Review: The Oysterville Sewing Circle

The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caroline Shelby left her Oysterville, California, home never to return. But here she is 10 years later, returning with 2 children, 5 and 6 years of age, not belonging to her. She had been in New York pursing a career in garment design and doing very well when another designer stole some of her designs. Caroline did not feel like standing up to this designer and therefore decided the only option she had was to return home. When pulling into town the last person she expected to see was her best friend from their high school days. They both said when they left this town they would never return. Will Jensen had spent time with the Navy Seals until being wounded overseas and he returned home.

Domestic violence played a part in Caroline ending up with the children. The children's mother had modeled for Caroline and also for the designer who stole Caroline's designs. She was in an abusive relationship with him in order to keep her job.

The Oysterville Sewing Circle is a book showing strength in the healing powers of friendship and love, support and sisterhood.


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Review: Brother’s Ruin

Brother’s Ruin by Emma Newman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brother's Ruin is the first novel in Newman's Industrial Magic series, set in 1850 London where people who have magic within themselves become members of the Royal Society of Esoteric Arts. The mission of this society: to seek other mages, train them, and place where needed to protect the Queen as well as making sure things are running smoothly in all of Great Britain. There are certain things one must give up to become part of the Society. Charlotte Gunn, the most powerful mages of her time, is not willing to abandon her dreams. Everyone knows what will happen to those who knowingly withhold their “gifts,” so Charlotte decides to play her weak brother’s caretaker in order to carry out her plans to marry her beloved George. All this changes the day Charlotte finds out that her family is about to lose everything, including her father! You can follow Charlotte's continuing story in the second book in this charming and adventurous series, The Weaver's Lament.

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Review: Steel Crow Saga

Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A soldier, a thief, a prince, and a detective from different backgrounds must band together against an enemy determined to destroy their world. Unexpected bonds and alliances are formed as the four fight for their lives and their peoples. Tala, Lee, Jimuro, and Xiulan are such well-crafted characters that their stories will resonate well after the last page is turned.
The world Kreuger has built is a magical one where humans can enchant metals and forge soul bonds with animal companions. It is also a deftly held mirror reflecting our world's history of imperialism and oppression. The ability to so seamlessly merge imaginative fantasy and stark reality is what first drew me to Kreuger's writing in his first novel, Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge. Steel Crow Saga proves that the bright spark of talent shown in his debut has grown into a shining star.
For fans of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War and Roshani Chockshi's The Gilded Wolves.


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