Book Critic
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Review: The Age of Desire by Jennie Fields
As the Victorian era transition into the ‘modern’ era, women were finally discovering that sex and sexuality could be for their enjoyment, not just a wifely duty performed for the pleasure of their husbands. We see evidence of this shift with the rise of female authorship. Many women started writing real books for women about women and things women cared about or longed for. One of the best known authors of this time was Edith Wharton. Wharton wrote popular and influential novels such a The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocents that addressed issues of class (notably the upper class), manners, and of course love and sexual desire. Like…
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Review: The Age of Ice by J.M. Sidorova
In an ice palace in eighteenth century Russia, two twin princes are born—Prince Alexander and Prince Andrei. Prince Andrei is the more ambitious, bold, and daring of the two brothers, while Alexander is more reserved and shy. The boys grow up in an idealistic life, residing in the families country home with many animals and servants. Andrei is seemingly always unhappy while Alexander seems more well adjusted and happy. As the two boys reach adulthood the both enlist in the military and through an unexpected situation Alexander makes a startling discovery–he is immune to the cold. This revelation brings about many different questions for Alexander. Why is Andrei not cursed…
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Review: The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker
Nora Fischer wants a new life. Any will do really. She just wants things to be different and she doesn’t really care how…just different. Well you know what they say….be careful what you wish for because you just may get it. Nora is crashing and burning on her English thesis and post graduate work, her serious boyfriend just broke it off with her to marry someone else and suddenly this plain Jane finds herself at her friends wedding forced into an awkward social situation with her ex. She just needs to take a little breather before the wedding. She wakes up one morning to go for a brisk walk in…
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Review: Marilyn’s Red Diary by E.Z. Friedel
Everyone knows that Marilyn Monroe is American’s sex icon. The blonde bombshells life is well known to many: the drugs, the sex, the insecurities, the tragic death, the conspiracy, the scandals. So what makes this novel different the every other Marilyn story out there you ask? It’s her diary. I won’t spend too much time with the background of this novel since Marilyn Monroe is such a well known figure. We meet the troubled woman while she is undergoing treatment from her psychiatrist Ralph Greenson.
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Review: The Queen’s Vow by C.W. Gortner
One country. One faith. One crown. That was the vision of Isabella I of Castile and her husband King Ferdinand of Aragon. Together they reigned for over thirty years, working tirelessly to unite a country that was constantly at civil war. We first meet Isabella at her humble beginnings. Her father the King of Castile has just died and his son from his first marriage, Enrique, is to inherit the thrown. Enrique and his advisers quickly remove Isabella, her brother Alfonso, and her mother from court. They are given a small country house with little to no resources and are basically forgotten about. Until one day when Enrique finally has…
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Review: The White Princess (The Cousins’ War #5) by Philippa Gregory
Red rose. White rose. Lancaster. York. The War of the Roses is a widely known period in history. The war ended with the marriage of Henry Tudor to his York bride, Elizabeth of York….the Union Rose bloomed in England as a new symbol of unity, but there were still a number of subjects who wished to see a White Rose on the throne. Elizabeth of York was not in love with Henry Tudor…not in the least. In fact she was in love with Richard III and has been his lover for a number of years. After his death, she learned she was to marry Henry instead to ensure a symbolic…
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Review: The Never List by Koethi Zan
Every girl has a list of ‘nevers’ that they follow to keep themselves safe. Never walk to your car alone late at night. Never accept an open drink from a men you don’t know. Never get into cars with strangers. Never, never, never. Everyone’s never list is bound to be different. For me the cardinal rule is never get into a car with strangers and that is the same rule that best friends Sarah and Jennifer violate one fateful night. Sarah and Jennifer have a lengthy list of ‘nevers’ that range from avoiding natural disasters, to avoiding rape and kidnapping. Their never list has served them well all the way…
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Review: The Queen’s Rivals by Brandy Purdy
What can I say about Lady Jane Grey that hasn’t already been said? Everyone knows the story of Lady Jane Grey. If you don’t know her story, she is known in history as the Nine Days Queen. If you aren’t familiar with this woman’s story then you should really read up on it. The Tudor era is filled with all kinds of fascinating women, Lady Jane Grey being one of them. Jane did have two sisters, Katherine and Mary Grey who don’t live on in history as infamously as Jane does though which is why this book really appealed to me. Told through the eyes of the youngest sister, Mary,…
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Review: The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton
The exotic flavor of the east is resonating and glowing off every page of this novel! In sixth century Constantinople there is a woman who will change history. A woman who comes from nothing, rising above numerous struggles to become one of the most powerful women in the Roman Empire. Theodora’s family isn’t exactly wealthy. Her father trains bears and her mother is an actress and dancer. Though they aren’t completely destitute, money isn’t exactly in abundance but they are managing. That is until Theodora’s father dies. Next thing she knows, they are penniless. Soon, she is faced with starving on the street. Theodora vows to not let this happen.…
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Review: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann
New York City has always been known for its diversity and innovation. It’s a city in a perpetual state of movement and change. In a little shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, vintage clothing store owner, Amanda, finds her life in utter chaos. She is about to turn thirty nine, no children and no husband….in fact she is actually having a long standing affair with a married man. Not to mention she is on the brink of financial ruin. But rather than do anything about her sorry state, she is more or less ignoring it all together. Amanda gets a call from an older woman who is dying of cancer…