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Reviews by Deanna W. (Port Jefferson, NY)

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The Imposter Bride
by Nancy Richler

Who is Lily Azerov? (12/4/2012)

This is a novel filled with distinctive characters, complicated family relationships, and alternating points of view. It is not a "page-turner" but a thoughtful and touching story. I always enjoy historic fiction that takes me to another time and place (post WW II Montreal).

How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto
by Eric Asimov

Still looking for the answer... (9/17/2012)

By reading this book I discovered how Mr. Asimov learned how to love wine. This is mildly interesting memoir. The author and I share a similar youth in NYC. This book is mostly about the author and did very little to enhance my love of wine.

Beneath the Shadows
by Sara Foster

Would make a terrific TV movie (5/4/2012)

What happened to Grace's husband? He has disappeared "with out a trace". This novel has a great sense of place with a bit of old ghost stories and town folklore. The Yorkshire moors during a brutal, wild winter establish an extremely moody setting. It has pace, plot and is a satisfying escape.

The House of Velvet and Glass: A Novel
by Katherine Howe

3 plots...1 novel (3/19/2012)

1868 Shanghai ...
April 12, 1912 Titanic ...
1915-17 Boston ...
Each plot had the potential to be a engaging novel. However, taken as a whole, this novel left me unsatisfied.

Accidents of Providence
by Stacia Brown

Well Researched Historic Fiction (12/2/2011)

I really enjoy historical novels. Having read Fingersmith and The Dress Lodger, I was looking forward to reading this book. It has all the elements one could want in an historic novel - a secret love affair - a crime - investigation public trail and a surprise twist at the end.
Perhaps too much of the novel was spent on the ideology of the Levelers and the Puritans.
Over all, an enjoyable and informative read.

A Bitter Truth: A Bess Crawford Mystery
by Charles Todd

Cozy Whodunit (7/27/2011)

I am a fan of Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge Series. I also enjoy the Masie Dobbs series by
Jacqueline Winspear. This is the third in the Bess Crawford series. I have also read the first two. I was looking forward to reading this old fashioned mystery. However, this whodunit had a predictable plot with too many coincidences. Also the solution to the
crime seems to come out of the blue.

The Things We Cherished: A Novel
by Pam Jenoff

Skip This One (5/1/2011)

Described as an ambitious novel that spans decades and continents...this book disappoints in every way. The plot is trite and predictable. I would not recommend this book.

Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
by Wesley Stace

Atonal Music - Atonal Plot (11/6/2010)

The story is set in the early 20th century. It deals with English Classical music set against a macabre and tragic tale of love and passion. As told by a first person narrator, the plot takes many twists and turns. However, the revelation of what really happened in the end was not that hard to predict.

Juliet
by Anne Fortier

So little time (7/12/2010)

So many books - so little time. Life is too short to waste on this historic romantic thriller. I requested this book because it took place in one of my favorite cities Siena. Yes, the descriptions of the city are wonderful. However, this Da Vinci "want to be" is filled with a predictable plot and cliche characters. Skip this one.

The Hand that First Held Mine: A Novel
by Maggie O'Farrell

What happens to us when we have children? (2/28/2010)

This story deals with two women,Lexie a writer and Elina a painter separated in time 50 years living in non-traditional families in London. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptive language, but could not connect to the characters. The story contains flashbacks and family secrets but just not compelling enough to hold my interest.

Savage Lands
by Clare Clark

Not So Gripping (12/8/2009)

I enjoy historic fiction and like to learn information about a specific
time period. However, this story was too heavy on historic detail and not enough on character. This book is based on the true story
of the first French settlers in America and the women sent to be their wives. There are three protagonists : Elisabeth, Auguste,and
Jean-Claude. Had I cared enough about any of them I might have finished this book.

Sweeping Up Glass
by Carolyn Wall

Not What I Expected (8/10/2009)

I was looking for a novel that explored mother daughter relationships. This novel had too many story lines and complex characters that I could not relate to. Yes, it was well written but it was not the story I expected. I would not recommend it to my book group.

Palace Circle
by Rebecca Dean

Historic Fiction (1/13/2009)

Perfect for a long flight or a delay at the airport. A fast EZ read...a plot we have read many times in other books ... characters we are all too familiar with ... enjoyable but quickly forgotten. Please do not compare to a Philippa Gregory novel! Not in the same league.

Stealing Athena
by Karen Essex

A Bit of a Disappointment (5/23/2008)

I have always been fascinated by the "story" of the Elgin Marbles and how they came to the British Museum. However, the parallel stories of Aspasia {written in 1st person} and Mary Nisbet, Lady Elgin {written in 3rd person} did not engage my interest enough for me to truly enjoy this book. I learned a great deal about Napoleonic times, small pox vaccine and ancient Greece but it was a difficult task.

Resistance
by Owen Sheers

Alternative Histories {not my thing} (2/26/2008)

I have read two novels in this genre {Philip Roth's The Plot Against America and Disturbance of Fate - about RFK. I find that knowing the actual history keeps me from enjoying the plot of Resistance, as it did with the other two novels. However, I did learn a great deal about Welsh culture and its beautiful landscapes.This novel is well worth reading as it deals with the ambiguity of war.

Gomorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples' Organized Crime System
by Roberto Saviano, translated by Virginia Jewiss

Not the Naples my grandfather told me about! (10/2/2007)

In spite of an over use of metaphors and names and events that can be a bit confusing, this is a shocking piece of investigative reporting. It is an expose of the criminal activities of the Camorra {the system} in Naples. This book presents an engrossing and disturbing story not widely reported here in the States.

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