Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Title: Dragonfly in Amber

Series: Outlander #2

Genre: Historical Romance, SciFi, Fantasy

Format: paperback

Pages: 947

Published: July 1, 1992

Where I got It: My shelf (Used book store that I am blanking on the name of)

Summary: 

From the author of Outlander... a magnificent epic that once again sweeps us back in time to the drama and passion of 18th-century Scotland...

For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

Review:

I read book 1 ages ago, and I meant to go back, but just never did. I've been watching the show and loving it, so it was the push I needed to continue the series. 

We continue watching young Claire fight to try and stop the war, and "modern" Claire goes back to where it all began with her daughter in tow. 

I know this book was written in the 90s, and there is a show about it, but I don't want to spoil anything! 

The duo timeline was fun. We are mainly in the "flashback" following young Jamie and young Claire fleeing to France. There is still hope to change the future, but it seems like fate has other plans for them time and time again.

I enjoyed it. It was long and sometimes long-winded. But I gobbled up each page. There were some stretches of time I had to take a break. It is emotional, especially because you know what is coming. An impending doom for sure. Yes. I teared up a time or two with this one. 

The author does such a great job bringing the worlds and the characters to life! You just want all your beloved characters to live happily ever after. 

Can I say something...controversial? As much as I liked this book and the other one.........I think the show is better. There are some little changes they did that just worked better. Some character development that I really liked. Not saying this is bad, but the show is just a smidge better. I still want to read book 3 one day, though!

Honestly, I think I might do the audio of it. I want to try it!

But yes, this was good, but it is a heavy read. Length and emotions. You need to read book 1 first for sure or have at least watched season 1 of the show. 

All-in-all, it was lovely coming back to Claire and Jamie. It felt like old friends. I do so love them both. 

4 stars. 

Reading Challenges

-  Reading Romance Challenge #4 (series I meant to go back to)

Movie Review: Clue (1985)

Title: Clue

Length: 1h 34m

Released: 1985

Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Pluto TV

SUMMARY:

Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up.

Trailer

REVIEW:

The blogging world may or may not know, but I'm (at the time of this post) in a play rendition of this movie. Weee. I play Yvette the maid. Last time I watched this film I was a teenager (maybe young adult like 18 or 19) since the final weekend of shows are happening I decided to make my hubby watch this film with me. 

When six guests are anonymously invited to dinner at a strange mansion...bad things start happening. The host is killed and with the butler leading the way they need to unmask the killer before they too join the body pile. 

Man it has been a LONG time since I watched this. It was strange seeing this cast so young. Such a fan cast they were!

The humor is there and still funny. Some jokes might be a little dated, but still fun. 

I love, love, LOVE the fact that they have multiple endings! How fun! From what I have been told, back in the day they would give different theaters different endings just to cause chaos and confusion. How hilarious. Why can't movies be a joke upon themselves like this anymore?!?!?!

The whodunnit is hilarious because these are all very bad people (even the staff) so it's hard to determine who is the murder(s). Hilarious. 

Not sure if I'm just being biased because our version is a little more fast paced, but some bits (especially the beginning) just feels soooo slow. Maybe I'll rewatch this in like a year when the memories of my play fades and see if I feel the same way. 

All-in-all, this was a nice blast from the past and it was great having my hubby experience this before he watched our version of the movie on stage. 4 stars from me. 

For funsies...here is a picture of me and the cast: 

Book Review: The Silent Hours by Cesca Major

Author: Cesca Major

Title: The Silent Hours

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 320

Published: June 4, 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift)

Summary: 

An epic, sweeping tale of love and loss inspired by heartrending true events in the Unoccupied Zone of wartime France.

The Silent Hours follows three people whose lives are bound together, before war tears them apart:

Adeline, a mute who takes refuge in a convent, haunted by memories of her past;

Sebastian, a young Jewish banker whose love for the beautiful Isabelle will change the course of his life dramatically;

Tristin, a nine-year-old boy, whose family moves from Paris to settle in a village that is seemingly untouched by war.

Beautifully wrought, utterly compelling and with a shocking true story at its core, The Silent Hours is an unforgettable portrayal of love and loss.

Review:

I honestly can't remember who gave this to me and for what holiday. *draws complete blank, eye twitches* I just remember I didn't buy it and it once belonged to someone. LOL. But this is right up my alley. WWII...love....sadness....yayy.

This story is inspired by a tragic moment in the war. We follow three people whose lives are bound together in ways we don't know. Adeline is a mute who takes refuge in a convent after the war. She is haunted and she can't speak a word. Sebastian is a young Jewish banker who is in love with Isabelle. Tristin is a child whose family moves out of Paris to settle in a little village that is seemingly untouched by war. 

This was sad. Extremely sad. I knew very little about this very real town. I had heard of it but never really knew the details. I waited until after the book was over to do some digging myself. 

This was a slow build-up. The stage is busy getting set to make you feel. I remember yelling at the book a few times in the last quarter of the book. I remember yelling, "NO NO!" Ugh! My heart. 

The main three POVs are Adeline, Tristin, and Sebastian. But we also get to see some of the letters Isabelle wrote to her brother and her brother's letters back. Near the end we got to see a glimpse of Paul (Isabelle's brother) and his POV. Very short but I'm glad we got to see a glimpse. 

Everyone and everything is tied together in some way. Some ties are not known until the very last page. SO heartbreaking. 

But yes. I really, really adored this book. I took my sweet time with it because it was slow to begin with, but you know eventually things will erupt and you'll miss when things were slow and okay(ish).  

If you love a good tragic story or WWII...I for sure recommend this book. I'll give it 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Compelling

Movie Review: Oppenheimer (2023)

Title: Oppenheimer

Length: 3 hrs

Released: 2023

Genre:  Biography, Drama, History
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Been meaning to watch this and I really am bummed I didn't watch this in theaters. This would've been visually wonderful on the big screen. But 3 hours in a theater and not pausing? Oof. So maybe it's good I watched it at home with Hubby. 

Here we watch the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer who was the father of the atomic bomb. We not only see his journey and his team's journey to taking a theory and making it a thing, but we also see the aftermath to his career. 

Dang this had one heck of a cast. They spent ALL the money on this. Loads and loads of big names and they all did amazing. They played off each other well. Sometimes with so many big names it can feel like a battle on the screen. 

What a controversial man even in his own time. He was interesting and I knew so little about him. I knew the basics....he led the Manhattan Project....that's all. It was interesting not only learning about him, but the majority of his whole team. I feel like the movie did a good job really getting to the heart of the people...especially Oppenheimer. He was complex. His emotions with what happened with his product was beautiful to watch. You could tell he had mixed feelings, but that last scene with Albert....broke my heart in a way. They don't victimize him or excuse what they all did, BUT it does make you look at the people themselves. It makes you question yourself too.....what would you have done in those desperate and scary times? 

Honestly....this could've been two movies. There was so much more they could've really dived into. 

The jumping around time could've used a more distinct indicator or something when switching around. You def have to pay attention. There was a time or two when I was momentarily confused, but I would catch my bearings and be okay. This is a film you HAVE to pay attention to. Lots of subtle things. 

But yes. This is a film that everyone should watch. It does give us a look at humanity. Not just of the past....but of today. It makes you think. It makes you feel. It makes you question everything. I can see why this got the hype it did. It was really good. I do want to re-watch someday. I'll give this 4 stars. The time hopping could have been done slightly better. They did good, but I feel like there could've been a better indicator. 

I'm starting something new in March for reviews....one word summaries...because I love trying new things with my reviews. 

One Word Summary: INTENSE

Re-read: The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos

Author: Roxanne Veletzos

Title: The Girl They Left Behind

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 353

Published: October 9, 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Summary: 

On a freezing night in January 1941, a little Jewish girl is found on the steps of an apartment building in Bucharest. With Romania recently allied with the Nazis, the Jewish population is in grave danger, undergoing increasingly violent persecution. The girl is placed in an orphanage and eventually adopted by a wealthy childless couple who name her Natalia. As she assimilates into her new life, she all but forgets the parents who were forced to leave her behind. They are even further from her mind when Romania falls under Soviet occupation.

Yet, as Natalia comes of age in a bleak and hopeless world, traces of her identity pierce the surface of her everyday life, leading gradually to a discovery that will change her destiny. She has a secret crush on Victor, an intense young man who as an impoverished student befriended her family long ago. Years later, when Natalia is in her early twenties and working at a warehouse packing fruit, she and Victor, now an important official in the Communist regime, cross paths again. This time they are fatefully drawn into a passionate affair despite the obstacles swirling around them and Victor’s dark secrets.

When Natalia is suddenly offered a one-time chance at freedom, Victor is determined to help her escape, even if it means losing her. Natalia must make an agonizing decision: remain in Bucharest with her beloved adoptive parents and the man she has come to love, or seize the chance to finally live life on her own terms, and to confront the painful enigma of her past.

Review:

I accidentally redownloaded this book and I took it as a sign to re-read this gem. I first read this in 2018 when it first came out. I adored it then. And well...I still adore it now. 

The story follows Natalia and both sets of her parents. We get to see a little glimpse of her biological family at the beginning. To save her and themselves, they drop her off at the orphanage. It was really rough reading this. I felt so bad for them and for the baby. Poor things. Natalia gets adopted by a well-off family who cannot have kids. We get to see Natalia grow up in a rough time period. They go from being run by the Nazis to being run by the Communists. Going from one prison to another one. 

This book is a blend of fiction and a real story. Which, I must applaud the author for doing a great job blending the two. 

The author re-envisioned her mother's story since they knew nothing of her biological grandparents who had to leave her mother behind. It always breaks my heart when there is a huge mystery. I can understand that wonder and sadness. My mother was put up for adoption in the late 1950s and we had no idea the story until Ancestry.com. We did the DNA test and we were able to find her half-siblings and figure out what happened. That is pretty rare. Even rarer in the author's case. Her mother was put up for adoption during such a turbulent time and area.

But yes, this book has it all. All of the feels. Even after a second read, I found myself with some tears. 

Now, I remember not liking Victor during my first read....but I ended up appreciating him more. Still not a huge fan, but he did what he did. He did sacrifice a lot for Natalia. 

I def recommend this one. Even after all these years I still really adore this one. 

5 stars. 

Book Review: The Campbell Sisters by Eileen Joyce Donovan

 

Author: Eileen Joyce Donovan

Title: The Campbell Sisters

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 396

Published: March 7, 2023

Where I Got It: Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinions. 

Summary: 

Helen Campbell is the eldest and most practical of three sisters, daughters of hard-working Irish emigrants living in New York City in the 1950s. She does what she can to keep the wild-child middle sister, Carolyn, in line and support the youngest, Peggy, as she pursues her dreams of becoming a doctor. Then Helen meets Charlie. While it's love at first sight for those two, Carolyn’s antics threatens to derail all the sisters’ future happiness. However, through thick and thin, the three sisters strive to prevail, though not necessarily in the ways they thought they wanted.

Review:

Been excited about this one when I first heard about it! Love a good people story!

This story is about the Campbell sisters. They are the daughters of hard-working Irish emigrants living in New York City in the 1950s. Helen is the eldest and most practical of the three. Carolyn is the wild-child middle sister. Peggy dreams about becoming a doctor. When Helen meets Charlie it is love at first sight, but Carolyn's antics threaten to derail all of the sisters' future and happiness. 

This was a lot of fun! Loved these sisters....even the crazy Carolyn. I loved reading about them navigating through their young adult lives and finding what/who will make them happy. This was for sure a people story. So some drama was sprinkled around.

I will say there are also some slow parts sprinkled around here and there. But it allowed you to learn more about the girls. Lots of conversation and lots of food. Honestly...it made me want to go to some of those restaurants!

You know what be nice? I would love a prequel about their parents Mr and Mrs Campbell! There seems to be some interesting stories there...finding love, the drama in Ireland, and then coming to America. That would be fun. I adored their parents even with them being stuck in their old-fashioned ways.

Ooo! I sequel would be fun! I for sure want to see more of these sisters and what comes next. Esp for Carolyn. Giiiiiiiirl has gotten herself in deep! I don't want to spoil anything but I am anxious to see what happens next. 

The author did truly bring these characters and this time to life. If you like historical fiction with a big splash of romance, this is the one for you. There are slow moments, but it was easy to look past. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 13 Kickoff 

Emily Many Thoughts of a Reader Mar 14 Review 

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Mar 15 Review 

Danielle Urban Book Reviews Mar 16 Review 

Jane Amazon & Goodreads Mar 17 Review 

Nora S. Storeybook Reviews Mar 21 Review & Guest Post 

Sal Bound 4 Escape Mar 22 Review 

DT Amazon & Goodreads Mar 23 Review 

Just Another Reader Mar 24 Review & Excerpt 

Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews Mar 29 Review & Guest Post 

Amy Locks, Hooks and Books Mar 30 Review & Excerpt 

Carole Rae's Random Rambling Mar 31 Review  

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews April 4 Review 

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Apr 6 Review 

Bee Book Pleasures April 7 Review & Interview 

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews April 11 Review

Book Review: PRIDE AND INTENTIONS by Dushica Labovich

Author: Dushica Labovich

Title: PRIDE AND INTENTIONS
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: ebook

Published:  May 31st 2020

Pages: 265 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: An unofficial guide to love and trust;

A romantic story and family drama;

A tale about female strength.

Set in beautiful castles in the middle of the twentieth century, this is a story about Doris Rose the daughter of an English oligarch who cannot forget the poor young man who stole her heart a long time ago when her parents forcefully separated them.

But love has the power to turn the dark tragedy of their past into a miracle. Reborn as one of the richest men in England, the former poor boy from her childhood returns to her parents' lives...

Morally marred by lies, deception and secrets from her parents' past, the former mistress of Magnolia Castle, Doris Rose, is forced to abandon her wealth and join the working class. She blames the very man she secretly loves for her misfortune.

The oligarch's plans and the pride of the girl who has lost everything become the only things that tie two people who secretly love one another.

Is love stronger than hatred? Is love mightier than wealth? How will the turbulent relationship between the oligarch's daughter and the poor thief of her heart end? Are they ready to put everything at stake for the sake of love?

Review:

 I was offered to read the English version of this and when I seen the cover and read the synopsis, I was hooked. I had to check it out. 

The story follows Doris Rose who is the daughter of an English oligarch who cannot forget the young man who stole her heart years ago. The two are torn apart because of her parents. Time goes by but a miracle will happen. He has become one of the richest men in England and she has walked away from her parents and their wealth to make a name for herself and earn her own way in the world. Will the two find each other and finally stay together? Or will wealth and hatred keep them apart. 

This was short, but it worked for the story.

I did feel the beginning dragged a little bit. It took a couple of chapters for me to really become invested in our characters. However, after a certain event, I became hooked and had to know how it was all going to end! 

Poor young love! I felt for them. I GET that her parent's didn't want her to marry a poor person and they didn't fully trust him or think he was good enough....but....c'mon guys...let them love each other.

The world can cruel...especially because of society and the stupid rules. We know they will find love eventually and someday, but I was so nervous because I had no idea how they were going to put aside their differences and find each other again. 

This is inspired by Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' but it is its own story. There are some parallels here and there but on a whole the characters and story have a different path. I liked how the author did this. You can see the parallels scattered around, but this was a fresh of breath air for me. I enjoyed it!

I LOVED the last scene of the story. It brought a little tear of joy to my eye. It was a wonderful way to end the story. 

All-in-all, I really did enjoy this. The beginning was a little slow in pulling me in, BUT once I was hooked I was indeed hooked and could NOT put this down. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Time With Norma Jeane by Elyse Douglas

Author: Elyse Douglas 
Title: Time With Norma Jeane
Genre: Fiction, Sci-Fi
Format: ebook
Pages: 258 
Published: January 13th 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

A young woman is hurled back to 1954 to spend a week with Marilyn Monroe.

Together, they embark on their own personal journeys one a coming-of-age the other, Marilyn's journey, a struggle to reconcile with her past and perhaps change the future.

I couldn't resist picking this up! I really like the author and what is more fun than getting to spend some time with Marilyn Monroe!

The story follows Darla who is hurled back to 1954 and ends up spending a week with the famous Marilyn Monroe. Together they embark on a Christmas journey to help both reconcile their pasts. Maybe Darla can help change the future. 

I have always loved Marilyn Monroe. She is such an intriguing person. Her fate is so sad! Sobs! This rendition of Marilyn was fun and it was interesting to really just see her be her and without the stress of her Hollywood life. Poor thing. 

I liked Darla too. I felt for her too. I'm glad she got this experience with Marilyn. They are both sad souls who needed each other. It was wonderful to see them on their journey to try and find themselves. What a beautiful story!!

Now - this was really, really slow-paced. It didn't bug me too much, to be honest. It felt natural and right for this journey. 

I was meh about Eddie. Maybe if we had more time with him and we got to see more of his character I would've liked him a little more? 

Overall, I really liked this story. It was slow-paced, but it felt right. I liked Darla and I liked this version of Marilyn. This was a nice quick read. I hope we get some sort of sequel! I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: The Waxwork Corpse by Simon Michael

Author: Simon Michael
Title: The Waxwork Corpse
(Charles Holborne #5)
Genre: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Format: ebook
Pages: 336 
Published: December 23rd 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



London, 1965

Charles Holborne, maverick barrister, will never fit in at the Bar; he is too working-class, too Jewish and too dangerous.

But that makes him the perfect outsider to prosecute a shocking murder case which has already made its way to the press.

By chance, a body was found, dumped in a lake. It had clearly been there for some time, but the conditions in the water have meant that it was nearly perfectly preserved.

The police have managed to match this ‘waxwork corpse’ to a missing woman and if her husband — a senior judge — was the one who killed her, the scandal threatens to rock the British justice to its foundations.

The waxwork corpse is not the only thing to be raised from the past. The investigation also dredges up a violent mistake made by Charles in his youth which, if revealed, could put his own life at stake…


I was super intrigued by this one. Luckily it works well as a standalone! 

The story follows Charles Holborne who is a maverick barrister. He is too working-class and too Jewish for the Bar. This makes him perfect to prosecute a shocking murder case that has made it to the press and the main suspect is a senior judge who was the husband of the missing woman. Along with all of this, a violent mistake made by Charles in the 40s is being unburied. If revealed, could put his own life at stake.

This was intense and I could hardly put it down. I liked Charles of course, but I was more intrigued by the murder investigation and then the trial. I kept catching myself yelling at the book or gasping (much to my boyfriend's annoyance who had the utter mistake of asking what was up because then I had to try and explain all the drama! I think he was secretly amused and curious because he did ask how it ended later on). 

So good. So good. I haven't read such a great thriller in a while. I am so happy this did well as a standalone. I am curious about the others now. Like I said...I like Charles and I am curious about him and some of the other mysteries. 

I was worried about the mix of the murder mystery and the trial because one aspect is usually too quick or overshadows the other. But I think we had enough time to investigate and then see the trial play out. Perfect blend there. 

AND THAT TWIST! WOW! Didn't see that coming. Kuddos to the author there. 

All-in-all, I really loved this book. It was sooooooooooo good and if you like mysteries/thrillers, then I highly recommend this one. I'll give this 5 stars.