Books You Can Feel Good About: Russia

Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts

Thursday, June 9, 2022

The Master Craftsman by Kelli Stuart

Interesting story where you learn more about Faberge than you probably already knew. He was a master craftsman who designed the first Faberge egg that was a gift to the Tsar. It brought him great success and notoriety. 50 plus eggs were created over the years. He didn't design them all, and even of those he did design, he didn't make all of the components. He employed other master craftsmen who each specialized in a skill. He loved all of his employees like family and was good to them. When the Tsar was deposed all who were associated with him were as well. Russia was not friendly to them, and they had to flee.

This is a time skip story to modern day. Ava's father is a treasure hunter and wasn't around much when she was growing up. She goes to him as he's dying and learns of an unfinished quest to find a lost Faberge egg. Since she's like him, she jumps at the chance to find it. Excellent mystery, learning about St Petersburg, Russia and Faberge. Danger and murder thicken the plot.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheMasterCraftsman #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalFiction @KelliStuart

My Reviews

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

If you read before you go to sleep, plan on going to bed earlier. This is hard to put down. I fell in love with Dimitri and Natalia right away. Both are easy to picture and identify with. At first, they meet and begin to know one another by telegraph while building the trans-Siberian railway. He is in Russia directing the construction, she is in New York at her father's bank overseeing the project. Until the Russians massacred people along the border with China, people who were entitled to be there by Charter. When Dimitri witnesses it and refuses to participate in killing innocent people, he is stripped of his land and title and sent to a Siberian prison. His and Natalia's relationship is a bit complicated, but you can't help but invest your heart in their relationship and admire them both. Excellent read.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#WrittenontheWind #NetGalley #BethanyHousePublishers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #fivestarbooks #ChristianHistorical

My reviews

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Slashed Canvas by Liz Tolsma

I found this story gripping right from the start. A Princess who had escaped from Russia when her husband was killed in front of her ran to Paris, where her husband had previously set things up for them to flee to. She gave birth to twin girls right after she got to Paris. She was pretty much still in shock 6 years later. She always been taken care of, had not been brought up to do anything, including take care of her girls. It wasn't done in Nobility. To feel more secure, she spent her days at the Louvre where a painting from her country hung, just looking at it. It was the only peace that she had in her life. Even though they lived in the same building, Georges got to know her there when he took over the job as janitor at the Louvre. He was a wounded war Vet on crutches, this a better job than he was able to find before. When her children are kidnapped, they become closer as they look for clues. Through it all she is brought to reality and begins to learn and change. She also brought him strength. Great story straight through.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#LisTolsma #SlashedCanvas #ChristianHistoricalFiction

My Reviews

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski

A sweeping love story set in Paris and Scotland. A princess, mother and younger sister escape from Russia as the big revolution comes about there. They lost everything, even their few things they had packed. After they fled, Svetlana took on the responsibility of providing for them all, but they were reduced to very little. They thought they found help with a Russian who catered to the deposed aristocrats, but he wasn't what he seemed, and pulled them further into poverty.
Wynn is a brilliant Scottish surgeon who steps in to help and is entranced by the princess. He's from a prominent family, but the differences are stark at times. She is very cold and protective, and has trouble trusting him. Their push-pull story is very intricate and develops slowly. Never a dull moment! Excellent read.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #TheIceSwan #NetGalley

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul

A family tragedy. A fight for love. A long-buried secret.

Russia 1918, the Tsar and Tsarina Romanov were executed in the Revolution. There were conflicting reports as to whether their five children were also executed. Because of the opulence and romance of a royal family, it was hoped that one or more of the children had escaped and hid themselves. I remember as I was growing up hearing different stories of what could have happened, mostly about Anastasia. I had not heard anything about Maria. It was interesting to read about her and what she may have been like. The incredible detail of the writing makes you feel as though you are there. Not a quick read, it takes you through the pain, suffering, starvation and cruel living conditions in Russia at that time, also weaving in a more recent day (1973) character in Australia. Smoothly done. Holds your interest until the very end. Mild sexual content.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#TheLostDaughter #NetGalley #GillPaul #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

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