A Review of Elizabeth Chadwick

For the last few months I've been finding my tastes in reading material slowly changing. I generally like reading some paranormal, historical romance, romantic suspense, and my all-time favorite, time  travel. Lately, the plots of many of the books I've read all seem to be too similar. More often than not, several books would be released about the same time, by different authors, but the plots would be so alike I felt as if after reading one, I'd read them all. So I began web surfing for something different.

In my casual search I came across Elizabeth Chadwick. She writes historical fiction and the time is one that has always fascinated me. I read The Winter Mantle. This story begins in 1067 when William the Conqueror takes as hostages the sons of English nobility as an incentive for their good behavior. This was a means the kings used to ensure the nobles didn't rise up against them. If they did rebel, it meant the death of their heirs.

The first part of this story focuses on several hostages, and one in particular, Waltheof of Huntingdon. He is a young man who is a little too easy going and that trait occasionally gets him into trouble. While he means well, he's often too easily swayed to join the wrong cause. Even his marriage to William's niece doesn't always keep him on a straight path.

Personally, I find reading history books or bits of historical facts a bit daunting and boring. I want to be there, experience events through the eyes of the characters and Chadwick does a great job of this. The Winter Mantle is rich in detail and I often felt, while reading, as if I could have been an observer of the events as they occurred. The characters came alive and drew me into their problems. I wanted to cheer them on or, as in the case of Waltheof, give them a "Gibbs" and tell them to 'shape up and fly right.'  A couple times I found myself in tears at what was going on. To me, that's the mark of a fantastic writer.

I admit, I borrowed the book from the library. I tend to do that when I'm looking into a "new to me author." (Chadwick has been around for a few years.) If I don't care for the writing, then I've lost nothing. When I do find something I like, I look to adding more books to my personal library...as if I have the shelf space to spare. Thank goodness for e-books.  I've already been to my favorite bookstore and made a list of all Chadwick's books that are still available. I'm looking forward to adding her works to my "historical fiction library."

If you enjoy historical fiction and reading about the Middle Ages, you can't go wrong with Elizabeth Chadwick's works. If you'd like to know more about her and her books, check out her official website at: www.elizabethchadwick.com

Confessions of An Avid Reader

Hello. My name is Marissa. I'm a bookaholic.  I am a member of an unofficial group, Bookaholics Anonymous (BA for short).  We don't look for help or intervention from family and friends. We like things as they are and here's my reasons why.

I read whenever I get the chance and sometimes when I shouldn't be reading.  I usually have two or three books going at the same time. I never go to sleep at night without reading for an hour or so first. Sometimes I even stay awake till after 2 am because I want to finish the book I'm reading. When I finish that one it goes right back on the shelf and another one takes its place. I don't feel comfortable unless there's at least one book on the cabinet within easy reach. Call it my security blanket of sorts.

Then there's the buying. I get all sorts of emails from book clubs advertising their new releases. Or maybe the emails are just sales coming up. Some of the sales are one day or weekends only. If I don't like what's being offered, I usually go to the website itself and see if there are any listings I've missed since my last visit. From there the fun is just getting started. I make a list of the titles that catch my interest then settle in to do some research.

Some sites carry the books at the same time. Others may not get it for a couple or three months. A book can be out for a few months before some websites offer it. That kind of hampers the research. (There is one thing I've noticed. Several book clubs exist under the umbrella of Doubleday. They offer pretty much the same books and yet the prices will vary as much as a few dollars. I've never understood that.)

 I have a membership with another bookseller that allows me free shipping on my orders. Believe me the annual fee is well worth the cost. I usually make back the fee in very short order and have the books in less time than it takes the book clubs to process and send out. Three points for the paid membership.

I was just looking back on a few orders I made last year and found one order where I saved more than twice the amount I actually paid for the five books ordered. That's what I call finding a bargain. And it's finding those bargains that keep my addiction going. The fact that I've run out of bookshelf space doesn't factor into it. One way or another, I'll find the space for them.

There are times when after I've pushed the "send" or "place order" button that I think maybe I should have waited on the purchase. But after re-examining the order I have only one thing to say... Nah.  You have to take advantage of the sales when they come along and I'm a sucker for book sales.  The only sales I don't like are the ones that are good for only one day and I don't mean twenty-four hours. Even worse are the sales that are only good for three hours. That's really pushing it. I may be addicted to books and book sales but I don't like not being able to think about it and one day or less  isn't enough...unless I've already had in mind to purchase specific titles.

Then there's the book sites that offer freebies. As an author I can see both sides of that issue. Free books mean possibly reaching new readers but also means no income. A little bit of something is better than nothing (especially if what you earn supplements your income, even a little). Free books don't do anything for a sales record and that's what counts in the long run. But we all have to do what's best for us.  Still, the site is a good place to look for new authors and something different to read.

So that's my confession. As the expression goes, "so many books, so little time." As my To Be Read (TBR stack as most of us call it) pile continues to grow, I find myself trying to dig out more time to read. I may have to steal it from household chores and errands. Hmmm.  That just gave me an idea for a t-shirt.

I am a bookaholic and I'm proud of it. I don't need or want any intervention.Are there any other bookaholics out there willing to confess? 

When Interesting Books Come Along

I always read for an hour or so before I go to sleep. Last night I started reading Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick. By 2 am, I had to force myself to put down the book and get some sleep. This morning, while I was waiting for my laptop to update a couple files, I was, again, engrossed in the book.

Just before going to sleep is the best time to get immersed in a good book since you're not likely to experience interruptions. But last night also made me realize something. This isn't the first time I've come across an  author I thought I might like to read and didn't act on it at the time. I'd seen Chadwick's books advertised before.

Years ago, I picked up a couple paperbacks by Diana Gabaldon. The time travel sounded intriguing so I put the books aside. It was a couple years before I finally got to them and when I started on Outlander I went looking for more books in the series. I think I pretty much wore out the paperback versions, they were beginning to fall apart. I was fortunate at the time to find hard copies. Since then I've kept up with her Outlander series.

I did the same with another book called When Christ and His Saints Slept. No, not a religious book. That was an expression used to describe the fight between Maude and Stephen for the English throne when Maude's father died. (He was the son of William the Conqueror) That book sat on the shelf for several years. I found another book by Sharon Kaye Penman about the Plantaganets before realizing Christ and His Saints was the first book in the series. I still haven't got to that one and have 3 more in the series I've purchased and haven't read. (now the series is up to 9 books)  I've got them in chronological order and hope to get to them soon.

And now I'm about to start collecting Elizabeth Chadwick. (Did I mention I love to read historical fiction?) All my bookshelf space is filled but at least now I have the choice of downloading her work. The others I'll somehow manage to squeeze in the shelves somewhere since it doesn't make sense to have part of a series in print, the rest in ebooks.

 I think it's past time I checked the authors' websites to find out what books are hitting the stores and when. If you have to have "bad" habits, then collecting interesting books is mine and I have no regrets.

 I have only one thing left to say...  To paraphrase Shakespeare's Richard III...  "...My kingdom for a bookshelf!"