After the Friday's review and my past tepid feeling towards historical fiction, I wanted to announce this is in the past folks. In my future reads, I have listed Jennifer Donnelly’s The Tea Rose and Atonement by Ian Mcewan. I even plan on getting Philippa Gregory’s latest series. You know, it's one that everyone has recommended, but I have been avoiding like the plaque.
In the past five months, I have read about six historical fiction books. Each one I've rated 5/5 stars. So my reluctance is gone. No more treating historical fiction like an icky vegetable. I am reformed!
To celebrate my renewed feelings, let me present to you Catherine Delors’s debut, Mistress of the Revolution. The book is based upon true events of the French Revolution. Many of the characters are inspired by historical figures.
The story centers on Gabrielle de Montserrat, born of noble blood. Her mistake was to fall in love with a commoner, Pierre-Andrè Coffinhal. Throughout the story, I tingled with excitement as I thought I knew what was going to happen next. This was all a vain attempt on my part, as the author surprised me with each new twist.
Gabrielle’s story is a fictional memoir, told in her own voice as she recounts her life beginning when her brother and guardian, Gèraud de Monsterrat, Marquis de Castel, brought her to live with him. Later on in the story, after meeting and falling in love with Pierre-Andrè Coffinhal, her brother finds out and she is forced into a marriage with a sadistic husband.
Her life has many phases, one of which will lead her to Paris where she will again meet Pierre-Andrè. During this time, France is unstable, on the brink of political and social upheaval. The decisions she made seemed the best at the time, but even towards the end, she wondered what would have happened if she had decided differently. It’s something I am still pondering over.
The author should be commended her display of realism. This book took me so far into the story that I completely forgot about my own life. Luckily, we are on spring break and I have some free time. Oh, let me warn you now, although it might be tempting to read the last few chapter to see what will happen in the end, DON'T! I am one to talk since that is what I usually do. For some reason, I didn’t in this book. I guess I was so busy reading that I forgot. Anyway, I’m glad I didn't as it will ruin the book.
A little more about Catherine Delors…She was born and raised in France. She graduated from the University of Paris-Sorbonne School of Law and became a member of the Bar of Paris at the age of twenty-one.
She moved to the United States after her marriage and passed the California Bar. She worked at a few large law firms, then, after the birth of her son, set up a solo practice. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and Paris.
Did you know that she is currently working on a second novel? It’s a historical thriller about a terrorist attack in 1800 Paris, at the beginning of Bonaparte's reign.
Since thrillers are my favorite, I am so excited about this subgenre! With this author being on tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion, maybe she’ll stop by and let us know when this will be published.
Be sure to stop by her website at CatherineDelors.com/ where you can read more about her adventures from unpublished to a published writer. You can also check out her blog, Writing with a Foreign Accent.
This is an author you don’t want to miss - promise!
Until the Next Review,
Happy Reading!
Special Note From J. Kaye: This message is posted on many blogs and articles. Only comments posted at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com will be entered in the raffle for MISTRESS OF THE REVOLUTION by Catherine Delors. For more details, go to http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com and follow the details in the right sidebar. If you have any questions, email jkayeoldner@yahoo.com. This raffle will be on the 30th of March.
22 comments:
Wow J.Kaye, I am thrilled by your reformation since it means you will be offering more books like this one to raffle! LOL *happy,happy* This book sounds great! P.S. If you haven't read Philippa Gregory's books yet I think you are in for a treat, esp. The Other Boleyn Girl.
I am no longer a member there, but it was someone at Frugal Reader who kept pushing the Philippa Gregory's books. I refused...lol! Now look at me. :)
What I am really excited about is Catherine Delors's upcoming book. A historical thriller? I got goose bumps!
Hello! I have been seeing much of this book and about how wonderful it is! The author is always commended for her historical accuracy. I would love to read it. Besides mystery book, historical books are my favorite! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I'm going to try this again! I like Phillipa's books and this one sounds right up my alley.
J.Kaye!
I have to say, that since I've been posting, I've got a lot to think about, your reviews are amazing.
You may have even talked me into a new genre. Like you, thrillers are MY all time favorite and then the trashy romance novels that I've been reading since I was probably a sophmore in high school...lol (I love the romance and erotica genre...there's just something in me that always seems to go back to it when I need a fun, quick or just a "day off" read).
Anyway, I think I stated this before, but I'll say it again, I always thought that Historical Fiction was just too much work...I didn't like it in school much and maybe that's what turned me off it.
I think I'm missing out. I may have to try at least one to see if it changes my mind and this might just be the one!
Thank you again!
Your friend,
Amy
Park Avenue Princess - I too read more thrillers and romance than any other genre. Historical fiction has rocked my socks though and I'll start adding at least one a month to my list to read. :)
Cindi - then you'll love this one. She is a fantastic author and I can't wait for her next book.
Laura - I have been having trouble posting on blogger as well. Not on my own blog, but on others. I think they've been having technical issues.
J.Kaye
I am so glad that I'm not the only one having blogging problems. I figured I should start doing mine (as you know...lol) I did write about your blog in mine today and it was terrible. The link wasn't working and I couldn't type paragraphs.
I'm glad that they are having technical problems and it's nothing I did : )
Oh and it sounds to me that I need to start at least including some historical fiction...but, I usually need a "sure thing" so it will definitely be the ones that you review lol.
Thanks so much...and you can call me Amy if you'd like : ) Either is fine.
Amy
I enjoy reading historical fiction and it has been a while since I have read one. I am slowly getting back into them so that one would do it. THanks for sharing J. Kaye
You write a very enticing review, J.Kaye. I read a lot of historical fiction. I love mysteries and thrillers, too, so her next book sounds fabulous.
Nice review. I am looking forward to reading this one!
Park Avenue Princess - No, it's Blogger. I've had to remove Feed Blitz and replace it with Feed Burner. I have no clue what's up.
Booklogged - you'll love this then. It's fanastic!
Daphne - I checked out your blog. Now I know who to go to when I need more HF to read.
I'm like you, Judith, in that I like thrillers and romantic suspense, but I also enjoy historical fiction from time to time ... even horror. I read from all genres because I write in all genres and I review for Amazon, so have to remain versatile.
That said, this book sounds delightful, especially since the author is reputed to be historically accurate.
Thanks for the op for another book. I've been very lucky so far.
You're the best, and BookBurner seems to be working well. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Betty Dravis
www.jmbpub.com/betty.htm
Betty - At one time, horror was my fav genre. I don't get into it as I once did. I feel it's the same old stuff redone over. The last really great horror book for me was The Ruins by Scott Smith. Couldn't stop reading that one, even though I knew how it would end.
I must confess to bucking against most historicals, since I am a paranormal type of gal and most of those are not historical. This sounds like it would be very interesting to read a fictional account of this period in time. I was watching Marie Antoinette the other day and I know the peasants did not live well, but the costumes on the nobility were gorgeous. The coaches and horses and everything were decked out to a tee, a feast for the eyes, as I imagine this book is for the imagination.
For years I avoided historical fiction...I would read anything but never HF. My daughter talked me into reading a HF book, don't remember which one, and I was hooked. The Gregory books are awesome! Due to your review earlier this week, I went out and purchased The Tea Rose and am already half way through it. Great Book!
I look forward to checking this book out too. You are responsible for my financial demise b/c you keep recommending such great books. hehe
Mmmm, I love me some historical fiction. I like to excuse the time spent reading it by saying that I'm learning about history. This book sounds great, count me in!
Whoops! Neva mind. I'm in Canada. Looks like I'll have to library this one. Thanks anyways!
raych - I have Canadian reading buddies and I do feel really bad about that.
Welcome to the blog though! I'll stop by yours in a bit. :)
ddurance & tina, I use to feel the same way. I am reformed now! I probably won't read as many HFs as I do thrillers, but I will no longer avoid them. :)
I got here from Eva's blog! Can I considered for the giveaway! I live in India?
my email id:
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
gautami tripathy - thanks for stopping by and commenting! Sorry, but I would need two jobs in order to afford the shipping costs if I started shipping books out of country.
Raffle details are in the right sidebar.
Don't enter me in the raffle. I wrote the book! But I wanted to thank J. Kaye for her great review, and everyone who entered.
Enjoy!
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