Book Review: Maids of Misfortune(A Victorian San Francisco Mystery #1) by M. Louisa Locke

 Maids of Misfortune

by

M. Louisa Locke

Quote: "Men, in particular, would rather trust their lives to the stars than to the advice of a woman."

Started reading: July 16, 2022

Finished: August 3, 2022

Kindle edition: 338 pages

From the cover:

It's the summer of 1879, and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, is in trouble. Annie's husband squandered her fortune before committing suicide, five years earlier, and one of his creditors is threatening to take the boardinghouse she owns to pay off a debt.

Annie Fuller, also has a secret. She supplements her income by giving domestic and business advice as Madam Sybil, one of San Francisco's most exclusive clairvoyants, and one of Madam Sybil's clients, Matthew Voss, has died.

My Review:

My favorite aspect of this story was Annie's character as a woman finally having her independence, and it shows throughout the book.

No longer, the mere wife or daughter of someone, to be controlled, she has taken her new role and embraced it. The story does give bits and pieces of her life before, but for the most part, we just see a woman with her own mind, and a mystery she intends to solve, no matter how she gets it done.

This would definitely be more of a cozy mystery series. While there is the "who dunnit" theme, for me, it was more about Annie's life after becoming a widow. I'm leaning more towards historical romance.

A few characters didn't really get to shine through or become developed like I had hoped.(maybe in the books to come).

Maids of Misfortune

I was pleased with the story as a whole. I rate it 4 stars.

Book Review: Daughters of the Witching Hill

Daughters of the Witching Hill

By Mary Sharratt

Quote: "No, indeed. No one will let you. They'll come banging on your door at all hours, calling on you for this and that. Just be careful, love. It's a gift you've been given, but even gifts don't come for nothing. You might have to pay more than you bargained." ~Anne Whittle(Chattox) pg. 43

Started: May 17, 2018

Finished: May 24, 2018

paperback/333pages

From the Cover:

In Daughters of the Witching Hill, Mary Sharratt brings history to life in a vivid and wrenching novel of strong women, family, and betrayel inspired by the 1612 Pendle witch trials.

  Bess southerns, an impoverished widow, lives with her children in a crumbling old tower in Pendle Forest. Drawing on Catholic ritual, medicinal herbs, and guidance from her spirit-friend Tibb, Bess heals the sick and foretells the future in exchange for food and drink. As she ages, she instructs her best friend, Anne, and her granddaughter, Alizon, in her craft. Though Anne ultimately turns to dark magic, Alizon intends to use her craft for good. But when a peddler suffers a stroke after exchanging harsh words with Alizon, a local magistrate tricks her into accusing her family and neighbors of witchcraft. Suspicion and paranoia reach frenzied heights as friends and loved ones turn on one another and the novel draws to an inevitable conclusion.

My Review:

There is so much I want to say about this book!

This story is listed as a historical fiction but it is based off the actual lives, events and trials of  the Lancashire/Pendle Forest witches of 1612.

I honestly had not heard anything about the hunts or trials in England to this extent. 

While most of us, including myself, are very aware of the Salem witch trials, this was definitely an intriguing new find for myself.

Bess Southerns, known as Old Demdike was known to be a widowed cunning woman. A healer, who earned her living healing and blessing animals and people. After King James I took the throne, many people began to fear woman like Demdike.

They were not only becoming informed that these such people were "working for the devil" but it was also put into law that if any participated in "witchcraft" or knew of anyone doing so and did not come forward would also be punished.

Fear, belief, ignorance, being misinformed, and most likely poverty all started a  chaotic panic in the beginnings of a Witch Hunt.

Everyone became suspicious of each other. Friend, neighbor, even families.

It became a very real game of either being found guilty yourself, or give a name of someone else suspected of witchcraft to save yourself.

That is exactly what happens in Daughters of the Witching Hill.

 Bess teaches her long time friend, Anne(Chattox) her craft with the understanding and trust that Anne will not only keep this to herself but also, that she only intends to use it as protection and for good not evil or revenge.

That doesn't last long. For Anne has plans of her own that aren't exactly "Christian like".

Bess has also taught her granddaughter, Alizon. Bess's daughter had no interest in becoming a cunning woman and her husband(John Devise) is the poster picture for those paranoid and afraid of the craft.

John constantly thinks Chattox has cursed him, is cursing him, or is planning on cursing him.

This story is full of daily struggles, day to day lives. Families, friends, foes.

There is love, hurt, healing, poverty, suffering, perseverance, and prayer.

There are herbs, clay figures, and buried cat skulls too.

While this book is fiction, it is written in a  wonderful way to get you into the minds of how they lived, what they would have felt and done. I love that it shows how the times were and the way people reacted to what was going on around them.

I definitely would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Witch trials, history, or England.

Again, while it is a fiction it was extremely educational and informative.

5 STARS!

Here are a few links I have gathered to pique your interest!

THIS BOOK: Daughters of the Witching Hill

Historic UK: Pendle Witches

Pendle Witches: WIKI

BBC: Witch's cottage found??

Book Review: In Plain View: Valley Of Choice(Book #2)

In Plain View

By~ Olivia Newport

Quote:

" What do you know about Karl Kramer's missing fertilizer? Or what do your friends have to do with it? ~ Annie pg. 187

Started: August 21, 2017

Finished: August 31, 2017

Paperback 361 pages

From the Cover:

Choosing the simple life has never been so complicated...

Nearly a year after her successful but unsatisfying high-tech life, Annie Friesen wonders if she can truly succeed at being Amish. A lucrative job offer, a red dress, and the shadow of an Amish woman looking for a husband create a vortex that clouds Annie's choice. Her parents seem determined to sabotage her efforts, and Rufus Beiler, the Amish carpenter who captured her heart, leaves room for doubt about their future. When an explosion brings Annie under suspicion, she wrestles with how her new values will manifest in her efforts to clear her name.

Meanwhile, Amish parents Eli and Franey Beiler struggle with their daughter Ruth's decision to live away from the Amish settlement and pursue higher education in Colorado Springs, and the attentions of Elijah Capp bring Ruth's path to a crossroads.

Facing decisions that can change their own  futures as well as the futures of generations, both Annie and Ruth unravel the past in order to bring the future into plain view.

My Review:

This story continues with Annalise(Annie) trying to simplify her life and herself along with continuing on her path to becoming Amish. She has given up her career, her car, and her modern technology and easy communicating with her family. She has moved into a small home and had all electricity removed. She is living simpler, but it seems her life is anything but simple.

She is struggling with the Amish ways and language. Trying to pretend that she isn't doing this all for a man, Rufus. She now has Beth, one of the Stutzmans' daughters who are staying with the Beiler's until their house is finished, to make her jealous and cautious around Rufus. She is competition. 

Her sister is in town for a visit and insists on tempting Annie to stray back to her old ways.

Annie still has her suspicions about Karl Kramer and now with the explosion a whole new set of problems between the Amish and English people.

This story is just spinning out of control in circles. I cannot get a grasp on what this story is about or how it is supposed to play out. 

This is book # 2 and it is the same as before. Too many "mini stories" trying to fight for a place in this one book.

again, there is the historical, genealogy aspect with the first set of Bylers. Annie has kind of dropped off on her research in this book, yet the chapters still keep flipping from present to past.I honestly would have preferred the entire series to be solely about the post Revolutionary War Bylers. It seems to have more character and believable story line.
I am finding the "Annie story" to just drag out and never really go anywhere!

I have actually already started the third and final book and it pretty much seems the same.
And now, they have added yet another Amish family who have moved into the town and already seem to be bringing trouble with them. As I've said before, I will stick it out and finish this trilogy.
Hopefully, the conclusion will finally bring some answers to this puzzling saga!

Happy Reading!

Review: Orphan Mother

Orphan Mother

By~ Robert Hicks

Quote: " It mean, she don't know when she need help. She don't know when she in trouble. She don't know when it's time to give up." ~ Hooper

(pg. 150)

Started: July 23, 2017

Finished: July 31, 2017

paperback/320 pages

From the Cover:

In the years following the Civil War, Mariah Reddick, former slave to Carrie McGavock--the "Widow of the South"-- has quietly built a new life for herself as a midwife to the women of Franklin, Tennessee. But when her ambitious, politically minded grown son, Theopolis, is murdered, Mariah-no stranger to loss--finds her world once more breaking apart. How could this happen?

Who wanted him dead?

  Mariah's journey to uncover the truth leads her to unexpected people- including George Tole, a recent arrival in town, fleeing a difficult past of his own- and forces her to confront the truths of her own past. Brimming with the vivid prose and historical research that has won ROBERT HICKS recognition as a "master storyteller"(San Francisco Chronicle), THE ORPHAN MOTHER is the unforgettable story of one woman's heroic struggle in the face of overwhelming adversity and the undeniable strength of a mother's love.

My Review:

I have to say that I enjoyed this book right from the beginning. It is "someone's story".

Although it is fiction, someone, somewhere has lived this. Probably not exactly but it is definitely a "facts within" book. Which makes me love it even more.

The characters were real!

The place was believable.

The times were tragic and heartbreaking.

There was love, hate, sadness, joy, life and death.

All throughout history we see these things. Some trying to separate, some trying to come together. 

Power, greed, superiority, self doubt, shame

Judging, being judged. 

Sadly, there is no perfect answer.

We are born into things, taught things, we may learn things and at a point we must decide who we are. What do we believe and what will we pass on and live out in our own life and the choices we make.

I love any book that makes you humble. It really makes you take a look at yourself and ask...

What would I have done?

How would I have dealt with these circumstances, this situation?

How can we treat any other human this way?

Where does ignorance end and stupidity begin?

Will you become bitter or better?

 Faith and Hope are amazing things to behold!

Mariah's story is heartbreaking and empowering!

Definitely a 5 star.

I hope sooo many people will read her "story"

The Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks

Review: The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Quote: " A little longer, and thou needest not to be afraid to trace whose child she is. But how strangely beautiful she looks, with those wild-flowers in her hair!"` Hester pg. 186

Started: Feb.20, 2013

Finished: March 1, 2013

paperback/ 247 pages

From the cover:

Hailed by Henry James as " the finest piece of imaginative writing yet put forth in the country," Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter  reaches to our nation's historical and moral roots for the material of great tragedy. Set in an early New England colony, the novel shows the terrible impact a single, passionate act has on the lives of three members of the community: the defiant Hester Prynne; the fiery, tortured Reverend Dimmesdale; and the obsessed, vengeful Chillingworth.

With The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne became the first American novelist to forge from Puritan heritage a universal classic, a masterful exploration of humanity's unending struggle with sin, guilt, and pride.

My Review:

I loved the story and the how the book teaches us somewhat about how society treated sins. I wasn't thrilled with the writing style. I felt like the whole Introductory threw me off into what the story was actually about. I wasn't interested in that much detail about Hawthorne himself. Also, this version/print is categorized a teen read and honestly, I do not feel any teen would have read the first 45 pages of how Hawthorne became who he was and why he wrote a story such.

On to The Scarlet Letter. My impression as a whole was that it was...sad.

Sad, and tragic.

Hester, while feeling she had made the only choice she could after her "sin" was committed, put herself more so into a place of isolation and loneliness. By choosing not to reveal who her husband truly was or her lover(father of the baby) she set herself up for more heartache. I realize times were much different than today, but I can't help but feel she caused her own burden and with it a distance from her own child. She seemed to use the child as a punishment rather than a blessing and I cannot agree with that at all.

I detested Chillingworth. He was selfish, whiny and too woe is me. Dimmsesdale didn't fair much better, in my opinion. What a coward! All because he wanted to save his own reputation and ego. How could he live within the same community, seeing them so often and never acknowledge what part he had played??? How could he let Hester take all the shame and responsibility on herself and watch his own child become the next generation of target to those who knew?

Shame on him!

3 stars* for Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter

Review: The Evil Inside(Krewe of Hunters #4)

The Evil Inside

by Heather Graham

Quote: "Most people do mock what they don't understand- especially when we're all taught to be brave, that ghosts don't exist and there's nothing hiding under the bed." ~ Jake pg. 146

Started: Oct 4, 2012

Finished: Oct. 13, 2012

479 pages/ hardcover, Large print edition

From the cover:

Lexington House, overlooking New England's jagged coastline, has been the witness to madness and murder throughout its history. But in recent years the malice has lain silent. Until now. Jenna Duffy is a member of the nation's foremost paranormal forensic team. Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House, or for the chief suspect- a boy barely old enough to drive, much less kill. With the young man's life on the line, Jenna teams up with attorney Samuel hall to pinpoint who- or what- is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past.

My Review:

Ok, first off I will tell you that I am going to rate this book high. Probably higher than I should. Only because I feel this book would be amazing as a stand alone. The reason I'm so bummed is that Graham is becoming SO predictable! I really do enjoy this series but every book by chapter 2 we know that 2 people are going to fall for each other and usually have figured out which 2. :(

With that out of the way...I did enjoy The Evil Inside. This story was a great book to choose just around Halloween. Set in Massachusetts during an event called Haunted Happenings, it focuses on a number of murders and trying to determine if they are looking for one killer or possibly two. Once again the Krewe of Hunters are called in to use their talents to try and gain insight to the string of mysteries and murders. Jenna is called in to help by her Uncle a to help with a boy he once had as a patient who is now being held as a suspect in a brutal crime, the murder of his entire family.  

*4 stars*

Review: Sacred Evil (Krewe of Hunters #3)

Sacred Evil 

by Heather Graham

Quote: "Are you still convinced that it all has to do with Jack the Ripper and someone obsessed with him?" ~Angela pg. 196

Started: Sept. 23, 2012

Finished: Oct. 4, 2012

479 pages/ hardcover, Large print edition

From the cover:

One look and Manhattan Detective Jude Crosby recognizes the tableau: a re-creation of Jack the Ripper's gruesome work. but he also sees something beyond the actions of a mere copycat. something more dangerous...and unexplainable. As the city seethes with suspicion, Jude calls on Whitney Tremont, a member of the country's preeminent paranormal investigating team, to put the speculation to rest. Yet when Whitney and Jude delve deeper, what they discover is more shocking than either could have predicted, and twice as sinister.

My Review:

This series continues to get better and better. While I won't say this book was one of my favorites out of the series, I did love the story line and the historical theme that went along with it. I think I like these so much because they use real events from the past and put a new spin on them. many of the historical events I had heard of but never learned any of the details. With these being "cop stories" they do seem to use a lot of facts and follow the crimes in a realistic way.

This book brings the story of Jack the Ripper to modern times with a paranormal twist. Once again, the Krewe of Hunters are called in to use their personal talents to shed light on an unsolved murder case. Sacred Evil seems to focus mainly on Jude and Whitney. I like how each story lets you get to know certain characters more intimately and gives a more detailed look into each of the members.

*5 stars*

continuing on to the next book...

Review: Those Across The River

Those Across The River

by Christopher Buehlman

Quote: "Mother wasn't to talk about her family to me. And she didn't. But when I got to college, i started digging it up for myself."~ Frank pg. 90

Started: Aug: 29, 2012

Finished: Sept. 5, 2012

357 pages/hardcover

From the cover:

Haunted by memories of the Great War, failed academic Frank Nichols and his wife, Eudora, have arrived in the sleepy Georgia town of Whitbrow, where Frank hopes to write a history of his family's old estate-the Savoyard Plantation-and the horrors that occurred there. At first, the quaint, rural ways of their new neighbors seem to be everything they wanted. But under the facade of summer socials and small-town charm, there is an unspoken dread that the townsfolk have lived with for generations. A presence that demands sacrifice. 

 It comes from the shadowy woods across the river, where the ruins of the Savoyard Plantation still stand. Where a long-smoldering debt of blood has never been forgotten...

 Where it has been waiting for Frank Nichols.

My Review:

I loved almost everything about this book. It was such a wonderful suspenseful, mysterious book based on old rituals and revenge. It is set in the south, Georgia, where traditions and superstitions run high and deep. Coming from the north you never know how to take things or how true they can be. Sometimes there are things happening all around you whether you believe in them or not. When you are face to face with them and believing is still a question you are unsure of the answer to, it makes for a terrifying experience! 

I definitely loved this book, but will give only *4stars* due to so much profanity! I think Buehlman had #1 characters and detail of their personalities and reactions to situations without the unneeded swearing throughout the entire book.(major turn-off). Also, warning to some. There is some detailed sexual experiences between the characters. For some this is also a "TMI" story. I personally enjoyed those "scenes". It did help develop the characters for me and added a little "heat" to a chilling story!

Review: Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key

by Tatiana De Rosnay

Quote: " Be brave, my sweet love. Be brave, as brave as you can." ~ Father  pg. 23

started: Feb. 25, 2012

finished: Feb. 28, 2012

From the cover:

PARIS, JULY 1942:  Sarah, a ten-year-old girl, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night. Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard- their secret hiding place- and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.

SIXTY YEARS LATER: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. It was so honest and emotional. I loved that it was written from both perspectives. It is both historical and modern. I learned that this was based on actual events, although the characters are fictional. There are so many details surrounding the events of the Holocaust that are still not clear or known even today.  I really enjoyed parts of the book where Julia was researching the history. It made me feel so anxious to see where her journey led her and what discoveries she made. I have also tried to do some research into the facts. Here are a few links I have found:

Vel' d' Hiv Roundup

Behind the French Ruling

Review: Fever 1793

Fever 1793

by 

Laurie Halse Anderson

Quote: " She won't settle until you are gone. She doesn't want you here. She's afraid you'll get sick." ~ Eliza pg. 73

started: Feb. 14, 2012

finished: Feb. 16, 2012

From the cover:

  During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.

 Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. but she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.

My Review:  

  Although this book was written for younger readers, I found it very well written and very educational. There are several references to real people and how this epidemic was dealt with. I liked that it dealt with real events and very believable situations. The author did a wonderful job of writing it as to where you could put yourself in Mattie's shoes. I felt like I was experiencing these events with her. It shows very well how families are split and you have to make hard, painful decisions to help in the survival of the ones you love and pray that you have the strength to save yourself!

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history or early american events.

All in all, this was a wonderful little book. 5 stars!

Review: Uprising

Uprising

by 

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Quote: 

“I will go back to Triangle. I'm not done fighting there. I don't know how I'll do it, but I'm sure -- I can still do something to change that place.” Yetta

started reading Sept. 24, 2011
ended Oct. 2, 2011 


Synopsis:Three girls become unlikely friends during troubled times in early 1900s New York City. Bella, newly arrived from Italy, gets a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. There, along with hundreds of others, she works long hours at a guieling job under terrible conditions. Yetta, a coworker from Russia, has been crusading for a union, and when conditions worsen, she joins a historic strike. Wealthy Jane learns of the plight of the workers and becomes involved in their cause. And all three girls are at the Triangle factory on March 26, 1911, when a spark ignites some cloth and the building is engulfed in fire. Can any of them survive?(taken from Haddix webpage)

This book is very well researched. It is one of the best historical fiction books I have read in a long time. Haddix does a wonderful job of keeping facts in an accurate timeline and capturing the very likely feelings and situations of each of the three girls involved. Each girl is different in many ways.
 Bella is a 15 year old immigrant from Italy. She was sent to America to help support her family back home.Yetta is a Jewish girl from Russia who has come to America to reunite with her older sister.

Jane is a 16 year old wealthy girl from New York who lives with her father and governess/chaperon 

I love that each girl has her own trials to deal with, yet they are somehow always there for each other. Each girl has her own agenda and dreams and they soon realize that it can all change too quickly.

The Triangle shirtwaist factory fires was an actual event that took place on March 25, 1911 due to many problems inside and outside of the factory. 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in historical events or a great bittersweet novel. 

Here are a few websites you can get more information on either the book or facts about the events.

http://www.shelfari.com/books/685171/Uprising

http://www.haddixbooks.com/books/uprise.html

http://www.historybuff.com/library/refshirtwaist.html

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/triangle-shirtwaist-fire-in-new-york-city