The Last Collection

The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel by Jeanne Mackin caught my attention as a novel set in Paris during the years leading up and at the beginning of World War II. Although familar with the name Coco Chanel I did not know much about her and had never heard of Schiaparelli so I thought I'd read it.

If you really enjoy fashion and want to read of the rivalry between these two famous Parisian fashion designers, you may find The Last Collection interesting. The idea of so many women having excess millions to spend on clothes in this manner simply boggles my mind and was interesting in that regard. It was also interesting to learn about the influence they had over French and world culture. Beyond the fashion industry angle, this book focuses on Lily and several individuals she meets through her brother, his mistress, and the fashion designers. The plot meanders quite a bit. While Lily does have a romantic interest, their relationship is not the focus of the story. I did not find this book as enjoyable as many others I have read recently although it does depict pre-war France nicely. I would encourage readers to check this one out at the library rather than purchase their own copy if they are looking for something to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Last Collection via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

No Ocean Too Wide

Having read numerous other books by author Carrie Turansky, I was excited to obtain a copy of her newest release No Ocean Too Wide!

Like many books of this genre and by Turansky, the story line involves a lower class serving girl and an upper class male. However, there are several twists and turns in this book that moves it beyond the typical. No Ocean Too Wide focuses on three siblings who are removed from their family and placed in a children's home. Through several misfortunes, the siblings are sent to Canada to be placed with families. Their older sister leaves her job to help find them. To learn more about what happens to the delightful Mcallister family, you need to read the book yourself but I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I'm particularly excited that this is the first of three is a new series titled Mcallister Family. I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for the next releases!

Although set a century ago and involving children sent from Great Britain to Canada, while reading this book the reader will inevitably draw parallels to events and issues that occur today such as human trafficking, global orphan care, immigration issues, etc. Book clubs may find this an enjoyable book to discuss that will provide a natural segue to contemporary issues as well.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received No Ocean Too Wide via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Dearest Dietrich

Given the huge impact the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer have had on Christianity, he has obtained somewhat of a "Protestant Saint" status. Due to the myth and legend that exist concerning his life, many individuals do not think about the rest of his life and that he was a human being who had relationships and a fiancee. The new book My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Lost Love will change that.

My Dearest Dietrich is a heart-wrenching book simply because the reader knows the outcome from the beginning. Even if a reader is not familiar with the story, the first chapter sets up the outcome. However, Bonhoeffer and his eventual fiancee Maria experience numerous other obstacles that keep them from spending time together or even corresponding. Reading the story of how they are placed together and how their love grows even when others try to keep them apart in the midst of a horrific world war is a wonderful testimony of the power of love and God. This book is highly recommended and due to its subject matter would appeal to a larger audience than most traditional "Christian romance."

Author Amanda Barratt borrows heavily from the actual correspondence between Bonhoeffer and Maria von Wedemeyer as recorded in Love Letters from Cell 92. Many readers will wish to obtain a copy of this work to read as a follow-up to My Dearest Dietrich. While noting the story is a fictional account and indicating where the story line was "adjusted," Barratt certainly did her research for this book and lists several excellence resources for further reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received My Dearest Dietrich via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Interracial Relationships in Colonial Barbados

The Summer Country by Lauren Willig takes place in colonial Barbados focusing on Emily, her cousin Adam and his wife Laura traveling from England to their grandfather's native Barbados on business. Emily has recently inherited a plantation from their grandfather and Adam is involved in their family shipping business. While in Barbados, Emily begins to explore the story of her family. The story unfolds in alternating chapters involving Emily and others in 1850s Barbados and the story of Mary Ann and Jenny from the previous generation in Barbados. The alternate voices telling the story provides an intriguing story with multiple twists and turns that does not unfold completely until the final chapters.

At the center of The Summer Country is the sad tale of white masters forcing themselves upon slaves as well as the codified social strictures of the time period regarding interracial relationships. In addition, laced throughout the story is the desire for power and control and the lies and manipulation individuals will commit to maintain or obtain power. The Summer Country is a stunning book, impeccably researched, that will stick with the reader for quite a while--particularly that where you are born or brought up makes all the difference in the world. My only wish is that the end had tied up a little bit more. However, the end does leave the potential for a sequel if desired.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Summer Country via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The King's Mercy

While the description of an indentured Scotsman in the Colonial South enticed me to pick Lori Benton's newest book The King's Mercy, this book contains so much more.

The first surprise when reading this book is that although the picture features a woman, the bulk of the story focuses on Alex, the indentured Scotsman. As such the story is a little grittier and real than most of what is published by Christian presses. Specifically as Alex was imprisoned by the English and then sold as an indentured servant, Benton includes details to indicate the inhumane cruelty experienced by Alex and his fellow prisoners as well as the slaves on the plantation. In many ways having a good deal of the story told from the male point of view was a refreshing change and opens up the audience for the book considerably.

The second "aha!" is that The King's Mercy has a double-meaning in that the main character receives "mercy" from two different king's. As the title suggests, mercy is a recurring theme throughout the book. In particular, the difference between giving mercy and forgiveness to others or denying mercy and how that impacts an individual is depicted in the life of the antagonist. In addition to these psychological insights, Benton does a great job demonstrating how restrictive the live of women was at the time period. Lori Benton was not an author I had encountered previously, but I will be seeking out her other novels.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The King's Mercy from Waterbrook via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

A twist on World War II

Most World War II era books, particularly those which focus on Jewish refugees, are set in Europe. Instead,The Song of the Jade Lily focuses on Jewish refugees who settled in China. The change of setting isn't the only item that sets this historical book with a mystery apart.

Australian author Kirsty Manning has turned the genre of World War II fiction on its head with her book The Song of the Jade Lily which tells the little known story of Jewish refugees who settled in China. They lived and worked right along with individuals of many nationalities in Shanghai. Manning weave a wonderful, layered story which uses time-shift to alternate between the main character who is now an elderly woman in Australia and her grand-daughter who is exploring her adopted heritage while living in Shanghai and the World War II story of the main character and her friends and family. This technique masterfully unfolds the story little by little until everything falls into place. To have not only people but the setting shift back and forth between the time periods provides another avenue to share clues which help the reader solve the unfolding mystery. While the clues of what happened to the main characters are unveiled, the reader is swept into the horrors of World War II China particularly under Japanese occupation. Manning vividly portrays the horrors both Jewish refugees and Chinese citizens experienced. Highly recommended!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Song of the Jade Lily via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.