I'm pretty new to this genre - never thought I enjoyed it until I found a couple this year.  So, dipping my toes in the water here......I'm open for suggestions, but I know that Regency type historicals are NOT what interest me.

1. OMG, it's True! - HM based on actual events.

• Circling the Sun: A Novel by Paula McLain 9-22

2. Choose a HM from a country other than England.

• Mozart's Last Aria (P.S.) by Matt Rees 2-8

3. Find a HM from your own state or the state of your birth.

4. Your favorite: author or time period.

• The Impersonator (Roaring Twenties, Bk 1)  Author: Mary Miley 4-18

5. HM from a new to you author.

• Some Danger Involved (Barker & Llewelyn, Bk 1) by Will Thomas 5-20
• Mrs Houdini a Novel by Victoria Kelly 10-21

6. It's getting even creepier. HM with paranormal or fantasy element.

• Hidden Dragons Dragon Knights by Bianca D'Arc  3-4
• The Hanged Man (Her Majesty's Psychic Service, Bk 1) by P. N. Elrod 6-10
• Chalice by Robin McKinley 6-29
• The Eerie Adventures of the Lycanthrope Robinson Crusoe by Peter Clines, H P Lovecraft, Daniel Dafoe 7-7
• Lost Among the Living by Simone St James 10-10
• Silence for the Dead by Simone St James11-22

7. Spies or Intelligencers. HM involving these.

8. Detectives or Inspectors. HM involving these (including Bow Street Runners). 

• The Axeman's Jazz by Ray Celestin 1-3
• Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, Bk 1) by Kerry Greenwood 7-20
• Flying Too High (Phryne Fisher, Bk 2) by Kerry Greenwood 7-21
• The Devious Dr. Jekyll (Electric Empire, Bk 2) by Viola Carr 10-30

9. Resurrectionists or Body Snatchers. HM involving these.

10. HM involving water - a river, ocean, lake, etc.

• All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry  2-15
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Septys 8-19
• Stolen Memories by Mary Miley 8-25

Hey Jeanne-thanks for that, I picked it up.  I think I now have all of Kearsley's books on my Kindle-thanks to my PBS buddies.

If you haven't read Nancy Bilyeau's "The Chalice"-I highly recommend it.  It's the second in the Joanna Stafford mysteries.  Henry VIII; dissolution of the monasteries(ok, y'all are going to forgive my spelling errors, right?).  It's on sale today at Amazon for just $1.99-that's less than what I paid for it the last time it went on sale.  

Jan

Even though my reading slowed down this year, I read some great hf.  At the top of my list are:

The Josephine B. trilogy - Sandra Guiland

Arundel - Kenneth Roberts

A Place of Greater Safety - Hilary Mantel

The Chalice - Nancy Bilyeau

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches - Alan Bradley

I also read some great nonfiction history, including these favorites:

The Age of Radiance - Craig Nelson

Below the Peacock Fan: Ladies of the Raj - Marion Fowler

Reading the Man:  A Portrait of Robert E. Lee Through His Private Letters - Elizabeth Brown Pryor

Happy New Year and Happy Reading everyone!

Bruce - I really enjoyed The Crown - the Chalice not as much. Bilyeau has another one coming out titled The Tapestry.

Category:  To Tell the Truth

For this category, I read "The Chalice" by Nancy Bilyeau, which was a SS gift this year.  I really enjoyed this book and think it was as good if not better than the prequel, "The Crown." The main character, Joanna Stafford, an erstwhile nun and daughter of a minor noble, finds herself the center of a series of prophecies regarding the restoration of the Catholic faith tradition following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and his enforcer-in-chief, Thomas Cromwell.  For sure, some implausible things happen to Joanna, but the storyline is compelling and the first person narrative brings to life what it must have been like for real people living through these events.  Solid 4****

I'm reading a charming little book called A Month in the Country about a young man who spends a summer in a small English country village restoring a medieval mural in the local church.  In the process, he finds himself becoming restored from the horrors of WWI and a failed marriage. 

Also I have just begun The Chalice - a SS gift -  and I am enjoying the first person narrative. 

Today is a cold, blustery day where I live so I had decided to stay in and wrap gifts for my family and friends.  I was delightfully interrupted by the delivery to my door of my Secret Santa package!  Inside I found two beautiful books - The Chalice and Island of Bones.  I am so excited to get these books and continue on with two favorite series!   Oh, and included in the package was a cheerful red scarf (I'm not an expert but it looks hand crocheted) as well as two charming and unique bookmarks.  Becky, your gift warmed my heart and made me feel special - thank you!  And, if all that is not enough, Becky's note said another book is on the way.  How lucky am I?  Thank you, Becky.  You are a Super Secret Santa! 

I finished one more I added to the list  The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau

I've read them both Alice and I agree with you . I think that the Crown was better but the Chalice wasn't bad.....

I am in the mood for a historical mystery so I started The Chalice :: Nancy Bilyeau. I really liked the crown so I thought I would read the sequel. I am about quarter through it, not quite as good as the The Crown. Has anyone else read both?

Alice

Any of the following in HB or PB would be lovely and most appreciated.

Look Not Upon Our Sins - Georgette Symonds

Orphan Train:  A Novel - Christine Baker Kline

Island of Bones (Westerman and Crowther #3)- Imogen Robertson

Circle of Shadows (Westerman and Crowther #4) Imogen Robertson

Behind the Beautiful Forevers:  Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity - Katherine Boo

A Walk Across the Sun - Corbin Addison

The Chalice (Joanna Stafford #2) - Nancy Bilyeau

How did I miss this one! Joining the party late:

The Classic Challenge

Ace: Read the first or the latest book by an author.  Lionheart - Sharon K. Penman 8/12/13

Two: Read a book set in two time periods. The Sins of the Father - Jeffrey Archer 1/16/13

Three: Read a book set in any of the Third World Countries shown in green in this Wikipedia map.  The First Wave - James Benn 1/03/13 

Four: Read a book where someone is tortured Or read a book about a work of art. - The Chalice - Nancy Bilyeau 4/30/13

Five:Read five books that are somehow connected.  Books 3-7of the Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries- C.S. Harris

Six: Read six books from your TBR.

1. Rocket Boys - Homer Hickam 1/09/13

2. Only Time Will Tell - Jeffrey Archer 1/13/13

3. When Christ and His Saints Slept - Sharon K. Penman 2/04/13

4. HHhH - Laurent Binet 2/18/13

5. Hard Country - Michael McGarrity 2/28/13

6. The Yard - Alex Grecian 3/21/13

Seven: Catch up on a series that has at least seven books in it.   What Darkness Brings - C.S. Harris 6/14/13

Eight: Read a book about a pirate

Nine: Read a book where a main character wins a sporting event. The Legend of Mickey Tussler - Frank Nappi 7/08/13

Ten: Read a book with a Native American character, OR set in India OR set in the West Indies. Sacred Hunger - Barry Unsworth 8/23/13

Jack: Read a book about a real person who was NOT a royal, or a book about anybody named Jack. Heartstone - C.J. Sansom 8/20/13

Queen: Read a book about any queen  Time and Chance - Sharon K. Penman 5/09/13

King: Read a book about any king  The Edge of Light - Joan Wolf  6/16/13

The Un-Challenge


Ace: Read a book that is neither the first or the latest book by an author. The Devil's Brood - Sharon K. Penman 7/11/13

Two: Read a book not set in two time periods. Prophecy - S. J. Parris 6/15/13

Three: Read a book set in any of the First or Second World Countries shown in blue or red in this Wikipedia map. 1356 Bernard Cornwell 8/27/13

Four:Read a book where someone is pampered. OR read a book with NO pictures in it - The Death of King Arthur - Peter Ackroyd 9/03/13

Five: Read five completely random books that are in no way connected to each other.

1. The Killing Way - Tony Hays 10/04/13

2. Blood and Beauty: The Borgias - Sarah Dunant 10/07/13

3. The King's Deception - Steve Berry 10/08/13

4. The Maltese Falcon - Dashiel Hammett 11/07/13

5. The Black Country - Alex Grecian 11/08/13

Six: Read six newly-acquired books. Only books acquired after January 1, 2013 can be used.

1. Remember Ben Clayton - Stephen Harrigan  11/14/13

2. Sacrilege - S. J. Parris  11/16/13

3. Something Red - Douglas Nicholas 12/18/13

Seven: Start a series that has at least seven books in it.

Eight: Read a book about a priest, nun or other (supposedly) pious person  An Eye for Glory - Karl Bacon 9/06/13

Nine: Read a book where any character loses a sporting event.

Ten: Read a book where a main character leaves their native country, OR a book NOT set in India OR a book NOT set in the West Indies.  Evil for Evil - James R. Benn 6/16/13

Jack:  Read a book about a real person who was a royal, or a book about anybody not named Jack. Conqueror - Conn Iggulden 9/20/13

Queen: Read a book about anybody who is not a queen  The Map of the Sky - Felix J. Palma 9/21/13

King: Read a book about anybody who is not a king  To Try Men's Souls - Gingrich/Fortsen  9/05/13

The “Follow Suit” Bonus Mini-Challenge

Hearts
Diamonds
Spades
Clubs (or Puppy Feet, if you must)

The Poker Hand Bonus

Royal Flush: Complete Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten all from one challenge
Straight Flush: Complete any five consecutive categories all from one challenge
Four of a Kind: Complete the same category four times, can be from either challenge
Full House: Complete one category three times and another category two times, can be from either challenge
Flush: Complete any five categories from one challenge
Straight: Complete five consecutive categories, can be from either challenge
Three of a Kind: Complete one category three times, can be from either challenge
Two Pair: Complete two different categories, two times each, can be from either challenge.

Alice - somewhere in this forum, I wrote a comment about The Chalice. Oh! Here it is:

 I thought this book was pretty good - it held my interest but I was very exasperated at times by some of Joanna's stupid decisions! The book was certainly action packed but I was not as enamored of it as I was her first book, The Crown. I gave it 3.5 stars.

But here is Kelly's review:

Kelly P. (KellyP) - Marlow, OK Date Posted: 6/18/2013 1:54 PM ET Member Since: 5/27/2005 Posts: 1,760 Back To Top

I completed another book for my #5 Card (books with one title): The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau. Strong 4 out of 5. This book continues the story of Joanna Stafford of the recently dissolved Dartford Priory. She has a strong faith, comes from one of the noble families (although currently somewhat out of favor) and, in The Chalice, is a key player in a prophecy that could have history-altering consequences for the Kingdom of England. This book also presents an interesting theory as to why Henry VIII took such an immediate dislike to Anne of Cleves and why he never had any more children.  Like the first one, The Crown, this one has many characters and several pieces to the overall plotline. It reads quickly, is well-written and I will read what will undoubtedly be a third book. We just left too many things unresolved, primarily the attraction between Joanna & Geoffrey Scovill! As a slight word of warning to some of us, Joanna gets a little trying sometimes. And, belief must be a bit suspended. The ending is a bit rushed and just a bit contrived. Not contrived to the point of "you've got to be kidding me!" but contrived as in, "good thing I'm enjoying this book, because some of this could only happen in the wonderful world of fiction." Genie - this will not be a book for you. On the plus side, if one must read a book set in Tudor times, it's bonus that the court of Henry VIII plays only a minor, supporting role. And in the meantime, I gained a better appreciation for the struggles between the Reformers and Catholicism; and the politics therein. What horrible, troubling times ... and a situation that I, anyway, cannot begin to fathom.

I finished  The Crown (Joanna Stafford, Bk 1) :: Nancy Bilyeau. I really enjoyed it. Ms Bilyeau has a lovely writing style. Story flows very well. She did a good job of developing her main characters and secondary characters. I have her second book the Chalice. I will have to move it up the list for TBRs. Has anyone read it? How does it compare to the Crown?

Alice

Thanks for that wonderful and very informative review, Kelly.  I read The Crown and will put The Chalice one on my list.

Thanks for that wonderful and very informative review, Kelly.  I read The Crown and will put The Chalice one on my list.

I completed another book for my #5 Card (books with one title): The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau.

Strong 4 out of 5. This book continues the story of Joanna Stafford of the recently dissolved Dartford Priory. She has a strong faith, comes from one of the noble families (although currently somewhat out of favor) and, in The Chalice, is a key player in a prophecy that could have history-altering consequences for the Kingdom of England. This book also presents an interesting theory as to why Henry VIII took such an immediate dislike to Anne of Cleves and why he never had any more children. 

Like the first one, The Crown, this one has many characters and several pieces to the overall plotline. It reads quickly, is well-written and I will read what will undoubtedly be a third book. We just left too many things unresolved, primarily the attraction between Joanna & Geoffrey Scovill!

As a slight word of warning to some of us, Joanna gets a little trying sometimes. And, belief must be a bit suspended. The ending is a bit rushed and just a bit contrived. Not contrived to the point of "you've got to be kidding me!" but contrived as in, "good thing I'm enjoying this book, because some of this could only happen in the wonderful world of fiction."

Genie - this will not be a book for you.

On the plus side, if one must read a book set in Tudor times, it's bonus that the court of Henry VIII plays only a minor, supporting role. And in the meantime, I gained a better appreciation for the struggles between the Reformers and Catholicism; and the politics therein. What horrible, troubling times ... and a situation that I, anyway, cannot begin to fathom.  

Kelly

Donna,

There's no need for me to comment, when you say it all so perfectly! My one teensy criticism about this part is that we never get a clear idea of who was behind the push to have her arrested. There are a couple of vague references to making people jealous because of her healing & midwifery skills, but I feel like another paragraph or two of explanation somewhere along the lines would have been good.

The book - to me - really starts to pick up after her 'trial.' For one thing, the two story lines feel like they are coming closer together and for another I just LOVE her husband!

RE: proving guilt ... I don't things had improved much by the Tudor years. I'm reading The Chalice right now (& enjoying it very much). And, the only real difference I can see is that the power over life and death; over innocence or guilt rests with Cromwell & the King vs. the priests. What power the priests had - they held power over their parishioners' immortal souls, and as the only literate people in a village or town (usually), they held huge power over day-to-day lives. Who was to challenge them?

Kelly

I just saw this on Kindle for $2.99:

Category 8 in the unchallenge: Re reading about a nun, priest or other pious person, I read The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau.  I thought this book was pretty good - it held my interest but I was very exasperated at times by some of Joanna's stupid decisions! The book was certainly action packed but I was not as enamored of it as I was her first book, The Crown. I gave it 3.5 stars.

lol Shelley! Menopause seems different for just about everybody and it's going to happen regardless. Don't  know if I would spend too much time researching the subject. Your best bet is to have your doc do a test for FSH the next time you have an appointment - that will tell you where you're at!

I've just started The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau.....

Great choice, Rob. I still have The Chalice to read yet....

I just finished reading Nancy Bilyeau's The Chalice.  Still trying to figure how much I liked this, it is hovering around 3.5 stars.

At the UBS the other day, I picked up a beautiful HC copy of Code Name Verity. From Awesome books, I got The Darkening Glass by Doherty and The Second Woman by Kenneth Cameron (third in his Denton Series) and thru PBS, I got 3 Maisie Dobbs mysteries. The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau is on it's way to me too. Oh! and Little Century by Anna Keesey is coming from BCO! Whew! Didn't realize I got all of these until I started listing them.