Historical Fiction Conference

It's been a busy weekend for me. I flew out on Friday and after a long, very long, flight made it to San Diego for the Historical Fiction Conference. There was a strong YA presence there! I was on a panel with some great authors talking about Adult Vs. Young Adult books and what the difference is. I also meet some great YA authors which includes ( Susanne Dunlap, Susan Coventry, C.C. Humphreys, Pamela Bauer Mueller, Dori Jones Yang, Irene Latham, Janet Fox and Jame Richards).

They were enthusiastic and you could tell they loved their readers. If you haven't checked out one of their books I strongly suggest you do. It was obvious from my conversations with them that they love teens and love their audience.

With summer approaching I hope that I will be able to get back into the grove of things.

Historical Fiction Friday

This book caught my attention because it's one of those rare books that's not about the Tudors. GASP! Who would have thought? There can be historical fiction books without the Tudors. Yes, I am being snarky. To be fair, I have to say that YA historical fiction seems to be well rounded unlike adult historical fiction that focuses heavily on the Tudors.

I don't know much about Joan's story but this book sounds interesting. And the cover is cool looking too. It hit shelves on June 8th and I need to get a copy.

Summary:

Joan’s mother is Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most beautiful woman in the world. Her father is Henry II, the king of England and a renowned military leader. She loves them both—so what is she to do when she’s forced to choose between them? As her parents’ arguments grow ever more vicious, Joan begins to feel like a political pawn.

When her parents marry her off to the king of Sicily, Joan finds herself stuck with a man ten years her senior. She doesn’t love her husband, and she can’t quite forget her childhood crush, the handsome Lord Raymond.

As Joan grows up, she begins to understand that her parents’ worldview is warped by their political ambitions, and hers, in turn, has been warped by theirs. Is it too late to figure out whom to trust? And, more importantly, whom to love?