In my 86 years I have read thousands of mystery/thriller books. This plot is so original and clever I read it start to finish in one day. Jan and Dan go to an exclusive posh restaurant to celebrate their anniversary.. Before they can order a group of young thugs enter and take all of the diners hostage. Who are they and why? Even the ending is unexpected. To tell more would ruin the experience for all readers.

It was so much joy to read Jane and Dan I plan to read more by its author, Colleen Oakely.

I loved the story and characters of this book. The Civil War has ended. The KKK is rampant. A group of freed people trek to remote Appalachia. They establish a communal village based on the laws and leadership of the African communities they were forced to leave. They call it Kingdom of Happy Land because all are happy.. They work hard. They prosper. They purchase land. They lose the land. It was a male dominated society until little by little it wasn't..

The story is told by Luella, one of the original settlers (1875) and by Nikki a present time great granddaughter. Nikki is amazed to learn the family history she never suspected but sets out to attempt to correct the wrongs.
Even readers who are not historical history buffs will enjoy these interesting characters. Perhaps while we are being entertained we will all take a moment to reflect on how our past affects our present..

I don't think I should be reviewing this book. It is totally out of my reading genre. If you love or even just like Greek/Roman mythology this is the book you want to read.

Imagine Salvador Dali in Italy's Garden of Monsters to re-create the story of Persephone and Hades in his artwork. The result is a tale of myth, mystery, magic , even a bit eerie and romantic.

This was a delightful read. The author, though, has me confused. In her preface she states that the story is a work of fiction, all names, places and events products of her imagination. Reading the bibliography of her research she has given the characters names of real people. I do hope this to be based on a true story.

It is 1811, steamboats are untested. Nicholas Roosevelt and his wife, Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt, have designed and built a steamboat fitted to carry passengers and cargo. This boat is the first to attempt sailing the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, Pittsburgh to New Orleans.

Lydia relates how her family's journey met the challenges of fire, Indians, earthquake and "doubters" to change water travel forever.

In The Funeral Cryer no one has a name, just an occupation.The middle age woman telling her story is a paid professional hired to cry and sing at funerals in her Chinese village. I suffered with her as she struggled questions "who am I":, "does anyone love me". Though she found some answers nothing changed in her life. We were both saddened that her journey ended just as it began.

This book was a quick, easy read. with just a bit of a twist at the end. Tells the story of 3 women who have lived in the same Florida mansion... As I read I kept thinking "another house book"... Another book with chapters alternating characters and story lines. Felt like I had read this book before..

Frances Perkins was just a name. When the first chapter hinted at her accomplishments I knew this was a must read.

Frances struggled with family issues and for a public service career at a time when women were just gaining suffrage. Franklin Roosevelt appointed her to be his Secretary of Labor, making her the first woman to hold a cabinet position and the catalyst for his New Deal policies.

Reading historical fiction always makes me wonder what is history and what is fiction. The "author notes" section makes this description clear. Ms Dray writes turning bigger than life fictional figures into people I would like to meet.

While the book is informative it is foremost a lively well written novel.