Liar's Dice: a coming of age historical fiction of one girls fight against all odds

Liar’s Dice by Juliet Faithfull is historical fiction, coming of age story of a teenage girl in 1970s Brazil who must learn to fight even against all odds. Dolores and Mita are identical twins who grew up in rural Brazil. At the age of seven, it is discovered that Mita has a degenerative condition and Dolores does not. By the age of 12, her condition becomes debilitating and suddenly, their parents send Mita to a hospital in their father’s native London and the family moves to Rio and begins to live an obstacle lifestyle. However, Dolores is miserable. She misses her sister, her small town and struggles in her new school. It all starts to change when she meets a brave, headstrong girl who shows Dolores a new side of Rio and how to survive. Soon tensions rise with the dictatorial government cracking down on protesters and dissenters. Dolores is determined to find the truth, discover where her sister and her own place in the world. 

I was looking forward to Liar’s Dice as it is a historical fiction which takes place in a different place and time that isn’t normally talked about. Liar’s Dice is described as a “heart-rending and hopeful” coming of age story as one young girl learns to form her own identity, the price of secrets and the courage to forge a different path. Dolores is a sympathetic character and I felt her pain and confusion. I liked the use of Portuguese phrases; however, I would have liked some form of translation in the context of the dialogue or description. Not a glossary at the end of the book which I didn’t know was there until I was finished. There were a lot of time jumps without explanation that pulled me out of the story at times. Overall, I did enjoy it, especially Dolores’s tenacity to find her sister and make sure Mita knows she is not forgotten. If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend Liar’s Dice. 

Liar’s Dice will be available in paperback, eBook and audiobook on April 28, 2026. 

We were the Lucky Ones: the story of a family's fight to survive

We were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter is the story of the Kurc family in Poland during World War II. The story opens with Addy in Paris, France in March 1939 as he gets a letter from his mother back home in Radom, Poland. His mother, Nechuma, is trying to be positive while warning her son not to come back home. As times goes by, things get worse and worse for the Kurc family. Addy tries to escape to Brazil. One of his brothers and sister-in-law are sent to a work camp in Siberia. The majority of the family is confirmed to the Jewish ghetto. The horrors the family experiences as the horrors of Hitler’s systematic plan to exterminate the Jewish people unfolds. Will the family survive? Will they be able to see each other again?

We were the Lucky Ones is a powerful story about one family’s experience of the horrors of the Holocaust. The story becomes even more powerful when you read the inspiration behind the author’s story at the end of the book. It’s a beautiful story which will keep you on the edge of your seat as you see each family member’s experience of this terrible time. There is so much I can’t talk about as it would ruin the ending but I will say the story is well worth reading. I highly recommend We were the Lucky Ones!

We were the Lucky Ones

is available on Amazon

in hardcover and on the Kindle

Great new additions to the "If you were me and lived in..." series!

Another round of wonderful books by Carole P. Roman. This books are a wealth of information for young children. If you were me and lived in… series has opened the world to children about countries they may never visit and now she has included history lessons about eras long ago.

First, the Middle Ages. The book introduces the period known as the Middle Ages and the daily lives of those who lived during this time. There is information about the communities in which people lived, the jobs which were performed and the everyday homes. The food, drink and clothing which were a part of daily life were discussed. At the end of the book, there is a list of important people from the Middle Ages as well as a glossary of terms which were introduced in the book.

Second, Ancient China. The book focused on the era of the Han Dynasty (206 BC until 220 AD), the longest dynasty and known as the Golden Age of Ancient China. The importance of the Silk Road was discussed as an important trade route to China. In addition to discussion about the food, the homes and the family dynamics, the importance of the colors in which clothes were made are discussed. Red indicates joy and happiness while white was a color of mourning. And yellow was reserved for the emperor only. Religions, important holidays and lucky (and unlucky) numbers in Ancient Chinese cultural were discussed as well.

Third, the American West. The book focuses on an important part of the American Expansion and the Oregon Trail and the pioneers who settled the West with the Great Migration of 1843. Life on the trail was hard as the dangers of disease and Indian attacks were a constant worry. Once at their destinations, the pioneers would build their homes. Readers will be introduced to the homestead community including the schoolhouse and how education was conducted as the families built their homes and towns. The book includes a list of important people of the American West including Wyatt Earp.

Fourth, a book which covers the country of Brazil. With the Summer Olympics completed, this book is a great opportunity to introduce children to the host country. Brazil is the largest country in South America and is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world. They are the largest producers of coffee and the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon River are contained with the country.

Ms. Roman has brilliantly made a series of book which presents information in a fun and entertaining manner. The information is simply presented but grabs the attention of the readers. These books are great additions to any school or family libraries as children begin to explore history and the world. I highly recommend these titles and other titles in the If you were me and lived in… series! 

All title in this series are available on Amazon 

in paperback for $19.99

or free with KindleUnlimited 

To those suffering around the world

To those suffering around the world,

I write this letter with a heavy heart. I know that many of you won’t read this but I feel I must express my feelings on the small chance that you will. I know the focus is on the Paris attacks and call to action for payback. Unfortunately, media’s and many people’s attention span is short and moves on to the next tragedy. I hear the outcries of those who have suffered in the other devastating world events prior to the Paris attacks. I want the people in the world who experienced devastation to know, though it may sound hollow, that I feel great sadness.

From the village of Bento Rodrigues, Brazil where a dam broke on November 6^th, leaving the village buried under a wall of mud and one person dead and 22 missing. To the families of the two Americans killed in Jordan on November 9^th. To the families of the seven people killed in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on November 10^th. To the citizens of Beirut, Lebanon where more than 200 were killed in two suicide bombings on the 12th. And so many other struggles which may not have gotten the same world media attention. I know there is so much more that goes on in the world than what I don’t hear about from my news sources. So many names, so many lives and so many stories, you all deserve to have your lives honored and remembered.

Each events is horrifying and saddening. One event isn’t greater than the others. The loss of life is always a tragedy. It doesn’t matter if it’s one life or thousands. Each life deserves to be mourned and remembered. In my little corner of the world, I feel sadden by these events and the loss of lives. I can only imagine the fear, the hopelessness, and grief you feel right now. I can try to put myself in your shoes but I feel it won’t even come close, I cannot fully understand what it is like to live in the horrors that you must face every day. As an American, I am spoiled when it comes to my daily life. I can go about my business in my town without fear of being attacked or hurt in any way. My greatest fear is an earthquake or getting in a car accident. I don’t fear being shot or bombed. I should because if it can happen in the world, it can happen here. Just because I am in America doesn’t mean I am safe or immune.

When I hear of tragedies such as the ones from this past week, my heart feels numb because I am overwhelmed with shock and devastation. I feel powerless to help or prevent such adversity. I feel very small in a world of very big problems. I am one citizen in a world of billions. I cannot pick up arms and fight. I cannot be there to help shift through the rubble and help rebuild your lives. I don’t have the funds to offer an organization which is able to go out in the world and help. My inaction may seem like indifference but it’s not. Only by the grace of God is my life in relative safety. I see my problems as petty and insignificant in the world of terrible events. Right now, I can only offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers.

My words may not give you any solace or comfort but know they are from my heart.

With love and prayers from a small corner of the world,

Jennifer