The Resurrection of the Romanovs Review

Happy Friday Readers!

 We made it to Friday, and have another weekend ahead of us! Although I have to work tomorrow, it is still going to be an amazing weekend! Today I wanted to review a biography, which is something that I haven't done yet. The Resurrection of the Romanovs by Greg King and Penny Wilson, is an in-depth look the Romanovs fate, and the Anastasia impostor Anna Anderson, who fooled a lot of people into believing that she was Anastasia.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "The truth of the enduring mystery of Anastasia's fate-and the life of her most convincing impostor The passage of more than ninety years and the publication of hundreds of books in dozens of languages has not extinguished an enduring interest in the mysteries surrounding the 1918 execution of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his family. The Resurrection of the Romanovs draws on a wealth of new information from previously unpublished materials and unexplored sources to probe the most enduring Romanov mystery of all: the fate of the Tsar's youngest daughter, Anastasia, whose remains were not buried with those of her family, and her identification with Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be the missing Grand Duchess.
Penetrates the intriguing mysteries surrounding the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and the true fate of his daughter, Anastasia
Reveals previously unknown details of Anderson's life as Franziska Schanzkowska
Explains how Anderson acquired her knowledge, why people believed her claim, and how it transformed Anastasia into a cultural phenomenon
Draws on unpublished materials including Schanzkowska family memoirs, legal papers, and exclusive access to private documents of the British and Hessian Royal Families
Includes 75 photographs, dozens published here for the first time
Written by the authors of The Fate of the Romanovs


Refuting long-accepted evidence in the Anderson case, The Resurrection of the Romanovs finally explodes the greatest royal mystery of the twentieth-century."

I have always been fascinated with how people could believe Anna Anderson was the real Anastasia. What happened to the Romanov family was a senseless tragedy, and for this woman to exploit it always boggled my mind. This book helps the reader understand why people believed Anna to be Anastasia, and also shows the reader a whole new insight into the world of the Romanovs. I couldn't put this book down because it captivates you and brings you into the mystery that rocked the world. If you want to know why people believed an impostor to be real, and more intimate details of the Romanovs than this book is for you!

Time to go discover the truth my dears!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Agatha Christie Fun Facts

Happy Tuesday!

 Today I decided to do another fun facts about an author post, since I have done one in a while. Today I am going to be providing fun facts about Agatha Christie, who is known to be one of the best mystery writers. Not a lot of people know a lot about Agatha Christie, and I hope that some of the facts I provide today will help people understand her and read more of her books.

Let's get this list party started!

• The first novel she ever written she wrote on a dare from her sister.
• Her character Hercule Poirot was based on a strange man she saw one day, when he was boarding a bus.
• She once disappeared for 10 days without telling anyone where she was going. Turns out she just went to a spa to have some time away from her relationship.
• She loved to surf with her husband.
• She didn't like taking author photos, because she didn't want to be recognized in public.
• You can actually rent her home for $500 a night.
• She was educated at home by her mother and her governess.
• She is the only female dramatist ever to have had three plays running simultaneously in London’s West End.
• In 1922 she traveled around the world.
• She was a huge dog lover.
• When her male detective Hercule Poirot "died" he was given a full page obituary in the New York Times.
• Green was her favorite color.
• On the day she died the West End theaters dimmed their lights for one hour.
• For many years she was the President of the local amateur drama society in Wallingford.
•  In 1931 she read one of her own stories on BBC radio.
• She was the first crime writer to have 100,000 copies of ten of her titles published by Penguin on the same day in 1948 - A Penguin Million.

I hope that some of these facts about Agatha Christie helped interest you in her as an author. I have read a couple of her books and couldn't put them down, because with her writing you don't know who the murderer is until the very end when she wants the reader to know the truth, and how the murder was committed.

References:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/85723/15-mysterious-facts-about-agatha-christie
https://www.agathachristie.com/about-christie/christie-experts/john-curran-75-facts-about-christie

Books On My Reading List For 2019

Hey Guys!

  So I decided to do a different type of post today than what I have recently done. I wanted to list some books that I am looking forward to reading in 2019. This is the year where a lot of amazing books are going to come out, and I am excited to read each one of them! I also thought this may interest my readers as well, in case you are looking for that special book to add to your reading collection this year. I have also made it a goal of mine to read more books this year, since I don't have to do homework anymore on the weekends! Some of these books will be published in 2019, and some have been previously published, but I haven't read them yet.

Let's get this list started! (These books are in no particular order)

• Stain by A.G. Howard

• Anastasia and Her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer

• Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley

• Again, But Better by Christine Riccio

• Romanov by Nadine Brandes

• Enchantee by Gita Trelease

• Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

All images taken from the Goodreads website. 

There are a lot more books that I can out on this list, but I decided to make this a two part post, because there are a lot of amazing books out there that I can't wait to get my hands on!

Enjoy the journey of reading friends!

The Genius of Jane Austen Through Quotes

Hey Guys!

 Today I wanted to do some quotes from my favorite author Jane Austen. Not many people know that the quotes that Jane Austen came up with were funny, intelligent, before her time, can fit in today's society, and are just amazing! I even used one of Austen's quotes at the bottom of my graduation invitations that had to do with education, and it fit perfectly. She has quotes about reading, life, relationships, inspirational, and in all honesty truthful. Here are some of her quotes that I absolutely love, that I found with Google!
























I hope you enjoyed these quotes! If you have a favorite quote by Jane Austen, please feel free to leave it in the comments!

The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs Review

Happy Monday Readers!

 So today I will be reviewing a book that had me mesmerized and captivated until the very end. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs by the amazing Jennifer Laam. This book was the best book I have read in 2019 so far, plus I have always been obsessed with the story of the Romanovs, which lead me to getting this book in the first place.

The book description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A compelling alternate history of the Romanov family in which a secret fifth daughter—smuggled out of Russia before the revolution—continues the royal lineage to dramatic consequences

In her riveting debut novel, The Secret Daughter of the Tsar, Jennifer Laam seamlessly braids together the stories of three women: Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte. Veronica is an aspiring historian living in present-day Los Angeles when she meets a mysterious man who may be heir to the Russian throne. As she sets about investigating the legitimacy of his claim through a winding path of romance and deception, the ghosts of her own past begin to haunt her. Lena, a servant in the imperial Russian court of 1902, is approached by the desperate Empress Alexandra. After conceiving four daughters, the Empress is determined to sire a son and believes Lena can help her. Once elevated to the Romanov's treacherous inner circle, Lena finds herself under the watchful eye of the meddling Dowager Empress Marie. Charlotte, a former ballerina living in World War II occupied Paris, receives a surprise visit from a German officer. Determined to protect her son from the Nazis, Charlotte escapes the city, but not before learning that the officer's interest in her stems from his longstanding obsession with the fate of the Russian monarchy. Then as Veronica's passion intensifies, and her search for the true heir to the throne takes a dangerous turn, the reader learns just how these three vastly different women are connected. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is thrilling from its first intense moments until its final, unexpected conclusion."

I know a lot of people are hesitant about reading books that are told from multiple characters point of view, however the way Jennifer transports the reader over different timelines is so seamless that the story just keeps flowing together, and all of the empty spaces are filled in perfectly. The story starts with Lena who's timeline is the same as the Romanovs, Charlotte is after the tragedy of the Romanovs, and Veronica's is present time. These three women are each special and strong in their own right, and their stories play a bigger role in the novel. I'm trying not to say too much about this book, because I don't want to give anything away, because trust me when the bomb is dropped, you won't see it coming until the moment Jennifer wants you to. Let's just say when I read it, I was screaming in the bathtub.

This story made me laugh, cry, and think about the possibility of this being true. The tragedy of the Romanovs was horrible, but Jennifer provides the reader with a historical fiction novel, that does not romanticize or disrespect the tragedy in any sort of form. If you love stories that make you get lost in time, with mystery, suspense, and just love history, you need to read this amazing book!

Have an amazing journey into the lives of the Romanovs my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Flame in the Mist Review

Happy New Year's Eve Guys!

 Today I wanted to review a book that I just finished reading, and I actually finished it in two days because I could not put it down! Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh takes the reader on one wild adventure of one girls journey to find who she really is in life, and where she belongs.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires."

Mariko does not accept her fate of being a pawn for her family to gain power, and force her to marry some Prince she has never met. She knows that there is more out there for her, however she doesn't want to let her family down. When her convoy is attacked while taking her to her fiance, she barely escapes with her life, and makes it her mission to figure out who would want her killed. In so doing she is lead down a path of self discovery that she never thought was possible. She also is put in several positions where she must decide if she should follow her heart or protect her family.

What I loved most about this story is being drawn  into a different culture, and the story being told from multiple characters points of view. You think that some stories being told from multiple points of view would get confusing, but it doesn't, and it allows the reader to see different versions of the story throughout the book.You will laugh, scream, feel pain, and be shocked when the ending is reveled. Yes it ends on a slight cliff hanger, however the second book Smoke in the Sun is already available so you don't have to wait that long to continue this amazing story.

Take a long needed journey to find your inner warrior my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

William Shakespeare Fun Facts

Hello again!

 Today I wanted to keep the fun facts about different authors going, and decided to go with William Shakespeare. Yes I am aware he technically didn't write books, but he is known for some of the best plays that we have in existence, and he is considered an author, well a playwright. Let's get started on learning more about Shakespeare.

• Shakespeare is widely considered the world’s greatest dramatist
• He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets
• He married Anne Hathaway when he was only 18 years old
• He acted in many of his plays performances
• His acting company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men, built the Globe theater for their performances in 1599
• Before Shakespeare, the English language was much less codified with no official dictionary and many variations on spelling
• Shakespeare has given many memorable phrases to the English language, such as “wild goose chase”, “foregone conclusion” “in a pickle"
• Macbeth was often unpopular for its reference to witches which created fear in the middle ages. There remains a long theater superstition of saying aloud the name ‘Macbeth’
• When he died he only left his wife Anne a bed
• There is a belief that a curse lays on Shakespeare's grave for anyone who moves his bones
• Shakespeare introduced almost 3,000 words to the English
• He references suicide 13 times in his plays, mainly by characters dying by their own hand
• Nobody can for certain tell when exactly his birthday is
• They never did figure out what caused him to die
• He disappeared from the history books between 1585 and 1592. No one can find any trace of what he was doing during this time
• Shakespeare had seven siblings

I hope you learned something new about William Shakespeare that you didn't know before fellow readers!

Facts found at the following websites:

https://www.biographyonline.net/poets/facts-shakespeare.html

https://www.williamshakespeare.net/facts.jsp

The Juliet Club Review

Hello!

 We have reached the middle of the week, and I wanted to share one of my favorite YA books with you. The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper, takes the reader one a wild journey full of love and laughter. It is set in Verona, Italy and is a summer camp for Shakespeare lovers.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Kate Sanderson inherited her good sense from her mother, a disciplined law professor, and her admiration for the Bard from her father, a passionate Shakespeare scholar. When she gets dumped, out of the blue, for the Practically Perfect Ashley Lawson, she vows never to fall in love again. From now on she will control her own destiny, and every decision she makes will be highly reasoned and rational. She thinks Shakespeare would have approved.

So when she is accepted to a summer Shakespeare symposium in Verona, Italy, Kate sees it as the ideal way to get over her heartbreak once and for all. She'll lose herself in her studies, explore ancient architecture, and eat plenty of pasta and gelato. (Plus, she'll be getting college credit for it—another goal accomplished!) But can even completely logical Kate resist the romance of living in a beautiful villa in the city where those star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet met and died for each other? Especially when the other Shakespeare Scholars—in particular Giacomo, with his tousled brown hair, expressive dark eyes, and charming ways—try hard to break her protective shell?

"In fair Verona, where we lay our scene . . . ""

Kate Sanderson is your average American teen, who knows Shakespeare like the back of her hand due to her father. When her boyfriend dumps her for another girl, her heart is broken and she decides never to fall in love again. When she gets accepted to go to Verona, Italy she decides that she will get lost in the world of Shakespeare and forget all about her troubles. However when she gets there she finds that the students want to play a trick on her and Giacomo. So they decide to turn the tables on the students, and go along with their plan. However along the way Kate discovers things about herself, learns to let go, and wonders if you can truly escape from love.

This is one story that will make the reader dive into the Shakespeare world with Kate. You will laugh, get angry, and root for her to figure out just exactly what she wants. You can also relate to Kate's character, especially if you have ever been dumped in High School for another girl. This is one adventure that Shakespeare would be proud of, and any lover of Shakespeare needs to read. Don't let this amazing story pass you by.

Go on an adventure in Verona and find yourself lost in the story readers!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Fun Facts about Charlotte Bronte

Hey Readers!

 Today I wanted to showcase some more fun facts about another one of my favorite authors, Charlotte Bronte. She is the author of the amazing Jane Eyre, as well as other amazing works. When I read Jane Eyre, I fell in love with the story telling and of course the brooding Mr. Rochester. I honestly don't know a lot about Charlotte's life, and wanted to find some facts to share with you today, so we can all learn about this amazing author together.

• She was born on April 21, 1816
• She had five siblings
• She was able to see and read better in the dark, than she was in the light
• She was a teacher for a time, but actually despised it
• She was only about four and a half feet tall
• The school in Jane Eyre is based on her and her sisters experiences while in a school just like it
• If she was alive today she would be 201 years old
• Her sisters wanted her to make the character of Jane Eyre beautiful, thinking the public wouldn't embrace a plain looking heroine, however she refused to change Jane's appearance
• She was proposed to four different times, and turned down every single one of them
• She married Arthur Nicholls, and eight months after her wedding 
• She wrote stories with her siblings based on her brother Bramwell's toy soldiers
• She outlived her parents and her siblings
• She wrote a book of poetry with her sisters Anne and Emily
• When she published Jane Eyre under the name Currer Bell, it was an instant success
• She spoke with an Irish accent
• Her father was slightly paranoid and carried a pistol everywhere

There are a lot more intersting facts about Charlotte Bronte if you would like to know more, all you have to do is Google. The sites were I found the above facts can be found at:

http://www.annebronte.org/2017/03/19/10-fascinating-facts-about-charlotte-bronte/

https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/20-things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-charlotte-bront%C3%AB/

https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/five-interesting-facts-about-charlotte-bronte

https://www.cbc.ca/books/20-fascinating-facts-about-charlotte-bront%C3%AB-on-her-200th-birthday-1.4095025

http://tonsoffacts.com/30-awesome-and-interesting-facts-about-charlotte-bronte/

https://www.biography.com/people/charlotte-bront-11919959

Cleopatra's Moon Review

Happy Friday Readers!!

 So I have always been a fan of Ancient Egypt and Cleopatra, when I saw this book and read the description I knew I had to read it. Cleopatra's Moon by author Vicky Alvear Shecter is told from Cleopatra's daughter point of view. Vicky has taken historical aspects and blended them into a beautifully crafted story that will transport the reader to Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Rome.

The description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "Selene grew up in a palace on the Nile under parents Cleopatra and Mark Antony - the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But when a cruel Roman Emperor takes the country and whisks the princess to Rome against her will. She finds herself torn between two young men and two possible destinies - until she reaches out to claim her own."

Selene witnesses her parents death, and than is forced to travel to a city and live with people who hate her and her mother. Selene and her brothers are paraded around to the Roman people as prized prisoners, and Selene will learn the hard way how her mother's reputation affects the way she is treated. She starts to notice certain things, and tries to live up to her family name, while navigating her life in Rome. She does fall in love with two different men, but in the end she picks the one that is best for her. This entire story is told from Selene's point of view and the reader gets a sense of what it was like for Cleopatra's children after the fall of Egypt.

Vicky pulls you into the story with the most amazing descriptions that will make you feel like you are in ancient cities yourself. She brings you on Selene's emotional roller coaster, and makes you want to learn more about the amazing place that was once Alexandria. You will also want to know more about Cleopatra, Anthony, Selene, and every character in this amazing story. The author leaves you a little historical note at the end to let you know what became of Selene and the man she chooses to live the rest of her life with.

This book is a must read for anyone who loves history, ancient Egypt, Cleopatra or the beautiful place that Alexandria once was.

Have an amazing journey into the past!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Jane Austen Fun Facts

Hello Guys!

  So here is the first post of something new I am going to try with my blog. Today I am going to provide some fun facts about my favorite author Jane Austen. Jane Austen lived in a time where woman were only supposed to take care of the home, and no one would publish a book that was written by a woman. Austen is the author of several books that include: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abby, and short stories that she didn't get to finish before her death. I have compiled a list of fun facts and wanted to share them with you.

• She never got married, however she did become engaged one time, but called it off the next day
• There are 14 kisses in Jane Austen's novels
• She was the first writer to use the phrase "dinner party"
• She also wrote poetry and was always writing when she was 12 up to her death at 41
• Her chores included: Breakfast maker, Tea maker, Sugar keeper, and wine keeper
• There was only one man who she truly loved, which was Tom Lefroy, and he broke her heart (this can also be seen in the movie "Becoming Jane")
• She loved dancing
• After her novels ended, she would dream of what became of her characters
• One of her royal relatives was Mary, Queen of Scots, fourth cousin, seven times removed
• Her sister Cassandra and her were very close, Cassandra never married eith

I wanted to share one of the poems that Jane wrote with you as well:

 Lines Written By Jane Austen For The Amusement Of A Niece- On the marriage of Frank Austen and Mary Gibson, July 1806

"See they come, post haste from Thanet,

Lovely couple, side by side;

They've left behind them Richard Kennet

With the Parents of the Bride!"

I found the above information using the following resources:

https://www.biography.com/news/jane-austen-biography-facts

http://www.10-facts-about.com/Jane-Austen/id/1380

Book:

The List Lover's Guide To Jane Austen by Joan Strasbaugh

Juliet: A Review

Happy Wednesday!

 My favorite play by William Shakespeare has and always will be Romeo and Juliet. So today, I am going to be reviewing Juliet by Anne Fortier. I remember the day I picked up this book, I was walking around the bookstore looking for my next adventure when the title jumped out at me. I flipped the book around and the second I read the description, I knew that I had to have this book. It has now became one of my favorites that I have read over and over!

The description comes from the Goodreads website:

 "When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told that it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a winding and perilous journey into the history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo rocked the foundations of medieval Siena. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families immortalized in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems that the only one who can save Julie from her fate is Romeo—but where is he?"

Julie's orderly world is turned upside down when her aunt passes away, and she is left with a huge mystery on her hands. She decides to travel to Siena, Italy to figure out what her mother left for her in a safety-deposit box, what she doesn't expect is to be thrown into a historical rabbit hole, where the story she grew to love is actually a reality. Along the way she meets characters, who have a huge part to play in the outcome, and that will help her get down to the truth of the story of the real Romeo and Juliet. Along the way she will have to learn to leave her comfort zone, and do things that she normally wouldn't do. Will she be able to find Romeo to save her or is he just a fictional character?

I absolutely loved the way Anne brings the reader into both the past and the present by telling the story from Julie's and Giulietta's points of view. Her take on Romeo and Juliet is so beautiful and gives Shakespeare's characters a new way to live in the modern world. Anne captures the essence of Shakespeare's writing while at the same time putting a new and interesting twist on the tale that we have all come to know. You will see characters and scenes in this book that give a whole new meaning to the scenes from the play. This is a must read for fans of William Shakespeare, and who love the story of the star crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet.

Fall in love with a pair of star crossed lovers all over again!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.

Sky In The Deep Review

Hey Guys!

  Today I am going to be reviewing Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young. This novel is about one girl's revenge against the people who took her brother, and her journey to discover the truth.

The description came from Goodreads website:

 "Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating."

Eelyn isn't your normal seventeen year old, she is a warrior who isn't afraid to takes someones life to protect her own, and her family. When in the midst of battle, she sees her brother fighting on the side of the enemy, Eelyn knows that she needs to get down to the bottom of what is going on. She sets out on a journey by herself to bring her brother back home. They hold her captive in enemy territory, until one day the village is attacked, and she knows in order for them to survive she has to bring the clans together. Along the way, she will find truth, understanding, love, and justice.

What I really loved about Eelyn is that she is a fierce warrior, who can save herself, and doesn't rely on a man to save her. We need to see strong female characters, who are so life like that we can identify with them and see the strength within ourselves. The descriptive words in this book will make the scenes come to life in the readers minds and you will feel like you are experiencing everything right along with Eelyn. I will warn all readers, there are some descriptive scenes in this book with violence, and gore, but it isn't overdone and actually makes the story that more interesting.

Good journey my friends!



Image taken from the Goodreads website.