I very much enjoyed The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. In this novel, we meet the Smith family of Copper Pond Farm. The members of the family find themselves involved in several adventures, some of which could get them imprisoned. Throughout it all, the family, along with friends Bess and Margaret, show the real meaning of family. When necessary, each member gives up something to help another, works hard to bring in the potato crop and is each other’s emotional support. There are some good historical facts as to the impact of military training that took place on Martha's Vineyard during World War II. We also meet Mari Starwood and Elizabeth Devereaux. Ms. Devereaux has a secret which involves Mari. Throughout the novel there is romance, heartache, suspense, a mystery and even a search for a spy. Throw in a literary adventure and discussions about books and you have an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

L.A. Women by Ella Berman is the story of two women. Lane and Gala are both talented writers, with diverse backgrounds. Gala is a free spirit, wanting fun and exciting, and being the center of attention. Lane is very anxious, always trying for perfection, satisfied sitting on the sidelines observing life. However, beneath the veneer, both ladies are struggling to be their true self.

These two different women together with many interesting characters make for an insightful look at friendships and caring as well as self-discovery. Through a series of events, some tragic, some deceitful, a betrayal and some compassion, Cara and Lane begin to understand themselves. They form a friendship. This novel takes a deep dive into women's belief that they must be what other people want and how other people see them. But, in the end, we are only what we are, and acceptance of oneself also brings acceptance of others.

A good novel which I enjoyed very much. Very insightful as to what is truly meaningful in life and how personal growth always works.

Having never heard of the Saturn return nor of the impact of the elements on one's life, this book was both an enjoyable and informative read. Lexi has it all, a good job where she is very successful, good friends and a loving husband. When some weird experiences begin to happen to her, she seeks out an explanation from the neighbor "witch" Bea. Bea helps her to understand her individual elements and how to harness them. Through her work with Bea, Lexi is able to resolve some old family issues. She is also able to help her husband, Shane, find the core of his fear of loneliness. This book is quite an adventure. Lexi soon learns that her life should be what she wants it to be. She begins to understand her choices should always be hers and only hers. I liked the ending where things appear to come full circle. Quite a different book. I have not read a novel like this before. It made me seek out additional information about Saturn return. Also, it reinforced the belief that we must take and be in control of our own lives. Simply loved the character development. Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough and Ellen Goodlett is a vastly different and very enjoyable read.

The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher gives one an opportunity to view literary Paris in the twenties and thirties. We get to observe up close and personal Joyce, Hemingway, Pound, Stein and more of the luminaries who made Paris their home in the 1920's. We get to know Sylvia Beach, who ran the bookstore, Shakespeare and Company and was the first publisher of Ulysses. Sylvia's backstory is centered around her desire to do something meaningful with her life. She struggles with her family dynamics. We learn about her aloof father and her mother, who often suffered from depression. Never confident in any of her relationships, she finds happiness with Adrienne Monnier. It takes courage for her to finally acknowledge her sexuality and to be comfortable about it. All of her strength, however, was spent helping James Joyce get Ulysses published and finding a way to sell it to the public. One is left wondering what their relationship really was, but Joyce and Beach relied on each other and often came to each other's rescue. While enjoying this scholarly visit with some of literature's greatest author, we also see the growth and maturity of Sylvia, who truly becomes her own person. This book was a delight both by way of history and by way of character development.

In Sisters of The Great War by Suzanne Feldman, we meet the Duncan sisters, Ruth and Elise. Ruth wants to be a doctor, but in 1914, this is almost an impossible dream. Elise is a great mechanic, but unsure of what she wants out of life. When her father refuses to let Ruth go to medical school, she volunteers to serve in World War I and Elise goes with her. Ruth serves as nurse and Elise serves as a driver. Both ladies head overseas to Belgium. It is during their time serving that Ruth's decision to become a doctor is s confirmed. Because of a shortage of doctors, Ruth is called on to do work over and above nursing. She comes to trust her instincts and more importantly, her abilities. Meanwhile, Elise finally recognizes her sexuality and comes to accept herself. Both ladies find love and companionship during their service. The character development of Ruth and Elise is outstanding. Each woman becomes aware of her potential as well as her ability to lead her own live. The language used to describe the injuries suffered and the medical situations during World War I really brings home the horrors of war. This is an enjoyable book and I would recommend this book to others.

Through the usage of alternating sections, Rachel Donohue in her novel,The Temple House Vanishing, introduces the reader to Louisa, Victoria and their teacher, Mr. Lavelle. All three of these individuals are troubled and struggling to find their place in the world. The first part of the novel started off slow for me. Trying to understand the interaction between Louisa, Victoria and Mr. Lavelle took some rereading on my part. I started to wonder if I even wanted to finish the book. Since that is something, I rarely do, I continued. Once the section with the journalist began, the author caught me. Now I was into the mystery of the disappearance and as anxious to find out just exactly what happened and who was hiding what. The fact that the journalist lived across the street from Louisa only added to the mystery. Slowly through the alternating views of events, we learn more about these troubled people and how the mixture of them at an all-girls Catholic boarding school lead to tragedy. Regardless of my issue with the slow start, I would recommend this book.

What I love most about historical fiction is that you are twice blessed while reading the novel. One learns something new about some time or somebody in history with an added plus of a good story. This is how I feel about The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. What a wonderful story about Belle's triumphs as an independent woman in the early 1900's. She is knowledgeable, carries the financial support of her family and is respected and trusted by one of the most influential man of the time, J. P. Morgan. Mr. Morgan not only relied on her expertise, but at times it appears that he might even have been in love with her. She accomplishes all of this while keeping the secret of her true heritage. Belle's interior struggle to be her own woman, both professionally and ethically, tells the story of a woman in conflict. She yearns to honor her father and to help her people. A genuinely good book, both enjoyable and informative.

I don't often read books where the protagonist is a male. I sometimes find them a little difficult. This certainly was not the case with The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Charlie Boykin and his journey through the lives of the "elite" of Nashville. He sacrifices a lot to keep himself in a place where he believed the "grass is always greener". While he invests much into the friendships, it appears he get very little back in return. The relationship between Charlie and his mother is a sad one. She was the true architect of his acceptance into Yeatman and how it impacts both their life. I didn't care for Arch, Jamie, Vanessa or some of the other characters who only seemed to care about themselves, their place in the world, their ambitions and their wants. I believe they all use Charlie in one way of another, but, truly, Charlie not only let them, but seemed to enjoy his new life. However, throughout it all Charlie seems to grow and truly began to understand himself and the life that he was thrown into. A very timely book which deals with present day issue and their impact on everyone's life. But throughout it all, it is Charlie's struggle to be the man he was meant to be that keeps one captivated by this book.

This is quite a different book. While the story is of the coming of age of a young girl, it is also a travel log, a homage to Greek literature and a study in relationships. The descriptive language of Kay's views as she travels aboard the Morning Light places the reader on the deck with her. Her enthusiasm and respect for learning is to be admired. The book takes Kay from 13 into her 20's as she learns from her past and struggles to find out where she belongs. Through her struggles, travels and friendships, Kay discovers what home really is and the importance of family.

The Paris Hours is a wonderful book. The writing flows and all the scenes and people of 1927 Paris come alive in Mr. George's book. You meet four regular people who you will get to know through their histories and through the struggles they endure. Camille's secret, Souren's guilt, Jean Paul's sorry and Guillaume's disappointment. They become your friends and you become totally invested in the outcome of their lives. You come to like all of them with their faults and learn that they all have met their destiny. Added to the great writing and character development, there is a little twist at the end which just adds to the enjoyment. I look forward to another book by Mr. George.

Remembrance by Rita Woods is the story of slavery and four women connected through generations. All four ladies at some point feel hate and anger, and how they deal with these emotions and where this anger leads them is a study in their strength and reliance. Gaelle turns her anger toward something different and perhaps evil. Margot turns her emotions toward something constructive. Winter knows that she is different and when the safety of all that she loves becomes jeopardized, she realizes her real potential. Mother Abigail and her friend Josiah, are the thread holding everyone together through a mixture of spirituality and mysticism. In the end, each woman learns that her strengthens, weaknesses, hate, anger and love all go into making her the woman she becomes and a survivor.

You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley is an absolutely wonderful but different love story. I loved all the main characters and was hard pressed to decide who I liked best and how I wanted the book to end. All of the secondary characters were well developed and added to the story-line. Ms. Oakley used the "eternal triangle" relationship, but without any of the sharp edges. This is a romance with a touch of dream interpreting, heartache, miscarriages and violence. It is about the struggles that often exist in every marriage. The characters attempt to understand themselves and others.

Miss Oakley takes all of life's ups and downs, the happiness, tragedies, successes. sadness and failures and ties them up in a story that is not only enjoyable but thought provoking and very different. It is all about life's possibilities, how we interpret them and how these possibilities impact the decisions we make. The story asks the question, are our decisions and choices simply fated or do we truly have control over of our lives.

The Shadow King is my first book by Maaza Mengiste. The conflicts between father and son, wife and husband, master and slave, etc., together with love of country, honor, feminism and family issues are riveting and played out against the backdrop of war. Not knowing much about the conflict between Italy and Ethiopia, this history lesson was enlightening. The book is almost mystical weaving symbolism, the importance of one's heritage, visualization and prophecies together flawlessly. Ms. Mengiste's leaves you with beautiful visuals of the land, the people and this historic time. Additionally, the use of "chorus" throughout the book gives you insight into the plot, as well as adding a mythology flare. This is a good book.

The beginning of the book was a little tedious as the family members and the dynamics between them were introduced. Once the family started their camping trip the real adventure began. The story of William and Josephine was intriguing. I found myself trying to figure out what actually happened and why. The dialog between Georgie and Thomas is very thought provoking and caring. The budding relationship with Roosevelt and the adventures at the camp make this a good read. It is a good story about a strong, but different, family and the meaning of sticking together.

The Last Collection is the first book I have read by Jeanne Mackin. I especially liked the intersection of three different stories; Lilly, Charlie, and Ania, the competition between Chanel and Schiaparelli and the danger and intrigue of Paris in 1938. The character development of Lilly, Charlie and Ania is very well done and allows the reader some insight into the thinking and feelings of each of them. Having never known about the rivalry between the two designers, the book gives one a peek into the apparently cut throat atmosphere of the world of couture as well as the differing political views of the time. Making Lilly an painter and her use of color to describe situations and emotions adds much enjoyment to this novel. While this was my first book by Ms. Mackin, it will not be my last. Very enjoyable and entertaining.