Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 40
April 30, 2018
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
Four Stars Run away to the circus. It is not an unheard of means of escaping reality. But, what if running away to the circus means hiding under the cover of the Big Top while WWII bombs burst overhead? The circus becomes a family for cast-offs through various circumstances, and none more so in Jenoff’s […]
April 28, 2018
Tall Chimneys by Allie Cresswell
Four Stars Here is a story nestled in a secluded moor where reality pays a visit but rarely stays for long. It’s a century’s trove of secrets and memories decaying and reborn. Just like Evelyn Talbot, you will never want to leave Tall Chimneys.
April 20, 2018
Just Keep Swimming…
I feel like I’m treading water with my novel. There are some transition sections that require drafting. It’s like swimming pool-laps while editing the drafted chapters and then finding myself in the middle of “What Happens Now?!” Ocean. So, instead I’m enjoying word-play while writing my poetry in the morning and afternoon between reading sessions, […]
The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Five Stars I loved the historical perspective about the Dutch art world in The Girls with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. The first-person narrative was especially effective in conveying the possible story behind Vermeer’s painting. Highly recommended!
April 19, 2018
The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie
Four Stars The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie tells a saga through the history of the Singer sewing machine to connect her characters. It is an intriguing, well-told, clean story that can be recommended to anyone. Another interesting fact about the book is that it is published by Unbound, “a crowdfunded publisher.” Check them out!
April 18, 2018
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Five Stars The Alice Network by Kate Quinn connects characters from both World Wars with historical integrity and fascinating fiction. This is a must-read for anyone interested in women’s roles during wartime and what they risked to save lives including their own.
April 17, 2018
The Key by Kathryn Hughs
Five Stars Finding the key is only the beginning to unlocking the compelling story of these in-depth characters. I can’t wait to read more of Hughs’ books!
April 13, 2018
The Girl in the Picture by Kerry Barret
Four Stars The Girl in the Picture by Kerry Barret tells the story of a present-day mystery writer moving to a small, England town only to discover an unsolved murder surrounding the family who lived in her house in 1855. Quite simply, this is a good, clean read. I finished the book in about two days, so […]
April 4, 2018
March 29, 2018
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Five Stars Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is the definition of an epic epoch. Not only is this book centered around a specific time period–The Middle Ages–during the building of the cathedrals in Europe, it is a stunning volume of intrigue, scandal, and history-based story-telling. Do not be discouraged by the almost 1,000 page length. This […]
