Tag: emotional

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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR BLOG TOUR By Jessica Redland

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Breath of Fresh Air

Rosie feels like there’s something missing in her life.She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District. But she can’t help wondering how her life might look if things had been different. What if her father had been around to help care for her mother? And what if she’d found someone special herself?

When Hubert Cranleigh – the owner of Willowdale Hall – is taken ill, his son Oliver steps into the breach. Brooding and distant, Rosie is furious when he claims not to know who she is. Especially when they have a history.

Rosie’s life is about to be turned upside down, but with the New Year comes new opportunities. What Rosie feels is missing from her life might be closer than she thinks, and with more significant consequences than she could ever have imagined…

Take a breath of fresh air and escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.

Purchase Links – https://mybook.to/freshairsocial

MY THOUGHTS

This is the second book in the Escape to the Lakes series by Jessica Redland. The author writes such brilliant books, I especially loved her hedgehog series. Another animal series would be most welcome. Recently I read her cat Christmas book, recommended.

As you can probably see by my words, I really enjoy this author’s writing. The author’s books are uplifting, full of energy, love, and community. I really enjoyed the setting of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, the horses all sounded so lovely. Riding anyone? I want to visit Willowdale Hall, the lovely estate along with Willowdale Hall Riding Stables on the property Rosie and her mom live on.

I liked the characters a lot in this book, except for one, not too nice person. This is Rosie and her moms’ story but also Rosie and Oliver’s story. This is about how Rosie and Oliver meet again after some years. There book has such a connection between past and present, it’s evident right away. Some mistakes and misunderstandings in the past are still influencing present happenings.

The story is full of love, compassion, understandings, helping others in their time of need and you know the characters will continue to be there in the future for each other when help is needed. Some big secrets are revealed, and I think that’s good, it explains a lot and helps the characters to progress in life.

There is a cliff hanger at the very end, and I can’t wait to read the next book to see how this is revolved.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

AUTHOR BIO

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004465368404

Twitter https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/

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Bookbub profile: Jessica Redland Books – BookBub

Thanks for visiting the blog today and your kind words. Enjoy your day.

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The Memory Box: Heartbreaking historical fiction set partly in World War Two, inspired by true events

430 pages Mobius Books August 5 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Tanner opens the box she has cherished for decades. Contained within are her most precious mementoes, amongst them a pebble, a carving and a newspaper cutting she can hardly bear to read. But Jenny knows the time is finally here. After the war, in a mountainside village in Italy, she left behind a piece of her heart. However painful, she must return to Cinque Alberi. And lay the past to rest.

After a troubled upbringing, Candice Barnes dreams of a future with the love of her life – but is he the man she believes him to be? When Candice is given the opportunity to travel to Italy with Jenny, she is unaware the trip will open her eyes to the truth she’s been too afraid to face. Could a place of goodbyes help her make a brave new beginning?

MY THOUGHTS

What a heartfelt and emotional book this was.


A young woman, not having the best upbringing is low in self-confidence. She works at a nursing home and feels like someone finally cares about her, her new boyfriend. She has made a connection with the oldest resident there, a woman named Jenny Tanner. Jenny is over 100 years old and knows time is running out for her. She has a memory box with special mementos that signify times in her life that are important to her.

Jenny has made a strong connection with her nursing assistant, Candice Barnes. With time slipping away Jenny knows it’s a now or never kind of thing and she must return to the place of her birth, Italy, she has some places she must revisit and some things she must make right. Her memories will not let her not due this, and she will with Jenny’s help.


Told in flashbacks of Jenny’s younger life and its importance and modern times. As Candice spends more time with Jenny, we see an awareness she develops about her current situation. I enjoyed seeing the growth and development Candice shows.

The past and present meet in this glorious book, so emotional and heartfelt and full of beautiful surprises. This is a book that had been passed over many times on my reading shelf because I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. I’m here to say if you have books, you’ve been putting off get to them and you may just love them like I did this one.
Highly recommended!

Pub Date 05 Aug 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Hughes was born near Manchester, UK in 1964. After thirty years working as a secretary and bringing up two children, she finally realised her dream of writing a book. Her debut novel, The Letter, set in her home town, was first published in 2013 and since then has become an international best-seller, translated into 30 languages. Her other books include The Secret and The Key. This summer sees the release of her fourth book, Her Last Promise, a sweeping tale of a daughter’s quest to unravel the secrets of her mother’s disappearance.

Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.

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The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

Have you read, The Twelve Dogs of Christmas? It’s such an important book about dog rescue. You will pawsitively love it! Come see my review here on my other blog.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

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GUY’S GIRL a Berkley Blog Tour

About the Book

The boy who couldn’t love and the girl who wouldn’t.

Ginny Murphy is a total guy’s girl. She’s always found friendships with boys easier to form and keep drama-free – as long as they don’t fall for her, and she doesn’t fall for them. She and her best guy friends have always stuck to that. But then she meets Adrian Silvas, the only one who’s ever made her crave more, and Ginny begins to question her own rules. 

     Piece by piece, Ginny and Adrian begin to fall into something intoxicating, something dangerous. Ginny threatens to destroy Adrian’s belief he’s held ever since witnessing his own mother’s heartbreak: that love isn’t worth the risk. For Ginny, the stakes could be even higher. Letting Adrian get close could mean exposing a secret she’s long protected: her disordered eating.

     Ginny isn’t looking to be saved by someone else. But maybe she and Adrian can help each other – if they don’t destroy each other first.

     Heartfelt and evocative, GUY’S GIRL is a powerful story about true love, self-love, and growing up.

MY THOUGHTS

The book is emotional and completely raw. The main character hides her eating disorder in plain view. Many people don’t recognize the signs and miss someone having anorexia and bulimia from just a casual relationship. When you have these, you get very good at hiding it. It was not an easy book to read. I’ve never personally known anyone with these but the descriptions in the book broke my heart. I’ve learned a lot about these eating disorders through this read. The book is eye opening. I want to thank the author for writing this book and I am hoping it inspires others who have these to get the help that they need. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab it Here

About the Author

Emma Noyes told her mother she wanted to be an author when she was six. She grew up in a suburb outside Chicago and attended Harvard University, where she studied history & literature. She started her career at a beer company, but left because she wanted to write about mermaids and witches—eventually publishing her first YA fantasy series, The Sunken City. She now lives in Chicago with her Swedish boyfriend and miniature Pomeranian. Guy’s Girl is her adult debut. Learn more online at www.emmavrnoyes.com.

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On Moonberry Lake Heartwarming book by debut author Holly Varni

336 pages September 26,2023 publication date Revell publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

MY THOUGHTS

If you’ve been reading my blog any amount of time at all you’ll notice I read a lot of different authors. Some say they want the tried-and-true authors and won’t try a debut author. I say that’s nonsense. If I hadn’t tried this author, I wouldn’t have found a new favorite author with all the elements I love in books.

Moonberry Lake is heartwarming and charming and located in the beautiful North Woods of Minnesota. Its small-town descriptions will make you want to visit, and then stay. Cora hasn’t been in Moonberry Lake since childhood but when life doesn’t go as planned, she finds herself back there with a surprising inheritance, her family’s dilapidated lakefront lodge.

Her family has kept secrets from her and while in Moonberry she’ll try to work her way through them with some unforeseen results.

Now the characters living in Moonberry are quite an eclectic bunch. Everyone has their own opinion, and they are quite different from each other. They all openly welcome her, except for one character. I’m hoping to find out more about this character in a future book.

The renovation of the family lodge is going beautifully and while the construction is going on Cora has time to settle in and really talk to her neighbors, like so many of us don’t have time for now a day.

I have to say Cora’s character seemed a little naive, but I didn’t like her any less. Of all the characters if I had to choose a favorite I’d choose Kitty, there is something very special about her.

Let’s talk about a few other characters, the dental receptionist, she is annoying. No one would keep a dental receptionist on like that, even if you did like her and felt sorry for her. I still liked her though; I thought her character was funny. I also liked the man she helped around his house, who is so introverted. All quirky neighbors, all have a story to tell and a lesson to teach. You will fall in love with this heartwarming story and not want to leave it. I am greatly looking forward to another book in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and the crazy neighbor who mowed his lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to becoming a storyteller was planted. She wants to give readers characters they can connect with, admire, laugh at, and most of all love.

She is podcast host of “Moments from Moonberry Lake,” and author of the “Moonberry Lake” series.

In her personal life, she married a University Professor with the same chocolate eyes as her romantic lead. They live on the Central Coast of California with their three sons. The characters of Moonberry Lake and their unique stories came about as she was trying to survive being a boy mom. When not doing laundry or writing, she has the privilege of being a Hospice volunteer, where she sits with the dying and listens to their stories.

Have you read this book? Did you love it as much as I did?

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping in.

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Bookouture Blog Tour for The Royal Daughter by Soraya Lane

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Royal Daughter: A completely unputdownable and heartbreaking page-turner full of family secrets (The Lost Daughters Book 3)

“My darling B, my heart, my soul. I only wish we’d had longer. Longer to search for the daughter that I should never have given up. The daughter that I should have been brave enough to keep, brave enough to tell you about, brave enough to tell the world about.”

London, present day. As Ella looks down at a faded black and white photograph of an unknown woman and child alongside a yellowing piece of sheet music, she wonders how the two things can possibly relate to her own family. The items were left for her family at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers whose babies were adopted.

Soon Ella learns that the photograph was taken on the picturesque Greek island of Skopelos, nestled in the turquoise calming waters of the Aegean sea, and that the woman in the photo holds the key to her family’s heritage. As she opens up to her new flame Gabriel, he tells her that she should go to the island to unravel the mystery and that he will wait for her.

Though Ella is torn she decides to go and once there, she discovers a heart-wrenching story of a royal family forced to leave their country for a new life in London, and of a girl with a unique talent for music who captured the heart of a young violinist but was forced to leave him and London behind for the sake of her family.

When Ella discovers the sacrifice made by the two young lovers and comes face to face with her forgotten Greek family, will their story give her the courage to follow her own heart back to London and Gabriel, or will the beauty of the island capture her heart and lead her to a new love altogether?

A totally addictive and heartbreaking novel about the strength of family ties and never giving up on true love. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

MY THOUGHTS

I know when I read a book by Soraya M. Lane my heart is going to be broken. Happens every time. Her books are excellent she has a way of writing from the soul, and I can feel all of the emotions portrayed in the story. I’ll admit the story brought tears to my eyes, and that doesn’t happen often when I read.


The setting was perfect, oh how I would love to visit Greece, it sounds so welcoming and beautiful. The characters so realistic, I would have loved to meet so many of them. My heart felt what the characters did, I was hoping, praying things would turn out differently. Life can be so unfair sometimes, why must we suffer so much at times.
This is a dual time historical fiction book. Taking place in modern day England and in the nineteen seventies Greek island of Skopelos.


Finding a box of memories meant for her family left behind at a former home for unwed mothers whose babies were adopted, Ella knows she must follow the clues back to the beautiful island where it all started.


On this beautiful island we are visiting in the nineteen seventies we meet a young woman, just twelve years old who has just had her whole world ripped apart, her mother has died in a horse-riding accident. Her father has no compassion for her, and she is so alone. On top of this they are forced to leave their country and her life is in an upheaval. Her aunt, whom she hasn’t seen in many years steps in and insists she move in with her family in England. All goes well for quite a while and with her newly discovered musical talent she meets another talented musician when she’s a teen and falls in love.

Life is not to be rosy and sweet for her as she once again faces upheaval as her father rips her away from her lover for bringing shame to the family and his own greedy purposes.


Ella discovers the past and is heartbroken by all she finds out when she visits the island and meets her forgotten Greek family. Though sad, her discoveries make her a better, stronger person able to cope with changes.

We discover the strength of family ties that make us a stronger person, more capable to handle life. Unrelenting love that lasts through life’s storms.


I was captivated as I read and couldn’t put this down. I can’t wait to read the next book by the author.

Pub Date 12 Oct 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BZ8WW9NZsocial

THE AUTHOR

About the author

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind. 

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

Author social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor

Twitter:

Instagram @SorayaLaneAuthor

Website: www.sorayalane.com

Newsletter sign up:

https://www.bookouture.com/soraya-lane-email-sign-up/

Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.

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 Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt Books On Tour

Book Description:

As the snow begins to fall and the lights twinkle, Ellie realizes Christmas has finally come to the Inn on Bluebell Lane. But as she watches the guests arrive, she hopes this won’t be her family’s last winter in this magical place…

It’s been two years since Ellie and her family left their lives in America behind and moved to a small Welsh village to run her husband’s family inn. Having fought to save it from disrepair, Ellie is shocked when her sister-in-law, Sarah, breaks the news that the inn is facing financial trouble and might have to close after Christmas, a thought that breaks all their hearts.

Turning to her mother-in-law, Ellie sees tears sparkling in Gwen’s eyes. But then Ellie has an idea: a celebratory Christmas week for guests and locals with all the festive trimmings — an unforgettable experience, and her family’s last chance to save the inn.

With Christmas drawing closer, the family are busier than ever. Gwen bakes enough mince pies to feed the whole country, while Ellie adds mistletoe to every room, and her husband Matthew turns the garden into a winter wonderland.

But there are troubles ahead no one could expect. And as Bluebell Lane twinkles against the frost, Ellie marvels that the inn has never looked prettier. But will it be enough to save this beautiful place her family has grown to love?

This totally unputdownable seasonal read is perfect for anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas. Packed with heart-warming festive cheer, and bursting with merrymaking, this novel is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr and Elin Hildebrand.

MY THOUGHTS

A beautiful and welcoming addition to Christmas joys this year. The Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is about working together, accepting who others are and knowing they may not be the ones needing to change, but it may be ourselves.

Change is inevitable, it’s not always easy, but it’s a guarantee it’s going to happen.
This glorious holiday read will open all your senses to festiveness of the season.

I had a hard time putting this one down. Filled with all the holiday descriptions in this special little inn, the Inn on Bluebell Lane. I sure wish I could visit this small Welsh village. It may not have all the trappings of the big-name fancy places you could choose to stay but it would be my choice for a comfortable, cozy and down to earth sounding stay.

The characters are relatable and sound so realistic, sure it sounds like some of them are not having an easy time of it, but I do believe in the miracle of Christmas. With the ending it makes me think there will be at least one more to round out this series and I’ll be first in line to read it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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THE AUTHOR

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

https://www.kate-hewitt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KateHewittAuthor/
https://twitter.com/author_kate

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Kate Hewitt here: https://www.bookouture.com/kate-hewitt

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CB6YWWFGsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Happy Publication Day and Bookouture Books on Tour for The Locket by Natalie Meg Evans

I am so pleased to welcome you onto my blog today for the blog tour of The Locket by Natalie Meg Evans.

ABOUT THE BOOK

England, 1942. ‘It has to stay secret,’ he whispers, placing the locket around her neck. ‘If they find it, they’ll send me away.’ As she holds the locket, glinting in the moonlight, she can’t hold back the tears. ‘I just wish we didn’t have to hide…’
When farmer’s daughter Irene meets Theodore at a village dance, sparks fly instantly. The war has brought him all the way from Louisiana to build a US airbase just across her father’s fields, but as they sway together, there is nothing else in the world. Only his gentle touch and his deep brown eyes.
But being together comes at a price. As Theodore is Black, the might of the US Air Force is against them, and all the members of the little village community disapprove of their relationship. And they will all go to terrible lengths to tear the two young lovers apart…
Decades later, heartbroken Ruby is back at her family’s crumbling farmhouse for the first time in years, after the loss of her beloved grandmother Irene. The roof has fallen in, family photographs are damaged – and her grandmother’s jewellery is nowhere to be found.
When Ruby uncovers her grandmother’s waterlogged diaries, she discovers that Irene treasured one piece of lost jewellery above all. A locket from a man called Theodore. And the missing locket holds the key to unravelling a heartbreaking secret that changed her grandmother’s life…
Is someone in the village hiding the locket to keep the truth about Irene and Theodore buried? And can Ruby find a way to honour her grandmother’s memory – or in digging up the pain of the war, will she tear her family apart?
An absolutely breathtaking World War Two story about the power of love in the face of adversity, and how the tragic consequences of war can echo through generations. Fans of Fiona Valpy, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will be addicted to this incredible read.

MY THOUGHTS

My heart about broke reading such an emotional story.

A time slip taking place in England 1942 and modern times. Each features a romantic couple, the one in 1942 is Irene, a 17-year-old farmer’s daughter, Irene, and Theo a service man stationed far from Louisiana, now proudly serving in the US Air Force and there to build a US airbase just across her father’s fields.

The modern times story features Irene’s granddaughter Ruby and her romantic partner. I will admit my favorite part of the story was the historical time period.

Irene falls fast when she meets Theo at a town dance, but Theo warns her they must keep their romance a secret, see Theo is black and a romance such as this is just not accepted in this time period.

The descriptions of the prejudice people and the treatment of Theo including beatings just for a romance with a white woman disgusted me. What business is it of anyone who someone dates or socializes with, nobody’s affair but the two it involves. And this includes the church minister involved in bigotry.

There was just no combatting prejudice and bigotry at this time and Theo was beaten, sent away and jailed. Before this though, when their romance was fresh and new, they were engaged, and he gave her a beautiful engagement ring hidden in a locket. My heart breaks for the injustice and ruined lives here.

Many years later Irene’s granddaughter, Ruby comes to the farm where Irene lived and finds her grandmother’s diary.

She is determined to find out her grandmother’s secrets, she had no idea about her grandmother’s past or where the locket is located. Will digging up the past cause pain to her family, especially and older generation member or will they hold the key to unlocking the past?

Brilliantly written, I had such a hard time putting this down. The perseverance the past generation showed in the face of adversity is amazing and must be commended! Five stars but I wish I could give it more!

Buy Link: https://geni.us/B0C9RW62RPsocial

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AUTHOR BIO

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today Bestselling author of six novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner’s Secret (re-titled “The Girl who Dreamed of Paris”), The Wardrobe Mistress, Summer in the Vineyards, The Secret Vow and The Paris Girl that feature sisters, Katya and Tatiana. Since then, Natalie has released Into the Burning Dawn and The Italian Girl’s Secret, books set in the lucious Bay of Naples during the second world war. Now, the latest novel is available and it is called The Girl with the Yellow Star. The story takes place in Cornwall on the glorious north coast, and is a heart-wrenching story of loss, love and challenging choices.

Visit her website at https://www.nataliemegevans.uk

Have a beautiful day and spread LOVE!

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Blog Tour for The Midwife of Berlin by Anna Stuart

I welcome you onto my blog today for the blog tour by Bookouture of The Midwife of Berlin by Anna Stuart.

ABOUT THE BOOK

THE MIDWIFE OF BERLIN: COMPLETELY UNFORGETTABLE AND TOTALLY HEARTBREAKING WW2 HISTORICAL FICTION by Anna Stuart

Auschwitz, 1943: I stroke my beautiful baby’s hair. It’s a miracle it’s blonde because it will keep her alive, it will keep her safe. Soon they will come and take Pippa out of Auschwitz-Birkenau – and out of my arms. But while there’s life, there’s hope I might find my daughter again…
An incredible story of one woman’s courage and determination to reunite her family in the aftermath of surviving Auschwitz.
1945, Berlin: Ester Pasternak walked out of the gates of Auschwitz barely alive. She survived against devastating odds, but her heartbreaking journey is only just beginning. In the camp, Ester gave birth to a tiny fair-haired infant, only for her precious baby to be snatched from her and taken to a German family. Now the war is over, Ester longs to find her little girl.
But Europe is in chaos, Jewish families have been torn apart and everyone is desperately searching for their loved ones. In every orphanage and hospital she visits, Ester searches the faces of tear-stained toddlers; each mop of blonde hair and pair of blue eyes she sees sets her heart racing…
But as the months and the years tick by, the possibility of finding her daughter shrinks smaller and smaller. And Ester starts to wonder if little Pippa is even safe, or whether the miracle that saved her has now put her in even more danger?
Will Ester ever be able to find the child whose tattoo matches her own? Or is she already too late…
A completely gripping and emotional WW2 novel of one woman’s bravery and determination to hold on to hope in a world torn apart by war. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale.

MY THOUGHTS

Though this book was so hard to read I am so glad the author has written it. We need to never forget those who were tortured during the Holocaust.

My heart aches for the people subjected to such inhumane treatment. I really don’t understand how they could treat another human being the way they did. Reading this book absolutely broke my heart. I have never read such a realistic book about Auschwitz!

Though hard to read it’s such an important story that needed telling!
A haunting story that will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page.

I’ve always been able to count on realistic and heartbreaking historical fiction from the author that I must read.


As I flipped the pages, I was holding my breath praying for the safety of the characters.
Gripping and emotional, this author’s books are a must read for me. The strength and resilience the women show in a time of darkness is a shining example of bravery and the will to go on.


I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

BUY LINK: https://geni.us/B0C9MRGVJFsocial

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AUTHOR BIO

 Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks. 

Thank you for stopping in. Have a beautiful day.

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Christmas in July Reads, One Last Gift by Emily Stone

379 pages October 11,2022 publication date Random House publisher

About The Book

When a young woman finds herself lost and at a crossroads, one last gift from her brother just might give her another chance at life and at love in this epic holiday romance from the author of Always, in December

“Heartbreaking, romantic and full of warmth . . . waterproof mascara recommended!”—Sarah Morgan, author of The Christmas Sisters

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: PopSugar

Sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you don’t expect.

Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and relied on each other—as well as a community of friends—to cope. They were especially close with Tom’s best friend, Sam, who always made sure that Tom and Cassie were surrounded with love. But, twenty years later, Cassie has lost Tom as well. And in a way, she’s also lost Sam; over the years they’d drifted apart, and now the man she always had a crush on is someone she doesn’t even recognize anymore.

She’s never felt more alone.

Then Cassie finds an envelope with her name on it, written in Tom’s terrible handwriting, and she knows immediately what it is. It’s the first clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt that Tom made for her every year; he’d promised her for months that this year’s would be the grandest one yet. At first, she’s too scared to open the envelope—what if she can’t figure out the clues without his help? Or what if she does figure them all out and her last connection to Tom is gone?

Tom’s present sets Cassie on a heart-wrenching and beautiful journey that will change her life—if she lets it. And as she travels from London to the Welsh mountains to the French countryside, she reconnects with old friends, rekindles a lost love, and, most important, rediscovers herself. But once she’s solved the final clue, will she be brave enough to accept the gift her brother has given her—and the love it’s led her to?

My Thoughts

One Last Gift is Cassie’s story, but it is also Tom’s story. Cassie and Tom are siblings with Tom being the oldest. Sadly, they lose their parents at a very young age and are sent to live with an aunt. Being that Cassie is younger she doesn’t want her aunt but her mother, which is of course understandable.

Tom is Cassie’s buffer, her so to speak protector in life, comforting her during sad times when he himself is going through turmoil but he doesn’t show it. As you could imagine the siblings are close in their relationship. For quite some time Tom and Sam have been best friends, nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. You know what they say about wanting to date your brother’s best friend, but Cassie doesn’t heed this and makes her feelings known to Sam during a skiing trip. Sam seems to reciprocate these feelings, but he brushes off her feelings and she is really hurt.

With how nice of a guy Tom is you really become attached to him and then to find out he passes away in an accident is devastating. Understandably Sam is beside himself with grief with his best friend gone and Cassie blames him for not being able to help him and that just piles on the guilt. I enjoyed seeing the witty banner between Sam and Cassie when they aren’t at each other’s throats.

The one really neat thing is each year at Christmas time Tom sets up a treasure hunt for Cassie to solve and the clues get harder each year. It was such an emotional time reading as she goes through the clues and solves them. The clues take her to places outgoing Tom knew she would have never gone on her own and they have her doing things she wouldn’t have had the courage to do.

The book is very encouraging but yet very emotional. In a way it’s as though Tom is still here in a small way giving Cassie the encouragement and pick me up, she needs. Such a fabulous book. I recommend this to everyone needing a quiet moment of reflection and a dose of encouragement.

Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Hello, I’m Emily! If you’ve found this page then welcome, and thanks so much for showing an interest in my writing.

I have written three books now, which feels surreal! My latest novel is Love, Holly in the US and The Christmas Letter in the UK. My books always revolve around the Christmas period, but span the course of a whole year and more. They also deal with love – and grief, in one way or another. I think I put a part of me in every book – as I’m sure every author does – and my newest book is no exception. The main character – Holly – often does the wrong thing for the right reasons, and that is a situation I’ve found myself in! And with three sisters myself, writing about the sister love – and difficulties – in this book felt personal at times!

My other two novels are One Last Gift – a story of finding yourself when you feel that’s impossible, and of the love between siblings – and Always, in December. As my debut novel, it will always be one close to my heart. Whilst very different from me, the protagonist, Josie is suffering with a grief that I know all too well – losing a parent/parents at a young age, and having to carry that grief into adulthood, long after it’s supposedly ‘gone away’. I lost my mum when I was seven, and I still think about her even now, in my thirties – and that’s something that Josie and I share. Max, too, is suffering his own kind of grief, and that’s something that he has to learn to deal with. But whilst the novel is about grief, and learning to live with that, it’s also about falling in love, and about learning to be brave, even when your life doesn’t feel quite right yet – even if it feels like it will never quite be right!

I wrote my first two novels in a glorious house in Chepstow, living with my sister and my two nieces. My third book I wrote on the English coastline in Cornwall – so I consider myself very lucky!

If you read any of my novels then thank you, and I really hope you enjoy! If you want to get in touch then I’d love to hear from you – I’m on Twitter and Instagram under @EmStoneWrites!

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for your visit today.