A sequel to No Shame, No Fear. Will and Susanna are Quakers, living in London in 1665. They have waited 3 long years, but they are finally ready to marry, in spite of the religious persecution they are suffering, the plague which is raging through London, and the great fire which threatens their very lives.

A great retelling of a classic story. I really enjoy how Dokey (what a name!) is able to look at the traditional fairy tale character and portray him or her in a whole new way, but yet stay true to the story.

Acacia is one of the best books I’ve read this summer. It’s the first fantasy novel for Durham, who has previously authored numerous historical fiction novels. Acacia tells the story of 4 children who are sent into exile after their father, king Leodan of Acacia, is murdered. Acacia was a prosperous country, but her prosperity was based on drug and slave trafficking. King Leodan hated the evil underside to his country, but felt helpless to stop it. His dying wish is that his children will live to right the wrongs that he and his ancestors have sanctioned.

Durham does so many things right in this book:

The plot is interesting and fast moving.

His story has an epic feel to it, but he doesn’t introduce so many characters and plot lines that you can’t easily keep them all straight.

There are epic battles, but they don’t go on an on for pages and pages.

He spends enough time on character development that they seem real, but not so much that he slows down the story.

While you know who the “good guys” are supposed to be, they aren’t perfect. However, you don’t get a feeling of moral relativism. Everyone knows what’s right and what’s wrong. The characters must come to grips with the sacrifices that need to be made in order to right the wrongs of the past.

This is the first in the series, and already I’m eagerly anticipating the next one. I would love to see Peter Jackson a movie based on this book. It would be fabulous!

Cathy Kelly is my new favorite “chick lit” author. She writes interesting, funny romantic fiction. Her characters are unique, likeable and you genuinely care about what happens to them. Her books are set in modern day Ireland, and I love reading phrases like, “They tucked into dinner” or words like divan, flat or holiday (as in trip). There’s nothing deep about her books whatsoever, but if you need a novel to read at the beach, pick up one of Kelly’s books.

Khaled Hosseini’s novels, which are set in Afghanistan, have piqued my interest in the country and her history. Rodriguez’ true account of the beauty school that she helped to found in Afghanistan was an amazing read, and has opened my eyes even more to the present day struggles of the women in Afghanistan.

Rodriguez originally traveled to Afghanistan as part of a short-term mission team. A short while later, she moved to Afghanistan to help teach at the Kabul Beauty School. This school was started as a way to provide training for Afghani women in working at, and running, their own salon. Jobs for women in Afghanistan are scarce, and the salon industry is the only one in which women can manage their own business without the supervision of men. The Kabul Beauty School has provided independence for many women who would otherwise be dependent on their husbands, fathers or brothers to care for them.

Rodriguez has fascinating stories to tell of the women she has taught, the people she has met, and of her own growth in Afghanistan. She’s an interesting character and she makes many decisions that I don’t agree with. However, she’s also an amazing woman who is making a concrete difference in the lives of Afghani women every day.

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