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Reviews by Janice A. (Colfax, WI)

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The Jackal's Mistress
The Jackal's Mistress: A Novel
by Chris Bohjalian
Review of The Jackal's Mistress (3/4/2025)
I found this book interesting while learning more about the struggle of slaves in the United States. The story depicted the cruelty of war, particularly the Civil War, and the treatment of Blacks during that time. This is a good historical fiction book for people who want …more
Beast of the North Woods
Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan
Review - Beast of the North Woods (11/3/2024)
Annelise Ryan's "Beast of the North Woods" is a quick and easy read. The protagonist is a cryptozoologist - she hunts for legendary creatures (such as yeti, big foot, loc ness monster) that may or may not exist. She is hired by the brother-in-law of an employee. This hunt …more
Harlem Rhapsody
Harlem Rhapsody
by Victoria Christopher Murray
Harlem Rhapsody (9/29/2024)
For me, Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody is the quintessential historical novel. It is based on true events, is entertaining and provided a learning opportunity. I enjoyed reading this book that centered on Jessie Redmon Fauset, the literary editor of The …more
Pony Confidential
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Pony Confidential (7/2/2024)
Christina Lynch has written an interesting and unique novel. The main characters are Penny and Pony. Penny is in her late 30s, a wife, mother, third grade teacher and charged with a murder that occurred 25 years prior. Pony is the riding pony that Penny owned when she was a …more
The Adversary
The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
The Adversary - Dark yet Intriguing (1/3/2024)
There were times while reading this book I debated whether to continue. The Adversary is full of quirky characters, debauchery, and violence yet also includes acts of kindness and a sense of community. Michael Crummy sets the book on the coast of Newfoundland, Canada during …more
Becoming Madam Secretary
Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray
Becoming Madam Secretary (11/13/2023)
I found Stephanie Dray's book very interesting and well written. As with so many historical fiction books that feature women in prominent roles, this book introduced me to another women, Frances Perkins, a strong advocate and leader in labor issues. Miss Perkins (as she was …more
All You Have to Do Is Call
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
The present is the past (7/6/2023)
Maher's novel is set a few years before the United States Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade (1973). Maher also provides a look into what residents in many states are currently facing as a result of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision (2022). This book …more
The Little Italian Hotel
The Little Italian Hotel: A Novel
by Phaedra Patrick
Good Summer Read (4/20/2023)
Phaedra Patrick wrote an interesting and fresh vacation read. This novel contains the prerequisite themes, such as relationships ending and beginning, a summer vacation, and a lack of communication between characters. What The Little Hotel in Italy adds is the mix of …more
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise (10/13/2022)
I found this book enjoyable and a fun read. Hoffman has written a contemporary story that incorporates current technology. The two main characters are over 60 years apart in age, yet each character grew during their time together and became friends. It reaffirms the idea …more
Some of It Was Real
Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer
Secrets, Truths and Lies (3/24/2022)
Whether you believe in psychic-mediums or not, Nan Fischer will have you wanting to continue reading "Some of it was Real" beyond your sleep time. Fischer had me wondering throughout the book what were lies and what was the truth. Then she would hint at a secret that added …more
Take My Hand
Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Take my Hand (9/15/2021)
Take My Hand by Perkins-Valdez is a well written and interesting novel that brings to light an experimental medical treatment to which poor, Black women and young girls were exposed and, for some their future reproductive health was forever changed. The novel takes place in …more
Blind Man's Bluff
Blind Man's Bluff: A Memoir
by James Tate Hill
Blind Man's Bluff (9/4/2021)
At times I found myself judging Hill and the choices he made regarding who and what he told about his blindness and his willingness to accept assistance. I then had to remind myself that no one knows how they would respond in the same circumstances. Losing most of his sight …more
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel
by Ursula Hegi
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls (5/31/2020)
The characters in this book are complex and their backgrounds are slowly revealed. As I discovered more about each character, I developed a further understanding of the loss the character experienced, their reaction to this loss, and the strength they found. At times, I …more
Ellie and the Harpmaker
Ellie and the Harpmaker
by Hazel Prior
Ellie and the Harpmaker (4/29/2019)
The characters continued to develop throughout the book. Just as I thought I had Ellie, Clive, and Dan figured out, the plot changed and more layers were revealed. The descriptions of the harp construction were so well written that I imagined being in the workshop watching …more
A People's History of Heaven
A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian
A People's History of Heaven (3/11/2019)
Heaven is a collection of shacks and huts in the windswept outskirts of Bangalore. The poorest families live here. Yet, the girls and women in this novel are rich in friendship, understanding, and shared history. The story revolves around the experiences of a group of teen- …more
Happiness
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After
by Heather Harpham
Happiness of a child in medical crisis (6/16/2017)
This memoir is a combination of happiness and sadness. It made me think about the understanding and support parents, relatives, and friends need when facing a major medical crisis involving such a young child. Be prepared to read it in one setting. I could not put it down, …more
The Stars Are Fire
The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve
Anita Shreve The stars are fire (3/16/2017)
Shreve has produced another well written and descriptive novel. This story shows the strength of a woman who lost herself and by surviving a tragedy found the strength she always owned. Grace experiences her true love as well as her Achilles heel and must decide between the …more
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