REVIEW - Smoke on the Wind (eARC/ebook)

Smoke on the Wind by Kelli Estes (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is my first book by Kelli Estes, and it won't be my last! It combines my 21% Scottish heritage with the mysticism of the Scottish Highlands. The two created a lovely story!

As a lover of historical fiction, I was thrilled that it had nothing to do with World War II (yeah, me)! I'm looking forward to reading Kell's previous books and anything else that she writes!!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

Writing: 5.0 stars

Kelli's writing is so descriptive, intense, and poetry-like. She writes for two time periods and nails them both! 

The use of the Gaelic language is so gorgeous, and she liberally sprinkles it throughout the novel like little pieces of fairy dust!  

Character development: 5.0 stars

The four main characters are two pairs of mother and son: Sorcha and Aonghas in 1801, and Keaka and Colin in the present day. Both sets experience similar situations and yet different situations. Two hundred years do not change a mother's love or sacrifice for her son.

The secondary characters are bad guys in 1801 and fellow hikers on the West Highland Way in the present day. Also, both mothers are widows, and their deceased husbands play fairly big roles in their lives. 

The tertiary characters are the West Highland Way and Highlands mysticism (I cannot say too much, or it will ruin the plot).   

This book developed the characters well. The four main characters develop individually and as family groups. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline is told in two timelines. Sorcha and Aonghas are fleeing an erroneous murder charge in 1801, Highlands, Scotland, while Keaka and Colin are hiking the West Highland Way as a last adventure before Colin matriculates at Glasgow University. Their lives mysteriously intertwine together into a beautiful and satisfying ending. 

The location was primarily the West Highland Way, the Scottish Highlands, and Glasgow. 

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I learned something new again by reading historical fiction. I knew absolutely nothing about the Highlands Clearances from 1750 to 1860. Now, I need to review my Scottish ancestry to see if this is the time when they emigrated to the United States. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Pretty.  

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!  

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

Smoke on the Wind by Kelli Estes

390 pages 

Lake Union Publishing

Future release date: 7/24/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Kelli Estes

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Lake Union Publishing

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Fire, murder, war, physical assault, confinement, hunger, death of a parent, medical content, blood, gore, mild cursing

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

 

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 Smoke on the Wind by Kelli Estes (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Eights (ebook)

The Eights by Joanna Miller (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is Joanna Miller's debut book, a historical fiction novel. What an intense, but wonderful story. She has a great career ahead! 

It took me a while to get into as I didn't know many of the British terms, specifically the unique Oxford language. Of course, AFTER I finished the book, I found the glossary! UGH!

I hadn't considered the proximity of World War I to the time covered in this historical novel. The flashbacks by each of the four main characters involved the war in some way and were difficult to read, which is why we need to read books like this!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was a dichotomy. At times, the prose was like reading beautiful poetry. Also, it was very raw, real, and horrific. Joanna combined the two so well without stabbing our hearts with more than we could take. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters are Otto, Marianne, Dora, and Beatrice, who share Corridor Eight at Oxford in 1920. They are among the first women to matriculate for degrees and full membership. 

The secondary characters include the friends, family, and classmates of the four main characters' Freshman year (1920-1921) and in flashbacks. Unfortunately, I cannot elaborate too much about the Freshman year and the flashbacks, as it could spoil the plot of the book. 

The tertiary characters are World War I and Oxford.   

This was one of the best books I have read with such exceptional character development. I can visualize and picture the main characters in my mind and heart, even if they are fictional.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline details how the four main characters, who are incredibly different, become fast friends. They go through being newbies, testing, and hazing by male students. Yet they each have a buried secret that eventually is shared during the school year.  

The location was primarily Oxfordshire, England. 

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I did not realize that Oxford admitted women to matriculate earlier than either Harvard (1953), Yale (1969), or Caltech (1970), but later than Stanford (1891). This is so fascinating to me. My big question is why?

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.  

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

A great double entendre.  

 

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Eights by Joanna Miller 

382 pages 

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release date: 4/15/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Joanna Miller

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

War, sexual content, sexual assault, pregnancy, death of a parent, medical content, blood, gore, mild cursing

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is ...

 Eternal Flame by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike (audiobook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Boat Baby (audiobook)

Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This is Vicky's memoir. I absolutely loved this audiobook!

I must confess that I didn't know who Vicky was or anything about her memoir until I saw a reel on Instagram. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I have not watched any network television news, so I am out of the loop. 

Interestingly, my niece, Julia, is reading this book also. I hope her career trajectory is similar to Vicky's, as she is also a television reporter. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Vicky writes strongly, beautifully, and so well. 

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration was powerful and well-done. Vicky is an on-air journalist, so I am not surprised, but rather incredibly impressed.

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters are Vicky and her parents, who were Vietnamese refugees who immigrated to the United States in 1979.  

The secondary characters are Brian (Vicky's husband) and his parents, as well as her three children. 

There is a huge cast of characters, from the assorted family in Vietnam and the United States, friends from various aspects of Vicky's life, co-workers, and her mentors. 

There are so many characters whose names I have already forgotten, but it wasn't important for me. It was about understanding how Vicky and her family developed into better people due to the kindness of strangers.  

Memorable:  5.0 stars

What was most interesting to me was the similarities between Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. So many stories resonated with me as my husband is an ABC (American Born Chinese), and it was as if Vicky was talking about his extended family.  

Side note: Vicky mentions that the "West Coast is the best coast"! I agree with her wholeheartedly!

Entertaining/Educational:  5.0 stars

Vicky made me laugh out loud a few times and helped me understand how difficult and brave it was to escape Vietnam. 

Basically, it is exactly like the immigrants who are currently being harassed and kidnapped in Los Angeles by ICE. The vast majority commit no crimes and just want to live in peace and support their family. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Adorable. 

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect!

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen

7 hours, 50 minutes 

Simon & Schuster Audio 

Release date: 4/1/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Vicky Nguyen

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Simon & Schuster Audio

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, racism, xenophobia, death of a child, murder, violence, family dysfunction, pandemic

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

My next ebook is ...

 The Eights by Joanna Miller (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Booklover's Library (ebook)

 The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is my first book by Madeline Martin. I liked this book, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. From the book title, description, and cover, I expected a story about a book library. Unfortunately for me, it was another World War II historical fiction novel, which I have read too many of recently. I was somewhat disappointed.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.

 

Writing: 3.5 stars

At times, the writing felt repetitive. It was as if the same story was being retold again, but in a subtly different way. Madeline writes well, but it wasn't as descriptive and detailed as I prefer. 

There were some parts of the book that could have been completely edited out, especially the difficulties with the host families. It seemed a bit melodramatic for my taste.  

Character development: 3.5 stars

The main characters were Emma (a widowed mother), Olivia (Emma's young daughter), Mrs. Pickering (Emma and Olivia's landlord), and World War II. 

The secondary characters include Margaret (Emma's work friend), Charles (Emma's friend), Mr. and Mrs. Taylor (Emma's in-laws), and Mr. Sanderson (the other tenant in the building). 

The tertiary characters are Emma's coworkers and customers, the people of Nottingham, and the lending library.  

There was a lost opportunity for stronger character development, especially with Emma's in-laws. By not giving as much prominence to the two host families, the family relationships could have been explored more fully.  

Storyline:  3.5 stars

The storyline was the story of the horrible bombing of Nottingham and the sending of children away to safety in the country. It was also the survival story of the people of Nottingham pulling together in a horrific time in history.  

The location was primarily Nottingham, Coventry, Kent, and London. 

Memorable/Informative:   4.0 stars

I did not know that there was a paid lending library at Boots The Chemist (pharmacy, for Americans) called "Boots Book-Lovers' Library". There were two different levels of paid subscriptions, which ended in 1966. 

Apparently, access to public libraries and popular novels was limited, especially during World War II. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 required neighborhood councils to provide free public libraries. Fascinating! 

Book cover: 3.5 stars

Not really representative of this novel. 

 

Book title: 3.5 stars 

Okayish. 

 

Recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin

396 pages 

Hanover Square Press

Release date: 9/10/2024

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Madeline Martin

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Hanover Square Press

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Fire, fire trauma, explosion, war, bombing, medical content, death of a child, death, blood, gore

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next ebook is ...

 The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin (ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

My next audiobook is ...

 Boat Baby by Vicky Nguyen (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Flower Sisters (ebook)

 The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is Michelle's debut novel. I really liked this book, but I didn't love it as I thought I would. 

It definitely appealed to me as it was historical fiction based on a real event that occurred in a Missouri Ozark town in 1928. I knew nothing about this event at all. Also, my paternal grandfather was from the Ozarks region, but in Arkansas. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.

 

Writing: 3.5 stars

Michelle's writing is good, and I look forward to the next book that she writes. 

The writing could have been improved by stronger editing. It would have been a much better book if it had been reduced by about 100 pages. Also, the last chapter was too fantastical and religious for my personal taste, as were other parts of this novel. 

Character development: 3.5 stars

The main characters were Rose (grandmother to Rose, mother to Lettie, and local undertaker) and Daisy (granddaughter to Rose, daughter to Lettie, and newspaper summer intern). 

The secondary characters include Lettie (Rose's daughter, Daisy's mother, and wild child), who leaves Daisy with her grandmother, and Joe (Daisy's friend and the town's golden boy). 

The townspeople, the small town, and the local newspaper are the tertiary characters.  

As usual for me, I wanted more character development, especially with regards to the Rose, Lettie, and Daisy triangle. Daisy is almost the same age as I would have been in the novel, so I really connect with her on a visceral level. 

Storyline:  3.5 stars

The storyline was brutal and graphic. The prologue immediately drops you into the horror of the fictional Lamb's Dance Hall Explosion in 1928. It is horrific and makes you feel the pain and fear of those involved. 

Then we flash forward fifty years to 1978. Daisy is researching historical events to do an "on this day" piece for the local newspaper. She uncovers the story of the Lamb's Dance Hall Explosion and sets out to research it, interview survivors, and understand what had happened. 

Daisy actually uncovers lies, secrets, and mysteries that have been hidden for fifty years. This seems unbelievable to me and not something that a fifteen-year-old would have uncovered.  

NOTE: I am not sharing the specific details because it would ruin the book for anyone who reads this review. I figured out the big secret within fifty pages of the book. This big secret, however, isn't revealed until about 75% into the story (editing would have helped here).

The location was the fictional Possum Flats, Missouri. 

Memorable/Informative:   4.5 stars

There are many stories similar to the actual Bond Dance Hall Explosion in West Plains, Missouri, in 1928, on which this novel is based. I knew nothing about this disaster at all!

In History classes, we never learned about the story of the Tulsa Massacre in 1921 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911, for instance. We must learn about honest and true history, and not the whitewashed type. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Prettyl!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect! 

 

Recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson

392 pages 

A John Scognamiglio Book

Release date: 4/23/2024

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Michelle Collins Anderson

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

A John Scognamiglio Book

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Fire, fire trauma, explosion, sexual situations, cursing, medical content, death of a child, blood, gore

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

REVIEW - The Parisian Chapter (audiobook)

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

The three books I have read by Janet, including this one, feature strong women, libraries, and books. Three of my favorite things! Unfortunately, I did not enjoy listening to this book as much as I enjoy reading Janet's books. 

Hopefully, this will be released as a digital or physical book. I would like to reread it and truly savor it!

A caveat, this audiobook would be more enjoyable after reading The Paris Library and Miss Morgan's Book Brigade, as there is some character overlap.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

As always, Janet writes so incredibly. It is thoughtful, beautiful, and descriptive writing that touches my heart.  

Narration: 5.0 stars

This book featured a full cast narrating, but the lead narrator was Pauline Chalamet (yes, she is Timothy's sister). The narration and production were like a Broadway production for my mind! It was amazing!

Character development: 4.0 stars

The main characters are Lily (a hopeful writer) and Mary Louise (a hopeful painter) from small-town Montana who move to Paris together for college and then stay. Plus, the American Library of Paris (APL) is the glue that holds the characters together.

The secondary characters are Odile and Margaret, estranged friends who worked at APL during WWII. Odile became an American war bride and moved to Montana, while Margaret remained (we believe) in Paris. 

There is a whole cast of characters from APL who become Lily's Paris family. 

The story is primarily set in 1995 and features multiple flashbacks and other points of view, which were confusing to me as an audiobook. This resulted in the character development not being as strong or as easily determined as in Janet's previous books. 

Memorable:  5.0 stars

One of the biggest takeaways is that friendships take as much work as romantic relationships. 

Side note: I have had the same best friend since first grade, and we both work to maintain it.  

Entertaining/Educational:  3.0 stars

I enjoyed learning about Paris and the APL, but felt lost at times as to who was who, when they lived, and their relationship to APL.   

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Gorgeous. 

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

So appropriate.

STRONG recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslien Charles

7 hours, 15 minutes 

Simon & Schuster Audio Originals

Release date: 5/27/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Janet Skeslien Charles

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Simon & Schuster Audio Originals

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, toxic work environment, sexual situations, alcohol

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜