Holly's Favorite Books-Blood Sisters, Sarah Gristwood

While Kat and I are such huge readers that asking us to pick our favorite book is Sophie's choice for us, there are some books that have stood out over the years. From time to time we'll share these with you. Don't judge, just enjoy.

Blood Sisters-The Women Behind the Wars of the Roses 

by Sarah Gristwood

Blood Sisters is a fascinating look at some of the most prominent women in fifteenth century England during the War of the Roses. Many historians of this time focused on the accomplishments, and downfall, of the men involved in this war. Sarah Gristwood gives us a glimpse into the lives of these amazing women who influenced how this war would shape history just as much, if not more, than the men who were in power at the time.

Gristwood weaves the stories of these women's lives in such a way that you get a real sense of the love and dedication that drove these women to do whatever they could to uphold their family name and make sure that their children carried on their legacy. Marguerite of Anjou, the French born Queen of the mentally unstable and unfit King Henry VI, who was disliked by much of England because it was believed that she was the real ruler and her husband was simply a mouthpiece, raised armies and fought for many years to keep her husband on the throne. Cecily Neville, who supported her husband's right to the throne, working with him to usurp Henry and ultimately becoming the mother of the first York king. Elizabeth Woodville (my favorite woman during this time period), who was the first English born queen the country had in centuries. Margaret Beaufort, who at the age of 12 gave birth to her only child, he would eventually become the first Tudor king, Henry VII. And Elizabeth of York, who thanks to the secret planning of her mother and Margaret Beaufort, would go on to wed Henry VII, finally uniting the Yorks and Lancastrians and becoming one of England's most beloved queens. The other women profiled in this book played just as important roles, but the ones listed here are some of my favorites.

I have a slight obsession with 15th century European history, so I was familiar with all the women profiled in this book, but Gristwood does such a brilliant job at explaining the political history and atmosphere that even someone who has never heard of the War of the Roses will be able to enjoy this book and gain a quick understanding of everything and everyone involved.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in history, royalty or even people who enjoy the TV series Game of Thrones, as the War of the Roses strongly influenced George RR. Martin while writing the books that the show is based on.

Purchase your copy of Blood Sisters on Amazon.

No affiliate links here. Just the love of a good story. 

Kat's Favorite Books-Morning Glory, LaVyrle Spencer

While Holly and I are such huge readers that asking us to pick our favorite book is Sophie's choice for us, there are some books that have stood out over the years.  From time to time we'll share these with you.  Don't judge, just enjoy.

Morning Glory 
by LaVyrle Spencer

This was the first LaVyrle Spencer book I'd read, and I discovered it at the age of 12 in the way I discovered most "real" books....my mother left it in the bathroom.  I skimmed the back, and was interested enough to start the first chapter, but my guilt forced me to follow the family rule of asking permission.  (My mother wanted me to avoid reading the bodice rippers with too many "racy" chapters. ((I'm looking at you, Linda Lael Miller)))  After dinner, permission in hand, I feigned stomach issues and ran to the bathroom.

While I've always cherished my ability to fall into a story completely (to the point that I catch myself reading the character I most identify with's lines out loud,) and had been reading chapter books since first grade ("Frank and Stein and Me", holla!) I was still overwhelmed with how instantly I was transported to Whitney, Georgia in the early 1940's.

The reviews will tell you it's the story of Elly Dinsmore, a widow of twenty-five, with two children (and one on the way!) and of Will Parker, an ex-con about 30.  They'll tell you the story takes place on the eve of WWII, and they'll probably mention the murder.  They might even mention a few of the small town's cast of characters: the cantankerous librarian with a hidden heart of gold, the bachelor twin brothers, veterans of The Great War, who declare themselves Town Watch, or the town hussy who wants more than her backwater town allows her.

Really though, what you need to know is that the heart of the novel is two broken people finding each other, and how the power of loving, and being loved, can heal a lifetime of sorrow.  And that's a story we could use more of.

Purchase your copy of Morning Glory on Amazon. 

No affiliate links here. Just the love of a good story. 

Welcomings and such.

It stands to reason that the first post of any blog should be an introduction/explanation of the blog's intent.

However, we're not ones for rules, so we're going to save those introplanations for our About page, when we get around to writing it. 

Additionally, brace yourself for a lot of random posting to come your way.  We'll all pretend we know what we're doing and it will be fantastic. 

Thanks, 

K&H