[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars I had read something recently about Maria Fitzherbert so when I saw this come up on Net Galley I jumped at the chance of reading it. And I'm glad I did. If you love to discover more about our kings and queens and how they lived you'll love this. What I actually discovered was that things haven't changed much. The scandals, the slanders, the rumours, and the lies are all there in this brilliantly observed and well-researched manuscript. There were no dry paragraphs, but I was astonished to read the letters sent between them all, particularly the letters from Caroline of Brunswick when she was pleading her case to see her daughter who she only allowed to see occasionally. The letters from 'Priny' as George was know were a revelation in how grasping he was. George, the Prince of Wales was a truly unpleasant character, greedy, his corpulence attested to it, self-centred and needy, he expected the women in his life to jump to his every whim. Both women had ultimately.. Read more
NetGalley, Andrea Hicks

As featured in
Family Tree September Edition

The Lost History of the Lady Aeronauts by Sharon Wright is an absolutely fascinating look into the mostly forgotten world of the pioneering lady aeronauts during the very early days of aviation with hot-air ballooning. I've always enjoyed reading about women in aviation, especially in barnstorming and WWII but this was my first time reading about on these terms. It won't be the last though since there were so many intriguing figures to read about and the lives were really something else. I have a feeling you'll want to pick this up if you enjoyed The Aeronauts (2019) starring Felicity Jones and Eddy Redmayne.
NetGalley, Lauren Stoolfire

Whatever problems the present Royal family may face seem minor in indeed compared to the numerous scandals, rivalries and power struggles endured by the first Hanoverian kings three hundred years' ago. Starting the story in late 17th century Germany and following on through the grumpy George I's arrival on these shores in 1714 through to his son's reign in the middle years of the century, Catherine Curzon's tale of the lifes and loves of the two unlovable monarchs and their respective mistresses is undeniably gossipy but aĺso well researched and very readable.
NetGalley, Chris Hallam

Jane Austen's Cousin is about the illustrious Eliza whose life is described in detail in this fascinating book. Though she was always independent, extravagant and flirtatious, her life was not easy. We are regaled with stories from her birth to death, including her youth, marriages, children including her beloved disabled son, international travels and sorrowful deaths of those around her. She married Count de Feuillide who really wasn't a count. In a time of massive class and gender divisions and financial hardship, Eliza's life must have seemed splendid in comparison to most. It was to a certain extent. Very few had her privileges. Eliza's personality must have been arresting...no wonder nieces and nephews thought her exotic. However, her emotional losses would have been enough to crush most people. The author describes events going on at the time including war and executions, attempted carriage robberies and hail wiping out crops, Jane Austen's inspiration largely came from real people,.. Read more
NetGalley, Brenda Carleton