I appreciated this historical fiction debut by a Canadian author and set in Canada! Alward shares homefront stories center“Hunker down and get at ‘er”
I appreciated this historical fiction debut by a Canadian author and set in Canada! Alward shares homefront stories centered around the 1917 Halifax Explosion - the largest man-made explosion until the atom bomb. A munitions ship destined for Europe exploded in the Halifax harbour killing nearly 2000 and injuring 9000 more. It left a whole section of the city demolished and thousands homeless.
Alward's story follows two young women, a war widow and mother, Charlotte Campbell, and a CANC ‘bluebird’ nurse, Nora Crowell, and shows readers how their lives became connected in the most shocking and devastating way.
Twenty-three year old Nora joins the Canadian Army Medical Corp as a nurse and rises to Lieutenant. She witnesses soldiers’ pain and struggles daily and, believing nobody is beyond help, she pushes herself to tend to them and their wounds. Readers are aware of her hopeless despair. Not only does she battle fatigue and a sense of futility, but frustration at serving at home instead of overseas … especially with Ally, her boyfriend, overseas fighting and a secret that she needs to keep hidden.
Charlotte is stuck between a rock and a hard place after losing her husband at The Somme, living with spiteful and resentful in-laws, and raising baby Aileen alone. Alward was able to show me how devastating it was to lose everything and have nobody to rely on. I understood what it must feel like to be holding onto hope for the sake of a child despite wanting to give up. I had a fresh appreciation for those who go through life just going through the motions. I knew at the 25% mark that I had to keep reading to find out what happened after the explosion.
You need to read this story about loss, love, hope and redemption against all odds. It’s the 107th anniversary this year of this tragedy and Alward's examination of choices and how her characters navigated this tragedy is a compelling read.
I’m looking forward to the next book, ‘The Coldest Night,’ which will be a Titanic-set historical fiction novel also with a Nova Scotia connection. ...more
Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so when besties, Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie, decide to ope3.5 ⭐
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so when besties, Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie, decide to open a bookshop together, they understand that there’s support in having friends in the trenches! One of the benefits is that they already know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
As often happens, once a decision to move forward has been made, the universe has other plans. The friends soon learn that things aren’t always in their control. I loved how they came together and supported each other.
As much as I love books and the superheroes who write them, the inclusion of book titles and authors was overdone. I found myself skimming. I also thought some of the drama was a little OTT and would have loved the bookstore to have more presence. These are merely personal preferences and no reflection of the author’s writing ability.
I really appreciated the time clues on the chapter titles and the theme of friendship and sisterhood. Lindo-Rice’s ability to draw me in with her characterization was remarkable. I can see this being a popular book for many and a sequel is a good possibility.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read with no pressure to review....more
“As soon as McDowell’s Family Christmas Tree Farm runs out of Christmas spirit, we’ll be out of business.”
With Madison in Mongolia teaching, her siste“As soon as McDowell’s Family Christmas Tree Farm runs out of Christmas spirit, we’ll be out of business.”
With Madison in Mongolia teaching, her sister Addie was left managing the family’s farm in Oregon for the past five years. Weary at dealing with wildfire damage and resentful at Madison’s globetrotting, Addie has failed to do what it takes to keep the Christmas tree farm viable. She wants to sell and move on with her life. When Madison returns and makes changes to the way it’s run, hoping to resuscitate the business, the sisters find themselves at a standoff. It doesn’t help that Madison’s first love, Gavin Thompson, has moved in next door and has plans for his property that Madison finds irksome. Can they put their past behind them to move forward? Can they coexist? What about Addie?
I loved this immersive story full of the true meaning of Christmas and highlighting peace, forgiveness, unity, and second chances. I appreciated learning about the tree planting business (plugs, etc) as I read and found the delicate balance between sibling drama and percolating romance enjoyable. It was refreshing to read about a character who was willing to take a risk to keep her heritage and one who realized the value of community spirit and working together.
This new-to-me author is one I'll put on my radar as I love her writing style and message.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
To pay her tuition for culinary school, Whitney Garrett decides to sell homemade pies at the market. When her stove breaks down, she heads to the Red To pay her tuition for culinary school, Whitney Garrett decides to sell homemade pies at the market. When her stove breaks down, she heads to the Red Door Inn to see if she can use their kitchen. A deal is struck and Whitney finds herself caring for the three Sloan children and taking on a temporary chef position in return for the use of the inn’s kitchen.
All seems to be working well until the meddlesome antiques dealer’s single son arrives in town. Aretha thinks Daniel’s love life could do with some help and she enlists the aid of the temporary chef to work magic with one of the inn’s guests, Rubie Lavoie. The thing is, Whitney doesn’t think they’re a good match. She has a plan of her own!
Just when I thought this was an easy beach read, the author got my attention and raised some fantastic probing questions. I loved her examination of choosing a career path, the dangers of judging others and ‘settling for’ instead of ‘aiming for’, and the necessity of seeing ourselves through the eyes of another. Suddenly, this book seemed as if it was written for me! I loved the message about meddling with the mistletoe as much as I loved the front-row seat to Whitney’s transformation.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
“Once you experience Christmas in Chestnut Ridge, you’ll never forget it.”
What a treat to be back in the enchanting mountain town of Chestnut Ridge fo“Once you experience Christmas in Chestnut Ridge, you’ll never forget it.”
What a treat to be back in the enchanting mountain town of Chestnut Ridge for Christmas! From the first chapter, I could feel the Christmas magic and was steeped in an immersive story featuring community and the season's true spirit. When I discovered that I was going to meet up with Natalie Maynard from book one, I was hooked.
I loved the camaraderie among the townsfolk and the genuine care they had for each other. The big-hearted fire chief embodied those he protected. I think the thing that will stay with me most is what happened when Sheila finally decided to accept her best friend’s invitation. As with the first book, one decision changes…everything. I’m glad that Sheila found her sense of belonging and was able to bask in the confidence that her friend had found hers too.
As we head into the Christmas season, Fire Chief Tucker’s advice is worth adhering to; remember to water your Christmas tree!
I can’t wait for the next installment of this fantastic series.
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
What if the person we love the most in the world is not who we thought they were? Are some secrets unforgivable? Noelle Harrison explores these questiWhat if the person we love the most in the world is not who we thought they were? Are some secrets unforgivable? Noelle Harrison explores these questions in her dual timeline, ‘The Boatman’s Wife,’ to be published January 14, 2021.
This is an atmospheric novel set in Mullaghmore, on the West Coast of Ireland in 1992 and in Rockland, Maine in 2017. Harrison’s alternating chapters culminate in the most surprising manner and leave you pondering the power of love. You will be captivated by this historical novel with contemporary resonance and relevance as it focusses on family mysteries and generational secrets.
Lily and Connor Fitzgerald are lobster fishers off the coast of Maine who are working on the ‘Lily May’ to save money in order to start a family. One night in a particularly bad storm, Connor goes overboard while pulling up lobster traps. Desperate to deal with this tragic accident at sea and gain closure, Lily feels the need to keep a link to Connor so she travels to Ireland to meet the family he has hidden from her for years. Why did he not want her to know them? Is he trying to hide something?
Unable to get emotional support from her grieving mother, Niamh Kelly falls into the wrong group of friends after her father passes away. Soon she becomes mixed up in the very conflict that had caused her dad’s death. Her cousin, Brendan, comes to her rescue. Unfortunately, it’s not the type of help Niamh needs. He encourages her to help her take the anger of her father’s death and turn it into revenge. It takes her down a wrong path that takes years to make right again. How are these two families across the wild Atlantic connected to each other? Who is the boatman’s wife?
This story of redemption will pull at your heartstrings and leave you with the biggest smile when you realize the lengths some women will go to find the truth and ensure family harmony. It’s also about the legacy of the enduring power of love these strong women leave in their wake and how the pain expanded their hearts to receive more joy. Harrison has crafted a captivating story with strong, flawed characters who grow and change as a result of a single act of kindness. Nature features prominently in Harrison's story and you’ll read about its role in shaping the characters. The wild Atlantic Ocean snatches love away from Lily, yet offers her a life of income. The boglands and bird-filled lanes of Ireland give Niamh solace, yet insolate her from life outside the country village and hide what should really be exposed. Readers can’t help but become engaged in this enthralling story as it has just the right mixture of atmosphere, adventure, intrigue, history, forbidden love, a bad boy, a nasty girl, a forgotten handicraft, and a lovable working tourist. You’ll love this epic journey and think, like me, that this has strong potential for screen adaptation.
Thank you to Noelle Harrison, Bookouture and NetGalley for this amazing advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
What if the person we love the most in the world is not who we thought they were? Are some secrets unforgivable? Noelle Harrison explores these questions in her dual timeline, ‘The Boatman’s Wife,’ to be published January 14, 2021.
This is an atmospheric novel set in Mullaghmore, on the West Coast of Ireland in 1992 and in Rockland, Maine in 2017. Harrison’s alternating chapters culminate in the most surprising manner and leave you pondering the power of love. You will be captivated by this historical novel with contemporary resonance and relevance as it focusses on family mysteries and generational secrets.
Lily and Connor Fitzgerald are lobster fishers off the coast of Maine who are working on the ‘Lily May’ to save money in order to start a family. One night in a particularly bad storm, Connor goes overboard while pulling up lobster traps. Desperate to deal with this tragic accident at sea and gain closure, Lily feels the need to keep a link to Connor so she travels to Ireland to meet the family he has hidden from her for years. Why did he not want her to know them? Is he trying to hide something?
Unable to get emotional support from her grieving mother, Niamh Kelly falls into the wrong group of friends after her father passes away. Soon she becomes mixed up in the very conflict that had caused her dad’s death. Her cousin, Brendan, comes to her rescue. Unfortunately, it’s not the type of help Niamh needs. He encourages her to help her take the anger of her father’s death and turn it into revenge. It takes her down a wrong path that takes years to make right again. How are these two families across the wild Atlantic connected to each other? Who is the boatman’s wife?
This story of redemption will pull at your heartstrings and leave you with the biggest smile when you realize the lengths some women will go to find the truth and ensure family harmony. It’s also about the legacy of the enduring power of love these strong women leave in their wake and how the pain expanded their hearts to receive more joy. Harrison has crafted a captivating story with strong, flawed characters who grow and change as a result of a single act of kindness. Nature features prominently in Harrison's story and you’ll read about its role in shaping the characters. The wild Atlantic Ocean snatches love away from Lily, yet offers her a life of income. The boglands and bird-filled lanes of Ireland give Niamh solace, yet insolate her from life outside the country village and hide what should really be exposed. Readers can’t help but become engaged in this enthralling story as it has just the right mixture of atmosphere, adventure, intrigue, history, forbidden love, a bad boy, a nasty girl, a forgotten handicraft, and a lovable working tourist. You’ll love this epic journey and think, like me, that this has strong potential for screen adaptation.
Thank you to Noelle Harrison, Bookouture and NetGalley for this amazing advance copy in exchange for an honest review....more
‘The New York Secret’ is book one of a new trilogy, The Daughters of New York, available this year by renowned author Ella Carey. Inspired by true eve‘The New York Secret’ is book one of a new trilogy, The Daughters of New York, available this year by renowned author Ella Carey. Inspired by true events, this novel explores the courage, love and friendships that will see one through war and tragedy.
As World War Two rages in Europe, Lily Rose leads a sheltered life of luxury with her wealthy family in a prestigious neighbourhood in New York. Her parents have picked a suitable husband for her and plan on her keeping house and raising children. The problem is two-fold; firstly, Lily doesn’t love Nathaniel and has no intention of marrying him and secondly, Lily wants a career. Her dream job is working uptown as a restaurant chef. As men are being called up for war, Lily is hired at a glitzy upscale restaurant and works her way up to chef. It’s here that she meets the love of her life, Tom Morelli. Disgusted with and embarrassed at their daughter’s choices in life her parents offer her a heartbreaking ultimatum: break up with Tom and leave the restaurant or lose her family and inheritance forever.
In the middle of war, Lily is left in an impossible position. Then Tom receives a devastating telegram that changes everything. The son of Sicilian immigrants, he is drafted to fight in Italy. You’ll have to read this phenomenal book to find out what choice Lily makes and how it impacts the rest of her life.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two of Ella Carey’s books in the past few months and loved them, so I was extremely excited to be chosen to review the first book of her new series. The setting of 1942 New York is an exciting time. So much is changing for women as the men head off to war. Carey has written a historically authentic novel where the plot, characters and setting are true to the time. She has so masterfully captured the time period that I believed the story to be real and that the events really happened. This proves that she has captured the essence of storytelling. You’ll be cheering Lily as he finds her inner strength to pursue her passion and gets caught up between her world of glitter and glamour and the harsh reality of a world at war. Next, you’ll be dazzled by a young woman who strives to survive in a world where everything is against her. As you turn over the last page, you’ll be wanting more. Good thing the next two books are due out within the year!
I especially loved all the passages about food! It’s obvious Carey has a passion for food and understands the love that goes in to creating a dish. She had me drooling several times! It was interesting to read about how, as a chef, Lily struggled with wartime rationing and dwindling restaurant staff as the men were called to war.
This is a must-buy on March 12, 2021.
Thank you Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Merged review:
‘The New York Secret’ is book one of a new trilogy, The Daughters of New York, available this year by renowned author Ella Carey. Inspired by true events, this novel explores the courage, love and friendships that will see one through war and tragedy.
As World War Two rages in Europe, Lily Rose leads a sheltered life of luxury with her wealthy family in a prestigious neighbourhood in New York. Her parents have picked a suitable husband for her and plan on her keeping house and raising children. The problem is two-fold; firstly, Lily doesn’t love Nathaniel and has no intention of marrying him and secondly, Lily wants a career. Her dream job is working uptown as a restaurant chef. As men are being called up for war, Lily is hired at a glitzy upscale restaurant and works her way up to chef. It’s here that she meets the love of her life, Tom Morelli. Disgusted with and embarrassed at their daughter’s choices in life her parents offer her a heartbreaking ultimatum: break up with Tom and leave the restaurant or lose her family and inheritance forever.
In the middle of war, Lily is left in an impossible position. Then Tom receives a devastating telegram that changes everything. The son of Sicilian immigrants, he is drafted to fight in Italy. You’ll have to read this phenomenal book to find out what choice Lily makes and how it impacts the rest of her life.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two of Ella Carey’s books in the past few months and loved them, so I was extremely excited to be chosen to review the first book of her new series. The setting of 1942 New York is an exciting time. So much is changing for women as the men head off to war. Carey has written a historically authentic novel where the plot, characters and setting are true to the time. She has so masterfully captured the time period that I believed the story to be real and that the events really happened. This proves that she has captured the essence of storytelling. You’ll be cheering Lily as he finds her inner strength to pursue her passion and gets caught up between her world of glitter and glamour and the harsh reality of a world at war. Next, you’ll be dazzled by a young woman who strives to survive in a world where everything is against her. As you turn over the last page, you’ll be wanting more. Good thing the next two books are due out within the year!
I especially loved all the passages about food! It’s obvious Carey has a passion for food and understands the love that goes in to creating a dish. She had me drooling several times! It was interesting to read about how, as a chef, Lily struggled with wartime rationing and dwindling restaurant staff as the men were called to war.
This is a must-buy on March 12, 2021.
Thank you Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for my honest review....more
Her Tuscan Summer by Vanessa Carnevale will delight from the first page! Her writing style always immerses me, and her characters pull me right into tHer Tuscan Summer by Vanessa Carnevale will delight from the first page! Her writing style always immerses me, and her characters pull me right into the plot. I felt as though I was back enjoying the summer in Tuscany with Carnevale’s vivid descriptions of food, coffee, and sights.
In an attempt at rejuvenation after being physically and creatively exhausted, 24-year-old Mia heads to Florence. She’s just been told her Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is in remission and she’s hoping the city that inspired the Renaissance artists will inspire her to paint again.
Carnevale has taken the fear of death and transformed it into hope and love; about living, loving, discovering who you are and what you mean to those you surround yourself with. She writes about embracing the events that lead you to the present, letting go of the past while remembering how it has shaped you and embracing the future. I loved Carnevale’s reminder: prendiamo la vita come viene! (take life as it comes). This book focuses on the importance of living in the present and staying passionate about the things that mean most.
While on a European vacation after high school, Carnevale met her future husband one night when her tour group stopped for dinner in Florence. The young waiter asked her to dance and the rest is history. They’ve been married for 17 years. Like Mia, Carnevale journeyed from Melbourne to Florence and was swept off her feet by a romantic Italian. I'm sure you can agree, writing about an experience brings authenticity to her novel. You may have noticed this debut novel previously published as The Florentine Bridge.
This clean romance and emotionally charged tale of young love will pull at your heartstrings and have you dreaming of Tuscany....more
Angela Petch knows how to write 5-star historical fiction! Her continued success rests on the fact that she can effectively combine history with dramaAngela Petch knows how to write 5-star historical fiction! Her continued success rests on the fact that she can effectively combine history with dramatic plots, high emotional engagement, fluid writing, thought-provoking prose and most importantly, she can breathe life into history. Her craft stands out because she immerses herself in the setting. It’s not just researched online from afar, it’s experienced through her 5 senses and transposed into a prolific story. Petch takes us to the easternmost point of Italy, Puglia, on the Adriatic coast and helps us envision the wild coastline, dotted with stone trulli and masseria. She almost enables us to bask in the sunshine, smell the salt air, taste the variety of fish, and see the multitude of trabucco where the land meets the Adriatic Sea.
Knowing the magical ingredients that will make her historical fiction unforgettable is, without a doubt, important to Petch. Time again she creates an experience of the time period she’s writing and sweeps readers away with her carefully crafted characters. I always feel like I’m experiencing the story right along with them. Every time I reach for one of her novels, I’m assured that she can effortlessly and accurately transport me to a different time period. Her writing is like a perfectly seasoned dish; the spices are consistent throughout.
In her most recent novel, Petch shows that she can weave a contemporary timeline with a historical one. I was swept away in both believable worlds with characters in whom I was invested. From the first few pages where her historical fiction protagonist falls from the sky with ‘wings’ to the last page that had me crying happy tears, I was hooked. This character awakens to discover that he doesn’t know who he is, where he has landed, and that he must rely on strangers to nurse him back to health. The mystery about his identity drives this story and Petch knows exactly what to withhold and when to enlighten readers. Mystery is also a large part of the contemporary timeline. The protagonist journeys to Italy to uncover secrets in her family history. Susannah’s quest takes her to Puglia in search of the person who left a message for her grandmother on the back of a postcard. Susannah (contemporary) and the soldier with amnesia (historical) are forever linked by a plucky girl with a kind heart. You’ll need to read this story to find out who it is and why they are linked. Cheers to Petch for another unique wartime read complete with passion, seaside locales, wine, food and scenery….and lots of mystery!
The inspiration for this historical fiction was an old black and white family photo of her Uncle Billy, a rear gunner, dressed in his RAF uniform before his Lockheed Liberator was shot down over Yugoslavia.
I was gifted this advance copy by Angela Petch, Bookouture, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Merged review:
Angela Petch knows how to write 5-star historical fiction! Her continued success rests on the fact that she can effectively combine history with dramatic plots, high emotional engagement, fluid writing, thought-provoking prose and most importantly, she can breathe life into history. Her craft stands out because she immerses herself in the setting. It’s not just researched online from afar, it’s experienced through her 5 senses and transposed into a prolific story. Petch takes us to the easternmost point of Italy, Puglia, on the Adriatic coast and helps us envision the wild coastline, dotted with stone trulli and masseria. She almost enables us to bask in the sunshine, smell the salt air, taste the variety of fish, and see the multitude of trabucco where the land meets the Adriatic Sea.
Knowing the magical ingredients that will make her historical fiction unforgettable is, without a doubt, important to Petch. Time again she creates an experience of the time period she’s writing and sweeps readers away with her carefully crafted characters. I always feel like I’m experiencing the story right along with them. Every time I reach for one of her novels, I’m assured that she can effortlessly and accurately transport me to a different time period. Her writing is like a perfectly seasoned dish; the spices are consistent throughout.
In her most recent novel, Petch shows that she can weave a contemporary timeline with a historical one. I was swept away in both believable worlds with characters in whom I was invested. From the first few pages where her historical fiction protagonist falls from the sky with ‘wings’ to the last page that had me crying happy tears, I was hooked. This character awakens to discover that he doesn’t know who he is, where he has landed, and that he must rely on strangers to nurse him back to health. The mystery about his identity drives this story and Petch knows exactly what to withhold and when to enlighten readers. Mystery is also a large part of the contemporary timeline. The protagonist journeys to Italy to uncover secrets in her family history. Susannah’s quest takes her to Puglia in search of the person who left a message for her grandmother on the back of a postcard. Susannah (contemporary) and the soldier with amnesia (historical) are forever linked by a plucky girl with a kind heart. You’ll need to read this story to find out who it is and why they are linked. Cheers to Petch for another unique wartime read complete with passion, seaside locales, wine, food and scenery….and lots of mystery!
The inspiration for this historical fiction was an old black and white family photo of her Uncle Billy, a rear gunner, dressed in his RAF uniform before his Lockheed Liberator was shot down over Yugoslavia.
I was gifted this advance copy by Angela Petch, Bookouture, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
“He thought he could bury the shame of what he’d done that night. But it had screeched back to life to haunt him.”
This first book in the Rhapsody of G“He thought he could bury the shame of what he’d done that night. But it had screeched back to life to haunt him.”
This first book in the Rhapsody of Grace series features Adria Baines and Levi Falconer and highlights God’s grace.
Levi had always strived to live a life of integrity and one that was above reproach…but he fell short of his faith principles and must face the consequences. Author Milla Holt examines what we do when our secret sin is about to be unleashed and reminds us that our past doesn’t define us, that it’s what we build going forward that counts. I appreciated her gentle reminder that none of us live up to the principles of our faith, we all have weak moments, and that’s why we are so reliant on God’s grace. I loved that when Levi was brought to his weakest point, he didn’t choose the easy route, but rather acknowledged his wrong choice and prayed about his response to the shocking news. We all need more male main characters worth emulating!
Forgiveness is hard. We all struggle with it. I was thankful for a fantastic story about learning to forgive, learning to prioritize other’s needs before our own doubts and fears, learning to pray as a first response, and learning how to get back on the right path once we’ve failed.
We all contribute to God’s melody; how wonderful it would be if we were all in tune.
I was gifted this copy by Reinbok Limited and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
“My parents taught us to try to imagine how the other person would feel before we spoke or did something.”
Imagine what kind of a world we would live i“My parents taught us to try to imagine how the other person would feel before we spoke or did something.”
Imagine what kind of a world we would live in if a few more parents raised their children with the same values as the Vaughns!
It’s been wonderful being immersed in the small town nestled in Texas Hill Country for the past few days. I was sad to finish the book knowing that it was the last of the Sweetwater trilogy.
The focus of this book is overcoming challenges ~ especially change. Ironically, the two main characters crave change, only to discover that as they mature, it isn’t what they imagined.
“She’d once sought change. Now she valued stability.”
I love that despite her health challenges, feeling an overwhelming sense of failure and being overburdened by how everything in her life has changed, Joanna knows where she’ll find healing and solace - home. We all have experiences that don’t end with ‘and they lived happily ever after,’ but it’s what we do next that makes all the difference. Coming ‘home’ is where we’ll find solace.
Cabot shows how moving on with our future means saying goodbye to our past, how we shouldn’t expect someone else to heal us, and that it’s important to make a positive difference in the life of another. She also reminds us that our prayers are not always answered in the way we’d imagined.
Cabot expertly balances mystery, faith and romance. I loved how the mystery was woven throughout the three books and I appreciated that the male main characters also had challenges to work through. I was rooting for Dr. Burke Finley and hoping the Vaughns would get the closure they needed. I highly recommend this trilogy.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
Has the pandemic changed you? Increased anxiety? Fear of leaving your home? I have a deeper appreciation of what the protagonist in this book is facinHas the pandemic changed you? Increased anxiety? Fear of leaving your home? I have a deeper appreciation of what the protagonist in this book is facing. Although Fiona has stayed inside by choice, staying inside as mandated by the government in an attempt to curb the spread of this virus has produced similar anxious feelings in me. Like Fiona, I found ways to invest in myself in order to survive. Reading has been a life saver!
Please consider taking a journey into 14 Wellington Drive and let Fiona tell you about the knock on the door that changed her whole life. Her neighbour across the street, ‘On-the-run-mom’ a.k.a. Bethany, claims that Fiona’s kindness may well have saved her life. A single mom with nobody to rely on, Bethany takes a chance on asking Fiona to look after her toddler while she goes to a doctor’s appointment. It’s a good thing Bethany didn’t cancel as she discovers she now needs surgery. Fiona has agoraphobia and it took everything she had just to open the door and talk to her neighbour. Once she allows the outside to ‘come in’ it changes everything.
I loved how nosy she became as a necessary part of her survival. I found being home made me more aware of neighbourhood patterns, too, and, like Fiona, I found myself naming my neighbours.
I laughed when I found out what Reuben in #16 was really doing!
I’m sure it’s no coincidence that this book is published in June. (June 25, 2021)
Miller will remind you that crossing the threshold, although difficult, is what it takes to finding friendship, love and new beginnings.
“Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s a person.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Catherine Miller, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Merged review:
Has the pandemic changed you? Increased anxiety? Fear of leaving your home? I have a deeper appreciation of what the protagonist in this book is facing. Although Fiona has stayed inside by choice, staying inside as mandated by the government in an attempt to curb the spread of this virus has produced similar anxious feelings in me. Like Fiona, I found ways to invest in myself in order to survive. Reading has been a life saver!
Please consider taking a journey into 14 Wellington Drive and let Fiona tell you about the knock on the door that changed her whole life. Her neighbour across the street, ‘On-the-run-mom’ a.k.a. Bethany, claims that Fiona’s kindness may well have saved her life. A single mom with nobody to rely on, Bethany takes a chance on asking Fiona to look after her toddler while she goes to a doctor’s appointment. It’s a good thing Bethany didn’t cancel as she discovers she now needs surgery. Fiona has agoraphobia and it took everything she had just to open the door and talk to her neighbour. Once she allows the outside to ‘come in’ it changes everything.
I loved how nosy she became as a necessary part of her survival. I found being home made me more aware of neighbourhood patterns, too, and, like Fiona, I found myself naming my neighbours.
I laughed when I found out what Reuben in #16 was really doing!
I’m sure it’s no coincidence that this book is published in June. (June 25, 2021)
Miller will remind you that crossing the threshold, although difficult, is what it takes to finding friendship, love and new beginnings.
“Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s a person.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Catherine Miller, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
“Why had it taken me so long to understand there were other homes I could enjoy and jobs I'd find fulfilling, but only one of him - my adventurous lov“Why had it taken me so long to understand there were other homes I could enjoy and jobs I'd find fulfilling, but only one of him - my adventurous lover and best friend? The stroke had stretched and strained us as a couple, simultaneously increasing our compatibility like it was an elastic container within which we existed.
Shoulder to shoulder with Jim and our son, gliding across deep waters in fair winds or facing the next storm together, was where I wanted to be.”
Beth Ann Mathews writes to share the true story of how a couple’s life is upended when the author’s healthy husband suffers a rare type of stroke.
Both Beth Ann and Jim Mathews were marine biologists in Santa Cruz, California when they moved to Juneau, Alaska for Jim’s work. They’d settled into life in a colder climate and were enjoying a life of sailing and the outdoors with their nine-year-old son, when Jim suffered a stroke while doing repairs on their home.
I’d never heard of a bilateral medullary stroke or the damage plaque build-up could cause in a vertebral artery, one of the two main arteries that go to the brainstem. Delamination is a risky situation. The author shares that approximately 12% of patients with a bilateral medullary stroke die within days. I’ll admit to pulling myself out of a Google rabbit hole and prioritizing my health, and that of my husband, while reading this book.
Jim’s determination kept me turning pages. His doctor shared that every minute a stroke isn’t treated, they lose about 2M neurons and 14B neural connections. However, if Jim learned to challenge himself, he’d increase his neurons and have a better transition into his future abilities. You’ll read about how he powered through swallowing, walking, swimming and even riding his bike!
While this was encouraging and a wealth of information about how to help others prevent/live with a loved one who had experienced a stroke, it was Beth’s difficulties that gave me pause. You’ll need to read how this traumatic event forced the whole family to reevaluate and juggle.
I was encouraged by a fellow cruiser to buy this one in port last summer; it’s written by a debut author and is set in 1941 Alaska.
Elizabeth and JohnI was encouraged by a fellow cruiser to buy this one in port last summer; it’s written by a debut author and is set in 1941 Alaska.
Elizabeth and John Pfautz have moved to Tanacross, a village in southeast Fairbanks, Alaska so that John can teach Athabascan children in a small schoolhouse while Elizabeth cares for their 11-year-old daughter, Margaret.
When Elizabeth goes to get the mail one day and meets a new mail pilot, her life is forever changed. Readers soon become aware of Elizabeth’s history before she met John and the tension escalates as the mail pilot makes inroads into Elizabeth’s life. Jacqueline, Elizabeth’s sister had gone missing and the family had no idea if she had simply moved on with her new boyfriend or if her vanishing was a result of something more sinister. When the mail pilot claims to know Jacqueline and knows where she is, the story takes on an adrenaline-fuelled pace as Elizabeth risks it all to follow through on three tasks he’s given her.
When a vial containing a deadly virus goes missing, Leo Eddowes and her Polaris team of ex-military operatives are sent to the remote town of Schink’sWhen a vial containing a deadly virus goes missing, Leo Eddowes and her Polaris team of ex-military operatives are sent to the remote town of Schink’s Station, Alaska to apprehend the man who stole it. Unable to locate him, the team leaves their pilot Leo behind to tie up loose ends. When an old woman gives Leo a lead and the use of her plane, Leo eagerly follows to investigate. Her crash landing in the Alaskan wilderness is the least of her worries…
The tension created by a team of assassins who are chasing Leo and ‘the yeti’ through the Alaskan backcountry was well balanced with the forced proximity attraction between them. (A word of caution: this has two open-door scenes.) I was in awe of the ingenuity and preparedness of the tracker, loved the action-packed survivalist story, and was immediately drawn into the adventure. I saw myself a little in each of them as competence and preparedness are big on my list and I find it hard to connect with or trust someone who doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing. Despite not knowing or trusting each other, I think they were initially attracted to each other because of a mutual respect for preparedness. The military outlook in one, appreciated seeing it in the other. Amka’s character was fantastic; I’d love to sit and have a Raven’s Brew coffee with her one day!
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