"Switchboard Soldiers, " by Jennifer Chiaverini

 "Switchboard Soldiers, " by Jennifer Chiaverini

In June 1917, General John Pershing arrived in France to establish American forces in Europe. He immediately found himself unable to communicate with troops in the field. Pershing needed telephone operators who could swiftly and accurately connect multiple calls, speak fluent French and English, remain steady under fire, and be utterly discreet, since the calls often conveyed classified information.

At the time, nearly all well-trained American telephone operators were women—but women were not permitted to enlist, or even to vote in most states. Nevertheless, the U.S. Army Signal Corps promptly began recruiting them.

More than 7,600 women responded, including Grace Banker of New Jersey, a switchboard instructor with AT&T and an alumna of Barnard College; Marie Miossec, a Frenchwoman and aspiring opera singer; and Valerie DeSmedt, a twenty-year-old Pacific Telephone operator from Los Angeles, determined to strike a blow for her native Belgium.

They were among the first women sworn into the U.S. Army under the Articles of War. The male soldiers they had replaced had needed one minute to connect each call. The switchboard soldiers could do it in ten seconds.

Deployed throughout France, including near the front lines, the operators endured hardships and risked death or injury from gunfire, bombardments, and the Spanish Flu. Not all of them would survive.

The women of the U.S. Army Signal Corps served with honor and played an essential role in achieving the Allied victory. Their story has never been the focus of a novel…until now. 

I must admit I didn't know anything about the U.S. Army Signal Corps role in World War 1 and how the women took over the switchboards in France for the Americans.  The book was so interesting and very detailed.

What they went through and how hard they worked was so very inspiring.  They were the pioneers in their field, as they were the first women in the army, other than the nurses of the Red Cross.  However, they did not earn the same benefits as the regular army men as they were classed as civilian contractors despite the fact they took the same risks as the men.

Like any women trying to break into a man's field of work, they had to work twice as hard to prove themselves capable of doing it as good if not better than the men.

I will say I had a difficult time getting immersed into the book at the beginning, as it delves into each women's background story to begin with.  I found that a bit tedious and drawn out at times.  BUT, once you got past those first few chapters it got very interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  If you like historical novels, women orientated novels and enjoy Jennifer Chiaverini's work then this is the book for you.  Well worth the read; and you may learn something new, I know I did.

These reviews are my own and I purchased the book for my own enjoyment.

"The Warsaw Sisters, " by Amanda Barratt

 "The Warsaw Sisters, " by Amanda Barratt

A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls, along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart--and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.

This book is a must read, it's a book of fiction based on true events that actually happened.  The cruelty and destruction that happened in Warsaw in World War 2 must never be forgotten.  How brave and courageous the people of Warsaw were.  It's all highlighted in this book.

One thing that stood out for me were how resilient they were.  How patriotic they were.  Also how sad a life they had that they couldn't even trust members of their own family with secrets of what they were doing to try and defeat the enemy; as the less others knew the better.

The detail in this book is brilliant.  You must read the authors/historical notes at the back of the book, they are very interesting.  It is a well researched book, that's for sure.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  I did find the book a bit slow to start with, I wasn't sucked into it right away.  Though after the first few chapters the book drew you in and I couldn't put it down as I had to know what happened next.  Well worth reading.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"When The Smoke Clears," by Lynette Eason

 "When The Smoke Clears," by Lynette Eason

After a brush with death due to equipment failure, smokejumper Alexia Allen is ordered to take time off while the incident is under investigation. She makes a last-minute decision to recuperate at her mother's home and attend her high school reunion. Yet trouble seems to be following her, and within hours of arriving home she is confronted with murder, arson--and a handsome detective.

But the conflicts ahead are nothing compared to the ghosts of her past. As she struggles to accept and forgive her family's past, she must also decide if the secret she's been guarding for the last ten years must finally come to light.

This book is the first book in the "Deadly Reunion," series.  Now it looks like the author has republished this series, as they first came out between 2012 -2015.  I didn't read them back then, but I am going to have to read the rest of the series now; because you will not get the answers to all your questions in this first book.  The story must continue on right through the series.

I will say I was a bit bummed out, when I got to the end of the book and still had no idea who was "pulling the strings," with all the problems.  I will say I figured out who one of the "bad people" were early on.  The way the story develops it really sucks you in and you have to keep on turning the page to see what happens next.

I kept thinking to myself though I am so glad I wasn't Alexia, as she had a busy few days when she arrived back home from Washington!!  I would have gone into hiding, if I had, had that many attempts on my life...LOL

Stars out of 5 : 5 This story kept me glued to the book, as I did have to know what's going to happen next.  Lynette writes with such detail and passion, you know you're in for a great read.  Now I will have to go and borrow the next two books from the library to see who/what is behind all this mayhem!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Into the Fire," by Irene Hannon

 "Into the Fire," by Irene Hannon

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up--as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

In this pulse-pounding new series from the bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense, you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of danger, mystery, and romance. Get ready to burn through the pages as Bri and Marc race to solve the puzzle and uncover the truth.

As far as I'm concerned Irene Hannon can do no wrong when she writes books and this is a must read from her.  You have murder, mystery, romance and a page turning book in your hand when you read this one.

This book is the first book in the "Undaunted Courage," series and what a way to start the series.  You are swept along as the story develops.  Not sure who is the murderer.  The plot twists and turns and just when you think you have it all figured out, then something else happens.

When you do finally discover who it is; you will go, oh I didn't see that coming.  Add in the growing attraction between Bri and Marc and it all adds up to a super read.

Stars out of 5 : 5 It had a bit of everything for everybody.  It's well worth the read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series which will feature Bri's brother Jack as the main character.  You get a "taste" of who he is in this book, so he won't be a stranger to you.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"On Moonberry Lake," by Holly Varni

"On Moonberry Lake," by Holly Varni

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

Oh my, this book was such a good book, I was so sad when I finished it.  It was a delight, the characters were so relatable.  You were drawn into the small town charm.  I loved the local newspaper entries; which by the way are a thing of the past in our area........our local newspapers have all closed.

Living in a small town can be a curse and a blessing, and this book showed you why.  If you have lived in a small town you could probably relate.....I know I could.

I couldn't pick out a favourite character as they all had such likeable traits that you fell in love with each one, time after time.  As an added bonus, there are even recipes for things mentioned in the book!

This book is the first in a series of books centred around Moonberry Lake and I for one can't wait for the next one to be published.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I would give it 100 if I could, I enjoyed it that much.  This book shows you despite different personalities, we all need someone and even the most different people can gel together to make a family.  Such an enjoyable book, well worth picking up and reading.

P.S. If the author reads this review, I do hope you do a book all about Widgy!!

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Room, " by Emma Donoghue

 "Room," by Emma Donoghue

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the world. It’s where he was born. It’s where he and Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. There are endless wonders that let loose Jack’s imagination: the snake under Bed that he constructs out of eggshells; the imaginary world projected through the TV; the coziness of Wardrobe, where Ma tucks him in safely at night, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it’s the prison where she’s been held since she was nineteen—for seven long years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in that eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But Jack’s curiosity is building alongside Ma’s own desperation, and she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely.

Told in the inventive, funny and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience—and a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

I am an honoury member of a book club in the UK.  As I am in Canada, I don't go to the meetings, but I do read the books.  So this is the first book I have read from this book club.

It's an odd book for a few reasons.  It's told from a 5 year old's point of view.  A 5 year old whose life so far has been limited to an elven foot by eleven foot square room.  I found the first part of the book, "Presents" quite confusing, but the more you get into the book, the more you get drawn into the story.

Without giving away what exactly happens, I found I could understand Jack's confusion with life, despite him being very intelligent.  We have a grandson of the same age.  The mental strain it put on the child and the mother being stuck in that room was so well thought out and written; for each one of them separately.  

When a child has only one person in his life and is reliant on that person, the bond that is forged is rock solid and you see that play out in this book.  I found it also very interesting on how the mother made things out of every day objects to keep Jack entertained and despite the fact they had a tv, he was only allowed to watch it for a limited time per day.

I will say I found the latter part of the book more interesting than the beginning.  I am guessing the book was inspired by similar situations that has happened around the world?

Stars out of 5 : 4  This would not be a book I would have picked out to read myself.  I am glad I read it.  It made you think.  There was a movie made in 2015 with the same name, Room.  I would like to see that, to see how different it was to the book.

"The Trail," by Ethan Gallogly

 "The Trail," by Ethan Gallogly

Set authentically in the High Sierra, The Trail is a moving story of how nature helps us find what’s missing in our lives.

The Trail is fused with humor, philosophy, and trail lore. Woven in is a back story detailing the origins of the John Muir Trail: a 211-mile trail spanning the rooftop of the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.

The tale begins with Gil, who in the wake of his father’s death and recently fired from his job, agrees to accompany his father’s old hiking partner Syd on a month-long trek on the John Muir Trail. There’s just one problem: Gil hates camping and is woefully unprepared for the rigors of the journey. Moreover, he soon learns Syd may not survive the hike.

Former Sierra Club leader Ethan Gallogly takes you on a wild tour across the Range of Light, describing its glorious scenery in vivid detail while introducing you to a diverse cast of characters drawn from his own personal experiences as a hiker.

It’s a beautifully crafted book, with 43 maps and sketches by acclaimed mountain illustrator Jeremy Ashcroft, showing the topography of each section in clear three-dimensional renderings and peppered with drawings of the trail’s iconic scenery, like the Muir Hut, the Rock Monster, and Evolution Lake.

Whether you’re a hiker, armchair explorer, or someone trying to find what’s really meaningful in life—this book is for you.

If I could have my life over again, I would love to hike the numerous trails around the world.  However, as I love my home comforts, I prefer to be a "armchair explorer."  As I know nothing about the Sierra's this seemed a perfect opportunity to do a bit of that armchair exploring.

This book is beautifully illustrated and Ethan goes into great detail about each part of the trail, day by day.  You can almost imagine yourself walking along with them. The funny thing about this book, is I actually thought it was a true story; that Syd was an actual person.  It is in fact a mish-mash of people and events that have been spun into a story.  It worked perfectly well and was a really good read.

Stars out of 5 : 4  I did find myself skimming over some of Syd's historical stories and I have no idea about Asian philosophy, but overall it was a truly enjoyable read.

I purchased this book.

"The Secrets Beneath," by Kimberley Woodhouse

 "The Secrets Beneath," by Kimberley Woodhouse

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn't erased the feelings they've always had for each other. After Joshua's nephew goes missing--just like his sister did years ago--and Anna's job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

I am a big fan of Kimberley's books, so of course wanted to read this one.  The subject matter, Paleontology is something I am not familiar with.  This book moved along at a good pace.  It took me a while though to figure out the twist in the story; I was probably half way through before I had the "aha" moment!

I will say after reading the prologue, then starting the main part of the book, I was confused with the two main male characters in the book.  It didn't help that both their names started with the letter "J."

It was interesting to see the men's attitudes towards women when they tried to achieve success in a "man's" world.  I too would have been frustrated like Anna, if I had men telling me I couldn't do something because I was a woman.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Even after reading this book, I am afraid I still have no desire to learn more about Paleontology!  

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Legacy of Longdale Manor," by Carrie Turansky

 "The Legacy of Longdale Manor," by Carrie Turansky

Two women--a century apart--embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

This book is set in the Lake District where I lived as a child, so I was very happy to review this book.  Overall this book is a must read.  I enjoyed all the characters, and even enjoyed the going back and forward between the past and the present.  All the religious quotes/passages I felt where inserted in the book in an appropriate manner and were explained well.  It got to a point with both Gwen and Charlotte I had to know what happened next.  Where each chapter left off, it left you wanting more.

The downside of this book though is I was left wanting more.  The story of Charlotte Harper and her family is a book in itself I feel.  There is a lot more I want to know about them.  The same with Gwen, there is a lot more I wanted to know, especially about her grandfather.  

Stars out of 5 : 4 So although I will say please read this book you will enjoy it, it was missing something for me.  There is a lot more to be told about both families.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas," by Toni Shiloh

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas," by Toni Shiloh

It's the most wonderful time of the year--for everyone except Starr Lewis.

As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding--to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.

As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away--to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?

Another Christmas book to put you in the mood for the festive season.  This book has a little bit of everything when it comes to dealing with families, especially around the holiday seasons.  We all want a picture perfect, Hallmark," Christmas and this book shows you while it may not be perfect, there are moments where it will turn out as close to perfect.

Sibling's are the main thing in this book and anyone with siblings will know relationships with them can be complicated.  The whole Starr and Angel relationship is rife with issues, and you never know how it will end.  Starr and Waylon's friendship, has you cheering along all the way through the book.

Again I read and reviewed this book at the end of September when the weather was gorgeous and hot.  This book, is a read in December book to help you get into the holiday spirit.  

Stars out of 5 : 5 I feel there could be a number of follow up books about each of Starr's siblings, there are a lot more stories to be told about the Lewis family!  Well worth reading this book, not overly complicated and a fast read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"All's Fair in Love and Christmas," by Sarah Monzon

 "All's Fair in Love and Christmas," by Sarah Monzon

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

If you want to be put into the Christmas mood, then this is a book for you.  It reminds you of Christmas traditions, you have probably forgot about.  It reminds you about how everyone can celebrate Christmas differently.

It also explores, social anxiety and Alzheimer's, which are both serious subjects, but do add to the depth of the book.  Add in a twist at the end, that I didn't know was coming, and this book has something for everyone.

The only odd thing, was I was reading and reviewing this book at the end of September, when the weather was really warm and Fall like, not Christmas like at all.  This book would be a perfect read at the beginning of December.

It's not a long book and doesn't require a lot of concentration to keep up with the plot, a perfect book to read on a Sunday afternoon through to the evening.

Stars out of 5 : 5 nothing negative to say about this book, a perfect book to put you in the Christmas mood.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Hiding Place," by Corrie Ten Bloom

"The Hiding Place," by Corrie Ten Bloom 

"Every experience God gives us . . . is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see."—Corrie ten Boom

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the twentieth century. In World War II she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis, and for their work they were tested in the infamous Nazi death camps. Only Corrie among her family survived to tell the story of how faith ultimately triumphs over evil.

Here is the riveting account of how Corrie and her family were able to save many of God's chosen people. For 35 years millions have seen that there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. Now The Hiding Place, repackaged for a new generation of readers, continues to declare that God's love will overcome, heal, and restore.

What a remarkable true story this is.  I had never heard of this family before and what they did to help the Jewish people during the second world war.  Each page was a riveting as the next.  The whole book made you think of what would you have done in the same situation?

The constant stress they went through; not knowing when the Gestapo was going to knock on your door.  Is that what made them stronger in their conviction to save as many people's lives, along with their deep faith, I think it did.  Corrie's sister Betsie's whole outlook on life and the people around her; both good and bad, was truly inspirational and that alone saved hundred's of people and gave them hope in a very dismal time.

Betsie found a blessing in the fleas that were in the bunks at Ravensbruck, you'll have to read the book to see why!  All in all a book that is so well worth reading.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I was on the fence about reading this, but I am so glad I did.  It's truly a one of a kind book that everyone should read.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"With Every Memory," by Janine Rosche

"With Every Memory," by Janine Rosche

Is the life she can't remember one she'd rather forget?

One year after her family was in a tragic car accident that killed her teenage son, Lori Mendenhall returns home with a traumatic brain injury that has stolen the last eight years of memories from her, leaving the life she has returned to unrecognizable. Her once-loving husband, Michael, is a distant workaholic she isn't sure she can trust, and her once-bubbly daughter, Avery, has spent the last year hidden away in her room.

If Lori wants to reconnect with her family, she'll have to uncover the information her brain is trying to keep secret. As her memories return and past secrets resurface, it will take the whole family to repair what's been broken and find a new future together.

This book is a page turner that's for sure.  I love how each chapter goes back and forward between Lori, and her daughter Avery.  The family dynamics are spot on, and how one accident can affect each person in the family is well thought out.

Throughout the book, you think that you know what the next part of the story will be, but then another twist happens in the story.  It was quite interesting to see how the brain heals itself after a traumatic brain injury; and how Lori's memory came back to her in bits and pieces.

The relationship between Xander and Avery was really sweet and well thought out.  This was an easy book to keep up with and not overly complicated.  The story moved at a fast pace, so kept the reader interested.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A real winner for me.  Well worth reading; it's the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading many more of her books in the future.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Cold Pursuit," by Nancy Mehl

 "Cold Pursuit," by Nancy Mehl

Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son, who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.

But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. As River and Tony race to stop him before he kills again, an even more dangerous threat emerges, stirring up the past that haunts River and plotting an end to her future.

This is the first book in the Ryland and St. Clair series by Nancy.  After reading this, I can't wait until the next book comes out in January 2024.  Right from the get go you get sucked into this book.  There is action that has you sitting on the edge of your seat from the first page.  You just don't know where it will take you and then you take a breath for a couple of pages, and then BAM! you're right back into it.

You think you know where this story is going to go but the twists and turns involved in it, makes it a page turner.  One thing I love about reading is learning new things.  In this book's case it was SYNESTHESIA.  I had never ever heard of that word before and had no idea what exactly it meant; even though there is a paragraph describing it at the beginning of the book.  However having one of the characters in the book; Brian, having it explained the "illness" very well.

The whole book was very interesting and very well researched in my opinion, and had me thinking right throughout the book.  If you enjoy a murder/mystery type of book, this one if for you.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved it, and would have read it in a day, if I had, had the time.  Nancy's book's never disappoint.  Well worth reading!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"This Is Where It Ends," by Cindy K. Sproles

 "This Is Where It Ends," by Cindy K. Sproles

How long is a body expected to keep a secret?

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just fourteen years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her held gold. And when he died fifty years later, he made her promise to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contained.

Now at ninety-four, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept her promise. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

How long is a body expected to keep a secret? Now that is the million dollar question, and one that no one has the right answer too.  It will all depend on what you think!

I read this book in a day.  I just couldn't put it down; and not just for one reason, for many reasons.  There are so many twists and turns in this book that I had to keep turning the page.  It will come as no surprise that Minerva will die; she is 94.  The way the author wrote about her last few minutes on this earth was so moving, I was in floods of tears.  I knew what was happening, but I just couldn't stop those tears.

I think throughout this book it made you question things in your mind that were probably already there, but this book moved them up to the fore front of you brain.  It makes you think about death.  Minerva was concerned about dying alone.  I think that is a worry for many people.  Not long ago there was a documentary about older people in the UK, and it featured a man who had no living relatives left.  Every night before he went to bed, he laid out his will and all other official documents that people would need if he died through the night.  Minerva always made sure she had clean clothes on.

This book makes you realize how important friendship is, and how good for the soul having people around that cares for you.  I loved the way Del broke down the barriers of Minerva's hardened heart.  I think we all put up barriers to protect ourselves against people who have hurt us in the past.  Del chipped away at Minerva's barriers and broke through.

This would make a great book club book, as there are many topics of conversation and discussion to be had.

Stars out of 5 : 5 and very solid 5 at that.  Even the cover made me want to pick up this book.  It is well worth reading.  I wonder though if this will appeal to the older reader more than the younger readers?

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Long March Home," by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca Lee

"The Long March Home," by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca Lee

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

This is not my normal type of book that I read.  However, if you get the chance please read this book.  I wasn't totally convinced I was going to enjoy this book, but it got to the stage I had to turn the page, as I needed to know what happened next.

I did not know anything about this part of the war, and what those three friends did to try and survive was unbelievable, although their story is fiction, it is based on actual facts.  Also the bond that they formed prior to the war, helped them survive the awful things that they had to go through.  

I enjoyed the story of Billy and Claire, and the story went back and forward to when they were growing up, then to the three boys, (and they were just boys) fighting together in the war.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A must read for everyone, even if you are not fond of war stories.  What these guys went through was just terrible, and everyone should know about it.  Please read this book.
 

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"In the Shadow of the River," by Ann H. Gabhart

" In the Shadow of the River," by Ann H. Gabhart

If all the world's a stage, Jacci will play her part.

She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy.

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother, and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard that same showboat and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows . . . and the answers she craves will not come easily.

I have read a number of Ann's books over the years and I find them enjoyable, but really hard work to get immersed into.  This one was no different, and although I did finish the book, it was truly hard work.

Now I did enjoy learning about life on a showboat, and the historical factor of the book, the actual story just didn't do it for me. I didn't guess who was trying to kill Jacci, or the reason why.

Stars out of 5 : 3 It was an okay book, but not one I will remember; sorry.  

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Swindler's Daughter," by Stephenia H. McGee

 "The Swindler's Daughter," by Stephenia H. McGee

A surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that he has left a business and all his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she arrives at her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by a woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--and Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.

I will say I wasn't sure about this book to start with, but it grows on you the more you read it.  Lillian and Jonah were perfect lead characters and it was lovely to see their chemistry grow through out the book.  Watching Lillian gain more and more independence and a back bone made you want to cheer her on.

I will say though although it wasn't a very "deep" book, it did keep me interested and wanting me to finish the book to see what happened next.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Will I remember this book next month, probably not, but it's a perfect book for some light reading on a summer's day.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Counter Attack," by Patricia Bradley

 "Counter Attack," by Patricia Bradley

Her next move just might be her last

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim chief deputy for Russell County, Tennessee, than a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promise he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late?

This book flowed really nicely, it started at a fast pace and just kept going.  Right from the start the chemistry between Alex and Nathan was on point and they made excellent lead characters.

I will say I guessed who the killer was early on, but the author did mix things up so you did question if you thought you had guessed correctly.  I was laughing to myself about how many times Alex's life was put in danger over a short number of days.  Personally I would have quit the job and gone into hiding!

I know diddly squat about chess so that basically went over my head, all those clues, and as I said I guessed what and why the killings were happening, so you don't need to understand any chess moves.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 A page turner of a book, but was clueless about the chess moves etc. and this book hasn't wanted me to learn how to play chess!!  

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".