eyes.2c Reviews

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau : A Novel by Kristin Harmel      ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Told in time frames between   1942 Paris   and 2018 Washington, the story of Colette Marceau, her life, her sorrows and her causes, unveils dramatically. Now nearly ninety, a sprightly woman, she beholds the photo of a bracelet that’s part of an upcoming exhibition in Washington D.C. Studded with diamonds it’s one of a pair that linked together to form the whole, “a constellation of flawless diamonds.” It was lost during the war along with Colette’s four year old sister Liliane. Colette has the matching bracelet. Colette comes from a long line of jewel thieves where the tradition is to rob from the unjust and give to the poor and needy. That’s just what Colette and her mother did. Took valuable stolen jewellery from the Nazis, collaborators, and traitors, to fund the underground. Now Liliane’s bracelet has reappeared and our octogenarian will let nothing get in her way of truth. What...

Not for the Faint of Heart  by Lex Croucher        ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Did you ever wonder what really happened to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, the after story?  Wonder no more Lex Croucher has given us a rollicking good tale of Robin’s granddaughter Mariel.  Told through the eyes of apprentice healer Cleminson who was kidnapped by  Captain  Mariel on orders from Commander Jack. Well really Mariel was supposed to take the healer Rosie. Rosie’s old so Clem volunteered. Apparently Jack doesn’t like the healer’s policy of treating all. Treating the Sheriff’s men is a bridge to far. Marial tries to please her father Jack Hartley, the Commander of the Merry Men. He’s wanting the merry men to be organized, an army. As old Rosie says they  really don't care about the people. Mariel is drawn between wanting to please her father and do the right thing. When Commander Jack is taken by the Sheriff things become complicated.  This was a fantastic tale ...

Hood: A Guy of Gisburne Novel (Hunter of Sherwood #3)   by  Toby Venables      I must admit to being enthralled by Venables' Guy of Gisburne novels. He's taken the legend of Robin Hood and turned it on its head. At every step! So what is the truth? I've read so many versions and watched so many movies. In fact Prince of Thieves was screening just as I was reading this. But these--the Guy of Gisburne novels are my far and away favourites. We have legend and tradition and the need for heroes--but heroes can be used in different ways.  As King Richard says to Guy, "I could make use of Hood. Use his legend to bolster my own. And I shall. But I am a practical man. That legend will be easier to control when he’s dead.”  Guy replies, "Legends prosper best when their hero is absent." Cutting both ways--the legend of Richard and that of Hood. So Guy is charged with killing Hood and his leaders.  How cunning is the plot that Richard h...

The Prince and I (The Oxenburg Princes #2 ) by Karen Hawkins  Certainly reading this you encounter humerous moments in this tongue in cheek play on Maid Marion and Maid Murian who admits to Max (a Prince of Oxenburg) her penchant for Robin Hood. This is definitely not a serious contender as a Robin Hood remake, but is an enjoyable read. I loved Max's grandmother Natasha. She stole the show. It was absolutely in character and hilarious that she gambled away that which she not--all in a good cause. Even more hilarious that she would not tell Max just exactly what she'd done and just exactly what he was searching for. So of course the gallant Max ends up aiding and abetting the beguiling Murian in her quest, especially as they have a common enemy. A NetGalley ARC *** 1/2

Dauntless (Valiant Hearts Book #1) byDina L. Sleiman  Death came quickly when King John, enraged and battling recalcitrant barons, outlawed all who opposed him. Lady Merry Ellison's family was no exception. All were slaughtered outright on her family holdings. All except Lady Merry and the children. An unusual young woman at 15 who could shoot and tumble. She trained and honed the survivors into a group known as 'The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest.'  Timothy Grey had ties to Merry. As a neighbour and ninth child to the Baron of Greyham they were destined to marry. That past and promise is now gone, collapsed after the killing of the Ellison's and all their dependants. Now two years later, Merry and her group unknowingly steal a fortune in King John's taxes. Retribution is at hand, John is furious and the 'ghosts' must move camp, closer to an area of forest where Timothy is serving the Baron of Wyndeshire. Tasked with apprehending the ghosts Timothy ca...