Book Review: The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah
Book review of best-selling author, Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, set during the dustbowl era in the U.S.
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Category Books & Writing
Read MoreBook Review: The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah
Book Review: Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters
An absorbing book that explores moral complexities in Victorian England. Loved it!
Is Democracy in Danger? (& 2 book reviews)
If you've grown up in a country like Canada it can be hard to imagine that democracies like ours can fall. Historical fiction helps bring the risks to light. Includes book reviews of "A Long Petal of the Sea" and "It Can't Happen Here".
Is the World as Dangerous as the News Makes it Seem?
Am I being naïve in ignoring the disturbances going on in parts of the island?
Book Review: The Confessions of Frannie Langton
A moving historical murder mystery set initially on a slave plantation in Jamaica. Highly recommended.
Book Review: The Ambassador’s Wife
The Ambassador’s Wife by Jennifer Steil My rating: 4 of 5 stars I was gripped by this book, and the moral and ethical dilemmas it raises in an engrossing, fictional way. The protagonist is such a real, flawed but loveable…
Book Review: Yellow Wife
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sadeqa Johnson wrote the book after touring a former slave jail and trading post. On one of the walls she saw a photo of the jailer, his black wife…
A Historical Novelist’s Work is Never Done
When writing a historical novel you can get buried in research and never write the book. Sometimes, though, the research discoveries make you so happy!
Book Review: All My Puny Sorrows
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have a lousy memory, so not many books stick with me for years, other than a general “I liked it” feeling. But this one has. It…
Book Review: The Boat People
The Boat People by Sharon Bala My rating: 5 of 5 stars A powerful look at the difficult decisions faced by people in war zones and by refugee boards. Nothing is simple. Is it better to risk admitting someone who…
Book Review: The Breakout Novel Workbook
Tema's review of Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. Worth reading if you want to write fiction.
Book Review: The Flight Portfolio
The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer My rating: 4 of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a blend of fiction and nonfiction (troublingly so for many reviewers) based on the life of Varian Fry. Fry worked tirelessly…