Kaseys Korner

Next Year in Havana

** spoiler alert ** I really loved this book. The dual timeline stories were easy and so interesting to read about, especially the parts pertaining to Elise. Her timeline in history (just prior to Castro's rise to power) was fascinating. The words of Elise (as relayed by her granddaughter Marisol) painted a vivid picture of both a beautiful country and and a terrifying time in Cuba's history. You could feel the pride & patriotism of the citizens thru the pages. It was powerful and poignant and sad all at once. The Countrymen of Cuba having never been free but desperately yearning for that ideal to this day. The author wrote eloquently about how the Perez family (along with all the other Cubans forced to flee their country) long for their homeland & keep it alive in their food, stories, memories and traditions. It must be agony to be a mere 90 miles from home and yet, for all practical purposes, it might as well be a million as inaccessible as it remains to them.

The history of Fidel Castro's Revolution was particularly enlightening, if true. The book leads us to believe the intent of the revolution was to create a democracy & a fair & more equitable society for all Cubans. My perception was that he was always a Communist radical??  How was he ever the right person to bring about that change?? There was such a good quote in the book, regarding the Leaders of Revolutions, that's notable and perhaps answers that question:

“I imagine a number of history’s most notorious offenders started out with the very best intentions.”

I suspect that could be true.

The author chose to make Elise & Marisol's life mirror images in that they both fell for revolutionaries. Not that I don't believe in love at first sight,(it's possible) but Elise's story was just so much more compelling than Marisols. Maybe it was the era?? Also, minor detail and maybe because I'm big into houses, but Marisol spent one minute gazing at her ancestral Cuban home, gave it a cursory sigh and never took a peek at it again. What??? The current inhabitant wasn't even in residence and she still didn't try to cop a look inside the house or the garden??? My curiosity about my beloved relatives former home would have gotten the best of me. Tiny little sticky detail...

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. The title will touch your heart once you read the book and understand the meaning.  Also, I'm digging into Beatriz's story just as soon as I can get my hands on it. She's one intriguing woman ~ described as a classic femme fatale wrapped in a shroud of mystery. I can't wait to uncover her secrets!!

Daughters of the Lake

I'm onto this authors formula now (it's not that difficult tho as she spells it out herself) but even if she hadn't, there are similar components to the two books I've read ~ old houses, Lake Superior as a supporting character/backdrop, a mystery albeit a not too scary one and a paranormal element.

Between 'Daughters of the Lake' and 'The Fate of Mercy Alban,' I have to say I liked the latter book better. When I opened this book, I was instantly hooked but I guess the opening couldn't be topped?? I loved the cover, the very beginning and the tiny bits of info provided about Mishi Peshu ~ the underwater creature (Spirit) who inhabits the lake & played a pivotal role in the story. He piqued my interest so much, I even googled the legend about him and checked out the pictographs drawn by the Native Tribes. I thought it was a great idea to incorporate the legend into the story ~ it added an aura of credible mystique to it.

Unfortunately (after those positives) the book moved slower than I'd like and I didn't really engage all that much with the current day protagonist (tho I liked her cousin!) The ending also fell flat for me which was disappointing when the story started out with such promise. It's almost as tho the author placed too much of the resolution on the supernatural?? or something??

I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading it, especially if you're looking for a lightweight mystery. It's just not very suspenseful and it's not going to leave anyone breathless when finished.

The Fate of Mercy Alban

Alban House = a thousand loves. If I didn't like the story, I would read this book for the description and sections devoted to the house alone. It was an entity in itself and a formidable, alluring one at that. I'm sure I've waxed on and on about my love for old houses in other book reviews but mansions & chateau's are on a whole other playing field!! This one with its hidden passageways, secret rooms, peepholes and underground exits to the outside just had me enthralled!!

Loved the story too ~ I'm not sure why all the sudden I'm reading suspense?? It evoked just the right amount of anxiety along with being a fascinating recounting of the Alban family history to keep me from being unnerved!! I want to call it a ghost story but it's not?? It's definitely got a gothic flavor to it tho which I'm always into. Toward the end it also developed a twist of the occult (which I usually don't mind) but for some reason wasn't sure I bought totally this time??? Did not stop me from 4 starring it tho!

And omg, the epilogue! Just when everything seemed resolved and my pulse rate had leveled off, the author gave us that??!! Is she planning a sequel?? My imagination was swirling with the potential implications of that reveal & the idea that tragedy and mystery will never stop plaguing those who inhabit this incredible home. Great read!

The Royal Secret

I'm a Lucinda Riley fan and this book is unlike any other she's written (& I believe I've read all her published work.) She wrote in the author's note that she wanted to try a thriller and a thriller is exactly what she served up. I hope she dabbles more in this genre!!

I can see why the British Monarchy wouldn't be too thrilled with the story as it didn't reflect them in a very good light at all. The lives that were extinguished and the extensive lengths their secret service would go to knew no bounds when it came to protecting the secrets of the Monarchy. I didn't find the plot line too far fetched to believe in even tho it's a work of fiction.

I don't know if I would be as brave as the heroine to keep investigating when the M15 had her locked into their sights. The ending for her was bittersweet too. Better than the alternative (I think??) but I'm still not sure if I could manage that either.

I didn't quite understand what was being alluded to with the famous Tower of London Ravens? Did they disappear when the Monarchy might be in trouble? Was that the significance of their disappearance at the beginning of the novel then reappearance at the end?? Maybe it's one of those little details that always bogs me down?! Another of those little details would be the signet ring. If the Duke of York always wore an identical one, it would seem an easily recognizable item??

Even with the few hanging peculiarities, it was a captivating read. Whenever I thought I had the "secret" ferreted out, another twist. Well done! I'm wondering if the door is open for a sequel?? The ending seemed the perfect precursor for one. Plus, in the epilogue, there was no update on what happened to Jamie??

Sanditon

If the United States had a Monarchy, I'd want Jane Austen to be resurrected as our Queen. She was so uncannily perceptive in her observations and understanding of human behavior that all the posturing, schmoozing, bs'ing, etc., would never stand a chance of getting by her. How did she ever become so astute about the nuances and motives behind people and their social interactions??? I wonder what she would think of us today, communicating thru all our technology devices and slipping in the skills of interpersonal relationships?? Could she be as discerning now as she was then?

Although only eleven chapters of this novel were written by Ms Austen herself, the flow from her work to the (astoundingly brave) author who completed it was seamless. I thought it had every bit the feel of her other novels (at least the ones I've read.)

I really enjoyed the heroine, Miss Charlotte Heywood. She came from a solid, country background and had rarely ventured far from home but that didn't in any way impair her conduct or accurate view of the world once she had the opportunity to leave. She was actually the most grounded, agreeable person in Sanditon! What a place Sanditon was too ~ full of quirky characters and lofty ambitions. Perfect set up for this wonderful story to unfold. It was a refreshing escape from the 21st century to what seemed a gentler, more civil time complete with happy ending.

*sigh of bliss from this happy reader*

p.s.  I'm also enjoying the series on PBS at the moment. Double bonus.

Amaryllis 'Double Dream'

One of my all-time favorite Amaryllis.

Could there be anything more lovely??

Amaryllis 'Bright Nymph'

Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds

If you have an affinity for the Cotswolds, a place I've never visited but swooned over many times, you'll no doubt be transported by this book. The storybook pictures of this area have enchanted me for years but this book goes beyond the quaint villages and cottages and gives us an in-depth look at twenty special estate gardens, double swoon-worthy for a garden lover. It's amazing that the gardens are in existence ~ thank goodness for money and owners that share a passion for them. Estates that once employed multiple gardeners now maintain the upkeep with a skeleton crew which often includes labor from the owners themselves. True dedication!

No matter how many garden tours I take, they can't hold a candle to English gardens. At least in my humble opinion. The Old World patina that coats the walled gardens, structures and statuary has a charm impossible to duplicate (well, maybe give us a few hundred more years.) I never tire of viewing a lovely, lush garden design and there are many within these pages. It was shocking in the midst of reading to turn the page and find a wild animal park in the midst of the Cotswolds. I had to do a double take about what I was actually reading! Who knew?!

Fabulous that the owners (most of them) open their gardens regularly for touring. I guess that makes them not so secret (as the title implies??) I could happily spend every weekend visiting one after another then go back & start over again.

Happy I added this one to my collection of garden books.