I felt the characters in this story lacked substance and unique personalities that you would see in Kate Morton’s other stories and I felt the characters didn’t really connect with each other. There were several situations that were never fully explained and was left to interpretation and I was disappointed with the conclusion. I felt there was no closure to the story. The ending fell flat.

However, the idea Kate had for the story line was good. I did enjoy reading parts of this book and I thought about the characters for sometime after reading it and thought about how things might have been different for them and the choices they made in their lives. I did like how Kate Morton described some of the scenes. They were written in a way…. I felt I was right there in the story experiencing them for myself. 
I rated this book three stars.

Stephanie

Hassan was a good boy and grew up still courageous, strong, loyal and never lost his integrity. Even after everything he had gone through.

This was a moving story that will haunt me for a very long time.

I rated this story five stars.
Stephanie

This girl Sally has a five year affair with this married man named Clive. He dumps her and of course she is upset and wants revenge. But what does she expect would happen? She thinks he would have left his wife for her? She should have gotten the clue that wasn’t going to happen after the first year or so! It gets better….She is with a man name Daniel and they have two children together.

I have to admit I was mentally exhausted after reading this story. A story about infidelity, obsession and revenge.I was utterly disgusted with Clive and Sally. More so with Sally and just how far she went. She should have left it alone when Clive dumped her. Sally had her revenge and she payed a high price for it. She broke up a family, including her own. Of course Clive helped with that also.

I felt Sally had no shame, guilt or remorse. In the end of the story she says, “If I’ve learned anything from this at all, it’s that life goes on and we must move on too.” Separately.

Wow! What a nut case!

This book is definitely a page turner. The Author Tamar Cohen does an excellent job exploring a person’s mind on obsession and revenge.

Stephanie

                                                     Author Christy English

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?

I started writing as a child and never stopped. I began to write again as an adult, but only for myself. Characters showed up with their stories, and I wrote them down for pure pleasure. For the first few years, no one read them but me. Then, one day, I was in Barnes and Noble and saw Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with the Pearl Earring and I realized that not only did other people write historical fiction, a lot of people wanted to read it. So I began working harder, making my books better so that more people could enjoy them than just me.

2. What is your favorite book you have written and why?

My books are like children. I love them all for different reasons. I love The Queen’s Pawn because of the fiery connection between Eleanor and Henry, and for Alais’ sweet innocence at the beginning and at the end of the novel. I love To Be Queen for Eleanor’s passion and courage, for her bravery in the face of great odds, a woman who ruled in a man’s world, and who ruled well.

3. What fascinates you the most about Eleanor of Aquitaine?

I love that Eleanor never gives up. Though faced with insurmountable challenges, Eleanor never surrenders. Though she loses many battles, she never gives up on the over all war. The war she fights all her life is to rule in her own name, to protect herself and her power, to become the woman she was born to be. Like few women in history, Eleanor succeeded in that, and in many other things.

4. What is your next book project?

I am currently writing Regency romance novels for Sourcebooks, and I am loving it. I am re-telling Shakespearean comedies, beginning with The Taming of the Shrew. It is so much fun to delve into a new time, and to completely immerse myself in romance. I am a sucker for true love, and in a romance novel, true love always triumphs.

5. What is your favorite quote?

“Write what you love.”

6. What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Keep writing. Stay in the chair, no matter how tempted you are to give up, to give in, to give out. No one can write with your voice, no one else can tell your story but you.

Much love,
Christy

Christy English
Author of the Historical Novels

If you are not a member of Ladies & Literature and you are looking for a ladies book club! We are it!! We are holding a contest, winner gets a prize. So please come on over and join us. We would love to have you!

Here is the link: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/40140.Ladies_Literature

Best,
Stephanie

We’re a ladies only club.

A few years ago my Grandfather started to speak of the war in bits and pieces. He sparked my interest in learning more. I’ve read several fictional books over the years about the war, but Zoo Station puts the icing on the cake.

What an intellectually fascinating written story of espionage, good and evil and the time leading up to the brink of war. As I got deeper into the story the more intrigued I became by the characters and their situation. This book touched my heart. A must read.

This was a fast easy read. However, the book didn’t portray Queen Elizabeth in a good light. Lettie was about the only strong character, I thought in this book. This story is about Lettie Knollys -Queen Elizabeth cousin-the only women to stand up to Elizabeth. Lettie Knollys secretly marries Robert Dudley and the Queen basically tries too make Lettie’s life hell for doing so. I enjoy reading about Tudor England and I felt that this book really didn’t portray Tudor England in the way we normally read about. But…having said that, overall it was an interesting read. The plot was good, but could have been a little stronger. So I gave it three stars.