Challenge Completed: 2014 Historical Reading Challenge

I planned to read 10 Historical books. I read 17.

Books read for this challenge:

-The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

-The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch

-Once Upon A Kiss by Jayne Fresina

-A Lady By Midnight by Tessa Dare

-A Week To Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

-Somerset by Leila Meacham

-Trapped At The Altar by Jane Feather

-Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase

-A Night To Surrender by Tessa Dare

-Once Upon A Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare
-Tsarina by J. Nellie Patrick
-Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

-Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

-The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

-I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsay McCabe

-A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

-Wild Heart by Lori Brighton

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

I added Lies We Tell Ourselves to my library queue because it was getting terrific buzz. And rightly so. Talley wrote a difficult book beautifully. It was hard to read but I could stop reading it because the writing was so beautiful.

It's 1959 in Virginia. Sarah is a senior in high school. Lies We Tell Ourselves opens on her first day of school. Sarah is one of the first African-American students to attend Jefferson High School. The governor of Virginia shut down the schools for the past 5 months to avoid integration. But the courts overturned him and Sarah and nine other African-American students walk into Jefferson High.

Linda watches Sarah that day. Linda and her parents are segregationists. Linda firmly believes that Sarah and the other African-American students are there to ruin her senior year and her life. All Linda wants to do is graduate so she can marry her sweetheart. Then Linda's life can start.

Not only does the Lies We Tell Ourselves tell the story of these young men and women intregrating an all white high school but it also tells the story of Sarah, a young woman struggling to find where she belongs. Not only is Sarah integrating this school but she is gay. Sarah is a Christian and believes that there is something wrong with her. I deeply enjoyed reading Sarah's journey. Talley made these characters leap off the page and draw me into their lives. I read the bulk of Lies We Tell Ourselves in one sitting.

I would highly recommend Lies We Tell Ourselves. Not just because of the rich historical detail (which was painful to read at times) or the beautiful writing, but because it was a damn good book. Others who shared their thoughts on Lies We Tell Ourselves: Miss Literati,  The YA Kitten, and Jess Hearts Books.
This was my sixteenth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch

When I spotted The Devil Wears Kilts on the library shelf, I took a chance. A new romance series with sexy Scots? Sure, why not? Not a bad first book but a little slow.

Ranulf heads to London to fetch his runaway sister. Ranulf hates London and isn't happy about having to spend a moment there. But when he sees Lady Charlotte Hanover, he decides that London might be worth checking out. Charlotte is firmly on the shelf. After her fiancée dies in a duel, Charlotte has no use for hot headed men. But Ranulf is mighty sexy in his kilt.

I have two complaints about The Devil Wears Kilts. First it was slow. There was a lot of back and forth between Ranulf and Charlotte. I liked that their attraction was quick but that they took a lot of time to get to know each other. In fact the sexy times were a lot later than in many other romance novels. But so slow! Too slow for me. I started to get bored. Second, I get confused with their Scottish accents (this happened to me in Outlander too). I think I got tired of trying to figure out what they were saying sometimes. But Charlotte was smart and genuine. Ranulf was a little harder to like but I liked him in the end. I'll try the rest of the series. Others who shared their thoughts on The Devil Wears Kilts: All About Romance, Smexy Books, My Book Addiction Reviews, and Addicted To Romance.
This is my twenty-third read for the Romance Reading Challenge.

And this is my fourteenth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

Wildthorn by Jane Eagland

Wildthorn had been on my tbr list since it came out. But April's review pushed it to the top my list. While I'm glad I read Wildthorn, it wasn't as amazing as I hoped.

Louisa doesn't fit her mother or societies view of a young lady. Louisa has little interest in finding a husband. She rather spend her time reading or conducting experiments. Louisa's father indulges her interests while Louisa's mom wishes her daughter would behave as she's expected. Wildthorn starts out with Louisa on her way to the home of a family friend, a place where she'll be expected to be a companion to a girl around her age. But instead, Louisa is taken to Wildthorn, an insane asylum, where everyone keeps calling her Lucy.

Wildthorn is told in alternating chapters. One chapter is present time and one chapter is the past. It's a mystery to the reader why Louisa is in Wildthorn. Has she made up everything she's telling us? Has one of her experiments gone awry? Slowly, the reader and Louisa understand why she was brought to Wildthorn. Wildthorn reminded me a lot of Girl, Interrupted. Young women locked up in mental institutions because they didn't fit societies view of young ladies. I appreciated the detail that Eagland provided. I could feel the horrible surroundings Louisa found herself in.

Overall, I enjoyed Wildthorn but I did get bored in sections. It felt like things moved slowly especially in the beginning and middle. It did pick up toward the end and I enjoyed the end. I was able to finish it in about 5 hours. Others who shared their thoughts on Wildthorn: Once Upon A Bookcase, Good Books & Good Wine, Escape In A Book, and Paranormal Indulgence.
This is my twelfth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

Somerset by Leila Meacham

I picked up Somerset off the library shelf because I had enjoyed Roses. Since this was the prequel to Roses, I was excited to learn more about the Tolivers, the DuMonts, and the Warwicks. While Somerset was very similar to Roses, it took me a lot longer to get invested in the characters. But it was still an enjoyable read.

Somerset starts in South Carolina on the eve of Silas Toliver and Jeremy Warwicks departure for Texas. Both second sons, neither Silas or Jeremy will inherit their families land. The only way for them to make it on their own is to head to Texas. Silas makes some large sacrifices to secure the funding for his trip to Texas. Just like Roses, Somerset is mostly about the Tolivers but the Warwicks and the DuMonts also add to the story. I really would like a book just about the Warwicks. I found Jeremy to be a much more interesting character than Silas. But I did like Jessica and she kept me reading when I was getting bored. It's a long book and sometimes I struggle with reading such long books.

Again this is great historical fiction. It starts before the Civil War and ends in the early 1900's. I really enjoyed the discussions about abolishment and the share cropping. Meacham does a great job of adding lots of detail to the story so you can really see how people lived then.

I'm glad I read Somerset. You can read them in any order. If you've read Roses, it would be great to hear about the history of the families you know. Others who shared their thoughts on Somerset: Burton Book Reviews, Country Girls Read, and Tina Says....
This is my ninth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

A Night To Surrender by Tessa Dare

I added A Night To Surender to my library queue after finding it on a list of good historical romances. I'm glad I did because it was just the kind of romance I like. Smart men and women, great dialogue, and plenty of steamy scenes.

Victor Bramwell is a solider. After an injury, his superiors are reluctant to let him lead an army. But that's all Bram knows how to do. Sir Finch is his last hope. So Bram brings his wayward cousin and his friend, Thorne, to Spindle Cove.

Susanna Finch has built a home for herself and other women like her. Spindle Cove a respite for women who don't fit in, shy maidens, abandoned wives, and girls who fall in love with the wrong men. Susanna gives these women a freedom, freedom to be who they are, freedom to pursue their dreams. Susanna thinks that she has all she could want until she meets Bram.

I adored both Susanna and Bram. They are both headstrong and think they have all they want. Bram thinks the army is the only place he could belong. Susan thinks marriage means giving up who she is. Both are wrong and it was delightful to watch them realize how wrong they were.

Dare also introduces several other characters in Spindle Cove which I know will be the subjects of her later books. I'm looking forward to the next one, A Week To Be Wicked, about Minerva, the geologist. Rocks can be sexy :) Yay for finding a sexy new to me series. Others who shared their thoughts on A Night To Surrender:  The Happily Ever After..., Not Another Romance Blog, Good Books Good Wine, and Reading The Paranormal.
This is my fifth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

And my second read for the Romance Reading Challenge.

Tsarina by J. Nellie Patrick

I added Tsarina to my to be read list after reading Catie's review. I don't read much fiction set in Russia but was excited to read some. I'm glad I picked up Tsarina. It was a wonderful story and very engaging.

Natalya's in love with Alexei Romanov, the heir to the Russian throne. Natalya and Alexei are truely in love and feel that they are destined to be together. Natalya looks forward to being the tsarina but mostly looks forward to spending her life with Alexei. But this a tumultuous time in Russia's history. Will Natalya and Alexei survive? Will Natalya be able to save Russia?

At first I wasn't sure about Natalya. She was a little spoiled and I knew her life was going to change drastically before the middle of the book. But she quickly stepped it up and I enjoyed seeing her take charge. Natalya would have been a kick ass tsarina. Her love for Alexei and Russia kept her from running away. It kept her in Russia, fighting not to lose what she loved dearly. Her friend, Emilia, helps her as does Leo, a Red who wants to bring down the government and put Lenin in power. Leo is an unlikely ally. I wound up liking him a lot.

Tsarina was an excellent story about love, war, and loyalty to one's beliefs. I enjoy reading historical fiction that's outside of the United Kingdom. I'll be looking for more from J. Nellie Patrick. Oh, I just found out that J. Nellie Patrick is Jackson Pearce's pen name. No wonder it was so fantastic. Others who shared their thoughts on Tsarina: Pub Writes, Books Take You Places, Just A Lil' Lost, My Friends are Fiction, Read. Breathe. Relax, and The Incredible Librarian.
This is my forth book for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.

I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsay McCabe

I added I Shall Be Near To You after seeing it on a must read list of books released in 2014. I was on a Civil War kick a few years ago and was especially interested in women in war. I Shall Be Near To You featured a young woman who chooses to follow her young husband to war rather than to stay at home. I Shall Be Near To You was a fantastic read.

Rosetta doesn't spend her time learning to knit or cook like her sister. Rosetta prefers to be on the farm, tending to the animals, or fishing. It's her can do attitude that catches Jeremiah's eye. Jeremiah would like his own farm someday and Rosetta would be able to help work it with him. Their common goals bring them together and they fall in love. The American Civil War starts and Jeremiah decides to join up. The Army is paying good money and that will enable them to buy their farm faster. Rosetta stays at his family's farm but doesn't feel good about being separated from her husband. A few days after Jeremiah leaves, Rosetta sets off after him and joins the army as Ross Stone.

It's unclear how many women fought the American Civil War as men. But there is anecdotal evidence of many women fighting in war. Every a few women who were pregnant fought and died at many battles. I loved the spunk that Rosetta displayed. She can't sit idle while Jeremiah puts himself in danger. She attempts to help her family but is turned away as she has a new family. I loved all the detail McCabe put into the story. I really felt like I was there with Rosetta. Between the battles and life in the army, I really felt the difficulty that Rosetta and the other soldiers faced.

I Shall Be Near To You is a must read. The story and the characters will stay with me for a long time. Others who shared their thoughts on I Shall Be Near You: Girl Lost In  A Book, Historical Fiction Book Reviews, Ciska's Book Reviews, and Literary Lindsay.
This is my third book for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.

A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

When I saw the cover of A Mad, Wicked Folly, I immediately added it to my library queue. But when I heard the summary, I knew I was going to like it. Early 1900's London, art, romance, and a girl trying to be on her own. I really enjoyed A Mad, Wicked Folly even though it made me angry at times.

Vicky wants to be an artist. But for a woman of her class (high), Vicky is expected to draw kittens and flowers. In order to be a real artist, she would have to defy her parents. But Vicky is used to the high life-fancy dresses, servants. Could she give all that up to become the artist she dreams of being?

I'm aware of American suffragette history. But I didn't realize that English woman fought for the same right to vote as well. What made me angry was that these women were trying to make clear arguments and men were laughing and jeering at them. Even some of the men in Vicky's life were assholes. Her fiancee told her he'd protect her with one breath and took away things that mattered to her in another. I realize that happened frequently and still happens today but it made me really angry. It made me appreciate the freedoms I have thanks to the women who have fought for those freedoms.

A Mad, Wicked Folly was entertaining and educational. Waller did a lot of research into the time and had a helpful guide in the back of the book to talk more about the history. I enjoyed A Mad, Wicked Folly and look forward to more of Waller's books. Others who shared their thoughts on A Mad, Wicked Folly: Good Books, Good Wine, The Crazy Bookworm, Beauty and The Bookshelf, and The Library Canary.
This was my second read for the 2014 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge.

February Book Tally

Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope

Enchanting The Lady by Katheryne Kennedy

Paris Was The Place by Susan Conley

A Dawn Most Wicked by Susan Dennard

Boy21 by Matthew Quick

Level Up by Gene Luen Yang

Clara and Mr Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

You Have Killed Me by Jamie Rich

Alice in Tumblr-land by Tim Manley

The Cute Girl Network by MK Reed

Brain Camp by Susan Kim

Morning Glory by Sarah Jio

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Thirteen this month. One more than Janurary. Pretty good for such a short month. I did read several graphic novels. I have more on hold at the library so I see more graphic novels in March.

Stats:

Romance Reading Challenge This month: 2 (Enchanting the Lady and Sense and Sensibility) YTD: 3

Historical Reading Challenge  This month: 0 (none this month) YTD: 1

What's In A Name Challenge This month:1 (Clara and Mr Tiffany) YTD: 3

Yearly Total: 25

Wild Heart by Lori Brighton

I can't remember why I added Wild Heart to my tbr list but I'm glad I did. To me, the story was fresh and I enjoyed the characters. I'm excited to have another romance series to read.

Ella has come to Lord Roberts' home to be a governess. Ella is nervous to leave Lady Buckley's, the only home she's ever known. But Ella does as she is told and waits to meet the child she will teaching. Ella is shocked to discover that her charge is a man. Leo is Lord Roberts' grown grandson. But Leo has lived half his life in the jungle and is very unrefined. They hope Ella will be able to make him a gentleman but Ella has other ideas.

I could relate to Ella. She follows orders and doesn't ask for what she wants. As an orphan, she assumes that she's glad to get what she does. Ella also has a special gift. She's able to hear the fears of animals and sooth them. She was taught this was a curse and she should hid what she does. Ella does struggle to be a proper English lady but Leo loves when she's not. I really liked Leo. He's wounded and doesn't realize that love can heal him. I like that he changes slowly over time. There were one or two scenes where Ella reacts strangely (mostly underreacts to things) that lessened my enjoyment but it ended strong and I look forward to book 2.

Wild Heart was a nice change from the typical Regency romance. Very little society mingling, few balls plus a little bit of the supernatural in there. Others who shared their thoughts on Wild Heart:  Reviews from The Heart, Smexy Books, My Reading Rainbow, and The Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell.
This is my first read for the Romance Reading Challenge.

 This is my first read for the Historical Reading Challenge.

2014 Historical Reading Challenge

I'm joining the Historical Reading Challenge again this year. I had a great time with it last year so I'm looking forward to another great time in 2014.

I'm going for the Renaissance Reader with 10 books.

If you'd like to join head over to this post at Historical Tapestry.