Review and giveaway: Betrayal by Michele Kallio

Lydia Hamilton was a modern woman, happily in love and living in Canada until the nightmares started. Following the death of her father, Lydia begins dreaming of places and people she doesn't know. When she closes her eyes, she sees a bloodied, severed head. The images are confusing and unclear, but she knows one thing for sure: something bad happened a long time ago. And why only now have the dreams begun? Events propel Lydia to Devon, England, to the home of the mother she never knew, where the lies of her family's past begin to reveal themselves dating back to the sixteenth century and a woman called Elisabeth Beeton, a servant at the Court of King Henry VIII. Caught amid forces she can neither control nor understand Elisabeth's life was in danger.

How is Lydia's modern life related to the life of this tragic woman from the past? Without the guidance of her father, it s hard to say, but Lydia is dedicated to solving the mystery in an effort to put an end to her night terrors and save her relationship with the man she loves. But will the truth set her free, or will the realization of her family's past actions haunt her like the ghost of a woman betrayed?

Paperback, 496 pages

Published June 14th 2011 by iUniverse.com

I was given a copy from the author for my honest review.

 

This is Michele Kallio's debut, and I won't say how much I love debuts, but I do.  Also I love the cover, it has that mysterious feel with the castle in the background and a mystery package all bundled up.

Betrayal is historical, it's mysterious with the supernatural mixed in, along with romance.  But it isn't overboard in the romance department in a way that usually turns me off. 

A fast paced story that switches between present day Canada and 16th century England, in the court of Henry VIII.  I found the the story rather interesting, the relationship between Elisabeth Beeton and the Boleyn's was unique. There was a different approach to how the Boleyn's were portrayed, in a way that I have not run across before (hum, how do I say more without giving spoilers?). They were shown with feelings and compassion that I haven't really seen a lot of before (and believe me I have read a lot of books about the Boleyn's). Well, of course, except for Jane. 

Though the idea of reincarnation and dreams are not something new but in this book as the story developed I found it had unique twists.  Many times as the two story lines played out and I was trying to figure things out,  I would think that I had it and then another twist would come along.

I had a little trouble connecting with Dan and even Alan (in present time), they sometimes jumped from one emotion to another and it was annoying at times.  Dan (Lydia's love) just wanted to help her, but it seemed once he got help, that he didn't want itanymore and back and forth it went, which was confusing at times.  But then it could have been the authors intent to portray him that way, if so she did a good job.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the lookout for her next book.

The author, Michele F. Kallio is offering a Kindle edition of this book to one lucky reader.  Open internationally, ends Oct 17 at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday - The Tudor Conspiracy

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly waiting to get our hands on.

 

  This week I am waiting for:

 The Tudor Conspiracy by C.W. Gortner

 

Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess.
Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side?

As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past.

 

Paperback, 352 pages

Expected publication: July 16th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin 

I have been a BIG fan of CW Gortner ever since reading The Last Queen and look forward to readingmore about Brendan Prescott.

What are you waiting for?

Ella March Chase books

As captivating now as it was more than four centuries ago, the reign of Elizabeth I—with its scandal, intrigue, and resilience—has spark

ed the imaginations of generations. In her sweeping historical debut, Ella March Chase explores a thrilling possibility: that the Tudor bloodline did not end with the Virgin Queen.

This was Ella March Chase's debut novel. I know very little about Elizabeth I's reign and thought this would be a good read. It was given 4 and 5 start reviews on goodreads and amazon. I have to say that I did enjoy the story, but just found something missing. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, but it just didn't have 'that grab me by the neck and not let go until I was finished feeling'. The story was good, the characters were developed, though it was predictable.

In the second novel from Ella March Chase, we meet sixteen-year-old Jane Grey, a quiet and obedient young lady destined to become the shortest reigning English monarch. Her beautiful middle sister Katherine Grey charms all the right people—until loyalties shift. And finally Lady Mary Grey, a dwarf with a twisted spine whose goal is simply to protect people she loves—but at a terrible cost.

Well here is Ella March Chase's second novel. Again another piece of history that I was not familar with. I guess that is why I was drawn to these two books. This one took only a couple days to read, I just had to find out what was going to happen to these 3 sisters. The author did a really good job of developing each of their characters, I felt like I knew them. Again I found it hard to take how women were treated during this time period and very thankfully I wasn't born then (my goodness it was bad). I felt their emotions and hoped that somehow history would have change while reading this book.

One of my feelings about both of these books was that they seemed more like Young Adult novels, but good YA novels.

These books were added to Where Are You Reading