"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.

"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".