The Secret Life Of Bees

Title:  The Secret Life Of Bees
Author:  Sue Monk Kidd Genre: fiction
Summary: "Set in South Carolina in 1964.  Tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed.  When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free.  They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina-a town that holds the secret to her mother's past.  Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna."
Rating: very good
Why I Like It:  Very interesting characters and story about an unhappy 14-year-old  finding love and family and learning some life lessons.

Other: Author also wrote THE MERMAID CHAIR which  I enjoyed.
Reviewer: Kathy

Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories, #1)

Title: Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories, #1)
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Genre: mystery, romance, historical fiction
Summary: from Goodreads: Shades of Milk and Honey is an intimate portrait of Jane Ellsworth, a woman ahead of her time in a version of Regency England where the manipulation of glamor is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality.  But despite the prevalence of magic in everyday life, other aspects of Dorchester's society are not that different: Jane and her sister Melody's lives still revolve around vying for the attentions of eligible men.  Jane resists this fate, and rightly so: while her skill with glamor is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face, and therefore wins the lion's share of attention.  At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Jane has resigned herself to being invisible forever.  But when her family's honor is threatened, she finds that she must push her skills to the limit in order to set things right - and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.
Rating: pretty good (the following books in the series are excellent!)
Why I Like It: Davey actually recommended this series to me!  This first book is pretty much Pride and Prejudice story with a little magic.  And when I say magic, it's not what you think.  It's an imaginary skill of weaving pieces of "matter" to make beautiful things - something the author made up.  There is lots of adventure and mystery in these stories - not just a romantic tale!  I really like Jane and Vincent's relationship because they are witty, truthful, and constantly aware of each others needs.
Other: I listened to all of the books on audiobook and the narrator does a phenomenal job!
Reviewer: Avery