Waiting on Wednesday - Brazen by Katherine Longshore

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

 

Title: Brazen

Author: Katherine Longshore

 Publication: June 12th 2014 by Viking Juvenile 

 

Description: Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?

 

 

I've read a couple of Katherine Longshore's books and I've enjoyed them immensely.  I think this one sounds right up my alley!

 

 

  

Review - Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Title: Manor of Secrets

Author: Katherine Longshore

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 320

Published: January 28th 2014 by Point 

ISBN: 9780545567589

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: The year is 1911. And at The Manor, nothing is as it seems . . .Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy, and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure. And most of all, romance. Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn't sure she possesses the courage -- or the means -- to break free and follow her passions. Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives. . . forever.

First Line: Charlotte Edmonds stood on the patio and looked out across the wide expanse of lawn. 

I Give This ...

 

For the most part I like my historical fiction to be accurate and true to details.  But, occasionally I like one that may be a little bit more modern.  I want the intrigue and setting, but I want it to be fun.  That's what this was.

I always love it when a Victoria young lady wants to buck the normal.  I think it's because I imagine that I would do the same.   So Lady Charlotte really struck a cord with me.  She doesn't want to be sold away to the highest bidder in a lackluster marriage.  She wants to see the world and embrace all it has to offer.  It's not wonder that she latches on to her wayward aunt (one who seems to be wrapped in some sort of scandal), when she suddenly comes to visit.  She also seems to not care about position and rank, something I imagine is very hard to overcome.

I wasn't as fond of Janie, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.   I just didn't connect with her as much.  I found it interesting that I found her more cynical and condescending than Charlotte.  I'm sure her circumstances have lead to her attitude, but I think her eyes were really opened when Charlotte decided to enlist her help.

As for the manor secrets...really they're pretty obvious.  I don't think the author was really trying to hide them.  If you've read this type of story at all, you probably have idea of what's coming.  I found the way the author presented the events to fit the story.

I enjoy Katherine Longshore's work so far.  I need to catch up on her other series!

 

 

Review- Gilt (The Royal Circle #1) by Katherine Longshore

Title: Gilt

Author: Katherine Longshore

Series: Thought stand alone but looks like a series (different characters?)

Pages: 398

Published: May 15th 2012 by Viking Juvenile 

ISBN: 9780670013999

Source: Publisher sent for honest review

Description: In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free— and love comes at the highest price of all. When Kitty Tylney’s best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII’s heart and brings Kitty to court, she’s thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat’s shadow, Kitty’s now caught between two men—the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat’s meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

I Give This ...

The problem with reading quite a bit of historical fiction from the same time period is that you tend to read about the same characters over and over.  It becomes difficult to shed new light on a subject.  I've read a couple books revolving around Catherine Howard, but this one seemed like it might be something different.  I was right.

I liked that the story is told from the viewpoint of someone close to Cat.  We are seeing the events unfold through someone elses eyes.  Add to the intrigue is that it is someone who has known Cat before she was queen and before she went to court.  I think that's an important distinction.  While Kitty is a complete doormat throughout this book, I think she believes she can't be anything else.  She been discarded and the only way she feels worthwhile is to be at the beck and call of another.  Usually not a very redeeming quality in a lead narrative, but I couldn't help but root for her.  We all know Catherine's fate, but I was hoping that wouldn't happen to Kitty just because Catherine would drag her down with her.

Speaking of Catherine, this book made me dislike her intensely.  In the other books I've read, she's played off more naive and innocent (in the sense that she really has no clue what is going on around her).   I've felt that she was being set up by her family but had not idea the true danger her situation put her in.  This book made me think that may have not been so.  She conniving, selfish, and knows exactly what she's doing.  She will do anything and use anybody to get what she wants.  What still amazes me, is that she thought she could get away with it.  Did she think she could charm her way out it?  That her youth and beauty would be her saving grace?  

I liked the way some things are explained in this book.  Thomas Culpepper is an interesting character and their relationship takes some interesting turns throughout this story.  I like how the well known events unfold so that they are completely logical and make you believe they may have actually happened this way.   I also liked how the sexual aspect is toned down just enough for the young adult audience.  There's not much historical fiction geared to teens (and I know I would have loved this at a younger age).  I think this genre might open up new interests for teens and history.

I enjoyed this book a lot.  I'm looking forward to the idea that this might be a series.  Will the author take on another one of King Henry VIII's wives?  Or maybe Queen Elizabeth?  Time will tell!