Thursday, March 24, 2022
Book Review Smoke on the Whiteadder
Friday, March 11, 2022
The Innkeeper and the Fugitive (Tales from the Highlands Book 3)
Every once in a while I come across a series where each book is worthy of a separate review. That is the case with the "Tales from the Highlands" by Martha Keyes. All of the books have been captivating and have characters we wish to see succeed and others we wish could be brought to justice.
Angus MacKinnon has been the antagonist throughout the series. He is the self-centered laird of Benleith who stops at nothing to get what he wants, including kidnapping women and shipping them to the colonies for lives of servitude.
Glenna, who is a maid at Glengour Inn, is another character in all of the
books. She is one of the women that Angus kidnapped previously, but
she was rescued before the ship sailed. Needless to say, she abhors
Angus.
Christina and Lachlan Kincade own Glengour Inn, as well as the Dunverlockie castle and surrounding estate. Because Christina was originally married to Angus' cousin, he believes Dunverlockie rightfully belongs to his clan.
Knowing these characters and the previous interactions with one another allows the reader to fully follow the story-line established in book one and continuing with each subsequent book. Therefore, I highly recommend starting with The Widow and the Highlander, but this is a great story with or without the previous books.
The Innkeeper and the Fugitive
Tales from the Highlands Series - Scotland 1763
The Innkeeper and the Fugitive
(Tales from the Highlands Book 3)Check PriceIn a desperate attempt to escape an unwanted marriage, Ana MacMorran must
flee her home. Her father is determined to see her wed Angus
MacKinnon, which would unite their material & monetary holdings.
But, Ana knows Angus is a cruel man and she harbors no illusion that he
would be kind to a wife. She pleads with her father, but he will not
relent. As far as her father is concerned, she is underage, he has
pledged her to Angus, and she will marry him.
Having heard that the tinker and his wife are traveling through town, stopping at the Glengour Inn, Ana runs in the hopes that they will allow her to leave the area with them. If they will simply take her as far as Fort William, she could get a ride to Glasgow where she can seek refuge with a childhood friend who previously planned to marry her. Unfortunately, Ana arrives too late and the tinker has already left. She decides to hide in the inn's stable for the night.
When Hamish, the innkeeper, discovers a woman in the stable, he assumes she is the new cook, Dorcas, they have been expecting. Ana seizes the opportunity to hide in plain sight under another woman's identity. She hopes that will give her time to send word to her friend to come and get her. Plus, as a cook, she can hide from the town's people by staying in the kitchen. It is not a perfect plan, but it is the best she has for now. However, Glenna recognizes her and Ana fears it is over for her even before she had any real chance of escape. But, Glenna has great sympathy for her and agrees to help her hide, covering for her when she might be expected to show her face in the inn.
As the days go by, everything seems to slip into a routine. That is, until the real Dorcas MacGurk arrives.
You may also be interested in reading my reviews of the first 2 books in the series
Book 1 - The Widow and the Highlander Book Review The Widow and the Highlander - excellent book. When Christina's husband dies, she is sole heir. His family is not willing to let her have the estate and are determined to regain control of the estate one way or another.
Book 2 - The Enemy and Miss Innes
The Enemy and Miss Innes is a wonderful romantic historical fiction about
enemies who unite against common foe. This is the 2nd book in fabulous Tales
from the Highlands series by Martha Keyes
Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com
Friday, February 18, 2022
The Enemy and Miss Innes (Tales from the Highlands Book 2) Book Review
Almost a year ago, I reviewed the first book in the Tales from the Highlands series by Martha Keyes. I truly loved The Widow and the Highlander book and I hated it when it ended. I was saddened even more when I realized that the second book in the series had yet to be released. Even though I did not want to, I was forced to move on, at least for a little while.
As soon as The Enemy and Miss Innes, the second book in the Tales from the Highlands series, was released, I added it to my Kindle Paperwhite. Unfortunately, the release wasn't the best timing for me, but the book waited there patiently. I started reading it a week ago and was, once again, pulled back into the drama of the Highlands of Scotland in the 1700's. Back to the days of kingdoms, lairds (lords), and a ruling hierarchy with limitless power.
I was not disappointed! This was a book well worth the wait. The Enemy and Miss Innes is another fabulous book by Martha Keyes. While it continues the series started with The Widow and the Highlander, it could be an easy stand alone book for historical fiction fans. Just because I have enjoyed this series so much, I would recommend starting with the first book in the series.
The Enemy and Miss Innes Synopsis
Tales from the Highlands Series - Scotland 1762
The Enemy and Miss Innes
(Tales from the Highlands Book 2)Check PriceMalcolm MacKinnon is once again ordered to do something he does not want to
do by Angus MacKinnon, the laird of Benleith. Since his mother and younger
siblings are also dependent on Angus, he has no choice. It is a well
known fact that Angus is ruthless, even murderous, when he wants something.
He does not hesitate to threaten Malcolms' family when faced with the least
resistance. Now, Angus seeks revenge on the Innes sisters. Since the
eldest has a protector in her husband, he sets his sights on the younger
sister, Elizabeth. Her willingness to speak her mind and publicly
degrade Angus has made her his latest target.
Angus wants Malcolm to get Elizabeth to fall in love with him (Malcolm) so
he has a way to get at her to exact his revenge. This "idea" doesn't appeal
to Malcolm but he knows he has to at least give the appearance of trying to
carry out Angus's plan.
Elizabeth Innes has been by her sister's side throughout her recent widowhood and subsequent difficulties. She is her outspoken defender and doesn't hesitant to take on anyone face to face, including Angus MacKinnon and his "second in command", Malcolm MacKinnon.
In an effort to keep Elizabeth focused on work and out of trouble, her sister, Christina, asks her to remodel Glengour Inn, which was recently damaged by fire. This is a task Christina readily accepts. When she arrives at the inn to discover the innkeeper has hired Malcolm MacKinnon, she is determined to keep an eye on him. She believes he has a different agenda separate from working on repairs to the inn.
Neither Christina nor Malcolm are happy with the current situation, but
they are both determined to carry out their projects at the inn and tolerate
each other. They do not expect to end up on the same side and caring for what happens to one another.
I am thrilled to see more books have been added to this series and I am so excited to read the remaining books!
The Widow and the Highlander (Tales from the Highlands Book 1)Check Price The Enemy and Miss Innes (Tales from the Highlands Book 2)Check Price The Innkeeper and the Fugitive (Tales from the Highlands Book 3)Check Price The Gentleman and the Maid (Tales from the Highlands Book 4)Check Price
You may also be interested in reading my previous review of The Widow and the Highlander.
The Widow and the Highlander Book Review
The Widow and the Highlander - excellent book. When Christina's husband dies, she is sole heir. His family is not willing to let her have the estate and are determined to regain control of the estate one way or another.
Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The Orphans of Mersea House- A Book Review
I have a confession to make! I love reading and have spent a lot of time looking for books that will thrill me, make me think, take me to places I have never seen before and more! This confession comes with no regrets!
For the past two years I have been totally taken up with reading novels about the Second World War. Some were based on true stories and others are works of fiction based on historical accounts of what happened during that dark and distressing time in our history!
War can make victims of everyone who lived during the distress of the times, but it can also make victims of those who did not make it to the front or fight in the battles personally. It can take years to heal the scars.
So, now I have to tell you about The Orphans of Mersea House! Written by Marty Wingate. When all the battles are over and peace has found it's place again, there are still the ravages of war to deal with. Yes even years later, people are still healing from the trauma of the past!
People who fought and those who stayed behind to do other "war" work, have scars that need healing.
It's 1957 in England Southwold to be precise. The two main characters Margery and Olive had been childhood friends forever. During the war, Margery left Southwold for London to help with the war effort there, while Olive stayed behind and did her part as well.
After her uncle's death, Margery comes back to Southwold to claim her inheritance and reclaim her life. Olive who has looked after relatives is destitute when the last of her relations dies. But as luck would have it, Margery comes to her aid by asking her to act as manager of the home she has inherited after alterations are made to turn it into a boarding house.
Everything is working out well until the first two boarders arrive. Then a few more arrive and life takes a few twists and turns.
I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I'm going to leave the story here and tell you that you really should get the book to find out what happens. Trust me, there is LOTS that will happen and the characters in the book are so well described that I know everyone will be able to pick out friends and relatives of their own that will fit into this story.
What you will learn is that family and secrets go hand in hand everywhere, but that a loving heart can bring all the good things and the bad things together to make a beautiful patchwork that is family!
I finished this book and wished that there were more pages to read so I know you will enjoy it as well.
Monday, January 31, 2022
Book Review - The Wise Ass (The Claire Trilogy Book 1) by Tom McCaffrey
Oh my. I have no idea how to begin this book review. This book is part mobster murder suspense and part paranormal comedy. The cast of characters is a very unlikely bunch who somehow blend together in what turns out to be the absolutely best story. They are the perfect example of that sometimes our best family is the one we choose. This is not my usual genre, although, I'm not at all sure what genre this is if I'm being honest. But I am very glad that I read about how Jimmy found his way into a career as a New York mob lawyer followed by his escape with his wife into the witness protection program. But is his escape successful? Or will Valachi find him and "tie up" those loose ends? Mr. Valachi is used to getting what he wants and ordering a hit is part of his routine business transactions.
The Wise Ass (The Claire Trilogy Book 1)
The prologue begins with Jimmy McCarthy as a young child growing up in the 1960s in an Irish family in New York near Yankee Stadium.
"... my attention shifted to Jerome Avenue and the overhead squealing of a southbound No. 4 train pulling into the Yankee Stadium Station. At the ding-dong-ping sound of it's opening doors, my eyes followed the disturbed descending flock of pigeons gliding down from the guano covered steel girders of the El to sample the last of a patch of flattened Crackerjack on Jerome ten feet away." - young Jimmy
Chapter One begins with Jimmy, an average guy "with a penchant for procrastination" who got himself through law school. He felt like an imposter, someone who didn't deserve to be there, having been "born with dirt under my fingernails". But not only did he get through law school, he landed a job with large law firm where he did well. He and his wife Gina, a Registered Nurse, had a stable and comfortable life as New Yorkers who worked hard and long hours. They loved their city and were living the life complete with seeing Baryshnikov at the Lincoln Center.
Things changed only by chance. Dan Pearsall happened to be in Night Court when Jimmy was working his legal magic. Dan was there because his son was in Night Court as a defendant and Dan convinced Jimmy to get his son off the hook as he had the firm's client Jimmy had just represented. And there it begins. Dan was not only a concerned parent but also the gateway to Jimmy being introduced to Mr. Valachi. Jimmy is quickly offered a job as a mob attorney, handling the "legal" work... reviewing contracts and such. So his choice is the very lucrative and less strenuous contract work or to continue as a grunt in a firm working insanely long hours at the beck and call of the partners, and with no recognition. You can guess which he chooses.
For awhile, he and Gina live a plush life in a wonderful new home with savings accounts bursting at the seams... so much so that they have multiple offshore bank accounts to hold the excess.
Then the Feds arrive. In the early morning hours multiple important members of Valachi's group are scooped up. Valachi included. Jimmy included; he and Gina woken from their sleep by armored men breaking his door down and bursting into their bedroom.
Things take a huge turn, Jimmy turns state's witness and then he and Gina enter the Witness Protection Program. Following the trial, they are given new names and are relocated to a very small rural town in Colorado.
In Colorado they meet the modern versions of Mr. Ed, Mork and Mindy, and Jennifer Love Hewitt's character in the Ghost Whisperer. Seriously, the book suddenly includes a talking mule named Claire, a couple of aliens, and a woman who talks to dead people in addition to a flawed FBI agent, a veteran who has gotten a handle on his PTSD, and a lesbian couple. In order to avoid spoilers, I will not describe the storyline after Jimmy and Gina "Moran" move to the country. And if you don't like to read spoilers, take care reading any reviews on Amazon and Goodreads as there are many, many spoilers. I get it. This story is so difficult to describe without spoilers.
My Personal Thoughts and Reactions
I will say that author Tom McCaffrey's writing style had me hook, line and sinker beginning in the prologue. I was transported to the streets of New York through the eyes of a child. Later, it somehow all seemed plausible that this talking mule and these people/aliens not only existed but were believable. They were relatable.
This is definitely NOT the type of book I usually read. I am surprised that I would recommend this genre at all. But as soon as I finished the last page, I knew I had to share it with you.
I tend toward psychological thrillers, stories with terrible people who do terrible things. I think reading a fictional story that has characters who are worse than humans (even if it is just barely) really is an escape for me. Rarely, I read romances. And more recently, I am enjoying historical fiction. But it was late one night, and while I have many to-be-read books in my Kindle Paperwhite (which I love!) I wanted something different. I was in a rut. Nothing sounded appealing. I had my browser open to one screen in Amazon and one screen in my public library digital loans. I browsed description after description. And thought time and again, "been there, read that". I was becoming annoyed that so many stories seemed cookie-cutter that night.
I read the description of The Wise Ass and quite frankly thought "that's probably stupid". At a cost of $0.00 with my Amazon Prime, and in my desperation for something to read for bedtime, I downloaded it. After all, if I hated it, all I would lose a bit of my time and gain more temporary irritation related to my reading rut.
I am so glad I chose it!
I enjoyed Tom McCaffrey's writing style and was transported from the streets of New York City to fields of Berthoud, Colorado. The writing style somehow made everything believable. Even Claire, the talking mule, became someone I'd like to meet. In some of the reviews I read there were mentions of this book representing the LGBT community (with the same-sex relationship of Bobbie and Helen) as well as the animal rights community (Claire was rescued from a trip to the slaughterhouse) and the vegetarian folks (again... Claire). I not only thought the story line was going to be stupid, but also thought the book would be full of heavy-handed social commentary. I was so wrong. This story and these characters were entertaining and engaging; each one unique and interesting. And there was no lecturing. Only flawed humans (and aliens and a mule) who were trying to find their way through life and find their place in a community.
I believe I have found a new favorite author and as soon as I have this review completed I'll download An Alien Appeal (The Claire Trilogy Book 2) and spend the remainder of my day snuggled up and getting lost in a good book.
Friday, September 17, 2021
The Ace of Hearts: A Regency Romance - Larkhall Letters Book 1 Review
I've only read a few Regency romance novels and I don't remember ever recommending one in the past. While they are clearly romantic fiction, which is my preferred genre, there is no guarantee they will be clean and wholesome. When I search for a new book, I have learned to use the term "clean and wholesome" and have had much greater success finding a romantic fiction book that doesn't include graphic sex.
I've seen Regency romance novels in the "clean and wholesome" search results, but past experience has made me hesitate to choose one again. However, when I saw "The Ace of Hearts" was included in my KindleUnlimited membership, I felt I had nothing to lose if I tried a Regency romance again. After all, I could stop reading if it became too racy and know that I had not spent a dime on the novel. I'm really glad I gave that genre another chance!
I love historical fiction and thanks to Pride and Prejudice, I am very fond of the British Regency era depicted in books, especially if the book includes a touch of humor. While I am fascinated by the aristocracy, I admit I am glad I don't live under their rigid rules and expectations for women. The "Larkhall Letters" book series reminds me, once again, to be grateful that I was not subject to an arranged marriage because my family estate needed an infusion of cash, or because someone was in the right social class.
In "The Ace of Hearts", Alice Rosemeyer went to great lengths and engaged in socially unacceptable activity in order to avoid her stepfather's arrangement for her marriage and life. Given her circumstances, I'm sure I would have been inclined to run away too.
The Ace of Hearts Book Synopsis
The Ace of Hearts: A Regency Romance
(Larkhall Letters Book 1)Check PriceAlice thought she had found a way out of having to marry her stepfather's
choice when she and her step-brother, Isaac, colluded to help Isaac win the
heart of a wealthy heiress, Diana Herring. He had agreed to use some
of Diana's dowry to setup a dowry for Alice that would attract a more
desirable gentleman for her to wed. Alice's hopes, along with her
stepbrother's hopes, were dashed when his hopeful bride's brother refused
Isaac as a suitor for Diana.
While Thomas Herring may have made a very wise decision for his sister, Diana, that decision made Alice desperate to devise another way to gain her independence. Without telling anyone, including her stepbrother, she made plans for her and her younger sister, Louisa, to visit a friend in another city for the summer. Bridget Northcott was excited to have the two Rosemeyer sisters join her at Larkhall and was more than happy to introduce them to prospects, which happened to be her brothers friends and guests for the summer. Surely the sisters would catch the eye of a more desirable suitor.
But, Alice did not wish to be bound by matrimony. She much preferred the
idea of being independent and able to provide for herself and her sister if
necessary. When she found a like-minded ally, as well as financial
backing, in Diana's aunt, she was thrilled to consider a different
future. It was one, however, that would require careful planning and
anonymity. Together, they made a plan.
Thus, the Ace of Hearts was established and open for business!
My Conclusion
I found this to be a delightful read that occasionally made me laugh. I could easily envision the characters as described by Ashtyn Newbold. Their actions, unusual, yet creative schemes, and antics were rather entertaining. Plus, the parlor games were quite amusing!
This is one Regency Romance Novel I can highly recommend! I look forward to
reading the rest of the books in this series.
Larkhall Letters - A Regency Romance Series
The Ace of Hearts: A Regency Romance (Larkhall Letters Book 1)Check Price The Captain's Confidant: A Regency Romance (Larkhall Letters Book 2)Check Price With Love, Louisa: A Regency Romance (Larkhall Letters Book 3)Check Price The Matchmaker's Request: A Regency Romance (Larkhall Letters Book 4)Check Price
Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Review of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Historical Fiction by Kim Michele Richardson |
Historical Facts
The Novel
Another Book on the Kentucky Pack Horse Librarians
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Book Review of The Beekeeper's Promise
First Storyline
Second Storyline
My Recommendation
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Emma Donoghue's The Pull of the Stars Book Review
I will start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the book The Pull of the Stars by Irish Canadian author Emma Donoghue. My book club chose it and when I first picked it up to read, I had forgotten that it was about a pandemic. It is a story of the Great Flu or the 1918 Influenza, which we now call the Spanish Flu. As it turns out, it was good and it was doubly interesting because of the current pandemic.
Set in Ireland in 1918, it tells a fictional story based on the very real world of a midwife working in a Dublin hospital who is assigned to the maternity fever ward. Not much bigger than a closet, this ward is where they quarantine pregnant women who are stricken with influenza.
We meet a young midwife named Julia Powers who finds herself alone on her shift with the responsibility for all of the care of these sick, pregnant women. She is at times aided by one of two women. Firstly, Doctor Kathleen Lynn, who is based on a real historical figure and who is wanted by the Dublin police because she was involved in the 1916 Irish Uprising. Secondly, she is assisted by a young volunteer from an orphanage named Bridie Sweeney who has absolutely no training or education but is quick on her feet and ready to do whatever is required of her.
Included within the story is a peek at the science of the time with regard to the flu and midwifery. It is a visit to the Dublin of the times where they were struggling with not just the flu but the devastation caused by World War I and the 1916 Uprising. Along the way, it also shares a look at some of the Irish societal injustices that existed at the time.
The book is eerily similar to the current world situation even though we have the advantage of modern day science. Amongst other similarities are the facts that some still managed to question the value of wearing masks and others recommended taking weird remedies.
The Pull of the Stars is a page turner, a non-stop story that happens mostly during one long shift in the hospital during which Powers, sometimes aided by Doctor Lynn and/or Bridie, go from crisis to crisis to crisis.
The timing of the writing of this book may have been a bit unfortunate though it was written before the current pandemic. After all, who wants to read a story based on a pandemic when they are living through one? However, the timing was not deliberate. Donoghue started writing the story in 2018 and the manuscript was sent to the publishers in March of 2020.
After possibly a brief moment of hesitation because of the subject matter, the book drew me in and it became interesting to see, as the author says, "the way it mirrors our current situation." The Guardian says, it is "a beautifully modulated historical novel." I agree.
Reading this book now is different than it might have been before, for sure. NPR says, "The fourth wall of fiction is broken here. The pandemic spreads out beyond the pages into whatever rooms we are quarantined in."
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Do I recommend The Pull of the Stars? Yes, I do. I highly recommend it. It is a fast moving account of life in a maternity fever ward with parallels to the current world situation. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, has an interest in Ireland and/or midwifery will enjoy this book.
I think NPR gives another good reason to pick up this book when they say that that Donoghue has "given us our first pandemic caregiver novel - an engrossing and inadvertently topical story about health care workers inside small rooms fighting to preserve life."
I say, don't miss it. Order your copy from Amazon now by clicking right here.
Treasures By Brenda
Friday, May 21, 2021
The Widow and the Highlander Book Review
The Widow and the Highlander by Martha Keyes is the first book in the Tales from the Highlands series. After I finished the first book, I immediately wished to move to the second book in the series. It isn't that Keyes didn't wrap up the first novel. She did. It was simply that I wasn't ready to move on from the story.
You know you have found a wonderful series of books when you hate the idea of starting a different book by another author. Unfortunately for me, the second book in Tales from the Highlands has not yet been released.
It is doubtful the I will forget the MacKinnon clan and I have added the The Enemy and Miss Innes (Tales from the Highlands Book 2) to my wishlist so I will know as soon as it is released. I am certain, no matter what else I have started reading, I will move back to this series to continue reading about Catherine and her sister, Elizabeth.
I highly recommend this historical fiction and I am certain I will enjoy the entire series once it is published.
The Widow and the Highlander Synopsis
Historical Fiction - Scotland 1762
(Tales from the Highlands Book 1)Check Price Christina isn't certain what to do next! She is actually relieved, perhaps even happy, to be a new widow. After her abusive husband, Gordon, dies due to illness, she finds she can breathe again. That is, until his cousin, Angus MacKinnon, "suggests" she marry him. Angus and several of his family members had taken up residence at Dunverlockie after the funeral, and don't plan to leave.
The Widow and the Highlander (Tales from the Highlands Book 1)Check Price
Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com
Friday, May 14, 2021
Timeless Treasure by MaryLu Tyndall Reviewed
The book, Timeless Treasure by MaryLu Tyndall, took me by surprise!
I have read several books by Tyndall and always loved them. She is one of my favorite authors because I know I can depend on her for a great story with clean content. However, Timeless Treasure is more than a great story. It is an exceptional historical fiction that I would highly recommend.
When I read historical fiction, I want historical accuracy. Tyndall certainly did her "homework" for Timeless Treasure. The story is based on a real pirate, Stede Bonnet, who was executed in 1718. The author built a romantic story around Bonnet's real life with a fictitious tale of why he turned to pirating even though he was a well educated, wealthy landowner, married and with children.
So many things in Bonnet's real life story seem unexpected, contradictory, perhaps even unbelievable, but they were true. He was factually known as "The Gentleman Pirate" because of his own behavior, yet his association with Blackbeard, who was certainly no gentleman, is well documented. It should also be noted that he knew nothing about sailing prior to becoming a pirate.
The fictional suggestion that he was in love with someone other than his wife and wished to secure a separate fortune to support their life together, would be a plausible explanation for why a wealthy gentleman would turn pirate. Thus the reason this book is exceptional!
Timeless Treasure Synopsis
Chapter One takes place present day and introduces us to a decedent of Stede Bonnet. Lexie Cain has just returned from her mother's funeral to a home where she is no longer welcome since it belongs to her step-father. She is there only to retrieve an ancestral chest containing photos, school papers, a scrapbook, and some old letters. Flipping through the letters she discovers they were written by Bonnet. Those letters change the course of her life.
The opening paragraphs of chapter two introduce us to Stede Bonnet and the woman he loves, Melody, at the burial site of his firstborn son. We discover just how bereaved, miserable and unhappy Stede is with his life. When Melody informs him that her father is moving her family away from Barbados to Charles Town, a city in the colony of Carolina, Stede's desperation intensifies. He must do something to change the course of his life.
Current day Lexie Cain moves to Charleston in the hopes of finding buried pirate treasure. She gets a job in the local museum, takes the first "Bonnet" letter to a college history professor for authentication, and then finds herself the target of criminals.
As Lexie reads through the letters with the professor, Barret Johnson, we are all hearing Bonnet's tales of piracy, his longing for a life with Melody, and his plans for a happy future together. In spite of the fact that we know from the beginning that Bonnet is hung, we hold on to the hope that it was somehow not him that was executed. That he somehow managed to find the happiness he so desperately sought.
_______________________
There is no way I will tell you more of the story, yet there is so much more than this brief introduction of the book, including the romance that develops between Lexie & Barrett.
I would never wish to ruin this marvelous book for anyone else. You deserve to be able to "walk" through this adventure for yourself. It would be dastardly indeed for me to rob you of this experience and I refuse to do that. After all, I am no pirate!
Books by MaryLu Tyndall Previously Reviewed
Read More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com
Monday, May 3, 2021
Book Review - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson
Have you ever read a book that makes it hard to start another book because you have a hard time moving on from the characters that you just finished reading about? Or a book that was so good that you read it at least one more time? The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel is one of those books for me. I have started reading it for a second time. This novel, inspired by historical programs and people, includes issues of remote Appalachian living in the 1930s, literacy, poverty, spinsterhood, and the impact of having a different skin color. This is the personal story of one woman's life. A woman who is both astonishingly brave and who is as uncertain as most of the rest of us.
Historical Fiction Review on ReviewThisReviews.com |
I was hooked from the opening paragraph:
"The librarian and her mule spotted it at the same time. The creature's ears shot up, and it came to a stop so sudden its front hooves skidded out, the pannier slipping off, spilling out the librarian's books. An eddy of dirt and debris lifted, stinging the woman's eyes. The mule struggled to look upward, backward, anywhere other than at the thing in front of it." -- The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Cussy Mary Carter lived with her father in their one-room log house in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. Her mother had passed away and her father was desperate to find a husband for his grown daughter. While his goal of her being a respectful woman and safe as someone's wife, it did not fit with her chosen career of librarian. A pack horse librarian to be exact.
From 1935 to 1943, The Pack Horse Library Project ran through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) (part of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs. The WPA focused on work relief programs). Librarians were hired to circulate books to families on their routes. The routes were up to 18 - 20 miles per day and the librarians rode these routes on horseback. The routes were often rugged and dangerous but the librarians were determined.
Cussy Mary was devoted to the families along her route. All of her families. Those who were avid readers as well as hesitant readers. She was often the only outside contact families would have for long periods of time. She was a hero to these families.
She was also a pariah. Cussy Mary was one of Kentucky's Blue People. I had never heard of this family group who (partly due to geographical region and partly genetic) had noticeably blue skin. Superstitious people in the region blamed the blue people for bad things that happened. These people were shunned, ignored, or abused. The opening of this story includes a victim of a hanging.
When testing and a possible "cure" for Cussy Mary's colored skin is offered she finds that fitting in may or may not be as easy as the doctor would lead her to believe. She has some difficult decisions to make.
From the Author:
After the end of the novel, Kim Michele Richardson includes very interesting information in her Author's Notes. She writes:
"I've modified one historical date in the story so I could include relevant information about medical aspects and discoveries"
In other words, The Pack Horse Project was not ongoing when the "cure" for Cussy Mary's blue skin was discovered.
At times, when I notice that an author adjusted factual information in order to create a more interesting story I am a bit disappointed. But in this case, I was not bothered. In fact, I was very interested by the information about the causes and cure of the congenital disease. I am still amazed that prior to this book, I had never heard of either the Pack Horse Project librarians or the Blue Fugates of Kentucky and the things they experienced in their daily lives.
Other Recommendations:
The ReviewThis! contributors clearly love to read. Click our Book Reviews tab at the top of this page to see all our collective book reviews.
A few other historic fiction reviews I have written are: Galway Bay (a must-read that begins in Ireland during the potato famine), Chesapeake (a James Michener tale that is set on the Chesapeake Bay and spans 400 years), and Nickel's Luck (a cast of fictional characters living in the real town of Indianola, Texas in the 1800s. Indianola is no more and I bawled learning the history of that town and it's people).
Most Recent Reviews on Review This Reviews
Search for Reviews by Subject, Author or Title
The Review This Reviews Contributors
SylvestermouseDawn Rae BMbgPhotoBrite-IdeasWednesday ElfOlivia MorrisTreasures by BrendaThe Savvy AgeMargaret SchindelRaintree AnnieLou16Sam MonacoTracey BoyerRenaissance WomanBarbRadBev OwensBuckHawkDecorating for EventsHeather426Coletta TeskeMissMerFaeryMickie_G
Review This Reviews is Dedicated to the Memory of Our Beloved Friend and Fellow Contributor
We may be apart, but
You Are Not Forgotten