I discovered Michelle Moran quite some time ago when reading her book Nefertiti.  Her historical fiction novels are so well researched that often when I reach the end of one of her books, I have to remind myself I wasn't actually reading the character's journals, but instead was reading a work of fiction.  

The Rebel Queen introduces us to Sita, one of the guards in Queen Lakshmi's all female army.  Sita's journey, from growing up in a village where all of the women were in purdah to serving as one of the most trusted members of the Queen's army, is one of immense growth and change.  It was so interesting to learn about the differing roles of women at that time, both in India and the United Kingdom.  Set in 1850s India, the Rebel Queen explores a time and place that isn't often covered in traditional reading selections.  I was left with a completely different understanding of the colonization of India and many of the cultural struggles that were felt both by the British and the residents of Jhansi.  

The Rebel Queen is an excellent book club selection, with discussion questions and suggestions for enhancing your book club meeting included.  I would also suggest going to Michelle Moran's website, where you can see actual photos of the historical figures in the book.  Our book club group chose to bring Indian dishes for our meeting and we had great fun!  

Michelle Moran is a wonderful historical fiction writer and I appreciate her attention to unique characters, setting and times. 

The House of Hawthorne took me on a journey back in time into the heart of a marriage between the elusive author Nathaniel Hawthorne and his devoted wife Sophia Peabody.  I truly felt that the author had a unique insight into these two artistic characters and the book read more like a biography than a work of fiction.  While I was familiar with Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary works, I was not familiar with his personal story nor that of his wife.  The House of Hawthorne is a testament to the role Sophia Peabody Hawthorne played in the making of one of the greatest American authors.  We see how Sophia used her artistic talents to support her family, when needed, but also gave up her artistic endeavors when her role as a mother and a wife was more important.  The book also shines a light on the struggle faced by the Hawthornes over the ethics of slavery and the hope to avoid war.  It further provides glimpses into the artistic circle of that time with appearances by Thoreau, Emerson and Hemingway, among others.  Fans of historical fiction should add The House of Hawthorne to their must read list!  I received this book from Penguin First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.   

When the written word moves you to tears, I think that is the sign of a superb book.  The Time Between made me both laugh and cry.  This novel is set in present day Charleston and Edisto Island, and also involves Hungary during World War II.  We explore the lives of three Hungarian sisters Helena, Bernadett and Magda and the journeys their lives have taken from World War II to today.  We also get to meet two sisters who grew up on Edisto Island, Eleanor and Eve, and have seen their own share of tragedy.  Eleanor’s boss, Mr. Beaufain, hires her to serve as a companion for his elderly aunt Helena and Eleanor jumps at the opportunity to escape domestic issues of her own as well as revisit her childhood home Edisto Island.  The relationship that develops between Eleanor and Helena is at the center of this book.  Helena’s life isn’t quite what it seems and Eleanor is determined to find out more.  Karen White is one of my very favorite authors and The Time Between is one of her best novels.  This book would also make an excellent book club choice.   

This was the second book that I had read by Sarah Jio and I enjoyed it very much.  Her earlier book The Violets of March was a great read as well, but I felt that you could really see how much she had grown as an author in this second selection.  
The Last Camellia is a story told from two different perspectives.  We meet Flora, who is traveling to England just prior to the beginning of World War II, to work as a nanny but her real purpose is to help flower thieves locate the elusive Middlebury Pink Camellia which is believed to be located on the estate.  Flora uncovers mysterious happenings at the estate.  We also meet Addison in present day who travels to the same estate and learns that some of those same mysteries were never solved.  This is great book for fans of historical fiction.  

Tanglewood Plantation has all the makings of an interesting story.  It weaves historical fiction, a little romance, ghost story, time travel/science fiction and mystery.  It is a little bit of a bumpy ride, but I wanted to keep reading to see how the story would end.  This book is a quick read and fans of Southern Fiction should find it interesting.  

I first heard about this book on the Facebook page of one of my favorite authors Kate Morton.  She rarely recommends a book, but she gave this book a glowing recommendation so it immediately went on my 'to read' list.  Of course, it was also on many Best Books of 2014 lists, so I was really looking forward to reading it.  I was definitely not disappointed.  In All the Light We Cannot See, you meet Marie Laure, who at the age of 6 becomes blind.  Her father builds her a miniature version of their neighborhood in Paris so that she can learn to navigate the real area on her own.  When the Nazis invade France, Marie Laure and her father go to  Saint Malo to stay with her uncle Etienne.  Marie Laure's strength throughout her life was inspiring.  You also meet Werner and his younger sister Jutta who are growing up in an orphanage in a mining town in Germany.  Werner is a genuinely curious boy and learns to repair radios, which sets him on a different journey than what he expected.  Werner's story caused me to think about all of the young Nazi soldiers and what so many of them endured as well.  As you read their alternating stories, you begin to wonder how their lives are going to intersect.  This book is a very engaging story and the author does a fantastic job of character development.  I was very interested in learning more about even the more minor characters and the journeys their lives took.  If you are a fan of historical fiction, this should be on your must read list.  

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Leveen's previous novel The Secrets of Mary Bowser so I naturally wanted to read her newest book.  I initially wanted to re-read Romeo and Juliet before starting this book, but ran out of time to do so, as our book club meeting was coming up and this was the selection.  I was slightly disappointed in this book, as I felt sections of the book developed slowly, and I couldn't really identify with any particular character.  I'm looking forward to discussing this book with my fellow book club members to get their thoughts and opinions.  One of the best things about book club is how we can all read the same book and take completely different things away from it.  

I always think one of the signs of a great book is when you are thinking about the characters even when you aren't reading the book.  I would have read this book in one setting, if given the chance.  I found myself waking up at night wondering what was going to happen to all the interesting characters in The Kitchen House.  The story is told from alternating viewpoints of Lavinia, a 6 or 7 year old white indentured servant who is brought to Tall Oaks from Ireland and Belle, who runs the kitchen house for Tall Oaks.  Lavinia is given to Belle to assist in the kitchen house and Lavinia quickly is taken in by the other house servants Mama Mae, Papa George, Dory, Ben and six year old twins Fanny and Beattie.  The characters in this book are richly developed and their voices are very authentic.  While the storyline isn't always pleasant to read, it brings continued awareness to the plight of slaves and all that they endured.  I would recommend this book for anyone that enjoys historical fiction.  

"Dollbaby" begins in 1964 introducing us to Liberty "Ibby" Bell, who has just tragically lost her father and is being left by her mother in New Orleans, a city Ibby has never visited before, to stay with a grandmother Ibby has never met before.  Fannie is certainly not the typical grandmotherly type and has several skeletons in her closet.  Ibby becomes close with Queenie and her daughter Dollbaby, who have run Fannie's household for many years.  The story follows Ibby, Fannie, Queenie and Dollbaby through the Civil Rights movement as well as protests over the Vietnam War and the other highs and lows of everyday life.  
  
The author does an excellent job of capturing the culture and ambiance of New Orleans.  We visited New Orleans over the summer and "Dollbaby" brought back wonderful memories of the unique city.  I appreciated the map noting various locations in New Orleans which are discussed in the novel.  

Dollbaby is Laura Lane McNeal's first novel and I definitely look forward to her next novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to book clubs.  If you enjoyed The Help by Kathryn Stockett or Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall or Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, put this book on your "to-read" list.