It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! Hosted at The Book Date. Come join in the fun.
Hello friends. How are things going with you? This week I am hooking up with Reading Reality who hosts Stacking the Shelves. It’s a fun meme to list the books we’ve acquired in the past week. They may be bought, borrowed or stolen, hopefully not stolen though 🙂
Kitty held her husband close to her chest, covering his beloved body with her own. She called for help, but none came. She stared down at the face she loved so well. “Edgar! Don’t go, my darling, not now. Not after all we’ve been through… please don’t leave me here alone…” 1944. Beautiful American Kitty Larsson knows better than most that fighting the Nazis comes at a price. She’s spent years working undercover as an agent for the British and knows that doing what is right could cost her everything… When Kitty is captured during a mission and her true identity is revealed, she learns her beloved husband, Edgar, has gone missing. The Gestapo tell her they have him, and that his life is in her hands. If she doesn’t cooperate, he will die and her worst fears will be realized. If they are telling the truth, Kitty’s secrets might be enough to save the man she loves… But what if they are lying? Fueled by her desire to do what is right, but also to save the man she loves, Kitty knows that she won’t be able to rest until she can escape and find Edgar. Because surely, somewhere out there, he is still alive… As the war rages, Kitty tries to think of a plan. Surely this isn’t where it all ends? She needs to know whether Edgar is safe, and to hold him in her arms once again. But, to do that, will Kitty finally have to make the ultimate sacrifice? An absolutely unputdownable, gripping and powerful story about love, courage and doing what is right in the midst of the darkness of World War 2. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, My Name is Eva and All the Light We Cannot See.
MY THOUGHTS
This is a series that I’d recommend you read in order to as each story builds upon the last. The author’s writing style is one I really enjoy.
When I am looking for a realistic and well researched historical fiction book, I can always count on this author to deliver. The book is absolutely unputdownable to me. After reading and following Kitty and Edgar’s story I knew I had to keep reading each book in the series
. I was holding my breath as I read. You could feel the tension crackling in the air, will she be caught, will Edgar stay safe? Kitty has been a long-time spy, putting herself in life-threatening situations. She’s on a runaway train of events and there’s no brakes.
There’s a lot of action and suspense. She doesn’t trust the Nazi’s. When she is captured, she is told they will kill Edgar if she doesn’t spill what she knows. Is it true, is Edgar even alive?
I was rooting for Kitty and Edgar’s character’s the whole way through in this series. They put themselves in so much danger. Doing what is right isn’t easy all the time. I applaud Kitty for her courage during the darkest of times and her straightforward attitude.
Sometimes you have to face the dark to receive the light and she is a perfect example of this. Her powerful love and devotion kept her going.
The author’s writing style is so realistic that I could picture it as I read like a film running through my mind.
Mesmerizing, I eagerly look forward to more amazing books by the author. This brought all my emotions to the forefront.
Pub Date 20 Oct 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is a Ukrainian-American who transplanted to Austria. She is the granddaughter of Ukrainian partisans and grandparents who survived a Nazi concentration camp. Born in 1969, she grew up in the culture-rich neighborhood of “Nordeast” Minneapolis, part of the Ukrainian diaspora, and started her writing career with short stories, travel narratives, and poetry. She worked as a journalist and managing magazine editor, before jumping the desk and pursuing her own writing and traveling. Her books tackle David-vs.-Goliath themes with strong women battling for the Underdogs against a system, be it political, geographical, or industrial. Sometimes all three. “I enjoy discovering the good, the bad, and the ugly in my characters when they come into conflict,” she says. “And all of my stories have been inspired by injustices I’ve discovered along my travels.”
For more on Chrystyna, dive in at inktreks(dot)com
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
I haven’t been reading as many historical fiction books as I usually do lately. The cover is so pretty on this. Looking forward to reading The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper.
Description
A botanical illustration of a butterfly, a missing baby, and a twisty mystery fifty years in the making.
1868, Morpeth. Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family’s country estate than she is in finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby. She cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before seen in Australia. With the help of her maid Clarrie and her beautiful drawings, Theodora is poised to make a scientific discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie’s newborn son goes missing and everything changes.
1922, Sydney. When would-be journalist Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume along with an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to attend. Her late grandfather, Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. As she begins to dig, her research quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery—a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
Pub Date 28 Nov 2023
Is this one on your reading list? Have a wonderful day.
359 pages Publisher Revell October 3,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She’s just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can’t abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she’ll serve as the town’s doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely, she’s better than nothing.
Josh Porter’s plans to win his grandfather’s challenge and fulfill his father’s final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory–ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.
If only the town were more accepting of Louisa’s talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it’s too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?
“Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot is the second of three books in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series. I am delighted to be back in Sweetwater Crossing in this second book, with characters I am familiar with from the first book. We also meet new characters. I think the story was well-plotted. I enjoyed Louisa Vaughn’s and Josh Porter’s characters a lot. Louisa is a midwife/doctor with no formal training, but many didn’t have schooling for this. It was just a hands-on approach back then. Sweetwater has many with the attitude that women are to be midwives only, and many had trouble accepting a woman doctor.
When Josh is thrown from his horse, he becomes dehydrated and has a broken leg. He is very fortunate to have Louisa find him, and he trusts her with his care, and she’s able to set him on the mend with his leg.
As they become closer friends, she finds out he is on a quest to impress his grandfather in a challenge to expand the family company to a new territory. Two men become interested in Louisa, but one is not understanding and wants her to give up practicing medicine.
As in the first book, we have a bit of a mystery to solve as Louisa finds threatening notes and someone sabotages her medicines, among other things. Is it someone in town who has not accepted her, or could it be more?
I enjoyed seeing the natural flow of the relationship between Louisa and Josh. She is so encouraging to him as he gets his business started. Despite many people in town turning their backs on her in unacceptance, Josh has always accepted and stood by her. He is kind and encouraging. When I found out who was behind the mystery, I was surprised, not expecting things to turn out this way.
I had a hard time putting this book down and eagerly look forward to reading the next sister’s story in the last book in this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Revell through Interviews & Reviews.”
THE AUTHOR
With both parents avid readers, it’s no surprise that Amanda Cabot learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction, which included a play for her fifth grade class entitled “All About Thermometers,” were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday. Since then she’s sold more than forty novels. When she’s not writing, Amanda enjoys sewing, cooking and – of course – reading.
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.
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.
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.
This week I’m featuring a book I started reading and have had to set aside because of other reading commitments. Hopefully I’ll be able to pick it back up again soon.
Publisher : Shadow Mountain (April 2, 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 272 pages
ABOUT THE BOOK
A ghostly estate. A handsome caretaker hiding a secret. And the intrepid Hyacinth Bell who is set on solving the mystery of both.
1887, the Cornwall coast
For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall–that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls–but botanist Hyacinth Bell only cares about the estate’s extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love–like an orchid–must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.
What she doesn’t expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor’s caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root.
But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth’s worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but she suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.
Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.
Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday hosted at Reading is my Super Power! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m featuring the first line of The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson.
the first lines are……..
“Are you cold, madame?”
Her hands shook like the tremors from the ships bell, clattering against the shreds of wet fabric that hung at her sides, but she didn’t answer his question.
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this compelling new time-slip mystery, a little girl goes missing from her family’s castle in the Thousand Islands of New York. Eighty-five years later, a journalist teams up with a woman living on Koster Isle to find out what happened to Poppy, once and for all.
1907. On the eve of her fifth birthday, Poppy Pendleton is tucked safely in her bed, listening to her parents entertain New York’s gilded society in their Thousand Islands castle; the next morning, she is gone, and her father is found dead in his smoking room.
1992. Though Chloe Ridell lives in the shadows of Poppy’s castle, now in ruins, she has little interest in the mystery that still captivates tourists and locals alike. She is focused on preserving the island she inherited from her grandparents and reviving their vintage candy shop. Until the day a girl named Emma shows up on Chloe’s doorstep, with few possessions, save a tattered scrapbook that connects her to the Pendleton family. When a reporter arrives at Chloe’s store, asking questions about her grandfather, Chloe decides to help him dig into a past she’d thought best left buried. The haunting truth about Poppy, they soon discover, could save Emma’s life, so Chloe and Logan must work together to investigate exactly what happened long ago on Koster Isle.
Did you know the author has her own bookshop? Preorder from her shop and you can get it earlier and a better buy. Here
ABOUT THE BOOK
River pirates, a stolen steamboat, and a deadly chase down the Mississippi—but falling in love might be the real adventure.
When river pirates attack and steal his steamboat, Emmett Carter barely escapes. Rescued and transported to a magnificent world of glitz and showbiz aboard a flashy showboat, Emmett is immediately captivated by something more than recovering his lost inheritance—The River Queen’s beautiful, but quirky, songbird.
Anola Flynn, the star singer on The River Queen, is struggling to keep the business running as attendance dwindles during the 1923 season. With her dreams of saving the family legacy—and the only life she’s ever known—slipping away, she forges an alliance with Emmett to keep her family afloat.
Now, to outsmart the gangsters chasing them, Anola and Emmett must wade through a dark current of deception and betrayal to save not only their dreams, but everyone they care about, from sinking deeper into the Mississippi River.
The River Queen is the first book in the River Romances series.
The author has written books on several subjects and does it so well. This is such an exciting one!
You won’t find a slow or mundane read here! This is a fun and energetic read filled with river pirates, gangsters and smugglers.
A rather unique story of life on a riverboat, I found myself fascinated with the glitz and glamour of life on the flashy showboat.
If you’re looking for action, how about a chase down the Mighty Mississippi? Filled with intriguing situations, mystery, excitement and of course romance.
Looking forward to the next exciting book in this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi! I’m Stephenia H. McGee, bestselling author and winner of the Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award.
I write clean historical, time-travel, and contemporary fiction. My heart-stirring romances are filled with faith, hope, and healing–with a dash of humor mixed in!
All of my books are clean and wholesome, meaning you won’t find any type of explicit content here. Each story contains a Christian theme.
I’m a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Visit me at http://www.StepheniaMcGee.com for books and updates.
You can also email me any time at Stephenia@StepheniaMcGee.com
Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping in today.
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