The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

 

Title: The Cuban Heiress 

Author: Chanel Cleeton

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba

Synopsis: New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.
Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading this novel, so much so that it only took me one week to finish it! I bought it on my birthday with a gift card from a friend, and I'm so glad I did!

 I loved the intrigue and mystery surrounding so many of the characters. I loved the description of the ship, the passengers, and Havana. I loved the unexpected twist near the end, and of course, the history surrounding the ship itself. 

Chanel Cleeton's books are so well done and truly enjoyable to read, I cannot wait to read more from this author!

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

Loyal in Love by Jean Plaidy

Title: Loyal in Love: Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I 

Author: Jean Plaidy

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: The daughter of Henry IV of France, Princess Henrietta Maria, becomes a pawn in a political strategy to stabilize relations between two countries when her father marries her to Charles I of England. Sent abroad, she finds herself living in a Protestant country that views her own faith—Catholicism—with deep suspicion.
Yet her new husband is a man of principle and integrity, and Henrietta and Charles fall deeply in love. Henrietta is passionate about her faith, however, and soon politically powerful people, namely Oliver Cromwell and his Puritans, turn her loyalty to her religion into a focal point for civil war. As the royal couple watch the fall of Thomas Wentworth, first Earl of Strafford, the rise of Puritanism, and Englishmen fight Englishmen, they are undeterred in their dedication to each other and in their belief in the divine rights of king and queen—even as spies lurk in their very own household. - Back Cover

My Thoughts

Henrietta is such an interesting character as written by Plaidy. She is meddlesome and entitled and yet somehow endearing. It is written in the first person past tense, as though Henrietta is telling her life story. This gives an interesting perspective and allows for some irony of self-reflection. Events move quickly and there was less punctuation than I'm used to, which makes the writing feel more stream of consciousness; like an elderly woman might speak when telling a story. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading others 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