What I'm Reading This Monday

Nothing in the mailbox all last week, but lots from the library, so I've been doing a lot of reading. I finished both The Stolen Crown by Susan Higgenbotham and Kathleen McCleary's House and Home last week. They were very different, Stolen Crown being historical fiction, and House and Home a contemporary woman's story, and they were both excellent. House and Homeis about a woman devastated about losing her house when her husband's financial problems force them to sell. Ellie even asks for a divorce, she's so worn out from Sam's pipe dreams. The thought of moving and leaving all the memories taints every minute of her days and is rubbing off on her older daughter. It was funny and sweet, although there were many times I wanted to give Ellie a good slap and tell her to suck it up. I will be reviewing The Stolen Crownin a few weeks for Sourcebooks.
Finished The Luxe series with the fourth book Splendor by Anna Godberson. This young adult historical romance is a Gossip Girl for the last century, and it has held my attention from the very first book. I'm glad I didn't find out about them until they had all been released because each ends with a cliff hanger and several unanswered questions. I really wanted to find out how the bad marriages, star-crossed lovers, and evil business dealings would be worked out.

I read a great Georgette Heyer mystery, They Found Him Dead, that also came from Sourcebooks. They introduced me to her historical romances with Devil's Cub several months ago. I am so impressed with the intricacies of her story lines and how the stories, characters, and plots have held the test of time.
Right now I am listening to Philippa Gregory's The White Queen. It is the first audio book I've tried since The Bridges of Madison County back in 1996! Never finished that one, I kept falling asleep. It's very interesting listening to this story of the marriage of Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV, told from Elizabeth's point of view, since I just finished reading about the same events from her sister Katherine's point of view in The Stolen Crown.
I'll be starting A Thread of Graceby Mary Doria Russell, another historical fiction, but much closer in time. It takes place in Italy during WWII, and is about a village that smuggles Jews out of the country.
If I'm successful in listening to THe White Queen I will start David Hosp's Dark Harbor. I reviewed his most recent novel Among Thieves yesterday. Dark Harbor is his first book.
So what are you reading this week? For more great books being read around the blogosphere, stop by J. Kaye's Book Blog for the weekly meme What Are You Reading On Monday?