Jean M. Roberts's Blog, page 11
April 22, 2024
The Lost Women of Mill Street by Kinley BryanPublisher:...
The Lost Women of Mill Street by Kinley Bryan
Publisher: Blue Mug Press
Published: 7 May 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, AmericanHistorical Fiction
Pages: 282
Available: Paperback, ebook
Violence: minimal
Sex: none, clean romance
The Short Story: A engaging survival story set duringthe American Civil War.
My Review: First my thanks to author Kinley Bryan forproviding a review copy.
Sherman’s army is on the move across Georgia, burning anddestroying buildings and infrastructure as they march across the rebelliousstate. Sisters, Clara and Kitty, work at a mill weaving tent canvas for the ConfederateArmy. The owners have long since fled, leaving the workers to fend forthemselves. Fear of losing their jobs keeps them tethered to their machines.Clara wishes her fiancé, Benjamin, would return from Nebraska to rescue them fromthe approaching violence.
Soon, their world is upended when they find themselves accusedof traitorous acts and sent to a disease ridden POW camp. The Lost Women of Mill Streetis the story of their survival and the rebuilding of their shattered lives.
I really enjoyed this story of Clara and Kitty and theirstruggles to not only survive the loss of jobs and home but also their plightas refugees in a strange city where they are often viewed as the enemy. Desperateto keep a roof over their heads, Clara looks for work while her sister recoversfrom illness. She’s timid but fierce, determined but wary of dreams. Kitty,once recovered, chaffs under Clara’s smothering love. She, the bolder of thetwo, knows what she wants, and urges Clara to do the same.
The story is not as straightforward as one might think andthe author does a great job of surprising the reader with her plot twists. I foundthe history interesting and was unaware that civilians were arrested and sentto POW camps, women, children and the elderly included. I also learned a thingor two about 19th century women’s bonnets, which I ended up havingto google so I could better visualize the author’s descriptions while reading!
Well written with a steady pace. It’s a clean read withlimited violence and a sweet romance. I enjoyed this book and look forward toreading more by the author. I recommend The Lost Women of Mill Street toreaders of historical fiction, American Historical Fiction, readers who enjoythe Civil War Era, and women’s history.
I rate this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 19, 2024
The Midsummer Women
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THE MIDSUMMER WOMEN is available now for pre-order. Publication date is 4 June 2024!
The Blurb:
Since childhood, Ethnobotanist Hannah Heronstone hashad a passion for healing plants and their use through the centuries. Orphanedat birth, she’s unaware of her connection to an ancient lineage of cunningwomen, healers, and yes, even witches. But they have not forgotten abouther.
A surprise invitation to an archaeological dig luresHannah to Maine and the site of a long forgotten English colony, abandoned in1608. The presence of Dr. Peter Wentworth, rich, charming, and a recent fling,is an intriguing complication. But the thrill is cut short as the dig isplagued by accidents and attacks while bizarre visions disturb Hannah’s daysand strange dreams fill her nights. Questioning her sanity, she turns to a trioof local women, who claim descent from a sisterhood of natural healers andpractitioners of earthly magic, the Midsummer Women.
Together they help Hannah connect with the past, toAnna, a young, cunning woman forced into servitude by the powerful Wentworthfamily. Against her will, she sails to the new world with her hated master.When Anna breaks her healer’s vows by using the black magic of a local demon,she taints the blood and lives of her Heryonstan descendants.
To save the man she loves and restore her bloodline tothe sisterhood, Hannah must resist the growing power of the demon, Tando, andlearn to harness the dormant magic of the Midsummer Women or be doomed tofollow in her ancestor’s fate.
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April 15, 2024
Review: Secrets of Rose Briar Hall by Kelsey James
First a word about the cover. It made me think of a 19th century woman in the long cloak and hood walking with the lantern. It really does not match the style or story of the book which is set in 1908.
Secrets of Rose Briar Hall is a gothicy mystery about Millie Turner, daughter of a rich New Yorker who has married the handsome Charles Turner. The make a beautiful couple and with Millie's money they have built a beautiful home. After a dinner party, Millie wakes to find that a guest has died and she is suspected of being the killer. Her husband turns from solicitous to dangerous as Millie tries to uncover the truth about the night.
With plenty of twist and turns, the author leads us on a tortuous path the answer and leaves us with an explosive ending. I really enjoyed this story, it's a quick read and I found it hard to put down. From a historical fiction standpoint it dives into the lack of rights women posessed in that era and the cultural attitude towards divorce. All in all a good read.
I give this book 4 1/2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Can't We Be Friends by Eliza Knight and Denny S. Bryce
Don't have time to write a long review of this fascinating book about the friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald. I found it very enjoyable and really learned a lot about both women, especially Ella of whom I knew very little. I did have to remind myself that the dialogue between the women was fictional and I hope their friendship was as deep and strong as that portrayed in the book. If you're a fan of either, you'll enjoy this story.
I rate this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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April 10, 2024
Book Review: A Beggar's Bargain by Jan Sikes
Historical Fiction / Literary FictionPublisher: Fresh Ink GroupDate of Publication: March 12, 2024Number of Pages: 324 pages
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A shocking proposal that changes everything
Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.
Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and for time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.
But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?
Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.
Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger.
If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.
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Laken Martin, discharged from the army, returns to thefamily farm with a burning desire to restore his fortunes. He makes a deal withthe local banker for a loan in exchange for marrying Sara Beth, the banker’sdaughter. Sara, despite her wariness of marrying a stranger, is relieved to beout from under her father’s abusive hand. Laken soon finds he got more than he bargainedfor in Sara, a collector of waifs, strays and old souls.
A Beggar’s Bargain is a sweet story of resilience, honor andlove. I really enjoyed getting to know Layken, quiet, kind, introspective, andhe promised Sara Beth that he will let her go when the debt is repaid, but willshe want to leave him? Sara Beth is kindhearted, and draws people to her, making them feel safe in her presence.
Set in the post WWII years, it was fun to read about theslower pace of life; listening to the radio, baking cakes from scratch andtaking a drive into town. Not that they didn’t have their share of hard luckand hard work. As the pair slowly realize their feelings for each other, Lakenand Sara pull together with the help of friends and neighbors to reach theirgoals. The ending seems a foregone conclusion, but it’s the getting there thatmakes this book worth reading.
I highly recommend this book to readers of historicalfiction who like a sweet story with a happy ending.
I give this book 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars!
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Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.
And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels.
Jan is an active blogger, a member of Story Empire, a devoted fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.
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April 9, 2024
Review: The Dartington Bride by Rosemary Griggs
The Short Story: Immersive historical fiction set in France and Tudor England
This is the second book by author Rosemary Griggs that I've and enjoyed them both. The Dartington Bride begins in France and is centered on Roberda, daughter of the Count of Montgomery, a Huguenot leader. After a war-torn childhood, Roberda is taken to France to marry Gawen Champernowne, part of a large extended family in Devon that included the famous explorer Walter Raleigh.
Roberda's hopes for a happy marriage are dashed the moment she meets her intended. He's cold and standoffish and seemingly unwilling to consumate the marriage. Roberda travels to the family home of Dartington in Devon and tries to make a life for herself, despite the pushback from arrogant servants and her boorish husband.
Her story is complicated by the religious wars that rages across France and Englands refusal to aid the Huguenots. Roberda assists French widows who have fled for their lives, helping them find employment and begin new lives in England.
Despite having many children together, Gawen tries to set Roberda aside and has the children removed from her care. But those loyal to her, fight back.
All in all an interesting story about a strong woman in a bad situation. I enjoyed learning about the Huguenots and their struggles against the Catholic regime in France.
Well written and researched it's a great book.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars
April 8, 2024
Amethyst, The Shallows by Kellye Abernathy
AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWSbyKellye AbernathyYA / Magical Realism / Coming of AgePublisher: Atmosphere PressPage Count: 296 pagesPublication Date: February 6, 2024
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"This is a night for being brave."
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei's best friend, understands ocean magic but isn't free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America--all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend's lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth--a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, the Shallows is the companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.
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Kellye Abernathy's passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!Website ◆ Instagram ◆ Facebook ◆ X/TwitterGoodreads ◆ Amazon ◆ BookBub
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March 25, 2024
The Desk From Hoboken by ML Condike
THE DESK FROM HOBOKENA Genealogy Mystery, #1byML CondikeMystery / Women Sleuths / Forensic GenealogyPublisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLCDate of Publication: March 5, 2024Number of Pages: 446 pages
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After a personal loss, forensic genealogist RaeJean Hunter accepts what she believes is a straightforward case to ease back into the game: a student at Connecticut College has found human remains on the school campus. The College hires RaeJean to confirm their tentative identification that it’s a woman named Mary Rogers, whose cause of death has never been determined.Unfortunately, it becomes downright dangerous. Someone thwarts her investigation of the same case that inspired Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt.” Still, she meets relatives, some helpful and others not, amid escalating threats. Using her skills, including DNA analysis, historical records research, genealogy mapping, and guidance from a mystical antique desk, she follows every clue.
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The Short Story: A deep dive into agenealogy mystery
Forensic genealogist, RaeJean Hunter,recovering from a personal tragedy takes what seems like a straightforwardgenealogy research case, trying to prove that a young woman, Mary Rogers, whodied over 180 years ago, was buried in a particular plot in a cemetery, andthat the bones found are hers. I like that the case tied in with the real-life mysteriousdeath of a young woman named Maire Roget and her connection to Edgar Allen Poe.
As a genealogy researcher myself, I wasreally drawn to this story, and the author takes her readers through a thoroughanalysis of the Rogers family history. At times, I was overwhelmed by the sheernumber of names and family relationships but the mystery kept me reading.
As the story unfolds, we learn that someonedoes not want RaeJean to continue her research but with the support of herhusband, sister and a handy friend in the FBI, she is resolute in her pursuitof the facts. Some readers may find it hard to believe that someone would go tothe lengths RaeJean’s mystery foe took, but I can tell you that people taketheir family history very seriously to the point of kookiness. I know this fromexperience!
The desk from the title is a character in itself.A marvellous piece of furniture with a whiff of the paranormal and a lot ofsecrets. It was really well plotted, and I enjoyed the slow reveal.
All in all, a very enjoyable story. Well written and well plotted. I highlyrecommend this book to readers who enjoy a great mystery.
I rate this book: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐stars!
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ML Condike’s novel, The Desk from Hoboken, is the first in a genealogy mystery three-book series. She also has short stories published in five anthologies. ML Condike completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path in Dallas in 2019 and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime North Dallas, Granbury Writers’ Bloc, and Key West Writers Guild.WEBSITE ◆ INSTAGRAM ◆ FACEBOOKLINKEDIN ◆ AMAZON ◆ GOODREADS ◆ X/TWITTER
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March 22, 2024
To Rescue A Witch: Lisa Traugott
Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Witch TrialsPage Count: 398 pagesPublication Date: March 1, 2024
It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.
Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained Devil Marks trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.
To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.
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To Rescue a Witch by Lisa Traugott
Published: 4 March 2024
Publisher: Rose Castle Media
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 357
Available: paperback, ebook
Violence: 😱😱😱 somewhatgraphic
Sex: 💔 not graphic
Warning: child sexual abuse, child abuse
The Short Story: 18th centurytale of survival, intrigue, deception and forgiveness
William MacLeod must leave his wife Fionaand family and sail to Virginia in search of another man’s mistress and theirchild. What and who he finds changes the course of his life forever.
Told in four points of view, the storyshifts from William, Fiona, his wife, Lady Margaret Hallewell, his employer’s wife,and the child Annaliese. Annaliese, age nine, and her younger brother live withher abusive stepfather, her mother having died some years earlier. It’s abrutal life, full of the horrors no child should suffer. Her story is not easyto read; Annaliese is physically abused, tortured and sexually abused.
William arrives and takes charge of thisall but feral child and return her to her father. Their voyage to England is a trial of endurance for both,but they forge a strong bond, one that is tested when Annelise is charged withwitchcraft. More trouble awaits them in England and Lady Margaret Hallewell isdetermined to destroy William and his wife. Lots of plotting and intrigue await the reader!
There is a lot to like about this book. Iloved the historical setting which hops between England, Scotland and Virginia. Anything set in the American Colonies is a plusfor me. I really enjoyed the descriptions of witchcraft as practiced by Fiona, which is more akin to the spells and charms of the cunning folk, not the scary spell kind of witch.Lady Margaret is as bad an apple as they get; evil comes in many forms, evendressed in red silk gowns.
The book is well paced and the plot keeps the reader engaged. I was not sure how it was going to end but there is a nice resolution and just deserts are handed out as warranted. I would caution readers who might bedisturbed by the level of violence and the child abuse content.
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Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist and spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.Website ◆ Blog ◆ Facebook ◆ Amazon
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March 21, 2024
Book Blitz! Frowns and Gowns by Amanda Thrasher
FROWNS AND GOWNS
The Mischief Series, Book 5
By AMANDA M. THRASHER
Children’s Chapter Book / Fantasy / FairiesPublisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix PressPage Count: 236Publication Date: September 12, 2023
Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!
Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster! Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.
Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they'll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss out on this enchanting tale!
CLICK TO PURCHASE: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press Amazon │ Apple iBooks │B&N
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Award-winning author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England and moved to Texas, where she lives with her family. She writes YA, general fiction, middle grade, early reader chapter, and picture books. She is the founder and CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.WEBSITE ◆ GOODREADS ◆ INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK ◆ AMAZON ◆ X/TWITTER
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