Book Tour: The Sixth Surrender: A Novel by Hana Samek Norton

The Sixth Surrender NovelThe Sixth Surrender by the (now) Czech Republic born historian, and author, Hana Samek Norton, is a 480 page novel set in thirteenth century France – “a time when chivalry reigned and treachery ruled“. The Sixth Surrender is a 2010 Finalist of the New Mexico Book Awards!

From the back cover:

” Sister Eustace, born Lady Juliana, the last of the Charnais line, is about to pledge body and soul to the cause of the queen duchess, Alienor of Aquitaine. Learned yet humble, passionate yet wholly innocent, Juliana has a single determination – to possess her rightful home, the viscounty of Tillieres.

Alienor’s young scribe must choose: husband or cloister. Juliana prays for a man who is honorable, kind, and literate. Instead she is promised to Guerin de Lesalle, a worldly though landless mercenary with a blackened soul. The couple enters the union with just one shared desire: to put an end to the marriage.

As the queen’s prophecy, “Honor,  like love, comes in many guises.” echoes through Juliana’s first days as a wife, the race intensifies to safeguard the crowns of Normandy and England for John Plantagenet, Alienor’s last surviving son. Schemes by traitorous lords and the mystery of Lasalle’s past could cost John his thrones – and Juliana her life.”

What did I think? I am a historical fiction novel nut, now that doesn’t mean I know much (or anything) about historical events, because honestly, I don’t! However, I do LOVE to read authors’ versions of the distant past. I wanted to love this book from the moment I looked at the cover, it has that wonderful sepia tint to it that I like my historical fiction reads to have (hey, I’m a visual person!). I wasn’t so sure I would after reading the first half of it (not done yet!). I don’t dislike it, it’s just that halfway in I am just now starting to get into it. Historical fiction needs LOTS of detail for me to really be drawn into it. I want it to make me want to live in that time. So far, this book has been slow to do that for me. UPDATE: Now that I’ve read another 1/4 of the book, I wanted to say that I have finally really gotten into it, how do I know when I like a book? When I think about reading it while I’m doing other things. I am curious about what happens and wish I could sit and finish it now! Alas, i have things to do today so it will have to wait until tonight. The mystery is intriguing though!

I believe Ms. Norton has tried very hard to accurately show human nature in all it’s thirteenth century cruelty. She certainly has done her research and the story contains many many names and places I am unfamiliar with. This is probably why I have had a difficult time following all of the characters that were thrown at me, I’ve picked out a few to keep track of though and am getting better at recognizing who’s who when they pop up.  The Sixth Surrender is full of treachery, lust, abuse and scandal. The sometimes too-fast-paced-for-me plot is thick with scheming and I imagine this is very likely the way things were at those tumultuous times. Does that mean I like how offhandedly Guérin de Lasalle (Ooh, how I do get mad when I hear his name!) treats the women around him? Or that I should excuse him for his behaviour because he’s a product of his surroundings? No No No! He seems to need a good swift kick in the arse if you ask me, but then I haven’t finished the book yet. I may change my mind before the end… I haven’t high hopes for growing to like him though.

On the other hand, I do always enjoy watching a character grow from a shy, meek young woman into a strong, capable and independent one, this, so far, is how Juliana, viscountess of Tillières, seems to be shaping up. Full of innocent intelligence, and a will to keep her family’s land, the girl is struggling to make friends among a book full of backstabbers,  lecherous men, and a few surprise (and consequential) allies (Anne, countess de Valence, to name one). I do hope Juliana prevails and continues to grow her backbone! I plan on finishing this tonight. It has been a welcome reprieve from the 1400 page novels in the series I’ve been reading this month!  I will certainly keep my eyes open for more of Ms. Norton’s works.

Visit Pump Up Your Book! to see what other book bloggers on this tour think of the Sixth Surrender. Then enter to win a copy here!

The Sixth Surrender Book Tour

Buy It! The Sixth Surrender: A Novel is available for purchase at many online and offline retailers, including Amazon.com,where it is also available for Kindle.

Win It! Thanks to Pump Up Your Book! one lucky reader is going to win a copy of The Sixth Surrender novel!!

How to Enter: (mandatory) Leave me a comment with one of your favorite historical fiction (or other) books!

Extra Entries: (optional) Please leave a new comment, with links if applicable, for each extra entry to be counted.

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Read my #bookreview of The Sixth Surrender & enter to #win a copy @ahensnest! #Giveaway @pumpupyourbook http://bit.ly/btHtsV

Rules: Follow the directions above! Giveaway open to both Canada & United States, 18+ only and ends December 1st, 11:59 est. Winner must reply to email within 48 hours or I will redraw.

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book! for sending a complimentary book to facilitate my candid review. All opinions and experiences are my own and unswayed by product received, your opinion may vary. No other compensation received.

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Henrietta Newman is a self-loving empty-nester into smudging, nature, yoga, fitness, healthy living, hunting, camping, hiking, tech, video games, gadgets, recipes, reviews and more.
With a love for the outdoors and visiting local attractions in and around NW PA and Lake Erie, you never know what you'll find in my nest! Subscribe to A Hen's Nest so you don't miss the fun!

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Comments

  1. 2

    One of my favorite historical novels is Gone with the Wind
    thank you

  2. 3

    I like Hen’s Nest on facebook

  3. 4

    I follow you on GFC
    thank you

  4. 5

    I subscribed to your blog by e-mail and also with Google.

    Hana Norton was born in a log cabin in the Carpathian mountains in what is now the Czech Republic.

    I liked Hen’s Nest on FB.

    I follow Hen’s Nest with Google Friends Connect.

    I also follow this blog with Twitter and I tweeted.
    Carolee888 My Twitter name
    http://ahensnest.com/2010/11/book-tour-sixth-surrender-hana-norton.html See above for giveaway of “Sixth Surrender’

  5. 6

    Sorry, I just read that you want separate comments.

    Hana Norton was born in a log cabin in the Carpathian mountains in what is now the Czech Republic.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  6. 7
    misskallie2000 says

    Gone With The Wind will always be one of my favorites. I live in GA. and Sherman’s March destroyed so much of the charm in the South and who can forget Scarlett, who was selfish, self centered and vain, but worked hard to pull herself back up after Tara was almost destroyed.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  7. 8
    misskallie2000 says

    Old Email subacriber

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  8. 9
    misskallie2000 says

    Quote from her Bio Pg. “Ms. Norton was born in a drafty log cabin in the Carpathian Mountains….
    Actually, close but not that close. She was born in the former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, and thanks to the former USSR, she came as a refugee with her family to Canada.” She now resides in New Mexico with her english husband.

    I love this book already. Have added to my wish list.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  9. 10
    misskallie2000 says

    I Like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook(@Brenda Hill)

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  10. 11
    misskallie2000 says

    Old Follower A Hen’s Nest with Google Friend Connect

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  11. 12
    misskallie2000 says

    Follow @ahensnest on Twitter (@misskallie2000)
    tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/3182174547222529

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  12. 13

    I liked Hen’s Nest on FB.

  13. 14

    I also follow this blog with Twitter and I tweeted.
    Carolee888 My Twitter name
    http://ahensnest.com/2010/11/book-tour-sixth-surrender-hana-norton.html See above for giveaway of “Sixth Surrender’

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  14. 15
    misskallie2000 says

    Daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/3524877319413760

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  15. 16
    shelby brigham says

    I love the dragon bride

  16. 17
    misskallie2000 says

    Daily tweet
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    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  17. 18
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
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  18. 19
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
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  19. 20

    One of my favorite fictional books is Beauty from Ashes, and anotehr is A Lady of Hidden Intent

  20. 21

    interesting give away

    i have to start reading novals

  21. 22
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/5027219197923328

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  22. 23
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
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  23. 24

    I really love On Borrowed Wings!

  24. 25

    I follow your blog with google friend connect

  25. 26

    I like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore

  26. 27

    I follow A Hen’s Nest on Networked Blogs – my FB name is Amanda Moore

  27. 28

    I follow @ahensnest on Twitter (I’m @AmberGoo) and tweeted:

  28. 29

    I learned that Hana Samek Norton graduated from the University of Western Ontario with BA and MA in history.

  29. 30
    Shannon Baas says

    gone with the wind

  30. 31

    My favorite historical fiction would be The Heavens Before – and amazing book!

    Please enter me!

    – Katie

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

  31. 32

    I love historical fiction – especially the suspense/romance novels. I also really enjoyed The King’s Mistress by
    Emma Campion recently. It was more factually based and entertaining.

  32. 33

    I like you on FB already!

  33. 34

    One of my favorite Historical fiction novels in The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. I just can’t say enough about that book. It is wonderful.

  34. 35

    I like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook.

  35. 36

    I follow on gfc.

  36. 37

    I’m not sure which is my favorite, but I liked the books by Philippa Gregory–the Other Boleyn Girl is one that comes to mind. I just finished Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George which is excellent.

  37. 38

    One of my favorite books is “My Heart Remembers” by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

  38. 39
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/5813962310418432

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  39. 40
    misskallie2000 says
  40. 41

    I think my favorite would be The Minister’s Daughter by Julie Hearn. Very amazing.

  41. 42
    misskallie2000 says
  42. 43

    Glad you were able to finally warm up to it. I’ve found that some of my faves take a while to really get into, and then, as Emeril says … BAM!!!

    My fave historical novel so far this year has been By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. 44
    misskallie2000 says

    Daily tweet
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    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  44. 45

    One of my favorite historical fiction is The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran.

  45. 46

    Like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook [Aik Chien]

  46. 47

    Follow A Hen’s Nest with Google Friend Connect

  47. 48

    Follow @ahensnest on Twitter and tweet this giveaway

  48. 49

    One of my fave Historical Fiction books is The Red Tent by Anita Diament

  49. 50

    I follow via gfc (tanya904)

  50. 51

    I like your facebook page (Tanya Riley)

  51. 52
    misskallie2000 says

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/7614927271362560

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  52. 53
    misskallie2000 says
  53. 54
    misskallie2000 says

    Daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/8179938406440960

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  54. 55
    misskallie2000 says
  55. 56
    misskallie2000 says
  56. 57

    I just got done reading Ceasar’s Women by Colleen Mc Collough.

  57. 58
    misskallie2000 says
  58. 59
    Rachel Higgs says

    I like Little House on the Prairie. I know part of it is real but other parts are fiction

  59. 60
    Christine W. says

    My favorite book is Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee.

  60. 61
    Christine W. says

    I subscribe to your blog via reader/email

  61. 62
    Christine W. says

    I learned that the book is based upon how in the last years of her eventful life, queen-duchess Aliénor of Aquitaine launches a deadly dynastic chess game to safeguard the crowns of Normandy and England for John Plantagenet, her last surviving son.

  62. 63
    Christine W. says

    Like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook / Networked Blogs

  63. 64
    Christine W. says

    Follow A Hen’s Nest with Google Friend Connect

  64. 65
    Christine W. says

    Follow @ahensnest on Twitter and tweeted this giveaway http://twitter.com/#!/ossmcalc/status/9515018676604929

  65. 66
    misskallie2000 says

    Daily tweet
    https://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/9708160646389761

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  66. 67

    I am a historical fiction fanatic. My favorite genre of course. My favorite book would have to be The Other Side of Love by Jacqueline Briskin. It takes place in WWII era and is a really great book. I highly suggest reading it if you haven’t already done so.

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

  67. 68

    I follow via GFC
    Sasha Lang

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

  68. 69

    Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and there are many that I like to reread. One of those is Dawn’s Early Light by Elswyth Thane, the first book of her Williamsburg series. Those books (the earlier ones are better than some of the last of the series) are definitely oldies but goodies!

  69. 70

    The author currently lives in New Mexico.

  70. 71

    Follower via GFC (clynsg)

  71. 72

    One my my favorite historical fiction is a book called Beast, by Donna Jo Napoli. It is a remake of Beauty and the Beast, and I loved the new take on it.

  72. 73

    followed blog

  73. 74

    liked on FB

  74. 75
    Ed Nemmers says

    “The Other Boleyn Girl”!

  75. 76
    Diane Baum says

    I loved Gone with the Wind

  76. 77
    misskallie2000 says
  77. 78
    susan smoaks says

    i love dracula

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