Who, What, Where

A weekly meme created by Melissa over at My World in Words & Pages. You share just a bit about where you are, who you are with, and what is happening in your current read. Be careful not share any major spoilers. 

Haven't done one of these in a few weeks, so here I am!!

I am nearly done with 'Coyote Summer', so I'll have to be careful with what I share. Enjoy.

I am with Heath and the coyote puppies at Grandpa's house and summertime is drawing to a close. Heath just had to say goodbye to someone he really grew to care about, but some goodbyes are not forever...just temporary. 

That's all I can share without handing out big ol' spoilers. 

About you guys?

*CaroleRae*

Book Review: Innocent Traitor

Author: Alison Weir
Title: Innocent Traitor
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 416
First Published: April 6th, 2006
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

"I am now a condemned traitor . . . I am to die when I have hardly begun to live.

The child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she is merely a pawn in a dynastic game with the highest stakes, Jane Grey was born during the harrowingly turbulent period between Anne Boleyn’s beheading and the demise of Jane’s infamous great-uncle, King Henry VIII. With the premature passing of Jane’ s adolescent cousin, and Henry’s successor, King Edward VI, comes a struggle for supremacy fueled by political machinations and lethal religious fervor. 

Unabashedly honest and exceptionally intelligent, Jane possesses a sound strength of character beyond her years that equips her to weather the vicious storm. And though she has no ambitions to rule, preferring to immerse herself in books and religious studies, she is forced to accept the crown, and by so doing sets off a firestorm of intrigue, betrayal, and tragedy.

Alison Weir uses her unmatched skills as a historian to enliven the many dynamic characters of this majestic drama. Along with Lady Jane Grey, Weir vividly renders her devious parents; her much-loved nanny; the benevolent Queen Katherine Parr; Jane’s ambitious cousins; the Catholic “Bloody” Mary, who will stop at nothing to seize the throne; and the protestant and future queen Elizabeth. Readers venture inside royal drawing rooms and bedchambers to witness the power-grabbing that swirls around Lady Jane Grey from the day of her birth to her unbearably poignant death. Innocent Traitor paints a complete and compelling portrait of this captivating young woman, a faithful servant of God whose short reign and brief life would make her a legend."

This is my first book about Lady Jane Grey, the Queen of 9 Nine Days, so this was a new feat for me. Alongside reading this I did actual research about her (because I'm that person). She was an interesting character. Poor girl, as smart as she was, could not escape the fate her parents and others MADE her take. She didn't want the throne, but her fear of her parents and complete naivety she was forced to wear the crown. In the end, she forced to pay the ultimate price that should have belonged to her bitch of a mother.

There was so much going in this one. So many characters and so many POVs. However, I owe Alison Weir a big hug! Why? Well, she actually announced in BIG BOLD letters of the POV change. No guessing or thinking on who the Hell was talking. I nearly wept with joy! Such a rare sight indeed! Thanks to that, though, it was easy to keep up with all the intrigue and political goings on.

I really liked Lady Jane Grey. She was young and I bet if she was allowed to grow into an adult and furthered her studies she would have been a nice competitor to Queen Elizabeth. She would have been hundreds of years ahead of her time. Poor girl. :/ Stupid Queen Mary and her need to have a Spanish stud in her bed. >.> *grumble* *grumble*

Anyways, this was a very entertaining and interesting book. Even though I'm Team Elizabeth, I actually like Lady Jane Grey and I think she would've been a great queen and a great lady if allowed to grow up. She was just a child of 16 or 17 (something like that). Such a sad story, but a very interesting one. I think I should read more about her. I would recommend this book to other HF lovers and others that can handle all the religious bullshit of pre-Elizabethan era. I shall stamp this with 5 stars. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Lady Jane Grey, Elizabeth (though they painted her in a slutty light at one point), Catherine Parr, and Ms Ellen (sweet old lady who really loved Jane)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Queen Mary (*grumble* *grumble*) and Jane's parents (>.>)

*CaroleRae*

Book Review: The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette

Author: Carolly Erickson
Title: The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, YA
Pages: 343
First Published: 1997
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Library

*This review can also be seen over at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell*

"Imagine that, on the night before she is to die under the blade of the guillotine, Marie Antoinette leaves behind in her prison cell a diary telling the story of her life—from her privileged childhood as Austrian Archduchess to her years as glamorous mistress of Versailles to the heartbreak of imprisonment and humiliation during the French Revolution. 

Carolly Erickson takes the reader deep into the psyche of France’s doomed queen: her love affair with handsome Swedish diplomat Count Axel Fersen, who risked his life to save her; her fears on the terrifying night the Parisian mob broke into her palace bedroom intent on murdering her and her family; her harrowing attempted flight from France in disguise; her recapture and the grim months of harsh captivity; her agony when her beloved husband was guillotined and her young son was torn from her arms, never to be seen again.

Erickson brilliantly captures the queen’s voice, her hopes, her dreads, and her suffering. We follow, mesmerized, as she reveals every detail of her remarkable, eventful life—from her teenage years when she began keeping a diary to her final days when she awaited her own bloody appointment with the guillotine."


As many of you know Marie Antoinette is my second favorite female historical figure, so I'm bound to be rather skeptical. Yes, knowing the real and true history of the Queen...it's hard to ignore the obvious (at least to me) inaccuracies. This, like many movies, are made to be overly dramatized and entertaining. Not a history lesson, so taking off my "history goru" hat and just enjoying the story made things 100% better.

I enjoyed the ride that Carolly Erickson presented. I did feel like she hurt the Queen's case more then helped though. She made her seem very selfish and vain. Yes, she was like that in real life, but this version of the Queen was rather different from other versions. Not only was she selfish and vain, but she was annoying at some points. It's hard to explain really, but I was NOT at all a fan of this version of the Queen. Granted it IS suppose to be in diary format, but still...

Also, I was surprised to learn that this falls into the YA category. Interesting...I didn't get the feel of "YA"ish to it. Eh, oh well. 

Even though I wasn't a fan of the Queen that Erickson presented, I must applaud the author for her writing skills. It was lovely and she made the world of France come to life. She made the fictitious and real-life characters blossom to life. I have read another book by Carolly Erickson...I am starting to like her more and more. Perhaps another book is on the horizon. We shall see.

In the end, this was okay. There are A LOT of historical inaccuracies and I wasn't too keen on the version of the Queen the author painted, but it wasn't bad. A nice read for a hot day by the pool. You do get the nice splash of drama, romance, fun, and in the end... tragedy. I would recommend this to open-minded History lovers and for those that like Historical Fiction. I shall stamp this with...mmmmm....(very undecided)...mmmmmm....3 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Count Ferson (such a dreamboat), Louis (can't help but want to pinch his cheeks), Madame de Barry (she always entertains me...I think I may be her for Halloween next year) and Princess Lambelle.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Marie Antoinette (not too keen on how she was presented) and the Empress (meh)

*CaroleRae*

Friday Flash Fiction: To Save a Bastard

Well...I wasn't going to post this until tomorrow, but I'm waiting for my mom to get back. Since I had a strike of inspiration, I might as well post now. Hahaha, first time I've been on time in a while. ^.^

To Save a Bastard

by: Carole Rae

“You highness,” Sir William bowed with pure humbleness.

The King smiled down at the knight with a twinkle in his eye. This young lad was no more then 20, but he had accomplished so much in such a limited amount of time. Perhaps it would be wise to make this young knight head of his Armies, “Arise Sir William. You have done well. You would have made your father proud with that quick take over of the enemy.”

Arising gracefully, William smiled up at the King, “I could not have done it alone. The men were my strength and you, Your Highness, was my motivation.”

The King let out a hearty laugh and replied, “At least I'm someone's motivation.” He looked at his pale and hateful Queen. The Queen didn't even bother to hide her disgust with all that was going around her. The King just shook his head and put his attention back towards Sir William and stood, “Come. Walk with me.”

Sir William flushed, “Oh, Your Highness...of course. You honor me greatly.”

The King smiled and patted the boy on the back, “No need to flatter an old man. You know...I tire of such flatteries all the time. I wish one person would just treat me like an equal...not like a king.”

“Sir?” The knight looked confused.

“Eh...just ignore me,”Once the two were out of the Great Hall and out of ear shot of the public the King continued, “Sir William, I have a special task for you.”

“Anything, my Lord.” The knight grinned.

The guards opened a set of doors that led to the King's personal chambers. The two walked in. Obvious amazement flashed across the knight's face for such an honor. The King couldn't help a small chuckle from amusement. Once the doors were shut behind them, The King instructed the boy to sit whilst the King went over to his desk. The desk was the largest of desks. The wood was nearly the color of black and lined with golden trimming. The desk was covered with paperwork and many of the rare books that are so hard to come by. With a quick motion, the King opened a secret compartment and pulled out a single piece of small paper.

“This task will be most dangerous and will require all of your strength and all of your skills you have gained.” The King announced, “I only trust you will be able to accomplish this goal.”

“I accept.” The knight replied solemnly.

The King sighed and walked up to the knight and handed the piece of paper, which in turn was not just a mere slip of paper. It was a painting of a beautiful woman. The woman was dressed immodestly and with a pricey hair jewelry. On her arm was a handsome hawk that looked to be completely attached in all ways to the woman. It would seem she owned all the world, but her eyes seemed to cry out for someone to save her.

The Knight was confused as he examined the painting. He looked up at the King, “Your Majesty...I am confused. Who is this?”

The King let out another deep sigh. He sat on the edge of his desk and rubbed his temples, “Do you recall a rumor floating around, still, of a possible bastard child that I had with one of my mistresses?”

“I have, but for one to create such a degrading lie against your Highness is sickening.”

The King snorted, “I'm sorry to tell you then, Sir William, that the rumor is true. None know besides for me and my late mistress.” The knight went to apologize, but he waved him to be silent, “I sent my mistress away to raise the child out of this devilish court life. My two other children with the Queen are so messed up and greedy due to the court, I wanted one pure and good child. Plus, I feared of the Queen's wrath if she was to find out of this child I loved more then anything...even our two sons.”

The knight looked down at the picture and asked, “Is this your child?”

The King nodded, “Yes.”

“Then what am I to do?”

“She was taken a couple months ago by one of many enemies. She has been made a slave mistress to that devil king in the north. Do you see on her shoulder the faint 'H' scar. He...,” He stopped from saying the obvious, “Once he had found out she was my daughter and kidnapped her. Not only that, but he...he slayed my beloved mistress and her entire household. Sir William...please will you save my daughter? I will give you anything in the world.” Tears were running down his cheeks.

Sir William was shocked that his idol and ruler was not only crying in front of him, but he was being begged by this great man. Looking down at the painting again, he rubbed the girls cheek and he knew he had to do this task, “Don't worry, Your Highness, I will do all that I can to save your daughter.”