Tag: 19th Century

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Pub. Date: 13-Sep-2011 Rating: 5 Stars

The Night Circus, by Erin Morganstern, is an amazing debut novel. This is one of my favorite books this year, maybe in several years. The story is magical, imaginative and totally entertaining. If this is a debut novel, think what the author still has in store for us!

Celia Bowen is the daughter of a famous magician. She has been in training with her father from an early age. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that when Le Cirque des Reves auditions magicians she shines and is quickly hired. But the circus is more than just a circus. It is a competition between two young magicians, Celia being one of them.

For Celia and Marco, the competing magician, the rules of the competition have always been vague. They know the circus is the venue but they are not sure how a winner will be determined. They each craft fantastical shows under the black and white stripped tents. A magical feast for the eyes and senses. There is just one little, tiny problem, Celia and Marco fall in love and in this story there can only be one winner.

I dare not say more, least I ruin this fantastic story. What I can tell you is, I was hooked within the first five pages. The book has all the things I love from a great read: outstanding plot, awesome characters, and surprising twists and an overall air of magic.

If prose could sparkle this book would glow. Every time I picked the book up, I felt like I was walking into it instead of just reading about the characters, locations, etc. Not often does a book do this to me and it is a very special thing when it does.

As I mentioned above, this book is among my favorites reads this year. Not only was the story interesting and new, the author’s prose was effortless. If you have not had the opportunity to read this yet, I don’t know what you are waiting for.

I received a free copy in a Read It Forward giveaway.  

The Bowes Inheritance by Pam Lecky

Pub. Date: 24-Jul-2015
Rating: 5 Stars

Guest Review by J.A. Miller:


The Bowes Inheritance, by Pam Lecky, has all the elements of a great book: compelling characters, a riveting plot, subplots that twist and turn, romance, intrigue, heartache and surprises. Set in Dublin and England in the late 1800’s, the story revolves around two impoverished sisters who inherit an estate in England – and all the unexpected drama that comes with it – from an uncle they never knew existed. I loved the book and so will you.

Book Blurb:

Dublin 1882: When determined but impoverished Louisa Campbell inherits a large estate in the north of England, from an uncle she didn’t even know existed, it appears to be the answer to her prayers. Her younger sister, Eleanor, is gravely ill, and believing that the country air will benefit her, they decide to take up residence at Bowes Farm, situated on the Cumberland coast.

However, they soon realise that all they have inherited is trouble. Their uncle had managed to alienate almost everyone in the area and worst of all, was suspected of being a Fenian activist. His reputation leaves Louisa and Eleanor battling to gain acceptance in polite society, especially with Nicholas Maxwell, their handsome neighbour and local magistrate. His father was cheated out of the farm during a card game fifteen years before and he is determined to get the property back.

Louisa unearths secrets from their family’s past that threaten their future while the spectre of their mysterious benefactor overshadows everything. When a Fenian bombing campaign comes close to home, Louisa finds herself a chief suspect and must fight to clear her name. She must dig deep to find the courage to solve the mysteries that Bowes Farm holds before their lives are destroyed. And most importantly of all, will she be able to finally trust and love the man who is surely her sworn enemy?

John Anthony Miller

John Anthony Miller was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a father of English ancestry and a second-generation Italian mother. Motivated by a life-long love of travel and history, he normally sets his novels in exotic locations during eras of global conflict. Characters must cope and combat, overcoming their own weaknesses as well as the external influences spawned by tumultuous times. He’s the author of the historical thrillers, To Parts Unknown, In Satan’s Shadow, When Darkness Comes, and All the King’s Soldiers, as well as the historical mystery, Honour the Dead. He lives in southern New Jersey with his family.