Books & Graphics by Sharlene

My passion is reading books and creating images about books.

Beyond Scandal and Desire

Beyond Scandal and Desire - Lorraine Heath A delight historical romance.

The Secret to Southern Charm

The Secret to Southern Charm - Kristy Woodson Harvey Another successful visit to Peachtree Bluff. This is book two in the series. Ms. Harvey is definitely a voice in Southern fiction and I enjoyed this book immensely. We have the story of Sloane in this book and her dealing with her military husband missing in action. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about family relationships. It will pull you in quickly and you will be gobbling up pages as you fall deeper in love with all the characters. A great read.

The Tuscan Child

The Tuscan Child - Rhys Bowen Another favorite to add to my list of Favorites of war genre. Moving, great characters and a mystery thrown in.

The Way of Beauty

The Way of Beauty - Camille Di Maio I have read and enjoyed all of Camille Di Maio's books and this one did not disappoint. I was fascinated with the historical background of Penn Station in NYC. This was something I was not that aware of. I felt I was there with the characters as their lives evolved over the years and their love for the station.
I found the characters well developed. I stayed up very late each night as I could not put this book down. I would highly recommend this book to friends and fans of historical fiction.

The Phantom's Apprentice

The Phantom's Apprentice - Heather  Webb A truly magical fictional book based on The Phantom of the Opera. I was pulled in from the very first page and did not want to put this one down. Fascinating characters with a touch of mystery. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction with a touch of romance and a hint of mystery.

The Wicked City

The Wicked City - Beatriz Williams Another hit by Beatriz Williams. Loved the characters in The Wicked City and could not put this one down.

Next Year in Havana

Next Year in Havana - Chanel Cleeton You can add this gorgeous book to your #TBR list. Every page is as beautiful as the cover, definitely 5 star. Can't not wait to read the next book. A great insight into Cuba that many of us have never seen. Great historical detail and remarkable characters. I would definitely recommend to friends and readers of historical fiction.

The Phantom's Apprentice

The Phantom's Apprentice - Heather Webb A truly magical fictional book based on The Phantom of the Opera. I was pulled in from the very first page and did not want to put this one down. Fascinating characters with a touch of mystery. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction with a touch of romance and a hint of mystery.

Wilde in Love

Wilde in Love - Eloisa James Delightful historical romance.

Lilac Girls

Lilac Girls - Martha Hall Kelly One of my favorite historical fiction novels this year. Moving account of WW2 Ravensbruck concentration camp for women.

Map of the Heart: A Novel

Map of the Heart: A Novel - Susan Wiggs A truly beautiful book with great characters and detail. Highly recommend for those that love historial fiction.

The Room on Rue Amélie

The Room on Rue Amélie - Kristin Harmel Extremely moving and detailed account of life in occupied Paris during World War II. Great character development and research. You will feel the tension of daily life in Paris during this time. Recommend for anyone that enjoys a moving story that grips you from page one. Historical fiction at is best. 4..5 stars.

Secrets of a Charmed Life

Secrets of a Charmed Life - Susan Meissner One of my favorite historical fictions books. You really get a feel for what the Blitz in London was truly like. I could not put this book down and highly recommend it to historical fiction readers.

Before We Were Yours

Before We Were Yours - Lisa Wingate I really enjoyed this novel based on a the true story of a very tragic occurrence. This was a story I was not familiar with and enjoyed the fact based fiction. I was pulled in from page one and did not want to stop reading. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys a great historical fiction.

The Bride Who Got Lucky (The Cavensham Heiresses)

The Bride Who Got Lucky (The Cavensham Heiresses) - Janna MacGregor A very enjoyable historical romance. Great characters. Would recommend to friends.

Wallflower Most Wanted

Wallflower Most Wanted - Manda Collins Wallflower Most Wanted is the third book in Manda Collins series Studies in Scandal. Ready Set Rogue and Duke with Benefits are the first two books. The series is about four heiresses who are left Beauchamp house because they are blue stockings who are pursuing fields that interestedLady Celeste Beauchamp.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the others and this might be my favorite of the three. I love the heiresses and Sophia was as much fun to read about as the other girls. The hero is Ben the local vicar and I am glad to say he was not held back in his pursuing Sophia due to being the local vicar.
Fans of historical romance will enjoy this book and I enjoyed the added mystery in all the books in the series. Even though it is part of the series, you can read it as a standalone.