Daffodils by Alex Martin

Daffodils  might seem a bit of an incongruous title for a book about war. It is not, for even in war we must have hope. Daffodils in the fields of England and daffodils in the fields of France raise their sunny faces and offer hope even in the darkest of times. Daffodils by Alex Martin is a book about hope. And love, and sorrow, and despair. And war. But always, hope pushes through just as daffodils will push through the the seemingly frozen earth in Spring.

Katy has a zest for life. A thirst for adventure. When that zest and thirst take her job and her reputation, Jem, who has loved her forever, steps forward and saves at least her reputation. He also gives her a new title, housewife and later mother.
Heartache and deep sorrow tear the young couple apart and WWI offers Jem a refuge.

Upon the news of his possible death in the field, Katy, trying to escape a manical Vicar who wants her love, joins the WAAC. Her life no longer belongs to her, but to the military, her country, and the war. It is here that Katy finally finds her strength.

There are many contrasts in this book, none greater that the contrast between the two settings: Wiltshire, England and the battlefields of France. A second major contrast is between the classes that occupy rural England in the years before WWI. There is also a contrast between types of love. These contrasts Katy must learn to discern.

This is an enjoyable historical fiction. An easy and quick read, the book has many descriptive passages. I most enjoyed the play with words that the author uses when she is describing a character's thought processes. The scenic descriptions are more predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. The author's in-depth research is evident.

Daffodils is a good read. It is not great literature, but it is certainly good literature, and a very good story. There is now a sequel Peace Lily. Yes, I will read it.

I recommend this book. My copy was a verified purchase through Amazon where it is now only .99 in the USA. It is also available on Amazon UK.

http://www.amazon.com/Daffodils-Alex-Martin-ebook/dp/B00BPUQAY4

Rebel Yell by S.C. Gwynne: history, war, an engaging character...a winning combination.

I am always amazed at the ability of some authors to take a well-known and well-loved historical figure and bring him or her to life one more time. S.C. Gwynne has done just that with Rebel Yell. Readers who are familiar with Civil War history will think they know all about Stonewall Jackson. This book will give even those most familiar with Jackson new insight into the man.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson is a heroic character, a romantic character, and a tragic character. His battlefield strategies confounded and confused not only the enemy but his own compatriots. His grief for a lost love was felt by women everywhere. His tragic death gave rise to grieving on both sides of the line. He is remembered today, studied today, and in this case is a remarkable read for today.

I recommend this book to all who are interested in anything related to the American Civil War. It is a fast, well-written, well-researched work that should be on your to-read list.

S.C. Gwynne is the author of the New York Times bestseller Empire of the Summer Moon, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Publication date: Sept. 30, 2014

Wouldn't we all love to inherit a Parisian apartment left untouched since before WWII? I know I would.

The Paris Time Capsule is inspired by a true story. A story of an actress and demimondaine in Paris before WWII. She was beautiful and well-known. A portrait of her was pained by Giovanni Boldini. From these bare essentials, Ella Carey has written an engaging tale.

Unexpectedly inheriting from an unknown benefactor a Parisian salon filled with antique Parisian furniture and artwork which is worth a fortune, our main character is thrown into a setting of former splendor and mystery. Why did Cat Jordan inherit? Who was this woman? Where are the 'real' descendants of the deceased?

Soon we meet one of those real descendants, Loic Archer, from the south of France. His mother is the daughter of the deceased woman. No, they are not fighting to get the inheritance. Rather, Cat is fighting to make them take it. At the same time, of course, Cat and Loic are fighting an attraction for each other. Rather, she is fighting it. He seems perfectly fine to give in to the attraction from the first day. Cat can't give in. She is engaged to marry a millionnair in New York City.

This is a small, easy to read, delightful summer day or rainy afternoon read.  It is the first in a proposed series.

Tudor blood, a beheaded sister who was queen, and art history. An interesting book.

SISTERS OF TREASON,  by Jane Fremantle, has as a backdrop a familar story, the short reign of Lady Jane Grey. The book, however, goes a step beyond other historical fiction books and gives us a look at Jane's two sisters, both somewhere in line for the crown. In addition, the court artist figures prominently in thier story.

As usual, with the Tudors, this is a tale of politics, family, love, and loss. We get to know Jane's sisters, Catherine and Mary. Catherine was impulsive and given to making unwise decisions, usually in the name of love. Lady Mary, on the other hand, seems the most suited to any type of high rank but is burdened with a crooked spine and a tiny stature almost as a dwarf.

Both girls have inherited the cursed Tudor blood that puts them, or at least Catherine, in line for the Queen's distrust. Mary excapes by being the Queen's "pet", treated almost as a pet monkey would be treated. She hates it, but endures it.
The girls are under the loving and watchful eye of the court painter Levina Teerlinc. She becomes not just a trusted advisor, but a mother figure to the girls. From Levina's viewpoint, we see life at court from another point of view.

The book covers the reigns of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Family feuds, royal blood, and religious upheaveal cloud the girls' everyday existance. This is an interesting sideline to the Tudor history and art history of the time. I enjoyed the book.

Jojo Moyes' Ship of Brides....

Let me say it at the very beginning, I wanted something more from the book. I have been urged by numerious friends to read a Jojo Moyes. They are devoted to her as are thousands of other readers. So when his book became available through Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read it.

I was disappointed. The story of a ship of war brides, based upon historical fact, is an interesting idea. I did not find it presented in an interesting way. The problem for me was that the characters were not fleshed out enough. For about 3/4's of the way through the book, I really didn't care what happened to any of them. Finally, and a reader should not have to wait this long, I began to care, somewhat, about two of the characters, Margaret and Frances. Frances moreso than Margaret for I thought Margaret's outcome was exactly as expected. Frances' outcome posed more suspense.

I feel that I cared more for Frances, for as the novel progressed, she was the character who developed into someone more than the original single diminsion character who was first presented. The others did not. She became real and interesting.  The other main characters did not. There were several secondary characters and they, too, needed more substance.

I enjoy WWII history and was looking forward to this book. It did not live up to hopes.

Carpinello's Writing Pages: Meet YA Author Traci McDonald

Meet YA Author Traci McDonald. She is an inspiritaion for her blindness does not stop her. Read about her and her first book on a fellow blogger's blog: Go to Carpinello's Writing Pages: Meet YA Author Traci McDonald: Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes author Traci McDonald and her book Burning Bridger . Traci's blindness hasn't kept her down....

Losing St. Christopher: Second book in the Cherokee Triology now available for lovers of Native American history.

Earlier I reviewed David-Michael Harding's first book in his Cherokee Nation history triology, The Cherokee Talisman. The second book, Losing St. Christopher is now available and lovers of Cherokee history, earlly American history, and Native American history should grab a copy as soon as possible. 

In this second book, Totsuwah,  the  shamanof the Cherokee Nation, struggles against the assimilation of his people into the white man's world.  The colonists,  along with Cherokee who are trying to bridge both worlds, see him as a  threat.  When his  visions show him the future, his heart is troubled.  Chancellor, his son, takes a white wife. Totsuwah's fears seem realized. Cultural and family conflicts  erupt when Totsuhwa’s only grandchild is forced onto the Trail of Tears. What follows is heart wrentching as love fights for survival.

Losing St. Christopher will educate readers while entertaining them.This is a story  of culture, inner conflict and the evolution of a nation. With vivid descriptions and engaging characters, I highly recommend this book. It is not an easy read. It is not a quick reak, but it is a powerful read.                  

From the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation comes this: 

“Cherokee Talisman brings to life characters from our history and through a flare for fiction and historical research, Harding tells their story. Cherokees that might be painted by racist misconceptions as blood thirsty savages are humanized by Harding, making them heroes of a very real time. History is written by the victorious, but when almost forgotten historical characters are brought to life they are preserved for the ages, and in this preservation David-Michael Harding has succeeded.” - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker

Now Available at bookstores and online outlets.