Friday Finds is hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading and it asks us ‘what great books did you hear about/discover this past week?
I’ve picked three from a few of my favorite authors, listed in order of release dates…
The first is Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler. It will be released on June 25 by Dutton. I read her first book Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and just loved it so I’m really anxious for this sequel! Here’s a bit about it from Amazon.com..
Laurie Viera Rigler’s debut novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, was a hit with fans and critics, and a BookSense and Los Angeles Times bestseller. Its open-to-interpretation ending left readers begging for more—and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict delivers. While Confessions took twenty-first-century free spirit Courtney Stone into the social confines of Jane Austen’s era, Rude Awakenings tells the parallel story of Jane Mansfield, a gentleman’s daughter from Regency England who inexplicably awakens in Courtney’s overly wired and morally confused L.A. life.
For Jane, the modern world is not wholly disagreeable. Her apartment may be smaller than a dressing closet, but it is fitted up with lights that burn without candles, machines that wash bodies and clothes, and a glossy rectangle in which tiny people perform scenes from her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Granted, if she wants to travel she may have to drive a formidable metal carriage, but she may do so without a chaperone. And oh, what places she goes! Public assemblies that pulsate with pounding music. Unbound hair and unrestricted clothing. The freedom to say what she wants when she wants—even to men without a proper introduction.
Jane relishes the privacy, independence, even the power to earn her own money. But how is she to fathom her employer’s incomprehensible dictates about “syncing a BlackBerry” and “rolling a call”? How can she navigate a world in which entire publications are devoted to brides but flirting and kissing and even the sexual act itself raise no matrimonial expectations? Even more bewildering are the memories that are not her own. And the friend named Wes, who is as attractive and confusing to Jane as the man who broke her heart back home. It’s enough to make her wonder if she would be better off in her own time, where at least the rules are clear—that is, if returning is even an option.
The second find is The Crowning Glory of Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells. It will be released on July 7 by Harper Collins. I just love Rebecca Wells and I’ve read all that she’s written. Here’s a bit about the book from Harper Collins…
Known for her beloved Ya-Ya books (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Little Altars Everywhere, and Ya-Yas in Bloom), Rebecca Wells has helped women name, claim, and celebrate their shared sisterhood for over a decade. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood held the top of the New York Times bestseller list for sixty-eight weeks, became a knockout feature film, sold more than 5 million copies, and inspired the creation of Ya-Ya clubs worldwide.
Now Wells debuts an entirely new cast of characters in this shining stand-alone novel about the pull of first love, the power of life, and the human heart’s vast capacity for healing.
The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is the sweet, sexy, funny journey of Calla Lily’s life set in Wells’s expanding fictional Louisiana landscape. In the small river town of La Luna, Calla bursts into being, a force of nature as luminous as the flower she is named for. Under the loving light of the Moon Lady, the feminine force that will guide and protect her throughout her life, Calla enjoys a blissful childhood—until it is cut short. Her mother, M’Dear, a woman of rapture and love, teaches Calla compassion, and passes on to her the art of healing through the humble womanly art of “fixing hair.” At her mother’s side, Calla further learns that this same touch of hands on the human body can quiet her own soul. It is also on the banks of the La Luna River that Calla encounters sweet, succulent first love, with a boy named Tuck.
But when Tuck leaves Calla with a broken heart, she transforms hurt into inspiration and heads for the wild and colorful city of New Orleans to study at L’Académie de Beauté de Crescent. In that extravagant big river city, she finds her destiny—and comes to understand fully the power of her “healing hands” to change lives and soothe pain, including her own. When Tuck reappears years later, he presents her with an offer that is colored by the memories of lost love. But who knows how Cally Lily, a “daughter of the Moon Lady,” will respond?
A tale of family and friendship, tragedy and triumph, loss and love, The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder features the warmth, humor, soul, and wonder that have made Wells one of today’s most cherished writers, and gives us an unforgettable new heroine to treasure.
The last but certainly not least is the much anticipated novel, Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran. It will be released on September 15, 2008 by Crown Publishing. I am such a fan of Michelle’s since I read Neferttiti and The Heretic Queen. I simply can’t wait for this one. Here’s a bit about it Michelle’s website…
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. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s vengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, but only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.
The fateful tale of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in Cleopatra’s Daughter. Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters:
Octavia: the emperor Octavian’s kind and compassionate sister, abandoned by Marc Antony for Cleopatra
Livia: Octavian’s bitter and jealous wife
Marcellus: Octavian’s handsome, flirtatious nephew and heir-apparent
Tiberius: Livia’s sardonic son and Marcellus’s great rival for power
Juba: Octavian’s ever-watchful aide, whose honored position at court has far-reaching effects on the lives of the young Egyptian royals
Selene’s narrative is animated by the concerns of a young girl in any time and place —the possibility of finding love, the pull of friendship and family, and the pursuit of her unique interests and talents. While coping with the loss of both her family and her ancestral kingdom, Selene must find a path around the dangers of a foreign land. Her accounts of life in Rome are filled with historical details that vividly capture both the glories and horrors of the time. She dines with the empire’s most illustrious poets and politicians, witnesses the creation of the Pantheon, and navigates the colorful, crowded marketplaces of the city where Roman-style justice is meted out with merciless authority.
Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of Imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of history, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart.
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So there you have it. My finds for Friday and must haves. How about you, what did you find this week? Leave me your link if you participate or share with me here.
Well, I'd better hurry up and read Confessions of a Jane Austen addict so I can get to the sequel!
I have to have Cleopatra's daughter- Moran's books are on my favourites list. Thanks for the heads-up!
Good finds! 🙂
Wonderful Finds!
That reminds me, I gotta post my review of The Heretic Queen!
Finder's delight
I've got Rude Awakenings on my be on the look out list too!
These all look great Dar…especially Cleopatra's Daughter. I haven't had a chance to read any of Moran's work yet, but I've heard only good things about her.
I didn't know there was a sequel to the Jane Austen book – cool!
And the Cleopatra book was on my list a few weeks ago – it looks great!
All of these sound wonderful. I am putting them on my list to be on the lookout for when they are released.
What fabulous finds. I definitely like the look of the Rebecca Wells book. The cover makes me want to laugh.
Great finds, especially Rude Awakenings. I haven't read Confessions but it is on my TBR list.
I definitely need to read Cleopatra's Daughter. But I am such an ardent fan of Octavian that I don't know what I'd do if he were made a villain in any sense! 😛
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
I too am looking forward to the newest from Michelle Moran.
I recently read an ARC of Rude Awakenings–enjoyable, but not great. I'll have a review up on my blog on the release date.
Three more books for my LIST. Oh my, it is getting huge!
Great finds! I haven't read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict but I have a friend who loved it, so she'll be happy to hear there's a sequel!
I've been wondering about whether or not to pick up that Jane Austen series or not. The other two I've noticed around too. Rebecca Wells seems to have a big fan base – maybe I should check her out. Good finds! Here's my list
i did not know Rebecca Wells has a new book. Love all the Ya YAs 🙂
OMG.. Rebecca Wells.. I gotta have it.. I didn't know that one was coming. I haven't ever read Michelle Moran either.. can't wait to try her stuff… I think I tried to win those books forever.. 🙂 SUPER finds Dar.
Thanks a whole lot Dar for adding 3 more books, wait 4 more books to my must read list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great finds! I have to take a look at Confessions of a Jane Austen addict(can't begin on the sequel :)) and I would like to read Cleopatra's daughter.
Here's my Friday Finds
I didn't know there was a new Michelle Moran book coming out! I still haven't started the series, but I plan to.
I can't wait to read RUDE AWAKENINGS! Isn't the cover just perfect, with the iPod. Imagine someone from Regency England waking up to that!
Cleopatra's Daughter looks so good. And, like JoAnn, I need to read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict so I can read the sequel!
Thanks to all who popped by for my Friday Finds. I love finding new books coming up by some of my favorite authors.
guatami-I'll be watching for your review of Heretic Queen. That was such a good book.
Stay tuned for a review on Rude Awakenings towards the end of June and maybe a nice surprise in July.
Booklogged&Staci, I know what you mean. My wishlist is huge already and it just keeps growing.
Those who mentioned Rebecca Wells. She hasn't had anything out for ages. I'm glad to see she has another coming out again.
Nymeth, you should read Moran's books. She's such a great writer and any fan of historical fiction definitely should read hers.
Dawn, that is hilarious. They wouldn't have a clue about a whole lot in our world. I can't wait to start it.
I've read all of Rebecca Wells' books too. My mom and I love them! I'll have to check that out. Oh I loved Nefertiti by Moran and I have the sequel but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. If she can bring to life Cleo as good as she did Nefertiti that's going to be a sure winner.
I am totally hanging out to read the new Moran! Can NOT wait!
I am really looking forward to Cleopatra's Daughter, and can't wait to read your review!