Introduction. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while after listening to Tracy Borman talk about it and her other books on Tudor’s Dynasty Podcast with Rebecca Larson. I’ve read a lot about the witch trials in America as well as books about the Tudors, but nothing in between, so this was a gemContinue reading “Book Review: The King’s Witch, by Tracy Borman”
Author Archives: W. M. Ashley
Secondhand Bookstore List – Finding Quality Reads for Less
I try not to spend more money than I have to when buying books to read or include in my home library. Given the plethora of thrift stores where I live and that exist on the internet, I have narrowed down some of the ones I have come across or recommend to other readers seekingContinue reading “Secondhand Bookstore List – Finding Quality Reads for Less”
6 Overdone Tropes in YA Literature and TV
The more I try to find new books/TV shows, the more frustrated I get from repeated tropes that I believe no longer need to exist or just need to exist in a new light than they already have been previously portrayed. Here’s a list of ones that are currently getting my literary goat. Let’s takeContinue reading “6 Overdone Tropes in YA Literature and TV”
My Jane Austen Novel Love-Interest Ratings
Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought I’d look at the love-interests of the heroines of the “Queen of Regency Romance Novels” herself, Jane Austen. How do they add up on my own literary romance spectrum 5 to 1 (5 being my least favorite, 1 being my most favorite)? Let’s take a look! 5.Continue reading “My Jane Austen Novel Love-Interest Ratings”
7 English Lit Classics I’ve had to Watch the Movie to Understand
Anybody ever like a movie adaptation better than the book because of confusion regarding the themes/language/historical context of the story? Below I’ve listed some that I’ve come across during my English Lit education. 1. Great Expectations I heartily tried a few times to read this book, but I just couldn’t seem to get past theContinue reading “7 English Lit Classics I’ve had to Watch the Movie to Understand”
Favorite Historical Fiction Periods: Tudor (1485-1603)
Ever since I read Elizabeth I: The Red Rose of the House of Tudor from The Royal Diaries middle grade series in 4th grade, I have always been interested in Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII, and the rest of the Tudor Dynasty. I always love reading historical fiction as well as non-fictional biographiesContinue reading “Favorite Historical Fiction Periods: Tudor (1485-1603)”
5 Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021
I always seek inspiration for my own historical fiction stories by reading what other authors have come up with, especially from periods that fascinate me (including but not limited to the Medieval, Tudor, Civil War, and WWII eras). Below are some of the books coming out this year set in those time periods! Yellow Wife,Continue reading “5 Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of 2021”
2020 Book Haul: Favorite Book Covers
Here is a list of 20 books I bought/checked out from the library this year where their fabulous covers were a primary reason for wanting to read their stories inside. Keep in mind these are covers of books that I acquired this year (not necessarily books that came out this year). Some I have readContinue reading “2020 Book Haul: Favorite Book Covers”
Book Review: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Being the fan of Rebecca that I am, I thought I’d check out another one of du Maurier’s books. And this one did not disappoint! While we never see or hear the story’s subject in Rebecca, we get the complete opposite in My Cousin Rachel. Like Rebecca, we see only Rachel from the protagonist’s pointContinue reading “Book Review: My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier”
Series Review: Order of Darkness by Philippa Gregory
Changeling Summary: A young woman named Isabel strives to reclaim the birthright of her family estate from her conniving brother. She and her Saracen servant Ishraq embark upon a journey to do so and run into a young novice-in-training, the “changeling” of our story, named Luca and his trusty scribe. They are a part ofContinue reading “Series Review: Order of Darkness by Philippa Gregory”
