Mesmerizing! 'The Warsaw Sisters' - by Amanda Barratt

 

About the book:

A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls, along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart--and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.

My review:

I could not put this book down.  Even in this season of wanting to watch happy Christmas movies, I did not want to tear myself away.  The writing was so well done; I could feel the sisters' emotions so deeply as they dealt with loss and yet kept moving forward.  There were happy times, too, as they fell in love and hoped for what their futures would be.  Their determination to do the right thing, along with so many others who risked their lives, was inspiring.  I learned so much about what the Polish people endured during the Nazi occupation; it was so much more than I had thought.  Their resilience and fighting spirit were something to behold.  I loved the historical note where we learn more of the facts and especially about Irena Sendler, an amazing woman whose story you should read or watch and who makes a cameo in this book!  This story showed the beautiful bond sisters share, even if they keep secrets, or misunderstandings push them apart for a while.  It also shows the strength of the Polish people, especially the Jews, as they fought for survival and a better tomorrow.  Amanda Barratt is a must-read for me!  I highly recommend this book!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

      The Author

1. 

   Emerson Kloostra

   Amanda Barratt

   Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas, including The White Rose Resists (a 2021 Christy Award winner) and Within These Walls of Sorrow. She is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of...

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Enjoyable! 'Lost and Found' - by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

About the book:

Trudy Yoder shares a passion for birding with Micah Weaver--and she has an even greater passion for Micah. Their friendship is finally turning romantic when Micah abruptly grows cold. Worse still, he wants to leave Stoney Ridge. 
 
Micah thought he was over Trudy's older sister, Shelley, who shattered his heart by running away to Nashville to pursue a singing career. Then out of the blue, she started leaving alarming messages for him. 

So when the bishop asks for volunteers to scout a potential church relocation in Tennessee, Micah jumps at the opportunity. Despite scant details, he's confident he can find Shelley. After all, his reputation as a field guide is based on finding birds that don't want to be found. 

But what he discovers in Tennessee is far from what he expects.

My review:

This was another enjoyable visit to Stoney Ridge where we can catch up with friends from past books and get to know new ones.  I liked Trudy and felt for her as she feels invisible to her parents, who were grieving over their other daughter who had left, and to Micah as she hoped he would start to love her before he shut her out.  I liked her determination to stop a local pond from being ruined by construction.  I admired Micah wanting to help Shelley, even though she hurt him, but I thought he should have asked for help.  There was a little bit of suspense as I was worried about Shelley and what kind of situation Micah was walking into.  I liked that mental health and illness were talked about and the fact that sometimes people need actual treatment.   There was also a little romance.  I always appreciate the bishop, David, and the depth of his faith as he guides his flock.  There were also interesting write-ups about birds throughout.  I recommend this book if you like Amish fiction or birds!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © Dan Davis Photography

   Suzanne Woods Fisher

   Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Sweet Life and The Secret to Happiness, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several...

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Absolutely Wonderful! 'On Moonberry Lake' - by Holly Varni

 

About the book:

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

My review:

This was such a wonderful story!  I absolutely loved the quirky characters; they made me laugh out loud with the crazy things they said and did.  So many of them also had a lot of wisdom that both Cora and I learned from.  The setting was beautiful and peaceful and it was fun watching the lodge get renovated.  I liked the mystery of Cora trying to figure out why her mother took her away when she was a child and never came back.  There was a sweet romance that didn't disappoint!  There were touching moments that made me cry.  I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the next!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melissa White Photography

   Holly Varni

   Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed...

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Another Winner! 'Creed' - Minnesota Marshalls 5 - by Susan May Warren

 

About the book:

He's a criminal—who must become a prince to save the princess he loves. But will she have to become a criminal to save him?

In the heart-pounding conclusion to the epic Minnesota Marshalls series, Princess Imani finds herself once again in peril as she becomes the target of a deadly plot. She needs Creed – only problem is, he’s facing charges in Lauchtenland. But he’s not going to let that stop him from protecting her…even if he has to become a fugitive. But who is trying to kill her? Together, they race against time to unravel a web of deceit and conspiracy that seems to entrap the entire family. As their journey takes them from the palace to the high mountains, and finally back to Minnesota, Imani and Creed must discover the truth before tragedy destroys everything—and everyone—they love.

Read the thrilling finale of the Minnesota Marshalls series, where the fate of a family and destiny of a kingdom hang in the balance.

My review:

This was another wonderful story by one of my favorite authors!  It's amazing to me how she can weave together so many characters that she's brought to life in this series and others and they show up to help each other and encourage each other.  You see their stories progress and you hate to say goodbye.  It's so much fun, though, wondering when you'll see them again as so many of her characters show up in different series.  There was so much action in this one and intrigue as Imani's life was in danger over and over and it seemed like an inside job, yet no one could figure out who it was.  There was amazing romance, of course, with more than one couple.  The spiritual struggle and growth is what really sets her books apart for me, though, as each of her characters have struggled with issues we all do, such as forgiveness and identity and belonging and purpose.  We may not become a princess or come from a rough background but we all can relate to these issues.  Her characters are so relatable and real, even if they are tough and some of them save the world fairly regularly!  I highly recommend this book and series and can't wait for where the next series takes us!

I received a free kindle copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

An Emotional Journey! 'Letters From My Sister' - by Valerie Fraser Luesse

 

About the book:

Two sisters. One mystery. A family changed forever.

At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life when their well-ordered Alabama household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention.

After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.

My review:

Well, I think this book took me through pretty much every emotion you can have! This was a well-written story that really sucked me in and I grew to care so much about the wonderful Bullock family.  Their mother, especially, is a force to be reckoned with and to be in awe of  but every member was special in some way.  They just loved each other so much but also really liked each other.  I admired the strong faith of Emmy and Callie as they turned to God for comfort and strength instead of getting bitter.  There was a wonderful romance, suspense and mystery that really kept the pages turning.  I also loved the scenery descriptions as Callie loved nature and storms and I just felt like I was there with her enjoying it.  It was wonderful seeing a white family and black family taking care of each other in the south but also sad seeing the disparity of how they would be treated by others in the community at the time.  I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Mark Sandlin

   Valerie Fraser Luesse

   Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of Missing Isaac, Almost Home, The Key to Everything, and Under the Bayou Moon. She is an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern...

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Amazing Conclusion! 'Countdown' - Extreme Measures 4 - by Lynette Eason

 

About the book:

A stalker out to finish what he started. A US Marshal who's vowed to protect.
And one woman determined to put the past in the past.

Flight paramedic Raina Price has been running so long it's hard to stop. To escape a dangerous stalker, she changed her name and disappeared, building a new life with the help of a friend from her time in juvie. It feels good to put her energies into saving people's lives, but because her stalker was never found, she's never stopped looking over her shoulder. And one can only run so far before the past finally catches up.

US Marshal Vincent Covelli's job is to hunt down fugitives and protect those who are assigned to him. When Raina is almost killed right in front of him, he vows to protect her at all costs--whether it's his job or not. Together they work to solve the mystery of Raina's past. But someone is out to make sure Raina doesn't live long enough to succeed.

My review:

Lynette Eason does it again!  She combines suspense and romance so wonderfully and I especially love the tough female characters who are definitely no damsels in distress!  Raina has a lot of secrets in her past and she wasn't always as tough as she is now.  She is really a survivor and determined to stay that way if her stalker ever caught up with her.  She also struggles with control and not wanting to ask people for help because of what had happened to other people in her past when they helped her but I liked how Vince reminded her that she wouldn't be responsible if something happened to him because God is in control, not her.  That's a good reminder for us all!  She prays at different times and I really liked Vince's wisdom as they discussed spiritual things.  Vince is a wonderful character as he's tough and puts her first while they're trying to stay alive but also trying to figure out what's going on.  He's wise, spiritually and otherwise, and patient.  There were some nice romantic moments and plenty of action as they went on the run, being shot at but also engaging in some hand to hand combat multiple times, along with some other crazy scenarios!  I also loved that we see characters from the prior books, which I also highly recommend!  This would work as a stand-alone, though.  There was one situation where I couldn't believe Raina wouldn't have done something when she was on such high alert as it's a good practice generally, much less if you have a stalker and are so terrified you've been on the run for so many years.  Everywhere else I felt like she was smart, tough and made good choices, though.  I highly recommend this book and the whole series!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

       

           The Author

1. 

   Lynette Eason

   Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the...

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Wonderful Slice of Americana! 'The All American' - by Susie Finkbeiner

 

About the book:

It is 1952, and nearly all the girls Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.

Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong.

My review:

Another wonderful story from Susie Finkbeiner! This was a beautiful story about a close-knit family who suddenly finds themselves ostracized because of an accusation.  The story's told from two points of view, Bertha and her little sister, Flossie, who is a hoot!  She loved to read any fiction she could get her hands on, even if it was too old for her and she didn't understand the meanings.  She reminded me of her favorite heroine, Anne of Green Gables, and I loved her straightforwardness while also cringing at times from the things she said.  She just wanted to get at the truth as fast as possible and didn't try to be mean!  I really enjoyed all of the characters as they were written so well and you could see that they were people who cared about their fellow humans and tried to be kind and generous.  Both girls were at different points of life and were learning what kind of people they wanted to be and if dreams were worth it.  They also had to learn how to react when treated unfairly or when tragedy struck.  They were a Bible believing, church going family who talked about suffering and hard things but leaned into hope.  I laughed, I cried.  I cheered them both on and not just in the baseball games.  I do wish we would have had a little more wrap-up at the end as I wanted to know where everyone ended up.  A wonderful slice of Americana!  I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. Susie Finkbeiner

   Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and other novels. Susie and her husband have three...

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