Plucky Jess is now 19 (mother of one and expecting) at the start of this 4th book in the LYON saga. M.L. Stainer tranports Jess, her Indian husband and several other non-English friends in a circuitous manner back to England. Pirates, separation from her English family and a woman's worst shipboard terrors stalk the prisoners for months--challenges sufficient to bring a lesser heroine to despair. Undaunted and deteremined to hide her non-Indian identity, Jess conceives a grandiose plan: to seek an audience with Gloriana--Elizabeth I. What would the mighty Queen of England care about the fate of a poor English colonist and several half-breed children?

While her warrior
husband chafes in confinement and shame at his captive status, Jess battles her own quick tongue, which threatens to sabotage her hopes. Who will befriend the outcasts in England? How can a girl who prefers the free and salty sands of the New World win the patronage of the Virgin Queen? How will Native Americans fit in or even survive months as captive "guests?" Will they be better received at court or by the common people? Follow the Lyon's saga as the author offers yet another possible solution to the mystery of the vanished colony of Roanoke. This series, which introduces to elementary readers the genre of historical fiction, will appeal to girls, and hopefully stimulate interest in pre Jamestown settlement of America. With the emphasis on the role of imported horses, this series provides excellent background for the Misty of Chincoteague books by Marguerite Henry.

This is the fourth book in the Lyon Saga series of five and eagerly awaited. After Jess was kidnapped by pirates, I couldn't wait to see what happened next. In Queen Elizabeth I's court, she must work hard to gain freedom for herself and her friends, especially Enrique, locked up in the Tower. Great action, thrilling adventure. Make sure you read the books in order.

This book makes colonial history come alive. Everyone thinks the first colonists were the Pilgrims. But these people were here long before. What happened to them? M. L. Stainer makes Jess and her adventures so exciting.

When looking at the title of this book, you may think that it is exclusively about sisters. But was I in for a treat, it was about sisters and so much more. It was the entire story about relationships between family members. It was also spiritual, spiritual is several different aspects. Aspects meaning the spiritual world, as well as Christ related.

I found something on nearly each page that reminded me of myself, my family, and my childhood years.

I remembered how precious people are in our lives, how precious time is, you never know when it can be cut short. I recommend this book to anyone who want to cry while reading a book, I cried so much that my eyes were red. I recommend that you read it, and get to know yourself through the pages.

If I had to say one word about this book, I would say fantastic.

Thanks to the author for revealing herself so clearly.

Thanks

This book sound like it is telling my life story, down south. It is also a faith based book, and it uplift your spirit. It brought home all the ups and downs as well as good times. It also brings back thoughts of yester years. A time when no one thought about wars and the other troubles of today. I suggest that if you want to be taken away back in time, read this book, and let it relax you. My take on this book is fantastic.

What a simply wonderful book. It has such insightful impact. I couldn't put it down as I ended up finishing the short story on the spot. It's as welcoming as a winter's fireplace warming your soul through astute awareness and an epiphany of God's link with us all. The author reminds us that we are not of this Earth, merely in it for a brief moment in time. She affirms that God knows what's in our hearts and minds and souls... even when we attempt to fool ourselves into thinking otherwise. She shows that God's aware of our hopes and dreams and fears... just as we convince ourselves out of the truth. She teaches the reader that nothing ever happens un-purposeful without reason. There is a familiarity about the author's words, the stories, like a heritage that is chiseled into one's genes that can't quite be forgotten. This book blends spiritual compassion with candid admittance written in a format that appropriately compliments the period. A must read for anyone dealing with cancer in their life in some way. I extend a personal thanks to Ms. Jones. One word: compelling...

When I first became enamored of the entire historical mystery genre almost three years ago, Fiona Buckley's first Ursula Blanchard mystery (To Shield the Queen) was one of the books that helped make me into a hopelessly devoted mystery fan. Since then, I've kept an eye out for, and read, all of the Ursula Blanchard novels; they have been consistently excellent in period detail and in their development of the delightful sleuth, the clever and indomitable Ursula.

This latest entry in the series is, like the others, a pleasant and fulfilling mystery. I appreciated Buckley's returning Ursula to England, and the Welsh twist added some interesting new flavor. Once again, Ursula sets out to solve a "cozy" mystery that, upon closer scrutiny, turns out to have potentially thunderous ramifications for Queen and country. The whodunit aspect of the novel is tightly constructed, with some shocking twists and bits of pure cleverness. I was a bit disappointed with the fact that I was able to identify the killer long before the denouement, but that only detracted slightly from the mystery.

Most of all, I appreciate Buckley's fine flair for characterization. Ursula and all her facets are unfolding and developing beautifully; she seems more and more of a real person with each successive book. Her husband, Matthew, has deepened significantly beyond the suave courtier he was in the first book; Brockley is also becoming an intriguing character! There are some wonderfully poignant moments to be found in this book, which elevate it far above the conventional mystery.

All in all, an enjoyable read, with depth of character compensating for a slightly predictable air.

This is the first novel by Ms. Buckley that I have tried and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ursula Blanchard is a wonderful heroine as well as investigator.

Queen Elizabeth is in need of an undercover sleuth to find out what Philip Motimer is hiding at vetch castle. Mortimer has been heard to say that he will be given back all the family estate that was taken away. Elizabeth needs to know if Mortimer has anything on her to force her to return the estate.

She calls on her trusted friend Ursula Blanchard to be her spy. Elizabeth has Ursula's daughter Meg transported to Vetch Castle, which in turn brings Ursula to England from France where she has been staying with her husband Matthew de la Roche, to find her child.

Ursula, along with her servants, goes to Vetch castle and discovers treachery, greed, murder and ghosts. Ursula also discovers things about herself that she didn't previously realize, and by her actions I don't believe she is as enamored with her husband as she would have us believe.

This was an enjoyable historical mystery that I am sure you will like.

Knowing nothing about this series, I picked up this book while trapped in an airport, and got an early Christmas present! I've now finished all four books and I can say that this is a tremendously entertaining series. You can learn the plot of this one from another reviewer, so I'll praise the quality of the writing, the wonderful sense of time and place, and above all, the outstanding storytelling. The characters are real and fascinating, and you like them easily and quickly. This isn't in the masterpiece category of a Jamie Harrison, Robert Crais, or James Lee Burke, but it's excellent, pleasant entertainment, professionally done with good plots and mysteries worth solving. As an added tidbit, the history is scholarly, well-handled, and deftly used. A very enjoyable book and a series that's well worth trying.

If you are ready to read some beautiful prose, then check this book out. Garrett's writing is wonderful, but rather thick. Take some time to read this book, as it is not one that can be read in one (or even three) sittings, but is well worth the read. Raleigh is very well portrayed here, with all his character quirks thrown in for good measure.

Garrett's novel is one of the best works of historical fiction I have ever read--and one of the best works of literary fiction. His knowledge of the historical setting, the detailed narrative and his stately pacing make an already fascinating story completely engrossing. His moving depiction of Raleigh the "Fallen Star" living with memories and facing the inevitable is coupled with an unsentimental look at the intricate machinations of Raleigh the "Fox." With the exception of Thomas Flanagan, I can't think of another author who writes historical fiction with so much intelligence and subtlety.

In one book, you can see through Kahn's famous works, like Salk Institute of Biography Reaserch and Yale Center for British Art. Nice photos and descriptions. This book can be the beginning step for approaching Kahn's philosophy of architecture. He say, "Existence will determines the every nature of things". He used the simple forms to establish a fine-art-class architecture style. Kahn's works could be said as "Simple in FORM, but not simple in MIND."

A beautiful book...It's filled with so much information about Kahn's major projects. Interesting, well-written text and dozens of sketches and model photos accompany each major project. I'd never heard of Grant Mudford, but his big, color photos are beautiful. There's a list of all of Kahn's projects and buildings from the 1920s until his death in 1974, and a section of Kahn's travel sketches and artwork. The pages are large, the print quality is impressive, and the impeccable graphic design, by Massimo Vignelli with Abigail Sturges, suits Kahn's style perfectly. And it's a good buy, too.

The prologue starts with the impending wedding of Ursula to an unknown person. What follows is the story of how she came to her decision to remarry soon after the death of her French Catholic husband Matthew de la Roche.
Ursula goes on an unathorized trip in pursue of her traitor cousin Edward at the behest of her estranged Aunt and Uncle. After an exhausting trip to Scotland to stop Edward from delivering a list of Catholic sympathizers to Queen Mary, see finds her cousin murdered.

Ursula set out to investigate his death in the courts of Mary of Scotland and the her "supporters". There she expriences unwanted attentions from a suiter that culminates in a dual. An not unexpected revealation is made about Ursula's paternaty and all ends with her proposal to a character she meets on her adventure to Scotland
This book takes the series in a new direction. Though she claims to want a change of pace from her secret agent days she seems hardly sure. Since the marriage hasn't occured, so there is a cliffhanger at the end (or beginning).

In 1565, Ursula Blanchard mourns the death of her husband Matthew de la Roche at her English estate Withyshem given to her by Queen Elizabeth I for her services to the crown. Ursula is ready to retire from her life as a secret agent when her relatives the Faldenes ask her to find their son, her cousin Edward, who is traveling to Scotland to give a list of English sympathizers to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Even though she has little love for the Faldenes, Ursula doesn't want to see her cousin hang for treason nor does she want the list to fall into Mary's hands. Ursula and her tirewoman Fran Dale and her manservant Roger Brockley travel into Scotland only to find Edward dead, the victim of an assassin's blade. Instead of going home, Ursula chooses to stay in Scotland to track down the list and find out who killed her cousin. This decision will cost her dearly.

The heroine of this tale acts like a modern day woman with her independence, decisiveness and willingness to go after what she wants.. Her sense of loyalty to family and her queen is admirable even though by going to Scotland without royal permission she knows she could be accused of treason. Fiona Buckley is a gifted storyteller who recreates with accuracy an era long gone but quite vivid in the minds of readers. Fans of this series will be delighted to know that the sixth Ursula Blanchard mystery has a startling revelation as well as a wedding to attend.

Harriet Klausner

The book is good, but not great. The author presents a good overview of Elizabeth while sometimes going into excruciating detail. There in lies the problem. Much of what I wanted to know more about: court intrigue and the supporting characters were often given short shrift. At the sametime, the author works very hard to maintain the "virgin queen" myth, often off handedly dismissing evidence for Elizabeth's affairs. The book also ends abruptly, telling us little about Queen Bess' last years.

On the plus side, the author does an excellent job explaining the queens religous views. Still, there are better biographies of this facinating subject to be read.

Anne Somerset's biography on Queen Elizabeth I, was the first historical biography I had ever read. I became interested in finding out more about the famous red-haired monarch from the Hollywood version of her life, in the film "Elizabeth". I knew the film version had taken some license with the historical record, but I felt that the more accurate and less glamorous story about Elizabeth, the monarch, had to be interesting as well.

The story of Queen Elizabeth, both as a historical figure and a woman of 16th century England, is a interesting one and Anne Somerset makes it an easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. She goes into great detail and has many annotations to support her statments about Elizabeth, yet at the same time, the reader doesn't feel as if she is reading a scholarly work. It was such a pleasure to read and I found it difficult to put down.

For those of you out there who are either intimidated by biographies and other books about historical figures, or think them dull, this is a great place to start your journey into these kinds of books.

I've read almost a dozen books on the Tudors and this is the best on Elizabeth I. Although I usually get my doses of the Tudors from Alison Weir and Antonia Fraser, Anne Somerset has truly written and organized a beautiful book. An impressive work -- better than any other I've read on the world's greatest monarch.

This a book about England's glory days and one of the few women who ruled England alone. It also tells a story of the mice who lived in the palace and witnessed all that went on inside. It begins with a mouse who lives in a house near Buckingham Palace. She recieves an old diary of one of her ancestors, who lived during the rein of Elizabeth the First. The story tells of Elizabeths's life and the political situation at the time, and also of the way she protected the mice who lived in the palace. The story has some twists, and also details the lifestyles of the court. I would reccomend this book if you like children's fiction, have an eye for detail, and enjoy stories of the Middle Ages.

From a mouse-eye point of view, tales are told of fun and folic in Queen Elizabeth I's court. It seems that Queen Elizabeth had a liking for mice, hence the mice's fascinating involvement in the court. This book is a wonderful read for all ages, a splendidly vivid, magificantly creative endeavor. The drawings are delightful and the prose is fluid, witty and wry. Sheedy is brilliant; the book is perfect. "She Was Nice To Mice" is a majorly enjoyable book that should be a classic along the lines with with Stuart Little.

I read this book when i was 14. I found out that Ally was only a child herself when she wrote it and that alone encouraged me to write. I think this is a great influence to use with children to let them realize that they can do some things just like adults, and get paid for it if they just put their imagination to work. I've since forgotten most of the book, i remember it was a bit beyond my comprehension at the time. But i do remember i enjoyed it.

J.E. Neale, Elizabeth I's most famous modern biographer, is not an author who is easy to read for the modern scholar or anybody who regards the Virgin Queen as anything short of a goddess. His style of history has vanished, I'm glad to say. His worship of Elizabeth and his nationalistic biases make this a very tough read and not a very worthwhile one. Anne Somerset's modern biography would be a better use of the reader's time.

Although hardly a year goes by without someone new coming up with another biography on Queen Elizabeth I, this probably is the best of the lot. Many of the subsequent volumes that have appeared after Neale generally owe him a debt of gratitude at least for assembling the basic facts of the life of the Virgin Queen.

Elizabeth's life has been told many times, her parents, Henry VIII and Anne Bolyn's ill-fated marriage, imprisionment during the reigns of both siblings, Thomas Seymour (whose sister replaced her mother in Henry's bed-would any soap opera try this plot twist?), Thomas Wyatt, William Cecil, Robert Dudley, Mary Queen of Scotts, the Spanish Armada, Shakespeare, and Gloriana. What Neale does quite well is to provide some real insight into the life of this the best of Britain's rulers and to place her actions in context. Some might think that Neale's treatment is too positive, I think the tone of the book is consistent with the greatness of this woman who, unlike her modern day namesake, ruled as well as reigned.

After having read everything I could get my hands on about Elizabethan England reading this book was very refreshing. Delving into the social and political realm of Queen Regina is what this book is all about. Well written and easy to read it gives a new perspective on the trials and tribulations of a very courageous and smart lady.