The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Paperback, 406 pages

Published February 21st 2019 by Headline Review (first published December 31st 2018)

Historical fiction

Library

I am always weary of books with different timelines, because I always like the historic more. And sure it began like that here too, but then at the end I actually liked them both.

Ann works as an embroider, she meets Miriam and they become friends and coworkers. I did feel like maybe there should have been more Miriam. She had too much of a background for that backgrund not be be experienced. She had hid in plain sight, she had been in the resistance, she had been to Ravensbruck, her entire family was dead. But that is all we learned, those words. Too me that is an entire book.

They work for the man chosen to make Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress. Ann meets someone, Miriam meets someone...

And then it is 2016 and Ann is dead and her grand daughter decides to learn more as she knows nothing about her gran's past. Shaky beginning, but then I got into it (cos yes she meets someone, I guess that pulled me in, I am all for romance.)

It is not the most exciting book, they work on the dress, they fall in love, the gran daughter goes to London. But at the same time it made me want to watch the Crown for some reason, cos here I was behind the scenes so to say.

But it was good and Miriam totally deserves a background book.

London, 1947: Besieged by the harshest winter in living memory, burdened by onerous shortages and rationing, the people of postwar Britain are enduring lives of quiet desperation despite their nation’s recent victory. Among them are Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the famed Mayfair fashion house of Norman Hartnell. Together they forge an unlikely friendship, but their nascent hopes for a brighter future are tested when they are chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime honor: taking part in the creation of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Toronto, 2016: More than half a century later, Heather Mackenzie seeks to unravel the mystery of a set of embroidered flowers, a legacy from her late grandmother. How did her beloved Nan, a woman who never spoke of her old life in Britain, come to possess the priceless embroideries that so closely resemble the motifs on the stunning gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II at her wedding almost seventy years before? And what was her Nan’s connection to the celebrated textile artist and holocaust survivor Miriam Dassin?

Carole's Monday: This son of York by Anne Easter Smith

Author: Anne Easter Smith 

Title: This Son of York

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Publication Date: November 10th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Richard III. A man. A king. A legend.

He ruled England for only two years, but the legacy of Richard III remains both fascinating and divisive.

From his childhood in the intensely loyal and close-knit York family to his rise as a thoughtful but troubled ruler, This Son of York is a passionate and deeply personal account of the life of Richard III. A man who loved his family and his country. A king who struggled to overcome the challenges not only of a turbulent time but his own human frailties. A legend whose true life is only now coming to light.

Inspired by the discovery of Richard III's grave and its revelations, award-winning author Anne Easter Smith brings together her decades of intense research, five celebrated novels on the Wars of the Roses, and her sustained passion for Richard III in this culminating book on the last Plantagenet king.

Been an eon since I read a book by this author and this came out about Richard...so I couldn't resist giving this a try.

This follows Richard from childhood until his death on the battle field. This is inspired by the discovery of Richard's grave recently, so we get to have little glimpses of the team who uncovered the body. 

I have always been back and forth about Richard. I never believed he was the monster that is portrayed but was he a saint? Absolutely not. He was a man of his time for sure, but I don't really believe he killed his nephews...but did he know the truth? Probably. Who knows? 

The author is really good and I enjoyed the other book by her. I really must read more. She has such a way of bringing these characters to life and absorbing you into the story and the drama. She makes these characters complex and human. Love it!

Even though I have my doubts about Richard, I really enjoyed his story here. She didn't butter him up to be a hero or a villain. He felt real to me and this version is my favorite of him. I did even pity him at the end there. Poor guy. Lost everything. He was so disrespected in his death. Darn that Henry. BUT you can understand why Henry just wanted to bury him and forget about him. 

At first I wasn't a huge fan of the glimpses of the modern day uncovering of his grave. As we did get closer to the end I appreciated it then. 

Overall, I really did like this story. I was completely absorbed into the story and our characters. Richard felt so real and this was my favorite version of him. This is a must-read if you have any sort of interest in the War of the Roses. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.  

Audio: Thirteen doorways, wolves behind them all by Laura Ruby

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-01-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical fiction /YA/ghost

I read this blurb (not this one), and expected something entirely else. More horror in the orphanage, so ok, it was not a walk on roses, but I thought it would be worse. Now there were even good times.

Frankie and Toni is left at an orphanage by their father. He has a new wife (asshat!), and no place in his home for them. They grow up there and he visits twice a month, until he does not. His new wife was a piece of work.

Frankie is the sensible one that tries to be good.

Toni is the one that likes to flirt with the boys, even though they are not allowed too.

The nuns are strict, WWII starts. Family drama.

And then there was the ghost, ok so this was really weird. At first I was more interested in Frankie's story, but then there ghost took more and more space and I liked her more. A young woman hanging around, wondering why, whispering to orphans and slowly we learn her story. And it is a sad one.

So yes, I did feel that the story would have worked great without the ghost. And I also feel like the story would have worked great with just the ghost, as it is now we have both, and sure that works too.

Narration

I liked her ghost voice for Pearl, it fitted great.

The ghost part had this other feel to them and that did work great for the story. It felt more ghostly.

When Frankie’s mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary - just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That’s why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket.

Now, Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans - two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.

And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America - every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough.

I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out.

That’s what ghosts do.

Carole's Monday: Trailing the Hunter

Author:  Heidi Eljarbo

Title: Trailing the Hunter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, & Fantasy

Pages: ebook

Publication Date: October 30th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased opinion)

1661 in Norway.

Clara Dahl has made a decision. She has seen the dread and sorrow witch-finder Angus Hill has caused in her hometown and sets out to find him. Her goal is to fight the wrongful and wicked misconceptions about witch hunting. But the witch-finder’s influence is strong. How can she warn the villagers of something they don’t understand?

Clara’s heartfelt desire is to protect and rescue the women who are in danger without causing more harm. As Clara develops secret plots to thwart the plans of the notorious witch-finder and works to help the villagers, she finds friendship and the possibility of true love.

I didn't know this was technically book 2, but it works as a standalone and you really don't have to read the other one. This caught my eye right away. First, by the cover. Second the summary. 

The story follows Clara Dahl. She has seen the onslaught and sorrow the witch-finder, Angus, has caused. She decides it is time to end this and find the man. However, his influence and power is larger then she originally thought. She wants to protect and rescue the women who are in danger.

The beginning was a little slow for me, but then I was hooked and read this in a couple of sittings. I had to know what was going to happen! I was soooooo worried about everyone.  

Darn that witch-finder and his partner! Evil, evil men. 

I liked Clara a lot and bless her heart. All she wants is to help people and teach kids. I was worried about her and all the women. So scary that any woman could be accused and arrested. Doesn't matter...rich, poor, old, young. Anyone is suspect especially if a woman shows any sort of spirit. How no one can see this and understand this blows my mind. If everyone stood up against these terrible men and women then none of the tragedy would happen! 

Loved Christian too. I was a wee bit suspicious of him at the beginning, but I didn't trust anyone to be honest. 

There was a sprinkle of romance here, but it didn't take over the story which I liked. It's not the focus and there are much bigger things at stake so I'm glad it was just in the background. 

LOVE, LOVE that cover!!

Overall, this was a good read. I enjoyed it even though I was scared for everyone and suspicious of everyone at the same time. I am curious about the other book. I recommend this if you are looking for a good historical with a touch of fantasy and romance. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Carole's Monday Review: The Bittersweet tapestry

Author:  Kevin O'Connell

Title: Bittersweet Tapestry (The Derrynane Saga, Book Three)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 380

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Unhappily returned to Derrynane, within a year, under the auspices of their uncle, a general in the armies of Maria Theresa, Eileen and her sister, Abigail departed for Vienna and a life neither could have ever imagined – one at the dizzying heights of the Hapsburg empire and court, where Abigail ultimately became principal lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself, whilst Eileen, for nine momentous years, served as governess to the Empress’s youngest daughter – during which time Maria Antonia, whom Eileen still calls ‘my wee little archduchess’, has become Marie Antoinette, dauphine of France, though she continues to refer to her beloved governess as “Mama”.

As Bittersweet Tapestry opens, it is the High Summer of 1770. Having escorted the future Queen of France from Vienna to her new life, Eileen and her husband, Captain Arthur O’Leary of the Hungarian Hussars, along with their little boy and Eileen’s treasured friend (and former servant) Anna Pfeffer are establishing themselves in Ireland.

Their ties to Catholic Europe remain close and strong; in addition to Abigail and her O’Sullivan family and General O’Connell, his wife and young daughter in Vienna, their brother Daniel is an officer in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV, whilst their youngest brother, Hugh, is studying at École Militaire in Paris, his path to a commission in the Dillons’ Regiment of the Brigade. His gentle Austrian friendship with Maria Antonia having inevitably waned, Hugh’s relationship with the strikingly-beautiful young widowed Princess Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy is blossoming.

Though happily ensconced at Rathleigh House, the O’Leary family estate in County Cork, being prominent amongst those families which are the remnants of the old Gaelic order in the area, Eileen and Art find that the dark cloud of the Protestant Ascendancy hovers heavily, at times threateningly, over them

Been itching for more when book 2 ended! I was so excited when this was ready to be read. 

The story continues with Eileen and her friends/family. After escorting Maria Antonia to the Versailles, they have withdrawn back home to Ireland. However, not all is happily ever after for them or for the archduchess. There is a dark cloud on the horizon. 

I feel so bad for everyone. I just want them to have a HEA and live peacefully, but that is never the case. There is always something so it  made this story more realistic. Sad things happen and we all know the story of Marie Antoinette especially at the beginning of her unhappy marriage. I still wanted it to be different for her! I just want her to be loved! SIGHS. And I want Art and Eileen to be all happy and live their lives in peace in Ireland. But alas....not meant to be. 

The beginning was a little slow, but it worked and I liked it. It does allow for those who didn't read book 1 of 2 to be able to know what is going on. However, I do encourage reading books 1 and 2 to fully fall for the characters and get attached.

The writing is just as lovely as the others. The author really knows how to bring the story and characters to life in a beautiful way. 

OOoooOOOOO the feels in this one especially after a certain event. My poor heart! It did get a tear from me. Ugh. Won't say what, but it got me right in my heart there. 

Grrrr that baddie!!! *shakes fist* 

I want to be like Eileen when I grow up! And I loveeeee Art too!

The ending has me wanting more even though I am worried for our characters especially as time trickles on and we know Marie Antoinette and her family will have their own doom cloud heading towards them. Sobs!

In the end, this was addictive! I couldn't put it down just like the others. I think this was my favorite so far even though I was so upset at that one scene. Sob! I highly recommend this series for historical fiction lovers. 5 stars. :) 

Audio: A golden grave by Erin Lindsey

This is book 2, and even if it does work as a stand alone in a away, then you really should read book 1 first to see how it all happened.

Rose used to work as a maid, now she is a Pinkerton agent. And her new partner is the man she used to work for, and the man she has a crush on. Rose is clever, she can feel ghosts, and she will not have other agents hold her background against her.

I do enjoy how some of the Rich have something called "Luck", which of course is how they became rich. There are different sorts, like remembering everything you see, feeling where something has been and so forth. It brings in something extra in this world that also has shades and other dimensions, and that is why there are Pinkerton, special branch so the rest of the population does not find out.

Oh and yes her partner Thomas, I do like him (and they should totally get it on). A rich Englishman who is ell very English.

A hunt for a murderer who has Roosevelt as his next target. Rose trying to juggle her new life. New friends and old friends showing up. A good mystery, a good hunt.

Narration

I like Barrie's voice. She does a good voice for men and women, different accents and so on. She brings something extra to it all

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik,____Series: Rose Gallagher Mystery, Book 2____Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins Unabridged Audiobook --------Release date: 09-17-19-------Publisher: Macmillan Audio------Historical fiction Mystery ------In exchange for an honest review

Rose Gallagher always dreamed of finding adventure, so her new life as a freshly-minted Pinkerton agent ought to be everything she ever wanted. Only a few months ago, she was just another poor Irish housemaid from Five Points; now, she’s learning to shoot a gun and dance the waltz and throw a grown man over her shoulder. Better still, she’s been recruited to the special branch, an elite unit dedicated to cases of a paranormal nature, and that means spending her days alongside the dashing Thomas Wiltshire.

But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose imagined, and not everyone welcomes her into the fold. Meanwhile, her old friends aren’t sure what to make of the new Rose, and even Thomas seems to be having second thoughts about his junior partner. So when a chilling new case arrives on Rose’s doorstep, she jumps at the chance to prove herself – only to realize that the stakes are higher than she could have imagined. Six delegates have been murdered at a local political convention, and the police have no idea who–or what–is responsible. One thing seems clear: The killer’s next target is a candidate for New York City mayor, one Theodore Roosevelt.

Convinced that something supernatural is afoot, Rose and Thomas must track down the murderer before Roosevelt is taken out of the race–permanently. But this killer is unlike any they’ve faced before, and hunting him down will take them from brownstones to ballrooms to Bowery saloons. Not quite comfortable anywhere, Rose must come to terms with her own changed place in society–and the fact that some would do anything to see her gone from it entirely.

Carole's Monday: The Orange Grove by Kate Murdoch

Author:  Kate Murdoch 

Title: The Orange Grove

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Expected publication: November 25th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Blois, 1705. The château of Duc Hugo d’Amboise simmers with rivalry and intrigue. Henriette d’Augustin, one of five mistresses of the duc, lives at the chateau with her daughter. When the duc’s wife, Duchesse Charlotte, maliciously undermines a new mistress, Letitia, Henriette is forced to choose between position and morality. She fights to maintain her status whilst targeted by the duchesse who will do anything to harm her enemies. The arrival of charismatic tarot reader, Romain de Villiers, further escalates tensions as rivals in love and domestic politics strive for supremacy.

In a society where status is a matter of life and death, Henriette must stay true to herself, her daughter, and her heart, all the while hiding a painful secret of her own.

I was drawn in right away. The story and the cover are so intriguing. 

The story takes place in 1705 at the chateau of Duc D'Amboise where he has his wife, Charlotte, and his 5 mistresses. Henriette is our main character and she used to be friends with Charlotte until a new mistress, Letitia, joins them. Charlotte has lost it and has become malicious and wants the new mistress gone. 

Honestly, I was hooked from page 1. This author really knows how to bring a world and characters to life. Henriette was a really interesting character and I did feel for her. Her secret was sad and I was certainly shocked by it. Didn't expect that at all. 

I go back and forth with Charlotte. I understand her motives, but I can't condone her actions toward other people. Maybe punish the husband instead and not the mistresses. He is the jerk. But he is a man of the time and has many women at his disposal and he doesn't see the issue. I'm surprised Charlotte didn't lose her marble sooner because of all the women. But yes, Charlotte was an interesting "baddie" for the story. You can see the whys but her actions are not excusable. 

Romain was fun even though he made me mad.

I liked Letitia even though she was sooo naive. 

I wanted to shake Hugo. He wasn't a bad guy but he was dumb. What did you think was going to happen? Having all these women in your life??

The story was a quick read and I got it done in one sitting. I honestly could not put it down! I had to know what was going to happen to all these characters. I loved how nothing in this story was black and white. It really does depict real life. No one is innocent and people are flawed. 

Now the ending left me wanting more. I felt like there needed to be more. Maybe I am being selfish? But I honestly felt like this could be longer and I wanted more. I also wasn't amused with what happened to Charlotte. Gah. 

Overall, I really liked this! I read this in one sitting. The characters were intriguing and I had to know what was going to happen. Nothing was black and white and even our baddie wasn't evil. She was hurt by the man she loved. But again...she is punishing the wrong person. If you need a good historical fiction that is a quick read I recommend this one. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Audio: The Downstairs girl - Emily Woo Zeller

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 08-13-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Historical fiction YA

In exchange for an honest review

Narrator: 

I like the narrator as I have listened to her before, but I did have to up to 2.2 since I felt it was narrated too slowly, but that just makes the story go faster so all good in my book.

She was the perfect voice for Jo.

Story:

Jo lives with her guardian in a basement. Atlanta after the war means no rights for Chinese people, they are not even citizens.

She loses her job and starts working for the family she worked for before, including a certain bratty daughter. She also starts writing an agony aunt column that takes the city by storm.

Did I see the city going crazy over it, nah, not really. I liked what she had to say, she wanted equality and liberty. But far fetched sure, but hey this is a story after all and I really liked how she went after everything. Though the author did try to put in too many issues at once, I know the time gives a lot to talk about, but a focus on a fewer would have been better.

There might be a romance blossoming at the end, nah, did not feel that. I will just choose to see her not going after that.

There is also drama regarding who she is. Who were her parents? I am not saying no to a bit of mystery. I really enjoyed that part. Even if grrrr, it made me want to hit people.

I enjoyed the story, and it did actually never feel particularly YA. I did not even realize it was YA to be honest.

By day, 17-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie". When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender.

While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light.

Carole's Monday: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Author: Paullina Simons

Narrator: James Langton

Title: The Bronze Horseman

(The Bronze Horseman #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Pages: Audiobook

Published: July 17th 2000

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

The golden skies, the translucent twilight, the white nights, all hold the promise of youth, of love, of eternal renewal. The war has not yet touched this city of fallen grandeur, or the lives of two sisters, Tatiana and Dasha Metanova, who share a single room in a cramped apartment with their brother and parents. Their world is turned upside down when Hitler's armies attack Russia and begin their unstoppable blitz to Leningrad.

Yet there is light in the darkness. Tatiana meets Alexander, a brave young officer in the Red Army. Strong and self-confident, yet guarding a mysterious and troubled past, he is drawn to Tatiana—and she to him. Starvation, desperation, and fear soon grip their city during the terrible winter of the merciless German siege. Tatiana and Alexander's impossible love threatens to tear the Metanova family apart and expose the dangerous secret Alexander so carefully protects—a secret as devastating as the war itself—as the lovers are swept up in the brutal tides that will change the world and their lives forever.

I picked this up because it sounded like a good tragic romance and it fits one of the reading challenges. 

The story follows Tatiana and Alexander in Soviet Russia. Tatiana meets Alexander who is a young officer in the Red Army. They are drawn together, but he is dating Dasha who is Tatiana's sister and he has secrets. War is coming and things are changing. 

I knew this was going to be long. Heck 20 something hours of audio and like 900 pages. I was prepared for that but I wasn't prepared for how long everything took. Yes, I loved following the two fall in love slowly...but it took forever. Everything took forever. It dragged on and on but I was invested in the characters and dealt with it. But oh.my.god stop describing ice cream. I wish I had read this instead of listening so I could skim some parts easier. 

Poor Tatiana. Everyone sucks. Her parents are jerks and dumb. Her sister is rude. Her friend was a jerk. Alexander loves her and all, but he is dumb too. Gah, I wanted to shake Alexander. WHY ARE YOU SO DUMB????? He obviously loves Tatiana but he keeps on dating Dasha....okay. Idiot boy. *grumbles* I just want Tatiana to be happy darnit!

This was really sad in a lot of spots even though Alexander is a dummy, he really loves her and it melted my cold heart. Oooo that ending. My poor heart! I know there are two more books, but still. 

Oooo I love the narrator. He did well here like normal. But even he couldn't fix how slow this was. Sad. 

Now....do I want to read/listen to the next one? I don't know. Maybe someday. 

In the end, I kept going because I was invested in the characters and I wanted to know what was going to happen. My only and biggest issue was not because it was long, but because it dragged on and took forever for things to happen. AND there are two more books after this. I'm undecided. We shall see. I'm going to stamp this with 2 stars. Just too slow for me. 

Russia