I read all kinds of books. Mystery, Crime, Thrillers, Romance, Historical.. I love all kinds of books. So when I received ‘When My Ship Comes In’ I waI read all kinds of books. Mystery, Crime, Thrillers, Romance, Historical.. I love all kinds of books. So when I received ‘When My Ship Comes In’ I was intrigued by the book description and started reading as fast as I could.
In ‘When My Ship Comes In’ we meet Flo. Flo is a wife, mom of three and hard worker living in the fifties. Life is hard on Flo. Her husband Fred is an abusive, drunk with a bad temper. But times are very different back then. Flo isn’t able to leave her husband, and must endear the things he does. But when Fred loses his job again, he is forced to leave the town he knows to find other work. Thankfully Fred finds a job at Monday’s. There everything is almost too good to be true. At Monday’s they get work for Flo and her girls too, and a nice home where they can live with luxuries Flo and her family has never known. But soon Fred is getting out of control again, and Flo and her family can lose everything they’ve worked for.
Well, this book wasn’t a feel good one for sure. I definitely had a hard time reading this story at times, but I also couldn’t stop until I knew how this story would end. Woman definitely had a hard time back then, and I can’t imagine living the way Flo did. There where moments while I was reading this book, I wanted to scream at Flo to stand up to her husband. But I realize times where very different back then. It’s hard to understand though.. I was happy to read when Flo seemed to grow as a person, and finally started to realize she had to change their life. In the end she did what she had to do, and I actually felt proud of her.
Sue Wilsher definitely has a way of writing, and I’m amazed this book was her first novel. Although I couldn’t really relate to the characters in this book, since my life has been so much easier, I wanted to know what was going to happen to them. And I really felt like I was a part of the story. I enjoyed reading this book through Flo and her daughters Jeanie’s eyes. They didn’t realize but they were really alike, and in the end they were both very strong.
‘When My Ship Comes In’ was a story I won’t forget for a while. And I realize even more how lucky I am to be able to life the way I do. ...more
When I first read about this book, I was really fascinated. Just like everybody else I’ve heard a lot about Albert Einstein. And reading a book about When I first read about this book, I was really fascinated. Just like everybody else I’ve heard a lot about Albert Einstein. And reading a book about his wife just sounded really intriguing. This book started with an explanation from the author and I was a little disappointed to read this book was fiction, but still.. I couldn’t wait to start reading.
In ‘The Other Einstein’ we read the story of Mileva ‘Mitza’ Maríc. Mitza is a young and brilliant woman, who worked all her life to study and become a physicist. The only problem is that Mitza is a ‘woman’ and it’s 1896. Woman aren’t supposed to study and Mitza has to work twize as hard as the man in her class to get where she wants to go. Now Mitza is studying in an elite school in Zürich, when she meets Albert Einstein. Albert changes everything for Mitza and soon they are working together to get their degree.
Especially in the beginning I really enjoyed this story. Marie Benedict really has a good way of writing and making sure her readers are fascinated. I loved getting to know Mitza. Being a woman in a man’s world is very hard. But Mitza worked hard to get where she is, and she has seen the worst of humankind. Mitza definitely is a tough character. But she is also really naive when it comes to Albert. You can’t really blame her since she hasn’t been in contact with many people other than her own family for the first twenty years of her life. But still.. it was frustrating at times.
Half way through this book I found the story becoming a little slow. All the scientific talk was a little boring to me and I just wanted the story to get on. After a view of those chapters the story became better again, and I started to enjoy ‘The Other Einstein’ once more. I do have one problem with this book. I don’t know much about Albert Einstein, but in this book he isn’t a very nice person at all and he also isn’t as smart as he is supposed to be. I mean, supposedly his wife Mitza is the master brain behind his research. This bothered me a little. Why couldn’t there be used a different made up name? To me it now feels a little like Albert Einstein is being wronged without any real evidence.
Overall, this is a good story about the struggle of woman in the past. But I would have loved it more if it wasn’t fictional, or if there were used other names. I love that cover though! Beautiful! ...more
A view weeks ago I received an email with the question if I wanted to read ‘Beloved Poison’. I saw the book cover and was immediately fascinated by thA view weeks ago I received an email with the question if I wanted to read ‘Beloved Poison’. I saw the book cover and was immediately fascinated by this book. Even more when I read that this book had a historical medical theme. So when this beautiful looking book arrived I was super excited to start reading.
‘Beloved Poison’ is definitely a unique book. I’ve never read anything like it. It takes place in a crumbling hospital in the 1850s and it’s really different. It definitely took some getting used to and in the beginning I was not sure what to think. But still, from the moment I opened this book I wanted to keep on reading and I just couldn’t stop. E.S. Thomson’s writing style is very easy to get lost in. And I loved walking through the old hospital through the eyes of her characters. What a fascinating and intriguing read!
As a nurse the whole medical theme was really fun and interesting to read. It was shocking to read how ‘dirty’ everything was back then. Especially if you think that nowadays there is a hand alcohol device next to every single patient. Since I work on a surgical unit it was really interesting to read about how a amputation went back in the day. And although some parts in this book were really dark and a little disturbing at times I found myself loving this book from the moment I started.
The mystery aspect in ‘Beloved Poison’ is also very good. There is a lot happening and everything has this dark glow over it that makes it even more fascinating to read. The main character Jem, finds these dark, old and little coffins and soon after people are being murdered. It was really fascinating to read about her investigation in finding out what was going on. And I didn’t suspect what was really going on until it was revealed. That’s always a good thing if you ask me.
The setting, the medical theme, the mystery and the characters made this book a great one, especially considering that this is the authors debut novel. I loved reading about how things where done in the hospital all those years ago. And I also really enjoyed reading about all those different poisons and herbs. I’m definitely a fan of E.S. Thomson. And have you seen that cover yet?? ...more
In ‘Landfalls’ we go back to 1785 at the time of the historical La Pérouse expedition, a voyage were many men went out to sea to explore unknown partsIn ‘Landfalls’ we go back to 1785 at the time of the historical La Pérouse expedition, a voyage were many men went out to sea to explore unknown parts of the world. ‘Landfalls’ is a book filled with twelve chapters written from a different point of view and from different parts of the world.
The beginning of this book was a little hard for me. I had a little trouble getting used to the world back in the 18th century and because of that I really needed a view chapters to get used to the scene. But slowly on I felt myself being enchanted by this book. I must admit I hadn’t heard about the La Pérouse expedition, before starting this book. So this book was a really fun look back into the history of the 18th century. Although this isn’t a teaching book, I really felt a little smarter after reading it. LOL.
Naomi Williams definitely has a gift with words. I loved the way every chapter was written through the eyes of a different character. I’ve never read a book that was written this way before, and although it was really interesting to read I don’t think many authors can pull this off. This way of writing can easily make the readers lose their way but Naomi Williams was able to make this book even more interesting because of it. This book was fascinating, really touching, but at times also really funny. Definitely a read which had a little of everything.
I’m so glad I was able to read ‘Landfalls’. Especially since I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up myself and I would have missed this beautiful written novel. Every page of this book makes you feel the way the author put a lot of time and effort in this book.. Although I’m still not a big Historical Fiction fan, I loved reading this book and would really recommend it. ...more
‘The Soldier’s Wife’ take place in Australia, in 1915 when the world was in chaos due to the first world war. Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins are newlyweds and‘The Soldier’s Wife’ take place in Australia, in 1915 when the world was in chaos due to the first world war. Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins are newlyweds and madly in love with each other. When the war takes Jimmy away to fight in the battle of Gallipoli, both Ruby and Jimmy are sure that their love will survive the war and al the tragedies it entails. While Jimmy is away he writes love letters to Ruby, telling her about his dreams and the life he knows they will have when the war is over. Ruby is at home in Sydney and reads all his beautiful letters. But after the first view weeks have past, Ruby is forced to go on with her own life. And what she needs is money. Money to life, and to build a future for when Jimmy returns. But 1915 isn’t an easy time for woman to make their own money. And Ruby is forced to fight for her rights in a world were woman are considered less.
Not only the cover of this book is beautiful, but the story itself is even more beautiful. I normally don’t read much books about world war I and II. Stories about the war always make me feel so sad and even a little scared about the future. But ever since I read this books description, I knew I had to read it. And yes, it is a sad story, but above all it is a story about love, passion, and the strength people have when they need to survive. It’s also about what war does to people who fight it, and who are left behind.
‘The Soldier’s Wife’ is definitely a book I will remember. It’s so beautiful!! I loved the way Ruby fought for herself and how she conquered all odds in a men’s world who really didn’t want her there. While reading this book I felt like I was standing right next to Ruby and fighting beside her. Fighting off all those prejudices and old habits. I also loved reading Jimmy’s letters, to Ruby. They were so sweet and they really brought me to tears. Jimmy loved Ruby so much and he really wanted to take care of her, and grow old with her. The letters were really heartbreaking to read at times.. But above all beautiful.
In the end I cried. I cried because of how it ended, because of the way this book had made me feel and because of what was lost, and above all because it ended. I wasn’t ready to let Ruby and Jimmy go.. And even almost twenty four hours after I finished this book, I still think about ‘The Soldier’s Wife’ and Ruby and Jimmy. This book is definitely one of my favorites this year!! It’s so good!! I really recommend this book. ...more
When I started reading ‘The Keys of The Watchmen’, I didn’t really knew what to expect. From the very beginning I loved Kathleen C. Perrin’s writing When I started reading ‘The Keys of The Watchmen’, I didn’t really knew what to expect. From the very beginning I loved Kathleen C. Perrin’s writing style, it is fun to read and there is a lot of humor to her writing. But when the story began going about Katelyn’s deja-vu moments, and an Archangel who was talking to her, I became a little worried. I’m not a religious person, and I was afraid this book would be more about religion and the bible. But because the writing was so fun, I kept reading. And I’m so glad I did, because this book was amazing. There are some religious aspects about this book, but not so much it bothered me or that I didn’t understand it. Most of all this book is about the history of Mont Saint Michel and the fight to keep it from English hands back in the hundred year war, and about a girl who feels ordinary but has much more inside of her than she realizes.
This book was a fun read, but it was also very interesting because of the history. Although, to some people history sounds boring, Kathleen C. Perrin made it really fun to read and it never became boring. Most thing are based upon the actual history of Mont Saint Michel, and some of it is fiction, but most of all it really made me want to visit the place. I definitely fell in love with the people of Mont Saint Michel in this book, and the rich history this place seems to have.
The characters in this book, where amazing to get to know. I especially really love Nicolas. He was just so passionate about what he believed in, and when this strange girl from the future came he really didn’t get her at all. But he tried, and most of all he tried to look at things from her perspective.
Kathleen C. Perrin did an amazing job with this book, and I can’t wait to read more about the Watchmen. When you start reading this book, be prepared to do nothing more than read. And get your tissues ready, because I cried my eyes out at the end.
In ‘The Chateau on the Lake’ we meet Madeleine Moreau, a twenty year old teacher at her parents Academy for Young Ladies. Madeleine is a firm believerIn ‘The Chateau on the Lake’ we meet Madeleine Moreau, a twenty year old teacher at her parents Academy for Young Ladies. Madeleine is a firm believer in educating woman just as good as man. She has her own opinion and isn’t afraid to share it. When Madeleine loses her parents she feels like she is all alone in the world. Together with her best friend Sophie, Madeleine decides to travel to France to meet the family she never met before. But France is in war, the revolution is at his beginning and it isn’t save for English people to visit France, especially not for two young woman. So when the handsome Comte Etienne d’Aubery offers to escort them to France and invites them to stay at his home, Chateau Mirabelle, the two woman accept immediately.
This book takes place in 1792 and is set during the time of the French Revolution. I know my history and have heard many things about the France Revolution. So when I found out that this book takes place at that time, I wondered how this Romance novel would go. A Romance novel set during the French Revolution sounds like either a Romeo and Juliet kind of story, or a Sound of Music kind of story. I was definitely curious. I didn’t really expect it, but from the moment I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. The first few chapters were a slow introduction and learned me about the characters. Although it was a little slow, this didn’t bother me at all. It totally fit the story and without that few uneventful pages this book wouldn’t be as good as it was.
‘The Chateau on the Lake’ is not only a Romance novel. At times it almost felt like the Romance was just a side part of this book. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is sweet, passionate and slowly develops, just like it does in other great Historical Romance novels, but this story is more about the French Revolution and its impact on the people. There is poverty, violence and betrayal. And although I didn’t expect to enjoy a book like that, I really did. The main characters Madeleine and Etienne are definitely characters I will remember. Their romance isn’t the easy kind, and they face many obstacles but it definitely is the kind or romance you will remember after reading this book.
I found the author’s writing very refreshing and interesting. At times I could almost imagine myself sitting at the dinner table in some fancy French dress at the Chateau Mirabelle. This book is so much more than a Historical Romance novel, and I would really recommend it! ...more
In ‘Garden of Lies’ we meet Ursula Kern, a strong woman for her time, and the owner of the Kern Secretarial Agency, a business were woman can earn honIn ‘Garden of Lies’ we meet Ursula Kern, a strong woman for her time, and the owner of the Kern Secretarial Agency, a business were woman can earn honest money with an honest job. Ursula has been a widow for some time now, and she is truly happy with her job and her life. But when she meets Archaeologist and adventurer Slater Roxton, she immediately feels an attraction to the handsome man. When one of Ursula’s employers is found dead, Ursula is sure this is murder. When no one else believes her she tells Slater, and although he isn’t completely convinced of murder, she can’t possible solve this mystery alone. Together they are set to find the murderer, but soon the story becomes more complicated.
Just like the other books by Amanda Quick this book is exciting and fun from the very beginning. Somehow her writing style makes me want to keep reading until the very end of the book. ‘Garden of Lies’ is no exception on that part. I loved this book and the characters are also very fun and easy to love.
‘Garden of Lies’ takes place in Victorian London and I really love the charms of that time. The way people talk to each other, the dresses and especially the romance of that time. I don’t think that it was really all that romantic when you lived in it, but now, years later I really enjoy the romance of that time and the way people wooed each other.
The two main characters were really fun to get to know. First we have Ursula Kern, a strong and hardworking widow who isn’t the least sorry she doesn’t have a man in her life. Ursula really thinks her life is complete, but Slater Roxton makes her feel things she just doesn’t comprehend.
Slater has been trapped on an Island for a year, after he and a friend went treasure hunting. Now he is back in London and everyone seems to think he is a little mad, and has some strange hobbies. I loved Slater’s character. He was really passionate, kind, and definitely not boring at all.
The mystery in this book is very well written. There is a lot going on but not so much that you lose information. The story is greatly developed, everything fits and the clues are not so easy that you learn the truth way before the characters do.
Yes, this was definitely a very nice and enjoyable book. I definitely recommend it! ...more
In ‘Vampire Seeker’ we meet Samantha Carter, a twenty year old with an obsession to prove vampires really do exist. When four woman get brutally murdeIn ‘Vampire Seeker’ we meet Samantha Carter, a twenty year old with an obsession to prove vampires really do exist. When four woman get brutally murdered in London, Samantha is convinced this must be the work of a real vampire. Trying to prove her point Samantha follows a guy who’s been seen at the crime scene. But when Samantha gets on the London tube, everything changes. Soon Samantha finds herself in the Wild West of 1888. And danger is very close.
What I missed in the second book I definitely found in the first book of this series. I really enjoyed everything about this book. The introduction about Samantha’s life and the way she ended up in another time, the characters from 1888, but above all I truly enjoyed the mystery of this book. Tim O’Rourke definitely wrote a grabbing story filled with enjoyable characters which will make you want to keep reading.
Samantha is an awesome main character. She is tough, down to earth and just a little crazy. I loved the way she handled ending up in 1888. She freaked a little but most of all she just figured it was all a dream. I loved that about her. I also really enjoyed the Preacher and Harry. Everything about the Preacher was mysterious and I really just kept wondering what was his deal. He was kind to Samantha but was always on his guard. Harry was just very arrogant and not really nice most times. But still I really kept thinking this was just all an act.
‘Vampire Seeker’ is definitely a very awesome read. It’s fun, mysterious and not too long. I really enjoyed this book and the paranormal part. It just felt like everything is this book fit and I can’t wait to read more books in this series. This one definitely gets my recommendation. ...more
In ‘One Great Year’ we follow Marcus through his many lives in search for his one true love Theron. In his first lifetime he fell desperately in love In ‘One Great Year’ we follow Marcus through his many lives in search for his one true love Theron. In his first lifetime he fell desperately in love with Theron, and although they were chosen on a path in which they couldn’t be together anymore, Marcus is set on finding his love once again. In ‘One Great Year’ we follow Marcus in his many different lives, through many different parts in history. But unfortunately for Marcus there’s also Helghul, his powerful nemesis. Helghul is also reincarnated many times, and just like Marcus he remembers all his previous lives.
The one thing that keeps coming back to me after reading this book is WOW!! Even if you didn’t like this book, there must be admiration for Tamara Veitch and Rene Defazio. This book is beautifully written, intriguing, fascinating and above all incredibly and professionally intertwined with ancient history. I’m just in awe with the authors ability to write this kind of story.
But even though this story was definitely well written and really fascinating there were some parts in this book I just didn’t really ‘feel’. For example the romance between Marcus and Theron. There was talk about Chakra points and souls intertwined, and even though I’m definitely a sucker for the soulmate concept I just don’t get the whole Chakra thing. I also really didn’t think Theron was just as ‘in love’ with Marcus as he was with her. That part in this book just didn’t feel right.
Although I didn’t really like the romance bit I did love the authors ability to keep me interested in this story. I just had to finish it! And what I also really loved was the way, even though Marcus has had many incarnations and his ‘name’ changed, I could always keep up with the different names. (And if you’ve read any of my previous reviews you know that me and many names are not a great combo. )
I would definitely recommend this book to history, reincarnation and mythology lovers. ...more
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