Nineteen year old Anna Gallagher longs for adventure in her hometown of Seattle, Washington.  However, in 1889 young women are expected to be proper and run a household.  Anna's grandfather and brother seem to want this life for her as well. Anna gets a taste of adventure when the great Seattle fire devastates her grandfather's book store.  Anna dreams to climb Mount Rainier and places her hopes in an advertisement for a  climbing party leaving next summer.  Now, Anna just needs the funds and to start training.  With help from her Duwamish friend, Heather, Anna finds the confidence to begin training for the climb and a means to raise money.  When her brother's friend, Ben visits Washington, Anna may find a man that also fits her lifestyle.
In Sight of the Mountain is an amazing historical adventure that captivated me from the start and didn't let go.  As an avid hiker, I have always wondered about the women who have paved the path for women to be active in the outdoors.  Anna's character, though fictional is a good representation of the experiences of many of the women who were the firsts in the field.  Anna's spirit is captivating and infectious, making me want to plan for my next adventure.  Through her eyes, the grandeur of the Washington territory came alive as well as the many prejudices that people carried.  The plight of the Duwamish people, the native people of the area was brought to light through Anna's friendship with Heather as well as the limited opportunities for women and the views of the women who took matters into their own hands.  I was enchanted by the mystery of the poem in the book that Anna solved and absolutely delighted by the path of the romance with Ben.  The highlight of the story for me was definitely Anna's journey up the mountain.  While Anna's story might not have turned out exactly how she wanted the first time, her story of grit and determination is one that many people can relate to. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ​

Anna Gallagher recently was among the first women to climb Mount Rainier; however, she didn't reach the summit.  Although Anna did find passion,  renewed confidence in herself a man who appreciates her the way she is.  Now, Anna is planning a wedding and a second trip up Rainier where she can hopefully summit alongside her new husband, Ben. As they prepare for their adventure, someone in Seattle repeatedly attacks Anna's grandfather's bookstore to show their disapproval for Anna endeavors.  Meanwhile, Emily Watson, a long time friend of the Gallagher family is dealing with the death of her husband, a husband that was supposed to give her everything she wanted in life, but left her with his debt.  Emily finds that what she wanted all along might have been right next door all these years.  

Picking up right after In Sight of the Mountain, In Light of the Summit continues with Anna and Ben beginning their life together.  After Anna accounts of climbing Rainier are published, an unforeseen incident causes them to think about their next steps.  While the attacks were awful, they unfortunately weren't surprising for the time and I was surprised that so many people were accepting of Anna's adventures.  I did very much enjoy getting to see Anna and Ben preparing for the wedding and building a life together.  Although, this story focused more on her brother Levi and his romantic interests with new widow Emily.  Emily's story is intriguing as she finds out what she really values in life.  She surprises herself when she figures out that money, nice dresses and  high society isn't what fulfills her.  I also enjoyed the historical detail of 1890's Seattle's history with its founder, Henry Yesler and the opening of the Seattle Public Library.  My favorite parts of the story remain when Anna is ascending Mt. Rainier, although Anna and Ben did not begin their climb until about 70% of the way into the story.  As always, the description of the mountain and the view along with Anna's feelings are amazing.  The climb provided for some extremely suspenseful moments that I hope will be resolved in another installment of the Rainier series. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Sylvie Duchenne wants to help her country of France during the war.  After travelling with her mother's dancing troupe, Sylvie has the necessary skills for a placement with the Special Operations Executive, the SOE.  She is placed at the Mirabelle nightclub in Nantes.  Sylvie is to act as a courier, but also has a more dangerous role of extracting information from any German soldiers that she may attract.  Sylvie dives into her role, ready to help in any way possible.  However, her first contact never appears and Sylvie must quickly change plans, relying on the club's pianist, Felix.  As Sylvie's missions become more involved, a German Secretary, Dieter Baumann becomes entranced with Sylvie. As the Resistance moves forward with operations, Sylvie's cover is compromised and she will have to make a life changing decision.

The Secret Agent is historical fiction of the Resistance set during World War II.  The strength of Sylvie's character drew me in from the very first scene where she was being interrogated.  I was intrigued by the training that the women of the SOE went through and the various roles that they played in the Resistance.  While Sylvie may not have been a real person, she was based upon three very real women who risked everything to help their country:  Noor Inayet Khan, Odette Hallowes and Violette Szabo.  While there may have not been a resistance cell in Nantes, I was impressed by the historical detail of the occupied town, the attitudes of the people there and the activities of the Resistance.  I was constantly amazed by Sylvie's fortitude and willingness to take on tasks.  The writing style bounced back and forth between Sylvie's point of view before the war and during the war creating an even pace and well rounded characters.  


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​Long ago, a trader along the Silk Road overheard two former soldiers divulge of their quest to recover a powerful chalice.  The trader develops a scheme to get the treasure for himself.  However, in retrieving his prize, the trader unleashes a powerful being that wreaks havoc upon the Earth.  Years later, when the town has been experiencing a prolonged drought, the trader tells his story.  He fears his actions long ago have resulted in disaster.  Together, the trader and a younger man set off to right his wrong from long ago.  

The Demon in the Well is an epic tale told in rhyming verse.  It's been awhile since I have read anything in this format and I enjoyed the deep immersion into the story and how quickly I was pulled in.  The verse made the story move very quickly and kept me wanting to know what happened next. I was surprised by how smoothly the rhymes carried the story.  While the characters may not have been as well formed, I still feel like I knew who the characters were.  Most of all, I enjoyed the author's inspiration for The Demon of the Well and what his imagination was able to create.  Overall, The Demon of the Well is an exciting journey told in a unique way. 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​Valkin is a Romany Prince of the House of Brishen who is taking the place of a Nobleman for a duel brought on by a grievance of his sister.  Valkin is repaying a debt for poaching on their land.  Dueling against him is Captain Warwick "Wil" Clifton, a second son and well-known rake.  Princess Syeira Brishen is there to witness the duel and assist with medical aid.  When the Prince is injured, Syeira jumps to action taking Wil by surprise.  Wil offers everything he can to the House of Brishen to aid in the Prince's recovery.  While Valkin is recovering, Wil learns that the Romany family is nothing like his.  He also learns that Romany women are very different from any of the English ladies that he knows.  


Always a Princess is an unlikely Regency Romance.  Focusing on a romance between two different cultures rather than just two different mindsets.  From the beginning, I was intrigued by the Romany culture at this time and their interactions with the English houses.  Syeira's character and her role as a Romany princess was also intriguing to read about.  I was very interested in the trades that the Romany engaged in with the English households and the attitudes of the English about the Romany camps ranging from helpful to tolerant to an annoyance. While Wil and Syeira's romantic interest was apparent from the start, the writing let the characters take time to get to know one another.  The focus for Syeira was always on healing her brother and Wil focused on getting the estate in order while trying to figure out his next step in life.  I really liked that their relationship was always respectful and Syeira called out Wil and her brother when decision were being made about her when she was not present.  Overall, a unique, sweet and engrossing cross-cultural Regency romance.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

 1875 in Greenbriar, West Virginia, Zona Heaster quickly falls for the new blacksmith in town, Trout Shue.  The relationship doesn't please Zona's mother, Mary Jane, especially when she learns of Trout's reckless past.  However, Zona seems happy and it is far past the time when a mother should let her daughter go, so Mary Jane relents. As soon as the couple is married, Trout's true colors show and  Mary Jane finds out that Zona has died just a few months after.  Zona's official cause of death is listed as an accidental fall, but Mary Jane is convinced of foul play.  After Zona's ghost comes back to Mary Jane, she begins an official inquest into her daughter's death. 


In 1930, attorney P.D. Gardener is committed to the asylum for the Colored Insane after a failed suicide attempt.  His doctor is trying out a new kind of therapy involving talking and P.D. reminisces about a unique case of defending a white man for murder where the testimony of his deceased wife was used against him. 

Part historical fiction, party murder mystery and part ghost story, The Unquiet Grave is based upon the real murder trial of Zona Heaster Shue.  I was pulled in the most by P.D.'s character and his confinement within the asylum as well as his rise to be a Black attorney in West Virginia.  P.D. gave insight into the time period as well as context for how people acted and what they believed.  Though we didn't know Zona's character for long, her spirit and tenacity was apparent. Zona didn't always make the best decisions in life, but seemed to do better in death by inciting her mother's interest.  The point of view switches between P.D. in 1930 and Mary Jane in 1875, both telling the story, in a rather roundabout way, of how Zona came to be murdered and how her killer was finally convicted.  The writing is very thorough and did seem to get a little bogged down in the details for me at times, but I was impressed by the amount of historical fact that was put in.  I love that Zona's ghost continued to be a character and made sure that her death was not forgotten as well as having a testimony in her own murder trial.  Overall, a unique telling of a historic true crime story. 


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

As a child, Pulcheria is brought to see her mother's body by her father, Roman Emperor Flavius Arcadius.  At this scene, Pulcheria is told to follow God, protect her brother and her people.  Pulcheria takes this to heart and when her father dies suddenly leaving seven-year old Theodosius II as Emperor, Pulcheria does everything in her power to keep the control with her and her brother and not be cast aside.  With her strict religious training, Pulcheria and her sisters vow to be sworn virgins of the Church, evading being married off and sent away.  Pulcheria quickly becomes Theo's most trusted advisor and rules beside him as his equal.  However, as Theo ages his interests are pulled toward romance and ruling as his own man.  As Pulcheria is pushed out of the government and into the Church, she continues to provide for the people of Rome.  As Theo's reign is endangered by one of his eunuchs and the Huns threaten to invade, Pulcheria must win her way back into her brother's heart to help save the empire she loves.

Covering 50 years of history, Dawn Empress is the second book in The Theodosian Women series.  Pulcheria is yet another strong woman and a force to be reckoned with.  She honed her power in interesting ways:  always sensing others motives and being one step ahead,  and a manipulative decisiveness paired with a caring nature.  The writing pulled me into 5th Century Rome with well researched descriptions of the dress, food, palace and churches.  I enjoyed reading about the many true events that the book incorporates and especially the rule of Theodosious II and the reasoning behind his decisions that defined the period.  I was intrigued by Pulcheria's need to protect her brother and family coupled with her need for control and power over her people's religion.  While Pulcheria made some wonderful decisions for Rome, others left me questioning her reasoning.  Overall, another amazing story of a compelling, influential woman in history.

​Two small villages in Cornwall, 1820 have been feuding for years after the murder of Charity Perrow's mother.  Jethro Ennor's father was accused but acquitted of the crime.  Now, Charity takes care of her father and brothers, but feels trapped in her home.  Jethro is a farrier who desperately wants to leave his violent and drunk father, but needs to wait until his little brother is of age.  While roaming the woods collecting mushroom for the town bonesetter, Charity and Jethro meet without knowing who the other is.  Even after they find out, Charity and Jethro can't stay away from one another.  However, another danger lurks in the woods.  Henry Blight, a returned soldier from Waterloo has come back to seek revenge against those who made him commit an unspeakable act years ago.  


Along Came A Soldier is a complex and intriguing historical murder mystery paired with romantic suspense. The characters were interesting and caught my attention early along with the tensions between the two towns.  Charity is caring and  adventurous.  Jethro is impulsive and rough around the edges.  Together,  Charity and Jethro make a perfect pair. Henry is haunted, showing signs of what we would call PTSD, but still wanted to right his wrong from the past making him a sympathetic villain.  I also loved Grace's knowledgeable, meddling and well-meaning character, although I don't know why her boobs had to be described every time she moved.  The mystery also pulled me along, though I had the gist of it pretty early, element were added to the very end for an unexpected and satisfying ending. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​Mark Lane is about to put in place a decision that will change the life of his family, a corporation and possibly history.  Mark has invented the Time Box in conjunction with the Janus corporation headed up by billionaire Robert Devereaux.   When Mark learns that Robert will only use the Time Box for evil, he makes a difficult decision to sabotage the company, steal the working Time Boxes and disappear into the past with his family. Mark, his wife Mary and children Jordan, Laura, Jeremy and Ashley travel in haste to 1865 Virginia.  The family tries to fit in and rebuild a life as best they can.  However, Robert Devereaux will not let Lane's betrayal slide.  Devereaux's team rebuilds a Time box and sends a hit man into the past  to enact revenge.


The Lane Betrayal is a high-stakes, action packed time travel adventure.  From the very first page the suspense is heightened as Mark destroys his friend's company and is chased into the past.  There are a lot of characters in this book, but they are all very well developed and distinctive.  The Lane's are very family oriented and serve one another well. None of the family members are perfect, but they are all trying their best to do what is right during a very weird situation.   The assassin added another layer of danger with a cold-hearted and focused attitude.  The setting of the tail end of the Civil War was an interested choice.  There is a lot of danger in the time period, especially for the men, but it was a time that they knew about well.  I enjoyed reading about Laura's time as a nurse in the field hospital.  Though her time there was difficult, it was authentic and realistic to the time period.  It was also interesting to read about the family's interactions with Lincoln himself and his advisors.  I was intrigued at the family's outlook at potentially changing history and the influence that their presence has had.  With a cliffhanger ending, I can't wait to jump into the next book and next time period with the Lane family.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.