The Sisterhood by Tasha Alexander - A Book Review

  

This dual timeline story is set in 1907 London and AD 60 Britannia. The theme of the book deals with rights for women with the emphasis on suffrage. While I am a fan of dual timeline stories, over 1800 years was a bit too great a gap for me. I was almost half-way through the book before I gleaned the significance of the connection between the two storylines. Honestly, after around one-third of the way through I had begun just skimming the chapters set in AD 60 as I had not developed an interest in that part of the book, and that didn't change even after I understood its role in the book as a whole. The 1907 storyline was quite interesting with a married couple serving as investigators in the murders of two debutantes, reminiscent of Pepper Basham's Freddie and Grace mystery series. I am sure I would have given The Sisterhood a higher rating if I had only based it on this storyline.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Sisterhood from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron - A Book Review

    

While this book took a bit to pull me in, once it did, I was completely immersed. The book is a dual timeline story, with most of the same major characters in each timeline. The earlier timeline occurs leading up to and during the First World War, the second during the Second World War. Young Charlotte longs for freedom from society's expectations, including the right to marry outside of one's class. The more mature Charlotte has raised a strong, independent daughter who has many more freedoms and choices available to her. Young Amos Darby, a tenant farmer may not agree with class restrictions, but has more readily accepted them. He is a man who loves books and a man of integrity. The more mature Amos is a man both physically and mentally damaged by the experience of war, a man who seeks to anonymously look out for those he loves while dismissing his own needs and desires.

Please take time to read the Author's Note at the end of the book. As always Cambron has thoroughly researched her setting and its history. It is interesting to see how well she has woven facts into her fictional story. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The British Booksellers from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes - A Book Review

 

This book touched the deepest parts of my heart and soul. I imagine that anyone fortunate enough to pick up a copy of All the Lost Places and to slip into its story will find a part of themselves in one or more of the characters. I also imagine that the truths imparted will resonate with their own personal story.

Any brief synopsis I included here about the story of All the Lost Places would pale against the beauty of the language, setting, and characters. So, I'm not even going to attempt to write one. Let it suffice to say that this novel is one that will live on in its readers' hearts and minds for time upon time. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.