Miss Eliza's English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs ~ an Audiobook Review

by Donna Huber

It's Nonfiction November and everywhere you look readers are talking about all the great nonfiction they are reading. If you haven't read much in nonfiction since your school days. Well, you aren't alone. A few years ago I was in the same boat. How did I get started reading (and enjoying) nonfiction? I read fiction (mostly historical fiction) that was based on real people or events. These dramatizations led me to want to know more about the person or event. If you are finding yourself wanting to read nonfiction but not quite ready (or not sure where to start) to take the plunge, then I have the perfect book for you today - Miss Eliza's English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

A Most Clever Girl by Stephanie Marie Thornton ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I love Cold War-era espionage novels almost as much as I love WWII novels. However, from a historical perspective, I have very little knowledge of the period as none of my history classes went past WWII. Of course, I knew of McCarthyism and the Red Scare but it was picked up based on my own interest and mostly from fiction. I kind of thought that was what this book would be about when I saw 1963 in the description. What I got was much more and oh, so good.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

2 Audiobooks for Fans of Historical Fiction

by Donna Huber

There is not much I love more on a warm summer day than to lay in the shade with my eyes closed and a breeze softly wafting across my skin. What makes that scenario even better? An audiobook that transports me to a different time or place. Two audiobooks that I recently listened are perfect for such a day. Both are historical fiction stories based on real people in real places.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

4 Nonfiction Books to Read

by Susan Roberts

I have started 2021 with a lot of non-fiction books and  I've already read more than 50% of my goal for the year in this category.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for honest reviews.

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Wow! The Invisible Woman was such a great book. If you loved Ariel Lawhon's Code Name Helene, then you must get this book.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 Novels of Historical Fiction to Read

by Susan Roberts

Historical Fiction is a genre that helps take my mind off problems of today and immerses me in stories of the past. I have reviews of three excellent books today that take place in the United States, Singapore, and Warsaw.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

2 Novels for Fans of Historical Fiction

by Susan Roberts

I enjoy reading historical fiction.  A lot of history was ignored in the classrooms of the 60s and I must admit, I've probably forgotten a lot that was taught.  Today I have two books of historical fiction that are about two very different wars - the Civil War and WWII.

Universe of Two by Stephen P. Kiernan ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"I first met Charlie Fish in Chicago in the fall of 1943.  First I dismissed him, then I liked him, then I ruined him, then I saved him.  In return he taught me what love was, lust, too, and above all what it is like to have a powerful conscience. (p 1)

The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

The classroom was gloomy. Everything was brown, from the desks with their lids and inkwells to the wooden forms and floorboards. Brown was the heavy Bakelite clock and brown the picture frame surrounding a bulge-eyed King George V and a flint-faced Queen Mary. A brown leather strap, or tawse, jiggled in the schoolmaster's bony hand. It looked well-worn, as if often used. (chapter 1, ARC)

3 Books about Grace Kelly

by Susan Roberts

Grace Patricia Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982) was an American film actress who, after starring in several significant films in the early- to mid-1950s, became Princess of Monaco by marrying Prince Rainier III in April 1956.  There are several popular books that have been published in the last year about Grace Kelly and about her wedding dress.  Here are reviews of three that I recently read.

8 More February Books You Don't Want to Miss

by Susan Roberts

There are lots of fantastic books publishing in February.  Earlier I posted about the books I've read that published on February 5.  Now I have reviews for you of several fantastic books that published mid-February and 3 books that come out this coming Tuesday.

What were some of your favorite February books?

4 Books for Fans of Historical Fiction

by Susan Roberts

Fall so far has yielded some excellent historical fiction. I reviewed 3 last month and here are 4 more that you will want to pick up.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan (@pcalhenry) ~ a @tlcbooktours Review #Narnia

by Susan Roberts

'In a most improbable friendship, she found love
In a world where women were silenced, she found her voice.'

I will start out telling you that I've never read anything by Joy Davidman or C.S. Lewis - yes, I've heard of C.S. Lewis but for some reason have never read his books. Despite the fact that I went into this novel very blind to the two main characters and the earlier biographies written about them, I found this to be a well written, emotional historical fiction novel. It is very apparent that the author did extensive research into her subjects. I am now very interested in their lives and plan to read some of the books by both authors.

6 Books for Fans of Women's Fiction

by Susan Roberts

Women's fiction is an umbrella term for women-centered books that focus on women's life experience that are marketed to female readers and includes many mainstream novels. The Romance Writers of America organization defines women's fiction as, "a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship"

At the Women's Fiction Writers Association women’s fiction is described as a story where the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey. Women’s Fiction includes layered stories about one or several characters, often multi-generational that tackles an adult character’s struggle with world issues resulting in emotional growth. It may include elements of mystery, fantasy, romance or other subgenres, but is not driven by these elements. The writing is high quality and accessible.

Ike and Kay by James MacManus ~ A Review

by Susan Roberts

Ike and Kay is a historical novel based on the time that they spent together in Europe during WWII. The author did a tremendous amount of research to write this book and it's apparent despite the fact that there are some historical inaccuracies. (I read an arc so am assuming that these will be cleaned up before the publish date). There is still no definitive answer on whether Ike and Kay had a sexual relationship but MacManus writes the book as if they had - which seems to be the prevailing belief of historians.