Sophie Beckett, an illegitimate daughter of an earl, plays servant to her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. One night, Sophie sneaks out to attend a masquerade ball at the house of the Bridgertons, a wealthy, popular family within London society. When she meets Benedict Bridgerton, they quickly become enchanted with one another during the magical evening. But when the clock strikes midnight, Sophie disappears, leaving Benedict with no clue what she looks like or who she is.
After many seasons of tiresome London balls, Benedict is immediately captivated by Sophie’s charm and her mysterious demeanor. Determined to find her and vowing to marry no other, he searches all of London-- to no avail. When he begins to develop a romantic relationship with Sophie the maid, he struggles between his vow and knowing he can never actually marry a servant. Sophie, refusing to compromise her principles, struggles between keeping her identity a secret and avoiding her stepmother, who is determined to make her life miserable.
A retelling of Cinderella, Sophie and Benedict’s story is full of passion and longing making for an exciting and sympathetic tale. It is the third book and easily my favorite of the Bridgerton series, although it can also serve as a standalone Regency romance. The Bridgertons have also been adapted into a Netflix series with producer Shonda Rhimes. It is expected to launch sometime in 2020!
In the last several years, Alexander Hamilton has reentered our popular culture thanks in large part to Ron Chernow’s biography of the man as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical. A great deal is known about Alexander, but what about his wife? Susan Holloway Scott has written a fictional account of the life and times of the Hamiltons, but in this case, it is all from the perspective of Eliza, his wife. Readers are taken through the Revolutionary War to post-war times and beyond. Eliza is the central figure in the story, and it is through her that the reader is shown the ups and downs of her life but also her strength of character.
Right from the very beginning, the story truly draws the reader in with this fresh perspective, and the momentum to want to read more never wavers as the reader becomes more and more invested in the characters. I, Eliza Hamilton is a highly recommended historical fiction novel. Check out one of our e-book or e-audiobook copies through Overdrive or Hoopla!
Set in the 11th century, The Physician follows the life of Rob J. Cole from his impoverished childhood as an English orphan to becoming the titular physician. After his parents' death, Rob joins a performing troupe and becomes quite an accomplished juggler. This dexterity will serve him well in his future occupation. He later apprentices with a traveling barber/surgeon and realizes that medicine is his true calling. Thus begins his quest to gain true medical knowledge, something beyond leeches and tooth-pulling. To do so he travels to Persia and then must disguise himself as a Jew in order to attend the Muslim medical school. The tale of his journey there, his studies, and his return home is full of adventure and interesting characters.
The Physician is lengthy, but the story is a good one. Fans of epic historical fiction like Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth should enjoy it. It is the first in a multi-generational trilogy following certain Cole family descendants. The next title, Shaman, takes place during the American Civil War, while Matters of the Heart, the final book, is set in the present day. Themes of medicine and the Jewish faith run throughout the series.
The year is 1602 in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and turbulent and violent weather all across Europe is convincing many of an oncoming apocalypse. Queen Elizabeth, hoping to ensure England’s survival, turns to the help of court magician Dr. Stephen Strange, and intelligence officer Sir Nicholas Fury, both of whom are to help England secure a treasure of the Knights Templar long thought lost. To do so, however, they will have to contend with assassins, foreign powers, and the Inquisition.
Neil Gaiman’s reputation as a master writer shines in this work. Each and every Marvel character, slotted brilliantly into their role in this pre-colonial version of the Marvel universe, feels similar enough to recognize but unique enough to stand out as their own interpretations. The same goes for the character designs; similar, but different enough to delight fans. The art style, while nothing terribly unique, does include fantastic covers for each issue, rendered like 17th century paintings. The story itself is riveting, and though it starts slow with its world-building, is deeply engrossing with plenty of twists and turns. Some twists are easier to guess with knowledge of the characters, but others will keep even the most well-versed readers wondering until the very end.
City of Girls is about Vivian
Morris, told in firsthand account by Vivian herself. The story starts with
Vivian addressing a woman who has written her to find out what she had meant to
her father. After a long but entertaining and intriguing life story, her moving
to New York twice, her sexual escapades, her girl crush on Celia, the death of
her brother, and finally finding love with a man whom she never touched, we
find out the relationship between this woman’s father and Vivian.
This was a charming story: endearing, insightful, and very
well told. I listened to this in audio and the narrator, Blair Brown, did an
absolute fantastic job telling this tale! It didn't disappoint.
The Joy Luck Club is a group of Chinese women who banded together as they navigated a new country, coming together to share their life experiences and help one another through new ones. After one of the members passes away, her daughter June is invited to be a member in her mother’s spot. Upon her first meeting, June is greeted with a truth from her mother’s friends that she wasn’t prepared for: she must go to China to meet her twin half-sisters, the very sisters her mother believed had died long ago before she fled the country. In preparation, the women tell June of their past experiences in China and moving to America. Their daughters also provide stories to June about their relationships with their mothers and how their stories have impacted their relationships.
Tan creates a fantastic collection of stories woven together to make this novel a piece of art. Each story holds heartache and tragedy, but also strength and triumph! This is a coming of age story, a celebration of life, experience, and love between mothers and daughters.
One evening, Sarah, a midwife in late 19th century New York, is called to a boardinghouse to deliver the owner’s baby. A guest walks in during the delivery, and for an instant, Sarah thinks she recognizes her and calls out a name, startling the young woman. The guest leaves, and Sarah spends the next several hours delivering the baby. When she returns later to check on mother and child, she is surprised to learn that the young female guest has been murdered. Sarah becomes drawn into the investigation as she discovers a connection to the victim and her family, and though outside forces attempt to thwart the investigation, Sarah feels a personal compulsion to carry on and find the killer.
Historical mysteries have an extra layer of intrigue since all contemporary means of solving a crime are not available, and Murder on Astor Place has this with the added twist of a corrupt New York Police Department that was still attempting to rid itself of those unsavory practices. This story is a quick and light mystery that begins the Gaslight Mystery series. Recommended for cozy mystery fans, and especially readers of the Maisie Dobbs series.
Our story begins with Dr. Barry Laverty sitting on a train headed to Ballybucklebo, an Irish village populated with an interesting and quirky cast of characters. It is in this town that he will begin his medical career, working with Dr. Fingal O’Reilly as a general practitioner. Having the story set in the 1960s affords the reader a relatability with its references to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and other very recognizable people and events. Each interaction with a new patient propels the story along, bringing the reader on a journey through this quaint town and its inhabitants.
Listening to the audio book, with its Irish narrator, really brought the story and the characters to life and makes for an enjoyable listen. Fortunately, this is just the first of Patrick Taylor’s Irish Country series, so there are many more experiences to be had with the two doctors in Ballybucklebo.
Thirteen-year-old Lenora (Leni) Allbright has never really had a place she can call home. Her father, Ernt Allbright, a Vietnam POW, is always convinced that the next place they move to will return him to the man he was before the war changed him. After losing yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision to move his family to Alaska, despite Leni and her mother's reluctance to leave behind everything they know to venture into America's last true frontier.
The Allbrights meet a group of friendly people who are more than willing to help them prepare for the harsh winter ahead and lend some much needed heart to a lackluster existence. But it's not long before everyone learns that no matter how far you go, you can't outrun your demons, and with the devastating snow storms, and near constant darkness that winter brings, Leni and her mother must work together to survive against all odds.
Kristin Hannah brings the wild beauty of the Alaskan landscape to life, painting it as the stunning and dangerous place it is. Full of dark places and broken dreams, The Great Alone also shows just how strong the bond between mother and daughter can become. Highly recommended.
Ironfoot is the first book in the Enchanter General series by Dave Duncan. It takes place in 12th century Norman-ruled England, an especially bad time to be a a poor, crippled, Saxon youth. But such is the lot of our hero, Durwin, nicknamed Ironfoot for the metal boot he wears to support an injured leg. By chance, his cleverness and competency with horses earns him a place as a student at a university which teaches the art of magic along with the sciences. When catastrophe befalls a professor’s noble family, Durwin is called upon to accompany him home. While at the castle, he uncovers a string of murders and the burden of solving them falls upon his shoulders. He needs all his wits, luck with his spellwork, and the aid of the school bully to solve them.
This book would appeal to those who enjoy historical mysteries as well as fantasy readers. The setting is quite historically detailed, with just a little bit of magic thrown in. It should be interesting to follow Durwin’s career from lower-class stable-boy to Enchanter General as the series continues. The next book, Trial by Treason just came out in October 2018.
In 1932, when Her Royal Spyness begins, Lady Georgiana is living in Scotland. Thirty-fourth in line to the throne, she is the younger half-sister of the current duke of Rannoch. Unfortunately, title and wealth do not go hand in hand. In fact, she and her immediate family are quite poor, due largely to their late father’s debts and the great crash of '29. However, she decides to head to London and start fresh, but finding work is nearly impossible. Many people are struggling during this time, and being a member of the royal family comes with its own challenges, especially when looking for a job. She is fortunate that her family has a home in London where she can stay. One day, a Frenchman comes to her door stating that Lady Georgiana’s late father lost her family’s estate in a card game to him. Her brother comes down to London, and while the two see their solicitors, the only news they get is bad. Later, Georgiana comes home and finds the Frenchman dead. Suspicion immediately falls on her and her brother. Georgiana must investigate and discover the real killer before she or her brother are accused of his murder.
Her Royal Spyness is an enjoyable series launch with wonderful characters and appearances by real historical figures, like Queen Mary. Great for fans of historical fiction and cozy mysteries.
Written in 1979 by Octavia Butler, winner of multiple Hugo awards, Kindred tells the story of Dana, a young black woman living in 1976 California. One day she is inexplicably transported back in time to antebellum Maryland, where she saves a young white boy named Rufus from drowning before being whisked back to her own living room, still dripping wet. She makes this journey to the past several times over the course of the summer, each time seemingly to rescue Rufus at various points throughout his life. The duration of her visits to the past is unpredictable, ranging from minutes to months and while she is there, she is forced to live as a slave. As she unravels her connection to Rufus and his family, she also experiences the consequences, both mental and physical, of slavery.
Readers who usually avoid science fiction should not be put off by this book. Time travel is simply used as a device to view slavery from a 20th century perspective and this novel will appeal to anyone interested in historical fiction, especially relating to race.
Kindred is also available as a graphic novel adaptation.
Tree-ear, an orphan, is fascinated by the potters in his village. One day, he is watching the potter Min working at his craft. After Min walks away from his work, Tree-ear goes and picks up a box that Min made. Min's return startles Tree-ear, causing him to drop the box. In order to pay for the damage, Tree-ear agrees to work off the debt. Initially, he agreed to work nine days, but he continues to work for Min for months, without pay, in order to learn how to be a potter.
One day, Min and Tree-ear learn that a royal emissary is coming to the village to commission work. This is a much sought-after
opportunity. On the day of the emissary’s visit, the best potters set up stalls showcasing their work. Min, a man very meticulous about his product, has the fewest items to show the emissary, but Min’s work, along with a few other potters, intrigues the visitor enough to warrant a second review on his return visit in the coming weeks.
Who will get the royal commission? What will become of Tree-ear after his work with Min is done? Winner of the Newbery Medal, this is a wonderful historical fiction story that takes place in medieval Korea, offering a fascinating peek into another culture.
The Little Stranger opens just after World War II, when only three members of the Ayers family—mother, son, and daughter—remain at Hundreds Hall, the family estate in England’s West Midlands. It was once a grand and stately manor, but it has fallen into disrepair as its inhabitants have suffered personal tragedy and financial ruin. The family calls in Doctor Faraday when one of their two remaining servants falls ill. Faraday, the son of a former Hundreds Hall nurserymaid, has fond memories of the estate from his boyhood and is shocked to see it in its present state. He finds the servant perfectly healthy but terrified of a “bad thing” in the house. Faraday, ever the rationalist, diagnoses her with a case of homesickness. However, he finds himself drawn in by the Ayers family, particularly the gruff-but-charming daughter, Caroline. As he spends more time with Caroline, he learns of strange, unsettling events that seem to be plaguing the inhabitants of Hundreds Hall. Can they be explained rationally, or is there something more sinister afoot?
Waters delivers an atmospheric, spine-tingling read that will hook you from the very first page. An absolute must-read for fans of Daphne du Maurier, Henry James, Agatha Christie or Charles Dickens. Read it before the movie comes out in 2018!
Lord Courtenay never expected to move back to England, but he made the sacrifice to be close to his nephew, Simon. Now Simon’s father refuses to allow him to see his uncle, owing to Courtenay’s reputation as a dissipated rake. Courtenay is desperate to change his image, even if it means spending time with Julian Medlock, a bland, uptight man but one who commands high society’s respect. Julian is resentful of his infatuation with Courtenay and assumes Courtenay deserves his bad name for scandalous behavior. Nevertheless, as a favor to his sister, Julian agrees to try to reverse Courtenay’s legendary infamy. Slowly, Julian discerns Courtenay is not the reprobate he imagines, while Courtenay discovers Julian’s dull façade hides a clever and passionate man. The charm, vulnerabilities, and hidden depths of Courtenay and Julian are infectious, and the chemistry between the two is both tender and steamy hot.
Sebastian (The Lawrence Browne Affair) might use the well-worn opposites-attract trope to get her lovers together, but her mastery of conflict, tension, and timing along with flawless characterization and sexual attraction turn The Ruin of a Rake into a unique and entrancing romance that touches the heart deeper than most.
This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, July 7, 2017.
Afraid he will succumb to his family’s history of insanity, Lawrence Browne, the Earl of Radnor, lives like a hermit at his crumbling family estate Penkellis. Concerned for Lawrence’s well-being, the local vicar recruits a secretary to manage the earl’s affairs. Georgie Turner has spent his life swindling people out of their money, but guilt causes him to abandon his latest con. Georgie’s partners are bent on revenge, so he escapes to Penkellis, reinventing himself as a respectable secretary. Initially annoyed by the intrusion, Lawrence grudgingly comes to depend on Georgie, who readily adapts to the eccentric scientist and his odd habits. Their professional camaraderie gives way to an intense love affair, but both men believe they are unworthy of such a gift. Both are also deeply flawed as a result of their respective childhoods, but their willingness to accommodate each other’s deficits and accept one another unconditionally is what will have readers falling in love with them.
Verdict Sebastian has crafted an epic romance in which Lawrence and Georgie share incredible chemistry. Although the book is not listed as part of a series, Georgie is the brother to Jack Turner, the rogue in Sebastian’s debut novel, The Soldier’s Scoundrel. Profoundly romantic and highly recommended.
This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, January 19, 2017.
Lina is just like any other 15 year old Lithuanian girl in 1941, until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home and tear her family apart. Lina, her mother, and her young brother are taken north, across the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Under Stalin's orders, they must dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions. Hoping she can send a message to her father, Lina uses her art as a way to let him know they are still alive.
Between Shades of Gray is a difficult read due to the subject matter, but ultimately it is necessary. Though it is technically a book for young adults, it is easily a cross over book for adults interested in a different World War II story.
Ella Arlington flees her home when her cousin inherits and plans to commit her to an asylum because she has epilepsy. Now destitute and on the run in London, Ella attends a séance hoping to speak with her beloved father but instead has a seizure. Confusing Ella’s episode with possession by her dead daughter, Phillipa, the wealthy Mrs. Trombly takes Ella into her home to act as her private medium. During a visit to Mrs. Trombly, her daughter’s former fiancé, Viscount Isidore Blackwood, meets Ella and is furious that she has duped Phillipa’s grieving mother into hiring her services, vowing to reveal Ella as a fraud. However, Isidore’s friends are hiding terrible truths, and he will need Ella’s help to uncover what really happened the night Phillipa died. The mystery surrounding Phillipa’s death may be too predictable for some, but readers will still be enthralled, wondering if Ella’s epilepsy will be discovered and what her fate holds.
Girl in Disguise is a fictional tale based on the real life historical figure, Kate Warne, who was the first female Pinkerton detective. Desperate for a way to support herself, Kate answers a classified job ad she knows was meant for a man, but she convinces Allan Pinkerton to hire her, as women can go where men cannot. Naturally, some of the male operatives in the Pinkerton Agency rail against working beside a female, but eventually, most of the men come to view Kate with respect, even if they still think she's having an affair with the boss.
Most of the book recounts various cases Kate works. Two notable cases involve Abraham Lincoln; one was while he was an attorney in Springfield and then later on his trip to Washington D.C. for his inauguration. Little hints of Kate's traumatic past are sprinkled throughout until the latter quarter of the book, where Kate's history comes back to haunt her.
In reality, very little is known about Kate Warne's life, but Macallister does a fantastic job of putting the reader in the historical locales where this book takes place and tying in factual historical events to Kate's cases. Macallister also excels at imagining the small details in Kate's day to day life and the difficulties she encounters being the first female private detective. Recommended for lovers of historical fiction and/or pioneering women, as well as anyone who appreciates an author who clearly does her research. Also noteworthy is Macallister's debut novel, The Magician's Lie.
Former thief Jack Turner makes a living as a private investigator working for women and the poor. Oliver Rivington, a straight-laced retired army captain and the younger son of an earl, barges into Jack’s office, demanding the return of £200 spent by his sister for Jack’s dubious services. To prove his business is legitimate, Jack invites Oliver to observe his next appointment, a wealthy lady blackmailed by a former lover. Bored with no other occupation, Oliver inserts himself into Jack’s investigation, believing Jack will resort to illegal methods to resolve the case. Alternatively, Jack is deeply distrustful of the aristocracy and wants nothing to do with law-abiding Oliver. Initially drawn to each other for physical comfort, their attraction blooms into something more, but can love breach the distance between classes?
Verdict Debut author Sebastian solidly portrays the prejudice of class differences and the injustice of a flawed legal system skewed in favor of rich men. Sweetly prim Oliver and the roguish Jack will quickly win the hearts of readers, while the mysterious blackmail investigation keeps them invested to the end. An excellent choice not just for M/M romance fans but also for Regency fans with a penchant for vigilante justice.
This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, September 29, 2016.
