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

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Accidents of Providence
by Stacia Brown

Accidents of Providence (11/19/2011)

I love this book. Couldn't put it down. The story is set in England during an era of religious strife. I know very little about the Puritan time, but I felt the author took me back to this period and helped me understand how far we have come in civilization.

The cast of …more

Tides of War: A Novel
by Stella Tillyard

Tides of War (11/9/2011)

I had a little difficulty getting into this book because the author introduced so many characters and stories initially, and she moves from one character's story to another so quickly. I thought I'd lose interest. It didn't take long however, to become totally immersed in …more

Next to Love
by Ellen Feldman

Where's the rest of the story? (6/30/2011)

Being a child of that generation (1940s-60s), this book haunted me. Having read all the letters written by my own parents to one another during WWII, I can say that the author has done her research and quite accurately captured the mood and character of that period.

Her …more

The Daughter of Siena: A Novel
by Marina Fiorato

Predictable but goo (4/25/2011)

Sienna's Daughter was totally predictable. Still, I could not put it down. The author skillfully takes you back to a time so romantic yet so brutal. I felt as though I were there, within the walls of this ancient city. Well written, worth reading.

Outside Wonderland: A Novel
by Lorna Jane Cook

Keep Reading! (2/7/2011)

After reading the prologue, I convinced myself that I wouldn't like this book. Fortunately, I kept reading and found that it was impossible not to become totally immersed in the lives of these characters. In the end, I found myself wanting to believe that we are being watched over.

The Clouds Beneath the Sun
by Mackenzie Ford

Disappointing (7/15/2010)

This is the second book I've read by this author. I really hoped this one would be better. The author may be a well known and respected historian, but I think he should stick with writing non-fiction. His lame attempts at romance only cheapen the story for me. I found the …more

The Map of True Places
by Brunonia Barry

The Map of True Places (4/9/2010)

I enjoyed reading "The Map of True Places". It had enough twists and turns to keep me reading, and I couldn't put it down. It delved into the tragedy of mental illness and the many lives affected by it.

Although I understand the main character was looking for and found a " …more

Secret Daughter: A Novel
by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Secret Daughter (1/9/2010)

Secret Daughter is a tale of two worlds. It is filled with despair, yet ever hopeful. The author captures the complexities of blending two very different cultures, made more challenging with adoption. It is a story for and about women, and you quickly connect with the …more

Alice I Have Been
by Melanie Benjamin

Lewis Carroll, a Pedophile? (10/26/2009)

Although the author did a wonderful job of detailing life in Victorian England, I found the story difficult to follow, wondering what was real and what wasn't. The reader is to form his/her own conclusions as to what really happened. But I, for one, was uncomfortable with …more

Gifts of War: A Novel
by Mackenzie Ford

Gifts of War (4/2/2009)

I thought this was a very good read. It kept my interest. I find the period during WWI fascinating, and the author wove in some interesting facts about the time period that were enlightening.

It is a romance, albeit a rather dark one.

Cutting For Stone
by Abraham Verghese

Cutting for Stone (1/9/2009)

"Cutting for Stone" is a gripping story that begins in Ethiopia and unfolds over decades and continents. It is a story of coming of age, of passion and of tragedy, but mostly, it is a story of hope and commitment.

Dr. Verghese's descriptions of places and incidents were so …more

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