Mycroft Holmes by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse

Title: Mycroft Holmes
Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse
Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis: Children are being murdered in Trinidad and the locals think it is being done by an evil mythical creature. Inspired by his fiancee, Georgiana, and his good friend, Douglas who both grew up on the island, Mycroft Holmes travels to Trinidad to solve this mystery. With Douglas at his side, Holmes tries to uncover the mystery surrounding these murders and discovers more than he could have ever imagined.

My Thoughts

So I was dubious when I picked up this novel and saw the author was a famous NBA star. After reading the back copy I decided to give it a chance and I'm so glad I did.
This novel gives some background into Mycroft Holmes, older brother to Sherlock Holmes. We see Mycroft using the deductive powers he shares with his brother to attempt to uncover the mystery murderer in Trinidad. Holmes leaves London cocky and naive in order to follow Georgiana to Trinidad in the wake of the tragedy unfolding on the island. 

This novel is beautifully written and incredibly suspense-filled. There is a new twist around every corner, building a plot that carries the mystery from a superstitious ghost story believed by locals to a crime actually carried out by greedy humans, not mythical creatures.  It is similar to what would be seen in classic Sherlock Holmes mysteries (or Scooby-Doo, never really a ghost!).

I particularly love the character Cyrus Douglas. He is written as Holmes's "side-kick" in this adventure but is really more like a father-figure/protector for a 23-year-old man who has no idea what he is getting himself into. Somehow Holmes have a best friend 20 years older than him is incredibly endearing. Working together through many heart-breaking circumstances, the two men only become closer. After surviving this ordeal it is easy for the reader to understand how Mycroft becomes the man that he is in his later years. This novel also sets the stage for how Mycroft Holmes enters the service of the queen and the British government.

If you have seen the series Sherlock, enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes, or just like reading a good mystery, this book is for you! 


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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The Crown: The Official Companion by Robert Lacey

Title: The Crown: The Official Companion
Author: Robert Lacey
Genre: Non-fiction

Synopsis: The Netflix Original The Crown is based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II as she ascends to the throne and begins the first few years of her reign. This companion book describes what from the series is true to history and what was fictionalized for dramatic effect.

My Thoughts

When I saw that this book one I could get to review I was so stinkin' excited! I love this series and the British Royal Family so I knew I had to request a copy. This book is really beautifully put together. Each chapter is based on one episode from the series. The author discusses what happened in the episode, how it relates to what actually occurred in history. It is written in such a way that it reads really easily and much more like a story than a biographical text. I looked forward to reading it every night.
The book also has excellent photographs throughout complementing each topic. There are still images from the series and actual photographs of the people represented in the series. It is so interesting to see the actors who are chosen to play each person and then a photo of that person in real life. The cover of the book is really clever,  a profile photo of Queen Elizabeth II is set behind a profile photo of the actress who plays her in the series. On the back cover, it is flipped so the queen's profile is in front of the actress's profile.

If you have seen the series The Crown, enjoy reading about royalty, or just like reading historical non-fiction, this book is for you! 


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Moonlight Over Paris by Jennifer Robson

Title: Moonlight Over Paris
Author: Jennifer Robson
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: After surviving a publicly humiliating broken engagement and a life-threatening illness, 28 year old Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr decides it is time to really live. She applies to art school in Paris and moves in with her delightfully zany, recently widowed, aunt. Presenting herself as Helena Parr, an ordinary young aspiring artist, she makes new friends at school and opens herself up to a new Parisian life. Helena gets to mix with famous up and coming artists and writers of the mid-1920s and along the way meets newspaper-man Sam Howard. After surviving the war, is it possible for any one of them to let go of the past and move forward into the possibilities of the roaring twenties?

My Thoughts

I found this novel during my usual raid of the bargain book section at Barnes and Noble. After reading the book jacket I picked it up and put it down several times thinking it may just be too cheesy and predictable for my taste. Then when I saw the author had my same last name (after picking it up for the 4th time) I decided that I had to give it a read. 
I love that Helena decides to follow her dreams in an age where women born into titled families are expected to marry young and have a family and do nothing beyond that. It is so brave to actually step outside of the social norms especially after facing humiliation in one's social circle and hearing one's parents being told that it is likely you wouldn't survive your illness.
Robson shows Helena's vulnerabilities and how she uses them to create beautiful works of art, empathize with her art school friends, and finally to overcome them to believe in herself.
There is also a love story that runs throughout which is lovely and complicated and infuriating, as any good love story should be.
At 322 pages, this is one of the shorter novels I have read of late, and I was seriously torn between wanting to read it all at once and feeling sad that there were fewer and fewer pages left in this lovely story. I sincerely enjoyed reading this novel and I appreciated the depth that Jennifer Robson gave to the characters.
 I recommend everyone use the linked image above to purchase this book for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone you love. I can't wait to read more from this author.

If you like stories about bravery, art in the 1920s, Paris, or a good love story, this book is for you!

(On the off chance that she reads this, Jennifer, how do you pronounce your last name? My family pronounces it "Robe-sun" but I know others pronounce it phonetically, just curious!) 


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

Paradox Bound by Peter Clines

Title: Paradox Bound
Author: Peter Clines
Genre: Science Fiction

Synopsis: Eli Teague meets seemingly steampunk dressed Harry Prichard three times in his life before he learns about her search. A series of events leads Eli to join Harry on an adventure traveling across the United States and through history, in her Ford Model A, to save the American Dream.

My Thoughts
When I first read the description of this novel, I thought that it would be more historical fiction. It turns out, Paradox Bound is mostly Syfy with a touch of historical fiction. At the beginning, the reader needs time to really understand what is going on. I think this is intentional because the main character, Eli, is trying to figure out what has happened and it gives the reader an understanding of what he is going through. 
As more information is provided to the reader, the story becomes easier to follow. Traveling through time to save history is not a new idea, but Clines brings in an interesting element, the American Dream as a physical object that needs saving. This novel has enough predictability in the events to support the number of bizarre happenings and make it believable. It also has many moments of intense suspense and uncertainty to keep the reader totally engaged and on the edge of their seats.
I also really enjoyed the fact that while the protagonists were a man and a woman, there were no romantic entanglements between them. They are just honest-to-goodness partners working together to solve a mystery.

I'm really glad that I chose to take a chance on this novel, it is very enjoyable.

If you like science fiction, time travel, historical references, government conspiracies, and old-fashioned automobiles, this book is for you.  


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

Title: The Taming of the Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Kateryn Parr, recently widowed for the second time and in love with a popular courtier, is selected by King Henry VII to become his 6th wife. Unable to refuse, Kateryn must marry a man old enough to be her father, and of whom she is terribly afraid. Kateryn must learn exactly how to keep her new husband happy because her life depends on it.

My Thoughts
I had finished reading this a few weeks ago. The fact that it has taken me this long to review it shows that it was only okay.
I love Philippa Gregory's historical fiction, so I was excited to read a novel about the wife who survives Henry VII. As with all of the novels I have read by Gregory, this one is written in a manner that makes you wonder how it will end, even though history has already informed me of the ending. 
Beyond that, this novel is just too long. Often, I find that I crush through a novel by this author so quickly that I am disappointed that there isn't more to the story. This novel is so slow in the middle. The point was made about Kateryn and Henry's relationship and the story needed to move on, but sadly it just felt repetitive. For about 100 pages I wanted to say "Okay, we get it, move on!"

If you are looking for great historical fiction, pick up any of Gregory's other novels, especially the ones in the Plantagenet series. Unfortunately, this one was a dud.


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Title: Circling the Sun
Author: Paula McLain
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Growing up in British East Africa Protectorate, what is modern-day Kenya, with only her father and a string of unsuccessful governesses to guide her, Beryl had an unencumbered childhood. She played with and learned from the children and elders of the Kikuyu tribe and worked with horses on her father's farm. When luck changes for her father, an unsuccessful marriage inspires Beryl to find a way to be a self-sufficient woman in 1920s Africa. Working to become a horse trainer, Beryl makes friends with an interesting cast of characters, all looking wherever they can to find happiness.

My Thoughts

 The story really seems to be one about the eternal human struggle to find happiness within the constraints of societal norms. So many of the characters are having extramarital affairs, but because most of their marriages were not for love the reader finds it difficult to find it immoral. Beryl is conflicted many times about the decision to be herself or to fit the role what society wants her to fulfill. 
I personally love that when faced with adversity Beryl, and many other characters in the book, just work to figure it out. To me, that makes the story so much more real. Beryl does not just wallow in despair when something doesn't go her way. When she wants to be independent of a husband, she trains to get a job. When rumors ruin her reputation, she figures out a way to ride out the storm. When one job no longer provides like it used to, she learns another trade. It is what real people have to do every day, figure out how to survive in your circumstances.
It is also enjoyable when a book has a good ending, but not a perfectly wrapped up happily-ever-after type ending. Again, it adds to the reality of the life of Beryl Markham but also gives you hope.

If you like reading historical fiction with strong female characters, learning more about life in British occupied Kenya, safaris, or stories of overcoming your lot in life, then this book is for you!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

The Windfall by Diksha Basu

Title: The Windfall
Author: Diksha Basu
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Middle aged website developer, Mr. Jha sells his site for more money than he and his family could ever imagine. With this new income the Jha's buy a new house and car and move out of their familiar neighborhood in Dehli to the fashionable Gurgaon neighborhood. Adjusting to their new home, new neighbors, and to becoming empty-nesters as their son studies in America is a lot of change all at once. Can the Jha's balance the old and the new?

My Thoughts

This is a very cute story of the struggle that comes along with suddenly accumulating great wealth and not knowing what to do with all of it. Mr. Jha is very concerned about "keeping up with the Jones" or the Chorpas in his case. This leads to something along the line of A Comedy of Errors. Everyone in the novel knows something that someone else does not, causing a lot of suspense throughout the story. Mrs. Jha doesn't want to ruin her husband's excitement about their move, even though she is uncertain. Mr. Jha just wants the new neighbors to see how rich they are. The neighbors are worried they are not wealthy enough. The Jha's son is struggling in school, but doesn't want anyone to know....and so on. 

While some people enjoy that kind of suspense, I personally find it stressful. Other reviews have said that his book was one to make you laugh out loud. Like I said, it was cute, but I did not find myself overcome with laughter. This may be due to the fact that I did not grow up in India or from an Indian background, so maybe some references or cultural norms were lost on me.

I did enjoy the part of the novel that focused on the young widow Mrs. Ray and her modern decisions after losing her husband at 37. Highlighting the strong traditions that still run in Indian culture, watching her navigate the dating world was amusing and sweet.

If you are looking for a quick read highlighting the missteps associated with new wealth, then this book is for you.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Title: Shadow of the Wind
Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Set in 1940s Barcelona, 10-year-old Daniel, son of a bookshop owner, finds the book Shadow of the Wind and it instantly becomes his favorite book and wants to read more by the same author. When he finds out that someone is systematically been destroying all books by the author, Julian Carax, he becomes obsessed with knowing more. After years of working to solve this mystery, Daniel finds strange parallels between himself and his favorite author.

My Thoughts

This novel tells a story like none I have ever read before. I knew that I would like a book about people who love books, but this novel has so much more going for it than just that. The expansive vocabulary used by the author alone made it so much fun to read. The version I read (and the one linked above) is an English translation from the original Spanish and it is so well done.
I didn't realize when I picked it up, but it became apparent that this novel is written in the Gothic style so some parts are very suspenseful. There was a point where I had to read it during the day because I was a little too creeped out to read it before bed. (Go ahead and laugh, then you read it and tell me what you think!) 
The storyline has so many moving parts and characters but somehow the author writes in a way that you do not get confused about who is who, or if the character is someone from the past or the present. It has such depth, there is the story of Daniel and his family, the story of Julian Carax growing up, the story of a good friend of Julian's, Nuria Munfort, and finally the story behind who is destroying all of Julian's novels. Much of what is written about the past is written in italics, which helps, and Nuria Munfort's story comes in the form of a letter. 
While much of the novel is dark and has moments of heaviness, (yes, there were points where I cried) there are also moments of levity, inspiring friendships, and hope. I highly recommend it! 
I was excited to hear from a friend that it is just the first of three novels in a series, can't wait to get my hands on the next two!

If you like Gothic novels, coming of age stories, mystery and suspense, or post-Spanish Civil war novels, this book is for you! 

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander

Title: Behind the Shattered Glass: A Lady Emily Mystery
Author: Tasha Alexander
Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis: When a wounded man stumbles into Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargraves' home and then dies on the carpet, she and Colin work with the police to discover who was behind this brutal murder. The murdered man is their neighbor, the newly ascended Lord Montague, and there are plenty of people who might want him dead.

My Thoughts

When I bought this book, I didn't realize it was part of a mystery series starring Lady Emily. This one is apparently set after a number of others in the series but the reader does not need to have read the other books to enjoy this one. Enough context is provided about past events to allow this novel to stand on its own.
The reader gets to see the story from two perspectives. The first part of each chapter is numbered using Arabic numerals and is told from the first person perspective of Lady Emily as she works to solve the case. The second part of each chapter is numbered using Roman numerals and is told in the third person perspective about the happenings of the household staff. 
Very Downton Abbey-esque, if you ask me. 
I think this is a good way to remind the reader who is speaking and serves to help tell the whole story. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing about the identity of the murderer, offering plenty of plausible suspects.
Lady Emily is a strong female character living in Victorian England so naturally, I find her endearing. The characters are all well developed and the novel is fast paced and easy to read. 
I look forward to reading other books in this series!

If you are interested in Victorian England, mysteries, or women who want to raise their station in life, then this book is for you!


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above.

Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker by The Editors of Martha Stewart Living

Title: Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker
Author: The Editors of Martha Stewart Living
Genre: Non-Fiction, Cookbook

Synopsis: Slow cooker recipes from Martha Stewart including meat, main dishes, vegetarian dishes, side dishes, and even desserts!

My Thoughts
So excited to review a cookbook for the first time! This isn't even available to the public until a week after I had received it!
First off, Martha admits right at the beginning that she had not used a slow cooker until she and her team were researching and writing this cookbook. 
You can really tell that the team that put this book together worked hard to create the best version of these recipes a slow cooker can produce. Every recipe has a photograph, correction a BEAUTIFUL photograph, of the dish. It begins with a short paragraph introducing the dish, its origins, and what to serve it with. The ingredients listed are always high quality and what the editors found worked best in a slow cooker. Ingredients that are less common also have easier to find substitutions listed, which can be helpful.
Be warned, this is not 110 dump-everything-in-the-slow-cooker-and-go recipes. Martha Stewart reminds the reader that the slow cooker is to be used as a tool to help prepare meals, and not all recipes can just be thrown in and expected to taste good. Quality recipes are the first priority. Many of the recipes ask that you prepare some part of the meal before it is placed in the crockpot. For example, I made the Three-Cheese Macaroni and the recipe called for the onion to be cooked first before added to the pot, and that breadcrumbs should be browned and then added on top in the last 15 minutes of cooking. Other recipes have steps like searing the meat beforehand or making the broth in the crockpot while you cook another part of the meal on the stove.
I was also excited to see that one of my favorite TV chefs was credited with a recipe in this book, Emeril Lagasse's Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. I appreciate credit given where it is due.
Bottom line: You need to add this book to your cookbook collection. It is seriously a beautiful book with great recipes. I'm so glad that I had the chance to review it. You can purchase your own copy from Amazon by clicking the image of the book above. (Seriously, you want this book.)

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Martha Stewart, visit her website linked above.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik

Title: Stuff Matters
Author: Mark Miodownik
Genre: Non-fiction

Synopsis: Materials scientist, Mark Miodownik, discusses ten amazing materials and how their properties make them useful in our everyday lives.

My Thoughts

I read this book because it was the summer reading for the sophomores who are taking my chemistry class this year. I think that it is super relatable and I hope they actually took the time to read it.
It is really cool that each chapter starts with the same picture. It is a photograph of the author drinking tea on the rooftop of his apartment in London. Each of the materials that he discusses is present in the photograph. 
The science in this book is superb, but it also has a relatable narrative. Each material is introduced with how it is used by humans. Then Miodownik discusses the chemical properties that allow it to perform the job people use it for.
The language Midowonik uses makes this accessible to anyone, you don't have to be a scientist to appreciate this work.

If you are interested in how things work, science, or knowing a little more about materials we use every day, then this book is for you!


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Mark Miodownik, visit the website linked above.

China Dolls by Lisa See

Title: China Dolls
Author: Lisa See
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: After moving to California to try to find work at the 1939 World's Fair at Treasure Island, Grace Lee meets Helen Fong and Ruby Tom at the glamorous Forbidden City nightclub. All three young women are there to audition to become dancers for the club's nightly shows. As if life hadn't thrown enough challenges at these women, everything changes after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

My Thoughts

I love when I can find a novel written from a perspective that isn't usually given much attention. Reading about the United States during WWII as told from the perspective of young Chinese-American women was really cool. 
Each of the women come from very different upbringings and the author writes different chapters from each of the three young women's points of view. The novel starts and ends by hearing from Grace Lee, so I found that I was most attached to her character. 
When Grace, Ruby, and Helen are all in different locations there is a chapter that is entirely written as letters between the characters. I thought this was a nice addition to the novel and still gave insight into what each character was experiencing.
This story is a reminder of the difficulty of being an unmarried woman looking for work in the 1930's and 1940's before the war effort began. It also portray's the fine balance between wanting to honor the traditions of the past while also living as a modern American woman.

If you like stories about the strength and difficulty of friendship, the American home-front during WWII, and the 1940's nightclub scene, this book is for you! 


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Lisa See, visit her website linked above.

Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

Title: Princess Elizabeth's Spy
Author: Susan Elia MacNeal
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Synopsis: In the second novel of the Maggie Hope Mystery series, Maggie is now working for MI-5. Churchill has a special assignment for Ms. Hope, going undercover as a tutor to Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are living at Windsor to remain safe while Germany continues to bomb London during WWII. After multiple mysterious deaths and making some new friends, Maggie has her work cut out for her keeping the royal children safe.

My Thoughts

After I finished the first novel in this series I was so excited to find out that there was more to read about Maggie Hope.  Thanks again to one of my colleagues who lent me these first two Maggie Hope Mysteries! 
While many aspects of the story are fictional (including Maggie), it contains some factual information and fictionalized versions of people who were alive at the time. Anyone who knows me knows that I love the British Royal Family, so I was hooked as soon as I read the title!
You may notice how soon this post is following the last one (Gutenberg's Apprentice). That is because I could not put this book down. It is well written, intriguing, and has so many lovable characters. MacNeal has mastered the plot twist, with the effect being a very quick placed narrative that keeps the reader guessing. I was dying to know how it would end, but at the same time wanting the book to go on forever.  I seriously cannot wait to read the next one! 
 In addition, some of MacNeal's non-fiction references from the back may be added to my list of must-reads for the future!

If you like the British Royal Family, stories about WWII, or mysteries then this book is for you!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Susan Elia MacNeal, visit her website linked above.

Gutenberg's Apprentice by Alix Christie

Title: Gutenberg's Apprentice
Author: Alix Christie
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Master scribe & printer, Peter Schoeffer, tells the story of how he became a printer to a young clergyman who wishes to write about it. It begins when Peter is given as an apprentice to Johann Gutenberg by adoptive father, Johann Fust. Gutenberg is secretly creating his famous printing press with movable type in a workshop. Peter uses his skills as a scribe to help create the best metal type for the press. Gutenberg and Fust have a tumultuous relationship as difficulties arise in the process of printing what comes to be known as the Gutenberg Bible. This is because Fust is the main contributor of funds for the project. Peter has to decide where his loyalties lie; with the Master or his father.

My Thoughts
As you may have noticed, most of the books I read are from the perspective of a female protagonist. It was a definite change of pace to read a novel where there are very few female characters. 
The beginning of each section of the book is set with Peter describing what it was like to work with Gutenberg. The following chapters are all set when Peter was young and working in the print shop. Gutenberg is portrayed as a crazy inventor type who is not much of a businessman or people person. It is interesting to read about how dedicated the men who worked for him were, though he was often unkind. His brilliance is what inspired their loyalty.

Alix Christie is a printer herself, so I took notice of some stylistic choices she made in each of theses sections. In the chapters where Peter is looking back on his past, the type is set further apart with more space between the words and each line. This gives the reader the idea that the pace is slower at this time. When the section transitions into chapters where Peter is working in the print shop, the words and lines are closer set, giving the illusion of a quick, cramped pace. Each chapter also begins with a large illuminated letter, giving an old timey feel, and the edges of the pages are not perfectly cut, but a bit jagged.

Overall, this was an interesting novel to read. The beginning and end move quickly, but the middle was a bit slow. I'm uncertain if this was the intention of the author, to give the reader the feeling of how long the process of creating the type was, or not. Some of the specifics of the printing process in the middle could be trimmed so the reader doesn't get bogged down.

If you are interested in printing, medieval towns, or learning more about the Gutenberg Bible, this book is for you!


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


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To see more from Alix Christie, visit her website linked above.

The Ruins of California by Martha Sherrill

Title: The Ruins of California
Author: Martha Sherrill
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: Inez Ruin is growing up in the 1970s as a child of divorce and makes observations about her loud mother and eccentric father. Both her grandmothers play important roles in her life as well as her half-brother, a hippie-surfer, Whitman. This is a story about growing up and realizing that everyone in your family is human too.

My Thoughts
This book was a Christmas gift from a good friend and I purposely saved it for summer because of the beachy cover! This is totally not something that I would have picked up for myself, and I'm glad she helped me step out of my usual realm.
It is interesting to see relationships told through the eyes of a child as she grows up in 1970s California. The reader begins to understand the complexity of Inez's father, Paul Ruin, and their interesting relationship. Inez is often the adult in her relationship with her parents and receives very little guidance about her future from them. 
So many of the characters are larger than life so the story can come across as hard to believe at times. There is also little plot beyond following the relationships Inez has with her family, so I was not feeling as engrossed in this novel. I prefer a little mystery and twists, and while this novel is missing those, it does not lack drama. I don't know if it is because Inez is a teen throughout much of the novel, but everything and everyone is super dramatic.


If you like family drama, coming of age stories, difficult parent-child relationships, or 1970s California this book is for you!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Martha Sherrill, visit her website linked above.

The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

Title: The Queen's Fool
Author: Phillipa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: As a young girl, Hannah Green and her father fled from Spain during the Inquisition after her mother was burned as a heretic for following the Jewish faith. While working in her father's bookshop in London Hannah is discovered by Robert Dudley as a Seer. He has her begged as a fool to the Tutor court, and Hannah serves three different Tudors throughout her young life. Most of the story follows the ascension and reign of Mary Tudor.

My Thoughts
I have read many of Philippa Gregory's novels and this one does not disappoint. This one, unlike some of her other novels, is not told from the point of view of an actual historical figure. Hannah Green and her family are purely fictional, and it is told from the first person perspective of Hannah. This allows the author to give an outsiders view of the short reign of Edward VI (Henry the VIII's son), the ascension and reign of Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth Tudor's life while she awaited the throne. Talk about a sibling rivalry...
While this book is enjoyable to read, I would not say it is my favorite of Gregory's novels. There are a few times when I feel Hannah and others act in a way that seems out of character for the personality that Gregory has written. This makes certain portions of the book a bit awkward and seemingly out of place.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Philippa Gregory, visit her website linked above.

Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge

Title: Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility
Author: Hillary Manton Lodge
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: A modern take on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters lose their home and tea shop in San Francisco and are taken in by relatives in Austin, Texas. Charismatic Sean Willis, who the sisters meet along the way, seems to charm everyone, but retired Marine, Callum Beckett is unimpressed. Celia, Jane, and Margot try to figure out life in a new city, to rebuild their tea shop and hope to figure out love along the way. 

My Thoughts

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Jane Austen. They also know that I love tea. My love for Jane Austen always makes me dubious of anyone who is claiming to modernize or use her novels to inspire their own. (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? I shuddered at the suggestion.) Despite my usual reservations, I saw that this novel was bringing my love of tea and Austen together, so I decided to give it a shot.
Lodge did an amazing job modernizing and adapting the storyline of Sense and Sensibility to make sense in the present day. It doesn't make sense for women in 2016 to be kicked out of their husband/father's home and only be able to live on their almost unlivable inheritance, most women now have jobs. Lodge took the parents out of the equation, had the kindly landlord pass away leaving the Woodward sisters to his heirs who were looking for much more money in a popular San Francisco neighborhood.
From there I was hooked. I just had to know how each major event from the story would be so beautifully adapted. Each time I saw a glimpse of Austen's storyline it was almost nostalgic and kept me so interested that even knowing what would happen didn't bother me. Seeing how this book would get there was such a fun adventure.
I particularly loved the thoughtful little touches the author added to make the novel her own. The chapters written from Jane's point of view began with a quote about tea. When written from Callum's point of view, the quotes were about Texas. Anytime there was a discussion about a particular dish, the recipe for that dish was given. I cannot wait to try some of them out!

I am so glad that I gave this book a chance, it was a delightful summer read.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves Jane Austen, tea, Texas, a good love story, or happy endings.


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Hillary Manton Lodge, visit her website linked above.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Title: Rebel Queen
Author: Michelle Moran
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Sita, the eldest daughter of a family in a poor village in India, earns a spot as a member of the Rani's (queen) female guard. Life in Jhansi is much different than the village Sita grew up in and she has much to learn. Set in the mid-late 1800's the British are slowly colonizing the kingdoms in India. The Rani of Jhansi, Queen Lakshmi fights to keep the land she loves and protect her people.

My Thoughts
I haven't read much about India and did not know much about what it was like there in the mid-nineteenth century. The author uses Sita to provide insight into what it was like to be a woman in India at that time. Moran takes the time to make sure the reader understands the important aspects of family hierarchy, religion, and customs of the Indian people in a way that is not overwhelming and does not come across like reading an encyclopedia.
As you can see from the time of my last post, I flew through this book. I typically read a few chapters before bed, but I simply had to know what was going to happen to Sita and the people of Jhansi so I was reading every spare moment I had. 
This novel is based on a true story and Sita was really a member of  Queen Lakshmi's guard. Moran writes beautifully and perfectly fills in any gaps in the historical record to create an intriguing and relatable narrative that keeps the reader wanting more. It is amazing to read about strong women leaders in this kingdom during a time where most of India's women were not even allowed to be seen outside of their homes.
This book is a quick and fun read, and I recommend it for those looking for a book to read this summer!


Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Michelle Moran, visit her website linked above.

Mr. Churchill's Secretary bySusan Elia MacNeal

Title: Mr. Churchill's Secretary
Author: Susan Elia MacNeal
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: A young American woman, Maggie Hope, travels to London to sell the home of her grandmother, who left it to Maggie in her will. Maggie decides to stay in London to learn more about the place she was born and to feel closer to the parents she lost in her infancy. She is a college educated woman with a talent for mathematics but gets hired only as a typist for Winston Churchill. In the offices of Mr. Churchill, she becomes privy to state secrets and becomes entangled in a plot to overthrow the English government.

My Thoughts

This book was recommended and lent to me by one of my colleagues who shares my interest in historical fiction. I'm so glad that I took him up on the offer to borrow it because it was awesome!
Even though Maggie has some intense stuff going on in her life, orphaned in infancy, raised by her aunt in America, putting off graduate school to sell her grandmother's home, living in England during the beginnings of WWII, she is still super relatable. She has five female roommates from all walks of life and a love interest from work.
There are layers upon layers of mystery in this novel a few you can see coming, and many that catch the reader by surprise. The author was inspired by the stories of women who worked as typists for Churchill, so the story has an authentic feel. The author portrays the terror of living through the Blitz, being out with friends to dinner one minute, and then hiding in a bomb shelter the next.
When I found out there were more books in this series, I was seriously so excited. I cannot wait to read more! While the book wraps up nicely, I still want to know more about Maggie and all of her friends who live and work with her.
It is hard to say too much, without giving away important plotlines, so I'll leave it there!




Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Susan Elia MacNeal, visit his website linked above.