The Women of Chateau Lafayette

Stephanie Dray provides a three-way split-time novel incorporating World War I, World War II, and the time of the American and French revolutions all connected through Lafayette's childhood home in her new work The Women of Chateau Lafayette.

While the name Lafayette is not unfamiliar, I had not read or studied much about his life beyond his service in the American Revolution. While his wife, Adrienne, has a more prominent role in this book, reading about their family and their contributions to French history have increased my desire to learn more about him. The characters featured in the World War I and World War II sections, who are fascinating characters many of whom also are based on historical figures, look to Adrienne Lafayette as a role model and for inspiration. There is almost a sense of "What would Adrienne do?" among the women in the later sections. In addition to the typical tension that occurs in a war novel, particularly one which involves World War II and the danger involved in hiding Jewish children, there is also a bit of mystery involving one of the main characters, Marthe, and her origins.

Dray does a marvelous job of intertwining the characters and the story particularly from World War I and World War II. As the reader jumps between time periods, Dray provides connecting points to help see where the characters and events intersect. These connections made the relatively brief time period between the two wars seem become even more apparent. The Women of Chateau Lafayette is very well-researched as evidenced by the remarkable details Dray includes as well as the extremely detailed Author's Note. Overall an excellent novel

I received a complementary copy of The Women of Chateau Lafayette from Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

The Girl in the Painting

Sometimes when you pick up a book the cover and the description bring to mind a particular vision of how you think the book will end. When I picked up The Girl in the Painting, I anticipated a particular ending but discovered the book wasn't at all what I expected--it was better!

Tea Cooper is a new to me Australian author who specializes in historical fiction and whose books are just now being released in the U.S.A. The Girl in the Painting shares the heartbreaking story of Irish immigrants who after making a new life in Australia use their good fortune to help orphans, like Jane, in their country. Using flashbacks, Cooper shares the story of when Michael and Elizabeth Quinn first came to Australia, their origins in Ireland, and how they became very successful, upstanding citizens. Cooper uses the flashbacks to provide gradually ever more detailed information regarding the Quinn family story. About half way through the book, new characters and a huge plot twist are introduced and that also injects a huge mystery into the book. Although numerous obstacles are thrown in their way, Jane and Elizabeth unravel the mystery. The reader will soon find that everything is not what you expected or even that the characters themselves believed to be true.

For non-Australians, Cooper provides an interesting look at the history and landscape of this beautiful continent. For all readers, Cooper raises some interesting ethical and moral questions to consider. Thoroughly enjoyable!

I received a complementary copy of The Girl in the Painting from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive opinion.

The Rose Code

Author Kate Quinn's newest book The Rose Code immerses readers into Bletchley Park and the many individuals who worked on decoding messages during World War II. Their tireless work helped to secure the victory for the Allied forces. While their work was immensely important to the war effort, these individuals were also fighting many battles of their own. Quinn masterfully depicts these battles.

The Rose Code focuses on three women from vastly different backgrounds who work at Bletchley Park in various roles and room together. Their stories intertwine along with the stories of the gentleman with whom they are involved and their families. Quinn tells part of the story in 1947 in the two week leading up to the Royal Wedding of then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. She then returns to Bletchley Park where the bulk of the story takes place during the war. However, the story does lead up to an event that takes place in 1947. Not to spoil the story but Prince Phillip does have a substantial role throughout the book which makes this book of particular interest to viewers of The Crown. As the story progresses, there is a mystery involved and several plot twists that keep the reader engaged until the very end.

Quinn does a spectacular job of developing the the three main characters and the separate story lines of each character that become inseparably intertwined due to their work at Bletchley Park. In addition the historical research and attention to detail is impeccable. Quinn also includes information demonstrating how the addition of women to the work force and the changing social mores impact the characters and England as a whole. While focusing primarily on the three women, this is a war novel and as such there is some mild language and references to sexuality. All in all an enjoyable look at an often overlooked aspect of World War II.

I received a complementary copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive review.

A Dance in Donegal

In her debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, Jennifer Deibel whisks readers to Ireland where they and main character, Moira Doherty, are thoroughly immersed in the culture of Ballymann. Hailing from Boston, Ballymann is Moira's ancestral village and where her recently, deceased mother grew up. Filling the position of teacher in the village school, Moira looks forward to learning more about her heritage and seeing places her mother had described. Soon after arriving, she beings to experience unsettling things beyond the difference in cultures and how she feels around a certain village man. Committed to following what she feels is God's call, Moira is dismayed to find the village turning their back on her. A combination of her naivete and vicious rumors lands her in a devastating situation.

The use of many Gaelic words and inclusion of numerous Irish customs and folklore, makes A Dance in Donegal a treat to read. While you may not have access to an authentic peat fire, you will wish to brew a cuppa or two to enjoy alongside this lovely novel while you find out what happens to Moira.

I received a complementary copy of A Dance in Donegal from Revel via NetGalley.