This side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber is a 2017 publication.
Just after the Great War, Verity, who lost her husband, Sidney, in the war, has been inviThis side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber is a 2017 publication.
Just after the Great War, Verity, who lost her husband, Sidney, in the war, has been invited to the engagement party of one of Sidney’s fellow officers. Upon arrival, Verity is shocked to find a copy of ‘The Pilgram’s Progress’- the book she had given to Sidney, in her room. Inspecting the book, she finds a hidden, encrypted missive along with a suggestion her husband was a traitor.
On alert, Verity is determined to discover who is accusing her husband of such a heinous crime. It becomes immediately clear that something untoward was going on with the thirtieth division- and now, cut off from civilization, anyone who might know the truth is being eliminated. Not knowing who to trust, Verity must tread carefully, or she could be next!
A wonderfully entertaining mystery! Just what I was in the mood for. I really liked Verity, the surprise twists, set time and place, and the way everything came together in the end. I started this book back in November but was surprised by a few last-minute Thanksgiving developments so I opted to put it aside until I could truly focus on it and I’m glad I did. It was worth waiting for!
The story is well thought out and for a first in a series the author did an amazing job of putting all the characters into their positions and giving us plenty of incentives to catch the next installment….
The Wind Dance by Iris Johansen is a 1991 Bantam publication.
I checked this book out at the library on a whim, thinking it was one of Johansen’s suspThe Wind Dance by Iris Johansen is a 1991 Bantam publication.
I checked this book out at the library on a whim, thinking it was one of Johansen’s suspense novels. I knew she wrote Historical Romance a long time ago, but because the book was in the ‘recently added’ group, it never crossed my mind that it would be a Historical Romance book, originally published back in 1991.
First off- kudos to Iris Johansen or her publisher for digitizing her older novels. These books are a representation of a time in place, and not only that, but many of them are also fantastic, epic stories of historical fiction as well, and it would be a shame for them to eventually fade into obscurity. .
This novel is set in Italy during the Renaissance era and is centered around the infamous Wind Dancer statue. Lionella Andreas believes the statue’s rightful place belongs in his family. But now the statue is in the clutches of Lion’s arch enemy- Francisco Damari. In order to retrieve it, Lion needs a skilled thief, which he finds in Sanchia, a young slave girl.
Lion buys Sanchia, with no other intentions but to put her skills to good use, then once his mission was accomplished to allow her to enjoy a life of leisure. However, he’s stunned by her attractiveness once she’s been cleaned up a bit and finds himself tempted to exert his rights as her owner in other ways.
Sanchia is a completely agreeable to all that Lion wishes…
But, when their plans to steal the statue go horribly awry, Sanchia’s gentle and unconditional obedience is over- as she realizes her self-worth...
The beginning of the book can challenge our modern sensibilities, and the setup is a tough pill to swallow, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Sanchia challenged some of the issues that bothered me, such as her lack of agency, for example. Once Sanchia came out swinging, I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough.
It turns out this was another one of those epics- dramatic stories filled with intrigue, tragedy, grief and eventually splendor and triumph.
Lion is not an easy hero to love, as he is often rough and domineering, as were many ‘heroes’ in older historical romances, and there are some uncomfortable moral dilemmas in the novel, but man, what a story! This is the first of a trilogy- the last of which is set in contemporary times- so I’m very interested in seeing how the saga will proceed from here.
Overall, this was not the type of book I was expecting, but the surprise turned out to be a good one!!
A Slow Ruin by Pamela Crane is a 2021 publication.
Vera Portman disappears on the same day her great, great grandmother did, back in 1910. CoincidenceA Slow Ruin by Pamela Crane is a 2021 publication.
Vera Portman disappears on the same day her great, great grandmother did, back in 1910. Coincidence? Vera’s mother thinks not. Meanwhile, Vera’s family is thrown into a tailspin- as one might expect- but there's a few added layers to their anxiety.
Apparently, Vera’s parents, Oliver and Felicity, have a few secrets- explosive ones that could land them in prison if anyone ever found out….
I’m rarely disappointed in Pamela Crane’s books. They are always entertaining, loaded with high octane drama, twists and stunning revelations- but they can also be thought provoking too.
I enjoyed the book- it was exactly what I wanted and expected from this author, and she delivered just that. There is a novella companion piece for this book that I’m looking forward to, as well.
Overall, another wild page turner from Pamela Crane!!
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence- Ash is a 2023 Celadon Books publication.
Beatrix- ‘Bea’ Thompson is sent to America at age eleven by her parentsBeyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence- Ash is a 2023 Celadon Books publication.
Beatrix- ‘Bea’ Thompson is sent to America at age eleven by her parents to protect her from the ravages of World War ll. She lands with the Gregory family in Boston and is immediately folded into this loving family, though it does take some time to adjust.
As the war rages on, Bea enjoys a life she could never have imagined. Her American mother, Nancy, grows quite attached, and Nancy’s son’s also forge a tight bond with Bea.
But on the other side of the ocean, Bea’s parents struggle with the reality of war, with missing their daughter, and the widening distance between them- not just geographically, or physically, but emotionally…
Eventually, though, despite the chasm of grief over leaving America, Bea returns home to her mother. Yet, as the years pass, the bonds she created with the Gregory’s never fully fades. They each, in their own way, stay emotionally connected, believing they must live separate lives despite the deep-seated feelings that bind them together…
What an amazing novel! I love historical sagas- and this one fits the bill- it’s sweeping- covering decades of time. In many ways it is a quiet novel, but it packs a big emotional punch. The characters each have strengths and flaws, go through many trials and changes, periods of setbacks and growth, triumphs and grief, and the reader is right there- going through it with them!
Overall, this is a beautifully written story- a love story on so many levels, and a story that will stick with me a long time to come!
On Gin Lane by Brooke Lee Foster is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.
Everleigh’s fiancé, Roland, surprises her with a hotel he built for her in the HOn Gin Lane by Brooke Lee Foster is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.
Everleigh’s fiancé, Roland, surprises her with a hotel he built for her in the Hampton’s. Though she didn’t ask for this, Everleigh, embraces the role, but then a fire breaks out, putting Roland in a financial bind, and both of them under suspicion, as detectives believe arson might be to blame.
Under the strain, Everleigh’s relationship with Roland, begins to fray, and she begins to second guess her decision to marry him. Meanwhile, Everleigh’s love of photography gives her an opportunity to work doing something that she loves. Yet her family, and Roland, are determined to force her to quit…
As she digs her heels in, Everleigh is becoming more and more certain she’s made a mistake with Roland, but can’t seem to find a way out of her engagement…
Although Everleigh is naïve, and comes from a wealthy family, she spends her summer in the Hamptons growing up and becoming wise. She still must fight with herself about social standings and appearances, duty, and how her decisions will affect her family, but she comes into her own, in her own good time.
There is a mystery, an investigation, and loads of questions about that fire, but for a long time the mystery runs in the background as Everleigh struggles with her failing romance, her desire to break free from the strictures of her life, as she falls under the spell of both her new photography mentor, Starling Meade, and Curtis, a doctor she keeps bumping into.
Once the revelations start pouring out, though, the surprises are stunning, and not nearly as predictable as I expected them to be...
This was a book I had intended to read over the summer-but I crammed too many ‘Beach’ reads onto my summer list, and, sadly, ran out time before I had a chance to read all of them. Usually, I packed all seasonal books away until the next year- but the premise for this one sounded so good, I had to have just one last summer fling before I pack away the summer books for good this year.
I loved the setting, the location, and the quiet way the novel unfolded, the character growth and the pioneers who paved the way for women to have more options in life and step out from behind the shadows of their fathers and husbands to gain more independence and control over their own destinies.
Starling might have been the trailblazer in this story, but though it seemed unlikely, Everleigh also became a trailblazer in her own right, as well.
Overall, I have to say I enjoyed my last beach flirtation, and think this was a lovely swan song for the summer of 2022…
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is a 1984 Mariner Books publication.
Occasionally, this book will pop up on my radar and I’ve always been curious aCold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is a 1984 Mariner Books publication.
Occasionally, this book will pop up on my radar and I’ve always been curious about it. It sounds like a sort of folksy southern family drama, which is something I tend to enjoy most of the time. The book generally continues to garner positive ratings, though I had noticed a few more recent reviews mentioned some issues with race and classism in the book.
As with any book published this far back, one is faced with the possibility- if not the probability- of encountering those issues. So, I decided that now was just as good a time as any to see what has given this book the staying power it has, especially as it is the only completed novel by this author.
I ended up with some mixed feelings about the novel. I can't say I agree that it is 'timeless', due to the aforementioned issues some recent reviews mentioned. It was a conflict, that is for sure. I felt pulled in different directions while reading the book.
I can see why many people were pulled in by the drama, and the 'folksy' charm, the coming of age elements, and the shocking revelations that come late in the story. There are some hilarious moments, some poignant moments, and it is ultimately a bittersweet, coming of age tale.
But, for me, personally, it fell flat for the most part. There are some difficult passages of abuse, animal cruelty, and even some of Will's comical shenanigans seemed a little mean spirited- then after all that, the ending wasn't exactly a happy one- but there is a suggestion of hope, so while it is sad, it also points to better times ahead for all concerned.
Overall, I have satisfied my curiosity. The story wasn't exactly what I was expecting, which can be a good thing, but maybe not so much in this instance. The story moves a bit too slow, only to have several huge developments take place all in the last quarter of the book, and the ending left me feeling a bit frustrated after having held on that long. All, that said, I've waffled about the rating. I liked parts of the book, while the rest of it was just okay....
So- 2.5 stars. I'm only rounding it up to 3 because rounding down is a bit too harsh and I'll say that despite arguments against this- there really are times when a book falls inbetween two solid numbers. Sigh.
Did you hear about Kitty Karr? By Chrystal Smith Paul is a 2023 Henry Holt & Co. Publication.
This is a deeply absorbing novel I found hard to put downDid you hear about Kitty Karr? By Chrystal Smith Paul is a 2023 Henry Holt & Co. Publication.
This is a deeply absorbing novel I found hard to put down. I loved finding a historical fiction novel that was surrounded by old Hollywood, though it does utilize the dreaded dual timeline, which I’ve mostly run out of patience with. That said, the focus is on the historical segments mostly, so it worked out alright in the end.
The story is centered around the life of glamorous actress, Kitty Karr, and her meteoric rise to fame in the age of Old Hollywood. But Kitty has a secret, as do several other women in her orbit, who form a network that funds civil rights causes. It’s a taut, suspenseful risk all the way around and kept me glued to the pages.
The present day segments were not as strong, and some of the content wasn't really necessary to the story, in my opinion.
Naturally, there are important themes addressed in the novel, but they play out organically in the context of some pretty awesome story telling. I do think this will be a great book club choice. I’m still mulling over some of the aspects of this book and have a feeling it will stay with me for a long time.
I read this for banned books week- but now I wish I had chosen a different book. The history is interesting as it is based on true events- which have I read this for banned books week- but now I wish I had chosen a different book. The history is interesting as it is based on true events- which have been mostly forgotten about now. I understand much of what the author is trying to accomplish with the book, but it is too heavy and dismal. I turned the last pages feeling utterly deflated and miserable.
Banning and censoring books is never the way to handle controversial material or opinions that differ from your own. That said, this book is supposedly aimed at a YA audience and even us old jaded adults appreciate those trigger warnings that come in BIG BOLD LETTERS about abuse- sexual or physical- as well as racist language, etc., so I do think this book should come with some kind of warning about the content, as some people are more sensitive than others.
Overall, this one was too depressing for my taste. A good book to prompt important, healthy conversations about race and abuse- but it won't be for everyone.
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates is a 2017 Ecco Publication.
Let me begin by saying I have had this book on my TBR list long before a Netflix movie was eveBlonde by Joyce Carol Oates is a 2017 Ecco Publication.
Let me begin by saying I have had this book on my TBR list long before a Netflix movie was even thought of. I was advised that reading a good traditional biography about Marilyn Monroe before starting this one would be a good idea, so, dutifully, I squeezed in a lengthy biography over Monroe, back in the spring. (Marilyn: The Biography by Donald Spoto)
Truthfully, that book was depressing, and I needed a little break before tackling this tome about Marilyn.
But then the rumors I’d heard about a Netflix movie based on this book started heating up and I wanted to read this book before I saw the movie, so I put everything else aside and got started on it. I was only about halfway into the book when the movie premiered-
And like every single other thing these days it got the controversial treatment- When the reviews starting coming in they were mixed- but mostly, critics and viewers alike complained of exploitation- and there's that NC-17 rating, on top of being three hours long.
All this bad press made me curious about how well this book was received, so I took a peek at the ratings. Curiously, on Goodreads, this book has over twelve thousand ratings and boasts a 4.01 average, ( at the time of this writing), which is pretty darned good, actually. So maybe this is another one of those instances where the movie was LOOSELY based on this novel and maybe it took more liberties with the book than JCO did with Marilyn’s life. (JCO claims she had nothing to do with the film and even she had to take a break from its brutality)
I haven’t seen the movie, at this writing, and now I can’t say I’m in a hurry to do so- though I might change my mind later- but there are a few things to keep in mind if one is considering reading the book the film is based on. Readers have long lamented movie adaptations of books and the material- or any material for that matter, based on Marilyn Monroe is going to be exploitive, because frankly, Marilyn and exploitation always went hand in hand during her life, and far too long after her death.
Another thing to consider is that the masses seldom do their homework before watching a movie based on a book. I'll go out on a limb here and say that I suspect very few of the critics- and none the outspoken Twitter crowd, have read Marilyn's biography, or this book, before watching the film. Just something to keep in mind.
This book, like any other book of historical fiction based on real people, has taken liberties- sometimes with times, or places, events, and most certainly with the facts- more so than most, I’d say.
Some authors like to make their fictionalized versions of a person’s life as close to reality as possible, while others go so far as to completely re-imagine someone’s life. I think JCO did a little of both here. Some parts of the novel are total fabrications- completely made-up out of whole cloth, but in other areas, the people are familiar- if not named outright- and the scenes described are authentic- and those are the ones people object to the most. Sadly, as much as we would like to believe differently, the book in many ways probably hits a little too close to the bone and most people don't want to believe that, preferring to hold on to a fantasy image of the late star, instead.
Yes, it’s brutal, but the book shows the ‘Blonde actress’ as a separate entity from Norma Jeane- and it is Norma Jeane, and her private battles that take center stage here.
I really do think Marilyn was an unhappy person- her non-fictional biography certainly gives off that vibe- But putting those truths into JCO hands, is sure to expand on that vibe exponentially- something those familiar her literary style can attest to, I'm sure.
This novel is dark and heavy- and though the accusations of exploitation nearly always has some merit- I think that the author’s distinction between the public persona and Norma Jeane diminished that to some degree-rather showing how the actress was exploited by Hollywood and the toll it took on her personal life, which was already marred by a myriad of other demons, in my opinion, at least.
All that said, this is an interesting take on the life of the ‘Blonde Actress’ and the woman behind the image. The approach is idiosyncratic and does require one to pay attention, read between the lines, and remain open to JCO interpretation of Marilyn- because that isn’t always easy.
Was the book what I was expecting? No, not really. Did I like it? In some ways, yes, and in other ways, no. I’m glad I read it, as I’ve been curious about it for ages- but I do think that now, after spending a fair amount of time with Marilyn this year- I’m inclined to agree that it is well past time to let both the ‘Blonde Actress’ and Norma Jeane finally rest in peace…
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