reecaspieces

Overview

From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey comes an “inspiring” (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—who are both forced to hide behind another name.

“You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Picoult brings vividly to life in her brilliantly researched new novel.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.

In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.

Review

Melina is a young playwright. She has written a play about her ancestor, Emilia Bassano. Emilia was also a playwright in the 1500s. Since Melina has had some bad experiences in the past, she is hesitant to put her new work out there. However, Melina’s best friend submits her play anyway, under a male pseudonym.

Y’all! I absolutely love this author. But this is probably my least favorite of her books. And I have read them all! That does not mean that it wasn’t good. It is just not my favorite.

This story starts out and it is slow for quite a while, but boy, when it takes off, it takes off like a rocket. But sadly, this doesn’t take place till about halfway through. I also did not like Melina very well. She lies, she is overly dramatic and she is a bit of a coward. She just did not sit very well with me.

I did enjoy the dual timelines, especially the one about Emilia Bassano. Her story is tragic and emotional. And it had me researching! Could she be the writer for Shakespeare?? Who knows? But I love the idea and the possibilities that could make it true!

Need a unique historical mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.

Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only abandoned Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing toddler niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.

Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. Locating his long-lost niece, however, is more difficult than either could have imagined, and Sadie West may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

Review

Otis has returned to Monticello, Iowa. He is only going to stay long enough to sell his family home. He wants nothing to do with it. As he struggles through his memories and his past, he realizes someone is living in his family’s closed factory. He uncovers a stowaway! A young girl named Sadie is living there. These two slowly develop a unique friendship. Both soon discover love is in the air.

Now, this is classified as Christian fiction. As most of you know, this is not my favorite genre. I did find this tale a bit predictable in places but it is just an all around good read.

I love a story that has me researching. I was researching right off the bat. I had to know about the feather duster factory. And yes it did exist!

The characters, Sadie and Otis are great together! I enjoy their banter and the stories surrounding their situations. Sadie is struggling to keep her family from losing their farm. This is why she is working at the feather duster factory. And Otis, he is broken in so many ways…you will need to read this to find out!

Need a sweet, good, historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Review

Mad Men meets the world of publishing in international bestselling author Gill Paul’s new novel about Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two dynamic, groundbreaking writers renowned for their scandalous and controversial novels, and the beleaguered young editorial assistant who introduces them.

1966, NYC: Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls hits the bookstores and she is desperate for a bestseller. It’s steamy, it’s a page-turner, but will it make the big money she needs? In London, Jackie Collins’s racy The World Is Full of Married Men launches her career. But neither author is prepared for the price they will pay for being women who dare to write about sex.

Jacqueline and Jackie are lambasted by the literary establishment, deluged with hate mail, and even condemned by feminists. In public, both women shoulder the outcry with dignity; in private, they are crumbling—particularly since they have secrets they don’t want splashed across the front pages.

1965, NYC: College graduate Nancy White is excited to take up her dream job at a Manhattan publishing house, but she could never be prepared for the rampant sexism she will encounter. While working on Valley of the Dolls, she becomes friends with Jacqueline Susann, and, after reaching out to Jackie Collins about a US deal, she is responsible for the two authors meeting. 

Will the two Jackies clash as they race to top the charts? Will Nancy achieve her ambition of becoming an editor, despite all the men determined to hold her back? Three women struggle to succeed in a man’s world, while desperately trying to protect those they love the most.

Review

This is a unique novel about Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two dynamic, groundbreaking writers renowned for their scandalous and controversial novels, and the beleaguered young editorial assistant who introduces them.

To say I love this book is an understatement. This book hit me at just the right time and just the right place. But the nostalgia this brought back to me is amazing. I remember reading Jackie Collins when I was a young girl in high school. (GASP!) And there was so much in this book that I did not know.

Same with Jacqueline Susann. I was late to the game reading her. And I certainly did not know much about her life. And I did feel that this book had more about her than it did Jackie.

These two ladies changed the way women were viewed in publishing…no doubt! Not without trauma..but they each handled it in their own way.

Then there is Nancy. Nancy is just a young girl trying to break into the publishing field as an editor. Oh the stuff she goes through!

Need an all around good tale that will open your eyes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

A destination wedding in Italy’s Lake Como brings three best friends back together to face the secrets of the past in this romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

Best friends Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact to reunite for each other’s weddings when their careers sent them in different directions. But after one of them makes a choice that tears the group apart, an upcoming wedding might be their last chance to heal old wounds.

Ava is about to marry the man she loves in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Lake Como, but she’s haunted by the mistakes she’s made.

Madison’s made a name for herself as an influencer in the fashion world but is threatened by a scandal impacting everything she holds dear.

And Chelsea has the perfect family she always craved, but her professional dreams have fallen by the wayside.

As they return to Italy’s gorgeous coast, the three women revisit their life-changing first trip to Lake Como during college. When Madison comes face-to-face with the college sweetheart who was at the heart of one of the most pivotal times of her life, can they forge a new way forward?

Review

Ava, Madison and Chelsea are best friends. But life and bad decisions have torn them apart. Ava is about to get married and she is hoping to get them back together. But she is unsure if forgiveness is on the table.

These three young ladies each have different personalities and different dreams. I enjoyed all three! They definitely encouraged each other through hard times. They have been each other’s rock for years until one betrayed the other.

I have enjoyed Jennifer Probst books for quite a while. This one is not my favorite but it is still a good read. It does slow down in the middle a bit but the characters and their struggle to find their way back to each other really kept me reading.

Need a tale about friendship and forgiveness…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

In this new installment of Ken Bruen’s beloved Jack Taylor series, the whiskey-swigging Irish detective investigates a series of violent attacks on the local convent’s nuns.

Jack Taylor wakes up from a coma to discover that much of the world has changed since he last walked the streets of Galway. The pandemic had hit while he was under, devastating the lives of many in his beloved city and beyond. Now, as Jack tries to recover from the attack that put him in the hospital and absorb the incredible changes in the world around him, a woman approaches him with a distressing case: two local nuns have been bludgeoned by a mysterious man wielding a hammer, and more are sure to follow. As the police fail to act while the violence against the Sisters escalates, Jack seems like their only hope.

Initially wary of becoming involved in the investigation, Jack finds he cannot stay away from the mystery surrounding these vicious attacks. He also cannot shake a feeling of darkness that has haunted him since he awoke from his coma—a darkness that is far too close for comfort. Luckily, an old friend is there to help see him through and there is always Jack’s dark wit and a drink to help shore up his mood.

Review

Jack has just awakened from a coma to discover the world he once knew is gone. Now, as Jack tries to recover from the attack that put him in the hospital and absorb the incredible changes in the world around him, a woman approaches him with a distressing case: two local nuns have been bludgeoned by a mysterious man wielding a hammer, and more are sure to follow. As the police fail to act while the violence against the Sisters escalates, Jack seems like their only hope.

Jack is a unique character that you can’t help but fall for. He is matter of fact, no nonsense and a bit on the rude side. And I loved that for him. He does not take any prisoners, but don’t worry….the nuns take him to school.

This story had me laughing out loud in places due to snarky comments. It also had me gasping for breath because Jack had to catch this killer!!

This is part of a series and I have not read a single one. This is my first. I did not feel lost…well except for the coma part! I need to go back and read that book 😂. So, it is not necessary that you read these in order.

Need a mystery that makes you think of Alfred Hitchcock…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Purchase Here

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