This was book club discussion book. I normally wouldn't read a novel involving domestic abuse. I have to admit it was well written. I didn't agree witThis was book club discussion book. I normally wouldn't read a novel involving domestic abuse. I have to admit it was well written. I didn't agree with some of the decisions taken by some of the characters, but I realize that the author was trying to make a point. At least, the ending was what I expected and I wasn't disappointed. It was an intense read at times and I wouldn't recommend the book to squeamish readers. My favorite character was Atlas Corrigan. He remained himself throughout the story and was quite interesting to read about. I won't say more, so I won't give away any of the plot. ...more
I enjoyed this book, not realizing until the end that it was based on the author's ancestors. Sometimes it's nice to read a romance that is purely romI enjoyed this book, not realizing until the end that it was based on the author's ancestors. Sometimes it's nice to read a romance that is purely romance. Elisabeth is forced to make her own way in the world when her father loses his entire fortune in a railroad shares scam. She answers an ad for a farmer's wife and meets Rabbie Dinwiddie. They stay with an older farming couple to prepare them for running their own farm later. Starting out as a business arrangement, they soon begin to develop feelings for each other. How long will it take for them to realize how the other feels? Some good action, interesting characters, and description of life on a 19th century farm. My only complaint was that the dialog was a bit stilted at times. Perhaps people spoke that way back then, but it was a bit hard to read at times. ...more
I read this book as a book club selection. We meet monthly at the Cambria County Library so most of us are native Johnstowners. I was skeptical at firI read this book as a book club selection. We meet monthly at the Cambria County Library so most of us are native Johnstowners. I was skeptical at first because I've seen other flood novels that disappointed, but I liked this one a lot. I could picture the action from the streets named and it felt real for that reason. The author is very good at writing dialog for all the different characters, from broken Hungarian English to working class slang. Sometimes it was a bit confusing deciding whether action was in the present (1939) or the past (1889). I found out many things I had never learned about the city after the flood. As a survivor of the newest 1977 flood, I could sympathize with the plight of thousands trying to rebuild and restart their lives. The flood of 1936 wasn't mentioned, but I assume that floods were common in the area, and it really had no effect on the book's main characters, not like the one of fifty years before. My only complaint would be the editing. There were numerous misspellings, typos, and one character changed his last time for a few chapters. (Gerald Kirk became Gerald Price) I did think that the ending was a bit tidy, but I liked it anyway. I would recommend this book to local Johnstowners and others who are curious about the history of the area. ...more
I liked this book, but not as much as others by Ms. Sookoo. I guess the characters weren't as interesting as some others. Pretty much the whole book wI liked this book, but not as much as others by Ms. Sookoo. I guess the characters weren't as interesting as some others. Pretty much the whole book was just the two main characters. Grace's parents were in it a little bit and her twin sister, Patience, hardly at all. I found it a little beyond belief that a young lady of the ton would start an affair with her butler. The ending was not bad. ...more
I loved this book. I've become a big fan of period romances, and this one was heavy on romance. It was a sweet story of two unique people meeting and I loved this book. I've become a big fan of period romances, and this one was heavy on romance. It was a sweet story of two unique people meeting and slowly and hesitatingly falling for each other. Sometimes it's wonderful to read a romantic story without the sex, or imminent danger, or interference from jealous would-be suitors. I loved all the characters, not just the two main ones. The children were fun, and the other females were mainly nice. ...more
This was a fun book. There were two parts of action here. We followed Ben and Maria in their search for William and Florry. Also we followed William aThis was a fun book. There were two parts of action here. We followed Ben and Maria in their search for William and Florry. Also we followed William and Florry in their adventures. The ending was a bit complex, but all ended well. I thoroughly enjoyed it....more
I loved this book. The only drawback was how long the two main characters had to finally get their act together. I liked the idea of Lydia returning fI loved this book. The only drawback was how long the two main characters had to finally get their act together. I liked the idea of Lydia returning from book 2 with her sanctuary for struggling veterans from the war against Napoleon. Also, the struggles that Alice went through to get a book published (with her own name on the cover, too!) I look forward to book 4 with James's big brother, Hamish, and Alice's friend, Serena. ...more
Not too bad a Christmas read. It is a combination of romance and murder mystery. This book is the first of a Mary and Bright book series and sets up tNot too bad a Christmas read. It is a combination of romance and murder mystery. This book is the first of a Mary and Bright book series and sets up the main characters well. I liked that the heroine, Mary, was feisty and intelligent. Also, the two lovers are both the product of unhappy marriages and are not inexperienced young people. I look forward to reading another of the series. ...more
I loved this book. Three Christmas-themed, Dickensian romances. There is a connection between them, allusions to Charles Dickens and a gold second-chaI loved this book. Three Christmas-themed, Dickensian romances. There is a connection between them, allusions to Charles Dickens and a gold second-chance coin that passes from one character to another through all three stories. I love a good Victorian story. I also love a good Christmas story and I love the writings of Dickens. A perfect book to get me into the Christmas spirit. I think my favorite of the three is "A Tale of Two Hearts". William needs a wife to get in his uncle's good graces and be designated his heir. He convinces Mina to pretend to be his wife during a family meal. Things get increasingly complicated from there on. I really liked the quotes from Dickens novels at the start of each chapter. ...more
This was a very enjoyable Christmas story. Elizabeth is a sweet 3-year-old girl who loses her parents in a boating accident. Her cruel aunt and uncle This was a very enjoyable Christmas story. Elizabeth is a sweet 3-year-old girl who loses her parents in a boating accident. Her cruel aunt and uncle dress her in rags and leave her on the steps of a convent, thinking to reclaim her when she comes of age and steal her inheritance. After growing up with the nuns, Eliza realizes she is in love with a young relative of Sister Clare. Danger comes when she turns 21 and the cruel aunt and uncle try to force her to give them her money. Lots of action and Christmas plotlines. I loved it. A nice, short holiday read....more
I admit I had a slow start to this book, but my interest peaked. Once I got used to the dialog style and the characters, I liked it. Ms. Nelson obviouI admit I had a slow start to this book, but my interest peaked. Once I got used to the dialog style and the characters, I liked it. Ms. Nelson obviously understood Jane Austen's characters well and could give them voices. There is a bit too much emotion, chaos, and crying evident here, but the outcome came out well. I liked her version of a now maturing Georgiana Darcy and the struggles sometimes between Darcy and Elizabeth to meld their different personalities. The newer characters are interesting and help with the story. My only criticism was that we were constantly given the thoughts of all the characters at once. It was a bit too much at times to muddle through. I liked the solution; it rang true for everyone. ...more
I have read books by Debbie Macomber before. I especially liked this one. Four widows meet on Valentine's Day to celebrate a day of hope. They come upI have read books by Debbie Macomber before. I especially liked this one. Four widows meet on Valentine's Day to celebrate a day of hope. They come up with the idea of writing their own lists of twenty wishes for their lives. The book focuses mostly on Anne Marie and mother and daughter, Lillie and Barbie. Lillie and Barbie both lost their husbands in the same airplane crash. Anne Marie was separated from her husband Robert at the time but was still in love with him. They each search for happiness in their own way but are surprised at how happiness finds them. My favorite character was little Ellen, an eight-year-old who Anne Marie meets when she volunteers as a "lunch-buddy" at a local grade school. The stories are a bit sappy at times, but it's a feel-good book. I enjoyed meeting all the new characters (I had met some of them before)....more
I liked this book a lot. Betty brings us yet another rich, Dutch doctor who's only looking for the love of his life. He finds Julia, who believes thatI liked this book a lot. Betty brings us yet another rich, Dutch doctor who's only looking for the love of his life. He finds Julia, who believes that she doesn't need any help. She can handle things on her own, thank you. Julia has two sisters, who are soon to be happily married. She puts their little house up for sale and is ready to take on the world. But Gerard (the professor) seems to always be there when she finds a little hiccup in her plans. How long will it take her to see that he is the man of her dreams, and how long until Gerard gets impatient waiting for her to want to marry him?...more
I have read this book before (actually, I've read all of Betty's books) but this is my first review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how Julie and I have read this book before (actually, I've read all of Betty's books) but this is my first review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how Julie and her new boss, Simon, stumbled along in their first days working together. Julie had been working for Professor Smythe, but when he retired, she was set up with Professor van der Driesma. This must have been written in the early days of portable computers (no laptops here). Julie can't understand why Simon treats her in such a chilly manner. His reasons become clear as time goes by, but still, Julie is confused. It took a while for these two to come to their senses, but I enjoyed their burgeoning friendship. A quietly romantic story, old-fashioned, but I like them that way. ...more
I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, but the premise sounded promising. I marked it as a romance, but it isn't a conventional romance novel. I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, but the premise sounded promising. I marked it as a romance, but it isn't a conventional romance novel. The main character, Dabney, can sense a rosy aura around people who are in love. She also sees a dark green aura if things are not going to turn out well. Not everybody appreciates her gift especially when they think they know better. Dabney receives an email from Clen, the man who deserted her 27 years ago. He is back on Nantucket and wants badly to see her again. Her life is in enough turmoil without bringing on old feelings. Her daughter is dating a man totally inappropriate for her and her husband, Box, will be upset if she gets to know Clen again. I loved the descriptions of summer on Nantucket and the small gathering of retail businesses along the main street. Dabney is the driving force behind the Chamber of Commerce on the island and lots of activities keep her constantly busy. Her crew, Nina, Riley, and Celerie, are very colorful characters. My only small criticism is that it seems that Dabney often makes matches for women with doctors, lawyers, and other assorted rich people. Not everyone can find a doctor to fall for. Maybe most of the people on Nantucket are somewhat well off, but it seemed a bit on the unbelievable side to me. ...more
This is a very old Harlequin romance, so I will give it a little bit of slack. It wasn't bad as far as the romance went, a young divorced woman visitsThis is a very old Harlequin romance, so I will give it a little bit of slack. It wasn't bad as far as the romance went, a young divorced woman visits a friend in Hong Kong. Jeanette just happens to also be the aunt of her ex-husband, Raoul. She's upset when she realizes that not only does Raoul live in Hong Kong, but he lives in the same house. My faults with this novel were the continual smoking by the characters (it was written in 1979), and the author's constant references to a servant's "slanty" eyes. She also has Sun Yu-Ren speaking in a sort of dialect that we used to associate with the Chinese. I found that disconcerting. Other than that, it was unusual for the "other woman" to be kind of nice. She was after Raoul for herself, but she was still quite a good friend to Suzanne and Jeanette. It was not a bad read, but I would not try it again. ...more
This is my second Sally Forbes book. I especially liked this one because the lovers come together over horses. It was a sweet romance and the ending wThis is my second Sally Forbes book. I especially liked this one because the lovers come together over horses. It was a sweet romance and the ending was very nice. The only small thing that I didn't like was the author's overuse of the word "repulsed" in various versions. Other than that, I enjoyed reading about Josephine coming out into society after suffering facial scarring from a carriage accident as a child. I liked her friendship with Sarah, the daughter of the local vicar, and her twin brother....more
I loved this story. It was just the right combination of romance and Christmas for a holiday read. Gabe is 8 years old and staying with his Aunt HollyI loved this story. It was just the right combination of romance and Christmas for a holiday read. Gabe is 8 years old and staying with his Aunt Holly while his dad is serving in Afghanistan. He's not quite warmed up to her yet, but she is determined to give him a happy Christmas despite missing his dad. Meanwhile, Holly meets a nice man who pays for her latte when she comes up short. What she doesn't know is that he is Jake Finley, heir to Finley's Department Store, the largest family-owned department store in New York City. When Gabe asks for a special robot for Christmas, Holly is determined to get one for him despite the huge price tag. She is also determined to buy it herself with no help. A grandmotherly sales clerk in Finley's, Mrs. Merkle (Call me Mrs. Miracle) seems to be able to step in whenever anyone needs help. ...more
I am sorry to give any book only two stars, but this one was a disappointment for me. It was first of all very short and ended abruptly. I am assumingI am sorry to give any book only two stars, but this one was a disappointment for me. It was first of all very short and ended abruptly. I am assuming that this romance leads to marriage as almost every romance novel does, but this one ends (spoiler) with a sex scene. I found that disconcerting. Also, I began feeling bad for our heroine, outshone by her five (yes, five) sisters, both stepsisters and half-sisters. She finds her stepmother very cold, her sisters very willing to take advantage of her, and her father preoccupied with his younger daughters and stepdaughters. He finds Jemima to be a potential burden, she being 21 and not even engaged. Jemima is a spitfire of a girl who acts often without thinking and I found her annoying quite often. I wish her the best, but any man would have his hands full with her. ...more
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