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Fact vs Fiction The Spymistress

March 4, 2020 by Lynn Leave a Comment

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It is no secret that we love nonfiction. We find the real story fascinating. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy a good fiction read as well.

A good historical fiction book leaves you wanting to know more. It gives you a longing to know the whole story or the real version.

Over the last few months I have read a couple of fiction books that have left me wanting for more, so I researched the nonfiction version of the same story.

Reading the nonfiction version gave me a better insight to the whole story. Instead of learning about fictitious people, I got to learn about the real people behind the story.

I now have a goal of reading more fiction and nonfiction book pairings. I want to learn the facts and read the fiction.

I thought it would be fun to occasionally share some of these book pairings with you.

Today I am starting with The Spy Mistress vs Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy.

Both of these books are ones that I read a few years ago. I guess my desire to read both the fact and the fiction has been strong for awhile.

The Spy Mistress by Jennifer Chiaverini was published in 2013. It is a historical novel set during the Civil War. It is based on the life of Elizabeth Van Lew. During the Civil War she gained military intelligence, helped with the underground railroad, and more.

The author researched a famous historical figure and weaved a fictitious story into the well known facts.

Now for the nonfiction version of the story.

Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy covers the lives of four women who made a difference during the Civil War.

Belle Boyd became a spy for the Confederate army. Emma Edmonds disguised herself as a man to join the Union Army. Rose O’Neal used her influence to send information to Southern generals. And Elizabeth Van Lew orchestrated a spy ring and placed a former slave in the Confederate White House.

Elizabeth Ven Lew’s story is only part of the book Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, but it gives you a good look into her real life and story.

The three other women featured in Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, also have fascinating stories. If you loved the fact behind the fiction Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy is a great read!

Do you have a favorite fact vs fiction book pairing?

The Blue Castle (Backlist Book Pick)

February 28, 2020 by Lynn 4 Comments

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This week’s backlist book pick is The Blue Castle, by L.M. Montgomery.

Many people have read and loved the Anne of Green Gables series, but very few people have read or even heard of the other books and stories that L. M. Montgomery wrote.

Besides Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery also wrote the Emily of New Moon series, The Blue Castle, and quite a few other novels and stories.

Anne of Green Gables might have made her famous, but her other books are worth reading as well.

The Blue Castle is definitely a backlist book. It was first published in 1926. It has endured the test of time.

The book The Blue Castle was written by L.M. Montgomery for adults, not kids. It is considered historical fiction or historical romance. It is also the only L.M. Montgomery book set entirely outside of Prince Edward Island.

Grace read Anne of Green Gables as a kid, but after reading The Blue Castle a few years ago, she declared it her favorite L.M. Montgomery book.

The Blue Castle follows the life of Valancy Stirling who lived on a quiet street in an ugly little house and never dared to go against her domineering mother and her unforgiving aunt. Then she gets a letter from the doctor and decides that things need to change. For the first time in her life, she does exactly what she wants to. She moves out, takes a job, and lives her life as she wants to.

If you love Anne of Green Gables, but haven’t read The Blue Castle it is time to add it to your to be read list.

It so well written. It captivates the reader into the life of Valancy. If you need a well written love story without some of the annoying stuff in modern books, this is it. It may be old, but it still rings for readers today.

And because this is an older book there are quite a few different versions of the cover and book. I think the cover could use a more modern update. We only have this in ebook form, so I might have to keep my eye out for an older edition of this one.

If you want to know more about L.M. Montgomery be sure to listen to The History Chicks podcast episode all L.M. Montgomery.

And if you haven’t read or heard of the book Marilla of Green Gables, you can read my full review of it.

Eight Cozy Mystery Series

February 25, 2020 by Lynn 3 Comments

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Do you love a good cozy mystery? Today I am not only sharing some great cozy mysteries, but some great cozy mystery series. That means if you love the first book in the series you will have plenty more to read next.

A cozy mystery series is definitely a good thing!

What is the meaning of cozy mystery?

I am not sure if there is an exact definition for cozy mystery. It seems like there are slightly different opinions on that. But in general a cozy mystery is a mystery without all the gory and graphic details and there is some romance, but it is usually considered clean romance.

For years I said that I didn’t really enjoy reading mysteries, but than I discovered the world of cozy mysteries. I discovered that I loved mystery books that contained a great mystery without all the graphic murder details.

Because I love cozy mysteries I put together a list of my favorite cozy mystery series.

If you have read any of these I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Or if you have a cozy mystery book or series that you love leave a comment letting us know.

Cozy Mystery Series

Lady Hardcastle Mystery Series

The Lady Hardcastle books are another fun mystery series, that contain good mystery without all the graphic details. There are five books in the series so far. I just finished the sixth book and I hope the author writes more in this series. The series takes place in England during the early 1900’s. The main characters are an English widow and her maid.

Gilded Newport Mystery Series

In the Gilded Newport Mystery series, reporter Emma Cross lives in Rhode Island. She is a distant relative of the Vanderbilt family, but lives a more normal everyday life than her wealthy relatives. However, as a relative to the Vanderbilt family, she often mixes with the high society life of the Gilded Age. Emma is a strong character who is often at the wrong place at the wrong time. Murder and mystery seem to follow her and her circle of wealthy family and friends.

Charles Lenox Mystery Series

I first heard about the Charles Lenox Mystery books by Charles Finch in a magazine that was reviewing of one of the books in this series. It briefly mentioned the book and the author. Something about the article made me want to give one of the books a try and I immediately bought one. I am so glad that I did! In the last couple of years I have read eleven of the thirteen books in the series. I have the last two books, but have been saving them for a quiet weekend or vacation read.

Victorian Bookshop Mystery Series

A reader introduced me to The Vanishing Thief which is the first book in the Victorian Bookshop Mystery Series. I am so glad that they did. I loved this book and quickly finished all the books in this series. Georgia Fenchurch appears to be an unassuming bookseller in Victorian London, but she is actually a member of the Archivist Society, a secret association of private investigators. You may have noticed a theme with several of these series. They are all cozy mysteries set in England and they are all fun reads.

Girl Waits with Gun

My daughter and I have both enjoyed this series. Girl Waits with Gun is the first book in the series and it is our favorite, but the whole series has been fun to read. This book, and the whole series, is based on the the story of one of America’s first female deputy sheriffs. This series is probably not considered a true cozy mystery. It is more of a historical mystery or humorous mystery, but since it doesn’t have graphic details I tend to put it under the cozy mystery category.

Picture Miss Seeton

Picture Miss Seeton is the first book in a new mystery series that I found and have loved. I have only read the first book in the series, but I can’t wait to read more of them. It was an interesting mystery the kept my attention without all the graphic and gory details. Miss Emily D. Seeton is a retired art teacher who recently inherited a cottage in Plummergen village. She witnesses a stabbing and she sets out to solve it using her sketch pad and umbrella.

Aurora Teagarden

If you like the Hallmark movies that feature Aurora Teagarden I think you will love these. The books are way better than the movies! I am not sure how I discovered the Aurora Teagarden series, but I have read the first few in the series and loved them. There are ten books in this series now and I hope to read the rest of the books in the series. They are a little PG in places, but overall these were fun to read.

Her Royal Spyness

Her Royal Spyness is the first book in the Royal Spyness series. I have heard great things about this series so when I saw the ebook Her Royal Spyness on sale I knew that I wanted to read it. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun mystery and had me guessing until the end. It was a bit unrealistic in places, but many fiction books are. I loved the descriptions of the people and places in this book. If you love cozy mysteries and books set in England, I think that you will enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read more in the series. I will say that it is a little pg or even pg-13 in places, so it is not quite as “clean” as the others on the list.

What is your favorite cozy mystery or favorite cozy mystery series?

All Creatures Great and Small ( Backlist Book Picks )

February 21, 2020 by Lynn 2 Comments

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This week’s backlist book pick is the book All Creatures Great and Small. It is a book all about animals. It is also the first book in a series, so if you love the first book there are more to enjoy.

James Herriot’s book All Creatures Great and Small was first published almost fifty years ago. Herriot’s tale, which he weaves in All Creatures Great and Small, has entertained readers for years.

James Herriot was a veterinarian in Yorkshire, England for over half a century. All Creatures Great and Small is the first book in a series of memoirs that he wrote about his life as a vet.

He takes you on his adventures through the countryside of England treating all kinds of animals. He shares stories about the animals, both big and small, and the people that own them.

In All Creatures Great and Small the author is just starting his life as a veterinarian and he quickly realizes that real life is very different from veterinarian school.

The author shares his story in an entertaining and funny way. There were several points in the book that I couldn’t stop laughing. Animals have a mind of their own and you never know what will happen when you deal with them.

James Herriot makes you feel like you are right there treating the pig, cow, or dog right along with him.

You will fall in love with the animals and their owners as James Herriot travels the countryside treating the animals under his care.

Herriot’s books are great for teens and adults. They are for animal lovers, for anyone that loves a good memoir, or anyone who loves a book that makes you laugh.

James Herriot Books in Order

All Creatures Great and Small – Book 1

All Things Bright and Beautiful – Book 2

All Things Wise and Wonderful – Book 3

The Lord God Made Them All – Book 4

Every Living Thing – Book 5

Have you read any of James Herriot’s books?

Recent Reads (Lynn)

February 12, 2020 by Lynn 2 Comments

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Today I am sharing a few of my recent reads. I haven’t had time to get full book reviews up for these books, but several of them are so good that I knew I wanted to share them with you.

It is only the middle of February, but I think a couple of these might end up making my list of favorites for the year. Several of these books are ones that I can’t stop thinking and talking about.

The Stationery Shop

The Stationery Shop has gotten a lot of attention since it came out and after reading it I can see why. I often skip books that get a ton of attention. I am not one to read a book just because everyone is reading it. And although I love the cover on this book, I also don’t usually choose a book based on a cover.

I prefer to make sure the book isn’t just getting pushed by publishers, but that it is truly good enough to stand the test of time. But when I read a review of The Stationery Shop by a book reviewer that I trust, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. I loved this book.

This is a book about lost love, but also about so much more. It was written about a time and place I know very little about. The descriptions and character development were so well done.

The Day the World Came To Town

On September 11, when the U.S. closed it’s airspace, thirty eight jetliners were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland. Gander was a small town of around ten thousand people and in less than twenty four hours it almost doubled in size. ‘

The town banded together and gave those stranded passengers a welcome like no other. In the midst of a horrific disaster, Gander, Newfoundland stepped up and showed what ordinary people can do to make a difference.

The Day The World Came To Town shares in inspiring story in the midst of a terrible tragedy. It reminds me a little bit of the book Once Upon A Town. Small towns, full of everyday people, can make a big impact.

Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours is another book that I almost didn’t read because it got so much attention. But earlier this year I read Tender Roses by the same author and I loved it. I knew that I wanted to read more books by Lisa Wingate and decided to give Before We Were Yours a try. I now understand why this book as so many four and five star reviews.

This book is one that I can’t stop thinking about. I kept telling my daughter that it was so good that I didn’t want to put it down, but at the same time it was so sad that I wasn’t sure I could keep reading it.

Before We Were Yours is based on the real life story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage. Now that I have read the fiction version, I can’t wait to read the nonfiction version, Before and After.

No Graves As Yet

I love a good cozy mystery. This book was the perfect read for something a little different than the other books I had read recently. No Graves As Yet is set in England in the days leading up to WWI. It is part mystery and part spy thriller. I can’t wait to read more books by Anne Perry.

The Winter Soldier

I have mixed thoughts on The Winter Soldier. It is set during WWI which I loved. There are so many books that are set in WWII, but very few set during WWI, so I love finding a good book set during WWI. The writing in this book was great. I found the overall story line a little odd though.

This book was also a reminder that I like books to wrap up nicely. Or at least wrap up in a way that doesn’t leave you hanging. This book did not end all wrapped up nicely and I didn’t really like that. The book was also a little pg-13 for me. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts.

The Gospel Comes with a House Key

I have seen the book The Gospel Comes with a House Key on quite a few Christian blogs and Instagram accounts. After hearing a friend talk about it, I finally decided to buy it. As soon as I got it I started reading it and wished that I had read it sooner.

This is a book that will stick with you. You may not agree with everything in the book, but I think we can all agree that Christians should be hospitable. Hospitality can look different for different people, but life is not meant to be lived alone.

This book shows you some practical ways for Christians to live out hospitality. Not everyone can live out hospitality in the way that the author and her family does, but we can all learn from what she shares. If you have read this one I would love to hear what you thought of it.

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