The Address by Fiona Davis

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Address,' A Novel by Fiona Davis.

In The Address by Fiona Davis, the opportunity to move to, and work in New York City at the Dakota, a newly built apartment for the wealthy is too wonderful to resist. Sara Smythe comes to the attention of the architect, Theodore Camden in the most unlikely of ways. She saves one of his three children to the gratification of both he and his wife. To be a female manager in 1884 was certainly an unheard-of feat, yet such an opportunity would build her life, and put her closer to Theo, the man who changed that life.

One hundred years later we meet Bailey Camden, She has been stripped of everything, a former interior designer, drugs became her way of life. Rehab has brought her back but now she must rely on others to help her through. Homeless and without any prospects she must lean on her cousin Melinda. She is the biological great granddaughter of Theodore Camden. Melinda is set to inherit the Camden fortune which includes the Dakota. Melinda allows Bailey to oversee the renovation of her apartment, the very apartment where Theodore himself resided.

Agreeing to the task, Bailey is nevertheless distressed by the thought of changing the character and history of such a wonderful building. This is the room where Theodore Camden resided after being stabbed by a former employee, Sara Smythe. Sara was later found guilty and put in an insane asylum.
As Bailey begins her work, little does she realize that her life will turn upside down one more time. There is a secret that others are willing to do anything to keep it from getting out. The tension builds as she begins to decipher the clues to the mystery of the past.

Davis takes you deep into the past and gives us a story of courage, bravery, love and revenge. But loss is also included, with a touch of grief that permeates the narrative. Her characters are very real, and the situation builds suddenly, dragging you in deeply, and forcing you to choose sides. Davis gives us the beauty and wonder of the time. Yet there is also a danger and darkness, willing to create chaos.

You are taken into the wonder of New York in the past, and treated to the beauties the helped to make it the city it has become. The unfolding narrative becomes just one of the stories that are scattered throughout the history of the city, but one that holds both hope and danger, keeping you reading deep into the night.


If you enjoy history, mystery, familial interactions and family tree distinctions, you will find this work to be full of all. This work will keep you reading, working to find the mystery and horrified to see how life can often change in just an instant. 

Rating 3/5

The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: The Half-Drowned King,' An Epic Novel by Linnea Hartsuyker.

War and salvage have long been in the world. The days of these tales live on in songs and novels as well as history. In The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker, we are taken into the past as it pertains to the areas of Norway and its surroundings.

We are taken on an epic tale of danger, growth, romance and tragedy as we travel into a past full of Vikings and warriors, as they determine who will oversee the land and how it will affect them all. We follow Ragnvald, the son of a murdered king, and his sister Svanhild as they strike out each on their own to find their way, with each wanting nothing more than their birthright. While Ragnvald seeks fame and glory as well as revenge, Svanhild would like nothing more than to be loved.

Ragnvald has seen a vision of a Golden Wolf, and is determined to make that vison come to pass. He is still both hurt and angered by an incident where his own murder was sought by his stepfather as well as that of a neighboring King. That King’s son, Solvi, was tasked with the murder, and while he tried, he failed. Ragnvald cannot forget. Unbeknownst initially of this betrayal, his sister Svanhild meets and falls in love with Solvi.

When Ragnvald is away, preparing an army for war, Svanhild is taken and wed to Solvi. This is something the Ragnvald cannot allow, and he vows to kill Solvi, and take back his sister. How can revenge trump love, and how can there be any ending to such a task except further tragedy.

Hartsuyker takes us into a world of danger, secrecy, revenge, and glory, as well as savagery and romance. Her characters are amazingly likable with both their own faults and shortcomings as well as a solid dose of common sense. You are drawn to both sister and brother as their paths appear to merge, and you feel a hurtful tension knowing that both are in pain, and yet each has their own idea of what will set it right. In a world so set by visions of glory and revenge, who will prevail? This is a great epic tale that will play on for some time and you will be enthralled by the nuances.

If you enjoy history, epic tales of glory, romance, tales of courage, revenge and war you will find this to be a great read. Be ready to be drawn in and begin rooting for those you feel are in the right, which will be different for each reader.

You will enjoy this work of fiction that draws from bits and parts of history, tales, imagination and superstitions.

Rating 3/5

Alex & Eliza, A Love Story by Melissa De La Cruz

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Alex & Eliza', A Love Story by Melissa De La Cruz.

In Alex & Eliza, Melissa De La Cruz takes us back into history with a love story sure to ignite your imagination. During the time of the American revolution when Alexander Hamilton was still just a young mysterious man, yet even then at the right-hand of George Washington, Cruz entertains us with a story of politics and intrigue as well as love and romance.

One of New York’s biggest events was the Schuyler’s grand ball, and this well to do family had three daughters, each soon to be ready for marriage. A social event as well as an introduction of their daughters to society, their daughters Angelica and Peggy were excited for their chance to dress up and begin their round of social meetings.  

Eliza the youngest was not very into dresses and balls, she was more interested in aiding the colonists cause, but her parents were insistent. Both fierce and beautiful she was a handful, and they worried as to what type of man would attract her attention. Due to her fascination with the cause, she was very excited to learn that Alexander Hamilton would be arriving. Once they meet, their attraction and love begin a series of events that change the course of history.

De La Cruz does a wonderful job of taking you back in history and finding the most interesting of situations to bring into the story, holding you enthralled in the telling. By tying the politics and the romance together she brings in the danger as well as the strong feelings of her characters, holding you intrigued and wanting to know more.

If you enjoy history and love a good romance than this is the book for you. Enticing and interesting, De La Cruz finds a way to bring back the past and bring in history, romance, and mystery that satisfies both cravings of excitement, romance and knowledge.

This would be a great work for a Book or reading club with may merits to discuss and help create a great deal of dialogue. 

Rating 4/5

Assassin's Creed: Heresy by Christie Golden

Posted First to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'Assassin's Creed: Heresy', A Historical Fiction by Christie Golden.

The history of Joan of Arc has been of interest to those who pursue knowledge in the order of Templar’s as well as the actuality of a woman noted by others to be chosen as God’s warrior. In Assassin’s Creed: Heresy by Christie Golden we are taken into the past in the most interesting of ways. A machine known as the Animus has been developed and tested to help pursue historical facts. Somewhat in the technology of virtual reality, the Animus is able to simulate the past and involve its user as one of the past figures of that history as it unrolls.

Members of the Templars, as well as the Assassins, are both interested in the outcome, but Simon Hathaway, being a member of the Templar Inner Sanctum, he is also the new Head of The Historical Research Division. He is ready to use the Animus and enter the body of his own relative, Gabriel Laxart, who fought with Joan of Arc.

Little does he know just how twisted and deep the intents and interests of both the Templars and the Assassins are in the life and death of this strange and dutiful woman. He finds himself just as fascinated with Joan the woman as he is Joan the warrior as he takes on the persona of Gabriel.

What Simon does not realize is just how deep the feelings go, and how strongly he finds himself looking at the truth. There is such a small space between truth and lies, can he reconcile his own beliefs about the who is really the heretic and who is truly the believer? And can he maintain his life as part of the inner sanctum when others may not want the truth to come out? Has his research put his own life in danger as well as that of the young woman helping him in his search for truth?

Golden gives us characters from history, and she uses both fact and fiction to bring us an in-depth and dangerous look into a world that shapes consequences in the future for those whose lineage is just is mired in heresy and truth as those from the past. In a form of history repeating itself, she adds just a touch of both glory and hatred, that makes its way though in a way that connects you, holding you spellbound.


If you enjoy mystery, historical facts and figures, technology, romance, and danger, you will find this work has it all. Mesmerizing and bold, Christie Golden leaves her mark in a twisted and dark tale of courage and truth.

Rating 5/5

The Jericho River, A Novel about the History of Western Civilization by David W. Tollen

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Jericho River, A Novel About the History of Western Civilization' by David W. Tollen.

History is one of those things that people either love or hate. Often dry and boring, it does not have the continued excitement that helps to keep one interested. This is especially true of the young who are looking for constant thrills due to gaming and other entertainment that is now readily available. In The Jericho River by David W. Tollen, he gives us an alternative to the dry and often unexciting past. Utilizing the past and history throughout it’s a wonderful mythical and epic tale of danger and excitement and he finds a way to introduce both myth and history in order to keep the reader fascinated.

Jason Gallo finds himself propelled into time under bizarre circumstances. Before he can figure out how to return to his own time, he finds himself on the trail of his father. A professor in his own right, his father disappeared years before leaving a young Jason on his own. But this tale is more than just an adventure, it is a timeline of history.

As Gallo moves from rumor to rumor of sightings of his father, he finds both danger and intrigue. He makes both powerful friends as well as dangerous enemies. He finds himself in situations and places that you only know from books, both real and imagined. But with all his heartache can he find his father before his presence changes the world as we know it?

This would be a great book for your young historian to add to his library, or even your adventure enthusiast. It is also intriguing for anyone who enjoys a great romp into the past, with myths, history and adventures of worth. Tollen does a great job of making history fun. Tollen has created a group of characters both intriguing and eminently likable. Often the action is unbelievable, but also mythologically and historically correct in most cases. The action is fast paced and keeps you interested in a way that seems surreal. Jason is a fun protagonist, but he also raises both questions and doubt about his experience as he is not always in the know about the history he’s travelling through.


This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group, with plenty of information to spice it up.

Rating 4/5

Daughter of Sand and Stone by Libbie Hawker

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Daughter of Sand and Stone', A Historical Fiction by Libbie Hawker.

In Daughter of Sand and Stone by Libbie Hawker, we meet a young woman who is determined to find her own way. Zenobia is the daughter of a Syrian sheikh, and she has determined that she will not marry against her will, and she is also sure that she has a very powerful birthright. Convinced of her right to both decide and choose, she spurns love for power. When her father dies she makes a move on one of the most influential men in the city.

That he is already married makes no difference, she finds a way to beguile her way into his life, arranging her own marriage to him. Her goal is to become the Empress of the East which she believes is her birthright and while her marriage is not peaceful, as second wife she must learn how to get around her husband’s other wife. The birth of Zenobia’s son only makes her life more difficult but she finds herself assured of her own victory and continues to stake her claim as Empress.  As war breaks out can she find her claim or have the gods betrayed her in their wrath? She finds she must rely on the other wife, but has she gone too far?

Hawker does a great job of taking you back in time to a place of war and beauty. She sets the scene with the complications of young women of the time, and how marriage is more of barter then choice. Her development of Zenobia gives us a strong female lead and you are both encouraged at her beliefs and decisions but horrified at the direction she is willing to take to get what she wants.

After becoming what she believes is necessary to further her own agenda, war changes the tide and what she believed of as powerful is no longer enough to see her through to her claim as she sees it. She now must rely on others that have no reason to trust her. It seems that she has sealed her own fate, but will the gods relent one last time? Can the man she truly loves be the one who saves her, or has she set things in action that cannot be undone?

If you enjoy history and epic battles, as well as romance and power you will find this a great addition to your library. Hawker has a way with words that takes you into the past in living color. You will feel the heartbeat of both power and heartbreak.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group.

Rating 4/5

The Alchemist's Daughter by Mary Lawrence

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Alchemist's Daughter', A Bianca Goddard Mystery by Mary Lawrence.

Forensics is an important part of crime scenes, necessary in the investigation of what, where, and why a crime occurred, as well as the possible who-dun-it. Long before the science of forensics there were those whose life revolved around alchemy, an earlier science involving herbs and medicinal plants, more in the form of remedies, but nevertheless often helpful in both the creating and solving of crimes.

In The Alchemist’s Daughter by Mary Lawrence we are introduced to Bianca Goddard, a young woman who lives and breathes the practice of Alchemy. Known for her remedies and discoveries, she finds herself digging even deeper as she saves her father from the gallows by proving he had not tried to poison the King.  Yet with all that past, life has settled and she is now affianced to her love, and busy trying to find a remedy for the diseases that strike the poor in the Southwark slums of London.

Unconventional and beautiful, Bianca is smart and daring. She has concocted a form of rat poison that is in demand, for rats have begun over running the area. Death and disease come along with them, and she is not going to allow them to continue their plague.

When a dear friend dies while visiting her shop she finds herself immediately a suspect, especially with her father’s background. She must use her skills in medicine to find the poison used as well as the actual murderer. Yet to do that she must stay ahead of the police. As she bobs in and out of the tenements, one step ahead, she stumbles on an even bigger plot, one that will take down the entire city if not stopped. Can she save herself from the goal and hanging, and help solve the mystery of the rats, before it is too late for them all? As the deaths pile up, Bianca finds herself one step ahead of danger.  When the police are after her, who does she turn to for help?

Bianca and her group of friends and misfits are brought to stark relief through the descriptions engendered by the author. You find yourself drawn to them, and even amused at the antics in the strangely creepy and suspenseful mystery.

Bianca is her won woman, and as such she does not follow the norms of the times. She stands out and becomes a hero to those who believe in her. She is smart and brave, sometimes to her detriment.

If you enjoy history and mystery with fun and romance, as well as a creep appeal you will find this a truly amazing addition to your library. Bianca makes a great sleuth, and the back drop of 16th century London takes you back to a time before forensics and medicine become as we know them today.

This would be a great work for a reading or discussion group. The appeal and nuances would create a great deal of debate and interest.


Rating 5/5

Secret of a Thousand Beauties by Mingmei Yip

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'Secret of a Thousand Beauties', A Historical Romance by Mingmei Yip.

Independence for woman goes back for decades, not just in the U.S but for many countries across the globe. Sometimes that independence ended in tragedy, yet many were willing to take the risk.

In Secret of a Thousand Beauties by Mingmei Yip, we are treated to an amazing array of ideas and customs that seem both unimaginable and indecipherable.  The history and beauty of China in the “30s” is brought to life as we follow the life a Spring Swallow as she tries to find her way. Promised in marriage at birth, she is still forced to wed even after the death of her intended groom.  Forced to become a ghost bride she escapes a fate of loneliness by running away. Taken in by a woman full of her own secrets, she joins a small group of embroiderers.  Aunty Peony is talented in a way that defies her station and while stingy with her methods she trains her students in the style of embroidery from her own youth.

Obedient but curious, Spring willow embarks on fact finding and looks for an understanding of her own life as well as those who have rescued her. In her duties she finds little time yet she yearns for understanding and finds escaping to the great outdoors soothes her soul, and writing her secrets on the rocks of her special mountain creates a sense of peace and control.  When she finds notes written back she finds herself falling for the author of such verse, but is afraid.

What is the secret that Aunty Peony hides, and how does she have embroidery that may have belonged to the emperor?  And who is the one she is coming to love that she only hears from in the stones from the mountain?

Yip has given us a behind the scenes look at the beauty of Chinese embroidery, and a small look at the history of independence in an amazing tale of romance and loss. The characters jump out of the pages and you find yourself along on the search for answers.  There is a majesty in her descriptions and there is danger and folly in the direction that some of her characters choose.
If you enjoy beauty and romance, as well as mystery and action you will want to find the marvel of creativity located within the covers. The beauty of the work done by the characters is easy to visualize with the tiniest of stitches to the glory of color, which only adds to the mystique. There is humor, humility, sadness, danger and romance all tied together with the threads of embroidery. A marvelous rendering of years gone by.

This would be a great book for a reading group as well as a book club. There is a great deal of information and background to keep a discussion in full force.


Rating 4/5

The Lodger by Louisa Treger

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review: 'The Lodger' by Louisa Treger.

From the beginning there have been those who can twist words in such a fashion as to make you feel.  Whether it is poetry, fiction or non-fiction, the abilities of these authors are the staples of our Classics.

In The Lodger by Louisa we are taken back in history to a time of turbulence. This was a time when women could not cast a vote and had very little say. This was also a time of literary genius and the likes of authors such as H.G. Well and Dorothy Richardson.

The two are brought together through Dorothy’s friendship of Wells wife, and they immediately realize they are very alike–shared souls. For Dorothy who has faced so much hardship and pain, the companion ship of both Wells and his wife mean everything to her. While she only occasionally stays with them she finds herself deeper in thrall than is comfortable, and imagines she can see the knowledge on her friend Jane’s face.

Unable to deny her attraction Dorothy is fascinated by the depth she can see in Wells and struggles to keep her feelings under control. Yet Wells is a man of passion, and Dorothy is a forbidden fruit he must have.  As the dance of attraction begins the tug of emotions is very powerful. Well will not let up on what he feels is his muse, and they fall into complicated sexual and emotional relationship with threatens to tear apart his marriage, and casts Dorothy into the position of the other woman.  

As the pain of betrayal continues, another turbulence is occurring, that of the rights of women. The abuse and danger of belonging to the suffragette movement is ugly and creates a backdrop of danger to the elicit romance continuing on. Can Dorothy pull her self-respect together and find her own way?

You will find yourself immersed in the lives and situations drawn together by Treger. Her characters are quite interesting and with a realism that is moving. Using the travails of the time, we are transported into a very uncomfortable time when women are fighting for their own. The danger for a belief of equality is daunting.  The Back drop of using the authors makes for a poignant interlude, one too riddled with both danger and passion. The betrayal and humiliation makes you feel. It is difficult to pin down who you would root for; each of her characters has a strength of personality that draws you.

If you enjoy history, romance and biographies, this would be a good fit for your library. This would be a great book for a reading and discussion group. The suffragette movement always creates a dialogue, and the forbidden romance will liven the circumstances.

Rating 4/5

This book ws received from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Eyes Behold Tomorrow by Ken Hart

Posted first to Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Eyes Behold Tomorrow' by Ken Hart.

As a child and even on into adulthood we look at the night sky to marvel and wonder at the stars. Bright specks of brilliance, these pinpricks of light draw us, and yet is there even a chance of ever making it there.

In The Eyes Behold Tomorrow by Ken Hart, we are given a story that takes us into the heart of the great frontier known as space. There are many examples of imagination on the market and each strives to find its niche in the market of science fiction. Hart brings us a possibility where the earth can be of use to save another world from extinction. When called upon many of the locals are tested for the strength and fortitude needed to move forward and become part of the Feletian Queen’s army.

 One of those selected is Edward Robert Teach. He is a throw back of the old world, and barbaric in nature with an opinion on everything which he is more than willing to share. Yet for some reason he is drawn to the Feletians, and they, especially their women are drawn to him. Can he find his place in this new political arena, and help to keep Galactic war from destroying such a peaceful planet. And can he tame the woman who has chosen him as her mate. The two become intertwined as the danger heats up, and Edward must rely in his instincts to save the day. Will it be enough to both save the galaxy as well as his new marriage to a unique and dangerous woman?

Hart has given us a fun and adventurous story that takes us into the stars and beyond. He introduces us to several new races with a unique flair. The characters of his work are just slightly of beat, and exceptionally honest, a sometimes rare quality. The strengths are offset by the flaws and at times the flaws are what save the day. With the pace you feel like you are traveling at light speed and involved within some of the decisions.

The interaction between the Feletian women and the earth men is another story, as the women of this planet are the dominant species, and each of them has their own agenda. Yet this too is a part of the excitement, as the heat of the sexual experiences and romance add another layer to the already dangerous reality the Edward finds himself in. The problems are age old and yet picked up and dusted off and served to us in a new mold of thought.

The sense of wonder comes through with charming intensity, and yet the grittiness also bears witness to the danger and intoxication of being on the brink of war.

If you enjoy science fiction, romance, adventure, sex and interpersonal connections you will find this a nice addition to your library. Hart is an author to watch. You will enjoy the interactions and bantering of personalities. Edward Teach seems very much like a comic book hero, with all the problems associated.  

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material .

Crystal Ships by Richard Sharp

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Crystal Ships' by Richard Sharp.

The sixties and the early seventies were a time of change. The air was rife with the indolent smell of marijuana, and free love and understanding were the rule of the day. The Vietnam War was in full swing, Kennedy was president, Martin Luther King had a dream, and young people felt a responsibility for the future of their world.  Music and Poetry seemed to stand the test of time, each with its own message, understood by those who looked deep enough.

Sure to evoke nostalgia, as well as bitter recriminations Chrystal Ships by Richard Sharp takes you back to a time of change.  He follows the lives of seven erstwhile friends on their own personal journeys during the time. Often even as they got older their paths crossed in strange ways. Yet through it all they maintain a semblance of friendships and often love.  Through the love of poetry to the depths of hell in war we are taken on a journey through the times.  We are transported back to a time, when we often hear things were simpler, yet as you follow along you will see that maybe they were not. The freedom to dream just seemed to expand the view of what was really happening.

Sharp does an amazing job of taking you back to the time of abrupt changes and political upheaval. He brings you the music of the day, and evokes a simple nostalgia. Why do we often hear of the simplicity of the time, when in all reality the era is a part of the evolution that changed the way we think and act.

His characters are so down to earth and likable you feel as though you may know them, or even have met them at some time. They are your friends and family, and you feel a stake in the happenings that shape their lives and world.

If you are interested in history, music, poetry, and politics and just enjoy a story well told, you will enjoy Sharps take on this special time in history. He delves into the problems and concerns of the time while bringing you the energy and the beauty as well.

This would be a great book for a reading or discussion group, there is a great deal of information and many would be able to add their own interpretation of events, rounding out a great discussion.

Rating 5\5

This book was received from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Prodigal by Michael Hurley

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'The Prodigal' by Michael Hurley.

Romance and Romanticism, are they one and the same, or is the distinction just so complicated they sometimes get interchanged. Or can they also be just a part of the same whole. In real diction romance is about that feeling associated with love, while romanticism is often a description of that romance or a feeling emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity and the primacy of each individual.

In the Prodigal by Michael Hurley, both come together in a battle of supremacy.  The romance of a story from long, long ago, one of star crossed lovers finds a way into the present. In 1851 a pair of young lovers steel away from their parents disapproval, stealing a sailing ship known as the Prodigal. With this beautiful ship known for its blessings and unnatural speed, they escape leaving behind both grief and loss.  

150 years later we meet Aidan Sharpe. As an attorney he has done well, rising to the top, but he has never really lived his dream.  Yet visiting on Ocracoke Island he finds himself in an untenable situation. Some of his time is lost in memory, yet he remembers wine given to him by a nude woman on the beach, and when gathering himself together as best he can in his aftermath of the evening another woman offers him water.  A seeming portent, his life is soon infected by scandal and disbelief.

Hiding away from his painful dismissal he finds himself caught up in the story of a two-thousand-year-old mystery when the sudden appearance of a ship is found off the coast, adrift and unmanned. As he researches the possibility of its history and the chance it could be the Prodigal, he finds himself even deeper in the morass as he races against time to pit himself against the best in the regatta world.  

Hurley has given us a story of hope and romance, yet the romanticism is what drives his motivation. There is something magical and majestic in his descriptions of the sea and the character of his histories.

His protagonist, Aiden, is like many of those people we sometimes think of as oily in their choice of career, yet when he finds himself down and out, he discovers a different person inside. We are there as he becomes a hero to many and we go from thinking he got his comeuppance, to rooting for him to win the race now the most important thing. The others along the way try to stop him, yet he somehow comes up with solutions even as all seems lost.

This is a story of amazing depth, and exciting adventure. There is a deep and abiding belief in both magic and religion, but the true mystery is the ship and the ocean. You will find this an interesting contrast to most romance, but will be intrigued with the vagaries.  

This would be a great book for a reading group or book club. It would also do well as a curl up on the couch and dream of adventure story. Hurley has given us something to think about and believe in. (ourselves)

Rating 4/5

This book was received from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Seduction by M.J.Rose

Posted First on blog Critics as Book Review: Seduction by M.J.Rose.

Anatomy of seduction from Wikipedia: seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person, to lead astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; to corrupt, to persuade or induce to engage in sexual behavior. When the past and the present combine to create the power of seduction, often lives collide.

In Seduction by M.J.Rose, we learn a great deal about the novelist Victor Hugo, an author from the early 1800’s who lost his daughter to drowning. Unable to cope with the despair, his is seduced by the spirits from beyond the grave, constantly seeking his approval by offering to exchange the life of his dead daughter for another. Yet there is much that is private and unknown about Hugo and his writings, as well as his interaction with his wife and others.

Enter mythologist Jac L’Etoile, recovering from her own loss and grief. In her effort to uncover more about the reclusive early author, she also hopes to uncover the secret of his islands Celtic roots.

Invited to Jersey by Theo Gespard, a friend and mentor from her own past, little does she realize that Theo has his own agenda for the research and history she is following? As she delves into the mystery of Hugo’s transcripts dealing with his conversations she senses a mystery. As he writes his dialogue with someone known to him only as the Shadow of the Sepulcher, little does she understand the danger she is uncovering that puts her very life at stake? Is the key to these conversations worth her sanity and that of her friends? Can she find the answers that beckon her, and put the shadows to rest before it is too late?

Rose has moved the needle with a suspenseful and eerie mystery. Beginning with an early ghost story, the words take you into the darkness and madness of grief. With a gripping turn of the pen you are transported into the mind of a man whose misery comes close to ruining his life. This darkness and despair echoes through the story and the island home of Victor Hugo, turning the lives of those searching for answers upside down.

If you enjoy romance and danger and a bit of the paranormal with a mysterious story, then you will enjoy Seduction. This would be a great book for a reading group; there is a great deal of information and action that will make for great discussion. Full of tragedy and hope, the ending takes you unaware and leaves you wanting more. This is a must read for the M.J. Rose fan, and will garner her a whole new audience.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the publiscist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Barbed Crown: An Ethan Gage Adventure by William Dietrich

Posted First on Blog Critics as Book Review: The Barbed Crown: An Ethan Gage Adventure by William Dietrich.

Admittedly, the time of Napoleonic France was a dangerous and troubled time, yet often filled with adventure and danger as well as glory for many.

In The Barbed Crown by William Dietrich, we follow his erstwhile protagonist and adventurer Ethan Gage as he tries to find peace after the death of his beloved wife, and escape the clutches of the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. Hi anger and despair drive him to try and become the catalyst in the destruction of the new regime. Having fought beside the man himself, in Egypt, and being a part of his agency in Italy, America and Greece, Gage now finds his is ready to turn on him, blaming him for the death of his wife as well as the kidnapping of his son.

Backed by the British, Gage is smuggled into France with Astiza where they plan to make of mockery of Napoleon during his coronation by substituted his crown with that of the Crown of Thorns, the religious relic rumored to be worn by Christ during his crucifixion.  When the plan does not play out as planned, Astiza is captured and Gage is left to flee to England where is again a part of the plot to stop Napoleon before it is too late.

The history and pageantry is interesting, and beautiful as well as fiery and dangerous. The characters are interesting, and the mix of fiction and fact is smooth, making you wonder of much of the interplay actually may have happened. Gage is an intriguing protagonist, one that could do a lot of damage to Napoleon’s crusade.

If you are a history buff you will enjoy and appreciate the intricacies of the dialogue and scenes, mixed with fact which seems to accompany the action. While I really enjoyed the character of Gage, I felt as though the action was sometimes a bit slow, bogging down my enjoyment of the story.  The sabotage and danger keep you going, and the glory casts a hook that keeps reeling you in.  

The mystery and suspense is a great web, creating a line of deceit, and surprises that keep the entertainment of the times just a bit of kilter.

Dietrich has given us another look into European history with the exploits of his character Gage with his thirst for knowledge and his determination to make things right.

Rating 3/5

This book was received through the publishing company. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Maps of Fate: Book Two by Reid Lance Rosenthal

Article first published as Book Review:Maps of Fate: Book Two by Reid Lance Rosenthal on Blogcritics.

The old west of America was a lure for many in the 1800’s. Freedom and rumors of gold created a frenzy of movement, wagon trains were the mode of travel, and danger lurked at every turn.

In The Maps of Fate by Reid Lance Rosenthal, we follow the amazing journey of a group of young men and women who are dreaming their own dreams and drama as the rush to settle the West is in its infancy. We met the characters in Book one of the Threads West series, where the introductions took us back to their homes across the seas and their very reason for being in America. As the story continues we tail them into the west following the trail of the ancestors of many who have settled in the Midwest and Western part of this country. The romance is thrilling and the danger is exciting, yet the story captures your imagination as it creates a strong fear of the unknown.

As we follow Zeb, Reuben and Johannes and the women they love as they carve out a piece of history, we meet the natives and the outlaws, both with their own quests. Life on the trail and the rigors of traveling with a wagon train are brought to basic relief as the story continues to unfold. Danger within the group creates almost as much damage as the dangers they face from the outside on this epic journey. We being to hear the rumblings of dissent as the story furthers. News makes its way West through the writings and newspapers, hinting of a war brewing between the North and the South.  

Hostility and rage drive some while glory and choice drive the others. The creak and of the leather and the rumble of the wheels create the sounds and sights that create such an exciting saga. As you move through the words you can actually smell the smells, and hear the sound of the wind as the trail takes you deeper into the unexplored territories. Rosenthal has surpassed his previous work and given us such a complex telling you feel as though each and every story is true.  The horror and danger are real, yet the excitement and challenge are the edge that builds the heroes of the time.

The description of the characters is flawless, creating a feeling of knowing. You love them or hate them, but the feeling is real. The romance is fierce and gentle at the same time, but the savagery is just as abundant. The interaction of the group draws you in as you become immersed in their daily lives and begin to dream their dreams. Where you could only imagine what life at this time in history could be like, you now can begin to live it through the characterization of this wonderful group.

The story is exciting, the suspense is bold, and the period setting is sensational. You can smell the sage, and are startled with the unexpected sounds as you travel with the team. The sounds and sights are so real you begin to place yourself in the scenes, viewing the happenings as they occur, reeling with the danger and feeling the fear and adrenalin as you too take this journey.

If you love a great story and love history this is a fantastic work. If you enjoy romance, suspense, danger and action this would be a great book for your library. The work stands on its own, but the saga is certainly worth the read. The beginning sets the stage, but you can join up anywhere.  Be prepared to become engaged, as Rosenthal sets the stage for another leg of this fascinating journey.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

 

The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Article first published as Book Review:The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon on Blogcritics

The atrocities of war simmer deep within the men and women that experience the worst there is to offer. Often the memories lay dormant for years before they are brought to the surface to face the light of day.

In the prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, we are taken into the world of Barcelona in the 1950’s were we are introduced to the life of Daniel Sempere and his wife Bea. The family owned book store is famous and Daniel is becoming a part of its growing recognition. As he watches the store for his father, he is surprised by a stranger, one who is intent on buying one of their most precious treasures. When he makes notations in the book, then returns it to Daniel to pass on to a friend, he is dismayed. Although the book had been purchased before being defaced, what does his good friend have to do this this dark and mysterious stranger?

With his curiosity in full swing he approaches his friend Fermin Romero de Torres with the strange quest. Soon to be married, Fermin is horrified, somehow his past is catching up, and secrets that he thought long buried threaten to come bubbling forward into a life that has no part of his past.  A past that takes him back to the early 1940s and a life he thought was long buried. Sharing this past with his friend Daniel, he relives the horror from his earlier years.

How can he cope, will the knowledge he is sharing create even further umbrage, or can they band together to stop the dark secrets from tumbling into the open, threatening his very existence.

Zafon has written a deep and mysterious novel full of people that are real. His characterization is spot on–humor is only one of the ways that he draws us to the characters. The darkness he reveals feels real and yet surreal as only the unimaginable can. The women that are introduced create a foil that only makes the atrocities seem more horrifying.

The story is fraught with pain and turmoil, but threaded with hope and belief. The emotion is well written and the mystery continues to deepen, enthralling the reader with the danger and darkness capable of being inflicted in the name of new leaders. As the new regime of that place and era entrench themselves, many of those willing to question the status are crushed in the cruel systems of anarchy.

If you enjoy historical fiction full of danger and intrigue, you will find this a fascinating read. The humor and dialogue draw you in, the story of a time in history will have fascinated and horrified at the same time. This would be a great book for a book club, or reading group. There are layers and subterfuge that must be cleared to see the picture, a picture of pain and depravity, but one of hope and healing as well.

This is an enthralling read and a must have for your library. Zafron focusses on the emotion of the reader and doesn’t let go.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Shoemakers's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Article first published as Book Review:The Shoemakers's Wife by Adriana Trigiani on Blogcritics.

Is happily ever after an illusion? Is there really only one person for each soul? Do we often choose our partners for the wrong reasons and is that why marriages tend to have a higher failure rate?

In The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani, we find ourselves immersed in the lives of two young boys who are given over to a convent for nurture when their father is killed in a mine accident and their mother no longer has the immediate means to raise them. With every intention of coming back for them once she is on her feet, she disappears and they are left to the mercies of the church. Different personalities and looks the brothers are none the less, the closest of friends.

The nuns grow to love them, the elder brother Edward plans on dedicating his life to religion but Ciro does not have any interest in that direction. He is large and imposing even from a young age, and takes after his father. Not sure what he will do, he is very like most boys as they mature. He loves girls, and is constantly in love with one or another of them, always seeming to get his heart broken. But he does not care, he finds life to be exciting and he is well loved in return for his gregarious nature. When he sets sights on one of the  loveliest girls in the village where he resides in the Italian Alps, he does not realize that he is not only doomed to failure, but that his life will suddenly take a turn that will twist him away from all he knows and loves and put him into a country across the ocean just coming into its own, America. 

Following his heart he decides to approach his lovely soon to be conquest, only to find her in the arms of the priest. Unsure where to turn he takes his concern back to the convent, but finds that while they are not surprised the sisters understand that the priest is inviolate. As Ciro loses his job with the church and while he waits to see what will happen, he takes on a job of digging the grave for a family further away. The youngest sibling has perished, and little does he know it, but meeting the eldest sister Ensa, a young woman his own age, he finds their fates intertwined time after time, and as he agrees to see her again, he finds himself shipped off to America.

Knowing he will never see her again, he decides that a life with her was not to be a part of his life. Little does he know that Ensa and her father too have decided to move to America in order to make a better life for their family back home. Will fate take a stand?

Trigiani gives us such wonderful characters full of bluster and yet strong and charismatic. Those characters that have flaws are just as important in the lives and dreams of those they come into contact with. The emotion throughout the story keeps you reading, and hoping for happily ever after. Can her characters sustain their highs? Does right really have a place in how interconnected people become, often unknowingly? The story moves from Italy to America and through it all you can visualize the places and their mysteries.

She shares the plights of those who come into America, unable to speak the language as well as the trials and tribulations of finding work and making a living, often have to rely on those who may not have their best interests at heart. Each of her characters makes their place in the world through persistence and pride, but it is when they continue to meet time after time, in different ways that you begin to wonder if there is a fate in store.

I laughed and I cried throughout the story, and found it to be a perfect mix of emotions. There is something truly magical and inspiring about her characterization and her amazing ability to bring you into her work.

I would recommend this work for anyone who enjoys a wonderful and heartfelt story; there is history, religion, war and romance, something for everyone. I would recommend this as a fine book for your library, one you could read time and again, and find even more interest with each reading. This would be a wonderful book for a book club or reading group, and would create a great deal of discussion.

Rating 5/5

This book was received free from the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen

Article first published as Book Review: The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen on Blogcritics.

The story of the Romanov’s has been one that draws fascination and rumors. From the possible life of Anastasia, to their colorful yet brutal history, the stories fade in and out of history. Many remain fascinated even now with this Royal family of Imperial Russia.


In The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen, we learn more about the years and treachery, the color and pageantry, and the sadness and despair of this family that continues to bring questions and still hold many enthralled. With a deft pen and a deep and interesting look into the history following the family, Mossanen takes you back in time, building a story of love and passion, with a twist of belief and a bit of myth. I have never really understood the fascination with the imperial family of Russia, yet I now find myself just as interested and wondering as the most adept of seekers. How did all this happen? Did the Romanov’s really just not understand the seriousness of the times, or was the advice they received not reliable?

Mossanen has given us the character of Darya, through whose eyes we view the mysteries and enchantments of the times. As caregiver to Alexei, she puts her charge above everything else in her life including that of her love. After the fall of the Romanovs, she is still convinced her Alexei has survived against all odds, and she makes it her life’s work to find the heir to the Russian throne and return royal blood to an imperial Russia.

The characters are an amazing array, with the Royal family themselves, the mysterious Rasputin, and then there is Darya, an enigma who is full of passion, and just a bit of danger and magic. The descriptions and story are moving and exciting, and yet forlorn and sad. The action is thrilling and yet horrifying. A real history tied in with myth and mystery, it is hard to find a time to put the book down. You will find yourself enthralled with the history of a family that just did not seem to see beyond themselves, or understand the hysteria of the time. Their life continues to evoke interest, and their deaths to create questions. Many questions seem to remain unanswered and open to interpretation even today.

Darya is a character full of mystery herself, and fits well within the parameters of the differences evinced within the family. She is mysterious and beautiful and yet shrouded in mystery. Her life wends throughout the story adding a darkness and mythical cadence, a richness just a bit more sublime. The love and care of the family and all who are a part is heartfelt and creates a genuine feel that makes you long to know more.

I would recommend this book to the history buff, or the fantasy fan. If you enjoy romance, intrigue, history and a bit of fantasy, this is the work that will take you there. With an eye to detail and a strong bit of history, you will be sucked into a story that holds you to the finish.

This would be a great book for a reading club or discussion group. The history is real and the characters are true to life and quite imperial. This is a must have for your library.

Rating 5/5
 
This book was received as an ARC through the publicist. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.

The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

Article first published as Book Review: The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark on Blogcritics.

1947 is the year of Britain’s withdrawal from India; it is also a time of civil unrest. Planned Partition is set to happen even against the will of Gandhi. It is a dangerous time to both visitors as well as the differing factions in India. It is during this war-torn strife that Martin Mitchell wins a Fellowship to study in India. He is there to document the end of the 200 years of British Raj. Arriving with his wife Evie and son Billy they settle into their new home with care.


Evie plans to use the time to work on her marriage, Martin is not the same man she married. The War in Europe changed him into an angry and introspective man. While Evie is cleaning and making the bungalow ready, she finds some letters hidden behind a brick in the chimney.Why are they hidden? Just that question alone creates a mystery that envelopes Evie's curiosity.

There is something about the letters and the two young women that intrigue her. Curious as to why the letters were hidden, it makes her want to know more about these young women. Dated from 1846-1851 they follow the lives of Adela Winfield and Felicity Chadwick. There is something fascinating about reading how life was in a prior time.

As her life with Martin continues to erode, she immerses herself in the mystery and romance that becomes clear through the writing of these long ago notes. The small parcel of letters she finds is not enough and she decides to make a quest to find whatever information she can to learn their true story. Beginning at the cemetery, it guides her to the church where parish records are kept. It is here in the records she finds further letters and records of the lives of Adela and Felicity. Further search for information takes her into the bazars and temples of India, looking for more. It is during this further search that she learns of a dark secret. This secret only further drives a wedge in her marriage.

Will her marriage ever be the same? In The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark, we follow the lives of the Mitchell family as well as the lives and times of the two young Englishwomen, Adela and Felicity. The letters are wonderful and well detailed taking you back to an earlier time and place. As you follow their story, you forget they are not in the here and now, and like Evie you want to know more. The details are scintillating and their actions are bold for the times, yet they demand your admiration. From their lives in England to their relocation to India, they remain fast and true to the end. They are the best of friends with a secret that could certainly put them at risk. Will it be worth it?

Evie follows a path, fraught with danger and intrigue to find the answers to the lives of these young women putting herself and her family in danger in the process. Evie is a strong and caring young woman with a heart of gold. But she is beginning to lose her patience with her husband and it makes her reckless. Her relationship with her son is amazing. Newmark has developed a character with humor as well as panache. She has different nicknames for Billy that she brings out frequently sharing a charming and unique side of her that draws you in.

Martin has a secret and is unwilling to share the burden with Evie. It eats at him and shadows everything he is and longs to be. He is in an obvious self-destructive phase, and yet periodically you can see the man behind the pain. He is flawed and yet remarkable, but can he recover from the shadow that haunts him?

Billy is absolutely charming and wins your heart with his conversation and actions. He is an extremely bright child and is able to twist everyone he meets around his finger. The danger around the family is very real and creates a tenseness, an uneasiness hard to overcome.

The backdrop is beautiful, and Newmark does a wonderful job of capturing the sights and sounds of India and shares them with us, making you feel like you are there in that place at that time. She weaves danger and suspense throughout the story, creating an irresistible and fast-paced read. We are there with Evie when she is researching and I found I wanted to know about the Englishwomen's lives as much as she did. It is a story in a story and yet written with a wonderful clarity, a sassiness and verve that pulls you in and does not let go until the very end. Even then, you find yourself thinking about the characters and wanting more.

This is a wonderful work of fiction and would be an exceptional book for a book club and reading group. It is a must-have for your library, a book you can take out and read over, and due to the intricate detail you would find information you may have missed the first time. This is an remarkable story, with a setting you can feel and characters right out of life.

Rating 5/5
The Sandalwood Tree

This book was received free from the publisher. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Broken Wings by Sandra Edwards

This Review Posted First on The Romance Reviews

In a twist of fate and a love for the ages, Sandra Edwards has built a romance that warms the heart. She has taken actual events from history and the lore of the gold rush days, and spun a story of love and heartache, a love so pure it seems like a dream. The characters are sensual and just a glimpse of our hero in a painting is enough to send the heart into overdrive, with a heat that leaves you shaken.

Rio Laraquette is a feisty but beautiful woman; on her own, she runs numerous cons. When she meets up with Turner Adkins, he has a job for her. He is a gangster of the worst sort and he has a game in mind to find himself some money. And not just any money either. He is looking for the buried treasure stolen by the Fuller sisters during a bank robbery back in the 1800's . What makes this con perfect is that Rio is the spitting image of Maggie Fuller.

Molly Fuller was killed during the robbery, Mary Fuller got away and home to California, but Maggie headed for the hills and there found a home with the Washoe Indian tribe. It was here that she met and fell in love with Tajan, the love of her life. But love and life was not to be for such star crossed lovers. When the posse caught up with her, Tajan tried to help her get away. She refused to head towards California and lead the posse to her only living sister, so they went the other direction and here found themselves at a dead end. With the posse in sight and knowing they would die, they chose to be together in death, leaping from the cliff and sealing themselves in their love for eternity.

As Rio poses as a relative of the Tajan's, her image is so much like Maggie's that any doubt melts away. There is a map, or at least half a map in the possession of the Tajan family, and Rio has the other half, given to her by Turner Adkins. She is to get them to lead her to the treasure, whereby he will then take control.

Sandra Edwards has built a strong yet fragile character in Rio. She finds herself in love with the Tajan of the story. She is drawn to him, or at least his likeness. She is so enamored she dreams of him, but the dreams are real. It is as if she is there. In love with the thought of him, the heat level is intense. What is happening to her? She feels as though she is someone else, and that Tajan somehow belongs to her. But he is dead, isn't he?

The Tajan of the story is a bold and noble warrior. Very much in love with Maggie, he is devastated when he thinks he will lose her. He is willing to give his life for their love, and understands there will never be another love like that he feels for her.

As the story comes together and the danger threatens to tear them apart, Ms Edwards has found the most beautiful solution and ending. In a brilliant and bold stroke of her pen, she has set the stage to bring Tajan and Maggie's love back to life. There is magic in this kind of love, creating the emergence of souls that resonate and return time after time, secure in a love that is everlasting.

Rating 5/5
Broken Wings