eyes.2c Reviews

fretwork (Kuhl House Poets) by Michele Glazer         ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A hurl of crows” I love that phrase from the piece entitled “fretwork” within this rather poignant collection of poetry and prose. An air of reflective sadness, maybe grieving acceptance  hangs over many of the works. Indeed the sense of loss and questioning. Like this line from Acceptance,  “What vagueness has overtaken us like a slow-ripening cataract the eyes accept.” or this from Yellow, “ it is like having yellow, yellow! with nothing to fix it to.” or the painful piece Asunder, “ Missing is not a thing done. Missing should be dwindling! Let missing behave like other gerunds— you could arrest it. But someone is missing as she recedes.” And then there’s Path of Totality,  “Where does a gaze end when there is nothing to stop it.” The juxtaposition of words and ideas, the exploration of vision and meaning is rather breathtaking. An awful (in the positive sense of the word), provocativ...

The Woman at the Front  by Lecia Cornwall            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Compelling story about a young woman’s fight to be recognized as a doctor during WW1 by her family, her community and the War Office. It’s 1918, the allies are being hammered on the Western Front. All Eleanor Atherton wants to do is follow her calling. She’s hampered by the times. Women doctors are given no respect. They “weren’t wanted by the military, the War Office, or even the Red Cross, no matter how competent or willing they might be.” They are seen by many as betraying feminine standards in general, and as the weaker sex. Rather than be exposed to the brutalities of the war and life in the trenches, they should have their sensibilities protected. They should undertake “more ladylike pursuits.” I loved it when Eleanor told an undersecretary in the War Office that she didn’t knit, she embroidered to ensure her suturing would be perfect. Then a series of circumstances has Eleanor agree...

The Brazen Bluestocking (The Duchess Society #1) by  Tracy Sumner            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you love that bad boy with heart of gold meets the woman who stops him in his tracks trope, as much as I do, this read is for you! Lady Hildegard Templeton and her partner Georgiana, the Duchess of Markham are matchmakers for those who need guidance through the pitfalls of society as they move to secure a partner. Hildy, almost destitute with a decaying mansion and an equally as crumbling “cadre of servants” to support has taken up this occupation, soiling her hands to many as one in ‘trade.’ Given the cut direct even! She’s known as the ‘Mad Matchmaker.’ Their business, the Duchess Society, has been approached by the Earl of Hastings to facilitate the marriage between his daughter and Tobias Streeter, shipping magnate amongst other things and known as the Rogue King of Limehouse Basin, in a way that’s acceptable to society. Once that’s done ...

The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2) by Lorraine Heath           ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A workplace romance set at a time when roles and responsibilities were strictly adhered to. A Regency tale expounding the trope of the heroine entering a man’s world in a time when women just weren’t employed in such positions. The courageous Penelope Pettypeace becomes secretary to the Duke of Kingsland in a male dominated world. Hugh Brinsley-Norton, ninth Duke of Kingsland, is a leading investor and his philosophy is to take opportunities. After all, if they fail they can be cancelled. Penelope Pettypeace (I love the iteration of her name!) is a woman with a secret past, she’s a chameleon, able to walk away from a a life she’s conjured when needed. She hasn’t needed to so far. Her hidden identity is something she strictly guards. Even with all his resources Kingsland has not been able to uncover anything about her. Efficient to point of prescience Penelope takes to the investment wo...

A Reckless Match (Ruthless Rivals #1) by Kate Bateman           ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Welsh Clan Davies and the English family, the Montgomery’s had been feuding for centuries over…a stolen pig?…or maybe a stolen woman? No matter it’s so far back in time the root cause has been forgotten,  although the dissension  lives on. Oh, and then there’s the ‘no man’s’ strip of land either side of the river which is the boundary between the two factions, as decreed by King Henry VII. He was exasperated by the whole sorry mess being played out on the border country of Wales and England. Talk about the Capulets and Montagues! Or to Henry’s mind, the Medici’s and the Borgia’s. Each year on the spring equinox, a representative of the families must meet on the narrow bridge spanning the river and shake hands. Failure to appear means that strip of land is forfeited by the family who fails to turn up for the occasion. In this year of 1815 Madeline Montgomery is her family’s repres...

Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Wrexford & Sloane #5) by Andrea Penrose         ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The last thing you expect to come upon at an “ elegantly civilized…international symposium of botany scholars and wealthy patrons of science” with leading scientific minds at the Royal Botanic Gardens, is a body! Not just any body, but that of visiting scientist, Josiah Becton! And just as that poor man is in the conservatory breathing in the ambient, rich fragrances, “The essence of life.” Ironic! Here’s the thing. This is the first grand social event as Wrexham’s future countess, Lady Charlotte Sloane, already anxious, is slated to attend. A death might calm her nerves, but her involvement with it might not endear herself to high society, Although, as McLellan, that is Mac, their housekeeper cum lady’s maid points out, “ As a married lady—and one with a high-ranking title—you’ll merely be considered eccentric when you break the rules, not scandalous.” Scandalous or ...

Infamous (Rebels of the Ton #3)  by Minerva Spencer          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love Richard, Viscount Redvers, the nerd who's not a nerd. The man quietly simmers. Entomologist, naturalist and adventurer, Richard is returning home for his sister Antonia’s wedding--to a man he loathed, Sebastian Fanshawe, the Duke of Dowden, slithery as a snake and twice as poisonous.  Unknowingly, joining the party is the widowed Celia Pelham. She is now Dowden’s aunt, Lady Yancy’s companion / maid.  Ten years ago Celia had been known as CT , the brightest star of her season, and whom all thought was going to marry Richard’s twin brother Lucien, including Celia. At that time, Celia secretly filled all Richard’ thoughts even as he knew Celia was all the woman his brother was determined marry. That was until a scandal threw Lucien and Celia’s friend Phyliida Singleton into an unfortunate situation. Celia as the instigator of the occasion is tagged Lady Infamous by Society...

Rarer Than Gold (A Chance Inquiry #2) by Holly Newman           ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Newly weds Sir James Branstoke and his bride, Lady Cecilia have changed their honeymoon plans and travelled into Kent to Summerworth Park, an estate Sir James had recently purchased from his cousin. Ensconced with their plans for refurbishment,  they definitely didn’t expect to become involved in a missing, presumed dead, neighbor and acquaintance, Baron Aldrich. Nor did they foresee they’d be assisting the dead lord’s wife, Lady Elinor, with investigating the matter.  Furthermore they had no notion they’d be falling down the proverbial rabbit-hole of dangerous coincidences and mis-directions. Intrigue indeed! Havey-cavey happenings at the inn where they’re staying, near where Aldrich’s coach has fallen off a cliff! Cecelia and Elinor are nearly robbed by an intruder in the dead of night, possibly after a letter Elinor received from Aldrich. Then they’re accosted by a r...

Mistletoe Christmas: An Anthology by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna MacGregor, Erica Ridley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four novellas about high society’s forgotten women, or those who wanted more, centered around the fabulous annual Duke of Greystoke’s Revelry of 1815 The Revelry is described as, “ a magnificent Christmastide house party featuring every amusement and wonder…there are plays, dancing, a magical grotto . . . His Grace has a genius for bringing together the finest in England: the aristocracy mingles with artists, politicians, commoners—even journalists and opera dancers!“ It occasionally gives rise to “scandalous behavior”.  It’s also known to be a place where a young woman who didn’t shine during the Season might find a partner, given the more informal situation. Each story gives us a combination of Christmas festivities and a chance at romance either long given up or given away. A Mistletoe Kiss by Eloisa James Lady Cressida, the Duke of Greystoke’s daughter, is the force be...

Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Suzanne Enoch; Amelia Grey; Anna Bennett ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Three Christmas novellas, complete with Mistletoe, and romance. Great Scott by Suzanne Enoch I couldn’t help thinking of the line from the Abba song, “Take a chance on me…” throughout this read. Although it seems the early morning bagpipes should drive everything from one’s head, including mine. Taking chances! That’s what’s asked here, for both Miss Jane Bansil and Brennan Andrews in this “last chance” romance. Widower, architect and cousin to the MacTaggerts, Brennan finds himself drawn to the quiet, yet intelligent and direct Jane. Jane who has hidden depths. Interesting and tight writing made this an enjoyable read, building on the Wild Wicked Highlander series. This was a five star read, my favorite of the collection! Christmas at Dewberry Hollow by Amelia Grey I’m not sure why this didn’t grab me. It had all the right ingredients. A very sure of himself Lord seeking to grant his grandfather’s dying ...

A Darker Reality (Elena Standish #3) by Anne Perry  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Elena Standish though still fragile and smarting over her past mistakes, even if it was seven years ago, is growing stronger. Her world shattered when she was dismissed from the Foreign Office because she’d been involved with a traitor. And then came Berlin! Elena is the granddaughter of Lucas Standish who’d been the head of MI6 during the First World War. It’s now Spring 1934. Elena and her parents are currently visiting her grandparents on her mother’s side, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor, in Washington, DC. There’s to be a grand party, celebrating her grandparents sixtieth wedding anniversary. Elena volunteers to take photos. Still working for MI6, she been developing her skills as a newspaper photographer. Her grandparents move in the upper echelons of Washington society. It’s amongst their friends Elena notices the troubling attitudes towards others—immigrants, non Aryans, and minority groups. Some present belong t...

The Dishonored Viscount (Diamonds in the Rough #8) by  Sophie Barnes            ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Lady Louise, daughter of the Earl of Grasmere, has an eyesight problem. It ruins her ability to freely enjoy herself at social occasions. She appears awkward, can’t dance, and becomes the focus for her vindictive societal peers. Louise’s parents are committed to her marrying well, even if the match is not to Louise’s liking. Her father is engineering a match for her with someone’s willing to overlook her disability. For now though he insists she have further treatment, ‘couching’ that is painful in the extreme. A needle is inserted into her eye and the lens pushed aside. Louise knows it will just be temporary. And wants to consult other specialists. I found  the problem with Sophie’s eyes not only real but gruelling and her experiences during surgery awful.(I felt the pain!) Once more we see how females at this time (1820’s) are commodities within societ...

Iron Widow (Iron Widow #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A startling concept! Humans blended with machines becoming part of that vehicle as pilots of frightening entities drawing on the pilot’s vital essence, their Qi. The merging of the pilot and his consort/concubine creates a machine with power deserving of anything Lucas has created. (Well to my mind) The relationship between pilots and their concubine-pilots, their consorts, is complex and flawed. Many of the concubines die, burnt out! One who died was Ruyi, our lead character Zetian’s Big Sister. All this takes place in Huaxia where Chinese Hunger Games meets Transformers. (author Xidan Jay Zhao uses the analogy of The Handmaid’s Tale meets Chinese stories.)  Humans have endlessly battled the Hunduns, “invaders from the cosmos who’d pulverised the height of human civilisation some two thousand years ago and shattered humanity into scattered tribes. “ Animae and manga pictures meld in my mind ...

Farewell Blues (Lady Adelaide Mystery #4) by Maggie Robinson            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rather laconic cosy mystery complete with 1922’s upper crust acting somewhat like overbred, skittish hounds. Lady Adelaide Compton’s roguish ghostly husband becomes involved. This is important if he’s to continue on to the celestial plane. He must redeem himself. Turns out a ghost can pickup a lot of useful information.   It seems Addie’s very proper mother has been having a secret affair with the now, very dead Duke of Rufford. Not only that, but the Dowager Marchioness has been accused of the Duke’s murder. If the true culprit can’t be uncovered Addie’s mother will hang. Addie needs the help of Detective Inspector Devenand Hunter, and of course, her very dead husband Rupert. Rupert’s inclusion somewhat rings bells of a twisted Topper movie. (1937).  Working with the delectable Dev again is an added bonus for Addie even in these dire times. A Poisoned Pen ARC via Ne...

The Hollywood Spy (Maggie Hope mysteries #10) by Susan Elia MacNeal            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie Hope in 1943 Los Angeles up to her neck in plots involving the far right. Nazis, Ku Klux Klan, police adherents, and others. What seemed like the sad, accidental death of a young woman, Gloria Hutton, Maggie’s more-than-friend, Flight Commander John Sterling’s fiancé, turns into something else.  MacNeal has unveiled the racism and bigotry seeded in the nation. What I find shocking is it seems history is doomed to repeat itself. That’s the part that left me inwardly wincing and horrified. There are depths overlaying John’s call-to-arms to Maggie. As Maggie uncovers the circumstances surrounding Gloria’s death, even more secrets are exposed. A powerful addition to the Maggie Hope story. A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley 

Brass Lives (Tom Harper Mystery #9)  Chris Nickson                   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tom Harper has two important aspects to his life. Deputy Chief Constable for Leeds police, and husband and father to two strong women, both heavily involved in the women’s suffrage movements. It’s June 1913 and his women are knee deep in their suffrage pursuits. His wife Annabelle is intending to join a Suffragist rally (The Great Pilgrimage) journeying to London. Tom is involved in a policing capacity for the Leeds constabulary looking at safety and security issues. Mary has turned from the more radical Suffragette movement to training young women for office work. She runs a business school, The Harper Secretarial Agency and School. Meanwhile Davey Mullen, a leading gangster from New York returns to Leeds to see his father. Murder attempts, and killings follow. Harper is in the middle, putting the puzzle together when gang violence erupts. When Harper’...

The Heron's Cry (Two Rivers #2) by Ann Cleeves          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Once more trouble comes to the Two Rivers area (where the Taw meets the Torridge) in North Devon. Detective Inspector Matthew Venn continues to be revealed both on the personal and work level. A bizarre murder has occurred at an artists’ commune. The surprising thing is that Venn’s colleague Jen Rafferty had met the victim, Nigel Yeo, the previous evening at a party. He had wanted to talk to her about some matter.  The property consisted of a house with seperate faults and workshops. The tenants had come together under the patronage of a rather strange benefactor Francis Ley, a well known but somewhat reclusive, eccentric economist. When another murder occurs Matthew has a strange road to travel in order to unravel what’s happening, along with his team, Jen and the reluctant Ross. It turns out the victim ‘Nigel [had]worked for North Devon Patients Together, NDPT. It represents patients’ vie...

Among Thieves by M.J. Kuhn           ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A familiar trope executed in a ‘eyes wide open’ way. You know, where the Bad Ass female lead, crime lord Callum Glen’s executioner / assassin ends up on a quest, with  not  a ship full of fools, but a ship full of lethal allies, each in their own way an expert, and indebted to seek an artefact that will destroy even more of the freedoms of those not part of acceptable society. A society at the mercy of the Guildmaster and his Disciples. The enemy! Then there’s the Guildmaster’s Adepts, part of a frightening army, dehumanised talented entities who become unthinking slaves bound to the Guildmaster. When I say talented I mean those with extra sensory type gifts, who are ripped away from their families and subjugated through horrific means. Ryia Cautella, dubbed the Butcher of Carrowick, is a deadly blade and along with this rather fascinating group of riffraffs sets sail to take on an unwinnable challenge, ea...

Murder in an Orchard cemetery (Reverend Mother Mystery #8) by Cora Harrison                 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1920’s Cork and Reverend Mother Aquinas is looking forward to the annual retreat at the Sisters of Charity Order for the religious superiors of the Cork area. She enjoys meditative and discussion times in the orchard, which is also a cemetery. When that quiet retreat is threatened by the annoying inclusion of prospective mayoral  candidates, prompted by the Bishop, she’s somewhat put out. There’s more to come: A novice with the Sisters of Charity, who is the daughter of one of the candidates and who rather surprisingly, chose the name Mary Magdalene And shockingly a bomb explosion in the convent’s apple orchard cemetry—possibly IRA? Once again I’m fascinated by the development of the Reverend Mother’s ex pupils Eileen, who’s just completed her studies at Cork University and is looking to be apprenticed in a solicitor’s office; and Inspector...

The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart  by Nancy Campbell Allen            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I so enjoyed this! Amelie Hampton is a columnist for the Marriage Gazette, a respectable Lonely Hearts publication that introduces perspective couples. Amelie is keen to see how two people she’s put together might hit it off. So, against all the Gazette rules, she decides to observe their meeting. Imagine her surprise when the man turns out to be not the Mr. Dashing he’d  presented himself as, but Mr. Radcliffe, the handsome widower who attended her book club, whose presence turns her knees to jelly and her thoughts to mush. When asked about this, Mr. Radcliffe gives Amelie a host of smooth and plausible answers to cover his subterfuge, at least to Amelie’s ears—but not for at least one of her cousins.  Detective Michael Baker notices the young woman standing outside the restaurant in the rain, for at least thirty minutes, spying on the couple. He’s here because he b...

Portrait of a Scotsman ( League of Extraordinary Women #3)   by Evie Dunmore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So many themes woven into this fascinating Victorian romance series centered around the League of Extraordinary Women—a group of women suffragettes who all met in Oxford.  Underneath this tale pulses the dark aspects of the coal mining industry. Harriet Greenfield, from a moneyed family, is studying art and painting under Ruskin at Oxford. (How she’s treated here is further illumination about the gap between the sexes!) Her desire to see one of the masters in a private collection leads down a somewhat convoluted path to being married to the imposing, secretive investor, Lucien Blackstone, dubbed Beezlebub and a business rival of her father. As I said, Hattie is not only an artist, she’s also part of a suffragette movement, her closest friends being in that circle. All are feisty and determined. On the surface Hattie appears decorative and unfocused. She is so much more. This seemingly simpl...