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Reviews by Mary Lou C. (Shenandoah Junction, WV)

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Girl Falling
Girl Falling: A Novel
by Hayley Scrivenor
What's the reality? (9/3/2024)
This book was okay but far from great. I'm assuming the author intended a psychological thriller/mystery. The characters were just strange and the ending left me wondering what was real and what was in somebody's head. Sorry, author, I just didn't get it. I'd rate it at 2.5.
The Pecan Children
The Pecan Children
by Quinn Connor
Strange (5/12/2024)
While I thought this book was well written, I also felt it was a little disjointed and far-fetched, even for fantasy. The ending was definitely a surprise. It’s not really my kind of story, but I think others might enjoy it.
The Wren, the Wren
The Wren, the Wren: A Novel
by Anne Enright
Difficult to Read (8/11/2023)
I had no idea what to expect when I requested this book, but I thought it sounded interesting.
Unfortunately, I soon discovered it was not for me.

It was very difficult to get into and the author's writing style did not appeal to me at all. I almost gave up after the first …more
The Sunset Route
The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West
by Carrot Quinn
Sunset Route (7/7/2021)
A wonderfully well written story that grips your emotions with each page. Carrot shares her struggles to survive in a world that seems to reject her. She makes you feel her deepest emotions from this rejection and isolation. The tragedy of mental illness and how it can …more
With or Without You
With or Without You: A Novel
by Caroline Leavitt
With or Without You (5/7/2020)
I though this was a good story line and had interesting characters. Unfortunately, it needed far more depth to pull me in. While the characters were interesting, they seemed shallow. All three of the main characters have a lot of baggage and the author tried to resolve it …more
The Twelve-Mile Straight
The Twelve-Mile Straight: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson
Thought Provoking- Twelve Mile Straight (5/5/2017)
This book is well written and the characters very well developed. It was a little hard to follow at first, but it didn't take long to become fully immersed in the story.

The author captures the essence of life in the south during the Great Depression. It follows the lives of …more
Before the War
Before the War
by Fay Weldon
Before the War (10/27/2016)
This is the first and only book I've read by this author, so I don't know if this is her typical style, but I found it disappointing. The book is written in third person. The characters could be quite interesting although I couldn't find a main character. They were all …more
Fallen Land
Fallen Land
by Taylor Brown
Fallen Land (11/7/2015)
Fallen Land is a beautifully written account of a very dark time in American history. It is far more than a love story. It demonstrates the grit and determination for survival and the cruelty that we care capable of.
The main characters were well developed and the author …more
Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
by Paula Brackston
Interesting story (6/26/2015)
The story takes place in the Welsh mountains and intertwines modern day with centuries-old legends and characters.
The author's tale was interesting and enjoyable to read, but I wasn't taken into it as I expected to be.
I felt the characters had little depth. A really great …more
The Witch of Painted Sorrows
The Witch of Painted Sorrows: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose
The Witch of Painted Sorrows (3/15/2015)
This was the first book I've read by this author. It was well written and had some historical interest, however I had difficulty connecting with it. There was far too much going on and not real depth except for the graphic sex, which frankly, detracted for me. I like to …more
Vanessa and Her Sister
Vanessa and Her Sister
by Priya Parmar
Vanessa and her Sister - Outstanding (10/20/2014)
I had difficulty getting into this book initially, because of the unusual format and so many characters to keep track of. I didn't know very much about the Stephens sisters prior to reading this book. Once I got into the rhythm of the book, I couldn't put it down. It was …more
The Paris Winter
The Paris Winter
by Imogen Robertson
Paris Winter (7/8/2014)
This is a great, well written historic fiction set in Paris during the "Beautiful Era". The story started a little slow, but it didn't take long to get into the characters and the story line.

The story takes place in the early 1900s and gives the reader insight into the …more
Enduring Courage
Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed
by John F. Ross
Portrait in courage (3/31/2014)
Driven by his poverty-stricken, abusive childhood, Rickenbacker's courage and determination carried him through an extraordinary life. It's an amazing story and an example of how true life can be more incredible than fiction.

The book chronicles more than just the life of …more
The Devil in the Marshalsea
The Devil in the Marshalsea
by Antonia Hodgson
A little mystery - a little romance (3/2/2014)
Set in London in the 1700s, this story brings to life the horror of the prison system at the time. The characters were well introduced and developed and the plot was gripping. My only issue would be the timeframe. I found it difficult to believe that so much happened in a …more
House of Bathory
House of Bathory
by Linda Lafferty
Great Historical Novel (12/15/2013)
The author has a gift for bringing historical events to life with her own special spin. In this tale, she uses characters and events that spawned legends of Count Dracula and dark castles.
Ms. Lafferty masterfully, weaves back and forth between modern day and 17th century …more
The Spirit Keeper
The Spirit Keeper
by K. B. Laugheed
Spellbinding (8/30/2013)
This tale held my attention from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. The characters were quite well developed and interesting, and I felt I was accompanying them on their long journey into the wilderness. Katie, this very young woman, took a leap of faith and her …more
The First Affair
The First Affair
by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
First Affair - Really??! (6/2/2013)
Change the names and some minor details and it's the Monica Lewinsky story. I have no problem with the idea, but the authors weren't very creative, in my opinion. You could google all the media from the Clinton period and you'd basically have the story. They could have been …more
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate: A Lucy Campion Mystery
by Susanna Calkins
Great Mystery (2/27/2013)
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate was a very interesting story, set in 17th century England. It offered great insight into the conditions and attitudes of that period. I felt the author attempted to include so many historical events, it lost focus at times.

Although it started a …more
The Spy Lover
The Spy Lover
by Kiana Davenport
A personal side of war (12/3/2012)
I have read volumes on the Civil War and this novel is by far, one of the most graphic. If you tend to have a queazy stomach, you might want to skip this one. It paints a vivid picture of the atrocities of war and the personal tragedies and abuses suffered by three very …more
The Bloodletter's Daughter
The Bloodletter's Daughter: A Novel of Old Bohemia
by Linda Lafferty
Bloodletter's Daughter (9/11/2012)
Bloodletter's Daughter is based on a true historical event. It takes place in Bohemia in the early 1600s. The author obviously researched the period and event well. Her resulting tale is riveting. The characters are fascinating and well developed. I couldn't put this book …more
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