The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes

 A heroic historical fiction portrayed by two women decades removed.  Their stories intersect, yet they are both about the fight to live your own life and love the man who fits perfectly.

Privileged with an Ivy league education and family contacts for the perfect job, Inara Erickson finds herself in a struggle to do what she wants and what she should do according to her father.  A multinational position is held for her at the same time she inherits her aunt's rambling home in Washington.  

The home calls to her with memories of childhood and an artifact of Chinese origin buried under the stairs.  Her aunt's wish is to construct a B&B.  A B&B is Inara's passion.  She also contacts a professor, Daniel Chin, to research the finding.  

Daniel immediately is interested in the artifact.  Daniel is also immediately interested in Inara.

The history unfolds in the life of teenage Mei Lien around 1886 when the U.S. shamedly evicts, tortures, and kills Asians.  Her family is ousted from Seattle, and Mei Lien is the only survivor thanks to Joseph.  

The artifact is a leftover remnant of Mei Lien's struggle, life, and love of family.  

Daniel enlists his students to research the history of the item found and unveils the rough life of Mei Lien, the relation to his and Inara's life, and the troubles it causes in current day.

With a lot of understanding, discussion, and forgiveness, love comes in first.  Inara and Mei Lien's story is a tidal wave of emotions and wondering what will go wrong and what will go right.

 

The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien

 A masterful historical romance from King Edward III's reign in the mid-thirteen hundreds.  

Alice Perrers origin is not well documented and can only be guessed at.  She has nothing and no rank in life, so she must survive by her own means.

King Edward III and Queen Phillipa have an arranged marriage, yet they truly love one another.  Queen Phillipa's health is failing and her, so she remedies her inability to have physical relations with the King by finding Alice and setting her up as the King's concubine.

Alice is not well liked by the majority of the royal house, but King Edward won't let anything happen to her.    Alice sets a plan with William de Windsor, possibly the love of her life, for when the King dies.  She can only have confidence as the King's court accuses her with treason.

This is a remarkable rendition of an historical era of which records are not always complete.  Anne O'Brien's research supplied her with gaps to fill in to create a dramatic story.

Happy reading,

 Dawn

The Cuban Connection by M.L. Malcolm

An excellent novel based on historical facts during Castro’s beginning reign over Cuba. 

The story is seen through the eyes of Katherine O’Connor, a budding reporter, who wants to tell the Cuban people’s story.  What really went on after Fidel Castro was elected, broke his promises, and teamed up with communist Russia?

In 1960 it wasn’t common to have women in high ranks amongst reporters, Yet Katherine had the determination and ploys to make it happen.  She made several trips to Cuba, under aliases and not always associated with the press.

The Cuban people and other visitors brought reality and life to her story.

Raul was a visitor on business from Russia.  He touched Katherine’s heart in relation to his purpose and emotional vibes.

Emilio, a young boy living in Cuba, kept an eye on his village.  He met Katherine and Raul separately as he sold his remarkable knowledge of magical elements in the area.

Finding out Emilio’s story after many meetings with him, Katherine learned the horrors of fighting against Castro and what happened to families.  Families were torn apart to fight for their rights, some never to be together again.

Katherine gained another goal, to bring Emilio to safety in the US. 

This is a definite read to bring tears to your eyes for the violation of people’s simple right to live freely (we may consider it simple, but not all do) and the emotional tugs at the heart for the relationships changed throughout including family, friendship, and love.

 

Happy reading,

Dawn