Tuesday, May 4, 2021

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristen Harmel - Book Review


 My review:

I loved the story of Yona.  Her bravery and heartbreaking experiences in her life makes for a wonderful story.  This is the first World War II story that I have read where people are hiding and surviving in the forest.  I highly recommend this book.  This is the second book that I have read from Kristen Harmel and I have loved them both.  I look forward to reading more of her books. Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster and Kristin Harmel for letting me read and review this book.  A five out of five stars!!

The description of the book from Amazon.com

After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.

Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements that made Where the Crawdads Sing a worldwide phenomenon, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author whose writing has been hailed as “sweeping and magnificent” (Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author), “immersive and evocative” (Publishers Weekly), and “gripping” (Tampa Bay Times).

Monday, February 15, 2021

The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner book reivew


My review-

I put off reviewing this book because I don't like to give a negative review. I could not get interested in this book.  The writing reads like a beginner author and it doesn't improve by the end. I was able to finish reading the book and give it a 2 out of 5 stars because I did want to see if how I guessed the ending to be was accurate, it was.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for my honest review.

Amazon.com's description of the book-
 Shadow Cove, Washington, is the kind of town everyone dreams about—quaint streets, lush forests, good neighbors. That’s what Sarah thinks as she settles into life with her new husband, Dr. Johnny McDonald. But all too soon she discovers an undercurrent of deception. And one October evening when Johnny is away, sudden tragedy destroys Sarah’s happiness.

Dazed and stricken with grief, she and Johnny begin to rebuild their shattered lives. As she picks up the pieces of her broken home, Sarah discovers a shocking secret that forces her to doubt everything she thought was true—about her neighbors, her friends, and even her marriage. With each stunning revelation, Sarah must ask herself, Can we ever really know the ones we love?

Lana's War by Anita Abriel - Book Review



My review-  
  
This book had everything, spying, romance, danger, heartbreak, loss and a story that I have not heard before about World War II on the beautiful French Riviera.

Lana Antonova is happy in the beginning of World War II in Paris, France  When tragedy comes into her life she is recruited into the French Resistance in the French Riviera.  The setting is beautiful but the undercover work Lana is asked to do is very dangerous. 

I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars!! I did not want to put this down and enjoyed reading the inner working of the resistance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review.

  

Amazon.com's description of the book-


 Paris 1943: Lana Antanova is on her way to see her husband with the thrilling news that she is pregnant. But when she arrives at the convent where he teaches music, she’s horrified to see Gestapo officers execute him for hiding a Jewish girl in the piano.


A few months later, grieving both her husband and her lost pregnancy, Lana is shocked when she’s approached to join the resistance on the French Riviera. As the daughter of a Russian countess, Lana has the perfect background to infiltrate the émigré community of Russian aristocrats who socialize with German officers, including the man who killed her husband.

Lana’s cover story makes her the mistress of Guy Pascal, a wealthy Swiss industrialist and fellow resistance member, in whose villa in Cap Ferrat she lives. Together, they gather information on upcoming raids and help members of the Jewish community escape. Consumed by her work, she doesn’t expect to become attached to a young Jewish girl or wonder about the secrets held by the man whose house she shares. And as the Nazis’ deadly efforts intensify, her intention to protect those around her may put them all at risk instead.

With Anita Abriel’s “heartfelt and memorable” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author) storytelling, Lana’s War is a sweeping and suspenseful tale of survival and second chances during some of the darkest days of history.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

A Summer to Remember By Erika Montgomery- Book Review


 My Review-

A Summer to Remember is a delightful story of Frankie Simon traveling to Cape Cod to find the truth of her mother's past and to search for her father.

A great story of love and family secrets.  An added bonus of this story was the old movie references and the setting of Cape Cod.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for my honest review.

Amazon.com's description of the book-
For thirty-year-old Frankie Simon, selling movie memorabilia in the shop she opened with her late mother on Hollywood Boulevard is more than just her livelihood—it’s an enduring connection to the only family she has ever known. But when a mysterious package arrives containing a photograph of her mother and famous movie stars Glory Cartwright and her husband at a coastal film festival the year before Frankie’s birth, her life begins to unravel in ways unimaginable.

What begins is a journey along a path revealing buried family secrets, betrayals between lovers, bonds between friends. And for Frankie, as the past unlocks the present, the chance to learn that memories define who we are, and that they can show us the meaning of home and the magic of true love.

Experience the salty breeze of a Cape Cod summer as it sweeps through this sparkling, romantic, and timeless debut novel tinged with a love of old Hollywood.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth - Book Review


 

My review-  This is my first Sally Hepworth novel I have read, but it certainly won't be the last! This book is a thriller, family drama and love story all rolled into one.  

Fern and Rose are twin sisters. Fern has had to struggle her whole life. Rose has had to look after Faith. Fern sees an opportunity to help her sister Rose that can't have a baby of her own.  But, once Rose finds out Fern is pregnant things start to go very wrong between the sisters. This will be a book that you will not want to put down till the end. 

 5 stars for The Good Sister!!  

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy for my honest review.

Amazon.com's description of the book-
Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be dangerous.

When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.

Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of unexpected love.

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson - Book Review


My review-

This is a book I will not forget!  When Pheby was taken to Devil's Half Acre and had to get other slaves ready for the auction block so she could survive I could feel her struggle. This was such a great story of love, hope, survival and also the cruelty that existed back in Pheby's time.  I was shocked to read this was based on history that actually happened.  Pheby Delores Brown was a true survivor in this story. I did not want to put this book down and would love to read more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my copy for an honest review.  5 out of 5 stars!!!

Amazon.com's description of the book-

 Born on a plantation in Charles City, Virginia, Pheby Delores Brown has lived a relatively sheltered life. Shielded by her mother’s position as the estate’s medicine woman and cherished by the Master’s sister, she is set apart from the others on the plantation, belonging to neither world.

She’d been promised freedom on her eighteenth birthday, but instead of the idyllic life she imagined with her true love, Essex Henry, Pheby is forced to leave the only home she has ever known. She unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the bowels of slavery at the infamous Devil’s Half Acre, a jail in Richmond, Virginia, where the enslaved are broken, tortured, and sold every day. There, Pheby is exposed not just to her Jailer’s cruelty but also to his contradictions. To survive, Pheby will have to outwit him, and she soon faces the ultimate sacrifice.

Friday, January 8, 2021

Book Review- An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse


 My review-

This book was a definite 5 stars for me!!  This is a beautiful story of Molly's life.  At 94 years old, Molly always liked to say her life has been ordinary.  But, in reality her life has been anything but ordinary.  The life of Marvelous Molly was brave and heartbreaking at the same time. I do not want to give any story spoilers here, other than to say READ IT! You will not be sorry.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. After reading this book I look forward to reading other books written by Amanda Prowse. 


5 out of 5 stars!!!

Book Description from Amazon.com-


From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a tale of love, loss—and one last extraordinary dance.

Christmas Eve, 2019. Ninety-four-year-old Molly lies in her hospital bed. A stroke and a fall may have broken her body—but her mind is alive with memories.

London, 1940s. Molly is a bright young woman, determined to help the war effort and keep her head up despite it all. Life becomes brighter when she meets and falls in love with a man who makes her forget everything with one dance. But then war forces her to make an unforgettable sacrifice, and when she’s brought to her knees by a daring undercover mission with the French Resistance, only her sister knows the secret weighing heavily on Molly’s heart.

Now, lying in her hospital bed, Molly can’t escape the memories of what she lost all those years ago. But she is not as alone as she thinks.

Will she be able to find peace—and finally understand that what seemed to be an ordinary life was anything but?

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Don't look for me by Wendy Walker - Book Review


My review:

In the book you can feel Molly and her families grief at the death of Molly's daughter.  The whole family has not recovered.  It would be understandable if Molly did just up and leave, after all she is blamed for the death.  It appears she has, everything points to that conclusion.  Until, her daughter Nicole receives some new information.  Did Molly really leave? This is a perfect thriller.  It had me thinking I knew the answer then some new information shows up.  It wasn't until the very end until we find out what actually happens to Molly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review. I look forward to reading more books from this author. 5 Stars out of 5!!

Amazon.com's description of this book-

They said she walked away. But what really happened to Molly Clarke?

From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a compelling and emotionally powerful story of a daughter's desperate search to find her mother before it's too late.

They called it a “walk away.” The car abandoned miles from home. The note found at a nearby hotel. The shattered family. It happens all the time. Women disappear, desperate to start over. But what really happened to Molly Clarke?

The night Molly disappeared began with a storm, running out of gas, and a man offering her a ride to safety. But when the doors lock shut, Molly begins to suspect she has made a terrible mistake.

A new lead brings Molly’s daughter, Nicole, back to the small, desolate town where her mother was last seen to renew the desperate search. The locals are sympathetic and eager to help. The innkeeper. The bartender. Even the police. Until secrets begin to reveal themselves and Nicole comes closer to the truth about that night―and the danger surrounding her.



 

Friday, October 2, 2020

Review- Real Estate Rescue by Tracy McLaughlin


 My review-

This book offers many ideas and tips for people wanting to buy or sell a home.  I like the examples that Tracy McLaughlin gave throughout the book. Although, I new most of the advice in this book I was still pleasantly surprised to find much needed information that was new to me.  A lot of helpful information!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out of 5 stars!!

Amazons description of the book-

The advice you didn’t know you needed. Because most people only enter the real estate world once a decade or less, few really know how it works. The housing market elicits a lot of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Oftentimes, this can blind us to the realities of how the market works. Top residential real estate agent Tracy McLaughlin is here to change our understanding of the home sale process. From those buying their first home to sellers with some experience, this book is packed with essential advice.

A roadmap for buyers and sellers. In nearly all real estate sales, buyers and sellers leave behind thousands—or even hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars—on the table. As frightening as this reality is, it continually happens because one simple decision, among the countless made during the entire process, can greatly impact the outcome of the transaction.

Bridging the gap between information and expertise. Because of the way technology has impacted real estate sales, buyers and sellers have greater access to information and even the ability to direct the sales process. While knowing market information is helpful in real estate sales, most people still lack a key aspect: expertise. By presenting an inside view on sales, McLaughlin provides a guide for maximizing the value of the sale and purchase of homes.

In this book by real estate expert Tracy McLaughlin, readers will find…

  • Detailed guidelines for how to save money and make money
  • Advice for finding the right real estate agent
  • The real estate for dummies book every home buyer or seller needs

If you’ve looked for guidance in books such as Dream Home, Nolo’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, and Home Buying Kit For Dummies, then you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in Real Estate Rescue with Tracy McLaughlin.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

All that Glitters by Danielle Steel- Book Review



My Review-

All that Glitters reminds me of the old Danielle Steel books that made me a huge Danielle Steel fan.  The book has glamour, love and tragedy.  


The story is about Coco and Sam, after the loss of Cocos parents she turns to relationships with men that are not a good fit for her.  As a reader it was hard to see her staying with those men and not seeing them for what they really are and for her to keep falling so fast for the wrong men. Sam is her friend that stays by her side through it all, while having his own personal hardships to deal with. I saw the ending coming but was glad that I guessed correctly.


A delightful easygoing read that is exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book for my honest review.  4 out of 5 star!!

Book description from Amzon.com-

Nicole “Coco” Martin is destined to have it all. As the only child of doting and successful parents, she has been given every opportunity in life. Having inherited her mother’s stunning beauty and creativity, along with her father’s work ethic and diligence, she has the world at her feet. Her graduation from Columbia is fast approaching, and with it the summer job of her dreams working at a magazine. Between work, leisurely weekends at her family’s home in Southampton, and spending as much time as possible with her best friend, Sam, life couldn’t be better—until tragedy strikes. Coco’s beloved parents are killed in a terrorist attack while on vacation in France.

Now devastated and alone, Coco must find a way to move forward and make her way in the world without the family she loved. Determined to forge her own path and make her parents proud, Coco pursues her dreams, dazzled by exciting opportunities that come her way. Her goals are to think outside the box—and always play by her own rules. As she finds herself drawn to charismatic, fascinating men, each relationship will teach Coco new lessons, some delightful, some painful. She will come to realize what matters, and how strong she truly is—and in the end, she will discover herself.

Richly exploring one woman’s poignant journey through life, All That Glitters is a compelling tale of challenges, heartbreak, discovery, and triumph, a powerful reminder that all that glitters is not the essence of life. And what is truly worth having was right there in our hands all along.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman- Book Review

 



My review-

The Recipe Box is a heartwarming story of Sam Mullins, the women in her life and the value of a recipe box filled with treasured family recipes.  The description of Sams hometown in Michigan and the stories with the recipes included in the book really made the book even more enjoyable.  

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out of 5 stars!!

Here is the description of The Recipe Box from Amazon.com-

Growing up in northern Michigan, Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed.

When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home. Unemployed, single, and defeated, she spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life―including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo. One beloved, flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam begins to learn about and understand the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box.

As Sam discovers what matters most she opens her heart to a man she left behind, but who now might be the key to her happiness.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman book review



My review
   After reading Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic, I was very eager to read about Maria Owens and what caused her to curse the rest of her family for generations to come.  Magic Lessons is told in the time of the Salem Witch trials.  A time when being an independent woman and especially an independent woman with knowledge of healing is a dangerous time. 

   Although, Magic Lessons is a prequel it is a book that can stand alone.  Very enjoyable read!!  I look forward to reading other books by Alice Hoffman.

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.  Thank you to Simon Schuster and NetGalley for a copy of Magic Lessons !!!  4.5 out of 5 stars!!!




Friday, July 31, 2020

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles - Book Review


Here is the books description from Amazon.com

Based on the true World War II story of the American Library in Paris, an unforgettable novel about the power of books and the bonds of friendship—and the ordinary heroes who can be found in the most perilous times and the quietest places.

Paris, 1939.

Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; Remy, her twin brother who she adores; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library’s legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. When World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear—including her beloved library. After the Nazi army marches into the City of Light and declares a war on words, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. Again and again, they risk their lives to help their fellow Jewish readers, but by war’s end, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983.

Odile’s solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by her neighbor Lily, a lonely teenager craving adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile’s mysterious past, they find they share not only a love of language but also the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret.

Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the people and the books that make us who we are, for good and for bad, and the courage it takes to forgive.

My review-

I really enjoyed reading this story of Odile and the American Library in Paris! It was very interesting to learn how the people working at the library tried to get books to its patrons during World War II and to protect the great books of the library.  The story of Odile an her family showed such courage and heartache.  A great read! 5 out of 5 stars!!  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult - Book Review


My review:

In The Book of Two Ways, Dawn reaches a point in her life where she questions her life choices.  Should she now live her life differently or continue on with her life as it is.  That is a question that is never easy to answer. Jodi Picoult took great care in explaining Egyptian hieroglyphs and other Ancient Egyptian customs, which I found fascinating! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review.  4 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description of the book-

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light comes a riveting novel about the choices that alter the course of our lives.

Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, their beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, in which she helps ease the transition between life and death for her clients.

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a career Dawn once studied for but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.

After the crash landing, the airline ensures that the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation to wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways—the first known map of the afterlife.

As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried with them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices . . . or do our choices make us? And who would you be if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?


Fearless by Fern Michaels - Book Review


My review:

Fearless is a good suspense novel that you wont want to put down. As a reader it is easy to see that Ryan Robertson was not a man to be trusted and yet with everything that happened on the cruise ship Anna Campbell still invites him and his family into her and her daughters life. The book had a lot of twists that kept me reading but the ending seemed abrupt. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review.  4 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description of the book:

Weaving a thread of suspense into her trademark powerful storytelling, #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels delivers a compelling new novel about a woman who learns that her new life may not be all it appears . . .
 
Anna Campbell is ready to take her first tentative steps back into the world after widowhood. On a singles cruise, she meets divorced professor Ryan Robertson, and the sparks between them are undeniable. Back home in West Texas, Anna and Ryan continue their romance, and Anna decides it’s time for their families to meet.
 
Anna is delighted when her daughter, Christina, hits it off with Ryan’s daughter, Renée. The two girls are close in age and have lots in common. Ryan’s son, Patrick, is college-bound and somewhat aloof, but Anna feels sure they’ll grow closer in time. She happily accepts Ryan’s proposal, confident in the bond they’ve formed.
 
But the idyllic relationships Anna is hoping for is quickly thrown into doubt. Ryan and his children may not be all she thinks they are. And as the situation grows more desperate, Anna must reach deep within and draw on all her courage and self-reliance to fight for the family and home she deserves . . .

Friday, June 26, 2020

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore- Book Review


My Review-

Knowing what we know now about the effects of radium, this book was a must read for me.  Radium was touted as the cure all and most fantastic discovery in the early 20th century.  The story of the Radium Girls, is a hard book to read because of how dangerous we now know radium is.  The girls trusted their employers and the many people saying radium was safe.  Kate Moore tells the girls struggles with medical issues, the courts, and also the employment safety laws that were created.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  5 out of 5 stars!!
.
Amazon.com's description of the book-

For fans of Hidden Figures, comes the incredible true story of the women heroes who were exposed to radium in factories across the U.S. in the early 20th century, and their brave and groundbreaking battle to strengthen workers' rights, even as the fatal poison claimed their own lives...

The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.
Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.
But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.
Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder" substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives...


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber - Book Review


My review-
This book is one of the reasons why Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors.  Debbie Macomber's books are usually very lighthearted and easy going.  With A Walk along the Beach, Debbie Macomber tells a heartbreaking story of two sisters that have to overcome so much loss and then a devastating illness of one of the sisters.  I enjoyed this book very much!  Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review. A 5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description -
Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love in a touching new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer.  

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk.  

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything

N.

Monday, June 22, 2020

The Woman of a Thousand Names by Alexandra Lapierre - Book Review






My Review:

This book tells the story of the amazing life of the well known Mata Hari.  It was very interesting to read the story of her life.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out 5 stars

Amazon's description of the book:

From the internationally bestselling author of the “fascinating epic” (Associated Press) Between Love and Honor 
comes a rich, sweeping tale based on the captivating true story of the Mata Hari of Russia, featuring a beautiful aristocrat fighting for survival during the deadly upheaval of the Russian Revolution.

Born into Russian aristocracy, wealth, and security, Moura never had any reason to worry. But in the upheaval of the Bolshevik Revolution, her entire world crumbles. As her family and friends are being persecuted by Vladimir Lenin’s ruthless police, she falls into a passionate affair with British secret agent Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart. But when he’s abruptly and mysteriously deported from Russia, Moura is left alone and vulnerable.

Now, she must find new paths for her survival, even if it means shedding her past and taking on new identities. Some will praise her tenderness and undying loyalty. Others will denounce her lies. But all will agree on one point: Moura embodies Life. Life at all cost.

Set against the volatile landscape of 20th-century Russia, The Woman of a Thousand Names brings history to vivid life in a captivating tale about an extraordinary woman caught in the waves of change—with only her wits to save her.

N.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini - Book Review



My review:
This is the first time I have read a Historical Fiction story about Mary Todd Lincoln.  Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters is written from the sister's point of view and take us through both pre- and post-Civil war. Before reading this book I never really had an interest in Mary Todd Lincolns sisters, or what happened to Mary Todd after President Lincoln's death. However, I did not want to stop reading this book and really liked the different views of each of the sisters.  I look forward to reading more books by Jennifer Chiaverini. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book for my honest review.  5 Stars!!

Amazon.com's description of Mrs Lincolns Sisters:

In May 1875, Elizabeth Todd Edwards reels from news that her younger sister Mary, former First Lady and widow of President Abraham Lincoln, has attempted suicide. 
Mary’s shocking act followed legal proceedings arranged by her eldest and only surviving son that declared her legally insane. Although they have long been estranged, Elizabeth knows Mary’s tenuous mental health has deteriorated through decades of trauma and loss. Yet is her suicide attempt truly the impulse of a deranged mind, or the desperate act of a sane woman terrified to be committed to an asylum? And—if her sisters can put past grievances aside—is their love powerful enough to save her? 
Maternal Elizabeth, peacemaker Frances, envious Ann, and much adored Emilie had always turned to one another in times of joy and heartache, first as children, and later as young wives and mothers. But when Civil War erupted, the conflict that divided a nation shattered their family. The Todd sisters’s fates were bound to their husbands’ choices as some joined the Lincoln administration, others the Confederate Army.
Now, though discord and tragedy have strained their bonds, Elizabeth knows they must come together as sisters to help Mary in her most desperate hour. 













Sunday, May 17, 2020

Finding Treasure in Community Cookbooks



Lately, I have been collecting community cookbooks.  I love a recipe that is a family favorite or  treasured because it was passed down through family members.  I can imagine the women who submitted the recipes being approached for their best recipes to be published so their organization can raise some money.  I know a lot of women find it hard to part with family recipes. 

I really love an old cookbook that has stains on a page and personal notes written.  You know a cookbook was a treasure to someone when they have an inscription written in them.

Many of the cookbooks have regional favorites and secrets to the past.  Some of the people and organizations are no longer around today.  For me, each cookbook offers an heirloom that was past on with love.  Thank you, ladies.