Spotlight on Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren...& Giveaway

As you may know, I kinda love time-travel stories mixed with historical and romance. And if you add in Italy, I'm a goner. So it really should come as no surprise that I absolutely fell in love with the River of Time series by Lisa Tawn Bergren. And here's a little glimpse why....

WATERFALL (River of Time #1)

By: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Paperback, 369 pages, Published 2011 by David C. Cook

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?
 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

Conversing with the author, Lisa Bergren, in the past about our obvious mutual love of Italy and time travel led to a hunch I would enjoy this novel, but I had no idea how much. I absolutely loved every moment of this book!!

It was fun to see similar instincts and choices between our modern-day heroines transported to the past, but what were more thrilling was all the differences. WATERFALL takes places in the 1300s, two hundred years before my own time travel adventure, so while I've become well versed in Renaissance history, it was such a joy to lose myself in Medieval times, in an era where chivalry reigned, men were knights, and love was epic. Twists and turns abounded--just when I thought the story was over, Lisa would shock me with something fresh and different and pure fun. I mean, don't get me wrong...this book is filled with serious battles, fierce emotions, and crazy politics, but within the gifted hands of Ms. Bergren, I was able to relax and just enjoy the ride.

Gabi is truly a warrior of a protagonist, and Marcello was hotness personified. The loving relationship between sisters Gabi and Lia was both heart wrenching and uplifting, and Luca brought the funny. I am so glad this is a series, because I'm not ready to let any of these characters go... unfortunately that just means my plans for the weekend are shifting, as I'll be stuck in my Kindle for the foreseeable future :)

Sounds good, right?? So good, in fact, that I want to give away a *FREE EBOOK COPY* to share the love! To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below.

For *Five* additional entries (one additional entry for each of the following, give me a heads up in the comments), you can:

1. TWEET about it (leave me a link and/or include me at @RachelHarrisYA)
2. FOLLOW my blog
3. LIKE me on FB (click in sidebar)
4. Sign up for my NEWSLETTER (see sidebar)
5. Sign up for the EMAIL version of this blog so you always know what I'm chatting about.

So, I'm reading the rest of the series this weekend...how about you? What are YOU reading this weekend?

Spotlight on: The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards

I am over at YA Bound today, spotlighting the second installment in The Lacey Chronicles, THE QUEEN'S LADY. I absolutely, freaking LOVE this book...so much so that I am sharing the spotlight review here as well. Be sure to click the link below and head over to YA Bound to see the book trailer and read the fun miniview with author Eve Edwards :)

THE QUEEN'S LADY

Hardcover 336 pages Expected Publication: April 10th, 2012, Delacorte Books for Young Readers

1584 – Surrey, England

When Lady Jane Rievaulx begins service to the Queen at Richmond Palace, she is thrilled at the court’s newest arrival . . . Master James Lacey.

Despite her previous courtship with his older brother, James is the man she truly loves. And for his part, he cannot deny his fascination with her. However, James is setting sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins. But when Lady Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own family, there is only one man to save her.

Will Master James return to his lady ­- before it’s too late?

   

Oh my word, did I love this book. Everything about this story was beautiful: the writing, the characters, the language, the setting. THE QUEEN’S LADY hits all the sweet spots, managing to be Historical, yet uniquely contemporary in approach and relatability; Intimate in point of view, yet third person with a variety of narrators; Suspenseful, yet full of romance; Earnest and full of heart, yet laugh out loud and grin like an idiot funny. Eve Edwards had me from page one and didn’t let go until The End.

The novel centers on Lady Jane and Master James, but it’s filled with a ton of delightful characters. As a result, you never really get to a good stopping point. Just when one story line is perhaps reaching a bit of a reprieve, another starts popping. Ms. Edwards weaves these together in such a way that you won’t be able to put this book down. Lady Jane and Milly rivaled for my favorite heroine. Milly made me laugh, and Jane broke my heart (in the good way). I declare it a draw, which never happens. As for the men, James and Diego battled it out for hottie of my heart, but in the end, James stole it. He was sweetly broken, completely dashing, and wonderfully irreverent. He was strong and vulnerable, a very hard mix to get right. Yeah, let’s just say this boy did it for me. J

If you are a newcomer to The Lacey Chronicles, I think it’s important to know that while I’ve given Ms. Edward’s first book, The Other Countess, longing looks from its place of honor on my nightstand for months, this was my first foray. Unfortunately, life happened, writing and review deadlines crept in, and so it remained on top of my pile, the gorgeous cover staring at me impatiently beside my bed. I finally got a little breathing time as review time for THE QUEEN’S LADY came nearer, but I chose to wait, curious to see how easy it would be to follow the storyline, knowing I could always pick up the first book if I got lost. Well, I have picked up The Other Countess—but only because I’m so in love with the story world Ms. Edwards created. If you have not had a chance to read The Other Countess, do not let it keep you from reading this gem…but, save yourself time and buy both now, because believe me, you’ll want them.

I recommend THE QUEEN’S LADY for anyone who loves adventure, romance, and intrigue. If you love historicals, even better. I have fallen head over heels in love, and cannot wait for THE ROGUE’S PRINCESS!

 

For a glimpse into The Queen's Lady and a fun Miniview with author Eve Edwards, head over to my post at YA BOUND

About Eve:

Eve Edwards has a doctorate from Oxford University and thinks researching a large part of the fun for  writing historical fiction. She has visited Tudor houses, attended jousts and eaten Elizabethan banquets to get the sights, sounds and tastes right for this book. And, yes, she can testify that it is possible to eat neatly without the modern invention of the fork. She lives in Oxford and is married with three children

Author Website  / Goodreads  /  Twitter