An Almond for a Parrot by Wray Delaney

Young Tully Truegood never leaves her drunken father's house, but sees magical things. When she is forced into a marriage by her father at age 12, nothing changes. Only the arrival of her new stepmother change things. Tully soon learns her stepmother runs a brothel, and Tully is trained in the arts. Her stepmother's associate, Mr. Crease, trains Tully in the supernatural arts. Tully soon catches the eye of a lover, and learns the pain of heartbreak.  After her life and the life of those she loves are threatened by her estranged husband, Tully does what she must to survive. 

Wow. This was an amazing book. A seriously awesome read full of twists and turns. Obviously,  with the book being about a prostitute, sex is a part of the book. Tully is a wonderfully warm hearted girl. The plot is amazing. The characters are wonderful. The parrot is great. Readers won't be disappointed with this novel.

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.

Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines

Eleanor de Lacy is being married off to her father's enemy and the man responsible for killing her brother. As the headstrong Eleanor braves a new homeland, a new husband and a new people, she finds herself facing the ghost of her husband's first wife warning her of impending danger. Eleanor chooses to see the worst in her situation, but finds herself needing to trust her husband. 

I enjoyed this book a lot. It could have been predictable, but Daines threw a couple of curve balls in there. I did love Eleanor, but I think I loved Brach Goch even more. The book was a good read. 

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.  

The Orphan's Tale

Sixteen year old Noa was kicked out of her house after she got pregnant  by a Nazi soldier. Her baby was taken from her and she has been cleaning a train station for a place to stay. One day she finds a train car full of Jewish babies and takes one, hoping to fill her loss. She finds her way to a circus, where Astrid, a trapeze Jewess raised in the circus, is hiding. Formerly married to a Nazi, Astrid is angry. Her family has disappeared and her life has been shaken. The two women can barely stand each other at first, but soon form a bond that will stand the test of time. 

I had no real idea of what to expect from this novel, but I soon learned I was in for a treat. This story was magnificent. Astrid and Noa are perfect. I loved how Astrid is so cautious and Noa, as a young girl is so optimistic. Their bond was amazing and they both taught each other things. The ending is really touching. I loved this book.

 

I received a copy from the publisher.  Thank you.