In August 1768 His Majesty's Bark Endeavour, with Lieutenant James Cook as its captain, departed from Plymouth, England, primarily to observe the Transit of Venus from Tahiti.
In 2018, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of this, one of the greatest voyages of discovery ever made, Penguin Books released a new edition of Anthony Hill's 2008 novel, Captain Cook's Apprentice
Synopsis (From the back cover)
The enthralling story of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia, as seen through the eager eyes of a cabin
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
Valentine's Day may have come and gone for this year but Valentines from Bath is exactly what's needed if you're still craving some romance reading.
Synopsis
The Master of Ceremonies announces a great ball to be held on Valentine's Day in the Upper Assembly Rooms of Bath.
Ladies of the highest rank--and some who wish they were--scheme, prepare, and compete to make best use of the opportunity.
Dukes, earls, tradesmen, and the occasional charlatan
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
Alice Isakova's debut novel is a very entertaining sequel featuring Georgiana Darcy and her cousin Anne de Bourgh, two minor characters from Pride and Prejudice.
Synopsis
With her temptingly large dowry, the beautiful and talented Georgiana Darcy catches the eye of numerous suitors, not all of whom wish to marry purely for love. As Georgiana navigates the treacherous waters of courtship, her story becomes intertwined with that of Anne de Bourgh, her wealthy but painfully awkward cousin, who stirs up trouble
Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
As the French Revolution is one of my favourite periods in history, I was so excited by news of this collaboration that I just had
Publication Date: December 3, 2018
Preseli Press
eBook; ASIN: B07L3YGBWJ
Genre: Historical/Tudor/Biographical
From the author of the international bestselling Tudor Trilogy comes a true story of adventure, courtly love and chivalric loyalty.
Synopsis
Handsome, charismatic and a champion jouster, Sir Charles Brandon is the epitome of a Tudor Knight. A favourite of King Henry VIII, Brandon has a secret. He
Synopsis
“If you are able to write 180 pages of your memoir without putting the pen down, I might let you live…”
Klaus Holland loves no one other than himself. He victimizes people for being Jews or for just being alive.
He is an old Nazi criminal who escaped to Brazil and was caught and prosecuted. He is now forced to write his memoirs as part of his punishment – the same punishment he used to give Jews at the concentration camp. This punishment makes him remember and re-live his cruelty as the concentration camp commander
Publication Date: January 2, 2019
Publisher: Sapere Books
ebook and paperback
Genre:Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis
How do you solve a murder when you are one of the suspects?
1664, London. Life should be good for Major Thankful Russell and his new bride, Thomazine. Russell, middle-aged and battle-scarred, isn’t everyone’s idea of the perfect husband for an eligible young woman but the moment Thomazine set eyes
Hosted by: Brandee and Lexie at (un)Conventional Bookworms
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2019
Sign Up: By 1st September, 2019
Aim: To read books released in 2019.
All the information can be found here on the sign-up page.
Hosted by: Passages to the Past.
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2019
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).
Hosted by: Australian Women Writers.
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2019.
Sign Up: Throughout the year until 30th November, 2019.
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.
Hosted by: Jo at Book Lover Reviews
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2019
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.
This year I'm participating at the Wallaroo level:
Publication Date: July 16, 2018
Crooked Cat Books
Paperback and eBook; 280 Pages
Genre: Historical/Mystery
Synopsis
What price justice?
London 1678.
Titus Oates, an unknown preacher, creates panic with wild stories of a Catholic uprising against Charles II. The murder of a prominent Protestant magistrate appears to confirm that the Popish Plot is real.
Here is my wrap up post for the challenges I signed up for in 2018. Once again, I have mixed results. Okay, I'll be honest - I failed miserably. On the bright side, I did read some wonderful
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
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
