Christmas at the Women’s Hotel: A Biedermeier Story by Daniel M. Lavery

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Manhattan, the early 1960s:  the Biedermeier Hotel is home to a number of women of various ages, from the young and eager to the elderly and infirm.  All are just scraping by, so for some the Christmas season offers an opportunity to earn much needed extra money. Most are content to pick up extra jobs as window dressers or sales clerks. 

Lucianne has a better idea:  she’ll start a service providing male escorts for young women who want to attend various functions but who don’t want to go alone.  She knows several young men who can be trusted to behave like gentlemen and who will cut a respectable figure. Of course, Lucianne will get a cut of the fee. . . .

Katherine, the first floor manager, has been estranged from her family for years but is cautiously hopeful when she receives a letter from a younger sister.  It’s the first time anyone from the family has reached out.

And then there’s Josephine, a retiree whose methods of picking up some extra cash are definitely not legal.

Author Daniel Lavery uses his characters from The Women’s Hotel to good effect in this holiday novella.  While it can be read as a standalone, Christmas at the Women’s Hotel would be better appreciated if one had read the first novel.  I had not, so I admit I was a bit overwhelmed with all the characters.  What kept me reading was the writing: I love the author’s sense of humor and way that he phrases things.  Of Lucianne, who is from a socially prominent family, he writes, “She was not self-conscious about her age, but she was certainly aware that it could no longer benefit her socially, though it had not as yet begun to count against her.” Of another character he writes that she was “thought of as something better than a nuisance but less than a friend.”

He also makes the 1964 time period come alive, which I really enjoyed.  I liked that not all the problems were solved or that some resolutions were not what I would have hoped.  Perhaps those endings are for another book. It felt realistically festive instead of  saccharine.

If you’re looking for some nostalgia reading set in the Big Apple, this can be an entertaining choice.

The Martha Odyssey by Bonny Gable

 

Reviewed by Rita

Recently, I had the opportunity to read The Martha Odyssey by Bonny Gable for the Radio Bristol Book Club. From the very first paragraph, I found myself captivated by the narrative, which is set against the beautiful backdrop of Abingdon, Virginia, circa 1915. The story unfolds through the perspective of the young and somewhat awkward Beatrice Earle Damron, known as Bea, as she embarks on her journey at Martha Washington College for the first time. Bea has traveled to Abingdon from Clintwood, Virginia, where her father has reluctantly permitted her to attend one year of college before returning to their family farm.

While nervous about being away from home, Bea is excited to further her musical education in hopes of finding a more fascinating life outside of her Appalachian hometown. Bea has played piano from a very young age and is looking forward to the opportunities that a Martha College education will afford.

Upon getting her room assignment, Bea meets her next door neighbor, Ruby Pearl Atkins. Ruby is a drama student from Galax, Virginia with big dreams of her own, and enough spunk and confidence for her and Bea. This will come in handy throughout Bea's time at Martha College. I immediately related to Ruby and her charming over eagerness to befriend Bea and become her cheerleader from day one.

All incoming freshmen are assigned an upperclassman "mother" to guide them through their first year. Bea is paired with Varina Armstrong who is from an affluent Abingdon family and not thrilled being assigned to a "mountain girl" from Dickenson County. I could sense right away that there was going to be tension and drama between the two young ladies and I was not disappointed.

One the first day of class, there is a recital where Bea surprises every one with her performance of Chopin's "Fantaisie-Impromptu" without sheet music. It is soon all over campus that Bea can play circles around Varina. Varina does not take this very well, especially since it has been announced that there will be a competition at the end of the semester where a full scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland will be awarded. This sets up a rivalry between Bea and Varina that plays out throughout the semester.

I enjoyed the layers of suspense and mystery that was so prevalent in the story. There are social society initiations that explore the ghostly aspects of Martha College and Sinking Spring Cemetery. I don't want to give too much away, but some of the students may have used these rituals to torment their foes.

Another important character is a striking Native American blacksmith named Jonah, whom Bea encounters at a nearby stable during a stroll on a chilly Saturday morning. Visiting the stable becomes a regular distraction from the drama of the highly competitive atmosphere at the school. Initially visiting to spend time with the horses and ease her feelings of being homesick, but soon it is more than just the horses that draws her there. I really enjoyed watching these characters grow to trust one another. I also enjoyed the interactions between Bea and the horses which always gave her a sense of home.

There was so much to love about this book. From the well-developed characters to the immersive descriptions of the area, I felt transported to the world of Beatrice Earle Damron. This is by far my favorite book I have read this year. I look forward to more from this debut author.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Monique Grant is working for Vivant magazine, hoping to make a name for herself as a reporter when the incredible happens: Evelyn Hugo (or rather, her staff) reaches out to the magazine about doing an interview-- and Evelyn only wants Monique.

Evelyn Hugo is a star. She lit up the box office and the gossip magazines with her performances and with her off-screen life.  Then she became reclusive and elusive. She doesn’t walk the red carpet or visit talk shows or give interviews—at least, not until now.  This will be a huge coup for the magazine and for Monique.

With more than a bit of trepidation, Monique goes to meet Evelyn. It turns out that Evelyn doesn’t want to do an interview.  She wants Monique to write her biography. She doesn’t want a puff piece or a hatchet job. Monique is tasked with writing the truth.

And so Evelyn begins to tell her story, one that starts in Hell’s Kitchen and then heads to Hollywood, through husband after husband, scandals, love affairs, and secrets.  But the biggest secret, why she chose Monique, she saves for last.

Ah, Book Bingo! The way I finally get around to tackling many titles on my TBR list. This was my choice for “Read a historical novel,” since the story begins in the 1950s and continues to the present, more or less. I had heard great things about this book and I must say it lived up to the hype.  I grew up reading the old movie star magazines like Photoplay before moving on to reading novels and biographies of Hollywood, so Evelyn’s story had the ring of truth.  While Evelyn herself is a fictional creation, author Reid has said that she drew from the lives of stars such as Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor for inspiration.

Evelyn is a fascinating creation. In many ways, she’s a woman before her time.  She isn’t an innocent waif bedazzled by the bright lights:  she sees Hollywood as a way out to build the life she wants and she does what she needs to in order to achieve her goals. I think what intrigued me most is that while Evelyn has regrets, she’s not about to apologize.  She did what she felt she had to.  Agree with her or not, she doesn’t care.

I found Evelyn to be mesmerizing.

Love her or hate her, you will certainly remember her.

We actually had an earlier (and better written) review of this book back in 2019 but I was so enchanted with Evelyn that I had to throw in my two cents.   You can read Christy’s review here.

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

Reviewed by Christy

            It’s 1875, and Alva Webster has fled her abusive husband while living in France. She becomes quite the scandal amid upper crust society (thanks to her estranged husband feeding salacious and false stories to the press). While trying to work up the courage to file for divorce, Alva’s husband goes and dies, sending the rumor mill into a frenzy. Hoping for a fresh start, Alva finally returns home to New York City. There she purchases a rundown mansion in the hopes of fixing it up and maybe even publishing a book about her decorating skills. Unfortunately, the house appears to be haunted, and it’s very hard to find good workers when a ghost keeps scaring everyone away.

            Alva has a hard time believing in ghosts but eccentric scientist Samuel Moore wants to believe and would love nothing more than the opportunity to research it thoroughly by setting up camp in Alva’s manor. After much cajoling, Alva agrees and the odd pair start working together to solve the mystery.

            This was a very fun and engaging read. Though it deals with heavy themes (domestic violence, general oppression of women in the 19^th century, etc), it still manages to have an air of light-heartedness that I found refreshing in what is essentially a gothic romance. And the romance part is great! Alva and Sam have wonderful chemistry. Though they lean a little into the Insta Love trope, which I am not a fan of, I’m willing to overlook it because their dialogue made me laugh out loud a few times. Their banter reminded me a little bit of the screwball comedies from the 1930s. The ghost story is really more of a side plot but I think it’s done very well – a little scary but mostly heartbreaking.

            This ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2023, and I highly recommend it for the dark winter months.

           

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

Reviewed by Christy

            Mary Deerfield is a deeply unhappy woman. The twenty-four year old Puritan is the second wife to a seemingly respectable man twice her age. Because of this, she has a daughter-in-law who is around her age and “grandchildren” as well. The arrangement feels odd but she accepts it as God’s will. Even though her husband, Thomas, is an angry and violent drunk, she commits to being an even better wife than she was the day before. Until one night, Thomas goes too far and stabs her through the hand with a three-tined fork. Mary refuses to keep living in fear of her husband’s mercurial rages and wishes to seek a divorce.

            In 1662, divorce is no easy feat, and Mary must make her case in front of the magistrates who will then decide what’s best for her. Over two days she must listen to witnesses discuss what a good man Thomas is, and how they never witnessed any abuse or even heard Mary discuss it. The request for divorce is denied. Mary must go home to her abuser. Because of this, and because Thomas’ rages are becoming more frequent and starting to happen even when he’s not drunk, Mary becomes desperate.

            Though Hour of the Witch is marketed as a thriller, it is a courtroom drama more than anything. The story is slow and methodical while still being engaging. I found Mary to be an interesting character because, while she is very pious, she struggles with the restrictions of the time without fully understanding why. She chalks it up to her being sinful because, after all, she has made note of her son-in-law’s good looks. She also travels to the docks often to watch the sailors unload their cargo. It makes perfect sense she would be more attracted to men closer to her age. But, of course, she doesn’t see it that way. These are transgressions for which she will be punished.

            I believe it is a credit to the story that I liked it as much as I did while listening to the audiobook. The narration is very flat, and the narrator does little (if anything) to differentiate between the characters. I found myself rewinding more than usual to make sure I understood who was speaking. I was so baffled with this choice of narrator that I did some digging and discovered that she is the author’s daughter and has narrated several of his audiobooks. Well. That solves that mystery.

            There is also some repetition throughout the book that is grating (particularly references to a fork as “the Devil’s Tines” and Thomas’ insistence that Mary has “white meat for brains”.) The latter one will probably be stuck in my head for a while. Bohjalian must’ve particularly liked that turn of phrase because he used it again and again and again. Overall, however, I think it is a well-paced, slow burn drama that is satisfying. I just would not recommend the audiobook.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

 

 Reviewed by Ambrea

 The Duke of Ashbury—Ash to his friends, if he had any—is a man faced with a problem:  he needs an heir, but, in order to get an heir, he first needs a wife.  Not necessarily a tall order for someone with a title and wealth beyond measure, but Ash has suffered a disastrous end to his military career, he’s badly scarred, he’s been jilted by his fiancée, and he’s become a curmudgeon and a recluse.  He fears he’ll have no luck convincing any lady to marry him—that is, until he meets Emma Gladstone.

 Emma has spent the last several years as a seamstress, so she’s no stranger to hard work or demanding nobility, but even the Duke of Ashbury manages to surprise her.  He broods, he glowers, he menaces.  He has a sharp tongue and a quick temper, and he has the audacity to ask her to marry him on the spot.  She knows a marriage would never work between them—or would it?

 Admittedly, Tessa Dare’s books are sometimes hit-or-miss for me.  For instance, I really liked reading Romancing the Duke, but I didn’t much care for Do You Want to Start a Scandal?  (Truthfully, I can’t even remember picking it up, but if Goodreads says I’ve read it, I’ve read it.  Probably.)  Likewise, I enjoyed When a Scot Ties the Knot, but I felt only lukewarm toward A Lady by Midnight, I wasn’t a fan of the Once Upon a Winter’s Eve novella, and I kind of hated How to Catch a Wild Viscount.

 But I’ve found The Duchess Deal, which is narrated by Mary Jane Wells, is an absolute treat.

 I originally listened to the audiobook last year and I enjoyed it so thoroughly that I finished it within two days.  I listened to it a second time a few months later—and, earlier this year, I listened to it again, because I have definitely fallen head-over-heels in love with this story.

 The Duchess Deal is humorous and fun, light and sweet, and, in a way, it’s comforting.  I always know it’s going to have a happy ending and, more to the point, I know that I’m going to enjoy Ash and Emma’s banter as they navigate their marriage—and their baggage—and, in time, create something meaningful.  I loved the way they interacted and, in particular, I loved how wonderfully Mary Jane Wells narrates the novel.

 Although I think the subplot with the “Monster of Mayfair” was a bit unnecessary—not unenjoyable, just not needed—I really liked reading and listening to The Duchess Deal.  In fact, I think I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite romance novels of all time.  (Historical romance, that is.  My favorite contemporary romance novel is currently a tie between Jennifer Crusie’s Faking It and Tawna Fenske’s Making Waves, but that’s a different conversation.)

 Overall, The Duchess Deal is a great read.  It’s light, it’s fluffy, it’s humorous and sweet; it isn’t overwrought or terribly angsty, and it isn’t overinflated.  It falls into that Goldilocks category—not too short and not too long, not too saccharine sweet and not too dark.  It’s just right.

Five for Silver: A John the Eunuch by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer

 

Reviewed by Ambrea

 

John the Lord Chamberlain has become embroiled in another mystery—a murder with no witnesses and no apparent motive.  Peter, John’s servant, has begged for help in uncovering the culprit behind his friend’s murder.  Soon, John finds his quest leading him throughout the plague-ridden city, speaking to lawyers, actresses, antiquities dealers, mausoleum builders, poets, churchmen, fools, servants and more.  But as the plague continues to circle Constantinople, John discovers many avenues of inquiry cut off as more people succumb to the horrific disease.

I’ve read historical fiction set in Victorian London, late nineteenth-century Malaysia, colonial America, ancient China, twelfth-century Europe, and beyond; however, I’ve never read a book set in fifth-century Constantinople.  It was an interesting experience to read a novel set during this time frame, particularly in a city I only knew vaguely from a college course on the Crusades—and a certain catchy song.

I was fascinated by a lot of the background imagery and snippets of history that lurked in Five for Silver by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer.  It was interesting to see the confluence of cultures within Constantinople that the authors brought to life; likewise, I was very intrigued by the portrayal of the Plague of Justinian within the city.  Occasionally, I would forget that the city was plagued by disease (yes, that was a terrible pun; no, I will not apologize), until the authors would remind me of it.

It usually came in the shape of smoke drifting over the city from plague ships burning in the harbor, but, sometimes, it was a random corpse in the gutter or mention of plague pits outside the city walls.  Either way, Reed and Mayer made me very glad to be living in a modern world with antibacterial soap and antibiotics.

Although Five for Silver is fashioned as a mystery, I found the novel leaned more toward historical fiction.  John follows the threads of his murder investigation, but I didn’t feel the same sense of urgency I usually do when I read a mystery novel.  I often found myself more absorbed in picking apart the interweaving stories of John and his household, rather than learning more about the murder suspects.

Additionally, I wasn’t quite satisfied with the resolution of the story.  Hercule Poirot has spoiled me a little, I think—I mean, he wraps up his investigations so neatly and discovers everyone’s secrets, I’ve forgotten that mysteries are sometimes much messier.

Throughout the book, John is frequently confounded and thwarted due to both a lack of information and the plague collecting his potential witnesses.  He completes his investigation, of course, but I found the answers weren’t what I expected.  While it does lend an authenticity and a tinge of reality to the story—because real life is rarely neat or orderly or tidy, particularly in the midst of a pandemic—I was just a little disappointed.

Overall, Five for Silver is an interesting novel with a very vivid setting and a moderately satisfying mystery.  I recommend it for readers who want a heavy dose of historical fiction mixed with their murder mystery; however, I will note this is actually the fifth book in the series.  It might help clear up some confusion about recurring characters or past events if you start at the beginning (unlike me).

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Reviewed by Laura

          This book is told through the eyes of Alice Wright, a young English woman who impulsively marries a handsome, rich American named Bennett Van Cleve. She is more than ready to be through with the tedium of English society and imagines a beautiful new life when she follows Bennett to his hometown in Kentucky. Only Baileyville, Kentucky  is a small coal mining town with not a city in sight, and from the first night in her new home, nothing is as she dreamed. Instead of a romantic existence with a dashing husband, she is forced to live in the house of her father-in-law, a selfish owner of the local mine who puts profit above all else. Having the majority of the town’s livelihood, and in fact, their very lives in his hands, he feels he can dictate what is and isn’t acceptable. This includes those in his own household as well as the people of Baileyville. Alice is appalled that her husband lives under his father’s thumb and that the romance she envisioned doesn’t exist.

When a call is made for riders for Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice is happy to oblige. She can’t stand the thought of spending the rest of her days in the stifling, loveless environment of the Van Cleve household. Being able to move freely in the fresh air of the beautiful Kentucky mountains sounds like heaven. It turns out that it is and it isn’t. The work is hard and dangerous, yet the scenery is breathtaking, and Alice makes true friends among the other members of the packhorse librarians while being taken under the wing of their leader, Margery O’Hare. Ms. O’Hare is a true character in every sense of the word (In fact, she reminds me of my paternal grandmother!). She has never allowed anyone, men included, to tell her what to do. This is virtually unheard of during the depression era in a small Appalachian mountain town. Refusing to follow the mainstream, she still works for the good of the town and is the first to take Alice into her home when life goes awry. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished, and due to a series of events, the packhorse librarians find themselves at odds with the townspeople.

This is a wonderful book filled with suspense, romance, and the unique and incredible power of books. There have been rumors of plagiarism from Kim Michele Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek; but having read both, I found no real evidence of it. Certainly, there are a few similarities, as they are both about the wonderfully brave librarians of Eastern Kentucky, but the stories focus on decidedly differing elements of their legacy. I enjoyed both of these books tremendously. Being from Southeastern Kentucky, I love reading anything set in those beautiful mountains, but for me, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek captured the essence of the mountains and its people in a truer and much more enthralling manner. My advice is to read and enjoy them both, and if you get a chance, let me know which one you preferred!

(Special side note—this book is in development as a major motion picture.)