Happy Halloween and NaNoWriMo Eve!

Hello, everyone!

Happy Halloween and NaNoWriMo Eve!

I know what you're thinking: Amy, you're gonna try NaNo again?

Uh, yeah - try is a good word! I have a lot going on this month - college, events, work - probably more than I've ever had going on in November, but I'm still going to try. Mostly because I have a really great idea for a novel. What is it, you ask? Well I'll tell you!

A quick summary:

In the 17th century in England, witch trials terrified the countryside. Thomas Stockley, country squire, and his family believe they are safe from the accusations flying through the lower class; but when a girl from their own social circle is accused, fear enters their household. Rebecca, the second of his four daughters, wishing to save her family from any sort of scrutiny, agrees to marrying the local justice of the peace, earning her family safety.

Anne Pickard, a maid in the local justice of the peace's house, keeps her head low when walking through the streets, knowing that it's girls like her who fingers are pointed at. When unwelcome advances come from a man in the village so do the accusations.

How did I come up with this idea? I watched a show about the witch trials on Netflix. That's it.

I'm going to be posting everyday throughout November to try to keep myself motivated (as we all know I lose interest easily).

Stay tuned!

After the War is Over [REVIEW]

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS

I love booked that are set during the World Wars and I really enjoyed this one.

Charlotte was a great character. She was a strong, independent woman when it was ‘odd’ for a woman to be those things. I really liked Edward too and how it showed how he was effected after losing his leg and how the war changed him. Another character I really liked was Robbie (something about those Scots!)

I found, however, their relationship was a bit choppy. They were obviously in love since she was Lilly’s governess, but they never acted on it (understandably). Then they hadn’t seen each other during the war until Edward was released from the hospital and was found by Robbie (they were still in love, but didn’t know how the other felt). They don’t act on their feelings for a good chunk of the book (more or less pushing each other away). Then they get to spend a month alone in a cottage together (the romantic in me was squeeing hardcore in anticipation). They confess, get a bit hot and heavy… then agree that they can’t be together. Um, what? So they continue torturing themselves while thinking of each other, but end up together in the end. I dunno, it was just a bit strange to me. I’m happy they ended up together though, I was rooting for them the whole time.

One thing that stuck with me, however, was the shellshock. In my research for my own stories, I found that the term shellshock was first recorded in a medical journal in 1915; even five years after it was used, I doubt it would be a popular term with civilians. It wasn’t completely understood at the time and a lot of people saw it as cowardice – yet a lot of people in the book knew about it and were understanding of it.

4/5

A Bollywood Affair [REVIEW]

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW

 

I wanted to like A Bollywood Affair, I really did, but it was hard.

To be absolutely truthful, Mili annoyed the shit out of me. She was a complete damsel in distress and was constantly crying. Samir annoyed me too with his amazing ability to only think using ‘Little Sam’. But together they were almost the perfect Mary-Sue and Gary-Stu couple. Mili was smart, kind, caring, understand. Her only faults? She was sensitive and clumsy. Samir was rich, famous, handsome, cared immensely for his family. His faults? He was a bit of a manipulative bastard.

I was hoping to get a glimpse of Indian culture and would take place in India more, but it really didn’t.

I know Mili spent her whole life believing she was married to a man she never met, but this is where I get confused. She is studying Women’s Studies in America and wants to make the world easier or Indian women (and she loves how free and independent American women are). But yet she still believes in an illegal marriage to a man she hasn’t see since she married him as a child. And she’s trying to make herself into the perfect Indian wife.

Mili also never gets mad at anyone except Samir. She doesn’t get angry at her ‘husband’ for never coming to get her or at least getting in contact with her after all these years. Doesn’t get angry at her grandmother who sent false lawsuits under her name. No, only gets mad at Samir because he failed to tell her who he really was. She was also way too trusting with him (letting him practically live with her after him just taking her to the hospital) and she overreacted when they first met.

Another thing that I found weird were Samir’s moms. I understand that he would resent his birth mom for giving him up. What I don’t understand is how his adoptive mom could be so welcoming to her. Perhaps I’m just not an understanding and forgiving person, but I can’t imagine getting on without a hitch with a woman who my husband had an affair and child with.

One thing that really stuck out to me was that everyone in the book agreed that Samir’s adoptive mom was the kindest, warmest person ever, yet in the prologue (which I really enjoyed) when child-Mili is crying, she doesn’t know whether to slap her or hug her.

Like I said, I wanted to like this book, but it was really hard.

2/5

Sovay

So I like traditional ballads. Really like. So I thought I would share one of my favourites.

Sovay, Sovay all on a day
She dressed herself in man's array
With a brace of pistols all by her side
To meet her true love, to meet her true love, away she'd ride

As she was riding over the plain
She met her true love and bid him stand
"Stand and deliver, young sir," she said
"And if you do not, and if you do not, I'll shoot you dead"

He delivered up his golden store
And still she craved for one thing more
"That diamond ring, that I see you wear
Oh hand it over, oh hand it over, and your life I'll spare"

"From that diamond ring I would not part
For it's a token from my sweetheart
Shoot and be damned, you rogue" said he
"And you'll be hanged, you'll be hanged then for murdering me"

Next morning in the garden green
Young Sophie and her true love were seen
He spied his watch hanging from her clothes
Which made him blush lads, which made him blush lads like any rose

 "Why do you blush you silly thing
I thought to have that diamond ring
T'was I who robbed you all on the plain
So here's your gold, love so here's your gold and your watch and chain

I only did it for to know
If you would be a man or no
If you had given me that ring" she said
"I'd have pulled the trigger, pulled the trigger and shot you dead"

- Traditional Ballad

Cate of the Lost Colony [REVIEW]

Title: Cate of the Lost Colony 
Author: Lisa Klein 
Pages: 336

Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World.

Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.

I loved this book at first. A lot of people said they found the first part boring, but I found it interesting. But many things seemed to bug me about this book.

I hated Queen Elizabeth I. I love love – she hated it. Nobody was allowed to be in love or have a beau except her – and she didn’t even really have one! She was flirting with guys less than half her age, but Heaven forbids a young girl found someone who caught her fancy.

I like Ralegh a bit. He was noble, honest, but power-hunger. I don’t think he really loved Cate. He loved what she could give him. But if you know about Ralegh, you’ll know that not everything works out.

I didn’t know anything about the Lost Colony. This book made me research it and I am very intrigued by it. What really happened to them all? I like to think they found their way like in the book.

This book was actually boring after the first part. You think going to an uncivilized land would be exciting – not in this book. There were many times when I wanted to site down the book and never pick it up again, but I had to finish what I started.

There was no romance in the book. It clearly implies that it is on the back, but the first actual kiss for Cate took place 300-some pages in! There was absolutely no connection between Cate and Ralegh. She claims she loved him, but I couldn’t buy it.

I rate this: 2 ½ stars.

In the Shadow of the Lamp [REVIEW]

Title: In the Shadow of the Lamp

Author: Susanne Dunlap

Pages: 293

It's 1854 and sixteen-year-old Molly would give anything to change her circumstances as a lowly servant in a posh London house. So when she hears of an opportunity to join the nurses who will be traveling with Florence Nightingale to the Crimea, she jumps at the chance. The work is gruelling, the hospital conditions deplorable, and Miss Nightingale a demanding teacher. Before long, the plight of British soldiers becomes more than just a mission of mercy as Molly finds that she's falling in love with both a dashing young doctor and a soldier who has joined the army to be near her. But with the battle raging ever nearer, can Molly keep the two men she cares for from harm? A love story to savour, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes imagining of the woman who became known as the lady with the lamp.

I knew little about Florence Nightingale before reading this book. So, like any history/book nerd, I consulted Wiki about her. She seemed like a pretty cool lady. The way she was portrayed kind of reminded me of how Elizabeth I is always done – nobody is allowed to be in love.

I enjoyed the characters a lot. Molly is a strong young lady who seems to always have a battle raging within her, but does the right thing. Her two lover interests – Will and Dr Maclean – are wonderful. I love ‘love triangles’ and I always root for someone from the start to finish, but I didn’t in this one. Before she met Maclean, I was rooting for Will. But once she met the charming doctor, I was torn. Both men are so different in the best of ways. Emma is a good companion for Miss Molly, though at first I wondered what she was about.

The plot is amazing as is the description. I felt as if I was there and could see everything vividly in my head – the swaying ship in the storm, the battlefield, and the wounded soldiers. At times it was so descriptive in what was happening during the operations that I had to close my eyes, take a deep breath and get a new pair of knees before continuing.

There was a moment near the end (when you read it, you will know which part) that affected me greatly. I was sitting in class when I read it, tears pricking my eyes. That wasn’t the only part where I cried. I can promise you, if you read this there is a 96% chance of muttering ‘who is cutting the onions?’

Even though there were many sad parts, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Molly ends up happy with one of her young men though there were many times I doubted it.

I rate this: 5 stars.

Ladies in Waiting [REVIEW]

Title: Ladies in Waiting 
Author: Laura L Sullivan 
Pages: 336

Eliza dreams of being a playwright for the king’s theater, where she will be admired for her witty turns of phrase rather than her father’s wealth. Beth is beautiful as the day but poor as a church mouse, so she must marry well, despite her love for her childhood sweetheart. Zabby comes to England to further her scientific studies—and ends up saving the life of King Charles II. Soon her friendship with him becomes a dangerous, impossible obsession. Though she knows she should stay away from the young, handsome king, Charles has a new bride, Queen Catherine, and a queen needs ladies in waiting. And so Zabby, Beth, and Eliza, three Elizabeths from very different walks of life, find themselves at the center of the most scandal-filled court that England has ever seen.

I really liked this book in the beginning – even the middle! But once I hit a certain point, I wasn’t very fond of it.

The characters were a tossup for me; I’m not sure if I liked most of them or hated them. Let’s start with our three Elizabeths. Eliza, I really liked her. She was funny and crude, threatening her suitors with cutting off their… urm, cods. She was determined to be a playwright no matter what others thought of her. Zabby, I didn’t really care for. She was smart, a bit strange, and fancied herself in love with a married man – the king! What was wrong with her? All she wanted was to sleep with him. Beth was my favourite out of them all. She was sweet, innocent, pretty, and a tad mad, I believe. She lived for love – it was all she ever wanted. On their own these three girls would be fine, but together they made a great big Mary-Sue.

Let’s take a look at the other characters, shall we? King Charles, I’m not going to sugar coat it, he was a man-whore. I don’t agree with infidelity. It’s one of the worst things to do to you spouse. Especially when she is as sweet as Catherine. She loved Charles with all her heart, but he had tons of mistresses and didn’t love her like he should’ve. Harry, Beth’s love, was one of my favourite characters. He loved her after all those years and tried to win her doing whatever could. They said he was brash, but I think he was in love.

Now you’re probably wondering why I hated the ending. It might have been because there wasn’t one. The book just sort of ended. There was only really a closing for Zabby (if you could call it that). I’m still not 100% sure how Beth was in the end of the book as there wasn’t even an epilogue to tell me how they were now faring. It felt although someone had ripped out that last few pages of my book.

I rate this: 3 stars.

The Dark Unwinding [REVIEW]

Title: The Dark Unwinding

Author: Sharon Cameron

Pages: 318

When Katharine Tulman's inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle's world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

I really liked this book. It wasn’t terribly steampunk, other than a few ‘toys’, but it was certainly historical. The plot was good, although a bit confusing. There were times when I had to go back and reread to understand something clearly.

It took me a good hundred or so pages to find out who the love interest was. Was it Lane (love that name) or Ben? Was it a love-triangle? Don’t worry, it isn’t. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t; they are a favourite of mine in books.

If you aren’t won over by the plot, please stay for the characters. They truly are fantastic. Katharine (I dislike how they spell it with an ‘a’ and not an ‘e’) grinded my gears for the first bit, but she turned out to be a caring, intelligent girl.

If you read any other reviews, you will notice that Uncle Tully is a favourite – and I have to agree. He is a sweet, energetic little man who can bring a smile to anyone’s face. I believe he has autism, but it is shown the best I have ever seen it. Ms Cameron really captured it. Also along with others, I loved how to him Katharine was ‘Simon’s Baby’.

Lane was dark, moody and totally swoon worthy. This is my favourite kind of love interest. Mrs Jefferies I had mixed feelings about, but grew to like. Ben was great at the first, but then I didn’t trust him at all.

There was one moment which I had to read three times, wishing that it didn’t happen. Tears formed in my eyes. Once you read the book, you will know that moment I am speaking of.

The ending ticked me off, but apparently there will be a sequel, so I am content with it now.

I rate this: 4.5/5