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A young noblewoman in 16th century France finds she has no control when her cousin becomes her guardian. Her studies, her home, fortune and basically the clothes on her back now belong to her abusive guardian. After squandering most of her fortune away he takes her and her maid with him on a dangerous sea voyage to the unknown coast of Canada. When love finds her he takes that as well and her freedom stranding them on an uninhibited island without little chance of rescue or survival. Based on the true story of Marguerite de las Rocque de Roberval this harrowing adventure of brutality, strength and faith shows an absolute determination to survive. Sure to please historical readers as well as those who read stories of women who defy the odds this is a grown up version of ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. Intoxicating writing that is so expressive you feel the sea spray and hear the call of the island birds. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 2/4/25 
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A dive into the excitement of the Harlem Renaissance starring none other than the illustrious W.E.B. Du Bois. He pulls a young Jessie Redmon Fauset to become the first literary editor of his Negro magazine, THE CRISIS introducing her to the rising stars of Black literature. Every dream she has ever had comes true except that her lover, mentor and boss is the very married W.E.B. Du Bois. It is enough of a challenge to be a Black woman fighting for prominence in a white man's world but she must also risk everything for the man she loves. A wonderful time period and setting with a variety of characters this will appeal to historical fiction readers especially those of less know women. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 2/4/25  While sorting through a donations box in post war London Louise finds a necklace that she has seen years before while helping the Red Cross bring supplies to POW camps in Germany. Leaving family behind she tracks down an old ally who may be able to get her the answers she needs in Paris. The story that is woven into Louise's search is about the owner of the necklace and how she came to be arrested and sent to a hidden Nazi war camp within a famous Parisian department store. An interesting story that we have not heard much about. Not only does the author tackle the horrors of war and separation but also the unlikely heroes and guilt at not being able to do more. Readers of wartime heroines will have much to like about this book. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 2/4/25  This is not a sizzling spicy love story full of hot romance but instead more like a shared cup of cocoa by a fire kind of love story with an undercurrent of redemption and second chances. Charlie and Vivian were briefly married a long time ago and broke up quickly due to immaturity and a hot head. They were young and had the world at their feet and now Charlie deeply regrets screwing it up and letting it go. After forty years he wants a second chance. Vivian is moved but unwilling to just go back to their relationship the way it was. What begins is a new courtship that involves forgiveness, understanding and an acceptance that true change is hard. It is said that hearts forgive faster than minds but it is never too late for love. Sweet story and one that represents the challenges of alcoholism really well. Readers of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout will enjoy. 4 stars  Dark and diabolical this is a cautionary tale of a governess pushed to the limit. She comes to a family estate to care for two spoiled brats and must deal with a barrage of verbal and physical abuse which fans the darkness within until Christmas arrives and she can take it no more. The Victorian privileged class has never looked so repulsive and while Winifred Notty is not a tragic figure you are rooting for her to put the Pounds family underground. Virginia Feito does a fantastic job of illustrating the food, speech and ridiculous customs of the day. A gruesome gothic tale full of dark wit and horror reminiscent of Sweeney Todd or a Victorian version of Alfred Hitchcock. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON FEB 4, 2025  Happy book birthday to DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor A genre blending tale of a ferocious disabled woman who does not let anything or anyone stop her from pushing the limits including her vocal Nigerian/American family. Zelu is in a low point when she pens an instant bestselling novel about robots in a futuristic world without humans. A childhood accident has left her in a wheelchair but access to an innovative eco-skeleton gives her freedom and possibilities. The other equally stunning part of the book is her novel RUSTED ROBOTS and I would be hard pressed to say which one I enjoyed more. Both are expertly crafted, inspiring and insightful. Nnedi Okorafor portrays her proud heritage coming from a Nigerian American family and all the challenges it presents with grace and humor. She also blends her storytelling into the beloved rusted robot who collects stories to preserve humanity and history. A subtle surprise at the end leaves the reader with a smile and a sigh wishing for more pages. Her many fans will be delighted as well as lovers of world myths, storytellers and humanlike robots like R2D2 and C3PO. 5 stars  The story of the first female ruler of the Assyrian empire is lavishly illustrated in this tale of a woman who came from nothing yet ended up loving two men and leading an empire. In a time of great turbulence both in her personal life and in the warring kingdoms Semiramis straddled the line between success and death many times. She married the king's brother but fell for the king, she was meant to stay in her husband's shadow yet filled in for him in the council and battleground and she relied on her spy but needed to trust someone in the court. Richly detailed, the ancient world lifts off the page and showcases a violent empire full of political intrigue, love, danger and unquestionable loyalty. Costanza Cosati has a gift for making the ancient world come alive and her many fans will enjoy this as much as they did her first book. I really appreciated the reference materials at the start of the book to guide me into the world of the Assyrians. For readers of strong female warrior queens who have been overlooked and underwritten. 4 1/2 stars  Out of a job and a relationship Drew scurries home to New Jersey with her tail between her legs. With no new job in sight she takes an offer from a childhood friend. You know what they say about things "that look to good to be true". Pitching expensive skincare products to anyone and everyone as well as signing them up to become a super saleswoman is not Drew's style and neither are the girl boss pep talks she gets. When someone close to them ends up dead the pyramid scheme begins to crumble. Layer upon layer of secrets and lies no amount of wrinkle cream can erase force Drew to face reality before it is too late. Scary how close this could be to a true story! A clever tale of warning that shines the light on the dark truth of instant success businesses. 4 stars  Happy book birthday to THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo You remember the news stories, the rumors, the scandals, the brutal competition to bring home the gold and be crowned the best. Olympic athletes are in a class by themselves and we see them as machines devoid of emotion especially when on camera. THE FAVORITES takes us behind the scenes of ice dancing from childhood dream to hopefully an Olympic podium focusing on a pair of skaters who have been at each other's side and back since they first laced skates. Katerina and Heath quickly learn that they must overcome a rocky start become one fluid person without emotion other than the obsessive drive to be the best. Emotions run high in this glittery world that praises you one minute and runs a skate across your throat the next. This story has all the adrenaline, passion, bright lights and backstabbing that will have readers flipping pages faster than you can lace up your skates. It does for Olympic ice skating what DAISY JONES AND THE SIX did for rock bands or what THE BALLERINAS by Rachel Kapelke-Dale did for professional dance. An emotional roller coaster love/hate story that will leave you reeling. 4 1/2 made for tv stars  They said they were disgraced so they shipped them away shamefully to a home for unwed mothers where they would rid themselves of their mistake and return to their former life. They arrived a bunch of little girls but left as rebellious young women and it would take supporting each other and a group of witches to set the record straight. There were no options other than eat what we tell you, do what we tell you and don't worry about understanding what is going on or what will happen to your baby. They weren't even allowed to use their own names but when these teens find themselves with a borrowed library book on witchcraft they begin to fight back. The story takes place in 1970 but the labels and backward thinking go back much further when any outspoken girl wanting control of her body was branded a witch and set aflame. The humor balances the horror of their pregnancy backstory and trauma. Loved the "wicked" band of women and how they supported one another under the radar. A spectacular blend of historical fiction and horror story that Grady Hendrix does so well. 4 stars  |
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