Victoria Victorious

I thought that Queen Victoria was one of Englands greatest Queens after reading this book I am not so sure.

Plaidy focused on Queen Victoria's personal life then on the Political intrique that was going on around her. It is told as Queen Victoria is remembering her past and the people who have influenced her.

When I first met Victoria I liked her. I thought that she was spunky but after she became Queen and married Prince Albert she became a traditionl female. The husband is always right. I wanted to strangle her because she always did what her husband wanted just to keep him happy. He knew how to manipluate Victoria to get what he wanted. After Albert died, I wanted to throw the book across the room because Victoria kept saying what would Albert do after each crisis whether personal or political. I would like to read more on Queen Victoria to see if others had the same perspective or a different one.

Jean Plaidy is still one of my favorite historical fiction writers. I have enjoyed the books that she writes, but I may not have enjoyed or liked the people she writes about.

The Tudors still rock.

Happy Reading

A Vision of Light

Margaret of Ashbury is a woman of the 14th century. She wants to write the story of her life, but she is unable to read or write. She approaches three clerics to write her story but they scornfully told her no. Brother Gregory, a Carthusian friar, agrees to write her life story as he needs money to buy food. As she begins to tell her story we find that Margaret has lived a extraordinary and at times difficult life. She was married off to a evil man at at the age of 14. She was left for dead by her husband during the Black Plague. Thanks to a wise woman she survived the plaque. Margaret became an apprenticed to the wise woman where she learned about herbs and plants for healing as well as how to be a midwife. Then one day she experienced a Vision of Light which gives her the healing touch. When someone reports her to the bishop courts, she is tried for heresy. Will she be able to survive this challenge like she has all the other challenges in her life?

A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley was a fun book to read. This book gave you a peek into the middle ages. It shows one, how men thought of women and how women had to behave. I loved Brother Gregory and Margaret interactions. Brother Gregory is shocked by Margaret. She does not fit into his view of women. But as he listens to her story, he starts to respect her.

Once you learn Margaret's story, you understand why she wants to tell it and why she wants to read and write.

If I knew what a great book this was; I would not have waited so long to read it. This is the first book in the Margaret of Ashbury trilogy. I can't wait to see what further adventures Margaret will encounter.

Happy Reading

Historical Fiction Challenge

I was not going to do anymore challenges. I said I have enough. I still need to start reading for the decades challenge. I am reading my last book for the Royalty Rules Challenge, so I will finish this challenge.(which is a crossover for the TBR Challenge). TBR Challenge I am on track. I am participating in Eharlequin 100,000 book challenge, but 50%of the books have to be from any Harlequin line. I will also be doing book reviews for Pump Up Your Book Promotion. I said no more challenges. And then I found Historical Fiction Challenge sponsored by Anne from Reading, Writing, and Ranting. I thought about it and I was like weelll I will finish the Royalty Rules Challenge. It is not a big stretch from Royalty to Historical Fiction sooooo and I have 6 months to read 6 books maaaybeee I could do it. Well, why not as they said in the old NIKE ad just Do It. So here are my 6 choices.

1. The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory


2. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant


3. A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley


4. Mary, Queen of Scotland by Margaret George


5. The Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir


6. Victoria Victorious by Jean Plaidy

I have the right to change any of my choices.

So wish me luck, I hope I can accomplish all of my reading goals for 2008. I also hope to read 100 books this year. Between working full time and my family I CAN DO IT!!!!