The Secret Keeper

1961 England. Laurel Nicolson is sixteen years old, dreaming alone in her childhood tree house during a family celebration at their home, Green Acres Farm. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime. 
Fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to Green Acres for Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by memories and questions she has not thought about for decades. She decides to find out the truth about the events of that summer day and lay to rest her own feelings of guilt. One photograph, of her mother and a woman Laurel has never met, called Vivian, is her first clue. 
The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams, the lengths some people go to fulfill them, and the strange consequences they sometimes have. It is a story of lovers, friends, dreamers and schemers, play-acting and deception told against a backdrop of events that changed the world.

I was hooked right from the beginning.  This was a book that wouldn't allow me to stop reading, just one more chapter, just one more before I go to bed. And it so it went for a few hours until I realized the time, almost two in morning, and then I reluctantly put it down.  I resumed reading the first chance I got. And then I was done.

I loved the way the author transported me back to a time of conflict and hope,  that how it made me feel during the WWII scenes.  I love how well written all the character were, some good, some nosy, some catty and some down right mean.  I think it was a combination of all of this along with mystery of Dorothy and Vivian that kept me enthralled in the story.  I have to say I did figure it out at the beginning, but the author kept me second guessing throughout the story.  The ending felt right, even though I wanted a little bit more.  

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Atria Books (10/2012); Favorite Reads 2013; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (5); Library; Books 2013 (13);

India Black and the Widow of Windsor

When Queen Victoria attends a séance, the spirit of her departed husband, Prince Albert, insists she spend Christmas at their Scottish home in Balmoral. Prime Minister Disraeli suspects the Scottish nationalists plan to assassinate the Queen-and sends the ever resourceful India and the handsome British spy, French, to the Scottish highlands.
French will take the high road, looking for a traitor among the guests-and India will take the low road, disguised as a servant in case an assassin is hiding among the household staff. India is certain that someone at Balmoral is determined to make this Her Majesty's last Christmas...

It feels like I've been reading this book forever...not because the plot was slow and the book was awful, I just couldn't find the time to read.  Anyway, I made time to read and I'm happy that I did.  It was the break I needed and the story itself was pretty good.

India, French and Vincent are headed to Balmoral in Scotland to uncover the people that are involved in the plan to assassinate the Queen.  India is posing as a lady's maid, while French is a guest, and Vincent working in the background. India is the lady's maid to the Dowager Marchioness of Tullibardine, and let's just say the woman is quite the character, enjoyed her and she definitely kept India on her toes.  I loved the twists and turns on the book which help the flow of the story.  I loved the way that author described the Scottish setting and how she incorporated the traditions of Scots and also the anger and resentment towards the Queen and the English. What was most surprising was the leader of the Marischal was, I was completely taken a back...Wow!  I didn't see that one coming.

I feel that this book is a very good continuation of the Madam of Espionage Mystery series, you can find my thoughts on the first book, India Black, here. 

India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr (4/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (10/2011); Series: # 2, Madam of Espionage; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (4); Library; Books 2013 (9);

The Heir

AN EARL WHO CAN'T BE BRIBED
Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper... 
A LADY WHO CAN'T BE PROTECTED... 
Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper. As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down - and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout...

I would like to begin by thanking Ana from Aneca's World for introducing me to this author.  It's been quite a while since I read a historical romance that has captured me as this has.  So thank you Ana, I believe I have found a new must read author.

This book should also have a disclaimer on its cover, one sitting read, reader beware you may lose sleep.  Which I did, but I'm not complaining because it was a very good read.  I loved the setting, the time period, the characters and the story itself wasn't too shabby either.  I found that Anna and Windham suited each other very well, she caring and headstrong and Windham is a no-nonsense type of gentleman who adores his large family, even the meddling members of said family.  I admit at the beginning I thought it a stretch that they would become involved, master and employee, but the author had a way in drawing me in and keeping interested in the book.  I'm looking forward on reading more of her books.

The Heir by Grace Burrowes (4.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca (2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; New Author; Series: # 1, Windham; Favorite Reads 2013; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (3); Keeper Shelf; Books 2013 (4);

Away

A stunning, evocative novel set in Ireland and Canada, Away traces a family’s complex and layered past. The narrative unfolds with shimmering clarity, and takes us from the harsh northern Irish coast in the 1840s to the quarantine stations at Grosse Isle and the barely hospitable land of the Canadian Shield; from the flourishing town of Port Hope to the flooded streets of Montreal; from Ottawa at the time of Confederation to a large-windowed house at the edge of a Great Lake during the present day. Graceful and moving, Away unites the personal and the political as it explores the most private, often darkest corners of our emotions where the things that root us to ourselves endure. Powerful, intricate, lyrical, Away is an unforgettable novel.

I started reading this book a few days ago, and whenever I sat down to read I lost track of time.  It's a beautifully written book, and I cannot understand why I haven't read this book before.  I have read books by the author before, but not this one.  

The story starts in Ireland in a fictional island. A young girl is "taken away" by the spirit of a dead young man. She comes back, but she is not the same girl as before, gone is Mary and now she is Moira.  The inhabitants of the island are both scared and enthralled by Mary/Moira.  The priest is concerned about the turmoil that she is causing the men so he asks a young friend, Brian, to marry her.  Brian and Mary seem to hit it off, he's kind and understanding and she feels a connection to him. The potato famine hits and Brian and Mary leave for Canada. And so the myth continues with the women of Mary's family. I don't want to give too much of the story, you need to read it for yourself.  The pain and the sorrow is there in the story but also the hope in the New World.  But the most significant part of this book is the mystical feeling to it. The magic is all throughout the book.

Away by Jane Urquhart (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: McClelland & Stewart (1993); Canada Reads 2013 (2); Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (2); Library; Books 2013 (2);

The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies

As Darling's town librarian is fond of saying: "Naked ladies' is not a respectable name for a plant." A lily by any other name would certainly smell as sweet -- and look just as beautiful as the naked ladies decorating Miss Hamer's lawn...
It seems Miss Hamer's house may also be home to naked ladies of a different sort.  Her niece, Nona Jean Jamison, and Nona's friend Miss Lake have come to Darling to stay with the elderly recluse.  But rumors sprout that these visitors are actually the Naughty and Nice Sisters from the Ziegfeld Frolic, specializing in dancing nearly naked.
When Nona denies her vaudeville past, the Dahlias begin to suspect that it may be more than modesty that's causing both women to lie low.  Why has Nona gone to the beauty parlor to change her hair color? Why has Miss Lake not been seen without a veil?  And who is the well-dressed from Chicago who's just arrived, asking about Nona? The Dahlias are convinced that someone is covering up something sinister...

This is the second book of the latest mystery series written by Susan Wittig Albert.  This series is set in Depression era Alabama. Susan Wittig Albert is one of my favorite mystery authors, I love both her historical and her contemporary books. She has a wonderful sense of humor that show in both settings. Humor in a cosy mystery is must have for me, and I think that is what keeps me reading the authors books.

The Darling Dahlias are getting ready for the annual talent show, when two ladies move in with recluse Miss Hamer.  Miss Hamer not only is a recluse but also is a very hard woman and not too many people can deal with her.  And that's the main reason for the curiosity on the two woman.  One is beautiful and flamboyant, the other is shy and keeps herself covered up.  But when a strange man comes to Darling looking for the ladies, the Dahlias are convinced that something is going on.  Not only were the Dahlias busy with finding out about the Miss Hamer's guests but one of their own is dealing with her own mystery.  After years of wondering what happened to her fiance, Bessie, is more determined to find what happened.  Even if it means asking difficult questions that she may not want to answer to.

I enjoyed the book, it is what I was expecting. The characters, setting and humor.  What I wasn't expecting was enjoying the secondary story more than the main one.  I also enjoyed seeing Liz stand up to her mother. It was an enjoyable read and I recommend this series to any cosy mystery fans.

The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies by Susan Wittig Albert (3.5/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (11/2011); Series: # 2, Darling Dahlias; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (1); Library; Books 2013 (1); 

2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

I didn't participate this year, but I'll be joining in the fun in 2013.  The 2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge is hosted by the lovely ladies over at Historical Tapestry.

Here's info on the challenge (taken from Historical Tapestry):

Everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)
Add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)
Any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)
During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:
20th century reader - 2 books; Victorian reader - 5 books; Renaissance Reader - 10 books; Medieval - 15 books; Ancient History -25+ books
To join the challenge you only need to make a post about it, grab the button below if you like and leave your link in Mr Linky below or just leave a link to your blog if you are not yet ready to post about it yet. If you don't have a blog you can just leave a comment for this post saying that you are joining.
The challenge runs from 1 January to 31 December 2013.

If you're interested in signing up for this challenge, click here.

I'm aiming high for the upcoming year, so I'll be attempting the Ancient History level.  Here are my books:

1. The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies by Susan Wittig Albert
2. Away by Jane Urquhart
3. The Heir by Grace Burrowes
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