When the Apricot Blooms

Author: Gina Wilkinson
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Kensington, 2021
Pages: 320
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: At night, in Huda's fragrant garden, a breeze sweeps in from the desert encircling Baghdad, rustling the leaves of her apricot leaves and carrying warning of visitors at her gate. Huda, a secretary at the Australian embassy, lives in fear of the mukhabarat - the secret police who watch and listen for any scrap of information that can be used against America and its allies. They have ordered her to befriend Ally Wilson, the deputy ambassador's wife. Huda has no wish to be an informant, but fears for her teenaged son, who may be forced to join a deadly militia. Nor does she know that Ally has dangerous secrets of her own.

Huda's former friend, Rania, enjoyed a privileged upbringing as the daughter of a sheikh. Now her family's wealth is gone, and Rania too is battling to keep her child safe and a roof over their heads. As the women's lives intersect, their hidden pasts spill into the present. Facing possible betrayal at every turn, all three must trust in a fragile, newfound loyalty, even as they discover how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect their families.

Review: This book is too intense to be read this time of the year, but it's so good. I cannot imagine living under these circumstances. I had to take breaks and set this book aside at times to disconnect, but I definitely recommend this novel.

The Ballerinas

Author: Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: St Martin's Publishing, 2021
Pages: 304
Rating: Do Not Recommend

Synopsis: Thirteen years ago, Delphine Leger abandoned her prestigious soloist spot at the Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg - taking with her a secret that could upend the lives of her best friends, fellow dancers, Lindsay and Margaux. Now thirty-six years old, Delphine has returned to her former home and to the legendary Palais Garnier Opera House, to choreograph the ballet that will kickstart the next phase of her career - and, she hopes, finally make things right with her former friends. But Delphine quickly discovers that things have changes while she's been away. . .and some secrets can't stay buried forever.

Review: It's funny how circumstances and real life play into the types of books that appeal. I was a big fan of historical fiction for decades, and I do still love that genre. However, with our own historic event (COVID pandemic) still raging, I'm not in the mood necessarily to read about hard times in history.

This genre, dark fiction in which the characters are plagued by poor decisions and the far-reaching, long ranging ramifications, is my jam these days. The Ballerinas is along the lines of Luckiest Girl Alive, and a more recent book I read, Nice Girls.