Monthly Archives: August 2009

The Alhambra

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Allie

I read The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory a couple of years ago, which is about Katherine of Aragon’s childhood in Spain and her early adulthood in England. I remember really enjoying the vivid descriptions of The Alhambra (literally “Red Castle” in Arabic), which was a stunningly beautiful palace and fortress city built by the Moors in their stronghold city of Granada. Isabella and Ferdinand went on crusade and relaunched… Continue reading...

Posted in Architecture, C.W. Gortner, Ferdinand II of Aragon, Isabella I of Castile, Juana of Castile, Katherine of Aragon, Philippa Gregory, Reconquista, Spain | 15 Comments

The Sunday Salon: Off to Spain I Go

Posted on August 31, 2009 by Allie

I recently finished reading Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell, which was a really interesting and imaginative take on Renaissance Florence. I devoured it. You can read my review here!Today I started reading The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner, and it hooked me from the very first page. The Last Queen is about Juana of Castile, known through history as Juana “La Loca,” for her… Continue reading...

Posted in 16th Century, C.W. Gortner, Ferdinand II of Aragon, Flanders, Isabella I of Castile, Juana of Castile, Katherine of Aragon, Reconquista, Spain, The Sunday Salon | 6 Comments

Review | Signora Da Vinci by Robin Maxwell

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Allie

Read a synopsis of Signora Da Vinci here.ReviewSignora Da Vinciby Robin MaxwellSignora da Vinci is by far and away the best work of historical fiction I have ever read on Renaissance Florence. I’m a big fan of Robin Maxwell’s books on Anne Boleyn, but her latest novel surpasses even these. I just love the way Maxwell writes a story; the history never… Continue reading...

Posted in 15th Century, Art, Book Reviews, Italy, Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo de' Medici, Robin Maxwell, Sandro Botticelli, The Medici | 8 Comments

Awards, Oh My!

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Allie

I’ve been a bit distracted from blogging lately as I have been trying to figure out what Ron and I are doing with our apartment, staying or moving, and our lease is up 9/1! I don’t know how the summer got away so quickly, but we were told by most real estate companies to wait until August to start looking, and when we did we really didn’t see anything we… Continue reading...

Posted in About Me, Blog Awards | 3 Comments

Book Blogger Appreciation Week/Blog Awards

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Allie

Wow, has this week started off beautifully!! I am feeling the love, let me tell you…So to start off, I received my first two blog awards! A huge thank you to Jenny and Nikola for thinking of me! If you’re unfamiliar with either of these two blogs, be sure to check them out!Jenny awarded me with the Zombie Chicken Award:The blogger who

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Posted in Blog Awards, Book Blogger Appreciation Week | 20 Comments

Robin Maxwell’s Teaser

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Allie

Some very exciting news: Robin Maxwell stopped by Hist-Fic Chick to share her Teaser with us! Anyone who reads this blog regularly will already know that she is one of my all time favorite authors, so you can imagine…I am absolutely on Cloud 9 right now! For those of you unfamiliar with Teaser Tuesdays, it is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading, and it asks you… Continue reading...

Posted in 20th Century, Art, Nicholas Roerich, Robin Maxwell, Russia, Teaser Tuesdays | 6 Comments

The Art History Reading Challenge

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Allie

I’m pleased to announce that I have entered my first reading challenge!The Art History Reading Challenge asks you to read six books in 2009, fiction or non-fiction, about the subject of art history.My picks, not listed in any particular order:1. Leonardo’s Swans by Karen Essex (Reviewed 8/4)2. Stealing Athena by Karen Essex3. Signora Da Vinci by Robin Maxwell (Reviewed 8/28)4… Continue reading...

Posted in Art, Diane Haeger, Karen Essex, Reading Challenges, Robin Maxwell, Sarah Dunant | 9 Comments

Teaser Tuesdays: Signora Da Vinci

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Allie

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly book meme hosted by Should Be Reading.Instructions: Grab your current read. Open to a random page, and share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, but be sure not to include any spoilers! Make sure you also include your book’s title and author.On the birth of Leonardo da Vinci:My aunt reported that in all her years of

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Posted in 15th Century, Italy, Leonardo da Vinci, Robin Maxwell, Teaser Tuesdays | 11 Comments

Egyptian Dreams Giveaway Part 2: Autographed Copy of Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Allie

Make sure to also check out Giveaway #1 for a chance to win a signed copy of Michelle Moran’s The Heretic Queen. Both contests are open to everyone, worldwide.Giveaway #2Cleopatra’s Daughterby Michelle MoranSynopsis: “The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences… Continue reading...

Posted in Ancient Egypt, Giveaways, Michelle Moran | 86 Comments

Mailbox Monday

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Allie

Mailbox Monday is a book meme hosted by The Printed Page. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. What books came into your home this week?This week brought me four new books:The Last Queen by C.W. GortnerPaperback signed review copy, sent to me from the author.Signora Da Vinci by Robin MaxwellPaperback review copy, sent… Continue reading...

Posted in C.W. Gortner, Karen Essex, Mailbox Monday, Michelle Moran, Robin Maxwell | 9 Comments