This is a reimagined and expanded story of the slave Jim and Huckleberry Finn the way it should have been told. Like every slave Jim is very aware of the need to stay out of the spotlight but when he learns that he will be sold he takes the only path available to him and runs. Huck is running too and they both travel one step ahead of danger from slave catchers and con men finding life on the river just as dangerous as Hannibal. Jim has a big heart and he tries to keep others particularly Huck safe but there is no future for a runaway slave just as there is no such thing as a kind slave owner. The biggest difference in this telling of Mark Twain's classic is that Jim secretly can read and write showing far more intelligence and humanity than the idiotic white people he meets. HIs speech changes completely once he is with fellow slaves or free people of color as does theirs which is the biggest irony of all . All the songs and entertainment and speech secretly mock the very white people who consider themselves superior. This story also highlights the extreme abuse, idiotic assumptions and justifications made by slave owners. A brilliant retelling of a classic filled with brutal honesty and the same ironic wit of Mark Twain. A new classic is born. 5 stars
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Lois is sent to a divorce ranch in Reno thanks to Daddy footing the bill. She, like the other guests, are there to live for the required weeks in order to rid themselves of their pesky husband. This was one of the only options open to women in the 50's and most went back home to their parent's home after the divorce was final passing the control from one man to another and back again. Lois is timid and a rule follower until she meets the mysterious Greer who teaches Lois how to let loose a bit and break some rules. While Lois is gaining confidence and thinking for herself the friendship may have a dark side. A coming of age story for adult women kept in a golden cage by the men who supposedly love them. This honest look at the famous Reno divorce ranches where new friends, new freedom, and new possibilities were an enticing combination. For fans of BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME and THE DOLLHOUSE. 3 1/2 stars
In the 1990's Lacey along with her older sister are used to small kids barging into their room and the constant annoyances that happen when your parents run a home daycare. No one can prepare them for the day when a one of those children accuses the parents of Satanic practices and child abuse. With both parents tossed in jail Lacey depends on her tough as nails sister until she is murdered. Adrift in a cruel world and the foster system Lacey's only friend is Dylan. She and Dylan are separated and when they find each other again as teens and tragedy happens yet again they decide to flee to Canada. Fast forward years later and they are both under assumed identities and with promising careers. Lacey still looks over her shoulder and it is only a matter of time before someone finds them. An emotionally charged look at a flawed legal system, the effects of fuzzy memories or coerced testimony that destroy not only one person but the whole family. It also examines how social media can fuel the witch hunt allowing the public to become judge and jury. Book clubs will have much to discuss and readers of intense books like MY DARK VANESSA, WHERE THE CRAWFISH SING and SHADOWS OF PECAN HOLLOW will be captivated. 4 intense stars Two sisters become embroiled in gangster violence and a power struggle in the heart of Las Vegas. Crissy has a very successful nightclub act impersonating Princess Diana. She is as fragile as the real princess somewhat sheltered behind the casino walls until her estranged sister and niece come to town and instantly her house of cards begins to sway. Betsy has just taken a job working for a big cryptocurrency company which her boyfriend is also part of. What started as a great job opportunity has turned into something sinister run by some dangerous criminals. Crissy starts losing people she is close to and the smoking gun is pointed at her. Two sisters different as Las Vegas - a dangerous playground in spotlights at night and seemingly harmless in the light of day. Touches on abuse both substance and physical in a unique story that feels like THE CROWN meets THE GODFATHER. 4 stars
A fun Regency era romp featuring a young woman trying to help her ill sister by replacing her as a governess to two young ladies. It should be easy but Emily isn't fond of children and these are too old for a governess anyway. The youngest is good hearted but frail while the oldest is rebellious and not in need of a governess. Emily has another side line that could prove to be just the ticket to get her out of the manor home and back to help pay the medical bills for her sister but she will need to not care. Witty and full of real world situations instead of fluff and tea parties this will appeal to many historical romance reader or not and the author takes a broad approach to sexuality and identity which is marvelous. The audiobook was wonderful. 4 stars The most unlikely of friendships began as a job offer of singing coach and blossomed because of two major similarities - fame and being underestimated by the men in their lives. Both exuded talent yet were very insecure and had bad luck with love. Ella Fitzgerald was the undisputed jazz queen and Marilyn Monroe was everyone's idea of a sex symbol yet both of these ladies wanted much more. The story switches back and forth between the two women following their career and encounters highlighting the highs and especially in Marilyn's case, the lows. They had a longstanding friendship that few people knew about and even fewer understood. This is another fine example of behind the scenes in the entertainment industry where the incredibly talented women had to fight for every scrap and the toll that fame took on both their lives. Fans of old Hollywood stories such as THE BRIGHTEST STAR, FINDING DOROTHY, THE GIRL IN WHITE GLOVES and THE QUEEN OF SUGAR HILL will find much to love here. 4 stars
Mary Queen of Scotland has been imprisoned with two of her ladies in waiting in the inhospitable Lochleven castle. Her host family barely take care of her even though she is still a queen and pregnant. Forced to abdicate, suffering from miscarriage and dismal living conditions she is still hopeful that she will regain the crown or escape. Living in the same horrible conditions and worried for their queen Jane, Cuckoo and Lady Seton do whatever they can to help her at great risk to themselves. Even at a time that a very powerful queen sat on the British throne Mary was considered disposable like many women, unless needed to produce an heir. This is a look at not only a slice of Mary Queen of Scotland's life but also one of female friendship, love and loyalty. Fans of Allison Weir and Margaret George will find this debut rewarding. 4 stars
1907 Panama saw promise of a brighter future. The United States was attempting to slice through Panama to join the two mighty oceans allowing ships to remove considerable miles to get their freight to destinations faster. They promised prosperity to those working the project and hire people from Europe, the U.S., the islands and Latin America. Everyone is excited except for the Panamanians who feel like the U.S. is just another country taking control of their country. We see life from a wide variety of viewpoints - the doctor who is eager to cure Malaria, the woman who becomes a spokesperson for her town that will be displaced, the young girl who leaves her island home to find work in Panama to pay for her sister's surgery, and the young Panamanian who doesn't want to become a fisherman. The result is riveting historical fiction that is more than the story of building the mighty canal and instead goes deep into the people and customs of Panama. I listened to the audio which amplified my enjoyment by hearing the myriad of dialects and variety of all the characters. 4 stars
This is not your typical American crime/drama and comparing it would be a big disservice. Just after WWI is over Samson and his father must deal with a new headache - the Red Army. They murder his father and saw off Samson's ear leaving him to bleed in the street. The next thing he knows his house is requisitioned and he takes a job as a policeman because of his good penmanship. Samson takes all of this in stride using all his charm to woe the beautiful Nadezhda and work his first murder case. He does have one thing in his favor. His cut off ear still sends him sounds from the desk drawer allowing him to eavesdrop on the soldiers in his house. Samson is a delight even though this is a gritty crime novel of a violent time in Ukrainian history. Andrey Kurkov interjects bits of humor about how life goes on and the absurdity of life. This debut is the start of a series from a big name in Ukraine. 4 stars
Twyla runs to Nashville with her dad's beat up guitar and dreams of making it big. With no money and no prospects she is lucky to be befriended by Mimi who lets her babysit for room and board. She meets a Nashville golden boy who is also hopeful of a shot at stardom but he takes her down a dangerous path. One mistake and her dreams are shattered. They are crushed further when she hears a song she sang one time being sung and promoted by another musician. The one person who holds everything over Twyla's head. Do you fight for ownership of your song and take the consequences or stay safe and in the background? This coming of age look at the obstacles facing so many young musicians and the heavy price for one mistake. I love the author's honest and tough characters who want so badly to be able to trust but are bruised by the life they have had. 4 stars
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