Here are the latest recommendations from librarians at the Rochester Hills Public Library:
India Black by Carol K. Carr (2011)
Set in Victorian England in 1876, India Black is the beautiful young madam of the elegant Lotus House, a brothel that caters to rich and important gentlemen. When Sir Archibald of the War Office dies while visiting Lotus House, India agrees to go undercover at the behest of the British spy Mr. French and Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. Secret military papers are at the center of a deadly espionage game between Russian and British agents. Fast paced and entertaining, this novel is thrilling to the end.
In the second India Black mystery, India Black and the Widow of Windsor, Her Majesty Queen Victoria attends a séance hoping to hear from her beloved husband, Prince Albert. Surprisingly, the medium insists that the spirit of the departed Prince of Wales desires her to journey to their home in Scotland, Balmoral Castle, for Christmas. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli hears of a plot to assassinate the Queen by Scottish nationalists. The British spy, Mr. French, will be looking for traitors among the guests. India Black, veteran espionage agent, joins the royal staff disguised as a servant. The traitor is caught and the assassination is foiled. This is a fast-paced exciting race to protect the life of Queen Victoria, who was widely known to frequent séances. ~ Recommended by Kathy
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The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh (2011)
Victoria has lived a hard life. She was abandoned as a child and moved around from foster home to foster home before becoming a ward of the state. Once she turns 18, she is released into the real world and lives on the streets of San Francisco. A local florist takes Victoria under her wings and discovers that she has a hidden talent for working with flowers. Victoria flourishes in her new job and people start seeking out her designs because she creates arrangements based on the meanings of the flowers rather than just their appearance. If you're not a flower fan, don't let the title dissuade you from reading this book. This is a beautiful and uplifting novel that is hard to put down. ~ Recommended by Rebekah
