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ancestorsearch

ancestorsearch

has 189 followers and is following 202 people

I love to read most anything historical and especially those that include Romance. Some of my favorite authors are: Elizabeth Chadwick, Diane Gabaldon, Mary Balogh, Julie Garwoowd, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, well I could go on just check out my shelf..

Finding time to read is a problem, with 2 teenage girls and working... more »
  • NC
  • member since July 17, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 25 reviews
  • Ghosts of The Soon Departed (Volume 1)
    • Rated 5 stars

    The Ghosts of the Soon Departed is absolutely a favorite of mine, from start to finish, every detail of every scene was incredibly descriptive and the attention to detail is meticulous. Page by page the story unfolds spanning four generations in isolated rural western North Carolina. Beginning near the end of the Civil War in 1864 each generation meets a different fate as they pursue the mystery of the Civil War blood money.

    Epley has done a exceptional job of putting together a very realistic and gripping story of the lives of each generation with very vivid details and some really intense moments, he understands how to create characters and plots and masterfully weaved the two together. The great blend of characters are perfectly developed as they come to life on the pages complete and not one dimensional. There is so much to say, but I don't want to betray the authors surprising twist for the reader.

    A true treasure, this is a book that should not be missed, it is the kind of book and story that remains with you long after you turn the last page.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, July 22, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Charming the Prince
    • Rated 4 stars

    Story begins in 1347 England with a young and eager Lady Willow of Bedlington waiting by her father’s side for his new wife Lady Blanche and her new mother. Willow has always wanted a mother to love and is certain Lady Blanche will be excited to have a daughter. Lady Blanche finally arrives, but no alone to Willow’s surprise she already has children of her own. Willow is not at all welcomed into the blended family she is out casted by her stepmother and her new brothers and sisters treat her horribly.

    It is now 1360 in England and Sir Bannor the Bold has returned from the war with father of 12 motherless children he sends out his trusted friend to find a woman who likes children, but is homely looking so he want be lured into her bed to produce more children. He returns with Lady Willow who is not at all homely but beautiful. Willow had been without love for so long she yearns for her prince and wants Bannor to be him.

    Willow learns of his reputation fathering several children out of wedlock and does not believe he will ever truly love her. Willow is determined to have the love of her husband all to herself so she seeks out the town whore for assistance.

    Willow bonds with the children, and with their help tries to capture Bannor’s heart, but is disappointed when yet another baby arrives at the castle who Bannor claims as his own. What can Willow do to win his heart? A nice heartwarming book really enjoyed the theme and the children. 4 Stars

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Constant Princess
    • Rated 2 stars

    This is my 2nd Philippa Gregory book, I read The Other Boleyn Girl first. I was looking forward to the story of Katherine of Aragon. My knowledge of the history during her reign is zero, but reading this book has inspired me to want to find out more about her parents and the historical facts during her reign.

    I knew nothing about Katherine of Aragon the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, so I was excited the story began when she was ground. Her parents were constantly on crusade against the Moors. I soon learned this was the only exciting part of the entire book.

    I was not impressed with any of the characters; Katherine was very self centered and arrogant I never felt anything for her and thought she got what she deserved. Henry VII was laughable his lust for his daughter-in-law was too much. Author I felt was thrown into the story but really never developed as a character for me, so I found it hard to digest this “love affair” they had before he died. The “death bed” promise to me to not fit in well.

    After Author died Katherine was treated very badly not only by Henry VII and his mother, but her own family ignored her, not sure how much of this is fact or fiction. I wanted to stop reading the book how many more times did I have to read she was destined to be Queen of England, hence the word "Constant" in title, and insisted that she had to marry Henry. In the end she finally won and married Henry.

    Finally married to Henry VIII, I was hoping the story would get more exciting would have more insight to her reign and learn more of Henry, again I was disappointed the story was slow the scenes seemed rushed, and before I know it her marriage to Henry was over. I was left going “What happened”.

    I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn’t. It really has been searching out other writers of Katherine of Aragon learn what facts are known of her.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Judas Kiss
    • Rated 0 stars

    Victoria Holt not a new author she has written books for many years and this is the 2nd book I have read that she wrote. I enjoyed this story which begins with Phillipa (Pippa) Ewell finding a newspaper clipping and discovering her sister Francine was murdered. The story returns to the girls childhood and we learn they lived on their parents on an island after his father left his home when he pursued being an artist which was against his father's wishes. The girls parents died close together and since they had no where to go they were returned to their father's home Greysone Manor.

    The grandfather welcomes the girls but has strict requirements for their upbringing as he did their father and his sister. Francine soon learns she is wed her cousin Arthur who is a man of the church and he will also inherit the home. Francine rants to Pippa she will never marry him she will leave first, she does not have long and a family that visits periodically shows up to open their home for a visit the girls decide to investigate the family who is German and they are discovered in the home. The girls are welcomed and invited to the a ball they will be hosting. The sisters begin to scheme on making a dress for Francine and getting her to the ball in secret. The plan works and Francine enjoys herself and meets a wonderful man who she decides to run away with to avoid marring her cousin.

    Pippa receives a letter from Francine describing her quick marriage at a local church, and another letter detailing the birth of her son. Since her sister abandoned her duties at Greystone Manor Pippa learns her grandfather plans for her to marry Arthur now. Pippa has learned of her sister's death and decides she must also leave. Pippa is out walking the grounds when she discovers the neighbors will be visiting again soon and she meets Conrad who traveled ahead he sweeps he off her feet and he knows of her sisters murder she tells him of her marriage and child which Conrad explains that she could have never married nor was there a child.

    With everything Pippa has recently discovered she makes plans to leave and discover the truth of what happened to her sister and her child The novel has great suspense and a wonderful story that keep me up reading.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Midnight Bride
    • Rated 0 stars

    The third and final book in the St. Leger Series. The story focuses on the youngest twin son of Anatole and Madeline St. Leger, Dr. Valentine "Val" St. Leger born on Valentines Day. He has a gift that enable him to draw pain from others, but when he used this on his twin brother he was not able to control the power and it left him crippled. Val was told by the bride finder Effie Fitzleger that he did not have a chosen bride, although he was disappointed he accepted his fate never to marry.

    Kate Fitzleger, adopted daughter of Effie was in love with Val he was her teacher, friend, and confidante and she knew in her heart that she would marry Val. Kate was shocked when Val turned her down, she was so broken-hearted she knew what she had to do. Kate took it upon herself to visit the ghost of the St. Leger's, Prospero St. Leger in hopes to cast a love spell on Val. Although, Kate new the warnings of marrying a St. Leger that was not chosen by the bride finder would mean death for her, but Kate was sure that was a myth. Kate took a book of spells against Prospero's warnings and chose All Hallows Eve to cast her spell. That night the lightening flashed and thunder roared, and unknown to Kate many things changed.

    What happens to Val becomes a mystery to Kate, he was always so kind and thoughtful but now has this dark side that she cannot explained. In another part of the country the family rival Rafe Mortmain has also been affected somehow his dark side has gone, and he now has feelings that he cannot explain. Victor a cousin of Val who has never even looked at Kate is now crazy in love with her. Kate is so distraught over this she seeks out the ghost Prospero again who explains she will have to wait for 30 days before she can undo the spell on these men.

    The story is so fast paced, you cannot wait to read what happens next. This book was a great read, but the first story is still my favorite of the three.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Cruel as the Grave
    • Rated 3 stars

    Justin de Quincy is back again in the 2nd book of this medieval series. Justin is called upon by a friend to solve the murder of a 15-year old Welsh girl Melangell who was killed in the church graveyard. The accused are two brothers who seem to be hiding something are not helpful in solving the mystery of this young girl. The father also seems to be hiding something. Again Justin has his work cut out for him to find a killer and the reason why.

    It is April 1193 and Justin is summoned back to court by Eleanor of Aquitaine while Richard the Lionheart sets in a German prison his younger brother John seizes Windsor Castle and the Queen ask Justin to undertake a dangerous mission by asking him to mediate a truce with John. Also, Justin discovers that Claudine de Loudun is with child and she wants to abort the child with special herbs, not sure what to do Justin confides in the Queen, which upsets Claudine. The Queen arranges for Claudine to leave and have the child and home found for the child.

    I do not read many mystery's, but the clues that Justin was able to discover and how he unraveled those clues were interesting. Although, not a terrible read was not as good as the first book and I was not impressed with the discovery of the killer. Many of the same characters return in this book, which I enjoyed.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Bell Witch: An American Haunting
    • Rated 3 stars

    I happened to be flipping through channels one evening and came across a movie titled "The American Haunting" in the beginning of the credits "Based on a true story". Not one to watch horror flicks (don't care for the gore) I was interested in the idea the events may be true. The movie was not that great, but I became very interested in the Bell witch, and found this book.


    The story begins present time when a manuscript is discovered that has never been open, the recipient turned it over to the Brent Monahan who converts the manuscript to book form. The manuscript is written by a school teacher who witnessed some of the events and later matter the daughter of John Bell. The story then begins in central Tennessee in 1811 John Bell has been taken in front of the church members by a citizen, Kate who tells him that his family will suffer.

    John took no heed Kate's statements. The family begins to hear faint noises of tapping, rats chewing wood but are unable to locate the sources of the sounds. The noises begin to get more intense and soon his daughter Elizabeth is dragged from her bed and slapped, but no one there. The family believes somehow Kate is behind this strange happenings. The family begins to loose sleep and are unable to prove what is happening. The begin to open their home to close friends to assist in finding the source of what is going on, which they are unable to do.

    As time goes on they begin to hear voices, and start calling this ghost "Kate's Witch". The witch begins to communicate with the members of the family and say she is there until John Bell dies, which will be very soon. The witch tends to disturb Elizabeth more then other members of the family. Many friends and outsiders come to home to uncover this mystery, but have no luck.


    I was really into the beginning of the story, but then it begins to drag. It was not written for entertainment, but more of the events that took place in the home. Eventually the last few chapters become interesting and the storyteller uncovers the mystery of the bell witch that left me in total shock.

    Very interesting, not a thriller or bestseller but worth the read. If you enjoy mystery and actual events then I recommend the read.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Night Drifter
    • Rated 4 stars

    I could not wait to read the 2nd book of The Bride Finder series this book begins with the two of the children from our main characters in book one, Lancelot the eldest twin son and heir has returned from the war and his parents are away and he is left in charge. Lance would rather not have these responsibilities, but oldest son it is his responsibility. The story begins with the loss of the St. Leger Bride Sword - a priceless family heirloom that gets passed on to the brides found for St. Leger men by the Bride Finder.

    Lance, like most St Leger family he also has a power which is to separate his soul from his mortal body and night drift. Thinking this a great way to search for the stolen sword he happens upon a young widow Rosalind, who believes him to be Sir Lancelot de Luc of King Arthur's Round Table. Rather than let her know the truth he plays along with her and tells her he is looking for a missing sword, which is part truth.

    Rosalind visits Effie Fitzleger, granddaughter of the original Bride Finder Lance shows up with his brother Val to seek her assistance in finding a bride for Val. Effie is hit with a feeling for a bride not for Val, but for Lance, who happens to be Rosalind. She does not recognize Lance as her nightly apparition and wants no part of this reputed St. Leger rakehell.

    Lance decides to continue as Sir Lancelot at night in order to convince her to give Lance St. Leger a chance to redeem himself during the day.

    Susan Carroll develops another mystery, and explores into the ghost Prospero, I believe his the remainder of his story will come out in the last book. Carroll has given us a new plot with interesting characterizations, but the book was enjoyable and I liked the characters, but somewhat slower then the first book. Eager to story book three.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Queen's Man
    • Rated 5 stars

    New author for me and I am pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This is the first book in a series that begins in 1192 with the main character Justin de Quincy who grew up as an orphan and was taught by a high ranking bishop who paid for his education, housing etc. During his search for his mother he discovers the bishop is his father.

    Justin sets out to find his fate in the world, when he stumbles upon an ambush where he witnesses a murder. As the goldsmith lies dying he ask Justin to deliver a message to Queen Eleanor. Once he delivers the letter the Queen becomes worried her son King Richard the Lionheart has been missing for a couple of months and her youngest son John is plotting to take over the throne.


    Queen Eleanor is impressed with Justin and asks him to identify the killer(s). He gladly accepts the task. Justin returns to the town of the goldsmith to begin his investigation, here he discovers some interesting characters. Who can he really trust?

    The book is well written nice quick read, very little romance, nice plot and some twists. I am looking forward to reading the remaining 3 books in the series.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Bride Finder
    • Rated 5 stars

    Anatole St. Leger who has special powers is a descendant of some interesting family members. Anatole carries some emotional scars from his childhood along with the visible scar on his forehead. He knows he needs to marry and contacts the Bride Finder, who selects all the St. Leger’s brides. If the bride is not chosen by the Bride Finder he will be cursed as his father was who did not follow tradition. He is very stern with the requirements of his bride and makes a list. Unknown to Anatole the resident ghost Prospero switches the list.


    The bride, Madeline, and her cousin arrive from London and are soon greeted at the front door by Anatole, who immediately grabs the cousin and kisses her passionately. In shock the cousin flees and leaves Madeline alone to face her husband who in no way resembles the photo in the locket she carries around her neck given to her by the Bride Finder. Madline is left to wonder did she do the right thing should she flee as her cousin or stay and try to fall in love. Her visions of prince charming sweeping her off her feet are fading fast.

    Madeline struggles to reach deep within Anatole to discover his dark past, while Anatole struggles to keep the past a secret.

    The story has it all twist, mystery, suspense, interesting characters, magic and a beautiful romance. I love it when I find new authors to read, I cannot wait to read the remaining 2 in the series.

    ancestorsearch wrote this review Friday, November 21, 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 25 reviews