June, 2024

“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 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.

“Kingmaker” by Sonia Purnell

Pamela Churchill Harriman had her hands in everything from WWII espionage to American presidential campaigns.  Known for her sexual adventures, this glamorous socialite was behind the scenes pulling strings.  I found Pamela to be an interesting and intriguing lady.  I did grow a bit tired of the book repeatedly telling me how important she was.  This was a bit off-putting and took away from her legacy.  I think showing me Pamela’s life was enough, let me draw my own conclusions.  Due to this criticism, 3 out of 5 stars.

“The Lost Women of Mill Street” by Kinley Bryan

Clara and her sister Kitty are working in a cotton mill when Sherman’s army marches through.  The cotton mill is burned to the ground and all of the workers are arrested.  Sent north, the sisters are imprisoned until they agree to take a loyalty oath.  When scarlet fever sweeps through the prison, Clara and Kitty take the oath and move on.  The sisters end up in Cincinnati, where Clara finds work as an apprentice hatmaker and Kitty finds work as a tutor.

I was amazed that this story was based on true circumstances.  I had no idea that civilians were imprisoned and shipped north during the Civil War.  I would have enjoyed reading Kitty's point of view in addition to Clara’s.  I think an alternating point of view would have kept the story moving and would have added an extra dynamic to the book.   Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

“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.

“The Bloodletter’s Daughter” by Linda Lafferty

Bath maid Marketa longs for more.  Her father, the local bloodletter, has allowed her to work beside him.  However, she knows that society would never allow her to practice medicine.  In the Hapsburg court, Don Julius is a man of insanity and excess.  When his father banishes him to a remote castle, he is placed under the care of a priest, doctors, and the local bloodletter.   Fascinated with a coded book, Don Julius spies Marketa out of his window and believes she is the answer to its mysteries.  

This book was intriguing.  The storytelling instantly caught my attention and left me reading long into the night.  This author is truly a master of words and has a gift.  The characters were well developed and multi-dimensional.  The plot moved at a fast pace, holding my interest.  Overall, highly recommended.