Girl in Hyacinth Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)The concept of this novel, tracing the history of a painting by going back in time chapter by chapter, is just my cup of tea. Susan Vreeland has done an excellent job in transferring this unique notion to paper. I've always enjoyed antiques and wondered about its origination; Girl in Hyacinth Blue was like a dream come true in that respect.
The story begins with math professor, Cornelius Engelbrecht. He was bequeathed a painting from his father, who claims it a masterpiece by the Dutch artist Vermeer. There are no papers to prove this statement; however, the bigger picture is the way Cornelius's father obtained the painting...a way that has haunted him all his life.
Each chapter moves back in time to the previous owner of the painting. Readers follow the painting from the wall of Cornelius's father to the actual inspiration and creation of it. Each vignette houses new sets of characters with the painting as its central core. Slowly, with each turning page, we reveal another part of the painting's history, layer by layer, and what it has meant to the people whose lives it touched.
Girl in Hyacinth Blue made for a wonderful reading experience. I recommend this novel to those who enjoy lovely period pieces or like getting to the bare bones of a story. A very in depth and beautiful premise. I have Susan's next book on my list.

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The Hummingbird's Daughter Review

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(More customer reviews)I read a lot of books. Some are just for fun, some are silly, some are educational, some are not very good. But, every now and then, I find one that is so special that I will read it again, and probably again a few more times.
You can read a "summary" of the book in other reviews, both publishers' and readers'. So, why did I like it and why should you read it.
First, the story is incredible. A child born in poverty begins to show amazing intelligence, skills...and grows to womanhood having had profound effect on her country of birth. Truth is indeed "stranger than fiction".
Second, the author has an amazing talent with words. He gives you the sights, sounds, smells of the world in which Teresita lived. He also uses words to bring each person to life. I actually called a friend to share a quote...Tomas Urrea to Lauro Aguirre...."Although it is true that you are insufferable and irritating, and rightly famed for your endless posturing and platudinous pontificating..." (don't worry, potential reader, though, the book is not full of big words, just, occasionally, one creeps in...I loved that quote because it reminded me of someone.)
Third, I was able to experience a time and place distant from me.Some of what happened was horrific, but, it happened. I was able to begin to understand.
Finally, I loved this book, and will read it again because it contains a message of love and hope that I can understand.
Books do many things, entertain, enlighten and sometimes enrich.
This book enriches, enlightens and entertains.

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Misery Loves Cabernet Review

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(More customer reviews)Charlize aka Charlie Edwards works as a personal assistant to one of Hollywood's famous movie stars, Drew Stanton. It is not as easy and glamorous as one would think it would be working for a celebrity, especially when that person is Drew Stanton. Luckily for Charlie, she has her two best friends, Kate and Dawn by her side.
Just when Charlie begins to believe everything is going good for her, someone throws her a curve ball. First the guy she is seeing Jordan is offered a job in Paris. He will be gone for three months. Charlie doesn't think it will work between them doing the long distance relationship thing but she gives it a try anyways. Then her boss gets fired from the movie he is starring in...all due to an incident involving a hippo named Ida and a movie producer's swimming pool.
When Charlie spots her crush, Liam O'Connor, famous movie producer at a Halloween party, all bets are off between Jordan and her. Besides the statistics involving couples and long term relationships are not very good.
Misery Loves Cabernet is a fabulous, wonderful, witty and charming book.I absolutely loved Charlie and all her friends. Charlie and her friends need to have their own television series. I would definitely watch it.
I couldn't put this book down, in fact this book is a one-sitter! When you meet all the people that Charlie has to put up with, it makes her seem normal and everyone else dysfunctional. There are so many favorite moments for me in this book. One of the best had to be towards the very end when Charlie's grandparents arrived in their Winnebago to spend Thanksgiving with the family. Charlie's grandmother presented everyone with a list of items that had everything from Yogi Berra to baseball strikes on it. The list involved things that no one can mention during the holiday season.
For other great moments like these, you have got to pick up a copy of Misery Loves Cabernet today.

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