Historical Fiction – Page 6 – Looking For a Good Book

April 6, 2017

THE TUMBLING TURNER SISTERS – Juliette Fay

I’ve found that I really enjoy historical fiction and there have been some really outstanding titles in that category in the last few years. And when I saw that there was this book, The Tumbling Turner Sisters by Juliette Fay, which centers around some performers in vaudeville, I knew this was something I had to… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Reviews

March 16, 2017

THE BALLAD OF TYPHOID MARY – J.F. Federspiel

THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A BOOK FROM MY SHELF I bought this book when Ballantine Books first released this edition (that’s not my book in the photo, but mine looks the same). I would have to admit that I was first drawn to the book by this magnificent cover (by Larry Schwinger?) and then by the… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Reviews

February 24, 2017

THE BIG BOOK OF JACK THE RIPPER – Otto Penzler, editor

Why do we have such a fascination with Jack the Ripper? I’ve been enthralled by the murderer since reading what I know understand to be one of the many, many books suggesting the identity of the mysterious killer. But when I told my wife about some of the things I was reading in this, she… Continue reading

Dark Fantasy/Horror, HISTORICAL FICTION, MYSTERY, NON-FICTION, SHORT FICTION

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Horror/Dark Fantasy, Mystery, non-fiction, Reviews, Short Stories

December 30, 2016

SO WILD A DREAM – Win Blevins

WESTERN WEEK Win Blevins is an author whom I had not heard of before reading this, though that’s likely because my exposure to western fiction has been severely limited. In So Wild a Dream, young man Sam Morgan begins an epic journey. Stealing away on a flatboat he occasions into a series of characters familiar… Continue reading

Uncategorized, WESTERN

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Reviews, Western

December 10, 2016

THE OTHER EINSTEIN – Marie Benedict

I told my son, a physics student, that I was reading a book titled The Other Einstein, and did he have a guess who ‘the other’ might be. He made a couple of good guesses but hadn’t gotten it. I said, it turns out Einstein was married … and before I could say any more… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Literature, Reviews

December 8, 2016

ESCAPE INTO THE NIGHT – Lois W. Johnson

While I did request, and receive an Advance Readers Copy of this reissued book from River North press, I must confess that I did read this book … the whole series, actually … when it was first published in 1995. I really enjoyed the series (though I liked author Lois Johnson’s Northwoods series a little… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, HISTORICAL FICTION, YA

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Historical Fiction, Reviews, Young Adult

October 24, 2016

MAGRUDER’S CURIOSITY CABINET – H. P. Wood

So many people seem to be falling in love with this book, but I can’t help but wonder if it is due in part to a great publicity campaign, of if I’m just really missing out on something. I was not enthralled with this book. The biggest problem that I have with this book is that… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, OTHER, Uncategorized

2 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Literature, Reviews

August 31, 2016

SUGARLAND – Martha Conway

When the offer to review this book came through, I was very excited. A mystery … a favorite new genre for me. Set in the 1920’s … one of my favorite eras for researching and writing about. And jazz music … easily my favorite musical style. And I looked over the information about the book,… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, MYSTERY, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Reviews

August 29, 2016

THE POLARIS WHISPER – Kenneth Gregory

I get a lot of free books for review – probably more than I can actually read, but it is my goal to get through ALL of them, even if it takes awhile. Given that end, this is one of the older books in my queue that I’ve finally gotten around to reading. And as… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, SF/FANTASY

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, Reviews, SF/Fantasy

August 24, 2016

STORM’S COMING! – Margi Preus and David Geister

Storm’s Coming! is a really simple, beautiful children’s picture book that, while it will have special appeal to Minnesotans and this familiar with the Split Rock Lighthouse, will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates quality art (by David Geister) in a children’s picture book and/or informative lessons in nature and history. Author Margi Preus has… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, Uncategorized

5 Stars, Art, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Historical Fiction, History, Picture books, Reviews

June 22, 2016

BEATLEBONE – Kevin Barry

It is the late 1970’s and John Lennon has left New York to seek refuge and solace in an island that he purchased off the coast of Ireland. But getting to the island is an adventure when he relies on the local shape-changing guide to get there. This is not a light, easy-to-read book. It… Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, OTHER, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, Historical Fiction, Literature, Music, Reviews

June 20, 2016

JAKE & CLARA: SCANDAL, POLITICS, HOLLYWOOD AND MURDER – David R. Stokes

Jake Hamon was known as “The Oil King of Oklahoma” and like a lot of very wealthy men, even today, got very involved with politics. Hamon supported Warren Harding for the presidency and in turn, Hamon hoped for a cabinet post. But Hamon, also like a lot of wealthy men, even today, also dabbled with affairs… Continue reading

HISTORICAL FICTION, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Historical Fiction, History, Reviews