Was America every really the land of opportunity? This is a question Elsa asked herself upon immigrating to the United States from Germany. In this tale of historical fiction, readers are transported to early twentieth century New York. Author Gregory Erich Phillips does a masterful job of weaving his tale, crafting a world where the …
Book Review: We Need to Talk by Celeste Headlee
I can’t say how many times I’ve been in a conversation where either I don’t feel like I’m being heard or I realize that I didn’t hear a single thing the person talking just said. I hate admitting that, but it’s kind of a fact of life. Sometimes, I sit there, and someone is talking, …
Book Review: Dryland by Nancy Stearns Bercaw
Alcoholism is a killer. I know it’s ironic to write that statement on a blog I started to talk about wine tasting and wine pairing recipes. (And I do want to get back to the original purpose of this blog – and I will.) But I’ve watched too many people throw away lives on alcohol, and …
Book Review: Bridges by Maria Murnane
It’s not easy when you’re almost 40 and you’re trying to make big things happen. It’s no secret that I’m a big dreamer and that I aim high. It takes a lot of perseverance to make things happen – no matter what age you are, and a lot of courage to battle against the “you’re …
Book Review: My Sister’s Bones by Nualla Ellwood
I love books I can’t put down. I hate books I can’t put down. I both love and hate books I cannot put down. They’re so great, and they keep me enthralled – but I wind up reading all day instead of doing all the things I’m supposed to do. I have great admiration for …
Book Review: Red Year by Jan Shapin
Rayna Prohme is a stranger in a strange land, but she hasn’t let that stop her passion. At thirty three years old, she and her husband are in China when she becomes the lover of Mikhail Borodin. Her husband is there covering the failing Chinese revolution, and she comes up with a plan to try …
Book Review: Sons and Soldiers by Bruce Henderson
World War II history has always been a fascinating subject for me – both because I think it’s important to look at the elements of fascism that were present in the war and because some of the most moving stories come from this period. It’s also a very sad and troubled time in world history. In Sons …
Book Review: The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
I’m going to let y’all on a not so secret secret: I love superheroes. I am a big fan of Batman and of Wolverine. I think Spiderman is pretty awesome, and I’d love to borrow his spidey-powers for a little while. My favorite character is Rouge. I think it’s brilliant that touch is both her …
Book Review: My Glory Was I Had Such Friends Amy Silverstein
Almost seven years ago, I went through a traumatic experience. The first thing I did, as soon as my oldest and I were safe, was begin to reach out to my network of friends on the phone. I started calling people, because I felt that I could derive strength from my friends, and because I’d …
Book Review: News of the World by Paulette Jiles
What does it mean to be free? What happens when “saving” someone isn’t necessarily saving that person? Paulette Jiles explores these questions, beautifully, in her book, News of the World. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels and performs the newspaper for those who want to know what’s going on, but who cannot themselves read the news. This lifestyle …
