At the Emerald City Writer's Conference I attended a panel discussion on YA (Young Adult - think "Twilight" and "Gossip Girl") novels. It had been mentioned several times over the weekend that YA was becoming a big genre and since I love historicals I wanted to know how I could possibly write to that market. To my surprise, the panel, all published YA authors, mentioned that YA historical is becoming huge. One of the series mentioned was "The Luxe" series touted as "Gossip Girl in late 19th Century New York"
I got The Luxe from the library and read it in 2 days (so that you'll be impressed with me it's 433 pages). The novel begins with the funeral of Miss Elizabeth Holland - the oldest of the two Holland daughters - one of the premier families of New York Society in 1899. The story then goes to the weeks before her death and you learn that her family is actually in dire straights - as the oldest girl at 18 it's up to her to marry well and save the family. The man she's to marry is not the one she's in love with. Will, the family's stable-hand, is her true love. Henry, who she's to marry, is the love of her best friend, Penelope. Elizabeth's sister, Diana, a dreamer of 16 thinks Harry is really in love with her and the girls' maid, Lina, is in love with Will. Was all of this the reason why Elizabeth might have thrown herself in the river? Ah, see if you want to know you'll either have to read or wait for my review of the next book "Rumors"
Usually, this isn't my kind of thing but I found I couldn't stop reading. I will admit if this had been written in contemporary times I'd hardly be interested, but the fact that someone had written a series taking place at the turn of the century in New York caught my curiosity. Plus it's a story of forbidden love not only for Elizabeth and Will but for the other characters as well. This kids are very young and yet are being counted on at this age to carry on the families they represent. It's a lot of pressure that they are hardly equipped to deal with.
I have to say the ending didn't really surprise me but I do want to see what happens next - I requested the next book from the library and I'm hoping to be just as intrigued. I have to say that this book has given me a few ideas for YA historicals of my own and inspiration is always a good thing.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Conqueror's Lady - Terri Brisbin
Published by Harlequin (Historical - Medieval)
Last year Harlequin started a great new line of ebooks called 'Historical Undone' - shorter (and a bit spicier than their print historicals). The majority of the ones that have been released are Regency but a few months ago a medieval by Terri Brisbin was released called "A Night For Her Pleasure". It was a sweet (if not also hot) telling of the wedding night between a Knight and his new bride. It was also serving as a prequel for Ms. Brisbin's new series, "The Knights of Brittany". So when I saw the first print book in the series this summer I jumped on it.
Lady Fayth has no choice but to marry the man who has taken over her father's lands - Giles Fitzhenry. She's heard tales of the conquerors who are taking over lands and she fears for her father's people that she now feels responsible for. But this man is different - he seems just as concerned over his new people as she is. Gradually she begins to fall in love with him and wants to enjoy him as her husband. But she feels that she's betraying her father's memory (not to mention this could be the very man who killed her father) and her people with her feelings for this man. Soon another conqueror is determined to take, starting with Fayth and she has no choice but to trust her husband.
I don't know a lot about this period of history but it's clear that Ms. Brisbin does. She admits in her author's note that she takes some liberties but the weaving of the historical details, right down to "old English" spellings fills this book with a richness that even the most strict of history buffs should enjoy. Fayth is a strong woman who wants to be her father's daughter even as she's falling for the not so horrible knight that's taken over her people's lands. Her knight is actually a bastard son who feels he doesn't deserve any lady, let alone one like Fayth. I loved that they voice aloud their doubts to each other and you get to see their love build and grow despite their misgivings.
I really loved this book and plan on passing it on to a friend who is reading a medieval that she's not enjoying. I for one can't wait for the next "Knights of Brittany" novel to come out.
Last year Harlequin started a great new line of ebooks called 'Historical Undone' - shorter (and a bit spicier than their print historicals). The majority of the ones that have been released are Regency but a few months ago a medieval by Terri Brisbin was released called "A Night For Her Pleasure". It was a sweet (if not also hot) telling of the wedding night between a Knight and his new bride. It was also serving as a prequel for Ms. Brisbin's new series, "The Knights of Brittany". So when I saw the first print book in the series this summer I jumped on it.
Lady Fayth has no choice but to marry the man who has taken over her father's lands - Giles Fitzhenry. She's heard tales of the conquerors who are taking over lands and she fears for her father's people that she now feels responsible for. But this man is different - he seems just as concerned over his new people as she is. Gradually she begins to fall in love with him and wants to enjoy him as her husband. But she feels that she's betraying her father's memory (not to mention this could be the very man who killed her father) and her people with her feelings for this man. Soon another conqueror is determined to take, starting with Fayth and she has no choice but to trust her husband.
I don't know a lot about this period of history but it's clear that Ms. Brisbin does. She admits in her author's note that she takes some liberties but the weaving of the historical details, right down to "old English" spellings fills this book with a richness that even the most strict of history buffs should enjoy. Fayth is a strong woman who wants to be her father's daughter even as she's falling for the not so horrible knight that's taken over her people's lands. Her knight is actually a bastard son who feels he doesn't deserve any lady, let alone one like Fayth. I loved that they voice aloud their doubts to each other and you get to see their love build and grow despite their misgivings.
I really loved this book and plan on passing it on to a friend who is reading a medieval that she's not enjoying. I for one can't wait for the next "Knights of Brittany" novel to come out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)