ON A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS by Andrea Yaryura Clark

 

 

Publisher: Grand Central
Date Published: March 1, 2022
ISBN#  978-1538720295
Historical Fiction
Reviewed by Gina (myreviewbooks@aol.com)
Obtained via publisher
4 Hearts

Paloma Larrea has led what some would call a charmed life.  As the adored only child of her wealthy and well-placed parents, Santiago and Lila she has wanted for nothing. When Santiago is appointed United Nations ambassador to Argentina she is thrilled to accompany her parents to their home country.  At first thrilled, Paloma is soon bemused when a woman named Grace approaches her parents at a party and makes a cryptic comment and her parents act as if they do not know this woman who purports to be a friend from long ago. Once she arrives in her parents’ home country Paloma begins to try to learn more of not only Argentina’s, but also her parents’ history. What she begins to learn is that behind the beauty of the country is a dark and dangerous past—a past her father was part of. And soon Paloma finds herself questioning her history and those questions begin to endanger her own life.

 

ON A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS is not a book I would have normally picked up to read. It was sent to me by Grand Central, a publisher who has so many books and authors I enjoy so I decided to give it a try.  I am so glad I did. 

 

Clark tells not one, but two compelling stories --- Valentina’s in the 1970’s during Argentina’s “Dirty War” and Paloma’s in the late 1990’s. Two creative and brave women joined through an unimaginable connection yet one that will take Paloma down a path she would never have expected.  Parts of Valentina’s story were hard to take and I imagine Clark had some emotional moments while telling her story. Clark describes what was done to women thought subversives during the “Dirty War” with honesty and compassion. 

 

Each character, even the minor ones, is well drawn for the reader.  Clark’s depictions of the different locations brought them to life in vivid detail.

 

The story is told in alternating time periods – flipping back and forth with each chapter between Valentina and Paloma’s stories.  I personally find the constant flipping back and forth distracting and can make a story unreadable if you have to stop mid-way through a chapter for some reason.  To deal with that I read the chapters of the older period first and then go back and read the more modern ones.  That said, once I started ON A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS I had a hard time putting it down because I just had to know how Valentina and Paloma’s stories ended.  I for one hope Clark is already penning her next story and I don’t have to wait long to read it.

 

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

                                                                           

THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS by Natasha Lester

Forever

September 18^th, 2018

978-1-5387-1477-5

Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

ARC Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

4.5 Hearts

In 1940, young seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee Paris as the Nazi’s and German army advance into her beloved city. Leaving everything she loves behind, Estella ends up in New York City with her signature gold dress she designed, a few dollars in her pocket and her dream of opening her own fashion house.

In the present day, Fabienne Bissette, Estella’s granddaughter, helps open up the Met Gala’s exhibit featuring the work of her grandmother within the fashion world. But as Fabienne finds out more about her grandmother’s past, she wonders what else is hidden behind the life of Estella and how it will impact her present.

THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS is a book I just could not put down. It is told in two story arcs that converge together at times and tells a tale of Estella’s past, filled with love, tragedy and secrets. Ms. Lester delivers a powerful story that will haunt you and keep you glued to the pages until the very end. The story of Estella and by extension, Fabienne, is a pure delight to read and the reader can’t help but fall under their spell while reading THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS. The reader will get two stories, one set in WWII and in France and the other is more present day.

Meet Estella and Fabienne. Estella’s life is full of very high highs and some lows that would flatten a normal person. But not Estella. She persevered and delivered to the reader a story that will send chills through you even as you feel for her. Estella has secrets that Fabienne will slowly find about as she unravels those family secrets and finds out just what really happened to Estella. Fabienne is a delight as she unravels those secrets and I enjoyed the scenes of her finding those answers, even as her life continues and a love comes calling. Even as the reader goes along with Estella and Fabienne, I know I was chilled as I read the scenes of the war years and some of the effects it had on people during the time it happened.

What makes this book so powerful was not just the history it was centered around but also those gorgeous characters that just lifted themselves off the pages and into your life. They are exceptionally well written and just are captivating. The author does a marvelous job in capturing the distinct and unique personalities that were within the pages of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS. If you enjoy a book that has two stories going and a slow build up to the secrets, where some secrets will be shocking in itself, then THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS is definitely for you. I can’t highly recommend this one enough.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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IN FARLEIGH FIELD by Rhys Bowen

Lake Union Publishing
March 1^st, 2017
Historical Fiction, Mystery
Paperback ARC
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)
Obtained by Publisher

3.5 Hearts

 

In Farleigh Field, World War II has not troubled them over much. Lord Westerham and his family live in relative peace until a soldier falls to his death from a failed parachute onto the grounds. Not known to anyone there, MI5 operative and friend of the family, Ben Cresswell is tasked in finding out who this suspicious person was and what, if anything, they were up to. Is this person a German spy or something else? In another plus to heading this investigation, Ben would be near Lord Westerham’s middle daughter, Pamela, who he loves desperately. But secrets are entwined around Farleigh Field and as Ben finds himself racing against the clock as he tries to figure it all out and root out the truth…before it all comes down around them.

 

IN FARLEIGH FIELD is a bit of a departure for me reading wise and I found it to be an intriguing mix of history, mystery and romance that was perfectly balanced within the book. You could tell a lot of research was done by the author for this book as it draws upon the deadly days of the war to be the backdrop of the story. The author does a really good job drawing the reader in and delivering memorable characters to fall in love with.

IN FARLEIGH FIELD introduces the readers to Farleigh Field, the ancestral home of Lord Westerham and his five daughters. Three of his daughters play a big role in the book- Pamela, Margot and Phoebe. Margot is working for the French Resistance, Pamela is works at breaking the German’s codes and Phoebe was the one to find the dead man. The book starts off slow as the author introduces all the characters and sets up the mystery that will leave you guessing till the very end. Once that is done, well the action picks up steam and it’s off to the races as MI5 operative, Ben, digs into this dead man and if he is, in fact, a German spy. There are subplots that weave themselves within this main story that is perfectly done and doesn’t take away from the mystery of the strange man’s death and the author does a great job in keeping that balance of characters and story so one doesn’t out-weigh the other. The story flows smoothly and keeps an even pace. The characters are well written, well defined and an interesting mix that kept my attention. The mystery though was a bit lacking at times but kept me wondering on how it would all play out.

IN FARLEIGH FIELD was an intriguing blend of historical fiction, mystery and a little bit of romance that will intrigue the reader and if you can get past the first few chapters, you won’t want to put it down. As this is a stand alone novel by this author, it’s a good way to get introduced to this author’s writing and see if they appeal to you. If you enjoy this sort of book, then you might find IN FARLEIGH FIELD to be your perfect cup of tea. I am looking forward to seeing what else this author has in their backlist to read after this one.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

IN FARLEIGH FIELD by Rhys Bowen

Publisher:    Lake Union

Published:   March 1, 2017

ISBN:        978-1477818299

Genre:       Historical Fiction, Mystery

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

As Hitler continues his march across Europe in May of 1941 the English live with nightly bombings and what they fear will be imminent invasion. An hour away from London the people of Farleigh Place try their best to live what was normal before the war.  But each family does their part. Injured in a plane crash before the war vicar’s son, Ben Cresswell, works for a special government branch in London.  Even though Lord Westerham’s five daughters could stay safe and cozy in the country, they step up to do their part—Margot remains in France with her lover, Pamela heads to London to work as a code reader and even twelve year old Phoebe contributes to the cause.

But then something happens no one quite anticipated—a body is found in Farleigh’s field.  It appears to be a member of the West Kent army, but none of their number is missing and the body is too disfigured to identify who he is. He has no identification and the only item they can find on him is a photograph.  The bombings no do not just continue—they seem to come closer and closer to Farleigh.   As Ben and Pamela delve deeper into the photograph and some odd messages received in their respective headquarters a horrific plot begins to unfold—one that could implicate one of their own bringing about the downfall of England.

I’m a fan of Rhys Bowens’ Royal Spyness Mysteries so when I saw she had written a standalone historical novel, IN FARLEIGH FIELD, I had to pick it up.  I’m not a fan of books set in any of the 20th century wars, but I do like a good mystery and this one sounded really good. Bowen has a wonderful writing voice.  She takes you into the heart of the families and locales.  You know what Ben feels when he gets on a bicycle for the first time in years with an injured knee.  You know on a visceral level just what Pamela is feeling when she is confronted by her life time love, Jeremy’s aggressiveness in moving their relationship to a physical level.  The pain and devastation when Margot hears that the man she loves above all else cares not one bit for her.   The privation felt in the British during the war and their hopes pinned on the United States stepping in. 

In some ways I felt this book was autobiographical of something Bowen experienced either herself or through her family during WWII.  If it is, kudos to her for bringing it to light.

I spent the first two third of the book waiting for something to happen.  The characters’ individual stories were interesting, but it was like reading someone’s memoir rather than the mystery I was anticipating.  The last 75 pages were definitely action packed with a number of white knuckle moments.  When I finished reading it occurred to me that some of the dullness I found in the story could well have been a reflection of the British “stiff upper lip”, something a couple of the characters commented on themselves.  Even little Phoebe wanted to cry at one point but held first saying she was a Lady and therefore not appropriate.  I was definitely shocked when the key to the true spy was revealed—I definitely didn’t see that coming.

And in respect, there weren’t any scenes that could have been left out. Each character’s story was a key component leading up to the final scenes. 

IN FARLEIGH FIELD is not an easy read.  As I said, I’m not a fan of books set in the wars of the twentieth century and would not have picked this one up if Bowen wasn’t an author I enjoy.  It is a book that anyone, from young adult to senior citizen, male or female, can pick up and enjoy. It has a bit of romance, a good mystery that takes the reader down some serious white-knuckle paths.  I am curious what she will do next.  There is definitely the potential for Pamela and Ben to uncover more plots.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE SMOKE HUNTER by Jacqueline Benson

Publisher:     Grand Central

Published:     September 13, 2016

ISBN:        978-1455569069

Genre:       Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

THREE HEARTS

 

Caught between being a woman of her time and her dream of exploring the world as an archaeologist, Eleanora (Ellie) Mallory isn’t surprised to find herself in her boss’s office about to be fired. She wasn’t exactly thrilled with her job as an archivist but it did give her an opportunity to at least see some interesting objects. While she waits for him she cannot help herself but to glance through his rather messy desk. There she finds a very old psalter.  Unable to help herself she pockets the book and takes it with her when she leaves.  Inside the book she finds two very intriguing objects—a very old medallion and a map. Before she can delve too deeply into the mystery of the psalter two men arrive at her home—two men who want what she found and took.  Two men who will stop at nothing to get those objects.

Not one to sit around and let life pass her by, Ellie first hides the treasures and then leads the men on a merry chase through London’s streets. Knowing they may catch her at any moment she heads to what she knows will be a safe haven—her friend Constance’s home.  There Constance helps Ellie to leave not just London, but to head to where she believes the map will lead her.  In short order it takes her on the adventure of a lifetime.

When I saw the blurb for Jacqueline Benson’s THE SMOKE HUNTER I had to read it.  You don’t often find fiction around the Maya or Aztecs and a good historical fiction always grabs my attention. Parts of the book were major page turners.  Others, not so much.  I never warmed up to Ellie—the character had so much potential with her educational background.   She was more annoying than spunky and for someone who was supposed to be smart, even confined by the times she lived in, she did some pretty stupid things. There was a lot of bogging down with minutiae about things that just did not move the story along. 

The book is billed as fiction—I would take it a step further to say it is also a good choice for a young adult read.  The writing and characters are ideal for a teen and may well inspire some great careers for young women who may read it.

I did enjoy the discussions about Mayan and Aztec cultures. We know so little, but Benson brings that knowledge to the pages of THE SMOKE HUNTER in easy to understand language and leaves you wanting to know more.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.