A war story with lots of potential and let down

Wake by Anna Hope
Random House; February 2014
$26.00; hb; 304pp; 9780812995138
Review copy provided by the publisher for review in the February 2014 Historical Novel Society magazine
Burton Book Review Rating: 3 stars

A brilliant debut for readers of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, in which three women must deal with the aftershocks of WWI and its impact on the men in their lives-a son, a brother and a lover. Their tragic connection is slowly revealed as the book unfolds.

Wake: 1) Emerge or cause to emerge from sleep 2) Ritual for the dead 3) Consequence or aftermath.

Hettie, a dance instructress at the Palais, lives at home with her mother and her brother, mute and lost after his return from the war. One night, at work, she meets a wealthy, educated man and has reason to think he is as smitten with her as she is with him. Still there is something distracted about him, something she cannot reach...Evelyn works at the Pensions Exchange through which thousands of men have claimed benefits from wounds or debilitating distress. Embittered by her own loss, more and more estranged from her posh parents, she looks for solace in her adored brother who has not been the same since he returned from the front...Ada is beset by visions of her son on every street, convinced he is still alive. Helpless, her loving husband of 25 years has withdrawn from her. Then one day a young man appears at her door with notions to peddle, like hundreds of out of work veterans. But when he shows signs of being seriously disturbed-she recognizes the symptoms of "shell shock"-and utters the name of her son she is jolted to the core...

The lives of these three women are braided together, their stories gathering tremendous power as the ties that bind them become clear, and the body of the unknown soldier moves closer and closer to its final resting place.

Wake is a potentially poignant and gripping novel that follows three families whose loved ones served in the Great War. Based in London, the 1920's setting was presented in an eloquent and intoxicating way as it embraced the invisible shroud that the war had left behind.

The writing was fast paced as we get into the heads of the main characters wondering if there is life after war, and getting into the minds of veterans was devastating and haunting. A mother sees her dead son in all those who have returned – alive but broken, a sister wonders who the man is behind the face of her brother, as she ponders if there is life after losing a betrothed.

It was hard to tell the difference between the two younger women Hettie and Evelyn as their characters began to morph into each other but the older mother in the story helps break it up a bit. The manner of the death of her son in the war is a tragic mystery that connects some of the characters which provided an intriguing angle to the story.

Instead of focusing on survival and resilience the story circles around the characters with an ominous sense of continual loss. If you allow yourself to be drawn to the emotional hues to the novel this could be a very enjoyable reading experience.

The kicker was that it was going along at a great pace: full of life, death, love and grief, when the story abruptly ended thus making this novel catapult to the top of my worst endings ever list.

See below on how to enter for the giveaway copy of FALLEN BEAUTY (U.S. entries only).


Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck
Penguin NAL March 4, 2014
384 pages paperback
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for this honest review
Burton Book Review Rating: 4 stars

“Without sin, can we know beauty? Can we fully appreciate the summer without the winter? No, I am glad to suffer so I can feel the fullness of our time in the light.”

Upstate New York, 1928. Laura Kelley and the man she loves sneak away from their judgmental town to attend a performance of the scandalous Ziegfeld Follies. But the dark consequences of their night of daring and delight reach far into the future.…

That same evening, Bohemian poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and her indulgent husband hold a wild party in their remote mountain estate, hoping to inspire her muse. Millay declares her wish for a new lover who will take her to unparalleled heights of passion and poetry, but for the first time, the man who responds will not bend completely to her will.…

Two years later, Laura, an unwed seamstress struggling to support her daughter, and Millay, a woman fighting the passage of time, work together secretly to create costumes for Millay’s next grand tour. As their complex, often uneasy friendship develops amid growing local condemnation, each woman is forced to confront what it means to be a fallen woman…and to decide for herself what price she is willing to pay to live a full life.

Every once in a blessed while we come across an author who has such a writing voice that we eagerly anticipate their next work when it is years away. Erika Robuck is such an author for me as I discovered her in 2009/2010. Rising swiftly among the ranks of the most accomplished historical fiction authors, Erika diligently researches her next subject and she takes her readers along on a wonderful adventure as she shares her talented way of storytelling with us.

The story of eccentric Edna St. Millay was a new one to me, and her shocking lifestyle threatened to thwart my wish to enjoy this novel. Thankfully the author created a counterpart to the tormented poetess with her fictional character Laura, who embodied the opposite that the poet was. Laura's life spins out of control however, causing her to become ostracized and the fallen beauty the title suggests. The partnership between Laura and Millay is tenuous, secret and yet something so poisonous it is a wicked thrill to watch how the author imagines the intermingling of mere mortals with someone so evocative and far out of society's realm that the poet Millay was.

I Married the Duke (The Prince Catchers #1)  by Katharine Ashe
 Avon, 2013, $5.99, pb, 384pp,  9780062229816
Historical romance
Review copy provided by the publisher for review in the February 2014 Historical Novel Society magazine
Burton Book Review Rating: 4 stars

Three very different sisters beguile society with their beauty and charm, but only one of them must fulfill a prophecy: marry a prince. Who is the mystery Prince Charming, and which sister will be his bride?

On the way to marry a prince in a castle, a lady should never:

1. Bribe an infuriatingly arrogant and undeniably irresistible ship captain,2. Let him kiss her senseless on a beach, 3. Battle thieves at his side, and 4. Exchange wedding vows with him, even under the direst circumstances.
But daring, determined Arabella Caulfield isn’t just any lady. And Luc Westfall is no typical ship captain. He’s the new Duke of Lycombe, and to defeat a plot that could destroy his family he must have an heir. Now he knows just the woman for the job . . . and he’s not above seduction to turn this would-be princess into a duchess.

A first in a new series by Katharine Ashe, I Married The Duke is an excellent comfort read for those readers wanting a novel of romance, intrigue and non-stop fun. The setting features swords, scars and ruffians set in the path of our glorious copper haired heroine who seeks answers to her heritage. Arabella and her sisters seek to fulfill the prophecy that one of them will marry a prince and it's this cherished dream that leads Arabella straight into Luc Westfall who hides his noble identity as a Duke.

 Given the novel's title, one could imagine what would happen, but there are quite a few twists that will  keep you guessing along the way (imagine bars on windows, thumbless suspects, a murderous uncle, unfit aristocrats, and lustful sexy beach scenes). There were quite an intriguing cast of characters and the nuances of the early 1800's English setting were well portrayed. Exhibiting fine storytelling skills and a dramatic flair, the romance of our hero and heroine was up and down with our stubborn heroine and made for a wonderfully romantic story that will have me looking for the next sister's story, especially since there are still some loose ends left to be tied up.

This is a great price point, and I really enjoyed this read. Definitely conducive to me buying some others from Katharine Ashe!

I Always Loved You by Robin Oliveira (A Novel of Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt)
Viking Penguin February 2014
Hardcover 352 pages
Received a gorgeous hardcover from the publisher in exchange for this thoroughly honest review
Burton Book Review Rating: 5 big stars!

A novel of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas’s great romance from the New York Times bestselling author of My Name Is Mary Sutter

The young Mary Cassatt never thought moving to Paris after the Civil War to be an artist was going to be easy, but when, after a decade of work, her submission to the Paris Salon is rejected, Mary’s fierce determination wavers. Her father is begging her to return to Philadelphia to find a husband before it is too late, her sister Lydia is falling mysteriously ill, and worse, Mary is beginning to doubt herself. Then one evening a friend introduces her to Edgar Degas and her life changes forever. Years later she will learn that he had begged for the introduction, but in that moment their meeting seems a miracle. So begins the defining period of her life and the most tempestuous of relationships.

In I Always Loved You, Robin Oliveira brilliantly re-creates the irresistible world of Belle Époque Paris, writing with grace and uncommon insight into the passion and foibles of the human heart.

(Click for my review of Robin Oliveira's first novel, My Name is Mary Sutter)

For readers who enjoy the style of Kelly O'Connor McNees (The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott) or Kathleen Grissom (The Kitchen House), or if you enjoyed Stephanie Cowell's Claude and Camille, this second novel by Robin Oliveira delivers a powerful punch with her beautiful prose. It's not so much the story in itself, it's the magnificent flow of words that ecompasses so much. I absolutely loved Robin Oliveira's first novel, and again here I noticed right away the style of writing- how Oliveira effortlessly portrays images, feelings and undertones of despair that captures what Belle Epoque Paris may have been all about in the artist's world. She's got me a believer of the relationship between Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt (I'm not going to spoil anything, you'll simply have to read it) and there is nothing in the entire novel I would have changed.

It is a story that evolves around the painters residing in Paris at the time, and one that is depressive in nature. If you can't embrace either of these two themes I can understand some readers being turned off by the tones of the book. If you have experienced loss, or subject to melancholy moods and can empathize with struggles of the creative person than I don't see any reason why you shouldn't adore this story of the struggles and loves of Mary and Edgar. And yet, it is so much more, as it includes their circle of friends and thus becomes a panoramic view of the ever-changing needs of society. It doesn't bounce between all the characters, but we do have a vivid look into Edouard Manet's and Berthe Morisot's lives along with the secondary characters (including Mary's family) who completely fill out this evocative and emotive novel of the late 1800's in Paris.

Looking at my status updates on Goodreads:
"Oh the prose!!!! 'You uttered them and they evanesced, but if you wrote them, they remained, though whether the written word was any more truthful than the spoken was a mystery to her.'"

and a touching scene (you had to be there!)
"Thank you, Monsieur Degas."
"Oh no. Not anymore. I am Edgar." Best scene ever

I simply loved the whole thing - the story and the writing, and will gladly read anything by Robin Oliveira for the rest of my life. I have a friend who wants to read this too, and my first thought is I need to give this to her, but I just can't let it go. I am going to have to read it again. And only maybe then can I share the joy and the heartbreak of the story. For now, it's just too personal, and it's mine to keep. Thank you to Robin Oliveira for touching my heart and putting together sentences the way that you do. Brava!

Realistic portrait of heroes of the Civil War

The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot
Tyndale, February 2014
HC 368 pages
Historical fiction
Review copy provided by the publisher for review in the February 2014 Historical Novel Society magazine
Editors' Choice Review
Burton Book Review Rating: FIVE STARS

Dance Pickett knows better than most the suffering contained within the walls of Andersonville Prison. Posted on sentry duty, he'd like to help the condemned and dying prisoners of war but knows that any mercy he extends will be seen as treason.

Southern belle Violet Stiles could never have imagined the atrocities that lay just ten miles from her home. Surely the good folk of Americus would never knowingly condone such barbarism. When Violet's goodwill campaign stirs up accusations of Union sympathies and endangers her family, she realizes she must tread carefully.Confederate corporal Emery Jones never expected to find camaraderie with the Union prisoner he escorted to Andersonville. But the soldier's wit and poignant longing for his wife and children strike a chord in Emery.

How can this man, so like himself, be an enemy? Emery vows that this unlikely friendship will survive beyond the war--little knowing what that promise will cost him. As these three young Rebels cross paths and share their tales, a plot forms that, if successful, could hang them for treason. Will they have the strength to stand against and fight for their fellow man? Wrestling with God's harsh truth, they must decide for themselves, once and for all, Who is my neighbor?

Andersonville Prison was a death camp masquerading as a prison during the Civil War for the captured Union soldiers, but did the Confederates want it that way? The author relays a story so horrifying yet utterly compelling as we follow three young soldiers whose lives will never be the same simply because they crossed paths. While transporting his prisoner to Andersonville, Emery Jones suddenly faces treasonous thoughts when he realizes the deplorable conditions of the prison in Georgia. He meets Dance Pickett and Violet Stiles who echo his sentiments about the conditions and their efforts to clean up Andersonville lead to sad statements about humanity and the lack of justice during war.

A stirring story that demands to be read in one sitting because you don't want to leave these unforgettable characters, Tracy Groot could not have done any better with this topic. Even while giving us horrifying visions of 'fence-posts' of dead soldiers, we still could not help but reach for that ultimate gift of a happily ever after. The Sentinels of Andersonville is a wonderfully powerful and evocative story that I would recommend to any historical fiction fan.

My one complaint is that I do wish it were longer, I did not want it to end!

Edited so that I can add that I told you so!
The Sentinels of Andersonville was a 2015 Christy Award Winner.

Steamy romance with amusing twists and turns between lords and ladies dancing..

Lord Graham Spencer needs a wife.But not just any girl will do. She must have the money to save his dilapidated estate and desperate tenants. So when he meets a charming American lady’s maid on the beach at Brighton, the last thing he ought to do is kiss her.
Katherine Wright is hunting a titled husband.Or at least her mother is. But Katherine can’t get the memory of a most inappropriate kiss out of her mind. The handsome stranger who took her in his arms in Brighton was only a valet, but even if she is an heiress, she’d rather spend her life with him than some stiff British aristocrat.
Can true love survive two false identities, two scheming mamas, and two lavish house parties where all is revealed? It can…
When A Lord Needs A Lady

It's the late 1870's in England when young American socialite Katherine visits Brighton Beach. Feeling stifled by propriety and by her mother, Katherine disguises herself as a maid so that she can sightsee and finally have some fun. When she meets Graham Spencer, she has no idea that he is actually the sought after Lord Avonleigh, and hijinks ensue as mis-communications and misunderstandings culminate while the two fall in love each other despite his being betrothed. Graham has never given into romantic notions until he has met Katherine, and he considers perhaps making her his mistress would be the answer to his prayers as he is forced to marry another very wealthy heiress in order to save his crumbling estate.

When A Lord Needs A Lady is a heartwarming and amusing romance with steamy scenes and believable tension to keep the reader hoping that there could be a happy ending after all. The supporting characters had stories of their own which helped to flesh out the main story line. Though a quick read, it still felt worthy of my time as the hero in Graham gives us all hope.

Spoiled American socialite betrays her country..

The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki
Howard Books, February 11. 2014
Paperback 496 pages
Review copy from NetGalley for which I was denied at first and then I had to beg for indignantly and thus I got accepted to review it, geesh, make a girl beg why don'tcha?
Burton Book Review Rating: 4.5 stars

A riveting historical novel about Peggy Shippen Arnold, the cunning wife of Benedict Arnold and mastermind behind America’s most infamous act of treason. Everyone knows Benedict Arnold—the infamous Revolutionary War General who betrayed America and fled to the British as history’s most notorious turncoat. Many know Arnold’s co-conspirator, Major John André, who was apprehended with Arnold’s documents in his boots and hanged at the orders of General George Washington. But few know of the integral third character in the plot; a charming and cunning young woman, who not only contributed to the betrayal but orchestrated it.

Socialite Peggy Shippen is half Benedict Arnold’s age when she seduces the war hero during his stint as Military Commander of Philadelphia. Blinded by his young bride’s beauty and wit, Arnold does not realize that she harbors a secret: loyalty to the British. Nor does he know that she hides a past romance with the handsome British spy John André. Peggy watches as her husband, crippled from battle wounds and in debt from years of service to the colonies, grows ever more disillusioned with his hero, Washington, and the American cause. Together with her former lover and her disaffected husband, Peggy hatches the plot to deliver West Point to the British and, in exchange, win fame and fortune for herself and Arnold.

Told from the perspective of Peggy’s maid, whose faith in the new nation inspires her to intervene in her mistress’s affairs even when it could cost her everything, The Traitor’s Wife brings these infamous figures to life, illuminating the sordid details and the love triangle that nearly destroyed the American fight for freedom.

If you are one of those readers that have to like the main protagonist in order to enjoy reading the book, then you may not enjoy this. Peggy Shippen Arnold didn't have much of a noble character as she can be summed up as a wishy washy spoiled brat who had no qualms at being a manipulative twit. She only wants parties and bigger hair, and flashy men..her only loyalty was to herself. She doesn't care if her admirers are the British or the Colonials, as long as they are fawning all over her and she is the life of the party. Her maid Clara is her saving grace, as the novel features Clara's story as she serves as Peggy's maid at a time when Peggy was looking for that perfect knight in shining armor. She flirts with everyone until she finds herself the wife to Benedict Arnold, the man whose name is known as the traitor to the new American country. But as this story tells it, perhaps he would not be known as a traitor if only he had not met Peggy Shippen.

The nuances of the era were very well portrayed, as one can really get a sense of the Colonials versus the British mentality. I haven't come across a lot of American Revolution novels, despite the fact that fellow readers express their interest in such. Pataki's novel will certainly help fill that void, even if Peggy causes you to have a sour taste in your mouth simply because of her traitorous habits. There never really does seem to be a good enough reason for Benedict to betray one's country, aside from the fact that the Arnolds felt they were owed money for his previous heroic military maneuvers, and so it's hard to empathize with the Arnolds.

However, the story is quite engaging because of the historical detail and the fictitious characters that Pataki creates who redeem the novel as a whole. The use of Clara and her love interest as an added feature to the novel helps draw the reader in to Clara's world. Pataki's storytelling brings to life the less than glorious aspects of the Colonial Americans and brings their situation into a new light. Benedict Arnold's character is very intriguing, and I'm even more interested in further reading of the struggles of our forefathers. I would definitely be interested in the latter half of Peggy and Benedict's life together, as the novel ends right at their point of ultimate disgrace. A very shocking scandal for the times, and I enjoyed how the story played out. Well researched and well written, I recommend this novel for those also interested in learning a slice of colonial history.

Regency and Footloose collide!

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen
Bethany House, January 7, 2014
Historical/Regency Romance
Review copy provided by Litfuse in exchange for this review, thank you!
Burton Book Review Rating: 4.5 stars

Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch’s daughter. Though he’s initially wary of Julia Midwinter’s reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul–and hidden sorrows of her own. Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master–a man her mother would never approve of–but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec’s help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village…and to her mother’s tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a “good match” in Regency England.

Purchase a copy

My other reviews of Julie Klassen's titles:  The Tutor's Daughter; The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Typing this from a snazzy new ZaggProfolio for iPad is awesome, but I'm still left wondering when will blogger ever update their platform, especially their blogger app? They are so slow to keep up with the trends of blogging, and trying to edit older posts is just a nightmare. Can't even center or format posts like you can from the computer, and how hard can a simple alignment command be? Can't even add links to text or images. Lame!!

Not quite so loving, but a saga of a woman's search for it.

The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy (Queens of England #5)
Published December 30th 1989 by Fawcett (first published 1987)
Personal reading copy
Burton Book Review Rating: 3.5 stars

'When I look back over my long and tempestuous life, I can see that much of what happened to me—my triumphs and most of my misfortunes—was due to my passionate relationships with men. I was a woman who considered herself their equal—and in many ways their superior—but it seemed that I depended on them, while seeking to be the dominant partner—an attitude which could hardly be expected to bring about a harmonious existence.'

Eleanor of Aquitaine was revered for her superior intellect, extraordinary courage, and fierce loyalty. She was equally famous for her turbulent relationships, which included marriages to the kings of both France and England.

As a child, Eleanor reveled in her beloved grandfather’s Courts of Love, where troubadours sang of romantic devotion and passion filled the air. In 1137, at the age of fifteen, Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine, the richest province in Europe. A union with Louis VII allowed her to ascend the French throne, yet he was a tepid and possessive man and no match for a young woman raised in the Courts of Love. When Eleanor met the magnetic Henry II, the first Plantagenet King of England, their stormy pairing set great change in motion—and produced many sons and daughters, two of whom would one day reign in their own right.

In this majestic and sweeping story, set against a backdrop of medieval politics, intrigue, and strife, Jean Plaidy weaves a tapestry of love, passion, betrayal, and heartbreak—and reveals the life of a most remarkable woman whose iron will and political savvy enabled her to hold her own against the most powerful men of her time.

Historical fiction lovers recognize this prolific author of Jean Plaidy who goes by several different pseudonyms as each evoke a different style of writing.  After reading some of Plaidy's, some of Holt's, and one of Carr's I can safely make the assertion that Plaidy's work under that name is historically based but yet she still seems to impart a bit of "liberty" into her fiction, though she doesn't do it in an over the top kind of way. By using this tactic with her slightly dry/to-the-point prose, readers are often left wondering of what was factual and what was not.

With The Courts of Love, Plaidy also imparts a few nuances of liberties, but I felt like she portrays Eleanor of Aquitaine very well, as I've come to believe of her. A passionate woman, a ruler by her own right and by her husband's right, she was at the heart of many events during England's and France's history. The novel opens up with Eleanor and her sister Petronilla, with a bit of an awkward relationship with her father, and then transitions to Queen of France and finally to Queen of England. I have always deplored the whole sad relationship Eleanor had with the pious Louis, and it was there that the story stalled, especially since we know the fun stuff doesn't really happen till she meets the young-soon-to-be King Henry. There was a lot of "Oh, how I wish Louis were more like Uncle Raymond" and it wasn't until we get to having kids with King Henry that the story began to take off.

This novel is one that is the same to those of us who have read a few Eleanor novels, so if you are like me in that regard (my Eleanor reviews) there is a high chance you could be bored with more than just the France part. It glazes through everything of Eleanor's life swiftly, as if to fit it all in, which leaves us wondering if she left all the meaty historical bits for her Plantagenet series. I did feel several times that I wanted to pick up a Penman novel after this (Lionheart has been neglected for quite awhile already). I did not appreciate how Petronilla was a big part of her life up to the point she met  Henry, and how she then dropped off the face of the earth.

As it was so character-oriented with Eleanor, it also served as a spotlight of Eleanor's and Henry's relationship. I felt like slapping Henry several times, and hoped that Eleanor wasn't so detached from her children as she seemed to be. From the way Plaidy tells it, Eleanor did not have a very happy life, though she had several triumphant moments. It does speak to the fact that men ruled everything, which really grates my nerves. And while the title is The Courts of Love, the novel instead is representative of The Courts of Betrayal. There was not a surfeit of love going on in this one, and one of my pet peeves is the fact my husband believes I am reading some smutty romance because of some of the titles of books I read. This is one example of that injustice.

Eleanor was constantly reaching for those courts of love that her childhood represented, but as she got older it became more and more elusive to her. She never does find it, especially as she finds that her husband has strayed from her. Her heart is broken, and we can't help but feel for this queenly woman who fought for everything she owned, though it was never enough.

I would recommend this novel for those who haven't read more than five Eleanor-related titles, but it would be a perfect read for those who are just starting to get to know her. The fact that Plaidy DOES manage to fit a ton of small baiting type of historical tidbits into this story is why I felt compelled to give it an extra half star. Her storytelling is exact and to the point though sometimes repetitive, but in the end you're still glad you finally read that Plaidy novel that's been beckoning for so long. Jean Plaidy is a pioneer in the historical fiction field especially with how prolific she was, and I feel she helped to pave the way for more contemporary favorites such as Sharon Penman and Elizabeth Chadwick.

Regency romance with suspense and faith undertones blended together seamlessly

The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson, December 2013
Historical Romance
Review copy provided by the author in exchange for this honest review, thank you!
Burton Book Review Rating: 4.5 stars

Patience Creighton will finally find the peace she lost years ago--if she can open her heart and forgive the man who loves her.  

Bright, sensible Patience knows what is expected of her. At twenty-five, her opportunity for a family of her own has passed, so she finds contentment teaching at her father's school for girls. When her father dies suddenly and her brother moves away to London, she is determined to keep her father's dream alive.

Confirmed bachelor William Sterling also knows what is expected of him, but mistake after mistake has left him teetering on ruin's edge. As master of Eastmore Hall he owns a great deal of land but possesses little money to manage the upkeep. He is desperate to find a new source of income, including the sacrifice of land connected to Rosemere.

When her brother returns with a new wife to take over management of the school, Patience is heartbroken to no longer be responsible for her beloved school and is forced to reassess God's purpose for her life. After her sister-in-law's matchmaking brings Patience and William together, they both learn new truths about their character and find a common goal in restoring Eastmore's legacy.

Read my review of the first book of the Whispers on the Moors series, The Heiress of Winterwood.
(A favorite of 2013!)

Sarah Ladd created an envious fan base with her debut novel last year making many of us jump at the chance to review The Headmistress of Rosemere and I was included in that jumping up and down. Her stories are witty but genuine, and include an underlying message of hope and redemption all set against the popular backdrop of a Regency England. This story features William Sterling, master of the large estate of Eastmore Hall where Patience Creighton teaches young ladies. Even though within close proximities for years, the two hardly ever meet till William is beset by scoundrels and seeks shelter in Patience's barn.

While there is a romantic interest between the two, it is set aside for more realistic pursuits such as attending to their daily routines and taking care of things around them. William is forced to make decisions that he may regret and the readers are holding their breath as another suitor comes calling for Patience. Supporting characters all form an integral part to the story, such as the suitor for Patience and her distracted family, and the girls she tutors.

Patience's sacrifices for the school have seemingly gone unnoticed as her brother appoints a new headmaster for her school, and her future becomes more and more unclear. William Sterling makes business decisions with ruffians which end up bringing danger to them all, giving the novel a mysterious flair. Ladd's storytelling skills shine once again, and her theme of forgiveness and hope is threaded throughout making for a fulfilling reading experience. I cannot wait to see what is next for this captivating Whispers on the Moors series! (These can be read as a stand alone, the characters from each are lightly intertwined).

The second installment to the Escape to Paradise trilogy focuses on Magnolia Scott and Hayden Gale who we met during Forsaken Dreams (my review can be found here). The first novel featured the background to the travelers on the journey to Brazil and should be read first. I was looking forward to continuing this story of a new colony of Southerners eager to make a fresh start close to a jungle far from home, and far from the damages of the Civil War.

While Forsaken Dreams focused on rebuilding a Southern Utopia, this novel seemed to focus more on the characters' interactions with each other with a major focus on the love blossoming between the opposites attract angle between Magnolia and Hayden. Deep down they weren't very opposite as they were both self serving and difficult to get along with, which made their relationship that much more fun to watch develop.

The intriguing twist to this romance was the ominous shadow that had that supernatural quivering tingle underneath the main plot line, and it wasn't until the end that we get to that climatic conclusion... but it wasn't a conclusion except more of a cliffhanger which will again entice MaryLu's readers to pick up her next novel. It was well-written with just the right dose of faith-based discovery, with characters that really help flesh out this intriguing setting. Definitely not to be read as a stand-alone though, as newcomers will lose the sense of the story if they start here.

Although I read fewer books this year than last, I feel I have read some wonderful reads still. These were given five stars as I tend to write reviews soon after reading, and if I really feel like I loved the book and totally enjoyed the experience, I gave it five stars. There is no order to this list, plus this list will comprise of reads that I physically read in 2013 but not necessarily published in 2013. I got lucky that I had an even round of ten books this year to make the five star distinction.

Click titles to read my reviews:

The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow

The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd

American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the exile that saved American Independence by Jane Hampton Cook

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick

Return To Me by Lynn Austin

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick

Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson  (pictured with the Bible that I also read this year, of course I have to include that title here too)

So there were a lot of inspirational fiction which actually surprised me, but don't let that term deter you from reading most of these that were very very very light on the "biblical" side. These stories are full of romance and hope, and lots of drama. And HISTORICAL! My favorite genre is historical fiction, and over the last few years I have jumped into the inspirational side of history as I was bored of Kings and Queens in Europe. I enjoy reading about the struggles of earlier Americans, and it turns out there is a huge market of these in the inspirational genre. Best of two worlds!

And it is interesting to note that I continue to read more female writers as well (there was a facebook conversation about this).. I tend to lean towards females in general as far as fiction goes. It's just a personal preference.

As far as 2014 goes, I expect to review more romance and hopefully I'll be finding some new authors to enjoy. I have no idea honestly at this point which genres/sub-genres I will actually gravitate towards, it seems that the publishers don't always publish what I'm in the mood for currently, so I might just visit the local library more often especially since my son is getting more and more interested in going there. That's a great thing to this mama!

I wanted to give others the opportunity to participate in an upcoming Group Read we are having over at Goodreads for a popular author, Jean Plaidy aka Victoria Holt.

On December 26, 2013 we are scheduled to start reading The Courts of Love at the forum and anyone can join in. These are loosely formatted: there is not a formal reading schedule, simply pop in and share thoughts or lurk as you wish.

Published in the 1980's, there have been several issues of The Courts of Love since its original publication. You can take a look at some of the different covers here. The one that I will be reading from is pictured below:
 Synopsis from Goodreads:

When I look back over my long and tempestuous life, I can see that much of what happened to me—my triumphs and most of my misfortunes—was due to my passionate relationships with men. I was a woman who considered herself their equal—and in many ways their superior—but it seemed that I depended on them, while seeking to be the dominant partner—an attitude which could hardly be expected to bring about a harmonious existence.


Eleanor of Aquitaine was revered for her superior intellect, extraordinary courage, and fierce loyalty. She was equally famous for her turbulent relationships, which included marriages to the kings of both France and England.


As a child, Eleanor reveled in her beloved grandfather’s Courts of Love, where troubadours sang of romantic devotion and passion filled the air. In 1137, at the age of fifteen, Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine, the richest province in Europe. A union with Louis VII allowed her to ascend the French throne, yet he was a tepid and possessive man and no match for a young woman raised in the Courts of Love. When Eleanor met the magnetic Henry II, the first Plantagenet King of England, their stormy pairing set great change in motion—and produced many sons and daughters, two of whom would one day reign in their own right.


In this majestic and sweeping story, set against a backdrop of medieval politics, intrigue, and strife, Jean Plaidy weaves a tapestry of love, passion, betrayal, and heartbreak—and reveals the life of a most remarkable woman whose iron will and political savvy enabled her to hold her own against the most powerful men of her.



Feel free to join in the discussions over at Goodreads! Hope to see you there!
Here is the direct link to the thread of the group read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/206333?group_id=53515

It's almost Christmas so I figured it was time to check in here on the blog and say Merry Christmas! I have been doing some reading behind the scenes, but unfortunately they are all for a February post date.. so the blog will seem bare till then.

I had taken some time off so that I could squeeze in some review reads and so I focused on those instead of personal library reads, and that means I utterly failed at this year's TBR Challenge. I did well at the pace I was on until I took a new job in June and health issues and so I only read seven out of twelve selections. I think I may have done better if I had been able to predict my reading habits after the summer, and what type of books I would then be interested in. I had listed some books that had been sitting on my shelf for years and felt I should get to them out of respect for them, but I just was never in the mood.


Titles that I wonder if I'll EVER get to are Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold and Legacy: The Acclaimed Novel of Elizabeth the Most Passionate Queen and the Three Men Who Loved Her by Susan Kay. I am so bored of the Tudors and Elizabethans at this point (I still have two recent releases that I haven't finished and don't care if I ever will) and I really find myself wishing more for American History at this point. I even find myself not wanting any European history either so who knows what I'll be reading in 2014?! Biblical fiction and non-fiction, and American history/Civil War is my guess, with inspirational romance reads still being a favorite.

The most important thing to remember as bloggers is how we are eager to salivate over upcoming reads and find ourselves requesting/accepting ARCs but we end up bogging ourselves down. I find that is what happened with me in the past: counting on Time being my friend and feeling like a review to be posted at a later date shouldn't be a problem. But then real life gets in the way and there are days you just can't find the time to pick up a book to even read a sentence. I allowed myself the current review pile only because I knew I would be on vacation, and now I have to remind myself that once Christmas is over it'll all be over and it's time to get back to focusing on the career. Thankfully I have only one or two for January and February dates, which means I am able to start another Group Read of a Jean Plaidy/Victoria Holt novel.

It's time to sign up for the 2014 TBR Challenge.. but experience shows me I may as well save myself the time. It's enough of a chore to compose the scheduled reviews with the links, photos, etc.. when I'd rather just open up a book instead of staring at the computer screen. Kudos to all those bloggers out there who have the strength to keep up with the blogging pace that some of you have set!

(23,235 pages as of 12/12/13)
I was able to surpass my reading goal for number of titles for the Goodreads challenge, as well as completing the study bible this year. So even though I haven't completed the TBR Challenge, I still feel like I did well. I didn't totally shut down the blog even though it crossed my mind!

I do have two brand new books on my shelf that I wanted to conduct a giveaway for.. but it'll have to wait till I feel the urge. One of them is a new and signed book by local author, Anne Mateer.. and I wanted to be able to read my own copy so that I could GUSH about it during the giveaway.. so stay tuned for that at some future point!

I'll create another post to update upcoming reads and also I'll need to do a Best of 2013 post as well! Till then, enjoy the Christmas season!