Told from the viewpoint of Elsa, the author’s grandmother, this is an absolutely fascinating look at Italy during the time of Mussolini and Hitler. Elsa leaves Germany to marry Paul (kind of an old-fashioned, arranged marriage that actually seems charming) and together they buy and operate a bed and breakfast in a small town there outside of Naples. The Pensione Alexandria is the heart and soul of the story because it is there that so many different characters touch the lives of Elsa and Paul. It is where we see the changes in life for the Jewish population once Hitler has taken an iron grip on Germany and begins to extend his influence to Mussolini. As a Jew, Elsa suffers being ousted from a local social club. This book holds a lot of wisdom and insight into what Fascism is and how it affects the lives of regular people. Jewish ostracism in Italy is not as apparent, but Elsa writes about the changes that begin subtly in Germany, in such a quiet way that hardly anyone notices how harshly the Jews are being treated. This is a story that needs to be told. It is a true story based on the accounts of what happened to Elsa as told to her grandson. I loved the way the story flowed and seemed like Elsa was stepping off the page to tell me the story herself! Of course, given the history of Italy and Germany, there are some very sad parts of the story, but it is all told in such a way that you want to be with Elsa and live that life with her all over again, and this time, maybe notice things more and be able to make changes to the way society treated an innocent group of people who just happened to be Jewish. If you love history, you will love this historical novel!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

From the bloody scene in the beginning of the book to the explosive ending, this book will not disappoint fans of T.J. Brearton. Harriet is found bloodied with multiple stab wounds and now Bobbi, her co-worker is fearful for her life since she is convinced that the killer may have actually been trying to kill her instead. Mike and Lena, the detectives on the case, are racing against the clock of a killer without a conscience, one who has a plan that they have to discover before more die. This is a taut and spine-tingling murder mystery that is hard to put down and horrifying at the same time. The detectives are portrayed as normal people who have their own problems in life but who decide that putting their lives on the line is worth it if they can save another social caseworker from a horrible death. The story of Bobbi is interesting but fades into the background against the ticking clock of the killer versus the detectives. This is a must read for fans of detective thrilllers and should be read with the knowledge that the killer is smarter than the average perpetrator and is absolutely dedicated to fulfilling his mission.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Cori Salchert has more physical ailments than most people could dream of, in a very bad nightmare. As a result, she cannot do her regular job so decides instead to help babies who are dying of terminal illnesses. With eight children of their own, Cori convinces her family that this is something that they can and should do. The first baby that they decide to help is Emmalynn, a small baby that cannot function on her own because her brain was not fully formed before birth. With the full knowledge that this child will die in their care, Cori is determined that this child will know love as she passes into eternity, that she will not die alone. This is not only a commitment of time; it is a commitment of love and of the heart. This poignant story is told with all of the realistic details that reach out and grab the reader, making one want to help the family love this child. But the story doesn’t stop with Emmalynn. Cori has her mind established on helping one child after another, all of whom are going to die. The children cannot be healed, but Cori’s heart that has suffered rejection her entire life can be touched and healed and the process though which this takes place is charming and inspirational. The reader will cheer for Cori and her family while reading in awe the story of a woman who has to overcome so many physical obstacles in order to be able to help the “least of these.”

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Eve Duncan receives a package on her porch, a burned skull that she feels compelled to restore. But dark forces are operating not far from her home and soon everyone she loves is under the threat of a mad killer seeking revenge. This is by far the best Eve Duncan book that I have ever read! The characters are realistic and portrayed with great emotion and detail. The man who is trying to destroy Eve and her family is diabolical and so twisted that you want him to get caught and punished…soon, before he does more harm. Kaskov, Cara’s Russian grandfather, is a featured part of the story, and instead of being villainous, he is actually helpful. The new character introduced is Darcy, Cara’s friend from school. She is like comic relief with a twist because her life is threatened, also. This book was a book that will knock you out of your chair with its twists and turns and action that does not stop from page one until the conclusion. Iris Johansen has given the reader a book that will be hard to put down and will also make you think afterwards about all you hold dear and how one moment in time can change everything.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This is not the kind of book I usually read, although the Christian genre drew me to read it. However, from the first chapter, it did not seem Christian at all, except in that it pitted evil versus good. With all the death and darkness throughout the book, at times it was hard to tell the difference between those who were evil and those who were good. The story is about a young man named Michael who spent time in the prison system as a boy and who has now returned to his hometown of Coldwater. But he is hated there, with a hate that is so visceral that it is hard to imagine how someone so young could have so many people hating him and trying to destroy him. It has a satisfying conclusion, but is such a dark novel that it was hard for me to read it. I did see some parts of the novel that were an allegory for the life of Jesus, but you will have to read it yourself to see if you also notice this allegory.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

 

This debut novel is available now from your local bookseller!

This is Book 1 of the Detective Inspector Rachel Prince series from debut novelist Alison James. Knowing from the beginning that there will be more novels featuring this character really kept me interested in her quirky character. She works well with her partner Detective Sargeant Mark Brickall. Injured from the beginning of the book while she is out running, Rachel does not let her leg injury stop her from running after clues. She has been tasked with finding out what happened to missing child Lola Jade Harper and hopefully bring her home alive. Her methods of detection are not always what you would expect because Rachel thinks outside of the box. She is single-minded, focusing on finding the little girl before it’s too late. But when the unthinkable happens and another child disappears, Rachel’s job becomes one of cat and mouse. She has to be smarter than the perpetrator, and it is amazing to see how she works things out. The author throws in a lot of red herrings and just when you think you have the mystery figured out, there. Is a twist. The end and the revelation of the criminal was such a surprise that I never saw it coming. Although Rachel is not a particularly magnetic character, she is likeable and eccentric. I am sure that the author has a winning series with Rachel Prince at the center of it!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

 

This thriller by Jenny Milchman will be available at your favorite bookseller on May 1, 2018.

When one thinks of a special wedding and honeymoon, this book is not one that you want to use as your guide. Natalie and Doug Larson get married at a nice little bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere. Then, they set out for an adventure honeymoon into the Adirondack Mountains. That is where the honeymoon starts going downhlll. Doug loses the GPS, they discover a dead man in the woods, they are hiking more than they are paddling the canoe so they abandon it. So much is already going wrong when their savior appears in the form of a man whom Natalie believes is a homeless vagabond. But Kurt is much more than that; he has lived in the woods for over a year and is a survivor, no matter what he has to do to be able to survive. Natalie and Doug quickly discover that Kurt is not the man he seems and that they must try to escape from his clutches before horrible things happen to them. Kurt is studying them psychologically and nothing that he does to them evokes real emotion; they are just case studies to him. But Natalie and Doug are lost in a wilderness and getting away is harder than they could have ever imagined. This book was written with a realistic tone that was scary and mesmerizing at the same time. The horror was there, but so was the pathos for Doug and Natalie who are a couple that just got married and who may not live to see an anniversary. Natalie was the more sympathetic character since she knew absolutely nothing about this whole adventure thing and this honeymoon was the brainchild of Doug. I also really liked her niece Mia who would not give up searching for her. This teen girl was portrayed as curious and a loner of sorts, preferring her online media to real personal contact. Again, this was such a realistic portrayal that I could actually imagine this girl’s words as she spoke them and was not surprised by the actions she took in her quests to find Natalie and Doug. This is an excellent novel that is not for the weak heart or weak stomach.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”