Tarnish Blog Tour: Book Review and Giveaway

Pages: 416

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: June 18, 2013

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach her on how to shine at court--and to convince the whole court they're lovers--she accepts. Before long, Anne's popularity has soared, and even the charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne wants a voice--but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart's desire and the chance to make history."

Everyone knows Anne Boleyn's fate, but not many know what her life was like before she was to become queen and marry Henry VIII.  Anne was a newcomer to court and since she has spent many years at the French court, she has adapted many of their ways, which makes her a bit of an outcast.  Her childhood friend and notorious womanizer, Thomas Wyatt, has offered to help her make an impression at court and essentially be accepted. Anne not only wants to be recognized at court, but she also doesn't want to be controlled by a man, including her father.  She wants to have a voice and a say, which is unheard of for a woman during her time.  Things with Wyatt take an unexpected turn and on top of that, she eventually captures the king's attention.  Katherine Longshore's Tarnish is a captivating look at Anne Boleyn's life at court that will keep historical fiction fans flipping the pages despite the fact that we know her unfortunate fate.

Longshore's version of Anne Boleyn is everything I could want and more in Tarnish.  She is just how I imagined her and Longshore did an outstanding job bringing her to life. She felt well developed in Tarnish and not just some chess piece in her father's warped game that blindly accepts things and mutters yes or no. She's smart, witty, and feisty.  I've read many historical novels that deal with Anne Boleyn and I've got to say that this is my favorite portrayal; plus, Tarnish examines a part of Anne's life that most authors overlook. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into what her life was like at court before the king noticed her and how she dealt with the various pressures from her crazy family.

Thomas Wyatt, the well-known poet, attempts to "coach" her regarding how to be popular at court. Since he is a charmer, I kind of expected Anne to fall into his trap, but as Tarnish progresses, Wyatt took me by surprise. There's definitely more to Wyatt than just an eloquent philanderer.  The romance in Tarnish is done very well and there's much depth to it as it focuses on the big choices Anne has to make in life, which essentially deal with matters of the heart.  Should she follow her heart? Should she listen to her father? Can she be more than just someone's mistress?

I also like how Tarnish doesn't deal with the marriage of Anne to Henry VIII.  That has been played out by many an author and thankfully, Tarnish just focuses on Anne at court before things get serious with the king. Ultimately, I feel that is why Tarnish is like a breath of fresh air in the world of Tudor literature. 

My only issue with Tarnish is the length. It is rather a long read and when it comes to teens, I'd only recommend it to serious historical fiction fans and/or fans of Tudor history.  But hardcore history fans, like myself, won't mind the 400+ pages.

Once again Longshore has a hit a home run. I always think that I am over books about the Tudor court, but then she writes a brilliant version that keeps things captivating and fresh.  I can't wait to see what Longshore comes up with next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to Rockstar Book Tours for having me be a part of the Tarnish blog tour. Gilt was my favorite young adult historical novel last year, so I am excited to promote Katherine Longshore's latest work.

If you want buy a copy of Tarnish which comes out June 18th, check out these links:

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

If you want to learn more about Katherine Longshore, refer to the links below:

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

I also have an exciting giveaway to share with you guys.  One winner will receive a pair of Anne Boleyn inspired earrings and a signed hardcover copy of Tarnish. So jealous! Those earrings are gorgeous! Also, two winners will receive signed copies of Tarnish.  Good luck and the giveaway is open to US/CA readers.

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Follow the rest of the Tarnish blog tour:

June 10th- Tales of a Ravenous Reader- Guest Post

June 11th-  Hobbisites- Interview

June 12th - Mundie Moms- Guest Post

June 13th  Literary Exploration- Review

June 17th Good Books and Good Wine- Guest Post

June 18th  Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

June 19th  Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post

June 20th  Taters's Tall Tails- Guest Post

June 21st   Pageturners- Review

Thanks for stopping by,

Summer Vacation: Blogging Break

I'll be taking a blogging break for a few weeks, because I am going on vacation to the beach!  I have a only a few scheduled posts that I've committed to, but other than that, it's going to be quiet around here.  We are excited to take Baby D on his first real vacation.

You can still find me on Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram during my vacation.  

Don't forget to enter my International Giveaway for some of my favorite beach reads!  

See you guys in a few weeks,

End of "Summer Kickoff" Feature and International Giveaway

It's the end of my 3rd Annual "Summer Kickoff" feature. I hope everyone enjoyed it and got some good ideas for what books to bring to the pool or beach this summer.  

Thank you to all the publishers who sent me books for review and for allowing me to host giveaways.  More importantly, thank you to everyone who commented and visited my posts. I really appreciate it.  
To celebrate, I am hosting an international giveaway for one of the books that I reviewed during this feature. The winner can pick from the list below and I've linked the book's title to my reviews if you are interested:

• Riptide by Lindsey Scheibe
• Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike
• As I Close My Eyes by Sarah DiCello
• As I Wake by Sarah DiCello
• The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
• Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
• On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves
• A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard
• Burning by Elana K. Arnold
• Golden by Jessi Kirby
• Gone South by Meg Moseley
• Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross
• The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
• A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
• Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
• A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn
• The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
• Dare You To by Katie McGarry
• All I Need by Susane Colasanti
• How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
• All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue
• Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman
• Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

If none of these books excite you, I'm also throwing in the option of one of my favorite beach reads reviewed in the past:

• The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen 
• Along For the Ride by Sarah Dessen 
• My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
• It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
• We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
• Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
• Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
• Endless Summer (Including The Boys Next Door) by Jennifer Echols
• Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

This giveaway's deadline is June 24th and is open international or wherever the Book Depository ships.  Please refer to my giveaway rules.  Good luck and a big thank you to all of my readers!

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Happy Summer,

May Confessions

Well, it's the unofficial start of summer and it sure feels like it here in Pennsylvania. Right now we are having a major heat wave. It's warmer here than in Key West! And with the warm weather comes some of my favorite things in life....the beach, the sun and a good book.  Here's what I read in May:

Books Read in May:
1.  Gone South by Meg Moseley - 3 out of 5 stars
2.  The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn - 4 out of 5 stars
4.  Dare You To by Katie McGarry - 4 out of 5 stars
5.  All I Need by Susane Colasanti- 3.5 out of 5 stars
6.  How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski - 3.5 out of 5 stars
7.  All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue - 5 out of 5 stars
8.  Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman- 4 out of 5 stars
9.  Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - 4 out of 5 stars

May Top Five:

1.  Favorite Book: Adult Fiction Pick: All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue- I loved this book, especially the beach setting of Avalon, NJ.  Young Adult Pick: Dare You To by Katie McGarry - I adored this opposites attract story.

2.  Biggest Surprise: Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar- I had no idea what this book was about. I thought it was just a surfing book. It was so much more than this and in a good way.

3.  Biggest Dissapointment - All I Need by Susane Colasanti- I thought this book was light and fun, but I want something more in a good beach read, such as Jenny Han's Summer series.

4.  Favorite Post - My 2013 Picks for Beach Reads and Summer Reading List

5.  Favorite Part of May - We took Baby D to the shore for Memorial Day Weekend.  We took him all over the Jersey Shore, which was so much fun. First we went to Ocean City's boardwalk and he had dad's favorite, banana whip, from our favorite cafe.  We then took him to our favorite coffee shop, Cape May State Park, Avalon's beach, Cape May's beach, and Avalon's playground.  We drove through Sea Isle and Stone Harbor, too.  I loved seeing him put his toes in the sand for the first time!

Book Review: Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

Pages: 274

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction/New Adult

Pub. Date: June 29, 2009

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing … and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago at schoolies week. And then Carly meets Ryan, a local at the break, fresh out of jail. When Ryan learns the truth, Carly has to decide. Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?"

Carly has dropped out of college and left her hometown to live by the coast so she can surf everyday.  She got a job as a cook at a local cafe and only works nights so it doesn't impact her surfing schedule.  You see, Carly is getting over a traumatic event in her life that she hasn't really opened up to anyone about it.  She's been hiding from life and really only socializes with Hannah, her neighbor, and a young boy named Danny, whom she met while surfing.  Carly is perfectly content with the status quo and like I said, she avoids truly living her life, that is until she meets Ryan.  Ryan is another surfer that shows an interest in Carly.  He challenges her both mentally and emotionally; he encourages her to come out of her comfort zone.  The big question is whether Carly is going to let Ryan into her world and let him know the truth or if she'll run from her life and possibly being happy forever?  Kirsty Eagar's Raw Blue is a powerful book that had me feeling all of the emotions.

Silly me. I thought Raw Blue was just about surfing and summertime. Boy, was I wrong. Raw Blue is so much more and deals with tough topics, such as abuse.  Carly is such a complex character and my heart went out to her. I just wanted to get her help and have her break down her walls, but when dealing with such a traumatic event, I knew it would take her time.  

I love how surfing is therapy for Carly and is her safe place.  Eagar really brought to life the Australian surfing world.  I loved the lingo, the dialogue, and her descrption of the waves.  Raw Blue is by far the best surfing book I've ever read.

There is a romance in Raw Blue, but that isn't the main focus.  Ryan is an important character, but this novel is all about Carly and her journey.  I really liked the character of Ryan though and felt he was the perfect guy for Carly, especially after dealing with what she had to go through.  Since Carly is nineteen and Ryan is a bit older, I would say that this book falls under the "new adult" genre, especially considering some of the topics it covers.  I just want to give people a heads up that Raw Blue would be better for more mature readers.

Raw Blue made me feel a lot of different emotions. I think Eagar did an outstanding job capturing depression, post-traumatic stress, intense distrust, fear, and anxiety.  I, right along with Carly, really felt all of these things as she opened up more and let us in on her past.  This is all a testament to Eagar's writing style.  She definitely has a unique style and I loved it. It almost reminded me of Hemingway in a sense--very concise, direct, short, but so very memorable.

Like I said, Raw Blue is the best "surfing" book I've ever read, but it's so much more than just that.  I recommend this novel if you are looking for something that is moving this summer.  Carly's story will definitely stay with me. This book needs to be published in the US.

My 2013 Picks for Beach Reads and My Summer Reading List

There are so many novels that are perfect for this summer and would be a great addition to your beach bag.  Here are my 2013 picks. If you are interested, check out my 2012 and 2011 picks.

If You Want To Get Lost in the Past:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams- This is my absolute favorite adult beach read of 2013. I loved the time period, the drama, and the beach community. This one is highly recommended.

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig- Fans of historical fiction will love this family saga that spans many years and deals with family secrets.

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn- This historical read has everything that a beach read should have: a gorgeous setting, a feisty heroine, a sexy love interest and some mystery, too!

If You Are A Fan of Young Adult Literature and Want Some Love In Your Life:

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland- This is one of my favorite young adult beach reads of the year. A fantastic debut with a gorgeous setting.

Dare You To by Katie McGarry - This novel is the sequel to Pushing the Limits, but be read as a stand-alone.  It's possesses the perfect opposites attract type of relationship that many of us crave in a good beach read.

If You are a Fan of Young Adult Literature and Want Something "Smart":

Golden by Jessi Kirby- This novel is one of my favorite books of the year. The focus isn't on romance (for once!), but instead this coming-of-age tale deals with self-discovery.  Plus, there's some Robert Frost!

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen- This novel doesn't focus too much on love, but rather the main character's place in the world and that one important summer where you find yourself at crossroads.

If You Want to be Swept Away:

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter- I know this novel was popular last summer, but the paperback just came out.  It would be perfect to bring along to the beach or pool this year, especially if you are looking for a smart read.  Did I mention part of it takes place on the coast of Italy?

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue- This novel is one of my favorite 2013 beach reads of the year. It deals with three girlfriends friends, deep-rooted secrets, and it takes place in Avalon, my favorite beach town.  The descriptions of Avalon are perfect and I felt like I was there.

On the Island by Tracy Garvis-Graves- I know this novel was popular last year, but for some reason I never got around to it. Boy, am I glad I did this year and I highly recommend it.  It deals with being stranded on an island and a whirlwind romance = beach read perfection.


And even though my "Summer Kickoff" feature is over, the fun doesn't end! You can plan on me reviewing the following beach reads this summer, plus a few other novels I've been meaning to read.  If you want to learn more about these books, click the title and it will take you to its Goodreads page.

My 2013 Summer Reading List:

1.  Five Summers by Uma LaMarche - This one takes place at summer camp.  Need I say more?
2.  True by Erin McCarthy-  A "new adult" romance? Sign me up!
3.  The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison - I could use a good fantasy as I don't read many during the summertime.
4.  Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've heard so many good things about this book and I am finally picking up this surfing story.
5.  The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani - This novel has been getting a lot of publicity, so I am excited to see what it's all about.
6.  The Lake House by - Marci Nault Sounds like a great beach read!
7.  Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand - I read my first Hilderbrand novel last month (shocking, I know!) and I'm hoping this one is just as good.
8.  The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines  - This seems like great mind candy for the a hot summer day.
9.  The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan - I couldn't resist!
10. Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance  - I love Pride and Prejudice and am very interested in this adaption.
11.  Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck - I adored Hemingway's Girl and can't wait to check out this novel focusing on Zelda Fitzgerald.
12.  Grave Mercy by Robin La - I have been meaning to read this one for awhile now!
13.  Tarnish by Katherine Longshore - Gilt was one of my favorite young adult historical reads last year, so when they asked me to be apart of this blog tour, I immediately said yes. I love that this read focuses on Anne Boleyn.
14.  The White Princess (Cousins' War #5) by Philippa Gregory - Gregory is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to read this fifth installement of the Cousins' War series. It will get me so excited for the White Queen TV show which comes out in August.
15.  If I Should Die (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum - I'm scared to see how this series ends, but I've heard good things! I am saving this one to read while on vacation.
16.  The Elite  (The Selection #2) by Keira Cass - This series is so much fun---perfect for summertime!
17.  Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler - It seems I can't get enough of Zelda this summer.

So, what do you guys think of my 2013 Picks for Beach Reads and my Summer Reading List? Have you read any of these books? Any books you think I should add? Let me know.

Book Review: Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

Pages: 432

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 9, 2013

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "From the author of Wildflower Hill, this breathtaking novel travels more than a century between two love stories set in the Australian seaside town of Lighthouse Bay. In 1901, a ship sinks off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The only survivor is Isabella Winterbourne, who clutches a priceless gift meant for the Australian Parliament. This gift could be her ticket to a new life, free from the bonds of her husband and his overbearing family. But whom can she trust in Lighthouse Bay? Fast-forward to 2011: after losing her lover, Libby Slater leaves her life in Paris to return to her hometown of Lighthouse Bay, hoping to gain some perspective and grieve her recent loss. Libby also attempts to reconcile with her sister, Juliet, to whom she hasn’t spoken in twenty years. Libby did something so unforgivable, Juliet is unsure if she can ever trust her sister again. In these two adventurous love stories, both Isabella and Libby must learn that letting go of the past is the only way to move into the future. The answers they seek lie in Lighthouse Bay."

Isabella Winterbourne is on a sea voyage from England to Australia and the year is 1901.  She has been struggling emotionally for a few years after the unexpected death of her infant son, Daniel.  Her husband, Arthur, and his family never let her fully grieve for him and even had his funeral without her.  They are on this trip to Australia to accompany a piece of very valuable jewelry for the Austrilian parliament.  Arthur's family are famous jewelers and he insists on traveling with the invaluable item; however, things take a turn for the worse when their ship encounters a dangerous storm.  As a result of the storm, the boat sinks off the Australian coast. There's only one survivor: Isabella. 100 years later, Libby Slater, is also in a bad place.  Her married lover, Mark, has unexpectedly died and as a result she leaves her job in London and returns home to Australia.  Mark bought her the cottage next to a lighthouse and it is here that she tries to start over.  Her sister, Juliet, lives nearby and she hasn't spoken to her in twenty years due to something tragic that occurred many years ago.  Libby is trying to start over, but she finds there is a link to her and the Winterbournes as Arthur is Mark's great-grandnephew.  Kimberly Freeman's Lighthouse Bay is a tale about two women who live many years apart, but have more in common then they think set all on the backdrop of  the beautiful coastline of Australia.

I found Isabella's story to be more intriguing than Libby's in Lighthouse Bay.  I was dying to find out how Isabella would start over and avoid the Winterbourne family after the shipwreck.  I was a fan of Isabella immediately and Freeman did a great job making Arthur's family seem horrific, especially regarding their treatment of Isabella. How could you not root for her?  Libby, on the other hand, was an interesting character, but I found myself wondering more about Isabella during her sections of the novel.  I did like trying to figure out what happened between Juliet and Libby many years ago and why they are estranged. Loves of romance, be forewarned: The focus of Lighthouse Bay isn't exactly all about the love; however, its focus is more on these two women's journeys, starting fresh and ultimately, moving on with their lives.

Lighthouse Bay would make for a great beach read due to Freeman's beautiful descriptions of the Austrialian coastline. I must say this was my favorite part. I've never been to Australia, but I have been dying to go.  Freeman made me feel like I was there. 

I like how Freeman effortlessly weaved a tale that incorporates both women's stories in Lighthouse Bay.  Freeman does a fantastic job jumping between the two tales and the many years that span them. When some authors use this technique, it can be rather cumbersome and jarring, but this was not the case in Lighthouse Bay.

So, if you are looking for a beach read that involves historical fiction, a gorgeous setting, a mystery and family secrets, then check out Lighthouse Bay this summer.