Red at the Bone

A coming of age story. Iris has a baby at 15. She has difficulty feeling very motherly. Her parents raise the child while she finishes high school, and then college. She explores her sexuality in college. Reads quickly.

Resistance Women

A story about 4 women experiencing the rise of Hitler in Germany. How in the world can anyone support Hitler and his actions toward a pure Aryan society?  Why can’t people see how I inhumane his actions are?  Why aren’t they outraged?  Sound familiar?

Mildred, Greta and Sara are part of the resistance. They befriend Martha Dodd, daughter of the U S ambassador to Berlin. These 4 women were successful in getting many people, particularly Jews, out of Germany prior to the war.  Years ago I read In The Garden of Beasts and was familiar with Martha, quite a colorful character. Greta and Mildred are real, Sara is fictional. 

The author does a great job developing the characters and their relationships with family members. If you’re ever in this situation, you’d want one of them on your side. I enjoy historical fiction, especially WW2, and this one does not disappoint.

Child’s Play

Kate thought she had three perfect kids. Her life was pretty near perfect. Her congressman husband was killed in a helicopter crash. She then went to law school while raising 3 kids. She is now an attorney in a big NYC law firm. Her perfect kids are not so perfect. Her oldest daughter reveals she is gay. Her son breaks his engagement to the perfect girl. And her youngest daughter is pregnant and decides she does not believe in marriage. When will Kate discover she cannot make choices for them?  Will she find happiness of her own? 

Royal Holiday

Vivian follows her daughter Maddie to England for Christmas. Maddie is a stylist and is dressing the duchess for the holiday. Vivian enjoys the company of the Queen’s private male secretary. Can they make it work living on 2 different continents?  A sweet Christmas read.

The Queen’s Fortune

Désirée Clary is the daughter of a wealthy silk merchant in Marseille, France. Her sister, Julie, is older, but Désirée is the beauty. They meet Joseph and Napoleon Bonaparte, and their lives are never the same. Julie marries Joseph Bonaparte. Désirée is courted by Napoleon and then is secretly engaged to him.  Napoleon is very ambitious and is frequently away conquering other countries. He makes excuses for not seeing Désirée until she learns of the presence of Josephine in his life. Because of the connection between her sister and brother-in-law, Désirée is connected to Napoleon for the remainder of his life. He tries to marry her off to an older man while in Italy. That fails when the man is killed. She meets Jean-Batiste Bernadotte at a ball thrown by Joséphine and Napoleon. They marry,  Bernadotte is a high ranking official in Napoleon’s army. Désirée is part of Josephine’s court. 

There is much detail given to the lives of Napoleon and Joséphine. One truly wonders why the French people tolerated this having just overthrown the last royals. Joséphine seems to be just as flagrant in her waste of money as Marie Antoinette. Josephine’s big mistake was that she never gave Napoleon an heir. It’s obvious that she was the great love of his life. But who was the great love of Desiree’s life?  Was it Napoleon or Bernadotte?  

Although I love reading historical fiction, I was not aware of Désirée Clary. I loved her story. The author does a terrific job conveying it.  You feel as though you know Désirée, what’s important to her, what makes her tick. There is even a connection to Siri, the Empress of Austria, in the book.  There was not a slow part in this book where I felt I could put it down. I was angry I had to stop reading to go to work, cook and act productive!  It is very well written. If you love historical fiction, don’t miss this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

The Dutch House

The Dutch House refers to a house in a Philadelphia suburb once owned by a Dutch family. It is large, unique and the holder of many family memories. Maeve and Danny grew up in the house. When they were children, their mother left and moved to India. She wanted to help the poor. She was never comfortable living in the Dutch House. Their father remarried a woman, Andrea, with 2 children. 

Their father died when he was 53 years old.  Maeve was finished college, living in town, but Danny was still in high school. Their dad had a construction company and owned many buildings in town. Maeve and Danny volunteered to help, but Andrea informed them that their father left everything to her and it was time for them to pack and go. 

They are continually drawn to the Dutch House and several times a year park across the street and reminisce. This happens throughout Danny’s time in college and medical school. Will their mother ever return?  Will they be reunited with the Dutch House?  

I have read all of Ann Patchett’s books and this is one of her best.

The Water Dancer

Hiram Walker was born a slave. He was the son of a slave and her master. Since he was recognized by his father, he had it easier than most of his fellow slaves. He lives in the house and looks after the heir, his half-brother. He understands his role. Until his brother dies. Still, he longs to be free. He learns of the underground and makes his escape. He returns to try to get his love, Sophia, out and is caught. He returns to his fathers home and dreams once again of being free with those he loves. His mother is sold when he was young. Hiram has special powers. He’s able to dream of The Water Dancer. This book was hard to read in places, as are most books on slavery. It’s hard to imagine family members sold off. A very poignant read.