The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Fiction - 3.5 stars

In her novel, The Peach Keeper, Sarah Addison Allen blends friendships, sibling relationships, and Southern hospitality into a sweet story with a very happy ending. Thirty-year-old Willa Jackson returned to her rural North Carolina home in Walls of Water to escape her failures. Instead of escaping them, she faces them head-on, reconnects with her family, and begins new relationships that she never thought she'd have.  In the meantime, she becomes involved in a 75-year-old murder mystery involving her grandmother and the beautiful mansion her family occupied in the 1930s. While not a Pulitzer Price winner, the book club candidate is an easy read, perfect for the beach or to read while sitting on your front porch swing, sipping sweet tea. It took me all of two days to read it, and I loved every minute of it.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Historical Fiction - 3.5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! The story of Carrie McLellan, a historical fiction writer who moves to a small village on the eastern Scottish coast, unfolds while she is writing her latest book which features an ancestor who is closer than Carrie knows. With comparisons of Kearsley to Diana Gabaldon (my favorite writer!), it was handed to me by my friend Susan who thought of me when she read it. I can see why, as the historical research and the setting make this book as close to perfect for me as any out there. My only complaint is the lack of detail that Kearsley gives the main character and her main character's appearances. Other than lovely with bright hair, I have no image of Sophia. Nevertheless, I loved the story and the characters. Totally recommend this book to anyone who likes history or Scotland.

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Historical Fiction - 4.5 stars

This book is a beast. At 800+ pages, it is not my favorite of the Outlander series, but it is still a great read. The middle drags a bit, and you only get glimpses of the greatness that is Jamie and Claire. Gabaldon does develop other characters, like Young Ian and William, and introduces some new "friends. " My only regret is that it takes her 3 years to write, and I have to wait that long to resolve the cliffhangers.

Katherine by Anya Seton

Historical Fiction - 4 stars - This is the really complicated love story of the 14th century's Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. These ancestors of the Tudor and Stuart blood lines started out a little rocky, became pretty despicable, and redeemed themselves in the end. I enjoyed the intricate stories, and I can see now why it was a much-documented affair. Ms. Seton was a historical fiction writer from the 1950s, and I must say, she had great talent. Her work is comparable to Philippa Gregory's writing. This makes me want to read her other works.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Fiction - 3.5 stars - I was talked into buying this one by Jessica (a former employee) and the Borders clerk, both of whom said that it was a revolutionary love story that would touch me deeply. I can say that it didn't. Beyond the music references that any Gen-X pseudo-punk fan would appreciate, the ending was almost anti-climactic. The story was good, but not great. It offered a new time-travel option, and keeping an open mind when reading this is essential. I enjoyed it, but I was not entirely enraptured as I was expecting.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Fiction - 4.5 stars - This is much different than the movie! There is more detail (of course), Buttercup is very different, Humperdink is very different, the settings are much more elaborate, and I enjoyed it so much, I talked Zachary into reading it as we really enjoy watching the movie. I think he also liked the book better. It is close enough to be familiar, but different enough to add more to the story.

The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall

Fiction - 4 stars - The best part about this book was the information I learned about pre-communist China. It is the story of a young Russian girl who went to China with her mother during the Bolshevik revolution. They lived in Junchow, in the mainly British settlement, and Furnivall depicts the financial disparity between the imperialist Brits and wealthy Chinese families and the Russian refugees and destitute Chinese. While it is ultimately a love story, it is definitely not a "romance" novel, and I would not call her a true concubine. In all, definitely worth reading.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillippa Gregory

Fiction - 4 stars - The story of the life of Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne Boleyn (second wife of Henry VIII). This is a fantastic story! I can't say enough about Ms. Gregory's writing style and, of course, the subject matter is my favorite time period in history. Adds up to one heck of a read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

Those who know me best know that this is the series to which I compare all other books. Jamie and Claire are the ultimate couple in the ultimate story. I have read them over and over and never get tired of them. I could go on and on about them, but I will spare you. Read them and you'll see for yourself.