This picture book, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, honors the Cherokee way of being grateful for the many blessings received. In a sense, it is a celebration of all things Cherokee. The author, being Cherokee herself, has brought her special brand of insight to the views of her people and how they celebrate throughout the year.
It is beautifully illustrated by Frane` Lessac in the folk
art tradition. The colors are vivid, imaginative and want to jump off the page.
You can see that special care was given to each scene depicted in order to make
this book special.
I liked that the text is in both English and in Cherokee and
how the author explained the Cherokee celebrations in such a way that all can
understand. There is really not a plot here. It read more like a commentary,
which I am not faulting, because it is a picture book after all.
This is a lovely picture book for ages 3 to 8 years that is
thoughtfully done. My granddaughter and I have already read it several times
and I think this will be one of her favorites. I highly recommend this to all
young readers.
I received a free copy from the author at BEA in
exchange for my honest opinion.
Fearless Mary by Tami Charles (illustrated by Claire Almon) is a nonfiction early reader about Mary Fields the first African American Woman to drive a stage coach. It is an incredible story about a larger than life figure that helped pave the way for others of color and women in general.
The story tells how Mary Fields, a former slave, hitched
horses faster than any man to be awarded the job of stage coach driver. It also
gives us a glimpse of what it was like to be a stage coach driver. The daily
challenges Mary would have faced and the pride she took in doing her job.
The whole book was thoughtful done. While it is nonfiction mixed with fiction, the story is presented in such a way that all young readers will enjoy. The illustrations are well done and suit the story nicely. I think most young readers will connect with Mary in some way. We need more role models like her today.
I recommend this book to young readers (6 to 10) who are
interested in the history of the American West and African American history.
The book is appropriate for readers as young as 6; yet, because of the subject
matter some older readers may also enjoy. I think it will especially appeal to
girls because the story has such a positive message about women and women of
color and Mary is such a strong female character that young girls will identify
with.
I received a free copy at BEA from the author in exchange
for my honest review.
The Memory Tree by John A. Heldt is the second book in The Carson Chronicles series. The book follows the Carson siblings on their continuing adventure of a lifetime as they struggle to find their lost time traveling parents. Book two picks up where book one ended and, as you can imagine, nothing seems to go right for the siblings.
Shortly after arriving in 1918 the siblings decide they can
cover more ground by splitting up. Adam and Bridgett, now expecting their first
child, have taken up a temporary residence in Minnesota not far from Duluth.
This becomes home base with Adam as the head of the time traveling group. From
here he will help guide the search for their parents, Tim and Caroline Carson.
The twins, Caitlin and Cody, decide to visit an old friend
from 1889 and so they travel to Pennsylvania. The plan is to visit a family war
hero, while in Pennsylvania, in the hopes that their parents have done the same.
In the meantime, Natalie takes a journalist position at the Minneapolis Post.
She will travel as far as war torn Europe to cover her human interest stories.
Greg heads off by himself following yet another trail of ancestral clues to
Mexico to meet another family member.
In attempting to cover all the bases, in this time traveling
game of tag, will the Carson sibling ever caught a break? It seems they encounter
even more problems than they did in 1889. Despite the setbacks and hard ships
they will endure, the siblings remain upbeat and optimistic. Their parents have
left them a big clue and maybe, just maybe this is the time period they are
able to reunite.
As I have come to expect from Mr. Heldt, the characters are
what make this developing story. Told from various POVs , each sibling and
their parents have their own observations and contributions to the tale. The
passion which Heldt portrays the characters makes them memorable and you can’t
help rooting for them even when you know things are not going to work in their
favor.
In addition, the events of the time and descriptions of an
era, now one hundreds in our past, are deftly woven in and around the unfolding
story. Heldt brings you into this magically time in our history and then sends
you on this grand adventure with the characters you have grown to know and love.
Overall this is a wonderful story that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
I highly recommend this book for people who love historical stories, with a touch of fantasy, that are grounded in facts. In several ways this series reminds me of Outlander. The historical interwoven with the fictional families, relationships and romance makes for a delightful read. While I used my Kindle Unlimited account to down load this e-book, the author did request that I read and review it. Regards of how I acquire a book, all opinions are my own.
Innocent Bystander by C. A. Asbrey is the third book in The Innocent Mystery Series. It did not matter that I have not read the previous books, this book can be read as a standalone. The story is a bit mystery, a bit romance mixed together with a little dose of trouble and it all made for an enjoyable read.
Abigail (Abi) MacKay’s youngest sister Madeleine is
basically a spoiled brat and seems to relish getting in trouble. Madeleine’s
latest adventure is to run away and marry David Bartholemew a man a number of
years her senior. What Madeleine does not know is that her husband’s previous
wives have died under questionable circumstances.
Fortunately for Madeleine, Abigail is a Pinkerton agent and she
is determined to find her before she is the next victim. She enlists the help of Nat Quinn and Jake
Conway from the Innocents gang. A band of outlaws that make their home in Ghost
Canyon. She has had dealings with them before and despite being criminals she
knows they will help her and they have a plan. Yet, as we all know, even the
best laid plan can go awry.
What ensues next is a couple of plot twists and unforeseen incidents
that keep the reader engaged. In this, the author has done a good job of
hooking the reader early and maintaining their interest throughout without the
plot being forced or rushed. Just the right amount of tension has gone a long
way here to make a story that feels like it unfolds naturally.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book are the details of
life during the second half of the 19th century. Especially how the
new scientific discovers of the time were being used not only is everyday life
but also by law enforcement. One of the major reasons I enjoy books with a
historical setting is to learn about the times and the author surprised me with
the amount of information in the story.
The only thing I would have liked more of is character development.
In all honestly, I can’t complain too much since I have not read the first two
books. I suspect had I read them, I would not be mentioning it. Therefore, feel free to take this comment with
a grain of salt.
In a nutshell, this is a well written and researched
historical book. I recommend this book for people who like mysteries with a
historical setting.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my
honest review.
The Glass Ocean is
a wonderfully entertaining story of intrigue and romance set in the days
leading up to the entrance of the United States into WWI and grounded in the
present by one woman who is linked irrevocably to the past.
Sarah Blake is an author with one best seller already under
her belt. Despite her successfully debut, she is struggling with her finances
and to come up with an idea for her next best seller. Her mother’s Alzheimer’s
seems to be taking a toll on her creativity as well as her pocketbook. Desperate
for an idea, Sarah decides to open a trunk, even after promising she would not,
that has been passed down in her family from her great-grandfather.
Inside the truck she finds an intriguing note written during
the final voyage of the Lusitania which was sunk by a German U-boat. Knowing in
her gut this is the big idea that has been escaping her for so long, she heads
off to the UK to do research. Once there she tracks down John Langford, who has
troubles of his own, to enlist his help researching his family’s ties to the
sinking of the Lusitania.
What they uncover will shock both of them to the core in
more ways than one. It may even shed new light on the sinking of the Lusitania.
The question is, are they prepared to tell the world of their discovery?
The Glass Ocean
despite being written as a collaboration of three authors readers seamlessly. I
liked all the characters and the development was good. I do wish I had understood
Tessa’s sister a little better. The plot is totally fictional but seemed
plausible. The pace was very nice and the intrigue kept me reading on several occasions
when I should have been doing other things. I especially enjoyed the descriptions
of the Lusitania and what life was like as a first-class passenger.
The one thing I was not happy with is the ending. Without
giving anything away, I’ll just say that the fate of some characters did not work
for me.
All-in-all, this is an entertaining historical fiction/romance
and will appeal to a variety of readers. I recommend it to anyone who likes
Historical Fiction set in the first quarter of the 20th century.
I received a free copy from the publisher in
exchange for my honest review.
I read some really good reviews about The Wolf and the
Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag and was super excited to read it. It should
have been a home run for me. Alas, I just could not connect with the main
character. The plot dragged and at page 107 I called it quits. My first “DNF”
for 2019.
Reflecting back, it boils down to the two items I mentioned
above. The plot just did not grab me which is so unusual for a crime thriller.
Normally, by page 10, I can’t read fast enough. In addition, I never had a connection
to the main character which in a thriller is not a death sentence; yet, put
together with the plot problems…. Let’s just say this one is just not for me.
Somewhere I read someone’s thoughts that has really hit home for me. To paraphrase, “This book is not a mainstream reader type of book and will in time become more of a cult reader work.” I totally agree with this assessment. Therefore, you will just have to read for yourself to decide if you are in my camp or not. Either way, I hope you enjoy.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my
honest review.
Below is the publisher’s blurb about the book:
“ In this
breathtakingly bold, intricately constructed novel set in 18th century
Stockholm, a dying man searches among the city’s teeming streets, dark corners,
and intriguing inhabitants to unmask a ruthless murderer—perfect for fans
of Perfume and The Alienist.”
The Blameless Dead, by Gary Haynes, gives new meaning to the phrase “revenge is a dish better served cold.” Revenge is the only motive for the serial killer in this fast paced historical thriller. Yet, the story is so much more. I found it to be an intense and harrowing ride through the darker side of humanity.
The book starts with what appears to be a robbery gone wrong
but turns into so much more. When one of the suspects leads an attorney, Gabriel
Hall who is representing him, to make connections to his missing niece, Sangmu,
the darker side of this story starts to unfold. It is not long before Gabriel connects
the dots between this crime and a string of missing girls. Once he has put two
and two together he races to find the killer in hopes that he will also find Sungmu.
This book brings to the forefront the true horrors of war by
not only addressing the horrors themselves and what humans are capable of doing
to others but also the fallout of their actions. I do believe that in this
instance the killer is insane, as in the case of Ted Bundy, he was able to hide
it for years. In fact, I can see a lot of parallels to Ted Bundy and wonder if
the author took some inspiration from his story.
The plot is fast paced and the story line exciting and believable.
The author did a good job in researching the underlying facts though I know the
story is entirely fictional. I have not read much about the aftermath of WWII
especially as it relates to Russia; therefore, I found that part fascinating.
The plot was well done and is complex in places. This is one that you will have
to pay attention or you will miss an important element.
The only negative is I never really got to know the
characters in a way that allowed me to connect with them. This happens sometimes
in plot driven stories and is the main reason I rated it four stars instead of
five.
I actually found the story difficult to read because of the
subject matter. I feel this book is geared more towards a male audience. Therefore,
I am recommending it to those readers who like dark, intense thrillers. I think
that historical thrillers readers who don’t mind graphic violence and enjoy a
fast paced historical thriller will also enjoy this one.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my
honest review.
Ensnare, book one of the Berlin Butterfly series by Leah Moyes, tells the heart wrenching story of a young, former orphan girl, Ella, trapped on the wrong side of Berlin when the wall is erected in August of 1961.
Ella’s father is gravely ill as soldiers start unrolling spools
of barbed wire, which will form the first Berlin Wall, to keep the citizens of
East Berlin from fleeing to the west. She is torn between escaping while she
still can, with her young brother and best friend Anton, and staying behind to
care for her sick father. Ella makes the only decision she feels she can and
stays behind while entrusting her brother to Anton’s care.
In a very short time, Ella’s father passes away and she is stuck
alone in East Berlin. She has no money for food or to bury her father. Therefore,
she strikes a deal with the Frankes, a wealthy and influential family in East Berlin,
whom runs a mortuary. She will work as domestic help for 2 years to pay off the
debt she owes them for the casket and burial. Once Ella begins working for the
Frankes she makes friends and seeks ways to escape East Berlin. Yet what awaits
Ella in the next two years will be much more than she expected and will put her
life in danger and the lives of those she comes to trust and even love.
I was captivated with the character of Ella from the first. Her
story has a realness to it and kept me engaged throughout. Just thinking about a
15 year old girl having to make such a life changing decision gives me goose
bumps. Yet, she is strong and resilient. I felt the author did justice to the character
by making her that way. Times were different then and hard ship was common;
therefore, children had to grow up much faster.
I also loved the historical aspect of the book and felt the
setting was the perfect backdrop for Ella’s story. The descriptions of the East
versus West side of Berlin rang true to the times. It is obvious that the
author did her research.
In addition, the plot moves smoothly along and at a nice pace. I was never bored and never felt the story was rushed. The story just seemed to unfold effortlessly with just enough twists to keep your attention but not so much that it felt over worked. Really well done!
Ensnare is one of
those books that has a lot going for it and should appeal to a broad audience.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction, Romance and Women’s
Fiction.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Based very loosely on facts, The Witches of St. Petersburg,
by Imogen Edwards-Jones, is about two young sisters Militza and Stana whose
father arranges their marriages to members of the Russian nobility. Once they
arrive at court the Russian aristocracy look down their noses at them for being
not only outsiders but uncultivated and having backwater ways.
The sisters further this appearance by dabbling in black
magic. They predict the sex of the servant’s unborn children, read tea leaves,
and hold séances to communicate with the dead. All of this is very unseemly for
someone of the nobility. That is until the sisters capture the attention of the
Tsar’s wife Alexandra.
Tsarina Alexandra has produced nothing but girls and she is
desperate to give the Tsar an heir. So desperate in fact that she allows the
sisters to send her charlatan, after charlatan, to help ensure a male child is
born to secure the Romanov line. I guess you could say desperate times call for
desperate measures. Once Rasputin enters the story Militza and Stana are
desperate to help Alexandra and secure their place in the social standings of
the Russian court. Unfortunately, they
are wholly unprepared for what will come.
I read some of the reviews going into this book and was not
sure if I would like it. Since I love reading historical fiction that are based
on facts and I also find paranormal stories fascinating, I decided to not let
others influence me. That is not to say that there were not flaws, because there
were and I just ignored them for the most part and enjoyed the story for the
entertainment it is.
So what I liked about the book was the darker side of court life
that was betrayed. I felt the author really did a good job of capturing that. I
also liked her imaginative take on fictional events surrounding the Romanovs. The
sisters Militiza and Stanza’s characters I also liked. I felt that they were
still young enough that they didn’t realize what they were getting into. What
started out as a simple attempt to elevate their social standing in the end
turned on them in the most horribly way.
What I did not like was the repetitiveness of some parts. I
felt that the book could have been cut down by a third and it would be better
for it. The other thing I disliked was all the sexual content, in the second
half of the book, which took away from the plot. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t
mind sexual scenes in books especially when it helps move the story forward or releases
tension. I just felt that it was heavy handed and fewer would have been better.
This goes back to my prior point, less would have been better.
In summary, while I did like parts of the story and enjoyed reading sections, especially the first half of the book. There were flaws that some readers will find fatal to the overall story. This is why I have rated it at 3.5 stars. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff is the fictional tale
of women who were recruited and trained to become spies in Europe during WWII.
It is a tale of incredible courage and fortitude in the face of overwhelming
odds. Though the tale is fictional it is based on the fact that there were
women that were spies during WWII.
This story starts in the U.S. shortly after the war is over. Grace Healey, a
war widow herself, finds a suitcase in Grand Central station in New York City.
She can’t resist the urge to open it and look through its contents. She finds a
group of pictures of young women and this intrigues her. On a whim she takes
the pictures and returns the suitcase to its hiding spot under a bench.
She becomes obsessed with finding out who the suitcase
belonged to and who the women are in the pictures. As she works to gather
information, the reader is introduced to Eleanor Trigg. Eleanor runs the
organization in England that recruits, trains and handles women spies in German
occupied Europe. Eleanor recruits a young single mother Marie Roux who is later
sent to France as a radio operator for the French resistance. As Grace slows
finds all the puzzle pieces and fits them together we see what really happened
to these women.
My favorite thing about this book is the strong,
resourceful, women characters the author has presented us. We normally think of
women during WWII as entering the work force for the first time and doing men’s
jobs in factories that would normally have been considered male only job. We
tend to forget that women did play vital roles during WWII.
The story is told from three POVs, Grace, Eleanor and Marie.
The author made sure the plot was seamless despite the changing POVs
throughout. There was not tons of character development but there was enough to
fit the plot. At first I thought this might be a flaw, but I in retrospect I think
the author did this so on purpose. She gave us enough to connect to the characters
but not enough to overwhelm the reader and bog down the plot.
The pace of the plot was good and there was plenty of
intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages. I was hooked early on in the
story and I wanted to see what actually happened. I also liked how everything
wrapped up at the end. I wish I could elaborate further; yet, I don’t want to
spoil the story for others. Let me just say that how the government handled
things was spot on to what happens in real life.
I know from other books that the life expediency of a spy during
WWII was very short. Therefore, the only thing I disliked about the story was
the decisions made by Marie. I felt she was overly reckless and even a little naïve.
Who would go off and become a spy knowing the odds of dying are very high and thus
leaving a young child without a mother.
I highly recommend this book for readers of both Historical
Fiction and WWII stories. I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for
my honest review.
