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Reviews by Diana C. (Delray Beach, FL)

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The Witch of Painted Sorrows
The Witch of Painted Sorrows: A Daughters of La Lune Novel
by M. J. Rose
A novel of Belle Époque Paris (3/18/2015)
This story has everything: the occult, Kabalists, demonic possession and famous painters of the Ecole salon, all seamlessly weaved inside a family curse involving a 16th century courtesan. I enjoyed escaping reality as I became immersed in this page turner. I look forward …more
The Silver Witch
The Silver Witch
by Paula Brackston
Disappointing Final Pages (2/20/2015)
I have read Paula Brackston in the past and looked forward to reading her latest, The Silver Witch. The story alternates between modern day Wales and ancient Celtic times, telling the story of a ceramic artist with an intuitive nature and a Celtic shaman seemingly connected …more
Juliet's Nurse
Juliet's Nurse
by Lois Leveen
An inside look into Juliet's life (7/8/2014)
The author stated she wanted to give voice to the person who had the most dialogue in Shakespeare's original version of Romeo & Juliet, outside of the two main characters, Juliet's wet nurse. Seen though her eyes we learn about Juliet's infancy and early years, as well …more
Her
Her
by Harriet Lane
A riveting, dark tale (5/15/2014)
This story follows two women, seemingly strangers, who are connected by an obscure life thread. The narrative alternates between each of the women's voices and interpretations after they meet somewhat randomly. I was riveted by the prose, as it draws you in from the first …more
The Devil in the Marshalsea
The Devil in the Marshalsea
by Antonia Hodgson
Intriguing Murder Mystery (3/17/2014)
I loved this book. It's still a wonder to me how this author can take a subject as unpleasant as debtor's prisons in 18th century Britain and turn it into a fascinating, page turning book. Then, add to the mix a few absorbing murder mysteries to make it even more …more
Where Monsters Dwell
Where Monsters Dwell
by Jørgen Brekke
Norwegian Murder Mystery (11/10/2013)
Two murders, one in Virginia and one in Norway, are seemingly connected and two detectives embark on the quest to solve the crimes complete with flashbacks to the 16th century. While I am not a fan of present day murder mysteries, the addition of the 16th century flashbacks …more
The Disenchanted Widow
The Disenchanted Widow
by Christina McKenna
Lighthearted Irish Tale (8/25/2013)
I wasn't sure at first if I would be able to get interested in this book since this is not my genre but, as it turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. Spoken in the dialect of the Emerald Isle, this is really a story about happy endings and learning not to judge people by …more
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
Where's the rest of it? (7/17/2013)
I was so very excited to read this book, but when I went to pick up a copy at my local bookstore and saw the size of it (very slim and small) I was disappointed before I ever even opened the front cover. I don't know about you, but I like a large, hard to manage hardcover …more
The Secret Keeper
The Secret Keeper
by Kate Morton
One of Morton's best (7/3/2013)
I have read all of Kate Morton's books, so I was of course eagerly awaiting her latest. Rich in period detail, which I have come to expect from all of Morton's books, this story moves back and forth from Second World War London to the 21st century, unraveling a family …more
The Light Between Oceans
The Light Between Oceans: A Novel
by Margot L. Stedman
A Heartrending Tale (7/2/2012)
Notwithstanding the innocuous dialogue between husband and wife during the early years of their marriage, which takes place very early on, thankfully this book unravels into an absorbing, stirring and emotional story about how a seemingly benevolent split-second decision …more
Afterwards
Afterwards: A Novel
by Rosamund Lupton
Parallel Universe Whodunit (4/24/2012)
After the sudden fire at a primary school, a mother embarks upon a crusade, with her daughter's aid, to get to the bottom of this senseless and horrific act. The twist here is that both mother and daughter have been existing in an outer-body dimension, which proves …more
Sacre Bleu
Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art
by Christopher Moore
Merde! (2/9/2012)
What do you get when you mix the Impressionist painters, mysterious deaths, time travel, life in fin de siècle Paris and irreverent humor? You get Christopher Moore’s new novel, Sacre Bleu. As a lover of art history and historical fiction, I enjoyed traveling back to fin de …more
The Dressmaker
The Dressmaker: A Novel
by Kate Alcott
First Class Historical Thriller (10/6/2011)
We all know the tragic story of the Titanic, but few of us have read the transcripts of the Senate hearings that took place immediately following the ship’s sinking. The author relies on those transcripts to set up her story, and what a story it is. Intermingled with …more
In Search of the Rose Notes
In Search of the Rose Notes: A Novel
by Emily Arsenault
A Jewel of a Mystery (6/1/2011)
If all authors had this gift for character development, every book we read would be a treasured jewel. The obvious draw in this novel is the reader’s ardent desire to find out what happened to Rose, that fateful day. The not-so-obvious draw is the way the author peels away …more
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer
by Wesley Stace
A Lyrical Murder Mystery (11/4/2010)
Written in the nuanced language of early 20th century England, this is the engaging story of fictional composer Charles Jessold's life, as well as the life of his friend, music critic, and the story's narrator, Leslie Shepherd. The underlying murder mystery and descriptive …more
The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise: A Novel
by Julia Stuart
Love and Loss and all things English (8/1/2010)
As a self-proclaimed Anglophile and a Tower of London enthusiast, of course I was anxious to read Julia Stuart's book. While filled with delicious tidbits about the Tower of London and interesting British history in general, this book is more about the power of love and how …more
Heresy
Heresy
by S.J. Parris
Elizabethan Era Thriller (11/30/2009)
As a lover of all things Tudor and Elizabethan, I thoroughly enjoyed S.J. Parris' Heresy. The book follows monk and scientist Giordano Bruno as he is called to London on a secret mission at the behest of Sir Francis Walsingham. This mission becomes secondary to Bruno's …more
The Book of God and Physics
The Book of God and Physics: A Novel of the Voynich Mystery
by Enrique Joven
Astronomically Entertaining! (6/13/2009)
Although chock full of intricate astronomical and astrological statistics and references, this novel is highly readable and entertaining. Following the main character (a Jesuit priest) and his acquaintances throughout their quest to decipher the ancient text called the …more
Eve
Eve: A Novel of the First Woman
by Elissa Elliott
Historically based family drama (12/28/2008)
On one level, this book takes us back to the beginning of creation with all the wonder and glorious newness surrounding the inception of the world. On a larger scale, this books examines the lives and relationships of and within a family, albeit the first humans known to …more
The Sweet In Between
The Sweet In Between: A Novel
by Sheri Reynolds
Classic Sheri Reynolds (8/31/2008)
I first fell in love with Sheri Reynolds as an author after reading The Rapture of Canaan, one of the best books I have ever read. The Sweet In Between is an unconventional coming of age story about an almost 18 year old young woman living with what could be termed society' …more
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