Pale Rose of England: A Novel of The Tudors

Pale Rose of England: A Novel of The Tudors. Sandra Worth. Berkley Trade Paperback Original. February 1, 2011. 416 pages. ISBN #: 9780425238776.

“Even so, she had brought to mind a pale rose that shines bright against the gloom of downcast skies.” Lady Catherine Gordon joyfully fell in love with the long-lost Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. He was presumed dead after being imprisoned in the infamous Tower of London by King Henry VII of England, but it turns out he was kidnapped and raised abroad as Perkin Warbeck. Now hiding in Scotland, he finds his true love, is befriended and supported by King James of Scotland, and prepares to claim his rightful place as King Richard IV.

This Prince Richard has doubts about his potential success for he knows his enemy, the wily, cruel, obsessive Henry, who knows he has not the love of his people but rules by fear, oppression, and spying. Catherine is the bolster behind Richard’s dread of the future, the force that finally impassions him enough to sally forth to do battle in a turning historical moment.

The remainder of the story is one of tightrope-walking for survival in which Richard is labeled a traitorous coward, as well as a fraud; and Catherine desperately plays King Henry VII who has deeply fallen in love with her. As she manages to hold his attraction but reject his advances, she waits for word of the whereabouts of one she loves more than life, hints arriving from those who secretly affirm her cause and whose admiration for her stamina increases over time.

The story may seem proverbial in one sense, but Sandra Worth has depicted her characters in this novel in a refreshing, profound, and powerful manner. The artist’s pen herein depicts every significant character in his or her complex personality. The reader is riveted not only by Richard’s transitions from despair to giddy certitude and back again, but also by the almost tender, pleading, and desperately needy revelations of King Henry to Catherine. These latter, vulnerable moments enable her to pity this man whom she really hates for the barbaric hate and cruelty he displays at a moment’s notice. The author even shows him in both extremes in such a convincing manner that at times one holds one’s breath from the tension of not knowing which side will burst forth.

So Catherine proves herself to be a multi-faceted character – read it yourself to relish this beautiful portrayal of a noble, tender, sharp, and formidable character.

The Pale Rose of England: A Novel of the Tudors is a story that must be told, in all its vicissitudes, for this tale brings us characters who wear distinctive, admirable laurels of personal victory on every page! Magnificent literary feat!

Interview with Deborah Harkness - Author of A Discovery of Witches

For those who fall in love with this amazing novel as I recently did, welcome! Here are some interview questions that came up for me as I was reading, which I posed to Deborah Harkness. I am grateful that she so graciously responded, and I hope you will enjoy her comments as much as I do as well as look forward to the next book in this series.

1. Can you share more about the mysterious claims of alchemy in terms the average layperson would understand?

Alchemy was dedicated to understanding and promoting transformation—materially (lead into gold, for example), physically (from mortal to immortal), and spiritually (from ignorance to knowledge).

2. Do you actually believe that certain texts have “magical” qualities and what is your experience with that possibility?

I’ve never come into contact with an enchanted text—or at least I don’t think I have—but I find reading magical anyway!

3. Are there any contemporary scientists who have considered this topic of alchemy and the Philosopher’s Stone?

There is nuclear transmutation in which one chemical element transforms into another.

4. You’ve done such a superb job of making vampires, witches, and daemons appear as normal, intelligent, passionate, and real people. Explain your ideas, please, about what Matthew explains as people preferring to fear the unknown rather than consider alternative realities with such supernatural creatures.

I think people have a complicated reaction to difference. On the one hand, we find it fascinating. On the other hand, it frightens us, and sadly, many of us don’t get beyond that fear.

5. The discussions about genetics and mating seem to gloss over “transmutations” in chromosomal heredity. Are you suggesting the edge of current scientific thought or just teasing the reader with “unknown realities” and why?

Because I’m a historian of science, I was interested in the scientific possibilities of difference—could there really be other species among us—but this is definitely a work of fiction.

6. Your ideas about time travel intrigued this reader. Are you informed about the realm of quantum physics and do you see this possibility as a latent ability within humans as well as supernatural creatures? Any ideas on this you have would be greatly appreciated.

I have a limited understanding of relativity and quantum physics, but I am no expert. When it comes to science, the seemingly impossible often turns out to be possible after all, doesn’t it?

7. You, as well as many other authors, have suggested in your novel that some of past historical leaders were also supernatural beings or possessed abilities that would definitely be called un-human. Was this deliberate or just part of the fictional connection you were making between history, science and magic?

All the decisions I made about characters in the book were designed to enrich the story in particular ways. If one in ten is a daemon, vampire, or witch, however (which is a governing principle in the world of A Discovery of Witches) then it stands to reason some of those individuals would have risen to positions of power and influence.

8. Can you tell us what some of the other names signify, which may not be so obvious to the average reader?

Two of Matthew’s work colleagues, Marcus and Miriam, have interesting names. The name Marcus derives from the Roman god of war, Mars. The name Miriam is an ancient Hebrew name, with many meanings including “bitter” and “rebellious.”

9. Will the same characters, other than Diana and Matthew be reappearing in future sequels and will they be meaner or different? Tease us, please, a wee bit.

I’m sworn to secrecy about the sequels—and to say much more than that would introduce spoilers. I will remind readers that the action of A Discovery of Witches takes place over only forty days. Diana and Matthew have only known each other for a short time. So you can expect some surprises in the future!

10. Will you be providing a Reader’s Guide to this book – or Penguin? This would be a wonderful experience to share in a reading group!

We do have a Reader’s Guide, which can be reached at deborahharkness.com through the pull-down menu for “About the Book.” The specific URL is http://deborahharkness.com/readin-guide/.

Thank you for these great questions, and happy reading!

Thank you, Deborah Harkness, for taking the time to add to our reader's pleasure with these interview comments!

A Discovery of Witches: A Novel by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches: A Novel. Deborah Harkness. Viking: A Penguin Group. February 2011. 592 pp. ISBN #: 97806700022410.

THIS AMAZING NOVEL IS NOW IN PAPERBACK!!!

This is not your ordinary story about witches, vampires and daemons!

Diana Bishop’s famous ancestor was executed for being a witch. As a heart-rending consequence of Diana’s parents’ mysterious deaths, Diana has vowed she will live totally as a human, denying her identity as a witch with both usual and unusual powers. Dedicating her life to logic and ordinary living, she is now a history scholar doing research on alchemy texts in the Bodleian library at Oxford. Upon receiving a requested text called Ashmole 782, she realizes either the book is spellbound or there is something about this book that connects with her hidden witch powers. Add to that the reactions of suddenly appearing witches, vampires, and daemons whose animosity and threatening looks and words make Diana’s wish for normalcy an illusion she can no longer ignore.

Into the midst of this reality arrives a handsome, extremely intelligent and old vampire, Matthew Clairmont, who is supposedly pursuing his own research as a geneticist. Initially disliking and avoiding his presence, Diana finally begins to realize he is protecting her from direct attack by the hordes of persons appearing daily in the library who are insisting she recall the text they are desperate to obtain. Then he begins to appear during her running and rowing exercises which seem to be the only way she can stop her natural abilities from emerging with perilous effects on herself as well as others.

Why is Matthew so attracted to Diana and what is behind the interest so many have in this mysterious text lost for centuries which has appeared and again disappeared after Diana’s innocent unbinding of its pages? Finally, when several close calls with death frighten Diana into realizing her lack of control, she accepts shelter first with Matthew’s vampire family in France and then with her own witch family in America.

A Discovery of Witches is so much more than just a supernatural story! Yes there are adventurous thrills for those who love the proverbial accounts of such creatures. But here is an intelligent consideration of the essence of origins, differences, genetic mating and consequences, shared powers defying definition and classification, versions of history holding secret and amazing phenomena, relationships of enmity forced to unite under common needs – both good and evil, the quintessential realities behind the search for the Philosopher’s stone or alchemy, and so much more.

Add to that a sweet, dangerous romance all the more real because of what seems to be its doomed end, and herein is the perfect combination, preciously difficult to adequately encompass in any brief review. This tale is a smart, tense, provocative, and enchanting read you will not want to end and will be relishing long after the last page is turned. This reviewer is so looking forward to the sequel to this amazing novel which will be a best seller!!! Absolutely delightful and impossible to put down!

Zero Day: A Novel by Mark Russinovich

Zero Day: A Novel. Mark Russinovich. Thomas Dunne Books: St. Martin's Press. March 2011. 320 pp. Hardcover. ISBN #:9780312612467.

Have you ever experienced a virus, Trojan horse, spam, worm, etc. on your computer? It seems overwhelming when it happens, but imagine if it began to happen to computers around the country all at once. Imagine that, unlike your problem, this national problem doesn't seem to be fixable at all. The bottom line is financial loss at a devastating level but also other consequences never before contemplated.

A horrific scenario begins to multiple in Zero Day, a novel about the deadly effects of a computer virus deliberately designed to keep replicating itself and spreading through vulnerable spots on other computers. So far it has caused multiple deaths in a hospital where computerized medication programs went awry from this "glitch." An airplane drops thousands of feet in seconds, unsure of recovery. Automatic computer robots in an automobile factory go haywire, causing the death of the man assigned to monitor them and shutting down so that business comes to a total standstill. Dams fail, nuclear power plants fail, and on and on and on. It seems the stuff of futuristic science fiction but is a present day threat ever looming in a world increasingly reliant on computers for everything.

Jeff Aiken and Daryl Haugen are the best in the business. If they can't find the source and solution for these nightmares about to destroy America, no one can. Jeff is recovering from a traumatic loss and unsure of anything, but his intellectual curiosity quickly pulls him into the nonstop search for answers, possibilities that seek to find if this is a sicko individual act or a scenario being implemented by much larger international groups with terrorist goals. The clock is running now to Zero Day, involving an international connection that brooks no interference and is determined to be the hand of fate on the world.

If you aren't a computer geek, some of the lingo and explanations are going to pass right by you; but there's enough information and ever-developing, terrifying plot developments to keep you riveted to every page. If you are a computer pro, you're going to absolutely love every page of this story that actually provides the technological lingo which shows the realistic potential for this unstoppable plot to unravel in cyberspace. There's a tad much on repetition, but it's bearable and serves to reinforce the awful threat effectively happening.

Zero Day: A Novel covers a scenario frequently imagined but never, fortunately, realized to date beyond what can adequately be handled and responded to. It seems, according to Mark Russinovich to be a warning to businesses, government, and computer professionals that cyberwar is and will be our next war, with implications far beyond what the experts usually predict! Great novel about a very important issue!

Promise Canyon: A Virgin River Novel (#11) by Robyn Carr

Promise Canyon: A Virgin River Novel (#11) by Robyn Carr. MIRA Books. January 2011. 352 pp. ISBN #: 9780778329213.

Recently divorced and needing some space from his past life, Clay Tahoma is excited about working as a farrier and vet technician in northern California. He'll be working with a respected vet and near his sister, Ursula, who lives in a nearby town and always has a warm welcome and dinner place for Clay. Proud of his Navajo roots and traditions, Clay is about to be surprised by a challenging and unusually talented woman.

Lilly Yazhi's got a way with horses, even more so than Clay, whom rumor has it is a bit of a "horse whisperer." Lilly and Clay meet very soon after his arrival in Virgin River, and the sparks are flying but not necessarily favorably. Is it her Hopi background the problem with their lack of connection? She has to admit Clay is "drop-dead gorgeous," but her experience of Native American men projects the opinion that good looks mean heartbreak.

Two unique horses draw Clay and Lilly together, one severely sick and one dysfunctional from some mysterious and traumatic past event. Blue and Streak have characteristics that parallel the attitudes and behavior of their caretakers. Are all broken beyond hope or is there some link that just might erode those blocks in all?

Promise Canyon has some just as interesting sub-plots involving a deceased woman's legacy to the town, a woman's desperate attempt to reclaim Clay, and a family deeply affected by a severe accident that keep the action and conflicts flowing in a tense yet manageable way.

Robyn Carr is a uniquely talented romance writer. She manages to write about Native American issues with a realistic yet gentle way that implies her obviously respect for their traditions and values. Likewise, her characters are sexy, passionate, and sensitive in an admirable way that magnifies our appreciation of these very wonderful Virgin River people.

Promise Canyon, the eleventh Virgin River novel, is a must read which this reviewer thoroughly enjoyed and highly, highly recommends!

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady. A Hellions of Halstead Hall Series #3. Pocket Star Books. February 2011. 384 pp. ISBN #: 19781439167557. $7.99

Minerva Sharpe is a Gothic novel writer. Anyone who is respectable doesn't read her series published in "The Ladies' Magazine," at least that's what they say. Yet Giles Master has been following each addition as it seems he's the rapscallion star of her stories, under a pseudonym that is.

When Minerva is in danger of losing her inheritance, she posts an ad for an eligible gentleman to marry. Giles realizes he must appear for an interview as a prospective bridegroom because her stories are getting far too close to the truth about his secret activities that could destroy some very high-positioned people in the British government.

What follows is a funny, passionate, and intriguing journey in which Minerva's grandmother agrees to Giles's engagement to Minerva. A whole new world opens to the couple as Minerva sees her fiance in action at a murder trial and he begins to investigate the mysterious death of her parents. Even better, their occasional romantic kisses fuel the passion both feel but refuse to acknowledge.

Giles, however, is a very smart pursuer as well as a more than capable barrister. How he wins Minerva's heart over her previous antagonism is a glorious romp full of mystery and romance that will delight every reader. Yes, even villains can make their victims scream...

Terrific story, Sabrina Jeffries

Most Valuable Victim: A Gloria Trevisi Mystery by A. R. Grobbo

Most Valuable Victim: A Gloria Trevisi Mystery. A. R. Grobbo. Double Dragon Publishing. October 2010. 285 pp. ISBN #: 9781554047796 pb.; 155404779X - e-book.

Gloria Trevisi is nearing the end of her pregnancy and plans on temporarily retiring from her reporter job. Stuck in the ladies' room at the Peewee Hockey Tournament, Gloria realizes chaos is breaking out as the arena's ceiling begins to collapse. Thinking the lady in the next booth can help her, Gloria calls out but gets no response. After working her own way out, she tentatively opens the next door and finds a female dead body and barely makes it out of the arena herself.

Work is difficult, to say the least, with a domineering editor and some unwilling criminal investigators who constantly veer between wanting Gloria's advice and reluctance to tell her what they know. Her home life is no better, with her mother-in-law in residence because of financial problems and Gloria's husband seems more interested in going away for his musical career than being present at the birth of his child.

A missing body on the trails, some very questionable behavior at another place where a fire occurs and a roof collapses, and other mysterious clues these begin to show definite connection.

Gloria as always will figure it out but takes the reader on some outrageous, dangerous, and intrigue-filled pages before all the major and minor conflicts are sorted out.

A. R. Grobbo's latest novel is a tautly plotted story that never loses the reader's fascination. She is expert at eliciting relevant facts in the most subtle manner and her easygoing, professional, and caring style make her the very skilled writer and investigator readers love.

Great story, A. R. Grobbo!!!