Michelle's Musings

21 June 2024

Review: American Daughters

American Daughters by Piper Huguley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book is the story of two women, daughters of two powerful men, who meet and instantly become friends. Alice Lee Roosevelt is the daughter of Teddy and Alice Lee. Alice Lee, the mother, died right after her birth leaving Teddy to dismiss the baby, and making Alice a bit of a wild child who raised herself. Portia Washington was the child of Booker T. and Fanny Washington. Fanny also died when Portia was a young child and Portia was sent to school. These childhood losses would be the basis of this friendship that crossed racial, political, and social class lines. Both women married men who weren't the best for them, and that common bond may be what deepened their friendship.

The book was excellent, alternating between the women and their feelings/lives. I have read a few books about Alice Lee; this is the first one I felt she cared about someone other than herself. Any historical fiction fan should find this book engaging. Ms. Huguley did a fantastic job of making me want to be friends with both women.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me get my hands on this one.

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08 June 2024

Review: The Invisible Hour

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Review: Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens

Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens by Steve Olson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Review: Mockingbird Summer

Mockingbird Summer by Lynda Rutledge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Review: The Most

The Most by Jessica Anthony
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Review: The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Jeff Shaara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Review: Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats

Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats by Casey Gilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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13 May 2024

June Book Pick

Oh, I am going to be so sad if you have not read the first books of this series. I hope you fix that problem, if you haven’t. This book ties up the whole war and the series in a nice little bow, maybe, remember it is wartime. In this book, Maggie is still doing what she can to help England win the war, while straightening out her personal life and working with none other than Coco Chanel on how to fight the Nazis and kill one of the top men in command.

Susan Elia MacNeal started this series with a book based during WWII and set in England. She tells the story of a regular woman who somehow gets plucked from others to become an agent for England. She is trained like any other agent would be and is assigned to work directly with Winston Churchill. I will give you a list of the books so you can get started.

1. Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

2. Princess Elizabeth’s Spy

3. His Majesty’s Hope

4. The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent

5. Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante

6. The Queen’s Accomplice

7. The Paris Spy

8. The Prisoner in the Castle-this one is kind of violent

9. The King’s Justice

10. The Hollywood Spy-I love this one!!

11. The Last Hope

Here is the review that I posted on NetGalley….

What an excellent way to end a marvelous series. In this book, we have Maggie still trying to find a way to do her part to help the Allies win WWII. She is going to drop herself into Spain, take on a different persona, and immerse in the local culture. I hate to give anything away for you, but I will tell you if you have grown accustomed to intrigue and edge-of-your-seat text, you will not be disappointed. I think Ms. MacNeal wrapped this series up nicely with a pretty yellow bow (for WWII).

If you have not read this series, stop and do it now. The entire series is spectacular!

12 May 2024

Review: Dancing on the Edge: A Journey of Living, Loving, and Tumbling through Hollywood

Dancing on the Edge: A Journey of Living, Loving, and Tumbling through Hollywood by Russ Tamblyn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Review: A Beautiful Rival

A Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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04 May 2024

Review: My Mama, Cass: A Memoir

My Mama, Cass: A Memoir by Owen Elliot-Kugell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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01 May 2024

May Book Pick

Gill Paul always writes books that are unique, but about women in strong roles. This book is no exception, this one takes place in the world of beauty.

Two women have built massive empires around the world of women’s skincare. They each hate each other and tend to do things to each other to sabotage the other. One of the women will go so far as to plant a false employee in the other’s camp. This person is being paid by one as a true employee and the other as a spy. You can’t make this stuff up!

Another of Gill’s best traits is she can make you side with whatever person you are reading about, so I was all over the place with my loyalty, do I like Elizabeth Arden or Helena Rubinstein. They both scared me too :)