Saturday Suggestions: Gillian Bradshaw

It has been a while since I posted a Saturday Suggestion (Saturday Suggestions are to highlight a book, series, or author that I have read in the past, before I started blogging). This week I want to share with you a fantastic historical fiction author, Gillian Bradshaw. I started reading her books years ago when I discovered her Arthurian Trilogy:

Hawk of May, Kingdom of Summer and In Winter's Shadow

Hawk of May was her first book, published in 1980, and she finished the first draft of that novel when she was only seventeen!

She also has written a number of novels set in Ancient Rome or the Ancient World. I've enjoyed all of them but I think Island of Ghosts is my favorite:

Island of Ghosts: A Novel of Roman Britain
The Sand-Reckoner
Alchemy of Fire
Horses of Heaven
Render Unto Caesar
Cleopatra's Heir
Imperial Purple
The Beacon at Alexandria
The Bearkeeper's Daughter
The Wolf Hunt

There are several newer titles that I haven't read yet (but can't wait to get my hands on!):

London in Chains: An English Civil War Novel
Dark North
The Sun's Bride

If you love historical fiction and are looking for something new, give one of these novels a try. I recommend them! You will find Gillian Bradshaw's website here.

Saturday Suggestions: The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge

Synopsis from Amazon:

Spanning three generations, this historical novel tells the tale of Boudicca, the most famous warrior of ancient Britain, and Caradoc, the son of a Celtic king, who sets out to unite the people of the Raven and lead them against Rome. Caradoc's objective is not easily accomplished as the Roman army advances into Britain, raping Celtic women and burning villages to the ground. His efforts are also met with fierce opposition from Aricia, the vain queen of a northern tribe who swears allegiance to the Romans after Caradoc slights her, and from Gladys, Caradoc’s warrior sister who falls in love with her Roman captor. Unfortunately, Caradoc’s endeavors are left unresolved when he is taken prisoner, but Boudicca, a strong-willed woman, ultimately takes up the cause that was Caradoc’s legacy.

The Eagle and the Raven by Canadian author Pauline Gedge was originally published in 1978. I picked it up in the early 1990s and it was one of the books that started my love of historical fiction. The rest of Pauline Gedge's historicals are set in Ancient Egypt and I love those, too (I've mentioned them several times on my blog in the past). But this one was the first and it does hold a special place in my heart. It has been reprinted recently by Chicago Review Press! You can find out more about this book and all of Pauline Gedge's books at her website.

Saturday Suggestions: The Dutchman Series by Maan Meyers

Last week I was reminded of a historical mystery series that I absolutely LOVED in the 1990's that I had completely forgotten about! I happened across a copy of The Organ Grinder by Maan Meyers at a thrift store and snatched it up. I have to tell you, I was really excited. I thought the series was done, no more to be had, I hadn't looked up the author in years. Here's the list of books in the series so you can see why:

1. The Dutchman (1992)
2. The Kingsbridge Plot (1993)
3. The High Constable (1994)
4. The Dutchman's Dilemma (1995)
5. The House on Mulberry Street (1996)
6. The Lucifer Contract (1997)
7. The Organ Grinder (2008)

So, there you go, eleven YEARS between the last wonderful book and this one. But I am not complaining, I am thrilled to have another installment. Too bad I don't have time to go back and re-read the first six. Ah well, maybe someday. In the meantime, let me tell you a bit about this series.

It starts with the book above, The Dutchman , about Pieter Tonneman who is the lawman for the colony of New Amsterdam in 1664 and eventually becomes the first sheriff of New York. His descendants will all be part of the New York police and the books all feature his family. The later books can all stand alone but if you are like me you'll want to read them in order so you know the whole history. The years following the title are when the book takes place:

The Kingsbridge Plot (1775-6)

The High Constable (1808)

The Dutchman's Dilemma (1675)

The House on Mulberry Street (1895)

The Lucifer Contract (1864)

Highly recommended series, I remember how much I enjoyed them. The authors are the husband and wife writing team of Martin and Annette Meyers, you'll find their website here.

Saturday Suggestions: London!

We just got back from five days in London, it was a wonderful trip! It is easily my favorite city, I love being steeped in history. The architecture is beautiful, everywhere you look there is something interesting to see. And we were blessed with the most beautiful, sunny days! No rain at all and temps in the seventies. It was lovely, I never tire of spending time there. If you ever get the chance, GO!

The official reason for the trip was to attend the London Book Fair. I have never been to a trade show before and I had assumed that LBF would be similar to what I have heard & read about Book Expo America but I wasn't sure what to expect.

I can say that it was a very interesting experience. There were booths from all over Europe, representing every conceivable facet of the publishing industry. Most big British publishers were represented and many smaller ones, too, all with their latest and upcoming titles on display (mostly on posters or graphics, there weren't that many actual books around).

Statue of Boudicca, warrior Queen, on the banks of the Thames

Maybe it was because I didn't know anyone there, but I didn't really enjoy it much, unfortunately. There didn't seem to be much of a focus on authors or readers, I saw scheduled perhaps ten or twelve author interviews/signings/appearances over the entire three days. (The lists of author events at BEA that I have seen so far exceeds 500). My badge said "Book Reviewer/Blogger" and people were definitely looking at badges but not one person initiated a conversation with me. The people I spoke to were all very nice but it seemed to me that the focus was all on the selling (which is completely understandable) and not at all on the publicity aspects, which one would think was important, too.

So, I am very much looking forward to BEA. I am hoping that the experience will be a bit different, since I know a lot of bloggers and publicists that will be attending.

Plaque at 84 Charing Cross Rd, site of Marks & Co. Booksellers

We did quite a bit of sightseeing and then went book shopping...I can't go to London (or anywhere, actually) without shopping for books!

This is my favorite guide to book shopping in London, it is packed with every new and used bookshop in the city, plus outdoor bookstalls, libraries, book fair info and much more.

We bought some great books and had to buy and extra bag to pack them into to get them home!

Saturday Suggestions: Juliet Marillier

Well, I am a bit late this Saturday but it still officially is Saturday, so I guess it counts!

This week I reviewed Axe of Iron, a historical novel about the Northmen, or Vikings, exploring and searching out new lands to settle. I was reminded of two books that I very much enjoyed by one of my favorite authors, Juliet Marillier. Her books are classified as "fantasy" but I think they are more properly "historical fantasy." I like fantasy novels but my favorites are always the ones that take place in our actual past (that is, our world as opposed to a fictional world) and then weave in fantasy elements, as these do.

Wolfskin takes place somewhere around 800, when the Vikings landed on the Orkney islands north of Scotland and settled there. There were native people living there, of course, and this novel explores the clash of the two cultures by telling the story of Nessa, a native Priestess and Eyvind, a Northman. There is a sequel, Foxmask. Both are wonderful novels. I have yet to read a book by this author that I didn't love.

I reviewed a book in a different series by this same author a few months ago, Heir to Sevenwaters.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

Saturday Suggestions: Kate Ross

Boston trial lawyer Kate Ross wrote a lovely set of four mysteries featuring Julian Kestrel. They take place in London in the 1820s. Julian is a dandy, charming and intelligent with a gift for tracing clues. He is assisted by his valet, Dipper, who used to be a pickpocket. His expertise with the underworld and the lower classes is always helpful.

Sadly, Kate died in 1998 at the heart-breakingly young age of 41. But she left four wonderful historical mysteries. I loved them all and wish there were more of this well done series:

Cut to the Quick

A Broken Vessel

Whom the Gods Love

The Devil in Music