Book Review: The Mistress of Normandy by Susan Wiggs

The Mistress of Normandy (Goodreads)

Amidst the fight of French and English land rights, we see the French Bois-Long maiden fall in love with the English baron who lays claim to her land, her home, and her heart - the latter being the most difficult to acquire.

 

Filled with action, adventure, and minor characters that are as well-written as the hero and heroine, I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy a setting that draws you in, characters to grow with, and a plot that takes you through a lifetime of tears and joy in between two covers.

 

I am happy to be a biased reader as I am a new fan of Susan Wiggs. Well done.

 

Aren't you wondering what is just Beyond My Bookshelf? Come back again and see.

 

~ cross-posted on Goodreads

Book Review: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

This is a historical novel about a young woman from a bankrupt family that is promised to the deceased son of the very wealthy Lim family. An arranged marriage between a living person and a dead one was not the most intriguing idea to Li Lan, but her father saw it as the best way out of his debt situation. Li Lan tries to change her father's mind since she has fallen in love with Tian Bai, the new heir to the Lim family fortune.

 

This story is intertwined with beliefs from Chinese afterlife, historic Malaysia under British rule, and traditions of long past. These details fold out nicely within this beautiful tale of forbidden love. It gives a strong setting for such a diverse cast of characters.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed The Ghost Bride's patriarchal family issues, assumptions of murder, incredible ghost cities and offerings, and twists within the main love plot. Yangsze Choo kept me anxiously turning pages right up until the final plot twist. The Ghost Bride will definitely stay on my shelf to be read again. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, paranormal ghost activity, Asian influence, and a touch of romance thrown in. A wonderful read.

~ cross-posted on Goodreads