The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, November 21, 2024
REVIEW - The Unexpected Diva (ebook)
The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is my first book by Tiffany L. Warren. It is Tiffany’s first historical fiction novel about the first black prima donna Elizabeth "Eliza" Taylor Greenfield. I especially love historical fiction about real people like "The Black Swan" and their real stories!
The novel occurs after The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and before the Civil War. Unfortunately, the author explained that historical details about Eliza's life, friends, and family were limited. However, there was a lot of information about the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society (PFASS). PFASS was a multi-racial group of women that included Quakers and abolitionists. So the novel uses the PFASS and its members to tell Eliza's story along with her singing.
I am grateful for Black authors like Tiffany who are bringing Black history especially Black women to the forefront as it is American history that we need to learn and know about!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing was beautiful. Tiffany writes about Eliza's life descriptively and interestingly while educating about this dreadful time in our country's history. The best part is that this "whitewashed history" is examined truthfully and thoughtfully allowing the reader to think and ponder about our history repeating itself.
Of course, I loved the fascinating and detailed explanations of Eliza's dresses and the other female characters.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is Eliza (singer). She is the star of the book and the diva of the stage.
The secondary characters are Charles (accompanist friend), Mary (her "sister" and seamstress friend), and Ruby (church friend).
The tertiary characters are her church friends, fiancee and family, abolitionist and Quaker friends, and friends from the PFASS.
As is true for most historical fiction, many characters are necessary for the detailed storyline.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline is about Eliza being freed by her former enslaver who becomes her benefactor in Philadelphia. Eliza's family, once freed, emigrates to Liberia while Eliza stays behind. Eliza is well-educated, lives among Quakers, and is discovered to have an extraordinary musical talent. The benefactor dies and the story really begins to be told.
The main locations were Philadelphia and Buffalo with a good amount of time in London, England.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I was shocked that I had a weak knowledge of Philadelphia's pre-Civil War history including The Fugitive Slave Act.
As someone who loves and adores learning about history, I feel embarrassed that I knew nothing about "The Black Swan" which was Eliza's nickname in the press.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
So appropriate!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren
432 pages
William Morrow Paperbacks
Release date of 1/7/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Friday, November 15, 2024
REVIEW - Somewhere Beyond The Sea (audiobook)
Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by TJ Klune (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
First, this book is a sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I absolutely adored. Please read the first book and then this book or you will be lost.
I listened to both books on audiobooks which were narrated by the incredible Daniel Henning. The combination of a beautiful story with impressive narration was perfection.
TJ Klune stated a while ago that a sequel wasn't happening, but SURPRISE! I was so excited to revisit these fantastic characters and storyline. Here is to hoping that there will be a third book, pretty please!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
TJ writes beautifully with description and thoughtfulness. Also, TJ writes each character with care and love. I definitely think that the writing is spectacular!
Narration: 5.0 stars
Daniel Henning is a phenomenal narrator. Daniel brings each character to life - it is like listening to a "book movie"!!
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The audiobook starts with a flashback that explains a lot and then jumps forward to where the first book left off.
Each established character from the first book has even more nuances and quirks developed. Also, the new characters are fully fleshed out and explained.
I love that these characters are weird, wild, and unique!! Perfection!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
The biggest takeaway for me is "hate is loud".
We have all learned this from this recent election. But this beautiful book was like a soothing salve on my heart, mind, and soul.
Love, chosen family, and friendship win over hate and power-grabbing in this novel. From this novel to our country, this is my hope.
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
The magical children in this book are hysterical and funny! Also, it is all kinds of humor which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I must confess that I stayed up late listening to this book! Also fell asleep listening to it which is a sign of good writing and narration.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Good.
HIGHLY recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles #2) by TJ Klune
Macmillan Audio
15 hours, 48 minutes
Release date of 9/21/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, November 10, 2024
My next audiobook is...
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - An American Story (audiobook)
An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This memoir was not what I expected at all. Most memoirs include the good, bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, it is only the good, good, and the good. Wilmer doesn't discuss the rape convictions of Danny Masterson or the sexual assault allegations against Michael Weatherly. Additionally, he claims to not do drugs with all of his partying, I find this hard to believe. Finally, there is no discussion of the underage or much younger women that he dated including his fiancee. It just doesn't appear to be an introspective and honest memoir.
Additionally, this memoir is a fake greeting card about how much Wilmer loves the USA. It is piled on a little too much.
Finally, no ghostwriter is listed, but I find it hard that Wilmer was so thoughtful and deep at thirteen and for most of his life. It felt so disingenuous.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.5 stars
Wilmer's ghostwriter writes really well. Unfortunately, the parts written by Wilmer were not as well written. It was easy to discern the parts written by each.
Narration: 4.0 stars
As a professional actor, Wilmer does a good job. But at times, the language of the book seemed to trip him up and should have been rerecorded.
Character Arc: 3.5 stars
The audiobook is told in no semblance of order. It jumps back and forth in time as it tries to be in chronological order.
Memorable: 3.5 stars
His life was difficult once his parents left Miami, Florida (where Wilmer was born) to return to Venezuela and then again when they came back to Los Angeles. Wilmer's stories of leaving Miami for Venezuela and ultimately to Los Angeles as an immigrant family were the best part of the memoir.
Once Wilmer makes it in Hollywood, I don't believe the perfect remembrances of his life. Life is not all hearts, flowers, and unicorns while paying for every check!
Entertaining: 3.5 stars
At times, Wilmer would tell a nice family story, but most of the memories weren't amazingly entertaining to me.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Good picture.
Book title: 3.0 stars
Good.
RECOMMEND
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama
Harper Select
8 hours, 0 minutes
Release date of 9/17/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, November 8, 2024
REVIEW - The Answer Is No (ebook)
The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is a short story by Fredrik Backman, an author I had never read before. Unfortunately, this short story and his writing are not my thing.
I do appreciate these free short stories by Amazon First Reads as I am exposed to new authors!
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
This short story has a few humorous moments in it. But the writing was very "tongue in cheek" and didn't work for me.
Character development: 3.0 stars
The main character, Lucas, is a loner who tries to avoid all contact with other people. He stays in his apartment and orders takeout for all of his needs.
The secondary characters are the "Purple Dress" woman and the "Green Shirt" woman (we never learn their names).
The tertiary character is the "three-headed" apartment board which is only referred to as "Head 1", "Head 2", and "Head 3" AKA "Linda".
Storyline: 3.0 stars
Lucas has a problem whenever he answers the door as he has to interact with other people. The story starts with a frying pan left on the sidewalk.
The main location is possibly Stockholm, Sweden.
Memorable/Informative: 3.0 stars
Apartment boards are a pain in whatever city or country you reside in.
Book cover: 3.0 stars
Okay.
Book title: 3.0 stars
Appropriate.
LUKEWARM recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook
The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman
68 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 12/01/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Amazon First Reads - November 2024
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - City of Time and Magic (ebook)
City of Time and Magic (Found Things #4) by Paul Brackston (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the 4th book in this series (I hope the author writes #5) with cross-over characters from The Witches Daughter series. It combines both sets of characters seamlessly, but now The Witches Daughter series is a must-read for me!
For this novel, about a Time Spinner with psychometry, a writing desk is used as the "found thing". The storyline combines Time Spinners, Time Steppers, and Witches primarily in 1887 London and briefly in current times.
Again, please note that I am being vague with many details about this book so as not to spoil the twists in this lovely book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
As always, the author wrote another lovely book. The descriptive language, dress, and customs are so well-researched and fascinating.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters are Xanthe (a time traveler), Liam (Xanthe's friend), and Lydia (another time traveler).
The secondary characters are Harley (the local pub owner), Elizabeth (a witch), and Erasmus (a time stepper).
The tertiary characters are the assorted supporting characters in both times.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is about Xanthe traveling back in time to rescue Liam, who was kidnapped by Lydia. Since the period is unknown and possibly violent, Xanthe travels with Harley for support as she discovers what Lydia wants. Along the way, Xanthe makes friends with Elizabeth and Erasmus who help her locate Liam and learn about other evil happening.
The main location was primarily London, England.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I loved learning about London in the late 1800s. It was a time of a minority of "haves" and a vast majority of "have-nots" lived in the huge industrial and port city of London. Interestingly familiar again?
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Garden of Promises and Lies (Found Things #3) by Paula Brackson
320 pages
St. Martin's Press
Release date of 11/23/2021
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
My next audiobook is...
An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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