Tangles Ashes was a very good book. The characters were believable as were their life circumstances. I liked that the author did not sugar coat the characters. The emotions and personal torments of the characters were very raw and real. The historical parts of the story added richness to the book. I had some idea at different points in the book as to where the story might be headed, but then there were some things that caught me completely off guard. When I first finished the book, I wasn't sure I liked the ending. As I thought about it, however, it was the perfect ending. There was so much personal conflict in the story that had it been wrapped up in a nice neat little ending, it would have made the story unrealistic. I will definitely read more from Michele Phoenix. Marshall Becker drowns his problems and alcohol and is always irate and angry. When the opportunity comes up to help renovate a castle in France, his friend implores him to take it. He can take is anger out on that and maybe it will help motivate him to begin living again. When he gets there though, strange things begin to happen. The nanny, Jade, befriends Becker and the two start a precarious relationship, but alongside the present storyline, is the past from fifty years ago. The manor house used to be where they gave birth to babies for the Reich. The time period is richly detailed, but the connection between the two times isn't introduced until much later in the book. Neither is Becker's past, the reason why he is like he is. At that point though, I didn't like him at all and even with his past introduced, I couldn't go back and like him even an inch. Too little, too late. While the book had an interesting premise and the writing was spot on, there was something missing for me. I wanted more of the past and less of the present day shadows. I wanted to find a connection with the characters, and that was lacking for me. If you like history, romance and mystery, you may enjoy Tangled Ashes - for me it was just so-so.
What do You think about Tangled Ashes (2009)?
I loved the way the author wove historical facts with a vibrant message for today's reader!
—mberg48
Loved this book. View pictures of the actual castle at michelephoenix.com.
—kortez99
Lots of twists and turns. Did like the book.
—Bentonkb
