B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads19th century / female friendship / found family / Historical / Historical fiction / Napoleonic wars / Russia / Russian / Russian Series / social issues / social privilege / War / Military4 Comments
An heiress discovering an overwhelming world of aristocracy and manners. Unexpectedly inheriting her Godfather’s estate—including a house stuffed with loot and a frightful taxidermy bear—Galina sets about building a new life. Luckily, she is befriended by the Orlovs and introduced to the glittering St Petersburg high-society. Soon Galina has an ... more >
A- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended ReadsA Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery / Agent/Spies/Undercover / dysfunctional family / female friendship / Historical / London / mental health / murder / Post WWII / traumatic-past5 Comments
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau was founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals – Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge (whose husband was killed in the recent World War) and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent during the recent conflict, though this is not discussed. While the agency flourishes in ... more >
A- Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads19th century / disabled hero / female friendship / Historical / military hero / Napoleonic wars / Regency / Russia / Russian / Russian Series / War / Military12 Comments
Captain Valyev had been kindness itself when he stopped on the road to give assistance to Nadya, one of a vast crowd of refugees fleeing before Napoleon’s advancing army. But the moment she told him her full name, his attitude had changed to chill hostility. Why did he seem to ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews1910s / American historical / Chicago / domestic abuse / female friendship / Historical / inspirational / investigation / shipwreck / The Windy City Saga series / turn of the 20th century / violence against women3 Comments
Lives depend on the truth she uncovers. She can’t give up her search. A birthday excursion turns deadly when the SS Eastland capsizes with Olive Pierce and her best friend on board. Hundreds perish during the accident, and it’s only when Olive herself barely escapes that she discovers her friend ... more >
Book Reviews / C+ ReviewsContemporary / female friendship / First-Person / Harlequin / journalist / POC / POC author / second chance / Washington DC / Womens-FictionComments Off on REVIEW: The Shoe Diaries by Darby Baham
It’s never too late to put your best foot forward From the outside, Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill, however, Rae is done playing it ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews19th century / class differences / cookbook / cooking / Early Victorian / English Historical / female friendship / Historical / Historical fiction / identity / self discovery / Womens-FictionComments Off on REVIEW: Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
Before Mrs. Beeton and well before Julia Child, there was Eliza Acton, who changed the course of cookery writing forever. England, 1835. London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them. When Eliza Acton is told by her ... more >