The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

 

Do you have a group of friends that regularly get together for a book club, meal, or something else?  Do you belong to a group, church, Rotary, Lion’s, etc.?  The act of routinely getting together with friends or acquaintances is important.

In 1950s Washington DC, a murder occurred at the Briarwood boarding house on Thanksgiving.  In a series of flashbacks telling the story of each occupant, the reader learns the unique story of each woman while also coming close to solving the murder mystery.

My thoughts on this book:

·       I read this book while on vacation at the beginning of August and it was my favorite read of the month. 

·       This is different than other Kate Quinn Books I’ve read, and I enjoyed her different, unique storytelling in this book.

·       Each chapter is the story of each woman in the house.  It gives her background and how she ended up in the house.

·       The house also narrates chapters in the future to give brief glimpse into the murder.

·       Grace gives weekly potluck dinner parties in her tiny attic apartment where they take turns cooking.  They get to know each other better and become a family of sorts.

·       I also thought the recipes that were throughout the story associated with the weekly potlucks were fun.  Each character had their own recipe and song that went with the recipe.

·       Mrs. Nilsson owns the boarding house.  She is a nasty woman with lots of rules and little sympathy.  Her two children, Peter and Lina, receive little affection as well.  The ladies of the house help them out.

·       I couldn’t put this book down.  I loved learning about each character, and I wanted to know who was murdered and why.  Each character is well developed and interesting.

·       Great topics of the 1950s were included such as communism, McCarthyism, the Korean War, working women, birth control, women’s sports, etc.

·       I loved each character and learning their secrets.

·       I loved the Easter Eggs for those that have read The Rose Code and The Huntress.

·       There are historical tidbits throughout the book and real historical characters.  There was a great author’s note about real history at the end.

Favorite Quote: “I sometimes think this country is an eternal battle between our best and our worst angels.  Hopefully we’re listening to the good angel more often than the bad one.”

Overall, The Briar Club by Kate Quinn is a must-read historical fiction novel that is set in the 1950s and has great characters and a mystery that you won’t soon forget.

Book Source:  Review copy from William Morrow Books. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title: The Naturalist’s Daughter

Author:  Tea Cooper

Narrated by:  Corinne Davies

Publisher: Harper Muse

Length: Approximately 13 hours and 37 minutes

Source: Thank you @tea_cooper @harpermusebooks @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley for the audiobook review copy.

What is your favorite animal to watch in the wild?  While I was in college, I loved watching beavers swim in an area that was along the bike bath I used. 

In 1808 Agnes Bank, Australia, Rose Winton works with her father, Charles on his research on the platypus.  This research is groundbreaking.  After he is involved in an accident, Rose sets off to present his findings to the Royal Society in England.  Why did her mission ultimately fail?  Wha family secrets will she discover?

In 1908 Sydney, Tamsin Alleyn, is sent to retrieve an old sketchbook that was donated to the library by a recently deceased elderly lady.  Tamsin discovers that the sketchbook is very valuable and provides clues to a mystery from the past.  What has she discovered?

·       This review was supposed to be posted last week but was delayed by numerous technical problems.

·       This was a dual narrative novel.  I liked both timelines.  At first, I was engaged by the 1808 timelines the most, but then I was caught up in the 1908 story.  They both tied up nicely at the end.

·       I loved the STEM tie in with the research on the platypus and trying to get the Royal Society to believe that such a creature existed.  It was fascinating.

·       This historical fiction story had a few gasp out loud moments from me, and it had some suspense and Gothic elements in the last half of the novel.  It made it a very enjoyable read for me, that completely captured my imagination.

·       I loved the sweet romance that occurred in both timeless.

·       The characters were believable and relatable.  I enjoyed their journey and really wanted to know more about them.

·       I love that “Jamaica Inn” was mentioned as well as that it served pasties.  This seemed like a good Easter egg for author Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel, Jamaica Inn.  Jamaica Inn is a real inn that can be found in Cornwall, England.

·       I always find the history of the convict ships to Australia to be fascinating.

·       This was an intriguing audiobook.  I didn’t want to stop listening!

·       I was disappointed to find out in the author’s note that Charles and Rose Winton were fictional characters.  They were so believably real throughout the novel.  There was real history mixed into the story.

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper was a fascinating and unique historical tale with great characters, STEM elements, and suspense.  This is another highly recommended book from me!

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Two fearless women—living a century apart—find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the biggest scientific controversy of the nineteenth century: the classification of the platypus.

1808 Agnes Banks, NSW

Rose Winton wants nothing more than to work with her father, eminent naturalist Charles Winton, on his groundbreaking study of the platypus. Not only does she love him with all her heart but the discoveries they have made could turn the scientific world on its head. When Charles is unable to make the long sea journey to present his findings to the prestigious Royal Society in England, Rose must venture forth in his stead. What she discovers will forever alter the course of scientific history.

1908 Sydney, NSW

Tamsin Alleyn has been given a mission: travel to the Hunter Valley and retrieve an old sketchbook of debatable value, gifted to the Public Library by a recluse. But when she gets there, she finds there is more to the book than meets the eye, and more than one interested party. Shaw Everdene, a young antiquarian bookseller and lawyer, seems to have his own agenda when it comes to the book. Determined to uncover the book's true origin, Tamsin agrees to join forces with him.

The deeper they delve, the more intricate the mystery of the book's authorship becomes. As the lives of two women a century apart converge, discoveries emerge from the past with far-reaching consequences in this riveting tale of courage and discovery.

AUTHOR BIO

Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of historical fiction. In a past life, she was a teacher, a journalist, and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including The Naturalist’s Daughter; the USA TODAY bestselling The Woman in the Green Dress; The Girl in the Painting, The Cartographer's Secret, winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award; and The Fossil Hunter.

The Paris Gown by Christine Wells (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of The Paris Gown by Christine Wells.  This review should have been up last week but was delayed due to numerous technical issues.

Three friends in 1950’s Paris experience life and love, as well as a beautiful Dior gown.  They had previously gone to school together in Paris, went their separate ways, and have now reunited in 1957. 

Claire is trying to make it as a chef in the male dominated world of Parisian cuisine.  She works at her family’s brasserie, Let Chet, but dreams of working for a fancier sit-down restaurant.  When her father sells the family business to her old nemesis, what will she do?  Will she be able to move on to a new restaurant where she can shine?

Margot is hiding out in Paris disguised and working at Dior.  She had an abusive marriage and has fled from Australia to Paris, where she had her happiest memories. Will her husband find her?  Will she realize her dream of becoming an editor?

Gina’s father has lost her family’s fortune, and she has broken her engagement to the love of her life to protect his political career.  She has escaped to Paris to realize her dream of writing the great American novel.  Will she reunite with her love?  Will she finish and publish her novel?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I loved the relationship between the three women and how they are all able to support each other.

·       The Dior dress was fabulous.  It was give to Claire by a friend who had to leave Paris suddenly.  Claire shares it with her friends for their special occasions.  The descriptions of Margot working for Dior gave me “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” vibes.  I loved it!

·       The beautiful cover of this book shows a real Dior gown.

·       The descriptions of the food were exquisite as well.  It gave me a glimpse of what eating in Paris would be like.

·       The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I felt like the storyline with Margot’s husband was left unresolved.

·       The book was an interesting look into compromises.  What would you give up for who you love?  Should you give up your dreams?

·       The storyline was very engaging and pleasant.  I enjoyed this book.

Overall, The Paris Gown was a great story of friendship, dreams, fashion, and food all set in 1950’s Paris.  It was a very enjoyable read.

PUB DATE: August 20, 2024.  

No Match for Love by Karen Thornell (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is or will be your first read of September?  I read No Match for Love by Karen Thornell in this past weekend.  It was a perfect book to escape on a camping trip.

Lydia Faraday has lived a lonely life on her guardian’s estate.  She has suddenly been called into London by her guardian to have a season amongst the ton.  She is not sure why he has a sudden interest in marrying her off, but she is going to experience London to its fullest.  Lucas Berkely escapes the pain of his past by starting a secret club and becoming a prize boxer.  He wants to keep this secret from society, but through a chance meeting, he is afraid that Lydia has uncovered his secret.  When his brother Charlie decides to court Lydia to appease his mother, Lucas finds himself drawn to Lydia.  Why has Lydia’s guardian suddenly decided she is to be married?  What is the secret of her past?  Will Lucas’s secret come out and will he be able to come to terms with the tragedy in his past? 

My thoughts on this novel:

·       Lydia and Lucas were wonderful characters.  I loved the growth that both characters had during this novel.  I also enjoyed the chemistry between these characters.  Both were believable characters.  Lucas is socially awkward and haunted by the death of his twin sister.  Lydia grew up without a family and was raised by servants at her guardian’s estate.  She has become a healer, and she loves to help out those less fortunate than herself.  She shares this with Lucas.

·       The chapters alternate between Lucas and Lydia’s points of view.

·       The side characters are fun as well.  I loved Lucas’s entire family, especially Charlie and their mother.

·       I enjoy that this is set during the Regency time period.  I love Regency romance.

·       The storyline was enchanting.  I really wanted to know both Lydia and Lucas’s back stories and what would happen to them.  The mystery and suspense in this novel was very fun. I also loved how they both helped others throughout the book and this willingness to be a helper is what attracted them to each other.

·       No Match for Love is a clean read.

Overall, No Match for Love was a very engaging read with great characters, story, and romance.  I couldn’t stop reading this book once I picked it up.  I highly recommend it.

Book Source:  Review copy from Covenant Communications as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Lucas Berkeley has a secret—one he cannot risk anyone discovering. After all, a future marquess belongs in drawing rooms, not underground boxing circles. Yet with a painful past and a need to control every aspect of his life, it is his only outlet. And when his brother begins to court the one woman who could ruin everything, Lucas needs the secret diversion more than ever.

Lydia Faraday is exhausted from living a life in which she has no say. When her taciturn guardian drags her to London intent on marrying her off, she determines to thwart his plans. If she is to have freedom in any aspect of her existence, it ought to be with whom she marries. And when a solicitor turns up with new information, she thinks that just might be possible. Or it may complicate her future further.

When Lucas and Lydia become entangled in a dangerous scheme, they cannot help but become closer, even as the obstacles between them grow. The last thing either is looking for is love. But their hearts have different plans.

AUTHOR BIO

Karen Thornell grew up reading when she should have been sleeping, but it wasn't until 2019 that she started writing. Tired of ending books and saying 'goodbye' to beloved characters, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters that lived in her head always. It was probably a mark of sleep deprivation that she wanted people living in her head, but the idea was planted regardless.

Karen lives in Utah with her husband and kids. When not writing contemporary or regency romance, she spends her free time doing endless loads of laundry, playing board games, and, yes, talking to those characters in her head.