Book Browse allowed me the opportunity to read If I Forget You by Thomas Christopher Green as one of the First Impression Choices.

Henry Gold was a student at Bannister College in Providence where he met and fell in love with Margot Fuller. He was poor and she was rich. He was Jewish while she was not. Given these age-old circumstances, you can imagine how this would turn out.

This novel is a cliché. The characters are stereotypical and the story reads likes an ordinary soap opera. There are several scenes, which could have been better delivered but instead were obvious and predictable.

I would not recommend this book to the serious reader who likes to dig into a story and stay there till the final pages. Unfortunately, I found If I Forget You simply forgettable.

I was excited to receive The Dark Lady's Mask by Mary Sharratt for review as it presented me with the opportunity to learn about Amelia's Bassano Lanier, the woman often considered the author of many of William Shakespeare's sonnets.

It clearly depicts what Renaissance life was like for a woman who had goals and aspirations only men had been able to achieve. It, however, wasn't enough to sustain my interest. Perhaps a little less information and a bit more action would have kept me going. It became dull and tedious.

I now remember picking up Daughters of the Witching Hill by the same author and having the same reaction. Perhaps I just don't care for Sharratt's style.

Lynda Cohen Loigman's debut novel The Two-Family House is a candid look at families. The story will sound familiar to many because often families experience very complicated situations.

The story is driven by two sister in laws Helen and Rose. Once extremely close their friendship deteriorates over a unfortunate decision they make. This not only alters their lives but the lives of their families.

The author makes a valiant effort with this story. However, for me I found it not enough. The "secret" is all too obvious from the very start and what develops because of it expected. It was simply an average story.

The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs by Matthew Dicks delivers a strong message - bullies never win. Written for the modern reader, the author paints an interesting picture of how powerful words can be.

Caroline Jacobs has been tortured by an argument she had with her "best" friend in high school. The day that Emile gave away Caroline's seat at their table in the cafeteria was the day that came to define Caroline.

At one point, Polly, Caroline's daughter who attends high school, tells her mom about how much they have been taught about bullies and bullying. To my knowledge this is accurate. I am sure we have all read or heard news accounts of bullying tactics and their disastrous consequences. Clearly, The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs addresses this issue.

Dicks has simply written a complicated story. He manages very quickly to get the reader to champion Caroline's cause. At times, the story feels scattered but that appears entirely purposeful as Caroline's actions are often scattered and tentative.

I highly recommend this book and while I am not certain who the author intended his audience to be; I believe that it could easily succeed in a YA genre.

Thank you Book Browse for presenting me with the opportunity to meet someone like Caroline Jacobs. Her character is real and often reminded me a bit of myself while in high school. Certainly a hard topic to discuss, Dicks handles himself well here with a very moving and poignant story.

Unfortunately, The Wild Girl did not deliver what I had hoped for. I love historical fiction and look forward to learning historical facts in a fun way. While I learned facts about the Grimm Brothers and the world they lived in , I felt that the delivery was a bit juvenile . At times, I felt like it read like a fairy tale.

I did learn about the Napoleanic era and the affects it had on the people of Germany. The information about how the Grimm Brothers formulated their published tales was fairly interesting too but all of this was just not enough for me.

Dortchen's story was a sad and disturbing one. Her childhood was nothing short of horrific.

In total, I found The Wild Girl just an average read with somewhat of a weak in delivery.

So I requested to read The Silver Witch because it intrigued me. While not my usual read, I really appreciated the opportunity to get a taste of Paula Brackston's witchy novel.

Brackston writes beautifully and perhaps that kept me moving through the novel more than the subject matter. A mix of historical fiction and fantasy it delivers something for everyone. The chapters alternate between the time of Seren in 10th century Wales and current times with Tilda. As Tilda discovers the link between she and Seren the historical facts as well as a love story unfold.

I can now say I "gave it a try" and though I enjoyed what I read I doubt that I will try another.

As memoirs go this was an extremely complex one for sure. Lucy Ann Lobdell goes undercover as a man in pursuit of a better life for she and her daughter, Helen. The reality is that what she actually pursues is an honest, authentic life for herself.

As the story progresses we learn a lot about Lucy. Her desire for sexual equality and freedom that only men of her generation have is groundbreaking at the very least. The length she goes to in pursuit of these freedoms is admirable. The price she pays for them horrifying.

I applaud William Klaber for taking on her story; however, I wasn't totally thrilled with his delivery. At times I was totally engaged in the story and then my interest would wane and the book would drag. I honestly think this would make a better movie than novel. I'd find it hard to recommend this book despite how much I appreciate the story.

The Paris Winter by Imogen Robertson has introduced me to an author I did not previously know but certainly am now happy to have found.

Maud Heighton is a proper English woman who has not had an easy life. Her impoverished and dysfunctional family has left her little to enjoy. She is a gifted artist that wishes to study art in France. After the meager home she inherited burns down, she uses the little bit of insurance money she receives to study at the Lafond an art school in Paris. It is there that she becomes friends with a wealthy Russian woman who in an attempt to help Maud survive the harsh Paris winter leads her directly into danger and deceit.

Robertson crafts an intriguing novel that is as much historical fiction as mystery. The combination produces a very successful story that is impossible to put down. It hit all the notes that for me make a novel sing. Her characters are powerful personalities that add to the intrigue and mystery. It is so well done that I was surprised by several events, which make the book more exciting. The Paris Winter is a clear winner that will entertain every reader.

Based on true historical figures The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin is a novel of good imagination. Charlotte Baird, the heiress of the Lennox fortune, meets Bay Middleton a soldier known for his skills with horses and women. While Charlotte finds herself falling in love with him, his attentions are shared with the Empress of Austria, Sisi. A love triangle of sorts ensues.

While I greatly appreciate historical fiction, I was not thrilled with Goodwin's novel. Once again, as in her first novel, The American Heiress, her writing gets bogged down with irrelevant details…. details of prancing and jumping horses and fox chases become way too much. She quickly establishes the "affair" between Bay and Sisi and honestly didn't need all the extras.

Characters of history can sometimes be boring but Goodwin's imagination prevents that from happening. Her characterizations are what drove me to continue reading. Every character was full of personality.

The author's enthusiasm for the subject is evident in her thorough research. In the end, I became familiar with someone I would not have known. I would recommend this novel to those that enjoy this genre. For me less would have been more allowing me to give more praise rather than less.

I knew nothing about Frances Stuart before reading Girl on the Golden Coin by Marci Jefferson. For me the best I can say is that it is historically accurate. Historical fiction is my favorite genre and a very good way to be introduced to different time periods and personalities. I found that Girl on the Golden Coin trivializes history. Jefferson has sex, not strategy, determining historical outcomes.

I am not a fan of Phillpa Gregory either and would rather read a historical novel written more in the style of The Paris Wife by Paula Mc Lain or Nancy Horan's, Loving Frank. I think either author would have better portrayed Frances Stuart. For me, Jefferson painted Frances as a manipulative young woman with not much character. My own research on Frances Stuart indicates she was a dynamic, intelligent woman. Certainly, I did not see her like that in Jefferson's portrayal.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Girl on the Golden Coin to serious historical fiction readers. If you enjoy Harlequin novels with a bit of history, this one is for you.

The Housemaids Daughter by Barbara Mutch spans decades of struggle Africans faced against apartheid. Beautifully written in the innocent voice of Ada, the housemaid's daughter, the author brings the reader and her characters on a journey toward freedom.

Barbara Mutch eloquently tells of Ada's life as she grows up in Cradock House. The story is delivered through many paths. Since Madam taught Ada to read, they communicate through the entries in Madam's diary. It is how Ada comes to know Madam's heart and soul, her longings for Ireland, for love and affection from her husband (the master) and her desire for Ada to have a life of freedom.

The story continues through their love of music. Black and white hands on a piano, signifying a prayer for unity and equality.

The repeated reference to the river Groot Vis as the dividing line between lives of white and black reflects the turmoil that Ada and her friends and family must face daily.

As innocence fades and the cruel realities of life emerge, the housemaid's daughter becomes a resounding voice speaking for those less fortunate, those of color and the human spirit.

I loved the simplicity in which this powerful story is told. The author did an incredible job creating characters of substance and value. The images of loss and desperation are clear and the drive for "liberation" can be felt. You can almost hear the piano chords being played.

I predict that Barbara Mutch will have much success with The Housemaid's Daughter. I strongly encourage readers to meet Ada Madam, Dawn and all the townsfolk who defy barriers and customs in order to have a future that is colorless.

Thank you BookBrowse from giving me the opportunity to read Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole. It reminded me very much of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which I also enjoyed.

Elspeth Dunn lives on the remote island of Skye in Scotland. She lives a very sheltered life. She has never left the island and lives on a farm with her husband. She writes poetry and most recently has had a book of poems published.

David Graham an American college student loves poetry and after reading Elspeth book he writes her a fan letter. What begins as a simple fan letter becomes much more.

As the Great War begins Elspeth's husband goes off to war. Davy unhappy with his career options becomes eager for an adventure. He joins the corps of ambulance volunteers in France. Through it all the correspondence continues. The letters become personal and intimate revealing their secrets and desires.

The author does an incredible job telling their story through letters. The characters are so real and the correspondence so compelling, I would forget that I was reading a book. I think I became as eager as Elspeth to read each new letter.

For anyone who has received a love letter and for those who wish they had, Letters from Skye is a must read.

Her Last Breath by Linda Castillo is the first book of the Kate Burkholder series that I have read. Obviously, I have been missing some good reading. Her Last Breath begins with a buggy accident in an Amish community in Ohio. A man and two children are killed and a third child is seriously injured. When police chief, Kate, arrives at the scene she realizes that it is the family of her Amish friend, Mattie.

What unfolds is a very emotional, dramatic murder mystery. I was impressed with the way Castillo presented the story, drawing the reader in and making you eager for justice. She writes very much in the style of Lisa Scottoline but better. Even though another case and Katie's love life are part of the story, they enhance rather than detract from the criminal investigation. I don't like when side stories fill pages with distraction.

Her Last Breath is the fifth in this series but it stands well alone. Not having read the others, it was easy to fill in the blanks and follow without knowing too much of Katie's history. If I have the opportunity I will read some of the earlier books in this series.

Anyone who loves a good mystery or Amish stories will completely enjoy this page-turner. It reads like a good movie and was over far too soon.

The summary of The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler intrigued me enough to want to read it. It surpassed my expectations.

Lily arrives in Montreal just after World War II. It has been arranged that she would travel to Montreal from Palestine to meet and marry Sol Kramer. Upon her arrival at the train station, Sol has a change of mind and abandons her there. It is Nathan, Sol's brother, who takes pity on his brother's rejected bride and marries her instead. Lily's traveling papers identify her as Lily Azerov but they are just papers after all. Lily took documents from a dead woman named Lily and traveled with her identity. This was not an uncommon practice after the war, as refugees needed proper papers in order to travel. What "Lily" doesn't realize is that coincidence has placed her with the family of the real Lily. Along with identifying papers Lily takes an uncut diamond that the dead Lily had in her possession.

The qualities of the uncut diamond mirror the story that follows. Like the rough diamond, Lily, her daughter Ruthie and the entire cast of characters have many facets to them. Cut the diamond incorrectly, it will shatter and be worthless. Cut and polished correctly, it will be invaluable. Generation after generation leaves the diamond intact. Generation after generations never discuss the past leaving it imagined.

The Imposter Bride was a strong and engaging novel. The character development was deep and rich. At times, the flow of the story was a bit confusing but it gave the reader the sense of angst that Ruthie was experiencing. I love to become invested in a story and Richler's expert telling made it easy. I highly recommend The Imposter Bride. This would make an excellent book club choice.