December 11, 2019

REVIEW: Summer by Edith Wharton

JennieA- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsclassic literature9 Comments

If I recall correctly, I’ve read just two Edith Wharton books: Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth. I recently reread synopses of the plots of these books to refresh my memory, and confirmed that they were both as depressing as I had recalled. Well written and compelling, but very ... more >

November 8, 2019

REVIEW: The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

JennieB- Reviews / Book ReviewsHistorical fiction / historical mystery / Lady Sherlock series7 Comments

Disclosure: Sherry Thomas is my friend and critique partner and I critiqued this manuscript. — Janine Dear Ms. Thomas: In preparation for this review I reread my reviews of the previous three books in the series – I gave book one a B- and books two and three each a ... more >

October 21, 2019

Reading List by Jennie for July through September

JennieBook Reviewshistorical romance / History / mystery / non-fiction / Paranormal / Reading lists / Romance / thriller / Young-Adult7 Comments

Read and reviewed: The Hidden Heart, Jane Steele, Play to Win, Wives and Daughters and Jamaica Inn   A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage   I was looking for a light-ish but informative non-fiction read, and this seemed like it would fit the bill. It ... more >

October 7, 2019

REVIEW: The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas

JennieB- Reviews / Book Reviews5th Century / China / fairytale / Fantasy / martial arts / Mulan / strong heroine / YA historical12 Comments

Dear Ms. Thomas: I’m going to be lazy and steal the blurb: A Warrior in Disguise All her life, Mulan has trained for one purpose: to win the duel that every generation in her family must fight. If she prevails, she can reunite a pair of priceless heirloom swords separated ... more >

September 23, 2019

REVIEW: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

JennieA- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsclassic fiction / Romance / slice of village life4 Comments

Way back in 2010, when I reviewed my first Elizabeth Gaskell book, Cranford, a few commenters urged me to read Wives and Daughters. I can’t quite explain why it’s taken me quite so long to actually pick the book up, but recently when I read and reviewed Ruth, someone again ... more >

September 12, 2019

REVIEW: Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier

JennieB+ Reviews / Book Reviewsclassic / cornwall / Smugglers / strong heroine12 Comments

Before I started Jamaica Inn, I had only read one book by Daphne Du Maurier – Rebecca. But I  did have an acquaintance with this story. I grew up in the golden heyday of television miniseries. Though the breadth and quality of television offerings available to us these days is ... more >