This novel follows the lives of Victor & Roser from the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War and beyond. Beautifully written, the main impression I was left with after finishing this novel was how at the mercy ordinary people often are at the hands of their governments as they try to adjust & survive. (Kim)
A new detective series set in Galway, Ireland. Detective Cormac Reilly is investigating the supposed suicide death of a young man named Jack when he realizes one of his first acts on the police force years before was to remove Jack and his sister Maude from their home after their mother dies. Maude does not believe her brother committed suicide and she pushes Cormac to discover the truth. A twisty tale where the past has a big impact on the present. I love to read stories set in other countries and this one did not disappoint. (Sue)
Nancy Wake is an Australian expat living in 1936 Paris working for one of the Hearst newspapers. After witnessing first hand the growing atrocities committed by the Nazi party, she decides to assist the French Resistance after Germany invades France. Testing the strength of her new marriage and continually risking her life, Nancy puts on her Victory Red lipstick like a shield and does her best to thwart the Nazis at every turn. I loved this book! I was amazed I had never heard about this fearless resistance courier, spy, fighter and leader of men who became one of the most decorated women in WWII. I love when historical fiction is so well written it inspires me to want to know more and this book certainly did that. I highly recommend this book! (Lisa)
Tara's upbringing is not one for the faint of heart. The story of her life up in the Idaho mountains with her survivalist parents and siblings was absolutely unbelievable. This was my first biography and an absolute page turner! (Bonnie)
Zelda is a 21 yr old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother Gert. She has very specific rules to help keep her world in order- her mom drank excessively while pregnant so Zelda has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She figures out that not only is Gert breaking the house rules but is putting their whole world in danger. She decides to become the legend of her own story to put their lives back in order. Such an uplifting heartwarming book! (Candie)
A devastating betrayal by her supposed fiancé leaves Paulien Mertens in need of a new home and identity and sets her on a path to prove her innocence in a scam that robbed her family and their close friends of money and precious art work. She becomes a constant companion and assistant to wealthy art collector Edwin Bradley and becomes caught up in the art world of the 1920's in Paris and the US, including an affair with Matisse. Shapiro has once again crafted a historical art thriller that weaves together many different elements and keeps you turning the pages. (Sue)
The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter entwines 2 stories 100 years apart, but both based on true events in history. 1838, Grace Darling loves living with her family at Longstone Lighthouse off the coast of northeast England. She helps keep the Light with her father and unwillingly becomes a hero when they save people from a shipwreck during a raging storm. 1938, Newport RI, curmudgeonly Harriet Flaherty is the keeper of Rose Island Lighthouse. She takes in a distant relative from Ireland, 19 year old Matilda Emmerson who is pregnant and alone. This is a beautiful story about the workings of a lighthouse, the wonders and horrors the ocean can bring, family, romance, and how the past always effects the present. A customer recommended it and I'm thankful he did. (Sue)
The 4th book in Riley's incredible Seven Sisters series, The Pearl Sister takes you from London to Thailand and then to Australia as CeCe begins her search for her roots. The story goes back in time to the early 1900's Australia where life is difficult and the inhabitants are plagued by heat, dust, torrential rains, deadly wildlife, and the pervasive prejudice towards the Aboriginal people. Once again Riley takes you on an epic adventure and journey as she vividly brings her characters and surroundings to life. Join CeCe and her forbears with all of their ups and downs, heartaches and triumphs. You will not be able to put this one down. (Sue)
In "The Engineer's Wife", we are introduced to Emily Warren Roebling, a woman ahead of her time who became the true crusader behind one of the world's most recognized landmarks, The Brooklyn Bridge. When her husband, Washington Roebling, takes over as chief engineer after his father's untimely death, Emily decides to study her husband's engineering books. After her husband is diagnosed with Caisson's Disease ( aka Decompression sickness), Emily using her self taught knowledge steps in to help complete the project. I was fascinated with not only Emily's story (which I had never heard of), but also of the herculean effort it took by so many to construct this engineering marvel. Tracey Enerson Wood brings to life the courage and fortitude of this amazing woman during a time of when women's minds and talents were so quickly dismissed. Like many of the best historical fiction books I love, this one has motivated me to read and learn more about Emily Roebling and the bridge she loved. (Lisa)
After a devastating loss, Mitchell Fisher finds comfort in a rigid schedule designed to help him raise his young daughter. On a sweltering hot day, he breaks his disciplined timetable and courageously saves a woman who has fallen from a bridge into the treacherous waters below. Hailed as a hero, Mitchell has no idea that his actions will change his life forever. I loved the journey Mitchell takes from his stagnant existence to the small steps he takes to start living his life again. I especially enjoyed the letters Mitchell receives from complete strangers who shares their thoughts, stories and feelings with him after his selfless act. Filled with charming, eccentric characters that Phaedra Patrick writes so well, I found this to be the perfect tale of hope in these uncertain times. (Lisa)
The peace and tranquility of Sanibel Island in Florida is horrifically shattered as over one hundred severed feet wash up on the beach. Agent Pendergast is ordered to interrupt his vacation to take a look at the scene and aid the newly formed task force on the case. Accompanied by his ward Constance Green and partnered with Agent Coldmoon, the case quickly races towards a truly terrifying conclusion. Lots of action, time in the swamps of Florida and a haunted house make this another great adventure with Pendergast and crew. It never fails to shock me the length evil men will go to against their fellow human beings by using science to develop the ultimate weapon. Although it wasn't my favorite Pendergast, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one! (Lisa)
After much praise of this book I finally decided to pick it up and I definitely could not put it down. Abandoned at a very young age by her whole family Kya Clark survives on her own out in the marsh. With no schooling and really no social skills she is a mystery to the town. When the local football star is found dead the locals immediately blame “Marsh girl” as she’s known. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages of this novel! It is definitely a must read! (Bonnie)
Consuelo Vanderbilt, American heiress, was forced into a loveless marriage to the 9th Duke of Marlboro by her mother Alva Vanderbilt. After producing "An heir and a spare" Consuelo's marriage falls apart. She scandalously separates and forges and path of her own. Her fight for women's suffrage and medical care of children give her meaning in a world she had to make her own. This was a great story and a great character. Her story was very inspiring! (Bonnie)
Anna Princess of Kleve is engaged to the enigmatic King Henry VIII. While she is afraid from all the rumors she has heard she is also interested to learn about the man he truly is. While, as history tells we know the marriage does not last, Anna does not lose her head but becomes the sister to the queen and lives an independent life. This headstrong woman's life was both interesting and a joy to read. (Bonnie)
I like a little bit of the spooky in the Fall. This memoir by prolific memoirist Augusten Burroughs , is about his being a witch. Burroughs has detailed many aspects of his life in some of his previous books : Running With Scissors, Dry , Lust and Wonder and A Wolf at the Table, but has never before come out as a witch. In his colorful often whimsical style, Burroughs relates that he is from a long line of witches and then offers up a variety of personal stories often hysterically funny , sometimes creepy and occasionally poignant to back up his claim. (Candie)
Meet Alex Stern, a high school dropout from LA who gets a free ride to Yale because of her mysterious ability to see ghosts. Enter in some secret societies, drugs, lots of magic , portals to other worlds, ghosts and murder and you are in the enthralling world of Ninth House. Fantastic new series, I can't wait until the next one comes out. (Candie)
Naturalist Sy Montgomery takes the reader with her on her explorations into the lives of octopuses. She befriends four of them who are housed at the New England Aquarium. Each of them had different personalities. Her relationships with them form the basis of this funny, touching and often awe inspiring book. You will never look at octopuses the same again. Award winning nature writing- this should be a must read for anyone who enjoys reading about the natural world. (Candie)
An entertaining and thought provoking book that asks questions about the future of our governments, our planet, and our species as a whole using examples from the past of numerous civilizations rise and fall. Plagues, invading armies, and natural disasters were a large part of lives in the past, and those same threats still exist today, whether it's pandemics, environmental disasters or nuclear war. Are we as prepared? Are we as smart or as tough? he asks. Not a lot of laughs in this one but a very very interesting look at "the big picture". (Bob)
