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Reviews by Jane H. (Indianola, IA)

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That Summer
by Lauren Willig
That Summer by Lauren Willig (3/31/2014)
Lauren Willig's book follows a " book within a book" format. One story takes place in 1849 with the pre-Raphaelite artists, and the other in 2009 with a young girl searching for her past. Both stories have their roots in Herne Hill, a mysterious old house in London.

I foundmore
The Edge of the Earth
by Christina Schwarz
The Edge of the Earth (10/10/2012)
WOW! What a beautifuly written book! The details and swift pace keep the reader entranced, and the characters come to life through their secrets and ruses. The main character, Gertrude Swann, is the pivotal person that keeps this story magical. Once you start this book, itmore
The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman
The Light Between Oceans (7/2/2012)
The author gives a very authentic description of a lighthouse keepers life, but tends to get wordy. The story depicts how one lie can develope into many, and how these lies affect the character's lives. The last paragraph of the book sums up the story - man is shaped by themore
The Secrets of Mary Bowser
by Lois Leveen
The Secrets of Mary Bowser (4/3/2012)
This outstanding book is based on the true story of Mary Van Lew Bowser, a Black slave of the Civil War period. Raised as a house slave by the Van Lew family, Mary is given her freedom and sent to Philadelphia to be educated. As a free Black, Mary encounters many of themore
King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village
by Peggielene Bartels, Eleanor Herman
King Peggy (12/4/2011)
King Peggy - what a fabulous woman! Peggielene Bartels, an American citizen, with roots in Ghana, has been called to be the King of Otuam, a town of 7000. When she arrives for her crowning she finds that the town has no water, the palace is a wreck, the council hasmore
The Language of Flowers: A Novel
by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Language of Flowers (5/24/2011)
Constantly rejected and mistreated in foster homes, Victoria, at the age of ten has become mean and vicious; difficult to handle. She is given one more chance when she is taken to live with Elizabeth. However, mistrust and jealousy on her part, cause her to be removed, andmore
Prophecy: An Historical Thriller
by S.J. Parris
Prophecy (3/10/2011)
This is a great historical thriller! The year is 1583, and Giordano Bruno is back one again. This time it is to stop a plot by those who wish to put Mary Stuart on the throne of England. Prophecy is wonderfully written. The reader is a participant in the surroundings andmore
Raising Wrecker: A Novel
by Summer Wood
Wrecker (11/3/2010)
Three women and a man, all with secrets and problems of their own, are joined together as an unconventional family to raise an unconventional child named Wrecker These unrelated people surround Wrecker with love and compassion, and in doing so not only come to accept theirmore
The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise: A Novel
by Julia Stuart
The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortise (7/30/2010)
What a joy to read!!! Come, open the pages and meet a Beefeater of the Tower of London, Balthazar Jones, his wife Hebe, and all their quirky friends, animals and problems.

The author's style of writing tickles your funny bone. SO - put your feet up, open the book and enjoy,enjoy,enjoy!
A Thread of Sky: A Novel
by Deanna Fei
A Thread of Sky (3/31/2010)
I found it very hard to get interested in A Thread of the Sky. The characters all had emotional problems,carried secrets and could not seem to identify with each other. The one character I felt lived up to my expectations was the grandmother. This is not the China she left.more
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Heresy (12/10/2009)
S.J. Parris takes what little is known about Giordano Bruno and turns out a taut, excellent well written mystery novel. Bruno's search for the killer keeps a reader turning the pages. Parris not only know her characters well, but she understands the culture, morals andmore
The Book of Illumination: A Novel from the Ghost Files
by Mary Ann Winkowski
The Book of Illumination (10/7/2009)
I was disappointed in this book. It felt as if the author was trying too hard to weave two plots together for one story. The premise of the ghost speaker was interesting, and it was obvious that Winkowski knew much of the historical background used However, the sub-plot, ofmore
The Last Bridge
by Teri Coyne
The Last Bridge (6/7/2009)
Teri Coyne has written an excellent novel. She is a very descriptive writer, and puts words together that keep the reader on edge. There were times when I was uneasy with her flashbacks. Many times I felt they popped up at awkward times, making me break my focus on themore
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