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. She will do whatever it takes to survive by any means possible.

If that means prostitution or taking to the stage–she will do it. Whatever it takes.

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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 and would like to sell some clothes on consignment. When Amanda arrives at the she finds some great merchandise to take back to her store, tons of clothes from a variety of modern decades but what she doesn’t bargain for is an Edwardian era trunk full of delicate antique clothing.

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Review: The King’s Deception (Cotton Malone #8) by Steve Berry

Everyone knows Elizabeth I was one of the most influential rulers of England. She defeated the Armada, never married and was thus known as the virgin queen.

But what if what you thought you knew about her was all wrong? What is she, wasn’t really a she after all? What if Elizabeth I was a man in drag?

That’s the controversial stance that Steve Berry explores in his exciting new spy novel, The King’s Deception.

Cotton Malone has more or less retired from the world of international intrigue, espionage, and spy games and now runs a second hand bookstore in Denmark. His fifteen year old son, Gary, has just learned a devastating secret from his mother and wants some time away from her to process it.

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Review: The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry

Ghostly hauntings, forbidden love, high society, the occult….what could be more thrilling? The Arrow Chest is a haunting Gothic tale of love set in the Victorian era with a distinct Tudor element.

Painter Amos Roselli has been in love with his childhood friend and muse, Daphne for years.

Daphne has modeled for a number of Roselli’s paintings for years, but when the rich industrialist Lord Oliver Ramsey of Bowlend commissions Roselli for a portrait he discovers the course of Roselli’s inspiration–the strikingly beautiful Daphne.

Ramsey pursues Daphne with vigor and vengeance, ultimately winner her hand. A marriage to Ramsey is ideal for Daphne. He is rich and can offer her a life of luxury and for a women like Daphne, this life has its own appeal.

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Review: The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice

Sometimes people come into your life and show you exactly what you have been missing.

These people may only be in your life for a short time or they might stay forever but they are meant to shape you, change you and guide you in directions that you might never have done without them.

These special people are meant to help you through difficult times, and often bring joy where there was once only sadness.

Julia Hughes has lived through an unimaginable tragedy, the death of her only child and husband. For five years she has been reliving the event over and over again, she has becoming listless and depressed.

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