HFVBT Tour Stop for The Confessions of Marie Antoniette by Juliet Grey

In this final sweeping part of Juliet Grey's trilogy, Marie Antoinette and her family are facing the revolution. The people of Paris storm Versailles, seeking bread. The revolutionary power keg ignites, sending the Royal Family to Paris, under the "protection" of the citizens. Imprisoned in Tuileries Palace, Marie struggles to support her family, never wavering in her love for her children and husband. A plot to flee the capital goes awry and the Royal Family is once again imprisoned in Paris. This time, nothing can stop the Revolution. 

Grey takes readers into the last days of Marie Antoinette. I have never read such a touching book regarding the doomed French Queen. I was supremely touched at how close readers become to Marie. I felt her pain, her humiliation, rage and desire to protect her family. The Confessions of Marie Antoinette bring her to life. 
This is an amazing book, one I highly recommend. 

 


About the Author

Juliet Grey is the author of Becoming Marie Antoinette and Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow. She has extensively researched European royalty and is a particular devotee of Marie Antoinette, as well as a classically trained professional actress with numerous portrayals of virgins, vixens, and villainesses to her credit. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and southern Vermont. 

For more information please visit www.becomingmarie.com.  You can also find Juliet Grey on Facebook.

I reviewed this book for the HFVBT. Thank you to Amy and Juliet!! 

Lady of Secrets by Susan Carroll

Meg Wolfe, Lady of the Faire Isle, always help those in need. When her help is solicited by two dark men seeking to help free James I from a witches curse, she is hesitant. When Meg arrives with her friend Seraphine, she is fearful. Her mother's coven is lurking in the shadows. The men she came with aren't what they seem. London is teeming with people wanting to use Meg, some with good intentions and some with bad. With help from her friend, Meg must use her wits to make it out alive.

I enjoyed this book. It is #6 in the Dark Queen Series. There were some places that I felt I was missing some previous information, but it works well as a stand alone novel. The novel starts darkly, with an execution, and really doesn't let up. The character development was murky, and that added to the mystery. It was a great novel, and I hope to go back and read books 1-5. They seem really good and twisty.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss.

Inquisitor's Wife by Jeanne Kalogridis

When Marisol's conversa mother commits suicide to avoid the Inquisition, Marisol is devastated. Making it even harder, she is forced into an arranged marriage with her neighbor, Gabriel Hojeda, a lawyer working for the Inquisition. Her father disowns her and her brother-in-law and husband force her to work as a spy in the Court of Isabella. When a beloved person from her past appears, danger and imprisonment swirl around Marisol. How can Marisol save those she loves, when she isn't even safe herself?

I love all things Kalogridis, and I was anxiously awaiting the release of the newest book. With a mix of danger and historical fiction, Kalogridis brings the Inquisition back to life. I loved Marisol's perspective. She is close enough to see the inner workings of the Inquisition, but as a female suspected conversa, she was unable to change it's direction. The plot is thick and twisted, which kept me guessing up until the end. The characters are wonderful, but mysterious. A superb Kalogridis novel!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin

Some books need no summation, and A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin is one of those books. An epic Historical-esque Saga follows the Starks, Baratheons, Lannisters, Targareons and the surrounding families as they battle, scheme and plot to take the Iron Throne. With sweeping descriptions of of the Dolthraki desert and Beyond the Wall, Martin delights readers with intrigue, betrayal, lust, love and honor. A Five Star Read that is well worth every page!! Readers quickly understand why this book sparked a cult following.

Godiva by Nicole Galland

Nicole Galland retells the classic tale of Lady Godiva and her infamous ride. Godiva is the much loved wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia. Devoted to her husband, but a notorious flirt, Godiva incurs the wrath of the King. In his wrath, he gives Godiva two options, a high unfair taxation on her already starving people or a naked ride through Coventry, her hometown. With help from her best friend, Abbess Egdiva, Godiva must prepare to make the historic ride. This romantic tale is a delightful re- imagination of the famous woman. 

I was so excited to begin reading this book. I loved The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland. Godiva was a strong and confident woman. I was easily drawn to her, like the characters in the book. I liked how Galland also portrayed her as noisy, and a bit of a chaos maker. I was also engrossed by Egdiva's story. The two women balanced each other, which made their connection feel real. I also liked how Galland portrayed the King as the villain, instead of Leofric. It made much more sense to a modern reader, and helped move the story along. I really enjoyed this book, and hope to read much more from Nicole Galland. 

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing me with a review copy.