20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge

 

I'm going to join the 20 books of summer challenge again even though I wasn't good about keeping up with it in the past. I'm currently trying hard to go through my TBR pile (never ending) and choose books from there first. But there are also some new books I'd like to try to read. I like this challenge in that the host is very chill about it and you can change up your list if needed as things go along. It gives me incentive to keep plugging along even if I don't stick faithfully to my original list. If you want to join in just click here AnnaBookBel.net.   

Here is my list...happy reading y'all!

1. Highgate Rise by Anne Perry

2. The Royal Hammer by David Field

3. The Enemy and Miss Innes by Martha Keyes

4. Hammer of the Scots by Jean Plaidy

5. A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry

6. The Reckoning by Sharon Kay Penman

7. The Rose and the Yew Tree by Agatha Christie

8. By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie

9. The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

10. Murder in Manhattan by Verity Bright

11. The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick

12. The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters

13. Murder Under the Mistletoe by Erica Ruth Neubauer

14. Last Dance in Salzburg by Vivian Conroy

15. Death From High Places by Benedict Brown

16. Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen

17. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

18. Murder at Rough Point by Alyssa Maxwell

19. 'Til Morning Light by Ann Moore

20. Offstage in Nuala by Harriet Steel

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Royal Hammer by David Field (The Wars of the Roses Saga Book One)

 

For this week's Can't Wait Wednesday hosted by Tressa at the book blog, Wishful Endings, I'm featuring, The Royal Hammer, by David Field. He has become a favorite author of mine over the last few years, writing about time periods I love. There are so few good, accurate historical fiction books on the three Edwards (Kings I,II, and III) and he has taken them on in this new saga of the Wars of the Roses. This series picks up where he last left off with the defeat of Simon de Montfort. 

I know it seems strange to start here for the Wars because most of us think of the 1400's but I am so glad he is because the background gaps and reasons for the wars start way before Edward IV and Richard III come on the scene. All of his books stay true to history and have entertaining fictional as well as historical characters. I cannot wait for this one!

Historical Fiction

June 5, 2026

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

As royal power changes, so do the fortunes of those who serve it…

England, 1265

The attempt by Simon de Montfort to force Henry III to abide by the Magna Carta has been put down, and those who rode in his train are scattered to the wind. Some, like William of Kenilworth, feel the need to assume a new identity, and as ‘William Bywater’ he finds himself in the service of the warlike Prince Edward. William’s proven loyalty and courage result in him regaining his long-lost family estate of Flint, and he is engaged to form the ‘King’s Escort’, an elite group of men-at-arms who guard the king. 

But a cloud gathers on the horizon when a young and impressionable prince falls under the spell of Piers Gaveston, whose influence will prove to be toxic as the throne passes from father to son. And as always, the fortunes of those who serve the Crown are destined to balance on a knife-edge. Will William find himself on the ruling side of history? Can he maintain the favor of the king? Or will fortune fail him once again…

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Secondary or Minor Characters

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is favorite secondary or minor characters. I really like this topic as I think it's fun to focus on those characters that aren't the spotlight of the book but often become special as the story unfolds. Many times in movie and tv shows these characters if well liked, get their own spin off shows. And they make for great reads as spin offs as well. So here is my list of secondary characters and I'm sure I'll find it hard to narrow it down to ten!

Happy reading y'all!

1. Lord John Grey- Outlander Novels- he has always been a favorite of mine. I love the whole British officer thing, his secret hidden life, and his relationship with Jamie, Claire, and William. Also, I absolutely love the actor who plays him in the show and hope he gets his own soon!

2. Charlotte Pitt- Thomas Pitt Novels- I guess you could make both of these characters "secondary" at various times but since the books are titled "Pitt" I kind of lean toward the wife being the minor character. I love how she is portrayed as a typical, realistic Victorian housewife but always manages to assert herself and help Thomas with his cases. She is fun to watch as she moves throughout proper society looking for clues.

3. Clifford the butler- Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries- without Clifford I doubt I'd read these books. He is so much fun, reminding me of Carson from Downton Abbey. He knows and anticipates everything and has a dry humor and wit that are adorable. In many ways he isn't the true secondary character but rather a protective companion to Lady Eleanor. 

4. Mrs. Bennett- Pride and Prejudice- Who doesn't love this woman's addition to the story? I find her drama hilarious and especially the interaction between her and Mr. Bennett, who is often exasperated by her hysterics. 

5. Hastings- Poirot mysteries- I adore this character as he is so endearing but lacks the common sense that Poirot has. My favorite books are the ones with him in them though as he adds a light touch to the story and he clearly adores Poirot. 

6. Christopher- Lord Edgington Investigates- The grandson who is always along for the ride and though he is the narrator he always feels like the secondary character in a way to me. His grandfather, Lord Edgington is, after all, the one the stories are named after. Christopher is his apprentice in solving the mystery and I love their relationship. 

7. Melanie- Gone With the Wind- The long suffering wife of Ashley who loves Scarlet no matter how many times she betrays her. I used to find her boring and mousey but over the years she's grown on me for being the loyal friend and wife who wins Scarlet over in the end with her love.

8. Hester- William Monk Mysteries- Anne Perry is always going to be on my book lists. Here she is mentioned twice! I consider Hester to be the more minor character since, like the Pitt novels, these are titled "Monk." Hester is the headstrong wife who is always up for investigating for herself and is not afraid to speak her thoughts. I love Perry's ability to keep her grounded in Victorian reality but also give her a stubborn, independent streak.

9. Mr. Rochester- Jane Eyre- The brooding, secretive romantic interest may not be lovable at first but he grows on you and the story is nothing without him. 

10. Redvers- Jane Wunderley Mysteries- First off, his last name is cool. I just like the sound of it. I also like how he loves Jane but doesn't cater to her either. Some of the other mysteries like this have male characters that come off as weak and following the little lady around. Not Redvers. He's a great mix of kind and loving but independent. I just like him. 

Stacking the Shelves #89

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

The Labors of Hercules by Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot Book 26)

Library Borrow

I have read many of the choices for Read Christie 2026 so I was excited for May as this book is new to me. It is a collection of 12 short stories starring my favorite Christie character, Hercule Poirot. I do not profess to know anything about Hercules, but Poirot, nearing retirement, decides to take on 12 cases that relate to the "labors of Hercules" from Greek literature where the God has been assigned 12 nearly impossible tasks. So far it has been fun and it's nice to have quick short stories to pick up and read between longer books.

The Rival Queens by Nancy Goldstone 

Library Borrow

This author takes on more obscure subjects in history and I like that. She has written several books I want to read and this one looks very interesting. It's about Catherine de Medici and her daughter, Marguerite de Valois, who have a troubled relationship that involves the future of France and apparently a lot of scheming and betrayal. I know nothing about this story so I'm sure I'll learn a lot of juicy new things!

A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry (Christmas Book 10)

Libby borrow

I read this book years ago and having finished all of Anne Perry's Christmas books, decided this was definitely my favorite and warranted a re-read. It is set in India and centers around the 1857 Siege of Cawnpore, an infamous clash between cultures, and I found the history weaved into the story fascinating. I've never found another book like it. A minor character from her main novels, Victor Narraway, is featured so we get to learn a bit more about him. I know it's May but I don't care! I'm reading it anyway.

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy by Matthew Lewis

 

Publication Date:

January 19, 2020

Genre: 

History, Medieval History

Length:  

256 pages

Series:

No

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

The Anarchy was the first civil war in post Conquest England, enduring throughout the reign of King Stephen between 1135 and 1154. It ultimately brought about the end of the Norman dynasty and the birth of the mighty Plantagenet kings. When Henry I died having lost his only legitimate son in a shipwreck, he required all of his barons to swear to recognize his daughter Matilda, widow of the Holy Roman Emperor, as his heir and remarried her to Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. When she was slow to move to England on her father's death, Henry's favorite nephew, Stephen of Blois, rushed to have himself crowned, much as Henry himself had done on the death of his brother William Rufus.

Supported by his brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester, Stephen made a promising start, but Matilda would not give up her birthright and tried to hold the English barons to their oaths. The result was more than a decade of civil war that saw England split apart. Empress Matilda is often remembered as aloof and high-handed, Stephen as ineffective and indecisive. By following both sides of the dispute and seeking to understand their actions and motivations, Matthew Lewis aims to reach a more rounded understanding of this crucial period of English history and asks to what extent there really was anarchy.

My Thoughts

Matthew Lewis is a great historian and podcaster who makes history accessible to people who know little about a subject. He also is a great researcher who adds things into his books and shows that those who already know a lot about the subject will still be entertained and informed. This is the best kind of history writing. This book did not disappoint. I love his podcast, Gone Medieval and his books are great to read further about topics he features on the show.  In this book, Lewis explains the origins and progress of the Anarchy period and switches back and forth between the two points of view of each of the leaders involved, King Stephen and Empress Matilda.

Drawing from original sources and adding his own thoughts to the narrative, the author tries to explain, from the beginning, the motivations and players behind the struggle of who would rule England in the mid 1100's. Specifically, after the death of Henry I in 1135. Each chapter focuses on the political power plays, battles, and personal relationships that shaped Stephen and Matilda's reasons for believing they were the rightful owner of the crown. It reads more straight history than historical fiction so if you are looking for entertainment or a lot of personal touches this might not be what you are used to. But for anyone who likes this subject, it is a great read because it makes you consider who you'd support and then question that choice again and again, depending on whose ideas are being presented.

It sticks to the basics, the men who pledged their loyalty to Matilda only to reverse course. Matilda's loyal brother Robert of Gloucester, who started off as Stephen's man but ended up fiercely loyal to his sister's cause. Lewis seems to play a bit more to the Stephen side but I think he is fair in presenting the strengths and weaknesses in both. 

While I didn't learn a lot of new things, mostly because I've read so much on this subject the last few years, I really did enjoy the switching chapter viewpoints. I also liked that the book isn't super long, the chapters aren't either, so someone who wants to get the basic facts down can do so while also getting a good picture of how "right" each one thought they were. It is a good starting place and in depth enough for history buffs too.