Queen of Always by Sherry D. Ficklin is the last book in the Stolen Empire series and perhaps the darkest. Catherine needs to be ruthless if she is to survive life in the Imperial Court. Ficklin delivered in sharing the last chapters of Catherine’s story and it held me spellbound.
A Curious Beginning is the first novel in the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series by Deanna Raybourn. The tale takes place in Victorian England and introduces us to the feisty character Veronica Speedwell. Action, mystery, strong characters and excellent writing made A Curious Beginning a wonderful adventure.
One of my favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird from the characters to the writing. I have re-read it many times and I have always mourned the fact that I could not read more works by Harper Lee. Therefore, when news of Go Set a Watchman spread I knew that I would have to read it. I noticed Resse Witherspoon was narrating the audio edition and decided to listen instead.
Queen of Tomorrow is the second book in the Stolen Empire by Sherry D. Ficklin and it rocked its predecessor as Ficklin began Catherine’s transformation. With it the tone of this trilogy darkens and in a word is was brilliant. Set in Russia and loosely based on a young Catharine the Great I found myself swept up as Catherine navigated the Imperial Court.
Death Steppe: A World War II Novel by Judy Bruce transports us to the western Soviet Union as Germany tries to invade. It follows a Russian war window and a German lieutenant whose paths will eventual cross as they deal with the challenges these times bring them. Beautiful, brutal and steeped in faith this tale exposes both the horrors of war and the beauty of love.
