His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

Title: His Majesty's Hope
Author: Susan Elia MacNeal
Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books by this author that I've read:
 Mr. Churchill's Secretary, Princess Elizabeth's Spy

Synopsis: World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executive—a black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroad—and her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the war—and of her own past. - From the back cover

My Thoughts
As a third installment of the Maggie Hope Mystery series, I was excited to find this novel was just as intriguing, action-packed, and endearing as the first two. At this point in the series, it is important to have read the previous novels because this resolves some plotlines begun in the earlier books. 
This novel is a little less light-hearted than the first two, continuing during WWII, but highlighting "Operation Compassionate Death," where Hitler approved the murder of children with developmental disabilities, chronic diseases, or who had one Jewish parent. In addition to that depressing topic, Maggie has to deal with the ramifications of being undercover and some of her hopeful ignorance/innocence is lost.

If you have read the first two in the series, this one will not disappoint. If this sounds like something you might like to read, check out the first novel Mr. Churchill's Secretary to catch up on how Maggie became an undercover spy!

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Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner

Title: Mademoiselle Chanel
Author: C. W. Gortner
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: This rags to riches story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel begins when she is a young child orphaned and sent to live and study at a convent. Even then the nuns knew she had a special talent for sewing and encouraged her to use that skill to support herself. After further schooling, Gabrielle is sent out into the world unprepared for the difficulties faced by single women her age attempting to make a living. With the support of people she meets along the way, Coco discovers her talent for design. The story follows her through the struggles and successes that made her the famous icon she is today.

My Thoughts

I have recently decided in order to feed my reading habit in a more budget-friendly and environmentally conscious way that it was time to reintroduce myself to the public library. Browsing the shelves at my local library I found this novel and thought it looked interesting. 
I am not a follower of famous designers and therefore knew little about Coco Chanel except that she was a designer. This novel really dives into her life and why she designed and lived the way she did as an adult woman. Reading her story as told from her first-person perspective really show the times in which she was living in a unique light. It even shares the inspiration for her interlocking CC symbol.
I liked that it was broken up into sections based on major events in history and in Chanel's life. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fashion, or stories about self-made women.

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

Fates and Traitors by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: Fates and Traitors
Author: Jennifer Chiaverini
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: The story of the life of John Wilkes Booth told from the perspective of important women in his life; His mother, Mary Ann, his sister, Asia, his secret fiancee, Lucy Hale, and the mother of one of his conspirators, Mary Surratt.

Other books I have read by this author:
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel, The Spymistress: A Novel (this one is my favorite, and seriously amazing... read it!), and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule

My Thoughts

Initially, I was unsure that I would enjoy a novel about John Wilkes Booth as one of the most notorious men in American history. Few modern Americans like John Wilkes Booth and even after reading this novel he is not a likable character but the reader gains perspective about this notorious man. I felt sympathetic to the women who knew him and were horrified by his actions because they truly loved or admired him.
The book begins from J.W. Booth's perspective as he is trapped and captured after (spoiler alert...not) he assassinates President Abraham Lincoln. Then we learn about his young life from the perspective of his mother, Mary Ann and his younger sister, Asia with whom he had a very close relationship. Lucy Hale, a senators daughter, and Mary Surratt, owner of a boarding house and mother to one of Booth's conspirators, give the reader insight into Booth as an adult man plotting to abduct President Lincoln. I like how the reader gets different perspectives on John Wilkes from the people closest to him and while they cannot see his dangerous tendencies the reader gets a full view of why he may have acted as he did.
It is also interesting and well done one chapter near the end is small snippets of the reaction and issues each woman and her family has to deal with in the aftermath of the assassination carried out by someone close to them.

This was a really interesting read that provides insight into those affected directly by the actions of John Wilkes Booth and I highly recommend it! 

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Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierice

Title: Tempests and Slaughter
Author: Tamora Pierce
Genre: YA Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: The first novel in a series chronicling the life of Numair Salmalin, the beloved mage readers first met in Wild Magic, part of the Immortals series. In this novel, Numair is still Arram Draper, a young boy learning to control his immense Gift of magic at the University of Carthak. He meets two other young mages who have talent that has them ahead of many students older than them, Prince Ozorne and Varice. Ozorne, Varice, and Arram become inseparable and they spend meals and their little free time between classes together. Things start to change when Ozorne becomes closer to the throne than ever imagined as the deaths of his cousins continue to mysteriously occur. Arram has to decide if he wants to spend his life working for Ozorne in Carthak or if he has another calling. After seeing the horrors of slaves forced to fight as gladiators and having to heal them behind the scenes, his choice becomes more difficult. 

My Thoughts
I first began reading Tamora Pierce's Tortall Novels in middle school. I loved the unlikely female heroes and the historic setting of knights and magic. I gobbled them up, Alanna (Song of the Lioness Quartet), Daine (The Immortals Quartet), and Kel (Protector Of The Small Quartet). Then I (not so) patiently waited for Aly (Trickster's Duet) by this time, I was in high school. Two more years brought Beka (Beka Copper Trilogy ) a series that released its last book in 2011, my senior year in college. Seventeen books set in Tortall, I read and loved them all. Now in 2018 Pierce writes a book with a boy protagonist for the first time in a Tortall novel, the first one released in seven years. I obviously had to have it. 
It did not disappoint. There was plenty of information about Arram’s childhood and how he became friends with Varice and Ozorne as well as a few other characters we knew from reading about his adulthood. There is some action in a few places, especially toward end. The characters are relatable and well developed and the story flows easily and quickly. I like that each chapter starts with Arram’s new class schedule, it is a cute way to show the passing of time. 
This book could definitely stand on its own, but it helps to have read at least the Immortals Quartet because this book explains a lot about why Numair behaves the way he does and his relationships to several characters from that series as well. It was fun to see the young versions of these characters.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! 


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