Recently I noticed a librarian had propped up The Miniaturist on her desk, it sat with a little sign that said, "Ask me about his book." When I did, she smiled and said that it was a great read and that I should add it to my TBR list, and then be sure to read it as soon as possible. Of course my TBR list is long, so it took me awhile to get to it, but I have to say it was fascinating. The story be....

This book started slow, but ended up being both sweet and philosophical. A team of time travelers are sent to see if they can meet Jane Austen. They are assigned to befriend her and to locate a manuscript that is thought to be lost.  Of course the directive to alter history as little as possible and the social customs of 19th century England made this somewhat difficult.  Overall I am glad I stuck....

I just finished Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach. It came to my attention a while ago, and then I saw it had been made into a movie. I decided I had to read it. For those who like a quick, easy read, this might be for you. The format of the book is one that switched POV with each new chapter, but I found I could follow along without problem. The characters are well formed. The time period, circa 164....

This book really made me smile. It is one of those books that skips back and forth between the present day and the past. Each skip reveals more of the story between an Iowa farm girl and a young German POW who happens to be held close by, and who comes to help on her family farm. There are lots of geographical references that I happened to be familiar with: Clear Lake, Mason City, and the Grotto O....

Blue eyes, five o'clock shadow, and body armor. The male cover model of Highland Master caught my eye the other day and I decided to allow myself this guilty pleasure. This is a standard historical romance, with a meeting between the widow Lady Triona and Sir Brett, followed by attraction, trouble, and sex. For me it ran a little long and was a bit overdone on two parts: one-Lady Triona's doubts a....

I started reading The Fever Tree without really knowing anything about it, and I am so glad I did. This novel by Jennifer McVeigh is one of the most compelling stories I've read in a long time. Frances Irvine finds herself in terrible circumstances after the loss of her father. Her mother passed away when she was a child and there is really no one left who cares for her. On top of that her father ....

The cover art of The Tea Planter's Wife caught my eye one day, but it was the story that kept my interest.  Part love story, part mystery, part lesson on the secrets we keep, this novel covers it all, and then some.  Set on a tea plantation in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) the reader is enveloped in the story of a young women who finds herself married to widower.  Elements of social customs and race make....

Love to learn about real history through novels? If so, put To Capture What We Cannot Keep on your list. This work of fiction is a light lesson on the building of the Eiffel Tower mixed with a bit of romance. Strong characters and vivid imagery round out an enjoyable, easy read.

Can a person live on faith alone?  The Wonder delves into this question through Lib, an English nurse who is sent to observe a young Irish girl who refuses to eat. The story progresses by examining the girl and her family's religious beliefs, contrasted with Lib's scientific ones.  Well written, a tiny bit slow in the middle, but wraps up strong.