One Night to Remember by Kristin Miller

Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Obtained from: Personal Kindle Library

Read: March 23, 2012

First class clothing designer Elizabeth Scott isn’t all that she appears. She may be elegant and poised on the outside, dining with the richest on the ship, but she’s hiding a dark secret within. Thieves boarded the Titanic, too… Officer Thomas McGuire is as honest as they come. Working to make a decent living on the ship of dreams, he can’t believe his eyes when the most striking lady he’s ever seen steals from another first class passenger. As the night goes on, Thomas must decide whether he plans to arrest or seduce Elizabeth and she’s not making it easy on him—the heat sparking between their bodies is unlike anything either of them has ever known. Time is running out… The Titanic is sinking fast, with little more than an hour before it settles on the ocean floor. Although Elizabeth has finally met a true gentlemen, one who gazes upon her with total adoration and fulfills her deepest fantasies, he insists on helping other passengers until the last minute, even if that means going down with the ship.

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The fatal flaw in One Night to Remember is in the formatting. Miller chose to write her story as a novella which is fine but it doesn't give her a lot of opportunity to develop the cast. We learn very little about Miss Scott and even less about Mr. McGuire. They feel as if they are going through the motions more than anything. Miller might understand the motivations and background of her characters but these concepts were never adequately conveyed to her audience. As a reader, the lack of development made it difficult to accept or even care about Elizabeth and Thomas.

From a historic point of view I couldn't get excited over Miller's depiction of the sinking. Having read a handful titles about the ship I was familiar with the concepts Miller approached in her work. The confusion, the uncertainty... even the drama surrounding Collapsible B. All of it was old news. I think Miller and a lot of other authors forget the sinking itself is well known and as such doesn't make for much of a plot twist. 

According to the about the author section, "this book is the culmination of twenty-four years of research and countless dreams about writing a Titanic novel." I don't doubt the author harbors a deep affection for the ship and its fate but that passion doesn't translate well to her work. In reading the piece, I couldn't help feeling One Night to Remember had been slapped together in a mad rush to capitalize on the hundredth anniversary of the disaster. The erotic love scenes might appeal to certain brackets but I don't think there is much here for the main stream reader.

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"Let us pretend that you are bold and I am more than taken by you. Let us pretend that we are secluded within the four walls of this stateroom and whatever happens within these walls stay here."

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Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Obtained from: Local Library

Read: March 24, 2012

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them. Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

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I liked Clockwork Prince more than I liked Clockwork Angel, but that isn't saying a whole lot. The book is no better written than its predecessor and the story is really no more entertaining. The difference is that my expectations were lower going into the second installment of the Infernal Devices series and thus I wasn't as sharply disappointed as I was with Clockwork Angel. 

The book may be set in Victorian London but the era is hardly relevant to the story. "A gentleman would not normally touch a lady in public, but here in the Institute the Shadowhunters were more familiar with one another than were the mundanes outside." Familiar is a bit of an understatement. Tessa gets a little personal with not one, but two young men in the course of the story and doesn't have the least compunction about doing so. Really? This is 1878 for crying out loud. Sophie Collins is the only character in the entire book who exhibits even an ounce of regard for Victorian etiquette. Perhaps younger readers don't care for or appreciate continuity but the time period of a novel should dictate more than the fashions in which the characters are garbed. 

As a reader of historic fiction I wasn't impressed but I also didn't like that Clockwork Prince is quite literally five hundred pages of hormone driven teenage drama. The Magister doesn't put in an appearance, the members of the Institute do not find any clue as to where he is hiding, and no one has the faintest idea of what he intends to do with Tessa. All totaled we know little more than we did at the conclusion of Clockwork Angel. I'll admit there are a few action packed moments but I've read novellas with more plot movement.

I can accept that my opinion isn't in line with the majority on this one, but all the same, I have to wonder if I am the only person on the planet who is sick to death of Will's blue eyes. Clockwork Prince is comprised of twenty one chapters in which there are more than twenty one references to Master Herondale's brooding baby blues. I swear Clare is more in love with her own creation than Tessa and the entirety of her fan base combined. 

At this point in time I find the love triangle literary device cliché, especially in young adult literature. Considering this is the central theme of Clockwork Prince you can probably understand my indifferent assessment of Clare's work. Solidly written but can honestly say I will not be among the throngs of fans eagerly awaiting the next installment. 

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The Shadowhunter boy was becoming like an annoying relative... someone whose habits you knew well but could not change. Someone whose presence you could recognize by the sound of their boots in the hallway. Someone who felt free to argue with the footman when he'd been given orders to tell everyone that you were not at home.

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The Misses Moffet Mend a Marriage: A Victorian San Francisco Story by M. Louisa Locke

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Obtained from: Personal Kindle Library

Read: March 12, 2012

This short story, set in 1879 San Francisco, features two elderly dressmakers, Miss Minnie and Miss Millie Moffet, who face a moral dilemma of no small dimensions. They turn for advice to Annie Fuller, a widowed boardinghouse owner who supplements her income as a clairvoyant, Madam Sibyl. For those who have read Locke’s two full-length Victorian San Francisco mysteries, Maids of Misfortune and Uneasy Spirits, and her other short story, Dandy Detects, this is an amusing glimpse into the lives of Annie Fuller’s two most eccentric boarders. For those unfamiliar with Locke’s mysteries and the late nineteenth century world they portray, this is just a taste of things to come.

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Much to the distress of Nate Dawson, the Moffet sisters have been permanent fixtures of Annie Fuller's boarding house since its introduction in Maids of Misfortune. However, despite their constant presence, we readers haven't been privy to much of their story or character. Locke remedies this in her delightful short, The Misses Moffet Mend a Marriage. 

First of all, I love that these two elderly women are so much more perceptive than people give them credit for. As unmarried ladies of a certain age, they are assumed to be naive in and uninterested in the workings of the world. The revelation is almost surprising to their young landlord but I found it highly amusing. 

On the same note, I love how these seemingly sheltered ladies handle a rather delicate situation. Where most would run, wild-eyed, fingers raised in accusation, the Misses Moffet play old school. Their tactics are subtle, but infinitely more effective and less damaging than an open confrontation of the issue. It is a skill that has sadly fallen by the wayside in my opinion. 

As always I am delighted with Locke's work. Short but sweet and more than worth looking in to.

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Annie was speechless. Until now she had thought of these elderly ladies as complete innocents, delicately reared in the South, living a narrow sheltered life, and taking care of their bachelor brother until they were forced to support themselves upon his death. She was quickly revising that image.

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A Summons From Yorkshire by Ava Stone, Aileen Fish & Julie Johnstone

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Obtained from: Author

Read: Nov. 7, 2011 

The powerful Duke of Danby summons all of his wayward grandchildren home for the holidays. Book one of the Regency Christmas Summons Collection.

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This review is different than most of the books I feature here as it is an anthology collection. I feel commenting on the entire book as I do with most of my reviews would be unfair so I have opted to review each piece individually. My overall rating reflects my opinion of the book in its entirety.

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The Counterfeit Christmas Summons by Ava Stone

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I don’t consider myself well versed in the genre but from time to time I’ve been known to pick up the odd regency romance. Occasionally one will surprise me, but by and large I find the stories altogether fluffy. Case and point, the opening chapter of the Regency Christmas Summons Collection. Stone does a wonderful job introducing the premise of the series, but I wasn’t really impressed by the details of her contribution. Emma and Heathfield felt like the stereotypical regency couple. They just didn’t jump off the page for me. Neither did the events of their story for that matter. It started out strong with Emma luring the viscount to Danby Castle under false pretense but the simple misunderstandings between the couple weren’t exactly unique. The short is well-constructed and I appreciate the light humor but not a particularly noteworthy piece. 

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The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation by Aileen Fish

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It is a universal truth that regency lit always ends with a happy couple. Not a lot of suspense there. That being said I really liked the premise of Fish’s contribution. Harriet’s flight from what she assumes to be a loveless marriage is a plot much to my liking and Morley’s lack of enthusiasm regarding his forced involvement in her escape offered an amusing twist to the story. The romance felt a bit contrived but a cute piece nonetheless. 

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Gift of Seduction by Julie Johnstone

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Easily the strongest of the three shorts that make up book one of the Collection. I’m not an editor and I have absolutely no expertise but I would have opened the volume with this piece. Neither of the other two contributions came close to including this much plot, characterization or depth. Personal opinion of course, but Johnstone shines by comparison. Charlotte is determined and strong despite the tragic romance that determined the direction her life was to take. Drew is heartbroken and full of remorse as he returns to Danby Castle having never settled his feelings regarding the woman he abandoned. Their whole situation, ripped apart by societal expectation, as well as their reintroduction caught me hook, line and sinker. 

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She was not above the need to be admired and wanted. She had earned that small bit of vanity the day she had picked up the millions of jagged pieces of her broken heart that Drew had left on his bedroom floor.

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Ride for Rights by Tara Chevrestt

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Obtained from: Author

Read: Jan. 23, 2012 

In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone. From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert. Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?

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I’m not going to pretend I don’t enjoy the occasional paranormal story adventure but I can’t help getting depressed browsing young adult lit. All the vampires, werewolves and whatnot are starting to run together. With Ride for Rights, Chevrestt pulls a complete one eighty. The author’s first foray into the world of historic fiction is a refreshing narrative of adventure and perseverance in a time too many of have seemingly forgotten. 

Less than a century ago career women were few and far between. Many had only limited involvement in activities unrelated to homemaking and child-rearing. Societal rules were highly restrictive where women were concerned yet even in this climate there were those who took a stand against inequality. Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are fictional characters but their courage of conviction and unwavering dedication exhibited in their journey across North America are as real as the women on which they were based. 

In addition to introducing readers to a lesser known chapter of the women’s rights movement, Chevrestt uses her story as a platform for the stories of other advocates and pioneers in the struggle against gender based discrimination. Inez Milholland, Amelia Earhart and Lillian Heath are only a few of the notable ladies who make cameo appearances throughout the book.  

I have great appreciation for the content and overall message of Ride for Rights but as with most of my reviews, I am not without criticism. I believe the author opted to name her characters Adelaide and Angeline out of respect for their real life counterparts. While I admire the author’s intent, I found it somewhat challenging to keep Adelaide and Angeline straight during the early chapters of the book. Despite frequently substituting the wrong sister in my imagination I found that as the novel progressed and the characters developed my confusion dissipated, eventually becoming a nonissue. 

The only other comment I have is that Angeline enjoys more face time with the reader than her sister. Angeline’s vivacious nature, her relationship with Joe Miller and access to her diary allow considerable insight into her character. Adelaide is the more reserved of the two, making her harder to relate to even when she appears at the forefront. I would have appreciated having a slightly deeper understanding of her character especially as her ultimate transformation is more dramatic than that of Angeline. 

Clearly, at four stars, these observations are of little consequence. Consider my more critical comments food for thought, a few drops the bucket if you will. It is my opinion Chevrestt has single-handedly crafted an entertaining story with an enduring message that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. 

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Angeline smiled and broke into a laugh. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sensible, calm sister?”
Adelaide wrapped the horrid garments around the chamber pot and as she raised her arm even with the window, looked at Angeline. “She got left somewhere on the road in Wyoming!”

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Uneasy Spirits by M. Louisa Locke

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Obtained from: Kindle Loan

Read: Feb. 11, 2012 

In Uneasy Spirits, the sequel to Maids of Misfortune, It’s the fall of 1879 and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, has a problem. Despite her growing financial success as the clairvoyant Madam Sibyl, Annie doesn’t believe in the astrology and palmistry her clients think are the basis for the domestic and business advice she dispenses, which is making her feel increasingly uncomfortable. Kathleen Hennessey, Annie Fuller’s young Irish maid, has a plan. When her mistress is asked by one of the people in Annie’s boarding house to investigate and expose a fraudulent trance medium, Arabella Frampton, Kathleen is determined to assist in this investigation, just like the Pinkerton detectives she has read about in the dime novels. Nate Dawson, the up-and-coming San Francisco lawyer, has a dilemma. He wants to marry the unconventional Annie Fuller, but he doesn’t feel he can reveal his true feelings until he has figured out a way to make enough money to support her. In Uneasy Spirits, this light, romantic follow-up to Locke’s debut historical mystery, Maids of Misfortune, Annie Fuller, with the help of Nate Dawson and Kathleen Hennessey, delves into the intriguing world of 19th century spiritualism, encountering true believers and naïve dupes, clever frauds and unexplained supernatural phenomena, soon finding there are as many secrets as there are spirits swirling around the Frampton séance table. These secrets will threaten the foundation of her career as Madam Sibyl, the future of her relationship with Nate Dawson, and, in time, they will threaten her very life itself.

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Dandy Detects was an entertaining short but it was Maids of Misfortune that captured my attention and piqued my interest in Uneasy Spirits. I looked forward to the book for months and now, after reading the book, I find I have very mixed feelings. 

I obviously enjoyed the book. A four star rating isn’t exactly a finger in the eye but I found that while I appreciated the piece, many of my pre-read expectations were only moderately satisfied. Dandy Detects was cute and I was so absorbed by Maids of Misfortune that I hardly found time to put it down. I expected the same humor and captivating storytelling in the newest installment of the Victorian San Francisco Mystery series. I didn’t find it. I had absolutely no problem setting this book on my side table, consuming it in small doses over the course of eleven days. 

I hope I haven’t scared anyone away from Uneasy Spirits by that admission. I am not implying that the sequel is of poorer quality, just that I found the reading experience differed dramatically novel to novel. In terms of content, the book is no less interesting or engaging than its predecessors. For instance I found that Annie’s struggle over the morality of her occupation offered fascinating insight to her character while keeping the character fresh and new for those already familiar with the boarding house matron. 

Kathleen was by far my favorite character to read. For much of book, her scenes offered the most movement in terms of plot but she is also the individual most desperate to achieve something against the mystery at the center of the novel. Where Nate is struggling with his feelings for Annie and Annie is having reservations regarding Madame Sibyl, Kathleen is determined to prove herself useful and worthy of the trust her mistress places in her. 

It is my opinion there are two particularly noteworthy aspects to the novel.  The intricacies of Evie May’s story are truly astounding and will hold the imagination long after the final page. I also found Locke’s foray into the late nineteenth century obsession with spiritualism wonderfully illustrated and entertaining. Madame Sibyl’s work as a palm reader and astrologer are relatively tame compared to the elaborate shows invented by those claiming contact with the other side. I found I quite liked the chance to explore the more dramatic side of Annie’s trade.  

The richly imagined recreation of Victorian era San Francisco offers a delightful backdrop for Locke's indomitable heroine. Once again, I applaud Ms. Locke's work. A must read for anyone who appreciates cozy historical mysteries.  

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The girl straightened and pointed, her index finger contorted in a grotesque fashion. “You stop it right now.” Her voice, despite a quaver, was sharp and strong, and its force twisted her face into a mask of fury. “I see what you did. I see everything. You can never hide from me . . . stop . . .” The girl clutched at her chest, and the beads broke, cascading to the floor.

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Interview with Tara Chevrestt, author of Ride for Rights

Author interviews are one of my favorite things to post which is why I am super excited to welcome author Tara Chevrestt to Flashlight Commentary to discuss Ride for Rights.

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Your heroines, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are based on two real life women's rights advocates. Tell us, where did you first come across the story of Augusta and Adeline Van Buren?
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. They have a little area dedicated to women in the history of motorcycling. At the time, a mere posterboard of pictures and a timeline was up about them.

Why did you feel that the cross country journey of the Van Buren sisters needed to be told?
Well, nobody had told it, and I felt that was quite a feat, motorcycling across the U.S. when there wasn't a highway system and alone!

Have you heard a response from the Van Buren's or any other members of the family in regards to your work?
Yes. Bob Van Buren is a descendant as well as the master of the womens' website. He has responded favorably and wrote me a foreword.

Angeline and Adelaide meet several notable individuals during their adventure. Can you tell us a little about these women and why you chose to include them in your story?
I did a series on my blog the last six months and I spoke about many of these women and even posted pictures of them. Book Babe has featured articles on lawyer Inez Milholland, physician Lillian Heath, and even aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart in promotion of Ride for Rights.

Being a motorcycle aficionado yourself, did you feel a particular connection with the women you were writing about?
I felt a connection to them not over their motorcycles, but over their desire to have the right to vote. Even today, women face discrimination and naysayers. As a woman who has worked most of her working life in a male dominated field, I've faced it. So I felt a connection to them more when they were fighting to prove themselves.

The Van Buren sisters are minor footnotes in the history of women’s rights. Do you consider their efforts a success?
Yes. I do. I don't consider them a minor footnote. I don't consider any women in history who struggled for the right to vote to be "minor." It takes one and all. Every little thing a woman contributes makes a big difference in the long run. I wonder how many young ladies they inspired at the time? How many men changed their views about women? They probably did more than they were given credit for, probably did more than even they realized.

Your previous publications were written with adult readers in mind. Why did you want to write this story for a younger audience? 
I wanted to keep it clean, for one thing so that all ages could read it and learn something from it, and I wanted to inspire women to be all they can be, to not be intimidated or beaten down.

Modern readers may have trouble understanding the confines of social acceptability in 1916. Exactly how ‘crazy’ of an idea was this undertaking?
It was insane. They were literally arrested for wearing pants. No joke. That's how society was back then.

What message(s) do you want readers to take with them after reading Ride for Rights?
Women can do whatever they set their minds to do. We don't have to confine ourselves to being housewives or sex objects. We have options. If two women could ride motorbikes across the country in a time when it wasn't even acceptable to wear pants, then what excuse do we have for holding ourselves back from anything almost a hundred years later?

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PRAISE FOR RIDE FOR RIGHTS

"The characters Angeline Hanson and her younger sister, Adelaide, are based on the teenage New York society ladies and suffragettes, Adeline and Augusta van Buran. These two young ladies actually did ride their Indian Model F Power Plus bikes from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1916, to both publicise the equality of women, promoting the cause of the suffrage movement, and to demonstrate that women should be considered for the role of dispatch rider in the First World War, with the consquence of freeing up more men for front line duties." - Lance Mitchell, Amazon Reviewer

"Inspired by real suffragettes, Ride For Rights is the amazing story of two sisters who rode their motorbikes cross country to prove woman should have the right to vote and could assist in the war as dispatch riders." - Laura DeLuca, Amazon Reviewer

"Ride for Rights is a short book since it's aimed at the young adult audience, but the characters are fully drawn, engaging young women. They're well-bred, but feisty and independent, fighting for what they believe in. Along the way they encounter love and overcome hardship, working at various jobs to earn money for gas and accommodations. In some places they're able to stay with relatives or acquaintances; in others their bed and board is less than stellar. I couldn't put the book down. It was a great read, and educational. I highly recommend it for you, your daughters, and your granddaughters--whatever their ages." - Rochelle Weber, Amazon Reviewer

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Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, aviation mechanic, and dog mom. She loves vintage clothes and period dramas and wishes she could time travel. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping.

She no longer writes books, but you can still read her thoughts and opinions on books and movies and articles on women's issues on her blog.

Blog ❧  Goodreads

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Amazon US Amazon UK

Format: Ebook Publication Date: February 7, 2012 Released by: Amazon Digital Services ASIN: B0076Z6O52 Length: 155 pages Genre: YA Historical Fiction

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