Lenore Hart

Early Reviewers, November 2007
In Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher, Lenore Hart weaves historical fiction and gentle romance into Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, with the caveat that the heroine, Becky Thatcher, is not the sniveling girl Twain portrayed her to be. The story begins with a grown up Thatcher, married to Tom's cousin Sid Hopkins caring for two children with Hannibal, Missouri facing the effects of a country on the brink of civil war. Though satisfied show more with her life, Becky has fond recollections of her childhood days – in flashback scenes the reader is brought to a fun alternate narration of Tom Sawyer - and still nurses secret affections for her first sweetheart.

Hart’s novel plunges into adventure as the grown up Becky tries to save her husband from the war and convinces her family to follow the gold rush out to the Wild West. Along the way Samuel Clemens (the writer who adopts the pen name Mark Twain), Huck Finn, Jesse James, and, of course, Tom Sawyer make their way into Becky’s tale enhancing the feeling that the book is a true account of a fictional character’s life. Hart writes a believable story while maintaining a sort of southern charm that keeps it true to the spirit Twain’s novels.

I really enjoyed this book. There were a few typos that I found distracting (I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of the work) but overall it was a very entertaining read. As a fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Becky seemed to me the book that would’ve been written if Mark Twain was a woman. I was enamored with the characters by the very first page and would recommend the book to those that love Twain’s writing as well as any fans of historical romance. At times sweet, funny, tender, sad, poignant and exciting, Becky:The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher earns a rightful place next to the classics that inspired it. show less

I picked up "The Night Bazaar: London" for research purposes, intrigued by its unique premise set in 19th century London. The anthology centers around a mysterious flea market that appears out of nowhere, accessible only to those invited. This wrapping of short stories within a creative narrative framework immediately caught my interest.

The stories themselves are subtly horror-themed and offer a variety of intriguing plots. The first story, "Broken Little Hand Me Downs," sets a compelling show more tone with its eerie atmosphere. "Mickle's Oddities" stood out with its tale of a greedy individual getting exactly what he deserved, a satisfying read with a moral twist.

One of my favorite stories was "Beautiful Lie," which was one of the easiest reads in the anthology. As a fan of Regency romance, I found the tale about envy and a protagonist willing to go to any lengths to achieve his desires very relatable and engaging. Another noteworthy story, "What You Seek Is Seeking You," involves time travel and serves as a reminder of how unpredictable and twisted fate can be.

While the stories were generally good, I found myself occasionally bored, not because of the content but due to the large blocks of text that made some stories tedious to read. This pacing issue made it difficult to maintain the initial excitement throughout the anthology. However, when compared to classics like Bram Stoker's "Dracula," H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu," and even Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes," the pacing style aligns well with those historical works.

Overall, "The Night Bazaar: London" effectively transports readers to 19th century London, capturing the essence of the era. While some stories shine brighter than others, the anthology as a whole is a worthwhile read, especially for those who appreciate classic literature and enjoy delving into the subtleties of horror. If you're a fan of the classics, this anthology is likely to resonate with you and provide an engaging reading experience. show less

This novel had what I most enjoy in novels - a suitably complex plot, realistic emotional motivations, a main character who is interesting and appealing. And there is the clever interaction of the novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", the real-life Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain, and the supposed real characters upon which Twain's novel was based. Ms. Hart handles it all with great skill and paints a picture of America around the time of the Civil War and the years thereafter that is show more appealing and lifelike. Thumbs up! show less

In Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher, Lenore Hart neatly turns Mark Twain's world of Tom Sawyer on its head. Hart has extended the child-like stories of Twain to create a strong-willed, flawed young woman who must survive the perils of an adult world. A great deal of the novel takes place during the Civil War, the depiction of which would make Margaret Mitchell proud, and, just as in her childhood, Becky finds herself trying to measure up to the males in her life. We are able to show more see what happened in Tom Sawyer's adventures from her point of view and it enables us to see how those experiences helped shape the characters we know and love. Love itself is a powerful theme throughout the novel, for Becky will always be in love with a boy of twelve years of age.

I found the book fascinating. The feminist undertones that support the heroine through her trials helped to open other perspectives on the world that Twain created. Also, the fact that Hart created Becky as a flawed figure enables a reader of either gender to identify with her. I have to confess that I even got excited every time Tom or Huck made an appearance. It helps to have read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, but I don't believe it is necessary. This is a book that not only encourages the power of love throughout the years but challenges the roles of women during an era of our history. I think it could even be taught as a companion to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in a college or even higher level high school course. show less