Showing posts with label royals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label royals. Show all posts

Wednesday 9 December 2020

Author in the picture: Millie Thom

Recently, I read and reviewed three books of the series Son of Kings written by
Millie Thom. I gave them all a 5 star on 5 rating, because I liked them so much.
That's why I wanted to know more about this lovely author and lady! I asked 
if she wanted to do a small interview for the author page of this blog. Luckily
she said yes! I hope you'll enjoy the interview! The link of this blogpost will 
be posted on the author page of Mycrazylifefullwithbooks blog with the
links of Millie Thom's social media & Amazon.





The Interview


First of all, I would like to say a big Thank You to Katheen for inviting me
to do this interview. I really appreciate it and it’s good to be here.

 

Why did you want to write a series?

Even before I started writing my novels about Alfred the Great, I knew it would
take more   than a single book to tell the story of his entire life.
It wasn’t that I particularly wanted to write a series as much as the fact that
necessity called for it. At first, I hoped that two books would be enough,
but then I added my second protagonist, Eadwulf, and the story massively
expanded. I ended up with a four-book series which tells the stories of two
members of Anglo-Saxon royal families but from different kingdoms:
Alfred of Wessex and Eadwulf of Mercia.






 

How do you create the different characters in your books?

When writing historical fiction many of the characters’ names are already
there, and there is no way an author can change those names, even if they
are difficult for readers to pronounce, as with the Anglo-Saxon names.
When naming my fictional characters, I have to make sure they are also
Anglo-Saxon or Danish (Viking) names that were in use during the time
period of my series. For example, it would be idiotic to name an Anglo-Saxon
male as Charlie, Alex or Callum because they weren’t in use then.
There are several online sites which have lists of names from a number of
cultures and time periods, so are useful for all authors

There are a lot of characters in my books because of the different stories
of the two protagonists that run concurrently. I try to create characters of
different appearances, temperaments, abilities and ambitions to add variety
to the story. I have also tried to ensure my books are not male dominated,
 as many Viking themed books tend to be. I wanted to give a look at the period
from the POV of both men and women.






How was your passion for (royal) history and writing started?

I have loved history since I was a child, and in the UK at that time most
history in secondary schools tended to focus on events involving royalty.
I learned a lot about many famous British kings and queens like Henry VIII,
Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria. Only in relatively recent years has history
broadened its approach to include more about the everyday people of those
times in both British and other cultures.

As for writing, I have been a keen story writer most of my life.
I was fortunate enough to have teachers who encouraged creativity in writing
and steered me in the right direction. However, with six children to bring up
and a teaching career, I didn’t start writing novels until I’d retired.

 


Do you have any other interests?

I have always loved creating things, from making clothes
(dressmaking/sewing) to embroidery, knitting and baking. Having had six children
to feed and clothe, these are all things I’ve done a lot of over the years. Besides
writing novels, I also love writing flash fiction pieces, which are very short stories
ranging from six to a thousand words. I have one book of such stories on Amazon,
titled A Dash of Flash.

 

Which other authors or things inspire you?

I mostly read historical novels, so authors like Wilbur Smith, Bernard Cornwell
and Susannah Gregory, as well as several others, have inspired me to write my
own books. My interest in history has also meant that I have loved many of the
Classics, written by so many well-known authors, from Charles Dickens, the
Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and Lucy Maud Montgomery to Daniel Defoe and
Harper Lee and Mark Twain. The list could go on for ever, so I’ll stop here.

Visiting historic sites can also be inspirational. We visited many sites in
England and Wales, as well as Denmark, France and Andalucia before and while
I was writing the Sons of Kings series. It helps a great deal when describing events
set in those places. Such places can also give ideas for books not yet written.  

 

You work together with BookTasters. Are reviews important to you?

Reviews are immensely important to all authors, and it’s a shame
that so many readers don’t think of leaving them. Reviews help authors
to know what readers like about their books as well as pointing out what
they didn’t like, or what didn’t work for them. In other words, 
reviews
can help authors in the development of their writing. A review can be as
little as a sentence, which wouldn’t take long to write and would mean
so much to the author concerned.

BookTasters is an excellent site and offers free books to readers in
exchange for honest reviews. As such, it does not break Amazon’s rule
regarding authors paying for reviews. Authors simply pay for the
service provided by BookTasters, which helps to get books ‘seen’
by potential reviewers.

 

Do you have other writing plans?

I am currently writing an historical fiction novel (a one-off this time)
set in the early 17th century. It is set in another village we once lived in,
so is another story I’ve known about for some time – and is quite different
to my King Alfred and the Vikings novels. Once I’ve finished that,
I would like to try my hand at writing a ‘whodunnit’ or murder mystery.
Of course, it would have to have an historical setting. There are several
time periods I’m interested in, but I would not choose anything later than
the 1950s or further back than the Roman period. I will probably also put
together another book of flash fiction pieces at some stage.
I already have almost fifty pieces written but I’m aiming
for eighty-five in order to match A Dash of Flash.


Thank you very much for this interview Millie Thom!!!


Millie Thom's Social Media links:

Amazon Com: link

Goodreads: link

Blog/Website: link

Twitter: link

Instagram: link


My Bookreviews:

Here are my bookreviews of Millie Thom's books:


Shadow Of The Raven on this link

Pit of Vipers on this link

Wyvern of Wessex on this link


Sunday 6 December 2020

Bookreview: Wyvern of Wessex

 

Wyvern of Wessex

written by Millie Thom

"Brings back the history to life!"

Summary


Eadwulf is back  on the Sea Eagle with Bjorn and his crew on a quest to discover 
if Eadwulf’s father, King Beorhtwulf of Mercia, is still alive after twenty years as 
a slave. Bjorn’s great dragonship carries them down to the searing 
June temperatures and strict laws in the Moorish lands of al-Andalus. 
But searching for Beorhtwulf proves more difficult than they’d expected, 
causing them more trouble than they'd bargained for…


In Wessex, King Aethelred is now dead, leaving his twenty-one-year-old brother, 
Alfred, to succeed to the throne. Though his succession was agreed by the witan, 
Alfred must now prove himself worthy of the kingship, or lose it. But Wessex is in 
turmoil, besieged by Viking Danes intent on subjugating the kingdom – and knowing 
that the new king is young and inexperienced. Alfred must use all his wiles if he is to 
outthink and outmanoeuvre Guthrum, the Dane who nearly becomes his nemesis.


Alfred’s victories and defeats take him on a journey of learning, during which he
gains experience and strength. We share his highs and his lows, and how he 
rises from the depths of despair to save his beloved kingdom from total conquest.


And at his side in his greatest time of need is his new ally and friend, 
Eadwulf of Mercia.




My Review

Wyvern of Wessex is the third book of the series Sons of Kings, written
by Millie Thom. I'm very happy I've started with the first book of the 
series and I'm more happier that there is a fourth book too 😃.

The book cover is as always very well chosen and  really cool!
It's clear it's about a King! 

Although the third book is about King Alfred of Wessex, it's great to
see how the characters are developed. 

I like the writing style, the story telling and the good amount of
dialogues too. It's very nice to read how Millie Thom brings back the
history of the old English kingdoms to live. 

The Wyvern of Wessex, just as all the books of the series the 
Sons of Kings are a must-read for royal history lovers and historical
fiction. 

To conclude, I give this with lots of pleasure a 5 star rating on 5 and
even more!  And I certainly want to read the fourth book of the
series too because I'm so curious to know the end of the stories! 




The author

Millie Thom is a former geography and history teacher with a degree in geology 
and a particular passion for the Anglo-Saxon and Viking period. Originally from 
Lancashire she is a mother of six grown up children and now lives with her husband 
in a small village in Nottinghamshire, midway between the town of Newark and the lovely 
old city of Lincoln. When not writing, Millie enjoys long walks and is a serious fossil hunter. 
She is also an avid traveller, swimmer and baker of cakes!

Booktasters


I received a free copy via Booktasters and Millie Thom. Thank you so much for
this great chance to read this fantastic history book!!




Source picture: Book Cover 

Sunday 8 November 2020

Bookreview: Shadow Of The Raven

 written by Millie Thom


Summary


By the mid ninth century, Danish raids on Anglo-Saxon kingdoms have escalated. Several bands even dare to overwinter on the coastal islands, particularly those at the mouth of the Thames, where the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia border each other. The kings of these lands must put past hostilities aside and take the first steps towards unity; steps they see as vital in the face of this newfound threat to their lands.

Alfred of Wessex and Eadwulf of Mercia are the sons of kings, whose futures have been determined since birth. But the turbulent events in their childhood years change the natural progression of things and shape the characters of the men they will become. Their roads to manhood follow vastly different routes, but both learn crucial lessons along the way: lessons that will serve them well in future years.

Discovering that the enemy is not always a stranger is a harsh lesson indeed; the realisation that a trusted kinsman can turn traitor is the harshest lesson of all.




Review


I 'met' Millie Thom via Twitter and via BookTasters. Immediately the
book series about the Anglo Saxon Royal History attracted me. 

While reading books, I always put some key words on paper,
in case I forget, what I want to write down. These are my key words to 
describe this wonderful book:


* Beautiful cover : The cover is very attractive with amazing pictures and colors. 

* Large list of characters : The characters were very well  and clearly defined. 

* fascinating : It was so fascinating to read this book and especially about the 
society during the Anglo Saxo time

* good story teller : Millie Thom is a fantastic author. She can tell a story and 
make it her own. 

* A page turner : I wanted to know what was going to happen. 

* very emotional : I immediately empathized with the characters (mostly 
with the women) 

* Great historical royal family drama


So, if you like to read about historical royal family drama, don't hesitate to buy
this amazing book. I give it a 5 star on 5 rating. It's sad that I can't give even
more stars.

The Author


Millie Thom is a former geography and history teacher with a degree in geology and a particular passion for the Anglo Saxon and Viking era. She was born in Southport, Lancashire, in 1947, and happily admits to being a 'boomer'.

After completing a teacher training course in Liverpool in 1968, she moved to Yorkshire to take up her first teaching post. This was at a secondary school in a small mining village, where most of the children - and more than a few of the staff - spoke in a dialect riddled with 'thees', 'thous', 'hast thas' and wilt thas'. She also met her husband to be at this time, a teacher at a rival school - the rivalry always being in the not-so-gentle sport of rugby!

In 1970 Millie and her husband moved down to Wantage for six years. Wantage is known a King Alfred's town, since it is the place where he was born. In 1976 she moved up to Nottinghamshire, and still lives there with her husband, midway between Lincoln and Newark. Their six grown up children all live close by.

Since retiring from teaching, Millie has been writing the trilogy about King Alfred that has been screaming to be born for so many years. Book 1, 'Shadow of the Raven' is already published on Amazon, and Book 2, 'Pit of Vipers' is presently nearing completion.

I 'met' Millie Thom - as I mentioned before - on Twitter. She really is a very nice and interesting lady, who knows lots about history. She also is very interactive with other authors and reviewers. 


Booktasters

I received an advanced copy for free by Booktasters and by the author @MillieThom.
I'm leaving this review voluntarily and I really enjoyed reading this splendid book. So,
thank you very much for this fantastic chance. 






Source picture: Book Cover

Monday 2 November 2020

Recensie: God Save The Queen

geschreven door Hieke Jippes Liddie Austin 


Samenvatting


Al meer dan vijfenzestig jaar zit Queen Elizabeth op de Britse troon en inmiddels
is ze het langstzittende staatshoofd ter wereld. Ze heeft naast het Verenigd Koninkrijk
ook de vijftien Commonwealth realms onder haar hoede en is hoofd van de
Church of England. 

Geliefd door het Britse volk en onverwoestbaar in haar functie.
Ze stond te midden van grote historische gebeurtenissen en maatschappelijke
ontwikkelingen en werkte met grote namen uit de geschiedenis, zoals
Winston Churchill en John F. Kennedy. Van de ene op de andere dag werd ze
troonopvolger en rustte er druk vanuit de hele wereld op haar schouders.
Queen Elizabeth heeft voor grote beslissingen gestaan en moest kiezen tussen
landsbelang en familie, tussen God en staat. Ze heeft de wereld en haar land
zien veranderen toen de dekolonisatie van het Britse rijk een onomkeerbaar feit
was. Queen Elizabeth is trouw aan de troon en aan de kerk. Haar plichtsbesef is
typerend, maar verder weten we eigenlijk weinig van haar. Ze is even bekend als
ondoorgrondelijk. Het koningshuis geeft niets weg van wat er zich binnen de
muren van het paleis afspeelt, terwijl de tabloids elke dag wel koninklijk nieuws
brengen. Tien vrouwen delen hun visie op de onverwoestbare Queen Elizabeth.
Ze brengen in kaart wat ze ons leert over de recente Europese en wereldgeschiedenis,
wat haar zo indrukwekkend maakt en in hoeverre ze een rolmodel voor ons is.

Met bijdragen van: Liddie Austin, Brigitte Balfoort, Reinildis van Ditzhuyzen,
Wies Enthoven, Dorine Hermans, Vanessa Lamsvelt, Nienke van Leverink







Recensie

Toen de Vlaamse krant 'Het Nieuwsblad' een nieuw boek voorstelde over
Koningin Elisabeth II van Groot Brittannië twijfelde ik geen moment. Ik wou
het onmiddellijk lezen. Ik was dus heel verrast dat het eBook - uitgebracht in 
oktober 2020 - al via Koboplus beschikbaar was. 


Het boek 'God Save The Queen' las ik in één ruk uit omdat de schrijfstijl vlot
en aangenaam is. Het lijkt een beetje op een goede roman. 


Er worden een pak uiteenlopende onderwerpen aangesneden, maar verwacht
geen nieuwe spectaculaire dingen. Ik vond 'God Save The Queen' zeker geen
slecht boek, maar ook niet geweldig. 


Omwille van alle bovenstaande argumenten, geef ik het boek 'God Save The
Queen' drie sterren op vijf. 


Auteurs


De co-auteurs: 
Liddie Austin, Brigitte Balfoort, Reinildis van Ditzhuyzen, Wies Enthoven,
Dorine Hermans, Vanessa Lamsvelt, Nienke van Leverink
zijn voor mij bekender als de auteurs zelf. 




Foto: Titelpagina 

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Bookreview: All Things Georgian

All Things Georgian 

written by Joanne Major and Sarah Murden


Summary


Take a romp through the long eighteenth-century in this collection of 25 short tales.

Marvel at the Queen’s Ass, gaze at the celestial heavens through the eyes of the past and be amazed by the equestrian feats of the Norwich Nymph. Journey to the debauched French court at Versailles, travel to Covent Garden and take your seat in a box at the theater and, afterwards, join the mile-high club in a new-fangled hot air balloon.

Meet actresses, whores and high-born ladies, politicians, inventors, royalty and criminals as we travel through the Georgian era in all its glorious and gruesome glory.

In roughly chronological order, covering the reign of the four Georges, 1714-1730 and set within the framework of the main events of the era, these tales are accompanied by over 100 stunning color illustrations.





Review

On Twitter, I already follow Joanne Major and Sarah Murden for years.
They are the creators of the wonderful blog: AllThingsGeorgian,
 which you can check on this link

I was very willing to read "All Things Georgian" and luckily the book was available
as eBook on the Kobo reader. 

As a royal history lover, I really enjoyed the book very much. It was written very
 fluently in clear chapters and chronological as well (which is important for me).

There were stories about known and less-known people. I also liked the old pictures
in the book from inter alia London. 

So, don't hesitate to buy and to read this excellent book! I give it a 5 star rating
because due to interesting people and subjects, the layout of the book and their
fantastic writing style. 

The Authors


Joanne Major and Sarah Murden are two genealogists and great historians.
You can read more of them on their blog (which is mentioned before). 





source picture: Book cover 

Sunday 2 August 2020

Bookreview: The Top 5 Most Famous Queens

Royals and especially the royal history interest me very much. I really
enjoy in taking the opportunity to read books about these fascinating
topics.

This week, I chose the book 'The Top 5 most famous queens' about
Nefertiti, Cleopatra, Elisabeth I, Catherine the Great and Victoria.





The book is edited by Charles River Editors. This is  - according to
Amazon - a digital publishing  company that creates compelling,
educational content.

It is a bit of a spoiler that the names of The Top 5 of the Most famous
queens are already released on the bookcover. However the 5 biographies
are interesting though short stories.

The Top 5 of the Most Famous Queens also is written very clear and
fluently, so it is pleasant to read.

Is the book to recommend? Well, sure it is! Especially for royal history
fans, but it wasn't specialized.

 Nevertheless, I'm happy, I read this book.



Source picture: Bookcover
I read this book via Koboplus and bol.com.

Monday 13 July 2020

Koning Filip 60

Op 15 april 2020 wordt koning Filip 60. Hij zit dan bijna zeven 
jaar op de troon. Mark Van Den Wijngaert onderzocht kritisch 
getuigenissen, commentaren en toespraken om het leven en de 
loopbaan van Filip op een unieke manier te beschrijven. 
Over hoe hij als jonge prins de liefde en steun van zijn ouders 
Albert en Paola moest missen. 
Over hoe hij door de regering werd terechtgewezen
en door de buitenwereld bekritiseerd ("hij kan het niet"). 

Maar ook over hoe Mathilde zijn leven een nieuwe dimensie gaf en 
hoe hij gaandeweg uitgroeide tot een gewaardeerde koning die mensen 
met elkaar wil verbinden in een land dat steeds meer verdeeld geraakt. 
Verbinding tussen Vlamingen en Franstaligen,
maar ook verbinding tussen wie meer of minder levenskansen kreeg.

Een verrassend portret dat veel nog ongekende aspecten van 
Filips leven openbaart. 

Auteur Mark Van den Wijngaert is emeritus hoogleraar 
Hedendaagse Geschiedenis aan de KU Leuven, campus Brussel. 
Hij publiceerde over de Duitse bezetting, de Belgische politieke 
geschiedenis, de internationale geschiedenis van 1950 en de 
Belgische monarchie. 

Koning Filip 60 werd gepubliceerd door 
We Publish - Borgerhoff-Lamberigts
in februari 2020.






Niemand kan de geschiedenis van België zo goed verwoorden als
Mark Van den Wijngaert. Niemand kent de staatskundige instellingen (de
Belgische kluwen) zo goed als hij. In die zin was het echt een fantastisch
naslagwerk en een aanrader!

Echt veel verrassingen en ongekende aspecten uit het leven van Filip
kwamen er voor mij niet echt naar boven. Ik vond dat de auteur vrij
oppervlakkig bleef voor de koning en z'n familie. Dat had voor de
royaltyfans beslist nog iets meer en iets dieper mogen zijn.

Wat ik wel positief vond: het boek is gebaseerd op niets anders dan
feiten, iets wat veel auteurs die over de koninklijke familie wel eens
durven te vergeten. Dus dikke pluim hiervoor!

Alles bij elkaar opgeteld is dit echt wel een boek dat vol trots tussen de
royalty en de geschiedenisboeken op de boekenplank kan staan! Een
aanrader dus!

Ik heb dit boek gekocht, na toch wel wat twijfelen, via bol.com.





foto: bookcover - kaft