Title: When Life Gets in the Way Author: Ines Vieira Pub. Date: 1-Aug-2016 Rating: 4 Stars
When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira is the coming-of-age story of Cassandra (Cass) MacKenzie and Isaac Silva, told in alternating POVs, and how each of them struggles with adversity during those trying teenage years. It is also a sweet love story with an emphasis on family dynamics and the important of family to relationships.
Cass is totally driven. She has one goal in mind and that is getting into Berkeley. She has been planning this life since she was a young girl and she is so close to her goal she can taste it. There are only two small problems. The first is her mother who has recently been extremely depressed and then there is her unexpected and unwanted desire for Isaac whose family has recently returned to Plymouth from Arizona. Continue reading “When Life Gets in the Way by Ines Vieira”
Title: The Library of Light and Shadow Author: M. J. Rose Pub. Date: 18-July-2017 Rating: 4 Stars
The Library of Light and Shadow by M. J. Rose is the third installment in the Daughters of La Lune series. The book can be read as a stand-alone and is a pleasant mix of historical fiction, romance and fantasy. The setting is during the roaring twenties, known in France as “annees folles” or crazy years. This was a time when excess was all the rage and women were just starting to redefine their role in society.
The story is about Delphine Duplessi, a gifted young artist from France living in New York City. Delphine makes her living as a party favor drawing “shadow portraits” at high society parties. The portraits reveal the darkest secrets of those she draws. While this ability is a gift, it is also a curse. It can, and did, wreak havoc in the lives of those whose shadow portraits revealed secrets not meant to be uncovered. Continue reading “The Library of Light and Shadow by M. J. Rose”
Horizon by Tabitha Lord is the first in a series, of at least one more book, and ends with a cliffhanger. While it is a sci-fi story, it is also heavy on the romance but nothing sappy (thankfully). Actually, the romantic scenes were well done and therefore nothing for me to quibble about.
The story opens from Caeli Crys’s point of view as a ship crashes on her planet. She is empathetic and she feels the terror of the crew in the moments before the actual crash. When she goes to investigate she finds that, of the two people on board, only one has survived, Commander Derek Markham. As empathetic, Caeli possesses the skill to heal with her mind and she quickly sets about saving Derek’s life. Continue reading “Horizon by Tabitha Lord”
Title: The Nazi’s Daughter Author: Tim Murgatroyd Pub. Date: 31-May-2017 Rating: 4 Stars
The Nazi’s Daughter is set in present day New York City and 1943 Europe at the height of WWII. Elise Van Thoof-Noman is the daughter of a very powerful Dutch Nazi. She is a prima ballerina that has suffered a career ending tendon injury. After recuperating in Paris, Elise heads off to a remote island off the coast of Holland. Once there she meets Pieter Goedhart a school teacher and reluctant resistance fighter. They are drawn to each other, but Pieter must take care with Elise. She cannot find out about the people he is hiding from the Nazis in his attic. If she does, it could jeopardize both their lives and the lives of those he is hiding. Continue reading “The Nazi’s Daughter by Tim Murgatroyd”
Title: Hannah’s Moon Author: John A. Heldt Pub. Date: 8-Feb-2017 Rating: 5 Stars
Hannah’s Moon is the last book in the American Journey series. Do not worry if you have not read any of the other books in the series, because this one can be read as a stand-alone and you will not feel lost. In fact, I have only read one other in the series, September Sky, which is the first one. The entire series is based on a sci-fi, time travel theme. Expect also to get a little romance, suspense and WWII history with this one.
Claire Rasmussen wants nothing more than to have a child. After numerous attempts with the last one ending in a still birth she and Ron, her husband, decide to adopt. They soon discover that in 2017 this route is difficult and a very long process. Fortunately for them, a distant relative enters into the picture. Professor Bell, a relative of Claire’s, does have a solution and offers to send them back to 1945 where adoptions are much quicker and red tape a lot less. Continue reading “Hannah’s Moon by John A. Heldt”
Title: Come Sundown Author: Nora Roberts Pub. Date: 30-May-2017 Rating: 4 Stars
Come Sundown is the story of the Bodine family and is part romance and part thriller. The story opens twenty-five years ago when Alice, the prodigal daughter, who ran off to California to become a movie star, is returning home. Just miles from her family home she is abducted by a stranger known only as “Sir”.
Skip forward to the present and Bodine Longbow, she is the fourth generation, now runs the Bodine resort which sits on a sprawling thirty thousand acre ranch in Montana. Vacationers and honeymooners alike come to the resort to experience the cowboy life and Bodine runs the show seamlessly with the help of a large staff. Continue reading “Come Sundown by Nora Roberts”
The Postman’s Fiancée by Denis Theriault, is reminiscent of the movie While You Were Sleeping. In this story, Tania, a waitress in Montreal, falls in loves with one of her customers a postman by the name of Bilodo. Unbeknownst to Tania, Bilodo has already fallen for his haiku pen pal in Guadeloupe, a young woman he has never meet.
As fate would have it, Bilodo loses his memory after an accident in which Tania saves his life. Seeing an opportunity, Tania decides that she will tell Bilodo they are engaged. She moves him into her apartment and fabricates a web of lies that she will never be able to extract herself from. Bilodo’s physician believes that his memory will eventually return. What will Tania do then? Continue reading “The Postman’s Fiancee by Denis Theriault”
Title: The Boundary Stone Author: Gail Avery Halverson Pub Date: 16-Nov-2016 Rating: 5 Stars
The Boundary Stone by Gail Avery Halverson is the perfect example of why I accept requests for reviews and read authors that are new to me and/or debut authors. More than once I have found, as is the case here, a great story and fell in love with another author that I might have never known about.
Ms. Halverson has done a remarkable job with her debut novel. The plot was well thought out and the scenes were true to the period. The characters are beautifully drawn and her descriptive prose was spot on. I love it when the author describes a scene so well I feel like I am watching through my own eyes. Continue reading “The Boundary Stone by Gail Avery Halverson”
Title: A Fine Imitation Author: Amber Brock Pub. Date: 3-May-2016 Rating: 4 Stars
It is the roaring twenties in America, a time of social change and speakeasies. In 1920 women earned the right to vote and enjoyed more freedoms than ever before. Yet, for the wives of the elite high society these freedoms do not seem to exist. They are still stuck in the 19th century traditions and customs. For Vera this life is unrewarding. While she has plenty of money for all the trappings of high society: fine clothes, jewelry, art, etc., the endless teas, charities and a weekly luncheon with her mother have left her empty and wanting more.
Vera went to Vassar College and studied art history but she never has been able to put that knowledge to use since she married. Being the only person that understands fine art, she is asked to review the work of a French artist, Emil Hallan, whom is being considered to paint a mural for the luxury apartment complex her husband owns and they live in. She finds his work inspiring and makes the recommendation to hire him.
Once Emil arrives from France, Vera’s world is turned on its end. He is like a spring breeze to Vera in the depth of winter and it is not long before their mutual love of art leads to friendship and romance. Vera begins to see the world through Emil’s eyes and begins to question all she has ever known. In the end Vera may have to give up the security and known for the unknown in order to achieve a sense of self and purpose in her life. The big question is, will she have the strength to break free from the chains that society, her family and husband have all used to bind her to a meaningless life?
This is a well written debut novel. Ms. Brock did an outstanding job setting the scene of Vera’s life and showing how hard it is to shake off the binds of tradition and obligation. My only quam, and it is minor, I wished that Emil’s character had been a little more developed.
This book will appeal to those who love historical fiction and women’s stories. Since the story has an element of romance it will appeal to those readers also.
I received a free copy of A Fine Imitation by Amber Brock from Crown Publishing, via the Library Thing Early Reviews program, in exchange for my honest review.
Title: September Sky Author: John Heldt Pub Date: 1-Jan-2015 Rating: 4.5 Stars
September Sky is a sci-fi, time travel novel, with some romance thrown in, by John Heldt. It has been a long time since I read a novel like this. The story was entertaining and the plot worked well for a sci-fi book. The characters were particularly engaging.
Sometimes I find this type of sci-fi story clunky because the method used to get through time is so ridiculous that it is an insult to intelligence. Not so with this one. The only real problem I had with the story is the professor that allows the main characters, the Townsends, to time travel. Why he chose the Townsends is not really plausible. I kept waiting for the professor to reveal another motive for sending them.
Charles “Chuck” Townsend has just been let go from his job as a reporter in San Francisco. At the same time his son Justin decides to drop out of school where he has been studying to be a doctor. Both feel that they need to reset their lives. Chuck has been an absentee parent and wants to reconnect with his son; therefore, he decides they should take a cruise to begin rebuilding their relationship. On the cruise they meet Professor Bell who eventually chooses them for time travel. All he asks in return is for Chuck to keep a journal about his experiences.
The Townsends are sent back to 1900 with instructions not to become involved in the history of the time just to observe and document. We soon discover that Chuck’s plans are entirely different. He sets out on a mission to right a wrong to a distant relative that is living in Galveston, TX. Once in Galveston they find 1900, their relative and two special women irresistible. The question becomes, can they leave all they have found behind or are will they stay and risk changing history.
I obtained a copy of September Sky through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. However, the author did ask me to review his novel.
