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Reviews by Peggy H. (North East, PA)

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The Dark Lady's Mask
by Mary Sharratt

Truth can be Stranger than FictionHow (3/2/2016)

This book introduced me to real life feminist Aemilia Lanier. Part way through I had to do some research to see what was real about this character, and, to my surprise...it all was! And that is what made it really interesting and a great read. A wonderful addition to my Shakespeare trivia.

The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins
by Antonia Hodgson

Twists and Turns in Old London (1/10/2016)

OMG! I couldn't put this book down! I loved the twists and turns that I couldn't possibly have guessed and all of the historical research made it feel very real. Will definitely look for this author again!

Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
by Paula Brackston

Cousin of outlander (6/30/2015)

Maybe it is because the TV series so popular or maybe because a new volume in the series is out, but my mind kept turning to Outlander as I read this book.

There are some nice red herrings, and good images of a mystical welsh countryside, as we travel back and forth in time for the present to the distant past.

It is nice to see Merlin as a young man in love resplendent in his magical powers. And our heroine is a totally modern girl with her heart split between her career and starting a family.

Fun and quick read! I will check out more by this author.

A Passion for Paris: Romanticism and Romance in the City of Light
by David Downie

Mon Dieu! Paris! (4/21/2015)

As a committed Francophile and Romantic, I obvious love all of the amazing details in the book! Having just finished reading a novel on George Sand it is wonderful to tie in the lives and views of the two authors.

However, I wonder how the average person would react to all the factoids...and I comment...it would have been wonderful to have more maps showing exactly the areas being described...so in my next trip, I could wander around the same places.

Dangerous When Wet: A Memoir
by Jamie Brickhouse

Mommie Dearest, Through a Drunken Haze (3/17/2015)

This was an intriguing scary roller coaster of a read. The author pulls you into his life of self discovery and self destruction. His portrayal of his overbearing mother is fascinating and believable, and you are so drawn in that you almost forget to be appalled by what he is doing to himself.
Although the author states at the beginning that he is purposely leaving out the point of view of his two brothers and fathers, I found their omission a bit disturbing. Overall, a great read.

A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power
by Paul Fischer

Hard to believe its true (12/23/2014)

The recent events with the Sony hacking make this story even more fascinating! It is hard to believe that it is true...but I guess no one will be able to make a movie of it now!
Although parts do drag a bit, the story itself makes wonderful reading!

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: The Untold Story
by Barbara Leaming

New Perspective (11/5/2014)

I read with interest this biography of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Having grown up in Massachusetts, and being in 4th grade at the time of the assassination, I was unfortunately one of the many who was fascinated with everything that she did.
This book gave me a new, more human and sympathetic view of her as a person. My heart went out to her as I read of the political manipulations on both sides.
However, I do think the theory of post traumatic stress was a bit overdone...there are many soldiers and other people who have horrific things happen in their life, and are able to move on without it affecting every aspect of their lives.

The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber

Taken to another world (9/6/2014)

I have to say, once I got into this book, I found it hard to put it down. I became immersed in the alien world, and wondered at all that was going on "back at home." I hurried to the end to find out what happened...but was disappointed. The ending was probably realistic, but not satisfying. Quite a commentary on the state of the world! A bit depressing...

Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley

Cool Drink of Water (3/11/2014)

It's easy to get swept up in the world of this family of women, and there were times that I wished that I was part of it. A quick read, but not terribly deep...

Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Memoir
by Jessica A. Fox

Eat, Pray, Love for the younger generation (6/23/2013)

I really loved this book! I couldn't put it down...and I probably wouldn't have had the same feeling if I hadn't know that it was factual.
I think everyone in their life has a dream; to most of us it only remains a dream or a regret. That is why there is so much pleasure in reading someone who is impulsive, and flies across the ocean because of a whim and a feeling.
The writing is very expressive and picturesque, it brings the small town in Scotland to life like a Mitford or the Cornwall of the Doc Marten series.

The Daughters of Mars
by Thomas Keneally

Long, interesting, but no connection (6/5/2013)

I wanted to like this book, I really did. It was looong and filled with many interesting details, but I found it strangely impersonal. I never really cared about either of the sisters.

Perhaps it was the writing style in the third person, but I kept reading...and didn't find real motivation for the first rift between the sisters, and didn't find joy and awe in their survival in the ocean.

It makes me want to learn more about WW1 from this theater, but left me a little cold about all the characters.

Three Weeks in December
by Audrey Schulman

Two Stories that Don't Connect (2/3/2012)

Each of the two stories describes a character who is isolated from society for some reason. Each travels to Africa and connects to the continent. Each story by itself is compelling, but I kept expecting for the two to connect or intertwine at the end...but they did not; at least to me.

The Daughter of Siena: A Novel
by Marina Fiorato

Looking for Romance? (5/9/2011)

As long as you aren't looking for deep thinking, complex, or esoteric...this book will fit the bill. It is everything a historic romance novel should be. Exotic well researched locale, evil villains, swooning heroes and heroines. A great quick read.

Original Sin: A Sally Sin Adventure
by Beth Mcmullen

Stephanie Plum, look out! (2/26/2011)

When I received the book, I was a bit put off by the vibrant pink ModSquad cover. I was afraid that instead of being funny and interesting that the book was just going to be stupid. But I was not disappointed--the writing is sharp and funny, and the character interesting...makes me want to read the next adventure. Good to see a female character that can take care of herself!

The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by Laura J. Snyder

Fascinating, But Dry (1/23/2011)

This book was jam-packed with interesting information about the Victorian era and the four men that it highlights. I was not familiar with three of the four, and the details were well-researched. The style, however, was a bit dry and pedantic. I would have loved to read this as historical research, but as a pick up and read book...it drags a bit.

Three Seconds
by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom

Gripping Page Turner (12/10/2010)

Wow! I just couldn't put this one down! Intelligent, intriguing--and even better, I didn't even guess the end. The characters are well drawn and realistic. Would love to read more by these authors!

Gone Tomorrow: A Jack Reacher Novel #13
by Lee Child

Engaging Page Turner (10/14/2010)

This is my first exposure to this series, and I was hooked on the first page. I loved the fact that it was absolutely set in the world of today with today's heroes and monsters. And the research and factoids used to move the story was amazing. My only criticism ... how about just a little more romance!

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel
by Michele Young-Stone

Riveting Read, Disappointing End (5/13/2010)

The two main characters really captured my imagination, they were well drawn and interesting. However the HandBook inserts got tiring after a while and the repetition of the lightning strikes did stretch my credulity; I wanted the author to have me work a bit more versus spelling everything out.

Romancing Miss Bronte: A Novel
by Juliet Gael

Yawn, too long (3/12/2010)

I really wanted to like this book, but, when, after 100 pages both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights were already published, and I knew that the Brontes hadn't written any other books....Yikes! what would the remaining 300 pages be about? How plain, how sad the lives of the sisters...but a bit too drawn out for my taste.

Making Toast: A Family Story
by Roger Rosenblatt

Toast a Little Dry (11/6/2009)

Making Toast is a gentle tale that reads like a reality show camera aiming at this heartbroken family. Unfortunately, although the story is tragic, it is curiously disaffecting. I couldn't help but think of how different this story would be if the family weren't so privileged and had fewer options available.

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