“Open Turns” by Hendrika de Vries

The book opens with Henny and her family moving to Australia after WWII.  After living through the brutality of the Nazi’s, the family settles into rural life.  Henny must learn how to adapt to her new country, while maintaining her passion to swim.  On track to become an olympic swimmer, Henny experiences highs and lows in the pool.

This book was a bit slow moving.  I believe it was meant for a younger audience, who would more easily relate to Henny and her struggles.  Overall, not a bad book, just not one for me.

“Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs 

Mairin is like any other teenager.  She is interested in boys, upset when her brother is sent to Vietnam, and just wants to escape the weighted looks from her step-father.  However, when she tells her Mom, she is sent to the Good Shepherd, a Magdalene Laundry.  There she meets a ton of other girls, each imprisoned wrongly.  Despite the horrendous conditions, she refuses to be broken.  With a few other girls, they plot their escape.

I thought this book was incredibly slow moving.  It seemed to take a long time to move forward.  Then, when something finally happened, the author skipped decades.  I would have liked to have read more about the girls after they escaped, and their lives.  I think this should have been 2 books, one set during the laundries, and a second providing those much wanted details.  Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

“I, Medusa” by Ayana Gray

Meddy, her two sisters and parents live on an island paradise.  Minor gods, Meddy’s parents court the Olympian God’s favor.  When Meddy catches the eye of Athena, she is chosen to train and serve as a priestess.  However, Poseidon has also noticed Meddy, and is determined to seduce her.  As punishment, Meddy is turned into a Gorgon, a creature whose hair is made of snakes and turns any who gaze into her eyes into stone.

This was a well written and engaging novel.  I found myself reading late into the night.  I did think that the book ended abruptly.  The time before her punishment was detailed and paced just right.  The rest of the novel felt rushed and lacked detail.  Despite this criticism, I look forward to reading more from this author.   4 out of 5 stars.

“The Women of Bandit Bend” by C. C. Harrison

Tally and her 16-year old sister arrive in Colorado to check on their missing father.  Months earlier, he began proving up a homestead on Bandit Bend.  Unable to find him, the sisters move in and begin working the land.  However, land speculators have set sights on their land and find ways to sabotage their efforts.

This was a well written and engaging novel.  The characters were dynamic and well flushed out. The story was nicely paced and entertaining.  Overall, well worth picking up!

“Skylark” by Paula McLain 

This novel featured two alternating storylines.  In 1664, Alouette, the daughter of a master dyer, finds herself imprisoned in the Salpetriere asylum.  In 1939, Kristof began his residency in a psychiatric hospital. As Nazi forces take over, he must decide what he believes in, and who he is willing to help.

I really think this novel should be two different books.  The1664 storyline was weak, and needed more content to keep my interest.  The 1939 storyline was much stronger and interesting.  The two storylines never came together and just did not work.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.