B- Reviews / Book Reviews18th-century / American historical / American Revolution / American Revolutionary War / First-Person / healers / Historical / Magical Negro / religion / road novels / strong heroine / War / Military / women's rightsNo Comments
In January 1778, Anna Stone is a twenty-nine-year-old healer, wife of a rebellious Baptist-preacher-turned-soldier, and mother of three. Her husband, Benjamin, writes from Valley Forge with worrisome tidings. Anna’s brothers, Henry and Jeremiah, who are in Benjamin’s unit, have contracted smallpox. Benjamin downplays the severity of their illness in his ... more >
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsbanter / Conventions / divorcee / enemies to lovers / Historical / London / Regency / strong heroine13 Comments
Daphne Ingleside’s visit to her Aunt Effie in London was meant to add a little spark to her placid country life. And it did—once the two women decided to write Effie’s memoirs. For Effie, a faded divorcée, had been the beauty of London in her day, and many of the ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviewsdjinn / Egypt / Fantasy / female detectives / Middle East / POC / POC author / short-story / steampunk / strong heroine / turn of the 20th century / unusual heroine2 Comments
Egypt, 1912. In Cairo, the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities investigate disturbances between the mortal and the (possibly) divine. What starts off as an odd suicide case for Special Investigator Fatma el-Sha’arawi leads her through the city’s underbelly as she encounters rampaging ghouls, saucy assassins, clockwork angels, and ... more >
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Readsclass differences / Historical / Historical-China / Lotus Palace series / murder mystery / POC / POC author / strong heroine / Tang Dynasty3 Comments
A well-bred lady and lowly street hustler team up in a historical murder mystery set during China’s glittering Tang Dynasty. Part of the best-selling Lotus Palace series. Impetuous and well-educated, young Lady Bai has always been the forgotten daughter between two favored sons. However, when Wei-wei’s older brother is tasked ... more >
Book Reviews / C+ ReviewsAmerican historical / Historical / Historical fiction / strong heroine / turn of the 20th century / westernNo Comments
Shay Billings is pleasantly surprised at discovering a new bridge over the river, as it cuts several miles from his trip into town. Ambushed and left for dead, he has even more cause to be grateful when the bridge-builder saves his life. Shay’s savior turns out to be a mysterious ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews1970s / African American / Decades: A Journey of African American Romance / education / lawyer / POC / POC author / politics / schools / segregation / strong heroine / teacher / texasNo Comments
Despite legal efforts to integrate schools, black students continue to struggle with separate and unequal environments in 1970. Leo Sullivan, an ambitious mayoral candidate, seeks to close a dark chapter in Overbrook Meadows’ history, but the opposition is fierce. Falling for his campaign manager was never part of the plan. ... more >