BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by Pamela F. (Grants Pass, OR)

The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel
by Ursula Hegi

Well done! (5/25/2020)

I have to agree with some of the other readers of this book. I, too, found it a little difficult to get into. But please stick with this one. So many interesting characters...you just want to dive into their lives. A good read indeed!

Cartier's Hope: A Novel
by M. J. Rose

I know I'm not part of the majority (9/12/2019)

I have looked at other reviews of this book, and I know I am not part of the majority. But just like I love some books there are always those who are not as thrilled as I am with the stories. First, I thought this would be more about the Hope Diamond than it was in the …more

Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney

Twists (11/13/2017)

Sometimes I Lie is one of those books I would have loved to have loved. It has all the thriller elements that I look for. I almost loved it...a lot. For a first time author, this is a great premise. I got lost a little at the beginning...but got caught up in it as it …more

The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve

Disappointed (3/20/2017)

This book was difficult for me to get into. I really wanted to learn more about the historical fire in Maine...and I did learn some...The difficult marriage of this couple really bogged me down. Maybe it was my mood...but I was tired of them. Will put it on my shelf and …more

The Second Mrs. Hockaday
by Susan Rivers

Loved this book! (12/19/2016)

The writing in this book was so colorful and exquisite. I truly felt I was right there with the characters. I enjoy epistolatory narratives, so this was another aspect of the book I loved. Things were revealed slowly...but it didn't drag and I never figured out the truth …more

News of the World
by Paulette Jiles

Loved this! (8/30/2016)

This book is a movie that should be made. I have already cast the characters in my mind. I will be sending this as gifts to my friends. I love historical fiction and this period in time is a great one. The relationship between the Captain & Johanna is a wonderful one. What a gem!

The Imperial Wife
by Irina Reyn

Learning about Russian History (7/4/2016)

I have to say, there are two distinct stories here and yet both women are ambitious. I learned more about Russian History with Catherine the Great and more about Auction Houses with Tanya. Both are interesting and therefore, the 4 stars. I didn't know much about auction …more

Home by Nightfall: A Charles Lenox Mystery
by Charles Finch

Going to be hooked on another series (10/19/2015)

This was my first time reading a book in this series. I love books of an historical genre and also love mystery series because of the beautiful way they develop the main & supporting characters that make you long to spend more time with them with each published book. I …more

The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth

Wild Girl (4/26/2015)

OMG! Love this book...Okay, the author says that not much is know about the main character...but the information derived from the Grimm's diaries, letters and stories makes Dortchen a great main character. I wanted to know more about her, the Grimms and the Napoleonic wars. …more

Three Many Cooks: One Mom, Two Daughters: Their Shared Stories of Food, Faith & Family
by Pam Anderson, Maggy Keet & Sharon Damelio

Warm fuzzies (2/23/2015)

Got to say, I was unfamiliar with this wonderful group of ladies prior to getting this book. Will have to frequent their blog now. As a woman who likes to cook and enjoys sharing the experience with my daughter, daughters-in-law and granddaughters, this book struck a chord …more

The Secrets of Midwives
by Sally Hepworth

The Secret of Midwives (12/21/2014)

This is a very light and breezy read from Sally Hepworth. I liked the book for what it is, light chick lit. The story held my attention and I finished the book within 2 days. I am not sure if I would have continued the book had I not committed to read it for Bookbrowse. All …more

The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
by Helen Rappaport

The Romanov Sisters (5/29/2014)

I loved this book as I love a lot of books about this era. It brought these girls to life so much. I cannot even imagine being ages 22 to 13 (the ages of all the children) and facing the final minutes of their life as they did. Russian history at this time is so fascinating …more

Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth

Wish I had read this before Gone Girl (1/29/2014)

This book drove me crazy. I did not like the main character or the narrative style. The craziness of the "friendship" drove me crazy. I, however, kept reading for all the plot twists and turns. Gone Girl is a read alike I am pretty sure. But it is a better book. Maybe I …more

Song of the Spirits: In the Land of the Long White Cloud saga
by Sarah Lark

Song of the Spirits (8/11/2013)

I love a book where I get to learn about a new land and another way of life. I also love a good saga. This book delivered on both counts. Although not the best of the genre, it was very good. New Zealand is not a place that I have ever read about, so that was very …more

Close My Eyes
by Sophie McKenzie

You will probably want to know how it ends... (4/16/2013)

I absolutely hated this book by page 70. I debated on whether to finish it or not. The writing was not great, the main character, Gen, I found really annoying...and the plot was way beyond what I could accept. So, I read other reviews. "It is slow the first 125 pages" I …more

Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen
by Mary Sharratt

Illuminations (10/1/2012)

I really didn't know much about Hildegard, and being a Catholic, I was really curious about this Saint. I read it more as a novel as I am not sure of the accuracy, but major events check out and I found the novel to be fascinating. Hildegard is going to be made a doctor of …more

The Innocents: A Novel
by Francesca Segal

The Innocents (5/29/2012)

For me this book was a slow starter. I think it was because I did not attach to the characters that much and that was a problem throughout for me. I enjoyed reading about the Jewish culture, but the characters kind of annoyed me. It was an interesting concept to take a …more

The Borgia Betrayal: A Poisoner Mystery Novel
by Sara Poole

The Borgia Betrayal (6/24/2011)

Like other readers of this novel, I too, am a lover of historical novels. I love learning about periods of history in an entertaining way. Some of the novels I have loved and others not so much. This one was average for me. I could not connect to the main character. And I …more

Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook

Outside Wonderland (2/8/2011)

This book caught my eye as I thought that the plot point of parents having passed and watching their children as they grow was an interesting one. However, although the book and the stories of the children kept me reading to find out more, I found the switch to the view of …more

The True Memoirs of Little K: A Novel
by Adrienne Sharp

Historical Fiction that makes you want to read more... (9/16/2010)

I love historical fiction. I especially love it if something moves me enough to make me want to find out more about and event during that time. This book does just that. I have put it down a couple of times to read up on Bloody Sunday...to look at the described Faberge eggs …more

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The Jackal's Mistress
by Chris Bohjalian

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating novel about an American heroine France Perkins—now in paperback!

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A Map to Paradise
by Susan Meissner

From the USA Today bestselling author of Only the Beautiful. 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

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The Husbands
by Holly Gramazio

The Husbands delights in asking: how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?

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