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Sonora by Jenni L Walsh

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  Sonora sheds light on a fascinating true character - an American woman who was one of the first female horse divers. Sonora Webster, after seeing the High-Diving Horse Act, is mesmerized and instantly knows what she wants to do in life: be part of the history created by Dr. W. F. Carver. But it comes with sacrifices. She must leave behind home and family to be on the road, performing. At almost twenty, she begins practicing the dives intensely, both on her own and with the horse. The act gives her a thrilling sense of freedom. As someone who adores horses and craves adventure, her spirit quickly shines through her performances. As a result, she captures the attention of crowds and newspapermen alike. The dimensions of the protagonist are beautifully explored - her grueling training, the tense relationship with her trainer Al (the owner’s son), and her belief that Al dislikes her and is begrudging training her. After learning about Al’s strained relationship with his father,...
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The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck

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  The Last Assignment brings to light a trailblazing woman photojournalist known for her work as a war correspondent from WWII through the Vietnam War – Georgette Meyer Chapelle, known professionally as Dickey Chapelle. She worked for major periodicals and captured the raw, human side of war with remarkable clarity. The story begins with her failing marriage and the backstories of how she lost her previous job and struggled to return to work she loved the most. The pace quickens when she convinces her boss, Leo Cherne of Life and the IRC, to send her to Hungary to cover the 1956 uprising. In Vienna, she meets with Dr. Faust to expedite the delivering of antibiotics for refugees, even as the window for safe passage closes rapidly. Leo warns her not to cross the Hungarian border illegally - something she is notorious for doing – and reminds her to report to RIA in New York on December 10 for debriefing. As other war correspondents begin to leave, having gathered enough material...
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The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester

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  The Mademoiselle Alliance is a fascinating account of a real-life heroine who risked everything to reclaim a free France – for her children and her country. Morocco, 1928. At eighteen, Marie-Madeleine Fourcade marries Edouard Meric, an army officer working for the French Intelligence Service. He is eight years her senior. It doesn’t take long for her to realize their energies don’t align. Her memories of growing-up in Shanghai reawaken her adventurous spirit - something her husband struggles to accept.   Her time in Morocco reveals her natural gift for assembling the pieces needed to gather intelligence. She defies her husband by taking secret camel rides to visit the tribal groups he needs to befriend, proving herself adept at winning trust and navigating unfamiliar terrain.   Paris, 1936. Now, separated from her husband and raising two children, Marie-Madeleine refuses to let conventions limit her. She becomes a journalist in Paris defying societal expectations ...
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Circle of Days by Ken Follett

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  Set around 2500 BCE, Circle of Days explores the mysterious story of Stonehenge. Seft comes from a family of flint miners. The work is grueling and his father is harsh. When Seft meets Neen, a girl from a family of herders, he notices something different within her family - love and kindness. When the farmers secretly take over land traditionally used for herding animals, Neen’s mother fears the outrage could spark a war between the two communities. Though she has never experienced war herself, she remembers the stories her parents told about a past conflict between the herders and the woodlanders. Joia, Neen’s younger sister, is fascinated by the priestesses who guard the secrets of the sky. When the High Priestess teaches her a new way of counting - using discs instead of body parts - Joia becomes deeply intrigued and begins to understand her true calling. At this time, the Great Plain is divided among three tribes: herders, farmers, and woodlanders. Mistrust among them is grow...
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The Cardinal by Alison Weir

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  The Cardinal brings to life the true story of Thomas Wolsey – his meteoric rise and dramatic fall during Tudor England. England, 1482. Wolsey’s story begins in childhood when, at the age of eleven, he is sent to Oxford. The first half of the novel explores the deep inner world of its central character. Thomas, still a boy, finds himself subject to Oxford’s harsh rules, and he longs for the warmth of his parents’ inn. Despite the cold institution, his brilliant mind sets him apart as the youngest among a thousand scholars. Thought he misses home and the early thrill of Oxford life has worn off, he remains determine to make the best of his situation and fulfill not only his family’s hopes, but his own ambitions. At fifteen, he earns his bachelor’s degree – an extraordinary feat at such young age. He continues his education at Oxford, eventually remaining at the university after graduation, waiting for the opportunity he has long dreamed of. Wolsey seeks high public office. He doesn...
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The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

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  Paris, 1934. When Colette turns ten, her mother Annabel, teaches her how to steal. When Colette questions stealing, she is explained the story of Robin Hood. It’s about taking from those who are cruel and helping those who are kind. And the golden rule is they never keep anything for themselves, except the twin bracelets belonging to her mother’s friend Helene. Annabel and Helene are part of underground network. Annabel tries to persuade her friend Helene to leave Paris due to possible mass deportation of Jews. When Helene with her family are deported and the twin bracelets appear on mistresses’ wrist of a German officer, Annabel decides to do the right thing. At least, it’s the right thing in her mind, but that’s when she makes a fatal mistake. She lets emotions get in the way and loses her full concentrations, leading to fatal events. Meanwhile, the bracelets are split in half, just in case, if the worst comes to pass, each girl, Colette and her younger sister, would have somet...
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The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

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  Set in 18 th -century London, Hannah Cole, after the murder of her husband, faces struggle of keeping her confectionary shop open with bare profits and men conspiring against her. As Chief Magistrate, Henry Fielding, investigates the case of her husband’s murder and holds her savings, she tries to hold her own. When William Devereux presents at her shop and claims to be her late husband’s friend, putting claim to some investments, it gives her hope. To present himself even more believable, he gives her recipe of an Italian delicacy called iced cream. Their new friendship draws some attention to speculation and gossip. The story begins with Hannah’s narrative, and then alternates with William’s narrative, making the story very absorbing as they reveal nuances of their stories. Both backstories are fascinating, with Hannah’s passion for new creations in the world of confectionary. And William’s sad story of his mother who made iced cream for him and was badly mistreated by his ...
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