Promise of the Black Monks: turning points in European history

Promise of the Black Monks by Robert E. Hirsch is a first book in the Tristan de Saint Germain saga. Set in the Middle Ages following William the Conqueror’s successful invasion of England, Europe is in the turmoil as nations take shape and the Church.

The story opens with a short narration discussing the events which led to William of Normandy’s invasion of England. On a French estate, Lady Asta de Germain is awaiting the birth of her first child. Tristan is born with a dark omen hanging over him. Seven years later, his father has been executed for treason against King William. Lady Asta, in desperation, sends Tristan and his little brother Guillaume to the Cluny monastery in Burgundy where the Black Monks will educate the boys. Lady Asta, in turns, marries her brother-in-law Lord DuLac and joins him at his new estate in England. Tristan and Guillaume settle into life at the monastery where they are met with hostility from one boy. Tristan excels at his studies and proves himself valuable to the monks. While Lady Asta is living in the middle of the ever present hostilities between the Saxons and the Normans. Will Tristan and his brother ever escape the shadow of their father’s crimes? Will Lady Asta be reunited with her sons? And what impact could one boy have on the course of European history?

I enjoyed Promise of the Black Monks. I enjoyed the in depth historical context that the author presents with the actions of the story. It is an amazing story about a turbulent time in European history which was set on its course with the 1066 invasion. The political, culture and religious upheavals as men set upon their course for power. I plan to get the remaining books in this saga as I want to see the impact Tristan has on the landscape that becomes Europe. If you enjoy historical political drama, this is the book for you. I highly recommend Promise of the Black Monks.

Promise of the Black Monks

is available in paperback for $19.99

My Father & Attticus Finch: a story of a real fight for justice in 1930s Alabama

My Father and Atticus Finch by Joseph Madison Beck is a memoir about his father, Foster Beck, and the similarities he shares with Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Ever since I read To Kill a Mockingbird in junior high, it has been one of my favorite books. So I was intrigued by the possibilities of similarities between Atticus Finch and Mr. Beck.

The case is a young white woman, Elizabeth Liger, accused a black man, Charles White, of rape in 1938. After the Scottsboro decisions, W.L. Parks, the judge proceeding over the case, wanted Mr. White to have “first class representation.” Foster Beck is reluctant to take on the case but is persuaded to take the case. Mr. Beck poured every effort into his representation of Mr. White and insurance that he receive a fair trial. Just as in the case in To Kill a Mockingbird, this case had many holes and doubts about the defendant’s guilty. However, given the social and political injustice of the time, the case was really over before it began.

I enjoyed My Father and Atticus Finch. It is a great memoir of a lawyer who believed in his client, despite his race, and defended him to the best of his ability. The parallels between Foster Beck and Atticus Finch are striking. Mr. Joseph Beck said that he wrote to Ms. Lee about his father’s case and she claims to have never heard of it. I wonder if she simply refused to acknowledge that she was influenced by the case or had forgotten that she had heard about the case. Either way, I enjoyed reading about a man who was a living, breathing Atticus Finch. A man who didn’t see race as much as he saw injustice upon his fellow man. I highly recommend My Father and Atticus Finch.

My Father and Atticus Finch

will be available on June 21, 2016

on Amazon in hardcover $25.95

and on the Kindle for $13.49

Black Widow: a mystery thriller which leave you guessing until the very end!

Black Widow by Christopher Brookmyre is a mystery thriller told in three parts. The narration is divided between Dr. Diana Jager, the defendant, and Jack Parlabane, a journalist who is covering the story. The story opens with Dr. Diana Jager is on trial for the suspicious death of her husband, Peter. Diana is a surgeon who gained infamy when her anonymous blog was exposed. She wrote scathing commentaries about anyone and anything that crossed her. As time went on, she met and married Peter, an IT tech at the hospital where she worked. Suddenly after six months of marriage, Peter is missing. His car is found in a river and he is presumed dead. Evidence is pointing to Diana. Jack Parlabane is a reporter who is put on Diana’s trail by her sister-in-law, Lucy Elphinstone, who suspects Diana of killing her brother. As Jack uncovers clues to the relationship between Diana and Peter and Diana’s past and as Diana reveals the secrets she is unwilling to share to the police, a picture is painted of what happened that night. Where is Peter? Is he dead and did Diana kill him? Will Jack ever uncover the truth?

I LOVED Black Widow. I stayed up late until 1 am because I HAD to finish. I had to know if Diana killed Peter and what happened to him. The book reminds me of Gone Girl but oh so much better. This book had so many twists and turns that you think you have it figured out and another twist!!!! I can’t talk too much about the major points of the book because it would give away huge plot points. However, I can say that the book will keep in on your toes. I highly recommend Black Widow. It is one of the best done and excellent books I’ve read in a long time!!!! I'm eager to read other books by Christopher Brookmyre! 

All the Missing Girls: a mystery told in a unique style

All the Missing Girls by Meghan Miranda is a chilling tale of one woman’s return home where the case of a missing girl still hangs in the air ten years later. When another girl goes missing, the past becomes more present than ever before.

The story is told in three parts. In Part 1, Nicolette “Nic” Farrell is on her way home to North Carolina where she is helping get her childhood home ready for the market. As she drives home, she remembers the events of the night when her high school best friend, Corinne, went missing. Nic is unsettled to be in the house again where the ghosts of the past are felt. Part 2 is the interesting part. The story is told backward from Day 15 to Day 1. Nic is trying to fit the pieces of the recent disappearance of Annaliese and the connection to her friend’s disappearance ten years ago. Will she find out who is behind Annaliese’s disappearance? Does her father know more than his feeble mind will let him say? Part 3 is the aftermath of the events in Part 2. Will they find Annaliese? Will they discover what happened to Corrine?

All the Missing Girls is a fascinating read. The reverse storytelling is brilliant. I read more closely, wrote down any clue and had aha moments when pieces were starting to connect. The ending is brilliantly done and quite surprising when the events are finally pieced together. I can’t give too many details away because it will spoil the story. But I will say this book did not disappoint. The twists and turns will leave you guessing until the very end! If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train, you will definitely enjoy All the Missing Girls! I highly recommend it!!!

All the Missing Girls

Is available on Amazon

In hardback $25

Kindle $12.99

And

On Barnes and Noble.com

In hardback $25

Audiobook $12.99

In the Light of What We see: a story of drama, mystery and danger

In the Light of what We see by Sarah Painter is a story of two women from two different times and their fight for their lives. The narrative alternates between the two women’s stories. The story begins with Mina. She sees birds that aren’t really there. She is dating a handsome doctor, Mark, and she is avoiding her aunt and uncle. One day, Mina is in a car accident and wakes up in the hospital with little memory about the accident or anything about her life. As she struggles to recover physically and mentally, she begins to see more than just birds. She begins to see the ghost of a young woman. Enter Grace. In August 1938, she is sent to work in a hospital under strict guidelines and rules. As she struggles to learn her new routine and life as a nurse, she must also deal with the unwelcome advances of the new handsome doctor. As Mina recover bits and pieces of her memory, she realizes that Mark isn’t all he seems to be. Is the ghost who visits her room trying to tell her something? Will Mina be able to recover her memory in time?

In the Light of what We see is an interesting story with twists and turns. Although I failed to see the connection between Mina’s story and Grace’s story other than the hospital that Grace worked in and Mina is now a patient. I feel as if the stories could have been separate books. Mina’s story was more dramatic and I didn’t see how Grace’s story fit. Maybe I missed something in the story that linked the two better. Despite my confusion, I did enjoy the story and I found myself urging Mina to open her eyes and see the danger in front of her. I was eager to see if Grace was able to live her life better despite her current circumstance. I recommend In the Light of what We see for its dramatic story and its mysterious elements.

In the Light of what We see

Is available on Amazon

In paperback for $15.95

Free with Kindle Unlimited

And

Available on Barnes and Noble.com

In paperback for $15.95

And Audiobook $9.99

While You were Mine: life changes with the end of WWII

While You were Mine by Ann Howard Creel is a story of one woman’s world coming to an end with the end of World War II.

The story opens in August 1945, Gwen Mullen is a nurse in New York City when she hears the news of the Japanese surrender. At her door is the one man who will tear her world apart. A man who has come for his daughter. Gwen had become the adoptive mother of Mary whose mother, Alice, left when she was a few months old and her father, John, is presumed dead in Europe. With the help of her German neighbors, Lisen and Geoff, and her new roommate, Dot, Gwen takes care of the baby. John learns that Alice has left the baby with Gwen and he is determined to find her. When he can’t, he returns to New York determined to raise his daughter. Gwen agrees to help John learn how to take care of Mary and ease himself into Mary’s life. Soon, the two become close and plan a future together until Alice returns. Will Gwen have to say goodbye to Mary and John for good? Will she be able to walk away?

While You were Mine is a great story filled with drama and twists and turns. I loved the realistic depiction of life for the returning soldiers. The memories, the nightmares, the difficulties returning to civilian life are portrayed honestly and realistically. The characters are real and relatable. You feel the heartache for some, feel anger for others and you begin to understand the hard transition of life after war. I recommend While You were Mine. It’s a great story of life, love and starting over.

While You were Mine

is available on Amazon

in paperback $14.95

Kindle Unlimited

and

on Barnes and Noble.com

in hardcover $24.95

in paperback $14.95

and Audiobook $14.99

Remembering Grandma Ruby on her birthday

Today is June 1^st and it holds a special place in my heart. Today is my Cousin Jody’s 19^th birthday (Happy Birthday, Jody!). Today also would have been my Grandma Ruby’s 94^th birthday. My grandma has been on my mind lately. Since her death in 2005, I’ve learned that I wished I knew her better, talked to her more. I’ve have so many questions now. One of my most treasured items from my grandma was actually mine to begin with. It’s only a few inches tall, plush and insignificant to someone else. But to me, it is most precious and here’s why.

This item is a tiny plush Eeyore with magnetic hands which allows it to be wrapped around something. My favorite Winnie-the-Pooh character has been Eeyore since high school. I’m not sure why. I suppose because Eeyore is a gloomy character and I can relate to that. Even though I am generally a positive person, I sometimes feel as if I am insignificant in the grand schemes of this big wide world. I bought this particular Eeyore at Disneyland many, many years ago. I placed it around the gearshift of my 1987 Toyota Camry. And there it stayed for many months until one day it was gone. I couldn’t figure out how I lost it but it was gone. I thought about getting a new one but never got around to getting one. It wasn’t until after my grandma’s passing, as the family was cleaning out her dresser drawers, was it found.

Something you need to know about my grandma. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was very hard to see this beautiful woman, who cared deeply for her children and grandchildren, slowly forget who she was or where she was. Sometimes I could see the recognition in her eyes, even though I knew she could not remember my name. Eventually it came to a point she was not safe home alone and my aunt was able to find a Senior Day Care she could attend during the day. I would often pick her up and bring her home. As I can figure, one day when I brought her home, she reached over and took the Eeyore as I moved to her side of the car to help her out. Why would she take it? Did she like it? Did she see it and think of me? Maybe she took it without really any thought.

I wish Grandma Ruby can see me now. Happily married to a wonderful husband and father. Mother to an amazing little girl who I marvel at every day. I wish she was there when I lost my daughter, Ziva. I wish I could have asked her how she moved on after losing her own son. Although I can guess her answer. Because she had to. A woman who lived through the Great Depression, the loss of a sister so young, losing her boyfriend in World War II and to lose her firstborn child. There is a reason her generation is called The Greatest Generation. She wasn’t perfect. She made her share of mistakes but she loved her family fiercely and did her best to make sure her family had what they needed. I grew up watching her devotion to my grandfather. I saw them bicker but they always came together for a kiss. It’s something I emulate today with my husband.

So, this tiny Eeyore has become very dear to me. When I got the Eeyore back, I didn’t put it back in my car. No, I put it in my room where it had a special spot. Even today, Eeyore still hangs around my bedroom lamp on my dresser among my other treasures. It may not seem like a very special place but it is. I see it every day and think of my grandma. It’s a little dirty but it makes me smile. It’s the little things that can remind us of our loved ones. A song, a scent, and a simple little knickknack.

My Grandma Ruby’s obituary from the Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ruby-207108-ken-children.html