Tag: Historical Fiction

Book Review · Books

Sisters Of War

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Natasha has a fairly cush life with her sister, Lisa and their younger brother, Nikolai and their parents in Russia. When World War II hits things turn nerve racking. One day while Natasha is walking with her grandmother, a drunk German starts to intimidate them and gets aggressive. Natasha is petrified. Her grandmother isn’t afraid of the Nazi and winds up injured, but before the soldier can zero in on Natasha, a handsome stranger appears and the drunk officer is dead on the ground. This mystery man helps Natasha carry her badly injured Grandmother back to their house. Who is this knight in shining armor?

Natasha searches for this handsome stranger, to offer her thanks for his heroic deed. When she finds him she’s shocked to realize he’s a Hungarian soldier working for the enemy. He says that he has no choice. Natasha returns home still smitten. Her sister, Lisa is a tad suspicious, but she’s distracted by her fiancé.

When the Nazi’s want to know who killed their comrade Natasha says she doesn’t know who killed the drunk soldier. It was too dark that night. She wants to keep her Hungarian safe. The only problem is someone has to take the fall.

I received my complimentary copy of Sisters Of War by Lana Kortchik from HQ, care of TLC Book Tours. The views expressed are mine and my choice. This wartime novel is a wild ride filled with sisterly drama, romance, adventure and the love of a devoted family. If you enjoy historical fiction then you’ll gobble up this must read.

Book Review · Books

How To Make A Life

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If you love family sagas then you need to go grab a stunning copy of How To Make A Life. This novel tumbles you first into Ida’s world, the old country, the Ukraine. Due to the first war she escapes off to America with her two young daughters, where she works to build a brand new life for them. Ida can’t wait to put away the horrors of the war behind her.

This novel touches on the tough subject of mental illness and how society has viewed it through the decades and how family members can view it very differently. Would you be strong enough to call it out when a family member may need help instead of keeping quiet since you speak out loud just may bring shame on the family?Another subject that is focused on is sisterhood. When is being a sister go from caring to usury?

Each chapter gives the point of view from a different family member through different eras. Join Ida, Bessie, Jenny, Ruby, Morris, Irene, Abe and others on their adventures through life.

I received my complimentary copy of How To Make A Life by Florence Reiss Kraut from She Writes Press, care of Smith Publicity. The views are mine and of my own choice. I love the cover of this book. I have a soft spot for WWII books and this cover gives off the rustic, charming, 1940’s antique look. It makes me feel like I could walk right out onto the cover and be there with the characters.

Book Review · Books

In The Neighborhood Of True

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Ruth Rob moves to Atlanta from New York after her father passes. Living with her grandparents, along with her mom and sister is different. Her grandparents are well off and into social status. Ruth is plain Jane, but wants to fit into the new social circle she’s trust into at her new private school. Her mom is not wanting her daughter to get into the whole debutante scene that she ran away from herself. She wants her daughter to keep her independent self intact, not become a fufu sheep.

Ruth has her own secret she holds to her heart. Her Jewish faith. When Ruth decides she wants to participate in the social ball her mom makes her agree to going to the local Temple with her. There Ruth meets Max. He’s a tad quirky, but he’s not Ruth’s crush, Davis whose part of the fufu crowd at school. Both teen boys vey for her attention.

Diving into life in Atlanta in the late 50’s is fraught with social clashes between Jews, whites and blacks. When an awful event happens, Ruth has to determine which teen boy is worthy of her. Is Davis all true charm? Is Max just nerdy, or is there more depth to him? Will Ruth ever come clean about her own beliefs?

This novel delves into the ugly topic of racism in the south in the 50’s. This book’s description of this era is spot on. Written charmingly, details so accurate I want to put on bright classy red lipstick and a cute skirt with a cardigan. There are details in this novel I wanted to jump up to Google because it sounded so unique I wondered if it was truly something from that era.

I received my complimentary digital copy of In The Neighborhood Of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton from Algonquin Books, Care of NetGalley. The views expressed are mine and my own choice. This book is hard to put down. It handles the topics within it honestly, raw and with grace. I hope the author will choose to write a sequel.

Book Review · Books

The Degenerates

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London gets knocked up by a boy she believes loves her. She gets taken away from the lady who is watching over her and taken to the Fernald School where at first she is treated kind, but then put in a cell where she is made to clean up filth by the other inhabitants.

London meets Maxine and Rose. She wonders why they are stuck in this awful place. Rose has her stick she likes to hold, which gives her comfort and is childlike. London heard Rose termed as a Mongoloid. Maxine is Rose’s older sister and very protective of Rose. Then there is Alice who has a club foot. Slowly they form a potential friendship.

Enter the world of the Fernald School where London, Alice, Maxine and Rose are stuck. Maxine keeps hoping her mother will come rescue her and Rose, but she never even comes to visit on family day. Their lives at the school is regimented by breakfast, walks and helping in different areas, like laundry, etc. Those in charge are mean.

I received my complimentary copy of The Degenerates by J. Albert Mann from NetGalley. The views are mine and of my own choice. This historical novel gives you a glimpse into the world of an institution for the feeble minded, disabled, etc. I wondered if this was a real place and Googled it. Here is a short video about it. Watching videos on this place is beyond disturbing and so sad. This novel brings this place to life. It’s not an easy read, but important to educate.

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

The Fading Of Kimberly

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This novel takes place in the early 1900’s when Kimberly Weatherspoon is born to a rich railroad tycoon Warren Weatherspoon. Sadly Kimberly’s mother doesn’t survive the delivery and Kimberly is left to be raised by her aloof father. Kimberly is given anything she wants except what she truly needs, her father’s love. When she becomes school age her father whisks her off to go to boarding school, where a female headmistress can oversee Kimberly’s care.

At the boarding school Kimberly witness a tragic event that will shape her life. She is like her father more than she knows, butting heads against authority. After being kicked out of boarding she spends her time going out to flirt with men, drink and be wild. When one of her lovers disses her she takes justice into her own hands. Due to her choices Kimberly lads in a mental hospital. Will her wealthy father rescue her?

I received a complimentary digital copy of The Fading Of Kimberly by Kit Crumpton care of the author through Booktasters. The views are mine and of my own will. This novel tackles topics like family relationships, mental illness, crime and more. This is a fast paced novel that keeps you on your toes. If you enjoy historical fiction this novel may become a new favorite.

Book Review · Books

The Boys Who Woke Up Early

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Stony lives in small town Early, VA where in the 1950’s it’s the dawn of the Civil Rights movement. He befriends a new kid at school named Jack. They both want to be detectives so they venture to the sheriff’s office to see if they can be of any help. They are asked to help investigate a local theft.

When Stony and his cousin Gina discover a secret KKK room they realize those they know in town might be more involved than what may appear. Stony doesn’t agree with the KKK and feels that blacks should be allowed to vote and have more rights.

Roosevelt starts working at the local garage where Stony works at after school and Stony isn’t too, keen on it. Stony has never befriend a black boy, but changes his mind after Roosevelt wins a drag race against arrogant Todd from school. The only challenge is that Roosevelt is sweet on Stony’s love interest, MaryLou. His love interest has no clue of his crush.

When the town gets wind of MaryLou and Roosevelt’s relationship things turn ugly fast. Will Stony and Jack be able to stop the chaos? What does it take to be a man when you are on the cusp of adulthood?

I received my complimentary copy of The Boys Who Woke Up Early by A.D. Hopkins from Smith Publicity. The views expressed are my own. This historical novel started out slow, but got more interesting towards the end. If you enjoy historical fiction and novels based in the south then this book may be a good fit for you. I did enjoy learning more about Virginia and what life was like during the dawn of the Civil Rights movement. I also, learned quite a lot about different types of firearms used in that era.

Book Review · Books

The Long Way Home

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This historical novel is the story of Murphy and Thomas. They are two slaves in the south caught in the middle of the American Revolution. They decide to fight on the side of the British since they promised freedom if their side wins. Thomas just wants to live his life in peace as a free man and Murphy has a lot of pent up anger he needs to let loose. This book is their journey through the war to reach for home.

I haven’t read many novels on the American Revolution, but this book brings to life the grit of the fighting, the moral quandary of wanting to do the right thing, but being asked to do the opposite by your army supervisors. This novel is poetic and yet graphic in parts. If you enjoy reading about the Revolution I think you will find this novel fascinating. It’s very insightful as to what it would have been like to be a slave fighting for your freedom.

I received my complimentary copy of The Long Way Home by Kevin Bannister from Fireship Press care of TLC Book Tours. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own. Go grab a copy and check out Mr. Bannister’s website.

Book Review · Books

Becoming Mrs. Lewis

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I haven’t read the whole Chronicles Of Narnia series. Yes, it’s a shame since it was one of the earliest series my mom would start to read to me as a little girl. As an adult I had heard bits and pieces about C.S. Lewis and his marriage, but until I read this stunning historical novel about his wife, Joy Davidman I had no idea all it entailed.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis sucked me into Joy’s 1950’s world of New York. She was married to Bill with two little boys. Her and her husband were both writers. Bill was an alcoholic and a cheater. Joy was miserable, but did her best to try and keep the peace at home.

One day Joy has a spiritual conversation of sorts. She decides to write to C.S. Lewis some of her spiritual, Christian questions. She had read one of this books and thought he may be able to provide her some insight. This brings to life a correspondence between them that gets intense. Bill starts to get concerned, but when Joy’s health goes down hill she is told she must get away to rest. Of course Joy decides to go to the UK, to C.S. Lewis, to finally meet the man, the myth, the legend. Will meeting her new friend be all she hopes it to be? Will Joy and C.S. Lewis’ friendship blossom, or will the reality of being in person dampen their connection?

This novel is the best love story I’ve read in a long time. I’m not into romance novels, but this one is sweetly written, magical, suspenseful and leaves you feeling stunned after the last page. If you are a fan of C.S. Lewis and want to read a historical novel that will keep you reading nonstop, and it’s over 400 pages, then I highly recommend this beautiful novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan care of TLC Book Tours from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are strictly my own. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this amazing book grab a copy from Amazon and check out more about the author, Patti Callahan. To get a sneak peak of the audio clips of chapters one and two: https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us/sets/becoming-mrs-lewis

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!