Appointed to the queen’s household at the age of fourteen, Catherine Howard is not long at court before she catches the eye of King Henry VIII. The king is as enchanted with Catherine as he is disappointed with his newest wife — the German princess Anne of Cleves. Less than a year from her arrival at court, Catherine becomes the fifth wife of the overwhelmingly powerful, if aging, King of England.

My Thoughts:Catherine Howard is just a girl who got tangled up in to her family's plots to gain favor from the King. Like many I always considered that Catherine was a spolit brat who lost her head to just being stupid with her actions. Libby's book although writen for young adults really gave a frsh new look at the world of Catherine Howard. I really enjoyed the scenes with her cousin Anne"s ghost. The book is a great one to introduce the younger girls in your family to the intrigue of th Tudor Era.
Rating A

Summary:Confidante of Nostradamus, scheming mother-in-law to Mary, Queen of Scots, and architect of the bloody St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Catherine de Medici is one of the most maligned monarchs in history.
Born into one of Florence’s most powerful families, Catherine was soon left a fabulously rich heiress by the early deaths of her parents. Violent conflict rent the city state and she found herself imprisoned and threatened by her family’s enemies before finally being released and married off to the handsome Prince Henry of France.

Overshadowed by her husband’s mistress, the gorgeous, conniving Diane de Poitiers, and unable to bear children, Catherine resorted to the dark arts of sorcery to win Henry’s love and enhance her fertility—for which she would pay a price. Against the lavish and decadent backdrop of the French court, and Catherine’s blood-soaked visions of the future, Kalogridis reveals the great love and desire Catherine bore for her husband, Henry, and her stark determination to keep her sons on the throne.

My Thoughts:
This is my second Kalogridis book and I have to say she really knows how to entrall her readers with this soap opera feel story of Catherine Medici. My favorite parts were the scenes with Diane De Poitiers and her Daughter in law Mary Queen of Scots who came off as a spoiled brat whom Catherines tried to tow the line with. I found this book to be a wonderful read and fascianting story.
Rating: A

Here is the cover for the 2nd book in the Acts of Faith series By T Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. The release date for the Us edition is Jan 1, 201o

Summary:
Abigail loses everything and is left with little promise of a normal life. When she discovers the Messiah and joins his followers, she also discovers new meaning and purpose. Maybe she does have a future after all. But increasing persecution is scattering the burgeoning group "to the ends of the earth." And Abigail may have given her heart to the wrong man. Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. One is a successful Hebrew merchant and widower looking for a mother for his children. On the other side is the Roman soldier Linux, who is captivated by her winsome charm and could offer the sanctuary--maybe even the love--for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neither of these. Stephen, one of the leaders of The Way, has a character and a faith that move her deeply, but his outspoken preaching has marked him for assassination. Will her faith and courage withstand a heartbreak beyond comprehension? And then a glimmer of hope appears, one she never would have foreseen.

Tuesday night my sons's school had thier annual open house and dinner as well as hosting thier book fair. While my son and my older children look around at the different books I did some looking in the historical fiction section. Now because this was at the elementary school the selection was pretty slim but I did come across a striking cover of a book. I asked my daughter about it she said she tried to read it she didn't care for it. But I figured for $2.00 it couldn't be that bad plus the money goes to help the school library so Fairest came home with me. The teachers were pretty thrilled to see a parent puchasing a YA book for them selves as well.

as soon as I finish the Devil's Queen I will be reading fairest and reviewing it soon

Is there one thing that you have to have in order to get settled in to your book?Like a favorite blanket or pillow ? Favorite snack nearby? For me it has to be my Last Line BookMark. I discovered these little gems one day in my daughters book and she kindly gave it to me. Since then I have found them at Barnes&Noble on thier bookmark rack near the check out counter. I have even given them away when I am giving books as gifts. So what about you what is your must have when your reading?