I abandoned this with only a quarter left to go. It just petered out for me. There's nothing funny about the Blitz, but I guess I expected a more humoI abandoned this with only a quarter left to go. It just petered out for me. There's nothing funny about the Blitz, but I guess I expected a more humorous POV from a dog. Take, for example, the Diane Kelly series, sometimes told from the dog's perspective, or the Chet and Bernie mysteries.
Bertie's POV is just like a human's but with a bit less understanding of some things and what they are. Also, perhaps the dog POV is better for shorter tales, as from this little guy's perspective, we fail to really get to know what's going on with the humans. And there were a lot of humans and even though they popped up often in the story, I completely got lost as to how they were all related.
And though I think this is a great idea, the story also just wandered with no real purpose/destination. Bertie just lives through the war, witnessing engagements, black market deals, children leaving, etc....more
I think this would be a fabulous tale, if it were butchered a bit. It's just too long and drawn out with too much detail. Otherwise, the idea of womanI think this would be a fabulous tale, if it were butchered a bit. It's just too long and drawn out with too much detail. Otherwise, the idea of woman taking up brewing and competing against a ruthless abbot determined to put her out of business...is wonderful stuff. I had no idea brewing was cutthroat, nor did I realize hops was so strange an idea at one time aka beer. But this has began to feel like the never-ending story. Never-ending stories with too much detail just can't hold me....more
A decent read. Sometimes I like a quickie, something I can read in an hour, a break from that longer book that is taking a week.
What I appreciate the A decent read. Sometimes I like a quickie, something I can read in an hour, a break from that longer book that is taking a week.
What I appreciate the most about this story is the look at flight operations during WWII. I'm just assuming the author did her research--even though I've never heard of a yoke called a wheel. Regardless, it's kinda neat to see what all could go wrong in the days before computers. Trying to safely get planes in the air in a timely manner during a war is no easy task. I also liked that we have a female control tower operator. Like I said, NOT an easy job.
Also appreciated the moral: It's better to have some happy memories, to have loved and lost, than to have nothing at all.
I felt the romance was awful quick and it didn't wow me. I got that they knew each other from before but it's not like that went well. But I expected that with the word count being what it is and I didn't pick it up for romance/sex anyway, but the war-time story.
It's well-written and edited as well. I believe there were only two typos in the entire tale. I've grown weary of small-press books and normally expect a hot mess, but this did not have those issues.
I'm not fond of Lady Mary. I think she's uptight and makes choices for the wrong reasons, but that doesn't deter me from watching and thoroughly enjoyI'm not fond of Lady Mary. I think she's uptight and makes choices for the wrong reasons, but that doesn't deter me from watching and thoroughly enjoying Downton Abbey. Just like my unsure feelings of this heroine, Daisy, didn't deter me from enjoying this novel.
It's the eve of WWI and Daisy, the daughter of wealthy parents fallen on hard times, is trying to decide just who she is. The world is changing. She must change with it.
There's only one servant throughout the story, really, so the novel is missing that strong DA feel as far as mingling with the hired help and there were no side dramas with them we could get really lost in. No Bates in jail, no Anna being raped, no housekeeper with breast cancer.
The one girl, Ruby, does get into some trouble though, the kind you'd expect back then. I won't get into it.
Ruby and Daisy also develop a friendship that starts in their suffragette days. And here is one of my big disappointments: the blurb promised me a suffragette or at least made me feel I would get some suffragette story. It's only in the beginning of the story and is such a small amount, it doesn't feel worth mentioning. I feel a bit ripped off in that aspect.
I liked Daisy sometimes, and others she just plain confused me. Perhaps that's supposed to be, as she seems confused by herself and her feelings as well. What is this strong attraction she feels to a cad? Does she believe in dividing the social classes? She says no, but her actions and snootiness often say yes.
She's afraid of the sight of blood, yet joins the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. She passes out in the butcher shop, yet assists a girl having a stillbirth with no trouble. Um...you see my point? She confuses me.
Disappointment number two: I did not know about the FANYs and was excited that this novel brought them up. It was an all-female unit that participated in intelligence work and nursing during WWI. During the war, they drove ambulances and ran hospitals and clearing stations. I guess they were somewhat like our Red Cross.
I had hoped the book would get into this further, that we'd have actual scenes of this part of Daisy's life, but instead, the novel glosses over these bits quickly, tells in about four pages that she did this and that, readied a hospital, tended the wounded, wrote letters, remained unscathed after everyone around her contracted dysentery, drove an ambulance, etc. There was so much that could have been a story on its own, but instead the author chose to focus the actual scenes on Daisy's imagined romance with a cad, her maid's stupidity, and Daisy's engagement to her childhood friend. The FANY stuff was just told to us as quickly as possible.
This novel somewhat reminds me of those British television dramas I’m so fond of. Lots of drama. It’s a good story full of (mostly) good people, peoplThis novel somewhat reminds me of those British television dramas I’m so fond of. Lots of drama. It’s a good story full of (mostly) good people, people you come to care about as the story continues. The problem for me is it’s awful long and it’s nothing but drama and everyday life. Every story should have some of that, but I like a little something more in my books. I like to walk away with a good laugh or some new bit of knowledge. Though the story takes place during the war and the heroine works in a factory, there’s not a whole lot of detail about that stuff. Next to none, to be honest. Oh, they sit in shelters and they have rationing coupons, but I’m especially disappointed in the lack of factory life as that bit is what drew me to this story to begin with.
This is part of a series, but except for some references to Rosie and her problems, I never felt I was lost.
It’s a tad predictable. That has to be the second biggest downside, but it’s enjoyable enough that that’s not overly bothersome.
I was very easily able to get “lost” in the tale for four days. The heroines are Ruby and Peggy. Ruby is young and at first, I thought, “Oh no…a woman who lets herself get smacked around..ugh.” But she finds her backbone and then some. I think my favorite scene is when she stands up to Doris, but I digress. I appreciate Ruby’s story—battered wife trying to make it on her own, growing braver with each day, taking risks by up and moving from all she’s known and finding a job and a new home and opening up to people. Peggy is a strong older lady whose husband is off to war and has her own battles as her health declines and her home is bombed…but nothing…and I mean nothing stops this incredible woman from opening her home and her heart to other people, especially young girls in trouble, like Ruby.
Peggy is a fabulous role model.
We get brief looks at the other girls, such as Rita, who rides a motorbike and works as a firegirl, but you have to read their books to get their stories. This just offers teasers of sorts.
The third installment in the "what-if" series about the real Anne Boleyn's imaginary son shocked the bejesus out of me.
I enjoyed the first two, The BoThe third installment in the "what-if" series about the real Anne Boleyn's imaginary son shocked the bejesus out of me.
I enjoyed the first two, The Boleyn King and The Boleyn Deceit. I loved how there was a murder mystery in the middle of everything and became so immersed in the characters' lives and loves, I was very excited to read this.
I def didn't enjoy this much as the other two though. First of all, there's no real mystery, not like there was in the previous two, and second, this story, the last half anyway, was just full of incredible hate, evil, and brutality. It just became something ugly after the 50% point.
The writing is fabulous; I just don't care for where the author took this trilogy. There also wasn't enough Elizabeth and I grew so very, very frustrated with Min and Dominic and their incredibly stupid decisions. I kept screaming at my Kindle, "Don't admit it! What's one more lie after all this time? You're stupid! Quit hiding this or that, stop trying to please him, to hell with honor. Fight for what you want!" I hated Min this time and thought her tiptoeing around William and all this "I'm torn between two men" crap had just gone on long enough. What she does in the end...ugh. Hell no. Made me want to vomit. Was she just looking for excuse to go from one bed to the other? 'Cause she did herself and Dom no favors.
The fact I was so angry goes to show just how immersed I was though, so in a way, my extreme frustration with the characters is a compliment to the author. She writes a darn good yarn that really sucks you in. As I said above, I just hated how very ugly this got, mostly on William's part and yet a part of me couldn't blame him.
This story is infuriating. Imagine being married to a man who not only takes a lover under your nose, but also flaunts it in front of the entire courtThis story is infuriating. Imagine being married to a man who not only takes a lover under your nose, but also flaunts it in front of the entire court? Imagine being a queen only to watch another advise your husband and king, gather all the riches, lands, and titles for himself while spreading lies about you. Imagine watching your husband think with the wrong head not once, but twice, each time causing civil war in the nation. And yet you stand there and constantly try to placate the nobles, write letters asking for aide for your wayward, thoughtless husband, deny your own happiness...
This is my second novel about Isabella, the French princess turned English queen of the homosexual Edward. In the first one, I read, The She-Wolf by Pamela Bennetts, she was portrayed as a bitch, a woman who used her own son to attain her own goals.
I became quite engrossed in this version of Isabella and her tumultuous marriage. I could relate to her a lot better than I could Bennetts' version. I could feel empathy and frustration for her; wanted to pull my hair out at times. I like that for once, this queen is portrayed in a manner that doesn't scream "manipulative, evil beeyotch". Instead, the author has showed us how she was treated, how she tried to be a good wife and queen, how out-of-her-control it all was. When she finally takes revenge, it's a long time coming. I mean, seriously, just how much can one woman take? Frankly, I thought it took her too long.
This novel made me see not a she-wolf, but a woman trying to take back what should have been rightfully hers all along. As the front cover says, she was taught to obey, but it's time to rebel. After all she'd been through, I was thrilled when she finally stands for herself.
Something I prefer about this story over She-Wolf is that it takes us through the Gaveston drama, not just Despenser.
I do have some quibbles and most are editorial. I became confused at times about who was good and who was bad. Take "Burstbelly" for example. Was he with them or against them? It seemed to change every time he was mentioned and I don't think the man was switching sides.
"Burstbelly died two nights ago, in Halborn....He was the last one who stood for me against the barons."
And just a few pages before it had said, "Edward summons a Parliament but Lancaster and Burstbelly--she smiles at Gaveston's description--and the other magnates refuse to attend because Gaveston is there.
So...I became a tad confused. But maybe it's just me.
I also grew tired of Isabella reminding us at the end of what seemed every other chapter that she was going to make Edward love and adore her one day, that one day she will have his heart, yada yada. That and the "I'm the daughter of the king of France" became repetitive.
The late-blooming romance with Mortimoor is weird. It's like a love/hate thing and I didn't get it.
There are some editing errors, some minor typos, some doors that open despite the fact they are locked, etc, and I noticed the errors increased in the last half of the story. At that point, even the dead come alive again--Pembroke appears speaking twice after his death and her father is mentioned as well as though he still alive. The present-tense narrative is a bit jarring at first and at times it suddenly becomes first person and my version didn't have italics, making me do a double-take sometimes. Also, I hate this new trend of not putting commas before a person's name when the speaker is addressing him. I get it's a new way, but I hate it. Loathe it. In my day, when you spoke to someone, it was, "It's not what you think, Isabella," not "It's not what you think Isabella."
I've yet to be disappointed with a Jojo Moyes book and this is my third. Her books take me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I become so invested iI've yet to be disappointed with a Jojo Moyes book and this is my third. Her books take me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I become so invested in the characters, I laugh with them, I cry for them. I especially love the situations her characters face, that have you constantly questioning..."What would I do?"
Would you betray your husband to save his life? Would you do your job at the risk of hurting others?
This story also made me think about how...what looks good and right on paper may not be the right thing. In the case of the painting...should the artists's descendants have it simply because it's their "family right" or should a woman who understands the woman within the canvas be allowed to keep it?
There's two stories going on here. One is Sophie in WWI, France. Her home has been taken over by the Germans. She's forced to cook for them. She misses her husband, an artist, desperately....and will do just about anything to save him. Through her we see a town under German occupation as they watch their village taken over, their homes destroyed, their items stolen, as they try to survive on rations and also, sadly, spew hatred and venom at each other.
The modern-day story is Olivia as she deals constantly with grief. She's a widow. She has a painting...that someone else wants and through a sick twist of fate, she and her new lover end up on opposing sides...
The character list is extensive yet you feel like you grow to know each and every one. Each person mentioned has an impact. I especially enjoyed Olivia's roommate. She's the kinda gal I wouldn't mind having around. In a story full of heart ache and turmoil, she provided the laughs.
"I'll be back at three o'clock and I'll call in sick to the restaurant and we can swear a lot and think up medieval punishments for f*ckwit men who blow hot and cold. I've got some modeling clay upstairs that I use for voodoo dolls. Can you get some cocktail sticks ready? Or some skewers? I'm all out."
This is probably my favorite historical series featuring an amazingly strong heroine. Dody not only is a doctor at a women’s clinic, but also works wiThis is probably my favorite historical series featuring an amazingly strong heroine. Dody not only is a doctor at a women’s clinic, but also works with the coroner, and this occurs in a time when this was just not acceptable by society’s standards, Victorian England.
Book two has a new mystery and this time it includes a personal and professional attack on Dody herself. Lead poisoning, arsenic, illegal drugs, women dying from illegal abortions, and a big arrow in the form of accusatory letters and pointing fingers and paid-off lying witnesses says Dody is the culprit. If she doesn’t find the one behind these horrid activities, she’ll go down for the crime. It’s not only the end of her career, which was hard to start in the first place due to prejudices against women, but she’ll be in jail.
The romance between her and Pike continues, but is shaky. There’s a side story involving Pike and Mata Hari and spies. This has to be my only disappointment with the story. I feel so much more could have been done with a character such as Mata Hari. Part of me feels as if I’ve been teased.
I appreciate all the themes in this, skillfully and artfully entwined with the mystery. Remember, this was a time when a woman could not have a career and a marriage both. Marriage often meant job loss. What is a woman to do when she is offered something she desires, yet knows it will mean the end to all she’s worked for? As in book one, Dody faces a lot of extreme prejudice and I felt her frustration and moments of indecision. When is enough enough? To speak her mind usually leads to a man declaring her too emotional. Urgh. I wanted to jump in the book and smack a few people.
Also appreciated the birth control theme and Dody’s desire to educate the classes on pregnancy prevention. This was a hot topic back then and it made an interesting side story.
First of all, I have not read the first two books, but the blurb (on netgalley) promised this book could stand alone. I began to follow Michelle DieneFirst of all, I have not read the first two books, but the blurb (on netgalley) promised this book could stand alone. I began to follow Michelle Diener after reading her Daughter of the Sky. I'm very impressed with her writing and her "voice". I like her heroines too.
But I was confused while reading this book and I have to disagree with the blurb. It's best to read the first two. I don't feel this stood alone well and I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I known who everyone was. The back story was not included, really. Usually, sequels include enough of the history of the series' characters to acquaint new readers. I was just suddenly introduced a lot of people. I didn't know their ages, what they looked like, why this lady had a bunch of boys following her around.
That being said, I did, despite all that, find it a pleasant read when I wasn't confused. It's Henry VIII's court and a young woman painter is suddenly accused of treason for the silliest of reasons...well, what we would consider silly NOW, but back then even looking at the king funny could get your head chopped off... She's thrown in the tower and her betrothed sweats bullets--and us with him--as he tries to keep her from being tortured and gain a pardon from the king.
It's rather intense. You never know what's going to happen next, who is going to show up to take her away, or when, and what they're going to do. The heroine is calm and maintains her wits. I liked her and I will read the first two of this series eventually. And that's a compliment from me.. See, these books never got put on my TBR because I saw the words Tudor court and I was Tudor'd out, but Michelle Diener is such an excellent writer that now I do want to read them.
This has to be my favorite Diener book and it's the third one I've read. I still have more to go...and I sincerely hope there is a sequel to this, perThis has to be my favorite Diener book and it's the third one I've read. I still have more to go...and I sincerely hope there is a sequel to this, perhaps a series. I sense Duke Wittaker may have a story. What an intriguing man.
But...let's talk about this one. I love the heroine. She doesn't crumble to pieces after witnessing her father's murder. No... Instead, she takes top-secret correspondence and attempts to find the man she needs to deliver it to, all the while posing as a chef, fighting with a pompous butler, falling for the lord of the house, and trying to keep an eye on her former home to find "the shadow" who killed him.
OH--and did I mention she demanded wages equal to a man's? LOVE it!
The story reads very much as a cat-and-mouse thing, as she is constantly running from the bad guys and scampering here and there to find answers, always with someone on her tail...but it's suspenseful with the most intriguing cast of characters from the nearly starving Mavis to the maid that looks like a viking to the whores she meets up with in prison. There's never a dull moment.
I'd like to add that a woman saves the day. *smirks*
The writing is fabulous, not overwordy or hard to follow. Though there's a large cast of characters, the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed with them. That's hard to do. I am left with some questions. How did she collect her stuff before heading to her cooking position? What became of the butler? But I must say, I loved getting lost in this story.
The romance is slow--which is should be. I get tired of these insta-love stories. This was a refreshing change, and I adored the hero, something else that was well done. No alpha male/jackass.
I bailed at 72%. I just really hated this book and its heroines. I will give it points for keeping me intrigued. After all, I kept plunging along evenI bailed at 72%. I just really hated this book and its heroines. I will give it points for keeping me intrigued. After all, I kept plunging along even though I disliked its heroines. I kept thinking, "Well, I want to know what happened" even after I figured out who the mysterious Pickle lady was. It was so obvious.
But the heroines just totally suck. While I don't expect them to be perfect..they must have flaws as we all do, can they possibly be more unlikable and STUPID?
The modern-day girl--she constantly wants to remind us she "gave up her life" to care for an old lady. What does she want, a medal? She likes one guy but beds another. She can't wait for the old lady to die but then just sells the stuff she looked forward to acquiring. And the Soho bit...why the obsession with living in a place that is a "kingdom of sirens and neon and filth and chaos and double yellow lines as far as the eye could see"?
To say I don't get her or like her is an understatement. And the past story... The heroine is likable until she lets a man destroy her life. She is so weak it's disgusting. I hate women who allow themselves to be victims, who don't fight back. I wanted to throw up. And the romance was so dry... I failed to FEEL the love they supposedly had. Granted, he speaks politely to her and says things like "violent urge" but it's so dry and his character is so flat when it should be passionate and the romance totally misses the mark.
Just a total miss for me, but I dedicated four days to it so I'm posting my two cents. I hated it....more
I like "what if" books. This is a "what if Anne Boleyn's head had never been cut off and the son she miscarried still lived" what if book.
Having swornI like "what if" books. This is a "what if Anne Boleyn's head had never been cut off and the son she miscarried still lived" what if book.
Having sworn off anything Tudor, I surprised myself by being drawn to this...and I liked it!
But I have one complaint right off the bat. It ends on a cliffhanger!!!! One conspiracy reveals another, one love affair begins...and the story ends, leaving us waiting for...a year? If the next book was already available, this wouldn't bother me so much, but I fear by the time book two comes out (I'm certainly hoping there's a book two) I may have forgotten the intricacies of this one.
Or maybe not. I probably won't remember all the treaty and war details and the Howards were sure hard to remember. I kept getting confused with what Howard had done what. But the love between Minuette and Dominic...the love William feels for her...and the hints at passion between Elizabeth and Robert...I won't forget those. They just really come off the page.
The novel is a young king William trying to ensure his throne against his very Catholic "Bloody Mary" sister. Elizabeth Tudor is in the background, and I love how likable this author portrayed her. Almost all books about Elizabeth Tudor paint her a snotty, jealous, evil b*tch. This was a nice change.
A good yarn and a fascinating look at life in England in a time when things began to change...social classes, positions, servants' rights...all becausA good yarn and a fascinating look at life in England in a time when things began to change...social classes, positions, servants' rights...all because of plague and fire. There was also Quakers and I found this an intriguing look at how the law operated then.
The story is a murder mystery really, though, at its heart, all told from the POV of a serving girl Lucy. Women all around are being murdered in fields. Stories and penny books claim each was a servant, lustful, wanton, giving their good away to men who discard them...partly true, but could all of them be related?
Really liked the heroine. She was spunky, yet respectful. She helps her brother, vows to get to the truth of the murders, asks questions, goes "undercover", helps when the plague hits, and has an overall charm that is most appealing.
This was the perfect romance. I was real impressed. And it's short so it made it all the sweeter... I think it takes more talent to make a couple's loThis was the perfect romance. I was real impressed. And it's short so it made it all the sweeter... I think it takes more talent to make a couple's love fly off the page and immerse a reader in 10k or less than a 600 page saga. Ill be seeking more historical fiction from this author.
Madame M is a mysterious courtesan... she strips slowly for an audience every night, but word is she's a lady and her first night as a courtesan will go the highest bidder. "Every nobleman in London fears that she might be of his household. They keep their wives and daughters safely at home under lock and key for fear that one of them in the masked lady..."
Truth is: she's widowed and the lawyers and whatnot took all she owned. She destitute and has no choice in order to feed her son.
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