The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods


The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Publisher: One More Chapter
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

‘The thing about books,’ she said, ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

What a great read. This is a read for booklovers, for mystery readers, and for plain old enjoyment. The beginning is about women who left homes on their own due to abuse and ill treatment. Though at different decades, both left at a time when a woman being alone was quite frightening. But there is much more to The Lost Bookshop. The players in this story are often in different decades. This creates many different conditions that each must face. We are allowed to live in each of these.

The generations of characters covered has as many twists and turns as the mystery of the bookshop does. And yet somehow, it all melds together. I am often not fond of chapter after chapter of varying characters, but somehow Evie Woods sews this all together in a seamless, beautiful story. Characters of generations apart are somehow intertwined and yet each has his or her own story. It was smooth when I thought it would be bumpy. It was just beautiful writing.

5 GIANT stars. You have to read this.

Low April Sun by Constance E Squires


Low April Sun by Constance E Squires
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Genre: Historical, Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

On the morning of April 19, 1995, Delaney Travis steps into the Social Security office in Oklahoma City to obtain an ID for her new job. Moments later, an explosion shatters the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building into rubble. Her boyfriend Keith and half-sister Edie are left to assume the worst—that Delaney perished in the bombing, despite lack of definitive proof. Twenty years later, now married and bonded by the tragedy, Edie and Keith’s lives are upended when they begin to receive mysterious Facebook messages from someone claiming to be Delaney.

Desperate for closure, the couple embarks on separate journeys, each aiming for an artists’ community in New Mexico that may hold answers. Alongside their quest is August, a recovering alcoholic with a haunting connection to the bombing. Raised in the separatist compound of Elohim City, August harbors secrets about Timothy McVeigh, the perpetrator of the attack, and his own possible involvement in the tragedy. When his path crosses with Edie, he must choose whether to tell anyone about his past.

As the 20-year anniversary of the bombing approaches, fracking-induced earthquakes shake the ground of Oklahoma City, mirroring the unsettled lives of its residents. In their quest for answers, Edie, Keith, and August seek to understand how the shadows of the past continue to darken the present, as the ground beneath them threatens to give way once again.

Understanding the past, so one can move into the future.

Life is always more complicated than we mere mortals want to admit. Humans are a mess of contradictions, stories, lies and half-truths. I liked how the author wove all these into this story.

Being that I was alive during the time of the Oklahoma City Bombing, this book grabbed my attention. I wanted to see how the characters handled the situation and the aftermath. I liked that the author kept the stories of the various characters complicated and the mystery threaded through the story was good, too. It showed that life, as I said above, is complicated. There were times, though, where the story was a bit slow and it took some effort to get through it. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood for this book and wasn’t ready for something this heavy. Other readers may absolutely love it, so don’t be deterred. There is intrigue to the story that will ensnare many readers.

If you want a different take on the events of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the aftermath and the people who lived through it, then this might be the book for you. Give it a try.

The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig


The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

At the start of a new century, a shocking murder transfixes Manhattan, forcing bitter rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr to work together to save a man from the gallows.

Just before Christmas 1799, Elma Sands slips out of her Quaker cousin’s boarding house—and doesn’t come home. Has she eloped? Run away? No one knows—until her body appears in the Manhattan Well.

Her family insists they know who killed her. Handbills circulate around the city accusing a carpenter named Levi Weeks of seducing and murdering Elma.

But privately, quietly, Levi’s wealthy brother calls in a special favor….

Aaron Burr’s legal practice can’t finance both his expensive tastes and his ambition to win the 1800 New York elections. To defend Levi Weeks is a double win: a hefty fee plus a chance to grab headlines.

Alexander Hamilton has his own political aspirations; he isn’t going to let Burr monopolize the public’s attention. If Burr is defending Levi Weeks, then Hamilton will too. As the trial and the election draw near, Burr and Hamilton race against time to save a man’s life—and destroy each other.

The truth shall set you free. Or will it?

I’ve not picked up anything by Lauren Willig, but I liked the idea of a novelization of the Levi Weeks trial. I liked the idea of Burr and Hamilton arguing before the argument. It’s clear from my reading of this book that the author put a lot of research into the book, took plenty of time and care to ensure the characters were written as accurately as possible and tried to inject intrigue into the situation. I’m glad I read it.

What stayed with me after this book concluded wasn’t so much the trial or the characters. It was the way the trial and investigation happened. The investigation was done by the prosecution. In modern eyes, it looks bad that they’re the ones doing the investigating. Then there was victim shaming. That’s not gone away, even all these years later. It must be the victim’s fault for what happened to them. Sad that hasn’t changed much. These were the ways the intrigue worked well for the book. I have to say I wasn’t a fan of Levi, Hamilton or Burr. They all came off pompous and dry. I suppose that’s how they might have been in life, but it made that part of the book drag. Still, the trial of the century quality of the book was plenty of a hook to keep reading.

If you’re looking for a book with historical intrigue, fascinating situations and a mystery, then this might be the one for you.

Groomed by Jody Paschal


Groomed by Jody Paschal
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Groomed is a dark comedy coming-of-age story about Myles “Mylo” Gunn, a middle-aged man turning 50 during the 2020 global pandemic and #MeToo Movement. With nothing but downtime with his thoughts, Mylo reflects on what’s next in this new chapter of his life. Little does he know that watching a news exposé about an older politician grooming a teenager to be her husband is going to give him an unexpected reality check. The exposé sounds awfully similar to how his first marriage went, and Mylo realizes that he was groomed, too. Completely shocked by this new revelation, Mylo takes a deep dive into his past. But his trip down memory lane takes an unexpected detour. Groomed is a humorous, intriguing look at how misperception and manipulation can influence growing into ourselves.

It’s never too late to begin the healing process.

Mylo’s character development was strong and nuanced. One of the things I found most intriguing about him was how his abusive relationship stunted his social and emotional development and how he tried to heal from that terrible experience. He was a fifty-year-old man who still sometimes acted like the seventeen year old he’d been when the grooming began. It is not easy to write a character who has this many layers to his personality, especially since the author allowed so many of those layers to be revealed subtly through the way the protagonist reacted to small irritations in life or reminders of his past. The care and concern that was taken with making sure every aspect of Mylo’s life was represented and that his pain never overshadowed his honest and hardworking personality is something this reader noticed and appreciated quickly. Bravo for making this look so effortless and trusting one’s audience to notice these brief but important moments!

I did find myself wishing that the secondary characters had been given more time to be developed, especially when it came to April. Her reason for targeting Mylo made sense, but I would have loved to see it explored in greater depth. For example, knowing what sort of logic she used to justify the manipulative and cruel way she treated him and other people in her life would have been helpful whether it might have been due to how her personality formed, any past trauma she may have experienced, or something else entirely.

One of the biggest questions I had when I began reading this book involved what the responses of the people closest to Mylo were going to be when they learned he was dating a twenty-five year old woman while he was still in high school. Shouldn’t they have all been alarmed and disgusted? The answers to this question kept me reading as his friends and family members each came to their own conclusions about what was going on and how they should best respond to it. No, I can’t spoil anything by going into detail there, but I thought these passages were equally well written and an intelligent snapshot of what different parts of society thought of such things in the 1980s when society was generally less aware of or sensitive to the ways in which young men can be abused by the women in their lives.

Groomed was a thoughtful take on an important topic.

What Might Have Been by Marianne Plunkert


What Might Have Been by Marianne Plunkert
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Desperate to escape a lecherous uncle, Melissa Sullivan stows away in a wagon departing Nebraska City for the Colorado territory. She has resolved never to be subservient to any man as her aunt was, and especially not to the high-handed Union Army Lieutenant Nathaniel Bellamy, who seems to think he can make decisions for her because he happened to find her hiding in his wagon.

Upon arriving at their destination, Lieutenant Bellamy reports to his post while Melissa is given an opportunity to fulfill her goal of being self-sufficient by a kind, considerate, and handsome mine owner but wonders if her choice is worth the price.

How can two strong-willed people set aside their pride to give love a chance?

I found myself relating to the title What Might Have Been more than I’d like to admit. The heroine, Melissa Sullivan, faces several moments in her life where she’s left to wonder about the different paths her life could’ve taken. Interestingly, the hero, Nat Bellamy, has his own “what might have been” reflections, which makes the title feel especially meaningful. What stood out most to me was the message that it’s more important to look forward in life than dwell on the past—because, ultimately, we can’t change what’s already happened.

The story is a romance between Melissa and Nat. Their chemistry is undeniable, though they don’t act on it for quite some time. Miscommunications, emotional walls, and life circumstances continually keep them apart. Other than a few sweet kisses, it’s a mild romance in terms of heat, but the emotional depth carries the story.

What really sets this book apart is its plot—it’s raw, touching, and full of grace-filled moments. Without giving away too much, there’s a powerful reason why Melissa is living with her aunt and uncle, and the story takes off when she escapes the clutches of her cruel uncle. From there, it’s a dramatic adventure filled with tension and heart. I appreciated that Nat was strong, capable, and a true gentleman, especially given the challenges of traveling by wagon to the Colorado Territory.

Nat’s two best friends, Al and Tom, are essential to the story. Their presence adds richness and depth, and the narrative wouldn’t be the same without them. Melissa also makes a friend named Mavis, who becomes a source of encouragement and genuine companionship. While there are other characters who make appearances throughout the book, these five form the emotional core of the story.

What Might Have Been held my attention from start to finish. It was well-written, emotionally engaging, and ultimately delivered a satisfying happily-ever-after for Melissa and Nat. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical romance—it’s a heartfelt journey worth taking.

Chance Meeting by Christine Columbus


Chance Meeting by Christine Columbus
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of the love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy.

To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton, until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel is left wondering if she’ll be able to put the pieces of her life back together.

Chance Meeting was such a fun and heartwarming read. I completely agree with the praise comments shared at the beginning of the book. Melody is a relatable heroine as she navigates the challenge of living a balanced life. Like many of us, she struggles to juggle work, family, responsibilities, and making time for herself. It’s all too easy to become overwhelmed and burned out—and sometimes, it takes hitting rock bottom to recognize your limits. I admired Melody’s dedication, persistence, and strong moral compass. I found myself truly invested in her love story because she genuinely deserved a happily-ever-after.

The hero, Clayton, felt almost too good to be true. He’s handsome, successful in his career as a construction manager, romantic, and a natural with kids. Melody is fostering her niece, Kansas, while her sister, Opal, is deployed. Watching Clayton step in and help—especially when he pulled off an adorable camping-themed sleepover for a group of girls—was both entertaining and endearing. It was beautiful how Melody, Clayton, and Kansas seemed to fit together so naturally, like a ready-made family.

Chance Meeting is an easy, engaging read with a smooth-flowing plot. Things progress without major complications—until Melody’s sister drops a family bombshell and swears her to secrecy. The drama that followed had me on edge, especially the impact it had on Melody’s relationship with Clayton. Just when you think Melody has reached her breaking point, another plot twist emerges, pushing the story into even more emotional territory. I was completely hooked, wondering how she would pull her life back together.

All the tension only enhanced my enjoyment of the story. The chemistry between Melody and Clayton was both tender and sensual, and I loved watching them open their hearts to the possibilities of a shared future. They both value family, share common interests, and are thoughtful and respectful toward one another’s feelings.

The best part? The ending. Every plot thread was wrapped up beautifully, leaving me fully satisfied and smiling. I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion. I highly recommend taking a chance on Chance Meeting—it’s a sweet, emotionally rich romance that’s well worth the read.

Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide by Steven P. Unger


Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide by Steven P. Unger
Publisher: Robert D. Reed Publishers
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

BLACK AS HELL, STRONG AS DEATH, SWEET AS LOVE: A Coffee Travel Guide, is the first and only book to trace coffee consumption from its origins in prehistory to becoming the world’s second-most-valuable commodity after oil—and to pair this history with replicable, affordable Coffee Experiences that provide a unique approach and added value to the readers’ destinations, no matter how many times they’ve been there before. This book is a multi-genre travel book with unique historical insights that immerse the reader in the culture of a country or city through the lens of the destination’s deep relationship with coffee. No other travel book has ever provided the kind of total immersion into a country or city—through histories, travel directions, one-of-a-kind photos, and recipes—that BLACK AS HELL, STRONG AS DEATH, SWEET AS LOVE: A Coffee Travel Guide, delivers in every chapter.

Coffee makes everything better.

Some of my favorite passages in this book were the ones that described how various cultures read people’s fortunes based on how the coffee grounds settle in the bottom of their cup. This was something I’d only ever heard about being done with tea leaves, so I was intrigued to find out what rituals and cultural expectations were associated with this form of predicting the future.

I also loved learning about what has been added to coffee both historically as well as in our current time. Milk and sugar were the most common answers, of course, but human beings are far too creative to stop there. As someone who prefers sweeter and milder doses of caffeine, it was interesting to read about the other options out there and how they’re ground up, dried, frozen, baked, or otherwise prepared for the perfect cup of joe.

Mr. Unger achieved the perfect balance of giving readers an overview of the history and cultural mores of coffee from all over the world while also keeping the pacing moving forward steadily. There were bibliographies provided at the end of each section for readers who, for example, might want to learn more about how coffee is served in Ethiopia or Hawaii in particular. This was a great way to share deeper information with readers who wanted it while also sticking to the highlights for those who preferred to read a little bit about every region featured here.

Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love – A Coffee Travel Guide made me want to run to the nearest coffee shop. Yum!

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn


The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss, whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?

Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

Briarwood House is an all female boarding house in the heart of the US capitol and behind the respectable fascade the ladies who reside there all having their own stories – and secrets – to tell. When a murder occurs within the walls one evening the ladies need to decide which path they’re all going to turn onto – and whether the trust they’ve built will remain solid or not.

I picked this book up on a whim, the author completely new to me, and thoroughly loved every moment of it. Written in a slightly different manner to most mysteries I read, there are multiple different sections all showing the perspective of the different residents of Briarwood House. I thought this was very clever, letting us get to know each of the ladies who live there in their own time and their own words. I also thoroughly enjoyed the few snippets from the perspective of the House itself and thought that added an interesting and vibrant element to the story as a whole.

While set in the historical 1950s, I loved how the various characters were realistic but also very relatable – many of the common issues back in those days still strongly relevant even today. I also appreciated that while social norms and expectations were vastly different back then, there are more than enough hooks and links despite the many decades that have passed these women back in history are still relevant and relatable just as much now as they were back then.

I feel this book would equally suit historical readers and chick-lit readers. While there is a mystery I admit it’s a fairly light theme through the books – readers who are only looking for a murder mystery might not find that element of the plot strong enough to maintain them through the whole story. This book is very much about the characters, these women and their lives and loves and troubles and the manner in which virtual strangers can learn to live together and knit themselves together into a tight group of friends/family – the murder mystery is very much a back seat to this aspect of the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am eager to try more by this author. Recommended.

8 Canterbury Tales by Albert Seligman (Editor)


8 Canterbury Tales by Albert Seligman (Editor)
Publisher: Dulace Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

What the Canterbury Tales Are

The Canterbury Tales are one of the great classics of all literature. They were written by Geoffrey Chaucer, poet, warrior, diplomat and royal pensioner, about 1387, and are famous for the pictures they give of life in the 14th century. The tales were supposed to have been told by various members of a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral in England to while away the time. John Erskine, celebrated author of The Private Life of Helen of Troy, now relates these tales delightfully for the readers of The American Weekly, and Edmund Dulac, famed English painter and etcher, makes them vivid with his incomparable art.

These eight illustrations were published in The American Weekly magazine in 1942. John Erskine provided his interpretation of the Tales and his essay about the Canterbury Tales from his 1928 The Delight of Great Books is included.with additional illustrations. There is a further reading section which also includes illustrated editions from the early nineteenth century to the present.

The 8 Canterbury Tales included are-
The Student’s Tale of Patient Griselda
The Knight’s Tale of Emily’s Lovers
The Miller’s Tale of the Carpenter’s Wife
The Squire’s Tale of Canace and the Talking Falcon
The Wife of Bath’s Tale of the Amorous Knight
The Merchant’s Tale of the Doting Husband
The Man of Law’s Tale of What Happened to Constance
The Second Nun’s Tale of Saint Cecilia

All the original artwork for the covers has been restored, and a crop of each image follows the tales. This was a difficult undertaking for Dulac, who moved out of London due to the bombing during the war. The illustrations had to be sent by ship to America, and avoid Axis warships and submarines looking to sink any Allied vessel.

Dulac never before tried to illustrate either King Arthur, his 1940 American Weekly series, or Canterbury Tales, unlike many of his famous contemporaries. I would speculate that Hearst approved these two series to rally the Americans to help the English during their hour of need by showcasing two of their most well known and liked classics.

The classics are for everyone.

I enjoyed the author’s commentary on Chaucer’s work in both the introduction as well as sprinkled through the later sections. It felt like sitting in a university literature class and hearing what the professor thought of these famous stories. Sometimes he had sharp takes on certain characters or themes, and his strong opinions about them echoed in my mind as I read them for myself. There is definitely something to be said for knowing in advance what you’re getting into before diving into this collection.

I was surprised to learn how often these stories have been marketed to kids and teenagers over the years. Some sections showed rare pages from vintage youth-friendly magazines that printed them with gorgeous illustrations of the most important scenes. This wasn’t something I was expecting to find, but it made me read the sometimes-violent passages in a new light as I imagined what sorts of lessons young readers might be expected to learn from them. This is one of many reasons why I’m always excited to see new submissions from Mr. Seligman as he has consistently taught me all sorts of things about literature, art, and history that I was not previously aware of.

One of the things I liked the most about the Canterbury tales themselves were the glimpses they shared with the reader about medieval life. Yes, human nature has remained the same, but many social conventions and cultural expectations of how someone should behave have not. This was especially interesting when it came to things like explaining why some people were poor or why certain sexes or social classes were expected to behave in different ways than others were.

8 Canterbury Tales was a well-rounded introduction to these famous stories.

Lady Lost by Meredith Bond


Lady Lost by Meredith Bond
A Zodiac Regency Romance, Book 4
Publisher: Anessa Books
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

A lady with a secret past. A spy searching for the truth. A season that could change everything…

When Teodora Cesari arrives in London for her first Season, she is determined to navigate the glittering world of Regency high society while uncovering a long-buried secret about her father. Under the watchful eye of the formidable Lady Chadwick, Teo must master the art of polite conversation, society balls, and the delicate dance of courtship. But London is full of whispers, and some secrets are too dangerous to be uncovered. Yet, until she can discover her roots, Teo is lost.

Sebastian Clemens, Earl of Everston, is no stranger to secrets. As the leader of a covert intelligence network, his sharp mind and cool demeanor have served the Crown for years. Pressured to find a wife, he enters London’s social scene, only to find himself captivated by an outspoken, unconventional young lady who stirs his sense of duty—and his guarded heart.

As Teo’s quest for answers draws her and Sebastian closer, past secrets and present enchantment collide in London’s most elite ballrooms. But Teo’s search for the past may uncover a truth that could threaten Sebastian’s future. And he must decide if he’s willing to risk his heart for a woman who could upend his carefully controlled world.


Lady Lost
is the fourth book in A Zodiac Regency Romance series by Meredith Bond. While I haven’t read the previous books, I’m now tempted to remedy that! This novel works well as a standalone, but if the rest of the series is as captivating as this one, I definitely want to read them all.

This was my first Meredith Bond novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’ve undoubtedly discovered a new favorite author—her writing style drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end.

The synopsis immediately intrigued me with its promise of uncovering a long-buried secret about the heroine Theodora Cesari’s father. The hero, Sebastian, is no stranger to secrets himself. As they embark on a quest for answers, their journey draws them closer together, weaving romance into a world of whispers and danger. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding Theodora and Sebastian’s relationship and couldn’t wait to unravel the truth alongside them.

From the very first pages, I was swept into a journey I didn’t want to end. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy to connect with them. The plot twists and secrets unfolded seamlessly, keeping me engaged throughout. The romance between Theodora and Sebastian was heartwarming—both were vulnerable in ways that tugged at my heartstrings, and their love story was tender and sweet.

If you enjoy historical romance with a touch of mystery, Lady Lost is a must-read. I can’t wait to explore more of Meredith Bond’s work!