Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon

The journey Anna Leonowens takes in this book is best known in the musical The King and I. There is quite a bit in the book that is not in the movie. The struggles are not easy and there are quite a few times that Anna wants to give up. She deals with the whim of a spoiled man, the King of Siam. But then that is how it's always been and she has a long way to go to get him to understand how to work with her.

Ms. Landon certainly did her research. She had the privilege of talking to people who knew Anna and that was so amazing!! I was blown away with the knowledge and how she imparted the stories that Anna wrote and put them into the story. There was a lot of culture in this book that you didn't get from the musical. There is only so much time to do much in the musical.

I liked the story even though at times it dragged. There was a lot of background information not only about the king, but included his harem, the Second King, and Anna's life growing up. Such a well rounded picture of a story that I haven't read such like it in a long time. If while reading the story, it seems to go really slow, keep it up! It is worth and the ending is the best! I was blown away not only by what Anna has been able to accomplish but how her influence helped shape a new King for the country of Siam to some extent. This is one story though partially fiction that I won't forget for a long time!

Margaret Landon/Siam/Anna Leonowens/416 pages/ Historical/5 out of 5

With the heat wave today, I was impressed that I finished this. Tomorrow a new book and hopefully this one won't take me so long.

Apple Blossom Time by Kathryn Haig

Laura Antsey has always wondered about her father. She knows he died in the war but not seeing his name on the memorial wall just puzzles her. Then serving in the ATS during World War 2, she gets taken to Egypt and learns about love. But she realizes the man she loves is closer to home. Yet in the back of her mind, her father haunts her. She just wants to know the truth not knowing how much it might cost her.

Ms. Haig has done a fantastic job! Having the experience in working in the military, everything seemed to follow the other novels set during this time that I have read. Her characters are full of curiosity but no one is perfect in this book. I think that is what appealed to me through out the book.

Laura just wants to know the truth no matter what. She may find secrets have kept from her for over twenty years but what will they reveal? Martin, her childhood friend, is there to support her along the way. But will she accept it? The one that boggles me the most is Laura’s mother. I can understand her wanting to get re-married but she did it so quickly. She did not think about the person she married, she just did.

This was a fantastic book! I had the most difficult time putting it down. War is still affecting us today but to get a better glimpse of what the Second World War was like just opened up my eyes. The practices that they held were odd and different when it came to the military but they really did not have much choice. A definite read for someone who loves books set during this time period. I would love to find more by this author!

Kathryn Haig/New Author/Historical/Family/ WWII/ Chunkster/ 458 pages/ 5 out of 5

Off to go read The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde then review books! lol

Moloka'i by Alan Brennart

Being a young girl is tough for Rachel Kalama. She misses her dad all the time. But when a pinkish stain shows up on her skin, she is sent off to Kaulupapa off the island of Moloka’i. All her dreams go up in smoke and she wonders how she will make it through it all. The sisters there are nice but will it be enough?

Mr. Brennart does his homework and it shows in this book. I was swept up in it. I was not sure I could handle all that Rachel went through. I was proud of those men and women for what they did for other people. It must not have been easy but they were willing to sacrifice their lives to help others. I could not imagine not seeing my family at all.

Rachel is so sweet and so naïve of the world. I truly felt for her and wished I could have hugged her. She was going to have to get used to her life on Moloka’i. I just hoped she could.

While at times, this book was very depressing. I wanted to see what would happen to Rachel and her family. The whole culture of that island amazed me as Rachel grew up. This is one story I will not forget for a long time!
Alan Brennart/ 400 pages/ Historical/ Hawaii/ New Author/5 out of 5

I don't want to give much of the plot away but this a book definitely worth your time.

An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie is asked by James Compton to look into some things down in a village in Kent. There have been mysterious fires that keep happening and the villagers say that it is all being clumsy. The villagers are prejudiced against the outsiders who come to pick hops as well as the secret that they all cling to about a Zeppelin raid that killed a family. She must use her finely tuned skills to figure out what is going on and get to the bottom of it all.

Ms. Winspear does her best work yet. There were some events in the book I was not happy to read but they were not unexpected. The depth and the richness of the details were so wonderful! I liked that we got to see into more of Maisie’s background with her family. That was so cool! This is one author who truly knows how to delve into the emotions of her characters and make you truly feel along with them.

Maisie is dealing with stuff from the past book as well as trying to figure out what is truly going on in the village in Kent. The villagers are tight lipped and all agree on the same story. Maisie knows something is not right but it will take her awhile to figure it all out. I loved having Billy Beale’s family around again. He works so well with Maisie and his wife Doreen understands what he does. Maisie’s father Frank is such a gentle spirit. He did so much for her and I love seeing their relationship.

This is one series that I hope more come out in because it keeps getting better but not sure what she would write about next due to the events in this book which I cannot share. This was a read that I enjoyed a lot and I hope to see more by this author even if it is not in this series.

Jacqueline Winspear/ Mystery/ Historical/ 336 pages/ 5 out of 5

I just got a bunch of review books but am hoping to sneak in some favorites still. lol

The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig

Letty Alsworthy is determined to set Lord Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe straight when she catches her sister getting ready in the middle of the night. He shouldn’t marry her sister Mary. Letty must save her family name but in doing so gets mistaken for her sister and finds herself in front of Geoffrey being kissed. The scandal caused by this makes them get married and Letty finds herself near a man who hates her. Eloise Kelly is fighting her own battles with trying to find information on The Pink Carnation and The Black Tulip. She has found things that could change the course of history. Dallying with Colin Selwick, the great-nephew of Mrs. Slewick-Alderly, keeper of important hidden documents. She wants a romantic adventure to call her own.

Ms. Willig is a fabulous writer. This is the third book in the series and both story lines running in this book kept it close to me till I was finished. The history of that time in the 1800’s was so different that it compels me to keep reading. The characters are so similar in both time periods sometimes it just makes me laugh.

Eloise doesn’t want to ask for help in proving what she has found. She wants to find something to shove it in Colin’s face. She feels like forever has passed yet cannot think of any reasons to call him. Yet she cannot help feeling like there is something between them every time they meet. Letty feels double-crossed when she finds out that her new husband has left her behind. She is a very stubborn woman yet she is very sensitive. She knows that she is not the most attractive woman in her mind. Geoffrey is furious when he finds out she has followed him. The man still even resents having to marry her. I wanted to slap him upside the head sometimes. I loved seeing past characters come back in this book. It just made me smile. No matter what time period, they certainly know how to get themselves in trouble.

This is one series that never disappoints me. It takes me a few pages to get used to the style of writing that Ms. Willig uses but then it becomes like an old friend. I am so glad I have the next one in the series to read. Book 5 in the series cannot come out soon enough for me. The romantic scenes were wonderfully written. The feelings came across as very genuine once they were realized. The characters may have faults but that is what makes me enjoy them so much!

Lauren Willig/ Historical/ Romance/ 387 pages/ Romance Challenge/ 5 out of 5

Off to another review book and then Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts. :) Got a lot of review books on my pile.

Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie is learning all over again how to use what Maurice taught her. Georgina needs answers to her twin bother Nicholas’ death. So with the advice of Dame Constance, she seeks out Maisie. Struggling to put everything together, Maisie is tested again. She must go to places Nicholas loved and comes across hidden things. Yet while doing her best for Georgina, she becomes pulled away by a different tragedy. She now must get back to the case and figure out how the different things fit together and remain steady at the same time. Yet she wonders if she can do that.

Ms. Winspear weaves a story full of emotions. Her characters know how to truly feel things but not always share them. The doubts that Maisie must face are relevant to even today. The time and place could be anywhere because of the emotions in this story. War seems to be always there even if we are not involved. I admired Ms. Winspear’s blatant honesty and that her characters are flawed.

Maisie is a woman full of doubts, emotion, and not always willing to look inside herself for the answers. She not only has a lot to think about in this particular case but also in how to handle her personal affairs. Georgina’s family is very intriguing not only in the way they express themselves but how they act around each other. I think this is the most demanding case for Maisie. She has to deal with her dreams and what she wants for her life and so soon after falling ill. I was thrilled to see Inspector Stratton back. He is a man who knows how to listen to Maisie and take in everything she says. Even if her may look bad to other people he works with. He is an honorable man and one I hope to see more of in the next book.

This book got to me because we are in a war now. And no matter what your opinion, it is something we need to think about. Not only those affected by what we do in other countries, but how it affects us at home. Ms. Winspear’s books do make you question what you think about life. Though that may not be her intent that has been my experience. I feel truly blessed that I live now and can appreciate the freedoms we have. As alluring as any other time period might be, I’m glad to be here now. I looked forward to the next book in the series to see what Maisie is up to next. This is one character that never disappointed me with all her faults. It reminds me that I have much to learn still and will do my best every day.

Jacqueline Winspear/ 322 pages/ Mystery/ War/ Historical/ 5 out of 5

I finished this one Sunday but have been busy reading review books. Right now I am working on a book for the author of the month for my yahoo group AN2R. :) Well off to bed!

Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie is in for the most difficult case of her life. A friend of Lord Compton’s, Cecil Lawton promises his wife on her death bed that he would find out if their son Ralph survived the war or not. So not only does she have to do her best to find out the truth but also Maisie will have to face some of her own past as well. That is not something she has done yet. It will test her strength and her friendship to Maurice Blanche. Her old friend Patricia Evernden asks for help in finding out what happened to her brother as well. The connections found will surprise Maisie and hopefully help her deal with her past.

Ms. Winspear has such emotion in her books. Her characters have a lot to deal with living when they do but that never seems to slow them down for too long. The things that happened in this book were hard to handle at times but I just had to keep reading. A lot of trust was tested but it was going to take awhile to heal. Ms. Winspear does a fabulous job of describing what places look like so I feel that I am right there.

Maisie is such a sweetheart. I felt horrible with the things that happened to her. I had to know who was behind it all. Maisie kept going no matter what she was told because she was being paid to find out the truth. I feel like she would have done it even without the pay but she has to make a living somehow. Maurice really surprised me in this book. The things that he had done and were still involved in shocked me. Old friends reappeared in this book for Maisie and the things she was asked to do was not always good. Things finally caught up with the poor lady and I truly felt for her. She was doing her best at setting things to rest and then new things kept coming up.

I really do enjoy this series. It is something to be cherished. I learned a lot about that time period and cannot wait to pick up the next one. Maisie is a character I can still relate to even though I was never involved in a war. Her job at finding the truth makes me want to seek that out in my own life everyday. Ms. Winspear has a treasure on her hands and it just keeps getting better.


Jacqueline Winspear/342 pages/ Mystery/ Historical/ 4 out of 5

I am now reading a review book and then onto Messenger of Truth, the fourth book in the Maisie Dobbs series.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs is trying to find a way to get income now that she is no longer in the service of wealthy London aristocrats. Ten years after serving as a nurse on the front lines, she comes back to open her own detective agency. The first assignment looks to be a rather simple infidelity case. But upon further investigation, Maisie sees how difficult it will really be and she has to revisit the horrors of her past and the ghost she left behind. Can she do it and still give the peace of mind her client needs?

Ms. Winspear’s writing pleased me. She presented characters that not only tried to make the world better in some cases that happened even in the smallest aspect. I was pleased with how well it was written and the flashbacks gave it some meat that I enjoyed. The mystery took some time to solve and Ms. Winspear made sure that Maisie got all the help she could.

Maisie was a woman I could cheer for. She used her resources to the best of her ability. She made sure never to abuse anyone because she wanted to repay him or her for what they did. I liked how she was a friend to Maurice. The man was a great character and very smart. He helped her learn before she ever made it to Cambridge. Definitely an ally she could rely on whenever she needed to bounce ideas off of someone.

This book had its sad moments but all in all, Maisie even got something out of doing her mystery solving. The next one cannot get to me fast enough. The storyline was good and the interview at the end of the book was fantastic! I got a good look into the author and how she was able to write this book. It impressed me! This is an author to go out and read!



Jacqueline Winspear/ New Author/ 294 pages/ Mystery/Historical/ 5 out of 5

Now off to read Leftovers by Laura Wiss. :)

Mademoiselle Victorine by Debra Finerman

Victorine Laurent comes to Paris to join the Opera Ballet. She expects to be the mistress of a wealthy man. That is the only way she can survive in the city. When the artist Degas introduces her to Manet, her live changes forever. She agrees to pose for him and the result is a painting that shocks Paris. Eventually she becomes the favorite of the Duke de Lyon. But he wants her undivided attention and so bans her from seeing Manet. And things go from bad to worse when she finds out a secret about her past that could bring her world crashing around her.

Ms. Finerman is a fabulous writer. She really takes a society and brings its decadence to light. She also is able to take great creative license with the people of that time and present it like it is true. I found the story enchanting cause a lot of it I could see really happening. Her take on the little bits of history were captivating. A deeper look at society was weaved wonderfully in this book.

Victorine was not a woman just out for fortune but she wanted to find security as well. The truth she came to believe would shatter around her and it would be interesting to see how she would deal with all of it. I loved her friend André Montpelier. He was beside her side throughout all her conquests and relationships. He was a true friend to her. The other characters famous like Georges Bizet. Edouard Manet, Monet, Louis Pasteur, and Empress Eugénie just to name a few were fun to read about and see how she painted them. They often did not have much of a roll in the book except for Manet and the Empress but just the mention made me smile.

This book was full of history and life. I was enthralled with the characters from the very beginning. Though at times Victorine did irritate me, she did seem to get her head out of the clouds eventually. It was not an easy time to live in for some aspects but the frivolous spending upset me. I forget how the royalty and other celebrities spend their money. But it was very true to things are even now. If you love history and love seeing how art could have been created than I highly recommend this book.

4/5/ New Author/ France/ Historical/Debra Finerman/304 pages


I really liked this book. Now off to go to a park! later gators!