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OFF TOPIC - some good reads

Two Authors, four books

First the mystery series Susan Arruda's Jade del Cameron Mark of the Lion Jade is WWI ambulance driver whose boyfriend dies in her arms after asking her to find his brother. This task takes her to his ancestral home in England and finally to Africa. She travels as a journalist for a magazine. (and I'll give away no more of the plot.) Stalking Ivory Jade is still in Africa working as a journalist. While on safari, she becomes involved with stopping the illegal ivory trade, and more.

These are finally crafted books. Detail is rich and evocative of the close of WWI. Jade is a strong woman, haunted by her experiences both as an ambulance driver on the frontlines and the death of her almost fiancé. Post war Africa is truly drawn lovingly and reminds one of the classics of Out of Africa or Flame Trees of Thika (in fact, I want to go back and read them). The potential love interests are intriguing.

--------- The Illuminator and The Mercy Seller by Brenda Rickman Vantrease.

While related, both will stand on their own. The Illuminator is the story of Finn the Illuminator, a book illuminator and painter at the time of John Wycliffe and the struggle to translate the Bible into English (and other languages). He meets Lady Kathryn, a widow of similar beliefs, struggling to hold her sons' inheritance from the greedy hands of the Catholic Church.

The Mercy Seller is set about 20 years later and begins in Prague with Finn but also encompasses a young priest, Gabriel, who is given the task of selling indulgences by the Pope (well the one in Rome, as there are at least

2 at this time) and his abbot, Arundel. Arundel wants to stamp out the heresy of the "English Bible" and charges Gabriel with rooting out heretics and who ever is producing all the copies "flooding" England.

Lots of detail, interesting characters. Plot wavers a little, but that's OK, the story is sound.

C
Reply to
Cheryl Isaak
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Thanks for the suggestions. I always like to have lots of options for books. They all sound really good, and I'll look for them in our library. I was wondering, when I saw that the Vantrease books deal with the English Reformation, whether or not you'd read any of Philippa Gregory's novels. She writes of the Tudor period, and our summer book for book club is The Other Boleyn Girl. I've already read it, but look forward to reading it again. She has an interesting method. She takes lesser known historical facts and theories, in this case the presumption that Henry VIII was first involved with Anne Boleyn's sister, and creates a story around it. SHe presents a fascinating portrait of court life and also an interesting take on the position of women in that period. I've also read and recommend The Constant Princess and The Virgin's Lover. The first is the story of the early years of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and the second is about Elizabeth I' s involvement with Robert Dudley.

I've always enjoyed studying the Tudors. THey were a fascinating collection of personalities. I even recently bought a cross stitch kit from an online shop based in Britain of Henry VIIi and his assorted consorts. Henry is in the centre and flanked by three wives on each side, and there's a border of Tudor roses with gold beaded centres. I'm really looking forward to it. I feel like I want to do a major project for a change. I've just been working on small ones, and I feel like I need a change of pace. This should do it. It's about as far from Winnie the Pooh as I can get, I think!

Louisa

Reply to
Louisa.Duck

As the spouse of a fanatical Ricardian I say "Go and wash your mouth out right now!"

Reply to
Bruce

I've read most of hers; they are quite good. The Vantrease books are set a about 100 years before the Tudors (snip)

That might be called an understatement ;).

Enjoy. I think some one else on list did one like that not too long ago.

C
Reply to
Cheryl Isaak

LOL- which Richard? I seem to remember they had their various eccentricities as well! Louisa

Reply to
Louisa.Duck

Richard III, last of the Plantagenets and last King of England to lead his army into battle. He was "cruelly slain" on Bosworth Field in 1485 by the dastardly Henry VII (first of the Tudors). Over the last 32 years I've been well indoctrinated by Maureen on things Ricardian! For a chap who has been dead for over 500 years he seems remarkably popular and his followers operate several websites:

Reply to
Bruce

Thanks for sending along the websites. The courses I took in British history all began with Henry VII picking up Richard's crown from the battlefield and putting it on his own head. I've been thinking, since I've been reading some history again (I'm currently working on David Starkey's work on the SIx Wives), that I need to borrow my dad's series on the Plantagenets. I think I'll ask him to bring them out when he and my mum come out to visit. They're driving, so luggage space shouldn't be an issue. Have a good day! Louisa

Reply to
Louisa.Duck

There's a comprehensive bibliography at

Reply to
Bruce

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