New Books that are #MustReads
Thanks to NetGalley, Blog Tours (thanks Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books) and generous publishers (Thanks BoldwoodBooks Books, Bookouture, One More Chapter and many more!) I get to read advance copies of books before they are published!
I’m delighted to share the following books and my reviews, that are now available on all major retail sites and places! Add to your stack and enjoy!
I read and read on my recent vacation, so I will have plenty of new books to share with you in the upcoming months!
February 25- almost March and yes, this book is too good not to mention
The Tuscan Girl: Completely gripping WW2 historical fiction by Angela Petch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ever since the popular book and movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, Tuscany invokes in me the feeling of getting away and starting a new life filled with peace and tranquility in the midst of timeless history. Author Angela Petch is up to the challenge of portraying her vision of the Tuscan countryside in an equally evocative and inspiring book that showcases the foods, homes, families and culture of Tuscany. Who hasn’t dreamed of taking a chance and starting anew in Tuscany?
The Tuscan Girl is a stand-alone companion to the author’s first Tuscan valentine, The Tuscan Secret. As we have come to expect from a book by Angela Petch, the characters and settings are the main course of this Italian feast. We get to know and deeply care about the characters from the World War II part of the story, Lucia and Florian, Salvo, Molly, the Spinks. The characters from the present are equally compelling, Alba, Alfi, and Lodovica. Massimo is the heart of the book and he appears in both the World War II story and the present. I found myself rereading a quote or description because it was filled with joy, humor, or wisdom.
The descriptions of Tuscany are reason enough to read the book. Many of the views of Tuscany are seen through Alba’s keen artist eyes. I know many readers may be used to skipping over descriptions of scenery or food, but don’t- you won’t want to miss a word. The characters love their world and share it with us from their views of trout in a stream to the unfolding of mountains and valleys. The scenes would bring joy to an Italian Renaissance painter.
There are two Tuscan girls in the story- Lucia in World War II and Alba in the present. The story of Italy’s travails during World War II are horrific and should not be forgotten.
So, why did I give this lovely book 4 stars? Mainly because there is too much. Too many changes in time which take away from the puzzles and mysteries by revealing too much, too many characters, and too many individual stories. On the other hand, many readers may find this story to be just what they wanted. Overall, this is a lovely poem to Tuscany and all that she has endured and given to the world. Recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy. This is my honest review.
March 6- when you need an emotional and gripping read!
The Book of Us by Andrea Michael
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Snuggle in to your coziest sweatshirt, grab your favorite beverage and comfort snack, settle your dog or cat by your reading chair and savor this lush, lyrical, almost literary, emotional contemporary women’s fiction. Cass and Lindsay, “Loll” were best college friends.They planned to be friends forever, and so they created a “book of us” and filled it with their dreams and bucket lists- everything they would do together. Until they weren’t together or even friends. Seven years later, when Cass faces a crisis, and Loll still doesn’t respond, can the “book of us” bring then back together?
As a young woman, I had a friend similar to Cass- the luminous woman everyone was attracted to and everyone loved. Like Loll, I worried more and was cautious, the “good girl”. The author has Loll tell their story, in the third person-I was glad this wasn’t an alternating chapters book. Loll never forgave Cass for making a terrible mistake, although Loll doesn’t know the whole story. The moment that ended their friendship is the backdrop to the story, and it still haunts both Cass and Loll. Can they learn the truth and forgive each other?
Cass and Loll reunite on a New Year’s Day, 7 years after the unforgivable act. Cass has a young daughter. Due to Cass’s health, Loll agrees to go on a bucket list trip with them. As they travel to Finland, Spain and Australia, Loll and Cass tentatively reach out to each other.
The truth is revealed to the reader at the end of the story, and it’s sad how much hurt came about because Cass and Loll could never really connect and learn the truth. But did it really matter- they still had the “book of us”.
If you are a crier, you will sob through this story. The book is well-written and shows us the souls of both Cass and Loll. Cass’s young daughter is well-drawn, adorable, spunky and real. Perfect for beach read season. This book could easily have a sequel- that would be lovely.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter, Harper Collins for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
March 12- historical fiction is one of my favorite genres
The Traitor by V.S. Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Not all Germans were Nazis” is the subtitle of The Traitor. What impact and power! But most Germans were subjugated by the Nazis and most Germans suffered. This book tells the story of Natalya, as she participates with the White Rose resistance group during World War II in Munich.
The real students behind the White Rose movement appear this book. Natalya is fictionalized. The White Rose, the meaning of the name is not known, was a peaceful movement by a small group of university students in 1942 who secretly produced and disseminated anti-Nazi and Reich leaflets. “We are your conscience.” They also painted resistance messages on buildings at night. “Freedom!” “Down with Hitler” The leaders of the group were guillotined by the Nazis in 1943. They died bravely, without denouncing fellow members. The author tells us in the book notes that copies of the White Rose leaflets were smuggled to the Allies, who copied and dropped them by the millions over Germany.
The book follows the life of Natalya, whose family emigrated to Munich, Germany from Russia to escape Stalin. At the Munich university, she meets members of the White Rose resistance. She also is pursued by a man who intrigues her- but can he be trusted? What about her landlady? And her own parents? As the war goes on, her suffering intensifies, but her spirit keeps her going.
The topic of this Historical Fiction is gripping and inspiring, but the way it is presented is flat and distant, even though it is told in the first person by Natalya. The second half of the book is exciting, but we never get to really know Natalya or the other White Rose members. We are told about the horrors of living in Munich during World War II.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK, and One More Chapter for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
March 26- what’s going on here? Lots of psychological suspense!
Her Darkest Fear by Nina Manning
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Her Darkest fear is described on Amazon as “An addictive, gripping psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down”. Now that tagline perfectly describes the author’s first book, The Daughter-in Law.
I adored that book, and noted in my review, “you’ll be drawn into a pleasant world that slowly and insidiously becomes more twisted, and you will be shaken by the horror that creeps ever closer.” Now THAT is addictive and gripping. The book I’m reviewing now, Her Darkest Fear, not so much.
A psychological thriller focuses on characters, and their unstable emotional states. The genre generally features guilt, obsession, moral ambiguity, and complex and tortured relationships. Yes, there is some of this present in Her Greatest Fear, but this book is better described as “Women’s Fiction” or “Contemporary Women’s Fiction.”
So, what is the book about? Once again, Ms. Manning does give us a complex character in Frankie Keegan. Frankie is at that time of life that can be challenging for a younger woman. She is a wife, a mom of two young kids, and she’s working and trying to move up in her field. Her husband is nice, but a bit lost, career-wise and life-wise. Frankie tries to hold it together, but is haunted by her brother’s death 20 years before. She feels responsible. As the 20th anniversary of his death nears, Frankie enters a dark time, and then strange things begin to haunt her.
The book is told in two alternating parts- by the Frankie of 20 years ago, whose story is a bit drawn out and the Frankie of the present. This Frankie is much more interesting to read about as she faces challenges from her kids, her husband and her new boss. Frankie is paddling madly and trying to keep her head above water. She appears to be an alcoholic, but this isn’t directly confronted in the book. Frankie is a sympathetic and fascinating character. Readers will enjoy her story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
Looking for more books to read? Please visit my Book Promotions page and explore all the latest releases. Extracts, blurbs, reviews, author info, books links- all waiting for you!
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