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A dual timeline romance between well to do men and the saucy full figured women who push their emotional buttons. A historian gets the job of a lifetime when asked by a wealthy patron to research and write about a supposed love affair between his ancestor and a vaudeville star in late 1800's New York. Phoebe can't help drawing comparisons between blossoming feelings for her employer and what she believes happened between the wealthy Thomas Gallier and irascible Evelyn Cross. The dual romance works well as does the themes of society and keeping secrets. I enjoyed Phoebe's side bar notes. It is not just a historical Hallmark movie where everyone ends up happily ever after and showcases the looming chasm between polite society and marginalized people/working class of turn of the century New York City. Evelyn's character reminded me joyfully of Fanny Bryce in FUNNY GIRL where humor covered hurt. 4 stars 
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This story balances the Wild West and WAR OF THE WORLDS in its scope. Ovid has witnessed many horrors on the battlefields of the Civil War and the creatures of his dreams haunt him still. He travels from town to town on his horse Jack, stopping to do odd cowboy jobs and uses his second sight (and awareness of outer worldly creatures) to help children find their way back home and those who have passed move on. The dark creatures are always with him lurking in the shadows. I enjoyed the story and gentle nature of Ovid but was a bit lost in the gallop between time periods and a large cast of characters. It is like a collaboration between Louis L'Amour and H.G. Wells and will appeal to historical western horror fans. 4 stars  I loved this wild medieval romp to get a newly found princess to safety by a ragtag group of unlikely heroes. A vampire, elf, werewolf and monk face disaster, violence and major roadblocks at every turn not leaving much time for potential romance. Biting satire, hilarious witty dialogue and wonderful characters make this hefty tome a devilish delight for lovers of everything from Chaucer to Jo Dawson and Monty Python. 4 1/2 stars  Happy book birthday to SHOPGIRLS by Jessica Anya Blau Zippy is a naive 19 year old who has just landed her perfect job at the famous I Magnum department store in San Francisco. With two work outfits and a pair of scuffed pumps to her name and the fact that she is the youngest employee, the odds are stacked against her. She takes life advice from her roommate and co-workers which she dutifully records in her day-tripper and hopes for her real adult life to begin. Along the way she will connect with her birth father who she has never met, conquer some big fears and mold herself into a career woman. Hilarious and a great reminder that young adulthood is tough in any era. Jessica Anya Blau is able to capture the angst and heart of growing up beautifully and this will appeal to readers of THE DOLLHOUSE by Fiona Davis and MARY JANE. 4 stars  The illegitimate daughter of a nun and aristocrat, Emilia's young life has already gone against the norm. She is passionate about a career in journalism which for a woman in the late 1800's is also not the norm as is her direct manner and fiercely independent nature. When San Francisco (and writing under a pseudonym) can no longer hold her she takes off to find her birth father and write about the revolution/ civil war in Chile. Danger lurks at every turn and battlefield but she still seeks answers about herself, her birth father's family and the turbulent country she has adopted. Riveting historical fiction which feels like it is taken from Allende's family history as well as a grim depiction of colonialism and violence of Chile. Starts off slow but sped up to a breakneck pace once Emilia reaches Chile. Allende's many fans will not be disappointed. 4 stars  A young Puerto Rican man finds a new family when he joins a Coney Island sideshow group. Benigno has no idea that the ironworks tank he builds and his job of helping catch something means capturing a live merman. Benigno feels a deep kinship for the merman who he names Rio and vows to help return him to the sea. In order to do that he must lose his new family as their act will go bust and his lover to the sea. An unusual and fanstastical gay romance with historical undertones and a show of the best and worst humanity has to offer. The illustrations help illuminate the setting. A fantastic cross between THE GREATEST SHOWMAN and THE SHAPE OF WATER. 4 stars  Tabitha is living with her grandfather and his partner in Paris. One of her new friends is none other than Julia Child and together they explore the joys of French cooking and solving murders. Tabitha has an unusual talent for stumbling upon dead bodies and this time it is in a couture house. The gossip on the street is that the house of Dior is responsible but Tabitha and her new model friends feel this is not the case. The bodies begin to stack up but Tabitha is not deterred. We get the joy of Julia Child's now famous french cuisine, the view of a young American in Paris and the exciting world of couture fashion houses in post war Paris plus a mystery all wrapped up with a kiss. Cozy but not too much and full of historical tidbits this will appeal to many. 4 stars  Wickedly funny and full of scheming men lusting for control, wickedly smart women looking for ways to get around those men and one boy who doesn't know where he fits in or who he really is. John thinks that his worst problem is dealing with a mean goat until the nobleman to take him from what he thought was home and the people he thought were his family to train and live as Edward the Earl of Warwick and next descendant to the crown. John is a quick study but between changing names, locations and trying to keep up with who wears the crown on their head and who has lost their head entirely is complicated for both John and the reader. As he is moved changing names and guardians his one true love is cast out of reach and he begins to distrust those entrusted with keeping him safe. Fans of Hillary Mantel, Maggie O'Farrell and anyone who can pick through the confusing cast of characters in the British monarchy (family trees included) will really enjoy this tale of political intrigue with Chaucer- like wit. 4 1/2 stars  Four women are among the few first female class admitted to Oxford University just after WWl . The country is healing from the great war and women are fighting to regain the independence they had briefly during the war while also finding their role in this new world. These women hail from a variety of homes and backgrounds yet all are searching for independence. They will get pushback from the professors and the male students which just cements their support and friendship of one another. A touching study of female friendship, courage and the changing roles of women after WWI. This will appeal to historical fiction readers of MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE, THE ALICE NETWORK and books by Jennifer Chiaverini. 4 stars  Family and fame don't always strike the same chord in this story of two sisters in love with the same bandmate. Outgoing and ambitious Zoe is ready to handle fame but her more talented sister Cassie hides from the spotlight unless she is writing songs. They are torn apart by jealousy and tragedy and years later it will take an ambitious daughter/niece to hopefully put them back together. As much an ode to classic bands of the 70's as it is a family drama, this story will appeal to readers of DAISY JONES & THE SIX and famous musician biographies as much as to readers WE ARE THE BRENNANS and SISTERS BLUE. Hits all the high notes! 4 1/2 stars  |
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