SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: From A Christmas Carol to Mr. Dickens and His Carol

It's the beginning of a new month which means it's time to play Six Degrees of Separation. This meme is hosted by Kate of Books Are My Favourite and Best. The aim is to link six books to each other from the starting point.

This month the starting point is another book I've read a number of times and which remains one of my Christmas favourites, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

So where to from here? Do I go the easy route and stick with the Christmas theme or tax my brain a little to come up with other links? I've tried to do both.

A Christmas Carol is a novella. This links to one that I've recently read. It is also set in Victorian England during

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: The Monastery Murders by E.M. Powell

Publication Date: September 27, 2018
Thomas & Mercer
Paperback & eBook; 288 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1503903241
Series: Stanton and Barling #2
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

Their lives are ones of quiet contemplation—and brutal murder.

Christmas Eve, 1176. Brother Maurice, monk of Fairmore Abbey, awaits the night prayer bell. But there is only silence. Cursing his fellow brother

A Top 35 Historical Book Blog!

I am very surprised and pleased to have received this award from Feedspot. Thank you!

My fellow recipients are some of the popular and well-respected historical book blogs on the internet today. I am very flattered that A Darn Good Read is ranked amongst them.

The complete list and the criteria used for selection can be viewed here.

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

Publication Date: December 3, 2018
Endeavour Quill
eBook & Hardcover; 430 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis

In eighteenth century London, porcelain is the most seductive of commodities; fortunes are made and lost upon it. Kings do battle with knights and knaves for possession of the finest pieces and the secrets of their manufacture.

For Genevieve Planché, an English-born descendant of Huguenot refugees, porcelain holds far less allure;

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: A Holiday by Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: November 13, 2018
Perfectly Proper Press
eBook & Paperback; 172 Pages
Genre: Historical Romance/Christmas/Novella

Synopsis

A Courtship of Convenience

Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He's grim and silent. A man of little emotion--or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: A Pivotal Right by K.A. Servian

Publication Date: August 15, 2018
Paperback & eBook
Series: Shaking the Tree, Book #2
Genre: Historical/Romance/Victorian

Synopsis

Florence struggled for breath as she stared into the face of a ghost. "Jack?"

Twenty years after being forced apart Jack and Florence have been offered a second chance at love. But can they find their way back to each other through all the misunderstandings, guilt and pain?

And what of their daughter, Viola? Her plan to become a doctor is based on the belief she has inherited her gift her medicine from Emile, the man she believed was her father. How will she reconcile her future with the discovery that she is Jack's child?

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: The Price of Compassion by A.B. Michaels

Publication Date: August 27, 2018
Red Trumpet Press
eBook; 296 Pages
Series: Golden City, Book #4
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis

April 18, 1906. San Francisco has just been shattered by a massive earthquake and is in the throes of an even more deadly fire.

During the chaos, gifted surgeon Tom Justice makes a life-changing decision that wreaks havoc on his body,

BOOK BLAST: The Petticoat Letters (Rebels of the Revolution #1) by Kelly Lyman

Publication Date: November 6, 2017
Blue Tulip Publishing
Paperback & eBook; 349 Pages
Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

At the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, Nora Bishop’s home is burned to the ground—along with her dreams, plans and all her family members except one. At 20-years-old and still unmarried, she moves to Manhattan to live with her Loyalist uncle, hoping to find her brother who has joined the Patriot cause against her late family’s wishes. But, battle breaks out

BOOK BLAST: Child of Love and Water by D.K. Marley

Publication Date: October 19, 2018
The White Rabbit Publishing
eBook; 291 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

The year is 1722. A child is born on the isolated island of Ospo off the Georgia coast. In the midst of General Oglethorpe's vision for this new land, and the emerging townships of Frederica and Savannah, four lives entwine together on this island like the woven fronds in a sea-grass basket - the orphaned Irish girl born free of hate or prejudice, a war-ravaged British soldier seeking forgiveness and absolution, a

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd

Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Tyndale House Publishers
Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 480 Pages
Series: The Victorian Ladies Series, #1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Synopsis

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers

BOOK BLAST: The Notorious Black Bart 1883 by A.E. Wasserman

Publication Date: August 29, 2018
Archway Publishing
Paperback; 124 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Western

Synopsis

Englishman Lord Langsford is leaving California after an adventurous visit, but finds more excitement in a Dime Novel that he shares with his two fellow travelers on the train bound to New York: This is the embellished but true tale of Black Bart and Special Agent James B. Hume of Wells Fargo & Company.

It’s California gold country and the notorious Black

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: A Duel for Christmas by Rosanne E. Lortz

Publication Date: October 1, 2018
Madison Street Publishing
Paperback & eBook; 383 Pages
Series: Pevensey Mysteries, #3
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Regency

Synopsis

After seven long years in Devon, Lady Maud Worlington returns to London to reclaim life on her own terms, but a nefarious shadow and the prospect of financial ruin dog her steps. An impulsive and unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe creates a connection with Geoffrey, the handsome, young Duke

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: from The Outsiders to The Desert Nurse

Once again it is the first Saturday of the month and time to play Six Degrees of Separation. This meme is hosted by Kate of Books Are My Favourite and Best.

A book is chosen as the starting point and the idea is to link six books to one another to form a chain. This month's book is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Once again, this is a book I haven't read, but its description as a coming of age novel made it so much easier to find my first link, unlike in previous months where I arrived at my first link in a very roundabout way.

BOOK BLAST: Clash of Empires by Paul Bennett

Publication Date: December 8, 2016
Paperback & eBook; 224 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1540666628
Series: The Mallory Saga, Book #1
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

In 1756, Britain and France are on a collision course for control of the North American continent. The eventual result can be described as the first world war, known as the Seven Year’s War in Europe and the French and Indian War in the colonies. The Mallory family uproots from eastern Pennsylvania, and moves to the western frontier, where they find

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION - From Where Am I Now? to The Dead Secret

Here it is the first Saturday of the month which means it's time to play Six Degrees of Separation, a meme hosted by Kate of Books Are My Favourite and Best. A book is chosen as the starting point and the idea is to link six books to one another to form a chain.

Today's book is a memoir by Mara Wilson entitled Where Am I Now? Again, this is a book I haven't read, so I struggled to find my first link. Eventually I got there, but in a convoluted way.

Mara Wilson is now a retired actress who as a child starred in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street. The film was based on a story by Valentine Davies, whose film credits include The Bridges of Toko-Rai

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: Tiffany Blues by M.J. Rose

Publication Date: August 7, 2018
Atria Books
Hardcover & eBook; 336 Pages
ISBN: 978-1501173592
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

New York, 1924. Twenty‑four‑year‑old Jenny Bell is one of a dozen burgeoning artists invited to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s prestigious artists’ colony. Gifted and determined, Jenny vows to avoid distractions and romantic entanglements and take full advantage of the many wonders to be found at Laurelton Hall.

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION - From Atonement to Homeland

The first Saturday of the month is time for Six Degrees of Separation, a meme hosted by Kate of Books Are My Favourite and Best. A book is chosen as the starting point and the idea is to link six books to one another to form a chain.

I've often wanted to participate in this meme but could never find the first link to get me started. Finding that link, no matter how tenuous, is a challenge in itself. Once I had that, I found the rest followed quite easily though it did require a bit of creative thinking.

This month the starting point is Atonement by Ian McEwan. I haven't read the book, but I have seen the film.

The Classics Club Spin #18 - The Spin Number Has Been Announced!

The number for this Classics Club Spin is 9 which corresponds to Starvecrow Farm by Stanley J. Weyman on my list.

Weyman was a late 19th century author who wrote over 30 novels. Starvecrow Farm was first published in 1905. I couldn't find a detailed synopsis and the only information I've managed to uncover comes from various sources. It is a romance set in 1819, four years after the end of the

The Classics Club Spin #18

It's time for another Classics Club Spin - #18 - and the first from the new moderators.

The rules are simple. Before Wednesday 1st August 2018, select twenty books still remaining to be read from your Classics Club list and create a post. This is your spin list.

On Wednesday, the spin number will be announced

SIX IN SIX is Back for 2018!

Here we are in July (only just), which means there's still time to participate in this fun meme hosted by Jo @ The Book Jotter.

SIX IN SIX is a meme where the aim is to share in July six books in six categories from the books we have read etc. in the first six months of the year, either using Jo's categories or your own.

I started composing this post at the start of July, but due to a lot of procrastination have left it until now to finalise.

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: Last Dance in Kabul by Ken Czech

Publication Date: August 2, 2018

Fireship Press

Paperback & eBook; 306 Pages

Genre: Action & Adventure/Historical/Romance/War & Military

Synopsis

The Ultimate Dance Between Love and War

When his superiors ignore his warnings of an impending Afghan insurrection in 1841, British army captain Reeve Waterton vows never to return to Kabul. But then he rescues strong-willed Sarah Kane from an ambush and his plans for civilian life and self-

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: Blood and Ink by D.K. Marley

Publication Date: March 28, 2018

The White Rabbit Publishing

ebook, Paperback, and Audible; 438 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

In the tradition of "The Marlowe Papers" by Ros Barber, the debut historical fiction novel "Blood and Ink" tells the story of Christopher "Kit" Marlowe, the dark and brooding playwright of Queen Elizabeth's court. Marlowe sells his soul to gain the one thing he desires: to see his name immortalized.

Inspired at an early age on the banks of the Stour

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: A Hangman for Ghosts by Andrei Baltakmens

Publication Date: July 1, 2018
Top Five Books
Paperback & eBook; 288 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

“We are transported. We are consigned to the ends of the Earth. And we are therefore as good as dead to the realm and its judges. There can be no hope of reprieve…”

Gabriel Carver, the convict hangman of Sydney Prison, knows that none of his kind may depart Australia’s penal colony without the system’s leave.

BOOK REVIEW/BLOG TOUR: The King's Justice by E.M. Powell

Publication Date: June 1, 2018

Thomas & Mercer

Paperback & eBook; 288 Pages

ISBN-978-1542046015

Series: Stanton and Barling #1

Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

A murder that defies logic—and a killer on the loose.

England, 1176. Aelred Barling, esteemed clerk to the justices of King Henry II, is dispatched from the royal court with his young assistant, Hugo Stanton, to

Cover Reveal: Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr by Margaret Porter

Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Gallica Press
Paperback; eBook
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction

Synopsis

“But I don’t regret anything. I learned a lot.” —Hedy Lamarr

Book Blast + Giveaway: The Daughter of River Valley by Victoria Cornwall

Publication Date: July 17, 2018
eBook; Choc Lit; 313 Pages
AudioBook; Soundings
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Cornish Tales #3

Synopsis

Beth Jago appears to have the idyllic life, she has a trade to earn a living and a cottage of her own in Cornwall’s beautiful River Valley. Yet appearances can be deceptive …

Beth has a secret. Since inheriting her isolated cottage she has been receiving threats, so when she

Blog Tour/Book Review: The Gilded Shroud by Elizabeth Bailey

Elizabeth Bailey is a popular author of Georgian romances. The Gilded Shroud is the first book in her Lady Fan Mystery series also set in the Georgian era.

Publication Date: June 21, 2018
Publisher: Sapere Books
ebook
Genre:Historical Fiction, Mystery, romance

Synopsis

1789, London

When Emily Fanshawe, Marchioness of Polbrook, is found strangled in her bedchamber, suspicion immediately falls on those residing in the grand house in Hanover Square.

Emily’s husband - Randal Fanshawe, Lord Polbrook

Book Review: We That Are Left by Lisa Bigelow

Many Australians and naval historians know of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of HMAS Sydney during World War II and the discovery of its wreckage which made headline news in 2008.

In her debut novel, Lisa Bigelow draws on her family's history to tell the story of Mae, the wife of a naval engineer aboard the HMAS Sydney, and Grace, an aspiring female reporter whose boyfriend is posted to Singapore to cover the war there.

Synopsis

Melbourne, 1941. Headstrong young Mae meets and falls head over heels in love with Harry Parker, a

Blog Tour/Book Review: Chasing the Wind by C.C. Humphreys

Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Paperback & eBook; 320 Pages
Genre: Historical/Women's Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis

Smuggler. Smoker. Aviatrix. Thief. The dynamic Roxy Loewen is all these things and more, in this riveting and gorgeous historical fiction novel for readers of Paula McLain, Roberta Rich, Kate Morton and Jacqueline Winspear.

You should never fall in love with a flyer. You should only fall in love with flight.

Book Review: The Power Game by Meg and Tom Keneally

The Power Game is the third book in the crime series set in Colonial Australia by daughter and father team, Meg and Tom Kenneally.

Synopsis

When a boatman is murdered on a remote island off Van Dieman’s Land, the authorities want to blame a famous, and very inconvenient, political prisoner. But the victim’s history of blackmail prompts Monsarrat to look further afield – and not everyone is happy . . .

In this, the third in the Monsarrat series, Hugh Llewelyn Monsarrat and his trusty housekeeper, Mrs

Blog Tour/Book Review: Henry (Book #3 The Tudor Trilogy) by Tony Riches

Publication Date: May 17, 2017
Preseli Press
eBook & Paperback; 320 Page
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Finalist for the Amazon Storyteller Award 2017

Bosworth 1485: After victory against King Richard III, Henry Tudor becomes King of England. Rebels and pretenders plot to seize his throne. The barons resent his plans to curb their power and he wonders who he can trust. He hopes to unite Lancaster and York

Blog Tour/Book Review: Jasper (Book #2 The Tudor Trilogy) by Tony Riches

Publication Date: March 22, 2016
Preseli Press
eBook & Paperback; 360 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Following the best-selling historical fiction novel OWEN – Book One of The Tudor Trilogy, this is the story, based on actual events, of Owen’s son Jasper Tudor, who changes the history of England forever.

England 1461: The young King Edward of York has

Blog Tour/Book Review: Owen (Book #1 The Tudor Trilogy) by Tony Riches

Publication Date: July 26, 2015
Preseli Press
eBook & Paperback; 318 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, OWEN is the epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience as he changes the course of English history.

England 1422: Owen Tudor, a Welsh servant, waits in Windsor Castle to meet his new mistress, the beautiful and lonely Queen Catherine of Valois, widow of the

The Classics Club Spin #17 - Update

30th April was the deadline to finish the book for this Classics Club Spin. My book for the spin was Shirley by Charlotte Brontë. Unfortunately, I didn't finish it and I can't see this occurring in the near future. The bookmark is at page 134. I've resisted removing it and returning the book to my bookshelf as this would admit defeat. So, Shirley is still "active" and in view, with the epynominous heroine yet to make an appearance. What should have been a great read

My Blog's Name in Books

Thanks to a post from Helen @ She Reads Novels, I've just spent a fun-filled hour browsing my TBR for titles to suit this meme and writing up my post.

Lynne @ Fictionophile started this meme last month, but I hadn't come across it until now. I loved its simplicity.

Blog Tour/Book Review: The Death of a Falcon: A Muirteach MacPhee Mystery by Susan McDuffie

Welcome to one of today's stops on the Blog Tour for The Death of a Falcon, book #4 in the medieval mystery series by Susan McDuffie.

Publication Date: March 2, 2018
Liafinn Press
eBook & Paperback; 310 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Series: Muirteach MacPhee Mystery, Book 4

Synopsis

Scotland, 1375: Muirteach MacPhee and his wife Mariota visit Edinburgh Castle, assisting the Lord of the Isles in his negotiations with King Robert II. A trading vessel arrives at the nearby port of Leith from the far away Norse settlement in Greenland. The ship brings unexpected diversion and carries coveted

I Spy Book Challenge

Thanks to a post by Cleopatra Loves Books, I thought this would be a fun challenge to do, too, and it was!

The aim is to find a book on your bookshelves that contains (either on the cover or in the title) an example for each category. You must have a separate book for all 20, get as

Some Excellent Reading Ahead

I’m supposed to be making good use of a week off work by catching up on a backlog of emails and reviews, reading and some long overdue blog maintenance. Instead, I’ve been distracted from these tasks by feeds heralding the release of some wonderful historical

The Classics Spin #17 ... The Spin Number Announced!

The number for the latest Classics Spin has been announced. The number is 3 which corresponds to Shirley by Charlotte Brontë on my list. Unfortunately, it was not the result I was hoping for, but at least it is a book from my own shelves and I don't have to go looking for a copy at the library; hence no reason for delay.

I loved Jane Eyre by the same author but with Shirley I've had a number of false starts, never making it past the first

The Classics Spin #17

This is my first Classics Club Spin. The reason I'm joining in this time is that I'm feeling guilty at neglecting my Classics Club list. This is a great incentive for me to read a classic over the next two months.

The rules for the spin are simple.

Make a list of twenty books that remain to be read on your Classics Club list. As a suggestion, your list can contain five

Blog Tour and Book Review: An Unquiet Ghost by Linda Stratmann

Welcome to the next stop on the blog tour for Linda Stratmann's latest Mina Scarletti novel, An Unquiet Ghost.

Synopsis

Brighton, 1871

Mina Scarletti, writer of horror stories but supernatural sceptic at heart, is becoming well known for unmasking those who fraudulently claim to be able to communicate with the dead. So it is no surprise to her when a young couple write to her seeking her advice.

They are George Fernwood and Mary Clifton, betrothed distant cousins with a family secret that is preventing them from getting married. Twenty years ago their alcoholic grandfather died in his bed.

Book Review: Four Respectable Ladies Seek Part-time Husband by Barbara Toner

A shortage of men due to the First World War and the flu pandemic, and the discrimination against women, is the backdrop of Barbara Toner's latest novel.

Set in a small country town in New South Wales, Australia, this wonderfully entertaining narrative comments on the social and political aspects of the time as men return from the war to resume their lives and the impact this has on the female population.

Synopsis

When Adelaide Nightingale, Louisa Worthington, Maggie O'Connell and Pearl McLeary threw caution to the winds in the most brazen way imaginable,

Book Review: The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse by Alexander McCall Smith

To start off my 2018 reading year, I chose this novel based on its World War II setting and its quirky title.

Alexander McCall Smith is a prolific writer of adult and children's fiction, and non-fiction. He is the author of a number of mystery series, his most successful being The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. He has also written several standalone novels, of which The Good Pilot Peter Woodhouse is his latest.

Synopsis - From the Back Cover

World War II. England is under threat, and everybody has a part to play, no matter how small. Val works on a farm as a Land Girl, supplying produce to the local air

Historical Fiction Challenge 2018 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Passages to the Past.
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2018
Sign up: anytime during the year

All the details are available on the sign-up page.

There are six different reading levels: 20th Century Reader (2 books), Victorian Reader (5 books), Renaissance Reader (10 books), Medieval (15 books), Ancient History (25 books) and Prehistoric (50+ books).

Back to the Classics Challenge 2018 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Karen at Books and Chocolates.
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2018
Sign up: by 1st March, 2018
Aim: To encourage bloggers (and others) to read more classics.

More information and how to sign up can be found here.

The challenge is to read and review at least 6 books from 12 categories. As usual I had fun searching out the titles, most of

Australian Women Writers Challenge 2018 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Australian Women Writers.
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2018.
Sign Up: Throughout the year until 30th November, 2018.
Aim: To help overcome gender bias in the reviewing of books by Australian women.

Further information about the challenge and how to join can be found here.

Aussie Author Challenge 2018 - My Sign Up Post

Hosted by: Jo at Book Lover Reviews
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2018
Sign Up: Anytime during the year
Aim: To showcase the quality and diversity of the books being produced by Australian authors.

All the information and how to join is here on the sign-up page.

I've yet to successfully complete this challenge though I read many novels by Australian authors. This year I'm participating at the Kangaroo level:

2017 Reading Challenges - My Wrap Up Post

Here is my wrap-up post for the various challenges I participated in during 2017. Not a very satisfactory result overall due to reviews not being posted though I will catch up on some of them over the coming months. While 2017 was not a good year for my reviews, I'm happy to