Wendy Tokunaga

College professor Candace Grey is going to LA to begin researching her maters thesis on Pamela Parrish and Hollywood sitcom women and their influence on the role of women in America.

Candace stops in San Francisco for her Aunt Ruth’s memorial before continuing on to L.A. which is fortuitous because she meets a woman at the senior home that claims that Pamela Parrish (think Donna Reed) was murdered. She also meets reporter Brandon Treadwell who provides research assistance and romance.

Romance and mystery in a light-hearted look at the 1950s and 1960s mothers on TV. Pamela Parrish and her TV family sound like the Donna Reed Show and brought back memories of watching TV with my family.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stairways of San Francisco references.
11/77… (altro)

Midori by Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokuaga is set in San Francisco. Midori, a young Japanese woman has come to the United States believing she has an offer of marriage. But the man was just sweet-talking her and now she's at a loss.

Midori's situation could have given the opportunity to explore cultural differences and to see how her character adapts. Unfortunately, every opportunity is squandered. Midori is a mere caricature of a Japanese woman. Her unfortunate set of circumstances are played up for jokes on her "Engrish" and her complete cluelessness.

I couldn't get beyond the first couple of chapters.… (altro)