Bloomsbury Girls [Book Review] #BlogTour

May 17, 2022

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction (post-WW11), Book About Books, London, Bookshop

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Welcome to my stop on the Bloomsbury Girls Blook Tour. Thanks for the invite #AustenProsePR and thanks #Netgalley @StMartinsPress for a complimentary eARC of #BloomsburyGirls by Natalie Jenner upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Bloomsbury Girls is a spin-off of The Jane Austen Society but can be read as a stand-alone. The story takes place in an old bookstore in post-war London. Bloomsbury books is run by men and the staff is dedicated to following the general manager’s fifty-one rules; however, the three women working there have their own ambitions and dreams. Because it’s the 1950s and women have been thrust into the workplace while men have been at war. women are often taking leadership and asserting their own ideas which may differ from the way things have always been done. At this very traditional bookshop run by men, stylish and creative Vivian, hard-working Grace, and scholarly Evie join forces to shake things up a bit, add their own flair, introduce new ideas and procedures, and chase their own dreams. As a bonus, there is plenty of name-dropping of (their) contemporary literary legends.

My Thoughts:

(more…)

The Last Train to Key West [Book Review] #ThrowBackThursday

May 12, 2022

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
#throwbackthursday

Genre/Categories/Setting: Romantic Historical Fiction, 1935 Hurricane, Florida

Welcome to Throwback Thursday where I highlight an older review or post a current review of an old read. Today, I’m re-sharing a suspenseful romantic historical fiction, The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton.

I’m linking up today with Davida @ The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog for #throwbackthursday.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Key West is a popular destination for tourists. In the 1930s, it is also an opportunity to forget the economic depression. The three women in The Last Train to Key West have very different reasons for finding themselves in Key West on Labor Day Weekend, 1935: Elizabeth travels to Key West from New York City and is desperately searching for a WW1 veteran who is rumored to have been sent to work on the railroad; Key West native, Helen, wants to escape an abusive marriage; Mirta comes to Key West from Cuba for her honeymoon. Rounding out the weekend is an FBI agent, a kind friend, an abusive husband, a secretive groom, and the destructive 1935 Labor Day Weekend hurricane.

one holiday weekend + three women in danger + a hurricane….

Continue here for my full review of The Last Train to Key West..

QOTD:

Have you read The Last Train to Key West or is it on your TBR?
Have you read other books by Chanel Cleeton?
Also Reviewed: The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

The Jane Austen Society [Book Review] #ThrowBackThursday

May 5, 2022

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
#throwbackthursday

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Classics, Books About Books, England, Post WW11

Welcome to Throwback Thursday where I highlight an older review or post a current review of an old read. Today, I’m re-sharing a heartfelt tribute to a beloved classic author, The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner.

I’m linking up today with Davida @ The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog for #throwbackthursday.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

A love of writing and timeless stories draws people together….

Jane Austen’s final home was located in Chawton, England. In this imagined story that takes place shortly after WW11, a number of devoted Austen fans band together to preserve the home and her legacy. A local doctor, a young widow, a young farmer, a descendant of Austen’s, a young maid, and a movie star are among the group, and the story is told through their unique perspectives. Although they are very different from each other, they each share a deep connection with and a great love for the works of Austen.

charming and heartfelt….

Continue here for my full review of The Jane Austen Society..

QOTD:

Have you read The Jane Austen Society or is it on your TBR?

Black Butterflies [Book Review]

May 4, 2022
Star Wars Day
(May the 4th be with you!)

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Diverse Reads, Siege of Sarajevo

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Thanks @BookSirens and the author/publisher for a complimentary eARC of #BlackButterflies upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In the spring of 1992, fifty-five year old Zora can’t imagine that the Siege of Sarajevo will last long. Her husband and elderly mother leave for England, and she stays behind to continue working as an artist and teacher. The situation deteriorates quickly and Zora has waited too long to leave. The places she loves are destroyed and black ashes float around. Zora joins with her friends to survive the days, offer comfort to each other, and find reasons to hope.

“Everything is better when done together. The taste of food and water, the touch when they hug each other hello. They’ve made it through one more day, each reunion a confirmation that they’re still alive.”

My Thoughts:

(more…)

The Book Woman’s Daughter [Book Review]

May 3, 2022

The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction, Books About Books, Literacy, Appalachia, Kentucky, Librarians, Racism, Prejudice, Poverty

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

…a stubbborn mule, a best friend, and a pajama party…

Thanks #NetGalley @SourceBooks (Landmark) @Bookmarked for a complimentary eARC of #TheBookWomansDaughter by @KimMicheleRichardson upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Honey Mary Angeline Lovett is the daughter of the beloved pack horse librarian known as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Honey faces discrimination as one of the “blue people” and is also fighting for her independence and emancipation because her parents have been imprisoned for breaking the law against mixed marriage. As Honey hides from the law and social services who seek to institulionalize her as a minor, she meets a few extraordinary women and follows in her mom’s footsteps to deliver books and the promise of literacy to the remote hollers of Appalachia.

My Thoughts:

(more…)

A Hundred Crickets Singing [Book Review]

April 27, 2022

A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Slavery, Racism/Prejudice, Faith, Appalachia (rural North Carolina), WW11 and Civil War

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @TyndaleHouse for a complimentary copy of #AHundredCricketsSinging upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In split timelines (1861 and 1944) and through two wars (Civil War and WW11) we hear the stories of two young women who lived on the same plantation and same house in No Creek, North Carolina (Appalachia) as they face the hardships of war and encounter unrelenting racism and prejudice. It’s through Celia’s discovery of a hidden journal in 1944 that we hear Minnie’s story from the Civil War days and cheer for Celia as she attempts to right a wrong.

My Thoughts:

(more…)

Mrs. England [Book Review]

April 12, 2022

Mrs. England by Stacey Halls

Genre/Categories: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Family Drama, Mystery/Thriller/Suspense

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Welcome to my stop on the #HTPBooks Harlequin Trade Press Publishing’s 2022 Blog Tour for historical fiction. Thanks #HTPBooks #Netgalley for a complimentary eARC of #MrsEngland upon my request. All opinions are my own.

In 1904, Ruby May is looking for a fresh start and accepts a position in Yorkshire as a children’s nurse for the Englands, a wealthy couple who live in the isolated Hardcastle House. Although she builds a connection with the three children, something doesn’t seem quite right with the servants or between Mr. and Mrs. England.

My Thoughts:

(more…)

The Honeybee Emeralds [Book Review]

March 29, 2022

The Honeybee Emeralds by Amy Tector

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Friendship, Paris

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Thanks Turner Publishing Company @TurnerPub for a complimentary e ARC of #TheHoneybeeEmeralds upon my request. All opinions are my own.

An historical fiction/mystery mashup, The Honeybee Emeralds is the compelling and well-written story of a mysterious and valuable emerald necklace. Alice Ahmadi, an intelligent and shy intern at a struggling Parisian magazine, discovers the necklace in the pocket of an elegant, green coat in the building’s musty and dark basement the day the heat goes out and she enlists the help of the kind (and hunky) perfumer next door to find the fuse box. Alice ( the intern), Lily (the magazine editor), Daphne (a friend of Lily’s), Alexander (the guy next door), Luc (the magazine owner), and Jacob (a writer) join forces to solve the mystery of the beautiful necklace in hopes that the discovery and the story will help solve the magazine’s financial shortfall. The group calls themselves “The Fellowship of the Necklace” (a nod to another group of disparate adventurers trying to complete a mission in The Fellowship of the Ring).

My Thoughts:

(more…)

Where the Lost Wander [Book Review] #ThrowBackThursday

March 24, 2022

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
#throwbackthursday

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Western Love Story, Westward Movement, Oregon Trail (U.S.History)

Welcome to Throwback Thursday where I highlight an older review or post a current review of an old read. Today, I’m re-sharing a page-turning historical fiction with a strong sense of place, Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon.

I’m linking up today with Davida @ The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog for #throwbackthursday.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

In 1853, newly widowed Naomi May sets out for the West with her family. On the Oregon Trail which is filled with hardship, danger, and loss, she meets John Lowry. As the journey progresses and becomes more harrowing, they grow closer but their relationship is tested in intense and emotional ways.

A group of covered wagons on the U.S. Oregon Trail

Images Source: Wikipedia

A western love story that features a pioneer theme, feisty characters, and a strong sense of place…

Continue here for my full review of Where the Lost Wander..

QOTD:

Have you read Where the Lost Wander or is it on your TBR?

I Must Betray You [Book Review] #YoungAdult #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge

March 18, 2022

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Are You Young at Heart?
Do You Have YA Fiction on Your Bookshelf?

Today for the March #WhatsOnYourBookshelfChallenge I’m focusing on “Young Adult” fiction as I bring you a review of I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys.

Every year, I commit to reading a few YA fiction titles. One of my favorite YA histfic authors is Ruta Sepetys….and I’m proud to declare myself a Sepetys completist! You may be familiar with her back list: Salt to the Sea, Between Shades of Gray, The Fountains of Silence, and Out of the Easy.

Following today’s review, I’ll list a few of my favorite YA titles.

Do you have a favorite YA author or recomendation?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Genre/Categories/Setting: Young Adult Historical Fiction, Romania, Communism, Freedom

My Summary:

In 1989, Romania is ruled by dictator, Nicalae Ceausescu. Seventeen-year-old Cristian along with other citizens of Romania deal with intimidation, isolation, fear, repression, hunger, blackmail, informants, and having no voice. Cristian is forced into the impossible situation of betraying friends and family. He hears rumors of revolution and yearns to join it. But what can a young man do? How can he make a difference? How will he make his voice heard?

My Thoughts:

(more…)

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton #throwbackthursday

My Summary:

QOTD:

Share this:

Like this:

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner #throwbackthursday

My Summary:

QOTD:

Share this:

Like this:

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon#throwbackthursday

My Summary:

QOTD:

Share this:

Like this:

Are You Young at Heart? Do You Have YA Fiction on Your Bookshelf?

My Summary:

My Thoughts:

Share this:

Like this:

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
#throwbackthursday

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
#throwbackthursday

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
#throwbackthursday

Are You Young at Heart?
Do You Have YA Fiction on Your Bookshelf?