I am a history buff and Voices From the Past by W. B. Marsh is the perfect book to satisfy that craving for history and knowledge. As the title suggests, it is a quote per day from well-known historical figures such as Napoleon and Julius Caesar. Each quote is followed by a brief history lesson on the origin of the quote.
On the aesthetics side, I loved that the book is well indexed. Several times I used it to look up quotes I had read and wanted to refresh my memory on. The layout is nicely done also. I particularly liked that the book has a satin ribbon to mark your place or a particular quote you like.
As for the quotes themselves, I found them interesting and they represented a large span of time. The author put a lot of thought into the ones that were included in this book. Quotes are a dime a dozen. All you have to do is look on any website about quotes and it will usually contain thousands of them. However, as a rule, they do not have the interesting historical tidbits behind them. And the tidbits is what makes them so fascinating and why I enjoyed this book so much.
I highly recommend this book for any quote and/or history lover. It would make a great gift. Also, it looks nice on my coffee table and has started a few conversations.
I received a free copy from the publisher, via LibraryThing’s early reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review.
Will I ever get enough of historical fiction books? Not if they are told as eloquently as this story. I am especially drawn to fictional stories that are based on real events and this one is beautiful, and at times heart wrenching. A story of courage and resilience that will touch you.
When Great Britain enters WWII, a group of teachers and students, from a British missionary school in occupied China, are forced into a Japanese internment camp. Their story is told from two points of view. Partly told through the eyes of a young British girl, Nancy Plummer, whose parents are missionaries in the interior of China. The rest of the story is told from Elspeth Kent’s view as a teacher at the school.
Elspeth has been in China trying to escape a past she would rather not remember. She is finally ready to put that behind her and return home. She is packed and has her letter of resignation ready to hand in when the war in Europe comes to her.
Nancy Plummer is looking forward to finally seeing her parents for Christmas. Though she loves her friends at school, Dorothy and Joan (aka Sprout and Mouse), and her older brother, she longs for her family, especially her mother. When Japan declares war on Great Britain she starts to wonder if she will ever see her family again.
As the teachers try to acclimate to the Japanese occupation, Elspeth and her fellow teaches are determined to see that the children continue their lives in as normal a way as possible given the circumstances. There is also the promise Elspeth made to Nancy’s mother to watch over her daughter. Yet, how can you achieve this when the enemy is unmerciful and is always watching? She and the other teachers have to become more, so much more, and assume the roles of surrogate mothers and fathers.
Not only is this story beautifully told, it is sure to strike a chord with readers because you will feel like you are living the events with the characters. The author presents them in a believable way and gives them with multiple challenges to overcome. They must endure hardship, longing, lost and yet remain courageous despite their circumstances.
The prose is richly detailed and the plot is perfectly paced. This book does not contain a lot of plot twists or unexpected events, instead it works it magic in a slow and deliberate way in which the characters are built. I especially liked the eloquent way in which the author weaves the two points of view together to make one seamless story, just divine.
The last item I would like to mention is how well researched this book is. The attention to detail shines through in the period details.
I recommend this book to all lovers of fiction. For historical fiction readers in particular, you need to add this book to your to be read list. You won’t regret it. I received a free copy from the publisher via Library Thing’s Early Reviewer program in exchange for my honest opinion.
Renia’s Diary is just that, a diary of a young Jewish girl from Poland. She was just 14 when she started her diary because she wanted a friend. Actually, she had friends, I feel more likely that she wanted a confidant and some way to express all her hopes, dreams and sorrows without fear of ridicule from pears.
As you can imagine, the diary entries are about Renia’s daily life. When she starts the diary, she is living with her grandparents. Her parents are in Warsaw and have been traveling with her sister who is a child actress. As expected, most of the writing is centered around school, her friends and her longing for her family, mainly her Mother. At the beginning, she does speak occasionally of the troubling times and a few of the historical events.
As Renia gets older, she talks about going to parties with friends, dating and dreams about the future. She goes to movies and takes long walks with Zygument (Zygu), her boyfriend. In December of 1941 she decides to start writing about the war. She says, “Blood is flowing, cities are ruined, people are dying.” Despite her declaration, most of her writing remains the same.
It is obvious Renia is deeply religious. All throughout the diary she periodic asked God to take care of her and her family. Later in the diary, most entries end with a plea, “You will help me, Bulus and God”. Even though she did not mention the trying times often, they must have weighed heavily on her mind. Sadly, her life ends shortly after her 18th birthday. The final few diary entries are made by Renia’s boyfriend, Zygu, because she along with his parents are shot in July 1942.
The prose I struggled with because it was written by someone so young and was of course immature. She talked about life with her friends and petty things that happened to her and others. As she gets older, the discuss turns to going to parties and boys and finally falling in love.
It is difficult to compare this book to other works of nonfiction because it is a diary and not a book. It was never written for or intended to be read by an end consumer. Therefore, I struggled with how to assign any kind of rating to a nonliterary work? Ultimately, I choose my rating mostly based on the poetry contained in the diary.
There was a lot of poetry in the diary. Enough for an entire collection to be published of just the poetry. There were all types of poems, long (some ran several pages) to short, some sad, some lively and some longing. Regardless of the theme, they were lovely. The poems are the real star of the book. I found it to be not only good, but contemplative. For the prose to be so immature, the poetry was the exact opposite. I am left wondering what her poetry would have been like if she had lived. Would she have been a great poet in the 20th century?
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Heldt always gives the reader a story to devour and The Lane Betrayal is no exception. Filled with lots of action, danger and a tad of romance, this fast paced tale is sure to satisfy that craving for adventure in every reader.
Mark Lane, a gifted physicist, has made the breakthrough of the century, maybe the millennia, with his device that allows time travel. He should be elated. Instead, he has discovered that his business partner, Robert Devereaux, in Janus Enterprises is planning to use the device for wicked ends. In an attempt to thwart Robert, Mark has planned to steal the two working devices and escape with his family into the past. This escape plan also includes alerting the authorities to what Robert is up to and sabotaging the project.
Mark has been planning his escape for months with the help of his colleague Randy who has decided to stay behind and assist where he can with the escape. On the day of the planned escape, Robert gets wind that something is a foot and is coming to confront Mark. With just a few minutes head start, courtesy of Randy, Mark manages to whisk his family to 1865 around the closing days of the Civil War. It looks like things are finally going as planned. Then a turn of bad luck occurs when one of the keys for the devices is forgotten in a cabin in Virginia and the second device is impounded by the government.
The government thinks the device might be something to aid the Rebel Army in the closing days of the war. Mark, now a prisoner of the Union Army, and suspected of being a rebel sympathizer, is taken to Washington, D.C. The family has no choice but to follow. To make matters worse, Robert has hired a hit man, Silas Bain, to travel back in time and finds the Lanes and kill them. Will anything go right for the Lane family?
I loved how the author allowed the tension to build slowly. By the end of the story you are sitting on the edge of your seat to see if the Lanes will stay a step ahead of Silas Bain. Therefore, it is no surprise that action is the key element of this book and it worked very well with the plot. Overall great pacing.
Sometimes stories with lots of action lack character development. Not so here! As with other books I have read by this author, the character development is critical to the story. Heldt knows how to get and keep the reader’s attention with the characters he builds. He delves deeply into the psyche of his characters to make them memorable and invest the reader.
I filed this book under science fiction, but fiction is the operative word here. There is really no science just a great story about, love, family and what binds us all together. Perfect book for fans of Nora Roberts and similar authors. Highly recommend!
Disclosure: While I used my Kindle Unlimited account to read this book, the author did request a review.
Set in prewar Germany, this poignant story of a young girl just coming into adulthood will have you gritting your teeth at the injustices and cheering at her bravery. It is a fast paced and dramatic tale that portrays the lives of people swept up in the growing power of Hitler and his SS. A story that will leave you gasping in the end.
Hetty Heinrich is the daughter of a very powerful SS officer. As such, she is expected to be the perfect German girl. This is basically having good moral standards and marrying a “good” German man to produce as many children as possible for the Thousand Year Reich. She wants none of this. Instead, she wants to be a doctor. This is a frequent argument with her father, who views Hetty as a willful child that is spoiled and allowed to much freedom.
Hetty is left with no choice other than to be that good Germany girl her father wishes and assist the Reich in any way she can. The restraints chaff on her. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that when she runs into Walter, an old friend of her brother’s, that she starts secretly meeting him. The meetings must be secret because Walter is a Jew, even though Walter once saved Hetty from drowning when she was a child. If they are found out it will not go well for either of them.
Walter tells Hetty about the terrible things that are happening to Jews. At first, she is reluctant to believe him. She has been told over and over again how Jews lie, cheat and steal. How can she trust a Jew when they are so bad? Slowly, as they fall in love, she begins to see the truth of what is really happening. Then comes a day when Walter’s family is imprisoned and Hetty must make a choice that may cost her everything.
There is a lot to love in this story, from the elegantly written prose to the heart-breaking truths of one of the darkest times in recent memory. For me at least, the most notably thing is how power does corrupt and how easily people can be seduced by lies of government. Because of what we now know happened to the Jews and others that tried to resist Hitler it made the story more intense.
There was great character development with Hetty. I loved seeing how she went from a naïve teenage to a courageous and brave young woman. The author also did a lovely job with all the layering of emotions. She guides the reader deftly through a wide range and intensity of emotions. I felt rung out by the end of the story.
The only thing I wished for was more of an ending. It seemed a little rushed and I felt there was more to the story. Everything else was so good that in hindsight this is really such a minor thing.
This book is definitely a good choice for a historical book club. There are lots of topics that would be interesting to explore further. Also, a great choice for readers of period romance and WWII books. If you only read a few historical fiction books in the near future, I recommend that this should be one of them.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
As suggested from the title, Stalking Jack the Ripper, is a YA horror/murder mystery book (very) loosely based on the real murders of young women in London during the 1880s. The author, Kerri Maniscalco, has presented the reader with a young protagonist who will capture your heart with her courage, defiance and tenacity as she works to solve the murders.
Audrey Rose Wadsworth is an educated young woman and daughter of a Lord. Ladies of her standing are expected to be prime and proper. Yet, she finds the society demands upon her restricting and she rebels against them. Even though her father has expressly forbidden it, she has been learning forensic science through her Uncle who is an expert in the field. So naturally she is thrilled to help her Uncle examine the first victim of Jack he Ripper.
Then when her Uncle of all people is arrested for the murders, she vows to find out the truth. For Audrey Rose this is the being of a very dangerous path. One that could lead even to her death.
I appreciated the fast pace of the book and it had plenty of twists to keep you guessing. The prose was also good and I liked the attention to detail given to the scenes. Pace will only take the reader so far and this book had a good mix of both.
I liked the characters in this book, especially Audrey Rose. In truth, I felt her character was a little bit of a stretch for the times but it worked so well in the story I can’t really find fault. Sometimes a little creative license is necessary for a good story. After all it is fiction meant to entertain. At the end the author does give you the facts of what happened in London during this time and shows how those facts were used to create the story.
This book has been on my TBR list for almost a year. I wish I had read it sooner because if was entertaining and just what I needed as a distraction amid this virus lockdown. The book definitely has a Holmes and Watson vibe to it, albeit a younger male/female version. I highly recommend for those readers that like this type of book. Being a historical book with a light touch of romance I think there will be a wider audience that will enjoy it and recommend you give it a read.
I received a free copy from the publisher, at BookExpo 2019, in exchange for my honest review.
As I started in on Inexpressible Island, the third and final
book in the End of Forever Saga by Paullina Simons, I was pondering the many
things that had thwarted Julian and Josephine in their prior lives. Whether you
call it fate, destiny, bad luck or karma they just could not caught a break. I
felt for them and I had to know how it ended for them.
This book is a difficult one to give you a synopsis of
without some sort of spoiler. All I can tell you is that Julian is determined
to make one last effort to save Josephine. It will be his biggest gamble to
date and there will not be another “do over” at the end of this one. Yet, he is a fighter in both the literary and
figurative sense of the word and if anyone could succeed it would be him.
I was so moved by this story that I kept thinking about it
for days after I was finished reading. I was in such turmoil that I had to wait
a bit before I could put my thoughts to paper. All of this is because the
author gave us a main character that was loyal, strong and yet broken, and so
very determined to keep trying or die trying. Everyone needs a Julian in their
life and because of this character I was totally invested.
Yes, this is an epic love story and much more because it is filled
with adventure and surprise. The story moved along quickly and I truly believe
Julian would have gone to the ends of the earth for Josephine. It was filled
with joy and hope and moments of the deepest despair. The prose was so good in
this series that I can’t do it justice with my meager talents.
Stories like this are not a dime-a-dozen. So, if you like epic tales of romance and adventure you have to read, not just this book, but the entire series. I actually thought the series got better and better as it went along. Highly recommend! I received a free copy from the publisher, via Library Thing’s Early Reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review.
Sinner, Saint or Serpent, by John Anthony Miller, is a
twisted murder mystery that will keep even the best sleuth in the dark until
the very last page. The book opens and closes with a bang and the ending took
me totally by surprise. I need more books like this!
No one seems very upset when August Chevalier, a prominent
business man, is murdered, Mafia style, in his own home. After all, he was a ruthless businessman with
questionable practices and even a few ties with the mob. No wonder no one seems
too enthusiastic about finding the killer, including the police, with one exception
being a local reporter named “Justice” Harper.
Justice earned his nickname by being a fair and honest
reporter that always seeks the truth. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that
he wants to find the killer who committed this crime. He feels he owes that to
the citizens of New Orleans. Of course
the added benefit of solving the crime before the police is getting a big scoop
for the newspaper.
Justice along with his colleague, Remy Moore, work together
to discover who killed Mr. Chevalier. There are three prime suspects. The philanthropist
Lucinda Boyd, known for her many charity efforts that benefit the folks of New
Orleans, the wealthy businesswoman Blaze Barbeau with a questionable past, and
the voodoo queen of New Orleans, Belladonna Dede. They all have motives for
waiting him dead and all three can be placed close to the scene around the time
of his death. So who did it?
Loved Mr. Miller’s descriptive prose of 1920s New Orleans.
It was wonderful and I got a real sense of the vibe of the city. I could just
imagine going to a speak-easy and listening to the jazz band play, then
strolling the streets of the French Quarter. The city described had a
mysterious air to it and that made it the perfect setting for a murder mystery.
The plot was superbly done. It opened with the murder; therefore,
I was invested in the story right away. The tension in the plot slowly built so
that I always wanted to keep reading to get the next clue and try to figure out
who the killer was before the final reveal. By the end I was sitting on the
edge of my seat and then when I finally arrived there I was totally blown away.
Did not see that coming at all!
If you love mysteries you need to read this book. Great story and awesome execution! You will love it!
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
A Beggar’s Kingdom, by Paullina Simons, is the second book in the End of Forever Saga. In it we continue to follow Julian and Josephine’s story, as it continues thru time, as the soul mates try to defy their fate. The author has given us some of her best work in this epic tale of heart break and enduring love. It is the kind of story that will touch you and stay with you long after the end.
Julian is devasted that he was not able to save Josephine in
his previous attempt to join her younger soul in the past. Despite the failure,
and the consequences of that, he is determined to try again despite the risks
and the odds stacked against him. I do not want to say more on the fear of
giving away too much. I want the reader to be as surprised and shattered as I
was by the twists and turns this story takes.
First thing I would like to note is that you need to read
book one before this one. While the author does a good job of recapping what occurred
in book one, it is not enough to understand the depth of Julian and all the
events that lead to the opening of book two. In short, it is the detail of the
characters and events that make this series and you don’t want to miss out on
any of it. In fact, I am so enthralled by the story I am going to jump right
into book three.
My favorite thing about Ms. Simons stories is the attention
to detail. The way she sets a scene and the depth of her characters always keep
me coming back for more and this book is no exception. I totally felt Julian’s devotion
to Josephine and his devasting loss when he failed to save her. In this story
there are plenty of twists of fate that will keep you engaged and you will
marvel in wonder at Julian’s devotion and tenacity.
I highly recommend this book to readers that love to be sweep
away in a story. It the kind of story that is so emotionally raw it left me
rung out and I loved every minute of it.
The Fated Sky is the second book in The Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal. It is as great an adventure as the first book. It cemented my respect for the author as a great writer and I am most definitely a fan.
The International Aerospace Coalition (IAC) is now making regular
trips to an established colony on the moon. The Lady Astronaut, Elma York, now regularly
pilots these shuttles between the colony and earth. It has become almost
routine. For Elma, she has realized her dream of getting to space and now she
dreams bigger. She wants to go to Mars!
The IAC is now planning that all important first mission to
Mars. Unfortunately for Elma, the mission is deemed too dangerous for women.
Yet, if you want a colony on Mars there will have to be women. After all, the
whole point of going is to insure the survival of the human race. Then the IAC
also has the problem of needing a human computer during the trip to Mars. The
question is, Will Elma get her wish?
I loved how the author handled real questions and problems
that would arise if this was the reality we lived in. The continuing prejudice
against people of color and women, especially women of color, that was a
central theme in the first book, and I might add is spot on, is still present
in book two. In addition, how the author imagined the zealous religious
factions would react to the need to move humanity to the stars was also realistic
and grounded in facts. In short, she convinces the reader, for the time they
are reading, that it is a real history and not just an alternate they are
reading. Many kudos for that!
Then her characters were just so human, flawed but done flawlessly. By that, I mean flawed but never in a way that it felt forced. For example, Elma grappled with her desire for getting to Mars with her desire to have a family. Also, I noted that her reactions to the various situations presented were not always elegant and that is exactly how humans react at times. What I am sure took the author many hours to develop seemed to be effortless and authentic. So, so well done.
This is one of those
books that is, and will continue to be, loved by fans of various genres. The
science parts are not heavy handed in a way that would turn off readers of say historical
fiction, women’s fiction, etc. Therefore, I am comfortable in recommending this
book to everyone.
