Belinda Kroll

This was a very quick read with feisty ghosts. I enjoyed the time with Miss Preston and Dame Hartwell. Dame Hartwell is a mischievous old lady that knows how to get her way. This has enticed me into finding the first book and read it too. I know I am going to enjoy this series and I really like finding new authors. I would recommend this book.

I LOVE books like this. Especially when it talks about spiritualism. I'm the history of spiritualism , people went to great lengths to fake being a medium and it usually worked. A lot of people would also go thru great lengths to expose a fake medium.. This book was absolutely a fun read. This book could be read as a stand alone but it's always better to read the series before this sequel. That way you can be introduced to the main characters. I would LOVE to read more books by this author.

Historical fiction is my favorite! Historical fiction that can capture the interest of young people is especially dear to me. The Last April weaves a clever tale into a significant time in our nation's history while also immersing us in local history. It's an exciting story that gives a glimpse into the lives of Ohioans during the time of the Civil War. It takes place on a farm outside Columbus in the home of German immigrants. A hefty list of references confirms that the author has done her research!

Belinda Kroll went to a great extent in exploring real historic ideas in telling this story. It makes this story very easy to relate to. This book was absolutely interesting to read with its vivid description of war. This is a thought-provoking book that explores a lot of historical facts about American history through the period of war. I love this book. I really find it interesting because it offered me insight as to the real events of 1865. It was easy to draw some facts from this well-written novel.

I'll start by saying that Belinda Kroll is a new author for me to read -- and OMG, she is an amazing author!!! She did an awesome job of researching the story - which really made the reading of the book more enjoyable. The amazing American history facts that were written into the story made the reading a pleasant experience. This story starts by introducing you to Gretchen - a teenage girl who lives in Ohio during the civil war. When she discovers a soldier while working in her garden of her home, Gretchen isn't sure what she should do. She and her Aunt move the stranger into their home and start to render him aid. At the same time, they realize the war has ended and then that President Lincoln has been assassinated. As the story continues, Gretchen begins to learn things about her past that she had no idea about. I don't write spoilers -- but, OMG this was an amazing book to read!!! This was an easy read - a fun escape back into time!! I really enjoy historical type novels - especially when they are historically accurate!!

The Last April by Belinda Kroll is a historical novel that takes place in Ohio in 1865. Gretchen is a 15 year old who finds a confederate soldier who escaped from a prison camp not far from her home, she takes him in and nurses him back to health despite the protests from her family members. Gretchen’s family is certain that the young man could have killed President Lincoln but Gretchen is convinced that she needs to help him because they would want someone to help her brother if he was hurt and trying to get home. The novel is a pretty quick read, I started and finished it during my daughters nap time. Belinda Kroll shows a keen knowledge for American history around the civil war and throws interesting tidbits about it into her story to create depth. I think the story would appeal to all different age ranges, I know I fully enjoyed.

The Last April is one book which I will give full five on five because of its theme, portrayal, flow and characterization.The book takes us in the past when President Lincoln was murdered. The day was April 15, 1865. However in the life of Gretchen Miller the day was important because it brought a Confederate into her life. To make matters worse this Confederate had escaped from Camp Chase and had seemingly lost all his memories. Life then decides to unveil lots of surprises for her- the least important one was her age. The book was delightful in rendering some of the facts from history and refreshed our memories of the 19th century era. I also liked the way the author Belinda Kroll gave twists to the story where seemingly looked forward characters turned up in an evil avatar and how war is projected not just as a destroyer of life and property but also of characters. The book has some well developed and distinctive characters and my favorite was Tante Klegg. The story has history, mystery, romance and humor. This well maintained balance makes The Last April an interesting book.

Belinda Kroll delivers a wonderful book packed with a lot of historically accurate details and without losing the importance of delivering a strong plotline. Last April focuses on a teenage girl right after the Civil War period. She founds and takes care of a wounded Confederate soldier only to find out that maybe he’s the one who just killed President Lincoln. When her family finds out what she’s been doing, a lot of secrets resurface and threaten to tear the family apart. It’s a brilliant storyline where everything makes sense and is interconnected. It’s also a story that can easily be transported into any different era of time, especially nowadays that there are so many political extremisms and dialogue is missing allowing hate to win. The characters are a delight, strong, powerful, offering important insights into each and every one of the stories. A perfect book to read, learn and think about it.

This was quite an enjoyable and delightful read with characters that were so very likeable. Mary is brave; Mr. Hartwell reminds me of a sinister villain, while Mr. Steel reminds me of someone who lets his ego get the better of him. To me, the most loveable character of the whole book was Mary’s father. This is a novel that not only is humorous throughout, there is also a touch of suspense that kept me turning the pages. With the secrets of others pulling Mary into the web, danger abounds, and death could be waiting at the door. This book contained just about everything I like to read: Victorian, slightly paranormal with humor and suspense combined throughout, and cleanly written. I really enjoyed this author's work and look forward to more if they are written in this style. If you like Victoria Holt or Jane Austen, then I feel you will like Haunting Miss Trentwood.

Haunting Miss Trentwood is the novel to curl up with and leaves the reader with that warm and fuzzy feeling that can only be delivered by a fantastic bit of delightful historical romantic fiction.

The Haunting of Miss Trentwood is a gorgeously crafted Victorian novel through which Kroll creates a perfect gothic literary revival. Admittedly, the author suggests that upon completion she recognized the influence of Hamlet in the story. I also see other classical influences such as Bronte and Shirley Jackson. However, the most notable and flattering comparison I can draw is to The House of Seven Gables, by Nathanial Hawthorne because “The Haunting of Miss Trentwood” visits the archetypal theme of withdrawal and return. It explores isolation and redemption along with a person’s relationship to the past and determination to a future. It’s about escaping and embracing all that influences or paralyzes. This concept (theme) can be examined as it applies to each character, which is fascinating and would make for a lively literary analysis. Similarly, Kroll achieves the proper restraint evocative of the classical Victorian era while harmonizing it with just the right amount of shadowy eeriness necessary when portraying a haunting. The use of the dying house as a character as well as setting is specific and greatly important in this style of novel. Much like Jackson and other gothic authors, the home is often a breathing thing that isolates or separates characters. There is a definite elegance presented in the word choice and proves the painstaking effort the author took in committing to the voice of the story. The lead character, Mary, is vulnerable, but not overtly fragile. There is a feminist quality to her reactions and thoughts, which is evident in her finding a prince in need of rescuing.