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The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Becoming Bonnie in Books
Oct 5, 2020
Probably the most famous of criminal duos is Bonnie and Clyde. Their spree of murder and theft ended up with a shoot-out that ended their young lives in the spring of 1934. In her debut novel, Jenni Walsh attempts to paint a fictional portrait of the woman who made up half of this team, from the sketchy information available, and no small amount of innovative flights of fancy on Walsh's part. Read my review of this historical fiction novel in my review here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/05/31/constructing-a-criminal/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/05/31/constructing-a-criminal/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Ecstasy in Books
Oct 5, 2020
Most people may have heard of the names Gustav Mahler and Gustav Klimt, but the names Alma Mahler and Alma Maria Schindler probably mean nothing to you. Admittedly they didn’t to me either. However, with Mary Sharratt’s newest novel, I’m glad to have finally had the chance to learn something about one very interesting woman. If you read my review of this book on my blog here, you’ll find out where all these names, and more, come together in one historical fiction novel.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/07/07/an-eve-or-a-lilith/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/07/07/an-eve-or-a-lilith/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Mistress of the Ritz in Books
Oct 5, 2020
When it comes to the French Resistance of WWII, the names Blanche and Claude Auzello aren’t all that well-known. Thankfully, Melanie Benjamin has just written a biographical, historical fiction novel about them, and especially about Blanche, who during the Nazi occupation of Paris, was known as the “Mistress of the Ritz” and she was the wife of the hotel’s manager, Claude. You can find my review of this amazing book on my blog here (Thanks for the free book, @PRHGlobal/@prhinternational.) https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/05/24/puttin-on-the-resistance/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated A Well-Behaved Woman in Books
Oct 6, 2020
During the Gilded Age, New York’s high-society shunned the “Nuevo Riche” no matter how much wealth they had. This was true until Alva Smith decided to turn around both her own fortunes and the standing of the Vanderbilt family by marrying their last eligible son, William. Author Therese Anne Fowler tells this story in her latest book “A Well-Behaved Woman,” and you can find my review of this historical fiction novel, on my blog now.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/06/the-gilding-of-a-lady/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/06/the-gilding-of-a-lady/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Kennedy Debutante in Books
Oct 7, 2020
(Thanks for the free book, @PRHGlobal / @prhinternational) The name Kennedy is known worldwide, and descendants of that famous family are in the public eye to this day. However, there’s one Kennedy who we know little about, mostly due to her early demise. She was named Kathleen, but everyone knew her as Kick. Kerri Maher’s debut book “The Kennedy Debutante” is a biographical historical fiction novel about this fascinating woman, and you can read my review of it on my blog now. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/10/27/home-again-kathleen/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The First Emma in Books
Oct 7, 2020
4.5/5 stars
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
If you've never heard of Emma Koehler, then you know nothing about the beer industry in San Antonio Texas. But even if that subject matter doesn't interest you, Emma should, because she had both a fascinating and tragic life. Camille Di Maio does a lovely job of taking little to no information about this real-life personality and turning it into a biographical, historical, women's fiction novel. Read more about it in my #bookreview here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/05/08/lady-bastion-of-beer/
An immersive historical fiction novel set in India. Loot by Tania James begins in Mysore in the 1790s, and a young woodcarver called Abbas is summoned to the palace of Tipu Sultan to help a French clockmaker, Lucien du Leze build a clockwork tiger.
And so starts a series of events that will see the end of Tipu Sultans reign, Abbas’ journey to France and his subsequent quest to find and recover the tiger for himself. It’s a tale full of adventure, danger and romance. I really enjoyed it!
And so starts a series of events that will see the end of Tipu Sultans reign, Abbas’ journey to France and his subsequent quest to find and recover the tiger for himself. It’s a tale full of adventure, danger and romance. I really enjoyed it!
David McK (3251 KP) rated A Flight of Arrows (The Hundred Years War #1) in Books
Sep 17, 2023
As an actual archer (in my case, Olympic Recurve style although I have also shot Longbow) who enjoys reading historical fiction, I thought this would be right up my street.
Especially when it was on Amazon as #1 in archery.
Unfortunately, I found it rather sluggish in parts, with it never really gripping my attention the same way as a historical novel by Bernard Cornwell or Simon Scarrow or Angus Donald does.
This is set during the early stages of the 100 Years War (which lasted for 116 years), and is really a detective/spy story (rather than concentrating on the lives of the archers) as the herald Simon Merrivale investigates the assassination of an English knight , leading up to and including the Battle of Crecy.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the history, and learning a bit more about the times and the background to the war; I just wish it had gripped me more somewhat.
Maybe the sequels will follow through on that ... ?
Especially when it was on Amazon as #1 in archery.
Unfortunately, I found it rather sluggish in parts, with it never really gripping my attention the same way as a historical novel by Bernard Cornwell or Simon Scarrow or Angus Donald does.
This is set during the early stages of the 100 Years War (which lasted for 116 years), and is really a detective/spy story (rather than concentrating on the lives of the archers) as the herald Simon Merrivale investigates the assassination of an English knight , leading up to and including the Battle of Crecy.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the history, and learning a bit more about the times and the background to the war; I just wish it had gripped me more somewhat.
Maybe the sequels will follow through on that ... ?
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Dreamland Burning in Books
Dec 22, 2018
Great Subject to Read on
I noticed a large trend in these kinds of books where it’s half in the present, and half in the past. It’s not a trend I particularly like as I adore historical fiction and mixing it with things happening in present day takes away the historical aspect, but I gave this book a chance. This one grabbed my attention because of the subject which interests me. I have not heard of the Tulsa Race Riot until I grabbed this book. It was an eye opener, and definitely something that can’t be ignored or forgotten.
The switch between Rowan and William is seamless and flows throughout the novel. Rowan attempts to figure out the mystery behind the skeleton while William’s story not only gives you the background information but also gives you the sense and the climate on how it was for African Americans back in those times. The historical aspects of the book is well written and gives you a good general idea.
At first, William doesn’t seem that all a likable character. As the plot progresses though, you change your mind as his behavior and outlook changes to something much more favorable. Rowan’s side of the story is interesting too. She’s been pretty much sheltered in a good, privileged life who is also suddenly awakened by recent events affecting herself and others around her. She’s a well written character as well, but I’d have to say I prefer reading William’s side of the story more as I found Rowan’s point of view dragged in a few areas of the story.
The plot overall is well done and interesting. The mystery and historical elements of the story also keeps the plot engaging and it’s a good educational read. Definitely something to read more into and a good subject to write about.
The switch between Rowan and William is seamless and flows throughout the novel. Rowan attempts to figure out the mystery behind the skeleton while William’s story not only gives you the background information but also gives you the sense and the climate on how it was for African Americans back in those times. The historical aspects of the book is well written and gives you a good general idea.
At first, William doesn’t seem that all a likable character. As the plot progresses though, you change your mind as his behavior and outlook changes to something much more favorable. Rowan’s side of the story is interesting too. She’s been pretty much sheltered in a good, privileged life who is also suddenly awakened by recent events affecting herself and others around her. She’s a well written character as well, but I’d have to say I prefer reading William’s side of the story more as I found Rowan’s point of view dragged in a few areas of the story.
The plot overall is well done and interesting. The mystery and historical elements of the story also keeps the plot engaging and it’s a good educational read. Definitely something to read more into and a good subject to write about.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Queen's Gambit in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This wasn't a bad début novel by any means and it seems that lots of people really enjoyed it. I didn't dislike it, I actually found it a pleasant read, but it was also fairly undemanding. You might want that from a book sometimes or you may want something a bit more challenging. It may be that there are so many historical novels out there and of these ones about the Tudors top the leaderboard by a mile, so for me, a Tudor historical novel needs to really outstandingly good to make it stand out from the crowd. I also read a fair bit of 'proper' history (i.e. non-fiction books), so perhaps I know too much for there to be any surprises awaiting me? I do tend to get riled by bizarre deviations from historical fact.
Anyway, the novel deals with part of the life of Katherine Parr, last wife of Henry VIII, starting with the death of her second husband and continuing just past her own demise. I suppose an historical novel will give the author more leeway to explain real events and there is a sort of expectation that a book should be a nice tidy package, explaining everything within its covers. I don't really feel that Fremantle does this with the Parr/Seymour relationship. It's not easy to see why an intelligent woman could be taken in by a man like this anyway, but in the book it was as if Katherine actually was attracted to him against her will, so the relationship never sat quite happily for me. The other main protagonist is a woman called Dorothy (Dot) Fownten, who acts very much as a maidservant to Katherine, and her stepdaughter, Meg Neville. I was interested to learn that Dot was a real historical character, but so little is known of her that Fremantle has had the liberty of embroidering her story.
As I said, not a bad book. Good if you want something fairly undemanding, such as a beach read. I suspect it will appeal to fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, but those who prefer Penman may find it a little lacking.
Anyway, the novel deals with part of the life of Katherine Parr, last wife of Henry VIII, starting with the death of her second husband and continuing just past her own demise. I suppose an historical novel will give the author more leeway to explain real events and there is a sort of expectation that a book should be a nice tidy package, explaining everything within its covers. I don't really feel that Fremantle does this with the Parr/Seymour relationship. It's not easy to see why an intelligent woman could be taken in by a man like this anyway, but in the book it was as if Katherine actually was attracted to him against her will, so the relationship never sat quite happily for me. The other main protagonist is a woman called Dorothy (Dot) Fownten, who acts very much as a maidservant to Katherine, and her stepdaughter, Meg Neville. I was interested to learn that Dot was a real historical character, but so little is known of her that Fremantle has had the liberty of embroidering her story.
As I said, not a bad book. Good if you want something fairly undemanding, such as a beach read. I suspect it will appeal to fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, but those who prefer Penman may find it a little lacking.