Fiction Book Reviews

"This Terrible Beauty” by Katrin Schumann

This story alternates timelines for Bettina Heilstrom.  After WWII, Bettina’s husband Werner, joins the secret police.   20 years later, Bettina is working as a photographer in Chicago.  When she wins a prestigious award, she is surprised by a visit from her former brother-in-law.

I had a hard time getting into this book.  The back and forth storyline did not really work.  I would have preferred a linear story.  I didn’t think Bettina was a very likeable character.  I found it hard to sympathize with her.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“The Art of Peeling an Orange” by Victoria Avilan

Jilted on the eve of her wedding, Carly is furious at Anna Garibaldi, the other woman.  When her former fiancee dies in a car accident, Carly attends the funeral.  She lashes out at Anna, a seemingly perfect Hollywood beauty.  That night, Carly paints the Blue Madonna, a portrait of Anna.  In her anger, she sends the portrait of Anna and requests a meeting.  When she enters the mansion, her world is turned upside down, again.

I hate to admit, but this book was not really for me.  I thought the story was odd, and did not enjoy the paranormal elements.  I think many will enjoy this story.  The novel was well written.  I just had a hard time liking and relating to the characters.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Secrets of a Thousand Beauties” by Mingmei Yip

A ghost bride, Spring Swallow is forced to marry a spirit.  On her wedding day, she engineers her escape, fleeing to Soochow.  There, she meets Aunty Peony, and a variety of embroidery apprentices.  She swears herself to Aunt Peony, and begins learning the art.  

Although this was an interesting story, I struggled through the book.  The characters were a bit one-dimensional and stereotypical.  I found it hard to relate to and even like the characters.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“White Mulberry” by Kwon Easton

Miyoung’s sister is sent to Japan to marry.  A few years later, Miyoung is given the opportunity to move in with her sister in order to continue her education.  In Japan, Miyoung faces ostracism due to her Korean heritage.  She quickly realizes that to survive, she must pass as Japanese.  She finds some peace with a Korean church group, and quickly falls in love with a Korean activist.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Miyoung’s story was interesting, and she was a well-developed character.  However, Christianity seemed to be thrown in at the oddest and most random times.  As Miyoung grew older, it became harder to like and sympathize with her decisions.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“No One Will Save Us” by Julie L. Brown

In the Queendom of Kana, Princess Chi encounters a white man.  She quickly learns that the white men have been taking her people and spiriting them to places unknown.  A warrior, Chi gathers a group to “be captured” and find out what is really happening.  She and her people are led to a boat, where they learn the missing people have been sold into  slavery.  They capture the boat and force it to sail to the New World.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  I thought the premise was extremely interesting.  However, all of the characters seemed superficial and poorly developed.  I wanted to like Chi and the female warriors, but they did not seem to have any depth.

“Everything is Poison” by Joy McCullough

At the age of 16, Carnela becomes an apprentice in her mother’s apothecary shop in Rome.  Slowly, she begins learning the secrets, and why some might call them witches.  When a desperate wife comes in asking for a “remedy” for her husband, Carmela learns about Aqua Tofana, a poison.

This was a pretty quick read.  The primary characters were well developed and interesting.  The secondary characters were stereotypical and flat.  The story itself was a bit simplistic and predictable.  I would have liked more depth to the story.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Portrait of a Girl” by Dorthe Binkert

Set in the Swiss mountains, this book follows the lives of several people.  Nika, a voiceless orphan, ran away from servitude in a nearby village.  Abandoned as an infant, she was left with a locket and a note in a language she cannot understand.  Segantini, a famous painter, lives in the mountains with his wife and children.  When he sees Nika bent over a lake, he becomes enamored with her, determined to paint her likeness.  Vacationers, locals, and the hotel manager all feature in the story as their lives weave in and out.

This was an odd story.  The point of view was constantly switching, which made it hard to get to know the characters.  It also made the story seem aimless.  The plot revolved around Nika, but her story seemed secondary and then everything was resolved in the last chapter.  Due to these criticisms, this is not a book I would reread or recommend.

“The Life We Bury” by Allen Eskens

When Joe is assigned to write a brief biography for a college English class, he heads over to the nursing home.  There he meets Carl, a dying Vietnam veteran and a convicted murderer.  Carl agrees to be interviewed and begins telling his story.  Back home, Joe’s mother is arrested for a DUI and he is left to take care of his autistic brother.  His neighbor Lila bonds with his brother and becomes interested in Carl’s story.  Together, Joe and Lila search court records, newspaper articles, and interview Carl, trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together.

This was a very well written and well paced book.  I appreciated that the author stuck to Joe’s point of view instead of trying to move back and forth in the timeline.  The characters felt very realistic and multi-dimensional.  I liked how the story unraveled and how events in Vietnam were slowly woven in.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

“Daughter of Fire” by Sofia Robleda

Catalina is the mixed daughter of Don Alonso, a spanish aristocrat and a Mayan noblewoman.  As a child, her mother was murdered for practicing her original faith.  Catalina is in possession of a book of stories passed down by her mother.  When Mayan prince Juan de Rojas demands the book, she must determine how to proceed.

My description of the book does not do it justice.  This was a complex story of oppression, faith, loyalty and division.  Catalina was a well developed and dynamic character.  Her struggles and desires felt very realistic.  I had a hard time putting this story down!  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

“The Last Bridge Across Mostar” by Jeana Kendrick

American Katrina Winslow lives in Bosnia working to protect orphans caught between the warring factions.  There, she meets Captain Lucien Brezac, a man of mystery.  When Katrina’s family is murdered, she takes the orphans into the caves, where she must find a way to save the orphans and return to America.

I had a bit of trouble with this book.  The beginning jumped from pov to pov, making the story slow yet confusing.  The book needed some editing, or some way to maintain a cohesive story.  Parts of the book seemed unrealistic - i.e. how easy it was to sneak across borders.  Due to these criticisms, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Secret Life of Violet Grant” by Beatriz Williams

In the 1960’s, socialite Vivian moves out of her family’s Fifth Avenue apartment to fulfill her dreams of working at a magazine.  When a suitcase left behind during WWII is delivered to her house, she is stunned to discover that it belongs to her aunt Violet.  The book alternates with Violet’s timeframe.  Violet moves away from her family to study physics in Europe.  There she falls in love with her professor and moves with him to Germany.

I had a hard time getting into this book.  I found Vivian to be a completely unlikable character.  She felt extremely stereotypical and predictable.  Violet’s story was a bit more interesting, but it was a bit lackluster.  Overall, a bust.

“The Pharisee’s Wife” by Janette Oke

After seeing Mary in the market, Pharisee Enos is determined to have her as his bride.  He negotiates with her father and she is given to him.  Before becoming his wife, she undergoes training on etiquette, social norms, and customs of the upper classes.  When she is brought before Enos, she is frightened and barely speaks a word.  Enos quickly loses interest in her as his money dwindles.  Outside of their small circle, rumors begin about Jesus, an alleged prophet with the ability to heal.  Enos is sent on a mission to discredit Jesus leaving his wife behind for long periods of time.

While this was an interesting story, I felt that it became way too preachy at the end.  I don’t mind reading Christian fiction, particularly when it is presented as a historical novel.  However, I like to draw my own conclusions and do not like it when the story becomes too pushy about pushing an agenda.  While I’m sure many will enjoy this novel, ultimately it was not for me.

“The Island by Victoria Hislop

In the modern day, Alexis plans a trip to her mother’s home island in Greece.  While there, she befriends her mother’s neighbor Fotini, who gradually unveils the story of both the island and Alexis’ family.  The story she tells is of Eleni, Alexi’s great-grandmother, and the matriarch of the family.  Leprosy, ostracization, war, and love are intertwined throughout this story.

I do not want to give anything away about the story.  The book itself was very well written and well paced.  I enjoyed each generation of characters and modern day Alexis.  Overall, highly recommended.

“Mother of Rome” by Lauren J. A.Bear 

When Rhea’s uncle seizes the throne, he sends Rhea to the vestal virgins.  Determined to live her life, she has an affair with Mars, breaking all of her vows.  When she falls pregnant, she is sentenced to die.  On death’s door, she makes a deal with the gods, one that changes her into a wolf.  As a wolf, she looks over her twins, Romulus and Remus, until they can grow and survive.

This was a fascinating book.  I enjoyed reading about the birth of Rome and the people involved in its lore.  Rhea was extremely well developed and well rounded.   The book was nicely paced, and did a great job weaving in the Roman Gods with everyday life.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

“The Lotus Shoes” by Jane Yang

After the death of Little Flower’s father, her mother sells her as a maid to the Fong family. Here she serves Linjing, a spoiled daughter. When the family decides that Linjing will not bind her feet, they force Little Flower to unbind hers.  Leaving her with deformed feet Little Flower must make the best of a bad situation.  Her skill at embroidery quickly shines.  Jealous, Linjing does everything she can to make Little Flower’s life miserable.  On the cusp of marriage, a secret comes out about Linjing’s parentage, causing her to be disowned.  Linjing and Little Flower are taken to a celibate sisterhood, where they are expected to perform manual labor.

This book was just heartbreaking.  Little Flower was such a well-developed character, I felt her pain and she did her best to overcome it.  Linjing was definitely the protagonist, and it was hard to understand the relationship between the two women.  I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and writing skills of the author.  Overall, highly recommended.

“The Volcano Daughters” by Gina Maria Balibrera 

Four young girls grew up together among the indigenous peoples in the shadow of the volcano.  Graciela is summoned to the capital by her step-mother.  There she joins her sister Consuelo, who was taken from the volcano as a toddler.  Graciela becomes an oracle for the country's dictator, parroting back his words.  Years later, the indigenous people are targeted in an act of genocide. 

This was an odd book.  Graciela’s chapters were interspersed with the voices of her dead friends, victims of the genocide.   El Salvador was not named until nearly the end of the book, which I found odd.  Overall, I didn’t love the book and didn’ hate it.  It is very hard to rate this one.

“My Name is Mary Sutter” by Robin Oliveira

Mary Sutter, a midwife, has applied to and been rejected by medical colleges and doctors.  Determined to be a surgeon, she travels to D.C. to tend to the Civil War wounded.  There, she meets surgeon William Stipp, who reluctantly begins teaching her.  

This was an absolutely fascinating book.  The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional.  The plot moved at a quick pace, focusing in and slowing down at the perfect moments.  I  found myself cheering for Mary Sutter, as she voluntarily underwent the horrors of war.  Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

“Eleanore of Avignon” by Elizabeth DeLozier

Eleanore is a midwife and herbalist.  When she meets the personal physician of the Pope, she persuades him to take her on as an apprentice.  As the black death rolls through Italy, pregnant Queen Joanna is in need of a personal physician.

I could not put this book down.  It was a fascinating read. The characters and plot kept me interested and reading long into the night.  I look forward to reading more from this author.  Highly recommended!

“The Village Healer’s Book of Cures” by Jennifer Sherman Roberts

Mary is a herbalist, a healer, a wise woman.  When witchfinder Matthew Hopkins arrives in her village, she begins to fear for her safety.  When a local man is found poisoned, his body carved with symbols, the village begins to panic.  Mary teams up with an alchemist to find a solution and save her life.

This book was hard to put down.  The characters were dynamic and interesting.  The storyline moved quickly as mysteries unraveled.  I liked the interplay between witchcraft and alchemy, this isn’t something I’ve read before.  Overall, highly recommended.

“By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult 

In the modern day, Melina Green struggles to find acceptance as a woman playwright.  When her bestie submits her play using a shortened-male version of her name, she decides to hide behind her bestie rather than admit she created the play.  In 1581, Emilia Bassano has a gift for storytelling.  After living as a courtesan, she is married off to a brutal man.   In order to earn money and provide for her child, she sells her plays and poems to William Shakespeare.  

In general, I do not love books that are split between time periods.  I found myself way more interested in Emilia’s story and rushing through Melina’s chapters.  I thought Melina was a complainer and very unlikeable.  Emilia’s story was way more captivating, and I wish the book was solely her story.  OVerall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Cherry Harvest” by Lucy Sanna

Set in Wisconsin during WWII, this book alternates between Charlotte and her daughter Kate’s points of view.  With the men away at war, there are not enough hands to bring in the cherry harvest.  Threatened with financial ruin, the family allowed German pow’s to be billeted on their farm.  One of the prisoner’s, a math teacher named Karl, begins to tutor Kate.  Husband Thomas turns a blind eye, unaware that his wife is falling in love.  When their son returns wounded from the battlefield, tensions immediately rise, threatening the family’s peace and survival.

I’m not sure what to say about this book.  It had a heavily nostalgic feel, which made it seem slow.  There were plenty of unexpected moments throughout the book however something about the book just did not click for me.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Poppy Fields” by Caroline Kellems

When Phil decides to relocate to Guatemala for missionary work, Katherine and her two children are less than enthusiastic.   Robbed on the road, they are then led to a rundown home with no supplies and little resources.  When they meet their wealthy neighbor, they see a different side of Guatemala, one that Katherine and her children long to dive into.  

I’m not sure what to say about this book.  The characters were extremely dislikeable and naive.  The plot was slow moving and extremely predictable.  Overall not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club” by Helen Simonson

Connie is spending the summer at a seaside hotel as a lady’s companion.  With the end of WWI, the men have returned and the women are out of jobs.  Concerned about her future, Connie spends the summer searching for herself and who she wants to be.  When she runs into Poppy, a local, she is drawn into the world of motorcycles, airplanes, and high adventure.

This was a fun and compelling read.  I really liked the characters and thought they were multidimensional and well formed. The book moved at a nice pace and featured a nice blend of femininity and romance.  Overall, highly recommended!

“After Oz” by Gordon McAlpine 

After a tornado sweeps through Kansas, 11 year old Dorothy Gale is missing.  Four days later she turns up with a fantastical story.  At the same time, a local woman is found dead, burnt with acid.  Dorothy, who claims to have melted a witch, is immediately under suspicion.  After a hearing, she is sent to an insane asylum, where she meets Dr. Evelyn Grace Wilford, who interviews her at length.  Despite her new circumstances, Dorothy maintains that following the tornado, she was in the magical world of Oz.

This was an engaging story with a unique perspective.  I enjoyed the characters and the pace of the story.  I didn’t particularly like the letter writing in the middle of the book, I think this time could have been done differently.  Despite this criticism, 4 out of 5 stars.

“When We Were Enemies” by Emily Bleeker

The daughter and granddaughter of award-winning actresses Elise Branson avoids the spotlight. When her fiance encourages her to be part of docuseries about her grandmother, Elise reluctantly agrees.  Alternating with the past, Vivian is a small-town girl determined to be a star.  She finds work at the nearby POW camp, where she find it hard to reconcile her Italian heritage with the Italian enemy held within.

I did not enjoy the modern day storyline.  I did not like Elise and found her to be very tedious.  Vivian seemed to lack personality and just fell flat.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“Masquerade” by O.O. Sangoyomoi

Ododo is a blacksmith, a group of women shunned as witches.  When the warriors of Yorubaland conquer her hometown, no one is sure what will happen next.  After being abducted, Ododo is taken across the Sahara to be the wife of the Yoruba king.  Excited about her change in station, Ododo must learn to balance her fiancé's affection with her own desires.

This book was a story in contrast.  The contrast between the lives of blacksmiths and royalty.  The poverty of the people and the opulence of the court.  The contrast between Odobo’s desires and her obligation to her mother and fellow blacksmiths.  At times the book felt predictable and moved slowly.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“Black Shield Maiden by Smith & Hendel 

Yafeu, an African, has always felt different from her villagers.  When her village is destroyed and she is forced into slavery, she must dig deep into her inner strength to survive.  As she was taken to the slave auction, a group of Vikings raided the village.  Mesmerized by the women warriors, Yafeu willingly joined with the Vikings.  However, once they landed, she was once again enslaved.   

It is hard to give this book a broad enough description to capture the book’s nuances.  Well crafted, this book blended two worlds and cultures in a fascinating way.  The characters were multidimensional and well crafted.  They showed growth and expansion throughout the book.  I would love to read a sequel.  This is definitely an author I will be watching!

“Mayluna” by Kelley McNeil

In the present day, after the death of their father, Evie’s children discover an old magazine of a mystery girl with rockstar Carter Wills.  Evie begins telling the story of her relationship with Wills and the band Mayluna.   Interspaced with her story, Carter finally decides to tell his story during an interview while he travels to his next gig.

This book was extremely nostalgic and felt sad.  I wished it had been written in the present day rather than having both narrators telling us a story about the past.  The story itself was interesting, but the pace was very slow.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Real Deal” by Caitlin Devon

Belle Simon was one of six girls chosen to be on a reality tv show The Real Deal.  Starring Donna Mayfair, the program aimed to turn the girls into actors, dancers, singers, and stars.  15 years later, Belle is contacted about filming a reunion special.  

This book unraveled nicely, mixing past and present storylines in a cohesive and fun way.  I enjoyed the novel and the characters.  The book felt very realistic and could easily have been a tell-all memoir.  Overall, a fun, hard to put down, read.

“Daughters of Shandong” by Eve. J. Chung

When civil war threatens the Chinese countryside, the Ang patriarch leaves his wife and daughters behind on their farm.  Hai, the eldest of the daughters, often fights with her sister Di, who is headstrong and willing to abandon the traditional beliefs of their family.  When the Communist army finds the women left behind, they take Hai to a public denunciation in her father’s place, nearly beating her to death.  Knowing that they must escape, the women gather their resources and flee.  Along the way they are subject to starvation, disease, and unsafe conditions.

This was a well written and engaging book.  The author is a great storyteller.  The story itself was heartbreaking.  I felt for Hai and her family and cheered for them as they endured one thing after another.  I would love to read more from this author.  Overall, highly recommended.

“Paper Wife” by Laila Ibrahim

Mei Ling’s parents arrange for her to marry a Chinese widow based in California.  In order to facilitate immigrating to the U.S., she must pose as his first wife and mother of his young son.  They marry in China and then take a boat to California.  On the boat, she studies the details of his life and the woman she is supposed to be.  Knowing that one mistake would send her back to China she does her best to be the wife and mother she is expected to be.

I thought this book was fascinating.  I’ve heard about paper son’s, and the lengths Chinese families would go to immigrate to America, but it was enlightening to read a novel about it.  The book was well paced and the characters were dynamic and well rounded.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“Chasing the Horizon” by Mary Connealy

After breaking her Mom out of the insane asylum, Beth, her mother, and a Kat join a caravan crossing the Oregon trail.  Along the way they find a man shot, and nurse him back to health.  Once they join a larger group, Beth quickly grows comfortable with 

Jake, a wagon train scout.  Back home, Beth’s father employs Pinkerton agents to scour the countryside for his wife and daughter.

This book wasn’t really what I was expecting.  The book itself moved slowly and focused heavily on the romance between Beth and Jack.  The big “chase across the country” didn’t really happen and the Pinkerton agents didn’t play much of a part until close to the end.  I thought the characters themselves were stereotypical and in general lacking.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.  Maybe it just wasn’t for me.

“A Song to Drown Rivers” by Ann Liang

Xishi, a rare beauty, is conscripted by Fanli to wed the rival King of Wu.  She is taught the art of seduction and how to gain what she wants.  Her lessons fuel her hatred of Wu and prepare her to lull the country into complacency.  Once ensconced in the palace, she gains the trust of the King and slowly enacts the plan to topple a kingdom.

Overall, I thought this was an ok book.  The plot seemed a bit predictable and the characters a bit lacking.  Perhaps more points of view would have helped the storyline and development.  The ending of the book felt extremely rushed.  I wish the author had taken more time to allow the story to unreal naturally.  Unfortunately, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

“How To Train Your Human” by Babas 

Fun and witty, this book is written as a cat manual on how to train your human.  It takes a humorous looks at the oddities of cat behavior, and explains their thinking process.  It did not read like a translation.  It was both a fun and quick read.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Sisters of the Soul" by Kristin Fulton

This book spans over 60 years in the life of Elizabeth and Sophie.  As children, Elizabeth grew up as the plantation owner’s daughter while Sophie grew up in the slave cabins.  When they run away from the plantation, they travel across the Oregon Trail to San Francisco.  Elizabeth gives birth to Rose, a child of rape, who she resents and treats poorly.  Sophie does her best by the child, trying to provide the love that Elizabeth cannot.

This really could have been 3 different books focusing on different periods of the characters lives.  Mushing the storylines into 1 book meant that some periods of time were brushed over and short changed.  I really enjoyed the story itself, but wish it had been formatted completely differently.  Further, towards the end, the author used a series of letters to move the plot forward, which I personally dislike.  Due to these criticisms, 3 out of 5 stars.

"Leizar" by David Gelernter 

This book follows multiple generations of the Domansky family from the 1840’s until post WWII.  The vast majority of the book takes place in a small Russian occupied village in Poland.  The book then follows the family to Poland and around Europe.  

Leizar, a third generation son is the focus of the book.  However, I wish each generation had been given their own book.  There was enough content here to feature each generation separately and more fully.  At times the book felt sparse -time passed quickly and the day to day life was brushed over.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Cloistered" by Catherine Coldstream 

After losing her father, Catherine begins a spiritual journey that leads her into the cloistered life of a Carmelite nun.  Once inside, she found mediocrity, conformity and unquestioning obedience.  I’m not sure what to say about this book.  It was a bit slow moving and anticlimactic.  I couldn’t figure out what the plot was.  I would have been more foraging or understanding if this was a memoir, but for fiction, it was a bust.  Overall, it just wasn’t for me.

"Sky of Ashes, Land of Dreams" by Erin Jamieson

Bolormaa and Ganbaatar were born and raised in the Gobi desert.  After their engagement, Ganbaatar meets Aisin, a Chinese woman sent to Mongolia after the death of her parents.  He immediately falls in love with her and finds himself deciding between desire and duty.   

The book covered large spans of time, often employing time jumps.  I missed reading about the day to day life in the Gobi desert and the culture and customs of it’s people.  I never really got to know the characters, they were not well developed or flushed out.  Overall a bust.

"Followers" by Raziel Reid

After Lily is arrested, she is taken in by her famous reality TV star aunt and cousins.  Thrust into the reality TV spotlight, Lily must decide who she is, and what she is willing to put up with.

I had a hard time with this book in the beginning.  It isn't really for my demographic, and the emoji's, slang, and focus on social media just didn't appeal to me.  However, as I kept reading, I began to feel a kinship with Lily, as she struggled to come to terms with her dysfunctional family and learned to be ok with herself.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Lilith" by Nikki Marmery

Brought to life in the Garden of Eden, Lilith is the daughter of Asherah, and Yahweh.  When Adam begins to dominate her, Lilith refuses, and is cast out.  Searching for Asherah, she realizes that she is missing and Yahweh is behind her disappearance.  When Lilith realizes that Eve has been created as Adam's helpmeet, she tries to speak to her, and shows her the Tree of Knowledge.  Granted immortality, Lilith move through history, seeking Asherah and finding ways to restore balance and regain Paradise.

I could not put this book down.  It was well written, and the character development was master level.  I enjoyed the author's interpretations of biblical history and loved how she weaved Lilith throughout.  I can't recommend this book enough.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

"Voice of the Ancient" by Connilyn Cossette

When King Saul asks for fighters, Avidan sneaks away with his cousins to join the fight.  In order to protect the youngest, they hide him in a case for the battle.  Afterwards, there are few signs of what happened to him and where he went.  Determined to find him, Avidan leaves the rest and searches alone.   Keziah, the daughter of a clan chief, is set to marry a brutal and violent man.  On the day of her wedding, her maid hatches a plan to free her.  Keziah cuts her hair, disguises herself as a boy, and leaves with her horse.  On her first day alone, she is robbed.  Avidan saves her from the robbers and the two decide to travel together.

This was a fairly interesting read.  At times the book felt too preachy and repetitive.  Keziah seemed a bit stereotypical at first, but quickly grew and developed throughout the series.  Avidan was easy to like from the beginning.  I'm not sure I would pick up another book in the series, overall 4 out of 5 stars.

"All You Have to Do is Call" by Kerri Maher  

This book follows the lives of three women, Veronica, Patty, and Margaret.  Jane, a female empowerment, underground abortion group is designed to provide women with choice and safe medical treatment.  Veronica, the founder of Jane, lives a double life.  On one hand, she is the typical suburban housewife who bakes and takes care of her child.  On the other, she coordinates and performs illegal underground abortions.   Patty, Veronica's best friend, does not know about Jane and is horrified at the thought of abortion.  She focuses her time and energy on her children and boosting her lack luster marriage.  Margaret is a young college professor who is trying to make a difference in a male dominated profession.

I thought the storyline was a bit lacking in this book.  The story was slow to develop and very predictable.  The characters felt stereotypical, and not particularly likeable.  I was a bit horrified that women with no medical training were performing abortions, and was interested to learn more about Jane itself, however that part of the book was lacking.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Girl from the Papers" by Jennifer L. Wright

As a child, Beatrice supported her family by winning beauty pageants.  When she starts loosing, her Mother dresses up, and lands herself a rich man.  The man is abusive, violent, and highly religious.  Beatrice and her sister force their Mom to choose, and she reluctantly chooses her daughters.  They move to West Dallas, Texas, where they are enmeshed in poverty.   Working at a diner, Beatrice longs to escape.  When Jack Turner turns her head, she falls for his fast lifestyle.  Together, they begin robbing stores, and then banks.

This book had amazing character development.  The characters felt very realistic and dynamic.  I felt for Beatrice and the decisions she had to make.  The plot line was a bit predictable, but that's because it was based off Bonnie and Clyde.  I wish the author had done more to separate the two stories.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Witching Tide" by Margaret Meyer

Martha, a mute midwife, watches in horror as the witchfinder comes to town.  As woman after woman is taken and questioned she decides to take matters into her own hands.  She unearths a wax witching doll that was gifted to her by her mother.  Once pricked, the doll can cause chaos or offer protection.  When Martha is chosen as one of the helpers to examine the accused women, suspicion quickly turns to her.

I couldn't put this book down.  It was well paced and well developed.  I felt the terror, hopelessness, and defiance of the women.  My biggest complaint is that while Martha was mute - she had no trouble relating complex sentences or thoughts to those around her.  No one seemed to have problems knowing what she was trying to say.  This just did not seem realistic.  I also wish some of the other women had been better developed.  Perhaps alternating points of view could have helped develop these characters.  Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed this book.  4 out of 5 stars.

"The Weaver and the Witch Queen" by Genevieve Gornichec

Set in 10th century Norway, this is the tale of Oddny, Gunnhild, and Signy.  Gunnhild runs away with a visiting sorceress and commits herself to learning magic.  Years later, when raiders take Signy, Gunnhild vows to find her sister and seek revenge.  Oddny travels back to their village to help Gunnhild, meeting and joining forces with King Eirik.

The relationship between the three girls was well developed, and twined throughout the novel.  I enjoyed reading from Oddny and Gunnhild's points of view an wish Signy's point of view had also been explored.  The story was well paced, the world well developed.  I look forward to reading more from this author!

"The Quiet Tenant" by Clemence Michallon

Aidan is well liked in his small town.  When his wife dies and he is left to raise his daughter Cecilia, the town rallies around him.  However, locked in a shed on his property is "Rachel" a girl he kidnapped four years ago.  When he loses the property, he decides to take Rachel with him and she is introduced to Cecilia as a friend down on her luck.  Emily, a local restaurant owner, is beginning to fall for Aidan, and decides to make her move.

This was a fascinating story.  The writing style isn't one I generally love, but the characters and plot kept me reading.  The story was well paced and dynamic and unraveled nicely.  When I read the author's bio at the end, I was shocked that English was not her first language.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars!

"California Golden" by Melanie Benjamin

The book opens in the 1960's in Southern California.  Mindy and Ginger, the Donnelly sisters, live under the shadow of their mother, a surfer.  As children, Mindy and Ginger take up surfing, trying desperately to keep their Mom from leaving.  As adults, when Mindy has the opportunity to join the ranks of Hollywood stars, she jumps at it, leaving her sister behind.  Ginger takes up with another surfer, obsessing over their relationship, doing drugs use, and giving up herself to keep him. 

Although this was an interesting story, it had an overall nostalgic and sad feeling.  The characters were well developed, but it was hard to penetrate their sadness and really get a sense of who they were.  The book covered a large time period, and did a good job of transitioning through the girls lives.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Daydreams" by Laura Hankin

As a young adult, Kat was in a hit TV. show featuring four teenagers who formed a band.  Kat was cast as the jealous mean girl, Noah, the lead male, Summer, the lead female, and Liana the token minority character.  After a dramatic and emotional live finale, the four cast members drifted info very different lives.  Years later, the idea of a reunion is pitched and they are all drawn back into the past and what they did.

This was a fantastic book, I absolutely loved it!  The characters were well developed, well rounded, and highly relatable.  The plot unraveled nicely, leaving me in suspense.  I would love to read more from this author!  5 out of 5 stars.

"The Vanishing at Castle Moreau" by Jaime Jo Wright

In 1870, Daisy takes a position as a housemaid at Castle Moreau.  When she visits town, she learns that girls have been disappearing in strange circumstances.  When Daisy finds a woman injured in the forest, she debates what to do.  In modern days, Cleo has been hired to work with a wealthy family to clean up the hoarding in the house.  She finds mystery and unexpected results at every turn.

Wow.  I don't want to give anything away for this one.  It is full of tension and mystery.  Vanishing girls, suspicious house staff, and eccentric matrons lie at the heart of the story.  Overall, a must read!

"The Last Carolina Girl" by Meagan Church

Leah and her father live a simple life along the Carolina coast.  When her father dies, Leah is torn from her home and sent across the state to live with strangers.  Instead of welcoming her into the family, she is treated as a maid.  

This book was ok.  It moved very slow and very little seemed to happen with the plot.  The characters were well developed and multi dimensional.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars .

"Beyond That, the Sea" by Laura Spence-Ash

At the start of WWII, Millie ad Reginald sent their 11 year old daughter Beatrix to live with strangers in the United States.  Beatrix ends up with Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, and their two sons, William and Gerald.  Bea quickly becomes used to her life in America, and fits in great with her new family.  Yet, feelings of guilt abound.  After the war, Bea move back to London, feeling unsettled and unmoored.

This book was pretty sad and depressing.  There was no high point or tension in the plot.  The book moved slowly and tried to juggle too many points of view.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend. 

"The Weight of Air" by Kimberly Duffy

Mabel performs as a strong woman with her father in a European circus.  When her father dies, her stage fright overcomes and she is unable to perform.  Across the sea, Isabella, an aging aerialist, fights her body in order to continue performing.  When Mabel was a toddler, her mother left her to care for her aging parent.  She never returned.  Now, Mabel leaves the circus with Jake, an acrobat, and travels to America to find herself, and possibly her mom. 

This book was pretty depressing and nostalgic.  I suppose that is often the case in life, but I don't generally enjoy those types of books.  The characters definitely felt realistic and well developed.  Although the book wasn't for me, it was well written and well paced.  4 out of 5 stars.

"The Last Russian Doll" by Kristen Loesch

As a child, a man broke into Rosie's home, killing her father and sister.  Rose and her mother fled to England to start a new life.   However, Rosie has always felt divided, as if she has lived two lives.  When her mother dies, Rosie takes an internship in Russia, intending to unravel the mysteries of her childhood.

  The book had a dreamy, surreal quality to it, which worked well with the story.  The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional.  Well written and paced, I rate this book a 4 out of 5. 

"The Boys from Biloxi" by John Grisham

This book follows two families from the same area in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Keith's father becomes a prosecutor, determined to clean up the gulf.  Hugh's father became a crime boss, specializing in liquor, gambling, and prostitution.  Keith follows in his father's footsteps, taking an interest in politics and going to law school.  Hugh takes after his father, dabbling in crime and prostitutes.  Eventually, the two families come head to head.

I'm a big fan of John Grisham however this book just did not work.  There was very little movement in the book,  The story bogged down during the build-up phase and at times felt very stagnant.  When something finally happened, it was very predictable.  Overall, a bust.

"Hang the Moon" by Jeannette Walls

As a young girl Sallie's stepmother banishes her to live with her aunt.  Years later, after the death of her stepmother, Sallie is brought back to live with her father, Duke, and brother Eddie.  Duke, the unofficial town ruler, trades in moonshine and handshake deals.  When Duke dies, someone in the family must step up and take charge.

This story felt a bit disconnected.  The plot seemed to change every few chapters, leaving the book feel extremely disjointed.  I did not connect well with the characters and found myself a bit bored. . Although I like the author, this book just wasn't for me.

"The Lost and Found of Green Tree" by Bobbie Candas

Nanette and Mariah are both born and raised in Green Tree, a small Midwestern town.  Mariah marries at a young age and has twin girls.  When her husband is killed in an accident, she must find a way to survive and hold her family together.  Nanette moves to a slightly bigger town and finds work in a photography study.  When Mariah is looking for someone to temporarily care for her daughters, Nanette volunteers to watch one of them.  When Mariah is ready to take her daughter back, Nanette bolts to Hollywood, determined to make the girl a star.

This was a well written and engaging book.  It was hard to put down and I found myself reading long into the night.  I became extremely invested in the characters and the challenges and situations they found themselves in.  Overall, well worth picking up!

"Sophie and the Rising Sun" by Augusta Trobaugh

Sophie, a middle-aged single woman, lives in a small town in Georgia.  Her neighbor, Anne, takes on a Japanese gardener, Mr. Oto.  Slowly, Sophie and Mr. Oto begin to speak, eventually developing a relationship.  When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Mr. Oto's life is in danger.

  This book was a bit slow and meandering.  The plot never really seemed to go anywhere.  I didn't really enjoy this book, I felt like I was just plodding through.  There was also no real conclusion, which drives me crazy.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

"American Royals III: Rivals" by Katharine McGee

This is the third novel in the American Royals series.  Beatrice has taken her place as Queen, but now must prove herself on the world stage.  Sam and Marshall must decide if they are willing to set aside their royal restraints and buck convention.  Daphne and Nina team up against Lady Gabriella, who is determined to take them down.

  This was a fun and exciting read.  All of the characters felt very realistic and multi dimensional.  The story was well paced and flowed well between points of view.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

"Mademoiselle Revolution" by Zoe Sivak

As the daughter of a rich white planter and a slave, Sylvie has trouble with her identify and where she belongs.  When Sylvie and her family are forced to leave during the Saint-Domingue uprising, she finds herself in France.  There, she meets Robespierre and his paramour, Cornelie Duplay.

I hate to say this, but this book felt like a cheap harlequin romance novel.  I found Sylvie a bit of a snob and hard to like.  Most of the secondary characters felt stereotypical.  I found it really hard to get into the story.  Overall, not a book I would recommend or reread.

"Gilded Mountain" by Kate Manning

Sylvie and her family live in a tiny marble mining town dominated by the company.  When Sylvie has the opportunity to work at the newspaper, she jumps at the chance.  During the summer, she has the opportunity to work for the owners of the company.  While there, she realizes that they live a lavish lifestyle, while the miners and their families are left to freeze and starve.  Drawn to the son, Jasper, she is torn between her loyalty to her family, and the company.  When union organizers come to down, Sylvie must finally decide where her loyalties lie.

  This book was very easy to sink into.  The world was beautifully described, I could really see and feel the town and its inhabitants.  I was less interested in Sylvie and Jasper, and much more interested in the union and strikers.  I've read very few books on union organizers and labor rights and found the topic fascinated.  Overall, highly recommended.

"The Force of Such Beauty" by Barbara Bourland

Olympic gold medalist Caroline is the fastest woman on earth.  When her body gives out, she falls mid-run, breaking both her hip and face.  She is sent to a high priced recover center where she meets Finn, a prince.  When they reconnect two years later, he sweeps her off her feet and they quickly marry.  However, life as a princess is not all that it seems.  Caroline is meant to be a decoration, one with flawless beauty, who never complains or expresses an opinion.

  While the beginning of the book was pretty slow, it picked up a bit after the wedding.  Caroline was a well developed and multi-dimensional character.  I found myself sympathizing with her and looking for an escape route.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Picture Bride" by Lee Geum-yi

Willow, a poor Korean girl, was promised education, food, clothing and prosperity, if only she would become a picture bride, and marry a Korean man unseen in Hawaii.  Along with two other girls from her community, she is shown a photograph, is given some money and is sent across the ocean.  Upon landing in Hawaii, many of the picture brides find that their husbands lied about their age and financial status.  Separated, the girls become distraught as they struggle to adapt to the poverty in Hawaii.

  This was a well written and engaging book. Willow was a very dynamic and multi-dimensional character.  The author handled the passage of time very well and kept the story moving and interesting.  At the end, the book switched to Willow's daughters point of view, which was a bit jolting.  I felt Pearl's chapters could have been handled in an epilogue.  Overall, highly recommended.

"The Lioness" by Chris Bohjalian

Katie, an A-list celebrity, her husband, and a group of their friends safari in Africa.  When their party is taken hostage, the group does everything they can to survive.  Although I thought this was an interesting premise, the book itself just didn't work.  There were way too many points of view, which slowed the plot down.  At times the book felt completely stagnant.  Perhaps if the author focused on 2 or 3 points of view the story would have felt more lively and dynamic.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

"The Last Princess" by Shelley Wilson

Set in the middle ages, Edith is the only survivor when her family is murdered.  Her uncle swoops in and takes the throne away from her.  When Edith is sold into slavery, she ends up with the Vikings.

  This book was a bit tedious.  Every chapter recounted Edith's past, going over the same information time and time again.  It was a bit hard to tell the passage of time - Edith could have spent 1 year or 10 among the Vikings.  Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

"When Women Were Dragons" by Kelly Barnhill

Women are magic.  In 1955, hundreds of thousands of women turned into dragons and left behind their husbands, children, and ordinary lives.  During the mass dragoning, Alex lost her aunt Marla.  Dragoning, considered taboo, is not talked about, discussed, and the women who dragoned are never mentioned again.  Marla's daughter Bea, was quietly taken in by Alex's mother.  Years later, Alex's mother becomes sick and dies.  Her father quickly marries and shuffles Alex and Bea off to an apartment and orders teenage Alex to take charge.  Determined to graduate, Alex struggles to come to terms with her aunt's dragoning, her mother's death, and her father's abandonment.

  This was a very interesting premise.  I thought it was a clever and intriguing idea.  The story itself was a bit dry and slow moving.  The characters were a bit bland and stereotypical.  I liked the bits of history the author threw in between chapters, it added to the lore of dragoning.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"Damnation Spring" by Ash Davidson

Set in the 1970's, Rich is a tree topper, his livelihood dependent on the local logging company.  His wife Colleen is raising their young son and helping the community by serving as a midwife. Rich is given the opportunity to purchase a track of land containing one of the largest redwoods in the area.  When environmentalists flood into town, his investment and livelihood is threatened.  Simultaneously, the logging companies have been spraying the weeds and brush with chemicals.  Deformed babies, miscarriages, and problem with the local wildlife begin to emerge.

  This book was extremely slow moving.  While minor and mundane tasks were highlighted in excruciating details, the environmental concerns and actual logging seemed to be rushed and briefly covered.  The characters were extremely detailed and realistic, which was probably the best part of the book.  Unfortunately, this is not one I would re-read or recommend.

"An Island" by Karen Jennings

For over twenty years Samuel has worked and lived on the island as a lighthouse keeper.  Every two weeks supplies are delivered, and slowly he has shaped and tamed the island.  When a body washes ashore, he is astonished to discover that the man is still alive.  The stranger is a young, strong man, who does not speak Samuel's language.  Samuel quickly becomes paranoid, unsure who this man is, and what his intentions are.

  My description does not really give the book justice.  Throughout the story we learn about Samuel's past, and how he was imprisoned for revolutionary activities.  Ideas of futility, suffering, and cycles of life are brought up as Samuel reflects on his life and the stranger.  Overall, this was a fascinating book.  I had a hard time putting it down and read long into the night.  5 out of 5 stars.

"The Foundling" by Ann Leary

When Mary Engle is hired to work at the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age, she is both excited and nervous.  Her quick wit and loyalty endear her to the medical director, Dr. Agnes Vogel.  While Mary starts out naive and unquestioning, her beliefs are challenged when she discovers that a girl from her childhood is now an inmate.

  This was a very compelling read.  I found it hard to put down.  The characters were well developed and realistic.  The plot moved quickly, unraveling secrets as it went.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Siren Queen" by Nghi Vo

Pre-teen Luli stumbles onto a Hollywood set and is immediately hired as an extra.  As she ages, she becomes determined to shine bright as a Hollywood star.  She finagles a studio deal and encounters a world she is unprepared, yet strangely attracted too. 

  With its supernatural elements, this book weaves a tale of monsters, demons, and stars determined to shine.  I found this story to be unpleasantly hypnotic.  I didn't want to continue, but found myself compelled to read on.  Although this book wasn't quite to my likely, it was extremely unique and well developed.  Overall, a strange story, for a strange world.

"The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle" by Jennifer Ryan

This book follows three women through WWII.  When fashion designer Cressida's house and workshop is leveled during the Blitz, she is forced to go back to the family manor house that she left years ago.  While her brother has passed, his two children remain.  Cressida's niece Violet appears to be just another socialite, but when forced to join the service as a mechanic, she begins to grow up and realize what is important in life.  At the nearby vicarage, Grace is engaged to an indifferent clergyman.  When she takes mother's old wedding dress to the local sewing circle, a plan is hatched to rehab and circulate wedding dressing.

  I found this book to be a bit boring and predictable.  The characters were extremely stereotypical.  The romances were bland and unremarkable.  Everything progressed exactly as expected.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

"Jackie & Me" by Louis Bayard

Lem Billings, close friend of JFK, is asked to vet and entertain JFK's paramour, Jacqueline Bouvier.  While Lem courts Jackie on JFK's behalf, he slowly begins to fall in love with her.  I did not like this book.  I had a hard time with the writing style and plot movement.  Whenever someone is telling stories of their past, there is a danger of nostalgia.  This entire book felt nostalgic and slow moving.  Overall, a bust.

"Forbidden City" by Vanessa Hua

When a recruiter comes to her small town in China, Mei is chosen to serve the communist party in the capital.  With a handful of other girls she is taught to dance, hold herself with grace, and to please the party elites.  Almost immediately Mei captures the attention of Chairman Mao and becomes his mistress. 

I had a hard time putting this book down.  It was absolutely fascinating.  Mei was an interesting and dynamic character.  The plot was well paced and held my attention.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Take My Hand" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

At the beginning of her nursing career, Civil Townsend begins work at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic.  At the clinic, she is horrified to discover that young girls are being put on unnecessary birth control.  When she takes two of her patients, 11 and 13 year old sisters, off the shot, her supervisor has the young girls sterilized.  Civil, is ready to fight.  Alternating with that story, Civil is at the end of her career as a doctor, and is making a trip back to Alabama where everything started.

Wow, I am still horrified at what happened to those two little girls.  I am glad that Civil was willing to fight back.  I thought this was a very interesting and well paced read.  The modern day story wasn't really necessary, an epilogue would have served just as well.  I found myself researching sterilization and the Tuskegee Syphilis Studies after reading this book.  I hope it brings attention to both of these horrifying issues.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"On A Night of a Thousand Stars" by Andrea Yaryura Clark

Paloma, the daughter of Santiago, an Argentine diplomat, is instantly intrigued when she meets a person from her father's past.  The stranger suggests that her father's past is more heroic than she could have none.  When the family travels to Argentina, Paloma is determined to uncover more of the story.  There, she meets Franco, an activist member who are composed of children of the disappeared.  Alternating with the past, things are heating up politically.  Santiago, a university student, in unsure what to do when people around him begin to disappear.

  I knew very little about Argentina and the Dirt War before reading this novel. I found this book well paced, fascinating, and hard to put down.  While Santiago's story was more compelling, the modern day story served to unite the generations and explain the past.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Shadows of Berlin" by David R. Gillham

After surviving the horror of WWII, Rachel moves to America with her Uncle Fritz.  She marries Aaron and tries to blend into a normal life.  However, her past constantly creeps in, making her depressed, difficult to live with and unpredictable.  When her Uncle finds one of her mother's paintings, the past threatens to overwhelm Rachel.

  I had a hard time with this book.  I thought that it was rambling, all over the place.  Some of the characters felt stereotypical and the plot was pretty predictable.  This is not a book I would reread or recommend.

"The Lives of Diamond Bessie" by Jody Hadlock

16 year old Annie Moore runs away from the Magdalene Convent after her newborn baby is taken from her.  Unsure where to go and what to do, she is found half dead by some friendly ladies of the night.  After she recovers, she desperately looks for work, but ultimately turns to prostitute. 

I don't want to give anything away, but I absolutely loved the twist.  It was completely unexpected and absolutely original!  The characters were well rounded, dynamic and felt very realistic.   I did feel that the jumps in time were a bit much, I would have liked more detail about Bessie's day-to-day life.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Portrait of a Thief" by Grace D. Lli

During the middle of a robbery at the museum where he works, a business card is thrust into Will Chen's hand.   When he calls the number, he finds himself putting together a crew and traveling to Berlin for a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The crew is offered 50 million dollars to steal five Chinese artifacts from museums around the world. 

  I had a hard time getting into this book. The characters felt extremely stereotypical.  Just about every chapter had one character or another talking about their displacement and unease as a second generation immigrant.  This in itself wasn't off-putting, but it became extremely repetitious.  With some editing, this could have been a more exciting adventure, but instead I found myself growing bored.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars. 

"Sister Stardust" by Jane Green

After clashing with her step-mom, Cece leaves her small town for London.  She lands a job in a department store, and begins transforming herself into a glamorous it girl.  When she begins dating a music promoter, she quickly befriends a rock stars girlfriend   and finds herself traveling with the band to Marrakesh.  There she meets Talitha Getty, and finds herself in the midst of drugs and wild orgies.

This was a well written, engaging story.  The characters were fascinating, almost hypnotic.  The book was hard to put down, I found myself reading long into the night.  The lifestyle of the rich and famous was absolutely crazy.  With all of the attention, easy drugs, and risk taking, I see how they burn out quickly.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

"The Surgeon's Daughter" by Audrey Blake

Set in the late 1800's, Nora is the only female medical student in Bologna.  She has to work harder and be smarter to be tolerated by her fellow students and teachers.  When a female surgeon arrives at the school, Nora is immediately interested in the cesarean section that the teacher promotes.  She combines her interest in anesthesia with the cesarean surgery to mixed results.  When Nora receives word that her father is ill, she does everything she can to graduate early and return home to England.

  This was an interesting and well paced book.  Nora was very realistic and came across as a multi-dimensional character.  The book felt realistic, and showed both failures and successes with the medical treatments.  I would pick up another book by this author.  Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Roots: The Saga of an American Family" by Alex Haley

Taken from his home in Africa, Kunta Kinte is transported across the sea to work on a slave plantation in America.  This book follows his life before he was enslaved, and then follows his descendants to the modern times.

  Wow, what an epic novel!  I highly enjoyed reading this, and am glad that I finally picked it up.  Each character was highly developed and very realistic.  The story itself was heartbreaking and emotional.  I know there has been controversy over the research and non-fiction nature of this book, however I think this is one that everyone should read.  Overall highly highly highly recommended.

"Okie: A Family Saga" by James Allen Mitchell

This book follows the life of Fast Eddie, his wife Betty Mae, and their son Jimmy Boy.  Unable to hold a job, Fast Eddie is a drinking, womanizing abuser.  When their house is foreclosed on, the family travels to California along Route 66.

  I struggled with this book.  I did not particularly enjoy the writing style, and I thought the characters were just stereotypes.  I'm sure many will enjoy the book, it just wasn't for me. 

"The Ballerinas" by Rachel Kapelke-Dale         

Delphine has returned from Russia to choreograph for the Paris Opera Ballet. As a child and young adult, Delphine, along with Lindsay and Margaux, where ballet dancers, competing for a limited number of spots in the company. The story begins with Delphine wanted to make amends to Lindsay, for something that she and Margaux did in their youth.          

I did not enjoy this story. Delphine was not very likeable and was completely unsympathetic. She was self centered and her growth felt artificial. Almost every chaptered referred to the mystery of what Delphine and Margaux did to Lindsay, not in a suspenseful way, but in a cheap bid to keep the reader interested. Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

"The Sisters Sweet" by Elizabeth Weiss

When the Szaszes family falls on hard times, twins Harriet and Josie, are made to pretend that they are conjoined twins and sing and dance in a vaudeville act.  Known as the Sweet Sisters, the twins live a restricted and hidden life.  Josie decides to expose the lie during a show and then runs off to Hollywood, leaving her sister and parents behind.  

This was a quick, fun read.  Life in a vaudeville act was fascinating to read about.  I enjoyed watching the sisters grow and struggle against their parents and their hidden life.  Overall, highly recommended.

"Songs in Ursa Major" by Emma Brodie          

When superstar Jesse Reid crashes his motorcycle, Jane Quinn and her band step up to play at the annual folk festival. With her amazing vocals and stage presence Jane becomes an instant hit. Jesse remains on the island to recover, and Jane's Aunt becomes his caregiver. Jesse and Jane quickly hit it off, and Jane and her band are invited to tour with Jesse. What follows is a roller coaster of emotion, as Jane is forced to deal with the music industry, and it's extreme demands.          

What a fun read! I was caught almost immediately and found myself reading late into the night. The story featured interesting and dynamic characters, who really put themselves through an emotional ringer. Overall, 5 out of 5 stars.

"She Who Became the Sun" by Shelley Parker-Chan         

In famine stricken China, the Zhu family's son is given a great destiny. The daughter is given the destiny of nothing. When the son dies, the daughter assumes his identify and enters a monastery as a boy. When the Zhu daughter finally achieves her goal of becoming a monk, Mongols burn the monastery, leaving her to ponder the fate she has taken as her own.          

This was an extremely well written book. The story was well paced and the characters were dynamic. My only criticism is that the book did not have a real ending. It desperately needs either ran epilogue or a second book. Due to this criticism, 4 out of 5 stars.

"Mary Jane" by Jessica Anya Blau         

Set in the 1970's fourteen year old Mary Jane has a typical wholesome conservative family. When she is hired as a nanny over the summer, she is exposed to an entirely different lifestyle. A psychiatrist, Dr. Cone is hosting two celebrities, who are trying to maintain a low profile. Rock n' roll, free expression, sex and drugs open Mary Jane's eyes and makes her reexamine who she is and what she wants.         

This was a fun quick read. The characters were extremely dynamic and kept the story moving. The book really needed an epilogue, or at least some sense of closure. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.