Book Talk Tuesday: Heiress

I’ve reviewed other Susan May Warren books here so it’s no secret I’m a big fan.

 Heiress is the first of her Daughters of Fortune series. Heiress starts at the end of the 19th century and focuses on two sisters, Esme and Jinx. As the eldest, Esme is forced into betrothal to save her family’s social standing and give their finances an influx of cash. But Esme longs to write hard hitting journalism pieces, like her inspiration Nellie Bly. When her newspaper publisher father finds out she’s been writing anonymous pieces for his own paper, he orders the wedding be moved up to the next night.

Jinx longs for the time she’ll be the Price daughter attending the balls and dancing with the bachelors. When Esme runs away, Jinx, smitten with her sister’s fiance’, offers herself as the bride.

Each daughter gets what she wanted and so much more. And so much less.

Heiress kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the look at the turn of the last century mores and societal strictures. But more than that I was caught up in the story and the characters. Esme and Jinx both seemed like real women. Their parents’ backstory was doled out as needed and did much to illuminate the events of the story.

I’ll look for the next in the series, Baroness.

Technorati Tags: Heiress,Susan May Warren,Book review

Book Talk Tuesday: Sons of Thunder

 

If Starbucks announced they were making sheep’s milk cheese in addition to coffee, I’d be cautious about trying it. If Toyota went into the burger business, I’d be skeptical. If McDonald’s announced a foray into fine dining, I’d have some doubts.

Susan May Warren’s contemporary stories have long been at the top of my favorites list. I knew she’d written a few historicals but couldn’t bring myself to try them. What if I didn’t like them? Would they ruin the contemporaries for me?

I just finished her Sons of Thunder with a sigh of relief.

It’s very good.

I love how Susie weaves her plot lines together and creates a deep and compelling story with honest and flawed and real characters.

Sons of Thunder is about two brothers and the woman they both love. It’s pre-World War II. Markos Stavros and his younger brother Dino flee their Greek home on the island of Zante when tragedy erupts. Also on their boat is Markos’s friend and love, Sofia.

They make it to Chicago and get swept up in the gangster wars. The trio is separated and each builds a new life. War and circumstances bring them together again. But each has done terrible things to survive. Their journeys bring them back to God as well as to each other.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but will say Sons of Thunder is worth reading. It won’t ruin your appetite for contemporary Susan May Warren stories. In fact, it may encourage you to run out and buy a few. I went ahead and requested one I missed from the library and picked it up today!

Technorati Tags: Book Talk Tuesday,Susan May Warren,Historical novels,Sons of Thunder,WWII novels,Greece

Book Talk Tuesday: You Don’t Know Me

I’ve mentioned Susan May Warren and her books here before. I just finished her latest and it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s definitely going on my “Best of 2012” list.

Annalise Decker has lived in Deep Haven, Minnesota for twenty years. She’s built a perfect life. An adoring husband who’s running for mayor. Three accomplished children. A loving mother-in-law.

Too bad it’s all based on a lie.

Annalise is really Deidre O’Reilly and she’s in the Witness Security Program.

Her ordered life comes crashing down when the drug lord she testified against is released on parole and comes looking for her, intent on vengeance.

Nathan Decker has his own secrets he’s keeping from Annalise.

I loved these characters. Susie Warren knows each character from the inside out and has layered them with real and complex emotions. The plot moves briskly and kept me turning pages.

Characters and their emotional logic is big to me. When faced with huge moments, each character acted totally true to him/herself and their situation and feelings.

This one is a winner and I highly recommend it!

Technorati Tags: Book reviews,You don't know me,Susan May Warren,Book Talk Tuesday

Book Talk Tuesday

I’m packing for a cross-country flight and vacation. For the first time since I got it, my Kindle will be the only book I bring. I’m kind of looking forward to the extra room in the suitcase. I can bring more shoes! But it’s going to be strange, too.

The books I’m looking forward to reading on this trip are:

 

 Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren

 

When Stars Collide By Janice Thompson

 

 

  Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

That should get me there. I’ll be reviewing these when I get home. Stay tuned …