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1960 in a very remote mountain village in Calabria Italy a young American woman tries to do some good by opening a nursery school. As an outsider she is met with distrust and struggles with outdated ideas of early education, poor health standards and the difficulty of obtaining supplies. When a body is unearthed she is eager to help and befriends a couple of the local women who need answers. Red tape, stepping on local male toes and clearly getting involved in something she shouldn't may get her and her hopes for the nursery in deep trouble. Historical fiction with a side of mystery and muddy politics that will have fans of Lisa Scottoline's ETERNAL and LOYALTY and the author's first book completely immersed. 4 stars 
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A slight novel that shows us another side of the infamous Anne Boleyn who had a turn at Queen of England and wife to Henry VIII. Anne's ladies in waiting are sisters in more than their devotion to their queen. They are also powerful witches in a coven with Anne as their leader. When Anne becomes inconvenient and is beheaded the hunt is on to find out who in their inner circle betrayed her. A more truthful look at fierce women at the mercy of powerful men who use fear of witchcraft as a tool to remove them. A wonderful bridge between historical fiction and female driven fantasy that will appeal to readers of UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED by Sarah Galley. 4 stars  In Victorian London a young doctor is hired to care for a dying man - unusual because the doctor is female and Black. Hester has her own reasons for taking the job mainly one of protecting her sister and stays even when she discovers why her patient chose her. Suffering from night terrors he needs to ease his conscience by finding his former slaves and making restitution. Hester does help locate these women but finds herself in a precarious position and one that will bring more trouble to herself. Guilt, misguided reparation and family drama weigh heavily in this gothic tale of good and evil where money adds fuel to the fire instead of dousing it. 3 1/2 stars  in 1950 Washington D.C. live an oddball group of women in a boardinghouse. Ranging from an ex-female baseball player, young British mom, gungho McCarthy patriot, older cantankerous artist, young modern woman with a questionable boyfriend and the mysterious newcomer who shakes everything up and forms a weekly supper club called The Briar Club. We open with a mystery and then spend the rest of the book learning about each Briar Club member's past and secrets. It is a tumultuous country that is in flux with post war euphoria fighting with a fear of communism and another war looming as well as changing roles for women. This is a historical mystery filled with remarkable characters infused with a hint of danger, friendship and more than a few laughs in true Kate Quinn fashion. Just like the house itself you want to be a part of this group admiring their spunk, cheering them on and keeping their secrets. One of her very best! 5 stars  Feels more like historical fiction than fantasy - this is an Italian Renaissance inspired tale of warring families led by greed and a lust for power. It is a story of one son who has been groomed to inherit a banking empire if he can survive. Through assassins, allies and backroom deals with enemies Davico learns how to be master of his empire if he can learn who to trust. An odd artifact of his father's, a dragon's eye, will unleash a powerful ally if Davico can learn to control it. This is a vibrant world the author has created that will appeal to GAME OF THRONES and MEDICI fans. The ending leaves us to believe there will be more to come. 4 stars  Two campers over a decade apart go missing from a summer camp and just happen to be from the family who owns the camp. The timelines jump from the first disappearance in 1961 to the second in 1975 and is told from the camp counselors, campers, family members and one young detective on the hunt for answers. It is as much a coming of age story and family drama as it is a raw look at the haves and the have not as much. Liz Moore sends us down a quiet wooded path only to have us get lost and then deftly guides us back with another clue. Moody and atmospheric writing that will resonate with readers of coming of age outcast thrillers like WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING or Chris Whitaker's books. 4 1/2 stars  A young woman faced with abuse that began with her father and will continue to her future husband does the unthinkable - she joins the army posing as a man. This is a clever retelling of Mulan but the similarities to the Disney princess end there. Instead Meilin is a fierce warrior who is guided by a dragon spirit and is caught between the love of two warring princes and her desire to give into her power. With the kingdoms at war her position vacillates between political pawn or powerful warrior, honor or death if her secret is revealed and submission or freedom to be who she was meant to be. A classic Asian story with a shot of magic and politics, this is a series that will appeal to Asian fantasy and GAME OF THRONES readers. 4 stars  Orabella is a mixed race orphan whose Uncle sells off to settle gambling debts. Not having any suitors she accepts this marriage to the handsome and mysterious stranger and he whisks her away to his country estate. What she finds is not what was expected - a handful of day servants who go home at night, an eccentric family, a crumbling mansion and a life of being hand fed, escorted everywhere around the house and locked in at night. And then come the fever dreams. This book has all the elements of a classic Victorian gothic horror story in the vein of Jane Austen meets ROSEMARY'S BABY meets a dark Grimm's fairy tale. Is she a pawn of powerful men tucked away in their cursed existence soon to end up a madwoman like her sister-in-law or the sacrificial bride? 4 stars  Dallas socialite Teddy gets a lesson in Cold War politics as a newlywed wife in late 60's Rome. Teddy who comes from a political powerhouse Texas family is clearly considered eye candy for her husband working at the U.S. embassy. With little training in running a household or being a housewife she gets caught up in the embassy social scene and a side job for the Ambassador. Soon she immersed in secrets and desperate to keep the biggest one about her past in the past. Historical fiction with an undercurrent of politics, mystery and once again powerful men trying to control the women around them. 3 1/2 stars  Two timelines and a mystery solved both because of a mother's fierce love. Mallory has raised her son singlehandedly but must reach out and find relatives to donate a kidney and save her son's life. This means reaching out to the young love of her life - the man who doesn't know of Sam's existence. While looking for other matches Mallory and her sister stumble on the mystery of their mom's adoption in Ireland. These dual timelines go back and follow the path that changed everything for two young mothers. A rich historical novel blended with romance involving fierce women, tough choices and undying love in true Beatriz Williams style. 4 stars  |
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