The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Length: 301 Pages
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Blood, Death, Miscarriage (Only Mentioned), Suicidal Ideation, and Predatory Behavior Against a Minor

"'For many of these women,' Nella whispered, 'this may be the only place their names are recorded. The only place they will be remembered. It is a promise I made to my mother, to preserve the existence of these women whose names would otherwise be erased from history. The world is not kind to us... There are few places for a woman to leave an indelible mark.' I finished tracing an entry, moving on to the next one. 'But this register preserves them - their names, their memories, their worth.'"

I've actually been meaning to read this book since I was gifted a signed copy by my sister (best sister ever) for my birthday in April. I'm so glad I finally got around to it, as it was one of the most talked about historical fiction novels of 2021!

Present day, London. Caroline Parcewell was meant to be spending her tenth anniversary with her husband, visiting the Tower of London and practicing making a baby in their swanky hotel. But just days before she discovers a series of texts between him and employee at his work -- a female employee, and realizes her marriage, and her life, are not what she thought they were. Angry and confused, she flees to England on her own, and happens upon a group of "mudlarkers", people who explore the banks of the Thames in search of something special. In a stroke of luck, or perhaps fate, she finds a blue vial with a mysterious etching of a bear on it.

1791, London. Nella is a purveyor of tobacco leaves and plasters. And poisons. She is a mysterious friend to every woman in London, whether she needs to get rid of a cheating husband or a murderous brother. Nella spends life tucked behind a hidden door in her mother's abandoned shop, wracked with guilt and disease.

Eliza Fanning is only twelve but she already knows the danger of men. Tasked by her mistress to go to the apothecary to pick up a poison to dispose of her husband, she is entranced by the mysterious Nella and her shop. Little does she know it is her choices, and her mistakes, that will dictate the fate of the shop, hidden in 3 Back Alley.

I was so excited to hear that this book was set in London in the late 1700s! It's such a fascinating time in such a fascinating city, but it is criminally underused, with most historical fiction being set in the Victorian era, or WWII. I loved Nella and Eliza's chapters, and with most dual timeline books, I was always eager to get back to them. Caroline was fine, though not as interesting or complex as the others. However, I was very pleased with the conclusion to her story, especially in regards to her cheating husband! My only true issue with the book was that I felt the end for Eliza and Nella was perhaps a bit too easy, a bit too wrapped up, and caused me to somewhat suspend my disbelief. 

Overall, I think this is a solid historical fiction novel, with fascinating glimpses into the complicated lives of women of the time period, and a mystery that will keep you reading until the wee hours of the morning.

Book Review: The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker

The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker
Length: 393 Pages
Genres: YA Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Violence, Gore, Death and Body Horror

"I was nothing but Death that bled from every organ and anger so vicious that it could tear the sky to shreds, drain the oceans dry, and crack the universe in two."

Another book recommended by my sister, who actually got an early copy of this and ended up really liking it! It was one of my options for my November Book of the Month so I jumped at the opportunity to snatch it up.

Ren Scarborough's life is measured by her differences. She is Half-Japanese and Half-English, raised in London by her father and stepmother. She is also part Reaper, soul collectors who can stop time with clocks made of pure silver and gold, and part Shinigami, demons that ferry souls down to the depths of the Japanese Underworld, Yomi. When she finally has enough of being abused for being different and her Shinigami powers explode -- literally -- leaving other reapers injured, she knows she will be hunted down and left to live the rest of her supernaturally long life trapped in a tomb. With little else to do, she escapes to Japan with her sensitive half-brother, Neven, by her side.

There, she travels to Yomi and meets the Goddess of Death herself, Izanami. She sets Ren up with an impossible task: kill three powerful Yokai to become one of her Shinigami. Ren accepts, and is helped on her task by the jovial, yet mysterious, Shinigami Hiro. Ren wants nothing more to belong, and to possibly find her mother along the way. And she will do anything to get it.

Abby warned me that this one took a minute to get going, with much of the first half being devoted to worldbuilding, but as a fantasy lover I was no stranger to that, and actually don't mind it! At times I clashed with the writing style, which sometimes was too descriptive at the cost of losing tension and readability, stumbling into repeating the same thing again and again. However I loved the mythology in this book, and learning about these amazing monsters and Gods. Ren you'll either love or hate -- she is boiling over with emotion and righteous anger, so much so it sometimes comes at the cost of her relationships. The ending was phenomenal, and luckily, we have another book to look forward to! Check this one out if you're getting tired of good girls and the crushing amounts of Euro-centric fantasy populating the genre.

Book Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Length: 456 Pages
Genres: YA Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Triggers Warnings for Violence, Gore, and Body Horror

"Books, too, had hearts, though they were not the same as people's, and a book's heart could be broken: she had seen it happen before. Grimoires that refused to open, their voices gone silent, or whose ink faded and bled across the pages like tears."

I'm so happy to have finally gotten around to reading a Margaret Rogerson! My sister and I decided to read this one together, as she had recently read Vespertine by her and knew I'd love her work. And boy was she right! I admit she does know some things 😉.

Elisabeth Scrivener is an orphan, raised amongst the grimoires in the Great Library of Summershall. Her greatest dream is to become a Warden, one of the select few that transport dangerous books and battle Maleficts, horrible creatures made of ink and leather that these very books transform into if harmed. These books are dangerous, alive and breathing and with personalities all their own. Most are used by Sorcerers, who gather their magic by summoning demons. All her life Elisabeth has been taught that Sorcerers and magic are intrinsically evil, but her worldview is challenged when a powerful Magister by the name of Nathaniel Thorn arrives in Summershall. They have a fateful encounter, where he spares her getting in trouble with her superiors, and is very much different than what she expected.

Elisabeth's world comes crashing down, when one night a powerful grimoire turns into a dreaded Malefict, killing the Director, a woman who practically raised her. With only a sword and her wits, Elisabeth kills it, costing the Kingdom a valuable artifact, but sparing their neighboring village. Much to her dismay, Elisabeth is the sole suspect and is whisked away to be tried. The Sorcerer who has come to collect her? None other than Magister Thorn.

In the city, Elisabeth discovers that Sorcerers are regarded much differently, almost like celebrities, along with their demonic companions. And when their arrival at their destination comes along with an attack by a group of dog-like fiends, Elisabeth fears that someone is out to get her, someone who can summon demons and bid them to hunt her down, someone...with magic.

I absolutely adored this book and the world within it. I loved the idea of Sorcerers making pacts with demons, which in this story costs them years of their life in exchange for powers, and thought it was not only original, but made for amazing dynamics, like that of Nathaniel and Silas, who has raised him and taken care of him but still hungers for his soul. Elisabeth was strong and brave, and her growing love for Nathaniel was one of the highlights of Sorcery of Thorns. I would love to see another book in this world by Rogerson, as it has the potential for so many great ideas! Highly recommend, for romance lovers and fantasy experts alike!

The Five Best Gifts for Book Lovers!

All I Want for Christmas is Books Tee by Inkwell Threads

If you're like me and love to get Christmas shopping out of the way early, I've got the perfect gift guide for the book lovers in your life! From story inspired candles to bookish apparel, there is something for everyone here, and plus, you get the added bonus of supporting some smaller shops this holiday season. Happy Shopping!

Apparel from Inkwell Threads (Pictured Above) - I've been coveting a tee from Inkwell Threads for a while now! They have so many cute designs, like the holiday inspired one pictured above! Other favorites are the simple Books Tee and one I definitely need - the Introverted but Willing to Talk About Period Dramas Tee! I also love how they're all unisex, making shopping this season a one and done deal!

Bookmark from The Book Charm Shop - If you're into BookTube like I am, then you've probably come across Kayla from BooksandLala before! This shop is run by her and her mom, and features gorgeous and original bookmarks, all made with different stones. If you're curious about the meaning and properties of the stones, be sure and check out the descriptions!

Bookish Candles from Frostbeard Studio - I love these candles from Frostbeard Studio, which are a book lover's dream! That have scents like Rainy Day Reads, Halfling Hills, and of course, Sassenach!

Books and Cat Ornament from Freckled Lion Workshop - The only thing that goes better with a book than a rainy day and a cup of tea is a cuddly cat! Show your love for both with this adorable handmade ornament.

Book Art by Annya Marttinen - I love the cozy art style of Annya Marttinen, who've I've bought a bookmark from before that I adore. This bookshop print of hers is the perfect addition to a book lover's home.

Book Tie from Pink and Dink - Perfect for the male book lover/writers in your life, this tie is made of 100% high quality microfiber, it even comes with a five year warranty!

I hope you all liked my gift suggestions for this year! Please let me know what you're getting for your book lovers, and if you chose any of the products above!

October 2021 🎃

Hello, it's been a while since I've made one of these posts! Honestly, life has just been boring for me, so I haven't had much to write about. October has breathed new life into me, though! I have seasonal depression, but for me it's the other way around -- I don't start to feel truly alive until Fall. 

This holiday season, I've made it my goal to watch as many scary movies as possible, and to read as many spooky books! I also had the amazing opportunity to go an event at a park near me. It is the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, and I've been going there since I was an infant! That is probably where my love of history was born and nourished. The event took place at night, and with flashlights and paper lanterns lighting the way, we were taken to meet spirits, all telling a tale interwoven with the history of the site. If you're in the area I highly recommend visiting!

What tricks and treats have you gotten up to this month? Please let me know!

TV and Movies:

Midnight Mass (Netflix) - All my life I've been obsessed with vampires. Not only the bloody flicks, but the mythology and folklore surrounding them. It is absolutely fascinating to me how many places have a vampire myth, in fact it is one of the most widespread superstitions the world over. As such, vampires can sometimes be boring, if you don't inject a bit of new blood. Midnight Mass, written by Mike Flanagan of The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor fame, has created something wholly original, moving, and scary in his newest series. It is my favorite series of late, and I highly recommend it for this spooky season! Just be warned, like all of Flanagan's other series, it covers some very deep and sometimes dark topics, and comes with a bittersweet ending.

House of Flying Daggers (Amazon Prime) - I've been meaning to watch this film in its entirety forever after catching the end of it on TV years ago. I (naturally) fell in love with the leading man of the film, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and of course the delicate Ziyi Zhang is wonderful as always! A beautiful movie perfect for lovers of tragic romance, set during the Tang Dynasty in China. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!

The Last Duel - As soon as I heard about The Last Duel, Ridley Scott's newest film, I knew I'd have to see it. Anytime a historical film comes to theatres I try and catch it, as it is a rare treat! The Last Duel is based on the true story of Lady Marguerite de Carrouges, who in 1386 France, accused her husband's friend-cum-enemy Jacques Le Gris of raping her. To save his own reputation, her husband Jean challenges Jacques to a duel to the death. I absolutely loved the format of this film (which I won't spoil here!) and while I'm not a fan of Matt Damon or Ben Affleck, I like Adam Driver and love Jodie Comer, who is the obvious standout. It is tense, moving, and ultimately satisfying, filled with beautiful landscapes and clothing, a win for any historical lovers like me!

As a note, I would caution that the film does contain two rather graphic scenes of rape. Please be aware of this before you watch it!

Who I've Been Watching:

Watcher (Youtube) - As any self-respecting cryptid and haunted house lover would be, I'm obsessed with Buzzfeed Unsolved, and the two hilarious hosts, Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara! Call me slow on the uptake, but I just discovered the have their own channel now, along with Steven Lim, where they read submitted scary stories around a fire while getting progressively drunk, have a history based puppet show, and many other fun and scary offerings! A sure cure for your melancholy days!

Products I've Been Loving: 

Storybook Candle Co. - Even though I'm unable to burn candles in my room because I own a cockatiel, and birds are extremely sensitive to smells and smoke, I love putting them around the rest of the house. Storybook Candle Co. is a one woman show, and I love seeing what new collections she has every season! They not only last forever, but put out an amazing amount of scent and adorable to boot! Make sure you buy them before they sell out, as they're always going quick. As you can see from the photo above, I chose Autumn Reading and Sleepy Hollow, which both smell delicious.

Ways to Help:

Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund

Stop AAPI Hate

Black Lives Matter

Help Inuit Save Our Future

Aid India's COVID Relief Fund

Edith Wilkin's Street Children Foundation, India

Donate to Palestine

Book Review: The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin

The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin
Length: 378 Pages
Genres: Historical Romance, Mystery
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Forced Prostitution, References to Rape, Slavery, and Murder

"'I’ve heard my face described as flawed, ruined, unfortunate. A bad omen. People avert their gazes and move away from me as if it’s a disease they might catch. But after being separated for so many years, my sister was only able to find me because my face was so recognizable. The red-faced whore.' A tear slid down her cheek, but she ignored it. 'I don’t wish to be owned ever again.'”

As someone with a lifelong love of history, I of course have my own favorite time-periods and places, many of which are the usual that people start off with: Victorian and Regency England (especially if you're an Austen lover, like me), and WWII. And as much as I love those settings, and will always pick up a book or watch a movie during them, I believe we're way past due to inject a different flavor into the historical fiction genre, which has long been turning stale. Combined with a new fascination with Ancient China (and Joseon Korea), I decided to pick up the first book in Jeannie Lin's Pingkang Li Mysteries series, which are a wonderful blend of romance, historical detail, and mystery.

Tang Dynasty China, 847 AD. Yue-ying is maidservant to the beautiful and mercurcial courtesan Mingyu, the most valued woman within the Pingkang Li, or Lotus Palace, a place where scholars and politicians alike come to woo women with poetry and words. Before coming to work for Mingyu, Yue-ying was bought from her home and sold to a brothel, never once being considered to be a courtesan because of the red birthmark marring her cheek. Her past still haunts her, and she wants nothing more than to be a good companion to Mingyu, and to leave flirtation to others.

Bai Huang is known as the "flower prince of the Pingkang Li". He is handsome, gullible, and readily plays the fool, which endears him to everyone, even if his words conceal hidden barbs. Beneath that mask is a man of undeniable strength and smarts, and one who has possibly the best heart in China. Secretly, he attends parties and pleasure houses to gather information for his father, a man he is trying to prove himself to after running up a staggering debt gambling.

Drawn together by the death of the courtesan, Huilan, and the corpse of a man discovered stabbed in the neck with a beautiful hairpin that only the elite could afford, Yue-ying and Huang delve deep into the mysteries hiding beneath the perfume and powder of the North Hamlet. And even more troubling to Yue-ying is the growing attraction she's feeling for Huang -- especially after vowing to never be owned by a man again.

Full of breathtaking romance between two deeply developed characters that you want nothing more than to find happiness together, intrigue and fascinating tidbits about Tang Dynasty China, The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin is a sure win for romance and history lovers alike!

Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Length: 301 Pages
Genres: Gothic Horror, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Racism (Including Many Conversations about Eugenics), Body Horror, Incest, Suicide, Murder, Gaslighting and Sexual Assault

“It was not a haunting. It was possession and not even that, but something she couldn’t even begin to describe. The creation of an afterlife, furnished with the marrow and the bones and the neurons of a woman, made of stems and spores.”

Hello everyone! I'm back with another amazing Gothic read! I've had my eye on this book ever since it came out in 2020, but just haven't been able to get around to it yet. I figured there was no better time than the present, since we're now well into October. 

Noemí Taboada likes to drive fast cars, go to parties, and flirt with boys, but don't let that fool you into thinking she's just a pretty face. She's smart with a backbone of steel, and has plans to study anthropology at a mixed gender University -- if only she can get her father to agree. When her beloved cousin, Catalina, writes a disturbing letter, claiming that her husband is poisoning her and her new home, the mysterious High Place, is haunted, Noemí's father agrees to a bargain: bring Catalina home and avoid any scandal, and Noemí can attend any University she wants.

Arriving at El Triunfo, the little village at the foot of High Place, Noemí finds a place that is shrouded in mystery and fear. The house itself is dark and covered with mold, the inhabitants cold and borderline hostile. The only one who shows her any friendship is Francis, Catalina's husband's young cousin. Soon, Noemí starts experiencing strange things herself: vivid dreams, a lack of appetite, and visions. Is there more to High Place and the unsettling family Catalina has married into? Or is madness catching?

This book reminded me so much of a classic Gothic. It has the mad woman, the isolated manor, the large and insidious family dynamic, all with the added plus of a witty heroine who does more bantering than fainting. Mexican Gothic will leave you wanting more, some might even say...infected. (*wink*)

Book Review: The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
Length: 368 Pages
Genres: Horror and Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Blood, Gore, Body Horror, Miscarriage, and Death

"A magician gets what she asks for, whether she meant to ask for it or not."

My little Gothic loving heart has been eagerly awaiting the publication of The Death of Jane Lawrence! I've always loved the genre, whether it be in film or on paper, and after working on my own Gothic story that love has only bloomed bigger, so it is with much joy in my heart that I can say: Reader, I adored it.

I hadn't looked into the plot very much, as I wanted to go in knowing as little as possible, so I was really surprised (pleasantly, so) to discover it's set in a fantasy alt-England called Great Breltain, where religion is something of the past and the superstitious after a war with Ruzka (a stand-in for Russia), and magic is possible, but often with great cost.

Jane Shoringfield is a woman with a love and understanding of the mathematics that reflects the way she lives her life: practically, and with each decision carefully researched. Orphaned during the war, she has lived with her guardians ever since, but now they wish to return to the very place her parents died. And Jane can't stomach it. So, with a discerning eye, she compiles a list of bachelors within Larrenton, and sets her sight on Dr. Augustine Lawrence. She makes him a proposition, where they will marry, live together, but be more like business partners than husband and wife.

Augustine agrees under one condition -- he must always spend the night at his ancestral home, Lindridge Hall, and she must never come there.

It seems an easy compromise, only Jane never expected to be attracted to him, let alone grow to love him and learn to be loved instead. Soon, she learns that Augustine is inexplicably tethered to Lindridge Hall, and is haunted by his failings...and perhaps something more.

Full of magic and spooks, a crumbling estate filled with things that go bump in the night, and a strong and smart heroine, The Death of Jane Lawrence is a must-read for this Halloween season. If that doesn't convince you maybe this will: It's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, where magic not only changes our reality but sometimes our bodies in horrifying ways, meets Crimson Peak. What are you waiting for?

Book Review: Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
Length: 336 Pages
Genres: LGBTQ, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of this book!

Trigger Warnings for Cheating

"A swell of raw magic flooded into the car, until the air around me nearly shimmered with potential, bright and buzzy and headier than a champagne cocktail. As if Thistle Grove's own magical heart was pulsing eagerly toward me, welcoming me back. No hard feelings about my long absence, apparently.
Made one of us, I guess."

I was so, so pleased when I was reached out to to give a review of this amazing, wonderful, perfect book, and I cannot thank the publishers more for allowing me too! Payback's a Witch is everything I dreamed it would be (and more).

Set in the magical town of Thistle Grove, we follow Emmy Harlow as she returns home to take her family's ancestral place as Arbiter during the Gauntlet, a spellcasting tournament in which the other three witching families compete. Emmy hasn't returned in four years, and left in the first place all because of her ex Gareth, scion of the stuck-up Blackmoore family, who own almost every bit of Thistle Grove and everyone in it. They are the most powerful of all the families, and haven't lost a tournament in years and are expected to win again like clockwork. Only Gareth screwed with the wrong witches.

Upon returning, Emmy learns it's not only her heart that he's broke -- he also hurt her bestfriend, Linden Thorne, and the darkly beautiful Talia Avramov's. Together, they devise a devilishly sweet scheme: work together during the games to bring down Gareth -- and the Blackmoores -- once and for all. The only thing Emmy doesn't expect is to fall head over heels for Talia.

I adored everything about this book, from the history of the families, which wove in some Arthurian myth along with the Russian Baba Yaga, to the charmingly witchy town, to the romance between Emmy and Talia, which was equal parts sweet and sexy. The writing was gorgeous, so incredibly evocative I could actually picture the haunted woods, to the dusty little shop (cleverly named "Tomes and Omens") to the verdant Honeycake orchards. Payback's a Witch is the perfect romance for #SpookySzn, and let's be real, for every season after!

Book Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Length: 295 Pages
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Trigger Warnings in this book for Nefarious Goings on Typical of a Mystery/Thriller, Cheating, Mentions of Animal Neglect

"Can a weekend away save a marriage?"

Alice Feeney has been on my radar for a while now, but when I want to pick something up I'm usually more drawn to Fantasy and Historical Fiction. However, her newest novel, Rock Paper Scissors, was an option for my September Book of the Month, and I couldn't resist. I mean, a mystery set in snowy Scotland, inside a supposedly cursed chapel, sounded too good to pass up! Happily, I can say that Feeney has made a loyal fan out of me!

Amelia and Adam are at the end of their marriage. He spends most of his time adapting novels into screenplays, is glued to his phone 24/7 and suffers from prosopagnosia, which leaves him face-blind and unable to recognize even those he holds dear. She prefers dogs to people and works at a rescue and lost both of her parents to a car accident before she was even born. They think they know everything about each other -- but do they really? A trip to Scotland, won by Amelia in a raffle, seems the perfect antidote to their marital problems. 

Told in interchanging chapters from Amelia's POV, Adam's, the mysterious Robin, who lives in a thatched cottage outside Blackwater Chapel, and anniversary letters written from wife to husband every year, this is a tightly plotted thriller that will have you guessing until the very end. Alice Feeney is one of the best mystery writers I've ever read, and this book is so original and a breath of fresh air for the genre! 

It was exactly what I was wanting: something atmospheric and gripping, perfect for the holiday season.

Five Period Romances That You Haven't Seen (But Should)

I think the only thing that holds a candle to my love of books is my love of movies and TV shows. As such, many of my favorite films reflect the exact sort of thing I enjoy reading, with my #1 being historical fiction! I also adore a good romance, and something about all the restraint, be it of manners or clothing, makes the romance that much better for me. I've set out to list some that aren't often mentioned, in the hopes that others will learn to love them like I do!

The Handmaiden directed by Park Chan-Wook (2016)

An adaption of Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith by Award-winning Korean director Park Chan-wook, this movie had been on my radar ever since it came out. I finally watched it this month and was completely blown away. The actors were amazing, the cinematography was beautiful, and I loved how it stayed true to the story even while changing the setting from Victorian England to Japanese occupied Korea! This movie is one to go in without too much prior knowledge as the twists will shock (and delight) you.

"1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl (Sookhee) is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress (Hideko) who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle (Kouzuki). But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to elope with him, rob her of her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. The plan seems to proceed according to plan until Sookhee and Hideko discover some unexpected emotions."

Belle directed by Amma Asante (2013)

This beautiful romance has the added bonus of being based on a true story, that of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a mixed-race British heiress who lived 1761 to 1804. (And for those curious, it does have a happy ending).

"This movie was inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Royal Navy Captain Sir John Lindsay. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield and his wife, Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change, who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.

Firelight directed by William Nicholson (1997)

This film utilizes a favorite trope of mine: the governess who falls in love with her employer, only with a much bigger twist. Beautiful Sophie Marceau is subtle and wonderful, and her leading man is one of my favorites, Stephen Dillane.

"In 1830s England, debt-ridden governess Elisabeth Laurier consents to bear a child with aristocrat Charles Godwin, whose crippled wife cannot conceive. So long as Elisabeth relinquishes any maternal claims, he will pay off her father's debts. Though the arrangement is meant to be perfunctory, a forbidden romance blooms between them. Years later, she is hired as governess to a young girl on a remote estate -- who turns out to be the daughter she surrendered."

Lust, Caution directed by Ang Lee (2007)

I loved Lust, Caution from my very first watch, and highly recommend it for those who are fans of relationships along the lines of those in Dangerous Liaisons and Fatal Attraction. It is very deep and dark, with absolutely outstanding performances by Tony Leung and Tang Wei.

"During World War II, a secret agent must seduce, then assassinate an official who works for the Japanese puppet government in Shanghai. Her mission becomes clouded when she finds herself falling in love with the man she is assigned to kill."

The Piano directed by Jane Campion (1993)

One of my absolute favorite films, The Piano tells the story of the forbidden romance between mute and married Ada and her husband's friend. This haunting film will stick with you long after.

"After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath and her young daughter, Flora, are left with all their belongings, including a piano, on a New Zealand beach. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been sold into marriage to a local man named Alisdair Stewart. Making little attempt to warm up to Alisdair, Ada soon becomes intrigued by his Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines, leading to tense, life-altering conflicts."