The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

 

Click here to buy from Amazon

I picked this book up not knowing a whole lot about the subject matter and under a deadline to read it in ten days before returning it to the library. Add in a very busy  July 4th weekend and I only had a few days to read it.  I wasn't sure I'd make it, but happily the story grabbed my attention and I've spent the last few nights reading about an amazing librarian: Belle da Costa Greene.  

Belle became the personal librarian of JP Morgan in 1906. JP Morgan had built an impressive private library to house his already impressive collection of manuscripts and rare books. Belle was hired to organize and develop his collection. What JP and everyone around Belle didn't know was that Belle was an African American woman who passed as white. Her secret would drive her career and personal choices for the rest of her life. 

Belle's family history was definitely one that kept her conflicted about her choice to follow her mother's wish to pass as white in a city and country where African Americans were being lynched, denied rights, and only hired for menial, low paying jobs. Belle's job had her dining with the Vanderbilts, attending the opera with well known New York socialites, and most importantly, garnering JP Morgan's admiration and trust. Belle traveled to Europe to spend millions of JP's money at auctions, all the while building his private collection into one that rivaled most museums. 

Belle was an amazing woman--brilliant, hard working, and self-taught. She gave up a lot to keep her secret, and her place as librarian. I was curious enough to google her, and there's a lot out there about her. The Morgan Library and Museum will have a exhibition on Belle in 2024.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel about a woman who blazed a trail during a time when women were struggling to be heard and respected. She was the ultimate career woman and remarkable for her time. 

Both authors have notes in the back of the book detailing their experience writing this novel during the 2020 Pandemic. This would make an interesting discussion for a book club. I'd like to read more about Belle. 

Rating: 4/6 for a fascinating novel about JP Morgan's personal librarian. She was an incredibly smart, talented woman who defied societal norms while creating one of the most important collections of manuscripts, art, and books in the United States. Anyone with a love of libraries, art, or books will find this novel hard to put down. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio.

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira

It feels like I haven't read a solid historical novel for a long time.  I'm pretty sure it's only been a few months, but as I was reading Winter Sisters I said out loud to myself "I am so happy reading this novel!".  I have no shame in admitting I talk to myself, especially when reading.  

I read My Name is Mary Sutter years ago, and loved it. Civil War novels always have a huge pull for me, and Mary Sutter is such a compelling character it's hard not to love her.  When I saw this was a sequel of sorts to Mary Sutter, I just had to read it.  

It's 1879, Albany, New York.  Mary, now Dr. Mary Stipp, lives and works with her husband Dr. William Stipp, along with her mother Amelia and niece Elizabeth.  They have a successful clinic run out of their spacious home, and have a good life in Albany.  The Civil War has not left them, however, and they are forever changed by what they witnessed as doctors treating soldiers.  But life is pretty good, and they are happy.  Close family friends the O'Donnell's have two lovely little girls, Emma and Claire. 

A bizarre, horrific blizzard descends upon the city, catching everyone unawares, and through terrible circumstances, Bonnie and David O'Donnell are killed during the blizzard.  The two girls, stuck at school, survive the blizzard with their schoolmates, but are left behind on the school steps once the blizzard ends and everyone goes home.  They disappear into thin air.  

The Stipps, frantic about the O'Donnell family, discover the sad news about Bonnie and David, and are very concerned when the girls don't turn up anywhere. Mary and family go to the police, and take it upon themselves to search everywhere they can think of to find the girls.  The police aren't very helpful, claiming the girls are probably dead.  Six long weeks go by, with no sign of the girls.  The melting snow and ice in the Hudson River causes a massive flood in Albany, and in a night of chaos, the girls are found and brought to the Stipps.  Where were they, and what happened to them?

What happened to Emma and Claire sets off a huge newspaper war in Albany; a magnifying glass is put to Mary's practice and her decision to give healthcare to prostitutes; and Elizabeth's new romance with the son of a prominent lumber baron is put into jeopardy.  Traumatized by their ordeal, both girls are in danger of never recovering, especially when some folks don't believe their tale.  

While it is a fact that women didn't have very many rights or privileges in 1879, it still got me pretty steamed to read about some of the nasty rumors and treatment of Mary, Emma, and Claire.  Albany-a city that looks shiny and bright, but has an underbelly that runs on corruption, bribes, and prostitution. Men have all the power, money, and, sadly the law on their side.  

I so enjoyed this book.  Robin Oliveira is a solid writer, and her attention to historical detail makes the book so interesting, but never bogged down.  Of course the medical aspect was a big draw for me, and I definitely had a hard time putting the book down in the last half.  As a matter of fact, I stayed up way past my bedtime last night to finish the last few pages, I was so anxious to find out what happened.  

A huge thank you to Viking/Penguin for a review copy.  

This novel will be on sale Tuesday, February 27th in the U.S. in hardcover, ebook, and audio. You do not have to read My Name is Mary Sutter to read this novel.  

Rating:  5/6 for a novel that addresses female sexuality, abuse, the power of men, money, and the strength of family at a time when women didn't have many options.  Mary is a great example of a brilliant, respectful woman who still is treated with distrust and ridicule even after proving herself over and over.  A powerful statement on the ability of rumor and false news to damage lives. 

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

Winter Sisters by Robin Oliveira

The Dare and the Doctor by Kate Noble: A Winner Takes All Novel and a Giveaway!!

Whether you're blissfully happy with your partner, dating and having fun, or someone who prefers the quiet life...we all enjoy a good romance novel. I must confess it's been a little while since I ventured into the romance genre, but I certainly enjoyed reading the just published The Dare and the Doctor by Kate Noble.  It's the third in a series which centers around three friends:  The Earl of Ashby (The Game and the Governess),  John Turner (The Lie and the Lady), and Dr. Rhys Gray.  

Dr. Gray is a handsome doctor from a society family that has seen scandal and is just now coming back into society.  He's kept up a correspondence with Margaret Babcock, a young woman (and heir to her father's large estate) who prefers to spend her days experimenting with plants and flowers and creating new hybrids.  Both have met each other before, and their mutual love of research and tinkering in labs has fostered a firm friendship via letter. Ah, the days before Facebook and even phones!  

Thanks to Dr. Gray's influence, Margaret has a chance to travel to London and present her newest hybrid rose to a prestigious horticulture society. She's out of her element, but decides she has to take the chance--plus it will give her an opportunity to visit with her good friend Dr. Gray.

Of course Margaret and Dr. Gray are meant for each other, and it seems most everyone around them gets that, but these two science nerds are fairly oblivious to it for most of the novel.  There are the usual foils that appear to keep the two apart as they slowly (very slowly!) figure out they have the hots for each other. And who am I to blame them for taking so darn long to recognize their love for each other?  It's kind of refreshing to see two people take some time and slowly realize their attraction to each other.  In our fast paced world, and our rushes to say "I love you" before we even know a potential partner, it was actually fun to watch that unfold between Rhys and Margaret.  So if you've got the patience, and want to read a good old fashioned romance, this is the one for you.  It's not necessary to read the first two books in the series to enjoy the story of Margaret and Rhys, but hey--why not?  And I've got just the opportunity for you:  a giveaway of all three Winner Takes All books!  Yes, you can win all three and have a treat to read in the coming cold months.  Giveaway winner will be announced December 1st.  A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for review copies of this delightful trio of romances. 

Enter the contest  (starts November 23rd) through Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Here's what fans have been saying about the Winner Takes All books:

Praise for the Winner Takes All Series

“With her usual witty writing and exquisite flair for characterization, Noble offers [The Lie and the Lady]. The effortless manner in which she wrote. The Lie and the Lady as a separate love story while at the same time gracefully connecting it to The Game and the Governess and cleverly hinting at what is to come in the series is nothing less than brilliant.”

—Booklist (STARRED REVIEW, The Lie and the Lady)

“After a scandalous escapade with John, a commoner she thought was the Earl of Ashby. Letitia returns to England as the fiancée of a somewhat older, titled widower- only to find out that her new home is right in John’s backyard . . . heartwarming.”

—Publishers Weekly (The Lie and the Lady)

“The Earl of Ashby trades places with his friend and secretary in order to prove he can win a woman without the benefit of his title in The Game and the Governess…It’s a delicious treat to watch Ned grow from earl to man, and see the stalwart Phoebe get everything she deserves.”

—Bookpage (TOP PICK IN ROMANCE, The Game and the Governess)

“The subtle development of romance between the devil-may-care earl and the proper governess is the impetus behind this winning novel, complete with rich characters and a multi-dimensional plotline.”

—Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW, Best Summer Romance pick, The Game and the Governess)

 

WINNER TAKES ALL GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate the third in the Winner Takes All series, The Dare and the Doctor, we are hosting a giveaway and the WINNER will TAKE ALL books in the series: The Game and the Governess, The Lie and the Lady and The Dare and the Doctor! Please note, you can enter at all participating blogs but you can only win once. U.S. only.

Blog Tour

REVIEWS:

BOOKPAGE: GUEST POST NOVEMBER 21^ST!

A MIDLIFE WIFE

BABBLING ABOUT BOOKS

BLACK 'N GOLD GIRL'S BOOK SPOT

BOOK BRIEFS

BOOKALICIOUS BABE BOOK REVIEWS

BOOKWORM2BOOKWORM'S BLOG

CANADIAN BOOK ADDICT

CELTICGUARDIAN

DEW ON THE KUDZU

BOOK NERD

FEEDING MY ADDICTION

FIKTSHUN

FOR THE SAKE OF READING

I AM, INDEED

IN THE HAMMOCK

KATE-BOOK.COM

LISA'S WORLD OF BOOKS

LITERARY GOSSIP

LIVE TO READ

MOONLIGHT RENDEZVOUS

ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT

REVIEWS BY CRYSTAL

THE BOOK READING GALS

THE PLEASURE OF READING TODAY

THE ROMANCE DISH

UNDENIABLY BOOK NERDY

WTF ARE YOU READING?

FEATURE POSTS:

BOOKFAN-MARY

CELTIC LADY'S REVIEWS

ITCHING FOR BOOKS

LORI'S READING CORNER

LUCKY ROSIE'S

LUSH BOOK REVIEWS

NIGHT OWL ROMANCE

ROMANCING RAKES

ROMANCING THE READERS

SMEXY BOOKS

THOUGHTS IN PROGRESS

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

The Dare and the Doctor by Kate Noble: A Winner Takes All Novel and a Giveaway!!

Halloween Read: The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston

My spooky reads for the month continues with one of my favorite authors, Paula Brackston.  

But, I'm sad to say, I wasn't bewitched by this novel.  Trying to let the disappointment go and move on, but it is hard when an author you enjoy doesn't hit it out of the park every single time.  

Paula Brackston still remains true to her theme of witchcraft in this, her third novel. I read The Silver Witch earlier this year and just gobbled it up (much like the Brach's pumpkin cremes I inhale every October).  The Midnight Witch was already sitting on my bookshelf, but was set aside while I was in the throes of grad school.  Now, finally, I had the chance to read it.  Fully expected to love it.  Didn't. 

This novel takes place before and after World War I.  In 1913, Lady Lilith Montgomery is mourning the death of her father.  Rich, beautiful, and engaged, Lilith seems to have it all, and then some:  her father was the head witch of the Lazarus Coven, and Lilith is the heir. The Lazarus Coven is very old, and very secret.  They exist to protect England from dark forces, especially the Sentinels, a group of nasty sorcerers  bent on reclaiming the "elixir" the Lazarus Coven keeps under wraps.  The Sentinels see an opportunity to strike with the death of Lilith's father and her ascent as head witch.  

Lilith has been trained since childhood in the arts of witchcraft, and she's pretty powerful and up to the task of head witch.  But the nasty spirit whispering in her ear, and the knowledge that there is a spy in the Lazarus Coven make her position tenuous. The gathering clouds of war are always in the background, making what should be a happy time in Lilith's life pretty stressful and gloomy.  

Oh, there's also that love interest:  not her fiance, but a poor starving artist.  He's talented, and drop dead gorgeous, but not a witch, and completely out of Lilith's social circle.  Not husband material for her at all.  Lilith must keep her other life--that of a witch--a secret to everyone who is not in the coven (her mother still doesn't know her husband was a witch and her daughter is as well).  How can she possibly find a way out of this mess?

I've been trying to figure out just what I didn't like about this novel.  I kept finding myself thinking it was set earlier than 1913-1914 and that was frustrating.  There wasn't a lack of social clues; the fashion was discussed quite frequently, as well as mentions of cars and women's attitudes.  And World War I was certainly a big part of it.  Somehow I kept getting lost even with all of those reference points to keep me straight.  I also didn't care for the romance between Lilith and Bram.  I didn't feel any chemistry between the two at all.  

The novel does jump ahead 5 years, to after the war.  I found this plot device hard to swallow.  Lilith has so much trouble in 1913-1914; I have a hard time believing the Sentinels wouldn't take advantage of England being in a major war to take control of the Lazarus Coven during such chaos.  They do try, but not very hard.  I felt like the author was very ambitious in the story she wanted to tell, but it fell short somehow.  Too much "stuff" going on that cluttered up the plot.  And I have to say I wasn't entirely crazy about Lilith either.  Something was missing from her personality that would have made me really invested in her issues and struggles.  

Arrgh!  So disappointed in this one.  I always applaud an author who stretches their usual storytelling in another direction.  This one just wasn't the best.  And my golly it seemed way too long.  

Rating:  4/10 for a plot that seemed clunky, a romance that didn't click, and a heroine that unfortunately fell short for me.  

Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book.

 

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

Halloween Read: The Midnight Witch by Paula Brackston

The Anatomist's Wife (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber

 A friend of mine has talked about this series over the past year.  When I had the hankering to read a mystery last weekend I was happy to remember I'd purchased a copy of The Anatomist's Wife. I could dive right into 1830's Scotland during a nasty Iowa heatwave complete with unbearable humidity.  Who says you can't travel the world sitting on your comfy couch? 

The Anatomist's Wife is the first in the Lady Darby Mystery series featuring Lady Kiera Darby.  Kiera has been widowed for a few years, and is staying with her sister and brother-in-law at his castle in Scotland.  Her late husband was an anatomist who married Kiera purely for her artistic talents.  Trusting her father's judgement, Kiera married her husband not realizing he would force her to draw anatomical pictures as he dissected bodies.  After he dies suddenly, his friends label Kiera as "unnatural" and attempt to have her arrested for criminal acts. She's escaped all of that, but her reputation is in shreds.  She's continued to paint and sell her paintings under an assumed name.  Hiding out in Scotland has given her a measure of peace, but society doesn't want to forget what they assume is her deviant behavior.  

A house party at her sister's castle goes awry when Lady Godwin is found murdered in the maze.  Sebastian Gage is part of the house party, and he's an inquiry agent.  He's also pretty handsome and asks Kiera to help him since she's had some experience with anatomy.  Who killed Lady Godwin, and why?  The killer is at the castle, and could possibly be a member of the upper class.  Whomever it is, they don't want Kiera to investigate.  Will Kiera and Gage solve the mystery before someone else is murdered?  

I liked this mystery enough that I have already started on the second in the series and have the third on hold at the library.  In 1830's Scotland and England a woman's reputation is everything.  Gossip can destroy a woman, and it's hard to change public opinion.  Kiera is emotionally damaged by a horrible marriage and what she's witnessed, and struggles to trust Gage and stand up for herself.  
The mystery itself is pretty good, and keeps you guessing.  Lady Godwin was no saint.  I don't read a lot of mysteries; when I do read them, I prefer historical mysteries.  Not having the technology to solve a murder as we do now adds to the story for me.  Using interview skills, observation, and old fashioned detective work appeals to me and keeps me reaching for these mysteries.  

Here are the rest of the Lady Darby mysteries:

Rating:  7/10 for a solid mystery with a heroine who is smart, talented, and partnered with a potential love interest.  

Available in paperback and ebook. 

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

The Anatomist's Wife (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber

Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman

Jean Zimmerman writes historical fiction that demands you pay attention and weave your way through incredible detail.  All  while attempting to figure out just what is going on and why.  

That's what happens in Savage Girl, a fascinating look at late 19th century New York high society and the attempts of the Delegate family to "rescue" and refine a young woman thought to be brought up in the wild.  

The Delegate family are filthy rich.  As in hard-to-imagine-rich.  Hugo is the spoiled son, attending Harvard as an anatomical student, obsessed with drawing anything anatomical. He has a weird obsession with the human body.   The story is told through his eyes, and they are a bit unreliable.  Hugo is sickly, and has blackouts where he doesn't remember what happened or what he did during those times.  His life is altered when his family, traveling on a private train to Virginia City, come upon a dingy side-show down a dark alley.  That side show is savage girl, a young women who runs on all fours and seems pretty vicious, yet incredibly intelligent.  Hugo's father decides he needs to rescue her and  bring her back to New York City.  Here Hugo's parents will educate and refine savage girl and introduce her to society.  She's a big experiment.  

But this experiment has some dark baggage, and that baggage is murder.  Men are being found dead and mutilated wherever savage girl goes.  As savage girl slowly transforms into a young lady,  and begins speaking (her name is Bronwyn), she's even more mysterious.  Where did she come from, and what does she know?  Is she the killer?  Is it Hugo, who hallucinates from drink and blacks out whenever there's a murder? This mystery keeps you on your toes.  

Nature vs nuture is a big theme in this novel.  It's a fascinating look at people and motives with a mystery added to the mix.  

Rating:  8/10 for the writing, descriptions of 19th century New York City, and a clever plot.  

Available in hardcover, audio, and ebook.  

Thanks to Viking/Penguin for a review copy.

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn

How can you not love this cover?  It is stunning.  And yes, that is a woman in 20's dress standing on the plains in Africa.  Just go with it.  

I haven't had the pleasure of reading Deanna Raybourn before, so I am glad I waited until A Spear of Summer Grass to introduce myself to her writing.  What a fantastic way to spend a few hours away from the humdrum of Iowa and into the thrills, beauty, savagery, and mystery of Africa in the 1920's.  

Delilah Drummond is a young socialite who has already been married three times (widowed twice, divorced once), lives the high life in Paris and London, and looks like a typical "fun" gal--lots of gin and tonics, beautiful dresses, and dancing.  But Delilah holds much more than you would expect--and that's just what thoroughly captured my attention reading this novel.  

Delilah has gotten herself into a bit of a scandal, and her mother (even more of a social butterfly than Delilah) has demanded she leave the social scene and let things quiet down.  Delilah is sent to Africa, where her step-father has a bit of land and a lovely home named Fairlight overlooking Lake Wanyama.  Delilah soon travels to Fairlight with her cousin Dora to stay and let the scandal blow over.  

Enter Ryder White.  He's one macho man, and a stark contrast to the other white men who Delilah meets in Africa.  He's scarred, tanned, tough, and part of Africa.  He doesn't take crap from anyone.  Instant attraction.  But both Delilah and Ryder hide a lot behind their facades, and this relationship is going to take some work.  

Meanwhile, you get to know Delilah.  From the first few pages, you  get the impression she's a real spoiled brat with not a care for anyone or anything.  But you quickly learn there are depths to Delilah that endear her to you.  She's a society woman--that's for sure.  But she also isn't afraid of getting dirty, using a gun, or eating whatever is put in front of her.  She's stunned by the beauty of the land around her, and quickly realizes the tribes that visit her at Fairlight for medical attention are kind and loving people who are in danger of losing their identity the more white men encroach on their land.  She's a tough cookie who isn't afraid to say what she thinks, sleep with men whenever she wants, and drink lots of gin.  I grew to really admire her guts and ability to handle whatever came her way.  She's hiding a lot of grief behind that frivolity and Africa (and Ryder) have a way of drawing it out, exposing it to the blistering sun, and healing her sorrow.  

I so enjoyed this book!  Africa in the 1920's?  Not something I've ever read before in either fiction or non-fiction.  Delilah is just the kind of character I like to read about--tough, capable, and yet very vulnerable underneath that armor.  She knows how to read people and work her way around any situation.  

I have purchased another Deanna Raybourn novel: 

This is the first in her Lady Julia Grey series--part mystery, historical novel, and romance.  I am anticipating that I will enjoy Silent in the Grave as much as A Spear of Summer Grass even though they are such very different story lines. 

Rating:  8/10 for setting, descriptions of Africa that make you want to pack your bags, and an irresistible heroine.

Available in paperback or as an e-book.

Share: facebook - twitter - pinterest

A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn