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amandasbookreview's reviews
966 reviews
The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down by Colin Woodard
4.0
Colin Woodard's The Republic of Pirates was a fascinating read! He takes his readers to the Golden Age of Piracy (1715-1725). At the height this Age, pirates sacked slave ships and cut off trade routes from Europe to the new world colonies. For some pirates it was a social and political revolt. Many of the pirates were soldiers, indentured servants or runaway slaves.
People romanticize the idea of Pirates due to popular fiction and film like Treasure Island or Pirates of the Caribbean. Woodard goes into great detail about Henry Avery, "Black Sam" Bellamy, Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and Charles Vane. He brings their history to life and shows them as real men and not as villains.
I recommend this read!
People romanticize the idea of Pirates due to popular fiction and film like Treasure Island or Pirates of the Caribbean. Woodard goes into great detail about Henry Avery, "Black Sam" Bellamy, Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and Charles Vane. He brings their history to life and shows them as real men and not as villains.
I recommend this read!
The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen
3.0
Sophie Dupont works in her fathers art studio and also paints as well. There she comes across Wesley Overtree. He seduces her and she falls in love with him. She soon discovers she is pregnant but then one day Wesley up and leaves to go paint in Italy. Wesley's brother, Stephen Over tree comes to get Wesley and finds him gone and also discovers the girl he left with child. He then proposes that he and Sophie get married to preserve her and the child's reputation. Sophie agrees even though Stephen is a stern man she could never picture herself loving.
Over time she learns to love him before he heads off to war. By the time he leaves Wesley returns and she has to make a choice.
I actually loved this story. There were definitely a few Jane Austen themes. Sense and Sensibility was mentioned a few times and there was also a Pride and Prejudice reference which I enjoyed. I lived the dynamic between all the characters and their development.
Over time she learns to love him before he heads off to war. By the time he leaves Wesley returns and she has to make a choice.
I actually loved this story. There were definitely a few Jane Austen themes. Sense and Sensibility was mentioned a few times and there was also a Pride and Prejudice reference which I enjoyed. I lived the dynamic between all the characters and their development.
The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz
3.0
Sophie Menzies lives alone at her home at Three Chimneys. Her father was a Tory who fled to Scotland and her brother who fought for America turned traitor and fled as well. The war is over. Sophie will soon lose her home and have nowhere to go.
Seamus Ogilvy was at Captain and has come to Tall Acre which neighbors Three Chimneys. His wife died while he was at war but has a daughter. His wife's family fights for custody of his daughter. Seamus realizes his daughter needs a mother and Sophie needs a home. Seamus and Sophie marry but the ghost of his first wife haunts him and threats to his daughter and new wife keep him from falling in love.
I enjoyed this story. There was a twist that I didn't see coming. I also enjoyed the appearance of George Washington. I feel like this story could have gone a little deeper but over all I enjoyed it. it was a very quick read.
Seamus Ogilvy was at Captain and has come to Tall Acre which neighbors Three Chimneys. His wife died while he was at war but has a daughter. His wife's family fights for custody of his daughter. Seamus realizes his daughter needs a mother and Sophie needs a home. Seamus and Sophie marry but the ghost of his first wife haunts him and threats to his daughter and new wife keep him from falling in love.
I enjoyed this story. There was a twist that I didn't see coming. I also enjoyed the appearance of George Washington. I feel like this story could have gone a little deeper but over all I enjoyed it. it was a very quick read.
The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson
3.0
Avalina is just a servant trying to take care of her family. When the lady she waits on runs away, she is forced to pretend that she is a lady and attend the court at Thornbeck Castle. The Margave of Thornback is to choose a bride ordered by the King. Avalina tries to make sure she isn't chosen but needs to get in favor to help her home and family. She diantances herself from the Margrave despite her growing feelings for him because she knows she could never marry him. She soon discovers a plot to overthrow and kill the Margrave.
This book is a twist on the classic fairytale, Princess and the Pea. Dickerson has a knack for fairytale romance!
This book is a twist on the classic fairytale, Princess and the Pea. Dickerson has a knack for fairytale romance!
A Spy's Devotion by Melanie Dickerson
4.0
Julia Grey is the wars of her Aunt and Uncle after her parents died when she was young. Since she relies on her family she has little prospects of marriage and would soon become a governess. Until she meets Nicolas Langdon.
Nicolas Langdon is an officer home from war from and injury and also brought with him a coded diary that tells on a conspiracy against England. The diary is soon stolen and all the evidence points to Julia's Uncle. He soon confides in Julia and together they try to find out what her Uncle is up to, to save the country. Their espionage brings them close together.
I love Melanie Dickerson and I am excited for this new series.
Nicolas Langdon is an officer home from war from and injury and also brought with him a coded diary that tells on a conspiracy against England. The diary is soon stolen and all the evidence points to Julia's Uncle. He soon confides in Julia and together they try to find out what her Uncle is up to, to save the country. Their espionage brings them close together.
I love Melanie Dickerson and I am excited for this new series.
Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs
5.0
Here Burns My Candle written Liz Curtis Higgs is amazing. It takes place in 18th century Scotland during the Jacobite Rebellion. The Kerr family has many secrets. Lady Marjory is the matron of the family. She has two sons Donald and Andrew who are married. Donald is married to Elizabeth. Donald says he loves his wife but his string of affairs says differently. Elizabeth worships the moon due to the religion of auld. Elizabeth also comes from the highlands where they are more loyal to the Jacobite cause. So when Bonny Prince Charlie starts his rebellion the Kerr family finds themselves rebelling against the king.
A turn in events causes so much heartache for the Kerr family.
A turn in events causes so much heartache for the Kerr family.
Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs
5.0
Elizabeth Kerr and her mother in law Marjory Kerr go to Selkirk to find a new home after being marked for treason for supporting Bonny Prince Charlie in the Jacobite rebellion. They find a home with Marjory's cousin, Anne. They all live in a small home. Elizabeth starts to sew in order to provide a living.
Then Lord Jack Buchanan arrives at an estate in Selkirk to settle down after years on the sea. He hires Elizabeth to sew all the gowns for his servants. However, he fins Elizabeth to be pleasant company and realizes how hard life has been on her.
Concluding the story from Here Burns my Candle, Mine is the Night is the mirror of the story of Ruth. It is a wonderful story about tragedy and finding happiness.
Then Lord Jack Buchanan arrives at an estate in Selkirk to settle down after years on the sea. He hires Elizabeth to sew all the gowns for his servants. However, he fins Elizabeth to be pleasant company and realizes how hard life has been on her.
Concluding the story from Here Burns my Candle, Mine is the Night is the mirror of the story of Ruth. It is a wonderful story about tragedy and finding happiness.
Child of the Mist by Kathleen Morgan
4.0
Child of the mist takes place in 16th century Scottish highlands. The Macgregor's and the Campbell's have had an on going feud. Anne MacGregor is a high strong healer whose father is MacGregor chief. Niall Campbell is the clan tanist for the Campbell's and is about to become chief. Niall gets captured by the Macgregor's and in order to go free he has to hand fast with Anne for a year then marry her. They are always fighting with each other but No all has other important things to worry about, like a traitor in the clan.
I love stories that take place in Scotland. This story is well researched. However some of the lines come off pretty cheesy. Overall it is a quick read, I finished it in a couple hours and it was entertaining.
I love stories that take place in Scotland. This story is well researched. However some of the lines come off pretty cheesy. Overall it is a quick read, I finished it in a couple hours and it was entertaining.
Wings of Morning by
4.0
Iain Campbell is laird of Balloch Castle and Campbell tanist. One day, a villager cones across a maiden that had been thriwn from her horse. They discover her name is Regen but she has no other memory of who she is. Iain and his mother take care of her and soon Iain starts to fall for Regen and she with him. However, soon her memories come back to her. Her husband was killed on her wedding night and it was suspected to be Iain who killed him. Now she is torn. She loves him but also want a justice for her husband.
This was definitely my favorite of the series. The only thing that bothered me was that Regen took so long in trusting Iain. Also she seemed to convict him before he even had a chance to explain himself. Other than that, it was a quick entertaining read.
This was definitely my favorite of the series. The only thing that bothered me was that Regen took so long in trusting Iain. Also she seemed to convict him before he even had a chance to explain himself. Other than that, it was a quick entertaining read.