The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton: A Book Review

The Cuban Heiress
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: 2023
Pages: 304
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: In 1934, a luxury cruise becomes a fight for survival as two women’s pasts collide on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle.

New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.

Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

My Review: In 1934, Catherine Dohan and Elena Palacio board the SS Morro Castle, a cruise ship that makes a round trip from New York to Havana. Catherine is a fake heiress who plans to marry her rich fiancé. Elena wants revenge on the man who tried to kill her. These two women’s lives eventually intersect. Catherine helps Elena with her revenge.

Catherine is a very likable protagonist. I found her to be very clever. I wondered if her charade as a fake heiress would ever be discovered. I liked her curiosity and how determined she was to learn secrets of those around her. There were some of her actions that seemed a bit absurd. Nevertheless, I thought she was a strong character. She was definitely capable of defending herself. Thus, I found her to be a fun protagonist.

I thought that Elena was a more interesting character than Catherine. I wish there were more scenes from her perspective than Catherine’s. Elena is a tragic character. I could see why she wanted revenge. She was a very strong character. I rooted for her to not only carry out her revenge, but also for her to find happiness.

Overall, this novel is about justice, trauma, and sacrifice. Despite the likable protagonists, however, other characters are very stereotypical. The Cuban Heiress is a predictable read. I was disappointed with the reveal. I didn’t think it should have been a twist. Instead, I think it should have been revealed in the beginning to understand the character’s motivations more clearly. I also didn’t like the romance and believe it to be instantaneous. Nevertheless, The Cuban Heiress was a short and easy read! It was enjoyable enough for me to read in one sitting! I had never heard of the SS Morro Castle shipwreck. Therefore, it was fascinating to learn a few details about the shipwreck! I recommend this book for fans of Surviving Savannah, Iceberg, and Luck of The Titanic!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein: A Book Review

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer Author: Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Religion, Mythology Publisher: Harper Perennial Release Date: 1983 Pages: 256 Source: Personal Collection Synopsis: With the long-awaited publication of this book, we have for the first time in any modern literary form one of the most vital and important of ancient myths—that of Inanna, the world’s first goddess of recorded history and the beloved deity of the ancient Sumerians. The stories and hymns of Inanna (known to the Semites as Ishtar) are inscribed on clay tablets which date back to 2,000 B.C. Over the past forty years, these cuneiform tablets have gradually been restored and deciphered by a small group of international scholars. In this groundbreaking book, Samuel Noah Kramer, the preeminent living expert on Sumer, and Diane Wolkstein, a gifted storyteller and folklorist, have retranslated, order...

Interview with Paula Margulies

Today, I have the opportunity to interview Paula Margulies. She has recently wrote a novel about Pocahontas called Favorite Daughter, Part One , which won an Editor’s Choice Award at the 24th Annual San Diego State University Writer’s Conference. The story creates a different perspective to the American heroine. It is told in first person narrative, and it is how Pocahontas at a young age embarks through the many changes of her life. By doing so she transforms into a strong, courageous, wise woman. I am very pleased that she took the time to grant me this interview and to generously donate a copy of her novel to the giveaway. I look forward to reading her books in the future, and check back for my review of Favorite Daughter’s Part One soon. This interview is to give readers insight about her and her novel. Thank you, Mrs. Margulies. 1. Where and when do you write? In my home office mostly, although I try to sneak away to artist residencies whenever ...

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The AncientWorld by Adrienne Mayor: A Book Review

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The Ancient World Author: Adrienne Mayor Genre: Nonfiction, History Publisher: Princeton University Press Release Date: 2014 Pages: 530 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis: Amazons—fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world—were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valor in duels with Amazon queens, and the Athenians reveled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons. But just who were these bold barbarian archers on horseback who gloried in fighting, hunting, and sexual freedom? Were Amazons real? In this deeply researched, wide-ranging, and lavishly illustrated book, National Book Award finalist Adrienne Mayor presents the Amazons as they have never been seen before. This is the first comprehensive account of warrio...

History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

Search This Blog