Tangled Ashes Book Review

 

Book Review of Tangled Ashes

  by Michele Phoenix
"A Novel"

REVIEW BY: L. Bankhead

     Present meets past in this French set novel.  The Nazi's are invading Lamorlaye, France as the minor part of the story follows to French ladies as they work in a Nazi lebensborn.  As the Nazi plans come to fruition, the two girls must decide where their loyalties lie.  In the main part of the book, set presently, the same castle that served as the lebensborn is being restored by a wealthy family.  The family has hired a master architect and carpenter with a giant chip on his shoulder.  Strange things happen at the castle that begin to tie the two stories together.  The history and secrets of the castle remain, even after almost 70 years have passed.
     While the major part of this story, set in present day, bored me to pieces, the historical information set in the 1940's was really interesting and the story riveting.  The author, Michele Phoenix, actually went to school in The Meunier manor where some of the the story takes place; and was in fact a lebensborn until 1944.  You can view pictures of the renovated Chateau de Lamorlaye here, the major scene for the novel.  Michele Phoenix is a really vivid and terrific author.  I'm just really not that into stories aren't thrillers or historical biographies.  I have one question for the author: "What was the plot?" A book needs something to keep you reading.  This one really doesn't have that.  The book does contain discussion questions for a book club.  I would recommend this book for adult women ages 17 and up. 

(I received this book free from Handlebar Marketing as part of their blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

NEXT UP!  Reviews coming your way this Winter....

Soul's Gate by James Rubart 

Les Miserables an audio drama