I chose this book because of the author and because I wanted to learn something about an experience I’d never had.
Inspired by a backpacking trip in 1I chose this book because of the author and because I wanted to learn something about an experience I’d never had.
Inspired by a backpacking trip in 1992, John Marrs bases some of the characters on those he met that memorable summer. He’s captured the essence of these diverse hostelers and backpackers and placed them in a fictional Venice Beach International Hostel, one much like a conglomeration of those he stayed in that summer.
This book will be frustrating at first. You have been warned. Give the author time to set the stage for 8 different characters, the concierge and the owner of the hostel. Then, be patient and look for clues for POV changes and time shifts.
Nicole, Savannah, Matty, Declan, Eric, Ruth, Jane and John are all running from something when they check into the seedy hostel. They each have secrets and will do anything to keep them hidden. Depending on where they’ve come from and where they’re going, this hostel can be a godsend or a horrid experience. Some spend their vacation in a weed-induced paradise and some start their vacation with roaches and people literally falling through the ceiling. The hostel is almost a character unto itself.
While I may have been tempted to set the book down multiple times with no intention of picking it up again, the fantastic characterization kept me coming back. I came for the armchair travel experience and stayed for the nosey peek into the lives of this motley crew.
If you love a slow-burn, 5-star character-focused novel, you’ll appreciate this twisty tale. It isn’t my favourite of this author's, but I appreciated the examination of our human nature and what we’ll do to keep our secrets hidden. For those looking for something different, this will fit the bill.
I was gifted this late access/post-publication ARC by Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
A heart transplant is supposed to save a life. What if, instead of a second chance at life, it’s a second chance at death?
What if the reason the donorA heart transplant is supposed to save a life. What if, instead of a second chance at life, it’s a second chance at death?
What if the reason the donor dies is because of a murder - a targeted one? What if the other recipients start dying because they now have an organ from this murdered donor? This is the angle the author takes in her debut psychological thriller.
Saphira Logan struggles to have faith in doctors after they couldn’t save her mom dying from cancer or her dad dying from Covid. The thing is, she was born with a heart defect and surgery is necessary to ensure a full life. She becomes obsessive in her quest to know more about her donor and it nearly costs her everything. It reminded me of the saying, ‘curiosity killed the cat.’
Fern is dealing with survivor’s guilt and struggling to make sense of her loss. You’ll read about her role in Flora’s death, the ethical considerations of transplants, and the power of organ donation. It’s never easy for anyone involved and there’s an invisible thread that connects the two families.
Terry takes readers on a slow-burner ride to show readers how both the donor and recipient families are dealing with the procedure. It won’t take long before readers become aware that something isn’t quite right and they don’t know who to trust. This is made more difficult because of the dual perspectives, both of Saphy (recipient) and of Fern (the donor’s sister).
This was refreshingly different and the mystery held my attention. The cover is fantastic and the publication date at Valentine’s is apropos.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
I absolutely loved Henry Winkler’s autobiography! It read like a conversation and reminded me that nothing is as it seems. We are all great mask-weareI absolutely loved Henry Winkler’s autobiography! It read like a conversation and reminded me that nothing is as it seems. We are all great mask-wearers.
In discussing his anxiety issues that he kept well hidden he claims that his “real self was like a kernel of corn sheathed in yards of concrete - as insulated as the nuclear material at Chernobyl.” Who would have known he had such insecurities and that his acting allowed him to become someone different?!
I enjoyed reading about his first audition for Happy Days and was shocked to discover that he was 28 years old and at the end of his trial period in L.A. when he landed the role. I was saddened to read about his disappointment at people only seeing him as the Fonz and not as Henry Winkler. I guess after 11 seasons, we’ve all fallen into the same trap … to us, he IS the Fonz.
I had no idea that Ron Howard was such an influential part of his personal and professional life.
I loved that he used his struggle with dyslexia to create the Hank Zipzer books and reached out to those who need inspiration.
One of the best parts was reading the interjections from his wife of 45 years, Stacey, because it gave the book authenticity and another lens through which to view ‘Henry’.
Winkler covers his troubled relationship with his parents, his dyslexia and his trouble finding work after playing Fonzarelli in Happy Days. It was a great read....more
“There’s nothing to fear in life but fear itself.”
Two women. Two crimes. Two Fates. One house.
On publication day, I read a review of Coming To Find Y“There’s nothing to fear in life but fear itself.”
Two women. Two crimes. Two Fates. One house.
On publication day, I read a review of Coming To Find You by Jane Corry and immediately skipped to my computer and requested a review copy. I wasn’t expecting the lovely folks at Penguin Random House Canada to grant my late request, so I was surprised when less than 24h later, the ARC appeared on my Kindle. I’d never heard of the author before. I’d never seen the book reviewed before. This shows the power of word of mouth!
Am I ever glad I took a chance!
This is a SPECTACULAR blend of historical fiction and psychological suspense! I binge-read it today. I want to grab a megaphone and encourage everyone I meet today to pick up this book.
Elizabeth Montague runs a boarding house, Tall Chimneys, in Sidmouth, a coastal Devonshire town when she’s reluctantly recruited into Churchill’s Secret Army.
Eighty years later, Nancy Greenfield, takes refuge in the same house on Cliff Road when her stepbrother is sent to prison. Not only is Nancy living ‘the silent sentence of shame’ but she’s also on the run, hounded by the press who claim that Nancy knows more than she’s letting on. Can Elizabeth’s wartime secrets help Nancy survive?
“I honestly don’t know which one is the real me.”
I LOVED the unreliable narrators. I didn’t know who to trust. The secrets just kept piling up and balanced the fascinating historical fiction timeline perfectly. I appreciated the reminder that people aren’t always what you think they are, that there are some things that can’t be told to anyone, and that none of us know what someone is capable of. Including ourselves. Corry highlights the wartime thought that people didn’t know what the future held, so they grabbed opportunities that they normally wouldn’t have so rashly taken and reminds us that nobody was the same after the wartime experience.
I was excited to learn about carriers of a Fairbairn-Sykes knife, HMP Knockton, why there were no station announcements or signs on train travel during the war, and about dead letter boxes. I was driven to Google ‘conchie’ and ‘grockle’ and was excited to discover ‘why’ I clean when I’m stressed.
Corry has given me lots to consider - especially the concept of emotional footprints that we leave behind in houses.
Is the history of Tall Chimneys best left in the past? You’ll have to decide for yourself.
I was gifted this copy by Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
This magical book is centered around the unexpected gift of love, features an imaginary friend and breaks momentum“Love means you can never be apart.”
This magical book is centered around the unexpected gift of love, features an imaginary friend and breaks momentum with an unforgettable twist.
Vivienne Margaux, a Broadway producer, has little time for her 8-year-old daughter - her scheduled Sunday outings involve window shopping at Tiffany’s jewelry store. Lacking a play companion, Jane invents Michael, her imaginary friend. He plans all sorts of treats for their outings; the kind of days Jane hoped she’d be spending with her mom. Jane is able to navigate life with her diligent companion until one day, Michael tells her he needs to move on … Jane is unable to let him go.
This wonderful story was written in first person through Jane’s eyes and third person through Michael’s eyes. The atmosphere is elevated through the references to all the NYC landmarks. I think the most powerful part of this book is the opportunity for consideration:
✔️ the chance to consider that imaginary friends may prevent children from moving on with their lives ✔️the chance to consider that our role models for loving relationships come from observing our own parents ✔️ the chance to consider that things, not people, can empower us ✔️ the chance to consider the timeless and transforming power of love
I enjoyed this library book so much that I went and bought my own copy! ...more
Two of the ingredients that you loved in The Maidens are carried over to The Fury; Greek mythology and enclosed location. Of course, with all MichaeliTwo of the ingredients that you loved in The Maidens are carried over to The Fury; Greek mythology and enclosed location. Of course, with all Michaelides’ books, readers will see the influence of Agatha Christie. The author’s childhood on Cyprus and his love of Greek mythology has given him a treasure trove from which to draw upon as a writer. Readers continue to appreciate these stories because of their timeless portrayal of heartbreak, loss, love and passion.
Lana Farrar, a reclusive former movie star, always surrounds herself with her closest theatre friends at Easter. This year is no different. Invitations are sent out to six friends to join her on Aura, her private Greek island off the coast of Mykonos to celebrate. Within 48 hours, one of them is murdered.
I appreciated all the ingredients for a great mystery: ✔️a retired celebrity ✔️a private and isolated island/locked room mystery ✔️the fury - an unrelenting wind/atmospheric ✔️a murder ✔️frenemies with ulterior motives ✔️everyone acts - nobody reveals their true character ✔️unreliable narrator
This has a very interesting format; (1) it’s presented as a Greek tragedy and done in five acts and (2) Elliot Chase, the playwright, injects himself into the story as an unreliable narrator. It’s by far, the best part of the book ahead of the rapid gunfire twists at the end.
Elliot has found a way to deal with his grief - tell his story. I initially enjoyed this format as it felt like he was sitting talking to me. However, when he had to keep reminding himself to keep to the story, it got slightly annoying. Another drawback of this format is that it’s his perspective, and this makes it unreliable at times. That being said, I did appreciate his method of presenting foreshadowing and it certainly kept me focussed and engaged.
The cast of characters is an eclectic mashup of unlikeble people; an ex-movie star, an embittered almost-made-it star, an unreliable narrator, an untrustworthy husband, a maid, a teenage son, a property manager and a restaurant owner/’handler’. Don’t underestimate the fury; it’s a character, too, and carries the plot.
Written with style and theatrical verve, centered around the concept of fate, and showcasing the theme of nothing is as it seems to be, this thoroughly unique novel is heavy on the style and light on the characterization and plot.
Michaelides continues to stretch his talents and I think this one deserves your focussed attention and time…perhaps even a second read-through.
Avail yourself of trigger warnings prior to reading.
I was gifted this copy by Celadon Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
“I was prepared for the dementia to take away a little bit more of her every day. But I didn’t expect another person to rob me of her.”
Connie Wright, “I was prepared for the dementia to take away a little bit more of her every day. But I didn’t expect another person to rob me of her.”
Connie Wright, 43, has her hands full caring for her aging mother, Gwendoline, who suffers with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s. Connie is appreciative of Help For Homes sending Paul Michael to help with the handyman chores around the house as it means that she can return home for short spells to keep her wedding planning business operational. It seems that Paul gives ‘Gwenny’ purpose and Connie agrees that “there’s clearly something about him that’s rejuvenating brain cells yet to be decimated by her disease.”
However, six weeks into the arrangement, the Wright house is upended. Although at first, Connie appreciated the free help, she suddenly becomes aware that this isn’t the mutually beneficial relationship she had planned for her mother. She fears that Paul has a hidden agenda.
You’ll love this cat-and-mouse, high-stakes psychological thriller that will have you questioning just who is using who.
Although this thriller is centered around the issue of trust, Marrs also spotlights those brain-related illnesses, such as dementia, that are so cruel because they are gradual and drawn out. He draws our attention to victimless crimes and the ease and repetition of their occurrence. I was in awe of Marrs representation of predators and those people who, when we finally think we have them figured out, keep moving the goalposts. He also gave me food for thought when he examined the life of a care-aid and revealed that they often feel invisible. Most of all, I appreciated his warning about those people we let into our lives who, when given a chance, become a malignant presence and a cancerous tumour. If I discover such a relationship developing, I hope I have the courage and foresight to remove them before it becomes terminal.
The tension-filled read was peppered with moments of lightheartedness that allowed me to sigh and decompress. One such moment was the referral to “Hyacinth Bucket and her Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles.”
I’m glad I gave this author a second chance as this was a deliciously good, five-star read for me!
I was gifted this copy by Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
“For much of my life I felt alone, but over the years a circle of women came to love me and I came to love each of those women in return."
I’m not a bi“For much of my life I felt alone, but over the years a circle of women came to love me and I came to love each of those women in return."
I’m not a big women’s fiction reader, but when my friend recommended this book, I took a chance. I’m so glad I did as I really enjoyed it.
Inspired by a real Ming physician, this story begins in 1469 when the narrator, Tan Yuxian, begins her footbinding at 8 years old and follows through to her 50th birthday, telling of her life treating women using the medicine she learned from her grandparents.
Tan Yuxian’s older brothers both died from the heavenly flowers disease (smallpox), leaving her an only child. When her mother dies at 28 years old from a foot infection, Yuxian is sent off to her grandparents (both doctors) to be raised.
Although the focus of medicine was fascinating for me, it was “Lady Tan’s Circle Of Women” that held my interest. Reading about the friendship that was ‘brokered’ between Yunxian and Meiling (the midwife’s daughter) I immediately became absorbed in the story and rooted for them as they faced so many hurdles to stay in contact. When forbidden to practice medicine by her mother-in-law, Yunxian relies on Shi Meiling and her circle of women to survive. I envied her courage and determination.
“I will not give up who and what I am - even if it means hiding my actions by practicing medicine in secret.”
Yuxian records each patient visit in a book, hidden from her husband and inlaws, and it becomes what history tells us is one of the earliest known books of its kind written by a female doctor - Miscellaneous Records Of A Female Doctor (1511).
These quotes sum up the importance of friendship in the book
“Life without a friend is life without sun. Life without a friend is death.”
“Friendship is a contract between two hearts. With hearts united, women can laugh and cry, live and die together.”...more
Michael Tanner lost it all - his wife, his 5-year-old son Archie, his job, and his reputation - when an accident at work maimed him and killed all thoMichael Tanner lost it all - his wife, his 5-year-old son Archie, his job, and his reputation - when an accident at work maimed him and killed all those on site. As the book opens, Michael is waiting at the park to spend the day with his son, but he never arrives ... for the second week in a row. Michael needs to find out what happened to his son.
This book, a prequel to the Angus Reid series, is a short Christian suspense inspired by Ephesians 4:31-32.
Teixeira, a new-to-me author, held my attention as Michael struggled with bitterness and betrayal, enduring it all for the sake of his young son.
I won't give it away, but there's something sinister going on and my heart rate went from 0-60 as the emotional upheaval transformed into a gripping police chase, attempted murder and 'kid'napping. I didn't see the twist coming and I really appreciated this faith-filled suspense thriller - enough to continue with the series.
*If you are worried about harm to a child, don't worry, there are no references to it and the 'kid'napping is of an adult.
Such an amazing book about betrayal and answers the question...."How does one move on from this?"
⭐Not sold in stores ⭐Visit the author's website to download this FREE short story!
Thank you, Urcelia Teixeira, for the gift of this fantastic story. ...more
“A woman with nothing to lose is a dangerous creature. But one with everything to lose is so much worse.”
This is one of those books that I call “hard “A woman with nothing to lose is a dangerous creature. But one with everything to lose is so much worse.”
This is one of those books that I call “hard to describe without giving it all away”!
What you’ll get: An emotive, slightly dark and suspenseful story full of twists that explains why a little boy is dropped off by taxi and claims that the woman who opens the door is his grandma. The thing is, Clarissa’s daughter died 15 years ago….
Slowly and cleverly, in an intriguing way, Vickery writes to show us that things aren’t always as they seem. Right from the prologue, this brilliant book kept me firmly in its clutches. I was squirming in my seat and slightly uncomfortable at the dark direction it was taking, BUT I kept reading. Vickery packed this story full of family secrets and lies, pulled in some questionable next-door neighbours, took readers for a twisty ride, and left us feeling like her story wasn’t quite over …I absolutely loved untangling it all!
After all those lovey-dovey Christmas books the past few weeks, I was yearning for an unguessable, gasp-out-loud page-turner - Sam Vickery delivered.
“Even good people can do despicable things when the price is high enough.”
I slept with socks on!
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
I’ll be honest with you, I saw the author’s name and didn’t read the synopsis. I knew I’d enjoy the story regardless of the topic because I’ve loved aI’ll be honest with you, I saw the author’s name and didn’t read the synopsis. I knew I’d enjoy the story regardless of the topic because I’ve loved all 9 previous books I’ve read by this author. When I began reading and discovered that it was speculative fiction, I almost stopped reading and I had to remind myself why I chose this book. Full disclosure: I LOVED it. This goes to show you that an author with amazing skills can make you appreciate a different genre in ways you hadn’t considered before! WTG, Kate Hewitt!
What you are going to get: a story about a family’s survival in the wilderness after a nuclear holocaust.
Daniel and Alex, their 11-year-old daughter, Ruby, and their 14-year-old daughter, Mattie - an ordinary family from Westport, Connecticut - are in desperate need of a reset, so they head to Alex’s parents’ ramshackle cabin in rural Ontario, Canada for six weeks. Knowing that the cabin at Lost Lake has been uninhabited for 7 years, they realize that they have their work cut out for them. It’s nothing, they presume, compared to the challenges they’ve faced this past year; the losses of Daniel’s jobs, the negative pull of social media, their toxic friends, the lies, shame and the desperate attempts at getting their teenage daughter’s life back on track after she was suspended from school.
Not long after arriving at the cabin, they discover that while they’ve been isolated and without wifi, the world has experienced a nuclear disaster and that martial law is in full effect. Worried about their son enrolled in Clarkson, College in upstate New York, the unanimous decision is made for Daniel to bring him home. What follows is a harrowing and traumatic experience for both Daniel and the family he left behind.
I appreciated seeing how the experience changed everyone and how priorities changed and the superfluous ‘stuff’ fell aside allowing them to focus on what really mattered. Desperate and dangerous circumstances reveal what we are made of - and in Daniel and Alex’s case, it showed the extent of their love for their children.
This is one of those books that I’ll be recommending to everyone I meet! I cherished the opportunity to read something outside of my comfort zone and came away with the desire to value (1) the little things and (2) the extent of my parent’s love.
I was gifted this copy by Storm Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. ...more
“But what’s wrong with knowing the truth? We have to remember what came before to make peace with what comes after.”
What a fascinating combination - p“But what’s wrong with knowing the truth? We have to remember what came before to make peace with what comes after.”
What a fascinating combination - poetry and fashion - sewn together in an intriguing conspiracy surrounding a pre-Raphaelite poet’s secret life in Italy!
In the 1947 timeline, textile historian, Marianne Baxter, looking for a way to deal with grief, heads to Verona, Italy at her friend Rufina Rovelli’s insistence to mount an exhibit of recently discovered Victorian dresses. These textiles have intriguing provenance - they once belonged to the famous poet, Christina Rossetti. As Baxter diligently spends her three weeks before the exhibit opening, arranging the dresses, she uncovers a secret and soon discovers she’s caught up in a web of lies and murder. It seems that Rossetti had once travelled to Italy and the experience had been so memorable that it changed the direction of her life. Whatever happened, Rossetti felt the need to be secretive and left clues in three of her dresses.
In the 1864 timeline, Rossetti arrives in Italy and discovers a gift once given to her by her father. When she finds a secret compartment, it gives her solace (a letter from her father) and purpose (an urgent request). It’s the content of the ornate box that unites the two women and the two tragic timelines.
What you will get: an amazing fictional story that uncovers what may have happened to Rossetti on her trip to Italy.
Inspired by the real-life mystery surrounding poet Christina Rossetti, this book will transport you to the magical city of Verona and enchant and intrigue you with art and fashion. You’ll finish, agreeing that although Rossetti never felt free in her personal life to adopt bohemian ways (the focus of the pre-Raphaelite poets) she still found a way to be creative!
‘When I read about costume historian Baxter's discovery (and the discovery that led to the discovery), and dream come true, I wished I was a fly on the wall of the Fondazione Museo Menigatti.
I loved finding the similarities between the two women, decades apart, who arrive in Italy hoping to begin anew as much as I enjoyed seeing how Baxter dealt with her challenges: an indifferent museum owner, a less than friendly community and a hidden warning letter. The thread of (1) starting anew was echoed not only in both women’s lives, but also in the initiative to restart the fashion industry post-war. Reviving through the artistry of the past, McLaughlin demonstrates, it really where beginning anew starts. When allowed to “peer through a portal” into the past, we should consider ourselves thankful and seize the opportunity for growth. I appreciated the excitement the costume curator had in being given “a chance to connect with something tangible after the wearer was long gone.“ The thread of (2) seeking the truth joined the two timelines seamlessly. I valued the insight about garments and how they “show truths about our past as a society” and how “they have meaning just like any other release or objet d’art.” The author wove in the mystery of ‘fata morgana’ with such flair and the story about the jewels with such emotional heartache.
This story was so much more than I anticipated! I liken it to the box Rossetti was gifted. The more I read, the more I discovered and learned, and the more endearing the book became.
I can’t wait to return to Verona, visit the Arco della Costa and look up! Legend would want me to believe that it will fall on me….
I was gifted this copy by Alcove Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
These were the words that came to mind as I started reading. They are part of John Milton’s poem alluding to “Remember, remember the 5th of November…”
These were the words that came to mind as I started reading. They are part of John Milton’s poem alluding to the events mentioned in this book.
I was initially drawn to this book because I saw that it focussed on an intriguing part of history and was set during two of my favourite periods, the Tudor and Stuart era. However, it was the depth of research and stellar prose that held my attention.
This dual timeline brings together two women, centuries apart, who are linked by a Tudor mansion in Wiltshire, Crestwell Hall, and spotlights women supporting each other in a time of crisis.
Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth I’s former lady-in-waiting, is retreating to her secret estate in Wiltshire to thwart the wrath of Robert Cecil, Queen Elizabeth’s advisor. Leaving her husband imprisoned in the Tower of London was not ideal, but Bess realizes the value of distance and the support of her female friends.
In the present day, Isabella Lacey and her 10-year-old daughter, Emily, have arrived at her Aunt Thalia’s home, Crestwell Hall, partly due to a generous offer to end their homelessness after a divorce but more importantly, to help Aunt Thalia with renovations. Believing the house has an important historical past, wanting to turn it into a future viable business concern, and wanting to honor the legacy of her Great Uncle Philip, Isabella and her aunt begin the process of restoration. They find something that links the house to the Gun Powder Plot of 1605.
A keen Tudor and Stuart-era enthusiast, I didn’t think I could learn much more about this incident, but I was completely wrong. I eagerly noted the differences between gargoyles and grotesques, the recusancy laws, the inspiration behind Ben Jonson’s Sejannus, His Fall and Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure, why King James was such a disappointment and what use priest holes and voussoirs held for the Tudors! My highlighter was pulling double duty.
Walsh makes the period real on the page. Her love of research and her career have certainly contributed to this absorbing and compelling read. I appreciate that she highlighted the shadows where many women throughout history have hidden behind their husband’s misdeeds and, in this case, become lost in the notoriety of the Gunpowder Plot. I also appreciated women’s friendships and the value of confidantes showcased throughout history.
The discovery of an important book was the highlight of this read and was well framed and supported by themes involving the tie of blood, the bond of family and the imminent danger that forces people together in their reliance on safety.
Never underestimate the power of a woman scorned nor what a group of women working together can achieve!
I was gifted this copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
I’ve read a few books highlighting Winston Churchill and his Air Ministry’s Operation Columba and the value of messenger pigeons in wartime. However, I’ve read a few books highlighting Winston Churchill and his Air Ministry’s Operation Columba and the value of messenger pigeons in wartime. However, the pull of The Heroines, the Cotillard sisters, and their story, in addition to the author’s amazing ability to bring history alive for me pushed this book towards the top of those spotlighting the same topic.
Martine, Simone and Gabriella Cotillard single-handedly held my attention throughout the story. They pulled back the curtain on what it was like to live in France during the German occupation; the fear was palpable and the courage needed to survive, let alone help others, was inspiring.
Newton showcases those whose will to survive outweighed the forces of those who were bent on destruction. My heart went out to a little girl who taught herself how to survive the occupation and the fine line she walked to keep ‘family’ safe and happy. Newton reminds readers about the importance of being your own heroine and the lengths we will go to protect the things and people we love.
I appreciated a look into the role of radio in wartime France and could imagine the pull of Radio Londres for those who were relying on getting information into the right hands. The addition of The She Wolf, the black ribbons, the nosy neighbour, the far reaches of the Abwehr and the mysterious Cpt. Walter Webber were a nice balance to the Cottilard’s story. I valued the reminder that our outlook and actions change when we have someone other than ourselves to think about. So often books set in WW2 focus on one person and their own challenges. Days later, I’m still thinking about this book and wondering if I could put my faith in a messenger pigeon’s information when I have no idea about the sender, his/her authenticity, or chain of command. I love books that make me pause and give me food for thought.
How does the secret pianist come into play in this story?! No, I haven’t forgotten to mention it, but guys, it’s a SECRET pianist. I can’t tell you. You’ll have to read how composers influenced the wartime effort.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review....more
This is a FREE prologue novella written by 5 different authors. Although written by different authors, each story is seamlessly tolWhat a great idea!
This is a FREE prologue novella written by 5 different authors. Although written by different authors, each story is seamlessly told from the point of view of a foster child and is an introduction to the following 5 books, each set fifteen years later. The focus of the series, the Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge, is found family and reminds us about not giving up, maintaining hope, and making a difference, small as it may be.
What you’ll get: Snippets of the 5 lives and unexpected changes that come with the Christmas season. You’ll get lots of Christmas magic about ‘family’ and you may even be moved to tears. Yes, there's a Christian thread running throughout the story.
Maddie Kirby is dreading the holiday season as she’s grieving the loss of her husband and young daughter. Her job as the school guidance counselor means that she’s aware of a troubled teen needing housing. One thing leads to another and soon Maddie is foster mom to 4 children at Christmas; 15 y/o Josephine, 13 y/o Stevie, 8 y/o Alison, and 8 y/o Hailey. You’ll love this heartwarming story about a woman who channeled her pain into sharing an incredible gift with 4 needy girls.
It’s just the perfect book to remind us to take our eyes off ourselves this season and look for ways we can positively impact the life of another. ...more
Elita can’t believe that her parents are kicking her out of the house! Imagine!
Reality is, she’s 29This was such a wonderful FREE Christmas novella!
Elita can’t believe that her parents are kicking her out of the house! Imagine!
Reality is, she’s 29 and sits around reading most of the day and they believe she’d be of more use helping her grandmother. Begrudgingly at first, Elita adjusts to her new lifestyle at Chapman Cottage in New Lenox and is unaware of a secret admirer in her new neighbourhood. When he decides to ‘make a move,’ Elita believes it’s her brother pranking her. Until one day … she realizes she looks forward to the mysterious letters in the mail, they most definitely aren't written by her brother, and she genuinely appreciates the lovely gift she receives each day.
Love, it seems, can be delivered.
Elita’s banishment becomes a blessing.
This is a sweet, clean, Christian romance. I love Elita’s ‘real’ name, how Grandma Chapman encourages Elita to read her bible, the message about how others see us, and the message about learning to be happy and grow where God plants us.
I loved how the author sheds light on the possibility that the Twelve Days of Christmas carol had its roots in the bible. My quick surface-level investigation online revealed that research suggests that it was really a secret catechism for Catholics in England when Catholicism was persecuted by Henry VIII. I’d never considered this idea, so it’s given me lots to think about.
You’ll agree, we all need a Sidney Liston in our lives!
This is a FREE novella, gifted through the author's newsletter. Head over to B. M. Baker's author page and sign up. Easy peasy....more
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