Giveaway: Black Venus by James MacManus

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there. Today I have a wonderful giveaway for our US/CAN followers thanks to Media Muscle and Book Trib. Check out this historical fiction and be sure to enter to win a copy! 

Black Venus
by James MacManus
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction 
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 A vivid novel of Charles Baudelaire and his lover Jeanne Duval, the Haitian cabaret singer who inspired his most famous and controversial poems, set in nineteenth-century Paris. For readers who have been drawn to The Paris Wife, Black Venus captures the artistic scene in the great French city decades earlier, when the likes of Dumas and Balzac argued literature in the cafes of the Left Bank. Among the bohemians, the young Charles Baudelaire stood out—dressed impeccably thanks to an inheritance that was quickly vanishing. Still at work on the poems that he hoped would make his name, he spent his nights enjoying the alcohol, opium, and women who filled the seedy streets of the city. One woman would catch his eye—a beautiful Haitian cabaret singer named Jeanne Duval. Their lives would remain forever intertwined thereafter, and their romance would inspire his most infamous poems—leading to the banning of his masterwork, Les Fleurs du Mal, and a scandalous public trial for obscenity.  James MacManus's Black Venus re-creates the classic Parisian literary world in vivid detail, complete with not just an affecting portrait of the famous poet but also his often misunderstood, much-maligned muse.

Since this book is a fiction novel based upon the french poet Charles Baudelaire we thought it might be fun to share a poems from his masterwork which was banned in Black Venus; Les Fleurs du mal 

Les Fleurs du mal

Les Fleurs du mal translates to The Flowers of Evil and was written by the french poet Charles Baudelaire and first published in 1857. Here is a poem contained within its pages:

L'Invitation au voyage Mon enfant, ma soeur, Songe à la douceur D'aller là-bas vivre ensemble! Aimer à loisir, Aimer et mourir Au pays qui te ressemble! Les soleils mouillés De ces ciels brouillés Pour mon esprit ont les charmes Si mystérieux De tes traîtres yeux, Brillant à travers leurs larmes. Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, Luxe, calme, et volupté. Des meubles luisantes, Polis par les ans, Décoreraient notre chambre: Les plus rare fleurs Mêlant leurs odeurs Aux vagues senteurs de l'ambre, Les riches plafonds, Les miroirs profonds, La splendeur orientale, Tout y parlerait A l'âme en secret Sa douce langue natale. Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, Luxe, calme et volupté. Vois sur ces canaux Dormir ces vaisseaux Dont l'humeur est vagabonde; C'est pour assouvir Ton moindre désir Qu'ils viennent du bout du monde. —Les soleils couchants Revêtent les champs, Les canaux, la ville entière, D'hyacinthe et d'or; Le monde s'endort Dans une chaude lumière. Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, Luxe, calme, et volupté.

Invitation to the Voyage Imagine, ma petite, Dear sister mine, how sweet Were we to go and take our pleasure Leisurely, you and I— To lie, to love, to die Off in that land made to your measure! A land whose suns' moist rays, Through the skies' misty haze, Hold quite the same dark charms for me As do your scheming eyes When they, in their like wise, Shine through your tears, perfidiously. There all is order, naught amiss: Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss. Treasure galore—ornate, Time-glossed—would decorate Our chamber, where the rarest blooms Would blend their lavish scent, Heady and opulent, With wisps of amber-like perfumes; Where all the Orient's Splendid, rich ornaments— Deep mirrors, ceilings fine—would each, In confidential tone, Speak to the soul alone In its own sweet and secret speech. There all is order, naught amiss: Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss. See how the ships, asleep— They who would ply the deep!— Line the canals: to satisfy Your merest whim they come From far-flung heathendom And skim the seven seas. —On high, The sunset's rays enfold In hyacinth and gold, Field and canal; and, with the night, As shadows gently fall, Behold! Life sleeps, and all Lies bathed in warmth and evening light. There all is order, naught amiss: Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss.

Selected Poem from Les Fleurs du mal A Bilingual Edition Charles Baudelaire

Translated by Norman R. Shapiro with engravings by David Schorr

Published by the University of Chicago Press  Copyright notice 

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Have I piqued your interest? 

The Unfailing Light by Robin Bridges {review-giveaway}

The Unfailing Light
by Robin Bridges
Series: The Katerina Trilogy #2
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: October 9, 2012
Genre: YA Historical/ Paranormal
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository 

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

As one of my most highly anticipated books of 2012, I was delighted to step back in time to 1889 and visit the Russian Imperial Court in St. Petersburg. As the second installment in the Katerina trilogy, The Unfailing Light takes us back into the life of seventeen year old Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg. Once again I was swept up by the courts of dark and light. The tale captivated me and I only came up for air when I reached the end.

Katerina is enjoying holiday and looking forward to attending medical school in the fall. While exploring a cave, Katerina finds herself in the grey; the place between life and death. She comes face to face with Russia’s arch nemesis and he is still very much alive. With her life in possible danger she receives Imperial orders to returning to finishing school. Katerina is devastated and only George’s pleading has her agreeing. The empress casts a spell over the school to keep her safe, but it cuts of her powers. Only the vampire prince, Danilo can communicate to her telepathically. While she worries about George, she soon finds plenty to deal with as the school is haunted by a violent ghost. The tale that unfolded was filled with suspense, secrets, danger and the sweetest forbidden romance.

Necromancer Katerina Alexandrovna is a delightful protagonist. I imagine that even without her powers she would be inquisitive, head-strong and always in the thick of things. She is noble, cares for others and can even find good in those who torment her. After the blood bond she finds the vampire prince in her head, and rather than let it freak her out, she uses it to find out information about the Order and George’s well-being in Paris. George Alexandrovich is a duke and the son of the Tsar. He has professed his love for Katerina and asked her to give him a year to convince his parents. Danilo is creepy and tries to weaves himself once again into Katerina life. He constantly refers to "when we get married" and his sisters once again cause problems at the school. Thankful there is no love triangle as Katerina’s heart belongs to George. The two share a few stolen moments. A new student and a ghost add to the adventures at the school and put everyone in grave danger.

The world-building in Unfailing Light was delightful and suspenseful.. Bridge brings us a world with Fae, vampires, wolves, witches, and fairies. She skillfully weaves them into the history of the Russian court creating a light and dark court. I can just imagine the school, the countryside and the caves. I enjoyed how she gave us details without bogging the tale down. The new characters and events at the school adding suspense to the tale. We see character growth with Katerina and plot advancement. The plot has clever twists and turns, causing me to never be sure where loyalty lies. When an author keeps me on edge like this I become completely enthralled in the tale. The ride kept me spellbound as the tale was well paced from the beginning. I cannot wait for the final installment for this series *sighs*

Fans of historical paranormal fiction should delight in Unfailing Light. Bridge brings Katerina’s Russia to life and I look forward to revisiting it when the final book arrives. The final book, The Morning Star will publish August 27, 2013. 

I want to thank Random House for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. *Purchases made through buy links on this site result in a small commission which funds our giveaways.

I gave this novel 4.5 coffee cups out of 5. 

My review of book one :The Gathering Storm

Random House has offered to provide one US resident

a copy of the Unfailing Light!

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Bride of the Night by Heather Graham

She's the vampire that could destroy a nation.

At least, that's what Pinkerton detective Finn Dunne thinks of Tara Fox. Capturing her aboard a ship sneaking its way northward, he's convinced she's been sent to take out President Lincoln. While she's certainly the most attractive assassin he's ever faced, that won't keep him from his duty.

Tara has always been caught between worlds. As a vampire born and raised in Key West, she has many friends among the humans. Many friends that are now fighting and dying in the raging Civil War.

When her strange dreams began, she thought of them as abstract visions. But she now knows that she must travel to Washington, D.C., and protect the president at all costs. Finn still won't trust her, despite what he's seen. And if Tara has to go through him—or bring reinforcements—to save Lincoln, she will do whatever it takes, even if it costs her her heart. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Bride of the Night is a paranormal romance at its heart. Heather Graham has woven historical events, people and places from the Civil War into this tale. Graham is so skilled at using just enough references to historical events that it gives an authenticity to the tale.   Protagonist Finn is determined to eliminate all threats to his beloved President, Abraham Lincoln.  Tara wants to protect the president as well, but Finn isn't sure if she is a threat.  When dark creatures attack, they battle to save soldiers and civilians. The battle scenes were explosive. Other key characters had depth and developed personalities.  The chemistry between Finn and Tara was wonderful, heated and felt genuine. I found myself rooting for them as a couple. If you have read any of Graham's works; you know she keeps the plot moving at a fast clip. She captures your attention from the first few pages and holds you there till the end .I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to paranormal romance, mystery and historical romance readers alike.  Bride of the Night will be available in paperback and eBook on November 22, 2011. Pre-order now. 

I want to thank netGalley and Harlequin publishing for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for this unbiased review. 

I gave this book 3 coffee cups out of 5. 

Buy here: B&N or here: Amazon
author's website: Heather Graham