Historical romances set in Africa are quite rare, and if they are written by such a skilled writer as Deanna Raybourn, who has won great acclaim with her Lady Julia mysteries, expectations are high. So I was very excited about reading A Spear of Summer Grass. When I closed it, I was still very pleased,…
An Inquiry into Love and Death is a mystery/ghost story set in 1924 England – perhaps capitalizing on Downton Abbey’s popularity. But if we have Downton to thank for the fact that we now find a new period of history interesting (and therefore marketable), then thank God for it. Jillian Leigh is the daughter of…
Narrated by Stephanie Daniel This is the 13th entry in the Phryne Fisher mystery series set in 1920s Australia. As always, Stephanie Daniel does a wonderful job with the narration, giving each character a unique, appropriate voice. The Castlemaine Murders features multiple mysteries including a mummified body found on an expedition to an amusement park,…
This is the first in the Phryne Fisher mystery series set in 1920s Australia. I read the 12th book first, and enjoyed it so much that I read a few more – out of order – before finally reading this one. I think that’s a good thing. If I’d started with this book I might…
There’s been a lot of buzz about this book among mystery readers, so I was eager to pick it for review. Set in post-World War I London, I found the sense of place excellent and much of the plot gripping. But while I found the heroine’s story interesting, she always felt a bit distant. Seven…
In 2007 Nina Berman won the World Press Photo competition with the wedding portrait of Ty Ziegal and his bride Renee Kline. You can see the winning portrait here. There is another, more romantic portrait here. Be Warned, these pics have some aspects that make them a bit different from your average wedding photos. Some…
When was the last time you read a romance set in the earliest days of the Jazz Age? Whistling in the Dark not only features an unusual setting but two heroes who face ordinary struggles such as keeping a family business afloat. I also loved the insight into the earliest days of radio, before the…
As I began my first vampire/werewolf romance, I was a little skeptical. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the setting, plot, and characters Susan Krinard creates in Chasing Midnight. Allie Chase was the belle of Long Island society until she was stricken with a debilitating illness that left her wasting away and bedridden. Abandoned by…
On rereading Barbara Hambly’s Bride of the Rat God for the purpose of writing this review, I was surprised once more by what a truly superb novel it is. On rereading, I found new details to savor, ones that I had overlooked before because I had been too caught up in the excitement of the…
I am always eager to get my hands on a good time travel book. Some of my all- time faves feature time travel. I will generally give anything in this genre a shot. Not being a big fan of the Roaring Twenties, I’m glad I pick this one despite the time period. Dora Duncan is…