May 11th, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, ARC, Children, Estranged, G-I, Guest Reviews, Heiress, Historical Romance, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Pregnant, Queen or Princess, Widow or Widower
By: Zarabeth, guest reviewer
The Traitor's Wife
is very much a crossroads between genres book. There are a ton of romantic elements, but on the whole I would not label this strictly as a romance. It’s very long and often difficult to read because everybody’s name is one of six names. This can’t be helped because it’s historically accurate. Like how everybody is named Jason and Brittany everybody was named Edward and Isabella etc. This book is very well researched with only a few things fibbed. On the whole it is a very convoluted story, but one if you can get into one you will enjoy. The following includes lots of spoilers:
It’s about King Edward the Second, his lifetime mostly with some overlap of his father and his son. His cousin, Eleanor, is his heroine. She marries Hugh, who is under her rank. It is supposedly a good match. They’re 12 and have many kids. During her marriage to Hugh she ends up being one of Queen Isabella’s ladies in waiting.
The king and Eleanor’s husband become very good friends (as in a sexual relationship). When it reaches the Queen’s ear she takes it out on Eleanor. The king and Hugh petty much run the country. During this time good things happen to Eleanor’s family and bad things happen to everyone else not her family. There are lots of traitors, rebellions, and beheadings. Then Hugh and the king and the other’s die as traitors…
Mortimer, the guy leading the rebellion, somehow managed to start a sexual affair with Isabella. The queen loves him and gives him whatever he wants and he manipulates her. She thinks it’s love but it is not. Edward’s son the new king, but Isabella and Mortimer are acting regents. They run everything and at first Edward the Third doesn’t care. Eventually he does care and there’s another uprising and in it they kill Mortimer.
Meanwhile now that Hugh is dead Eleanor falls in love and gets married to someone else… After Edward the Third is on the throne some random guy tries to claim Eleanor as his own and files a petition with the king for her to be his wife. Apparently, they had sex five years ago when she was drunk and he comes forward because in the new regime all her lands have come back to her. That makes her very very rich… and explains his sudden interest.
As you can see lots of things are going on in Traitor’s Wife, you’ll be kept on your toes.
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Buy: The Traitor's Wife
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January 9th, 2009 — Contemporary, Guest Blogger, J-L, News, Teacher, Widow or Widower
by Malena Lott, guest blogger
When I wrote Dating da Vinci, a tale of love, longing, and la dolce vita, I couldn't wait to figure out how Ramona Elise (Mona Lisa) could learn to be happy again. Even though, as the author, the story is coming from my mind, in many ways it feels like you are simply channeling the story of a lost soul who was born in your imagination instead of the real world. I suffered along with her, and got to share her adventures. She was experiencing her "renaissance," her awakening. How cool, I thought, if we could do that in real life.
So as a tie-in to the novel, I've started a 10-week life coach series called "Create Your Own Renaissance," with new posts each Monday, (began Jan. 5th) focusing on living an authentic life in six life areas: body, mind/spirit, career, home, relationships and creativity. I've facilitated personal and professional development workshops for nearly three years and I've loved meeting great women who are at various crossroads in their lives. We all learn from each other's experiences.
I finally figured out how to channel that barrage of information into action to improve in the areas of my life where I thought I needed. Of course we are all works in progress. But I am closer to the real "me" than I ever have been. I'm really loving life and accepting the areas (laundry, cleaning, toddler tantrums) that aren't fun, but necessary. And 2009 is going to be a big year for me. I don't know how or why. I just feel it. I sincerely believe we can all put the universe on our side. I don't think anyone else plugs us in to it. We plug ourselves in, and it's up to us to stay connected. It's flow. It can be a great year for all of us if we go for it.
You are invited to create your own renaissance, beginning with the first blog on how to create SMART goals, (www.malenalott.com) and each week I'll share a new topic in each life area with advice from renowned experts. It's self-paced and free. To get even more involved, you can sharing your journey on the discussion board on the Dating da Vinci Fan page on Facebook. I've put my goals there for everyone to see, so by golly, I'm going to stick to them and make them a reality.
I'd also love to visit with your women's group or book club about the series and my novel. We can Skype (skype.com) or I can call in to your group. So many wonderful ways to stay connected these days. We can motivate each other, lift each other up and help each other forge a path to greater living. Sounds good to me. I want la dolce vita - the sweet life. How about you?
Originally posted 2009-01-09 14:08:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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