If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The combination of a heartrending story and beautifully done artwork throughout the book make it If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. The combination of a heartrending story and beautifully done artwork throughout the book make it one that is bound to touch the heart. When a young reporter is sent as a last minute replacement to interview a world famous violinist, she never dreams that she will find out the answer to the question this man has always refused to answer. She will discover the answer to the Mozart question. How she achieves this is detailed through stories of a small boy many years earlier who loved the violin so much, that he would break rules to play. One cannot help but be moved....more
This novel is set around the death of a teenage boy that happened long before the story began. As a result of this death, the boy's parents divorced, This novel is set around the death of a teenage boy that happened long before the story began. As a result of this death, the boy's parents divorced, his sisters carried their own emotional trauma and his best friend carried a load of undeserved grief. The author did a excellent job of showing how such trauma can carry on through the years until something brings it into the open where healing can begin.
Meg and Ben are the sister and the boy's best friend. Their close friendship came to a sudden end after the death,but now, years later, Ben has become a doctor to learn how he can help where he once couldn't. He is interviewing for a job in his hometown, but the interviewers believe a married candidate is called for.in desperation he pressures Meg to pretend to be his significant other. She agrees, but not without trepidation, especially because she worries about her mother's reaction to the person she blames for her sons death.
The story is told with humor and caring and as it progresses, the trauma starts being released. I felt this was an important purpose behind the story. This is book 2 in a series but stands well on its own. I have not read others in the series....more
I just finished this book and can definitely say it is one of my top faves of the year. It would make a great book club read. It is a story of the lovI just finished this book and can definitely say it is one of my top faves of the year. It would make a great book club read. It is a story of the love between a mother and daughter even when distance and misunderstanding have wreaked havoc in their relationship. It is also a book about the love of books, community and the impact a book can have on a life and a life on a community even when memory fades. This will be a keeper in my library....more
I was very happy to read this book and love the new updated cover! It really captures some of what Kristallnacht must have looked like. The series of I was very happy to read this book and love the new updated cover! It really captures some of what Kristallnacht must have looked like. The series of 4 books has been published previously with this one first coming out in 2016. This may be an updated version but I don't know that for sure. I do know that it kept me reading whenever I had a chance. The author didn't hide the horrors of what was happening to the Jewish people from pogroms in Siberia to Kristallnacht in Berlin. I could feel the helplessness of the people who really had nowhere to turn. The descriptions of life in Berlin with spiraling inflation and difficulty finding food were heartbreaking. Despite this, I felt the author kept this on a level that even young adults could appreciate. The focus is on Michal, a young innocent Jewish women who as the novel begins is waiting to marry a man she has never met. The challenges she faced in the coming years were huge, and need to be read to be understood. I would be interested in reading more in the series as not all threads in the story are finished here.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #BookWhisperer for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own....more
As book 11 in the sweet magnolia series, I quickly felt at home while reading this story. I enjoy coming back to familiar characters and places as welAs book 11 in the sweet magnolia series, I quickly felt at home while reading this story. I enjoy coming back to familiar characters and places as well as meeting new ones like Adelia and her children and Gabe Franklin. Although I would classify this as a beach read and read it in one day, it covered some difficult topics such as adultery, lack of care for one's children and also spousal abuse. These are tough themes, but I appreciated how the author handled them....more
When I first saw this book, I was drawn to it for two main reasons. Firstly, it is set at lastly partly in Canada which is my home country, and secondWhen I first saw this book, I was drawn to it for two main reasons. Firstly, it is set at lastly partly in Canada which is my home country, and secondly, it pertains, at least in part, to the role Ukranians played in service to the German armed forces during the second world war. This has been rather a hot topic in Canada since a former Ukranian soldier was honoured in the House of Commons without any understanding that his unit had fought for Germany under the Nazi banner. I felt that in the telling I did gain a better understanding of some of the factors involved in that.
I tend to be a fan of historical fiction that focuses on WW2 history, but this book turned out to be a lot more than that. It was a novel of intrigue, suspense, mystery and murder, and the title was aptly chosen because there were many secrets and surprises throughout the novel.
It is told in dual timeline fashion with a focus on two women. One is in Ukraine near the end of the war, and the other was on the West coast of Canada years after the war. Both women face great difficulties and are in many senses trapped. The modern woman is actually being physically held in virtual captivity and is struggling to break free. How these women are connected forms the basis of this story and the ending came as a huge surprise.
I found it a little hard to get into the beginning of the book but it grew on me as it progressed, and I would recommend it to those looking to better understand what pushed people in the position of being forced into certain actions and reactions.
My thanks to the author, the publisher,Doubleday Canada and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC. The review reflects my own unbiased feelings....more
This is the third book in a series about the East End Library girls and I have read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. While this third coThis is the third book in a series about the East End Library girls and I have read and enjoyed the first two books in the series. While this third could be read as a stand-alone, I think the reader will enjoy it more if the books are read in order. This is a book about women who lived in one of the poorer parts of East London during the Second World War and as such I think it will be of particular interest to female readers interested in this time period. The characters and lives of Mavis, Jane and Cordelia have already been well developed in the earlier books. The library where they work is almost a character on it's own, filled with quirky locals speaking with Cockney twang and doing their best to manage all the hardships of war.
The author has clearly researched the time period and location well (I believe she had relatives who lived through this to tell her tales.) The novel is filled with little tidbits on how to make do and mend, including the suggestion that a piece cut from an old hot water bottle could be used to repair the leaky sole of a shoe. In this book, the librarians and all their regulars are gearing up for an expected visit from the King and Queen. Only as a community can they make this all work.
As a reader in 2024, I have to admire how they worked together to survive and make the best out of things. They didn't take little luxuries for granted. I think there is much we can learn from them and put to use in building community in this day and age. I suspect we have not seen the last of the library girls!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book due for publication later this month. All opinions are my own....more
This is the story of a real winter blizzard that arrived unexpectedly on a day that started out warm and lovely. It happened in 1888 and was sometimesThis is the story of a real winter blizzard that arrived unexpectedly on a day that started out warm and lovely. It happened in 1888 and was sometimes known as the Schoolchildren's blizzard or the Schoolhouse blizzard. The science of meteorology was in its infancy, so people were truly taken by surprise when the storm hit so suddenly. It happened in the rural parts Nebraska and Dakota at a time when most children were preparing to leave school for the day. The school houses were one room affairs and students often had to walk a great distance to get to school or return home. On January 12, 1888, they were not dressed for a storm.
The story focuses on two sisters who were teachers in different schoolhouse. Their characters were invented by the author but represented many remembered through oral history. Gerda was the eldest at 18. Raina was only 16 and it was her first year teaching. She was unsure of herself and looked up to her mre confidant sister. When the storm hit, each sister ,while still just a teen had to make a life or death choice as to how to respond. Each chose differently and therein lies a fascinating story. Life in the great plains was hard immigrants from other countries were lured by the promise of land. Nothing prepared them for this.
I identified with this as two of my grand-pardnts taught in one room school houses. My grandfather taught in Cape Breton and one of his pupils was my grandmother. She went on to teach in rural Sakatchewan. One of her jobs came about when the teacher before had students try to hang him. Se and my grandfather went on to marry in Saskatchewan in the early 1900's. Several of her sisters also taught in one room schools.
I would highly recommend this story for the depth of research and the portrayal of an incredible storm which took many lives. As our weather becomes more extreme, I am thankful for the early warning systems we now have in place....more
This is a novel set in Victorian times and it really showcases how difficult those times were for people in what were considered the lower classes. HoThis is a novel set in Victorian times and it really showcases how difficult those times were for people in what were considered the lower classes. Housing was poor. Rats ran freely in the streets. Young children were put to work in a manner that comes close to what I would call slavery, and in a moment, life could change and individuals could become homeless. Charity is one such individual who ends up on her own but keeps managing to find herself surviving and learning. It was a male, paternalistic society which often made things extra hard for women, but in spite of that, her resourceful actions benefit herself and those who become her "family of choice". I found it eye opening....more
This is not my usual genre but for some reason I am compelled to read books that feature unusual happenings in airplanes. This book ranks right up witThis is not my usual genre but for some reason I am compelled to read books that feature unusual happenings in airplanes. This book ranks right up with the best in terms of twists and turns and keeping me glued to the edge of my seat. It could so easily happen in real life! What would you do if you had to choose between saving your child or those on a plane that you are also on? Read on to find out how this story plays out....more
I just finished reading this excellent novel. Inspired by real events and extremely well researched, the novel was gripping and moved me to tears. In I just finished reading this excellent novel. Inspired by real events and extremely well researched, the novel was gripping and moved me to tears. In her post note, the author quoted Elie Weisel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel lauriate "There may be injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest". She hoped that she had done the concept justice through this story. I believe she did. I borrowed this book from my local library using the Libby...more
Author A.L. Sowards has hit another home run with the release of her first full length novel in her Balkan Legends series. A prequel novella, After thAuthor A.L. Sowards has hit another home run with the release of her first full length novel in her Balkan Legends series. A prequel novella, After the Crescent Strike, sets the stage nicely for this story, Beneath a Crescent Shadow. Reading the first will give the reader an increased understanding of the times and what was happening in the Balkan countries (and it is a fantastic read!), but Beneath A Crescent Shadow can stand alone, and be thoroughly enjoyable.
My history lessens when growing up didn’t include anything about the medieval Balkan countries, so I didn’t personally come with any background knowledge, but I was captivated from the early pages and helped along by the wonderful glossary that Sowards can be counted on to include and the map to help me situate things in my mind. This is the kind of book that keeps me up reading all night long!
Imagine for a moment that you are a young man, considered by your father to be too young to carry the mantle of leadership, especially when it comes to battle. This was Konstantin’s situation. When he learned of the devastating death of his father, uncles and many others soldiers from the Serb army, it left him in the position of immediately becoming the Župan (Leader) of his local community, expected to help provide and care for those under his leadership including his family and younger siblings. As the Serbians had lost in battle, he also became a Vassal to the conquering Ottoman army and had to be prepared to fight under their banner anytime he should be called upon.
Enter his grandfather, who has arranged a marriage for him to Suzana, whose father was a prosperous merchant who lived some distance of a way. Her dowry would be essential in keeping his people alive through difficult times. I can only imagine the trepidation Konstantin must have felt as he made his journey to meet her and become her husband.
Suzana, has a history, one that isn’t clear to Konstantin at the outset, but his first sighting of her and meeting leave him hopeful that love can blossom between them. When they finally are betrothed, she has yet to speak a word to him. Life starts getting complicated even before they leave for Rivak, Konstantin’s home as someone attempts to drown Suzana, leaving it to Konstantin to come to the rescue.
Lest the reader think this book is only a romance novel, it isn’t. It is so much more than that. It holds mystery and terrorist attacks and is filled with suspense as they try to ascertain who is behind all the happenings, and why are they being committed. It is a story of being called to battle, with epic fighting scenes with no guarantee of survival. It is a story of growth for both Konstantin as a leader and Suzana as his bride and proxy when he is absent. There are many important characters in the novel and Sowards does an excellent job of developing them and helping the reader get to know them and love them (or at least some of them!) I believe my husband would enjoy this novel too!
Difficult subjects are referenced – rape, domestic abuse and how they can affect an individual. It is a story with grief and loss and yet filled with hope and faith. They were difficult times and needed that faith to sustain them when nothing else could.
This is such a gripping novel. It brought me to tears but also made me smile and remember my own faith in hard times. It was a novel of hope and when I finished and read a sample of the next book in the series, Beyond the Crescent Sky, I started counting the days in my mind until this book will be released and continue the story!
If you love historical fiction, told with a high background of research, I am sure you will enjoy both this novel and the whole series.
I received an advance copy of the book from #NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishers and the author. All views are my own unbiased ones....more
Loved the two main characters in this story. I would read more by this author but can't seem to find her books on Amazon.Loved the two main characters in this story. I would read more by this author but can't seem to find her books on Amazon....more
I have read a number of books about the titanic and its sinking, some fictional, some not. One might wonder "what could be new and different about thiI have read a number of books about the titanic and its sinking, some fictional, some not. One might wonder "what could be new and different about this one?" The main focus in this novel goes beyond the actual disaster to what happened with four individual survivors. How did they navigate listening to the death cries of those around them while somehow clinging to life themselves? How did they move on and rebuild their lives? How did they mentally cope with it all? It makes for a fascinating read with lots of twists and turns and I would definitely recommend it to others!...more
What happens when you have no family other than your husband's family, the two of you work together and you both fall out of love? Read this novel to What happens when you have no family other than your husband's family, the two of you work together and you both fall out of love? Read this novel to find out how life can move on and who family really are....more
A sad but enjoyable read. I don't feel the cover art really reflects what happened in the novel.A sad but enjoyable read. I don't feel the cover art really reflects what happened in the novel....more
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