This began in a North Carolina Confederate prison during the Civil War (Jan 1865, onward). IMO 4 stars.
Union Captain John Howe was kRITA winner 1993.
This began in a North Carolina Confederate prison during the Civil War (Jan 1865, onward). IMO 4 stars.
Union Captain John Howe was kept in the dark and insufficiently fed & had some poor sleep x 8 months in prison. He was grumpy- I'd be grumpy too under these conditions. He and others dug an underground tunnel & he escaped. He was unable to take friend Max- who was too ill to travel. John had the equivalent of modern PTSD.
John imposed on Rev Douglas & his daughter Amanda. John & Rev struggled over a pistol and both got shot. John took the pistol and Amanda. He told her cooperate or he'd shoot her. The Rev had called her a wh---, so John assumed this was true. It wasn't.
This was a dangerous trip by RR to the north, for the couple. Someone supplied him w/ a Confederate uniform. John lived in Philly with his well-healed and connected family. MCs had many challenges along the way. She learned John's secret.
This was a tad angsty, but I liked this couple. Their love ran deep....more
Non-fiction. This followed military trained fighter pilots who became test pilots who were trained to be astronauts. NASGoodreads Choice Award winner.
Non-fiction. This followed military trained fighter pilots who became test pilots who were trained to be astronauts. NASA started in April 1959.
This started with the 7 Mercury era astronauts. NASA wanted a certain image of astronauts w/ happy marriages. The author noted 3 of the 7 men had affairs. Trudy Cooper, also a pilot, left Gordo, after his affair surfaced. They got back together to save/ enhance his career.
Cape Canaveral Flor. was HQ for astronaut training. Single women flirted w/ them & the future space men referred to them as "Cape Cookies." Yrs later the training HQ moved to Houstin. John Glenn lectured the men they were there to be trained, not to be skirt-chasers.
The astronauts were competitive IE swimming, hunting, car-racing. The wives were too IE who had nice clothes, whose spouse was given what NASA mission/ served as mission commander.
NASA arranged with Life magazine to interview the 7 wives, over time. The 7 would split $500K total stretched out over 3 yrs. The average astronaut had $7K military pay per year. So the money via Life was a God-send. Each of the 7 men paid $1 per year to drive a brand-new Corvette.
NASA told the wives how to dress, act & what to say. Almost expecting Stepford Wives. NASA chose Glenn to be the first American to orbit the earth. My favorite scene : LBJ informing Annie Glenn via phone that he was on his way with 3 news crews and she said no! She had a stuttering issue and if she said beyond a few words, she stuttered.
9 Gemini and Apollo astronauts were highlighted also. These wives feared their spouses would be injured or killed during space exploration. Virgil "Gus" Grissom & two fellow astronauts died in a fire while testing a new spacecraft for Apollo #1. The spacecraft had no means of egress- the 3 were trapped by the fire. NASA shut down the program for nearly 2 yrs to find the design flaw & build a better spacecraft. Grissom's widow, Betty, sued manufacturer for $10 M. & won, but at a lower settlement. The other 2 widows didn't participate in the lawsuit, but received a similar settlement to Betty's.
NASA required possible astronauts to be under 5"11" to fit in compact spacecrafts. NASA space missions took place 1959-1972, when Pres. Richard Nixon de-funded the program. NASA had Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions & spent $25B. After all those missions only 7 couples stayed married. NASA put tremendous pres- sure on the spacemen and their wives....more
Non-fiction. This had several early ct cases of Thurgood Marshall & his associate NAACP attorneys. He took local and Supreme CouPulitzer Prize winner!
Non-fiction. This had several early ct cases of Thurgood Marshall & his associate NAACP attorneys. He took local and Supreme Court cases, educated black congregations on their rights, and fundraised so the NAACP could accept more court cases. Gave this 4 stars.
1940s, 1950s & early 1960s in central Florida and elsewhere. Lake Co. Florida had past & present KKK members as judges, state attys/ prosecutors, forensic scientists, doctors, busi- nessmen. And the evil, murdering Sheriff McCall. People of all races & ethnic groups feared the KKK. The Judges already decided the guilty verdict before the trial began on a black defendant.
"Groveland Boys" were 4 young black men accused of raping a young, married, Norma Padgett. Norma and her estranged spouse Willie went dancing and drinking and then developed car trouble. 2 black men tried to assist with the car. The other 2 black men never even met Norma. Willie told Norma to claim rape-even though untrue. The MD who examined her found no evidence of rape. The MD never testified in the subsequent court case & his medical report was never called into evidence. The 4 black men were railroaded.
Sheriff McCall later had 2 of the Groveland Boys in custody, handcuffed to each other, in his vehicle. He told them to check his tire, made them exit the car and shot them both, one fatally. His brand of justice? Prosecutor Jesse Hunter witnessed this murder & attempted murder but never reported it.
Groveland Boys were granted a retrial. Even the Governor was KKK connected! The forensic expert warned Thurgood that McCall's deputy was gunning for him. The FBI thereafter provided Thurgood w/ an FBI escort for the trial.
This was depressing, but necessary to read. IMO the author should have used a different format in order to avoid re- hashing details of the Groveland Boys case....more
Received a 1990 RITA under original title. IMO a keeper!
England 1817. This story of 2 lost souls has held up to several re-reads. Per the copyright pReceived a 1990 RITA under original title. IMO a keeper!
England 1817. This story of 2 lost souls has held up to several re-reads. Per the copyright page, the original title was "The Rake & the Reformer." Gave this 5 of 5 stars.
This had 3 love stories. 1) Allie & Reggie: 30 & 37 respectively. 2) her beautiful ward Merry and a young man. 3) his valet & a woman betrayed by another man.
Reggie an earl's heir, adjusted when his cousin, former army officer, Richard, became earl instead. Reggie, orphaned at age 8, was sent away to school by his uncle. Richard informed Reg that his mom bequeathed him a 3K acre Dorset property yrs ago. (Where Reg lived as a child.) Reg always considered being a horse breeder.
The earl assumed Reggie's Dorset property's steward of 4yrs, was a man. Actually Alys "Allie" turned this place around & put the property solidly 'in the black.' She added several small businesses to benefit tenants & ex-soldiers. Reggie praised her for her accomplishments & allowed her to keep her position. Allie had 3 wards living w/ her, including Merry.
Allie thought she was too tall (nearly 5'10') & unattractive. The color of her eyes didn't match. She kept a secret. Reg showed his gentleman side which belied his rake moniker. He denied his alcohol problem. The author sensitively explored his struggle with this. MCs drew closer together after facing many challenges. Both MCs exchanged witty convos, but some convos: not so calm.
The author had many interesting side characters. I liked Mac the valet, best. Merry was as kind as she was beautiful. The vicar needed to reflect on his judgmental ways.
My fav. scene? Reggie used reverse psychology on his friend Jullian's upset sire. A well done story!
This Columbine High School massacre accounting won several book awards. Journalist Cullen spent 9 yrs, researching this bk, did countless interviews, vThis Columbine High School massacre accounting won several book awards. Journalist Cullen spent 9 yrs, researching this bk, did countless interviews, viewed videos & journals & creative writing papers by the 2 young killers Dylan & Eric. He spoke w/ teachers, coaches, employers, friends, law enforce- ment. I gave this 4 of 5 stars.
Dylan & Eric were both highly intelligent. Dylan played in his mind good vs evil, whereas Eric had a hate list and sought world extinction via violence. FBI Special Agent Dr. Fuselier, a clinical psychologist, studied archives on both boys (see above) & determined Eric to be a psychopath. He listed Eric's personality traits as: charming, cunning, manipulative, comically grand- iose, egocentric and lack of empathy. Eric could talk his way out of any jam. Aggressive Eric planned the massacre 1 year ahead of when he and friend Dylan made it happen. Dylan had mixed feelings and shot about 1/2 doz. shots, Eric shot the rest.
Both boys were not yet 18 and convinced a girl to buy 3 guns @ the non-licensed Tanner Gun show. The boys supplied the cash. Then they acquired a special gun, a TEC-9 via a man. They tested the bombs prior to the day they chose to destroy the school.
Columbine HS had mostly affluent, 2000 students, & about 100 teachers. Some students went off-campus for fast food. Eric hoped to kill 500 students at lunch- time. He wanted to surpass Oklahoma City bombing's deal toll. Eric planted bombs outside & inside the school. The 50 pound bombs in the dining hall did not go off due to faulty fuses. He and Dylan each had sawed-off shotguns, semiautomatic rifles, pipe bombs etc. Both boys dressed in all-black & wore long black trench coats, later removed. This confused police, students & teachers who estimated 2-8 shooters. The fire alarm tripped after the pipe bombs went off and the noise & water added to the confusion.
The school had a revised floor plan (prior to massacre). Police saw 2 dead students outside, but didn't cover or remove them due to fear that the perps booby-trapped the bodies. The sheriff's dept, local police, and ATF responded. Dr. Fuselier's son attended this HS. But once there, he offered his FBI psychology expertise. And ordered more FBI to help.
Myths about Columbine: the 2 boys targeted jocks, bullies (Dylan and Eric WERE the bullies), & ethnic groups. Rumor: the shooters were goths. Both boys were condescending toward those they considered intellectually inferior, and Eric revered Nazis but Dylan did not. Eric hated everyone. Dr. F. concluded they randomly shot people or used pipe bombs, or both. One girl begged for her life & Eric let her leave unharmed.
In the end the boys killed 13 people, & themselves. One wounded boy jumped out a window. After nearly 10 weeks hospitalized, and school resumed in the fall, he was eventually named valedictorian.
Columbine may have been prevented? Eric & Brooks Brown were friends, until they drifted apart when Brooks had a steady girl. Judy & Randy Brown, his parents reported Eric 15 times to the sheriff dept. within 1.5 years (before Columbine massacre) over Eric's threats to the Brown family & their property. On another matter, Eric & Dylan were convicted of a felony, & sent to an outpatient diversion program (instead of prison) & each received 1:1 counseling. Lastly law enforcement traced a pipe bomb to Eric, was preparing to request a search warrant of his home, but the police guy was called on another case & they never requested a search warrant from a judge. Police dropped the ball.
Justice was not served. The police didn't think these 2 boys were a threat? Both were gifted w/ intelligence, affluence, and seemingly pleasant and cooperative. But these 2 planned/ carried out mass murder. ...more
England 1814. Gave this 3 stars. The hero, a good man, was moody & unpredictable, and at times overreacted. This hadWinner of the 2020 Holt Medallion.
England 1814. Gave this 3 stars. The hero, a good man, was moody & unpredictable, and at times overreacted. This had behind closed doors intimacy.
Her Grandpa raised Phyllida "Philly" in the country. Upon his death, she was taken in my her Uncle Edgar, a London financier & his widowed sister Mrs. Vale. Mrs. V. spoke down to & criticized shy Philly. Who preferred to wear her old clothing when dog-walking. Philly's female cousins acted quarrelsome and subjected her to too-blunt comments.
Philly had auburn hair, one blue eye and one brown and creamy skin. Some thought her an unconventional beauty. Arthur Heywood, former army Captain, met w/ Edgar & other men in London, concerning a poss. business venture. He had a limp and was an earl's 2nd son. While talking business, in walked Philly with her 4 rescue dogs (the one she carried was lame). The MCs subsequently ran into each other a few times in the park.
Her uncle gifted 23 year old Philly with one social season. A duke, about 60, was attracted to and waltzed w/ her. On another outing, she noticed he was mean to his dogs. Long story short, the duke & Uncle Edgar arranged an engagement contract w/o telling her. She rejected the duke. She asked Art to adopt her dogs but he proposed a MOC instead.
Art had war-related nightmares. Later he shared w/ Philly he was moody before the war & moodier after it. I doubt Art's father would've brought his mistress to newlywed Art's country home, w/ Philly there.
My fav. scene? When Philly and Art's scheming former intended, spoke privately....more
Pulitzer Prize winning non-fiction. I read the paperback edition & gave it 4 stars. An interesting read on many levels.
The historian/ author Ellis foPulitzer Prize winning non-fiction. I read the paperback edition & gave it 4 stars. An interesting read on many levels.
The historian/ author Ellis focused on 7 men who made the American Revolution a reality. He showed the humanness behind each man. And how they adjusted to the new govern- ment of the US.
George Washington was less formally educated than most founding fathers. George read 10 newspapers daily. He was a Federalist & believed in a strong Executive/ President. He encouraged the US to remain neutral and not to take sides in European wars. Rumors spread toward the end of his 2nd term that he was senile.
John Adams, a Federalist, was our 2nd President. Thomas Jefferson was his VP. Jefferson considered himself a "Republican" as in the gov't was a republic, as opposed to a monarchy. He favored being an ally of France, not England. Jefferson worked behind the scenes against Adams & hired James Callender to dig up/ spread dirt about Adams. Callender heard rumors Jefferson had a sexual liaison with his mulatto slave, Sally Hemmings. JC put this rumor in print.
Our 3rd President, Jefferson, and Adams had a falling out and didn't speak for 12 years. Afterward they communicated again. Both men worried: how would history perceive them?
Per the author, Alexander Hamilton rubbed people the wrong way. Jefferson, Adams, and Ben Franklin detested him. He insulted Aaron Burr, said sorry & stopped and started again. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel & shot @ him and Hamilton died the next day.
The US Constitution was established. Two Quaker delegates in Congress (from NY & PA.) demanded in Feb 1790 that the federal government put an immediate end to the African slave trade. The Constitution prohibited Congress from passing any law that restricted or abolished the slave trade until 1808. Southern states were in an uproar. They thought slaves as 'property' worth $100-200 apiece. The founding fathers feared the US would collapse into separate sections. What to do? Slaves were made dependent on plantation owners. If freed where would the slaves go? how would they live? Southerners complained how would So. states find cheap labor to work their plantations?...more
This won "book of the year," from the Library Journal, NPR & the Chrisitan Science Monitor. Thanks to Carol, a trusted reviewer on GR, who had a + impThis won "book of the year," from the Library Journal, NPR & the Chrisitan Science Monitor. Thanks to Carol, a trusted reviewer on GR, who had a + impression of this one.
This kisses only P & P variation concentrated on Mary the quiet, intellectual Bennet daughter. This started off slow, but got better. Mrs. Bennet reminded Mary she'd likely never marry b/c: she wasn't pretty like her sisters, wore specs & had her head in books, & didn't placate men. The author depicted Mary's sibs as mostly ignoring her or criticizing her. I felt more warmth from the Bennet sibs in the original P&P.
Mary had 2 advocates in the story: Mrs. Hill, family servant, & her aunt by marriage, Mrs. Gardiner (& spouse & kids,) who lived happily in London. These 2 ladies taught Mary self-esteem and acceptance of her uniqueness. The Gardiners had Mary as their houseguest & helped her to obtain more flattering clothes.
Some men genuinely encouraged Mary's intellectual curiosity. Mary met bright, witty, young solicitor & poetry admirer Thomas Hayward when out w/ her Aunt Gardiner. Tom was a Gardiner family friend.
Mary met Tom's friend, handsome (& he knew it) self-involved Ryder who kept inviting himself, when not invited by the Gardiners. Miss Caroline Bingley & her sis & BIL the Hursts were in Ryder's circle. The 4 at times seemed a package deal. Or a conga line. Caro wanted to marry wealthy Ryder & thought Mary her rival: untrue. Caro shared un- solicited, snarky thoughts, often aimed at Mary. You may recall in the original P&P, Caro coveted Darcy, who fell in love & wed Eizabeth, Mary's sis.
My favorite scenes: when Mary asserted herself w/ Caro, and later w/ her own mother.
Award-winning Abe Lincoln bio. I gave this 3.5 stars. I've previously read 6-7 Lincoln bios (on GR & Amazon). This author noted Abe and his wife Mary Award-winning Abe Lincoln bio. I gave this 3.5 stars. I've previously read 6-7 Lincoln bios (on GR & Amazon). This author noted Abe and his wife Mary each had possible melancholy/ depression. Historians have speculated for years: was Abe a Christian? an atheist? a spiritual man but not a church member? He read the Bible & sometimes accompanied Mary & their sons to church. He used the arts ie theatre, books, poetry, humor in the newspaper to cope with the horrors of war.
I felt that the cultural era info sometimes detracted from Abe's bio. The author heavily quoted works of W. Whitman, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allen Poe etc. & lyrics of the era. And P.T. Barnum. He overdid the comparisons of the myth of Puritans (Northerners) & Cavaliers (Southerners) and reactions by both sides as events unfolded. Some in the North were anti-slavery, some pro-slavery, some neutral. Some were anti-slavery, yet did not favor civil rights for former slaves.
Readers perhaps got the impression that Abe was only a fair lawyer. Other Abe bios I've read indicted that Abe was known as a clever attorney who seldom lost his cool. Abe favored for a time slaves in America being voluntarily colonized elsewhere. But he wanted freedom for slaves. Previous bios indicated Abe had conflicting thoughts on slavery and civil rights. Jefferson Davis, Pres. Confederacy, favored slave relocation to the West Indies, or Central or South America. This author seemed to conclude that Abe shared in private his anti-slavery stance but not so in public. But Abe gradually made public his views.
The author gave credence to Abe's 3rd law partner William Herndon's observations on Abe, whereas some other historians or journalists thought Herndon had his own agenda. Of negating Abe's legacy.
New things I learned about Abe's administration: 1. created standardized currency & a national bank system 2. created a standardized post office with stamps used in all states & receipts for packages sent 3. created the Dept. of Agriculture 4. created the precursor to the national park system 5. created conscription & federal income tax 6. created a federal False Claims Act of 1863 (AKA the Whistleblower Law) 7. created land grant colleges 8. Abe's 1st Secy of War overcharged for munitions, tents, etc and pocketed money. Materials were sun- standard ie bullets had sawdust, not gunpowder. Abe replaced him. 9. Congress passed the 13th Amendment (later ratified by the states) 10. Lincoln was the only U.S. President to receive a patent for his invention.
I thought modern politico campaigns were brutal. Southern Democrats called Abe every name under the sun, including N-(word) lover. They accused Abe of promoting race-mixing. Ironic because Southern plantation owners were known for forcing sex on slave women, sometimes resulting in offspring. Some called Abe "a gorilla despot."
James Buchanan proceeded Abe as President. He saw a war was coming & ordered his Secretary of War transfer munitions from Northern to Southern states. "Stonewall" Jackson died by 'friendly fire.' Some Civil War Generals, West Point graduates, thought themselves superior to Generals not trained there. West Pt. grads served the North & South.
Reportedly 500-700 women disguised themselves as men in order fight in the Civil War. Abe & Mary made a point to visit with wounded soldiers, in make-shift hospitals. Abe also visited soldiers in the field.
John Wilkes Booth and his fellow conspirators planned to kill Abe Lincoln, US Grant (who declined the theatre invite), Abe's VP Johnson & Secretary of State Seward (who survived knife wounds). JWB & these men were captured, then hung or imprisoned. JWB & these men plotted Lincoln's demise in a boarding house. The female boarding house owner was also hung.
This PB book took place in England and Scotland around 1816. I liked the 1st 1/2 better than the second. Had 2 romances w/ mReceived 1999 RITA award.
This PB book took place in England and Scotland around 1816. I liked the 1st 1/2 better than the second. Had 2 romances w/ mostly kisses only.
Young, beautiful widow, Deirdre, had responsibility to assist Olivia, her impulsive, v. pretty SIL @ 18 to find a proper mate. Yrs. earlier Deirdre had jilted Lucas (who later became a duke) in favor of Jonas, Olivia's brother. Lucas & Jonas in the past, both served in the military. Deirdre had a small cottage she shared w/ Olivia & they managed on dwindling funds. These 2 ladies visited a female friend in London.
IMO there was too much tug-of-war between Lucas & Deirdre in the present + not enough togetherness. It took forever for them to discuss the jilting incident. And rumors spread RE the faulty character of Lucas. I did not feel their love.
Olivia had too many tantrums & someone owned a pet monkey. I dislike monkeys in romance stories: they bore me.
This author, I've found, generally writes better stories. ...more
England 1820. This won "the 2020 Kindle Book Award for Romance." Had 2 romances and some adventure. Kisses only.
Robert, a twin, was a shipmaster and sEngland 1820. This won "the 2020 Kindle Book Award for Romance." Had 2 romances and some adventure. Kisses only.
Robert, a twin, was a shipmaster and spy for the Crown & his uncle Jack, nr his age, a vintner. Each man had 1/2 English and 1/2 French ancestry.
Chastity thought her sisters & bestie Rose beautiful & she was not. She used her intelligence and jokes to cover her insecurity. She came across as outspoken, rather than a witchy hoyden. Chas took Rose to Brighton, when told by her parents, to spend time w/ Chas' Great-Aunt Agatha.
King George the 4th rewarded Rob for bravery with a baron title & provided lodging for him in Brighton. Rob and Jack traveled there. The MCs met in route. Rob took her for a lady's maid (he kissed her!) & she concluded he was an oaf & a Rogue. Over time, they grew close & also grew in respect and in love. Chas learned things aren't always as they appear. Rob showed himself to be a true hero....more
Horatio put his manor house up for grabs in his will. Lillian had to occupy it & turn a profit each of 5 years on the manoVictorian. This won a RITA.
Horatio put his manor house up for grabs in his will. Lillian had to occupy it & turn a profit each of 5 years on the manor house, to own it. If not, then the manor ownership reverted to his nephew Avery. Then uncle died. Next Avery traveled & was an adventure writer in French Congo, Egypt, Greenland, Australia etc.
The MC letters exchanged served as the best aspect of this story. Neither Lillian nor Avery had a real home. What held this couple together? The MCs didn't con- vince me they were in love. The insolent farm mgr. showed disrespect to the MCs and needed to be fired. The sabotage seemed filler.
The MCS got their HEA, even though it did not feel like a true one.
This had low key attraction and romance. And a mystery: someone wanted to harm someone in this story.
MRegency. A RITA Golden Medallion award winner.
This had low key attraction and romance. And a mystery: someone wanted to harm someone in this story.
Margaret and Adam, an earl, were 2nd cousins. He called her "Marget" & considered her sister-like. He'd been the bestie of her brother Michael who recently died. Maggie & grand aunt Lady Celeste, returned from Vienna, to see after 6 yr old Timothy, Michael's only offspring. Did Mike leave a will? The author depicted Adam as depressed, w/ casual neglect of his earl duties & his appearance. He tended to over-imbibe, until he modified this choice.
Timothy got into some mischief. The mystery aspect grew increasingly dangerous. The MCs solved the mystery. Some- one cornered/ kidnapped Maggie. Or did they? Later Adam professed his love for Marget & it seemed 'out of the blue,' premature & w/o foundation. Too-blunt Lady C had the skill of being 'right on the money' w/ her unsolicited, yet accurate, comments....more
Received a 1995 RITA award. Read this Regency, which hinted at intimacy, in Kindle form. I really liked this couple.
Fletcher Rand was a divorced (faiReceived a 1995 RITA award. Read this Regency, which hinted at intimacy, in Kindle form. I really liked this couple.
Fletcher Rand was a divorced (faithless wife), ex-military man, marquess. Whose bailiff allowed Roxanna Drew, wid- owed w/ 2 girls, to rent the H's dower house. Roxie insisted on window replacements & roof repair before the fam of 3 moved in. Roxie's BIL propositioned her! She had lost her loving, late vicar spouse 6 months prior.
This featured witty + mature Fletch & kind, but no push- over Roxie. They agreed to a marriage of convenience to block her baddie BIL's hideous plan. My fav scene: MCs letting BIL know they out-foxed him. Fletch claimed to dislike kids, but he got on well w/ Roxie's 4 & 6 yr old girls.
After they wed, Fletch spent too much time away from the h inspecting his various holdings. They should have shared their feelings sooner. Her daughters were wise beyond their years & 2ndary characters Meggie & bailiff Tibbie & others enhanced the story....more
England 1816, also India & gradually 7 years on. This author had a MA in English & it showed. She won the 2018 Whitney Award for Best Historical RomanEngland 1816, also India & gradually 7 years on. This author had a MA in English & it showed. She won the 2018 Whitney Award for Best Historical Romance!!!
In 1816, 19 year old heiress Belle proposed a MOC with 4 yrs her senior Colin, former Army captain and new marquess, deeply in debt. He declined. He told her she should value herself more than wanting to wed a near stranger. Belle learned business acumen from her late banker/ investor father. Few knew of her skills, except her solicitor Sloan & her companion/ friend Anne.
His mother and sisters raised Colin while Dad served in the Army. Colin had feminist leanings RE a female being intellectually challenged via her vocation or avocation. Later the heroine challenged his leanings by use of her acquired skills.
Belle fronted Colin 5000 pounds for his venture in India. She became his anonymous/ silent partner "LHF." All correspondence to/ from India was sent via Sloan. These 2 wrote of business deals, but soon included riddles, his sketches ie monkeys etc. Colin concluded LHF must be his sister Cecily's FIL Lord Halbert.
The H + h also exchanged hopes/ dreams. They created a working farm for military veterans & their families & an orphanage in England. Several times she wrote but did not send a note informing Colin she was indeed LHF. She now loved him? The correspondence was one of the best aspects of the story. After 7 years in India & increasing his worth, tenfold, Colin returned to England. He planned to speak w/ Halbert.
Now the H+ h were each valued for his/ her net worth. I loved how this couple meshed. Belle tortured herself w/ her secret. Belle did not 'pull any punches' once Colin confronted her about her secret. She was 'right on the $' pointing out that Colin missed the clues: she was female (in exchanged letters), & about her personality. Even her words. An interesting, complex couple.
A minor issue. Colin did not recall Belle for a time. The author informed readers Colin had difficulty recalling names/ faces.
England 1763. The late author was awarded a RITA for this book. Too much diversion from love story. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
"Bey" Malloren, Marquess ofEngland 1763. The late author was awarded a RITA for this book. Too much diversion from love story. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
"Bey" Malloren, Marquess of Rothgar, & Diana, Countess of Arradale met one year before, when she bested the H. His fam & friends called him Rothgar, but Bey for brevity. Di, Countess "in her own right" petitioned King George to sit in House of Lords. Bey gathered intel for King Geo. but didn't consider himself a secret agent. As a child Bey observed his 'mad' mom strangle her infant. He feared he had tainted blood & planned to never wed or sire a child.
King George commanded Bey to escort Di from Yorkshire to London, to become "a lady in waiting." Bey cautioned Di to be a 'more conventional lady' in her views/ actions while at court. What a good love story! But the murder attempts & spy stuff did not 'float my boat.'...more
Matthew Desmond won a Pulitzer Prize for this book.
Desmond was a Princeton University PhD sociologist when he wrote this book. He studied 8 evicted fMatthew Desmond won a Pulitzer Prize for this book.
Desmond was a Princeton University PhD sociologist when he wrote this book. He studied 8 evicted families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 2008 thru Dec. 2009. Most families studied, lived in dangerous neighbor- hoods with gangs & drug dealers. Safer neighborhoods were beyond their financial means.
"Rust Belt" Wisconsin's manufacturing jobs left town for the South (less labor unions) or overseas. US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) recommended Americans pay 30% of their gross monthly income on rent. Most families studied here paid 70-80% gross mo. income on rent!!!
HUD had 20 year contracts w/ Section 8 (rent subsidized) high-rise bldg. owners, most starting in the late 1960s or 1970s. When the contract ran out, many converted apts to condos (per the New York Times). The US has limited affordable rental housing.
The landlords (hereafter LL) studied here included a couple who had multiple inner city units and the mgr and owner of a mobile home park. The # of verbal agreements between LLs and tenants surprised me. How did both parties keep this straight? In Wisconsin, landlords had no requirement to keep dwellings up to health/ building codes UNLESS the tenant was current on his/ her rent. Some LLs simply re- moved the front door and refused to replace it. With no privacy & no way to secure personal items, tenants simply moved out. One departing tenant (overdue on her rent) stuffed socks in the kitchen sink & turned on the water! Some cases landed in court.
The aforementioned LL couple supplied the least appliances, needing the least repair IE microwave. 1 tenant borrowed a hot-plate from a fellow tenant & her apt caught on fire & her baby died! Several tenants made verbal agreements w/ LL for physical labor IE painting, moving someone, repair- ing items, running errands, to be applied toward his/ her rent or overdue rent. Then the LL showed dissatisfaction with the paint job. LL couple proved slow to make repairs IE plumbing, which made unsanitary conditions for tenants. One tenant called a plumber, deducted the cost from her rent & the LL retaliated by evicting her.
Unexpecteted costs made paying rent difficult IE tenant car repair, a fam funeral. The tenants at times shared food or furniture. When a tenant was evicted he'd often move in w/ a friend but not be on that person's lease. Some tenants struggled w/ substance abuse and finances suffered. Or couples separated. Or one of the couple was incarcerated.
The mobile home park turned a blind eye towards renting to drug dealers and prostitutes until new mgt made tighter rules. This proved to be a fascinating book.
Desmond noted in Milwaukee, 1 out of 5 black women reported an eviction in her adult life, 1 of 12 Hispanic women and 1 out of 15 white women.
Desmond's observations on evictions: 1) public housing was denied to poor people who had an eviction or a debt (especially to previous LL). 2) evictions often caused a child to change schools & the family felt less connected to the community. 3) caused a higher dependence on high interest 'payday loans.' 4) caused "material hardship:" the family did w/o food, heat, electrical, medical, etc. 5) caused families to do w/o food. The author noted "the rent eats 1st" & inner city groceries cost as much as 40% more than in other areas. 6) caused homelessness and/ or toll on a person's spirit. 7) he advocated for more "housing voucher" rent subsidies for low-rise apts. in various neighborhoods. Also legal svcs to the low income tenant BEFORE he/ she needs housing court. (Legal Aid's funding was reduced in many cities, starting in the 1980s.)
Regency England. Bravo to the story, the dialogue, and the witty and heart-felt characters!
Joshua, a brusque, widowed industrialist, & Cassie, relatiRegency England. Bravo to the story, the dialogue, and the witty and heart-felt characters!
Joshua, a brusque, widowed industrialist, & Cassie, relative of a duchess, agreed to a marriage of convenience encour- aged by her father. Joshua valued efficiency, promoted investments & was constantly on the go. Cassie served as the 'rock' of her family of drama-prone younger sisters & her mother, an opium addict. Cassie kept 'all the plates in the air.'
The H +h were wed and bed and then lead separate lives x2 yrs. Then re-connected. Josh covered his vulnerability with busyness & Cassie with politeness. They gradually grew closer & their love felt tangible. The only aspect I'd change- the H rejected the h a few times. He had a rationale-natch!
Hopefully in future, Cassie's sibs will grow beyond their attn seeking tendencies.
4 stars. A good debut novel, which won the RITA! ...more
This Regency won a year 2000 RITA award. It had wit and serious issues too.
Our story featured rake Beecham (called "Bryce") & earl's sister Lady JemimThis Regency won a year 2000 RITA award. It had wit and serious issues too.
Our story featured rake Beecham (called "Bryce") & earl's sister Lady Jemima. Both appeared on the scene after a murder on Bryce's land. Jemima comforted a young, flighty actress who witnessed the murder. Bryce displayed sarcasm & innuendo in his exchanges w/ Jem. Jem intrigued Bryce who found her spirited, intelligent and attractive (IE tall and 'nicely rounded.') He chided her about her age. She rebuffed his hallow flattery about her beauty.
Jemima devoted her life to her selfish brother, popular poet, Terrance, Lord Troy. She overheard Troy describe her to Bryce "She's never any trouble. Follows where I lead, just like a faithful hound (25% mark)."
Bryce regretted some of his past unseemly behavior. Slowly, he tired of his rake status and struggled with how to change? Should he change?
The author treated readers to snappy and clever dialogue. Ms Butler explored the circumstances & context of the murder. Jem made some unfounded conclusions before the end, which made me deduct 1 star. I enjoyed this couple's journey to love....more
The majority of the story took place in 1828. A romance with wit and heart.
Sebastian was born to a religious fanatic EnglReceived a 1996 RITA award.
The majority of the story took place in 1828. A romance with wit and heart.
Sebastian was born to a religious fanatic English father & Italian mother who deserted the family (she fled her spouse). Seb received no affection & thought his olive skin & a big nose made him unattractive. Seb gambled his way thru Oxford & eventually became the Marquess of Dain. Respectable women he knew nothing about.
Sebastian negatively influenced heroine Jessica's younger brother. Via gambling, wenching and over-spending. Jess had beauty, brains and declined many marriage proposals. The H & h met in an antique's shop. Hero argued that her bro Bertie was of age and could make his own decisions. Seb found himself off-balance from the moment he met Jess. After a time, she secretly adored him. My favorite scene was the H+h in the rain.
Seb became a true hero to Jess, her brother & another very important person. Anything I'd add would be a spoiler. A classic love story. Please note: romance readers have varied opinions on this one.
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