REVIEW - A Frozen River

OVERVIEW

This is the third novel that I have read by this author! I loved this book from the first chapter! It was so very interesting such an unusual time period!! I actually could not put it down - I started it last night and finished it this evening. Around 24 hours! That is definitely the sign of a GREAT book!

The story is about the real life of a midwife in the district of Maine (still part of Massachusetts then). It takes place during the winter of 1789-1790 when there is a murder in a small village along a river that leads to more crimes. The midwife was literate (thanks to her husband) and kept journals recording her daily life, births in the community, and other important information. She also was a secret-keeper and moved freely through the village so she was privy to much as she was regarded as a health care professional in the community. 

This novel is so good as it combines historical fiction with a mystery - a "who done it" while the village continues life pretty much as normal. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The writing was very well done. It was descriptive, yet very lovely. The author included excerpts from the midwife's journal which was a fascinating touch! The story was so interesting and a part of history that I knew nothing about at all. Now, I need to learn more about Martha Ballard and her life!!

Character development: 4.5 stars

This was totally normal historical fiction as there were a great deal of characters! It included the people of the village, the midwife's immediate family, and judicial characters not from the area. Yes, there were a lot of people to keep track of, but it was handled well. 

The main characters are husband and wife, Martha (midwife), Ephraim (mill owner), and their five children living at home. The marital relationship and the familial relationship are the foundation of the entire book. It was just lovely!

The secondary characters move the story along, but there were so many of them that we just couldn't get full character development from all of them. We did for some of them though!

The final and tertiary character is the Kennebuck River and Hallowell, Maine.

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The writing had me on the seat of my pants! There were several twists and turns that literally had me gasping out loud - it was so smart and interesting! It was a historical fiction mystery. Perfect fun!

The main locations were Hallowell, Maine, and Oxford, Massachusetts. 

Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars

It will stay for me forever! I loved learning about Martha Ballard and Hallowell, Maine!

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect with the red outfit against the grey and snowy background!

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Excellent!

Gut feeling: 3.0 stars

I figured that I would like this book as I have liked the other books by this author that I have read.

Suggestions: 

Maybe a cast of characters to keep everyone straight!

Definite RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 

432 pages 

Doubleday 

Release date of 11/14/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Ariel Lawhon

My Goodreads Review

Doubleday

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

 
 

My next read is...

 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - A Night at the Tropicana

OVERVIEW

This was a short story available as a First Reads selection from Amazon for September 2023. The storyline interested me as I don't know much about Cuba plus I had never read anything by this author.

A young woman, Natalie, meets a young man named, Antonio, at the opening of the Tropicana in Havana on the last night of her Cuban vacation.  

The story starts from there and continues to a lovely conclusion. Honestly, I think that this could be a stand-alone book as the characters and storyline are great!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

The author writes beautifully and descriptively. I enjoyed her descriptions of the environment and clothing to set up the storyline at the Tropicana!

Character development: 4.5 stars

This was not typical historical fiction as there were not a lot of characters. That was a nice change of pace.  

There are two main characters Natalie and Antonio. Natalie is from Miami, Florida on her last night of a Cuban vacation. Antonio is a Cuban native who attends the same Tropicana opening as Natalie. Fate intervenes. 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline is just lovely. I loved the timeframes and how the author weaves them together so seamlessly. 

The two locations were Havana, Cuba, and Miami, Florida, USA.

Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars

I enjoyed the story so that makes it memorable to me. I also want to learn more about Cuba and read more of the author's historical fiction novels. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

So very pretty and true to the story!

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Excellent!

Gut feeling: 3.0 stars

As I indicated earlier, I had never read any of this author's novels. I had no clue!!

Suggestions: 

Some pictures of the Tropicana would have been a lot of fun!

Definite RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton 

41 pages 

First Reads by Amazon 

Release date of 10/01/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Chanel Cleeton

My Goodreads review

Amazon Original Stories

First Reads by Amazon

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

 
 

My next book is...

A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

UPDATED; My next book is...

The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland

ETA: I decided not to read this book as it was too heavy for me right now. Plus, there were a lot of people wanting to read it at the LAPL. So it will go on my To-Be-Read List!!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - A Traitor in Whitehall

OVERVIEW

Wowza! I really, really was trying to avoid WWII books, but the premise of this book just interested me so much. It was about the Cabinet War Rooms (CWR) in London. I knew very little about the CWR, but I knew that Churchill took the government underground. So seeing the CWR is definitely on my bucket list.  

The story starts right as the London Blitz begins in September 1940. The main character, Evelyne, is recruited by a family friend to join a typing pool in the CWR in order to report to him about anything that is amiss. Well, within a few days, another woman, Jean, in the typing room is killed. The mystery is unpacked from there. 

The best part was the description of the CWR and how it all worked for the people who worked there during WWII. It was amazing how they all pulled together as a country to defeat Germany.

This is a wonderful and fun historical fiction mystery. It was great!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.5 stars

I have read several of Julia Kelly's historical fiction novels. But this is the next level. I loved the mystery combined with historical fiction plus all of the twists and turns had me guessing, incorrectly, until the very end!

The writing about the London Blitz and CWR was powerful. All of the folks involved with the lifesaving work during the London Blitz and CWR are heroes - they saved the world from a horrific fate. 

Oh, and I see this novel referred to with a subtitle as "The Parisian Orphan" at Goodreads. This information was briefly referenced in the storyline. I really hope that this becomes a long series as the characters are fascinating!

Character development: 4.5 stars

As a typical historical fiction novel and mystery, there are many characters! Especially with what the story is based on - the London Blitz and CWR affected a LOT of people!

There are two main characters Evelyne and David. Both work for the CWR and quickly become partners in solving the murder of Jean. They work together and separately to solve the murder and treason, but did they?? Yes, there are so many twists and turns until the final ending that is so well done!!

The secondary characters are the typing pool, the "bad guys", and Jean who indirectly haunts everyone from the grave. 

So, so good!

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline is about finding a traitorous mole and solving a murder! It was done so very well! The characters had two sides to their personality and details and clues slowly reveal themselves. But the hard part is knowing if the information revealed has to do with the murder and treason. 

The location was London. 

Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars

I knew very little about the London Blitz as it wasn't covered much in our history classes here in the United States. I also only knew about the CWR because friends visited them recently while on vacation in England. This was a huge turning point in world history and we all should know all about this time frame! All this is so fascinating and I need to learn more!!! 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

So very pretty!

Book title: 4.5 stars 

Completely on point.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

As I indicated earlier, I knew very little about the London Blitz and the CWR. So I wasn't sure if this novel would be for me!

Suggestions: 

A map of the areas mentioned in London would have been helpful for this American native.

Definite RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly 

288 pages 

NetGalley Kindle ARC 

Release date of 10/03/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Julia Kelly

My Goodreads review

Minotaur Books

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

 
 

My next read is...

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - The Other Princess

OVERVIEW

This was another fascinating historical fiction novel about a historical character that I knew nothing about - Aina Sarah Forbes Bonetta. She was an enslaved African princess by a ruthless African warlord who traded in slavery purely for money. Aina was rescued by an English Commander who convinced the warlord to make Aina a "gift" to Queen Victoria. 

The story then starts anew with her learning English, leaving Africa via ship, changing her name, and becoming an official ward and unofficial goddaughter of the Queen. The story is about her very interesting life interwoven with the forced conversion to Christianity in Africa, racism, and the horrors of colonialism. What was most interesting to me is that not much has changed in England, Africa, or the United States in the intervening 100 years.  

This is a powerful read about a fascinating woman who had a life well-lived.

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

Denny S. Bryce has an easy writing style and covers a lot of material and time in one book about Aina/Sarah. She is descriptive and kept me spellbound. I think that she is about to break out and become a GREAT writer of the next level like Alice Hoffman.

I look forward to her next book to see her writing develop and richen!! 

Character development: 4.5 stars

As this is a historical fiction novel, there are many characters! But the author handles it well so we understand the backstory of those that matter to the storyline only.  

There are two main characters Aina/Sarah and Queen Victoria. They are formidable adversaries as well as having a unique guardian/ward relationship. For much of the book, Sarah is not in close contact with Queen Victoria who makes major life decisions for her without any input. It is sad that Queen Victoria supported, educated, and took care of Sarah, but seemed to do it out of duty and a "white savior complex". This was the same attitude that the Queen had towards Africa and all of her colonies. It was extremely difficult to read and then fully understand the consequences of her actions and beliefs. 

The secondary characters are the royal family, the families that Sarah lived with in England, her African boarding school and schoolmates, and most importantly her family of origin in Africa. Yes, that is a lot of characters! 

Storyline:  4.5 stars

The storyline is about surviving pain and grief regardless of the twists and turns that life gives you. Sarah was a survivor who lived through slavery to become the ward of Queen Victoria. She had a full and fulfilling life which we learn about as the story progresses. 

The locations were Africa, England, Madeira, and the Atlantic Sea. 

Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars

This was a very difficult novel to read at times. The beginning was exceptionally horrific as it graphically describes the horrors and brutality of slavery. This will stay with me forever - slavery was never about "helping" people. It was to make money off of human beings regardless of what today's celebrities or politicians believe. It was and is pure evil! 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Beautiful!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Accurate and descriptive.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I had no idea if I would like this book - the author and the subject matter were completely unknown to me. I was so happy that it was an excellent novel!

Suggestions: 

A map of the areas where Sarah lived in Africa (and current place names) would be helpful.

Definite RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce 

488 pages 

NetGalley Kindle ARC 

Release date of 10/03/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Denny S Bryce

My Goodreads review

William Morrow

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

 

 

August 2023 Reading Wrap-Up

ETA: I found an error in the number of pages read. That's why this has popped up higher in the chronological feed.

Hi, everyone!!

Finally, we finished all twelve seasons of NYPD Blue!! Does anyone have any recommendations for another long binge-worthy series!?! 

Well, I have book recommendations and updates for you all. There are THREE more amazing 5.0-star books in August in the running for the best book of 2023!! They are A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power, The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman, and Evergreen (Japantown Mystery #2) by Naomi Hirahara!!

So now I have SIX books vying for the best book of 2023:

• The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende (May)
• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See (June)
• How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair (July)
•  A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power (August)
• The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman (August)
• Evergreen (Japantown Mystery #2) by Naomi Hirahara (August)

Four months in a row with VERY outstanding books!!! What will September bring for me? I hope MORE five-star books as six is not enough for 2023!!

 

STATISTICS:

8 total books; 7 e-books; 1 audiobook

2 books were an ARC (Advance Reader Copy)

6 books were library books; 5 e-books; 1 audiobook

Audio listening time in August: 7 hours, 5 minutes

Pages read in August:  2,020 pages

 

BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS:

5.0 star books (3)

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-council-of-dolls.html

 

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-invisible-hour.html

 

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-evergreen.html

 

4.5 star books (1)

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-bright-lights-big-christmas.html

4.0 star books (2)

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-lessons-in-chemistry.html

 

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/murder-most-royal-review.html

 

3.5 star book (0)

 

3.0 star books (2)

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-hello-molly-audiobook.html

https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2023/08/dont-let-them-bury-my-story-review.html

If you want to read my full review of any of these books, there are individual review posts for each e-book or audiobook below the picture of the book. You can just click on the link to get to that particular review!! 

I look forward to reading and reviewing more great books for you in September!! Have a fantastic September!

Finally, September is #LibraryCardSignUpMonth. If you don't have a library card, now is the perfect time to get one!

 

Happy reading, 

 

Dorothea 💜

 

P.S. As a reminder about my book ratings, you can find out more HERE. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My next read is...

 The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Bright Lights, Big Christmas

OVERVIEW

This was another lovely Christmas novel by the amazing Mary Kay Andrews. She writes novels that make you feel good inside and out, but her Christmas novels make you want to cuddle up with a big cup of hot cocoa in the snowy mountains. Unfortunately, for me, I read this sweet Christmas novel during a severe heat wave in Los Angeles. But, the book was wonderful even if the weather didn't cooperate!!

This book is about a North Carolina family that sells Christmas trees every year in specific lot in Greenwich Village and the wonderful neighborhood and neighbors that they meet along the way. This sweet story made me think of Taylor Swift's song, "Christmas Tree Farm". 

It has a huge cast of quirky, eccentric, but loving cast of characters!! It was so fun to read from beginning to end!

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

Writing: 4.0 stars

Mary Kay Andrews writes in a lovely way that allows the story to unfold naturally without being bogged down. It is an easy and fun read that was hard to put down as I wanted to know how it ended!!

Character development: 4.0 stars

As I indicated earlier, there is a large cast of characters!! But, they make the neighborhood and book sing with joy. The main characters are Murphy (brother) and Kerry (sister) who sell the Christmas trees. They both come to understand and appreciate each other through working together. The brother and sister were raised separately when their parents divorced so this is an opportunity to become real siblings again. Also, the trailer, Spammy that Murphy and Kerry live in while selling this Christmas trees is a character unto itself!

The secondary characters are Patrick, Austin, and Heinz who are neighbors in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. They soon all become extended family and learn how much that they mean to each other. 

The final and tertiary character is Queenie the dog! I love dogs in stories and novels!

Storyline:  4.0 stars

The storyline is of blood family, chosen family, and moving forward from heartache and pain. It has a beautiful thread of art woven throughout the book which was just lovely. 

The main location was Greenwich Village. 

Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars

This was a fun and enjoyable novel. It was just lovely - lovely is the only way to describe this sweet Christmas novel. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

So cute!

Book title: 5.0 stars 

So sweet.

Gut feeling: 4.0 stars

I was pretty certain that I would love this book as I have loved previous books by the author.  

Suggestions: 

A map of the Greenwich Village neighborhood would have been a nice touch.

Definite RECOMMEND

BOOK INFORMATION

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews 

288 pages

NetGalley Kindle ARC 

Release date of 09/26/2023

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mary Kay Andrews

My Goodreads review

St. Martin's Press

NetGalley

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜