High Romance, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Violence

Freedom to Be

“Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager’s unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:

Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances–most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.

Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she’s been working to support the family following her husband’s breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.

Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she’s working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.

As they interact with various literary figures of the time–Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others–these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.”

This is a fantastically emotional book that makes you feel empowered, regardless of gender. It’s a book on societal structures and preconceived judgements. A critique on human nature and a champion for women without being degrading on the male sex. It was more a commentary on time period and history than anything else. And a discourse on writing itself.

You would think with all of that in one book, the read may feel sluggish and heavy.

I read it in two days, regretfully putting it down each time life called me away. I turned each page anxiously, thoroughly enthralled with the fabulously written characters on the page and the determination they showed.

The literary references are intellectually brilliant. They’re like little nuggets of happiness for every reading addict.

I would recommend this to readers of any gender, any genre and any time period.

***** Low Language, High Romance (there’s no sex on the page, but it is referred to. For as prudish as I can be, I was never uncomfortable with the language- but I wouldn’t give it a teenager to read either), Low Violence, Low Religion

Dystopian, Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Fantasy, Four Stars, High Romance, High Violence, Historical Fiction, Low Language, Low Religion, Low Romance, Low Violence, Moderate Romance, Three Stars, Young Adult

What Happens After

The Wish Granter by C. J. Redwine

Have you ever had preconceived notions effect your enjoyment of something? Rumpelstiltskin is not my favorite fairy tale, so I went into the second book in the Ravenspire series a little leery.

I was pleasantly surprised that this one not necessarily a re-telling of Rumpelstiltskin, but more of a what could have happened after the fairytale was over. I loved that twist.

This one was a lot more violent that the first one. I also felt like it moved a little slower than the first one. However, I’m still really impressed with her writing and there quite a few moments that spoke to me.

Just a heads up while there are few to no words that we consider swear words, there are words that have been created for her world (made up words if you will) that are referred to as swear words that are used in the book. –AB

*** Low Language, Moderate Romance, High Violence, No Religion

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Post-apocalyptic books are my favorite. This book was so good and sucked me right in.

I was really impressed with the author’s writing style. While the nature of a post-apocalyptic book often engenders violence, she wrote such scenes with such empathy and…the only word I can think of is, class. Those scenes never felt harsh, but a natural part of the plot.

I have to admit that the romance was along those same lines. Both are rated high below, because that really is where they fit, but I never felt like I was reading something raunchy. Any discussions about it were about the beauty of a union rather than the physical aspects. I thought it was done really well.

****1/2 Low Language, High Romance, High Violence, No Religion

The sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

So technically this isn’t the first time I’ve read this book, but I’ve never reviewed it.

My local book club is reading it this month and it makes me so happy! I seriously love Flavia. She is so well written with her quirky habits and unique interests.

The story has heart and suspense and humor. It pulled me from page one and the mystery kept me guessing the first time I read it and made me smile just as much the second. I would recommend this book to any person, any age, in a heartbeat.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence, Low Religion

Missing Lily by Annette K Larsen

I wasn’t kidding when I said I was going to spend the weekend re-reading the Dalthia books. I was shocked when I realized I’ve only reviewed two Dalthia books on our site!

Missing Lily is probably my favorite of the series.

Annette writes such beautifully deep characters. Her characters and the emotion infused in them makes her book stay with you. I don’t often re-read books, but these I’ve re-ead multiple times.

The plot is engaging, the letters are touching, and the few twists make the story utterly delightful. I love that the story isn’t over when they are able to be together. I love that they have to fight for each other and work at their relationship even after happily ever after. And if you sign up for Annette’s newsletter you get a few scenes written from Rhys’ point of view that are absolutely adorable.

***** Low Language, Low Romance, Moderate Violence, Low Religion

Fairy Tale Re-tellings, Fantasy, High Romance, High Violence, Low Language, Low Romance, Low Violence, Moderate Language, Moderate Romance, Moderate Violence, Young Adult

Fantasyland

This weeks Reading Round Up is full of wonderful fantasies and is brought to you by… The Middle Sister (Mel)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie StiefvaterScorpio-paperback-website

This is one of my top five favorite books of all time, and has a permanent place on my re-read shelf.  The plot is incredibly compelling with excellent writing and consistent timing.

The plot deals with a lot of heavier topics really well.

You will fall in love with the passionate characters becoming completely invested. I feel that many of the side characters really need their own story told.

This story has a perfect ending with all the feels.

***** Moderate Romance, Moderate Language, High Violence

The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz51RSaSb7qSL

This is a little bit of a sleeping beauty adaptation and I loved how she handled it. The characters were well written and intriguing.

The plot had a good surprise ending. Enough that I want to go back and re-read it with the knowledge I now have.

**** High Romance, Moderate Language, Moderate Violence

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson51geWHDf9JL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_

I loved every minute of this book, especially the witty banter. There are some darker magical moments, but overall this is a fun book.

The author does an excellent job with secondary characters, you’ll love them just as much if not more than the main characters.

****1/2 Low Romance, Moderate Language, Moderate Violence

The Prince’s Decoy by Cassie M. Shiels51yc6wppHVL (1)

The plot of this story is fun and unique, a cinderella meets the bachelor.

The writing is a little juvenile but the pacing was really good.

I had a hard time with it being first person from two points of view. The labeled chapters helped prevent head hopping, but I still felt like it would’ve been better third person with the multiple pov.

If you know a 13/14 year old looking for a light quick read with a sweet romance this would be a good one.

*** Low Romance, Low Language, Low Violence  (there is suspense and fighting in the book but it’s neither detailed nor graphic)

3 1/2 Stars, Fantasy, High Romance, Low Language, Moderate Violence

My “oh I need to read that” button

I have been having a hard time finding a book that as I read its synopsis pulls at my “oh I need to ready that” button. I have looked around Pinterest on those if you liked this you will like that type of pins and was getting no where until I saw The Jewel by Amy Ewing. I thought now there is a book that looks good. I’m always a fan of the strong female who concurs all!

51DAbR6CtoL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_

The Jewel has many meanings: wealth, beauty, royalty. But for Violet, the Jewel has always meant servitude.

Born and raised in the Marsh, Violet is destined for the Jewel. She is trained as a surrogate for the elite and is bought by the Duchess of the Lake at auction. And she quickly learns that beneath the Jewel’s glittering façade lies the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her life…all while fighting for her survival. But before she can accept her fate, Violet meets a handsome boy who is also under the Duchess’s control. A forbidden love sparks.

But their illicit affair has consequences, which will cost them both more than they bargained for. And toeing the line between being calculating and rebellious, Violet must decide what, and who, she is willing to risk for her own freedom.
As I started reading I’ll admit I was a little surprised by some of the mythical parts of the book that I was not expecting but it definitely gave it a twist, and the intrigue was well written.

As I read,  I started to see some parallels to “The Handmaids Tale” which confession: I have read and is most definitely NOT a clean book. Shhh don’t tell my mother 😮 That being said the jewel in my opinion is a YA version of handmaids tale with some of its own twists.

I enjoyed her writing style and how she made it seem realistic even with the slightly magical side of things. My pregnant, full of hormones self had a hard time with how real and cruel she made the royalty a appear, but it was just an example of how well she wrote it as reality.

I got to a point towards the end where I thought why is this girl being so dumb! To the point where I didn’t know if I wanted to read the next but then she did a really good job of cliff hanging the ending just right so now I just have to find out what happens next. –A.B.

Five Stars, High Romance, High Violence, Low Language, Medieval, Moderate Religion

Faith, Hope, Love

Confession, I love reading about all eras not just my own. I love being taken to what feels like a different world and imagining what it would be like to have lived then. However, at the end of the story I am always very grateful to return to my own era with all the modern conveniences I live with. It’s one of the reasons I love reading so much. It’s fun to escape to another time and place for a few hours.

It’s very hard to find clean reads for the medieval time period. A ways back I stumbled upon Tamara Leigh‘s Age of Faith series and was pleasantly surprised. I love her ability to tell a story. She weaves all of their lives together effortlessly and manages to discuss heavy and hard topics while infusing her novels with the feel of faith, hope, redemption and love. She just released the 7th book, The Awakening, in the Age of Faith series.

THE AWAKENING: A Medieval Romance (Age Of Faith Book 7) by [Leigh, Tamara]

“FAR BETTER TO LOVE WITHOUT PROFIT…
Even if she must sell herself in marriage to the highest bidder, Lady Laura Middleton is determined to provide her daughter a home and protector. But when Queen Eleanor presents her cousin with four suitors, among them is one who believes Laura betrayed him ten years past. Despite her attempts to discourage his pursuit, he is determined to have her for the dowry needed to save his lands. Should he prevail, how is she to shield her daughter from the enemy who lurks within his walls? And what of her heart? If she reveals the truth of her betrayal, might he love her again?

…THAN LOVE NOT AND REAP BITTERNESS
Beware the Delilah, my son. Beware the Jezebel—advice Baron Lothaire Soames should have heeded as a young man. Now in need of funds, he faces marriage to the woman he lost to scandal. Though he vows to find another way to return prosperity to his lands, his former betrothed proves his only hope and he grudgingly vies to become her worthiest suitor—only to be struck by how little it takes his heart to pick up where it left off. Can he forgive what cannot be forgotten? More, will she forever yearn for the man who fathered her child?”

This book, though dealing with very difficult topics was a good reminder to not judge others, to be forgiving and that God can heal broken things. I am not sure how she does this, but Tamara manages to do it all with out being preachy. Laura, the Heroine, throughout the novel talks about being “awake” now. She went through something that was truly horrible that made her a shell of herself. But little by little throughout the story she wakes up more and more to live her life. I love how she uses that imagery. She also does it with water and how Laura just wants to feel clean.  I love how in the end it is Lothaire, her twice betrothed whom helps her realize she is and always was clean. All of these add up to why I love Tamara’s writing.

This book is a little higher in the violence and romance ratings than we normally read, but not so much to be in our won’t read category. -M.V.

 

 

High Romance, High Violence, Low Language, Paranormal, Three Stars

If I was a Super Hero

Confession: If I could have any super power, I would want the ability to tell if those around me were telling the truth or not. I hate being lied to and deceived. I however wouldn’t want to take it so far as to mind reading, I don’t want to know everything people are thinking, I wouldn’t want to filter through all the negativity.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is a book all about “super powers” or as they call it, being “graced”.

“Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable-yet-strong Katsa, who is smart and beautiful and lives in the Seven Kingdoms where selected people are born with a Grace, a special talent that can be anything at all. Katsa’s Grace is killing. As the king’s niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his brutal enforcer. Until the day she meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, and Katsa’s life begins to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.”

There was a lot about this book that I enjoyed. I love stories that show the strength of women. The idea that a young woman who is being used for someone else’s gain can over coming the evil and be an example for good. The author did a good job with conflict in the love and romance, but it was a little on the high side. The writing kept me interested in the story and though detailed I never felt it was wordy. The part I had the hardest time with was the bad guy factor. He was a little to disturbing for me. So keep those things in mind if you want to give it a try. –A.B