Christian Historical Fiction discussion

Who has read this one? Another that I loved! It was my first from MaryLu, but I loved it and cannot wait to read her others.

The Falcon and The Sparrow [image error] M.L. Tyndall

A girl, who is now practically a woman, daughter of an English Naval Officer known for his loyalty to the crown and of a French woman returns to England during the time of the Napoleonic War. She enters as a spy to do a task for Napoleon's brother (I think it's his brother - actually a distant cousin to herself as well) to save her own brother.

She goes to England to work as a governess to a widowed man who respected her father, he is the one she is suppose to spy upon. But things getting sticky as God apparently has something else in mind.

I was a real page turner for me, and probably my favorite book that I have read in a really long time. I just loved it. I do not want to give anything away, so I will not tell you more unless you want me to, but it is fast read and a great one.

That sounds SO interesting! I REALLY want to read it! :-D

Do it.

*nods head* I will once the public library gets a copy of it. :-)

*grin* Make sure to request it from them.

You can always put in a request to any library, but it does not mean they will get it. For example. Think about how many new books are out there. My library (all Georgia libraries almost on the same PINES system) have the clearance to get five new books per season and that is all. So there is a waiting list. And it does not always happen. They usually stick with best sellers.

I think it's sad actually with all the books that exist out there for the reading, but it's not up to me. *sigh*

Have you ever tried WorldCat to find other libraries with certain books? Sometimes that involved a bit of a drive, but sometimes it is worth it. For instance, when my mom's library has something mine does not. My sister in law or mom will check it out for me, then we'll make a trip to get it and it works out well for me. *Grin*

It's an option on goodreads... when you are trying to "find" the book. IF you cannot find it, I'll give you the direct link.

On Goodreads example... Click on a Book like at the top of this conversation The Falcon and the Sparrow. Under the box with the book information there should be something that says: "Find at" and then lists three websites (you can change your preferences for what they are). The fourth option should be "compare prices". If WorldCat is not already an option, click compare prices. On this page, on the right there should be a list of websites. WorldCat is one of my selections. At the bottom of this list, there is a grey link that says: "change links..." This is what you can click to find WorldCat and make it an option for you. You can also put them in any order you would like. That way when you are looking at a book on goodreads, you can automatically find it on WorldCat with a click.

The other option of course is http://www.worldcat.org and then search.

Oh I also loved this book. I love hornblower and its set in a very similar time frame. I love the navel side and really loved the whole story.

Ausjenny wrote: "Oh I also loved this book. I love hornblower and its set in a very similar time frame. I love the navel side and really loved the whole story."

I totally agree ~ about both of these. We have the whole Hornblower series and The Falcon and the Sparrow is one of my favorite books I've read this year (I can't believe I only just discovered it).

Hi ladies! Thank you for your kind comments! Falcon was a bit of a stretch for me. I had just come off of writing my pirate series set in 1665 in the Caribbean and Bam.. I was transported to 1803 England! How in the world did I get here? Anyway, believe it or not, this book was a filler as I waited for my publisher to decide what they wanted me to write next. My editor said.. go write a Regency.. so voila!, The Falcon and the Sparrow was born. Odd thing is, it seems to be one of my readers' favorites. And apparently, one of my most senuous stories if you read the reviews on it! Odd, because I didn't intend for it to be risque at all!

Mary Lu didn't see it as risque at all. But I did love it and it was cos of the era. But I love the story. I didn't really realise it was a Regency as I didn't really know what that was. I guess I think of them as things like Pride and Prejudice which isn't really my cup of tea. I don't like the books concentrating on the upper class as much with there snobby ways etc.
I think reading this book I must have seen hornblower now long before (probably a rerun as I have seen it so often)

Yea.. anything set in England during that time period is considered a "Regency" although Falcon certainly didn't follow the traditional regency theme! You're absolutely right that it was more like Hornblower (some of my favorite stories) than Jane Austen's work. I'm glad you didn't find it too sensuous. :-)

I think the "sensuous" thing comes from the romantic tension you feel from the two main characters. It is palpable - but not inappropriate. I think it makes it more real. It's one that I see myself re-reading often. :o)

Thank you, Lee! That means a lot. Especially since after so many reviews speaking about the sensuality, I started to doubt whether I had gone over the line! My intent is never to offend, but always to bless.
:-)

M.L. wrote: "Thank you, Lee! That means a lot. Especially since after so many reviews speaking about the sensuality, I started to doubt whether I had gone over the line! My intent is never to offend, but always..."

It's not over the top! I personally will not read anything that is overly sensuous (or with sexual content) and I did not have that issue with *any* of your books. I am literally the most conservative-minded person I know in that regard and it was not at all offensive to me. There is a lot of chemistry between your characters and I love reading about that! There is a degree to which that can be included without crossing a line, in my opinion. Sexual attraction is not a wicked thing--it's how it's handled or acted upon that can be sinful. I love how your characters recognize that they are sexually attracted to their significant others but that they properly turn to Christ to help them remain pure in thought and body. That is a good example for all of us to follow! :-)

Thanks Jenny! I think you nailed it on the head. Sexual attraction is not sinful or evil. It's natural. Everybody feels it whether they admit it or not. But it's what you do with it that counts. I like to write about it because it is such a trap for so many people today. But if you do things God's way, there are great blessings. If not... the consequences can be painful.

@MaryLu I love this book. It is my favorite. :)

Really Margaret? It's my Mom's favorite too! funny thing cause most people Love my pirate series the best. I had fun with Falcon... it was an interesting time in London history.. Besides I'm a scaredy cat like Dominique!

It would be an interesting time to set a series with the Napoleon wars. I guess I am a hornblower and Scarlet Pimpernel fan and this era was interesting. (I think a spy ring like the Scarlet Pimpernel would be a great series)

Yes, I love the Scarlet Pimpernel! In fact, I'm reading "I will repay" now by the author who wrote the Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Emmuska Orczy. It's fabulous and the SP even makes an appearance!

Oh how cool. (im actually doing school work and not really here but I did need a quick break my wrist is really starting to hurt)
I want the tv to reply a couple of the series now. I really wish I hadn't thrown out so many of the video tapes that had these shows taped on!

:)

I love clean historical fiction. As a 'new-to-Goodreads-author' I hope to re-introduce readers to a relatively recent era of American history through my book, "Chloe May, Daughter of the Dust Bowl." The book is based on the true story of my mother, Chloe May, and her family as they struggled through a national economic collapse and the adverse weather conditions of the 1920's and '30's on the high plains of Oklahoma. Loneliness and poverty were balanced by family laughter and homemade fun as Chloe May grew up. Near starvation and the infamous Black Sunday were the catalyst that drove the family to find a way out of their distress. I hope readers will find a new appreciation for the indomitable people who endured so much in the early years of our country's growth.Chloe May: Daughter of the Dust Bowl