Poetry of Reading: October 2023

The Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb

by Natasa Djordjevic - 5:17 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Elizabeth I has always been a fascinating historical figure to me, and this novel presents a gripping and realistic portrayal of her much-discussed relationship with the Earl of Leicester. The author beautifully portrays the characters, making us empathize with all the people caught up in this impossible love triangle by the end of the book.

Lucy Morgan, one of the characters, is a wonderful and likable protagonist who exhibits both grit and determination to rise in court and show considerable physical courage in the unfolding of the plot. I look forward to seeing how her story develops in 'His Dark Lady.'

The author's note at the end of the book is also very interesting, where Victoria Lamb describes her research process and clarifies which elements of the story are drawn from historical sources and which ones are purely fictional.

No Comments

The Paris Secret Natasha Lester

by Natasa Djordjevic - 2:43 PM

I recently read a book that I found to be beautifully written, emotionally engaging, and entertaining. The characters in the book were captivating from start to finish, making it an exquisite read.

The book, titled "The Paris Secret", is set in Cornwall in 2012, where a fashion conservator named Kat discovers a cache of Dior dresses in a remote home closet. The house belonged to her grandmother, whom Kat wasn't even aware of until she received a call from London asking her to check on the empty house.

The story then takes us back to 1939 and introduces us to Skye, a woman with a passion for flying who wants to use her skills to help with the war effort. Skye is faced with the challenge of breaking down the barriers that prevented women from flying at the time. During her flying career, she meets two women, Margaux Jourdan and Catherine Dior, who worked for the French Resistance.

When a historian and author named Elliott Beaufort contacts Kat, asking if her grandmother's friend Margaux Jourdan was a spy who gathered information from the Nazis to pass on to the resistance, Kat is shocked. Her grandmother refuses to talk about her early years in France, causing Kat to wonder how much she knows about her grandmother's life.

"The Paris Secret" is a story that beautifully weaves together two timelines and two narrators, creating a web of characters and events that come together in a truly emotional ending. The book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and strong female characters. I loved the suspense, the romance, and the mystery of it all, and I appreciated the author's notes at the end of the book, which shed light on the real people and events from history that inspired the story.

Overall, "The Paris Secret" is a fascinating read that I highly recommend. It's a story of war, friendship, deep love, family, loss, and tragedy that will stay with me for quite some time.

No Comments

Enchantress of Paris: A Novel of the Sun King’s Court by Marci Jefferson

by Natasa Djordjevic - 9:07 AM

The book was a perfect blend of romance, power struggles, and rich historical details. It transported me to the French court, where I could witness the beautiful dresses and dances.

Marie's character was well-developed, and her growth from a naive to a smart, strong, intelligent, and cunning woman was impressive. In the end, she made the best decision, which was a perfect conclusion to their love story.

The King's character was charming, likable, and idealistic. His response when reality struck was appropriate and understandable.

Their relationship was realistic and believable. Although based on a real-life affair, the author used creative license in constructing the characters and their actions. Every action they took had a clear purpose, and the story flowed seamlessly.