"The Secrets of Provence", by Daisy Wood

In a few words:

Provence 1940

Mathilde finds refuge with her cousin in Provence after the Nazis occupation of Paris. Once there she is soon drawn into the Resistance movement. Now force to live a life on the run, where betrayal is a constant threat. Mathilde soon discovers that deceit has to be her constant companion.

Paris, present day

Juliette thoughts are turned to tracing her roots. Curious to why her grandmother spent most of the war in Provence. What is Malthide up to? When an old photograph leads Juliette to a crumbling château what she uncovers will change her life.

My thoughts:

This book continues the story of Jacques and Mathilde whom we met in “The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris”. No worries if you didn’t read it first “The Secrets of Provence” stands well by its own.

The seamless blend of two timeline: the past and present are said with emotional depth one that has kept my attention from start to finish. The warm narrative is filled with so much heart wrenching moments of the reality of war that will inevitably break your heart, I found it to be quite an emotional read. Of course, I love books highlighting resistance movements and this story does honour to the various organisations that existed. Mathilde is just an example of courage and determination needed to survive. In alternate chapters, the voices of our main characters shine and their stories will hold everyone captive till the very last page.

The action of men and women of the resistance was to the point and excellently depicted. At times, the tempo seems to slow down mainly for greater effect and did this pretty well IMO. On a final note, the characters couldn’t have played their roles better.

Well said and well-done

"Three Marys", by Glenn Cooper

Cal Donovan #2

Summary:

Three impossible births. Three incredible miracles. One deadly secret.

Three teenage girls all name Mary from different corners of the world have fallen pregnant, the three have been proven to be virgins. In view of this, Pope Celestine has summoned Harvard professor of religion and archaeology Cal Donavan to investigate. As Cal struggles to uncover the truth he soon realises that more than meet the eyes is at stake: could this apparent miracle cause the collapse of the Catholic faith.

Are the three teenagers really all bearing the son of God?

My thoughts:

This story is fun to read and is engaging. It gives us a mix of religious and adventure elements to capture our imagination till the very last page and does so very well. The author’s creativity is in over drive here, what a vivid imagine Glenn Cooper has…or maybe a twisted one 😊. The plot is not only entertaining it is also interesting. I zipped through it in no time so captivated was I. Yes, some will find the premise to be overboard and impossible: they would be definitely right in thinking so but I enjoyed every word, I was hooked from start to finish.

The cast of characters is original and I simply love Cal….is such an interesting and unusual character. We have action aplenty to keep us on our toes. This is definitely a plot driven story that moves along in a steady and moderate tempo and reveals its secrets drop by drop to keep up the suspense and us entertained till the very end.

Whether you are religious or not take this as a fun read to pass time with.

My thanks to Book Whisper/Lascaux Media for this ARC which I received via Netgalley

"Bianca's Cure", by Gigi Berardi

Renaissance Florence

At the core of this history driven story is the bond between Francesco de Medici and Bianca Capello and her obsession with science-artemisia and her pursuit of a cure for malaria. On the other hand, the Medici put alchemy ahead and were more concerned with science. Eventually, Bianca’s trajectory brought her to the Medici court and ultimately to the Grand Duchess’s seat.

The characters in his story were real figures at the time Florence was a republic and malaria was killing the Medicis.

“Bianca’s Cure” is a story of love, ambition and the ever-present threat of violence. It is not a feel-good story of feminine empowerment rather one of confrontation where tradition collides with invention and the opportunity for advancement.

I found this story to be in the tradition of the best historical fiction where the author has taken a least known woman and has created a stirring account of a relentless pursuit of a cure for the heat disease. This fiction depicts a life shrouded in mystery and the voice-driven narrative skillfully describes the tortuous path a woman of science takes.

Elegantly written “Bianca’s Cure” has intellectual depth as well as emotional drive and depicts science in a unique way. Bianca was well ahead of her time.

Her skill may have doom them both Francesco and herself….read it and find out for yourself….

I don’t mind passing time reading story that is well-said and well-done.

My thanks to the publisher She Writes Press for this ARC which I received via Book Whisper and Netgalley