I'm a huge C.W. Gortner fan, and his new book "Marlene" is no exception. I knew virtually nothing about Marlene Dietrich and this well researched bookI'm a huge C.W. Gortner fan, and his new book "Marlene" is no exception. I knew virtually nothing about Marlene Dietrich and this well researched book was an eye opener! Marlene grows up poor with an exacting mother and a history of making not so wonderful choices. She is a generous woman, spending whatever she gets to support her friends and later her family. She marries, but later leaves her husband for Hollywood, although they never divorce. In fact she supports him and his mistress (with whom she becomes good friends). But it's the last quarter of so of this book that is truly riveting, as Marlene has to make choices that affect not only her life but that of her family remaining in Berlin. Her commitment to her adopted country, and her hatred of the Nazi's is so strong, that Marlene puts her career and life on hold to bring entertainment to the troops in the nastiest most dangerous places.
Marlene is based on actual writings by Marlene Dietrich as well as other research, and Gortner has presented us with someone we have never really known, until now. ...more
Intriguing and gripping story of a group of black Americans in France become enmeshed in France’s struggle to survive the Nazi’s. Elly is a journalistIntriguing and gripping story of a group of black Americans in France become enmeshed in France’s struggle to survive the Nazi’s. Elly is a journalist, raised in the US, who is just about to head home when she meets an intriguing man who gives her tickets to two Josephine Baker shows. When someone mistakes Elly for Josephine (even though they look nothing alike other than both being black women), Elly finds herself drawn in to the local resistance. She is asked to portray herself as Josephine’s cousin, and becomes part of a very small group working to gather information about Nazi activities and plans. Other members of the group include Polly, Josephine’s “maid” (really more of a friend and companion), Grant Monterey who is the leader, Pierre and Danny, both young men eager to fight the Nazi’s in a different way. While not about Josephine Baker per se, she figures largely in real and imagined events, as an active member of the resistance, and is the Butterfly in the title (her code name). Elly is the Moth or the “butterfly of the night” (which sounds much better in French!)
This book is not to be missed! I found I could not put it down; it’s exciting, unexpected, poignant and inspiring. It’s a coming of age story extraordinaire! Love, adventure, suspense, intrigue, Code Named Butterfly has it all.
Merged review:
Intriguing and gripping story of a group of black Americans in France become enmeshed in France’s struggle to survive the Nazi’s. Elly is a journalist, raised in the US, who is just about to head home when she meets an intriguing man who gives her tickets to two Josephine Baker shows. When someone mistakes Elly for Josephine (even though they look nothing alike other than both being black women), Elly finds herself drawn in to the local resistance. She is asked to portray herself as Josephine’s cousin, and becomes part of a very small group working to gather information about Nazi activities and plans. Other members of the group include Polly, Josephine’s “maid” (really more of a friend and companion), Grant Monterey who is the leader, Pierre and Danny, both young men eager to fight the Nazi’s in a different way. While not about Josephine Baker per se, she figures largely in real and imagined events, as an active member of the resistance, and is the Butterfly in the title (her code name). Elly is the Moth or the “butterfly of the night” (which sounds much better in French!)
This book is not to be missed! I found I could not put it down; it’s exciting, unexpected, poignant and inspiring. It’s a coming of age story extraordinaire! Love, adventure, suspense, intrigue, Code Named Butterfly has it all....more
Ruby Vaughn and Mr. Owen appear again in Jess Armstrongs new novel, The Secret of the Three Fates. Mr. Owen convinces Ruby to head out to the country Ruby Vaughn and Mr. Owen appear again in Jess Armstrongs new novel, The Secret of the Three Fates. Mr. Owen convinces Ruby to head out to the country side of the Scottish Borders because he wants to attend a seance to hear from his beloved son Ben who died during the war. Ruby is not a believer but goes anyway. From the beginning strange things happen and the three Fates are rather strange women; are they really able to communicate with the dead? Then one of the Fates turns up dead, and Ruby seems to be the prime suspect. To keep things interesting, Ruan from the previous book shows up again and Ruby fights her feelings for him…again. Together they investigate murders, explore their feelings and navigate the many shocking surprises and strange twists. The Secret of the Three Fates is fast paced, entertaining and good fun. If you liked Jess Armstrongs first book, you will love this one! ...more
Very interesting, and largely untold story of the war between Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Mostar is an old and lovely towVery interesting, and largely untold story of the war between Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia after the breakup of Yugoslavia. Mostar is an old and lovely town where for centuries lived in peace. Katrina Winslow is a teacher in Mostar and the Serbs are trying to set up the Bosnians and Croats to eliminate each other. When her parents and many of the orphaned children they care for. are killed by the Serbs, Katrina must flee and get them all to safety. With the help of Captain Lucien Brezac, they flee. But Katrina doesn't know who she can trust, and with things falling apart around her, she must make very difficult decisions to keep them all safe. It's a poignant, often devastating story, and at the same time a story of hope, courage, friendship and love....more
The fall of Troy....told from the point of view of the women who lived it. Helen...Andromache....Cassandra.....Hecuba and a young woman called Rhea. TThe fall of Troy....told from the point of view of the women who lived it. Helen...Andromache....Cassandra.....Hecuba and a young woman called Rhea. This is their story, about as far from the noble stories we've heard about Achilles, Paris, Ajax, Odysseus ....it's the women whose stories are the stories that should have been told, and A.D. Rhine give them a voice in Daughters of Bronze.
Troy is surrounded by its enemies - the Myrmidons, the Achaeans, you name it. Helen is presumed dead, Cassandra's prophecies are dismissed, Priam is a king past his time and Paris is not a hero but a traitor (although nobody knows it). Troy is surrounded and it's the women who are holding things together while kings and counsels talk and plot both within Troy and without. Unknown to anyone but Andromache, there is a network of female spies. of which Rhea is one. These brave women - washerwomen, cooks, seamstresses, slaves - help Andromache stay informed of what's being planned in the enemy camp. Rhea is one of these women; a sort of ward to Andromache, she is able to leave the walls of Troy unseen and gather information under the guise of being one of the female workers. She falls for a handsome man, not knowing who he is, and they carefully trade information. When Andromache's son is born, and there are traitors all around and it appears clear that Troy will fall, Andromache entrusts the baby to Rhea. The story is really complex as are the characters so describing it without giving things away is hard to do. I loved this book; the women are amazing and seeing this war through their eyes puts a whole different perspective on things. The women are bold, brave, politically astute, far more so than the men (duh!). Their stories are told in some of those most beautiful prose I have ever read. The imagery is terrific. Hugely entertaining, thought provoking, in turn exciting, romantic, terrifying - Daughters of Bronze is absolutely a must read!...more
Absolutely loved this book! A fitting conclusion to the Theodosian Women series, Rebel Empress was a page turner from the very beginning. We've met AtAbsolutely loved this book! A fitting conclusion to the Theodosian Women series, Rebel Empress was a page turner from the very beginning. We've met Athenais in previous books; young, beautiful and poor (but well educated), her fate is in the hands of her uncle and brothers. When they set up a chance meeting with a possible suitor, the last person she expects to meet is the Emperor. But they connect, and the match is made.
The politics of the day make being the wife of the Empress anything but easy. Christianity has taken hold and the Emperor's sister lives like a nun, but has essentially been running the empire as her brother's regent and won't give up control easily. Athenais would like to create a court suitable for such an influential Emperor but runs into barriers at every turn. And those are just the barriers within the family! There is also the church jockeying for position, other kings and leaders questioning (and downright attacking) the emperor and more. Oh yes, and add a bit of impossible love into the mix and you have a beautifully researched, fast moving and engrossing story....more
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