A Daring Venture

A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden

After her parents died of cholera, Rosalind Werner dedicated her life to eradicating the disease through water purification. Now, as a scientist, she and her research supervisor, Dr. Leal, have 90 days to convince a judge that chlorine, not more filtration systems, is the answer.
Nicholas Drake, Commissioner of Water for New York is on the opposing side--he wants clean water as much as Rosalind does, but he doesn't want chlorine in his water until it has been thoroughly tested.
 When Rosalind meets with Nick to try to sway him, the attraction is instantaneous, and they hope that their professional work won't get in the way of a personal relationship. But when Rosalind discovers her supervisor has decided to start chlorinating water without getting approval, she must choose between doing what she knows will save thousands of lives and being upfront with the man she's fallen hard for. 


Loved it, loved it, loved it. Nick is awesome--because he's so real. He is passionate about his beliefs--including protecting his family and others--but he also has a temper and he gets out of line and he has to apologize, and I love him for it because he's such a realistic character. Rosalind is so smart and determined and yet wary of the limelight--but I loved seeing her put Nick in his place a time or two when he needed it. Who knew water and diseases would make for such an interesting story line? It was awesome. Highly recommend this one--and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

5 stars! One of my picks for best of 2018!

I read an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An Unlikely Suitor

An Unlikely Suitor
By Nancy Moser
Bethany House, 2011. 394 pgs. Romance

Lucy Scarpelli is an Italian immigrant who has lived in poverty most of her life, as she, her mother and her younger sister, the willful, spoiled Sofia, do piecework to eke out a meager existence. Their luck changes, however, when Lucy finds jobs for them as seamstresses, and even more so when a wealthy client, Rowena Langond, a New York socialite as she works on Rowena's dresses. When Rowena invites the three women to Newport to do some sewing work for her, Lucy and Sofia both find themselves being courted by men who are well above their classes. Although not quite sure these men would forsake their social standing in order to wed, neither of the sisters can help but follow her heart. Meanwhile, Rowena, who was crippled in an accident, is willing to obey her parents' wishes that she marry the son of a business associate, thinking that her affliction leaves her no other option; however, as much as she tries to love him, she's not quite sure that marrying him is her best option.

This book provides some gentle romance as well as a look at the social complexities of the late 19th century. Lucy and Rowena are both likable characters and readers will be anxiously awaiting for them to find their happiness; Sofia, on the other hand, is an overly annoying little sister who might have readers wishing they could smack her rather than hoping she finds love. The book concludes a few notes and illustrations of dresses to provide a little extra insight in the society and fashion on the era.

Clean read. 3.5 stars.

All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky

All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky
By Joe R. Lansdale
Delacorte Press, 2011. 227 pgs. Teen fiction

Jack Catcher's life has taken a turn for the worse--living in the Dust Bowl, when "all the earth is thrown to the sky" and money is tight because of the Depression, is bad enough, but when his mother dies and his father, unable to deal with his grief, kills himself shortly after, Jack is suddenly all alone. So when Jane Lewis and her brother Tony stumble onto his land, en route to "borrow" an automobile from a dead man and take off to Texas, that sounds like a decent enough plan to Jack. Once they set out, though, they manage to find themselves caught up in a little more adventure than they'd planned on, since they're waylaid by gangsters making a getaway after a bank robbery.

This book seemed slightly far-fetched to me--these kids have a knack for getting into trouble with big-name crooks right and left--but it was still a good read. Lansdale did a good job showing the adventure and fun stuff but balancing it out with the harsh reality of life, and the language was spot on. I really enjoyed Jack as a narrator. Great choice for anyone interested in historical fiction or just a good example of storytelling. A very little bit of language, but not enough to bother most readers.

Just a few examples of the language that I enjoyed so much:
"It wasn't a big life, but it was a good life." (p. 8)
"I wasn't at all certain is was the right thing to do, but I was pretty certain it was the only thing to do." (p. 24)
"I decided then and there that Jane was about as big a blowhard as there was, but at the bottom of her buck there was something real." (p. 134)

4 stars.

Breaking Stalin's Nose

Breaking Stalin's Nose
By Eugene Yelchin
Henry Holt and Company, 2011. 154 pgs. Middle Grade fiction

Growing up in Stalin's Russia, Sasha Zaichik can't wait to join the Young Pioneers, the Communist group for youth. He's known all the laws and rules of being a good Communist since he was a child, he loves Stalin, and he wants to grow up to be a hero like his father, a good, good Communist. However, on the eve of the ceremony when he'll finally join the Pioneers, Sasha's father is arrested. Certain there must be a mistake and that when Stalin finds out, he'll free his father, Sasha stills plans to join the Pioneers. However, this incident sets in motion a series of events that shows Sasha that perhaps Stalin and Communism are the idols and ideals he wants to uphold anymore.

This is a quick read (I read it in 30 minutes), but it's a great overview into Stalinist Russia, and how the people lived in fear and oppression, and that no one was safe. With black and white illustrations throughout, this is historical fiction that could appeal to even reluctant readers and the themes make it an excellent choice for classroom discussions.

4 stars. Clean read.