Being a Texas transplant myself and seeing the explosion of growth in Austin, I was intrigued when I met John Clendening at the North Texas Book Festival. He told me about his book and the heart or almost hidden center of the story which is can a small town retain its soul as it expands? … Continue reading Simple Glory by John Clendening
Historical Fiction
Trails Southwest in the Southwest Trails Series – Parts 1 & 2 by Diane M. Cece
Wandering around the Texas Book Festival, I came to a booth with Indie Authors from all over the country. Even New Jersey? Well, when I heard that, this Jersey Girl had to meet the author. Diane ended up being all the good things I love about Jersey Girls – straight shooting from the hip kind … Continue reading Trails Southwest in the Southwest Trails Series – Parts 1 & 2 by Diane M. Cece
The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
Both of my book clubs picked winners for December. This deeply researched Historical Fiction revolves around the lawsuit between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse and brings in Nikola Telsa (yes before there were cars!). Told from the viewpoint of Westinghouse’s lawyer, a young Paul Cravath, the reader is engaged into another era of what may … Continue reading The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
A Little Sin by Sionnach Wintergreen
This novella is the perfect combination of story, characters and history. It is a male/male romance and has a few steamy scenes that enhance but not detract from the mystery in this small Texas town in the 1920’s. The book opens to the hanging of the local doctor and the sheriff is left without a … Continue reading A Little Sin by Sionnach Wintergreen
The Doctor’s Wife by Myra Hargrave McIlvain
I first got a glimpse of this author at the Texas Book Festival and picked up her non-fiction book Texas Tales. When I saw her again at the Wimberley Book Fest, I knew I needed another and picked up this book. Myra is an incredible storyteller. Her Historical Fiction read as a nice blend of … Continue reading The Doctor’s Wife by Myra Hargrave McIlvain
Midnight Marauder by Roy Clinton
This is the first book in a series and the good news is there are already 3 available to get you started! The book starts with a murder and then jumps back in time to give the reader the story leading up to the murder. There was a lot to like in this book and … Continue reading Midnight Marauder by Roy Clinton
Lily Torrence by Fred Andersen
Do you remember the 25 cent pocket paperbacks of Mike Shayne? Yeah – I’m not that old either. However this book reminded me of these as it is a classic noir mystery or pulp mystery. The book takes place in the long ago days of Hollywood. There is a bombshell actress with a past and … Continue reading Lily Torrence by Fred Andersen
The Dark Winter of War by Aaron Hewings
This is another gem of a book discovery from the Tucson Festival of Books. It really was worth the trip! Those who read my blog know I am a bit of a history geek and love a good historical fiction read. This book takes the environment of World War II, throws in spies, Nazis, and … Continue reading The Dark Winter of War by Aaron Hewings
The Forger by Paul Watkins
This book has been setting in my TBR pile for at least 3 years. I bought this book because of the cover (we’ll get back to that) and description. Set in Paris at the beginning of World War II, this book had all the elements of a great Historical Fiction. Throw in an American artist … Continue reading The Forger by Paul Watkins
Gone On Sunday – A Cotton Lee Penn Historical Mystery by Tower Lowe
Being a recent transplant to the south (arrived 30 years ago) I enjoyed the look into Southern Culture that this book gives both from 1932 and 1972. The book covers two murders, 40 years apart. Bead Baker in 1932 and her granddaughter Little Mary in 1972 – both women have been severally beaten. There is … Continue reading Gone On Sunday – A Cotton Lee Penn Historical Mystery by Tower Lowe
