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Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Historical Grand Canyon Romance a Nicely-Balanced, Faith-Promoting Story
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As her father's unofficial apprentice since childhood, 26-year-old Meg Pero has become an excellent photographer in her own right. Although females in the profession are basically unheard of in 1871, Meg sees no reason why she shouldn't be given a chance. All she has to do is convince the Army officials who hired her late father to help them survey the Grand Canyon that she is more than capable of working in his stead. Easier said than done.
Captain Benjamin Coleridge is an engineer tasked with finding a way to cross the impenetrable Grand Canyon. He's got his own reasons for heading up the risky expedition, aims he plans to divulge to no one. His job gets infinitely more complicated when the indomitable Miss Pero shows up, insisting on tagging along. She broke his heart five years ago; he's not about to let her back in. He doesn't need the aggravation or the distraction.
Despite Meg and Ben's awkward history, the two are soon trekking together into the wilds of Arizona Territory. They, along with the others in their small party, must endure treacherous terrain, dangerous wildlife, perilous storms, dissension in the ranks, and more as they seek to complete the impossible task they're assigned to do. Meg's willing to risk her life for the thrill of capturing pictures of never-seen-before views, but what about her heart? Giving Ben a second chance just might be the biggest gamble she's ever taken. What will happen when the expedition ends? Will he walk away again, taking her battered heart along with him? Or will the adventurers finally get their happily ever after?
When Lark raved on her blog about A Distance Too Grand—the first installment in Regina Scott's American Wonders series—I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I'm always up for a historical novel with an interesting setting, an intriguing premise, and eye-catching jacket art. Although I'm not always big on Christian novels, the other factors mentioned, plus Lark's recommendation, convinced me to give this one a go. I'm glad I did. I've been to the Grand Canyon many times (the north rim is only about a five-hour drive from my house), so I have no problem picturing it in my head, but Scott's descriptions of its breadth and beauty really did bring it to vivid life. Meg and Ben aren't captured quite as well as neither of them are particularly original or memorable characters. They are likable, though, and I definitely wanted them to get their long-awaited HEA. While A Distance Too Grand is categorized as a romance, I found it had a nice blend of action/adventure, mystery, and history to balance out the love story. As far as the Christian element goes, this one seemed more faith-promoting than preachy to me. Personally, I love that it's a clean, uplifting book that I can recommend to anyone without reservation. Sure, it's predictable and cheesy at times, but overall? I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I've already read the second book and am looking forward to the third, which came out in October.
(Readalikes: Nothing Short of Wondrous and A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott; also reminds me a bit of Misty M. Beller's books)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of A Distance Too Grand with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, September 13, 2021
Wholesome Historical Romance a Warm, Uplifting Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With her father away from home to find work, 20-year-old Tansy Calhoun must pitch in even more than usual to help her family. Not only does she help her mother take care of the home and care for her younger siblings, but Tansy also works as a packhorse librarian. Delivering books to the folks nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains is the highlight of her long days. She loves the freedom, the land, and the people. While there's satisfaction in the simplicity of her life, Tansy can't help but long for the kinds of magical romances she reads about in books. Is it too much to hope for a Prince Charming of her own?
After working out of state with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), 26-year-old Caleb Barton has returned to Kentucky to help his mother after the death of his brother. He's surprised to learn that Tansy—the girl he's been in love with since childhood—remains unmarried. When a smooth-talking writer comes into town looking for stories for the Federal Writers' Project, his sights land on the pretty librarian as well. Can Caleb wrestle up the courage to finally confess his feelings for Tansy before it's too late?
Crochety spinster Perdita Sweet may still be embittered over her own lost love, but she's not about to let Tansy make a poor choice. Can her meddling persuade her starry-eyed cousin to stop looking for love inside the pages of a novel and see that the perfect man is right in front of her? Or will Tansy break all their hearts by falling for the fancy city slicker?
That being said, Along a Storied Trail really is a warm, uplifting story. The characters aren't overly original or memorable, but they're good, kind-hearted people. It's impossible not to like them. The Appalachian setting is vivid and colorful, a backdrop that feels authentic. As I mentioned, the novel doesn't have a lot of plot, so it does get a little dull here and there. There was enough going on in the tale to keep me reading, but it did take me a few days to get through this one (whereas I can speed through an engrossing thriller in a matter of hours). I don't always love Christian novels because they can get preachy and heavy-handed, but Gabhart handles the religious elements in Along a Storied Trail well. She makes faith feel natural, as if it's just a normal, daily thing for the story's hill people. I love that! All these things considered, then, I ended up enjoying this novel. It's the first I've read by Gabhart, but it won't be the last. When I'm looking for another clean, uplifting historical novel, I'll definitely look for other titles by her.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Along a Storied Trail from the generous folks at Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, March 27, 2021
The Book of Lost Names Leaves Me Wanting More—And Not in a Good Way
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's 1942 and Paris is fast becoming a dangerous place for Jews. This is brought home one terrifying night when Eva Traube's father is arrested by the Gestapo. A chance visit to a neighbor is all that saved Eva and her mother from being taken as well. With their names on the Nazis' round-up list, the women have targets on their backs. Despite her mother's insistence that she's not leaving Paris without her husband, Eva forces the issue. She forges new papers for them and the two women are able to sneak out of the city to Aurignon, a small mountain village in the Free Zone of south central France.
When the leader of a local Resistance group sees how well Eva's papers are forged, he urges her to put her skills to use by helping to make false papers for the Jewish children the group is smuggling into Switzerland. Although reluctant to put herself and her mother at risk, she agrees in exchange for shelter and promises for help in securing her father's release. As Eva systematically gives the fleeing kids new names, thus erasing their Jewish identities, she grows distressed as she realizes some of them will be too young to remember their true names when the war ends. Using an old, forgotten religious text, she records every one so the information will never be lost. With tension heating up in Aurignon, however, Eva's work and the secret record book are both in imminent danger...
Sixty-five years later, Eva is stunned to see a newspaper article about books recovered from Nazi stores after the war. Among them is one she never thought she would see again. Does she have the courage to revisit the traumas of her past in order to reveal the secrets she once protected with her life?
I find World War II endlessly fascinating, so I've read tons of books set during that time period. Because so many of them are so similar, I'm always on the lookout for those that bring something new to the genre. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel has been getting so much buzz that I thought it might do just that. And it does. Sort of. I've read few World War II novels about the French experience, so the book's setting was a new one for me. The forgery angle was also one I hadn't really encountered before. Both of these elements made the novel interesting. The rest of it, though? Meh. The characters are pretty cliché and there are no surprises in the plot. It's a very run-of-the-mill story, really, and one that is made even worse by stale, simplistic prose (I felt like I was reading a YA novel or even a middle-grade one, at times) and a predictable plot (I saw the twists coming from miles away and the novel's final scene is obvious from the get-go). The characters are likable because, for the most part, they're good people doing good things, but none of them are developed enough to feel like real human beings. Eva drove me a little nuts because she doesn't really do anything. Yes, she risks her life by creating forged documents, but it's all very benign—she's in no real danger until the very end of the book. Thus, for a war story, The Book of Lost Names is actually fairly dull, with not a lot of action to keep it exciting. It's really more of a romance than anything else. Since I never felt any real sparks between Eva and Rémy anyway, I didn't care all that much about the love story. I wanted more derring-do, more action, more suspense.
Don't get me wrong, The Book of Lost Names isn't a bad book. It kept my attention enough that I read to the end. It's also cleaner than most adult novels, which I appreciate. My problem is I just wanted more from it—more originality, more character development, more emotion, more excitement, etc. In the end, unfortunately, this was just an average read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other novels about World War II, although no specific titles are coming to mind)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, February 08, 2021
Of All the Historical Mystery/Romances in All the World, This One Just Doesn't Quite Live Up to the Hype
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her abusive husband dies, Lady Katherine Bascomb breathes a sigh of relief. Not only is she finally free from his explosive temper, but she's now a wealthy widow and the owner of a London newspaper. As such, she's free to write the kinds of articles she wants to pen, even if the laced-up Victorians frown upon a lady reporting hard news. Kate refuses to let that stop her from using her own intelligence and insight to try to solve a spate of murders that have been plaguing the city. When she makes a rookie investigatory misstep that puts a young woman in danger, however, she sees just how dangerous meddling in police work can be.
A seasoned detective inspector with the Metropolitan Police, Andrew Eversham is furious when he learns that Kate has been nosing around in his case. He becomes even more enraged when he encounters her again—this time as the discoverer of a murdered manservant at her friend's country manor. As annoyed as he is by the beautiful Kate, he can't deny that she's smart and observant. True, she made a dangerous mistake in reporting, but would it really be so bad to give her another chance? Andrew needs all the help he can get to stop a vicious criminal and Kate just might make a worthy partner. Can the duo work together without losing their tempers—or their hearts?
Everything about A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins—from its playful cover to its clever tagline to its lively plot summary—screams light, fun historical mystery/romance. I expected to be thoroughly charmed by the novel, which I have been looking forward to reading ever since it landed on my doorstep. Did it live up to my (admittedly high) expectations? Not exactly. While the book is diverting overall, it didn't enchant me the way I wanted it to. The characters are likable without being anything special. I get that Kate is supposed to be a forward-thinking woman, but her attitude and speech feel too contemporary to be authentically Victorian. As far as Andrew goes, his constant distraction over Kate's looks made him seem unprofessional and less honorable than I wanted him to be. Both are supposed to be fiercely independent and love-adverse, but neither has to work too hard to win the other over, which makes their romance seem insta-lovey and stale. I was especially annoyed by a brief, but fairly graphic sex scene that occurs about 3/4 of the way through the story. The swerve from PG-ish territory to R came as a disappointing surprise to me. It didn't fit with the vibe of the novel, although perhaps I should have seen it coming since Collins' other books are, apparently, bodice rippers. Nevertheless, it soured my reading experience of what I thought would be a light, frothy romantic mystery. Speaking of the mystery, it does have a plot twist that I didn't totally see coming, which made for a nice surprise. Still, the finale is pretty lackluster and anti-climactic. All of these things considered, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem turned out to be an only slightly better-than-average read for me. It was engaging enough to keep me reading, but too many irritants got in the way of me really enjoying it. I wanted to love the book and just...didn't. As far as this genre goes, I'll stick with what I already know and love. Sorry, but Kate Bascomb simply can't compete with Veronica Speedwell and Kat Halloway.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Veronica Speedwell mystery series by Deanna Raybourn and the Kat Halloway mystery series by Jennifer Ashley, although I'd recommend both of these over A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem from the generous folks at Forever Books (a division of Hachette Book Group) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, September 28, 2020
Hopeful Family Secrets Novel Thought-Provoking and Touching
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Reporter Elizabeth Balsam will do anything to break a huge story about a local politician's secret involvement in the 1967 Detroit race riots. Her dodgy methods don't get her the scoop, however; they get her sacked. Finding herself with a lot of extra time on her hands all of the sudden, Elizabeth decides to follow up on an odd request from a stranger who asks her to deliver an old camera and a stack of photos to a relative she's never met. Her curiosity is piqued by her visit to Lapeer County, Michigan, where Elizabeth meets Nora Balsam, her great aunt, for the first time. It's clear from the get-go that Nora is hiding a very intriguing story. Her journalistic Spidey senses tingling, Elizabeth determines to uncover her family's secrets. What she finds is a startling tale of love, strength, resilience, courage, tragedy, and a past that isn't nearly as distant as one would think ...
I'm a sucker for books about family secrets, especially those that stretch back through the generations. We Hope for Better Things, a debut novel by Erin Bartels, fits that bill perfectly. It tells a surprising tale that's full of action, romance, mystery, history, and more. The book is populated with likable, sympathetic characters. They're all flawed, imperfect people who struggle through challenges, make mistakes, and yearn for redemption. Plot-wise, this novel is engaging and compelling. Although We Hope for Better Things is a Christian novel (it won a Christy Award last year), it's more inspirational than preachy. Overall, it's an appealing story that is clean, uplifting, thought-provoking, and timely. I enjoyed it very much.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of novels by Susan Meissner and Lisa Wingate)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and mild sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of We Hope For Better Things from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Tea Cooper's Newest My Favorite Kind of Hist Fic
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Fleur Richards barely has time to be a wife before she becomes a widow. After a whirlwind courtship and a hasty, secret wedding to a handsome Australian soldier, she's shocked to hear that Hugh's been killed in the war. Shaken by grief, she's even more stunned to learn that her humble husband was a wealthy man. With no other family, Hugh's fortune goes to Fleur. It hardly seems fair that she should inherit all Hugh's money when, really, she hardly knew him. With nothing to keep her in England, Fleur decides to take the advice of her husband's solicitor and make her way to Australia. Intent on passing the inheritance to someone more deserving, she determines to find Hugh's kin.
Part of Hugh's property is an abandoned curiosity shop in Sydney that unwittingly captures Fleur's imagination and heart. As she studies its history, she's surprised to discover the place has a dark and mysterious past. Before she can stop herself, Fleur finds herself caught up in its fascinating story. It's a tale of romance, treasure, treachery, and intrigue ... and Fleur won't stop digging until she finds all the answers to the decades-old secret of a captivating, missing gem.
The Woman in the Green Dress by Australian author Tea Cooper is my favorite kind of historical fiction—clean, atmospheric, mysterious, and entertaining. The setting is colorful and exotic, the characters likable (especially the irrepressible Bert) and interesting, the mystery compelling and engrossing. True, I saw most of the plot twists coming. Also true, I didn't care as I just found this novel absorbing and enjoyable. The Woman in the Green Dress is my first book by Cooper, but it will definitely not be my last.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Woman in the Green Dress from the generous folks at Thomas Nelson via those at TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
--
Want more opinions on The Woman in the Green Dress? Follow along on the book's blog tour by visiting the stops below:
Tuesday, June 16th: She Just Loves Books and @shejustlovesbooks
Wednesday, June 17th: Cheryl’s Book Nook
Thursday, June 18th: @meetmeinthestacks
Friday, June 19th: Reading Reality
Monday, June 22nd: Into the Hall of Books
Monday, June 22nd: Run Wright
Tuesday, June 23rd: Blooming With Books
Wednesday, June 24th: Living My Best Book Life and @livingmybestbooklife
Thursday, June 25th: From the TBR Pile
Friday, June 26th: Probably at the Library and @probablyatthelibrary
Monday, June 29th: Christian Chick’s Thoughts
Tuesday, June 30th: Beauty in the Binding and @beautyinthebinding
Wednesday, July 1st: Girl Who Reads
Thursday, July 2nd: Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Friday, July 3rd: @rendezvous_with_reading
Monday, July 6th: Buried Under Books
Thursday, July 9th: Pacific Northwest Bookworm and @pnwbookworm
Friday, July 10th: Read Eat Repeat and @readeatrepeat1
Friday, July 10th: @booktimistic
Monday, July 13th: @babygotbooks13
Tuesday, July 14th: Running Through the Storms
Wednesday, July 15th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books
Wednesday, July 15th: Sincerely Karen Jo
Thursday, July 16th: @lostinastack
Friday, July 17th: Wellreadtraveler and @wellreadtraveler
Friday, July 24th: Books Cooks Looks
Friday, July 24th: @bibliolau19
TBD: Monday, June 15th: Hallie Reads
TBD: Monday, July 6th: Drink. Read. Repeat and @drink.read.repeat
TBD: Tuesday, July 7th: Careyloves and @careylovestobook
Monday, June 01, 2020
The Prisoner's Wife: Unique Premise, Ho-Hum Execution
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Without the intervention of World War II, Izabela would never have met Bill King. At 20 years old, she is stuck on the family farm in Czechoslovakia helping her mother while her father and older brother are fighting with the Resistance. As much as Izzy wants to do her part for her country, she can't leave what's left of her family to fend for itself. When a Nazi officer offers to help the women with the harvest by bringing in a group of British POW's, Bill is among the workers. Although he's skin and bones, the gunner from London catches Izzy's eye because of his ready smile and his obvious passion for music. He's attracted to her, too, and soon the unlikely couple is meeting in the barn for clandestine cuddles.
When Izzy and Bill decide to marry secretly and run away together, defying both the Nazis and Izzy's mother, they set themselves on a dangerous path. Only days after their union, they're captured and thrown into a large POW camp in Poland. Dressed in her brother's old clothes, Izzy is hiding in plain sight, desperate not to be revealed as a woman or a Czech. If thought to be a spy, she would be shot on sight. Determined to protect his new wife at all costs, Bill enlists his trusted comrades to help keep her safe. Not all of the POW's can be relied on, however, and when push comes to shove, it's up to Izzy and Bill to save themselves ...
I've read a lot of World War II novels and I've never come across another with the premise that lies at the heart of The Prisoner's Wife, a debut novel by British poet Maggie Brookes. Although the tale purports to be based on a true story, the details of the "real" Izzy and Bill are so vague that their story's veracity is very much in question. Regardless, it's an intriguing idea that should have led to a tense, nail-biter of a novel. Turns out, The Prisoner's Wife is really not all that exciting. Most of the story takes place inside the camp or on work details where the POWs are starved, but not in immediate danger of much more than dying of boredom. Despite a few conflicts here and there, it wasn't until the characters were enduring the Long March at the end of the book that I really worried about their survival. Beyond that, the plot is episodic and rather dull, especially in its very saggy middle. While Brookes succeeds at creating a strong feeling of friendship and camaraderie between Izzy, Bill, and the other POWs, Izzy and Bill never feel very well-developed as individuals or as a couple. Although she's described as a spitfire on numerous occasions, Izzy spends the majority of the novel content to let the men protect her, without taking any risks of her own. I kept waiting for her to do something and she just ... doesn't. It's not even until the end of the story that she really makes sacrifices for anyone other than herself. Likewise, her hasty marriage is based way more on lust than love, making her fight to remain with Bill seem unrealistic. All things considered, then, I didn't end up loving The Prisoner's Wife. I'm still intrigued by its premise, but its ho-hum execution made the book way too easy to put down. Although I did end up finishing it, the read left me feeling less than satisfied.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of every other World War II concentration camp novel I've read)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Prisoner's Wife from the generous folks at Berkley (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Thursday, April 09, 2020
Oregon Trail Adventure/Romance Novel Gives Me All the Feels
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After a short, disappointing marriage, 20-year-old widow Naomi May is ready to move on with life. Her restless spirit longs for adventure, which is exactly what she gets when she and her family embark on a journey along the Oregon Trail. What she doesn't expect is to fall in love. Even though Naomi knows a match between her and John "Two Feet" Lowry, a half-Pawnee muleskinner, would be considered scandalous even in the wild, wild West, she can't help but be drawn to his quiet strength. As the two trek along the trail with their company, they experience problems of every kind—illness, inclement weather, theft, broken wagon parts, animal stampedes, contention among the travelers, etc.—but when the worst happens, Naomi's heart is ripped in two. Abducted by hostile Indians, her baby brother ripped from her arms, she fears she'll never see those she loves again. Will she ever be reunited with her family? What about John? And what about all the happiness and prosperity they were hoping to find in Oregon? When everything else has been stripped away, where does one find the hope to carry on?
Perhaps it's my own pioneer ancestry or the fact that I grew up along The Oregon Trail, but I love me a good wagon trail story. Where the Lost Wander (available April 28, 2020) by Amy Harmon certainly fits the bill. It's an epic, expansive road trip novel that offers adventure, excitement, romance, heartbreak, and joy. Harmon's vivid prose helped me put myself in my ancestors' place and really feel these characters' emotions—everything from boredom with the monotony of walking the trail to frustration with slow wagons and nasty weather to fear of attack by man and beast to the excitement and wonder of first love and childbirth to the sorrow of loss and grief. Harmon doesn't romanticize the pioneer experience, but she does capture it in all its glorious triumph and agony. I loved Naomi and John, with their respective family and friends. While none of them gets an entirely happy ending, our leading lad and lady do receive a satisfying and hopeful one. If you can't tell, I loved this book, which swept me away, making me laugh, cry, and celebrate the indomitable strength and spirit of my own ancestors, who—like the May Family—risked their lives to find a place of safety and refuge far away, in the West.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder; Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee; Heart's Journey by Kristen McKendry; The Gold Seer trilogy [Walk On Earth a Stranger; Like a River Glorious; and Into the Bright Unknown] by Rae Carson; and The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Where the Lost Wander from the generous folks at Lake Union Publishing via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, December 23, 2019
Beautiful, Vivid The Fountains of Silence Another Evocative Hit From Sepetys
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Spain, 1957
As the daughter of parents accused, imprisoned, and executed for being rebels against Francisco Franco, Ana Torres Moreno knows she must keep her head down, even now. Working as a housekeeper at the Castellana Hilton in Madrid, she performs her duties, saves the little money she makes, and does her best to support her siblings. She has no business fraternizing with the hotel guests and certainly cannot afford to flirt with them or, heaven forbid, fall in love. And yet, she can't help the way her heart flutters when Daniel Matheson smiles at her.
Daniel, the son of a Texas oil tycoon, is on a business trip with his parents to Madrid. Determined to become a photojournalist despite his father's protestations, he roams the city capturing the country of his mother's birth on film. When he happens upon several disturbing scenes, Daniel becomes enraged, determined to do something to help the poor in the struggling city. When he shares his photos with Ana, the lovely maid in charge of keeping his room clean, he inadvertently ropes her into his risky activities without realizing just how much danger he's putting her in.
Together, Ana and Daniel struggle to make sense of a Spain still rising from the ashes after the war and what that means for them, both individually and together.
YA historical fiction author Ruta Sepetys has won my admiration as well as my loyalty as a reader by continually producing moving, well-researched, beautifully-written novels. The Fountains of Silence, her fourth book, is no exception. In her newest, she delves into a time and place I know little about, which made it especially fascinating for me. Chock-full of vivid detail, Sepetys brings post-war Spain to colorful life, highlighting both its beauty and its struggles. The main characters aren't anything super special, but they're likable and sympathetic. Gentle but evocative and powerful, the story is also engrossing and compelling. I'm not sure if teen readers will have the patience for its 472 pages, but I loved it. If you enjoy intriguing historical fiction, definitely check out this book as well as Sepetys' previous three. She's a talented author. I can't wait to see what she does next!
(Readalikes: The only other book I've read about the Spanish Civil War is Lady Emma's Campaign, a Regency romance by Jennifer Moore. Beyond that, The Fountains of Silence reminds me of a number of World War II novels I've read, although no specific titles are coming to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, mild innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Fountains of Silence from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Both Bitter and Sweet, Sweeping Historical Novel Tells Clean, Touching Story
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In 1986, an extraordinary discovery in Seattle's Japantown draws a crowd of people, among them a 56-year-old Chinese-American named Henry Lee. The widower is as amazed as everyone else to discover that The Paragon Hotel, which has been shuttered for decades, has been hiding a large, dusty collection of belongings left behind during World War II when Japanese families were forced out of Seattle and into internment camps. Watching the event takes Henry back forty years, to his clandestine friendship with Keiko Okabe, a Japanese girl he met at school in 1942. Outcasts among their white classmates, the two form a strong friendship that turns into a sweet, but forbidden romance. Although they vow to meet up again after the war, Henry never hears from Keiko again. What happened to the girl he once loved? The search for Keiko will pry open Henry's most painful memories, remind him of impossible choices and sacrifices, and maybe, finally, bring him and his son together.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford's bestselling debut novel, tells a sweeping story of family, friendship, and finding what's been lost. Vivid period detail brings to life Seattle's China and Japantown in the 1940s, making the story feel immersive and authentic. The idea of abandoned family treasures left behind in a hotel to bear witness of a sad chapter in America's history is as intriguing as it is heartbreaking. I found it an irresistible premise, even if the story itself gets a little long and dull. Although the tale left me with unanswered questions, overall, I enjoyed it. It didn't blow my socks off like it has for other readers, but I liked the clean, bittersweet tale that is, ultimately, a hopeful one. I'll definitely check out more books by Ford.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner and The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Bora-Bora World War II Novel Bland, Forgettable
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Anne Calloway longs for something more exciting than marrying her wealthy, but dull fiancé and settling down to a boring, predictable life. So, when Gerard ships off to fight in Europe, the 21-year-old decides to do her part for the war effort. She and her best friend, Kitty Morgan, join the Army Nurse Corps. Serving together in Bora-Bora, the two soon realize that nursing on a far-off island in the middle of a bloody war is nowhere near as glamorous as it sounded when they signed up. Picnics and outings with the soldiers are bright spots in the women's lives, but even those have a way of leading to trouble ...
Although Anne vows not to let the Army boys turn her head, she's immediately drawn to Westry Green. In spite of herself, she falls for the enigmatic soldier. As they work together to fix up a small, abandoned bungalow the Tahitians claim is cursed, they build a secret relationship that Anne knows will endure beyond the war. Then they witness a brutal crime. Before Anne knows it, she's become more than an innocent bystander and Westry's been shipped out suddenly. With no communication from the soldier she's come to adore, Anne has no idea what's happened to him. Where is Westry now? Why isn't he writing her? And what will become of the love that blossomed between them in their secret little bungalow?
I've heard good things about Sarah Jio's books, so I decided to give The Bungalow a try. What did I think? Meh. The plot's melodramatic, the prose is stilted, and the characters are nothing special. I'm especially confused by Anne and Wesley's big romance. Both are bland characters, with no real personality, so I spent the whole book wondering what they saw in each other. Although they are supposed to have this great, timeless love, there's no real spark between them. Their relationship feels like a silly little wartime fling. The mystery element did pique my interest. Otherwise, The Bungalow just didn't do much for me. It's an okay read, but nothing that will entice me to read more from Jio. Oh well.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, December 13, 2019
Despite Rich Subject Material, Historical Orphan Novel a Long, Preachy Slog
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In turn-of-the-century London, many families are struggling to make ends meet. After the death of their main breadwinner, the McAlisters are only a few thin coins away from the poorhouse. To help provide for her mother and three younger siblings, 21-year-old Laura McAlister works as a lady's maid at a posh estate an hour away from the city. When she learns her mother has been hospitalized with a grave illness, she resigns her position and hurries home—only to find that her brother and sisters have already been turned out of their home and taken to an orphanage. Desperate to rescue her siblings, Laura makes every attempt to free them, only to find they won't be released unless she can pay a large amount of money. Knowing hundreds of orphaned British children are regularly being shipped off to Canada, whether they're truly parentless or not, Laura is frantic with worry. With no way to make the kind of cash she needs, she makes the drastic choice to join the staff of the orphanage using a false identity in the hopes of sneaking her siblings away in the night.
When Andrew Frasier, the son of Laura's former employer, discovers Laura's ruse, she's terrified the gig is up. Surprisingly, he joins her in her quest to not just find her brother and sisters, but also to save children like them from being shipped overseas against their will. Can the duo find Laura's siblings in time? Or will her deceit be brought to light, cutting off her last chance to save them?
I've read plenty of books about orphanages, orphan trains, and early versions of foster care in the United States, but I had no idea that England sent more than 100,000 poor and abandoned children to Canada between the years 1869 and 1939. Those who received them, be it as adopted children or household servants, were assured the kids had been orphaned. Was that true in every case? Undoubtedly not.
As a way to explore this question and bring light to the plight of the children who were sent to Canada, where many were overworked and abused, Carrie Turansky penned No Ocean Too Wide. Although the McAlister Family is fictional, the made-up characters represent the real kids who endured mistreatment at the hands of the adults who exploited them. Turansky handles the horrors of the situation gently, but the book's based-on-true-events background is heartbreaking nonetheless. With such a rich subject to draw on, it's unfortunate that No Ocean Too Wide features blah, underdeveloped characters and a very slow-moving plot. Written as a Christian novel, it's also quite heavy-handed in the religion department. All of these things made the book feel like a long, preachy slog. While I found the subject of the novel fascinating, I had a hard time getting through it. Needless to say, I'm not going to bother with its forthcoming sequels.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and Sold On a Monday by Kristina McMorris)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of No Ocean Too Wide from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
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