An Appetite for Violets by Martine Bailey

This light historical novel tells the traveling adventures of Biddy Leigh, who in 1772 is happy in her position as an undercook at a large British estate and is about to marry her beau. Unfortunately, Biddy and a few other servants are recruited by the newly wedded Lady Carinna to travel with her to her uncle's villa in Italy after a spat with her husband. Considering the lengthy trip, their party pauses in France to rest, and Biddy begins to experience and appreciate the wonders of fine cuisine, documenting and adding recipes to The Cook's Jewel, a household book of recipes. Throughout the trip, Lady Carinna confides more and more secrets with Biddy, who looks remarkably like the Lady herself. Eventually, Biddy is obligated to comply with Lady Carinna's desperate machinations but is unaware of the great danger she will face as a result of her complicity.

Each chapter begins with a recipe out of The Cook's Jewel that directly relates to Biddy's cooking in the chapter to come. The ending is rather predictable if one pays attention to the generous hints along the way, but readers who enjoy historical tales or novels about food will find much to like in An Appetite for Violets. Bon appétit!

Omens by Kelley Armstrong and Visions by Kelley Armstrong

Looking for a new urban fantasy series? The Cainsville series by Kelley Armstrong is exciting and full of Welsh folklore, a new and fun twist on the traditional fae urban fantasies we all know so well. Olivia Taylor-Jones has it all: beauty, wealth, and a rich and handsome young fiancé. Then her stable world turns upside down when she finds out she is adopted and that her birth parents are a notorious serial killer couple. Quickly Liv is abandoned by family and friends, and to get away from the papperazzi in Chicago, she moves out to the remote town of Cainsville where she is welcomed with open arms as a member of the community. But Cainsville has secrets, lots of them, and Liv needs all her wits to unravel the mysteries of the town while also trying to prove her birth parents' innocence in the serial murders.

If you enjoy perplexing mysteries coupled with the preternatural, read Omens and Visions and decipher the Welsh terminology along with Liv throughout the story. Or if you like to be a step ahead, look up the Welsh terms and see what Cainsville is hiding before Liv finds out. The third installment in this series, Deceptions, comes out in August. If you need more of Kelley Armstrong's writing in the meantime, try out her Women of the Otherworld series.

Rebel Queen by Michelle Moran

Set during the turbulent 1850s in colonial India, this book recounts the tales of Sita, a fighter for the Queen of Jhansi. Sita comes from a poor family with no sons and no dowry fortune for the two daughters. Rather than being relegated to prostitution at a local temple, Sita's father and neighbor train her to become a fierce and intelligent warrior in the hopes that she will be selected to join the Queen's all female guard and earn money for her younger sister's dowry. Once enlisted as a member of this elite group, Sita learns the precarious position her queen balances, retaining control of Jhansi while meeting the demands of the British occupying forces.

Suspenseful and fast-paced throughout, Rebel Queen is a unique view from a strong female character into Indian politics and culture during the British East India Trading Company encroachment and the subsequent 1857 rebellion. Thrilling to the core, Rebel Queen is not just for historical fiction fans, but will satisfy readers of action and adventure tales, exotic locations, and romances.

Nobody's Hero by J. Leigh Bailey

Following two years in a harsh military school, Brad Greene moves cross-country to start a new life, with no money and no help from his rich parents. He is on the run from his family after they catch him involved with another man and take violent action to end it. Danny Ortega knows who he is and what he wants. He definitely does not want to hook up with Rob in the truck stop parking lot, but Rob isn't giving Danny much of a choice. Brad witnesses this assault on Danny and quickly steps in to end the abuse. Neither Brad nor Danny expects to see each other again, but Brad lands a job with the Ortegas' construction company. Over the next serveral weeks, Danny's steady friendship helps pull Brad out of his self-imposed isolation, until the two start dating. Despite support from Danny's family and friends, Brad is reluctant to come out publicly, fearing retaliation such as he received from his own family and at school. Danny ends up frustrated, and Brad must decide if this love is worth the fight.

Verdict Bailey (Midnight in the Maze) hits all the sweet spots of first love while highlighting the difficulties that can arise in a budding relationship. Danny's charming and persistent attempts at overcoming Brad's barriers endear readers to these reluctant heroes. The consummation of their relationship begins with laugh-out-loud awkwardness that quickly moves to fantastic, authentic sex. Bailey gets everything right, with a great sense of humor that balances the serious topic of gay prejudice without undermining it. All in all, a stellar romance.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, February 19, 2015.

Aquarium by David Vann

Caitlin, a twelve-year-old, visits the Seattle aquarium each day after school. Spellbound by the fish and other marine creatures there, she is transported away from the rough neighborhood where she and her single mother, a dock worker, live. One day, Caitlin meets an elderly man at the aquarium, and they begin an unlikely friendship, discussing the incredible fish they see and eventually sharing more about their personal lives. Several weeks later, Caitlin's mother hears about the old man at the aquarium and realizes her small family of two is threatened. She then goes to extreme lengths to keep Caitlin from seeing him.

Caitlin's safe and trusting relationship with her normally loving mother is jeopardized by her mother's nearly uncontrollable fury at the old man, a long-lost family member. Fearing her mother's unpredictable rages, Caitlin nevertheless keeps her heart open and forgiving, reuniting the broken family that surrounds her. Though not for the faint of heart, this story will resonate with readers long after it's finished. The author, David Vann, has won numerous awards for his other books, including best foreign novel in France and Spain for Legend of a Suicide.

The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister

The Amazing Arden, a magician at the turn of the twentieth century, has just finished chopping a man in half with an ax, a new twist on her most spectacular illusion. Shortly after, the man in the illusion, Arden's husband, is found murdered below stage, and Arden is nowhere to be found. By pure luck, a local policeman, Virgil Holt, apprehends the magician later that night at a rural diner and takes her into custody.

Virgil accuses the magician of murder, but Arden vehemently denies it. For the remainder of the night, Virgil questions the mysterious Arden hoping she will eventually confess. Instead, Arden relays the mesmerizing and incredulous story of how she became a famous illusionist. Before morning arrives, Virgil must sift through her story to determine lie from truth and decide whether she is a cunning murderess or a tortured victim that should be set free. But even handcuffed, Arden is no ordinary helpless woman.

Can a woman who lives a life of deception ever be truly innocent? Or is she a clever killer? What exactly is the magician's lie? Arden's bewitching tale draws you in, while answers to whom the murderer is remain elusive until the very end. The Magician's Lie is a combination of Water for Elephants and The Night Circus, and consequently, readers who enjoy historical fiction combined with healthy doses of mystery, suspense, and romance will relish this book.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Harry has always been a bit headstrong for society’s approval, so her brother, a soldier stationed at a remote garrison in a dry and distant land, sends for her. She comes to love desert life.  When the king of the native hill folk seeks aid to fend off an impending invasion, he is rejected; however, his magical sense insists Harry is important.  He abducts her and has her trained in battle, at which she excels.  Harry almost immediately feels at home with the hill people and finds that she has a mysterious connection to a revered warrior queen from their past.  It becomes apparent that her destiny lies in the coming battle with their ancient enemy.

This young adult fantasy is a great adventure story featuring a brave and intelligent heroine, who, unsuited to her own society, finds her rightful place in an exotic setting tinged with magic.  It was a Newbery Honor Book in 1983 and its prequel, The Hero and theCrown, won the award in 1985.  Both books are highly recommended for those seeking strong female leads in action-filled fantasy stories, with just a touch of romance.