Review: The Winter Palace

This historical fiction novel follows the Russian court from 1743 to 1764 introducing the reader to Empress Elizabeth, the youngest surviving daughter of Peter the Great and Princess Sophie of Prussia, who in turn becomes Catherine the Great. The character propelling the story is orphaned Varvara Nikolayevna who is assigned to Empress Elizabeth's court.

In time Varvara gains the attention of the Arch Duke who trains her as a court spy. Varvara becomes one of the Empress' most treasured spies as she maneuvers around the castle taking note of tidbits of information to take back to the Empress. In 1744, Princess Sophie of Prussia is betrothed to the Grand Duke Peter and becomes Catherine, the Grand Duchess. Varvara becomes on of Catherine's ladies in waiting and in time, the two women plan and survive a coup that allows Catherine to assume the Russian throne.

I really enjoyed this book and the perspective of life behind the castle walls. Eva Stachniak used incredible descriptive language to aid the reader in seeing how unglamorous and cut-throat it was. I look forward to reading the next book from Catherine's point of view.

Guest Blogger Spot!

I am not going to lie, I am a little giddy!! I was offered a very exciting opportunity by Wanda Lynne Young over on her Bookalicious Yummy Mummy blog. To read my review of Idol Hands by Cynthia Hill click on the image! Let me know what you think!!!

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Review Back on Blossom Street

Lydia Goetz begins the book with starting a new knitting class at her knitting shop, A Good Yarn. As in previous Blossom Street books, the story revolves around the participants of the prayer shawl knitting class. Susannah, from the flower shop next door joins the class with her employee Colette, a widow who is trying to get a way from a messy work situation involving her boss. Alix, from the first book in the series is back, trying to find a way to relax as a very elaborate wedding is being planned for her and her fiance Rev. Jordan Turner.

Debbie Macomber writes stories where the characters are intricately and beautifully woven together with the theme of friendship and knitting. I really enjoy the characters I meet in The Blossom Street Series and I love reading about knitting.

Review: Casting Spells

Sugar Maple is a picturesque small town in Vermont where tourist enjoy little boutiques and the fall leaves. However not everything is as it seems, Sugar Maple is inhabited with witches, warlocks, vampires and sprites. An ancient spell cast on the small town keeps all within its limits safe and their secret lives hidden. However, Chloe Hobbs, daughter of the great sorceress who cast the protection spell, needs to find her true love and her magic powers to continue to protect Sugar Maple and its inhabitants. When a murder occurs within the town's limits a new threat arrives in the form of Luke Mackenzie, a police officer investigating his friend's death. Now Chloe needs to figure out how to reinforce the spell, find true love and keep Sugar Maple's secrets hidden from Luke.

I liked this very quirky book! The characters were so far fetched that they were endearing and I loved Chloe's inner monologues. While parts may have been predictable so much of the book was pure enjoyment for me!

Review: The Hour I First Believed

The Hour I First Believed is the first fiction novel that I have read by Wally Lamb. The tragedy at Columbine is at the center of this spiralling novel. Caelum Quirk and his wife Maureen both work at Columbine High School. While Caelum is at home in Connecticut dealing with a family emergency, Maureen is trapped, hidden in a cupboard in the library during the Columbine shooting. What I found intriguing about Wally Lamb’s approach to the tragedy is that he showed the reader the raw emotions of a survivor of the Columbine tragedy and those very close to the survivors. It was a unique perspective for me.  

However, The Hour I First Believed was so much more than just a survivor’s tale; it took the reader on a journey in Caelum’s family history when the Quirk’s move back to his family farm in Connecticut. I will confess that this part of the story was not my favourite as it went back through journals and diaries to delve into the secrets in Caelum’s family history.

The Hour I First Believed was a book I enjoyed for it gave me a perspective that I had not considered before. Unfortunately, I found that there were many storylines to follow and a few that I could have done without.