Bethany Swafford's Blog, page 20

A Rebel Heart

[image error]

A Rebel Heart (Daughtry House #1)

by Beth White

Edition: ARC, paperback, 2018

Synopsis: Five years after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster cousin fed and clothed. With their family’s Mississippi plantation swamped by debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be giving up their ancestral land.

Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he’ll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel. With Selah otherwise engaged with renovations, Levi moves onto the property to “supervise” while he actually attends to his real assignment right under her nose.

Selah isn’t sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she’d do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.

Selah Daughtry is determined to save her family home, though debt makes it difficult to live from day to day. When Levi Riggins unexpectedly enters her life, she must make the necessary sacrifices for her sisters’ futures, and risks her heart in the process.

This is set in a touchy time in American history. Tensions in the south were high, and prejudice against the war victors was rampant. Ms. White strikes the perfect balance in Selah’s character. Selah has her own scares from the war, and they shape how she approaches life, but she doesn’t let them rule her when she looks at things logically.

Levi Riggins is an excellent counterpoint to Selah. He is burdened with secrets his job demands of him, and when the consequences of his decisions comes his way, he doesn’t shy away from them.

The plot moves at a good pace, keeping the reader engaged. It also sets up for further books in the series, and I am eager to read about the other Daughtry sisters.

For fans of post-Civil war era novels, this is a clean and excellent choice.

Murder in the Oval Library

[image error]

Murder in the Oval Library

by C. M. Gleason

Edition: ARC, 2018

Synopsis: April 13, 1861: Rebel troops are across the Potomac River, only 800 feet from the White House and President Lincoln—but a murderer is even closer . . .

With the Confederate Army firing on Fort Sumter, the Civil War has begun—and an invasion of Washington, DC, from Secessionist Virginia seems imminent. As the population evacuates, the President is in desperate need of men to defend the capital.

Lincoln’s trusted aide, Adam Speed Quinn, and Quinn’s old friend from the Bloody Kansas conflict, Senator Jim Lane, hastily assemble a motley crew of just over a hundred men and garrison them in the East Room at the White House itself. Dubbed the Frontier Guard, these rough-and-tumble patriots steel themselves for the inevitable attack. 

But even as dawn breaks with no Rebel strike, a single act of violence intrudes within the White House. One of the Frontier Guard lies dead in the oval library, throat slit ear to ear. There is a murderer among them.

Lincoln promptly assigns Quinn to deal with the matter, who is in turn aided by journalist Sophie Gates and Dr. George Hilton. And to Quinn’s chagrin, the Southern belle Constance Lemagne insists on being involved in the investigation as well. But when Dr. Hilton examines the body, he makes a startling discovery that overturns all Quinn’s assumptions about the murder. With his president at grave risk from without and within, Quinn must act quickly to catch the White House killer . . .

War has been declared. As tensions grow, Adam Quinn is tasked with solving yet another murder on top of protecting Mr. Lincoln. With help from old friends and new, he learns just how close danger can lurk.

This is an excellent follow-up to the first book. Familiar characters return to help Adam follow the clues to the killer. Sophie Gates, a woman journalist, and Dr. George Hilton are among his chief allies to solving the crime. Dr. Hilton is without a doubt one of my favorite characters from these books.

There continues to be a slight triangle of attraction between Adam, Sophie, and Southern belle, Constance Lemange, who is doing her best to help the Confederate cause from Washington DC. This is my least favorite part of this book.

Overall, the plot is well balanced, keeping the tension high with the city under threat and a killer on the loose. Historical figures are woven in expertly, and are presented as they might have been.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a historical mystery.

The Weaver’s Daughter

[image error]

The Weaver’s Daughter

by Sarah E. Ladd

Edition: paperback, 2018

Synopsis: Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past. Henry’s loyalties compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder –including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, the heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war seeking refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s goals to modernize his family’s wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls – even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

Kate’s family clings to the way things have always been done, and this creates tension as others in the community look to the future. Henry is haunted by the war as he seeks to protect his employees and his mills from those opposed to progress.

As with other books by this author, these characters are portrayed so true to life. Kate’s feelings of being torn between her father, her brother, and then Henry, are easy to understand. Though at first, she distrusts Henry’s actions, she allows her opinion change by the evidence she sees.

The plot is well paced, and the details of this troubled time are expertly portrayed. I hope to read more of characters set in this community.

Rejected Princesses: Tales of History’s Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics

[image error]

Rejected Princesses

by Jason Porath

Edition: 2016, Hardcover

Synopsis: Blending the iconoclastic feminism of The Notorious RBG and the confident irreverence of Go the F**ck to Sleep, a brazen and empowering illustrated collection that celebrates inspirational badass women throughout history, based on the popular Tumblr blog.

Well-behaved women seldom make history. Good thing these women are far from well behaved . . .

Illustrated in a contemporary animation style, Rejected Princesses turns the ubiquitous “pretty pink princess” stereotype portrayed in movies, and on endless toys, books, and tutus on its head, paying homage instead to an awesome collection of strong, fierce, and yes, sometimes weird, women: warrior queens, soldiers, villains, spies, revolutionaries, and more who refused to behave and meekly accept their place.

An entertaining mix of biography, imagery, and humor written in a fresh, young, and riotous voice, this thoroughly researched exploration salutes these awesome women drawn from both historical and fantastical realms, including real life, literature, mythology, and folklore. Each profile features an eye-catching image of both heroic and villainous women in command from across history and around the world, from a princess-cum-pirate in fifth century Denmark, to a rebel preacher in 1630s Boston, to a bloodthirsty Hungarian countess, and a former prostitute who commanded a fleet of more than 70,000 men on China’s seas.

History is filled with women who broke the norm for what was expected for them. Here are a hundred examples of histories most infamous and interesting women.

I first encountered Mr. Porath’s work online. I enjoyed the illustrations that accompanied each narrative just as much as I enjoyed learning about women who are not usually talked about in history. Once I had gone through the numerous entries on his site, I requested a copy from the library.

Each story is briefly set out with what each woman accomplished, or tried to accomplish in her lifetime. Some entries are myths and legends from other cultures, and just as fascinating as the real life ladies who take a bow in the book.

Overall, I found Mr. Porath’s book highly entertaining and I look forward to reading the second book!

The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark

[image error]

The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark

by Meryl Gordon

Edition: 2014, Hardcover

Synopsis: Born in 1906, Huguette Clark grew up in her family’s 121-room Beaux Arts mansion in New York and was one of the leading celebrities of her day. Her father, William Andrews Clark, was a copper magnate, the second richest man in America, and not above bribing his way into the Senate.



Huguette attended the coronation of King George V. And at twenty-two, with a personal fortune of $50 million to her name, she married a Princeton man and childhood friend, William MacDonald Gower. Two years later the couple divorced. After a series of failed romances, Huguette began to withdraw from society–first living with her mother in a kind of Grey Gardens isolation then as a modern-day Miss Havisham, spending her days in a vast apartment overlooking Central Park, eating crackers and watching The Flintstones with only servants for company.



All her money and all her real estate could not protect her in her later life from being manipulated by shady hangers-on and hospitals that were only too happy to admit (and bill) a healthy woman. But what happened to Huguette that turned a vivacious young socialite into a recluse? And what was her life like inside that gilded, copper cage?

The youngest child of a copper baron and heiress to a massive fortune, Huguette Clark went through life on her own terms. What prompted her to withdraw from life and be a recluse?

When I finished reading this book, all I could think was “That poor woman.” Her own father warned her that no one would love her for herself, but for her money. However, it was fairly obvious she would not have wanted pity. She was living as she wanted to live, even if it wasn’t normal for everyone else.

It was difficult to read about the complicated relationship Huguette had with her caretakers. Were they taking advantage of her? So the evidence would suggest. However, did they care for Huguette as she wanted to be cared for? Yes, so what right would I have to fault any of it?

On the other hand, the relatives who battled her will. Did they have good intentions? They would claim so, that they wanted to know an elderly relative who had no wish for such close contact. To disrespect an old woman’s wishes (claiming she was not in her right mind) did not put me in charity with them either.

This was a great read and one I would recommend to readers who enjoy biographies.

Murder at Ochre Court (Gilded Newport Mysteries #6)

[image error]

Murder at Ochre Court

by Alyssa Maxwell

Edition: 2018, ARC

Synopsis: In the summer of 1898, reporter Emma Cross investigates a shocking death among the bright lights of Newport’s high society . . .

After a disappointing year as a society columnist for the Herald and staying with her more well-heeled Vanderbilt relatives in New York City, Emma has returned to the salty air, glittering ocean vistas, and grand stately mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, more determined than ever to report on hard news.

But for now she’s covering the social event of the season at Ochre Court, a coming-out ball designed to showcase Cleo Cooper-Smith, who will be literally on display, fittingly as Cleopatra, in an elaborate tableau vivant. Recently installed modern electricity will allow Miss Cooper-Smith to truly shine. But as the deb ascends to her place of honor, the ballroom is plunged into darkness. When the lights come back on, Cleo sits still on her throne, electrocuted to death.

Quickly establishing that the wiring was tampered with, Emma now has a murder to investigate. And the array of eligible suspects could fill another ballroom–from a shady New York real estate developer to a neglected sister and the mother of a spurned suitor. As Emma begins to discover this crime has unseen connections to a nefarious network, she puts her own life at risk to shine a light on the dark motives behind a merciless murder.

Miss Emmaline Cross returns to her beloved Newport home to write one last society piece for New York City newspaper she thought would take her seriously. When the belle of the ball dies from electrocution, it falls to Emma to sift through the society web of lies to get to the truth of the matter.

How I do love this Gilded Mystery series! The glimpse into what it may have been like to enter one of those grand mansions in the height of there glory is one of the best parts. Of course, the characters who bring us this look are engaging in their own way.

Emma has been stuck between two men for several books, and she finally comes to a decision that is best for her. She doesn’t cave to pressure or allow herself to be threatened into making choices she doesn’t want to make. She has her staff to support whatever she does, and she uses her wit to carry the day.

For fans of historical mysteries, you won’t go wrong with this one.

I received a free copy from Netgalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

Hell’s Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men

[image error]

Hell’s Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men

by Harold Schechter

Edition: 2018, hardcover

Synopsis: In the pantheon of serial killers, Belle Gunness stands alone. She was the rarest of female psychopaths, a woman who engaged in wholesale slaughter, partly out of greed but mostly for the sheer joy of it. Between 1902 and 1908, she lured a succession of unsuspecting victims to her Indiana “murder farm.” Some were hired hands. Others were well-to-do bachelors. All of them vanished without a trace. When their bodies were dug up, they hadn’t merely been poisoned, like victims of other female killers. They’d been butchered.

Hell’s Princess is a riveting account of one of the most sensational killing sprees in the annals of American crime: the shocking series of murders committed by the woman who came to be known as Lady Bluebeard. The only definitive book on this notorious case and the first to reveal previously unknown information about its subject, Harold Schechter’s gripping, suspenseful narrative has all the elements of a classic mystery—and all the gruesome twists of a nightmare.

This is not a book for the faint of heart or those who cannot stomach descriptions of murders.

1908, Indiana. The home of widow Belle Gunness burns to the ground. The initial shock at the death of the widow and her children shifts to horror as evidence of Mrs. Gunness’ six-year butchery comes to light.

I’d heard of Belle Gunness before thanks to a morbid fascination with criminals of the past. Before I picked up this book, I knew only the barest facts of her infamy: she’d been a serial killer, there was an unanswered question about her survival past 1908, and the main site of her acts took place in the same state where I live. I had no idea just how brutal the murders were.

The author does an excellent job laying out the details as they are known. He starts from the time she immigrates to America, following her to her first husband and then to her second. Once the fire occurred, and the true scope of how far Belle Gunness went for money was made clear, I was astonished no one caught on until it was too late.

The descriptions of the time and some words that are offensive today come from the sources of the time. There is an extensive bibliography in the back, supporting every description used. The only truly disappointing thing about this was no clear answer to what happened to Belle Gunness.

Some mysteries will always go unsolved.

An Author’s Random Musing: Social Media

[image error]

Since becoming a published author, there is one thing I have struggled with more than anything else:

Social media.

I made an account on Facebook because that was apparently the only place my publisher would share any news. Once there, I was inundated with advice to create a Facebook author page. After all, how else were readers going to find me?

For someone as introverted as myself, who would very much like to live on top of a mountain away from people, the idea of sharing my personal life was frankly one of the most terrifying things. Who would be interested in what I was doing? Couldn’t someone enjoy my writing without needing to know details of my life?

I maintained that author page for over a year and in that time, only two people who were readers every showed up. Every other follow was from fellow authors who liked my page because they wanted me to like theirs in return.

Still, I heard more and more that an author needed SOME kind of social media presence, if only for readers to find them. So, to Twitter I went, nevermind how many times in my life I mocked the idea of posting short messages for everyone to like.

Of the two, Twitter has been more enjoyable. I’ve learned not to be a promo happy Tweeter. I’ve learned the most about interacting with people on Twitter. I also have an author profile on Instagram, where I share book covers of books I recommend or reading memes.

Am I selling books because of being social? Definitely not. Have readers found me? I like to think so and in the end, that’s all that’s important to me.

Hidden Figures

[image error]

Hidden Figures

By Margot LeeShetterly

Edition: audiobook, 2016

Synopsis: Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians know as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women. Originally math teachers in the South’s segregated public schools, these gifted professionals answered Uncle Sam’s call during the labour shortages of World War II. With new jobs at the fascinating, high-energy world of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia, they finally had a shot at jobs that would push their skills to the limits. 

Even as Virginia’s Jim Crow laws required them to be segregated from their white counterparts, the women of Langley’s all-black “West Computing” group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Societ Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens.

Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, Hidden Figuresfollows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden – four African American women who participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. It chronicles their careers over nearly three decades as they faced challenges, forged alliances, and used their intellect to change their own lives, and their country’s future.

Ever since I first saw the film based on this book, I have wanted to know what was fact and fiction. Listening to the audiobook version was enlightening to say the least. The book sheds light on a multitude of African Amercian women who worked in the field of mathematics.

I’ll be the first to admit that math and science are not my favorite subjects. Still, I found the subject of this book gripping from start to finish.

For readers (or listeners) who are looking for a true to life, I would highly recommend this in any format.

The Girl in the Gatehouse

[image error]

The Girl in the Gatehouse

by Julie Klassen

Edition: ebook, 2010

Synopsis: Miss Mariah Aubrey, banished after a scandal, hides herself away in a long-abandoned gatehouse on the far edge of a distant relative’s estate. There, she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how–by writing novels in secret.

Captain Matthew Bryant, returning to England successful and wealthy after the Napoleonic wars, leases an impressive estate from a cash-poor nobleman, determined to show the society beauty who once rejected him what a colossal mistake she made. When he discovers an old gatehouse on the property, he is immediately intrigued by its striking young inhabitant and sets out to uncover her identity, and her past. But the more he learns about her, the more he realizes he must distance himself. Falling in love with an outcast would ruin his well-laid plans. 

The old gatehouse holds secrets of its own. Can Mariah and Captain Bryant uncover them before the cunning heir to the estate buries them forever?

Miss Aubrey resigns herself to a solitary life. After what she has endured, it is no less than she deserves. However, mystery after mystery creep up on her, and as her curiosity gets the better of her, she must also fight her growing feelings for one Captain Bryant.

This lovely Regency has undertones of several of Jane Austen’s works. Mariah has clearly disgraced herself, and the story is hinted at, teased at, throughout the story, until it is finally revealed. Mariah’s struggles with what she’d done, and her fight to build a new life, far removed from the one she’d known, made her a sympathetic character.

On the other hand, we have Captain Bryant, fresh from the seas and eager to prove that he was deserving of the woman who refused him years earlier. He slowly falls in love with Miss Aubrey, but fails to see it until it is almost too late.

The plot moves at a steady pace, though at times it seemed slow. The supporting characters were kept in their place and played their part to perfection.

Overall, I adore Julie Klassen’s work and I always look forward to picking up another of her books.