST for me. I just couldn’t put it down and the end of the chapter always left me wanting more. For someone new to paranormal this book was very good at describing what these different types of creatures were and what they could do. It was easy to understand and follow. I really enjoyed reading this book because it was something different and I could totally escape into the fantasy of it. This book was also absolutely hilarious. The main character is sarcastic and the characters are written humorously.
Ok, now onto some details about this book. This is actually the second book in a series. The first book is called The Accidental Demon Slayer and that is the name of the series as well. I am pretty sure that there is going to be another one as well. I have not read the first book but that didn’t seem to be a problem while reading this one. There was just enough information to give a new reading background into what happened in the first book, but not so much that a series reader would feel like it was redundant. I definitely will be picking up the first book to find out more to the stories they touched on.
This type of book is not my typical style read, but I enjoyed it right from the beginning. Right off the bat it reminded me of the TV show Charmed, in the sense that she is new to the paranormal world and is fighting demons. The main character, Lizzie, is a pre-school teacher who just a month ago found out she is a demon slayer. She is a perfectionist who likes to plan EVERYTHING out (just like me) and is finding that hard to handle with her new “job”. She finds out that her uncle has been taken by succubi (female demons who are empowered by sex) who have some plan to destroy the world. Lizzie’s major problem is that she is still learning how to manage being a slayer and how she is going to save the world (at least she has some help from her boyfriend, a shape-shifting griffin, and her grandmother’s biker gang of witches). I think the funniest part was when she was taking the test for her slayer’s license (imagine the worst case scenario at a driver’s license test). This is the paranormal part.
I think the romance portion of the genre is stressed a little less. There are 2 sex scenes in the book but I felt that they were used tastefully and both served a purpose. They were an integral part at moving the plot along and actually were very important to the paranormal part.
I read this book in 3 days, which is SUPER FAST for me. I just couldn’t put it down and the end of the chapter always left me wanting more. For someone new to paranormal this book was very good at describing what these different types of creatures were and what they could do. It was easy to understand and follow. I really enjoyed reading this book because it was something different and I could totally escape into the fantasy of it. This book was also absolutely hilarious. The main character is sarcastic and the characters are written humorously.
Read an EXCERPT of the book.
Other blogger reviews of this book:
Where to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | RJ Julia
Also by Angie Fox:
The Accidental Demon Slayer (Book 1)
A Tale of Two Demon Slayers (Book 3)
Last of the Demon Slayers (Book 4)
I Break for Biker Witches (Book 4.5)
My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding (Book 5)
The Tenth Dark Lord A'Leaping (Book 5.5)
Beverly Hills Demon Slayer (Book 6)
Night of the Living Demon Slayer (Book 7)
To Be Released in May 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Historical Spotlight: Tudor Era Dances
As I have gotten more and more interested in the Tudor period I have seen and read about various dances that just about everyone at Court knew. I thought it would be interesting to know what some of these dances actually were, to help understand what I am reading about. So the following post is going to look at three of the more common dances during the Tudor period. I was even able to find some modern recreations of these dances for visual appeal!
Branles
This is a 16th Century French dance style which moves mainly from side to side, and is performed by couples either in a line or a circle.
Galliards
This is an athletic dance, characterized by leaps, jumps, hops, and other similar figures. The main feature that defines a galliard step is that the last two beats consist of a large jump, landing with one leg ahead of the other.
Pavanes
This is a slow, processional dance common in Europe in the 16th Century.
Hope you have enjoyed getting to know the dances of the Tudor period a little better. Anyone feel like dancing now?
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Branles
This is a 16th Century French dance style which moves mainly from side to side, and is performed by couples either in a line or a circle.
Galliards
This is an athletic dance, characterized by leaps, jumps, hops, and other similar figures. The main feature that defines a galliard step is that the last two beats consist of a large jump, landing with one leg ahead of the other.
Pavanes
This is a slow, processional dance common in Europe in the 16th Century.
Hope you have enjoyed getting to know the dances of the Tudor period a little better. Anyone feel like dancing now?
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Historical Spotlight: Tudor Era Manners for Attending Table
So, I thought it would be interesting to learn some of the manners that were expected of anyone attending table at a house of a member of the nobility. I got this idea after reading a passage from Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir where the main character is going to attend her first table. Here is the passage:
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
"I must not speak during the meal, unless anyone speaks to me. I must never, never yawn, belch, pick my nose, wipe my fingers on the tablecloth, or, worst of all, let go a fart...Lots of dishes are served at table, but a child must not commit the sin of gluttony, and I am not supposed to choose more than two or three at a time" (pg. 37).I thought that this sounds like a lot, especially for a young child to remember (and we all know how young children can behave at a table!) So, naturally I went to the web to see what I could find, and here are some additional rules to follow:
- "Guests were led into the dining chamber in order of precedence. In a great hall, seats were usually laid out in a U-shape, with the lord at the base of the U. The most honored position was to the right of the lord, and the lowest at the bottom of the tables to the left of the lord."
- The visible washing of hands was important
- Dishes were brought to the high table first and then to the other tables according to rank
- A person would not expect to have a little of everything served. They were expected to only select from the trays located near them
- Drink was brought to the table by an attendent when the person wanted a drink and then removed when finished with that drink
- Don't put elbows on the table (it could cause it to slip and fall)
- Food was not to be eaten from the tip of the knife
- Meat was to be cut into small pieces
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court
Teaser Tuesday
Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. Share the title & author of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. Please avoid spoilers!This week's book is Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir.
"I am bursting, but suddenly I see what I should do. I slide my feet apart beneath my heavy skirts and, quietly and slowly as I can, relieve myself onto the rushes on the floor. Then I sit down, hoping that no one will notice the puddle that my skirts are hiding."
"Take this child, wash her, and change her clothes," she says very low, "then bring her to me in the great chamber, where I will teach her some manners."
Pg. 42. I could not stop laughing as I read this passage!
Copyright © 2009 by The Maiden’s Court