#All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr–Review–4 Stars

Nov3

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A Fascinating WWII Story

 

All The Light We Cannot See is a beautifully written WWII novel. The book takes place mostly in Occupied France, focusing on a blind French girl and an orphan German boy who falls in love with her. This boy is never truly happy, though. The actions he took while in Hitler’s Youth Group haunt him daily.  As with other WWII books, All The Light We Cannot See, shines a spotlight on the horrendous atrocities done by the Nazis.

I found the author’s writing style of jumping from year to year and back again, disruptive. However, even with that, I found this book fascinating and worth the time it took to read it.

~4 out of 5 stars~

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Anthony Doerr has won numerous prizes for his fiction, including the 2015 Pulitzer Prize. His most recent novel, All the Light We Cannot See, was named a best book of 2014 by a number of publications, and was a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Visit him at http://www.anthonydoerr.com.

 

#Before The Brightest Dawn by Jana Petken–Review–5 Stars!

Sep23

Before the brightest dawn 850.jpgOut Now –The Brightest Dawn– Don’t Miss It!

 

 

Before The Brightest Dawn is the final compelling novel in Jana Petken’s German Half-Blood Trilogy. I enjoyed this entire series immensely and hated to see it end. I’ve come to know and care for the Vogels; the German half-blood family featured in this book. Jana Petken’s ability to capture the rawness of war, emotional and family distress, and the atrocities done by the Nazis, is outstanding.

The author brought WWII alive for me in this novel. I have read several books by Jana Petken and have never been disappointed. Her writing is clear, captivating, meticulously researched, and unforgettable. I highly recommend reading Before The Brightest Dawn.

~5 out of 5 stars~

 

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Jana Petken is a historical fiction author and screenwriter. 

She is critically acclaimed as a bestselling, gritty author who produces bold, colourful characters and riveting storylines. She is the recipient of numerous major international awards for her works of historical fiction. 

Before life as an author, she served in the British Royal Navy. During her service, she studied Naval Law and history. After the Navy, she worked for British Airways and turned to writing after an accident on board an aircraft forced her to retire prematurely.

Titles by Jana Petken. 

Bestseller, Multi Award Winning, The Guardian of Secrets. (2013) 

The bestselling Mercy Carver Series: award-winning, Dark Shadows, book 1, and award-winning Blood Moon, book 2. (2014) 

Multi Award Winning, The Errant Flock: The Flock Trilogy Book 1. (2015)

Multi Award Winning, Swearing Allegiance. (2016)

Award Winning, The Scattered Flock (The Flock Trilogy book 2)

Award Winning, Flock, The Gathering of The Damned (The Flock Trilogy Book 3)

Multi-Award-Winning, The German Half-Bloods The German Half-Bloods Trilogy Book 1 (2018)

The Vogels: On All Fronts. The German Half-Bloods (Book 2)

Before the Brightest Dawn. The German Half-Bloods (Book 3)

Coming early 2020, the sequel to Swearing Allegiance

http://www.janapetkenauthor.com

@AuthoJana

petkenj@gmail.com

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jana+petken

 

#Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris–Review–4.5 Stars-#NetGalley

Sep3

Cilka's Journey:.jpg 850.jpgThe Sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz–Coming 10/1/19!

 

Cilka’s Journey is a beautifully written poignant historical fiction novel, about Cilka Klein’s life in a Soviet Gulag, after leaving Auschwitz.

The role Cilka played in Auschwitz haunted her daily. It didn’t lessen Cilka’s guilt knowing that the way she survived the horrific death camp, was not of her choosing, but forced upon her. All Cilka knew, was that every Jewish person around her, in Auschwitz, including her mother and sister, were dead, except for her.

To keep Cilka’s guilt from eating her alive, she nursed and assisted fellow prisoners at Vorkuta Gulag. This book is all about Cilka’s life as a prisoner after Auschwitz. It’s a captivating story, poignant, and heartfelt. The author makes this story come alive, for the reader, by crafting it with authentic details, realistic dialogue, and fully developed characters. Highly-recommended.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

~4.5 out of 5 stars~

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Heather Morris is a native of New Zealand, now resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who ‘might just have a story worth telling’. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale’s story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz

 

#Seven Letters of Love by Sinead Moriarty–Review–5 Stars! #NetGalley

Aug29

Seven Letters:.jpg 850.jpgPrepare To Have Your Heart and Emotions Hijacked!–New Release-Out Now!

 

Seven Letters of Love is a heartwrenching, emotional story that will make you cry and realize just how precious life truly is.

Sarah was the perfect wife and mother. She loved her family, life, and everything to do with being a stay-at-home mom. When Sarah found out that she was pregnant with her second child, she was ecstatic. That happiness, though, wouldn’t last, tragedy was just around the corner. 

When Sarah slipped into a coma, her husband’s mental health and coping skills deteriorated. He was sick with grief, angry and tired. The treatment of choice presented to him was impossible to accept. He felt alone with his thoughts and at odds with the world. Sarah’s immediate family did not agree with his decision, so to him, they were his greatest adversary. 

This book is a tear-jerker, but you’ll love every page. The characters are larger-than-life, well-developed, and likable. I cared about each one of them. The story is thought-provoking, controversial, and heartwrenching. Seven Letters of Love is an emotional roller coaster. Prepare to have your emotions and heart, hijacked. Highly-recommended.

Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~5 out of 5 stars~

 

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Amazon

 

#Miss Benwick Reforms A Rogue by Maggie Fenton–Review–4.5 Stars

Aug27

Miss benwick reforms a rogue:.jpg 850.jpgDon’t Miss Maggie Fenton’s Newest Release–Out Now!

 

Davina hated how she cowered to her mother’s emotional abuse. Fighting, with her mother, though, made life just too unbearable to be worth it. However, when Davina’s mother encouraged her to marry an abusive man, Davina finally decided to rebel. She cut her hair, ran away, and disguised herself as her male cousin, Leon. Davina showed up to Leon’s new job, working for Julian Hirst, a mad scientist, and inventor, a bit nervous. She was in over-her-head, and she knew it. But what choice did she have? 

Julian Hirst was well-known for his inventions. He was quite wealthy. His real driving force, however, for making his fortune was not greed and ambition, but revenge. Julian needed, wealth and power, to completely ruin, the man responsible for his mother’s hanging.

It wasn’t until Davina showed Julian that he was denying himself a chance for love and happiness, that he gave changing his behavior, even a thought. Could he truly give up his life’s goal to avenge his mother’s death?  He didn’t think so. 

I always enjoy reading Maggie Fenton’s novels because she crafts her stories with over-the-top humor, witty dialogue, and light romance. I was thrilled to receive a review copy of this novel and found it, captivating, and very entertaining.

Thank you, Maggie Fenton, for my complimentary copy of Miss Benwick Reforms a Rogue. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~4.5 out of 5 stars~

 

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Amazon

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

MAGGIE FENTON has been a music teacher, a professional accompanist, a cheesemonger, a waitress, a line cook, and a college instructor…among other things. She has one master’s degree in English literature and another master’s degree in piano performance. She might try for a third if this writing thing doesn’t work out. She also writes Victorian steampunk romance under the pseudonym Margaret Foxe. Visit http://www.maggiefenton.com for Maggie’s latest news.

 

#The Wonder of Now by Jamie Beck–Review–4.5 Stars–#NetGalley

Aug10

the wonder of now:.jpg 850.jpgDon’t Miss Jamie Beck’s Newest Release–Coming 9/10/19

 

The Wonder of Now is a well-written, emotional story, about grief, loss, forgiveness, and living life to the fullest. 

Peyton hasn’t felt like her carefree self since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her brother, Logan, has always been her champion and coach. So when Logan encouraged Peyton to work through her feelings by writing a memoir, she reluctantly did so. Once the book was completed, however, Peyton wasn’t exactly keen, on promoting it and verbalizing her many, painful experiences. There was a silver lining, though, and that came in the form of a handsome publicist.  Mitch not only accompanied Peyton to all of her book signings, he lifted her spirits and became more than a friend.

Mitch was harboring a secret, however, and felt, at least in part, that it was affecting his ability to represent Peyton. Could their fragile, new relationship survive a lie or two?  He wasn’t so sure it could.

The Wonder of Now is a gripping novel with realistic characters, raw emotion, and heartfelt dialogue. I was captivated from the very first page.

Thank you, Montlake Romance and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~4.5 out of 5 stars~

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold more than two million copies. She is a two-time Booksellers’ Best Award finalist, a National Readers’ Choice Award winner, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family. 

Fans can learn more about her on the web (www.jamiebeck.com), which includes a fun extras page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks). For monthly fun tips, birthday sweepstakes and other exclusive content, join my newsletter at http://bit.ly/1V0d7Qi. NO SPAM–EVER. For updates on discounts, follow me on BookBub at http://bit.ly/2GBcLM3.

 

#29 Seconds by T.M. Logan–5 Stars!-#NetGalley

Aug6

29 Seconds::.jpg 850.jpgDon’t Miss T.M. Logan’s Newest Outstanding Release–Coming 9/10/19!

 

Dr. Sarah Haywood was tired of being glossed over, for a permanent position, at the University. She’d put in long hours, established vital contacts, and consistently received excellent student surveys; yet a less deserving colleague was awarded her position. And, Sarah knew why. In fact, everyone in her circle, knew the reason, as well. 

Professor Alan Hawthorne was untouchable. His money and charisma had the University lauding over him. Alan felt that he could exploit female colleagues, without consequences, and he did. Alan had Sarah in his sights. But, she wasn’t interested in performing favors for Alan to reach her goals. Sarah worked hard, to succeed, on her own, so that her accomplishments would speak for themselves. But, unfortunately, in the end, it meant nothing to the Professor. If Sarah weren’t willing to play his games, then she’d suffer the consequences. Without warning, the unthinkable happened to Sarah. A shady, but powerful man, offered to make her problem disappear. Sarah felt as if she was making a deal with the devil. The secretive, sly man, told her that there would be no traceable connection to her. But, could Sarah believe him? Dr. Haywood’s life was about to spin out of control. She just hoped that she’d be still standing in the end.

29 Seconds is a brilliantly crafted unputdownable psychological thriller.  This is the second book that I have read by this talented author, but it won’t be my last. Don’t miss reading this superbly written novel. Highly recommended.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy. I loved it!

~5 out of 5 stars~

 

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Bestselling author TM Logan was a national newspaper journalist before turning to novel-writing full time. His debut thriller LIES was one of Amazon UK’s biggest ebooks of 2017, selling 350,000 copies and gathering more than 1,400 5-star reviews so far. It was published in the USA in September 2018 and has also come out in South Korea, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Romania and the Netherlands.

His next thriller, 29 SECONDS, is a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement. What if someone offered you a solution to the biggest problem in your life – would you take it, if you knew you’d never be found out? Even if you knew it was wrong? What if a 29-second phone call could change your life forever?

29 SECONDS is due to be published in the USA by St Martin’s Press on September 10, 2019.

Tim lives in Nottinghamshire, UK, with his wife and two children. 

For exclusive writing, new releases and a FREE deleted scene from Tim, sign up to the Readers’ Club: http://www.bit.ly/TMLogan. You can also follow him on Twitter @TMLoganAuthor, find him on Facebook at /TMLoganAuthor or on his website at www.tmlogan.com