The Raven's Heart by Jesse Blackadder

I just received an email about a new book by an Australian author, Jesse Blackadder. The book is called ‘The Raven’s Heart: The story of a Quest, a Castle and Mary Queen of Scots’ and will be available in Australia in February 2011.

The Harper Collins description reads:

On a winter’s day in 1561, Alison Blackadder watches as a queen is rowed ashore in Edinburgh to claim her throne. Alison has been disguised as ‘Robert’ most of her life to protect her from the murderous clan who stole Blackadder Castle from her family. Now she must gain the favour of Mary Queen of Scots to have the castle restored to her father who is in perilous danger.

Queen Mary can trust nobody, not even her new husband Lord Darnley, and so Alison, with her ability to dress convincingly as a man when the situation requires, becomes the Queen’s valued spy.

Alison loves her queen almost enough to be distracted from her quest but then Mary betrays her unforgivably, and Alison’s renewed drive to reclaim the Blackadder birthright is relentless, setting off a chain of events that threatens to bring down the Scottish monarchy. Just as Mary can trust nobody, Alison discovers lies, danger and treachery at every turn. Then unexpectedly, she finds love …

Sounds like a very interesting read. I will have to add this to my long list of ‘to-read’ in 2011.

Here is a video of the author speaking about her book.

Fast Tube by Casper

To learn more about the author visit Jesse’s official site here.

Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia

I have just posted my exclusive interview with Carlyn Beccia, author of The Raucous Royals the winner of the International Reading Association’s 2009 Children’s and Young Adult Book Award for Intermediate-Nonfiction.

Carlyn describes The Raucous Royals as “history lesson meets tabloid magazine.” Beccia explains, “we think that Hollywood stars are the only ones that are abused by untrue rumors and gossip. History’s most famous royals faced the same challenges. They didn’t get maligned by tabloid magazines but pamphlets, caricatures, silly rhymes and simple word of mouth caused just as much damage to their image.”

The Raucous Royals invites readers to become a history detective and come to their own conclusions about 13 pretty raucous royals. Each of these rulers is remembered for rumors and gossip that have survived thousands of years. Some of these rumors are true and some of them are false. And with some of them we will never know.

Included in the 13 raucous royals are Richard III, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Anne of Cleves, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

Wouldn’t this make a fabulous Christmas gift for the kids!

I Feel Better with a Frog in my Throat

And speaking of fabulous, Carlyn recently sent me her newly published I Feel Better with a Frog in my Throat to enjoy with my six year old daughter who loves anything gruesome or out of the ordinary (Thank you Carlyn!).

In this book, Beccia takes us on a medical journey through history looking at some pretty strange cures. We discover that in the past people tried some pretty crazy things like drinking a glass full of millipedes or hanging a necklace of worms around their neck!

The book is funny, colourful, interesting and full of Beccia’s trademark witty illustrations that appeal to both children and adults alike. My daughter absolutely loved the book and apart from having a good laugh she also learnt a lot.

Another fabulous idea for a Christmas present!

To find out more about this wonderful author read our interview here.

Visit the Royal Collection Website UK and click on E-Gallery and then online exhibitions.
NG