Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Half Year Book Review Part 1: Women’s Fiction

It has recently been pointed out to me that I have not had a book review post in awhile.  I plan to rectify that, as I have read a ton of books so far this year.  I am up to 60 books since January, which is way too many to review.  Keeping that in mind, I decided to break up my reviews in to genres and favorites within those genres.  I will start out with a category that I call "Women's Fiction".  Women's Fiction is not just romance per se, but focuses primarily on relationships and families.

Letters to the lost

I enjoyed Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey.  It is a book that flip flops back and forth between the current time and a period in the past.  The past in this case is 1943 London.  In the present day, a young woman who is running away from an abusive relationship  and in desperate need of shelter, stumbles into an abandoned and empty house and takes refuge there.  The next day, a mysterious letter is dropped through the mail slot, and she can't help but open it.  The letter opens the portal to the past and reveals  romance between an American bomber pilot and an unhappily married young English girl.  It is a great love story, and the author really creates an accurate picture of what life in England during WW2 must have been like.  Great characterization and plot.

The stolen marriage

This was my first Diane Chamberlain book, and won't be my last.  The Stolen Marriage is the story of Tess, a young nurse who makes a fateful mistake and finds herself pregnant,  suddenly married to a man she barely knows, and moving from her life in Baltimore to the sleepy town of Hickory, North Carolina.  The story takes place in 1944 and is quite the page turner.  The restrictions placed on women in the 40's was a real eye opener.  The polio epidemic features quite prominently in this book as does Tess's struggle to use her medical experience to benefit others, despite her husband's refusal to "allow" her to work.  Lots of secrets, lies and betrayals in this one.

Ember island

Another book using the past/present plot device, Ember Island by Kimberley Freeman is the story of an old manor house on a remote island and two women separated by 100 years.  The setting is certainly unique in this book!  In the 1890's England, Tilly Kirkland's sudden and volatile marriage goes disastrously wrong and she runs away to Ember Island in Australia.  She becomes the governess to the precocious daughter of the prison superintendent and attempts to start a new life in this remote location.  The plot is pretty complex, and held my interest throughout the book.  This book definitely has gothic overtones.  The modern day story involves Nina, an author who also escapes to Ember Island to get over her failed marriage and a serious case of writer's block.  The modern day story was less interesting to me, but there were parallels between the two women.

The address

The Address by Fiona Davis is another book with a unique location.  The book takes place at The Dakota, the famous apartment building that has been home to many famous people, including John Lennon, who lived there when he was assassinated.  English housekeeper Sara Smythe has a chance encounter with the famous architect who designed The Dakota, and is presented with the opportunity to move to New York City and become the manager of the apartment building in 1884.  Some romance, major lies and betrayals, plus a stay at a terrible insane asylum are only a few of the things that will maintain your interest in this book.  This book also employs the dual timeline plot device and flip flops between the past and present with parallel stories.  Tons of historical detail in this book, plus the modern day plot line considers the challenge and moral dilemma of present day renovations in the historical building.

The shape of mercy

You just cannot go wrong with a book by Susan Meissner. The Shape of Mercy is the story of a modern day college student named Lauren who has been hired by an eccentric 83 year old woman to transcribe the journals of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.  Lauren is drawn into Mercy's story and you will be too.  It was hard for me to believe the superstitions, false accusations and out of control frenzy that took place in our country 400 years ago, but Meissner's masterful storytelling brings it all to life.  Lauren's affinity for Mercy causes her to take a hard look at her own life and decisions.  This was an enjoyable read for me, and I hope you will like it too.

Check back next week, and I will tackle Psychological Thrillers, another favorite genre of mine.

Happy weekend everyone!

27 responses to “Half Year Book Review Part 1: Women’s Fiction”

  1. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plts!
    Hugs. 🙂

  2. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plts!
    Hugs. 🙂

  3. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plts!
    Hugs. 🙂

  4. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plots. !
    Hugs. 🙂

  5. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plots. !
    Hugs. 🙂

  6. Thanks! These books sound so interesting. It amazes me that folks can come up with so many unique plots. !
    Hugs. 🙂

  7. Sounds like a couple of good reads here Nicole. I have been reading (and some re-reading) this Summer. Heard of several books with a book club through my knit shop group this week but of course, can’t remember a single title. Your list gave me a few choices to pursue for the time being. Nothing more relaxing than a book you can’t wait to pick up again.

  8. Sounds like a couple of good reads here Nicole. I have been reading (and some re-reading) this Summer. Heard of several books with a book club through my knit shop group this week but of course, can’t remember a single title. Your list gave me a few choices to pursue for the time being. Nothing more relaxing than a book you can’t wait to pick up again.

  9. Sounds like a couple of good reads here Nicole. I have been reading (and some re-reading) this Summer. Heard of several books with a book club through my knit shop group this week but of course, can’t remember a single title. Your list gave me a few choices to pursue for the time being. Nothing more relaxing than a book you can’t wait to pick up again.

  13. I have just finished ‘Dear Mrs Bird,’ by A J Pearce, I found it a good read, perhaps you will.
    ‘Letters to the Lost,’ sounds good, I shall look it up.

  14. I have just finished ‘Dear Mrs Bird,’ by A J Pearce, I found it a good read, perhaps you will.
    ‘Letters to the Lost,’ sounds good, I shall look it up.

  15. I have just finished ‘Dear Mrs Bird,’ by A J Pearce, I found it a good read, perhaps you will.
    ‘Letters to the Lost,’ sounds good, I shall look it up.

  19. The stolen marriage to me was the book of the year.. Read it gave it to my mom two days she read it..we passed it to others each was as enthralled as we were. Thanks for the recommendations! Look forward to your next reviews

  20. The stolen marriage to me was the book of the year.. Read it gave it to my mom two days she read it..we passed it to others each was as enthralled as we were. Thanks for the recommendations! Look forward to your next reviews

  21. The stolen marriage to me was the book of the year.. Read it gave it to my mom two days she read it..we passed it to others each was as enthralled as we were. Thanks for the recommendations! Look forward to your next reviews

  22. Nicole,
    love love your blog .your one of the few over the past few years who still keep it light and interesting with great tips , without selling everything in site . thank you. always look forward to your book reviews as I am a reader also. My love of books started as a child and continues to grow with the years,not to mention quilting and knitting.

  23. Nicole,
    love love your blog .your one of the few over the past few years who still keep it light and interesting with great tips , without selling everything in site . thank you. always look forward to your book reviews as I am a reader also. My love of books started as a child and continues to grow with the years,not to mention quilting and knitting.

  24. Nicole,
    love love your blog .your one of the few over the past few years who still keep it light and interesting with great tips , without selling everything in site . thank you. always look forward to your book reviews as I am a reader also. My love of books started as a child and continues to grow with the years,not to mention quilting and knitting.

  25. Love your book reviews. I started the Seven Sister series that you recommended some time ago and am loving it.

  26. Love your book reviews. I started the Seven Sister series that you recommended some time ago and am loving it.

  27. Love your book reviews. I started the Seven Sister series that you recommended some time ago and am loving it.