The Fix: a survivor of a brutal attack has a chance to save another victim

The Fix by Mia Sheridan is a romantic suspense thriller as a survivor of a brutal attack has a chance to save another victim.  Eleven years ago, Cami Cortlandt’s mother and sister were killed in a violent home invasion. While the trauma and the notoriety still follows her, Cami has built a life in her hometown, trying to put it all behind her as best she can. Until one day, one phone call puts another life on the line. A distorted voice asking if she wanted a do-over. A video of a young boy trapped in a room with bars on the window. A boy who looks vaguely familiar. She has four days to find him. With the help of an old classmate, Rex Lowe, Cami races to find the boy and answer the questions racing through her mind. Where is he? Who is he? And why is Cami the only one who can save him? 

After reading Mia Sheridan’s previous books, I knew her stories would be a bit darker with twists and turns. However, as I closed the book, I was left with indifference. I wasn’t wowed by the story but I didn’t hate it either. I enjoyed Cami’s story and her resilience to rebuild her life. I also enjoyed Rex’s character. Their romance was subtle and didn’t overwhelm the mystery or suspense of the story. The twists and the turns of the story kept my interest as I wanted to know who was behind the boy’s kidnapping and why Cami was given the chance to save him. However, there were certain character injections that left me confused and wondering how they fit in the overall mystery. While it is revealed, it felt underwhelming, Overall, I did enjoy the story but I wasn’t wowed. If you enjoy romantic suspense thrillers, you may enjoy this book. I recommend The Fix. 

The Fix is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Irena's War: one woman's resistance and rescue of Jewish children

Irena’s War by James D. Shipman is based on the true story of an unlikely resistance fighter who helped save thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto. In September 1939, the Nazis are sweeping through Europe as Irena Sendler, a social worker in Warsaw, is determined to get the food and supplies the people need, she just doesn’t know how. The answer comes when Klaus Rein, a Gestapo agent, offers her a job running the city’s soup kitchens. Reluctantly, she takes the job, anything to make sure the people do not go hungry. Klaus becomes suspicious of Irena’s activities, but has very little evidence of any wrongdoing. As the Warsaw Jews are confined to the ghetto, Irena realizes that providing food isn’t going to be enough. Working with Zegota, the Polish resistance, Irena begins to smuggle the Jewish children out of the ghetto and to safety. It is a race against time as each success brings Irena closer and closer to danger. 

Already familiar with the heroic activities of Irena Sendler, I was intrigued at Irena’s War and how the author would tell the story of this unique woman. This story was a cat-and-mouse thriller as the mouse outwits the cat at every turn. Irena Sendler has been a folk hero who fought against injustices and worked tirelessly to help as many people as she could. While her life after the war was filled with strife, she is best remembered for her rescue of over two thousand children. With the benefit of historical knowledge and the outcomes, it is easy to say that of course, she helped the  children. However, given the wartime and political climate, she was taking a great risk and readers will have to ask themselves, would have I done the same? Especially after reading how she got the children out of the ghetto, would we have done the same? Overall, I enjoyed Irena’s War. If you have never read about this courageous woman, I recommend Irena’s War. 

Irena’s War is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook