Tag: Historical Fiction

Books I have read in Q1 of 2024

What books did I read in the first quarter of 2024 and what did I think of them?

I’ve already written my review of the Book of Doors but I haven’t written much about other books I’ve read since 1/1/24. So, here is a list of some of the books I have read in the first quarter of 2024.

Fiction

Rippler – Cidney Swanson – When Samantha discovers she can become invisible, her life takes quite a turn. She doesn’t feel so alone when she finds out that she isn’t the only one who can do this. Unfortunately for Samantha and Will, this skill puts them in danger. Someone out there is trying to get rid of “ripplers” and Will’s sister is key to finding out who. She used to work with a scientist that was studying this phenomenon. When the scientist is killed, Will and his sister go into hiding, which is how they ended up in Samantha’s town. Rippler follows Will, Samantha, and Will’s sister, Mickie as they try to get to the bottom of the mystery. This was a decent YA Fantasy book. It did make me want to read the rest of the series.

The Bordeaux Book Club – Gillian Harvey – What happens when you move to another country and become an expat? The Bordeaux Book Club tells the story of 5 British expats that have moved to France and meet up as a book club. There is Leah, the bored housewife who suspects her husband of cheating. Then we have Grace, a prickly divorcee who seems to know everyone and dislike them all. Monica, the new mom who is parenting her child alone while her husband travels for work. House builder, George, a non-reader who joins the club, it seems, to meet Grace. Lastly, there is young Alfie who is 2 decades younger than the rest of the group and spends most of his time at school or taking care of his ill mother. This ragtag group somehow become a family and a support system through good times and bad. I love a good group story about readers. This was an enjoyable light read.

Better Left Unsent- Lia Louis – Do you type emails you want to but shouldn’t send and save them to your drafts? Well, I Better Left Unsent is the story about a woman who is trying to survive a breakup with a coworker and watching him get engaged to another coworker. When her draft emails “accidentally” get sent, chaos ensues. I did take a great lesson away from this book — DO NOT PUT THE EMAIL ADDRESS IN A DRAFT EMAIL BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY GET SENT.

Becoming Madam Secretary – Stephanie Dray – This is the fictionalized story of Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labor (or any other department!!). I enjoy a well written historical fiction and Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray is up there with the best I’ve read. Frances Perkins’ story is one I was not familiar with prior to reading this book. What a fascinating woman and an extraordinary life. We were lucky she lived at a time when politicians wanted to do what was best for the Country and not what lined their own pockets! I can’t recommend it enough. READ IT!!

Nightworld Academy (Terms 1 through 6) – L.J. Swallow – Kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Harry Potter. When Maeve finds out that the fits she has been having are “normal” because she is a witch, her life gets turned upside down. This series has witches, vampires, shape-shifters who are mostly trying to live peacefully without being discovered by normal people. However, there are factions that done want the species to co-mingle. An ok YA Fantasy series.

Slain in the Sand (Cape Cod Cozy Mysteries – Book 2) – Angela K. Ryan – A clean, cozy murder mystery with likeable characters. I love Angela K. Ryan’s books. They will always be on my TBR list.Her murder mysteries are not gory. They have many interesting characters and I NEVER guess who done it before it is revealed in her books. Put all of her books on your radar.

Non-fiction

Facilities Management Handbook – Frank Boot – I work as a Senior Administrative Assistant at our local government Facilities Dept. Sometimes my job can get a little boring and repetitive. As someone with great curiosity, I am always looking to learn something new. I wanted to know more about what my coworkers do, so I decided to read this book. Now, when I have a question about a procedure or about a project, I have more knowledge to ask the right questions. Never stop learning.

Canva for Beginners: An Illustrative Graphic Design Guide with Photos and Professional Tips and Tricks for Marketers, Workers, or Business Owners – Edit Dickinson – I started using Canva when I worked at the library. Now I use it at work to create slides for our digital message boards. This is a good book for Canva beginners.

The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant – Jeremy Burrows – Who doesn’t want to feel like they are a game changer? Who doesn’t want to feel more confident at work? This book has gotten me through several rough patches at work. I have read it three times and it has made me a better admin. I pull this book out whenever I need a reminder that I didn’t become an Administrative Assistant for the recognition —- and it is a good thing I didn’t. LOL.

September 21, 2023 -Supernatural Legends: Sam Colt by Travis Perdue

Supernatural is a dark fantasy dramatic television show that first aired on the WB in 2005. It followed the story of Dean and Sam Winchester, two brothers who hunt demons and monsters. While I have watched several episodes, I am not an expert on the show.

Supernatural Legends: Sam Colt by Travis Perdue tells the fictional story of the historical figure, Sam Colt, the inventor of the Colt Revolver. In the book, the author cleverly takes the true background of Samuel Colt and creates a twist where he is actually a demon and monster hunter. As he is traveling to New York City, he happens upon the town of Big Bend, Connecticut. While paying for a room above the salon, he gets pulled into investigating an attack at the Gable farm outside town. A large wolf-like animal has killed a calf as well as the farm hand. What, or who, is the monster?

I am a sucker for historical fiction. Taking a person, place, or thing from the past and creating a fictional story around them and doing it well, makes for a great read. From Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter to The Girl With The Pearl Earring, the creativity needed to build a story around a real person is amazing. Supernatural Legends: Sam Colt does this very well. It pulled me and and, when I was finished, I wanted more.

If you would like to check out this book, you can find it on Amazon here:

When I found out that the Director where I work wrote a book, I purchased the Kindle version and told him that I would be reading and reviewing the book on my blog. This is my personal, honest, spoiler-free review. I hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading.

Silent Came the Monster by Amy Hill Hearth

I get really excited when I find out that a new book is being released by an author I enjoy. Imagine my great joy when I heard that Amy Hill Hearth had a historical fiction book coming out about the 1916 shark attacks that occurred at the Jersey shore. I was lucky enough to obtain an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Amy Hill Hearth’s upcoming historical fiction

I devoured the book in two days. Yes, I said devoured- like a shark.

I grew up in New Jersey and had never heard of these shark attacks. I spent many days “down the shore” in my youth. I don’t think I would have been as keen to get in the water had I known about these attacks.

This is a fictionalized retelling of the events that occurred during the Summer of 1916, through the eyes of the surgeon who treated the victims, Dr. Halsey,

Told with urgency, as the doctor tries to convince the authorities, as well as the public, to take safety measures, things go from bad to worse. No one wants to shut the beaches and lose money, so they dismiss Dr. Halsey’s alarm. The consequences are disastrous, leaving four dead.

I really enjoyed how the author highlighted the humanity of those involved as well as the heroism shown once the people accepted that there was a shark, or sharks, attacking.

Silent Came the Monster will be released on May, 16, 2023. Why not preorder a copy from your local independent bookstore, or wherever you buy your books?

Thanks for reading.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

I love it when I read an advance copy of a book by an author I’ve never read before and love it. I love it even more when I find out that they have MORE BOOKS for me to read! This is what happened when I received an advance copy of The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Twenty-one year old Lillian Carter has been modeling for artists since she was fifteen. Under her mother’s guidance, she became Angelica, the most sought-after artist model in New York City. When her mother succumbs to the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1919, she is lost. When her landlord’s wife is found murdered with a flirtatious note Lillian sent her husband, she is wanted for questioning. Instead of complying, she runs with hopes to get out to Hollywood to become a movie star.

Lillian stumbles into a job interview for the personal assistant of Miss Helen Frick of the daughter of the infamous industrialist, Henry Clay Frick. She manages to not only get the job but become a valued member of the Frick household. When the patriarch of the family dies, Lillian is caught up in a scandal unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

This book, with it’s many detailed descriptions great art, New York society and it’s landmarks, was an interesting look at how life would be for a young woman with a so called scandalous profession at the time. Flashing back and forth between 1919 and 1966, the book manages to tie up all the missing pieces without being trite.

If you like historical figures and locals mixed with a good fictional story, this book is for you.

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis is scheduled for publication on January 25, 2022. You can preorder from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local independent book store.

Thanks for reading.