Book Review

Belonging by Robbin Lee Hatcher

Image taken from Goodreads

    A story set in Idaho 1897, Belonging tells the story of a teacher who arrives at Frenchman’s Bluff hoping to create a future for herself, however it doesn’t happen as she expected. When she meets the town’s merchant, who recently lost his wife, they have a rough start, but as time passes, sparks fly between them.

    
    The story captivates the reader from the beginning with the tragic past of Felicia Kristoffersen, and Colin Murphy’s undeniable love and concern for his daughter’s education and life. As the story progresses, the reader can see a smooth transition in the character’s feelings and actions towards each other.

    
    The book is well written and although it is in third person point of view, it feels like you are living in the characters skin. It is also written in a way that's easy to follow and the plot is amazing, spectacular and original.   

   Unlike other Western Novels I have read before, where the antagonist is represented by bandits or cowboys who have a grudge against one of the protagonists and kidnaps the other to get even, the antagonist is represented by a member of the community who places impediments in the protagonists’ blooming relationship. Creating a refreshing plot for those who are used to the same type of Western story.

    As for the ending, it is written in a way that brings closure to all the main characters. It is strong enough to not leave loose ends or to not be locked up in such a way that the author can’t develop it any further or for the reader to not have the liberty to imagine more. It is what I would call a perfect ending.

 I give Belonging 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

A Spy’s Devotion by Melanie Dickerson

Image taken from Goodreads

     Nicholas Langdon is a wealthy, well-connected British officer who returns to England after a battlefield injury. However, he doesn’t return home just to heal, he also returns to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish, to deliver his coded diary.  Things turn dangerous when the dairy is stolen and every clue leads to Julia Grey’ guardian.

     Julia is a beautiful and intelligent young lady, ward of one of England’s most powerful families, the Wilherns. Despite his resistance, she captures the interest of Nicholas, and vice versa.  But what will she do when she finds out that her guardian may be a traitor and that Nicolas is after him? Will she choose her family or her love interest?

     The story is interesting and enthralling. It is magnificently written, just like all the other books of Melanie Dickerson. Most of the book is written in Julia’s Point of View with some interventions of Nicolas’s Point of View, which gives the reader a complete view of the situation.

     Although I like the plot, the story is slow and has little action. It is a bit boring I would say. Most of the story is one ball after another, which even though it reflects the society of the time, it bores me quite easily. But that is just a matter of taste. However, the parts that do have actions are splendid and has the reader alert, wanting to know what happens next, which compensate those boring parts.

    The story and its characters, in my opinion, capture the essence and characteristics of the Regency Era of England. The reader can imaging clearly the settings, like the balls, the house and the streets. The characters are also easy to imaging, and (from what I gathered) their way of acting and thinking reflects the era in which it takes place.

      I give A Spy’s Devotion 4 out of 5 stars.