The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

This is the third book I've read from talented writer Karen Harper, since her
specialty, the Tudor period, is of particular interest to me.

That said, this book deals with Elizabeth "Gera" Fitzgerald, the disgraced Irish
princess of the title who becomes the companion of Elizabeth I. Like several
other Harper books, it is a novelization based on historical fact, and it was
fascinating to hear the stories of the noble families of Ireland, in which I had
previously had no interest. I was unaware of how many Irish nobles were
beheaded by Henry VIII and his family, and while Harper discusses those
controversial killings and the political intrigue behind them, her plot focuses
largely on the romantic leanings of the young ladies, Elizabeth Tudor and
Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Harper is, however, more sympathetic to Mary Tudor in this
book than in her previous effort on Kat Ashley, ''The Queen's Governess."

In summary, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in Irish
history, especially where it touches the reign of the Tudors in England. At more
than 350 pages, it also seems over long in spots, as though it could have used a
bit more editing, although I find the early history of Gera Fitzgerald and her
harrowing escape from her homeland very interesting. It was fascinating to know
that she was a real person. The hardest part for me to swallow was that Gera
was bent on revenge for the death of her father and uncle's, considering the girl
ended up serving as lady-in-waiting to several queen's from the Tudor family, a
position from which she could easily have had her revenge had that really been
her motivation in moving up the social ladder at the Tudor court. It seems more
likely she was advanced because of her well-chosen marriages, good looks and
cleverness, qualities that bring success to a woman in any historical time and
place.

Submitted by Gerti

The Queen's Governess by Karen Harper

This is the second book I've read from talented writer Karen Harper, although I must admit to not remembering exactly which member of the family was "The Last Boleyn." I plan to pick up her book "Mistress Shakespeare" as well, since the Tudor period is of particular interest to me.

That said, this book, deals with Kat Ashley, the companion of Elizabeth I of England for most of her life. While it is a novelization of historical fact, it was fascinating to hear the stories (as told by servant Kat) behind several Tudors thrones, as Kat is present in the glittering but dangerous courts of Henry VIII, as well as those of his son Edward, and daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Harper discusses the controversial putting aside of Henry's first Queen, Katherine of Aragon, for the Lady Anne Boleyn, but since Elizabeth is the latter's daughter by
Henry, Harper devotes much more time and sympathy on Henry's beheaded queen. Harper's lack of sympathy continues for Mary I, the daughter of Henry by Katherine of Aragon, even though that girl was as much a victim of Henry's marital merry-go-round as Elizabeth was.

In summary, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in Tudor history, especially that of Elizabeth I, but it should be read with a healthy skepticism regarding the character assassinations of those historical figures Elizabeth, and hence Kat Ashley, didn't like. At 349 pages, it also seems over long, as though it could have used a bit more editing, although I find the early history of Kat Ashley more interesting than much of what is common knowledge about Queen Elizabeth. I wish the book had ended with her ascent to the throne, but I understand that the author felt the need to discuss all the time Kat spent
with that Queen.

Submitted by Gerti

The Confession of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn

This is the kind of historical novel where I find it hard to read to the end, not because the writing is bad, but because I already know that things don't turn out well for the title character. I know Katherine Howard is executed by her middle aged husband Henry VIII, but Suzannah Dunn was able to keep me reading through her artful story telling and believable characters, and in the process she skillfully portrays Katherine Howard as both a precocious child, and a sex-crazed woman. Dunn paints such a vivid picture of Katherine's days with her girlfriends and boyfriends before ascending the throne, that I just couldn't stop reading.

The story is told through the words of a childhood friend from the Duchess of Norfolk's home, another teenaged girl who is a little less advanced than Katherine Howard herself in terms of sex and romance. Much of the charm of the book is the naive voice of this main character, teenaged Cat Tilney, as she approaches relationships under the tutelage of her more experienced friend, Katherine Howard. While Howard is naturally above it all, Cat deals with some of the same issues as any teen - trying to live up to the hopes and wishes of her family, falling in love, thinking about marriage, dealing with people she doesn't like, all in shadow of her magnetic friend. Whether or not Cat Tilney actually existed historically I don't know at this point, but her portrayal here is so fascinating, that I can't wait to do more research on the topic.

I think it would be a good novel for teens to read, up to a point, as the execution of Katherine Howard at such a young age might clarify for teens why their parents warn them about life and its dangers. The only place the novel falls down for me is when Katherine Howard instructs her friend in medieval birth control methods, hoping she will follow her example and become sexually active. In contrast, the rest of the sex in the novel is handled with comparative subtlety.

All in all, a fascinating look at the early life of Katherine Howard, one of Henry VIII's hapless queens, and how her whole life was a crazy train destined to end fatally for her and the men who loved her. More disturbing to see as a parent is how none of the adults in her life cared for her as anything but a mindless pawn formed to further their own ambitions in the cut-throat Tudor court. It might be instructive for older teens who don't yet realize how every choice they make, even while in the midst of those carefree teen years, can have serious implications for their adult lives.

Submitted by Gerti

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Angel Burn is the first book in a trilogy. This was a fun ride. Willow knows she is different than other girls. It's not just because she has a love for fixing cars. She can see peoples futures just by touching them. She knows that isn't normal. When she does a reading for a girl at school she finds out that she isn't the only abnormal thing out there. Angels are real. They are not angelic. She just happens to be part angel. Soon she finds her herself on the run from killer angels with a gorgeous angel killer named Alex. Nothing is what it seems. Ms. Weatherly takes you on a thrill ride that you don't want to get off of. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Trail by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

The second book in Ms. Barnes Raised by Wolves series did not disappoint. I stayed up once again way past my bedtime to finish reading this book. I was not going to be able to sleep without finishing it. It reminded me of when I was little and my mother would yell for me to turn my light off and go to sleep. I would yell back just one more chapter or 5 more pages. She would then threaten to ground me from my books. My mom sadly isn't around to threaten me anymore but I'm sure she would have been yelling if she was.

Trial by Fire takes up where Raised by Wolves left off. Bryn is starting to get the hang of her new role as alpha when a wolf from another pack collapses bleeding and near death on her doorstep. The teenage wolf asks Bryn for protection but you can't claim another alphas wolf as your own without the other alphas permission. Since that alpha is Shay (who hates her) Bryn and her pack are pretty sure Shay sent the wolf to cause trouble. Ms. Barnes took me by surprise towards the end. My stomach was actually in knots. I should have seen it coming but I didn't. I like when a book takes me by surprise. I'm hoping there will be a third book because this book leaves it wide open for another but since her website doesn't even mention this book I have know idea.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

At the age of four Bryn's world gets turned upside down. Her parents are attacked and killed by a rogue werewolf and her savoir Callum claims her for his own. So she is a human raised among wolves. For the past eleven years she has adhered to pack rules for the most part but once she finds out that Callum is hiding something from her she starts breaking the rules. The secret ends up being a teenage boy named Chase. He was attacked by a rogue and instead of dying he became a werewolf. From the moment Bryn meets Chase she feels a strong connection to him. Is Chase worth all the trouble she will be getting herself into if she pursues him? Oh I think he will be.

I read this book in two days. I started it at work on my lunch hour and then read it way way past my bed time that night. I finished it up the next day. I can't wait to read the next one. I'm not sure I can wait until Monday when it should arrive at the library for me. I'm so excited to see what happens next. It's called Trial by Fire.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

This book gives us an insight on how a person lives with Asperger's syndrome and how it affects the whole family. Jodie Picoult leaves us with an ending that causes us to consider our justice system.

Submitted by Rose