April, 2019

"Immortal" by Nick M. Lloyd         

Everyone on Earth receives the same message, at the same time - "We're coming to help." An alien race, the Ankor, claims that a gamma ray burst is about to wipe out earth's civilization and they are here to help build an orbital shield. Tim and Sam, work for a bioengineering company under the direction of Francis MacKenzie. MacKenzie immediately jumps to the defense of the Ankor, claiming that Earth has no choice but to comply with their requests. Tim and Sam aren't so sure that the Ankor are as peaceful and helpful as they claim, and they are determined to uncover the truth.

     It took me a little while to get into the book. At first the characters and plot line seemed a bit stale, but as the story unraveled I found myself drawn in. I don't want to give anything away, but it was definitely worth it. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

"The Confessions of Frannie Langton" by Sara Collins         

Frannie Langton, a former slave on a Jamaican sugar plantation, is accused of murdering her employers - scientist George Benham and his wife. The book is told as if Frannie is writing down her memoirs during the trial.          

I found Frannie's voice to be interesting, but not necessarily shocking. Unfortunately, the brutality that she witnessed and endured on the Jamaican plantation seems usual for that time period. The experiments that Mr. Langton conducted weren't dealt with in enough detail to be horrific or shocking, rather it seemed like a side story, one that was not fully flushed out. Overall, most of the book felt as if it were not truly flushed out or explored in depth. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Song of the Jade Lily" by Kirsty Manning         

Romy and her family flee from the Nazi's, finding themselves in Shanghai. Romy befriends local girl, Li, and they are quickly inseparable. In the present day, Alexandra travels to Australia to be with her grandparents, Romy and Wilhelm, as Wilhelm lays dying. Once Wilhelm passes, Alexandra takes a job in Shanghai, determined to uncover more of their past.          

I found myself very disappointed in this book. If you are searching for family history, and you have a living relative, they are your first stop. I found the big twist at the end to be completely unrealistic. I don't want to give anything away, but it just made me shake my head. Overall, this book was a bust.

"The Welsh Fasting Girl" by Varley O'Connor         

Christine, an American reporter, travels to Wales to write about Sarah Jacob's, the famous fasting girl. Sarah, her family, and their local priest, claim that Sarah has not eaten anything in over two years. When a strict watch is called for, the world watches.          

I thought this was a dry and slow moving book. The focus was more on the reporter and her family than Sarah. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

"The Honey Bus" by Meredith May         

When Meredith's parents split, she finds herself living with her grandparents, mother, and little brother in California. Her mother spends her life in bed, depressed and anxious about her life. Her grandmother's focus is the mother, and easing her own guilt. The grandfather, a bee keeper, has infinite patience with Meredith and her brother, teaching them through bee's.          

This was a well written, and engaging book. I loved the relationship Meredith had with her grandfather, and the subtle ways that he took her under his wing. I loved how the bee's were woven throughout the story, and how Meredith learned through them. Overall, highly recommended.

"The Beantown Girls" by Jane Healey

During the last year of WWII, Fiona, Viviana, and Dottie volunteer with the Red Cross as Clubmobile girls. Fiona's fiance has been missing in action for over a year and she is determined to find out more. Viviana is an outspoken vivacious girl while Dottie is shy and reluctant to share her musical talents. As Clubmobile girls, they travel from fort to station, delivering donuts, coffee, and supplies to boost troop morale.          

This was a quick read. It featured strong female characters, which I loved. I've read a lot of WWII books, and this is the first time I've heard of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. Overall, well worth picking up!

"Switchback" by Danika Stone          

When out on an overnight school camping trip, best friends Vale and Ash become separated from their class. Frigid temperatures, snow, and bears threaten their lives over and over. Ash, is an easy-going gamer with zero outdoor skills. In contrast, Ash is socially withdrawn - due to bullying - but very comfortable with nature.          

This was a quick read. It was well paced and moved nicely. However, the characters seemed a bit stereotypical and the plot was predictable. I think the dynamic between Ash and Vale will appeal to many teenagers, but the book just wasn't for me. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Farm" by Joanne Ramos          

Jane, a Philippine immigrant, is broke. She is recruited to be a surrogate mother at Golden Oaks - a type of baby farm where surrogate mothers live while they are waiting to give birth. Jane is forced to leave her young daughter behind with Ate, an older family member.          

I'm not sure what the hype about this book was. There was no real antagonist and no real overarching story conflict. The characters were not really flushed out, they were pretty bland and stereotypical. Overall, a bust.

"Mistress of the Ritz" by Melanie Benjamin          

Claude and Blanche Auzello are fixtures at the famous Ritz in Paris. When Nazi's invade Paris, and take over the Ritz, Clade, and Blanche must walk the thin line of cooperation and resistance.          

I had a strong negative reaction to this book. Claude's point of view took place in the past, while Blanche's pov took place during WWII. Blanche's pov continually delved into the time period that Claude's chapter just covered, making the book tedious and slow moving. Claude's point of view made him look like a simpleton. I felt that this book did a great disservice to two historical features. Overall, this entire book felt tortured.

"The Golden Hour" by Beatriz Williams

Lulu, a gossip columnist, travels to Nassau, to write stories about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She quickly becomes a favorite of the Duchess, after making an agreement to write only positive stories about the couple.          

I'm not sure what to say about this book. It was extremely slow moving and all of the action took place off stage. The clandestine activities, and murder were dealt with in such a small and insignificant manner. Most of the book was Lulu drinking and going out with Thrope, her romantic interest. Overall, a huge waste.

"Resistance Women" by Jennifer Chiaverini          

This book followed the lives and family of four women living in Nazi Berlin. Mildred, an American, is married to economist Arvid. Sara, is a Jewish woman, her brother Natan a journalist. Greta is a German woman who once studied in the States. Martha, is the daughter of U.S. ambassador to Germany.          

This was an extremely slow moving book. It wasn't until 70% of the way through the book that their resistance activities were mentioned other than a vague reference. Even then, Google told me more about their activities than this book did. Although four women were featured, some of them got lost, as they drifted in and out of the story. Overall, a bust.