The Lost Letters of Aisling: historical drama of love, courage, and confronting one's past

The Lost Letters of Aisling by Cynthia Ellingsen is a historical drama of love, courage and confronting one’s past. After a near fatal illness, she only requested one thing from her granddaughter, to take her home. To Ireland, to the country she fled after World War II. Despite being close, Rainey knows very little of her grandmother’s past, she knew she could not tell her grandmother no. When they arrive at Aisling, Rainey discovers a trunk filled with letters. The letters take her to 1945 Dublin as the Germans surrender, there are celebrations in the street. Fourteen year old Evie meets her best friend, Harding McGovern. Harding is fiery and the two become as close as sisters. When rumors fly that Harding is involved in black market trade, while dangerous, would be able to fund her dream to immigrate to America. While uncertain of the truth, Evie is determined to stand by her friend at all costs. 

I love historical fiction with a good dual time point of view. The Lost Letters of Aisling promised to be a story of family, friendship, love and the freedom that comes from letting go of the secrets that we hide. From the opening chapter, I was excited until one piece of information took me out of the story entirely. During the celebration, the author writes that the crowd began to sing “God Save the Queen.” However, in 1945, King George VI was King of Great Britain, so “God Save the King” would have been performed. From that point on, I didn’t trust any of the author’s historical details, and there weren’t many, and the characters used phrases that wouldn’t have been common. There were also a few loose ends left at the end of the story which gave an unsatisfying ending. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend The Lost Letters of Aisling. 

The Lost Letters of Aisling is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Wordsmith: can love be stronger than familial duty?

The Wordsmith is the seventh book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. Adelaide “Addie” Barnes didn’t want to fall in love with him. He was too old, too English and too much her sister’s best friend. At least that’s what she tells herself as James West arrives in Emerson Pass to spend the summer with the Barnes family. What was worse, James is set to marry another woman at the end of the summer. Addie had grown into a beautiful and ambitious young woman who dreamed of becoming a published author. James must marry the daughter of one of the richest men to save his family from ruin and his own career. Duty pulls him in one direction; but his heart started to pull him in another. He has fallen in love with Addie and yet he knew he could not have her. Would he be able to walk away from the only woman he loves? And would Addie let him? 

The Wordsmith picks up four years after the end of The Musician. Addie is now a young woman with a heart filled with unrequited love. James was hoping the summer with the Barnes family would be his last great time before he married. Of course, summer is a time of change, of hope and courage. Addie and James’ romance was sweet. I felt for Addie as she was willing and ready to let James walk away because she thought it was what he wanted. I enjoyed watching James come to the realization that he loves Addie and yet doesn’t feel worthy of her. There were twists and turns with a few tears and gasps and a happy resolution that brought a smile to my face. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and it breaks my heart a bit that there is only one book left. If you enjoy clean, sweet historical fiction, you will enjoy the Emerson Pass Historical series. I highly recommend The Wordsmith. 

The Wordsmith is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Sonora: the girl who dove with horses and her inspirational story

Sonora by Jenni L Walsh is based on the inspirational true story of Sonora Webster Carver, the girl who dove with horses which became the Disney’s film Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991). It is 1923 and a want ad looking for a girl to dive with horses. Once 19 year old Sonora sees a girl dive with the horse, she is hooked. She wants to be that girl. With plenty of spirit and a bit of wanderlust, she trains with determination. Little does she know that the American carnival world is filled with danger, excitement and cutthroat competition. However, her natural talent and fierce dedication brings the crowds in droves as well as individuals who want nothing more but to see the show shut down for good. When a tragic accident changes her life, she finds herself in limbo. Her desire to dive again soon becomes a fire she cannot deny. Can she find the courage to make that 50 foot climb and dive again? 

I love the movie Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken and when I heard that there was a book based on her life, I jumped at the chance to read it. From the very first page, Sonora’s courage, attitude and dedication is apparent and she will let no one tell her she can’t do anything especially when she sets her mind to it. Sonora is a wild ride into the heyday of the American carnival shows and a found family who bind together through thick and thin. Even though I know Sonora eventually becomes blind, the author’s descriptions of the accident and the aftermath were heartbreaking. There are moments of great banter, especially between Sonora and Doc Carver and Sonora and Al, Doc’s son and Sonora’s eventual husband. The romance between Sonora and Al was very sweet too. Half way through this book, I bought Sonora’s biography to read later and I want to watch Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken again. I highly, highly recommend Sonora! 

Sonora is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

One Good Thing: a World War II story of friendship, hope, courage and the fight to survive

One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter is a World War II story of hardship, hope, courage and resilience. Lili has been friends with Esti since meeting at university. When Esti’s son, Theo, is born, they become as close as sisters. As the war rages in Germany and France, Lili and Esti must deal with Mussolini’s Racial Laws, and while difficult, life seemingly goes on as usual. Until Germany invades northern Italy and life becomes much more dangerous. At first, they flee to a countryside villa to help hide Jewish orphans. Then fleeing to Florence, finding in a convent as nuns and becoming a part of the Underground network of forgers and couriers. When Esti can no longer protect Theo, she asks Lili to take her son and protect him. Now Lili finds herself on a journey through Allied territory, Nazi-occupied villages and finding ways to survive, not only for herself, but for a promise she made to her best friend. 

World War II still fuels amazing stories eighty years after it ended. While most stories take place in France or Germany, I find it very refreshing that authors are finding stories to tell from other areas of the world. One Good Thing is an engaging story from start to finish. I loved the character of Lili. Lili is the worrier at the beginning and while she is filled with doubt at every turn, but her determination to fulfil her promise to Esti, she finds the courage and strength to keep moving forward. I also loved the character development of Esti from a skeptic to a fully committed to the underground resistance. I loved the sister-friendship between Lili and Esti. One Good Thing is a great story of how the love for another person is a reason to keep going despite the darkness and hopelessness. If you love stories of friendship, motherhood and survival, I highly recommend One Good Thing. 

One Good Thing will be available March 4, 2025 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Something Old: a fresh start in a new town

Something Old is the first book in The Second Chance Shop series by Ev Bishop. Madeline’s world came crumbling down when she lost her husband, daughter and sister in a fatal car accident. Tired of the limbo of grief and loneliness, she decides to move to a small town and open a second hand shop. A dream that she shared with her daughter. She doesn't know if it will work but she is determined to make it work. As opening day gets closer and closer, she finds that there is hope in life after all. She finds herself with friends again, laughing and even adopting a moody old cat. Could there even be a second chance for love? Can she find the strength to fully embrace life again? 

I love stories about finding the strength and courage to move forward after a tragic event. I looked forward to reading Madeline’s new life in this small town. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to really connect with Madeline or the people she meets along the way. I admire her determination to start living again and feeling a fresh start in a new town was her only option. There was very little conversation other than surface communication. I feel the conservation really didn’t get deep enough especially on such hard topics as loss and grief. There are a lot of silent musings and internal dialogues that slowed the story down. Overall, the story was okay; however, I will not be continuing the series. If you enjoy second chances for life and love, you may enjoy Something Old. 

Something Old is available in paperback and eBook

Nobody Told Me: a crime hits closer to home

Nobody Told Me is the sixth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Another crime in Hart’s Ridge hits home for Deputy Taylor Gray. She investigates the sudden disappearance of Jarret Clark, a young man who holds a special place in her life. She hopes for the best but fears the worst. Her sister, Lucy, is working on starting her life over with her son, Johnny. As she sets out on her path of self-discovery, Lucy realizes that it’s not as straightforward as she thought. Not only does she have to deal with her personal issues, she discovers someone is trying to destroy her life. While she thinks she knows who it is, she must decide when enough’s enough and confront her tormentor. Will Lucy find the strength to truly change for the better? Will she stand up and fight back? Will Taylor solve the mystery of Jarret’s disappearance before it’s too late?

The Hart’s Ridge series has it all: crimes inspired by true stories, family drama and a small town setting. It is important to read this series in order and I have enjoyed it since Hart’s Ridge (book 1). I’m not sure what it was; but the story in Nobody Told Me felt a little off. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It was fast paced. It held my attention but I wasn’t exactly wowed by it. I love that many characters who were featured in previous books made appearances. I loved the ending and the cliffhanger that I am, of course, eagerly awaiting book 7 to read the fallout. While Lucy’s stalker was a bit of a surprise, I kept expecting someone else from her past to pop up again. Maybe they will? Despite it all, I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend Nobody Told Me. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Nobody Told Me is available in paperback and eBook

In An Instant: love, family and the strength to carry on

In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn is a story of love, family and carrying on even when you don’t want to. In the blink of an eye, life is over for sixteen year old Finn Miller. A devastating car accident causes the family camper to tumble down the side of a mountain as her family spends the weekend with friends. Suspended between worlds, she watches helplessly as her loved ones struggle to survive in the cold and snow. In order to survive, impossible choices were made, decisions that leave the survivors with tormenting guilt, immense grief and regret. Finn keeps vigil as her family and friends struggle to rebuild their lives. Her father, Jack, seeks vengeance. Her best friend, Mo, searches for the truth about the events after the accident. Her mother, Ann, is haunted by her decisions. And her sister, Chloe, lacks the will to continue to live. Can Finn move on? Can her family be able to pick up the pieces? 

In An Instant is a gripping, heartbreaking story of survival and the aftermath of one’s decisions. Finn is a typical teenager who is looking to ask her crush to the school dance and trying to avoid getting caught up in her oldest sister’s wedding frenzy. The family weekend in the mountains was supposed to help bring them closer together. That weekend becomes fateful in ways they never expected. Be prepared. It is a hard read about a difficult situation with difficult life altering choices. It is definitely a story that shows that in life or death situations, some decisions will be selfless while others will be selfish. It asks the questions which one would be each of us in that moment? In that situation? The author’s note at the end of the book is definitely worth reading too and only adds to the heartache from the story's events. Despite the hard subject matter, I enjoyed this story and I highly recommend In An Instant. 

In An Instant is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Comfort of Secrets: a story of courage, strength, and bravery

The Comfort of Secrets by Christine Nolfi is the second book in the Sweet Lake series. Readers to the small town of Sweet Lake, the Wayfair Inn and the quirky and well-meaning Sirens. This story focuses on Linnie’s friend, Cat. After a failed business and horrible dating years, she’s ready to turn a new leaf and desperately needs a win. First, she feels she needs to convince others that she is taking her new responsibilities as the Wayfair’s new events director seriously. Second, she needs to control her attraction to Ryan D’Angelo, the new charming ad executive hired to promote the inn. Ryan hides a deep secret, a heartache so scarring that Cat can’t help but draw closer to him. Will his secrets derail her new life and the Wayfair itself? Or could they both gain a life they never thought they could have?

The Comfort of Secrets is a wonderful story of courage, strength, and finding that you are braver than you know. I could not put this story down. I loved Cat and Ryan’s story. Cat is desperate to show she can do the job and yet deep down she is afraid she can’t. Ryan is charming and yet his smile hides a heartbreaking past. From the theme that we do not go through life alone, we aren’t meant to be alone, to finding the strength to move on from the traumas of life. There is plenty of excitement, drama and feel good moments. One of my favorite quotes from the story is “Some hurts don’t heal. With luck, they cover over with enough scar tissue to make them bearable. But they don’t go away.” How very true! I highly recommend The Comfort of Secrets. 

The Comfort of Secrets is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Sweet Lake, book 1, is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

A Welcome Misfortune: a story of survival and courage

A Welcome Misfortune is the first book in The Sworn Sisters duology by Kay Bratt. An infant girl was born into the House of Lai, a middle-class Chinese family. She is torn from her mother and casted aside by her father. Declared a misfortune, she is to be left by the famous Chaozhou wall where many unwanted girls are abandoned to be picked up by someone else or, worse, to die. But when 18-year old Min Kao is urged by his desperate mother to see the baby girl to safety, he can’t help but be drawn to his little sister he names Luli. At the same time on the island of Hong Kong, in the affluent house of a scholar, Sun Ling and Jingwei, are indentured servants and sworn sisters, bound by their shared struggles. They find their window to escape from the hardship and abuse and board a ship board for San Francisco, California. When the paths of these three forgotten girls meet on the ship, together they will weather a treacherous journey with the hopes that they will find a better future in America. 

A Welcome Misfortune weaves an incredible story of survival and courage. Ms. Bratt is a master storyteller who brings hard hitting truth and heart to her stories. I thoroughly enjoyed her Scavenger's Daughters series and eagerly looked forward to the Sworn Sisters duology. The story opens with a bang and does not let go as Luli, Min Kao, Sun Ling and Jingwei begin their journeys to a better life. Even as they make their way to freedom, they must make life and death decisions with not so savory options. The discrimination and mistreatment they face simply because they are women and in America, because they are Chinese is horrifying. Despite this treatment, they hold to their dream of a better life than the one they left behind. They strive to show their worth and value in a world that would overlook them. There was one revelation that I had an inkling that would happen. It doesn’t mean that I didn’t cry tears of joy when it happened. If you enjoy an historical immigrant story of strength, courage and endurance, I highly recommend A Welcome Misfortune. 

A Welcome Misfortune is available in paperback and eBook

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: courage and ingenuity during the German occupation

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is  the story of one woman’s discovery of the extraordinary tale of an island occupation and the residents’ fight back. January 1945, as the world is emerging from the shadow of World War II, writer Juliet Ashton is struggling with her next book idea. One day, a letter from a man who lived a world away on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel would open the door to stories of survival, courage and ingenuity, Juliet begins to correspondent with the members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi after being discovered after curfew by the Germans. The residents send their stories, boastful tales of humor, love and outsmarting their occupiers as well as their love of various forms of literature.  When Juliet sets sail for the island, she finds her new book as well as herself. 

This book has been highly praised and made into a Netflix film that I was intrigued and it was added to my wish list. At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked the correspondence format as the story is told through the characters’ letters. However, once Juliet begins to correspond with the residents of the island, the story’s warmth and humor really opened up for me and I eagerly read the rest of it. The story turned out better than I thought it would. I thoroughly enjoyed all the members of the society and their individual stories. Even the characters that we love to hate added spice to the story. Every character felt real and could easily be people we would encounter today. From the simple people doing their part to survive to the high and mighty busybody, the residents of Guernsey Island will tell a story of love, community and survival. I highly recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

Iris in the Dark: when it's time to stop running

Iris in the Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey is a suspenseful story of one woman’s life in the shadows. Iris Jenkins is a single mother who spends most of her day looking over her shoulder. She knows bad things happen. She has seen bad things happen. For eight years, she has shut the door on her past and made a new life for herself and her son, Finn. But she can’t help but fear that the past isn’t truly done with her yet. When her close friend and boss entrusts her to house sit at a lodge on the South Dakota prairie, she’s ready for anything. Little does Iris know but she’s in for a few surprises. First, Sawyer Jones, the lodge’s neighbor and caretaker. He is a caring and reassuring person who helps her feel safe and even truly alive once again. Late one night, Iris hears a chilling cry for help coming from an old walkie-talkie buried in a box of toys. She tries to dismiss it as her overactive imagination but soon the voice becomes more desperate, personal and menacing. Has her past truly found her? Will she find the strength to fight back or will she run again? 

Iris in the Dark is a suspenseful and gripping story. It takes the idea of those strange night noises that would cause any of us to imagine the worst and asks what if? It is a story of domestic violence and the fight to end the cycle and survive. It is a story of finding one’s worth when the world tells you that you are worthless. I enjoyed Iris’s character and understood her need to be overprotective and overly anxious. She has spent her life afraid of her own shadow, hiding out of the spotlight, hoping not to draw attention to herself. There is a little bit of romance between Iris and Sawyer but not enough to take away from the main story. It was nice to see Iris in a safe place with a safe relationship. Once I started, I could not put it down. It was a slow build, adding elements until the final dam breaks and the action takes off. This story has all the elements of a good suspense with red herrings and misdirections. It was a surprise when the tormentor was revealed. I wasn’t expecting that! I thoroughly enjoyed Iris in the Dark and I highly recommend it! 

Iris in the Dark is available June 7, 2022 in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

I Wish...: small town, a special wish and one magical tree

I Wish…is the second book in The Wishing Tree series by Amanda Prowse. When her world is disrupted by shock and heartache, Verity Joseph’s life in the affluent Chelsea area of London is blown apart. To hide from the press and to lick her wounds, she and her teenage daughter, Sophie, packed their bags and headed to Linden Falls. The small town in Vermont is just what Verity needs for peace, quiet and time to consider her next move. Little does she know that her journey of self-discovery will come with a surprising twist. As Verity and Sophie find a new rhythm in Linden Falls, she begins to feel at home and realizes that her ending is actually a new beginning in disguise. Will she find the courage to follow her heart and allow her wish to come true? 

The Wishing Tree series is an interesting series as each book is written by a different author. With thirteen books in total, readers will visit the magical town of Linden Falls and be inspired by the hopes and dreams of the heartbroken and see the magic of the unexplained and unimaginable. I Wish… was a quick and enjoyable read as the reader follows heartbroken Verity to Linden Falls. Once there, she is determined to enjoy her time and reconnect with Sophie. What she doesn’t expect is the openness and friendliness of the residents. She finds herself opening up to her newfound friends in ways she didn’t want to but once she does, it is liberating. She even opens herself up to life and love again. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend I Wish… 

I Wish… is available in paperback and eBook. 

Guiding Emily: a story of finding the strength and courage to face new challenges

Guiding Emily is the first book in the Guiding Emily series by Barbara Hinske. It is a story of love, loss and courage. Emily Main had it all. She has a successful career with a technology giant, a handsome fiance, Connor, who is climbing up the corporate ladder and a destination wedding coming up. While on their island wedding and honeymoon, tragedy strikes and they rush home in the hopes to save her vision. Suddenly her idyllic life is thrown into chaos as all treatments are unsuccessful and she must learn to face life without her sight. Meanwhile, a black lab puppy named Garth starts his journey to become a guide dog and the challenges and dedication it takes to become one of the most important tools to those with certain disabilities. How will Emily respond to her new normal? Will she have the support of those around her? 

Guiding Emily is a heartbreaking, yet sweet story of one woman’s journey to a new reality and the dog that would become her sight and her companion. My heart broke for Emily; however, on the flip side I was annoyed with Emily. If she suffered from a disease that she could lose her eyesight with something as simple as violent sneezing, why would she agree to a destination wedding and an activity that she feared could lead to an accident? Why would her fiance even suggest such an activity? Sometimes it takes a tragedy to truly see how a person will respond to emergencies. Overall, I enjoyed Guiding Emily. It was an easy to read story of overcoming a tragedy and becoming stronger in the end. Some aspects of the story were predictable, but still enjoyable. If you love a story of strength, courage and dogs, I recommend Guiding Emily. 

Guiding Emily is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Wise Woman of Abel: what is wisdom?

Wisdom is sought by many, but only a few find it and apply it. Many think they are wise but few truly are. Greek poet Sophocles (496-406 BCE) said “Wisdom outweighs any wealth.” And Roman statesman Lucius Annaeus Seneca (5 BCE - 65 CE) stated that no man is wise by chance. The wise woman of Abel is a short story told in 2 Samuel 20:14-22. In a few verses, she is able to avoid innocent bloodshed and destruction of her city. While her faithful city is infiltrated by a rebellious leader, she shows wisdom and courage in the faces of grave danger. She acts quickly and decisively to save the citizens of her city from King David’s besieging army. What were the events that led to the siege of her city? How was she able to use wisdom? What is wisdom? And what does wisdom entail? 

Hostilities were high between the “people of Judah” (David’s tribe of origin in the south) and “the people of Israel” (the ten northern tribes) following David’s suppression of Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 19:41-43) (Camp, 1999). The wise woman’s story begins in 2 Samuel 20:14 when Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin attempted to revolt against the king. Joab, the king’s commander, chased him to Abel Beth Maacah in the north. The city was a walled fortified city and served as protection for the surrounding areas. Sheba hides in the city as Joab sets up siege ramps in preparation to take the city. Before he calls for the siege, a woman appears on the wall requesting to speak to the commander. She gives a simple speech in which she reminds the commander that Abel Beth Maacah is a faithful and peaceful city known as the “mother of Israel” (2 Samuel 20:19). Joab demands that Sheba be handed over and he’ll leave the city alone. The woman then states Sheba’s head will be thrown over the wall. She rallies her fellow citizens to act and soon Sheba’s head came over the wall (2 Samuel 20:22). 

Wisdom is often difficult to define because it can encompass so much. Merriam-Webster defines wisdom as “knowledge that is gained by having many experiences in life” or “a good sense or judgment.” Psychologists tend to define wisdom as the integration of knowledge, experience and deep understanding as well as a tolerance of the uncertainties of life with a sense of calm. Three components have been identified that are often found in wise individuals. First, cognitive components. This is where knowledge and experience play a role. Wise individuals often engage in intellectual humility. Intellectual humility is recognizing and owning one’s intellectual limitations while pursuing deeper knowledge, truth and understanding. There is also an open-mindedness component in which wise individuals are usually receptive to a wide variety of ideas, arguments and information. Even if they could eventually reject these ideas, arguments and information, they will, at least, consider it before making their final decision. Second, reflective components. The ability to examine one’s self and situations. Wise individuals have the ability to engage in perspective-taking which involves seeing a situation through the perspective of another. Third, prosocial components. This is where benevolence and compassion are involved. The wise woman of Abel certainty had the citizens of Abel in mind when she found the courage to confront Joab and negotiate a peaceful resolution.

One of my favorite verses on wisdom is Proverbs 3:13-18 which describes the blessings one receives when they find wisdom and gains understanding. How does one find wisdom? Essentially wisdom sees the big picture rather than the small picture directly in front of us. Wise living starts with fearing the Lord. Fear the Lord is not being afraid of Him; but, the deep respect and reverent humility for God’s majesty, recognizing Him as the Creator (Stilley, 2014). Wisdom grows with receiving God’s word. Psalm 19:7 says “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” God’s word imparts wisdom to the humble, to those who exercise a childlike submission to Him and follow His commands. We often must ask for wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” This idea reminds me of the Serenity Prayer. Written by American theologian Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971), the simple prayer asks for the wisdom to know between what can be changed and what cannot. 

What made this story special? The men in the story took the stereotypical, macho approach to seek and destroy. Yet one woman sought a peaceful solution to spare the many innocent lives who would have been in harm’s way. Joab only saw his immediate goal: to capture Sheba. The wise woman of Abel saw the bigger picture of many innocent lives lost and a city destroyed just for one man. Wisdom often comes with knowledge and experience. Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE) once said that the wise learn from fools while fools rarely imitate the success of the wise. Wisdom comes from asking for it in prayer and seeking it through God’s word. From my own experience, wisdom comes from always seeking knowledge, to never stop learning because there is always something more to know and discover. Wisdom also takes courage and bravery to stand up against all odds. 

References

Camp, Claudia V. (December 31, 1999). Wise Woman of Abel Beth-Maacah: Bible. Jewish Women’s Archive. https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/wise-woman-of-abel-beth-maacah-bible. Retrieved December 28, 2021. 

Stilley, Lloyd (January 1, 2014). Sermon: The Wisdom of God - Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 1. Lifeway. https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/sermon-wisdom-god-romans-16-1-corinthians-1. Retrieved December 28, 2021. 

A Different Kind of Life: one girl's journey through the twists and turns of life

A Different Kind of Life by Pamela Holloway is a story of adversity and the strength and courage to fight on and live. In 1982, eight year old Fiona’s beloved father dies and with her mother wheelchair bound, she is forced to look after her younger sibling. She fights to hold the family together even after the unpleasant Mr. Lennard gradually moves in their home and their lives. After a devastating circumstance forces Fiona to leave her family behind and strike it out on her own to face an uncertain future. To Fiona, anything was better than what she left behind. As she copes with the loss of her family and the uncertainty of her future, her loyalties, her courage and her ability to pursue her artistic talent. Will she find the peace and fulfillment she desperately wants? 

After reading an interview with Ms. Holloway, I was curious about her books. I chose A Different Kind of Life. The story intrigued me. The opening chapter set the tone that life would not be easy for Fiona and her life after her father’s death was definitely difficult. I was scared and concerned for Fiona in those early chapters and when she was forced to leave her family behind, she had no plan. Her story after she leaves is when the story took a turn for me. Everything seemed to fall easily in her lap after that. I felt no connection to Fiona for the rest of the story. The story’s timeline was hard to follow as years will pass in a matter of paragraphs with very little indication. This book is hard to recommend. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. 

A Different Kind of Life is available in paperback and eBook. 

Three Sisters: a story of strength, courage and love

Three Sisters by Heather Morris is the third book in the Tattooist of Auschwitz books. It is the story of three Slovakian sisters: Cibi, the oldest, Magda, and Livi, the baby. They made a promise to their father to always watch out for each other. A promise they take to heart as they find themselves taken from their homes and imprisoned at Auschwitz. They cling together as they suffer from starvation, overwork and the brutal whims of the guards. As the allies are closing in and one last hurdle is overcome: the death march from Auschwitz. Against all odds they survived the camp and now they must find a way to survive again. But the fight for their lives and freedom are now truly beginning. The sisters must face new challenges as the world comes to grips with the events of WWII and the horrible atrocities the Nazis committed.  Can they leave the ghosts of the past behind them as they strive to find a new life with peace and happiness? 

Reading and studying the stories of Holocaust survivors, I always wondered would I have the same strength and courage to survive? One never truly knows how they will respond to a situation until they are faced with it. Inspired by a true story, the story of the sisters overlaps with those of Lale and Gita from The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka, from Tattooist as well as her own story in Cilka’s Journey. The story does not hold back on the vivid details of the horrors the sisters suffered and witnessed while at Auschwitz and even the continued prejudice once they were freed. It is a beautiful story of the amazing courage, love and strength of three sisters. There were times when I cried with the sisters, when I wanted to reach through the pages to hug each of them. I eagerly turned each page, wanting and hoping they would find the peace and happiness they desperately wanted. I highly recommend Three Sisters. 

Three Sisters is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey 

are available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Clawing Free: what if monsters are real? What would you do if they knew your name?

Clawing Free by Josh Roberts is a story that asks the questions: what if monsters are real? And what if they know you by name? Eleven years after the grisly death of her older sister, Mia, Elisabeth “Lissy” Oullette is struggling to move on as she tries to put the pieces of her life back together. She works as a waitress in Mitchum, Colorado, a small mountain town, when the anniversary of her sister’s death approaches and her life seems to be falling apart again. A series of mysterious deaths start occurring at the lake near town. As she and her friend, Neil, search for answers, Lissy finds herself being lured to the lake by something so evil and so powerful that it seems inevitable that the next death will be hers. What is this evil that has been lurking? Can Lissy find the strength and courage to defeat it? 

Inspired by C.K. Chesterton’s quote, “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed” Clawing Free is a supernatural thriller as the heroine discovers a strength she didn’t know she had to defend her demons both real and the ones of her own making. A debut novel by author Josh Roberts, the theme of the love triumphs over evil rings throughout the story. Slowly, the layers of the mystery are peeled away, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat waiting, anticipating the discovery of the evil that hunts Lissy. The author’s descriptions of the monster are so vivid that I had no trouble imaging the horrifying evil in my mind. The final battle is intense and brings the story to a wondrous end. If you enjoy supernatural thrillers, you will enjoy Clawing Free. 

Clawing Free is available in eBook. 

The Beekeeper's Promise: a story of two women finding the courage to fight back

The Beekeeper’s Promise by Fiona Valpy is the story of two women. One lives during the World War II occupation of France and the other is a modern woman trying to put together the pieces of her shattered life and find herself again. Heartbroken and in need of a new start, Abi Howes takes a summer job at the Château Bellevue in the rural village of Coulliac, France. The voices of the past surround Abi as she stays at the château. She finds herself drawn to the story of one remarkable woman. A story that may change her summer and her life. Eliane Martin tends the beehives in the gardens of the Château Bellevue. There she meets Mathieu Dubosq and falls in love for the first time but as the rumors of war darken any hope for the future, she must decide to join the fight for France’s liberty or accept her new reality. Will Abi find a new meaning and purpose in life? Will Eliane find the courage to do what she must to survive? 

The Beekeeper’s Promise is an amazing story of two women who are faced with adversity which tests them body and soul. A growing number of books are now featuring stories of the French Resistance during World War II; but there are so many stories that can be told that it is not repetitive. Ms. Valpy has been able to bring the stories of the French Resistance to life as one community quietly but quickly standing up and fighting back. I’ve read a few criticisms that there seems to be no connection between Abi in 2017 and Eliane during the war. However, as Abi hears Eliane’s story, she finds the courage to move on from her painful past. I interpret it as Abi deciding that if Eliane can face the Nazis with the hope to survive, she can face the ghosts of her past and move on. The two women’s stories don’t need to be similar to find meaning and the strength to say “if she can do it, so can I.” I enjoyed this story so much that I wanted to see both women survive and thrive. I highly recommend The Beekeeper’s Promise. 

The Beekeeper’s Promise is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Four Winds: a story of courage and survival during the Great Depression

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is the story of the Great Depression and one family’s fight for survival. The story begins in Texas, 1921 when 25 year old Elsa Wolcott spent most of her time indoors, deemed too weak to venture outside by her overbearing parents. She is now considered unmarriageable until fate steps in and with one act of rebellion, Elsa’s world is turned upside down. Her act of rebellion leaves her married to Rafe Martinelli, a young man she barely knows and begins life on a farm she knows nothing about. Fast forward to 1934, the world is in a deep depression. Millions are out of work and a devastating drought has ravaged the once bountiful Great Plains to a wasteland. Everyone is faced with a choice: stay or take a chance on a better life elsewhere. Elsa is determined to stay on the land she has come to love. But when a horrific dust storm causes her young son to become gravely ill, she has no other choice. She packs her two children and takes the perilous journey into California. What will she find there? Will it be a land of plentiful? Will they find a way to survive? 

Growing up I knew my maternal grandmother lived on an Oklahoma farm during the Great Depression. Once I sat down with her and talked about her experiences. I have never forgotten what she told me. Her stories were in my mind as I read The Four Winds. It is a story about love, heroism and hope during a time when all hope seemed to be lost. The Four Winds is a story about the will to survive and a hope for a better future. It was a time of crisis and the harsh realities that divided the people and the battle between the haves and the have-nots, the powerful and the needy. Images from John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath (1939) also came to mind as Ms. Hannah described the conditions these people had to endure. It is also the story of a woman who thought she was nothing but discovers she is someone important. I had a love-hate relationship with Elsa and many of the characters. But they felt real with real flaws and made life and death decisions. The end was truly beautiful, a tear jerking moment, a thank you to those who fought and endured the Great Depression. I recommend The Four Winds. 

The Four Winds is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook.