Audio Book Review - THE LOST APOTHECARY by Sarah Penner

 

Author: Sarah Penner
Genre: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction
Narrator: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin

Release Date: March 2, 2021

About the Book:

Instant New York Times Best Seller

Named Most Anticipated of 2021 by Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Hello! magazine, Oprah.com, Bustle, Popsugar, Betches, Sweet July, and GoodReads!

March 2021 Indie Next Pick and Number One Library Reads Pick

"A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!" (Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of The Alice Network)

A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary....

Hidden in the depths of 18th-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious 12-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate - and not everyone will survive.

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters, and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance, and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for quite some time. When I noticed it was available as an audio book, I thought that now was the time! 

The story goes back and forth between the late 1700's and modern times in London.  Nella has a secret apothecary shop hidden in a back room where poisons are prepared according to the specifications of her clients, women who seek her help. Eliza is a 12-year old girl who soon becomes involved with helping Nella until she makes a terrible mistake.

Caroline is a modern day American woman who ends up in London alone. This was supposed to be a ten-year anniversary trip for her and her husband until she discovered he had been unfaithful. When Caroline discovers a small vial in the river, her curiosity is sparked and she begins an adventure discovering where the vial came from and it's history.

I found this story to be quite fascinating and it's obvious that the author did quite a bit of research. I was unable, however, to really connect with the characters, especially Caroline. She hid information from her only friend in London, a person who was trying to help in Caroline's research. And why in the world would a woman traveling alone in a different country venture out at night with nothing but a cell phone with a dying battery! 

Great story, but it loses one wine glass due to character development.

My Rating:

About the Author:

From Sarah Penner's webpage at https://www.SarahPenner.com

About Sarah Penner

I was born and raised in northeast Kansas, growing up in a small log cabin nestled deep in the woods. This picturesque retreat, where I lived until early adulthood, frames most of my early memories. 

I began writing seriously in 2015, after attending a moving lecture given by Elizabeth Gilbert. She was on tour for Big Magic, a game-changing book for creatives. Soon after her talk, I enrolled in my first online creative writing class. I haven't looked back since.​

I'm an avid traveler, though my heart is stuck in London. Other favorite destinations include Thailand, Ireland, Germany, Belize, and Italy.

I graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in finance. In early 2021, after thirteen years in corporate America, I left my day job. I'm thrilled now to call myself a full-time writer. When I'm not at the keyboard, you'll likely find me in the kitchen, the yoga studio, or running outdoors in the Florida heat. 

I'm married to my best friend, Marc. We're proud residents of the Sunshine State, where we live with our "silky hair" miniature dachshund, Zoe. 

Book Review - SONGS OF WILLOW FROST by Jamie Ford

Title:  Songs of Willow Frost
Author:  Jamie Ford
Genre:  Literary Fiction
Publisher:  Ballentine Books
Release Date:  September 10, 2013

About the Book:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From Jamie Ford, author of the beloved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, comes a much-anticipated second novel. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Seattle, Songs of Willow Frost is a powerful tale of two souls—a boy with dreams for his future and a woman escaping her haunted past—both seeking love, hope, and forgiveness.

Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

Twelve-year-old William Eng, a Chinese American boy, has lived at Seattle’s Sacred Heart Orphanage ever since his mother’s listless body was carried away from their small apartment five years ago. On his birthday—or rather, the day the nuns designate as his birthday—William and the other orphans are taken to the historical Moore Theatre, where William glimpses an actress on the silver screen who goes by the name of Willow Frost. Struck by her features, William is convinced that the movie star is his mother, Liu Song.

Determined to find Willow and prove that his mother is still alive, William escapes from Sacred Heart with his friend Charlotte. The pair navigate the streets of Seattle, where they must not only survive but confront the mysteries of William’s past and his connection to the exotic film star. The story of Willow Frost, however, is far more complicated than the Hollywood fantasy William sees onscreen.

Shifting between the Great Depression and the 1920s, Songs of Willow Frost takes readers on an emotional journey of discovery. Jamie Ford’s sweeping novel will resonate with anyone who has ever longed for the comforts of family and a place to call home.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Songs of Willow Frost takes us back and forth in time as memories of Willow's earlier years come to surface. The book is extremely well written and the characters are multi-dimensional, but it is sad. Very, very sad. Downright depressing.

If you enjoy a book that pulls you in, that clings to your emotions, that makes your heart sink and your tears on the edge of your eyelid waiting to brim over, you will enjoy this book. For me, although it was an excellent thought-provoking novel, it was depressing. It left me sad. Mainly because I know these injustices existed during this time period.

Although as a society we still have a long way to go, this book helps us to realize just how far we have come.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Jamie Ford is the great grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Kaiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the western name "Ford," thus confusing countless generations. 

His debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list and went on to win the 2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. His work has been translated into 34 languages. Jamie is still holding out for Klingon (that's when you know you've made it).

Visit him at www.jamieford.com or on Twitter @jamieford.

Book Review - STUCK IN MANISTIQUE by Dennis Cuesta

Title:  Stuck in Manistique
Author:  Dennis Cuesta
Genre:  Humor, Contemporary Fiction
Release Date:  October 29, 2018

About the Book:

Near the midpoint of the Upper Peninsula, along a Lake Michigan bend of shore, is the town of Manistique, Michigan. Mark had never heard of Manistique before the death of his estranged aunt, but as sole beneficiary of Vivian's estate, he travels there to settle her affairs. As Mark tours his aunt's house for the first time, the doorbell rings.
Days after graduating medical school, Dr. Emily Davis drives north, struggling with her illicit rendezvous on Mackinac Island. She never makes it—on the highway near Manistique, her car collides with a deer, shattering the car's windshield. Stranded for the night, Emily is directed to a nearby bed and breakfast.
Maybe it's a heady reaction, the revelation that his aunt, an international aid doctor, ran a bed and breakfast in retirement. Or perhaps he plainly feels pity for the young, helpless doctor. Regardless, Mark decides to play host for one night, telling Emily that he's merely stepping in temporarily while his aunt is away.
As a one-night stay turns into another and more guests arrive, the ersatz innkeeper steadily loses control of his story. And though Emily opens up to Mark, she has trouble explaining the middle-aged man who unexpectedly arrives at the doorstep looking for her. 
Will these two strangers, holding on to unraveling secrets, remain in town long enough to discover the connection between them?

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Perhaps it's because my father's family lives in the UP and I could picture every bridge, lake and street sign. Or perhaps it's because I was raised eating pasties. Or perhaps it's because Stuck in Manistique was simply a delight to read. Whatever it was, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this debut novel from an author who deserves a standing ovation.

I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining. I not only smiled, but laughed out loud several times. There were a few dramatic moments too and a couple of heartbreaking moments, but the characters were quirky and dynamic and loveable.

I hope to see more from this author in the future. Perhaps a continuation of this story? I would love to read about more guests at this B&B. And, my oh my, would I ever love to stay there!

Disclosure:  A complimentary ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own. 

My Rating:

About the Author:

A native of California, Dennis Cuesta attended the University of Michigan and remained in the Upper Midwest during his early career. Stuck in Manistique is his first novel. Dennis and his wife did get stuck in Manistique once, long ago. The interrupted trip served as inspiration for the novel.

Book Review - SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY by Molly Harper

Title:  Sweet Tea and Sympathy
Author:  Molly Harper
Genre:  Literary Fiction, Humor, Romance
Release Date:   November 21, 2017 

About the Book:

Beloved author Molly Harper launches a brand-new contemporary romance series, Southern Eclectic, with this story of a big-city party planner who finds true love in a small Georgia town.

Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it’s become one big family affair. And true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody’s business.

Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business. She’s riding high until one event goes tragically, spectacularly wrong. Now she’s blackballed by the gala set and in dire need of a fresh start—and apparently the McCreadys are in need of an event planner with a tarnished reputation.

As Margot finds her footing in a town where everybody knows not only your name, but what you had for dinner last Saturday night and what you’ll wear to church on Sunday morning, she grudgingly has to admit that there are some things Lake Sackett does better than Chicago—including the dating prospects. Elementary school principal Kyle Archer is a fellow fish-out-of-water who volunteers to show Margot the picture-postcard side of Southern living. The two of them hit it off, but not everybody is happy to see an outsider snapping up one of the town's most eligible gentleman. Will Margot reel in her handsome fish, or will she have to release her latest catch?

Buy Links: Amazon / Audible

My Review:

As a southern girl myself, I found SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY totally delightful. This book will have you smiling and perhaps even laughing out loud. 

Margot is a city girl with a problem. When an event she was planning goes totally wrong, she is given the boot and finds herself unemployed and pretty much banned from the industry. When her life is at it's lowest point, she is contacted by a distant relative and offered a job with the family business, the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop in Lake Sackett, Georgia. With no other options on the table, she accepts the offer, only until she can find another job in the city. Getting accustomed to life in a small town and cousins everywhere she turns, and a father she never really knew, was a lot for Margot to endure. But there is humor in every turn.

Although these characters were not as fully developed as I would have liked, I still have to give this book a good rating, simply because I enjoyed it so much.

I listened to the Audible version of this book and the narration was wonderful. The southern accents and appropriate pauses at the right times, and the change in the voices was very well done.

My Rating: 

About the Author:

Molly Harper worked for six years as a reporter and humor columnist for The Paducah Sun. Her reporting duties included covering courts, school board meetings, quilt shows, and once, the arrest of a Florida man who faked his suicide by shark attack and spent the next few months tossing pies at a local pizzeria. Molly lives in western Kentucky with her family.

Book Review - NOT QUITE OVER YOU by Susan Mallery

Title:  Not Quite Over You (Happily Inc series)
Author:  Susan Mallery
Genre:  Romance, Small Town & Rural
Release Date:  October 23, 2018 

About the Book:

Susan Mallery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances, proves there’s nowhere better than Happily Inc to rekindle first love.

Silver Tesdal has a head for business and a mouth made for kissing, and banker Drew Lovato has his eye on both. But ever since he was dumb enough to let her go, she’s kept him at a distance. When the bank turns her down for a loan, Drew sees a double opportunity—he can finance her brilliant, unique idea to rock Happily Inc’s wedding industry and win back her trust.

Despite her reputation, Silver’s not as tough as she seems. Losing Drew nearly destroyed her. Still, his kisses are as tempting as his offer to invest in her business. If she can’t quite get over him, maybe she should get under him and knock him out of her system once and for all.

But her best laid plans begin to unravel as Silver finds herself falling even harder than when they were high school sweethearts. Which means that she’ll have to come clean about the secret she’s been hiding from him for years—and risk losing him forever.

Buy Links: Amazon 
Available for Pre-Order - Release Date: October 23rd

My Review:

Why is it that every time I get to that last page of one of these books in the Happily Inc series, I am wiping away the tears that are streaming down my cheeks?  Always a happy ending, as in any good true romance novel, but Susan Mallery has a way of making these characters go straight to my heart.

Silver and Drew have a past. A past that included an unplanned teenage pregnancy, giving the baby up for adoption, and a separation that was intended to be what was best for each of them. But that past comes full circle for both of them and a realization that they never stopped loving each other.

Drew is such a good guy! I loved his character. And Silver is a strong, independent woman who has made a career for herself. When she decides she wants to expand her business and yet has a difficult time acquiring the funds to do so, Drew steps in as a minority partner with the funds she needs. Working together brings them closer, and as they work out suppressed fears and anxieties, a realization of how they truly feel toward one another comes out. I loved these two.

The relationship between Wynn and Jasper was part of this story as well and I'm hoping there will be more between them in an upcoming book. And possibly more in a much more future book between Hunter and Autumn. How about it Ms. Mallery? (smiling wishfully)

Disclosure: A complimentary copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating: 

About the Author:

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women's lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan's books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!"

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they're an integral component to a happy life. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.

Book Review - WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens

Title:  Where the Crawdads Sing
Author:  Delia Owens
Genre:  Literary Fiction, Romance, Detective
Release Date:  August 14, 2018

About the Book:

The Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick

The New York Times BestsellerFor years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens.

Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Where the Crawdads Sing is an emotional account of the life of a young girl who has been abandoned by everyone she loved and was left to raise herself in the marshlands near a small town in coastal North Carolina in the 1960's.  

This is a beautifully written story depicting the prejudice and poverty in the south, and yet it also portrays the love and acceptance freely given by others. Young Kya had no one. Abandoned by her mother and then her siblings, and finally by her abusive father, Kya had no one to turn to until her friendship with Jumpin' and his wife Mable began. And then there was Tate. Tate understood Kya like no one else. What started as a game, with various bird feathers being left for each other on an old tree stump, led to something much more dear with Tate teaching Kya to read and finding science and biology books for her. But then, even Tate left her and once again Kya felt abandoned and lonely, with only her gulls to keep her company.

The story takes a dramatic turn when the local football hero is found dead and the sheriff seems to think Kya is responsible. 

Delia Owens created an emotional story with some remarkable characters. On top of all that, her descriptions of the marsh, the birds, and all of nature was breathtakingly beautiful and her writing was poetic. This novel will be memorable and will rank right up there amongst my favorites.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Delia Owens is the co-author of three internationally bestselling nonfiction books about her life as a wildlife scientist in Africa—Cry of the Kalahari, The Eye of the Elephant, and Secrets of the Savanna. She has won the John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing and has been published in Nature, The African Journal of Ecology, and International Wildlife, among many others. She currently lives in Idaho, where she continues her support for the people and wildlife of Zambia. Where the Crawdads Sing is her first novel.

You can also connect with Delia on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authordeliao...

Book Review - The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Title:  The Keeper of Lost Things
Author:  Ruth Hogan
Genre:  Literary Fiction with a touch of Fantasy
Release Date:  February 21, 2017

About the Book:

A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

Full of character, wit, and wisdom, The Keeper of Lost Things is heartwarming tale that will enchant fans of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Garden Spells, Mrs Queen Takes the Train, and The Silver Linings Playbook.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS is a delightful story with even more delightful characters. There are actually two stories being told, side by side, that come together in the end in a way that will leave you shaking your head and grinning from ear to ear. Each character that Ruth Hogan has created is so well developed that they come alive in your mind as you read... or in my case, listen. Yes, I listened to the audio version of this book and I must say that it was extremely well done. One of the better audiobooks I've listened to in a long time.

The blurb about the book pretty much tells you what the book is about, so I won't repeat that here. I'll just give my opinion. And that opinion is a good one. It had everything. And it made me smile.

My Rating:

About the Author:

I was born in the house where my parents still live in Bedford. My sister was so pleased to have a sibling that she threw a thrupenny bit at me.

As a child I read everything I could lay my hands on. Luckily, my mum worked in a bookshop. My favourite reads were THE MOOMINTROLLS, A HUNDRED MILLION FRANCS, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, and the back of cereal packets, and gravestones.

I passed enough A levels to get a place at Goldsmiths College, University of London, to study English and Drama. It was brilliant and I loved it.

And then I got a proper job.

I worked for ten years in a senior local government position: a square peg in round hole, but it paid the bills and mortgage. In my early thirties I had a car accident which left me unable to work full-time and convinced me to start writing seriously.

It was all going well, but then in 2012 I got Cancer, which was bloody inconvenient but precipitated an exciting hair journey from bald to a peroxide blonde Annie Lennox crop. When chemo kept me up all night I passed the time writing and the eventual result was THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, my first novel.

I live in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and my long-suffering husband. I am a magpie; always collecting treasures (or 'junk' depending on your point of view) and a huge John Betjeman fan.

My favourite word is' antimacassar' and I still like reading gravestones.

instagram.com/ruthmariehogan
twitter.com/ruthmariehogan
facebook.com/ruthmariehogan
Website http://ruthhogan.co.uk

Book Review - The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre:  Metaphysical, Gothic, Literary Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Anchor/Random House
Release Date: September 13, 2011

About the Book:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Two starcrossed magicians engage in a deadly game of cunning in The Night Circus,the spellbinding bestseller that has captured the world's imagination. 
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Erin Morgenstern has gifted the reading community with a world filled with creativity, imagination and magic.  This is a book like no other that I know of.  My only regret is that I listened to the audiobook instead of reading the actual book.  Don't get me wrong!  The audio book was extremely well done and the narrator was excellent.  But unless I gave it my full attention, I got a bit lost with the jumps back and forth in time.  There was quite a bit of detail, and a good number of characters that needed to be firmly planted in my mind.  Seeing the printed words and reading this book would have been far better than listening while being distracted by cooking dinner, doing laundry and other mundane household tasks.  I found myself rewinding numerous times.

Although The Night Circus is a bit of a love story, there is so much more to it than just that.  Imagine a circus, all decked out in black and white, that mysteriously appears out of nowhere.  And imagine that circus only being open from midnight until just before dawn.  And then imagine that the circus suddenly vanishes, with no trace of it ever having been there.  Once you have that firmly planted in your mind, imagine a game, a contest of sorts, between two individuals who do not know who their opponent is nor do they know exactly what they are supposed to do to win.  

The story starts in 1873, when Hector Bowen, also known as Prospero the Enchanter, discovers he has a six-year-old daughter with amazing abilities. Celia comes to live with Prospero, who is somewhat cruel to her as he begins to train her for a special "game" with a student of the mysterious man in the grey suit.  As Celia and Marco come of age, they find themselves falling in love. But only one can survive this "game".

I can't give away any spoilers, but other fascinating characters become involved in this game which is ultimately tied to Le Cirque des Rêves.  I actually preferred the romantic flirtation between Poppet and Bailey to that of the main characters.  The romantic scenes between Marco and Celia were not as well written as I would have liked and left me feeling a bit flat.  That being said, this is an amazing book that you simply cannot rush through.  Take your time and let each chapter sink in.

#BookReview, #TheNightCircus

My Rating:

About the Author:

Erin Morgenstern is a writer and a multimedia artist who describes all her work as "fairy tales in one way or another." She has a degree in Theatre from Smith College, an ever-growing collection of jewelry made from skeleton keys, and a cat on her lap. She lives in Massachusetts. THE NIGHT CIRCUS is her first novel.

http://erinmorgenstern.com
http://www.facebook.com/erinmorgen