Reviews
“The Portrait by Olivia Godat pays homage to the classic mystery genre. Godat uses well-placed clues and gradual pacing to draw readers into a captivating story with a deceptively simple plot. The character development is impressive as intriguingly worded flashbacks add extra suspense to an adventure where a revelation lies at the end of each chapter. ”
The Portrait
The Portrait
Essien Asian (Readers Favorite)
Skylark Dancing
“In Felipe and Alondra's honorable relationship, the book reaches beyond good guys versus bad guys to the introduction of new traditions. Just as the Texans fight for independence from Mexico, Felipe and Alondra represent an independent unit, united in the hope of what a peaceful coming together of peoples could look like. They fight to stay together despite old family mores about marriage and women's roles. The novel celebrates the progress of feminism and democracy through a compelling love story.”
Reccomended by
Marie Carlson (US Review of Books)
The Final Eight Seconds
“Overall, The Final Eight Seconds is a tender-hearted story that is both engaging and emotionally resonant, making it a must-read for fans of Western literature.”
Book Reviewer on Good Reads
Skylark Dancing
“Godat’s skillful use of period details and Mexican-American War landscape lend plenty of atmosphere to accompany the lessons of love, integrity, honor, courage, and resilience amid hardship. The storyline is intriguing, plotting seamless, and Felipe and Alondra’s slow-burning romance delicious. Add in sharp dialogue and keen insights on gender disparity, democracy, and class restrictions, and you have the makings of an entertaining Western romance. A sure-shot hit.”
BookView
The Blue Mesa
“This novel is such a beautiful telling of history. I was quite drawn to Olivia Godat’s dazzling imagery of a place and time in early New Mexico, and I always love the telling of a story through the eyes of a child, in this case, Diego.”
Sandra Murphy on Good Reads
The Final Eight Seconds
“The plot is strong, with elaborately written characters and picturesque scenes. The intriguing dialogues meld perfectly with the vivid imagery. A novel with a gripping premise and themes that are resonant. Godat has written the protagonist with emotional depth and succeeded to arouse the curiosity of readers regarding what they would do if given just eight defining last seconds of their life. This is a hugely imaginative work with unforgettable characters.”
Morgan Amos
(The Book Commentary)