My Next Breath: a memoir of a near-fatal accident and one man's miraculous recovery

My Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner is a gripping and inspirational story of Jeremy Renner’s near-fatal accident on New Year’s Day 2023 and his miraculous recovery. Jeremy Renner is a renowned actor with memorable portrayals of an army bomb tech in The Hurt Locker, a Boston bank robber in The Town and Hawkeye in seven Marvel films. Yet his world comes to a halt when he is crushed by a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow. With vivid details, Mr Renner recounts the struggle to keep breathing while help struggled to find their way to him. From the ICU to multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation, Mr Renner's no-holds-bar account of his inner strength, endurance and hope as he set to recover, against all odds, with one breath at a time. In a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the amazing ability of the human body is to endure and recover. Writing with vulnerability and strength, despair and hope and redemption and renewal, Jeremy Renner invites readers on this journey with him. 

Jeremy Renner has been one of my favorite movie actors when I first saw him in The Hurt Locker and of course, I loved him as Hawkeye, the underrated Avenger. I remember hearing about his accident and feeling the dread of the pain he and his family were in and the long road his recovery would be. I followed his journey on Instagram. His memoir has been on my Wish List since its publication and yet, I hadn’t had the chance to read it yet. Recently, I was able to listen to the audiobook, read by Mr Renner, and what a journey it was. In fierce detail about his accident, the aftermath, and his recovery was extremely emotional. So emotional that tears welled up as I listened to Mr Renner recount every painful second and even more so when his own voice would crack with emotion. I laughed, I cried and I cringed with horror but in the end, I celebrate his amazing recovery. I highly, highly recommend My Next Breath, especially the audiobook. 

My Next Breath: A Memoir is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

It Girl: fictionalized retelling of the real life Gibson Girl and the crime of the century

It Girl by Allison Pataki is a fictionalized retelling of real life Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, and the crime of the century she finds herself in the middle. New York, 1900, with the brilliance of a new century and new inventions, nothing shined brighter than a young woman who rose to stardom from rags to riches through her talent, charismas and irresistible beauty. Evelyn Talbot became America’s sweetheart and the introduction of pop culture. As a young girl, Evelyn works to take care of her widowed mother and younger brother after the sudden death of her father. As she was working as a shopgirl, she catches the eye of artists and is recruited as a studio model and eventually Broadway. Soon a parade of powerful and power hungry men come calling, from a world famous architect to a wealthy railroad heir and playboy. When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a crime of passion, deemed the Crime of the Century and finds the blame placed squarely on her shoulders. 

I learned about Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, in a high school history class, so when I had a chance to read It Girl, I looked forward to reading the story. Allison Pataki is an author I recognize but have never read. She describes her books as “biographical historical fiction.” While names were changed slightly, Evelyn Talbot’s story mirrored Nesbit’s from her humble beginnings to the rise to stardom. However, while the story started off strong, the story was a little too long, felt a bit draggy, and when the story got to the Crime of the Century, it faltered even more. There was so much build up to the crime and trial that the actual crime and trial felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with the story. I couldn’t connect with Evelyn and particularly didn’t like her. I didn’t care for Ms. Pataki’s writing and most likely will not read her books in the future. If you are a fan of Allison Pataki, you may enjoy It Girl. 

It Girl is available in available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Who was Sylvia?: one woman's mission to discover what happened to her sister

Who was Sylvia? by Judy Gardiner is a story of one woman’s search for her sister. 1939, Barnard Castle, Durham, Sylvia Coryn is a hero to her younger sister, Kit. With warmth, infectious laughter and beauty, she was charming to all. On the brink of World War II, Sylvia leaves home and disappears. Kit is left confused, why would her sister leave with a goodbye? Her parents refuse to talk about Sylvia; but Kit is desperate to know what has happened to her sister. As she sits off on her own, Kit begins to trace her sister’s steps from their home to bombed streets of London and beyond. Each stop, Kit discovers a puzzling clue that raises more questions than answers. Will Kit find Sylvia? Will the answers she seeks bring her understanding? 

I found the premise interesting and looked forward to reading this story. I was surprised by how short the book is, only 10 chapters, but I eagerly dove in. The story started off great and set up the mystery of Sylvia's disappearance and Kit’s mission to find out what happened. However, I was bored. I felt the story did more telling than showing and I struggled to pay attention. The ending was a let down and left more questions than answers. It felt as if the author intended a sequel but didn’t write one. Kit was an interesting character and I admired her determination to discover the truth. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. It had so much potential. I do not recommend Who was Sylvia? 

Who was Sylvia? is available in paperback and eBook

The Rebel: the heartbreaking, yet hopeful final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series

The Rebel is the eighth and final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. After four years at a university, Delphia Barnes returns home to Emerson Pass; however, no one is at the station to welcome her home. When she sees Jack Depaul, she wonders why her family isn’t there, he tells her the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jack is a proud second generation horse breeder in Emerson Pass. Only his love for Delphia equals his love of horses. As America prepares for war, Jack and Delphia finally confess their feelings for each other and marry before Jack ships off to fight overseas. He doesn’t want to leave her now that they have come together; but the desire to serve is too strong. Jack promises her he will return, alive and well. She prays that it is a promise he can keep. Will Jack survive the war? If he comes home, will Delphia recognize and love the man who returns?

I have loved this series and the Barnes family’s adventures and it is exciting and yet sad to finish the final book. It was hard to say goodbye and yet I could not tear myself away from the pages as the Barnes family deals with the horrors and sacrifice of war. My heart broke for Delphia and Jack as they fall in love and marry in innocence even as war looms. And they fall in love again as they deal with the aftermath and pain of war. I loved how Delphia refused to give up on Jack and I cheered as others around Jack refused to let him give up and with tough love to show him that life can still be lived fully and love is deeper than skin deep. As the historical series ends, I look forward to jumping back into and finishing the contemporary Emerson Pass series. I highly recommend the Historical Emerson Pass series if you haven’t started it. I highly recommend The Rebel. 

The Rebel is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Orphan's Island: a young girl's journey to America and a new beginning

The Orphan’s Island is the first book in the Amherst Island series by Kate Hewitt. In 1904, Ellen Copley arrived in America from Glasgow with her father after the death of her mother. They crossed the ocean with dreams and hopes of new beginnings. After joining her Uncle Hamish and Aunt Ruth in Vermont, her father leaves to find work leaving Ellen feeling alone and uncertain of her future. It wouldn’t be until her Aunt Rose needs her assistance with her family on Amherst Island where Ellen finally finds love and acceptance with her cousins as well as Jed and Lucas Lyman, the boys next door. Lucas becomes a friend and confidante but it is Jed who steals her heart. But will Jed love her back? While Amherst Island feels like home, will Ellen find her heart and future there as well? 

Kate Hewitt is a new author to me and I was intrigued by Ellen’s story as a young girl new to America and finding her place in her new country. The Orphan’s Island is a fast paced read and I was glued to the page and Ellen’s story. There was drama between Ellen and her Aunt Ruth, squabbles with her new friends and the highs and lows of first loves. In her young years, Ellen finds the strength and courage to find a path that she would be able to support herself with the uncertainty of what her true dreams could be. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series and Ellen’s story. If you enjoy historical novels of hope and finding a place in a new world, I recommend The Orphan’s Island. 

The Orphan’s Island is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tomorrow's First Light: a marriage of convenience romance with faith, hope and drama

Tomorrow’s First Light is the first book in the Texas Promise series by Naomi Rawlings. Sam Owens grew up in an orphanage in the small dusty town of Twin Rivers. All he dreamed about was a spread of land of his own and a family. For a year, he has been writing to Ellie Spritzer, who agreed to come to Twin Rivers and become his wife; however, she was bringing her siblings with her. Sam had no issue with it, looking forward to a ready made family. He wasn’t prepared for the eight young children who arrived with Ellie. As Sam and Ellie start to figure out life together, with a brood of children and limited resources, someone from the shadows tries to steal his land from him. They are now in a fight to hold their new family together on the land they all have come to love. 

Naomi Rawlings is a new author to me and I enjoy mail order bride historical fiction. Tomorrow’s First Light is a great read, fast paced and page turner filled with drama, faith and struggles, filled with love, friendship and support. I loved the struggle with faith and doubt of Ellie as she faced the drama with the land, entering a marriage with a stranger and questioning her decisions. I enjoyed Sam as a young man who knew hardship and the support of friends and held a deep faith in God that he moved forward despite the overwhelming odds in front of him. His friends were great characters and I enjoyed their interactions. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy marriage of convenience with faith, hope and new beginnings, I highly recommend Tomorrow’s First Light. 

Tomorrow’s First Light is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

My Dear Hamilton: a historical fiction novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is the novel about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, a founding mother who is responsible for preserving the legacy of Alexander Hamilton. A general’s daughter, Eliza Schuyler came of age during tumultuous times in the colonies and the fight of independence hanging on by a thread. When she meets Alexander Hamilton, he is a handsome, passionate aide-de-camp of General George Washington. Penniless yet brilliant and charismatic, Hamilton wins Eliza’s heart. After the war, as the country struggles to establish itself, Eliza and Alexander find themselves in the middle of glittering highs and bloody lows including the Reynolds Affair, America’s first sex scandal. After Hamilton’s death in the famous duel in 1804, Eliza struggles to survive and later preserve her husband’s legacy as a founding father as well as other prominent figures in the Revolutionary War.  

I have always loved historical fiction, fueling my own research into the real historical events and figures. I am also a fan of the musical Hamilton (2015) and I have read the Ron Chernow biography. I have eagerly read other historical fiction books about Hamilton and the Revolutionary War. While My Dear Hamilton is a historical fiction novel, I feel the authors strayed too much from what is known about Eliza to try and fill in the holes of what is not known, especially with modern attitudes that, I feel, would have been too progressive for the time, even for a rebellion against a monarchy. My Dear Hamilton just didn’t live up to my expectations and I found myself skimming sections. I did not have an emotional reaction to this story and I was glad it was over. I do not recommend My Dear Hamilton. 

My Dear Hamilton is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook