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!


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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!


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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!


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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!


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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.