Across the Winding River by Aimie K. Runyan book review. Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the free review copy! This is a beautiful story about love and courage. Review… Across the Winding River is a multi POV/timeline WWII Historical Fiction that takes us from San Diego to Germany. It follows Beth in present day, trying to learn more about her father, Max, in the few months they have left together. Max is finally ready to share the secrets he has held onto since the war. We’re also introduced to Johanna, a German woman trapped in a regime she wants no part in. What worked…
-
-
Last Christmas in Paris
Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb This story is told in letters primarily between Evie Elliott, home in London, and her brother’s best friend, Thomas Harding, starting as he departs for France at the beginning of WWI. Their correspondence gives us a glimpse into the experiences many faced during the war both at home and at the front. It allows us to see the change of attitude toward the war from the beginning till the end. It is both heartbreaking and beautiful and has a romance you’ll be rooting for. This book was at the top of my December TBR list last year after seeing so…
-
Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley
Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley Book Review. Literary agent, Lyn, joins one of her authors for a Christmas getaway to South Wales. Her relaxing week away is interrupted by a recurring dream and the young widow next door. She is convinced Lyn is there to protect her child from danger. Lyn gets caught into a mystery stemmed in Celtic folklore. I really enjoyed Named of the Dragon. It’s a tad bit slow and feels a little repetitive, but its short enough that it in no way drags. The story is cozy read and the setting is rich. I wanted to be curled up by the fire in the…
-
The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett
The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett Book Review. “He closed his eyes for a moment, imagining the cocoon of books shielding him from all danger, inhaling deeply the familiar scent of cloth and leather and dust and words.” Antiquarian Bookseller, Peter Byerly, is reeling from the death of his wife. Moving to the English countryside he is daunted by the idea of beginning his life over again. In an old book he finds a Victorian watercolor portrait of a woman who looks like his late wife and it starts him on a journey. In seeking the truth behind the watercolor, Peter stumbles upon what may be one of the greatest…
-
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley – Book Review. Nicola was born with the gift of psychometry – she can touch an object and see a glimpse into its past. She was raised to hide and suppress her gift. When a woman arrives with a carving of a wooden bird at the gallery where Nicola works, she knows now is the time to use her gift, if only to help this woman. With the help of Rob, who shares her talent, she follows a young girl, Anna, into the past in the search for the truth behind the Firebird. I read the description for The Firebird many times and was not…
-
England Book Haul: YA Books
Last month I spent a great 10 days in England. My husband and I stayed in The Cotswolds and London and did day trips throughout the Cotswolds, to Oxford and Blenheim Palace and to Windsor. I’m looking forward to sharing more about these destinations! I went a little book shopping crazy and ended up bringing back a lot more books than I originally planned on, but I have no regrets! Plus, even with the exchange rate, books are cheaper in the UK than in the US! I’m going to break my book haul into a couple posts and I’m starting today with my YA/Middle Grade purchases. Malamander by Thomas Taylor…
-
Cover Crush: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Peel Society is one of my most frequently gifted books. I have given so many copies of this to friends and family. When I found this gorgeous edition from Bloomsbury Publishing I wanted to stock up and start gifting these beautiful ones. I definitely have a cover crush on them! Guernsey is such a charming book and is perfect for book lovers! I’ve already read this book twice and I have no doubt I will read it again. I also really enjoyed the Netflix movie adaption. It has quite…
-
Sweep Book Review
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier. “We are saved by saving other” – Sweep by Jonathan Auxier. I read this book for #middlegrademarch and I have neglected to write a review for it. I’ve been putting it off because I still don’t know exactly how I feel about it! I found the story interesting, the characters well developed and the writing beautiful. However, I struggled with the age appropriateness of some of the content or maybe I should say that it just surprised me. Sweep covers some tough topics and has some strong language (not swearing, but a bit violent). I read some very heavy books as a child (Anne Frank, The…
-
Next Year in Havana Book Review
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. This book received all the rave reviews last year! I’m always hesitant that a book with so much hype won’t live up to it, but this one definitely did. I appreciated that this book had such a great story that swept me along and made it hard to put down while also delving into the history of Cuba and the turmoil both past and present. This book has dual timelines taking place in 1958 and 2017. I often find that I am drawn more to the present day story in dual timelines books. I like to follow along in the process of discovery,…
-
The Lost Castle Book Review
The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron. Following three women across three time periods, The Lost Castle is a lovely historical fiction with some strong female protagonists. The story starts in present day- Ellie Carver realizes that there is more to her grandmother’s past than she ever knew. Unlocking the mystery will take Ellie to the Loire Valley to track down the story. This book follows three timelines- present day, WWII, and the French Revolution. Within each of those timelines the story goes back and forth to flashbacks and the current day within that timeline. It can be a bit of work to follow and I found myself having to flip…
