Reviews by Martha D. (Poway, CA)

Order Reviews by:
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
by Anissa Gray
A story of sisters (10/19/2018)
There's something about the dynamics between sisters that is always full of drama. The story was layered and fascinating, I was immediately drawn in and invested in their outcome. A well written and deeply moving novel. I look forward to future books from this author.
No One Is Coming to Save Us
No One Is Coming to Save Us
by Stephanie Powell Watts
Not the Great Gatsby but..... (4/18/2017)
I'm not sure why the publisher decided to promote this as an African American, Southern Great Gatsby because I just didn't see it. That's not to say that it wasn't good, though a little tightening wouldn't hurt. In the end I'm glad I read this and look forward to seeing …more
The Second Mrs. Hockaday
The Second Mrs. Hockaday
by Susan Rivers
The Second Mrs Hockaday (1/12/2017)
I love historical fiction but not a huge fan of the Civil War time period. That being said the epistolatory narrative of this story pulled me right in. There's quite a bit here for book clubs to discuss and an interesting mystery to solve. Definitely one of the better books …more
The Comet Seekers
The Comet Seekers
by Helen Sedgwick
The Comet Seeker (9/12/2016)
First off I should say I'm a sucker for stories with even a hint of magic in them. Much like Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman, Helen Sedgwick took ordinary people and gave them extraordinary lives.

With the backdrop of comets and stars, Roisin and Francois lives and …more
The Return of the Witch
The Return of the Witch
by Paula Brackston
Return of the Witch (1/12/2016)
I started this series not really being a fan of the genre. Still not a big fan but I love this series. Brackston has a way of telling a story that really pulls you in and makes you want to stay until the very end. I recommend starting from the beginning (and not just …more
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes
The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes
by Anna McPartlin
Kleenex should come with this book. (8/24/2015)
Knowing the fate of our main character before beginning helped to let me dive right into the emotions of this book. I'm not always a big fan of books where to outcome is a foregone conclusion but it worked for me here. I think Americans have a much harder time talking about …more
The Silver Witch
The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston
Love this series. (4/2/2015)
This is not my usual cup of tea kind of book series. But since the first installment I have loved it. The characters are so well drawn out. I love where the story takes me. I'm drawn in from the first page and can't wait till the end (and then I'm sorry it's over). She has …more
The Paris Winter
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
The Paris WInter--Excellent Historical Fiction (7/28/2014)
I make no bones about being a big fan of historical fiction, I'm a big fan. If you're not, if you've never tried it, The Paris Winter is a great place to start.

Imogen Robertson paints a beautiful picture of the Belle Epoque. Her characters are fascinating and richly drawn …more
The Quick
The Quick
by Lauren Owen
The Quick by Lauren Owen (5/5/2014)
I've recently come back to Gothic novels. I used to love them when I was younger but lost interest but now I'm back. The Quick is a good starter to come back. It's a nice low and slow burn, building on interesting characters, who I rooted for and couldn't wait to find out …more
House of Bathory
House of Bathory
by Linda Lafferty
An entertaining read (1/15/2014)
If I could have given 4 1/2 stars I would. Taking half a star away for what seemed like a rushed ending.

I have actually heard of Bathory before and found her story very interesting (boy, be a woman with power way back when and did they talk smack about you-wait, not much …more
Palisades Park
Palisades Park
by Alan Brennert
A window to a time gone by (2/12/2013)
I'll own up to having fantasies about this time period and place. So, right away, this book had me. I loved the characters, they jumped off the page and became real to me. The story flowed and made me nostalgic for a time and place I didn't know but wish I did. Now I feel I …more
The House Girl
The House Girl
by Tara Conklin
House Girl by Tara Conklin (11/7/2012)
I was so excited to get an advanced reader copy of this book. I was looking forward to it and was not disappointed at all. I was caught up in the story from the very beginning. I know many people are not fans of epistolary stories but I really do enjoy them. The main …more
The Forgetting Tree
The Forgetting Tree: A Novel
by Tatjana Soli
I'm still not sure... (9/10/2012)
...what I felt about this story. I was both fascinated and frustrated by Claire and her dedication to her land. I did find both Claire and Minna's story in the second half of the book, as another reviewer said, "haunting" and rather "spooky". And the end left me with many …more
A Partial History of Lost Causes
A Partial History of Lost Causes: A Novel
by Jennifer duBois
A Partial History of Lost Causes (1/4/2012)
I like many other wanted to like this more than I did. If I were to grade it on a scale of how much I appreciated it I would probably give it a 4 out of 5. But it was a little much for me and the characters weren't as engaging as I usually like. That being said Jennifer …more
All the Flowers in Shanghai
All the Flowers in Shanghai: A Novel
by Duncan Jepson
An interesting veiw into the past. (11/26/2011)
I have been interested in historical fiction for some time now and this was a interesting look into a period China I found fascinating. I found myself staying awake to find out what would happen. If you're looking for a look into another time and another place this book …more
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake
The Homecoming of Samuel Lake: A Novel
by Jenny Wingfield
A Perfect Southern Read (7/24/2011)
What's not to love about great Southern literature? Especially during the summer. I loved the story, the characters, the setting. Like any really good story I don't want to give too much away. I always think the beauty of a great tale is having it unfold before you page by …more
A Good Hard Look
A Good Hard Look: A Novel
by Ann Napolitano
A Good Hard Look (3/31/2011)
I understand there are many people who don't enjoy speculative historical fiction. I'm not one of them. I take them as a work of fiction with a character name I happen to know. And the references to their lives usually makes me want to find out more about them. I really …more
  • Page
  • 1

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    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.
1
2
3
4
PrevNext

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Jane and Dan at the End of the World
    by Colleen Oakley

    Date Night meets Bel Canto in this hilarious tale.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    Girl Falling
    by Hayley Scrivenor

    The USA Today bestselling author of Dirt Creek returns with a story of grief and truth.

    Read the Reviews
  • Book Jacket

    The Antidote
    by Karen Russell

    A gripping dust bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraskan town.

    Read the Reviews
1
2
3
PrevNext
Who Said...

These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

T B S of T F

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.