Vogue

I just bought the September issue of Vogue. It may be a while before I finish a new book. Oh well, what can you do?

Actually, I'm also reading The Time of Terror by Seth Hunter. If theres' one thing I love more then historical fiction romance its sexy historical men of action. Ummmm.

For the weekend

So the weekend is here and you need a book to read at the pool. Lucky for you I have three great books for you to choose from.

The Rose Grower by Michelle De Kretser

Annette Valon by James Tipton

Portrait of an Unknown Women by Vanora Bennett

The Rose Grower and Annette Valon are both set during the French Revolution. Both made me cry. I need to reread each book and try and write a review.

Portrait of an Unknown Women is set in Henry VIII's London. The women in question is not a wife or mistress of Henry VIII. Good news for those of us(me) suffering from Tudor fatigue. It is essentially a love story with lots of twists and turns. There are very interesting bits about the Catholic church at this time. People were being hung or burned at the stake for doing crazy things like printing the bible for ordinary people to read. A fascinating period of history I'm just a little tired of Henry and Anne Boleyn. Luckily they are background characters in this book.

Whatever you do or read this weekend be safe and have fun.

Review: Madras on Rainy Days by Samina Ali

I usually read historical fiction but this story is set in modern day India. The overriding theme of the book is the conflict between ancient traditions and modern society. Modern society is represented by America. Good Muslims go to America and become corrupted.

So how can a Muslim couple raise their daughter in America and keep her a good Muslim girl? To the father it is simple, beat her into submission. The mother uses good old-fashioned guilt. The main character, Layla is caught in the middle. Preparing for her own wedding while keeping a dangerous secret that could destroy her.

The surprising part of this book is that it is Layla who is the traditionalist, wanting to stay in India and be part of her husband’s family. Her husband is the one who yearns to go to America and be modern. What I like about this book is how much I care about Layla and want her to be happy with her new husband and family. Layla’s own family is full of secrets and pain. From her best friend and cousin who has been sent home by her husband to her parents secret divorce. But what Layla does not realize is that all families have secrets and her biggest trials lay ahead of her in her search for acceptance and a home of her own.

Review: The Raven's Bride by Lenore Hart

The Raven's Bride is the story of Edgar Allen Poe and his child bride, Virginia. Virginia is the main character and narrator of the story though even with great writing its hard to over shadow Poe or Eddy, as she calls him. I could not wait to start this book as Poe was one of my favorite subjects through grade school and middle school. All I knew of Poe's wife was that she was his cousin, much younger then him, and sickly. But judging from Lenore Hart's book she was quite a person in her own right. A talented pianist and singer who trained for and dreamed of a career in music, Virginia is full of passion for her husband and for music.

The book begins when Virginia is 8 years old and meets her cousin Edgar for the first time. By nine years of age Virginia realizes she is in love with her cousin. I have to admit when I reached the point where  Virginia accepts Poe's proposal of marriage(at 13) I thought the story was pretty much over for me. Virgina had thrown her life away. What else was there to say about it? But the story of their marriage was surprisingly entertaining. Through the highs when Poe was a working magazine editor to the lows when Virginia's mother sold everything she could to put food on the table Virginia and Edgar are likable and interesting characters. Virginia never gives up supporting her talented husband while keeping her dream of a music career alive.

Read this book not just for the story of Virginia and Edgar Allen Poe but for also for the backdrop of Victorian America. Hart makes the time period come alive. All in all, a very enjoyable read.