History Nonfiction Reading Challenge 2020

Hi All! After scouring the archives of challenges in the past, I discovered a paucity of history challenges. I plan on reading a lot of history next year, and think it would be interesting to see what others are reading too. I will post a linky on the first day of every month so you can include any nonfiction history books you’re reading. The rules are not strict – if you consider the book to be history, then go ahead and post it.

You can catch this reading challenge here

I am a HUGE history buff which is why I really want to join this one. I am going to challenge myself to read 6 hopefully!

Review ~ The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Sorry guys I was sick over the weekend and I am finally back to work which mean access to a computer YAY. So here is that long awaited review!!!

TITLE: The Heir

AUTHOR: Grace Burrowes

COPYRIGHT: 12/7/2010

TYPE: Historical Romance

PAGES: 384

SERIES: yes

From Grace herself: Devlin's story, "The Soldier," will come out in June 2011, Val's story, "The Virtuoso," will come out in October 2011, and we start with their five sisters with, "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish."

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook sent me an ARC to review

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In The Heir, the first in the series, the Earl of Wyndham, weighed down by responsibilities and determined to avoid the rounds of country houses of and matchmaking mamas, decides to summer in London. There he discovers a potentially perfect duchess in his lovely, mysterious housekeeper...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed reading this book it took me back to the days when I first discovered romance and why I fell in love with this genre. The characters are done in such a way you can't help but fall in love with them. This includes the siblings. Usually when siblings are involved I know there is going to be a series and with this book I can't help but be glad for that (this is usually far from the case.) I have to admit I am very curious about the sisters to learn more about them.
THINGS I LIKED:
well to simplify here's a list of 10 reason I love this book

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I have to admit if there was a flaw in this book at all it was the current Duke. He is constantly meddling in his son's life making Gayle miserable. I absolutely hated that he convinced Gayle's mistress to get with child by another man, thinking that this would convince him to marry her, and claim the other man's baby as his own thinking that he had done this and take responsibility. Thank God Val warned him and let me be honest it really bugged me that a father would do this even though I understood that he wanted Gayle to get marry and have heirs you can't trick or lie to your son to make it happen and expect you won't fight about it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This is a keeper for me

Would you recommend this book? Um yeah in fact I think I have recommended it a bit much LOL!

Challenges:
100+ book challenge
Historical Romance
Romance Reading Challenge

Reviewing Next:
Eventually I need to review my HP books and I am thinking I might do that when I review the movie.

Review ~ Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain

TITLE: Devil’s Desire

AUTHOR: Laurie McBain
COPYRIGHT: re-release 11/2010 original: 9/1975
TYPE: Historical Romance
PAGES: 325 pages
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook sent me an ARC to review

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In a rousing, unforgettable saga that sweeps across the valleys and peaks of human destiny, the stormy alliance of beautiful young Lady Elysia Demarice and Lord Alex Trevegne plumbs the depths of raw human emotion -- lust, jealousy and hate -- for though Lord Alex has married Elysia, he cannot possess her in flesh or spirit. Out of the turbulence of their clashing wills comes one of the greatest love stories ever written, as their twin passions mingle at last, in a rippling tide of liquid fire!

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This book was hard to really get into at first. I found that I was constantly reminding myself that this was originally written in 1975 and that comes across perfectly clear. There are a lot of things that were great but others weren’t so great. The fact that Alex takes Elysia by force the first time and she’s okay with it because her passions gave her away. The different little twist that you could see coming at the end was there. But all in all this is the book that started a lot of people’s love for romance out.

THINGS I LIKED:
- Elysia did stand up for herself to Alex she rarely backed down and when she did it was due to picking her battles. This led was a well rounded character and I liked that she wasn’t what was considered a traditional beauty.
- I liked that when Alex made a mistake at least he would admit it. Was it done in a matter I would’ve liked NO but at least he did admit and apology for when he was wrong.
- The brother of Alex was very interesting. It made me wonder what Alex would’ve been like if he wasn’t the eldest. Would he and Elysia have had it easier?

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I mentioned a few above the forced romance that she gave into b/c she couldn’t help herself.
- I didn’t like the twist towards the end you could so see it coming and at times I found myself rolling my eyes at the writing.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This isn’t my favorite so I will pass

Would you recommend this book? If you want to read what started the romance genre out then yes read it.

Challenges:
100+ book challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Historical Challenge

Reviewing Next:
Harry Potter 5
Or Moonshine by Rob Thurman

Review ~ Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine

TITLE: Lady of Hay
AUTHOR: Barbara Erskine
COPYRIGHT: Republished in October 2010
TYPE: Historical Fiction
PAGES: 576
SERIES: No

REASON FOR READ: Sourcebook asked if I would be interested in reviewing this ARC and I said yes. It sounded fantastic.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
So well researched and so well written that it is almost impossible to put down. The novel has everything that readers of racy fiction could ask for: beautiful characters, exotic settings, passion...and situations and characters that are so completely convincing that they come to life.

With a mesmerizing, wrenching story set both in the present day and the 12th century, Lady of Hay explores how Joanna, a journalist investigating hypnotic regression, plunges into the life of Matilda, Lady of Hay—who lived 800 years earlier. As she learns of Matilda’s unhappy marriage, her love for Richard de Clare, and the brutal treatment she receives from King John, it seems that Jo’s past and present are hopelessly entwined and that, centuries later, a story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to begin again—and she has no choice but to brave both lives if she wants to shake the iron grip of history.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Joanna AKA Jo is a journalist who wants to right a story about hypnosis and regression through time. However, Jo soon discovers

THINGS I LIKED:
- I enjoyed learning about Matilda and her life. Learning how she lived in the past and what life was like for a lady back then. I didn’t enjoy the violence but I took it into account that this was the norm back then. Matilda was a wonderfully drawn out character and I found I enjoyed reading about her parts in the book the most.
- Jo was an interesting woman who seem to go back and forth. One moment she was a hard journalist the next she was a woman and strangely enough I really appreciated that from. I also liked that she did freak out about things that would freak anyone out.

THINGS I DIDN'T CARE FOR:
- There are some violent scenes in this book. Oh and heads up a possible rape scene and an actual rape scene do occur in this book. I don’t handle the rape scenes well and hate reading about them. I did keep in mind that this was the time period but I hated it when Sam was being manipulative towards Jo and I don’t care what you say that was attempted rape.
- I hated the constant back and forth with Nick. COME ON seriously either leave him or stay with him.

Would you recommend this book? I would recommend this book if you want an in-depth historical fiction novel with a hint of forbidden love. However, be warned the time period being wrote about women are objects and Matilda is treated as such.

Review ~ Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson

TITLE: Emma and the Vampires
AUTHOR: Wayne Josephson
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: classic match up with vampires ?
PAGES: 304
SERIES: Not that I’m aware of.

REASON FOR READ:
Rec’d this from Source book as ARC

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she's the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart-his (literal) undying love for her... A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit during most if not all of this book I was highly confused. I couldn’t tell if Emma knew Mr. Knightley was a vampire or not. Or for that matter did she know that all the men in the country were? I mean she knew that there were rogues running wild but she acted as if she didn’t know the “gentlemen” were. But they were always making comments that should’ve clued her in.
Also keep in mind I’ve never read the Original all the way through.

THINGS I LIKED:
- I did like the writing. It was light and fun nothing too hard or serious. Plus for some reason this was really easy to understand while the Original wasn’t.
- I did enjoy Emma. She is a strong character that knows her mind and knows what she wants. I enjoyed that she wasn't running around trying to get married in fact she was trying to avoid it.
- Overall it was a cute story of love and finding your love.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:- While I enjoyed the Emma's strong character I really didn't like how flaky she comes across and having no back ground in the original I am not sure if she is like that or not. It just didn't fit with her.


Are you keeping it or passing it on? While enjoyable not a favorite of mine so I will pass on this one.

Would you recommend this book? Actually I would if you enjoy the Original I think you might enjoy seeing a lighter side. It did have some moments I caught myself smiling over. Also the vampire twist is fun as well.

Challenges:
100+ book Challenge

Review ~ The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn

TITLE: The Lost Duke of Wyndham
AUTHOR: Julia Quinn
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Historical Romance
PAGES; 371
SERIES: Yeah first in a 2 book series

REASON FOR READING: Was in the TBR pile and I needed a historical for a challenge

SUMMARY: {From Goodreads}
Jack Audley has been a highwayman.
A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine . . . until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have . . .

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit this book was less fluff then I actually thought it would be. For some reason these two characters were very interesting to read and I enjoyed watching their romance come to fruitation. I didn't like the grandmother but that was something that no one was suppose to like. Plus Ms. Quinn did an excellent job at setting up the 2nd book so that you want to know what happens to the other man and woman that were introduced LOL.

Things I enjoyed:
Again I really liked Jack I thought he was a well rounded character that had both a serious side and fun side. I also really liked that once he made up his mind about Grace (which by the way didn't take very long unlike some heroes) he didn't change it and he didn't let her talk him out of it. Once he knew she was the one nothing she said would change his mind.

I also liked Grace which was different for me. She knew her place and while she dreamed of love she didn't wish to step above she wasn't out to make better for herself.

Things I didn't care for:
To be honest and I know a lot of people here are not going to like this but I didn't like the "extra" secret Jack had and hid until the very end. I didn't understand how that really mattered to much in the story and it really felt like a filler. I did like he had a fault but this just seemed pointless.
Also I'm not a fan of the Epilogue (sp?) I don't care for them never had and really it kind of irks me to have that in the first book of a series b/c even though you know where the second book will end up and no it didn't give anything away I still felt like it was again pointless.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? I am actually going to pass on it. While I thought it was a quick fun read it isn't going to be one I would re-read.

Review ~ A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

TITLE: The Reliable Wife
AUTHOR: Robert Goolrick
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: historical fiction
PAGES; 304
SERIES: no

REASON FOR READING: A co-worker thought I would like to read it.

SUMMARY: {From goodreads}
Abandoning her worldly life, traveling to a remote Wisconsin town in the dead of winter, trusting her future to a man she had never met - such was Catherine Land's new beginning. But there was an ending in sight as well, an ending that would redeem the treachery ahead, justify the sacrifice, and allow her to start over yet again. That was her plan." "For Ralph Truitt, the wealthy businessman who had advertised for "a reliable wife," this was also to be a new beginning. Years of solitude, denial, and remorse would be erased, and Catherine Land, whoever she might be, would be the vessel of his desires, the keeper of his secrets, the means to recover what was lost. That was his plan." Set just after the turn of the twentieth century, A Reliable Wife is the story of these two people, each plagued by a heart filled with anger and guilt, each with a destiny in mind. But neither anticipates what develops between them - the pent-up longings that Catherine discovers in this enigmatic man and the depth of her own emotional response; the joy Ralph experiences in giving Catherine the luxuries she has never known, his growing need for her, and a desire that he thought was long buried

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I am not sure what I thought about this book. It wasn't a winner nor a loser. Is not one I would suggest to anyone in particular. In fact I could've done without reading it and not missed much but I'm not upset that I lost the time reading it though.

Things I enjoyed:
I enjoyed the setting even though it was the harsh winter of Wisconsin and I enjoyed learning the past of the main characters even though they weren't very loveable nor were they very likeable. I think they were both very hard on theirselves. I think the main heroine finally found what she wanted but would never know how to be satisfied with it. I think Truitt finally found what he needed but would never appreciate it to the fullest.


Things I didn’t care for:
I didn't care for how they thought about SEX all the freakin time. All the ways they had sex all the ways the wanted sex, all the ways that could've been, all the ways that had been, and all the ways they were doing it. I swear if you took out those parts the book would only be 150 or so pages it blows my mind. I also didn't think the "twist" was all that it wasn't hard to figure out and really I just didn't care. I think I didn't care b/c I just didn't care for the characters at all so there was no OMG she did that with him?

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing

Challenges it qualifies for
100+ Book Challenge 3/100
Year of the Historical 2/12
Romance Book Challenge 2/20

DIK Review :)

I have to admit that when reading the first 2 in this series I really didn't pay that much attention to Poppy and I now regret that. What a wonderful heroine she turned out to be! I loved her story. She just turned out to be one of those characters you can't help but love. Even when she was wrong or wronged she still maintained a calm around her.

The hero was good and I love that Kleypas always makes them both say their sorry for acting a certain way! Especially in this situation where both were at fault. The background story and the twist involving Marks was wonderful.

If I had to give one complaint about this story it would be all the back story that she kept giving us. I understand that some people will just pick up this book and not have read the story but seriously I don't think its needed we would have been fine without it even if we hadn't read the entire series.

I did love that the original wallflowers were not mentioned this time it was solely based on the Hathaways
Can't wait for Leo's story!

Has anyone else read this story? What did you think?