Look for it on May 5th: The House of Hawthorne by Erika Robuck ****4/5 stars- loved it! The author of Hemingway’s Girl and Call Me Zelda works her magic with the bad granddad of dark trancendalism himself: Nathaniel Hawthorne of Scarlett Letter fame, and his artist wife Sophia. Recommended readers: For book clubs For lovers of romantic historical fiction And of those who like to look … Continue reading Coming May 5th: The House of Hawthorne
Available April 28th: Drawn to Life by Elisabeth Wagner **2/5 stars- not for me If you’ve ever wanted to quit everything and backpack through Europe…. Recommended readers: If you like chic lit, if you were a European backpacker in your last life, and if you like to try international writers, this one is for you. Here’s my Rankings: 2/5 for characters 2/5 for plot 2/5 overall REVIEW … Continue reading Available April 28th: Drawn to Life
There’s a lot to love about the many ways in which Starz is bringing the much-beloved Outlander successfully to the small screen. Even some of the departures from the original storyline have generally been very good. But what’s the best thing of all, you ask? Here’s our list: 10) Murtagh, Rupert, and Angus: as good of supporting actor sidekicks as ever there were. 9) The costumes. I want … Continue reading And the best thing about Outlander is…
Available April 14th: The Color of Secrets ***2.5/5 stars-it was ok, but something was missing Long buried secrets have a way of finding their way to the surface in this historical novel. Recommended readers: If you like a bit of chic lit in your historical fiction, And If you like that uncovering family secrets thing, this one is for you. Here’s my Rankings: 2.5/5 characters 2.5/5 plot … Continue reading Review: The Color of Secrets
War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation is available now ***3/5 stars- liked it! Columnist Cindy Hval brings together 30 snapshots of enduring love forged in World War II. Recommended readers: Fans of a good human interest story Readers of short nonfiction and essays Readers of history and social history Here’s my Rankings: 3/5 overall REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER: War Bonds is a collection of … Continue reading Nonfiction Review: War Bonds
Available April 1st: Meadowlands by Elizabeth Jeffrey **2.5/5 stars- it was ok, but something was missing An aristocratic English family weathers the changes wrought by the Great War. Recommended readers Readers of World War I lit Downton Abbey fans Suckers for a family drama Here’s my Rankings: 2.5/5 for characters 2.5/5 for plot 2.5/5 overall REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER: Meadowlands traces the lives of the … Continue reading Available tomorrow: Meadowlands
Available Now: Breath of Scandal ****2.5/5 stars Get ready for another gritty, fast paced thriller from Sandra Brown, but beware sensitive readers. Recommended readers: If you like books you just can’t put down If you like a good modern-day suspense If you’re a fan of Sandra Brown Here’s my Rankings: 3/5 for characters 2/5 for plot 2.5/5 overall Steaminess: 5of 5 (see our scale here) REVIEW FROM BOOKS … Continue reading Review: Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown
Available now: Magnolia City by Duncan W. Alderson ***3.5/5 stars In the setting of high-society, oil- rich Houston, Hetty Allen has wealth, boredom, and sass, and two men on her tail. Recommended readers: If you like southern lit, if you like just a bit of danger in a self-made man, and if you like a throw-back romantic novel (not to be confused with romance novel) written … Continue reading Review: Magnolia City
Available now: The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel ***3.5/5 stars In this classic tale of present meets past, a struggling bakery owner learns that her family’s World War II legacy stretches far beyond her imagining. (Bonus: there’s recipes!) Recommended readers: If you like a bit of chic lit in your historical fiction, If you could use a classic heart warmer, And if you like … Continue reading Review: The Sweetness of Forgetting
Just one more month until Outlander returns to Starz on April 4th, and there are new trailers on Starz.com. Enjoy! Plus, apparently there’s a condition called “droughtlander.” (Yes, we all have it, exactly as they intended.) See our mid series review here. Continue reading Let the countdown begin…
Books for Her 