The Nature of a Lady

 

In the first installment of her newest series, The Secrets of the Isles, Roseanna M. White transports her readers to the fascinating history, culture, and geography of the Scilly Isles off the southwestern tip of England.  The Nature of a Lady's heroine, Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, hasn't ever felt that she belongs among London's society and decides to spend an idyllic summer in the Isles with her maid.  When she arrives at her cottage, however, she discovers its former occupant has mysteriously vanished.  Libby and her maid, who hails from the Isles, join with the missing girl's brother, the dashing Oliver Tremayne, to find her.  The team wade through ancient legends, treasure maps, and forbidding caves and castles as the search becomes more fascinating and dangerous.  What will they discover about the nature of science, history, faith and love?  

The Nature of a Lady is nothing short of White at her finest.  I adored her Ladies of the Manor series (A Lady Unrivaled, The Reluctant Duchess, The Lost Heiress), liked her Shadows over England series, and tolerated her Codebreakers series, but if this first installment is any indication, I may soon have a new favorite.  The characters were believable and dynamic, the plot was fast paced and full of adventure, and her overarching theme of finding the difficult balance between faith and science was compelling.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the next novel and a return trip to the Scilly Isles!   

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review was required, and all opinions are my own.

March Reads

 Fiction: 

• To Sir Phillip with Love by Julia Quinn 
• 3 Stars 
• This is my last Bridgerton book.  For real this time.  I now know what happens to all of my favorite characters from the show, so I'm finally content to let the series lie.  I mean it.  
• A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreakers #3) by Brigid Kemmerer 
• 4 Stars 
• I read the first two installments of this series last summer while quarantined and have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on this finale from the library.  I wasn't disappointed.  I read several very negative reviews, so my hopes weren't high going in, but I ended up liking the ending just fine.  
• The Cursebreakers Series is a fun YA series loosely based on "Beauty and the Beast".  It's definitely worth reading for tween and teen girls!  
• Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green 
• 3 Stars 
• This is the first installment by Green in a historical series set in Chicago with this particular novel chronicling the Great Fire. 
• I enjoyed the story and the historical perspective, but the writing seemed clunky and the characters a bit over done.  If I can find the next in the series from the library i and don't have anything else I'm dying to read, it might be worth the time.  We'll see.  
• Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict 
• 4 Stars 
• Our book club pick for Women's History Month, this historical-fiction novel tells the story of Clementine (pronounced so it rhymes with Josephine) Churchill from the day of her wedding to Winston Churchill to VE Day.  While I learned a great deal about the Churchills, the story seemed to drag a bit toward the end and most ladies at our meeting couldn't bring themselves to like the heroine much.  I'd be interested in reading more about her for a different perspective!  
• The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel 
• 5 Stars 
• I managed to nab an early-release copy of this book from Netgalley, so you can read my full review here, but I absolutely ADORED this book.  It's probably my favorite from the month.  
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 
• 4 Stars 
• First let me say that I did enjoy this book.  However, I can't help but wonder why so many people love it as much as they do.  The story follows two characters through the trials of WWII both in Germany and France.  While I loved getting a German perspective and the writing was truly beautiful, the story undeniably dragged through the middle.  Maybe it's a personal flaw in my own tastes and unrealistic in WWII fiction, but I would've enjoyed a slightlier happy ending as well!  
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 
• 4 Stars 
• One unexpected silver lining of new school COVID procedures is that the Monster, now in 5th grade, had to purchase each novel he has read in his ELA class this year and bring it home when he's done!  I've loved getting to read what he reads and chat about it. 
• This short, middle grades novel chronicles the story of a young Danish girl whose best friend has to flee the Nazis.  I love WWII and I love historical fiction, so I loved getting to share both with one of my favorite people!  
• The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah 
• 4 Stars 
• While I wholeheartedly loved The Nightingale and Winter Garden, I needed a Kristin Hannah break after I tortured myself and sent my brain into an anxiety spiral with Firefly Lane.  
• I wasn't sure what to expect with The Four Winds when I heard some people complain about Hannah having an "agenda" in telling stories of the Dust Bowl and California immigration during the 1940s.  I can see where this complaint would spring from, but it didn't bother me, and I wouldn't go so far as to say Hannah was forcing any contemporary commentary or comparison.  It was fascinating and well written, but I just don't know that Hannah can beat some of her earlier work.  
• The Selection by Kierra Cass 
• 4 Stars 
• After some heavy, dark reading this month I really needed some "brain candy"; I needed something shallow, sweet, and purely enjoyable, and "The Selection" series fit the bill!  
• This YA series is essentially a post-apocalyptic version of The Bachelor.  Again, there's not much substance, but it was easy and fun.  As far as teen romances go, too, I'd argue this one is more realistic and healthy than others of the same genre.  
• The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner 
• 5 Stars 
• Set during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, this fun novel had love, mystery, and adventure.  

Nonfiction: 

• Composting for a New Generation by Michelle Balz 
• 4 Stars 
• The Hubby built me a beautiful garden for my birthday with an accompanying compost bin, so I obviously needed to read a book about composting!  
• I didn't need to understand the science of the decomposition process nor plans and instructions for nearly a dozen compost bins/devices, but the book had some very helpful calendars, lists, and charts to get me going.  
• The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners by John Chatham 
• 5 Stars 
• This is another Hubby-induced book pick.  His doctor instructed him to lower his cholesterol by adopting a "Mediterranean Diet," but didn't give much instruction beyond that.  Again, the library came to the rescue!  This book provided an excellent introduction to the diet, explanations as to why it works, charts for weekly and monthly meal planning, and a handful of great recipes.  

The Forest of Vanishing Stars

 

In The Forest of Vanishing Stars, Kristin Harmel tells the beautifully heart wrenching story of Yona, a German-born girl who had been kidnapped and taken to live in the forest at the age of 2.  When her kidnapper and teacher, Jerusza, dies, Yona begins a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and love that brings her face-to-face with the outside world, the plight of Jewish refugees, and even her Nazi father.  Which world will she embrace: the glittering one Jerusza stole her from, one of isolation in the woods, or something new? 

I simply could not put this book down and devoured every single page over the course of about 24 hours.  From the very first page, Harmel weaves a complex, engaging, and truly exquisite coming of age story.  Despite having read my fair share of WWII historical fiction,  I've not read anything about the thousands of Jewish refugees who hid, mostly successfully, in the Polish forests until the end of the war.  Not only is the plot itself fast paced and excellently researched, but Harmel's character development was masterful as well.  This novel had everything I love in a great book: a fascinating historical setting, complicatedly believable characters, love, and adventure.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own. 

February Reads

 Fiction: 

• News of the World by Paulette Jiles 
• 3 Stars 
• The plot was fascinating, but the ending was abrupt and the writing difficult to follow. 
• I don't say this often, but just wait for the movie to come out.  With Tom Hanks in the lead, my guess is that it'll be better than the book. 
• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 
• 4 Stars 
• Ok, I keep saying that I won't read any more Bridgeton books, but then I do.  I just keep getting so involved with the characters and HAVE to know what happens! I'm trying to quit. 
• The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel 
• 4 Stars 
• This. Story. Was. Awesome.  
• The writing seemed a bit clunky to me, but I otherwise loved it. 
• Lakeshire Park by Meagan Walker 
• 4 Stars 
• This was a lovely little Regency Romance that gave my brain a little break.  
• The Address by Fiona Davis 
• 5 Stars 
• This was, by far, the best of Davis's books so far.  Definitely worth the read!  
• My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kaye 
• 5 Stars 
• At about 800 pages, this book isn't for casual reading!  That said, it was excellent.  I had so much fun comparing it to the play.  
• Fair as a Star by Mimi Matthews 
• 4 Stars 
• I read this while on vacation a few weeks ago, and it was another fun, clean, and light Regency Romance from Matthews. 
• The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis 
• 4 Stars 
• The Address is easily Davis's best, but this one and Chelsea Girls are also thoroughly enjoyable.  If you like history with a bit of mystery and drama, Fiona Davis is excellent.  
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 
• 3 Stars 
• This one was definitely outside my typical reading, but the Hubby had checked it out and since it's something of a cult classic, I decided to give it a try. 
• While the writing was extremely witty and I appreciated the dry, British humor, I had a difficult time "getting in" to the story.  The characters are caricatures and the whole story was satirical.  Again, I appreciated the genius, but it wasn't my cup of tea.   

Nonfiction: 

• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance 
• 4 Stars 
• This was a fascinating memoir that really helped me understand our current political climate.  There's a chapter that almost eerily foretells the rise of Donald Trump and the reasons he is so beloved by such a large portion of the country.  This wasn't, by any stretch of the imagination, a pleasurable read, but it was an important one.  

January 2021 Reads

 Fiction: 

1. A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen 
• 4 Stars 
• I enjoyed this one more than the Ivy Hill series, but it still wasn't up to par with the "Old Klassen" I used to adore. 
2. Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White 
• 5 Stars 
• Loved it. 
3. The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis 
• 5 Stars 
• Davis is one of my new favorites for historical fiction, but note that is NOT Christian fiction.  
4. Quidditch Through the Ages by Kennilworthy Whisp 
• 4 Stars 
• We listened to this on the way to Medieval Times for J's 9th birthday.  It's a cute and fun quick read for my HP fans out there.  
5. The Lions of 5th Avenue by Fiona Davis 
• 3 Stars 
• Very well written, but there was an adulterous, homosexual relationship that ruined it for me.  
6. Gentleman Jim by Mimi Matthews 
• 4 Stars 
• Matthews has become my new go to for sweet, clean, fun historical romance.  Sometimes you just need something light. 
• This one is very Count of Monte Cristo-esq.  I loved it, but I'm not sure it's my favorite of hers. 
7. Bridgerton Collection Vol. 1 (First 3 Novels) by Julia Quinn 
• 3  Stars 
• Don't judge me.  Yes, I watched Bridgerton and had to give the books a try. 
• The books are very much like the show on Netflix: witty, entertaining, romantic... and NOT AT ALL CLEAN.  Quinn would get 5 stars from me if certain scenes were quite a bit less graphic.  Read at your own risk.  
8. Boundless (Age of Conquest #6) by Tamara Leigh 
• 4 Stars 
• Ok, y'all know Leigh is one of my absolute FAVORITES, but I'm not loving this series as much as I thought I would.  
• That said, I still love her, and I enjoyed this installment.  
9. Lovely War by Julie Berry 
• 5 Stars 
• I'd give it 6 if I could. 
• Read this book. 
• Mythology, WWII, and romance?  It's like she wrote this book with me in mind.  
• Read it.  

Non-Fiction: 

1. The Backyard Gardener by Kelly Orzel 
• 4 Stars 
• The Hubby is building me a deer-proof garden for my birthday, so I thought I'd do a little studying. 
• Other than being a bit above my gardening skill level, this guide was very helpful 
2. The Space Between Us by Sarah Bauer  Anderson 
• 3 Stars 
• Anderson had an excellent  and timely message in this book (our book-club pick for January), but she beat it into dust and rambled a bit much for my taste.  

Well, a Few Things Have Changed...

For starters... 

The Hubby finished his USAF commitment... 

And got a job flying for Delta Air Lines.... 

I finished my Master's and graduated from ENMU with an MEd. in Curriculum & Instruction... 

We moved to Georgia... 

And I started teaching American Literature at East Coweta High School... 

Despite such a massive upheaval, there are a few things that are still the same: 

The Hubby still flies airplanes; he just wears a different-colored uniform... 

These boys still keep me busy... 

And I still read.  A lot.  It's weird how having to read stuff like "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and the "Speech to the 2nd Virginia Convention" several times a day makes you want to go home and get lost in an entertaining book.  

I'm not sure how often I'll thoroughly review books in this "new life" of mine, but with the help of Goodreads, I figured I could pop on here once a month and rate everything I've read!  

The Romanov Empress

In The Romanov Empress, C.W. Gortner allows Maria Feodorovna-- the mother of the last Russian Tsar-- to tell her own fascinating life story.  From a humble childhood in Denmark, to an adolescence as a princess, then finally as the daughter-in-law, wife, and mother of Russia's last three emperors, Minnie's life story is undeniably worth telling.  Gortner does an admirable job melding tumultuous historical events and detail with vivid portrayals of historical figures.  Given the complexity of Russian politics and the length of time the novel covers, I was amazed at Gortner's ability to keep the plot straightforward and relatable.  The insider's view of the slow decline of the Russian monarchy and its ultimately gruesome demise was nothing less than fascinating.  I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a weekend.

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.