THE LAST TIARA by M J Rose

THE LAST TIARA by M J Rose The Russian Revolution plays a large part in this tale of love, betrayal, family, jewels, secrets, privilege and glass ceilings. Like Russian novels, this one has twists, turns, blind corners and secrets galore. Sofia, a young art restorer in Tsarist Russia, is friends with the Tsar’s daughters, Olga and Tatiana. All three volunteer as nurses as WWI encroaches on St. Petersburg and their life of wealth and privilege. In hospital Sofia meets a young soldier who suffers from amnesia. That is where the joys and struggles and secrets begin only to later crop up in 1948 in New York City. The main characters are, with one exception, clearly drawn and true to themselves throughout. Rose has done her homework and it shows in her descriptions of Tsarist Russia and later the New York architectural, fine jewelry and social scene. Her descriptions of Faberge and the gem studded works they created are spot on. Her depiction of women in the field of architecture shows the glass ceiling in stunning detail. A lovely novel that book groups will enjoy discussing. 4 of 5 stars

THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE by Marie Benedict

THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE by Marie Benedict Agatha Christie, renowned writer of mysteries, disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Although a country wide search was made, no one was able to find her until she turned up on day eleven claiming amnesia. What REALLY happened – no one knows. Marie Benedict makes an interesting and entirely fictional novel of the mystery. The result is a good yarn that Agatha herself would approve. My complaint - and it is a huge one – is the two different, and interwoven, timelines. I would just get involved in one timeline and the other would pop up with a different narrator and jump back or forward in time. When I finished the book, I knew why the author chose this conceit. However, there have been entirely too many novels recently with the same “jump around” timeline. It is annoying. Please stop. The characters are well developed. The plot is clever. The inclusion of true events lends credence to the tale. But still…. Those annoying time leaps. Book groups will have a field day trying to suss out the real story in their discussion. 3 of 5 stars

LIFE'S TOO SHORT by Abby Jimenez

LIFE’S TOO SHORT by Abby Jimenez Life should be fun with a dire medical prognosis. That is Vanessa’s mantra and the way she lives her life with the specter of ALS in her future. SO… she has rule. She doesn’t date. She travels where ever and when ever she pleases. She video blogs about her adventures. She takes care of her family. This book could be real downer. It is most definitely NOT! There is a laugh on nearly every page. There is romance and a baby and a dog with more problems than Vanessa and her neighbor! Her neighbor is gorgeous, and kind, and helpful, and steady, and on her vblog he is known as “Jesus” abs.” This could have en just a fluff book, but there is plenty of food for serious thought. The main characters are well developed and the plot is attention grabbing. Book clubs will love this book. (For those who wish to avoid it, be warned there is a fair amount of sex without benefit of marriage and a fair amount of “bad” language.) 4 of 5 stars