I loved reading THE TIME IN BETWEEN by Maria Dueñas. I had never read this author before, and she did a wonderful job of keeping my nose in her book, mainly because […]
THE TIME IN BETWEEN by Maria Dueñas translated by Daniel Hahn
Cynthia
Cynthia Sally Haggard was born and reared in Surrey, England. About 30 years ago she surfaced in the United States, settling in the Mid-Atlantic region as she wound her way through four careers: violinist, cognitive scientist, medical writer, and novelist.
In June, 2015, Cynthia graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University, Cambridge MA.
Her first novel, "Thwarted Queen," a frustrating tale (hence the title) of a woman who was nearly crowned Queen of England, was shortlisted for many awards, including the 2012 Eric Hoffer New Horizon Award for debut authors. To date, sales have surpassed 38,000 copies.
Her second novel, "Farewell My Life," a Cinderella-ish tale with not-so-charming princes who inhabit the edgy setting of 1920s and 1930s Berlin during the rise of the Nazis, won a Pinnacle Award for Historical Fiction (2019) and was a Distinguished Favorite for the 2019 New York City Big Book Awards.
Reading Sundays: A SURPRISING CURE (Part 10) a short story by Cynthia Sally Haggard
I went to the door and opened it. Mr. Nicol had one long leg crossed over the other and was leaning back against the plush cushions of the sofa with both hands […]
THE DARKEST ROAD (FIONAVAR TAPESTRY #3) by Guy Gavriel Kay narrated by Simon Vance
Given everything that has gone before, it is not surprising that our five college men and women from Toronto and their friends from Fionavar spend a great deal of time in this […]
THE WANDERING FIRE (FIONAVAR TAPESTRY #2) by Guy Gavriel Kay narrated by Simon Vance
In order to appreciate this volume, it is REALLY IMPORTANT to read (experience) the first volume first. So if you are reading this review and haven’t had a chance to experience THE […]
THE SUMMER TREE (FIONAVAR TAPESTRY #1) by Guy Gavriel Kay narrated by Simon Vance
What an amazing novel! THE SUMMER TREE, the debut novel of author Guy Gavriel Kay, blew into the historical fantasy world in 1984. Echoes of Tolkein are aplenty in this novel, not […]
Reading Sundays: A SURPRISING CURE (Part 9) a short story by Cynthia Sally Haggard
Miriam had no idea that I took a great interest in helping the poor, because I made nearly all of my bequests anonymously. How could I make her understand? But before I […]
Brigitte Hamann’s THE RELUCTANT EMPRESS
It is heartbreaking to read about the destruction of an attractive and lively personality. Yet that is what Brigitte Hamann’s biography of Empress Elisabeth of Austria does. Titled THE RELUCTANT EMPRESS, Ms. […]
C. W. Gortner’s THE ROMANOV EMPRESS: A NOVEL OF TSARINA MARIA FEODOROVNA
When Princess Dagmar of Denmark comes to her new home in Russia at the age of 19, she loses her name, her home, everything she knows. But she comes to love Russia, […]
Marjorie never did have much luck with husbands…(AMERICAN EMPRESS by Nancy Rubin)
Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887-1973) led a long and interesting life that encompassed two world wars, three daughters and four marriages. I generally do not enjoy reading biography as too often it can […]
Reading Sundays: A SURPRISING CURE (Part 8) a short story by Cynthia Sally Haggard
I cleared my throat. I knew that what I was about to say would annoy her, but nevertheless it was my moral duty as her husband to tell her about the consequences […]
HERE BE DRAGONS (WELSH PRINCES #1) by Sharon Kay Penman
Readers of historical novels frequently complain about the large cast of characters that are typical of these novels, and how hard it is to remember everyone’s name. Yet Sharon Kay Penman manages […]
Ken Follett’s WORLD WITHOUT END
I had never heard of Ken Follett until a family member begged me to read him. I started with PILLARS OF THE EARTH and just loved it. WORLD WITHOUT END is just […]
YSABEL by Guy Gavriel Kay, narrated by Kate Reading
YSABEL is a magical blend of history and fantasy, set in the ancient cathedral of Saint Sauveur in Aix-en-Provence. When teenaged Ned Marriner, son of a famous photographer, finds himself at loose […]
Reading Sundays: A SURPRISING CURE (Part 7) a short story by Cynthia Sally Haggard
She shook her head and turned away. For the rest of the conversation, I was talking to the back of her head. “How did you meet him?” “At the Women’s Liberal Association […]
Alexis Marie Chute’s INSIDE THE SUN (THE 8TH ISLAND TRILOGY #3)
Today is time for something different! Please help me welcome Alexis Marie Chute, Artist Extraordinaire (as well as a funny, charming lady from Edmonton Alberta.) I met Alexis when we were both […]
The way Ken Follett introduces his characters makes you want to know more…(PILLARS OF THE EARTH)
As everyone knows, PILLARS OF THE EARTH is a huge novel that takes place in England over a 50-year period from about 1121 to 1172. The novel begins and ends in violence: […]
Even 30 years of boredom & suffocation is interesting in this wonderful novel (ILLUMINATIONS)
Mary Sharratt is such a talented author. I first “met” her between the pages of a book when I read THE VANISHING POINT, a poignant portrayal of an unwanted English girl sent […]
DARK TRACKS (ORDER OF DARKNESS #4) by Philippa Gregory
Like most others, I thought this volume would conclude the goings on of our party of quirky characters – ruthless Ishraq, horse whisperer & general factotum Freize, dispossessed noblewoman Isolde, Luca Vero […]
