I kept thinking parts were from books I had read years ago, like Flowers in the Attic and I guessed the fate of the elephant would be very much like Mary the elephant. I didn't find the writing to be memorable and at times, I also found it somewhat sophomoric or geared more toward YA audience. Way too much time spent describing scenes and cruelties which bogs down the momentum of the actual story. I only gave the book 3 stars because I found the writing dull, the length far too long, and the "Julia" chapters a bore, I give props to the author for her obvious research and realistic handle on circus life in the early to mid 20th century, for both animals and people. She creates a look back at a world both fascinating and repellent.

A great second chance, romance. A lighthearted resolution for an emotional love story.

This novel takes place on a journey from St Joseph, MO to California. Naomi May and her family are on a wagon train seeking a better life and future. John Lowry joins them. But on their journey, they go through hardships. Among the hardships, Naomi and John find comfort in each other, ultimately leading to a love for one another. It was sad to read about what people endured during these times while on The Oregon Trail. These people were brave.It has been a long time since I read a book that I couldn't put down or laughed or cried. The story was written in feelings. Highly recommend.

Why did I not know about this book and before now how did I miss this little jewel for so long? I love historical fiction so you would think I’d have had this on my TBR list a long time ago. It’s was published in 1998 but I had never heard of it until someone in my book club suggested it. The author loosely based this work of fiction on the life of her great grandmother who traveled to the Arizona territories worth of family in the 1880s when she was a young girl. It’s written in journal format, which took a little getting used to. But once I got the hang of it, I never wanted to put the book down. I loved getting to know the feisty Sarah Prine, who was as good with a gun as most experienced gun slingers. There’s also a heck of a love story ~ a quote on the jacket, compared Sarah and Jack to Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, which is pretty accurate. Despite the high drama, life in the Arizona territories wasn’t for the faint hearted. Indian raids, rapists and thieves, snakes, floods, and the normal 19 century death resulting experiences of disease and childbirth were common place. “These Is My Words” does paint a picture of life in the wild West that is as educational as it is entertaining. A great story… now onto the sequel “Sarah’s Quilt”.

I liked the dance, thinking the zoo animals dance all night!

There really was an Alice Network. “Alice Dubois” was a real woman who led a network of spies against Germany during WWI. Germans really did massacre a village in France on June 10, 1944. From these (and other) facts, the author has woven a page-turner of a novel that brings together a broken ex-spy 50-something British woman, Eve, and a 19-year-old American girl, Charlie in post-WWII France. Both are wracked by guilt, fleeing regret, harboring secrets. Couple them with a Scottish ex-con driver who has secrets of his own, the travel comrades set off on a quest to find out what happened to Charlie’s cousin, Rose. Meanwhile, in alternating flashback chapters, we learn of Eve’s experience as a spy during WWI, which begin to shed light on her own motives for traveling with Charlie—motives that have nothing to do with finding Rose and everything to do with her tragic past. I found this book almost impossible to put down. The conclusion was a bit “Hollywood” for my taste, but it was certainly satisfying. Characters changed over the course of the story, which is always satisfying, too. And I enjoyed (if that’s the right word!) getting a peek into what life might have been like to be a spy in occupied France.

A really solid crime novel- a mystery thriller with a twist I didn't see coming. I'm glad I gave this one a shot! 4 stars!

What a roller coaster! I knew Vietnam vets were not treated well when they returned but didn't realize for the women, it was even worse. No place to turn! I really didn't know what direction this would go some of the time because you'd think that Frankie was in a good spot but wondered with half the book left to read. Tumbling down the next slippery slope, she'd go. Awful, awful! I'd like to read the other books recommended by Kristin Hannah, and its interesting how long she sat on this project.

Cute book

Liked it