The Lady of the Rivers by Phillipa Gregory

Author: Phillipa Gregory
Publish Date: April 3, 2012
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9987.Philippa_Gregory
ISBN: 9781416563716
List Price: $15.29 (Amazon)
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis:
Philippa Gregory brings to life the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman of passion and of legend who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the War of the Roses to bring her family unimaginable power.

When the young and beautiful Jacquetta is married to the older Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke's squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke's death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta has visions of the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of their royal York rivals. Jacquetta fights for her king and queen, as she sees an extraordinary and unexpected future for her daughter Elizabeth: a change of fortune, the white rose of York, and the throne of England.

Comments:
Another great book in the series of the Cousin's War. I've read The White Queen and The Red Queen. This was a great story into the life of Jaquetta Woodville, mother of the White Queen. I love the backstory of how her French background melded into the English culture and how prominent a figure she may have really been. Now we know that this is historical fiction and mostly for entertainment, but it based on factual information about the real people who lived at that time.

In a time that was very dangerous for a women and especially an intelligent and spiritual woman. It was interesting to see how women may have controlled their destiny through strategic relationships and marriages.

I love the writing style of Phillipa Gregory. It is smooth, eventful, and ever entertaining. It is fascinating to believe that there maybe magic in their world or at least the notion of the sixth sense that helps to provide good natured guidance, or bad, however, you look at it. I am looking forward to reading more books in this Cousin's War series.

Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander #8) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: June 10, 2014
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385344432
List Price: $11.59 (Amazon)
My Rating:

Jacket Synopsis:
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.

Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.

The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.

My Comments: (Spoilers included)
This latest addition to the series did not disappoint. It was great to see Claire and Jamie get back on track after the book 7 which was a real whirlwind. In this book, book 8, it was another amazing read that you just could not put down. Diana does an amazing job with the time travel aspect of the book. We move from the 18th century to the 20th century easily following both story lines separately until they converge again later in the book. It's a mystery how the 20th century associates of Brianna and Roger find about the time travel abilities and I hope that is revealed in the next book, but they have to escape for their own safety. (Spoiler) - They return to the 18th century to escape those who want to take advantage of their time travel knowledge & abilities.

I will add a comment regarding William Grey and that his character is much more developed and interesting now instead of the whiny and boring character he was in book 7. He actually has somewhat of a commanding voice in this book and might actually show us that he really is the son of Jamie Fraser and man-up to the character he should be. William may look like his father, but he hasn't shown the presence or personality of his father very much until now. We never had this issue with Brianna. We knew from the start that she was Jamie Fraser's daughter by looks and her presence.  She is a commanding young women and there is no mistake about who her father is.

I love this series. I get completely lost in another world when I read Diana's book. It's as if I am time traveling with these characters. The writing is unbelievably vivid and takes your imagination on a roller coaster ride. I love all the characters even the not so likable ones.

I don't know how I will be able to wait for the next installment to the series. I guess I will have to occupy my time with other books -- maybe another series in the meantime!

Undead and Unfinished (Undead #9) by MaryJanice Davidson

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Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publish Date: July 9, 2010
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson
ISBN: 9780749909253
List Price: Varies based on format
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
There's only one thing Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor hates more than the threat of hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (after all, how traditional is her family?), and that's trying to get through the Book of the Dead without going insane. Every time she's tried reading it, she just gets blindsided - until this time, when the devil strikes a bargain. She offers Betsy a chance to get through the cursed (literally!) thing cover to cover and finally discover all its mysteries. There's just one teensy little catch.

Betsy and her half sister, Laura, have to go to Hell. Just long enough for Laura to finally embrace her dark heritage (after a rebellious youth of charity work and teaching Sunday school) and make nice with her mother, aka Lucifer, by picking up such skills as slicing through time and the universe with a hellfire sword. While such things might sound fun, time travel is proving to be an alarming journey for Betsy and Laura. Not only are they interacting firsthand with their own family's past, but in doing so, they're dangerously impacting the future in ways they never anticipated.

Of course, that's what Mother wanted all along. Damn her.

My Comments:
Another awesome addition to the Undead series! Here begins the adventures of Betsy and Laura. Who knew Laura's fateful path to taking over Hell was so near, or is it? Betsy never fails to bring the humorous sarcasm that is her personality. I never expected time travel to enter the picture, but I guess when you are the spawn of Satan anything is possible. This begins the training for Laura to take on the "family business" so to speak as her Mother, Satan, wants to retire. Oh, the thought?!

This books gives us great insight into the back story of how Tina and Sinclair came about and the ripple effect of Betsy's time travels starting in Salem with the witch trials. Then ending up with a questionable future as she visits 3010. Leaving Betsy to ponder how she can change the future, for the better?!

I love the way that Sinclair refers to Betsy as "my own." I think that is so sexy & romantic.

Love, love Betsy!!!

Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: August 28, 2001
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385335980
List Price: $15.34
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
It began at an ancient Scottish stone circle. There, a doorway, open to a select few, leads into the past—or the grave. Dr. Claire Randall survived the extraordinary passage, not once but twice.

Her first trip swept her into the arms of Jamie Fraser, an eighteenth-century Scot whose love for her became a legend—a tale of tragic passion that ended with her return to the present to bear his child. Her second journey, two decades later, brought them together again in the American colonies. But Claire had left someone behind in the twentieth century—their daughter, Brianna....

Now Brianna has made a disturbing discovery that sends her to the circle of stones and a terrifying leap into the unknown. In search of her mother and the father she has never met, she is risking her own future to try to change history ... and to save their lives. But as Brianna plunges into an uncharted wilderness, a heartbreaking encounter may strand her forever in the past ... or root her in the place she should be, where her heart and soul belong....

My Comments:
Another good book in the series. This book now involves several more characters and more depth to these characters as we learn more about who they are and how crucial their role in the time travel events is. We learn more about who Brianna is and what she discovers about her mother and father. How she accepts and loves both her fathers as well as reasons she needs to get to her mother.

The historical fiction genre is just my cup of tea (no pun intended). I love the historical facts that are shared in this series along with the love story and drama that unfolds. Claire, Jamie, Brianna and Roger are all main characters at this point. The vivid writing continues throughout the series thus far and I have enjoyed traveling with these characters basically around the world.

Looking forward to the next book of adventures and Jamie & Claire!

The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: August 30, 2005
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780440221661
List Price: $7.85
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 

The year is 1771, and war is coming. Jamie Fraser’s wife tells him so. Little as he wishes to, he must believe it, for hers is a gift of dreadful prophecy—a time-traveler’s certain knowledge. Claire’s unique view of the future has brought him both danger and deliverance in the past; her knowledge of the oncoming revolution is a flickering torch that may light his way through the perilous years ahead—or ignite a conflagration that will leave their lives in ashes.

My Comments:
We are thoroughly involved in the life and families of Fraser's Ridge. Just as you think the American life on the Ridge is going to slow down and let the family have happy times, it is not meant to be. Almost every major character is involved in some major drama in this book of the series. The American Revolution is looming in the near future. Claire and Jamie are doing their best to prepare. Does it mean the family stays together or should some time travel to be safe?

What can Brianna and Roger share with Jamie to help him better understand what is coming and how to best prepare the families on the Ridge? Should they try to change history again in any way shape or form? Or should they focus on making sure their family is safe with the changes coming?

Another vivid adventure for our main characters and all that we continue to discover about the past with family history of Culloden.

An Echo in the Bone (Outlander #7) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: January 1, 2009
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780752898476
List Price: $7.81
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
Jamie Fraser, erstwhile Jacobite and reluctant rebel, knows three things about the American rebellion: the Americans will win, unlikely as that seems in 1778; being on the winning side is no guarantee of survival; and he’d rather die than face his illegitimate son — a young lieutenant in the British Army — across the barrel of a gun. Fraser’s time-travelling wife, Claire, also knows a couple of things: that the Americans will win, but that the ultimate price of victory is a mystery. What she does believe is that the price won’t include Jamie’s life or happiness — not if she has anything to say.

Claire’s grown daughter Brianna, and her husband, Roger, watch the unfolding of Brianna’s parents’ history — a past that may be sneaking up behind their own family.

My Comments:
Well, this is the first book in the series that I definitely struggled with. In all the other books, I found it hard to put them down. This one was the most boring and arduous book I've read since Stephanie Meyer's "The Host", ugh! This book is taking forever, and I mean forever to trudge through. This book has taken 3 times as long to get through because I just don't want to pick it up and read it, but I know I have to in hopes that it gets better.

Jamie's son, William, is becoming more of a main character and I feel there is no depth or thought put to developing this character. He is long winded and boring. Nothing exciting happens to him nor is his personality all that interesting. When I get to sections where William has written a letter or narrates his travels, I just want to skip to the next section for a different character. I feel that if I did skip his sections I would not miss anything.

Jamie and Claire are set on new travels once the house is burned and they need to find a way to help the revolution without physically putting themselves in harms way, if that is possible.

One of my favorite quotes: "Come to bed, a nighean. Nothing hurts when ye love me.” He was right; nothing did."

Brianna and Roger now have to follow their parents history from 1981 to know what eventually became of them.

Tissues again because of a character death and the story changes from Scotland back to America and now we will see the requirements for time travel again by family members. Not sure that I liked it ending with Ian and Rachel, but hopefully the next book will bring us back to center with Claire and Jamie and the immediate family members.

I've seen excerpts from "Written in my own heart's blood" (book 8) and I think that this next book will get everyone back on track. I just hope that it comes out in paperback soon because I am not paying $21.00 for a book that I am not sure will not be a repeat of this one.

Undead and Unworthy (Undead #7) by MaryJanice Davidson

Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publish Date: June 24, 2008
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson
ISBN: 9780425221624
List Price: $7.99
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
Betsy Taylor thought entering the world of the undead was a big adjustment. Being a new bride isn't much easier. The blush has only been on for two months, and Betsy has a lot to do: set up the new house, finish writing thank-you notes, and raise BabyJon, her half brother and legal ward. Just another happy American family adjusting to marital bliss.

Betsy's husband, Sinclair, has been perusing the Book of the Dead, and Betsy's visited by a ghost who's even more insufferable, stubborn, and annoying in death than she was in life. She not only blames Betsy for her condition but insists she fix it. It's all just a prelude to the fun and games awaiting Betsy and Sinclair when a pack of formerly feral vampires, hungry for blood and power, pays a visit to the happy couple.

My Comments:
Another great book in the series...although sad when part of her eclectic crew appears to have been done in and sent to the great beyond. More drama for the Vampire Queen and as exciting as the first six... I cannot wait for book 8 and 9!

Voyager (Outlander, #3) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: August 7, 2001
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385335997
List Price: $7.99
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her... and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.

Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her...the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland... and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite or forever doom her timeless love.

My Comments:
I love historical fiction and book #3 is another great book in this series. Claire must decide between her daughter's time and Jamie's time now that she has discovered he survived Culloden. Again, the writing in this series continues to draw the reader into a different time and place. You can see the castles, villages, and scenery that is being created in this book. It is always vivid enough that the reader can hear, smell and feel the world being created.

The characters continue to develop in this book along with Claire learning what has happened in the time she has been gone.

I don't know what decision I would make in having to choose to leave my child and have the chance to return to the love of my life. It seems Claire made the decision pretty easily, but I know I would have had a much harder time making that choice.

I am a history nut, so reading this series is just a huge adventure for my imagination in how things really were. I love the way that Claire uses her 20th century medical knowledge to help her in the past. It is always interesting to see how she brings future knowledge to help in the past.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander #6) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: August 29, 2006
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385340397
List Price: $15.13
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
Since the initial publication of Outlander fifteen years ago, Diana Gabaldon’s New York Times bestselling saga has won the hearts of readers the world over — and sold more than twelve million books. Now, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the extraordinary story of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century wife, Claire.

The year is 1772, and on the eve of the American Revolution, the long fuse of rebellion has already been lit. Men lie dead in the streets of Boston, and in the backwoods of North Carolina, isolated cabins burn in the forest.

With chaos brewing, the governor calls upon Jamie Fraser to unite the backcountry and safeguard the colony for King and Crown. But from his wife Jamie knows that three years hence the shot heard round the world will be fired, and the result will be independence — with those loyal to the King either dead or in exile. And there is also the matter of a tiny clipping from The Wilmington Gazette, dated 1776, which reports Jamie’s death, along with his kin. For once, he hopes, his time-traveling family may be wrong about the future.

My Comments:
Another great addition to the series. This book keeps the Fraser family in Colonial America and the family events that occur are again like the previous books exciting, heart wrenching, and it continues to be a book I cannot put down. The adventure in this book shows that their time traveling can change historical events to a degree.

As the story continues, we see events unfolding that dramatically change the ability of the family to stay together and certain family members must move or travel for their own safety.

Warning: Tissues, tissues, tissues for the last part of the book.

I thought this book in the series was better than books 4 and 5. Here's to hoping that An Echo in the Bone (Book 7) is just as good!

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2) by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publish Date: August 7, 2001
Website: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3617.Diana_Gabaldon
ISBN: 9780385335973
List Price: $7.99
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Jacket Synopsis: 
For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland’s majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire’s spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ... in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ... and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves...

My Comments:
I had no idea the book would go where it went. Wow! I am a fan of time traveling and the super-natural. Book #2 in the series did not disappoint. We learn so much about what Claire has done in 20 years and now her return to Scotland is more than interesting. We wonder what she is about to discover coming back from America after all this time with her college age daughter, Brianna. This is the time she decides she has to reveal the truth about her daughter's past and origins. We also learn a great deal more about Roger and his history, origins, and ties to the family.

When Claire discovers Jaime survives Culloden, what will she do? Will she return to his time and leave her daughter in her own time? What happens when Brianna reads the history of her family? Is the ability to time travel genetic?

I am blazing through these books because the story is just so vividly written and exciting. As the reader, you are completely placed in the character's time and time traveling with them. I love the way Diana Gabaldon writes. She gives her character such unique voices.

Now on to book #3!