The Lost Apothecary

Author: Sarah Penner
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Park Row Books, 2021
Pages: 320
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary's fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary's in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

Review: My sister raved about this book, and told me I just had to read it. It isn't a novel I would choose on my own, but I decided to give it a try. I liked it. It wasn't the love affair my sister had, but it was good.

It's hard to write equally compelling past and present timelines, and this book was no exception. I really enjoyed the historical fiction as aspect of this, and returning to the present was jarring. I loved the mystery and allure of the past, as well as the characters. In contrast the present felt typical and ordinary. 

Pittsburgh's Ghosts

Author: Heather Frazier Behling
Genre: Non-Fiction 
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, 2008
Pages: 128
Rating: Do Not Recommend

Synopsis: Join the campfire crowd as you read about a spookier side of Pittsburgh. Meet disappearing students and witness bursting light fixtures at Washington & Jefferson College. Phone calls from the dead prove that the Steel City is filled with ghostly phenomena. Hear an eerie dead child's voice and ghastly growling noises at the St. Patrick's Cemetery in Oakdale. See shadowy figures at the psychiatric hospital in Bridgeville. Learn that ghosts have sleepovers in the towns of Bedford, Scenery Hill, and Harmony.

Review: Not only does this get a "Do Not Recommend" rating, it's probably the most poorly written book I have ever read. The ghost stories are told in a conversational tone that quite possibly was never read by another prior to publication. I am 100% confident my 9th grader has better writing skills.

This is one of those books that makes you wonder how some people get published, and why you haven't been yet. 

Really awful.

The stories themselves. . .most weren't any I hadn't heard before, but again, the writing is is so distracting, good luck hanging in there for the stories.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Publishing, 2018
Pages: 448
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called "Devil Boy" or Sam "Hell" by his classmates; "God's will" is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by this mother's devout faith, his father's practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.

Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God's idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.

Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was be design - especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he'd always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes wide open - bringing into clear view that changed him, defined him, and made him so afriad, until he can finally see what truly matters.

Review: This book started getting rave reviews the minute it was released, but neither the cover nor the title "did it" for me so I never seriously considered reading it. However, here we are three years later, and people are still raving. I've seen very little less than stellar reviews. So, I gave in to the hype.

Okay, here's my review: YOU MUST READ THIS. It is exactly what everyone says it is, and has something for everyone. 

I'm so sad that I can never read this again for the very first time.

Fairy-Tale Forever

Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: MIRA Books, 2021
Pages: 320
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Two books in one!

Cindy and the Prince: Cindy Territo cleans offices after hours to put herself through school, so there's no reason she should ever meet the executives. Then Cindy crashes the company's Christmas ball, dressed to impress, and she completely captures the attention of corporate VP Thorndike Prince. After a magical night together, Cindy flees. But Thorne is determined to uncover the woman who took his heart when she left at midnight.

Some Kind of Wonderful: Preschool teacher Judy Lovin will always put her family first, so when her father's business is threatened with a hostile takeover, Judy will do whatever she can to help. Their family's most ruthless enemy is John McFarland, a businessman used to getting his own way in his negotiations. But while they spend time together on his remote Caribbean island, it isn't long before Judy discovers that John is far from the beast he seemed to be. The smart, attractive man might even be someone she can love.

Review: Oh my. Books from the 80s are something to read, that's for sure. There is so much wrong with the male characters, but in the context of time and place, this was a typical portrayal of men in 80s fiction novels. We should be glad that for the most part, novelists have upped their game in how men and relationships are authored.

The Dressmaker's Dowry

Author: Meredith Jaeger
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher, 2017
Pages: 384
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: San Francisco: 1876 - Immigrant dressmakers Hannelore Schaeffer and Margaret O'Brien struggle to provide food for their siblings while mending delicate clothing for the city's most affluent ladies. When wealthy Lucas Havensworth enters the shop, Hanna's future is altered forever. With Margaret's encouragement and the power of a borrowed green dress, Hanna dares to see herself as worthy of him. Then Margaret disappears, and Hanna turns to Lucas. Braving the gritty streets of the Barbary Coast and daring to enter the mansions of Nob Hill, Hanna stumbles upon Margaret's fate, forcing her to make a devastating decision. . .one that will echo through the generations.

San Francisco: Present Day - In her elegant Marina apartment overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Sarah Havensworth struggles to complete the novel she quit her job for. Afraid to tell her husband of her writer's block, Sarah is also hiding a darker secret - one that has haunted her for fourteen years. Then a news headline from 1876 sparks inspiration: Missing Dressmakers believed to be Murdered. Compelled to discover what happened to Hannelore and Margaret, Sarah returns to her roots as a journalist. Will her beautiful heirloom engagement ring uncover a connection to Hanna Schaeffer? 

Review: I recently read Boardwalk Summer, and absolutely loved it. I was so excited to read Meredith Jaeger's other book, her debut novel, The Dressmaker's Dowry. As it turns out this author has a formulaic writing style. No doubt I would have loved The Dressmaker's Dowry had I read it first, and is a good book, but how disappointing to find out this author is a one-trick pony. I will be curious to see if she changes up her storytelling style if she publishes a third novel.

Now, as for a review of The Dressmaker's Dowry. I loved the setting, I felt uncomfortable knowing Sarah was keeping a secret and knowing it would eventually blow up in the novel. The past timeline was a bit farfetched, but this author knows how to move a story along.

Open Book

Author: Jessica Simpson
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: HarperCollins Publisher, 2020
Pages: 416 (9 discs)
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Jessica reveals for the first time her inner monologue and most intimate struggles. Guided by the journals she's kept since age fifteen, and brimming with her unique humor and down-to-earth humanity, Open Book is as inspiring as it is entertaining.

This was supposed to be a very different book. Five years ago, Jessica Simpson was approached to write a motivational guide to living your best life. She walked away from the offer, and nobody understood why. The truth is that she didn't want to lie.

Jessica couldn't be authentic with her readers if she wasn't fully honest with herself first.

Now, America's Sweetheart, preacher's daughter, pop phenomenon, reality tv pioneer, and the billion-dollar fashion mogul invites readers on a remarkable journey, examining a life that's blessed her with compassion to help others but also burdened her with an almost crippling need to please. Open Book is Jessica Simpson using her voice, heart, soul, and humor to
share things she's never shared before.

First celebrated for her voice, she became one fo the most talked-about women in the world, whether for music or fashion, her relationship struggles, or as a walking blonde joke. But now, instead of being talked about, Jessica is doing the talking. Her book shares the wisdom and inspirations she's learned and shows the real woman behind all the pop-culture cliches - "chicken or fish," "Daisy Duke," "football jinx," "mom jeans," "sexual napalm..." and more. Open Book is an opportunity to laugh and cry with a close friend, one that will inspire you to live your best, most authentic life, now that she is finally living hers.

Review: As far as celebrity memoirs go, I thought this was pretty good. She comes off a little out of touch, but still likeable. I also feel like she bared her soul and is a genuine person, unlike some celebrities, who in memoirs, still try to be who they think the public wants them to be.

I listened to the audio, and she had a pleasant reading voice.

I should point out that prior to reading this I knew who Jessica Simpson was, I could pick her out of a line up, I've seen her in the tabloids, but I couldn't have named a single song she sang. 

I came away from this wishing only the very best for her.

Around Troy Hill, Spring Hill, and Reserve Township

Author: James W. Yanosko and Edward W. Yanosko
Genre: Non-fiction
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing SC, 2011
Pages: 128
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: The Reserve Tract across from Fort Pitt was set aside in the 1780s by the government of Pennsylvania as a way of raising funds to pay the troops who had served during the American Revolutionary War. Although many areas in the commonwealth were set aside like this, few grew to such prominence as the distinct neighborhoods of Troy Hill, Spring Garden, Spring Hill, and Mount Troy. Photos of the German and Croatian immigrants who helped build a new nation by providing steel, leather products, food, and even beer; their spirit and work ethic set a standard that many Americans to this day try to emulate. The Heinz complex, the old E&O Brewery, St. Anthony's Chapel, Most Holy Name Church, and the Teutonia Mannerchor are several of the local landmarks that were established generations ago and are still being utilized today.

Review: A little backstory - I've known about the City of Pittsburgh neighborhood, Troy Hill. I actually live very close to it. However, it wasn't until my son started CCD at Most Holy Name that I was able to explore it. I fell in love once I spent some time driving the old, narrow streets, and seeing what's left of its glory days. Troy Hill also has great views of Pittsburgh.

I requested this book from my local library. As I was reading, one picture in particular caught my eye. The caption mentioned the subject's name, and her last name was the same as one of college roommates. I messaged her and asked, "a relative?" She replied that this woman was her great-aunt and proceeded to fill me on lots of family stories, and some of the history she knows of Troy Hill.

Another fun fact, the authors are my college roommate's cousins.

If you also have an interest in Troy Hill and the surrounding area, you may enjoy The Women of Troy Hill: The Back-Fence Virtues of Faith and Friendship. I read this years ago before I knew much about the area and before I started keeping this journal (blog).

The Guncle

Author: Steven Rowley
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2021
Pages: 336
Rating: Highly Recommend 

Synopsis: Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for week long visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to do, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year old. Quickly realizing that parenting - even if temporary - isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being la
rger than life means you're unfailingly human.

Review: I expected this to be over-the-top and silly, but it surprised me by being heart felt and with some depth. Really a cute novel. This author knows kids, and I'm sure anecdotes he's picked up from the children in his life were woven into this story.

Sunflower Sisters

Author: Martha Hall Kelly
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2021
Pages: 528
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Georgeanna "Georgy" Woolsey isn't meant for the world of lavish parties and the demure attitudes of women of her stature. So when war ignites the nation, Georgy follows her passion for nursing during a time when doctors considered women on the battlefront a bother. In proving them wrong, she and her sister Eliza venture from New York to Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg and witness the unparalleled horrors of slavery as they become involved in the war effort.

In the South, Jemma is enslaved on the Peeler Plantation in Maryland, where she lives with her mother and father. Her sister, Patience is enslaved on the plantation next door, and both live in fear of LeBaron, an abusive overseer who tracks their every move. When Jemma is sold by the cruel plantation mistress Anne-May at the same time the Union army comes through, she sees a chance to finally escape - but on by abandoning the family she loves

Anne-May is left behind to run Peeler Plantation when her husband joins the Union army and her cherished brother enlists with the Confederates. In charge of the household, she uses the opportunity to follow her own ambitions and is drawn into a secret Southern network of spies, finally exposing herself to the fate she deserves.

Review: I wasn't sure I had it in me right now to tackle a 500 page book, but I decided to start reading and see where it would take me.

Initially I found myself frustrated with following three women, but before long I realized the author's genius in telling this story this way. We often read novels that are told from a slaves perspective, or from that of the plantation owner, and so on, but rarely do we see the various walks of life represented in one novel in concurrent timelines.

I've seen other reviews that say this book needed to be edited down, but I disagree. This novel isn't about getting the story out, bing bang boom. It's about drawing you into these characters' lives and setting up time and place.

I love a great family saga, and if you're like me, allow me to highly recommend Roses, which is the novel to which I attribute this love of the genre.

NOTE: Sunflower Sisters is the third installment about the Woolsey Women. The first novel published was Lilac Girls, followed by Lost Roses which is actually a prequel to Lilac Girls. Sunflower Sisters is the prequel to the prequel. Got all that?

You do not have to read all three or read them in order to enjoy this "trilogy." It is geneology that connects them, not story lines.

Nice Girls

Author: Catherine Dang
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher, 2021
Pages: 352
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Growing up in Liberty Lake, Minnesota, Mary was chubby, awkward, and smart. Earning a scholarship to an Ivy League school was her ticket out; she was going to do great things , and never look back. Three years later, "Ivy League Mary" is back - a thinner, cynical, and restless failure. Kicked out of Cornell at the beginning of her senior year, she won't tell anyone why. Working at the local grocery store, she sees familiar faces from high school and tries to make sense of her past and her life.

When beautiful, magnetic Olivia Willand, a rising social media star, goes missing, Mary - like the rest of Liberty Lake - becomes obsessed. Best friends in childhood, Mary and Olivia haven't spoken in years. Everyone admired Olivia, but Mary knows better than anyone that behind the Instagram persona hid a willful, manipulative girl with sharp edges. As the world worries for perfect, lovely Olivia, Mary can't help but hate her. She also believes that her disappearance is tied to another missing person - a nineteen-year-old girl named DeMaria Jackson whose disappearance has gone under the radar.

Who was Olivia Willand, and where did she go? What happened to DeMaria? As Mary delves deeper into the lives of the two missing girls, old wounds bleed fresh and painful secrets threaten to destroy everything.

May no one is really a nice girl, after all.

Review: When I saw this compared to Luckiest Girl Alive and All the Missing Girls, I almost stepped away from it. Did I really want to read another messed up/missing girl novel? Then, I reconsidered and decided to give it a shot. This book was so good!

I read this in one sitting unable to put it down. I was drawn into the story, felt for the main character, and there was enough mystery to keep me interested. 

This novel is dark, but uncovers so many truths about people too. It had me thinking about my own high school experiences and friends I had back then.

I paid attention to each character in this novel trying to decipher what had happened. My number one suspect turned out not to be involved at all. Lots of twists and a couple red herrings. Weird doesn't equal guilty.

This is Dang's debut novel and I cannot wait for more. This will be an author to watch.

A Clearing in the Wild

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group, 2009
Pages: 384
Rating: Do Not Recommend

Synopsis: Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns on the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue - and often doesn't even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony's charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil.

Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await "the last days." Christian believes they've found the ideal situation in Washington territory, when when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian's choice in favor of moving to Oregon.

Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength - if she can harness it effectively.

Review: At first this novel captured my attention, but I quickly became bored. Emma constantly pushes the envelope and bemoans the role of women in her world. Christian is repeatedly disappointed in her attitude and decisions, but then he ultimately comes around to her way of thinking. This is a cycle repeated throughout the book. 

I don't need my books to have deep meanings or literary significance, but in this genre I expect to learn something and/or be entertained. This was a total let-down.

I believe this is Book 1 of a trilogy, but I think it's safe to say, I won't be reading the others.

The Christmas Swap

Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Fiction / Christmas
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group, 2021
Pages: 176
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.

Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the house guests would be so sweet - or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get. . .messy.

Review: This book was super cute, and it's one of those novels you read and think, "I'm so sad I can never read this again for the very first time." Definitely predictable, and definitely typical Hallmark romance, but it was the right book at the right time.