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Glory Over Everything by Kathleen Grissom

3/30/2016

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Glory Over Everything details the struggles Jamie Pyke, the son of a slave and a plantation owner, faces living as a white man in Philadelphia during the 1830s.  Not only is Jamie attempting to pass as a white person, but since his white Grandmother raised him in her home, his upbringing was privileged and he is used to that lifestyle.   Jamie becomes a successful silversmith and is establishing himself in the Philadelphia community when his young servant Pan disappears.  Pan's father fears the boy has been kidnapped and has been sold into slavery.  He appeals to Jamie to travel into the south to retrieve the boy.  Since slave hunters are still on the lookout for Jamie, this request proves all the more dangerous.  

Glory Over Everything is a wonderful followup to The Kitchen House as I was able to learn more about the lives of Jamie, Sukey, Lavinia and Belle, however it truly is a stand alone novel.  Once again, the author does a wonderful job putting you into the moment.  The descriptions of the slave quarters were heartbreaking and the daring escapes and adventures throughout the book made my heart race.  Pan is truly endearing character and Jamie shows such personal growth throughout the story.  Adelaide Spencer is a character I hope to see in future novels.  Her spunk and courage added so much flavor to this story.   

I received this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

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Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline

3/28/2016

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How would you feel if you turned on the tv to see the father of your unborn baby being arrested as a suspected serial killer?  Christine Nilsson is living that nightmare.  She and her husband Marcus have struggled with infertility and Christine is now pregnant through an anonymous sperm donor.  The joy of her pregnancy is quickly overshadowed by the fact that Christine believes their sperm donor has been arrested for the murder of three nurses in their area.  Christine decides to travel to the jail and meet Zachary Jeffcoat to see if he could be donor 3319.  

Most Wanted has more twists and turns than a good rollercoaster.  Several times, I thought, "Wow, I did not see that coming."  This is a book you won't want to put down and it certainly kept me guessing until the very last page.  You definitely empathize with Christine and understand her determination to get to the bottom of Zachary's guilt or innocence.  I also particularly liked Zachary's defense lawyer Griff.  I hope the author includes his character in a future novel.   
 
I received this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

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Brighton Belle by Sara Sheridan

3/9/2016

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Brighton Belle was a breath of fresh air.  Set in England just after the end of World War II, Mirabelle Bevan misses her Secret Service past as well as a lost love.  Her sleuthing skills are awakened when a mysterious case comes into the debt collection office where she works.  Mirabelle can't help but get caught up in solving the mystery and following the web of lies to their conclusion.  

I really enjoyed Brighton Belle.  It brought me back to my days of reading Nancy Drew and I loved the 1950s time setting.  Mirabelle is a character you can really cheer for and Vesta Churchill is a great addition to the story.  I can certainly see the two of them as a worthy crime investigating duo.  I definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.  

I received this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  



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Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon

3/2/2016

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Flight of Dreams details the flight of the Hindenburg through the eyes of its passengers.  Told in alternating chapters by the stewardess, the navigator, the cabin boy, the journalist and the American, Flight of Dreams reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel where everyone has a secret and no one is quite what they seem.  This book is a real page turner as you try to figure out who might bring the Hindenburg down and what fates are in store for the characters.  

I was intrigued to learn that each of the characters were based on real life passengers aboard the Hindenburg.  The author did a fantastic job researching the novel and I could easily envision what it would have been like to be a traveler on the Hindenburg.  

Books like Flight of Dreams are why I love historical fiction so much.  I'm able to learn about a real life historical event and be transported back in time to a significant historical event or time period through the magnificent storytelling of the author.  

I received this book from Doubleday Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

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