Take a bit of Ann of Green Gables, a little Pride and Prejudice, add a trip to India and revolve the entire story around insects (!), and you have Mosaic of Wings. What a unique debut by Kimberly Duffy. Something I must commend this author for is the way she incorporated Lydia and Swathi into the storyline. Both characters presented “forks in the road” and forced anomalous decisions. This added much depth to the story. The main characters, on the other hand, is where I felt the novel could have improved. One was far too perfect and the other had the same flaws/weaknesses repeat over and over. This in turn made the romance feel a bit lopsided and unrealistic. Can’t say I’m a fan of insects, but I may look at them a little different after reading this story. My overall feel for the book is 3.5.

This book was incredible. Very detailed and descriptive. I loved the buggy ways of describing things. The opening sentence being a perfect example! Owen was wonderful, which was made even better by the author revealing the character was based on her husband. I was also very impressed with the authors bug knowledge and thought, clearly this lady must really like bugs! But no! She is scared and grossed out by them, which shows the dedication all the more to her craft. I could hardly put it down. Highly recommend! I can't wait to see more from this new author! Quite the book for her first published work!

Unique, captivating and haunting:
I absolutely loved this book! The prose was beautifully descriptive with many profound statements and I found myself transported to interesting and exotic locales.
Nora and Owen are rivals in their entomology classes and they have never truly understood one another. Nora is riddled with guilt and determined to honor her father's legacy by being in charge of his scientific journal. Meanwhile Owen is running from the stifling demands being placed on him by his overbearing father. I enjoyed seeing their personal growth as they sought and ultimately found the lives that they were destined to live. It was wonderful reminder that we need to be prepared to give up and surrender our dreams to God so that He can put new dreams in our hearts and we can pursue His will in our lives.
The author had obviously done extensive research and the cultural and entomology facts for example were interesting and not overwhelming. I can't wait to read more by this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

What a unique historical fiction book! I really enjoyed reading about Nora's passion for entomology, her experience with field research in beautiful India, and the romance that surprises her and changes her attitude about SO many facets of life! Even better, Nora learned to value human life and love over her own reputation and desires. It wasn't an easy for her to learn (is it for anyone?!), but Nora's choices in the end made her a better person overall, even through the difficulties and challenges that arose as she made the hard life choices. Her family situation was made more difficult during the process as well. This was a very enjoyable book to read. Although I'm not a fan of bugs, I enjoyed reading about Nora's enthusiasm and passion as she studied and researched butterflies and insects. A Mosaic of Wings is a very interesting and enjoyable historical romance novel, set in the late 1800s.

A new to me author who gives a great insight about the insects that are sometimes a daily part of our lives.
Some beautiful like butterflies and others are just simply put bothersome. I must say, I did learn a lot!
I also loved the fact that Duffy briefly mentioned the macaque monkies. ( A group of monkies that I'm especially fond of especially their babies). I wish they were in the story more,
I enjoyed visiting India. The way that Duffy writes I felt like I was there right along with Nora.
I especially enjoyed learning about the actual historical figures that were portrayed in this story.
A wonderful plot with great characters along with a free trip to India who wouldn't want to read this engrossing beautiful tale.
Nora is a fabulous character. I really liked her because she's not a simpering brat. She's a hard worker and she is determined to get what she wants and that's to study bugs and their habits. ( Not something I would want to do).
Owen is just the perfect fit for Nora. I enjoyed in getting to know him too!
I highly recommend this book. The writing just really flows from this author's pen.
Here's a little thought I wanted to leave you with this is Nora's mother talking" Sometimes life makes choices for you. Other times your the one choosing. But in the end none of us really has much control."
And she's right because God our creator is the One who is in control. And she goes on to say we can only do the right the ---- the right thing--with what we've been given. Such a wise and wonderful lady don't you think?
Have you ever wondered why some of your plans fall apart and could that be because it's not in God's timing? Have you stopped and prayed about it it's what God wants you to do?
I think in my opinion and yes I'm guilty of this we want to rush into things without asking God and that's why things go awry.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

A Mosaic of Wings is the debut novel of Kimberly Duffy, and I just felt it calling me... ok ok, the stunning cover and synopsis might have caused the calling, and I’m really glad I got to read it as it didn’t disappoint! In fact, with a debut like this I feel quite sure Kimberly Duffy will soon be counted amongst the names of the most popular Christian fiction authors. So, in short: I loved it!

Nora doesn’t have it easy: being a woman in the scientific field of entomology (insects) is quite unheard of. She has used the money her father left her to pursue an education, but the money is gone now, and she really wants to get a masters degree and fulfill the dream her father has for her: running a scientific paper. But the only way to do this is to get a scholarship, but there is another contender, Owen, and joining his trip to India to hopefully discover a new species might be the only way she can get the advantage... but to do that she needs to prove herself again and again to the scientists who only see her as a woman...

I love how sure Nora was of her own worth, that can’t have been easy at the time, and I can’t help but love her father who imprinted this in her. Nora is head strong, stubborn, quick to speak and act, loving, intelligent and above all: enthousiastic about everything! Her love for nature jumps from the page and her excitement for new discoveries is catching! And yes, sometimes it gets her into trouble too, very cringeworthy trouble lol! And Owen, a golden boy who seems to get everything he wants in life with no effort, but not all is as it seems... I love their budding friendship and how he takes her seriously as a scientist but also tries to get her to open up and shed her mask. They both have their past and their ideas for the future, and they were both well rounded characters. Also, I love it how Nora keeps telling everyone she dislikes adventures, often right in the middle of an adventure, and no one believes her for even a second!

The side characters are also very noteworthy! I think everyone who reads this book will love Sita instantly, the niece of the cook, who makes art out of anything she can find. The friendship between Nora and Sita is very sweet.

What I didn’t expect to love was India but I did! Sure, another country is always fun to read about, but in this book you get emerged in the culture, the food, nature and people! And it was awesome and I really wish I could taste some of those foods. It really felt I was traveling across the world with Nora.

The ending kept me guessing and was a little bittersweet but also everything I wanted. There is a lot of emotional depth and I wish I could say more but that would be spoilery.

All in all, I can really recommend A Mosaic of Wings, I really loved it!

I received an e-copy from Bethany House through Netgalley for which I am really grateful but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.

I don't think I've ever read anything by Kimberly Duffy, but I am happy that I am introduced to her writing through this particular book. Nora is finishing her entomology degree at Cornell University at a time when education for women was frowned upon. Owen Epps is her competition for valedictorian of the class, and her competition for a scholarship to be given for those going on to get their Master's degree.

There are a few historical people included in the book, especially the professors who have taken Nora under their wings. He offered Nora a chance of a lifetime to go to India and help an expedition there to identify and illustrate the native insects there--especially the butterflies. There is one fabled butterfly that has eluded the team, and they dearly want to find it.

A local girl befriended Nora and she takes her to see where the butterfly is and Nora finds another butterfly, which seems to be the Jezebel butterfly, but there are a few key differences. The orange spots on the lower wings come to a point, like arrows. The butterfly Nora found has blunt spots instead of pointed spots.


Kimberly has taken some hard social and cultural practices that are misunderstood and fleshed them out for the understanding of her reader. The plot flows in a way that keeps the reader involved from the very beginning to the very end. The characters range from the good guys to the really bad guys, and some in-between. There are shifty characters and ones the reader can never trust. She writes smoothly so that the plot moves at a steady pace and keeps the reader intrigued and wanting what happens next.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a newly found, unclassified butterfly.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This cover grabbed my attention. It is so lovely.

Nora is a strong willed young woman having just graduated from college using up all the funds her deceased father left her. She lives with her mother and step father. Nora loves her mother dearly yet wants to pursue her study of entomology by being a part of a field study in India.

The imagery of India was simply spectacular. I cannot say enough praise about how beautifully the author penned the scenery. While in India, Nora runs into familiar struggles for the time because she is a female. I got frustrated with Nora at times for making decisions which caused her to further lose esteem with some of her male colleagues. At the same time, she completely won my heart with her friendship of a young girl and a mother who lost her son to disease.

Overall, this was an enjoyable novel and I look forward to reading others by this debut author.

A Mosaic of Wings
by Kimberly Duffy
I didn’t like or dislike this book.
Buried in her passion Nora Shipley struggles to see the world as every other young lady of 1885 does. Her hero, her late father, has guided her in life to be sure of herself and confident in her differences. She is soon to graduate from Cornell University’s entomology program. Desiring to get her masters and take over the journal, Nora strives to win the scholarship that will allow her to complete her Master’s Degree. Clinging to her own ideas Nora is surprised when her plans are thwarted as her stepfather and fellow classmate come between her and her desires. Nora will have much to decide as her future is on the line.
I always enjoy a spunky female character. I did not care for Nora however. Her attitude and arrogance bothered me. I think she showed growth throughout the book but she was still so self-absorbed as if her plans and ideas were more important than anyone else’s. From the beginning to the end she did what she wanted without real regard for anyone else. I found it surprising that someone would find her personality attractive. I felt it was hard to like the characters throughout this book, although it was well written. I guess that is the nature of things. We are all attracted to different things.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion shared here.

Nora Shipley wants nothing more than to take over the scientific journal her beloved father started. She feels continuing his legacy will somehow make up for the part she played in his death. Maybe. But women in the 1880s have few options other than what society believes they should do.

Lucius, her stepfather, pressures her to marry—even though Nora wants to continue her studies at Cornell University and obtain her master’s degree. Her invalid mother wants to pin Nora to her side, much like a collector pins a specimen.

When an unfortunate dinner party sparks the loss of all Nora held dear, she decides to accept her professor’s challenge and join a research program in India—far from her churlish stepfather and clinging mother.

While in India, she discovers that people’s attitudes about ‘a woman’s place’ differ little from back home. She also discovers that her annoying classmate, Owen Epps, has a distinctly different attitude. Once rivals in the classroom, they become friends.

As they spend time together, Nora realizes that Owen is far different from what she thought he was. He seems to know her better than she knows herself, and he doesn’t hesitate to encourage her to become all God wants her to be.

When Nora makes a difficult choice to help a local girl, she plunges herself into danger and the possible loss of her budding career.

Why I Love This Book

Normally, etymology fascinates me more than entomology—but Duffy makes the study of insects seem like something I’d want to do. She also has a way of presenting spiritual truths through the voices of her characters in such a way that they grab ahold and make the reader think.

“Nora Shipley’s ears buzzed as though a thousand bees were trapped inside her head.”

Opening line of “Mosaic of Wings” by Kimberly Duffy
This is my first experience of Kimberly Duffy and wow, “Mosaic of Wings” is beautifully written and I look forward to reading more books from this author. Nora is a fascinating character, her combination of heart and scientific thinking make her a delight! Owen is all openness and kindness and is a perfect balance to Nora. The two entomologists set off on a wild adventure through India learning more about life and love than insects!

Fighting against prejudice, Nora graduates with her degree and sets her sights on a masters. An expedition to India is the ideal opportunity to convince the university to provide her with a much needed scholarship as well as get her out of an unhappy home.

Owen, too, wants the scholarship and so joins the trip to India escaping a family who don’t believe in his work. His belief in Nora’s capabilities allow her to stay in India and work. Soon, he finds, defending and supporting Nora is a full time commitment as she fights for the rights of the less privileged and runs into trouble with authority on a regular basis often. Many of the anecdotes are humourous and the dialogue amusing! The descriptions of India are gorgeous, reading this one is an escape to a far away land! Whilst I can’t stand stabbing insects, the bugs play a crucial role in illustrating elements of story in visually interesting ways!

Once begun, I couldn’t out this one down, I had to know how it would all work out and, is often the case in life, the resolution God provides isn’t the predicted one but is better! Kimberly pulls all the threads together in such a way as give satisfaction and hope. It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended.

I would give this book more than a 5 star if it was possible.
The author left me totally amazed and overwhelmed by this book. The story, the characters, the places, the bends and curves of the story, the flow was totally, indisputable captivating.
It was hard not to fall in love with the head strong, Nora, a lady of uncommon intelligence, grit and beauty. She made this story worth it. Her devotion, her wit, her drive was so admiring.
She amazed me and brought to mind that there are things in life bigger than ourselves and love should always guide one.

Kimberly Duff has become one of my favorite authors with just this first book of hers I am reading.
A Mosaic Of Wings is captivating, intriguing, educative and inspiring. One of the endearing themes of the book for me was how God can use one even in the most dire of situations for His glory.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

Story about 2 young entomologists trying to each pursue their dreams often in competition which each other.

I enjoy what I would call visual reads, stories that let your mind build the scene. This is a great read for that!! Scientific exploration after Darwin published Origin of Species, women suffrage, the advances of the industrial revolution all play a role in this late 19th century period. The description of how the natural world was viewed and how women's roles were interpreted are important in this storyline.

The best for this visual read is settings & the bugs! I enjoyed setting the stage in my mind of New York and India. I looked up every Latin name just to add the beauty of the insect to the scene playing out. I wish the publisher could/would include color representations of each species mentioned!!

Interesting plot. I could completely related to Nora's actions and the reasons behind them. I kept hoping for a HEA and was surprised how it wrapped it.

I really enjoyed Nora in this book. Sometimes historical female characters are a little boring, but not Nora! I loved that she was a woman in a "man's field" and that she was willing to speak her mind, work harder than her male peers, and always do what she felt was right. I have to admit her interest in "bugs" is not one that I share (except butterflies - which I LOVE) but the book was so well researched and written that I did find myself more intrigued with the study of insects than I expected to be. Though at one point I actually had to put the book down and shudder! I appreciated all of the facets to Nora's work.

I fell in love with Owen in his first scene! I'll admit that I swooned long before Nora did, but I grew to really love him throughout the book.

The best part about this book was the research. I love when a historical author really puts in the effort to make a book historically, culturally, and academically accurate. The effort on Duffy's part was not in vain. I was incredibly impressed. I was equally impressed that the inclusion of scientific terms and Indian language words enhanced the reading and never once distracted me.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

A MOSAIC OF WINGS by KIMBERLY DUFFY is a beautifully written book with well defined characters and excellent descriptions, not only of the characters' feelings, strengths and weaknesses, but of the landscape and flora and fauna found in Ithaca New York and Kodaikanal India. The author has done an incredible amount of research, especially into bugs and butterflies, which are Nora Shipley and Owen Epps' area of expertise. She has also researched the time, 1885, and we come across Professor John Comstock and his wife Anna, who were actually teaching at Cornell university at the time.
Lydia and Owen are the top two graduates in entomology and are neck and neck for a scholarship to study for a master's degree.
When the two of them are sent to India, their lives, and their relationships, change, and they each come to realize what is really important in life.
I do not want to tell you any more of the story for fear of spoiling the read for you. I really loved this book and will be reading it more than once. I found it true to life and most inspirational. The Christian message is good and one gets a sense of God's greatness in His creation and in His involvement in people's lives.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A Mosaic of Wings is a beautifully written story of Nora, a young woman who has always wanted to study insects, since she was a child. To follow in her father's footsteps. She graduates at the top of her class, and is offered an opportunity to study in India. She is hesitant to go, but her stepfather's actions encourage her to go anyway. She goes on this trip along with her competitor, an annoying man named Owen. They have competed against each other academically for the past three years. During her adventure in India she begins to discover, maybe he isn't as annoying as she originally thought. Excellent and clean story I thoroughly enjoyed!