The story takes place in West Virginia, shortly after the Civil War has ended, and centers around a family of Irish brickmakers who emigrate to the United States. Shortly after arriving, they begin to search for a brickyard to purchase and run as the family business. Their search takes them to West Virginia where they find a brickyard, owned… Read more »
Mary Beth McIntire just wants a quiet summer in 2017. Mark Ryan wants to know what’s hidden in the basement of the same house in 1959. When Mark discovers a key and a few mysterious crystals, he gets his answer and Mary Beth’s quiet summer is ruined thanks to his appearance. The summer vacation that follows was more than Mary… Read more »
This is the second novel of Heldt’s that I’ve read and I’m beginning to think he can do no wrong. His dedication to portraying history in all of its nuances, layers, difficulties, and beauty is admirable and his ability to craft brilliant and unique stories shines across the lines of genre and time alike. When Cameron Coelho began his doctoral… Read more »
Well researched and brilliantly executed, The Mine is a vivid, memorable step back in time with a love story that could “rival The Notebook (Pen Possessed).” In the year 2000, Joel Smith enters an abandoned mine in Montana out of simple curiosity. Thirty minutes later he emerges in the year 1941. With a band of colorful friends at his side,… Read more »
The Gilded Cage Sherry D. Ficklin (A Canary Club Novella) Publication date: December 1st 2016 Genres: Historical, Young Adult Masie, the flaxen-haired daughter of notorious boot-legger Dutch Schultz, returns home from boarding school to find her family in crisis. Her mother is dangerously unstable, her father’s empire is on the brink of ruin, and the boy she once loved has… Read more »
Anything You Ask Of Me Heather Curley Publication date: July 31st 2016 Genres: Historical, New Adult Although her home state of Maryland hasn’t sworn allegiance to either Union or Confederacy, twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth Archer’s life is shattered. Her father has fled North, abandoning the household. The man she loved—and who married her sister instead— is killed in battle. Elizabeth’s life of… Read more »
Some Rise by Sin is an outstanding historical romance novel that takes us back to 16th century England. Back to the days of Lords and Ladies, and a Queen that history seldom mentions. (Actually, it’s still the day of Lords and Ladies but, I needed an opening for my review.) The Lord, in this case, is Cade, the Earl… Read more »
The People’s War is a historical fiction novel based on the events in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Jing is an inventory accountant at a local factory in China. He lives a few blocks away from the factory, on the outskirts of Tiananmen Square. He walks through the square on his way to work each morning and again on his way… Read more »
It’s 1752 and Melissa is preparing for her first season at court. However, her first appearance is less than ideal. She meets an intriguing young gentleman, Justin Lestrade, whom she can’t help but become fascinated with – but she is somewhat scandalized for defending herself from a man with ill intentions. Melissa finds more opportunities to talk with Mr…. Read more »
Majra is a vivid and complex world rooted in Central Asian culture similar in detail and style to JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. The main character, Aris, is a quiet young man living in Serzhen, a dessert country filled with brilliant tales and crafty artists. Unfortunately, Serzhen is also filled with invaders from a country called Marja sent to “civilize” Aris’… Read more »
It doesn’t happen often for me that I come across a book that really leaves me in awe. Certainly I have had a plethora of great books catch my attention, but Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim is in a class all its’ own. And to be frank, I’m almost at a loss for words; so perhaps I’ll just start with… Read more »