Tag: historical fiction

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WWW Wednesday

Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived here on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit the other participants and see what others are reading.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently reading

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

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

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

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

Recently Finished Reading

Step into the Cornish Beach Café, where you’ll find stunning views of the sea, plenty of cream cakes and a warm welcome from the quirky locals. But will this special place help to heal Jessie’s broken heart this summer?

Thirty-year-old Jessie is heartbroken after being dumped just before reaching the altar. So she escapes to her favourite place in the world, the little Cornish Beach café in Indigo Cove. There she plans to spend her summer indulging in home-made lemonade and freshly made brownies. Except, on her first night, fate has other ideas and Jessie bumps into tall and brooding Ashton, the first guy she ever kissed…

Determined to protect her fragile emotions, Jessie swears not to get distracted by Ashton’s sea-glass eyes or the way being near him makes her heart hammer against her chest. Instead, she spends time with her beloved grandfather George, helping him to prepare for the café’s puzzle championships.

In the small community, she keeps crossing paths with handsome Ashton, who’s now a wealthy and successful businessman. They end up sharing sunny afternoons together, which turn into long evenings walking along the beach. As the temperature soars between them, Jessie’s heart begins to melt as she discovers the generous personality behind Ashton’s reserved exterior.

But when she discovers a secret from Ashton’s past, Jessie is left shaken. How much does she really know about him, and can she take a leap of faith and trust Ashton when he asks her to?

Will Jessie’s summer at the beach café in Indigo Cove be the biggest mistake of her life or will it turn out to be the fresh start she needs?

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

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

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

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

Reading Next

With dreams of love and a hope for belonging, shy Belle Parish leaves her position as a maid in Charleston to travel to New Mexico with her best friend to become mail-order brides. Colt Lawson’s letters hold great promise and while his devilishly handsome face matches his picture, something does not add up. Discovering his lie only moments before they wed, Belle flees the church and straight into the Castañeda Hotel Harvey House. Giving up the prospect on ever marrying, she dons her nun-like uniform and focuses on her role as a Harvey Girl waitress until a strong Texas Ranger rides into her life.

Colt Lawson didn’t want to send that letter to Belle Parish in the first place, but her first response had all but captured his heart. When he is left standing at the altar alone, he is left with two choices—either release his dream of a love marriage or attempt to win her heart. Wooing her would be a lot easier if that Texas Ranger wasn’t back in town. Who wants a dusty rancher with a past when she could have a shining knight in a Stetson?

Alyssa carefully holds the delicate paper map and looks down at the cottages and winding streets of the village by the shore. She came to Heaven’s Cove for a fresh start. But will the pathways on the map lead her to an old secret?

Fleeing from a heartbreaking mistake, all former nurse Alyssa wants is to focus on her new job giving tours of Heaven’s Cove to visitors and sharing the myths and legends of this beautiful place. Nobody needs to know the real reason she came to the village…

Over cups of tea with elderly resident Magda she soon makes a friend who is alone in the world too. For decades, Magda has been secretly in love with her best friend Stan. Desperate to return Magda’s kindness, Alyssa is eager to bring these two lost souls together. But meeting Stan’s tall, handsome son Jack scuppers her plans.

Dedicated to caring for Stan, Jack says Alyssa’s focus on legends keeps the village in the past. But when Alyssa finds an old map revealing the true story of a Heaven’s Cove couple who sacrificed everything for love, she’s sure the romantic tale could bring Stan and Magda together… and although digging up old secrets soon ruffles feathers in the village, with Jack and Alyssa growing close, she can’t help but think she might find happiness after all.

But will Alyssa ever be able to open up about her own past? Or will the truth tear them apart?

An absolutely stunning read that will whisk you away to the Devon coast, where the seagulls soar and saltwater sprays the air. Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Monroe and Barbara O’Neal.

And what about your reading plans? Let me know in the comments please.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for stopping in.

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Wait for Me: A Sweet Time Travel Romance (Waters of Time Series) by Jody Hedlund

323 pages publish date May 9, 2023 publisher Northern Lights Press 

About The Book

When the darkness closes all around,
Beauty is still there just waiting to be found.

Dawson Huxham blames himself for his sister’s death . . . until he briefly crosses time and discovers she’s alive in the Middle Ages. Hoping to reconnect with her, he searches for the holy water that will help him visit the past for a longer duration. But he realizes he’s not the only one looking for the miraculous water. Terrorists are threatening him and watching his every move.

As Dawson locates holy water from an unlikely source, he crosses fully into the past where he meets a beautiful noblewoman, Philippa Neville, who is desperately trying to escape her uncle’s plans for an arranged marriage. When danger closes in, Dawson agrees to wed her in an effort to thwart her uncle’s schemes. As forces in both the present and past conspire against the newlyweds, will they find a way to be together before the swiftly moving waters of time separate them forever?

My Thoughts

I am not a reader of time travel book but for Jody Hedlund’s books I am.
The Waters in Time books are just incredible, and she has proven her books are equally well written in whatever genre she writes in.


Though this book can be read as a standalone I do suggest you read the books in order.
This series has captivated me from the start, and I have loved all in this series.
I found it fascinating to be transported back in time to the Medieval times and read the differences yet similarities in the time periods.


I enjoyed reading Dawson’s story and seeing the positive change in his personality.
The story has a nice Christian addition without it being too much.
The book has a fabulous outcome that I enjoyed and is positive. I’m looking forward to more well researched books in this series.

Published May 9, 2023.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

Bless someone else’s day with your kindness. Thank you for stopping in today.

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The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific by Tosca Lee and Marcus Brotherton

397 pages Revell publisher publication date May 2,2023

About the Book

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts

The Long March Home is raw, gritty and very realistic. The thing I appreciated is it’s based on true events. Very well researched, I learned a lot and I have read many WWII books so that’s saying something.

Childhood friends from Mobile, Alabama have no idea what they will be facing once they enlist. The Philippines where they’re sent is a world away from Mobile and a whole new culture and many different experiences. Vowing to stick together, always the teens enjoy themselves training waiting for the war to come.

I had not heard of the Bataan Death March in the Philippines or how the Japanese immediately invade the country after bombing Pearl Harbor. The teens are not prepared for the realities of war, the death, the daily struggle for survival with little to eat, standing guard not knowing who’s going to be sneaking up on you.


They are all determined to come back home alive to their loved ones who are desperately waiting for mail and any word of how they’re doing.
Full of hope and determination The Long March Home is a very powerful read. Highly recommended!

Pub Date: 02 May 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

Marcus Brotherton is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author or coauthor of more than 25 books that have been called “fascinating,” “brilliantly arranged,” “magical,” and “refreshingly frank.”

Tosca Lee is the New York Times bestselling author of 11 novels, including The Line Between, The Progeny, The Legend of Sheba, and Iscariot. Lee’s work has been praised as “deeply human,” “powerful,” and “mind-bending historical fiction.”

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping in today.

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California Golden: Two sisters navigate the thrilling, euphoric early days of California surf culture by Melanie Benjamin

352 pages Dell publisher Aug 8, 2023 publish date

About The Book

Two sisters navigate the thrilling, euphoric early days of California surf culture in this dazzling saga of ambition, sacrifice, and the tangled ties between mothers and daughters from the New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife.

Southern California, 1960s: endless sunny days surfing in Malibu, followed by glittering neon nights at Whisky a Go Go. In an era when women are expected to be housewives, Carol Donnelly breaks the mold as a legendary female surfer struggling to compete in a male-dominated sport—and her daughters, Mindy and Ginger, bear the weight of Carol’s unconventional lifestyle.

The Donnelly sisters grow up enduring their mother’s absence—physically, when she’s at the beach, and emotionally, the rare times she’s at home. To escape questions about Carol’s whereabouts—and to chase her elusive affection—they cut school to spend their days in the surf. From her first time on a board, Mindy is a natural, but Ginger, two years younger, feels out of place in the water.

As they grow up and their lives diverge, Mindy and Ginger’s relationship ebbs and flows. Mindy finds herself swept up in celebrity, complete with beachside love affairs, parties at the Playboy Club, and a USO tour in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Ginger, desperate for a community of her own, is tugged into the dangerous counterculture of drugs and cults. But through it all, their sense of duty to each other survives, as the girls are forever connected by the emotional damage they carry from their unorthodox childhood.

A gripping, emotional story set at a time when mothers were expected to be Donna Reed, not Gidget, California Golden is an unforgettable novel about three women living in a society that was shifting as tempestuously as the breaking waves.

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

When I downloaded this book at the recommendation of the publisher, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. It’s historical yes, which I read a lot of, but it takes place later than most of the historicals I read, in the 1960’s. I don’t read many books taking place in the 60’s, it’s before I was born and also from what I’ve read a very tumultuous time.


I could tell you this takes place in California and is one of those surfing novels and that’s true but it’s so much more than that.
It’s about sisters, pretty young when this starts, and it follows their path as they grow and mature.


It’s also about the sister’s relationship, one is a giver and carer and the other is a receiver and the one taken care of by multiple people throughout her life.
We also see the girl’s relationship with their mother, these girls practically raise themselves while their mother surfs. Not your typical PTA mom.

The girls don’t want to be like their mother who ignores everything in life but surfing but to some degree they both are. One even surfs competitively for a time. It’s the 60’s vibe tumultuous times, surfing and waxing your board, family relationships broken by lies and neglect and unconventional women.

Very emotional as we see the girls finding themselves in life and their evolving relationship with each other and their mother.
Well worth the read and recommended!

Pub Date 08 Aug 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Melanie Benjamin was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. An avid reader all her life–as a child, she was the proud winner, several years running, of the summer reading program at her local library–she still firmly believes that a lifetime of reading is the best education a writer can have.

While attending Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis, Melanie performed in many community theater productions before meeting her husband, moving to the Chicago area and raising two sons. Writing was always beckoning, however, and soon she began writing for local magazines and newspapers before venturing into her first love, fiction.

By combining her passion for history and biography, she has found her niche writing historical fiction, concentrating on the “stories behind the stories.” Her most recent novel, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, tells the fascinating and timely story of the first true female partnership – and enduring friendship – in Hollywood, between the silent film star Mary Pickford and her collaborator (and first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Screenplay), Frances Marion.

Her previous novels, THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE, and THE AVIATOR’S WIFE, were New York Times, USA Today and IndieBound best sellers. Her first novel, ALICE I HAVE BEEN, was a national bestseller; this was followed by the critically acclaimed THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB. Her next novel will be out in May, 2019.

She and her family still live in the Chicago area; when she’s not writing, she’s gardening, taking long walks, rooting for the Cubs–

And reading, of course.

Have a terrific Tuesday and thanks for stopping by.

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In This Moment (Timeless Book #2) by Gabrielle Meyer

392 pages Bethany House Publishers May 2, 2023 publish date

About The Book

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives–and everyone she knows in them–forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

This book! I read this book slower than I usually do as I wanted to savor it.
This is the second book in the Timeless series and I do recommend you read them in order because of spoilers.
The book is just incredible! It has three timelines, each incredible and the author combines them so effortlessly. I enjoyed each timeline equally. I honestly did not have a favorite; they were all exceptional.
This book has a unique look at time traveling. When our main character goes to sleep in one-time period, she'll wake up in another time period without any time having passed.
She splits her time between 1861, 1941 and 2001 each in very unique and different situations.
There are positives and negatives in each time period, and she lives a very different life in each one. I enjoyed reading the rich historical details about each time period.
Not many authors can combine three time periods and have a story that's not confusing or leaves you waiting to see what the connection is but not this author, the stories are seamlessly woven with a beautiful outcome that I just loved. I eagerly look forward to more by this author.

Pub Date 02 May 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

My Review of the first book in the series

Gabrielle Meyer’s writing captivates with . . .

“A page-turning journey through three riveting, interwoven historical timelines.”–MIMI MATTHEWS, USA Today bestselling author

“Wonderful settings that brim with ethical dilemmas, fabulous twists, and an engaging heroine.”–ELIZABETH CAMDEN, Christy and RITA Award-winning author

“A time-traveling adventure with timeless appeal.”–JOCELYN GREEN, Christy Award-winning author –This text refers to the library edition.

About The Author

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at http://www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her website at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.

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After the Shadows (Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Book #1)by Amanda Cabot

345 pages Publication date March 21, 2023 Revell Publisher

About The Book

A brighter future awaits–if she can escape the shadows of the past

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death–and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Grab A Copy

My Thoughts

After the Shadows is an excellent book! Everything this author writes is a solid story and really draws me in. I have been reading this authors’ books since she has started writing and have enjoyed them all. I wouldn’t miss anything she writes.
After The Shadows is the first book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series.
Emily Leland married too quickly after meeting her husband, not really knowing him and how she would be treated, when he is killed in a bar fight it’s no loss to her. Her marriage has produced no children and she now returns home to Sweetwater Crossing only to find her father dead under suspicious circumstances. Determined to get to the bottom of it she is not one to give up as she explores all possibilities of his death.
Everyone thinks he killed himself, but Emily is out to prove otherwise.
Schoolteacher, recently widowed Craig Ferguson moves into town at the same time Emily does with his adorable young son, Noah. I enjoyed seeing the interactions between Emily and Noah, they had quite a bond. When other non sick elderly residents of Sweetwater start dying Emily and Craig are determined to put a stop to it and catch whoever is responsible.
I went right to the very end before solving this suspense. Excellent reading. I love everything this author puts out and recommend this. Looking forward to reading more in this intriguing series.

Pub Date: 21 Mar 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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.

Do you have a favorite book/ series by this author?

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Bookouture Blog Tour for A Light to Guide Us Home by Dianne Haley


About The Book

‘Please, you must get Clara out of France!’ cried the woman, her voice breaking in desperation. ‘She’s only thirteen and her parents have been taken to a death camp. Can you save her before it is too late?’

1943, Nazi-occupied France: Valérie Hallez clings to the hope that she will soon reunite with her beloved fiancé, Philippe, fighting the Nazis in Italy. Until that day comes, she risks her life helping Jewish children flee across the border with the resistance, but each tear-stained face breaks her heart a little more.

So, when she learns of little lost Clara, anorphan whose family has been torn apart by the German occupation, and is asked to rescue her, she jumps at the chance to save another innocent life. But she isn’t the only one searching for the young girl…

Because brave Clara is carrying a crucial Nazi document. And the secrets it holds could change the course of the war forever.

Frantically trying to stay one step ahead of the Gestapo, Valérie traces Clara to an isolated children’s home– but she is too late. German soldiers have already raided the building.

Her relief when she hears that Clara escaped is short lived, as there’s not a whisper of her whereabouts. And just when she’s about to start on her search, devastating news reaches her about Philippe.

Shattered by the thought that Philippe may never come home, Valérie tries to pull the pieces of her broken heart back together. She knows there’s a little girl lost out there who needs her. So, she must make the hardest choice of all. Even if she can’t save her dearest love, can she save poor Clara – and help her end this terrible war?

A totally unputdownable and heart-wrenching wartime story about love, bravery and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Alice Network.

My Thoughts

A Light to Guide Us Home by Dianne Haley is the third book in the Resistance Girl series.
Each book can easily be read as a stand-alone though.


WOW! Once I started reading this I was completely hooked. This series is dynamite.
So absolutely powerful.

Though it may seem like the Swiss are down for the count, they’re not! They will continue to do their part helping Jewish refugees escape from France using many methods including bribery, hiding them, false documents, faking injuries and more. They did this all knowing what the cost to themselves would be if caught.


I held my breath while reading, there with the author experiencing the story playing out. Hoping for the best, knowing it doesn’t always work out that way. My afternoon was booked, I had my book and my tea. Couldn’t possibly need more.

So heart-breaking and dramatic. Such unparalleled bravery displayed by the characters.
I love historical WWII fiction especially with such detail as this.

Pub Date 26 Apr 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.

Visit more blogs on the tour.

A Light to Guide Us Home can be read as a standalone.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BK9HLLD4social

The Author

Originally from the north of Scotland, Dianne now lives with her husband in Edinburgh and has two grown-up children. After a thirty-year business career in London and Edinburgh when Dianne wrote between projects, she is now writing full-time.

Dianne and her family have been visiting the area round Lake Geneva since 1992 and love the Alps in all seasons. The inspiration for her series set in WW2 Switzerland came from a drive through Geneva’s old town on a rainy October evening, the cobbled lanes a perfect setting for secrets and hiding places.

Author social media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dhaley30

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dianne-Haley-Author-105318942048374

Website: www.diannehaley.com

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/dianne-haley/

Another wonderful historical fiction series. Thank you for visiting today. May your day be blessed with goodness.

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Bookouture Blog Tour for The Polish Daughter By Gosia Nealon

About The Book

Poland, 1944: Armed men line the streets herding us forward, ignoring screams as they pull people from the crowd. My heart pounds as I hear a familiar cry. They have hold of my darling friend. I desperately push through to her, to save her. But we are too densely packed in. I can’t hold back my sobs as she crumples. I am too late…

When war broke out, Julia’s father, a high-ranking Polish Officer, took her from Warsaw to keep her safe. Now, with her father missing-in-action, Julia has returned to find him and fight for the resistance—but the city is more dangerous than she ever thought it could be.

When she is trapped in the ghetto, Nazis dragging people into the streets all around her, Julia can only watch in horror as her dearest friend is pulled from the crowd. Heart shattering as her friend falls to the cobbled streets, Julia’s desperate screams attract the soldiers’ attention, and it seems she is about to suffer the same awful fate.

Until her childhood sweetheart, Nikolaj, appears in enemy uniform and stops the guards with one word. The boy Julia remembers would never side with the Germans: and in the safety of his private room, he explains he is a resistance spy within the ranks of Nazi officers. But the longer he keeps her in the barracks, surrounded by his soldiers, the more Julia grows uneasy about the man she once knew…

Half-Jewish and with her father a wanted man, how safe can she be behind enemy lines? Has her childhood friend become one of the monsters she has been fighting against? And if he has, will she ever be able to escape him?

Fans of Orphan Train, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will adore this utterly heart-breaking page turner. You will not forget this unputdownable story of love, loss and the courage it takes to hold on to hope in darkest times.

Buy Now

The Polish Daughter (The Secret Resistance #3)

Published April 21st 2023 by Bookouture

My Thoughts

I have read many books touching on different topics of WWII, none have touched me the way this series has. Though this is a series each book may be read as a standalone though you’ll get more benefit of reading the entire series. I have learned so much by reading this series.


Have the tissues with you while reading. My heart broke for the mistreatment of the Polish people.


Beginning with the uprising of the Polish people in and near Warsaw. In Poland 1944, Julia’s father is a high-ranking officer and moves them out of Warsaw to keep them safe but goes mia. She must return to Poland to search for him, and she is also part of the resistance. When she sees a long-time childhood friend, she has always felt safe with she doesn’t understand why she sees him in a Nazi uniform.

Talking to her he explains he is really spying as a German soldier. Wanting to feel safe with him she overlooks his bizarre and changed personality, but should she examine it further?


This is an exceptional author who writes a true to life story that is not afraid to include the nitty gritty because after all this is true to life. Her stories always have the glimmer of light shining through in the absolute courageous actions of characters, unparallel bravery and putting other needs before their own. I will read every book this author writes!

Pub Date: 21 Apr 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Author

While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here. 

Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, which won a gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY).

Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.

When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and two young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.

Author social media

Website: https://www.gosianealon.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GosiaNealon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GosiaNealonHistoricalFiction

Email sign up: http://www.thread-books.com/sign-up/?source=endmatter&author=gosia-nealon-384

Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping in.

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Bookouture Blog Tour for The Girl Who Escaped by Angela Petch

About The Book

The Girl Who Escaped: Utterly heartbreaking and emotional WW2 historical fiction by Angela Petch

Italy, 1940. The girl sobs and rages as her father tells her the terrible news. “Italy is entering the war alongside Germany. Jews are to be arrested and sent to camps. We have to be ready.”

As fascists march across the cobbled piazzas and past the towered buildings of her beloved home city, twenty-year-old Devora’s worst fears come true. Along with her Jewish parents and twin little brothers they are torn away from everything they love and sent to an internment camp huddled in the mountains. Her father promises this war will not last long…

When they are offered a miraculous chance of escape by her childhood friend Luigi, who risks everything to smuggle vital information into the camp, the family clambers under barbed wire and races for the border. But Devora is forced to make a devastating choice between saving a stranger’s life and joining her parents. As shots fire in the moonless night, the family is separated.

Haunted by the question of whether they are dead or alive, all Devora can do for their future is throw herself into helping Luigi in the Italian resistenza in the fight for liberty. But posing as a maid for a German commander to gather secret intelligence, Devora is sure she sees her friend one night, in a Nazi uniform…

Is Devora in more danger than ever? And will her family ever be reunited – or will the war tear them apart?

An absolutely devastating but ultimately uplifting historical novel about how love and hope can get us through the darkest times. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Rhys Bowen and Soraya M. Lane.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BYC1V9NHsocial

My Thoughts

Mesmerizing, I was captivated as I read this. As I was whisked away to Italy, I found the descriptions to be breathtaking as I imagined the beauty all around me.
The unimaginable happens as outspoken Devora and her Jewish parents and brothers are taken and sent to an internment camp hidden away in the mountains.
Trying to reassure her, her father tells her it won’t be long.
Another captivating read by this author. Her obvious attention to research leads to the authenticity of her writing. I have read many books on WWII but had little knowledge of Italian Jews during this time period. Devora was not one to sit back when offered help from a childhood friend she will do everything she can to help her family escape.
The book is not a light read but rather deals with the realism we see during a war. Premature death and unwarranted mistreatment and separation of families because of their religious belief are just some of the things present.
Even through times of turmoil we find glimpses of happier times, peace and love.
Devora is a courageous woman who though she goes through many hardships her strength and resilience shines through.
A must read for lovers of historical fiction. This book will not be soon forgotten.

Pub Date 19 Apr 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Author

Author bio:

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable.

In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.

Author social media:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Angela_Petch

Website: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwAR3BvI72dioapF_Nf7Ad74ZhkTWvGBrqZcjq5NoGREVb24D7srv5ZmyDOcU

Have a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Spotlight and Giveaway of The Last Saxon King: A Jump in Time Novel Book 1 by Andrew Varga

Today I am excited to bring you a Spotlight for The Last Saxon King by Andrew Varga as part of the blog tour organised by iREAD Book Tours. It sounds like a fascinating YA/MG historical fiction read! Be sure to enter the giveaway lower down this post!

One Jump to Save All Time

​Life is progressing normally for sixteen-year-old Dan Renfrew when he accidentally transports himself to England in 1066. He soon realizes that he’s trapped there, and that’s not his only astonishing discovery. Dan learns that he’s descended from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who travel to the past and resolve glitches in the time stream that threaten to alter subsequent history. The only way Dan can return home is to set history back on its proper course in the Anglo-Saxon age. This is no easy task. A Viking horde is ravaging England in the north while a Norman army threatens to invade from the south. In between and desperately struggling to hold on to his throne is Harold Godwinson, the newly-crowned English king. Dan is fighting to ensure that events play out correctly when he finds himself plunged into an even more lethal conflict. To save history, Dan must battle a band of malevolent time jumpers whose lust for wealth and power threatens the entire future of the world.

Enter #giveaway for a chance to win!

@andrewvargaauthor  @iReadBookTours

Book Title:  The Last Saxon King: A Jump in Time Novel Book 1 by Andrew Varga
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 361 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Middle-Grade/YA
Publisher:  Imbrifex Books
Release date:   March 7, 2023
Tour dates: Apr 3 to April 21, 2023
Content Rating: PG + M 

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Audible
B&N ~ BAM ~ Indiebound
Bookbub
add to GoodReads

Giveaway Here

Enter to win a signed copy of THE LAST SAXON KING: A Jump in Time Novel Book 1 by Andrew Varga (one winner) (USA only) (ends April 28)

https://gleam.io/BMPgN/the-last-saxon-king-book-tour-giveaway

The Author

Ever since his mother told him he was descended from Vikings, ANDREW VARGA has had a fascination for history. He’s read hundreds of history books, watched countless historical movies, and earned a BA from the University of Toronto with a specialist in history and a major in English. Andrew has traveled extensively across Europe, where he toured famous castles, museums, and historical sites. During his travels he accumulated a collection of swords, shields, and other medieval weapons that now adorn his personal library. Andrew currently lives in the greater Toronto area with his wife Pam, their three children, and their mini-zoo of two dogs, two cats, a turtle, and some fish. It was his children’s love of reading, particularly historical and fantasy stories, that inspired Andrew to write this series. In his spare time, when he isn’t writing or editing, Andrew reads history books, jams on guitar, or plays beach volleyball.

#iReadBookTours #books  #authors  #giveaway

Connect with the author: instagram ~ GoodReads 

Tour Schedule:
Apr 3 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Apr 4 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 4 – Book Reviews by Linda Moore – book spotlight / giveaway
Apr 6 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Apr 7 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 11 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 11 – Sue’s Musings – book spotlight / giveaway
Apr 11 – Mamof9 – book spotlight
Apr 12 – My WorldReads – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 13 – Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 14 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Apr 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Apr 19 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Apr 20 – Vegan Book Blogger – book spotlight / giveaway
Apr 21 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
Apr 21 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway