Braha- A Tale of Innocence and Intrigue

 Linden St. Clair is working overseas when she learns her beloved grandfather has passed away under suspicious circumstances. Returning home, she discovers he has left her an old family journal, as well as clues to an explosive family secret. The journal, written by Leena Weiss, Linden's great-great grandmother, recalls the woman's early years as a German girl living in a small Russian village. Leena's life is turned upside down when a Russian army officer turns her into his object of affection. Caught in a difficult situation, Leena soon finds herself living a life one the run, pursued by the Okhrana, a secret police organization and predecessor to the KGB. A century later, Linden peels back shadowy layers, exposing clues and secrets. Despite professional security services, she and her family remain pawns in a deadly game that extends beyond borders and crisscrosses the globe.


 Review-
 I love a great story. One of the reasons I read so much is that I can't get enough of great stories. I also love a costume drama. This book has it all, mystery, intrigue, family secrets, treasure.

I don't want to spoil it for you but the characters and how they are revealed is so well done. If you love a bit of history and mystery this is the book for you.

The two main characters,Leena and Lindy are women you can relate to. Their short comings and their strengths are all revealed masterfully. they are believable precisely because they are not perfect. They do not make all the right choices.

But they do make for a hard to put down story that had me reading late into the night.

About the Author

Julie Mangano has been involved in the publishing industry since 1989 as a publications manager,

writer, editor and art director. Braha is her first mystery. Her maternal grandparents’ journey from Russia to America inspired the historical characters and events in this book. Her paternal grandparents’ ranch in Escondido, California was the model for one of the locations in this story. Born and raised in Southern California, she now lives in Round Rock, Texas with her husband. Mangano is currently at work on the sequel.