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Book Review: The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas & Giveaway (US Only)

April 27, 2012 by Darlene

I was drawn into The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas from the first chapter. Any time a story starts with a girl who has the ability to read the future in flowers I’m interested. Flowers have always told Rinette what was inside a person – what they were like and what may happen to them in the future. She had visions when she would breathe in the scent of the flowers and they would talk to her. The beginning of the novel finds Mary of Guise, the queen regent of Scotland dying and she requests Rinette’s presence. She leaves with Rinette a silver casket that contains papers for her daughter Mary, Queen of Scots and tells her that she must hide it until she can get it to her. First though she will be reunited with the love of her life only to offend one man who ultimately doesn’t forget her humiliation of him.

As you may expect the drama begins and Rinette is drawn into a world that she never really wanted. It turns out everyone wants this casket for what it contains and will do anything to get it including the queen as and, for her own reasons, Rinette is withholding it from her as well. For Rinette it completely alters her life and not always in a good way. She loses people she loves and gains people she hates. She learns that the very people she trusted with her life may have betrayed her. Along the way though there is one man who stands by her side but is he hiding a secret as well? I also enjoyed how the author wove into the story the life of Mary, Queen of Scots as a young queen and how she embroiled her in the drama that Rinette was involved in.

I liked Rinette as a character. I found her to be strong woman who took the downfalls of her life and worked with them. She was tough when she needed to be especially if it meant protecting those she loved. There was also a whole host of other characters woven into the story and it was surprising that it wasn’t hard to keep track of them at all. One of my favorite things was the descriptions of the flowers and the meanings that Rinette took from them. I think I would have enjoyed a lot more on this aspect in the book because I did like that sideline that pegged Rinette as a witch even though she wasn’t. Of course anyone back in that time who was different in any way had to be playing with magic.

The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas is a different take on your standard historical fiction novel in that the main characters are actually all fictional with our authentic characters more on the sidelines really. It was an interesting way to portray the story and it really caught my attention. In some ways I would almost say this was a historical mystery but better. I really enjoyed this portrayal of a time when Mary of Scotland was Queen – it was full of intrigue, backstabbing, murder, court politics, and love- all that really good stuff that make the book so good!

I read The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas for her book tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Please stop by the other tour stops to see what others thought of the book. You can find Elizabeth Loupas on her website as well as on Facebook and Twitter. You can pick up your own copy of The Flower Reader here in the US and here in Canada.

 

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US ONLY)

I have one copy of The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas up for grabs.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 19/12.  Good luck everyone!

Source:  Review copy provided by the NAL Trade via NetGalley.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, 2012 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:10 am

    I’m intrigued. I don’t know what to think though. The flower visions seems to be quite different but I can’t imagine it in the middle of this historic setting. I guess I’ll have to read it to figure it out.

  2. Linda B says

    April 27, 2012 at 6:53 am

    I loved Ms.Loupas’ book The Second Duchess and have been intrigued by this novel ever since I first read about it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    extra entry – Google follower
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:00 am

    Oh my gosh this book sounds soooo good!!!
    And this giveaway in on my birthday! May 19th! So its a sign, right? LOL

    Please enter me!
    I am a follower
    its posted on my sidebar

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  4. Anne says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:02 am

    I would enjoy this fascinating novel. many thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  5. Ellie says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:03 am

    An introduction to a new author and great book which sounds memorable. I subscribe via e-mail.

  6. Serena says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Sounds like you’ve found another historical fiction winner!

  7. Lisa Garrett says

    April 27, 2012 at 8:30 am

    This plot is very intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway.

  8. Lisa Garrett says

    April 27, 2012 at 8:31 am

    I follow via GFC and email.

  9. Lisa Garrett says

    April 27, 2012 at 8:31 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/intent/tweet/complete?latest_status_id=195882662555168768&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fbook-review-the-flower-reader-by-elizabeth-loupas-giveaway-us-only.html&shortened_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fbook-review-the-flower-reader-by-elizabeth-loupas-giveaway-us-only.html&source=tweetbutton&text=Book+Review%3A++The+Flower+Reader+by+Elizabeth+Loupas+%26+Giveaway+%28US+Only%29&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeekingbetweenthepages.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fbook-review-the-flower-reader-by-elizabeth-loupas-giveaway-us-only.html

  10. Georgette says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:12 am

    I follow by GFC- Georgette C
    Also Twitter @LadyGDuran
    and email georgette.coan@yahoo.com

    I’d like to win, it looks like a great book! 🙂

  11. anne says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Sure,
    I’d love to win this book.
    Looks like a good one !

  12. Colleen Turner says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:47 am

    I have been waiting for this book to come out! I loved the author’s last book and am so excited to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  13. Colleen Turner says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:48 am

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner) and email subscriber.

  14. rhonda says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Great giveaway I am follower and twitter follower. At rhondareads.will tweet.

  15. LilMissMolly says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:04 am

    Sounds like a really good story. I love historical fiction. Congrats on the release Elizabeth!
    GFC follower

  16. Carol Wong says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    I love historical fiction that has a strong woman as the main character. Wow! I really want to read this one.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. Lisa Hall-Wilson says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Bummer. This sounded like a fun read. As I’m in Canada I’ll have to find my own copy. Great review though.

  18. Carol Wong says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    I am a long time follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  19. Carol Wong says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    I tweeted:
    http://t.co/L5b3ZwDM

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  20. Rachel W. says

    April 27, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  21. nan says

    April 27, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Review sounds promising. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m a follower.

    nanze55 at hotmail dot com

  22. Lilian says

    April 27, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    I am all for a strong female protagonist! Recently I wanted to get into more historical fiction and this seems like the perfect book to do so!
    Please enter me~

    lilianxchengATgmail.com

  23. Lilian says

    April 27, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    I’m already a follower with GFC, Lilian Cheng.

  24. Lilian says

    April 27, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/lilboxism/status/196013469928140800

  25. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    Sounds like an awesome book to read. Thanks for having this giveaway.
    :)Jeanne B. T.

  26. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    I am a GFC follower @Jeanne.
    :)Jeanne B. T.

  27. Jeanne B. T. says

    April 27, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    Tweeted about giveaway @momma8385 – https://twitter.com/#!/momma8385/status/196112787079045120

  28. blodeuedd says

    April 28, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Sounds good 🙂 I read a Loupas book last year and enjoyed it

  29. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    April 28, 2012 at 9:27 am

    Thank you for the contest! this cover really stands out from the crowd.

  30. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    April 28, 2012 at 9:27 am

    i’m a gfc follower!

  31. Diane B. says

    April 28, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I love historial fiction, it always makes me wonder what it would be like to live in that era. Thanks for a chance to win this. I’m a follower.
    https://twitter.com/#!/Dyniy/status/196334680675581952

  32. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    April 28, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    I like the whole idea of the flower thing too and with the authentic characters on the peripheral of the story!

  33. Rebecca says

    April 28, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    I love to read Historical fiction. Sounds like a great book to read….
    Thanks for the chance to win it.

  34. Angela/griperang says

    April 29, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    Thank you for the chance to win this book. It looks like a good one.

    I am a follower as well as I shared on google+, twitter and my blog.

    Angela

    griperang at embarqmail dot com

    http://griperangsbookmarks.blogspot.com

  35. bn100 says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Nice review. Sounds like a good book.

  36. bn100 says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    I follow the blog.

  37. Jenners says

    April 29, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    You’re reading a lot of flower books lately!!

  38. zibilee says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:38 am

    This was such a great read, and you are right, it’s very different than most of the historicals out there right now. So glad that you loved it. It had elements of so many genres, and really kept me captivated. Nice review today, Dar!

  39. Elizabeth Loupas says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Darlene, thank you so much for this wonderful review and for hosting the giveaway. (Obviously I’m not entering, LOL. Just commenting.) I’m so glad you liked Rinette and her flowers. Good luck also, to all these fabulous commenters. 🙂

  40. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I love the title!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  41. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I follow via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  42. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:39 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/197092771159474178
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  43. karenk says

    May 1, 2012 at 9:21 am

    thanks for the chance to read this fabulous story 🙂

  44. karenk says

    May 1, 2012 at 9:21 am

    i’m a follower, too 🙂

  45. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:16 am

    Reading the future in flowers sounds good to me.

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  46. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:17 am

    gfc follower

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  47. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:18 am

    https://twitter.com/#!/pj436/status/197359271585906688

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  48. Kim@Time2Read says

    May 1, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I’ve always been interested in the story behind Mary, Queen of Scots, and this book sounds excellent.

    I am a new follower.

  49. Samantha says

    May 1, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    This sounds really interesting! I hadn’t heard of it before now but I’m adding it to the TBR list. Great review!

  50. Maureen says

    May 7, 2012 at 9:19 am

    It looks like a good story.
    I follow on GFC
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenCE/status/199518707549081601

  51. theresa n says

    May 15, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I love this author’s books.

  52. theresa n says

    May 15, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I’m a gfc follower: theresan

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