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Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen
Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen
Nicola Tallis | 2024 | History & Politics
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Young Elizabeth: Princess. Prisoner. Queen by Nicola Tallis is such an interesting non-fiction account of Elizabeth’s life: from her mother, Anne Boleyn meeting Henry VIII, to the day she succeeds to the throne. In those intervening years, Elizabeth is pronounced a bastard after the execution of her mother, is predated on by her stepmothers husband, is accused of trying to topple her sister Mary from the throne, is imprisoned in the Tower and other great houses - as long as she is out of Mary’s way. She is spied on and may well have really been involved in plots against her sister.

Elizabeth was far too clever to be caught, and that comes across really clearly. She was her parent’s daughter: clever, resilient and she knew the best people to have around her. These personality traits and the things that happened to her, formed the young woman and queen she would later be.

Nicola Tallis read through, and included, a lot of Elizabeth’s personal correspondence. It must have been exhausting for Elizabeth. She was constantly under suspicion of treason. She may well have been though, and she certainly didn’t conform wholeheartedly to Catholicism as Mary wanted her to.

This was such a fascinating read - and I’m notoriously picky with non-fiction. I often find it dry and hard to concentrate on, but not with Young Elizabeth. It was riveting, and held my attention from start to finish!
  
A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1)
A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1)
Hailey Edwards | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 of 220
Kindle
A Hint of Frost ( Araneae Nation 1)
By Hailey Edwards
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When the head of the Araneidae clan is found poisoned in her nest, her eldest daughter, Lourdes, becomes their clan’s new maven. If her clan is to survive, she has but one choice: she must marry before her nest is seized. All she needs is a warrior fierce enough to protect her city and safeguard her clansmen. Such a male is Rhys the Cold.

Born the youngest son of an impoverished maven, the only things Rhys has to his name are his sword and his mercenary reputation. His clan is starving, but their fondness for the flesh of fellow Araneaeans makes them unwelcome dinner guests. Torn between loyalty to his clan and fascination with his future bride, Rhys’s first taste of Lourdes threatens to melt the cold encasing his heart.

Amid the chaos of battle, Lourdes’s sister disappears and is feared captured. Lourdes and Rhys pursue their enemies into the southlands, where they discover an odd plague ravaging southern clans as it travels north, to Erania. Determined to survive, Lourdes will discover whether she’s worth her silk or if she’s spun the thread by which her clan will hang.

I really love this story and I like the idea of this species that give spider spinning vibes. It’s an easy read and an easy story to follow a really pleasant read. Also Rhys yes please.
  
Guarding Her Heart (Willow Creek Romance #3)
Guarding Her Heart (Willow Creek Romance #3)
Colby Quinn | 2025 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GUARDING HER HEART is the third book in the Willow Creek series, but you don't have to have read any of the others to enjoy this one.

Sophia was widowed less than a year ago and is struggling. After a dream, she decides on a new start for her and her daughter, Emma. She buys a shop in Willow Creek and turns it into a bistro. Willow Creek provides friends and a support system she didn't have in Boston. And when a s3xy deputy takes an interest, everything is as good as it can be, right?

Nope! After thinking she saw someone from her past, Sophia mentions it to Michael. He does some digging and unearths a whole tin of worms, which ends up with Sophia and Emma having to have protection.

This was fairly fast-paced, with the relationship between Sophia and Michael, and Emma and Michael, evolving naturally in the circumstances. Although given the reputation as a hardcore bachelor, you don't see Michael with anyone else. Plus, it's always fun to see how far they can fall!

An easy read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 3, 2025