Red Headed Book Lady: ENTERTAINING MR. PEPYS BY DEBORAH SWIFT

Entertaining Mr. Pepys by Deborah Swift

Publication Date: September 12, 2019

Hachette Book Group

eBook. Paperback, Audiobook; 400 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

London 1666 Elizabeth 'Bird' Carpenter has a wonderful singing voice, and music is her chief passion. When her father persuades her to marry horse-dealer Christopher Knepp, she suspects she is marrying beneath her station, but nothing prepares her for the reality of life with Knepp. Her father has betrayed her trust, for Knepp cares only for his horses; he is a tyrant and a bully, and will allow Bird no life of her own. When Knepp goes away, she grasps her chance and, encouraged by her maidservant Livvy, makes a secret visit to the theatre. Entranced by the music, the glitter and glamour of the surroundings, and the free and outspoken manner of the women on the stage, she falls in love with the theatre and is determined to forge a path of her own as an actress. But life in the theatre was never going to be straightforward - for a jealous rival wants to spoil her plans, and worse, Knepp forbids it, and Bird must use all her wit and intelligence to change his mind. Based on events depicted in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys, Entertaining Mr Pepys brings London in the 17th Century to life. It includes the vibrant characters of the day such as the diarist himself and actress Nell Gwynne, and features a dazzling and gripping finale during the Great Fire Of London. The third in Deborah Swift's atmospheric trilogy, bringing to life the women in Pepys' Diary. Each novel features a different character and can be read as a stand-alone book.

'A remarkably beguiling read. It transported me to the glitter and filth of seventeenth century London' - Martine Bailey, author of The Almanack

'The fusion of historical facts and fiction is so flawless that it is hard to know where reality ends and fiction begins' - Readers Favourite Review

Amazon | Book Depository

Praise for the Pepys Trilogy

'Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events and real people with eloquent storytelling, atmospheric scene setting and imaginative plot lines' - The Visitor 'A novel that transports readers with astonishing and engrossing detail' - Readers Favorite 5* 'Pepys and his world spring to vibrant life… Gripping, revealing and stunningly imagined' -Lancashire Evening Post

MY REVIEW

I must say, I've never read a book quite like this one before! When I seen it, I knew I had to give it a try!! I wasn't disappointed! Very entertaining and it will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next! This is one of those books that will leave you thinking about it long after it finished.

This is a new to me author and her style of writing is certainly unique. She's certainly the storyteller!

Delightful plot with wonderful characters I love how Deborah brings them to life for us. I have to admit I did learn at lot like the London fire. I never knew that happened. Almost sort of reminds me of the Great Chicago Fire that Lady O'Leary's cow knocked over the lantern in the barn that night. Hard to believe such a small thing can cause a huge disaster isn't it? I have had theater experience before but I was in the orchestra part of it. We were doing the background part of it. But, it was still a joy because I still got to hear the people on the stage act out their parts. Although I'm pretty sure that today's theater is a lot different in the 1660's.I never knew that there was a Great Fire of London. You know, this author writes this scene so well that I could actually hear the roar of the fire as it rages through London and see the people trying to escape with their lives. Reminds me of the Great Chicago fire when Lady O' Learys cow knocked over the lantern.But I did know of the Plaugue.People are funny creatures. It's amazing to me that fear can control our emotions that we otherwise wouldn't do. Especially towards someone that is different or has different beliefs.Fear is the work of Satan. He loves to control what we say and do even if it hurts the other person. Yes, I'm guilty of it as well.It also amazes me how blind we truly are to God's blessing. How quickly they can disappear in a poof. Just like that. I hate it that it took something disastrous to open people's eyes to make them see in what was before them.This works even in today's world. Take 9/11 for example. It's a shame that it take something like this to make us all come together for a while and then we go right back to our old selves.Wake up people and what is before you!! Take each day as it comes and praise God for each new day and last of all dont be greedy!! Count the many blessing He has given you!! For there will come a time when there will be no more!! Jesus is coming. Are you ready? I know I am!!How cool it would be to see Mr. Pepys collection of original books and diarys!!! He surely must've been a fascinating person!!I must say I've learned quite a few things while reading this book.I especially loved the author's note at the end of the story!! I learned a lot out of that as well.The book was quite entertaining so in thought it was properly named lol!!My thanks to Virtual tours for a copy of this book and no compensations were received and all opinions are my own!!!!

About the Author

Deborah Swift is the author of three previous historical novels for adults, The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lily, and A Divided Inheritance, all published by Macmillan/St Martin’s Press, as well as the Highway Trilogy for teens (and anyone young at heart!). Her first novel was shortlisted for the Impress prize for new novelists. She lives on the edge of the beautiful and literary English Lake District – a place made famous by the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. For more information, please visit Deborah Swift’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, November 21 Excerpt at The Lit Bitch Review at Reading the Past Friday, November 22 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Guest Post at The Writing Desk Monday, November 25 Review & Excerpt at Book Reviews from Canada Tuesday, November 26 Review at A Book Geek Wednesday, November 27 Guest Post at Short Book and Scribes Thursday, November 28 Feature at To Read, Or Not to Read Friday, November 29 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Guest Post at What Is That Book About Monday, December 2 Review at Passages to the Past Tuesday, December 3 Excerpt at Broken Teepee Wednesday, December 4 Interview at Passages to the Past Friday, December 6 Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog Monday, December 9 Review at Red Headed Book Lady Tuesday, December 10 Excerpt at Words and Peace Wednesday, December 11 Review at Hopewell's Public Library of Life Thursday, December 12 Feature at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a signed copy of Entertaining Mr. Pepys! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on December 12th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Paperback giveaway is open internationally. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.