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An unusual mix of magic, paleontology, Victorian female exclusion and romance sees a young woman desperate to prove herself worthy of acceptance into a male dominated scientific society. Mary uses magic to locate fossils which she then sells to make ends meet. Her very unusual find of a living fossil - a baby pterodactyl gains her interest that is both welcome and unwelcome by her former fiancé, scientists and those who wish to have her branded as a witch. With the help of friends and the man she loves to hate and hates to still love, Mary will do anything to save her new pet and have her reputation as well as earn the respect of the London scientists. A cozy romantasy with a novel approach to Jurassic Park. 4 stars 
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The final chapter in the popular Cal Hooper series continues the story of our misplaced ex-Chicago cop as he does his best to fit into a real Irish village after his retirement. Cal has a huge heart which extends to his quiet guidance and care of a troubled teen, Trey and his girlfriend, Lena as they continue to push back their wedding date much to the dismay of the community. He also cares and worries about his friends and neighbors at the local pub although he keeps some of them at arm's length. He can't shake his cop roots and doesn't always understand the deep seated and sometimes flawed thinking of the community. Change is coming to Ardnakelty and sides will once again be taken when a young woman is found dead. I really enjoyed the audio on the previous books especially the wise cracking pub life. 4 -4 1/2 stars  Two young girls in a London reform school set out to trap the vicious Whitehall killer. When they befriend the butcher's son who shares their love of the gory penny dreadfuls detailing death, executions and horrors, the three join up to take on the dangerous task of stopping the killer. To make matters worse one of their prime suspects is a female teacher at the school. The grisly Victorian fascination with the macabre and violent crime is displayed front page along with the juxtaposition of ultra strict Christian morals and anti-semitism of London at the time. Secure a copy gentle reader if you are a fan of Caleb Carr or the escapades of Miss Enola Holmes. 4 stars  The Strong sisters all lend a hand to keep the family moonshine business afloat. As Prohibition kicks in business gets tougher but it can't slow down even when an overzealous Federal agent kills their father. The youngest sister, Shine, picks up the torch handling the business and then heads out to hunt and take revenge on the agent who killed her father. Shine and her two sisters, along with their tough grandmother form a tight matriarchy . The men around them have let them down and are seen as weak, greedy or violent drunks whereas the women of their valley in the Ozark mountains endure and innovate. This historical story serves as a history lesson of The Great Depression and Prohibition as well as the tough spirit of the mountain people whose stories and homemade cures have been passed down from generation to generation. I always enjoy the notes from the author and the discussion questions at the end of the book. Fans of Jeannette Walls, Beatrice Williams and the tv show Boardwalk Empire will enjoy this. 4 stars  On the verge of losing her grandmother's home and psychic business Ingrid finds herself pulled into one of Savannah's royal families. When she takes on Sailor's bachelorette party and her psychic readings are spot on her world turns. Overnight her client list is full ,her immediate debts have been paid, she has become Sailor's good friend plus she is drawn to the mysterious son. Of course, old jealousies rear up, secrets threaten to be exposed and her old friends feel abandoned as Ingrid is dragged deeper and deeper into this dangerous web. There is a bit of witchy magic but more of it feels like a powerful portrait of old and new Savannah where ghosts and new wealth fight for attention. Not since MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL have we come this close to the true nature of Savannah - then and now. 4 stars  Based on the author's relatives this pioneer gothic story revolves around powerful men of the Mormon church and the women at their disposal. Hazel is spurned by the man she loves so she accepts an arranged marriage to become a plural wife according to Mormon law. Hazel complies even though polygamy is unlawful in 1880's Utah and this marriage gives her no rights only that she must defer to her husband and church elders. Hazel endures being the newest wife, the unfriendly house complete with a ghost and her lack of freedom. She is plagued with nightmares, isolation and fear of the spirit that haunts her. A classic ghost story written in a unique time and place making it appealing to historical fiction readers as well as horror. 3 1/2 stars  Harlow is a classic scholar who gets a chance to study a year at Oxford. While it is a wonderful opportunity it means leaving behind his wife, their young daughter and a floundering marriage in Canada. Harlow throws himself into translating fragments of a lost epic of the Trojan War that features Psoas, a common man and son of nobody. The book is made up of two stories - one being the lost epic of the 10 year war and the second is Harlow's footnotes revealing his relationship to his curmudgeon advisor, his wife Gail and their beloved daughter Helen. I found both to be equally interesting, sad and unique. Yann Martel's view of war based on the whims of powerful men fought by the common man (the sons of nobody) who will never be honored but will suffer loss and that absence does not make the heart grow fonder nor help a troubled relationship. This will appeal to armchair scholars of the classics and those who have enjoyed the retellings of the Greek and Roman mythology and the Iliad . 3 1/2-4 stars  Lillian gets dumped (for no reason) by her boyfriend so she gets drunk with a friend and puts a hex on him (take that). The sad part is that he is found dead and she becomes a suspect (not her fault ). She goes off the deep end and cozies up to his other girlfriend at his funeral and generally gets deeper into this than she needs to. I tried really hard to like or even feel sorry for Lillian but her narcissistic behavior is over the top. It does make for a fun romp and it will resonate with fans of the series by Caroline Kepne and tv series YOU. 3 1/2-4 stars  This one is going to be big! Imagine dying and waking up in your favorite fantasy series. Maggie knows who, what,when and where but that doesn't always mean things go smoothly for her. When she dies ,she is reborn again and that helps when you are caught in a deadly power struggle between kingdoms but that doesn't mean those around her are just as fortunate. This is a beautiful mix of OUTLANDER and GAME OF THRONES where the banter is witty, the characters are well formed (which is good because there is a lot of them) and the world that is unlike anything familiar seems anything but. Cancel what you are doing for the day because you will be instantly transported and I agree with everyone who has said they wanted book two yesterday. This author duo can write! Anyone who will enjoys Kate Quinn's talent for exceptional witty dialogue , Diana Gabaldon's romance and time travel and the political violence of GAME OF THRONES or FOURTH WING should read this. 5 stars  A fantastic merge of historical fiction and a bit of fantasy tied up in a neat little box of feminine rage. Anne Boleyn was that little hussy who seduced King Henry the VIII and was then convicted of treason and beheaded right? What if that was the story that Henry put out there to justify him wanting to get rid of Anne to make way for another who could give him a male heir. We meet Anne after her beheading where she wakes, picks up her head, sews it back on with needle and thread and then goes off to find her daughter Elizabeth (Yep, that's the one) and exact her revenge on Henry. Along the way she is aided by another self made determined woman (a prostitute) who teaches Anne everything she needs to know about surviving outside the palace walls. Anne is ruthless, she is fierce and she has nothing to lose. Hand this to historical fiction readers who want their women anything but meek as well as fans of QUEEN B and THE CRIMSON THRONE. A magnificent debut by Rebecca Lehmann. 4 1/2 stars  |
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