Helen's Reads » historical fiction

One Divine Tale by Sarah Dunant

helen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:10:27 +0000

I was lucky enough to snag an ARC (advanced readers copy) of Sarah Dunant’s latest novel Sacred Hearts to take with me on vacation last week. This is the third in this historical fiction trilogy (The Birth of Venus, In The Company of the Courtesan) that revolves around the different lives and fates of women of the Renaissance period. With still a 100 pages to go, Sacred Hearts is turning out to be my favorite. The plot is seductive (parents of a love struck 16 year old girl sell her to the church against her will) and the setting is divine (the convent of Santa Caterina). The below trailer is part of a promotional interview with the author where she sets up the story line. Historical fiction fan or not…get ready to be hooked.

Click here to purchase this book from your favorite independent bookseller.

‘Jewel of Medina’ – Shelved On Monday

helen — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:04:09 +0000

Soft core pornography or historical fiction? With the on again off again publishing status of Spokane writer Sherry Jones’ now infamous THE JEWEL OF MEDINA (Beaufort Books), those hoping to make up their own mind by purchasing a copy on Monday had better first call ahead to check whether the book is being stocked. I found it listed at independent bookstores around me. Amazon currently lists it as unavailable. Barnes and Noble announced earlier that it will carry the book…”shelved in our hardcover new release fiction section.”

Update: 10/7/08 Laurel Maury for the LA Times writes, “I can’t say whether, from a religious point of view, “The Jewel of Medina” is worth the anguish it’s caused, but as literature, it’s a misstep-ridden, pleasant-enough mediocrity.”