Tag: HarperCollins

Book Review · Books

All About Us

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What would you do if you could go back in time to choose a different path than the one you are currently on? Ben gets his chance in: All About Us. It’s Christmas Eve and he’s in a rut. His wife, Daphne is off at her work Christmas party. He declines to go so, he can stay home and decorate their tree. Instead he’s off to the pub to see his best friend Harv. At the pub he meets a watch salesman who gifts him a watch. This stranger asks Ben if there was anything in his life he’d like to do over. Welcome to Ben’s adventure to find out just what that entails.

This novel is fast paced, gripping, emotional, thought provoking, and sobering. I couldn’t put it down. This book is fiction, but the essence of the story brings home so much on a personal level. You can’t read this novel and not think about your own life and all you’ve gone through to be at where you are at currently. If you love a Christmas Carol then you may enjoy this story. I have never read this classic Christmas tale, but I just might after reading this novel.

I received my complimentary copy of All About Us by Tom Ellen from HarperCollins, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. Thank you for the opportunity to get to read such a powerful book.

Books · Personal · Self Care · TBR

Overbooked

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I love to read. I have ever since I was little. It was second grade when I began to read solo, but still would enjoy my mom reading to me. The books that captured my imagination as a little kid were: The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton, The Little House series, The Moomins series, and of course Dr. Seuss books.

Discovering Booktube was life changing. The first Booktuber that caught my attention was Sasha Alsberg. Her love of reading, books and wait she gets sent books to review? I want book mail. I created a book blog, read 5 books and posted reviews, then searched out companies looking for reviewers.

Fast forward 3 years and I have over indulged. I know I review not merely for NetGalley, but a number of other PR companies. I have a challenge saying, “No,” to requests since I’m already over my head in my ARC TBR, but that one that got away haunts the back of my mind. What if the book I decline to review, is my fave book for 2020?

I do need to be more selective and whittle down my TBR. I’m thankful to be a book blogger. I just don’t want to loose my love of reading because of it.

Book Review · Books

The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant

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Three generations searching for love. Rachel who seems to have fleeting romances, Eve who has swapped her travels to Africa with her boyfriend in favor of taking care of her grandmother. Esther stuck on a island against her will by her husband, in an attempt to heal her from her grief.

Rachel lands on the Isles of Scilly to research clams. While going out to do her research a storm brews up fast and she doesn’t want to lose her boat. Attempting to swim it to shore behind her she ends up getting her arm caught between rocks. An older woman whose a recluse rescues Rachael. She has landed on an island called Little Embers. Her rescuer finds her some clothes to borrow. They are clothes from a different era with a secret.

Eve is stuck taking care of her grandmother and wonders if she’ll ever rekindle the boyfriend she left behind. Helping her grandmother write her memoirs Eve senses there’s more to her life then her grandmother is letting on.

Esther is stuck on an island to try and heal her grief. With her husband and little boy so far away can Esther heal?

Join Esther, Eve and Rachel on their journeys to discover love and the how the paths we choose shape our future. This gripping novel is set on the isles off the Cornish coast. If you enjoy small town stories then you might just fall in love with this story. This novel touches on so many different themes from loss, independence, grief, romance, adventure and most of all hope.

I received my complimentary copy of The Lost Letters Of Esther Durrant by Kayte Nunn from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. To go grab a gorgeous copy of this novel support HarperCollins and to find out more about the author.

Book Review · Books

Dead To Her

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Marcie has come up in the world now that she’s married to Jason, lives in a nice home and hobnobs with the rich inner circle of Savannah. The only thing is Marcie’s past is shut away in a little box. When her and Jason’s friend William marries a new wife, Keisha, a woman who makes everyone’s head turn. Marcie wonders if this new wife is all who she appears to be.

Keisha is thrust into this high society that is out of her comfort zone, but even though William is much older then her, the money is worth it. But her past keeps knocking at her door, making her feel unworthy of her new found love and home. Can Keisha move beyond her past?

Two women trying to fit in to a world that has its own little secrets. Why was William’s first wife so beloved? Are the inner circle ladies truly your friend, or is it just for social appearances? Will Marcie and Keisha ever get along?

I received my complimentary copy of Dead To Her by Sarah Pinborough from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own choice. Sarah Pinborough creates complex characters that take you on a whirlwind of adventure. My brain is still wrapping around the ending. If you enjoy Gone Girl, then you may enjoy this Southern thriller. Pinborough is a master of the psychological thriller. Once you read one of novels you’ll be greedy for more.

Book Review · Books

A Sister’s Courage

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Ever since Lorraine was little she wanted to be a pilot. Her mother, a French woman won’t hear of it. A lady had very distinct roles in life and doing a man’s dangerous job of flying was not one of them. Thankfully her father was supportive and understanding. How to change mother’s mind was going to be a challenge.

One of the pilot’s Doug takes a shine to her and offers to give her flying lessons. Thankfully Lorraine snags a job at the local airfield to help pay for her lessons.

The day Lorraine earns her pilot’s license is a dream come true, but she knows her mother won’t hear of it. Her sisters, Suzy and Ronnie are both supportive of her dreams to fly. Can she change her mother’s mind?

When she goes to inquire about the ATA (Airport Transit Auxiliary), her boss gives her the impression that she doesn’t qualify due to not enough flying hours. Lorraine is crushed. This doesn’t stop her from reaching out to the head lady of the ATA to inquire herself. What she finds out is that her boss isn’t supportive of women being pilots.

What will the head lady of the ATA respond with? Will Lorraine’s dream of being an official pilot be snuffed out even with a war going on? Will she be stuck at home with Ronnie and Suzy?

This novel tackles women’s challenges to be seen as equal to men as pilots and how they could help with the war effort. It also, touches on the social expectations of a woman to stay at home even if an unmarried adult, to help out with their family.

I received my complimentary copy of A Sister’s Courage by Molly Green from HarperCollins, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are my own and of my own choice. To grab a gorgeous copy click here for HarperCollins. This novel brought to light the era of World War II from the British perspective and the intricacies of the aviation industry and how women broke the flying glass ceiling by being pilots.

Book Review · Books

Cross Her Heart

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Lisa’s life is finally getting into a great rhythm with her daughter Ava. She has a great job, landed a big account at work and has the best friend ever in her coworker, Marilyn. Ava is turning into a classic surly teenager with attitude. She can’t understand why her mom is so protective of her. Ava is practically an adult, can’t her mom are that? Lisa knows they can get through her daughter’s rebellious phase.

One afternoon at a local town fair Ava saves a little boy who falls into the river. Being on the high school swim team has it’s perks. Ava swallows up all the attention while Lisa is trying to avoid being a part of the spotlight.

The affects of Ava’s heroism turn Lisa and Ava’s world upside down when people come looking for someone named Charlotte. Whose Charlotte? Does she know Lisa? Does Lisa know her? Are things as they seem for Lisa and Ava?

I loved Sarah Pinborough’s young adult novel 13 Minutes. Cross Her Heart is even better. For fans of Gone Girl, this new book by Sarah will definitely become a new all time favorite. I already want to read it again. If you adore suspense and psychological thrillers then this is a must read.

I received my complimentary copy of Cross My Heart by Sarah Pinborough from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and my own choice to post. Pick up a copy here and learn more about the author. I thought I was a big fan of Sarah Pinborough, but after reading Cross Her Heart, I’m now an avid fan and am going to read her other novels.

Book Review · Books

The Clergyman’s Wife

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Charlotte Collins is the wife of a local vicar. Her husband is caught up with what their landlady, Lady Catherine deems appropriate for high society. Charlotte is more concerned with taking care of their daughter and learning the ropes of being a vicar’s wife. She misses her family back home, but their maid Martha keeps her company while Charlotte’s husband is in his book room writing his sermons.

When Charlotte’s husband summons’s the farmer, Mr. Travis’s son to help plant roses for them, Charlotte meets a new possible kindred spirit, but decorum persists. Over time by visiting old Mr. Travis she sees how he enjoys getting to see her little daughter and how kind his son is. They speak occasionally at church and when they bump into each other on walks.

Over time Charlotte discovers she has more than friendship feelings for Mr. Travis’s son. Unlike her sister, Maria who married for love, Charlotte married out of convenience since her husband, William was the only eligible bachelor and a good social catch. Charlotte is ashamed about the feelings that are welling up for her regarding their neighbor. She senses Mr. Travis’s son has mutual feelings, but they are both conscious of what’s appropriate when interacting. It’s hard when there are nosey town neighbors spreading gossip.

This novel made me thankful I’m a women in modern times. The view of women and wives in this older era is depressing. It shows how back then marriage was a contract between esteemed families and depending on who you paired up with reflected back on your family’s status within the community. Marrying for love was not the priority and I think looked down upon. Or matching from different social classes was another huge no, no. If you never found a decent marital match then you were left to live at home indefinitely.

I received my complimentary copy of The Clergyman’s Wife by Molly Greeley from William Morrow, care of TLC Book Tours. The views are mine and of my own will. To procure a copy visit HarperCollins and check out more on Molly Greeley. If you enjoy Victorian era novels then you may enjoy this debut novel. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t my cup of tea, but it did provide a clear example of Victorian life.

Book Review · Books

The Stranger Game

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Rebecca and her boyfriend were attempting to take a break from each other when one day he goes missing. Ezra doesn’t give any inkling as to where he’s gone, or why. Rebecca gets concerned as the days turn into weeks. In the midst of trying to locate her ex boyfriend she meets a dashing man named Carey. How Rebecca meets Carey is a tricky situation. Carey was playing the stranger game and Rebecca is fooled at first.

The stranger game is where you follow a stranger without them discovering you following them. Pretty much stalking.

The game was starting to get more intense with local home break ins happening. Rebecca realizes this game is getting dangerous when she witnesses the game turning sinister. After this incident Carey disappears as well. Will she find Ezra? Why did Carey disappear all of a sudden? Is the stranger game all that it appears to be?

This book took quite awhile to get into. Honestly, it’s categorized as suspense, but I didn’t find it that suspenseful. If you are into low key suspense then I would recommend this book. This novel does a good job of discussing the topic of human nature and the turn it takes when we turn people watching into a game that can turn ugly.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Stranger Game by Peter Gadol from Hanover Square Press/HarperCollins through TLC Book Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. To grab a copy off Amazon click here and to find out more about the author, Peter Gadol here’s his website.

Book Review · Books

Auschwitz Lullaby

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Ever since I was lent a copy of Escape From Warsaw in the fourth grade I fell in love with the country of Poland. I am not Polish, but for some reason the Polish language sounds like music to me. This book for younger children set me on my interest of WWII. I’ve read countless memoirs and historical fiction on this awful war. A few stand out as excellent. Auschwitz Lullaby by Mario Escobar is one of the gems that is a must read.

This WWII historical fiction novel tells the story of real life German mother, Helene Hannemann who follows her five children to Auschwitz though she herself is not a Gypsy and required to go there. Sadly, they are separated from her husband and left to survive in the camp on their own.

Helene was seen as partly privileged since she was German and Dr. Mengele chose her to help operate a nursery school at the camp. Helene did her best to give the gypsy children of Auschwitz a glimmer of normalcy with the supplies Dr. Mengele is able to get for the school. Even though the school is just a smoke and mirrors of the truth of the camp it gives Helene, her children, other children and the ladies who assist with the school some routine that gives comfort.

This novel was hard to put down. The writing was beautiful, some of the sentences were like music in the depth of their power. The true horrors of this war aren’t sugarcoated in this novel, but it is a lovely tribute to Helene’s life and the power of love you have for your family, no matter the cost.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. If you enjoy historical fiction then keep an eye out for the release of this book. I know I want to grab a copy. I am thankful I got the privilege to read this ARC. Thank you!

Book Review · Books

Caroline

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Growing up I was a big fan of “Little House On The Prairie.” I watched the show religiously M-F at 5pm sharp. I liked Laura, but found her sister, Mary stuffy. When I was asked if I wanted to review this historical novel, Caroline, I couldn’t resist.

Caroline is the viewpoint of Laura Ingall’s family’s move from WI to KS, but told from Laura’s mother’s stance. This novel is so detailed you feel as though you are traveling right alongside Caroline with Charles, Mary and Laura. The author, Sarah Miller’s research is detailed. One scene was so detailed regarding prepping hides to be tanned I almost got ill reading about brains being mushed to coat the hides.

I enjoyed reading this novel. The only challenge is I felt it was a tad too, long. The detail is excellent, but for that long of a book I’d almost want to read a biography on the subject. The realism of venturing out on the prairie is very vivid. The author took great care in explaining the little details of pioneer life. It makes me sit in awe how people could survive with such basic provisions and in modern times we are spoiled with an over abundance.

I received my free copy of Caroline by Sarah Miller care of TLC Book Tours from William Morrow in exchange for my honest feedback. If you would like purchase this title go grab a copy from HarperCollins and to read more about the author check out her website.