Bloom, by Kelle Hampton, is an amazing look into a woman’s journey from the life she expected, to the life she was given. It’s an intimate, sometimes heartbreaking, memoir of letting go of the life she thought she would have and embracing her “New Life”. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, this book is a very quick read because it’s so very difficult to break the bond and walk away. The photos make it all so real and bring the reader right into the folds.

It was a lot of fun reading The Winter Palace, by Eva Stachniak. The actual story of Catherine the Great is very colorful and this book makes it that much more interesting. Although the names are difficult at first, they become easier as the story progresses. The point of view of a servant/spy brings a new perspective, that of someone who reads important information into every movement, conversation and letter. The descriptions of life in the Russian Courts help you to envision scenes beautifully. If you enjoy historical fictions, you will enjoy this tale of imperial intrigue.