tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146053662024-03-18T23:33:14.397-07:00bookaddictionBook reviews, interviews and posts on writing as well.Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.comBlogger1411125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-62380281423676180852024-03-18T23:32:00.000-07:002024-03-18T23:32:29.378-07:00Sisters of Fortune A Riveting Historical Novel of the Titanic Based on True History by Anna Lee Huber<p> This is a wonderful book, which I enjoyed even more than James Cameron’s movie! Inspired by the real story of the three Fortune sisters, it tells the tale of their fateful voyage on the Titanic. The three sisters are all vivid and interesting characters, and the addition of other famous characters from the ship, such as Helen Churchill Candee, makes this book perfect for Titanic enthusiasts, and lovers of historical novels. The sumptuous setting of the ship is brought to life in Anna Huber’s skilful hands.</p><p>When Alice hears a fortune teller predict that she will lose everything at sea while sitting at Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo with William Sloper, she laughs. But twinges of nervousness accost her when she boards the Titanic, although she tries to forget them. Torn between her love of adventure and her love for Holden, she has a good time, naughtily stealing her sister’s pin money and playing poker.</p><p>Mabel longs to go to university. Inspired by women doctors and writers on the ship, she tries to convince her father to let her go. He is a very old-fashioned man, however, who will need some persuading.</p><p>The most romantic story is Flora’s. She is engaged to a practical businessman but neither of them really care for each other. When handsome tennis star Chess catches her eye, she struggles between the chouce of duty or love.</p><p>After the iceberg hits the ship, this book is really hard to put down as the Fortune sisters face a life or death struggle on the slowly sinking ship. Huber’s writing really makes you feel that you are actually there with them!</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-9190149039205434322024-03-14T00:30:00.000-07:002024-03-14T00:30:15.088-07:00The Clarks Factory Girls at War The first in a BRAND NEW emotional wartime saga series from May Ellis for 2024 by May Ellis<p> This was another historical romance set in the First World War, about three young girls who work in the Clarks boots factory. Louisa, Kate and Jeannie have known each other all their lives but they each come from different backgrounds. Louisa, an Anglican, is attracted to Mattie, a handsome Quaker, but her parents are not exactly pleased. Poor Kate has to look after her sick mother while her abusive father complains and gets drunk. He also becomes violent at times. Jeannie, another Friend, is envious of Louisa, and adores Mattie.</p><p>Religious conflict is strong in this town with the factory run by the Clarks, who are Quakers, at its centre. Alice Clark, a member of this enlightened family and a historian and Suffragette, is one of the directors of the factory, giving hope to the girls that women can achieve more. I enjoyed reading about the history of the factory, which is intertwined with the story.</p><p>War creates difficulty for the Quakers, who must decide between sticking to their pacifist beliefs or joining the armed forces. It is a heartwrenching decision for some.</p><p>I didn’t realise that religious differences between Quakers and Anglicans were so strong even in the early 20th century. I may have some Quakers in my background so that part of the book was really interesting.</p><p>I enjoyed this and I am looking forward to the sequel.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-78327937853997178092024-03-08T23:11:00.000-08:002024-03-08T23:11:02.852-08:00A Wartime Welcome from the Foyles Bookshop Girls A warmhearted, emotional wartime saga series from Elaine Roberts for 2024 by Elaine Roberts<p> Young Ellen and Mary love to shop at Foyles for books with their mother and Grandmother. They are a happy family. However, after the girls’ mother is killed, dark days arrive. The First World War is blazing, and Harold, their father, who works on the docks has his office broken into. Afterwards, he is accused of being a spy. Can Ellen prove his innocence? Can the girls at Foyles, where she now works, help her? Can John, her would-be boyfriend, be trusted?</p><p>This is a sweet romantic wartime mystery. I haven’t read any of this series before but I must check the others out now. I did think that the story would involve Foyles more, but maybe the others do.</p><p>I received this free ebook from<a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-15473894597980769252024-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:002024-03-07T17:30:01.638-08:00Castles & Ruins Unraveling Family Mysteries & Literary Legacy in the Irish Countryside by Rue Matthiessen<p> This is an ethereal book about the author’s questto search for her past in Ireland. She goes in search of her enigmatic and brilliant parents, together with her husband and ten- year old son. I was interested in this book because Peter Matthiesson’s <i>The</i> <i>Snow</i> <i>Leopard</i> was all the rage when I was young and I bought it again years ago. Peter Matthieson was Rue’s step-father but he brought her up. Deborah, Rue’s beautiful, dreamy mother had a hard time with him because of his receiving all the attention even though she wrote beautifully as well, and his affairs. She died young of cancer. I found it a bit hard to be sympathetic with either parent though, because they were self-absorbed,inadvertently cruel and involved in their own projects. At one stage, like typically artistic, psychodelic parents of the ‘70s, they floated about on LSD most of the time. Deborah was even going to give it to her young daughter as an experiment! Luckily, she decided against it, probably because Peter saw some sense. I liked this book but it was a bit long. However, it was perfect reading for me at a terribly sad time in my life.</p><p>I have only been to Ireland once, unfortunately, but I went to a few places mentioned in the book. The luminous descriptions certainly made me want to go back!</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-43338197630472199452024-02-10T19:35:00.000-08:002024-02-10T19:35:31.765-08:00One Drawing A Day: A Yearlong Sketchbook for Finding Your Creative VoicebyLisa Congdon<p> This is a great book with lots of inspirational ideas, although they’re often vague, such as: ‘Draw courage.’ However, it’s fun, and certainly designed to get your creative juices flowing. The actual book provides spaces for your drawings, but it is harder with an ebook. I have only looked at the ebook, but it is certainly helpful for beginners, or those who want to return to an old hobby.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.edelweiss.plus" target="_blank">Edelweiss.plus</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-52430632780427021442024-02-09T20:43:00.000-08:002024-02-09T20:46:43.469-08:00What’s Law Got To Do With It? Understanding Religious Freedom Law by Rev Dr. Anthony Suarez Esq<p>Prepare for an interesting journey as Rev Dr Suarez conducts a forensix examination of the leading religious freedom cases concerning the First Amendment. He explains the Establishment clause and the Religious Test in clear and simple terms, making this accessable to the general reader, and he doesn’t shy away from controversial subjects like abortion and the state funding of religious schools. I was especially interested in the overturning of Roe v Wade because abortion is also governed by the states in Australia, without the controversy. This makes an excellent introductory reference book as well. Dr Suarez leaves politics out of the book but I got the impression that he wrote from a vaguely left-wing view.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-43417681978898726552024-02-07T21:29:00.000-08:002024-02-07T21:29:28.377-08:00Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton<p>We first meet impulsive and pretty Susy and handsome, thoughtful Nick when they are enjoying a honeymoon in a villa on Lake Como, lent to them by good friends. Impecunious but ambitious to enjoy the elegance of New York society, Susy and Nick actually live the 'high life' on the welfare of other generous people. Susy has no problem with this but when Nick starts to have scruples and Susy realises the empty existence of a life built on other people's glamour and money, can their marriage last? </p><p>I can see why I went through an Edith Wharton phase after going to see The Age of Innocence! I haven't read this one before, though. Susy and Nick are wonderful character studies, and Wharton dissects the moral bankruptcy of the New York elite with wit and charm but it's also a poignant story as Susy struggles to rise from the depths of despondency and guilt. The exotic settings are also beautifully described.</p><p>This was a lovely book, worth reading again and again. The writing just trips along even when Susy and Nick are utterly miserable </p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.edelweiss.plus">Edelweiss.plus</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-20578509458811671072024-02-07T21:02:00.000-08:002024-02-07T21:04:41.959-08:00Astor: The Rise and Fall of An American Fortune by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe<p> When Franklin Delano Roosevelt heard that his friend Vincent Astor spent $125,000 a year on his luxury yacht even during the Great Depression, he declined an invitation to go on yet another cruise, and told him that it might be time to 'soak the rich' if they could afford such 'unnecessary extravagance'! Needless to say, they didn't remain friends.</p><p>Vincent Astor wasn't the only Astor to indulge in such extravagance. This book abounds with tales of the voracious Astors who built New York with money made from the cruelty of beaver-hunting, and slum-owning. There was Caroline with her fantastic parties, the Four Hundred and her rivalry with Ava Vanderbilt, William Waldorf Astor with his glamorous hotels and Cliveden, and Brooke Astor who put up with her nasty husband's difficult character, drinking and womanising, receiving almost $130 million in his will.</p><p>It's a story of great glamour, and great brutality with never a dull moment. In the end, the fortune of this leading family of America disappeared. How did this happen? Prepare for a wild journey into the rise and fall of this fascinating family.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="https://www.edelweiss.plus/#dashList=0&page=1" target="_blank">Edelweiss.plu</a>s in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-16701656161177087582024-01-30T23:40:00.000-08:002024-01-30T23:40:52.510-08:00The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn; Janie Chang<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJXIhxfRNAmVh2ZO8TkzF5cMh4-Dra8EHWGxpyKyUKtIDDpdNSJSD-b15HJ0oHw8UGP6o8Sx4Foh7cuSsCqOuPwkdyxQywj83-DE3qMSsV1DLv9iCyjVC-ozsWeCizHjxDZejV-bmt5xYHZrgqMHyHq0ea25mBKW8XhedXmXDPvdCFBz5fg/s383/cover289371-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJXIhxfRNAmVh2ZO8TkzF5cMh4-Dra8EHWGxpyKyUKtIDDpdNSJSD-b15HJ0oHw8UGP6o8Sx4Foh7cuSsCqOuPwkdyxQywj83-DE3qMSsV1DLv9iCyjVC-ozsWeCizHjxDZejV-bmt5xYHZrgqMHyHq0ea25mBKW8XhedXmXDPvdCFBz5fg/s320/cover289371-medium.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /> In this fast-paced novel, the lives of three young and independent women intertwine as they navigate their careers and relationships in Edwardian San Francisco. Gemma, an opera singer, finds herself still in the chorus at 33 after a series of misfortunes. She soon succumbs to ambition and temptation, becoming the mistress of an intriguing businessman Mr Thornton, but is he what he seems? Suling embroiders beautifully, but she also finds it impossible to get ahead. Occasionally, she joins her friends who work in a brothel to dress in exotic clothes, and wait on tables at Mr Thornton's place. She yearns for her lover Reggie, who suddenly disappeared. Alice Eastland is older than Gemma and Suling. She works as a scientist at the amazing Museum of Natural History, and loves unusual plants.When the huge earthquake of 1906 strikes, these three women will learn where their values really lie.<p></p><p>This story of three women, dark secrets and a natural disaster was so exciting that I could hardly put it down. Edwardian San Francisco was an unusual setting, vividly brought to life, and I also liked the addition of the great opera singer Caruso as one of the minor characters.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p><p> </p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-79894782104808098052024-01-29T20:05:00.000-08:002024-01-29T20:05:39.592-08:00Little Spark by Jo Turner<p> Stuck in the little town of Cannero on beautiful Lake Maggiore, Italy, Eva dreams of being a makeup artist in the US. Instead, she helps her mother make clothes for wealthy women, and prepares people for burial for Padre Giacomo. One day after making up a man for burial who has only one mourner, she meets a mysterious Englishman outside the church, who wants her to investigate his death. Soon afterwards, she meets a wealthy girl her age who loves Agatha Christie, and starts sending her messages in code. Could the two be related? Why is Mussolini interested in her sewing?</p><p>This is an exciting but strange book, which is quite hard to out down. I felt that Eva seemed a bit cold and materialistic, and that the plot was fairly obscure. It was also very open-ended, so I will read the sequel. The wartime background was realistically portrayed, and I loved the setting, which is almost like another character in the book. I have been to Lake Maggiore, and the Borromeo Palace, which features in the book, so I could easily picture them in my mind.</p><p>I won this through the Early Reviewers competition at <a href="http:// www.librarything.com" target="_blank">LibraryThing</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-65006481918501415272024-01-22T21:54:00.000-08:002024-01-22T22:13:24.846-08:00Parisian Days by Banine<p> Banine tells an exotic tale of life in Paris amongst the Russian diaspora after the Russian Revolution, and her journey to becoming a writer. Her descriptions of the famous figures and motley crews amongst the Russians, and her analysis of the diaspora are the most interesting part of the book. Her own story is written in a somewhat melodramatic and breathless manner, and she often seems rather unlikeable.</p><p>After her wealthy family escapes from Russia, and she is finally free from an unhappy marriage, but poor, Banine feels liberated. She is also free 'from the veil', and the life expected of her as a demure Muslim girl in the 1920s. She finds a modelling position for a famous designer, and enjoys the Bohemian lifestyle of her sister and brother-in-law. However, her friend Gunnar, with her charm, her lovers and her ambition to marry an aristocrat, plays a large part in the book. Banine also spends a long time relating her strange relationship with her lover who she seems to dislike most of the time. She is certainly impatient with him. Young and innocent, she has been practically ordered to get a lover to be 'one of the girls', so she seemed to sleep with the first one she fancied, and then take it out on him. This is where I rather disliked her.</p><p>However, the tale of the Russian emigres in Paris is always fascinating, and this book is well-worth reading. I will read it's prequel <i>Caucasian Days</i> next.</p><p>I received this free ebook from Edelweiss.plus in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-79966965851613210652024-01-22T21:09:00.000-08:002024-01-22T21:09:25.026-08:00The Other Woman by Daniel Silva<p> This has been stting on my shelves for a few years waiting for me to read the rest of the series. I've loved all of Silva's books about the wonderful Israeli art restorer, spy and assassin Gabriel Allon, although they can be rather gruesome at times, but I enjoyed this the most! <i>The Other Woman</i> features a mysterious woman in a Spanish villa working on her memoirs, a Russian defector and a dangerous mole who must be rooted out. There are many red herrings, but Allon and his remarkable team slowly get to the bottom of it as their detective work takes them to many beautiful settings, and a historical mystery. In this book, the sins of the fathers cast their malevolent forces on the present day.</p><p>I can't really say why this is my favourite without giving the game away, unfortunately. However, even if you haven't read the previous novels, if you like exciting spy fiction, Silva is one of the best with his finely-drawn characters, elegant writing, meticulous research and stunning settings. These books really should be made into films!</p><p>It's especially interesting how Silva manages to make Allon such an amazing and lovely character, even though he is an assassin. The combination of art restorer with assassin is certainly strange, so its remarkable how Silva makes him so sympathetic. Allon's beautiful wife, fellow spy Chiara, helps here!</p><p>The world could do with Gabriel Allon now. Such a pity he's a fictional character!</p><p>I read this for <a href="https://www.rosecityreader.com/p/the-tbr-24-in-24-challenge.html">Rose City Reader's TBR 24 in '24 Challenge.</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-7545359581122286192024-01-22T20:49:00.000-08:002024-01-22T20:49:07.846-08:00The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham<p> I have read several war novels set in France and Italy, but not many set in Norway, although I loved <i>When Jays Fly to Barbmo </i>when I was a teenager. It was interesting, and unusual to find a novel about the Resistance in Norway. I knew that I could count on Mandy Robotham to tell an exciting tale as well.</p><p>Rumi, the heroine, heartbroken over the death of her fiancee Magnus on the Shetland Bus, is not pleased when she has to rescue some Resistance workers on the snowy mountains above Bergen. However, when her father requests it, she feels that it's her duty. As she and Jens start helping each other with important missions, including spying on important Nazis, she starts wondering if her broken heart can heal, but her resiliance will be tested when Jens becomes involved with the Shetland Bus. This Resistance work consisted of helping the Norwegians by smuggling in arms and money, and helping people escape from the Nazis by taking them to Scotland.</p><p>The story also involves Rumi's friend Anya, who is staying in a mysterious hostel for pregnant girls. Anya has to work out what is really happening at this hostel, and why. Once she discovers the full horror of the Nazis' plan, can she be saved? </p><p>Rumi and Jens are an engaging couple, and I also liked the secondary characters, including Rumi's father and her neighbour Marjit, a feisty lady, with whom Jens shares a connection. Marjit also helps with their Resistance work, and she's a lovely motherly figure.</p><p>I intend to read all of Mandy Robothan's books. She's become one of my favourite authors.</p><p>I read this for <a href="https://www.rosecityreader.com/p/the-tbr-24-in-24-challenge.html" target="_blank">Rose City Reader's TBR 24 in '24 Challenge</a> because I bought it last year.</p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-58468467369224008602024-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:002024-01-22T20:17:19.164-08:00 How to Grow a Marshmallow Tree by Stefanie Gamarra<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcBo1Ehsb-QUCws54u8SSfwE7d1RSCm5hiuUCVe_BzKoO1UdotyRMSGNdOaA8R1UEPN9obJ8Jymf4_LGdPkFSgL0RF7r0ig_5eOixQyHSfA-vL4mNY4b7I45BBjt7WsqzpCYfkS1alSZkmHwAlVQf0YUbiuc8Ba0tPVTPj3lgD07_RQtyPg/s255/cover312643-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="255" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcBo1Ehsb-QUCws54u8SSfwE7d1RSCm5hiuUCVe_BzKoO1UdotyRMSGNdOaA8R1UEPN9obJ8Jymf4_LGdPkFSgL0RF7r0ig_5eOixQyHSfA-vL4mNY4b7I45BBjt7WsqzpCYfkS1alSZkmHwAlVQf0YUbiuc8Ba0tPVTPj3lgD07_RQtyPg/s1600/cover312643-medium.png" width="255" /></a></div>Amelia and her friend Paco, a polar bear, love 'chasing cotton candy clouds and sliding down slippery ice cream slides'. They especially enjoy marshmallows, so they're upset when they run out of them. Amelia suggests that they plant a marshmallow tree, but they have trouble when it won't grow...<p></p><p>This is a great story to read to any child, with bright, colourful pictures. There is an educational aspect to it, as well. I highly reommend this for parents of young children, with one proviso - polar bears are not cute and cuddly creatures like Paco!</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-19560272025694549882024-01-14T00:03:00.000-08:002024-01-14T00:03:35.530-08:00The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95TIzyAFPipS9jR-yOG8gPfL9_3tJtK3rZhrSo5X5iw7Q7ibD940JyOwKqByN5HNaVAbb8wxjQpIMlglKP7Mphzo84Zk2M_DPypzALEgMWZQm9Naub4Cwd_TgJKe1PR1ODJ7CAJ4RBGdkKyPoiYn2OgJUl1WU1wZUN0PghoCYkZOx8wQX4A/s382/cover293185-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95TIzyAFPipS9jR-yOG8gPfL9_3tJtK3rZhrSo5X5iw7Q7ibD940JyOwKqByN5HNaVAbb8wxjQpIMlglKP7Mphzo84Zk2M_DPypzALEgMWZQm9Naub4Cwd_TgJKe1PR1ODJ7CAJ4RBGdkKyPoiYn2OgJUl1WU1wZUN0PghoCYkZOx8wQX4A/s320/cover293185-medium.png" width="214" /></a></div><br />This is one of those mysteries in which a real historical figure solves crimes. Here, it's feisty Eliza Hamilton, the widow of Alexander Hamilton, whose son Alexander is falsely accused of murder. However, there is a whole series of murders in the book, possibly connected somehow to a scandal concerning Eliza's late husband. She eventually solves these murders with the help of some unusual women.<p></p><p><a href="https://molliecoxbryan.com/" target="_blank">Molly Ann Cox</a> obviously researched Eliza Hamilton's life thoroughly, and the historical setting is very authentic. I enjoyed the story, although I thought that one murder would have been enough, and Eliza is a captivating heroine. However, I am still puzzled by the ending. The murders were solved very quickly at the end, and the resolution was really not explained well at all. I would still recommend this for lovers of historical mysteries, however.</p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-75347743604760297272024-01-13T23:41:00.000-08:002024-01-13T23:41:11.707-08:00Tudor Feminists 10 Renaissance Women Ahead of their Time by Rebecca Wilson<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1kI0n1NtcrLJWftZGjGraNBnPJfEd5jN6BE2X61ZuNt130lOnT4AiY5ZURfv_6y28JJR4mWtI2JDBs_B2P7wIkajRw73razN2tB8w9yC3HqTLdXxJesWmBb1YzhbTCvXy9rQ1t3d7Wd4tJLppS-_UdvjDIJ7Kbxa29PJGaX_34dBoKSeJQ/s377/cover307381-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1kI0n1NtcrLJWftZGjGraNBnPJfEd5jN6BE2X61ZuNt130lOnT4AiY5ZURfv_6y28JJR4mWtI2JDBs_B2P7wIkajRw73razN2tB8w9yC3HqTLdXxJesWmBb1YzhbTCvXy9rQ1t3d7Wd4tJLppS-_UdvjDIJ7Kbxa29PJGaX_34dBoKSeJQ/s320/cover307381-medium.png" width="216" /></a></div>These women can't really be called 'feminists' in today's sense of the word, but Rebecca Wilson explains this at the beginning of her book. Three of the women are actually wives of Henry VIII - Catherine of Aragon, Anne boleyn and Katherine Parr. They are my favourites. Others include Margaret Beaufort, who fought for her son Henry VII like a lioness, and Margaret Pole. They are all wonderfully interesting, although I am not sure that Wilson says anything new about them. It's a great read, though.<p></p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-15584743959880920012024-01-04T21:09:00.000-08:002024-01-13T23:24:04.173-08:00Tears of Gold Portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian Women by Hannah Rose Thomas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI7k64OsmEOEHF1uTs6PrQLj6mKCaxva6hAPacJB6zmRY4wqr7jWdZ4X93Sv7gCzw4yik0UeIkridFSHc7RG_bvaOorUfwPFjc-b4ZUWjmol6ojCVBswuz-6Au3TuM6fP6oilCYvNLFAVZaYDEnPhK_DnYe2-43DO0n2NxY7bpCmCtFB-iw/s319/cover300190-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="255" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI7k64OsmEOEHF1uTs6PrQLj6mKCaxva6hAPacJB6zmRY4wqr7jWdZ4X93Sv7gCzw4yik0UeIkridFSHc7RG_bvaOorUfwPFjc-b4ZUWjmol6ojCVBswuz-6Au3TuM6fP6oilCYvNLFAVZaYDEnPhK_DnYe2-43DO0n2NxY7bpCmCtFB-iw/s1600/cover300190-medium.png" width="255" /></a></div><br />Young British artist Hannah Rose Thomas conveys the resilience and stoucism of these persecuted women brilliantly in her powerful portraits, in which she uses gold leaf reminiscent of beautiful Greek and Russian icons. She looked for the Divine in these women, and she certainly found it! Every portrait is accompanied by the story and the self-portrait of the individual women. Many of them are unbelievably harrowing. This is a memorable book.<p></p><p>l received this ebook from ley<a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-19504865042876546852023-12-30T21:10:00.000-08:002023-12-30T21:10:08.959-08:00The Bishop’s Wife by Robert Nathan<p> I always enjoy the film but the novel is quite depressing and Robert Nathan’s style features many short sentences which got on my nerves, although he has the ability to paint a scene beautifully in a few short paragraphs. Also, the idea of falling for an angel seems a bit blasphemous to me, and Michael’s inability to enjoy physical love is to be pitied, according to the novel. I know that I am perhaps being a bit puritan here!</p><p>Beautiful, golden-haired Julia, neglected by her husband, the bishop, gives all of her love to her daughter. The bishop focuses his attention on obtaining funds for his new and great cathedral, so when a handsome charming angel turns up to be his archdeacon and the ability to talk anyone into giving money, he is naturally very pleased. However, Julia, neglected by the bishop, starts to notice this young man and the couple’s marriage problems, ignored by both before, start to come to the surface. How will this be resolved?</p><p>I thought that this would be a happier, more Christmassy book than <i>Christmas Holiday,</i> but I am not sure that it was! I read this for <a href="https://www.rosecityreader.com/p/the-tbr-23-in-23-challenge.html" target="_blank">Rose City Reader’s TBR 23 for’23 Challenge</a> and Tarissa’s A Literary C<a href="https://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-literary-christmas-2023-begins-link.html" target="_blank">hristmas 2023 Challenge</a>.</p><p>Happy New Year, everyone! As Charles Dickens wrote in <i>The</i> <i>Chimes</i>: “A new heart for a New Year.”</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-74864346988113283252023-12-27T19:30:00.000-08:002023-12-27T19:30:15.931-08:00Smart Housekeeping Around the Year by Anne L. Watson<p> This book is supposed to be a seasonal guide to housekeeping but it really didn’t have much to do with the seasons. It is divided into months of the year but the structure of the book seems very arbitrary. However, it contains useful tips for each part of your home and the author doesn’t seem to miss anything out. The mice at the end of each month are sweet and adorable.</p><p>I received this free ebook from Edelweiss.plus in return for an honest review.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-33163978912294469662023-12-25T22:14:00.000-08:002023-12-25T22:14:11.628-08:00Bad Luck in Love Julia Zieschang<p> This is such a sweet story, mostly a fantasy for YA readers, but suitable for anyone who is young at heart! Here we meet Darcy, an Irish sixteen-year old who is having trouble with some mean girls at school. She'd like to retaliate against one in particular, and goes in search of a Luck Bringer. The Luck Bringer she finds, however, has been fired, and he has to make four people happy to get his job back. Darcy travels to several beautiful places in Europe, including Prague, to help him fulfill his aim, but she has many difficult lessons to learn along the way.</p><p>I enjoyed this just as much as the first one in the series, especially the tour through Prague, and meeting some of the characters from the previous book again. I will be interested to read more books by <a href="https://juliazieschang.de/en/" target="_blank">Julia Zieschang.</a></p><p>I won this ebook from Library Thing Early Reviewers in return for a review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-61057646730660548152023-12-25T20:37:00.000-08:002023-12-25T20:37:49.718-08:00Declutter Like a Mother A Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Your Life by Allie Casazza<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GaQc2k_oD3f-lkBwanhZ_iJH27okS7yMPYjrQM3edFPm2low2Z6hyphenhyphenrLYNNkrxv7T-PyC47QOadzbSXEDBdZwGUkjQcJB2Lpk39Z-47NQYfV45-7vxY73XDCH0fBhtLWQSZ461DVz1a6FMn3rNFnaHIAjtpgYNuX4ay-MnUrRWrTgSpuT_A/s383/cover227338-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GaQc2k_oD3f-lkBwanhZ_iJH27okS7yMPYjrQM3edFPm2low2Z6hyphenhyphenrLYNNkrxv7T-PyC47QOadzbSXEDBdZwGUkjQcJB2Lpk39Z-47NQYfV45-7vxY73XDCH0fBhtLWQSZ461DVz1a6FMn3rNFnaHIAjtpgYNuX4ay-MnUrRWrTgSpuT_A/s320/cover227338-medium.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /> This book is mostly suitable for young mothers, but it is also helpful for others who just want some decluttering tips. <a href="https://alliecasazza.com/" target="_blank">Allie Casazza's </a>suggestion that readers look at each room, and decide what their intent is, is useful. I also liked her tip of starting with the bathroom first. She has a chapter on decluttering your wardrobe, which is excellent. However, I am not sure that this book will assist book and magazine-lovers as much as those with toys and family 'stuff'. Ultimately, you just have to work at it, and she does have good suggestions for that, such as spending thirty minutes a day decluttering.<p></p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-52048409218529642542023-12-23T21:48:00.000-08:002023-12-23T21:48:35.773-08:00Cancer Simply Explained What Is Cancer and What Can We Do Against It? by Dr. Visar Vela, Dr. Laurence Favet, Dr. Günther Spahn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJR9Ehe7f2ZYmOJhVjXcOF5wPTKTL4dErtYZyRDFVS9HwPyU8lDs2VNd5gjiRpBwQIF_nld7iogkkHL9-ACbo3mYru2PrTUN_JHygtbhpdAaKpRob_LzW88lIgAFBf9G1rvjkV6-mm5F_4UxJrviY1nXewN6n5JmOXI8z4ovw01t_F6ys2Q/s383/cover310792-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJR9Ehe7f2ZYmOJhVjXcOF5wPTKTL4dErtYZyRDFVS9HwPyU8lDs2VNd5gjiRpBwQIF_nld7iogkkHL9-ACbo3mYru2PrTUN_JHygtbhpdAaKpRob_LzW88lIgAFBf9G1rvjkV6-mm5F_4UxJrviY1nXewN6n5JmOXI8z4ovw01t_F6ys2Q/s320/cover310792-medium.png" width="213" /></a></div><br /> No matter which way you look at it, cancer is a dreaded and frightening disease.The authors, all of whom are medical specialists in this field, conduct a forensic examination of cancer, which is somewhat reassuring. They cover what cancer is, the possible causes, diagnosis and treatment. There is also a section on ways to try to avoid getting cancer, such as healthy eating and living. I found it extremely clear, and simply written. The authors clarify most questions that readers will have. It is an excellent book to read if you want to know more about this subject, and especially helpful if you are suffering from it yourself, or you are caring for someone who is.<p></p><p>I received this free ebook from <a href="http://www.netgalley.com" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> in return for an honest review.</p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-74403132191972225192023-12-20T21:24:00.000-08:002023-12-20T21:36:46.365-08:00A Literary Christmas Challenge. Christmas Holiday by Somerset Maugham<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTardjwPtz3mACYA-mrFTvBcy6Bw510Og9D1PGRotchW4Z9orVfRkoDWkBlNaxUsCmekPI85dnYPdzR9rWw09orYPeeKAmuAwixCxI8A_pVg0buOjgVvH9qXKMHqX4AlnU10Ddj49sTqCfZ4OmQf8KprkaTDz0asw3yRWMhOtimpFRx8Um5A/s150/aliterarychristmas-button.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTardjwPtz3mACYA-mrFTvBcy6Bw510Og9D1PGRotchW4Z9orVfRkoDWkBlNaxUsCmekPI85dnYPdzR9rWw09orYPeeKAmuAwixCxI8A_pVg0buOjgVvH9qXKMHqX4AlnU10Ddj49sTqCfZ4OmQf8KprkaTDz0asw3yRWMhOtimpFRx8Um5A/s1600/aliterarychristmas-button.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="Tarissa's Literary Christmas Challenge" target="_blank">Tarissa's Literary Christmas Challenge at In The Bookcase</a> is always fun!<br /><p></p><p>My first review is <i>Christmas Holiday</i> by Somerset Maugham. If Christmas is annoying you, or you are generally having a rotten time, this is the book to read. It will NOT get you into the Christmas spirit! It's a cynical, dissillusioning novel with a fairly sordid story. It's a very wordy novel, and many readers will find it old-fashioned, but I liked it.</p><p>The son of wealthy parents whose lives are full of art, culture and good taste, Charley tried to rebel by becoming an artist or musician, but he ended up working for the family business. When he decides to visit Paris, see his friend Simon, and have a 'great lark' on Christmas Eve, he gets much more than he bargained for! </p><p>Cold, fanatical Simon is generally pretty nasty to Charley, and undermines him all the time, but Charley is sympathetic to him because of his background, so he puts up with it all. Simon takes him to a rather sinister brothel, and introduces him to the sweet, innocent-seeming Olga, who has a very Russian soul. Lydia stays with Charley, and gets on his nerves, and embarrasses him by sobbing at Midnight Mass, and running Simon down, but she also tells him an extremely sordid story about her past, involving love and murder. All the time, Charley wonders what he is doing in Paris, and thinks how he could have been enjoying a very English Christmas party at the Terry-Mason's.</p><p>This Christmas holiday changes young Charley forever!</p><p>The movie is free on YouTube but it has an American setting, which will be interesting, but disappointing.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-26823228213121323632023-12-20T20:38:00.000-08:002023-12-20T20:38:17.151-08:00I Am Joining Rose City Reader's TBR 24 in '24 Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aVYUIQXGlueq1LejY0vIJCW-XfxZ13T4E75pZSK1EhxCjdwD-xt6Z9BdEQUAHQi0C2Q38JPjncUC3WtnKh_5sEMFdqWYy6zRawdGaqSyeTDroh48dhfHfcMJOtMFC5LCj3vVi05iEEMgl3pggoTDoIUi3wq_eVQjTQenEp9aUPDKuzvP1w/s320/TBR%2024%20in%2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="320" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aVYUIQXGlueq1LejY0vIJCW-XfxZ13T4E75pZSK1EhxCjdwD-xt6Z9BdEQUAHQi0C2Q38JPjncUC3WtnKh_5sEMFdqWYy6zRawdGaqSyeTDroh48dhfHfcMJOtMFC5LCj3vVi05iEEMgl3pggoTDoIUi3wq_eVQjTQenEp9aUPDKuzvP1w/s1600/TBR%2024%20in%2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14605366.post-51790636105512374912023-12-20T20:30:00.000-08:002023-12-20T20:30:21.890-08:00Two More Books for the TBR 23 in '23 Challenge<p> These are:</p><p><b>Les Parissienes by Anne Sebba</b>. I have read most of Anne Sebba's books and they were all wonderful. This one is harrowing, because there's a lot of description of the concentration camps in it,, especially Ravensbruck. However, it was just as well-researched and brilliant as ever, and especially interesting if you like to read about the French Resistance.</p><p><b>A War of Flowers by Jane Thynne</b></p><p>This is the third mystery in the riveting Clara Vine series. Clara combines acting with spying in 1930s Germany. In this one, she makes friends with Eva Braun, and comes across a mysterious death which occurred on a Nazi cruise liner. The frightening atmosphere of pre-war Berlin is extremely evocative - I am sure that it would have been just like this. Clara has to navigate an extremely thin line between acting and spying, in which her life is often in danger.</p><p>I read these for the <a href="https://www.rosecityreader.com/p/the-tbr-23-in-23-challenge.html" target="_blank">Rose City Reader TBR 23 in '23 Challenge</a></p><p><br /></p>Violahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08046603677301666579noreply@blogger.com0