Rebecca Hill

I am going to be honest about being torn on this one. I read through the book, and it was filled with personal and uplifting memories of Christina, the young girl who passed way to soon from cancer. This young lady sounds like a fabulous person, and someone who was taken way before her time.

This was a hard one for me to get through, as it was very personal, almost something that is more therapeutic for the author to write, but it has me oddly conflicted. Much of this seemed so personal, things that I would not want to share with the entire world.

I applaud her for writing the book - it was just an uncomfortable read in a lot of different ways.

If you were curious about the lives of the not so rich and famous, then you have found the right book! Kathryn Warner goes into great detail with the lives of ordinary citizens of Medieval England, with a little royal drama thrown in for reference.

While the reign of Edward II has been dominated by the She-Wolf, or Queen Isabella and her not so secret affair with Roger Mortimer, there were still the everyday people, just trying to survive during the royal tumbles. From fisherwomen, carpenters, and those who waited on the royal couple, this book will keep you engaged from the start.

I really enjoyed this one, as it was a nice look into what was going on while the royal couple was hashing out their differences (with the use of armies, of course), and the daily goings-on of those who were living, and dying, during the tumultuous year of 1326. While the war drug out much longer, this brief look into this year gives us an idea of what happened, who was getting married, and the different prices for goods, death investigations and more,

A great read for those interested in social (and some royal) history!

If you enjoy military history, you are going to LOVE this book! I have always been a fan of many of these figures, and getting a good in-depth view of their beginnings, their backgrounds, and what drove them to become the top dogs in their field was more than I could have ever dreamed.
Charlemagne, Alfred the Great, Richard the Lionheart, and Robert the Bruce are just a few of the big names that are talked about in this book!

I enjoyed this read, and look forward to what else this author will have to share!

This was a really good book! I enjoyed the insight from the author. As one who teaches history, this was an interesting read - given the timeframe in which it was written, and the lengths that the author went to keep it protected against those who would have destroyed it.

This is a must read!

Thomas Howard is a name that you will hear repeatedly in English history. He was the grandfather of queens, a friend of kings, and one of the most powerful magnates in the land.
His story spans the life of a man who lived longer than most - reaching eighty years of age. During his lifetime, he would be involved in one of the most active kings' lifetimes, and span the reign of more than SIX kings. His life was far from easy, having to rebuild and reestablish himself after being arrested for treason.

The life of Thomas Howard was fascinating. I found myself having a hard time putting this book down to get anything else done! To image what he must have seen, after reading through his life, I am awed by the man that he was, and the legacy that he left behind.

For those who love history, this is a MUST READ! Kirsten Claiden-Yardley did not disappoint with her work, and this book is a true gem!

What a great read! I absolutely loved this one!

Roger Williams was one that popped up continually in my history courses, but there was no in-depth discussions. This book went further into Williams and the many different incidents that he was involved in. I found myself intrigued by many of the different uprisings, as well as the unrest that was going on with the native tribes.

Definitely worth a read!

Cholera was one of the major killers of the Victorian age. When someone became sick, it was very rare that anyone would recover, and the living and sanitary conditions of the time.

Amanda Thomas did a great job with this book! I loved reading the different accounts, recipes of medicines, and views of the spread of the disease. It was a great look into the cause and effect of the disease, as well as having some of the documentation from the time.

Definitely a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading about plagues! I was not disappointed at all!

Thank you to Pen and Sword for a copy of this book for a fair and unbiased review.

If you love Roman history, you are going to enjoy this book! I was hooked from page one!

Ryan Fleming did a fabulous job with this book, giving an in-depth view, and also bringing these characters to life. With Christianity just making an entrance in the Roman world, there were quite a few things to overcome.

The way this book was done made the characters feel alive again, while bringing a fresh perspective. Perfect weekend reading!

When I first saw the description of this book - I thought, there is no way to really draw these two things together. Well, okay, I was wrong, but some of the threads really didn't seem to fit.

I read through this book, and while I loved the historical pieces that were mixed in, I felt this author was extreme in many of her descriptions. There were places where this could have been cut down to fewer words, with just as much meaning - and nothing is left out. I could almost feel her anxiety through the pages of the book.

The history of her parents and their time of living through the concentration camps, fleeing Communism, and their eventual landing in Canada was quite interesting. The threads of history, the stories, all combined to make a compelling piece.

Now add in the murder - interesting, but very spread out, and not always jointed well together in the book. When she started drawing comparisons between herself and the victim, I rather tuned out the next several paragraphs, finding nothing that really concluded that.

Interesting book, but overall was just okay. I absolutely enjoyed the historical sections more.

Fabulous and engaging! This is a great book for those who are wanting something a bit different! I loved the different twists and turns in this book - and a few surprises along the way (I won't tell you what they are - you have to read it - I can't spoil the book for you).

Murder and mayhem, with secrets to boot - this book does not disappoint at all!

Anything with Alexander the Great will capture my attention. He was a powerhouse in the ancient world. However, upon reading this book, I found that I was disappointed on many levels.
While Alexander DID push the boundaries of his territory far beyond what had been done in the ancient world to that point, much of what was through some of the foundations that his father put into place.
As a historian, I felt that there were several places where information could have been laid out better, while giving more credence and credit to Alexander's father - and even more so - to the troops that fought, followed, and died to create this empire.

There are so many different theories around Alexander, but I felt this barely scratched what should have been done.

The entire world has been horrified, yet fascinated by the death camps. How could evil so perverse exist, and how could it have been quietly done, allowing for the extermination of millions.

This book dives into the story of those who were behind the construction and execution of the Concentration camps. It goes into what drove these men, how they rose through the ranks, and how the mastermind of the most evil construction came to life.

As a history teacher, I was fascinated by the story in this book, which shed more light into the background of the camps, and what motivations drove each of the men involved to more evil.

Not a comfortable read, but one that was enlightening nonetheless.

What a fun little read! This one would be perfect to read to my students at school! I will be adding this to the list to share with the for sure!

You have to love Teddy and Ollie - they make a great pair - even if one of them is a ghost!

Follow the lives of three different women, from three different time periods, each one searching for something - even though they might not know what that something is.

This story was beautiful. I could not get into it the first time I tried, but I set it down, determined to come back to it eventually. I read this in two sitting, just soaking in the story of three amazing women, who were all working toward their futures - and even finding love along the way.
An easy weekend read!

Take what you think you know about the Irish, and throw it out the window. This well-done book will challenge all your preconceptions and set you straight in the meantime.

Miki Garcia did a great job and laid out this fabulous book with an easy to follow, and well-documented facts. The slave trade changed quite a bit of the Caribbean layout, and as the slave trade grew, the role of the Irish was not as involved. However, they left their mark regardless. The enduring legacy remains, and they are not to be underestimated or discounted. This is a must-read!

Richard III is one of the most controversial kings in English history. You either love him or you hate him. There really is zero in between. As I was reading through this book, there was quite a bit of history that, of course, you need where it sets up what happens, and what we are focusing on for this book. I kept thinking, “come on, get to Richard... “ but that history is needed - because if you do not understand the events that lead up the event in question - well, the book will not make much sense.

Richard III was a magnate of the North, long before he became the king of England. There was distrust among many over the marriage of Edward IV to Elizabeth Woodville - and rightly so. Her family did not bring anything to the country, but they sure knew how to get what they needed out of it (including marrying one brother to a woman who was 60 years older than he was - in order to gain control of her fortune). Anyway, back to Richard. His time in the North not only solidified many things, but he showed himself to be fair, concerned about everyone who lived within his bounds, and willing to help those who needed it.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I love anything Richard III, and so this was a fun, informative read. I highly recommend it!

What is The Inheritance Games? When it comes to games, some are just that - games. But for some, like the inheritance game, riddles can lead to important information, and maybe an entire fortune! Avery is a normal girl, living in very not normal conditions. She excels in school but is living in her car - after her half-sister allows her abusive boyfriend to move back into their apartment.

When she is informed that she has been named in a will, she is shocked. She does not know the person who has left her a substantial fortune, but her life has changed - and she is not sure if its a good thing or not. While the money is nice, she is thrust into a world that she does not know or understand. It is not every day that a 17-year-old girl inherits 42 billion dollars. The biggest challenge of all is going to be whether she can survive the family or not...

Come along for a great adventure and discover what happens when you inherit several billion dollars, anger an entire family, and discover secrets and riddles every step of the way! 




My Thoughts On The Inheritance Games:

Oh my goodness! What a book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one, and actually read it in on sitting - I could not put it down! I was hooked from the start. I loved all the different riddles and the many different layers of the book. From the rough start, and the “I am not sure where this is going,” to a complete turnaround, this book is one that has several twists. Those Hawthorne boys though - danger in suits! Could you trust the brothers? No? Who could be causing so many of the issues, and how do you navigate something you have no idea as to what is going on?

I have a feeling this is going to be an instant hit with anyone who reads it! I can't wait to share it with everyone I know! 




Put this one on your must-read list - its the perfect weekend novel! 

This is told from the perspective of Lucifer. He was the Creator's chosen one, a favorite, a confidant. But he wanted something more than he was entitled to, and thus, the fall from grace was started.

I really enjoyed this read. It is full of action, adventure, and just twinge of sarcasm (okay, there is a lot of sarcasm), but I loved it all!

I have been fascinated by the Emporers of China since I read about the Terracotta Warriors as a child. I was in awe that such magnificence could have been hidden away for so long.


While this book was insightful, and very well done is most parts, there were times that I found myself feeling as though I was dragging myself through it. The attention to detail is admirable, but there are ways to say what you mean - with fewer words. The characters are well rounded, and overall - don't make you want to cut them off the page! The book draws full circle, giving the reader almost a feel of what it was like to live in ancient China, and of course, undertake the road of Liu Bang!

I am going to give major props to the author for using amazing sources, and for putting a novel of this magnitude together. I think with a bit of polish and some descriptive scenes condensed - this would be a major winner!

Scotland has long evoked a sense of wonder, but there is more to this beautiful land than meets the eye. It has been the home of some vicious and bloody conflicts - inner warfare from clans, and of course, the English.

This book goes through a series of battles that have been fought in the highlands of Scotland, and breaks each one down. Chris Peers breaks it down by date, who was where, who was involved, and the eventual outcome of the battle.

Now, before you think, “I have a pretty good grasp of what happened in Scotland,” think again. I discovered quite a bit of information I had never heard before, and was able to better identify areas, the ins and outs, and of course - the major and minor players.

This is one that I need to buy and add to my research shelf. The information was amazing, and I don't think you can find a better guide to The Highland Battles than this book! For those who love Scottish history, and enjoy military conflicts as well, this is THE book that you need to read!

The First Village is a great look into the later years of the Roman-occupied areas, and the many changes that were coming into Wales.
This historical fiction piece was well done and well written. I enjoyed the entire book, (although there were a few times I felt it was a stretch), but the plot and the overall tone was enjoyable. For those who enjoy history, this is a fun read!

Travel to India in this thrilling adventure. For those who are afraid of the dark, read this one in the daylight!

Are you ready for an OH MY GOODNESS read? This is it! With the mafia always looming in the shadows, this book brings it to light, and how one man escaped from the streets and the mafia - into the glittering lights of Hollywood.

Richie Salerno brings to light the struggles of growing up, the different aspects of his life, and the many different twists and turns that he could have taken - which would have led down a much darker path. While that shadowed path was one he walked for a long time, he was able to turn his life around - and in a way that most people would love to do! He ended in Hollywood. You are probably familiar with at least one of his works “12 Angry Men” but if not, then you need to check it out!

This was fabulous and engaging, and the sarcastic side of the writer shines through at the best times! I loved the quips and the “hard life” you better believe it lines. This tell all book is one of the must reads for the year! If you enjoy true crime, and a “light at the end of the tunnel” read, then you have found the book for you!

Alright, where are my lovers of military history? If this is you, then THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! Get ready to dive into the awesome world of the ancient Greek army, and learn so much more than you ever thought possible!
Now, you could be perfectly happy with battles, descriptions, and battle tactics - but honestly, why stop there!? This book doesn't! We are going to dive in a bit further, gain a deeper insight, and then thank heavens that we were not soldiers in ancient Greece (okay, just kidding, but still ...).

Take my word for it - get this book. You are going to want to continue reading when you start - so carve out some time. The author does an amazing job with the full layout, history, facts, and guess what? You are not going to get lost through this book! I loved the history, tactics, and getting to dive a bit deeper into some of the ancient world's fiercest soldiers.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get reading!

This was a fun and interesting read. If you want a good ghost story, this can keep you company on a fall evening. Not super scary, but enough to give you a few chills