I learned so much about the art of henna and the role it played in Indian culture – it was amazing.
Lakshmi’s drive to succeed and make a better life for herself and her family, despite her past, was inspiring.
About The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi:
Lakshmi Shastri has spent years carving out a life for herself as a henna artist after fleeing her abusive husband and backward rural village for the Rajasthan capital. Well-versed in apothecary and the miraculous properties of herbs, her services (the effects of which are far more than just aesthetic) are highly sought after by upper-caste women, and Lakshmi’s success brings her within inches from her, and her country’s, ultimate goal: total independence. That is, until the past she has so desperately tried to run from comes knocking at her door…
My Full Review of The Henna Artist
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi is the story of Lakshmi Lakshmi ran away from her village life with an abusive husband to make it on her own. This is a difficult task in 1950s India. She makes her way up through society, making sure to always follow the rules and know her place. Pleasing her “ladies” with every visit, and making her henna designs seem like magical cures. All the time, saving money to build her own house.
But when Lakshmi’s sister, the one she didn’t know existed, shows up with the husband Lakshmi ran away from 13 years ago, things slowly begin to fall apart. As she tries to navigate the tricky social structures without missing a step, the worst happens, and she finds herself having to decide what family really means and how to best help them.
The well-written relationship between Lakshmi and her sister, as well as the errand boy, turns out to be far more important than you think at first. They were incredibly different people, and yet they were very similar as well. As with many families, their relationship isn’t all roses. But you could see how Lakshmi was trying so hard to do what was right. She wanted to give her sister every opportunity that she could possibly have.
Lakshmi earns extra money making herbal remedies. Some make sure women who don’t want to be mothers don’t have to be. Many people around her frowned on this practice. And they also shunned her other natural remedies in favor of modern techniques and medicines. This cultural difference between the city and the villages really played a role as Lakshmi’s character developed and she navigated the world around her.
The Henna Artist was beautifully written and immersed me in an unfamiliar culture. I loved every second of it. The story unfolds in a way that isn’t all excitement and suspense. It’s peppered with moments that stood out in my mind as I read through it. I highly recommend this book.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Pick up your copy of The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
– Enjoy historical settings that really come to life and are full of adventure – Know pirates aren’t always the bad guys, just sometimes – Love epic adventures but prefer to skip the stuff between action scenes
My full review for Marisol ~ Spanish Rose
Marisol ~ Spanish Rose starts out as a bit of a tragic story. Forced to flee her home after killing a nobleman in self-defense, Marisol’s luck just keeps getting worse. Captured and forced into basically the slave trade as an indentured servant. But, she has no idea how her life will change after English privateers capture the Spanish ship she is being transported on. The Captain of the ship, Ethan Becket, is in for quite a surprise as he learns about Marisol’s past as she slowly thaws his heart and allows him to love again.
Marisol ~ Spanish Rose had all the aspects of a great historical fiction adventure. High seas adventure – check. Dashing historical figures and lively, memorable places – check. The one thing it was missing was the romance. I feel like Marisol and Ethan just didn’t spend any time together at all and suddenly they were in love. Time passed off the pages, but I couldn’t watch their relationship grow and build over time, it almost seemed like it wasn’t there. I loved the well-developed characters, but I didn’t see them together as a couple. They just weren’t there.
The drama, adventure, and excitement were definitely there. The beautifully written scenes on the ship were told in a way that I understood. Even though I know nothing about ships. I would have liked to learn more about some of the side characters, but perhaps they develop as the series goes along. They all seemed to be very interesting, and I wanted to know more.
More about Marisol ~ Spanish Rose by Elva Cobb Martin
Escaping to the New World is her only option…Rescuing her will wrap the chains of the Inquisition around his neck.
Marisol Valentin flees Spain after murdering the nobleman who molested her. She ends up for sale on the indentured servants’ block at Charles Town harbor—dirty, angry, and with child. Her hopes are shattered, but she must find a refuge for herself and the child she carries. Can this new land offer her the grace, love, and security she craves? Or must she escape again to her only living relative in Cartagena?
Captain Ethan Becket, once a Charles Town minister, now sails the seas as a privateer, grieving his deceased wife. But when he takes captive a ship full of indentured servants, he’s intrigued by the woman whose manners seem much more refined than the average Spanish serving girl. Perfect to become governess for his young son. But when he sets out on a quest to find his captured sister, said to be in Cartagena, little does he expect his new Spanish governess to stow away on his ship with her six-month-old son. Yet her offer of help to free his sister is too tempting to pass up. And her beauty, both inside and out, is too attractive for his heart to protect itself against—until he learns she is a wanted murderess.
As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Marisol and Ethan.
Do not read this book if you:
– Want a really solid romance-forward story, the romance is more of a sub-plot – Want an epic historical adventure told in epic format, as Marisol jumps around skipping details.
– A really different take on the Cinderella trope – A great Christian theme without going over the top on religious elements – Love ALWAYS finds a way back – Clever references to classic books that I loved to read – very well done
My full review of Finding Lady Enderly
Finding Lady Enderly is not your typical romance. Finding Lady Enderly starts as a sort of rags to riches story. Raina is swept up like Cinderella to the ball, her rags turned to silk, and suddenly she’s the Lady. But it isn’t all diamonds and fancy dresses. Her new life is a lie, and it weighs heavily on her shoulders. Her struggle wasn’t just with God and her spirituality. She struggled with morality and if she was doing the right thing.
The romance of the novel is a little more subtle, as it draws heavily on the long lost love of Raina’s life. But he is no longer there to rescue her from her predicaments, and she finds that she needs to rescue herself instead. Every day she spends as Lady Enderly pulls her further into danger and deceit.
There are so many amazing romantic gestures that made my heart swoon. Communicating to your love by marking lines of text in classic novels from Bronte, Austen, and Dickens is a surefire way to a booklovers heart. Add glances across the room, glimpses of a familiar face in a crowd, and a song that will move your heart, and even though we don’t see the hero’s side of the romance, we don’t really need to.
The ending has several unexpected moments. Surprises and twists on what I thought was going to happen. In many ways, these were amazing, but I did feel a little cheated on my happily ever after – it didn’t happen soon enough. The story ends in a way that vividly reminds me of the classics used in the story, with a more settled feel and deliberate feel to it, but heartwarming and satisfying in its own way.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Don’t read this book if:
– You really dislike Christian themes – religion is an integral part of the characters themselves – You want loads of romance and contact between characters, this is a more subtle approach – Main characters placed in circumstances where they HAVE to lie
