Booknutt

Who else out there has read this very enjoyable author? Pamela Hartshorne is new to the timeslip novel club, but not a new author - she's written romances in the past, and they've been a great training ground to move on from, if her - so far - 2 books are any yardstick. I'm currently "Memories of Midnight" the second novel, set again in present-day and Tudor York, as was the first "Time's Echo". "Echo" was spoiled for me a bit by the name of the historical character - "Hawise", (pronounced Ha-weeze) which reminds me of the noise I make whan my asthma is bad! (My apologies to anyone of this name who may be reading! ) A shame that so many authors of historical novels choose this name for a character - but that's my problem - the story itself was gripping, and the second novel is following suit. I don't want to say much more as it'd spoil the fun, but if you like this type of novel - give P.H. a try. I bet you won't regret it - and then pop by and let us know what you think - ? Happy reading to us All .

Just popping in to vent my spleen about the entire disrespect the T.V. channels showed as a whole when Liz Taylor passed away. I actually bought a new pack of DVD's for the purpose of recording her films which would surely be screened in the days/weeks afterwards - not! Why not?! When other actors of the same five-star quality die, the screens are immediately filled with just about everything they've been in, but I hunted the schedules in vain, gleaning just "Taming of the Shrew" and "Ivanhoe". Eventually I added more, but the rush of tribute showing was notable by it's absence I may only have Freeview channels, but there's enough of 'em to do better than that ... R.I.P. Miss Taylor - thanks for all the wonderful hours of entertainment you've left us.

It's worth a read. Interesting how the characters have developed from the original story. Wickham shows up finally in a better light - and even Lydia is displaying signs of growing up (but not till nearly THE END)

I'm waiting impatiently to get "Longborn" from my Library. It sounds very interesting, but working-life must have been pretty tough for the staff, with all those women in the household! Imagine the laundry and ironing challenges! Anyone finished it yet?

I agree with the general feelings about the book being "slow" - but did like the touches about Wickham actually turning out to have a decent bone in his body after all, and Lydia actually caring truly for him - and vice versa. All good baddies have something better about them, too Regarding the film - did it annoy anyone else (a lot!) that despite Elizabeth being the wife of a wealthy man now, she wore that one dress over and over and ...

"Queen's Gambit" is soon to be out in paperback - I've already got this first novel of Eliz Fremantle on pre-order, to start off another "new author" collection. I very much enjoyed it as a hardback from the Library. Her next is due in the Summer,I believe, but anyone else read this one? Happy New Year to All.

Can't say I like Margaret as a person, either. I thought she was too judgemental and critical of others, but I had to admire her singleminded determination to get her son on the throne ... not that he ever had any choice in the matter! Happy New Year to all members and staff here - and may 2014 bring us all many hours of reading pleasure.

Hello, Me, Myself and I - it's so nice coming 'ere to talk to you ... Has everybdy else gone off our Barbara, of-a-sudden?! Her new book is in the pipeline for next Summer, (The Darkest Hour, I think) but I've got to admit I'm a bit disappointed as the historical side is to be set in World War ll days - still "historical" of course (even for me ) but also more "modern" than I'd usually choose. Things like electricity, motor cars and telephones are bad enough in a "historical" novel, but once folk start dropping bombs on each other it's a big turn-off. I'm happier with bows and arrows or lances! This will be a personal challenge ... will I take to this work of my favourite author ... or not? to All

Has anyone else read Pamela Hartshorne's "Time;s Echo"? I'm about halfway through it and love it - fantastic, vivid, and engrossing. I believe she has a second past life novel out now too?

I read Stonehenge years ago, and loved it. I recently spotted it in a charity shop and snaffled it to enjoy again. I'm also getting the Arthur trilogy for a Christmas prezzie, and have scavanged up the Grail trilogy 2nd hand, myself. A pretty good launch into the worlds of Bernard Cornwell, if I do say so myself

It's always difficult with a series isn't it? Our expectations keep growing and then we're so disappointed if one doesn't "hit the spot" for us I'm making my way slowly through the series, leaving it aside for a refreshing few other 's between. Then I enjoy changing pace back to Ayla and her doings, again. What about giving the last book another try in a while? It might "read" differently a second time - ? Happy reading weekend to All.

The three "Marshall" books which come immediately to mind are The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion and To Defy a King, Wipples. I'd suggest starting with Greaest Knight which introduces William as a penniless youngster, Scarlet Lion next, as here he's married, and establishing a family, and Defy covers his daughter Mahelt, and the family problems in general under wicked King John. There's mentions in some other novels too. What about visiting Elzabeth Chadwick's website for more info? www.elizabethchadwick.com Had a chance to get to The Summer Queen yet? I found the young Eleanor of Aquitaine very interesting.

Just finished "The Lost Symbol" and really enjoyed it, though it frustrates me that I usually forget much of the explanations of the symbolisms in D.B.'s books within a week! On the other hand, it keeps them interesting for another , so maybe my defective memory isn't such a bad thing? Having now limbered-up in Brown-plot, I've just collected "Inferno" from the Library. A few more late night sessions ahead, maybe - ?

Hiya All - Well, I suppose we have to let authors be "human" too - can't expect each book to be a thumpin' good read, but they're usually good enough to bring us back for the ones which are. Talking of Jean Plaidy Cuppycakes (love your name! ) I've just recently bought the whole of her "Tudor" series as a seriously good bargin I'll hastily add, and am looking forward to making my way slowly through it. I do agree with Athena, though - it's a good idea to read other books in between before taking up another in a series.There's more pleasure in getting back to a familiar story, then. One of the pleasures of oncoming Winter fellow Nutts - planning our seasonal reading.

You're still on the "historical" theme though, Frankie - another author for us to investigate. Something I've noticed a lot with series of books - the first blows you away, and from then on we get more critical! Especially in a series like this, where the time period is pretty unique. I've usually found if I stick with them, I settle into the progressing story, which originally had maybe a year or two between books, but now we may notice more to grumble about, as they're being read consecutively? What do y'all think?

Might it be time to start the chat about this series again? I've just splashed out and bought the whole thing (at bargin prices!) so, very shortly, I'll be launching into it, again. Having said that, I only read the first two years ago. The wait between books in a series often means that I forget to check when the next is out, so from book 3 onwards I'll be in completely fresh territory. I must say I loved the two I did read, I found them fascinating, and even if the experts may disagree with some details, they're published as fiction, so I wouldn't be too offended about the odd gaff. It's the spirit of the series which is it's magic. As for the rest ... there are always exceptions to the rule, so who says it's impossible that a few people at that time hadn't tamed a horse enough to ride it? Who says women couldn't hunt? Maybe as a general rule these things didn't happen at the time, but Ayla was in a position where she had to feed and care for herself, without the help of the Clan. She had to survive, and used her initiative to do it - that's how mankind developed from "there" to here" isn't it? I hope some of you will join myself and Ayla in our adventures - come back and chat about it, if you do.

Can't resist adding - "The Clan of Cave Bear" series - all six of them - by Jean Auel. They're magnificent - and you can't get more "historical" really, as they're set in our last Ice Age! A wonderful change of pace from even the modern-ness of our usual historical novels, the series draws you in from Book 1. Anyone else read them? .

And so - into Season 4! Thank goodness Lady Mary was just emerging from her mourning in the first episode. Beautifully acted, but she looked like one of the undead with her pale skin, dark hair and eyes, and ever-present black! Going into shades of purple (the formal just emerging from deep mourning colours) will suit her much better, and be less depressing for us viewers, too. What about that nasty nanny then? Children in those days were very much at the mercy of nursery staff, especially in this particular case where Lady M. herself showed little interest in her son. For once Thomas was the hero of the family,as he tipped Granny off about the way she made such a difference between George and little Sybil , and she was very properly sacked in disgrace. So that leaves a space for a new face in the regulars, as another nanny comes in - be interesting to see if relationships form. as nannys back then were expected to be unmarried, and we'll be seeing quite a few incoming himbos in this series. A great start to the new season, and I'm looking forward to seeing the lovely styles of 1920's ladies dresses - some were quite spectacular.

Hi, to all Margaret George fans ... and others! I read this book years ago, and being in an "egyptian" mood recently, bought it again. I've already read a bit, and it's just as colourful and detailed as before - a fascinating trip into her exotic but dangerous world. Margaret George does this so well. All her novels bring her characters wonderfully to life as real people, and make a reader feel as if they are actually alongside, as the story develops. An additional bonus is that there's a new paperback out, which I much prefer. The old one shows the Queen in death, but Cleopatra is very alive to us, even after her demise, and I never liked the old cover. The new version is great! Here, she's very much alive, and if one dares to put her story down for too long - keeps a firm eye on her reader till it's picked up again! Glad you enjoyed it Rising Dawn, and hope you do too, Garden Girl.

It's so easy to become a Chadwick fan, isn't ? - she's so good! I've got my eye on "The Conquest" for my next having just bought a nice crispy new copy to replace the smellie old thing I had before! Has anyone else read "The Summer Queen" yet? It was very interesting to find out about the early life of Eleanor, and the two daughters from her marriage to Louis, who she had to leave behind on her divorce.

Currently reading "Out on a Limb" by the irrepressible Shirley MacLaine! For a book several decades old, this journey of spirit made by Shirley still grabs the attention, and takes her readers on an incredible mind-opening journey. Perhaps best for anyone who isn't looking for bedtime reading .... for there's just too much here to think about.

I recently spotted the Medici series of Jean Plaidy in an economy bookshop - and dived on them, as this lady was a brilliant writer of dozens of historical novels - and I've never actually read these particular three. I'd decide to keep them for a Winter treat - a few months away here in Britain, as we're in mid Summer now - but have just spotted an exciting bargain that my fellow historical nutts may be interested in - 12 Jean Plaidy novels (inclusive of p & p) for under £19 from The Book People !! I ordered by phone, but of course they are also available online - and I'm sure from "other stores" too (but maybe not at such a good bargain?) So - I can unleash myself on the Medici trilogy now, as it's not included in the treasures to come. Sometimes being a bookworm can be s-o-o much fun!

I must admit that historical novels are a big first love for me. There's something so fascinating in clothing the dry facts of schooldays history lessons with the colour and emotion of a novel, and historical research is so good nowadays, that what's written is almost like retelling it how it happened. Of course, the imagination of the author also comes into play, but even so, it's interesting to read about "where we've been" in an entertaining form - and hopefully not repeat the mistakes of our historical forebears. I wish you many hours of pleasure from your investigations, BWG ... and the same to all of us!

Which ones did you finish up trying, then BWG - what did you think of them? It can take time to find your favourites. You know us bookworms .... we're so nosy about what we're each reading!

Just collected "The Summer Queen" the latest of E.C. from the library. Perfect reading for our "heatwave"/downpour Summer. This is the first of a trilogy about the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a fascinating lady of her own age, and even this one. Has anyone else read or reading this too?