The Tea Room

By: S. Forrest Nomakeo

Narrated by: Lianne Walker

Locked away in the seclusion of the Terem Apartments, the Romanov Tsarevnas were no threat to the crown. Yet the same Romanov blood flowed through their veins, and they weren’t so easily forgotten - one of them ruled Russia for seven years. Maria Alekseyevna writes her deepest thoughts in her diary, hides away to read, and has a forbidden love that lives in her secret script.

Natalya Alekseyevna has dedicated her life to her sister, Anna Alekseyevna, who suffers from a condition that claimed her brother, Tsar Feodor Alexeyevich. She fills her days by creating her own versions of the ancient poems sung to the Romanov children. Fyodora Alexseyevna, the youngest, is nurtured by Maria, who hopes for a better life for her youngest sister. Sofia Alekseyevna fights tradition and rules the terem and eventually the country.

Covered from view, rare excursions outside the Kremlin enhance their lives and the discovery of a secret passageway - changes everything. Sofia’s absences from the terem are explained when Maria follows Sofia and learns her secret.

©2020 Shirley Forrest Nomakeo (P)2020 Shirley Forrest Nomakeo

A perfect blend of fiction and nonfiction

I loved how the author brought people from the past to life as real people. The only ding would be the narrator read the book without much emotion.

Fascinating mesh of fact and fiction

The Tea Room by S. Forrest Nomakeo is a very fascinating listen. As a tea lover, I enjoyed how it was incorporated into the book. The author was outstanding at bringing so many details to light of the Russian Court. Society strictures were definitely placed on the tsarinas. I have listened to several books by this author, and I found this one to be my favorite. The narrator, Lianne Walker really did a good job performing this book. I could envision so many details, like the wooden palace.
I requested this review copy audiobook and am leaving an unbiased review.

An Interesting Listen

An interesting tale woven around history, of a dark time for royal women of Russia. A fictional account of behind the scenes as observed by the royal daughters that are hideaway to protect they're purity. An ambitious old sister and her next in line battle in private to change the fate of Russian Royal family. I was so intrigued I had to look up the history from the era to see what was accurate and what was woven through it for the story. A great listen for driving. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review.

A well-written story from a very good author

The Tea Room, my first read from author S. Forrest Nomakeo, who weaves a captivating tale of Romanaff Russia. I don't restrict myself to a particular genre. I'm a sucker for anything with memorable characters and a story that keeps me guessing. The perfect novel? A book that keeps me turning the page long after I should have called it a night. This was a well-written book, I'll definitely read more from this author. I was given an Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. Lianne Walker's excellent narration adds to the enjoyment of the book. Up next is The Summer Palace: The Summer Palace Series, Book 1 from the same author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Good

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a good story. I liked the characters and the pacing was very good. The names were a bit hard to follow sometimes but that is to be expected. There is a lot of detail so sometimes I had to rewind a little bit and listen again. The narrator was really good and had no stumbles, despite how difficult it must have been for the Russian names. Well done!