North of Boston: Didn't Work for Me

North of Boston
Elisabeth Elo


North of Boston, the title alone drew me in. But like they say, don't judge a book by it's cover.

The character's were well developed. The plot was good up to a point. The beginning drew me in.  Pirio Kasparov, is on a boat with her friend, Ned. She was thrown off the boat in extreme cold for hours.  Ned leaves behind his girlfriend, and he's son, Noah. She feels responsible for.Ned is never found again. After that is where the story just doesn't connect, and lost me.

She became a experiment for the government because she was able to tolerate extreme cold temperture for hours. She is the heiress of a perfume company. She and her father have relationship issues, ok, I get that. But, then the story becomes a whaling, envoirmental discussion, Her mother had died years ago. She discovers her mother had an affair, while she is trying to find clues about her friend's death.

 Now, she realizes who her mother had an affair with.  Her mother's lover holds a vial of perfume that was forgotten and miraculously shows up.  It just didn't connect with me.

But the characters in the story were well developed, and it was a fast pace novel, that made me want to turn the pages at first. But, like I said the plot didn't do anything for me.

I appreciate the author writing about the fishing industry, Boston( where my family is from), and the killing of whales that was a subject of debate years ago. I wish the story went another way. Because I think she had a good subject about the fishing industry. The writing was wonderful, and poetic, especially the last paragraph.

It looks like everyone else loved the book. I am sorry to say it didn't work for me. I would like to thank the publicist for allowing me to review.

Jewish Grand Strand Reads- February

The Jewish Grand Strand Reads is very excited to announce that Maggie Anton, author of Rashi's Daughter, and many other historical novels will be coming to Myrtle Beach in February. 

Jewish Grand Strand Reads started as an idea, and it has blosoomed each year to a larger event. The previous years, which this is going on our fourth year we have had a wonderful speaker, our local Rabbi, Rav Deb.

This year, we are organizing our event a bit different, still with Rav Deb. She is introducing the program, talking about magic, witches and potions during talmudic times, but why is it not known that it was practiced after the destruction of the temple. This should be a interesting, and controversial subject.

This is the first year, we have been able to host an author. This event is like a gift from
 Hashem. Maggie does her own self promotion, with little in return.

 Our organization is not affiliated with another Jewish organization. We are supported by Temple Emanu-El, and Temple Beth Elohim. The monies we raise is to bring authors, and speakers to our area each year. Which many authors have a high price tag. This year we were very lucky. If you plan to be in Myrtle Beach in the beginning of February you are welcome to attend.