Reviews by Shirley P. (Colorado Springs, CO)

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The House on Biscayne Bay
The House on Biscayne Bay
by Chanel Cleeton
Another good read from Chanel Cleeton (1/15/2024)
I have read two or three of Ms. Cleeton's books and have enjoyed all of them. This novel is no exception. The author is an excellent writer whose words smoothly propel the story. I really like two or more timelines in books and especially when skillfully written so as not …more
Metropolis
Metropolis: A Novel
by B. A. Shapiro
The Castle (4/9/2022)
B.A, Shapiro writes a good book, and this is no exception. The Castle refers to a storage warehouse named Metropolis, nicknamed as such by the architecture of the structure with turrets etc embellishing the building. The book begins with a fire and then turns backwards to …more
The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Why I wish I could give this book four stars. (2/11/2021)
The Personal Librarian is a very good account of the life of Bella da Costa Greene, the librarian at the John Pierpont Morgan library in NYC. She had a background of art history, but no formal education in this field. She was innately talented in recognizing and purchasing …more
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
by Phaedra Patrick
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge (1/10/2020)
I am a big fan of Phaedra Patrick, so was thrilled to receive a pre-pub of her latest.
Ms. Patrick's main character is a befuddled man. She often uses main characters who are befuddled because of events outside their control or understanding, and are endearing, though …more
Cartier's Hope
Cartier's Hope: A Novel
by M. J. Rose
In Spite of the Cover... (9/28/2019)
...I enjoyed this book very much. I am a big fan of M.J. Rose's books, and was thrilled to get an advance copy of "Cartier's Hope".
This book differs somewhat from her previous books which usually featured magical/mystical themes like witches/uber-sensitive perfumers, and …more
The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel
by Jeanne Mackin
"The Last Collection... (3/6/2019)
...A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel"

I really enjoyed reading this historical novel, starring real fashion icons of the 1930s and beyond. The narrator, Lily, is the fictional character that pulls together the verifiable stories of Elsa and Coco. The writing is …more
Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions
Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions
by Mario Giordano
Auntie Poldi... (1/1/2018)
...the titled main character of this light mystery set in Sicily, is not nearly as interesting as she thinks she is. The story told sometimes through her nephew as a Greek chorus, is about a German widow who moves to Sicily to drink herself to death. Poldi is a sassy and …more
As Bright as Heaven
As Bright as Heaven
by Susan Meissner
As Bright as Heaven (10/18/2017)
Overall I enjoyed the story in this book, but found the writing a little flat (hence 3 stars). I received the book and started it, then found it hard to pick up again.
The fine thing about this book is the interesting place in history in which it takes place. World War I and …more
The Necklace
The Necklace
by Claire McMillan
I am a sucker... (6/20/2017)
...for a good story. "The Necklace" provides just that - a well written entertaining book that tells it's story from present day back to the 1920's. The necklace refers to an Indian piece of valuable jewelry given as an inheritance to present day estranged member of the …more
The Fifth Petal
The Fifth Petal: A Novel
by Brunonia Barry
A Book as Strong as the Roots of the Oak Tree (2/12/2017)
The oak tree's roots are the strong imagery used extensively in "The Fifth Petal." The story told in this book covers many time periods and several different characters. Do not be discouraged by this as the book carries you along and quickly picks you up and drops you where …more
Manderley Forever
Manderley Forever
by Tatiana de Rosnay
Manderly Forever - Tatiana De Rosnay (12/26/2016)
I read a great deal of Daphne Du Maurier's books as a young woman and enjoyed them very much. I thought of her as a "gothic" writer at the time, which I now find out from this book was an appellation she hated.
At the start of this book, I was a bit put off by the present …more
A Certain Age
A Certain Age: A Novel
by Beatriz Williams
Williams takes you to "A Certain Age" (3/26/2016)
I enjoy Beatiz William's books very much, though since I only recently discovered her, I have not read them all. The three I have read so far are quite different from one another, so I look forward to reading the next one. This book was again a treat from Williams.

"A …more
The Return of the Witch
The Return of the Witch
by Paula Brackston
The Witch Returns and You will Want to Join Her (1/23/2016)
I would have given this book five stars as I enjoyed it that much, but a book of this genre requires a suspension of belief, that perhaps all readers would not like to engage in.
Definitely, in order to enjoy and understand this book to the fullest, the reader should first …more
Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
Lamp Black, Wolf Grey
by Paula Brackston
Lamp Blackish (7/12/2015)
I really love Paula Brackston's books and was eager to get this one, but it failed to capture my imagination the way the rest of her books have. The plot was adequate, if uninspired. I did like the main characters of Megan and Laura, but mostly Megan. Rhys was a splendid " …more
Everybody Rise
Everybody Rise
by Stephanie Clifford
Everybody falls... (3/23/2015)
I enjoyed the writing in this book. That is my first prerequisite to even finishing a book. It was well written, describing the world in which the main character, Evelyn Beegen, strives to belong. She has been very influenced by her mother, who infected her with the idea …more
Whispering Shadows
Whispering Shadows
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Whispering Shadows (1/4/2015)
I very much enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into and be involved in the story. I have a special interest in China and was engrossed in the modern China and what that means in terms of the the underbelly of a society that has emerged from the Cultural Revolution. It is …more
Bitter Greens
Bitter Greens
by Kate Forsyth
Not your mother's fairytale... (9/5/2014)
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I was challenged by the three concurrent stories within the book, but did not have any trouble following the story lines which consisted of a retelling of a fairy tale, the life of the chronicler of the fairy tale and the antagonist (if you …more
The Romanov Sisters
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
by Helen Rappaport
The Romanov Sisters (6/8/2014)
Ever since reading "Nicholas and Alexandria" published in the 1970's, I have been fascinated by the Romanov family and their tragic deaths. It is amazing that Helen Rappaport has been able to write two sagas about this family. This book is well-written and eminently …more
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