Bound By Love by Edith Layton

October 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Bound By Love by Edith Layton
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (307 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

He sailed to England for revenge…
She journeyed there for love.
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Five-year-old Della Kensington first saw the proud, half-starved bond boy who dared call himself a dispossessed earl on the docks of Virginia Colony. The moment she laid eyes on him she loved him. And from that day, in spite of all evidence, she believed his bizarre story, that he was truly Jared St. Andrew Bellington, Earl of Aveston—nobly born, kidnapped, and sold into bondage.

Della had grown into a woman wanting him. Jared had grown into a man burning for revenge. When at last he could return to his beloved Hawkstone Hall, he entered a world of bejeweled ladies and elegantly attired gentlemen, a world he intended to conquer—no matter the cost to his life. Fashionable Georgian England dazzled sweet Della, but her eyes remained clear. She saw that if Jared gained everything he’d sought, she might lose him forever, and he might lose his chance at real happiness. She was ready to fight on this new terrain for his love—dancing a quadrille of intrigue and desire, risking all, and challenging his elegant world with her irrepressible heart.

Ms. Layton’s historical Bound By Love starts off in 1745, in the Virginia Colony, into the very harsh reality of life in the new world. Almost at once, we discover that courage and kindness do not go unappreciated however–and what seemed a dark beginning is actually wonderfully hopeful.

Immediately, we set off on a journey full of completely unpredictable twists and turns. Jared, our uncomfortable hero, is thrust unexpectedly into family life; into travels by horse and wagon, and into the countryside and home. The author gives us just enough of a backdrop for us to feel we are there, without ever slowing the pace of the action.

Early, Jared is established as courageous even if his claims doubtful, though surely we hope those hardly matter. Yet, those claims must finally be established; though Jared must face cruelty from the past, revenge, even hatred. Readers share his emotional turmoil. We can easily see how certain relationships develop–so we are hoping to see those carry forward…but no spoilers here! Suffice to say, that the main characters absolutely make this story, and our hopes and fears for them make this an absolute page-turner.

Fans of historicals will simply love this one. An easy 5 stars.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Loner by Hildur Sif Thorarensen

October 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Loner by Hildur Sif Thorarensen
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full length (189 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

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The Oslo autumn is creeping in with its cold spells and Homicide Detective Julia Ryland is feeling pretty content with her team of three, but when the FBI behavioral analyst, Alexander Smith, is thrust upon her, the crisp autumn air doesn’t feel as refreshing anymore. A young Icelander is found dead, an arrow piercing his heart and the extensive list of his former lovers suggests that many long nights are ahead. The murdered lothario suddenly becomes the least of their problems as headless corpses start appearing in the woods, positioned in terrifying ways and on their bodies they find messages that don’t seem to have any meaning at all.

This is a thriller in the theme of a James Patterson novel. Don’t get me wrong, this is not James Patterson’s writing but is very much the same type of investigative thriller. Once Julia the “top cop” and her colleagues realize they are dealing with a very sick, very elusive serial killer they begin to think the killings are just random and that they’ll never find out who the sicko is killing these young girls. Then they are sent a police psychiatrist to help catch the bad guy. Alexander, the psychiatrist, while intelligent, is as bumbling and awkward as Columbo. Alexander’s stumbling and bumbling is not done on purpose to set the bad guys at ease and catch them off guard like Columbo might have. Alexander seems to have no “people sense” and is really and truly awkward. While this might not sound like a good member for a crime team, he definitely makes for entertaining reading.

This is not badly written, and it did have a flow to it. I had some problem with the first scenes. They seemed to mix together, and I had to keep turning back to see who was who, so to speak. Once I caught up and got people straightened out, what existed was an enjoyable book with a definite thriller storyline.

This is Book 1 in a series titled “Oslo Mysteries”. If you like thrillers, those that can be a little gruesome at times, then this is a book you should read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Breed by Niki Cluff

October 2, 2018 By 1 Comment


Breed by Niki Cluff
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Full Length (191 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

A comet is set to destroy Earth, but Kyle Singer is determined to survive. Tired of being treated like a second-class citizen thanks to her perfect brother, Kyle doesn’t think twice when offered the opportunity to attend an academy formed to stop the comet. It’s not like there’s going to be much left after the comet hits, anyway. She’s drugged, shipped off to the school, and thrown into a relationship with Ichiro Seung-hun, an exchange student from South Korea. The school isn’t just about stopping the comet. It’s a breeding program for after the comet hits and wipes out the human race. Terrified of becoming a baby-making factory, Kyle and Ichiro will do whatever it takes to escape. Even if that means dying.

Kamagra tablets are considered as the best generic sildenafil drug to improve men’s erection issues. low price cialis Powerful herbs cialis vs levitra include Shilajit, Safed Musli, Kaunch and Musli Sya. If you have been looking for a pill that can transform your sex super active tadalafil life and ignite that burned out the flame, then buy sildenafil citrate for men’s health named verdenafil. cute-n-tiny.com cialis order This is due to the various reasons. The end of the world, an unhappy but clever teenage girl with strange abilities and a possible romance. Breed has all of these elements.

When several teens are collected in a desert facility Kyle wonders why she is one of them. I liked the way the story dwelt on her inner thoughts and self doubts. I would imagine many teenagers today feel as she does even though the end of the world is not about to happen – hopefully.

Ichiro a boy from South Korea, is assigned as her flatmate but is there more to the sharing than it seems at first?

I didn’t completely understand this story but thought it would resolve itself by the end. Maybe I missed something but I was still confused at the end of the story. The actual incidents that happened throughout the book were good but didn’t lend itself to leading me on to what was happening. The only thing I was sure of was the world was ending and these teens were supposed to be the salvation of mankind.

This is a good idea, it’s written proficiently and most of the characters were portrayed well: Kyle unsure, Ichiro withdrawn and Ms Hartmann cool and unfeeling with a hidden agenda. Good character building throughout.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan

September 27, 2018 By 2 Comments


The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (351 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A bride wasn’t in his plans . . .

The last thing Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry, expects to see after sleeping off a night’s drunken shenanigans is a woman being auctioned in the village square. Before he can think about the ramifications, he buys her, thinking he’s winning the girl her freedom. Instead, he discovers he’s bought a wife.

A duke wasn’t in hers . . .

Alyse Bell is almost rid of the shackles that bound her in a name-only marriage, but the day her friend promised to purchase her in a wife auction, he vanishes, leaving her to face a mob of unsavory bachelors intent on owning her body and soul. But the appearance of a wicked, wealthy stranger changes her path forever.
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The road to ruin . . .

Marcus doesn’t know what to do with the impertinent chit who clearly isn’t duchess material! Insisting their marriage isn’t legitimate, they leave for his estate in Scotland, hoping to devise a plan to get rid of each other. However, on a journey fraught with misadventure, their attraction grows and Marcus realizes he’ll do anything to keep this fiery woman for his own.

I kid you not. The first sentence made me snort. The first chapter established why I found Marcus, the hero, fascinating and how Alyse, the heroine, came to be in the state she was in, and why I’d want to cheer for her. From there the challenge was to finagle getting the two to meet. Challenge met in a most unusual style. The Duke Buys a Bride is a warm, humorous and delightful adventure in love and romance that seduces a reader as surely as Marcus seduces Alyse. Or is that the other way around? I strongly suspect readers are going to have fun finding out.

This third person point of view tale was so well told, I read it in one day. I grinned many times as I watched Marcus do everything he could to stay a bachelor. I admired Alyse’s determination to one day be her own woman and follow her own dreams only to watch them morph into being more than she imagined – a very unusual duchess.

My only question stems from wondering how an English duke can be an English duke if he intends to live in another country. I’m used to reading about them being hands-on, attending Parliament and doing English Duke-y things in the thick of London or in ‘the country’ in order to keep their coffers plump. Marcus is not typical which made me love this book even more.

The slight detour to Clan MacLarin proved most entertaining, and enlightening. I actually liked the rascally laird and certainly that section is very important to the plot. Someday I hope Ms. Jordan might take readers back there to see what Hunt is doing. His nana was a hoot.

Earlier, I mentioned seduction. For readers who look forward to spicy sheet shenanigans, rest assured they are well written, satisfying and quite sexy.

The Duke Buys a Bride is a wonderful read. It’s charming, engaging and full of fun. Marcus and Alyse were a cute couple. The best part was the epilogue because there, the author showed her cleverness. She wrote a delightful wrap-up and a hook for the next book, all in one. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Claire’s Last Secret by Marty Ambrose

September 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Claire’s Last Secret by Marty Ambrose
A Claire Clairmont historical mystery
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (182 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

A tragic death leads Claire Clairmont to be haunted by her past and the ‘summer of 1816’ she shared with Byron and Shelley in this first in an intriguing new historical trilogy.

1873, Florence. Claire Clairmont, the last survivor of the ‘haunted summer of 1816’ Byron/Shelley circle, is living out her final years in genteel poverty, but the appearance of British tourist, William Michael Rossetti, brings hope that she may be able to sell some of her memorabilia to earn enough cash to support her and her niece/companion, Paula.

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One summer changed Claire’s life forever.

Claire is a fascinating character who has never regretted living life on her own terms. She’s impulsive and driven by her emotions. Living with such passion and intensity has brought her joy and sadness. Old age has done little to mellow Claire. She still has a fiery spirit, but when I compare the sections from 1816 to those from 1873, it is clear Claire has learned to think before she acts. I enjoyed getting to know Claire in her youth and maturity.

There is still so much I want to know about Claire and her life. I definitely need to know the fate of Claire’s daughter. I also want to explore Claire’s relationships more, particularly with her stepsister Mary. I found their relationship a bit strange. They spent most of their lives together, but at some point, there was in irreparable rift between them. I’d like to know why. They seemed so close at times, and then at others Mary seemed very insecure about Claire’s friendship with Percy Shelley. Mary’s jealously is completely unfounded in my opinion. Anyone could have seen that Claire only had eyes for Byron.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere that Ms. Ambrose has created. This isn’t a book to race through. Part of the joy in reading it is soaking in all the details of the world around Claire and all the interesting people she’s met. I think it can be a bit difficult to get past viewing Byron and Percy and Mary Shelley solely as giants of literature. However, I think it is important to remember they were real people who loved, lost, and had problems just like everyone else. Ms. Ambrose made them realistic and relatable.

I must say I think the ending is much too abrupt. In fact, it is the sole reason I didn’t give this tale a five-star rating. Much of the book slowly builds tension concerning the mystery of Claire’s daughter and how it connects to a tragic incident in Claire’s present. I relished trying to discern which events in 1873 had roots in 1816. It seemed like anyone could be the enemy, and I enjoyed sifting through everyone’s actions and words trying to discover any hidden motivations. All of a sudden it was over. In the space of a few pages several major events were explained in ways I didn’t find particularly satisfying and didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the story. I can only hope the sequel addresses some of my concerns in greater detail.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read Claire’s Last Secret. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Claire and can’t wait to learn more about her. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical mystery to savor.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Paths to the Stars by Edward Willett

September 21, 2018 By 1 Comment


Paths to the Stars: Twenty-Two Fantastical Tales of Imagination by Edward Willett
Publisher: Shadowpaw Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (327 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

From Edward Willett, Aurora Award-winning author of Marseguro, The Cityborn, and Worldshaper (DAW Books), among many others, comes twenty-two tales of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, drawn from a long career of telling fantastic tales.

A young musician dreams of playing his songs among the stars…A Broadway performer on the lam is forced to direct aliens in The Sound of Music…Strange vegetables with dangerous properties crop up in small-town Saskatchewan…A man with a dark secret gets his comeuppance on a windy night on the prairie…An elderly caretaker on the Moon preserves the memory of the millions who died on Earth’s darkest day…A woman and a bat-like alien must overcome their own prejudices to prevent an interstellar war…

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Time to go exploring…

From dusty, old-fashioned farmhouses from generations ago to gleaming space ships who will fly around in the distant future, there’s something in this collection for a wide variety of tastes.

“Strange Harvest” showed what happened to the community of Drinkwell, Saskatchewan when the farmers and gardeners there began noticing that their crops didn’t look, taste, or behave like anything they’d ever seen before. I was fascinated by the thought of something as ordinary as a potato becoming dangerous for humans to be around. It made me think about farmer’s markets in an entirely different way, although I can’t say much more else about it without giving away spoilers. While I was satisfied with how this one ended, I also would have loved to know what happened to the characters after the final scene.

All of the stories in this anthology had attention-grabbing premises and were a pleasure to read. With that being said, there were a few of them that I thought could have used a little extra development. For example, it took me a while to understand what was happening in ““The Mother’s Keepers.” The protagonist, Praella, didn’t have a good understanding of how her society functioned at all. While I wouldn’t expect a drone like her to know everything, I was surprised by the gaps in her memory, especially once I got to know more about her insect-like race and began to make my own assumptions about how their society was structured and how they reproduced. This tale would have been one of my favorites if I’d had a better understanding of what her species was like and why she knew so little about the practical details of their lives.

Carl, the main character in “The Wind,” was haunted by his memories of his dead wife. Little did he know that a metaphorical haunting might not be the only thing he had to worry about. The plot twists in this tale were as clever as they were fun to read. While I did see them coming in advance, I was still quite curious to know if I’d made the correct assumptions about what the clues in the beginning were hinting at. It was rewarding to find out if I was right and see what happened to this character next.

Paths to the Stars: Twenty-Two Fantastical Tales of Imagination was a creative collection that I’d highly recommend to anyone who appreciates the occasionally humorous side of this genre.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Living Proof by Michelle L Levigne

September 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Living Proof by Michelle L Levigne
The Neighborlee Ohio Series Book 8
Publisher: Uncial Press
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Inspirational, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full length (271 pages)
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

With their adopted parents out of town researching their next book, her brothers, Harry and Pete, are staying with Lanie. Christmas is approaching, and that means shopping–which she hates. Even worse, Charlie and Rainbow have missed their last check-in call. While that has happened before, this time Lanie is starting to get worried.

Then the newspaper where she works gets a new owner, and Lanie gets shifted from the school sports beat to the lovelorn column. Despite all she does at her snarky best to get fired from the column, Lanie just can’t win. Even worse, her new boss is a fan and wants to be friends.

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Someone is out to get her, and as Lanie and her friends put the clues together, the mystery and the attempts to harm her just get more intense. She is living proof that no good deed goes unpunished.

Lanie and her brothers are worried when her parents disappear in the Bermuda Triangle. They also have troubles of their own. Lanie has a new boss at the newspaper who angers her by putting her in charge of the Agony Aunt’s column and taking away her sports column. On top of that someone seems to be trying to kill her.

Luckily her family live in Neighborlee where the weird is the norm and the community rallies round to take care of their own.

Did I mention Lanie is in a wheelchair? This doesn’t stop her doing exactly what she wants, and anyone who knows her tends to ignore her disability. People who don’t have an annoying habit of treating her like an imbecile. Lanie is a very strong character and her life tends to revolve around family and friends. Friends like Felicity who can fry any electronics if she loses her temper near them.

Magic, fantasy and the mystery of who is trying to kill her all weave together to make this another fabulous Neighborlee book.

These books always entrance me and, as usual, I read this one in one day. I can’t seem to put them down once I start reading them.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Z-Bot by S. C. Mitchell

September 18, 2018 By 9 Comments


Z-Bot by S. C. Mitchell
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (239 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 4 stars
Review by Rose

Chris Johnson never really started living until he died. Orphaned, fostered, and drifting through life, the twenty-seven year old programmer had no family, little money, and few friends. But he also had no enemies. So, who the hell killed him? After an experimental process brings him back from the dead as a zombiebot, he gets the chance to find out.
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Heather Logan’s latest process uses nanobots to reanimate a corpse. Half robot, half something raised from the dead, Chris is her first successful resuscitation. Questions abound. What is it? Is it truly alive, a machine, or some kind of zombie-hybrid?

But someone wants to steal Heather’s secret process and put her out of the picture permanently. Chris, with his new superpowers, is the only thing standing between Heather and an assassin’s bullet. Is he enough of a hero to save her?

This is the first book in the author’s Xi Force series and it is scorching – in more ways than one! I loved the concept and could so see this as a Netflix or HBO series.

The characters were very cool… you have a female scientist who has developed the nano-technology to bring people back to life as “zombie robots”, a really hot guy who is the subject of her experiments, and a lot of good old fashioned action (not to mention the hot sex). And, it’s the perfect set up for the new series.

I loved the way the story is told from both Chris and Heather’s points of view… it allowed for some very entertaining moments. A nice light touch in a book that’s otherwise filled with non-stop action. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. Good job, Mr. Mitchell.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

September 18, 2018 By 1 Comment


Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Middle Grade
Length: Full Length (278 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 8+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver

In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

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Who knew a goldfish could set Minli on the adventure of a lifetime?

Minli’s family works hard but are very poor. Yet Minli still finds joy in her life. She is captivated by the stories her father, Ba, tells every night. While Minli delights in her father’s tales, her mother, Ma, does not. Ma sees little use in telling stories of magic and treasure when their life is so dull and dreary. I found it extremely sad to watch Ma’s bitterness taint the happiness Minli found in the stories. In an attempt to change her family’s fortune, Minli buys a goldfish, which only further upsets Ma. Even though it is done unintentionally, Ma’s sour attitude has deeply affected Minli. Determined to change her family’s life and make Ma happy, Minli sets off on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how to change her family’s fortune. Can one small girl find the Old Man of the Moon?

Minli is a great heroine and role model for children. She is smart, resourceful, kind, and brave. She cares deeply for her parents as well as the friends she makes on her journey. When she leaves home, she isn’t running away from her parents or her life. She’s searching for a way to make it better. I must add I am extremely glad to see parents portrayed in a positive and loving manner. I have read too many books for children and teens in which parents are absent, indifferent, or neglectful. It is clear Minli’s parents love her very much and are anxious for her return.

Minli’s story is broken up by many small stories which are relevant to her journey, and I love how Ms. Lin wove all these tales and together. As I read, I began to see links forming between them. It was interesting to see how they all connected not only to each other, but also to Minli’s story.

Minli began her quest with the desire to change her family’s fortune. However, when she finally meets the Old Man of the Moon, she faces an unexpected dilemma and a difficult choice. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say Minli’s response to the situation is beautiful, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to such a lovely story.

I had so much fun reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It is a wonderful tale of family and friendship. I highly recommend it to readers young and old alike.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

September 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment


The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical
Length: Full Length (347 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

For the nearly nine million people who live in New York City, Grand Central Terminal is a crown jewel, a masterpiece of design. But for Clara Darden and Virginia Clay, it represents something quite different.

For Clara, the terminal is the stepping stone to her future, which she is certain will shine as the brightly as the constellations on the main concourse ceiling. It is 1928, and twenty-five-year-old Clara is teaching at the lauded Grand Central School of Art. A talented illustrator, she has dreams of creating cover art for Vogue, but not even the prestige of the school can override the public’s disdain for a “woman artist.” Brash, fiery, confident, and single-minded–even while juggling the affections of two men, a wealthy would-be poet and a brilliant experimental painter–Clara is determined to achieve every creative success. But she and her bohemian friends have no idea that they’ll soon be blindsided by the looming Great Depression, an insatiable monster with the power to destroy the entire art scene. And even poverty and hunger will do little to prepare Clara for the greater tragedy yet to come.

In 1995, NIH formulated a new classification cheap levitra http://frankkrauseautomotive.com/cars-for-sale/page/3/ method of prostate disease, type I: acute bacterial prostatitis; type II: chronic bacterial prostatitis; type III: chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome; type IV: asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. There are lot of different medical treatment options are available for this sexual disorder. best tadalafil Chocolate buy cialis online http://frankkrauseautomotive.com/testimonial/very-pleased/ is thought to contain chemicals that effect neurotransmitters in the brain. Side-effects http://frankkrauseautomotive.com/cars-for-sale/?order_by=_price_value&order_by_dir=desc india viagra online It doesn’t hold any severe side-effects, further it depends on you that what flavor you desire to benefit from a pleasing and fulfilling sex life. Nearly fifty years later, in 1974, the terminal has declined almost as sharply as Virginia Clay’s life. Full of grime and danger, from the smoke-blackened ceiling to the pickpockets and drug dealers who roam the floor, Grand Central is at the center of a fierce lawsuit: Is the once-grand building a landmark to be preserved, or a cancer to be demolished? For Virginia, it is simply her last resort. Recently divorced, she has just accepted a job in the information booth in order to support herself and her college-age daughter, Ruby. But when Virginia stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor hidden under the dust, her eyes are opened to the elegance beneath the decay. She embarks on a quest to find the artist of the unsigned masterpiece–an impassioned chase that draws Virginia not only into the battle to save Grand Central but deep into the mystery of Clara Darden, the famed 1920s illustrator who disappeared from history in 1931.

Grand Central Terminal has an art school. It was active in the late 1920’s and Clara was the only female teacher. She taught illustrations but she found her department head didn’t think much of them. Or of her if she was being honest…

Women have always been viewed as less worthy in the work world. Men are confident and aggressive and they need the money for their families. That doesn’t mean Clara is going to give up.

The author offers you historical facts about Grand Central and the artists which makes the story intriguing and interesting. Her writing style draws you in and keeps you reading. Even if you’ve never seen the terminal, you feel like you know it.

Clara is torn between two men and two forms of artistry. Her life is not easy. Fame comes and goes and she loses the things and people she loves, but she doesn’t give up. She never expected to meet a woman fifty years later that can help her save that which is almost lost.

Virginia is an interesting character. She’s lost her husband, is trying to find a job she can handle, and her life is confused. Put her together with Clara and you have a real mess.

This story sounds so much like life really is. Nothing goes along smoothly, the women have trouble getting along, and the general theme is never give up. This author teaches you as she takes along the ride of life. This was a very satisfying read despite the sadness interspersed.

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