If it were not for his love for me, none of this would have taken place.
Porcelain. Not what I thought would make for exciting reading, but in this fabulous book, it's a commodity that drives politics, espionage, and obsession.
The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau
Endeavor Quill, 2018
Review copy from publisher
I'm a longtime fan of Nancy Bilyeau's books: rich with drama and unforgettable characters, they are the kind of books that just sweep you up. Here, Bilyeau makes an industrial endeavor -- the 18th century passion for blue porcelain -- a captivating, dramatic story, centered on a winning heroine.
Genevieve Planché is a descendant of French Huguenot refugees. A talented artist, she hopes to be mentored by William Hogarth, but her grandfather wishes her to work as a artisan at the Derby porcelainworks. Her rebellious childhood sweetheart leads her, instead, into a mystifying, increasingly deadly world of industrial espionage -- and us readers into a fascinating world where the sci…
Wow, you had a fabulous week! They all look good, but A Daring Life catches my eye.
ReplyDeleteI know -- they all look amazing! I'm really excited for A Daring Life -- it's about 255 pages which is about my favorite length for a bio -- punchy and tight, hopefully!
DeleteAll look good but I'm especially looking forward to The Folded Earth and The virgin Cure - enjoy all Audra.
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm glad I have a schedule to follow otherwise I wouldn't know where to start!
DeleteYou always have such a wonderful mailbox, Audra. I'm looking forward to your reviews for a number of these, including The Divorce of Henry VIII, State of Wonder and The Unseen.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Melissa -- I feel like a cartoon millionaire when I get my books -- I just spread them on my bed to lay with them! ;) State of Wonder will be my first Patchett!
DeleteYou got a great selection of books. Some new and some familiar titles. I hope you enjoy them. Happy reading
ReplyDeleteI bought a copy of The Unseen this week - UK paperback edition. I do love the new cover though!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your books!
My Mailbox Post
You have some amazing books this week. Enjoy them all.
ReplyDeleteYou had a great week! The Divorce of Henry VIII sounds particularly good. Enjoy your books!
ReplyDeleteWhere I do I begin to comment on your mailbox! Wow! The Unseen is on my wishlist. I have The Uninvited,and The Folded Earth on my tbr list. The Virgin Cure is amazing! I loved it!
ReplyDeleteOooh! I studied Eudora Welty in college and have been fascinated by her ever since. She was the one to introduce the concept of "alone together" to me, and I've carried that everywhere since first reading her work. Will definitely have to look for A Daring Life!
ReplyDeleteWould love to read your review if you do get around to it -- I've only read a little Welty and I enjoy her but know next to nothing about her!
DeleteHoly cow! Another wonderful haul! I received a few of these books to review...but silly me spaced on State of Wonder, ugh! Oh well...I'll read it in the future!
ReplyDeleteA Daring Life (the title says so much!)is going to be great (I hope!) and The Virgin Cure sounds very interesting plus I love the manhattan setting. But The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton really grabbed my interest. I hope it's as good as it sounds.
Enjoy your wonderful new books, Audra. I hope things are looking up for you and your wife :o)
A terrific mailbox, enjoy! your week of reads.
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1. I'm so glad you're reading State of Wonder. I hope you love it as much as I did!
ReplyDelete2. It looks like our reading is matching up. I'll also be reading The Uninvited Guests, The Virgin Cure, The Age of Miracles, An Uncommon Education and The Folded Earth soon (or at least trying to!)
3. Happy reading!
The Darkling books makes me intersted..yup will go and google
ReplyDeleteIs The Unseen by the Legacy author? Goodness I need to catch up. I too like the looks of the Darkling one! Intrigued! I am LOVING all these gorgeous covers lately!
ReplyDeleteI have the H8 one also, interested to see the divorce debacle from the Vatican POV.
Here's my mailbox.
There are some really awesome books there! I keep getting jealous of the people who got The Age of Miracles. :) I hope you enjoy them all!
ReplyDeleteMy Mailbox Monday
Oh my, I am enviously eyeing that Hanry VIII book! I can't wait till you review it and tell me if it's for me or not. A lot of the other ones you got look great too!
ReplyDeleteThere is something fantastic about The Uninvited Guests cover. Just love it. Thanks for the list...looks like some winners...and some of these covers are just visually stunning.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of the Sadie Jones book!
ReplyDeleteGreat books this week! I enjoyed The Folded Earth and The Age of Miracles. State of Wonder was also a good read, though not really my type of book. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAge of Miracles has such an interesting premise. State of Wonder is excellent - hope you will like it too. I liked the original cover but like the colors in this one ever better!
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