"The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies

 "The Hidden Palace," by Dinah Jefferies

1925. Among the ancient honey-coloured walls of the tiny island of Malta, strangers slip into the shadows and anyone can buy a new name. Rosalie Delacroix flees Paris for a dancer’s job in the bohemian clubs deep in its winding streets.

A sister with a secret
1944. Running from the brutality of war in France, Florence Baudin faces a new life. But her estranged mother makes a desperate request: to find her vanished sister, who went missing years before.

A rift over generations
Betrayals and secrets, lies and silence hang between the sisters. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence’s only clue, the war an immovable barrier – and time is running out…

This is the second book in The Daughters of War series. This book is as fast paced as the first one.  Florence is the star of this book and you can't help but fall in love with her.  You are rooting for her to find her aunt Rosalie in Malta.  However, Rosalie's story is equally as interesting.

The book goes back and forward between Florence and Rosalie's stories and the description's with both are equally as interesting.  I love how the author describes each place the characters with such detail, you can more or less smell the flowers.

I will say I would love to visit Malta after reading this book.  Without giving away the story, this story shows how love can divide a family.

Stars out of 5 : 5 As good as the first book in the series.  I have the third book on order from the library.  These books should be read in order of publication for them to make sense, as one story sort of follows on from the other.

I borrowed this book from the library.  All the words are my own in this book review.

"Daughter's of War," by Dinah Jefferies

 "Daughter's of War," by Dinah Jefferies

Deep in the river valley of the Dordogne, in an old stone cottage on the edge of a beautiful village, three sisters long for the end of the war.
 
Hélène, the eldest, is trying her hardest to steer her family to safety, even as the Nazi occupation becomes more threatening.

Elise, the rebel, is determined to help the Resistance, whatever the cost.

And Florence, the dreamer, just yearns for a world where France is free.

Then, one dark night, the Allies come knocking for help. And Hélène knows that she cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. But secrets from their own mysterious past threaten to unravel everything they hold most dear… 

This book is set in rural France, during the Spring and Summer of 1944.  The Nazi occupation is coming to an end and the three sisters are being drawn into the war, whether they like it or not.

The detail in this book is so very interesting, the things they cooked, the way they adapted to shortages etc.  It also highlights the cruelties that the Nazi's were famous for.  However, it also highlights the strengths, the bravery and the sacrifices the civilians of France went through during this time.

I was hooked on this book from the get go and I just wanted to keep on reading.  I am a fast reader and it took me just over two days to read this book as there is over 500 pages in it.  Yes, I got very little else done while reading this!!

I didn't realize this was the first book in a series of three from this author.  The book was that good, I immediately ordered the next two books from the library.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Each sister was as interesting as the other was.  The way the author wound their stories and lives together but still making each sister's character as important as the other, made reading this book very enjoyable.  I can't wait to start the next book in the series.  Really, really good book and well worth reading.

I bought this book for my own enjoyment and these words are my own.

"The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

 "The Last Time I Saw Paris," by Lynn Sheene

May 1940: Fleeing a glamorous Manhattan life built on lies, Claire Harris arrives in Paris with a romantic vision of starting anew. But she didn't anticipate the sight of Nazi soldiers marching under the Arc de Triomphe. Her plans smashed by the German occupation, the once-privileged socialite's only option is to take a job in a flower shop under the tutelage of a sophisticated Parisian florist. 

In exchange for false identity papers, Claire agrees to aid the French Resistance. Despite the ever-present danger, she comes to love the enduring beauty of the City of Light, exploring it in the company of Thomas Grey, a mysterious Englishman working with the Resistance. Claire's bravery and intelligence make her a talented operative, and slowly her values shift as she witnesses the courageous spirit of the Parisians. 

But deception and betrayal force her to flee once more--this time to fight for the man she loves and what she knows is right. Claire just prays she has the heart and determination to survive long enough to one day see Paris again...

If you enjoy books from World War II, set in France involving the French Resistance this book is for you.  Add in fast paced action, a lead character who you instantly fall in love with because you know she goes above and beyond what's needed.  Sprinkle in a romance and bravery and you have the perfect book.

This book is a page turner, as it goes from one dramatic plan to another.  You are sat on the edge of your seat at times as you just don't know if Claire is going to be found out.  And despite living a more glamourous lifestyle, she never forgets her roots and how she grew up in a poverty stricken house.  

One good thing about this book, is that you got right to the nitty gritty of the book after only a couple of chapters.  Some books take forever with the background before you get to the actual story.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved the book.  The only thing I would change/add was an epilogue as I would have loved to know what happened to some of the characters in the book after the war.  Overall a book well worth reading.

I purchased this book for my own reading, and the book review are my own words.

"The Honk and Holler Opening Soon," by Billie Letts

 "The Honk and Holler Opening Soon," by Billie Letts

Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.

This is such a great story.  Full of many characters, all quirky in their own way and each one interesting in a different way.  The way the story is told, you don't get confused with all their individual stories, like you do in other books when there is a big cast of characters.

You know each one isn't perfect but they all care about one another despite not being related.  The way the author describes everything and everyone, you can see it all so clearly in your own mind's eye.  The Honk and Holler is the hub and the safe place for all the characters in the book.  I am sure there are many of these small town diner's dotted all over the country.

Stars out of 5 : 5  This story gets you hooked right away.  I needed to know what happens next and the author keeps things moving along at a fast pace.  This is my first book I have read by this author and I don't think it will be my last.

I purchased this book for my own enjoyment and the book review is all my own words.

"The Dressmaker of Khair Khana," by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

 "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana," by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Former ABC journalist Gayle Tzemach Lemmon tells the riveting true story of Kamila Sidiqi and other women of Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s fearful rise to power. In what Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, calls “one of the most inspiring books I have ever read,” Lemmon recounts with novelistic vividness the true story of a fearless young woman who not only reinvented herself as an entrepreneur to save her family but, in the face of ferocious opposition, brought hope to the lives of dozens of women in war-torn Kabul.

This book is the true story of how the Sidiqi sisters survived and prospered against all odds when the Taliban took over Afghanistan when the Russians left in 1992 .  It shows despite being forced to give up jobs and being unfairly restricted on what they could or could not do, they were able to start a business and survive when many were starving and/or fleeing the country.

What they did though was not without great danger, that could have put their whole family at risk.  In fact there were a couple of times in the book that you were sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next.  Kamila proved to be a very level headed entrepreneurial woman who figured out how to make the best of a terrible situation.  She was also a kind hearted woman who wanted to help other women out as well.  

Between her and her sisters they helped many other women earn money to help their own families.  This books ends in 2002 when the Taliban left Afghanistan when the Americans took over.  What would be interesting now would be to see what these sisters are doing now in 2024 with the Taliban back in power?

Stars out of 5 : 4 This was an interesting read and an insight to what it was like to live in Afghanistan as a woman.  It did make you realize how lucky I am as a woman that I can do what I want when I want without asking permission from a male member of the household.  I am glad I read the book and would like to read Gayle's other book called Ashley's War again set in Afghanistan.  She has also released a book called The Daughter's of Kobani which also looks good and is set in Syria.

These are my own words and I purchased this book for myself.

"Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern"

 "Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern"

In the south-west of Ireland, rugged mountains meet bright blue lakes and thick forests. Deep in the woods, a young woman lives alone, forever secluded from the world, her life a well-kept secret. She possesses an extraordinary talent, the likes of which no-one has seen before: a gift that will earn her the nickname Lyrebird.

When Solomon stumbles into Laura’s solitary existence, her life is turned on its head. Pulled from her peaceful landscape to the cacophony of Dublin, she is confronted by a world desperate to understand her.

But while Solomon knows the world will embrace Laura, will it free her to spread her wings – or will it trap her in a gilded cage? Like all wild birds, she needs to fly free…

Lyrebird is a thoughtful, deeply moving love story; a story of the wild heart in us all and the quiet that lies underneath the world’s noise.

This book was chosen by the book club my mother attends in the UK.  Honestly it wouldn't be one I would have chosen for myself, but I am glad I read it.

This is a story of Laura who for all her life has lived in a solitary world, with very little contact with the outside world.  Through no fault of her own she is pushed into the spotlight and the world of showbusiness.  What happens next is in parts inevitable and is a lesson which everyone in her world learns the hard way.

I felt sad for most of this book knowing what was happening to Laura, I just wanted to pluck her out of the city and plop her back into her country cottage where she is the happiest.  She has people on her side, but first she has to get away from the others, who are trying "to help her."  Though in reality they are helping themselves more.

Meanwhile there is a complicated love story and an even more complicated back story to explore.

Stars out of 5 : 4 It's a different story, that's for sure.  It always amazes me the depth of authors imaginations when it comes to developing book ideas.  I am glad I read this book.  As I said at the beginning of this review, this would not be a book I would have personally chosen.

This book was borrowed from the library and the review are my own thoughts.

My Name is Eva, by Suzanne Goldring

 My Name is Eva, by Suzanne Goldring

Evelyn Taylor-Clarke sits in her chair at Forest Lawns Care Home in the heart of the English countryside, surrounded by residents with minds not as sharp as hers. It would be easy to dismiss Evelyn as a muddled old woman, but her lipstick is applied perfectly, and her buttons done up correctly. Because Evelyn is a woman with secrets and Evelyn remembers everything. She can never forget the promise she made to the love of her life, to discover the truth about the mission that led to his death, no matter what it cost her…

When Evelyn’s niece Pat opens an old biscuit tin to find a photo of a small girl with a red ball entitled ‘Liese, 1951’ and a passport in another name, she has some questions for her aunt. And Evelyn is transported back to a place in Germany known as ‘The Forbidden Village,’ where a woman who called herself Eva went where no one else dared, amongst shivering prisoners, to find the man who gambled with her husband’s life…

I wasn't too keen on the start of this book.  It went back and forth between Evelyn's niece Pat visiting Evelyn in the care home and Evelyn writing letters to her husband during the war.  I was at a point of getting quite confused at what is going on.

Then it switched to more about what Evelyn did during the war.  The way this book was written, it was like a slow burn.  You kept getting more information but still had so many unanswered questions.  The more I got into the book the more I enjoyed it.

I felt sad for Evelyn.  I found the part when she said goodbye to her home really sad.  Knowing we are all going to get old one day and will this happen to us?  It did make me wonder if there are people out there who have actually "played," at being muddled? 

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  Once you have read past the first part of the book, it truly is a page turner.  Evelyn is a woman of immense patience.  Make sure you read the author's notes at the end.  Places in this book were actual places in World War II.

I purchased this book from Indigo for my own pleasure and will donate it. 

The Riviera House, by Natasha Lester

 The Riviera House, by Natasha Lester

A lush and engrossing novel of one woman’s quest to keep Nazis from stealing priceless art during WWII, perfect for fans of The Rose Code.
 
Paris, 1939: The Nazis think Éliane can't understand German. They’re wrong. They think she’s merely cataloging art in the Louvre  and unaware they’re stealing national treasures for their private collections. They have no idea she’s carefully decoding their notes and smuggling information to the Resistance. But Éliane is playing a dangerous game. Does she dare trust the man she once loved with her secrets, or will he only betray her once again? She has no way to know for certain . . . until a trip to a stunning home on the French Riviera brings a whole new level of peril.
 
Present Day: Wanting to forget the tragedy that has left her life in shambles, Remy Lang heads to a home she’s mysteriously inherited on the Riviera. While working on her vintage fashion business, she discovers a catalog of the artworks stolen during World War II and is shocked to see a painting that hung on her childhood bedroom wall. Who is her family, really? And does the Riviera house hold more secrets than Remy is ready to face?

This was such a good book, I couldn't put it down.  This book is based partly on a true story.  If you love history and romance this is for you.  I think Eliane's story was so well told.  You just want to be right there with her to help her along.  She was a true heroine.  You just can't imagine what the people went through in Paris during World War II.

Then there is Remy's story, a total different story but still as heartbreaking as Eliane's.  Both ladies though are mother's who would do anything for their child.  How are they connected, well you have to read the book to see how and believe me, once you start the book, you will need to know what happens next.

Stars out of 5 : 5 It's a page turner for sure and don't forget to read the authors notes at the end, they are interesting.  

I bought this book from Indigo for my own pleasure and will donate it.

"Garden Variety," by Christy Wilhelmi

 "Garden Variety," by Christy Wilhelmi

Each time Lizzie steps through the gates of the Vista Mar Community Gardens, she knows she’s left the chaos of the outside world behind. Here, the rows are even, tools are properly stored, and each season brings new life. But even the shiniest apple can hide a worm, and behind the leafy green façade there is hidden heartbreak, tomato hornworms, and inter-garden political powerplays.

And to make things worse—a long forgotten loophole enacted by a nasty neighbor brings the outside world crashing in. The members are feuding, Lizzie’s budding romance is wilting on the vine, and the very existence of Vista Mar is threatened. Can Lizzie and her fellow gardeners fight to save their urban oasis while they struggle to stay grounded in this chaotic city? 

Garden Variety is as much about growing food and flowers as it is about life’s growing pains, and how a community rallies and comes together to save their own.

I bought this book from Dollar Tree, and it was such a good read.  It has quite the variety of characters in this book.  For each character the garden means something different for them.  For all of them it fills a need/void in their lives.

Add in a "villain," and things get interesting.  This book isn't a "deep," book, but it is a feel good book.  Also it's very interesting if you have an interest in gardening.

Although this was set in California, what happened in this book could happen in any part of the country.  An added bonus there is gardening tips/lessons at the end of the book.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I was instantly hooked and needed to see what happened next.  It reminded me of when my dad had an allotment when I was a child.

I purchased this book and will donate the book.