
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated A Free Man of Color (Benjamin January, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I suppose all the descriptions of people's clothing would have mattered much more to someone who cared about such things, but I do realize that they were important in the context of the story. Personally, I was relieved when the main character went on a journey! I would have been happier had his medical skills been utilized more frequently than they were, but I suppose his experiences were fairly true to life for a "colored" man of his time.
I did learn quite a lot—things that I intend to verify in non-fiction sources shortly. The information about the black code, for instance, and the explanation of the distinction between "black" and "colored" people seemed too precise to be fabricated.
I knew, too, that Louisiana is the only U.S. state whose laws are based on French rather than English common law, which seemed silly to me. Why wouldn't they go with the standard everyone else used? After reading this novel, I'm starting to realize that there may have been rights given to citizens under French law that were lost under English law.
I'm not sure as to whether or not I'll go forward in the series, as I'm not sure that I can handle the unhappiness I can see foreshadowed even in some of the titles. However, I will say that this volume is well-written and well-plotted. I certainly didn't guess who the killer was or why the murder was committed before the big reveal, and that was a pleasant change!

News of the World: A Novel
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National Book Award Finalist-Fiction It is 1870 and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through...

Swimming in the Dark
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Set in early 1980s Poland against the violent decline of communism, a tender and passionate story of...
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Communist Poland

The Paris Wife
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A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, The Paris Wife captures a remarkable period of...
Historical fiction fiction France Hemingway

Ascent (House of Normandy #1)
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A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy ...
Medieval Historical Fiction Vikings

Katastrophe
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The new blockbuster thriller from Graham Hurley set against the final stages of the Second World...
Historical fiction World War 2 War Germany Russia Europe

The Ballad of Mary Kearney
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"I am dead, my Mary; the man who loved you body and soul lies in some dishonorable grave." In...
Historical Fiction Irish History Women's Fiction

Dawnward Spire, Lonely Hill: The Letters of H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith
David E. Schultz and S. T. Joshi
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The publication of the fifteen-year correspondence of two of the titans of weird fiction, H. P....
Horror

Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Maude and Ben, and even Jack, quickly stole my heart. Sweet little Jack had me smiling more than once! The betrayal that Maude feels when she sees her "intended" married to another woman, was quickly felt in my heart. But, when she "runs" into Ben, the sparks were there and I loved watching their story unfold.
Ms. Pagels fills this novel with wonderful descriptions to make the story blossom before the reader. The messages from God of forgiveness, hope, faith and love are woven perfectly throughout. This wonderfully chiseled,4 star book kept me turning the pages long into the night and I highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers! The characters, the plot line, the messages will all steal your heart and take you on a whirl wind right through Mackinac Island, leaving you wanting more. Visiting Mackinac Island is now at the top of my bucket list thanks to Ms. Pagels!<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/review-my-heart-belongs-on-mackinac-islandmaudes-mooring-by-carrie-fancett-pagels/" target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>

Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The House of Secrets (The Sarah Bennett Mysteries, #2) in Books
May 22, 2019
When Sarah takes a job with occult expert Dr Matthew Geisler, he promises to help her understand the sorrowful spirit that seems to have attached itself to her.
As Sarah struggles to cope with the ghostly presence, she runs into Zeke, the man who left her six months earlier and is recovering from injuries suffered in an alleged accident. But Zeke has secrets of his own, and when an attempt is made on Geislers life, Sarah finds herself caught in a struggle between the living and the dead.
Unsure who she can trust, Sarah must solve the mystery of the soul determined to haunt her, and save Dr Geisler and herself from an unknown threat.
This book was previously published as WEEPING IN THE WINGS
This is actually a historical fiction, paranormal, mystery, romance book. I thought it was going to be more paranormal mystery with a little hint of romance.
The characters were lovable and the story kept me wanting more!
I liked the characters and the story was well thought out. A perfect read for fans of mysteries.
This is the first book I have read by Terry Lynn Thomas and am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.