Paris, 1942: It’s been two years since Major Saxe-Mullenheim arrived at Maison Blue and changed the lives of the Daisy Sisters Justine and Ève BeauforParis, 1942: It’s been two years since Major Saxe-Mullenheim arrived at Maison Blue and changed the lives of the Daisy Sisters Justine and Ève Beaufort and attacked Justine and kidnapped her.
Justine is now his unwilling mistress and doing her best to protect her baby daughter and working as a double agent. Ève is fighting with the French resistance, blowing up trains and printing and distributing flyers. Unfortunately French women are still being threatened and their families by the Germans, abused, sexually assaulted and murdered.
An unlikely truce has been formed between the sisters, and they're both waiting for the right time to take back control, get revenge on the Germans and justice for Justine.
To do this Justine has to stop hating herself, thinking that what happened to her was somehow her fault and change her mind set and it’s not easy to do. Justine worries about her daughter being taken to Germany and given to another family to raise and Ève moves around a lot, trying to stay one step ahead of informants and the Gestapo.
I received a copy of Sisters of the Resistance from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an unbiased review. The narrative continues on from the first book Sister at War, Jina Bacarr doesn't stop stressing in the plot how women who have been assaulted and violated need to overcome shame and fear and it’s hard to do and with the culprits still prowling the streets of France and they worry about it happening again, how strong and brave they are and eventually they fought and won the battle.
I felt the second book by Ms. Bacarr really explained what life was like in Paris during the Second World War, shortages of food and basic necessities, the tension and uncertainty, fear and suffering, and women were forced to do things to survive, face being either being tortured by the Gestapo or sent to a camp and it makes you think what you would do if you found yourself in the same situation?
I highly recommend both books in The Wartime Paris Sisters Series however you must be prepared to read about sexual assault during war and unfortunately it’s still happening, and the Sisters of the Resistance is due to be released on the 29th of September 2024 and four stars from me....more
Jana Hajek and her father live in a flat above a bookstore and it was once run by her deceased mother. Jana keeps the shop open, it’s not easy as the Jana Hajek and her father live in a flat above a bookstore and it was once run by her deceased mother. Jana keeps the shop open, it’s not easy as the Germans have banned so many books and she has to stock a section for them. To boost moral Jana has a children’s reading time and she decides to hold a book exchange club for women and it’s a place for them to come together and take their minds off the occupation.
Jana helps three Jewish children, and she meets Captain Kovar when he searches the shop, at a time when she doesn’t know who she can trust and the Czech police are working for the Germans. Jewish people are being rounded up and sent to camps, everyone’s starving, tired and exhausted.
Jana employed as a part time cleaner at Prague Castle, the chance arises to help the resistance and the bookshop is the perfect cover. The windows can display signs when it’s safe to enter, and Jana hides secret codes in bookmarks she makes and she's keeping track of the movements of a high ranking German officer. The resistance and Czech citizens are waiting for the right time to rise up and fight the Germans and take back their city.
I received a copy of The Last Bookshop in Prague from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The narrative it set from 1942 to 1945 and constructed perfectly to give readers an idea of what it was like to live in Prague during the German occupation and leading up to liberation.
The story is engaging and gripping, Helen Parusel easily achieves what she set out to do, and that’s write a historical fiction novel about war, bravery, helping others and taking risks and the power of books and people, and five stars from me....more
Jessica Sabatini is getting ready for her wedding, when an accident rips her family apart, she can’t cope with the loss and leaves Silverton Shores anJessica Sabatini is getting ready for her wedding, when an accident rips her family apart, she can’t cope with the loss and leaves Silverton Shores and moves to Florence, Italy.
Nine years later she works as a waitress at her nonno's restaurant, Sabatini’s and has a daughter Chiara. Jess returns to Queensland for her brother Roberto's wedding and her former fiancé Morgan Savage will be his best man. Arriving home, Jess realises just how much she's missed Australia, Silverton Shores, her brother and sister Annie, and best friend Shanti.
When Jess left Morgan and ran off to Italy he was shattered, he now works for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and on the family property. He’s not sure how he feels about seeing her, can he risk having his heart broken again, should Morgan forgive Jess and can they be good friends?
The pre-wedding plans bring them together, the chemistry between Jess and Morgan hasn’t diminished, but both have long kept secrets and if the truth is revealed and they worry about the repercussions.
I received a copy of Silverton Shores from Harlequin Australian from NetGalley and in exchange for an unbiased review. Mandy Magro is one of Australia’s best rural romance authors, as always her writing style is entertaining, the characters are interesting and I really enjoyed reading about Morgan and Jess living on the farm and the setting is appealing, the stunning scenery, how Jess enjoyed cooking and sharing a meal with Morgan and it really made her think about what she’s missed out on and is it too late.
Five stars from me and I would highly recommend Silverton Shores to fans of polished and well written Australian romantic fiction, and the narrative focuses on living in tropical Queensland, family, secrets, complicated and painful relationships, chemistry and connection and second chances....more
Margot and her older sister Rosalyn have lived in the town of Jesserton in the Adelaide Hills most of their lives, their family was one of the first tMargot and her older sister Rosalyn have lived in the town of Jesserton in the Adelaide Hills most of their lives, their family was one of the first to settle in the area and the sisters are close and not just because they share a fence line.
When their neighbour Gunter dies, in his will he states that his house and vineyards will be sold and for Roslyn to donate the money to a charity and it’s to be a secret, between her, his sons and lawyer.
Margot and her husband Dennis had let Gunter know, if he ever wanted to sell they would be interested and his property borders theirs. Margot finds out a developer wants to buy the land and build a luxury hotel, she’s worried it will not only spoil her view and the peace and quiet and she’s concerned about the environmental impact. Margot decides to join the running to be the new Mayor, but she’s surprised when not everyone in Jesserton thinks building a new fancy hotel with accommodation is a bad idea and it divides the residents of the town.
Rosalyn has a different opinion to her sister, she can’t share with her what believes and her involvement with Gunter’s legacy. A young and pregnant women called Amber arrives in Jesserton, this gives Rosalyn an idea of what to do with Gunter’s money and it opens her eyes and mind to the plight of women less fortune, escaping abuse and what help is available to them locally.
In all small country towns, people take sides, it creates friction and tension, a petition against possible building of the hotel is created and distributed, things are said in the heat of the moment, and rumours spread like wildfire.
I received a copy of Head to the Hills from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an unbiased review. Tricia Stringer has given readers an idea of what’s it like to live in a small Australian country town in the Adelaide Hills, and believe me it’s extremely accurate. The well written and engrossing narrative highlights the division and differences between communities, people, families and those with wealth and others who are just barley scraping by and the preconceived judgement young and pregnant women still get and many are escaping domestic violence.
This is my tenth book I have read by Tricia Stringer and I understand why she's one of Australia's bestselling fiction authors, I certainly had warm and fuzzy feelings while reading it and made me think about people who are struggling and what I can do to help and I highly recommend....more
Julia Hudson is married to Mike and they have identical adult twin daughters Arabella and Florence and a grandson Kayden. Julia’s a rather forceful anJulia Hudson is married to Mike and they have identical adult twin daughters Arabella and Florence and a grandson Kayden. Julia’s a rather forceful and blunt person, and she travels back and forwards between Melbourne and Canberra for her job for a government bureau. Julia's involved in a terrible car accident, she has swelling on the brain and a broken leg and lacerations. Mike, Ari, Flo and their grandmother Gigi take it in turns sitting at Julia’s bedside in ICU, they discover Julia has been keeping a secret, one that changes their family and they no longer know what to believe.
Ari and Flo have always been close, but Flo has been keeping secrets of her own, when it’s revealed it effects the sister's relationship, and just when they need to stick together and a wedge is driven between them. With Julia in a coma, the whole family is falling apart, she started keeping journals thirty two years ago, they wonder if the truth is hidden between the pages and hold the answers they need. Instead what’s uncovered is more secrets and lies, has Julia been manipulating her family for years and getting away with it.
I received a copy of A Mother’s Betrayal by Louise Guy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The gripping narrative is set in the leafy streets of Melbourne, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and the ending wasn't predictable. Full of lots of twists and turns and about the complicated relationships between the members of the Hudson family, and a mother should support and defend her daughters no matter what, and can Ari and Flo ever trust and forgive her?
I really enjoyed the mix of characters in the story, they really made it and it certainly gives the reader a roller coaster ride of emotions, covers all sorts of issues, topic, possibilities and scenarios. Five stars from me, the twins had great taste in music and I’m very keen to read other books by Louise Guy....more
Dr Enya Pickering is married to fellow GP Alexander and has a teenage son Finn. One night in December she's driving home, the weather is terrible and Dr Enya Pickering is married to fellow GP Alexander and has a teenage son Finn. One night in December she's driving home, the weather is terrible and visibility is poor, when she finds a boy in the middle of the road, she gives him CPR while a taxi driver calls an ambulance. The teenager reminds her of her son Finn, what's he doing on a remote mountain road near Dublin and it appears to be a hit and run?
Enya’s life has been spiralling out of control for a couple of months, she feels trapped in her marriage, and her once happy and loving son spends most of his time in his room. Enya moves to a remote a village called Abbeydooley in the Irish Midlands for a break and to think, she rents the former doctors house and surgery.
Enya's expecting peace and tranquillity, instead it's pitch black outside, spooky and a tree branch keeps scraping the window. The Hawthorn Tree or Rag Tree is sacred, a ritual going back to Celtic times, it’s believed if a person ties the cloth to the tree, whatever sickness or ailment their suffering from will fade away as the rag rots and they will be healed.
I received a copy of Into the Storm from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a big fan of Cecelia Ahern's books and writing style for years, but her latest novel left me feeling somewhat perplexed and confused. I think it’s a story about dysfunctional families, not dealing with the loss of a loved one, superstition, making bad choices, secrets, mental illness and regret?
Three stars from me, I do understand both Irish and Scottish people believed in folklore and have done for centuries, my mother’s from Scotland and the information about the Rag Tree is interesting and please read this book for yourself and see if it makes any sense to you!...more
Dutch sea captain Douwemout van der Meer sailed to Calcutta aboard the Knappenhof, on his last voyage for the Dutch East India Company he returned homDutch sea captain Douwemout van der Meer sailed to Calcutta aboard the Knappenhof, on his last voyage for the Dutch East India Company he returned home to Rotterdam, with his cargo hold filled with luxury goods, and on the deck he had a baby orphaned Indian rhinoceros he saved. Douwe and his young friend Zubin toured Europe with Clara, people had never seen a rhino before, they know she’s will be in danger when she reaches adulthood, her horn will be 22.5 inches long and even a priest thinks she’s evil and people should follow god and not creatures.
The story has a dual timeline, its starts in 1740, told mainly from Douwemout van der Meer point of views and later in 2022 from animal lover and college student Andrea Clarkson’s.
American Andrea Clarkson arrives in Holland after a failed marriage proposal, she’s staying in Leiden and she finds hidden in secret desk drawers two hundred and eighty year old documents. As part of her Historical studies she and her colleagues are relocating eighteenth-century graves from being flooded and one of the markers has an animal carved into it and it’s a rhinoceros. Angela want's to solve the mystery of why the headstone has a rhino on it and she discovers the horns are still valuable and people would do anything to get their hands on one.
I received a copy of The Rhino Keeper from NetGalley and History Through Fiction in exchange for an honest review. The author Jillian Forsberg has done considerable research to write an interesting narrative based around the true story of a Dutch sea captain and an orphaned rhinoceros he saved and toured Europe with. Clara was famous, poems and songs were written about her, and she was painted by artists and patted by royals.
The Rhino Keeper is a story about exotic and rare animals and the impact they had on people and still do. An uplifting and hope filled tale for animal lovers and I really liked the parts set in the 18th century, and it’s truly amazing and fascinating how they managed to get a rhino to Holland and I highly recommend this book and five stars from me....more
Ruth Clancy moved to Cutlers Bay, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide to open her own coffee shop and she’s put a lot of effort into buRuth Clancy moved to Cutlers Bay, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula from Adelaide to open her own coffee shop and she’s put a lot of effort into building up her business. Ruth loves Rosie’s Café, but after five years she starting to feel tired and she’s wondering when to retire. Ruth knows she has to make some changes, it’s not easy running the café on her own with only part time help and otherwise she will burnout.
Hamish Adams worked as a diesel mechanic in the bush, he’s retired and built his dream apartment in North Adelaide and now that it’s finished he doesn’t feel content and fulfilled. When his elderly father dies, Hamish travels to Cutlers Bay to settle his estate and go through the contents of the house and shed. Hamish isn’t much of a cook, and he enjoys a coffee and breakfast at Rosie’s Café and where he meets Ruth. Hamish decides to not only clean out the house, but give the old place a lick of paint and tidy up the yard. The longer he's in town, the more Cutlers Bay starts to grow on him and feel like home and the flash apartment in the city doesn’t.
The narrative highlights important issues and topics, like the loss of a parent or family member, how hard and time consuming it is to run a small business and the sacrifices owners make, the advantages being part of a community and friendship, rediscovering yourself and what you want out of life, what the future holds and considering the possibility of dating and being in a relationship after a long drought and is it easier to stay single.
Meredith Appleyard’s books are packed full of little details and it made me feel a real connection to the characters and story-line. The topics are relevant, and thoroughly researched and executed and I have owned and run a small café and everything mentioned in the narrative was spot on. I really liked the characters of, Ruth and Hamish, Allie and Mia, Laurie and Pete and catching up with Angie and Zach from the author’s previous novel, All about Ella.
I received a copy of The Seachangers by Meredith Appleyard from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Appleyard has written another winner, about new beginnings in your 60’s and five stars from me. ...more
England 1914: Lady Lucinda McFarlane is about to be presented at court and start her first season as a debutante and her mother is keen for her to makEngland 1914: Lady Lucinda McFarlane is about to be presented at court and start her first season as a debutante and her mother is keen for her to make a good match. Sir David Melcome is a Baronet and he’s a Major in the Dragoon Guards, his regiment has recently returned from India and he sees Lucy at a ball.
Mable Oakley lives with her mother Alice, disabled father Andrew and her brothers Edward and Stephen. Mable was once Lucy's maid and a rather reluctant one and she hated being in service. Mable inherited a printing business from Mr. Clarke, he thought Mabel had more potential and he’s right and she’s smart and has a mind for business and is determined to succeed in a man’s world.
Lucy’s mother is busy planning her wedding to Sir David Melcome, when he finds out he's being sent to France, the couple are madly in love, and they have to decide if they bring the wedding forward or wait and many couples find themselves in a similar situation.
I received a copy of The Girls Who Dared to Love from Aria & Aries and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Diney Costeloe has a writing style that embraces the time period the narrative is set in and gives the reader a realistic idea of what it’s like to live in England and during The Great War.
As we know it brings about huge changes, the futures of a whole generation and creates so much uncertainty and they have no idea how long it will last. Out of the two main characters, Mable has always been mature for her age and young ladies of Lucy's class are extremely sheltered and lived in a bubble and it's about to burst. The story mentions topics such as love, engagements and marriage, how single women who rent are vulnerable and they face homelessness and violence against women and trying to break the cycle.
This is a different type of war, troupes have to dig in and take cover in trenches and English hospitals fill up quickly with wounded, and once released those without family have nowhere to stay, recuperate and will have difficulty finding work and suffer from shell shock.
I shed quite a few tears while reading this story and it made me feel really emotional and five stars from me. I look forward to the next book in the series and I highly recommend both The Girls Who Dared to Love and the author's previous novel, The Girls Who Dared to Dream....more
Geraldine Fitz-Herbert lives in Badcombe House, Cambridgeshire with her father, step-mother and younger brother. Fitz is rather headstrong, she’s beenGeraldine Fitz-Herbert lives in Badcombe House, Cambridgeshire with her father, step-mother and younger brother. Fitz is rather headstrong, she’s been having flying lessons at the local airfield in a Tiger Moth and here she feels free. When the war breaks-out Fitz works at a nearby farm, but she decides to join the Air Transport Auxiliary, and she ferries planes from one base to another. She meets American Flight Officer Sam Carter at RAF Tangmere, they fall head over heels in love, something Fitz has never experienced before, she gets scared and the reality of war hits very close to home.
Fitz speaks fluent French and German thanks to all of the governesses she had as a child, she's recruited to be a SOE or a Special Operations Executive, her first mission is in Brittany, when the plane lands it goes badly, the Germans are waiting and Fitz escapes. She has no choice but to continue on, Fitz has no idea if the final location and mission has been compromised. Along the way Fitz comes across a dog she nicknames Scout and a little girl called Yvette and she takes both of them with her and while she tries to stay one step ahead of the Germans.
I received a copy of The Girl in the Sky by Suzanne Fortin from Embla Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Using real facts about an American Pilot who joined the British Air Force and was an gold Olympic medalist, the Air Transport Auxiliary, the RAF base at Tangmere and Westhampnett, and Bignor Manor House where agents stayed prior to being flown to France as inspiration.
Ms. Fortin has written an interesting story about the Second World War, the high mortality rate of pilots, and how dangerous it was to be an SOE. Told from the main female characters point of view and you get an idea of what it was like for women at the time, was it a good idea to fall in love during a war, and Fitz defiantly has issues with dealing with her emotions, all types personal relationships and she later understands why.
I found some parts of Fitz being an SOE a little far-fetched and unbelievable, the rest of the narrative I enjoyed and especially how Fitz grew up, matured as a person, looked at life differently and her relationship with her step-mother Camilla improved. Four stars from me and I have read and would recommend the authors previous novel, The Dancer Teacher of Paris....more
1915. Best friends Louisa Clements, Jeannie Musgrove and Kate Davis have been working at the Clarks Factory since they left school and they sew shoes 1915. Best friends Louisa Clements, Jeannie Musgrove and Kate Davis have been working at the Clarks Factory since they left school and they sew shoes linings in the Machine Room. Like everyone in Street, Somerset, their worried about the war and what’s happening across the channel. The local lads are signing up, with their pals and they think it’s going to be a grand adventure.
Louisa's the first of the trio to suffer a loss, she then discovers she has another problem and her strict parents are extremely disappointed in their only child’s reckless behaviour. Louisa’s forced to make a difficult choice, it breaks her already shattered heart and she’s not sure if she will ever forgive her parents. Kate’s life has never been easy and it’s much harder since her mother passed away. Her siblings have left home and she’s has to keep house for her dad and work full time, and he’s mean, moody, a drunk, and it gets worse. Jeannie’s family are Quakers and she can't believe it when her older older brother Lucas joins up, her mother takes the news badly and Jeannie has to work, do all the chores and make sure her teenage brothers don’t get into trouble and despite John and Peter promising Lucas they would help her and behave.
The narrative focuses on Louisa’s, Kate’s and Jeanie’s relationships with their families and how the war changes things, their struggles and problems, how the friend’s help and support each other when they can and unfortunately somethings they are out of their control.
I received a copy of Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls by May Ellis from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The story includes relevant topics and subjects for the time and the impact the war had on the villagers. The Clark family were Quakers and so are many of their employees, this caused friction in Street and women started giving out white feathers.
When the British government announces all unmarried men between the ages of eighteen to forty one will be called up and everyone wonders what will happen to those who won’t fight due to their religious beliefs. The narrative shows the inequality between men and women and the forms of abuse and violence against them is another relevant topic and how it’s handled and big brothers come in handy.
The main theme of the novel is the friendship between the three you ladies, how each one has to overcome obstacles and challenges, and they show maturity beyond their years. Five stars from me, I have enjoyed both books in this series so far, Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls and The Clarks Factory Girls at War and I’m really looking forward to the next book by Ms. Ellis and to see what happens next in Louisa, Kate and Jeannie lives and the other characters....more
Georgia Williams needs a fresh start and a new job, her last relationship ended very badly and she moves to Gleneagle, in Queensland. Georgia's determGeorgia Williams needs a fresh start and a new job, her last relationship ended very badly and she moves to Gleneagle, in Queensland. Georgia's determined to stay single, it doesn't take long for the local country blokes notice a new lady in town and one farmer catches her eye.
Trent Turner works on his family's cattle stud and alongside his father who’s not keen to hand over control of Turnhope, and he feels like nothing he does is right or good enough. He dreams of running the farm independently, getting married and having a children. Trent meets Georgia, she has all the qualities he’s looking for in a partner and he really wants to ask her out. Georgia can't avoid Trent in Gleneagle, they keep bumping into each other, and everyone assures her he’s a nice guy. Georgia visits the farm, she loves how peaceful it is and Trent notices Georgia gets a lot of phone calls and she refuses to answer them.
I received a copy of Breaking Free by Renae Black from Escape Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. I liked Georgia and Trent's characters, and the others they met at the pub, football club and school, and it’s an accurate portrayal of what it’s like living in a small country town and community.
For me the narrative highlighted two important issues, violence against women in Australia and the cycle, how difficult it is to break free from the culprits and the damage it does to the victims both physically, mentally and how they find it hard to trust again.
The other topic is farms and ones that have been in a family for generations, it’s not easy working alongside a parent, they can be very reluctant to hand over control and hard to please and it causes tension and resentment.
I thoroughly enjoyed the sizzling chemistry and spark between Georgia and Trent, and their journey to finding love and five stars from me. Another great Australian rural romance from Renae Black, I highly recommend reading Breaking Free and the author's previous book, Red Dirt Home....more
Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents because his mum passed away when he was born and he became an Army Ranger like his grandfather. He's liveTanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents because his mum passed away when he was born and he became an Army Ranger like his grandfather. He's lived most of his life overseas, he returns to the America when he finds out his grandmother is sick and before she passes away she gives him the name of a man who she thinks is his father.
Tanner drives to Asheboro, North Carolina, and his plan is to study old phone books and follow up any leads about men with the last name his grandmother gave him and could possibly be in the right age group to be his dad. Kaitlyn Cooper is a doctor in Asheboro, she’s divorced and has two children Casey and Mitch. Kaitlyn and Tanner meet, there’s a spark of attraction between them, but Kaitlyn doesn’t want to have a fling and with a man who’s only going to be in town for a couple of weeks and is returning to Africa. Tanner and Kaitlyn share the same ideal of helping others and giving back to the community and are fearful of being in a relationship and especially Tanner who doesn’t stay in one place for long.
Japser is eight three, he lives alone in a cabin with his dog Arlo and his land borders on Uwharrie National Forrest, he hears rumours about a white deer being spotted in the area, a creature that he’s been told by his father and grandfather is sacred and how it provides a spiritual message and guidance and he wants to protect it.
The tale is told from the points of view of Tanner, Kaitlyn and Jasper. Each of them have been hurt in the past, Jasper was burnt in a terrible house fire, he lost his entire family, he gets up every morning, his body aches and itches and Kaitlyn is his doctor.
I received a copy of Counting Miracles from Sphere Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I haven’t read a book by Nicholas Sparks in ages, I can remember sobbing while reading A Walk to Remember twenty two years ago and he hasn’t lost his touch or way with words and he writes with feeling.
A story about family and love, finding were you come from and a home, settling down and the future, animals and what they mean to people, whittling and kindness, forgiveness and finding peace. Five stars from me, some readers didn't like the biblical versus in the novel, I wouldn't class it as Christian Fiction, everything included in the story is there for a reason and you need to find it like Jasper did....more
When Emma's husband Will died suddenly a year ago, her life stopped when his heart did and she feels adrift. Emma quits her university research job anWhen Emma's husband Will died suddenly a year ago, her life stopped when his heart did and she feels adrift. Emma quits her university research job and begins working at the local garden centre and her employers are Les and Betty.
Here, Emma finds some peace and solitude working with the plants and flowers. Les asks her to attend a talk about the Titanic at the History Society, like everyone Emma has watched the film, but she’s never thought about the people who worked on the ocean liner. On such a luxurious ship it would have been full of flowers and she wonders who was in charge of supplying and arranging them.
Alongside Emma’s narrative, a story is told from the point of view of a stewardess Violet on the Titanic, after talking to a variety of experts about the ship, Emma thinks she might be the person who helped arranged the flowers, who was Violet and why does Emma feel a connection to her?
I received a copy of The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page from HarperCollins UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an amazing story, about the importance of flowers in people’s lives and how arrangements are given when a child is born, blooms are present at weddings, celebrations and bereavements, and are a symbol of love and friendship, and brighten up a room and a person’s day.
The characters in this novel are wonderful, I really liked Les and Betty and Tamas, and they all play a part in helping Emma come out of her shell and solve the mystery of Titanic's flowers.
A narrative about friendship and hope, coming to terms with the loss of a spouse, being able to move on, believing in tomorrow and learning from history. Five stars from me, I enjoyed The Secrets of Flowers, and Ms. Page’s previous books, The Keeper of Stories and The Book of Beginnings and I highly recommend them all....more
Margaret Johnson parents are strict and have high expectations and they want her to marry a suitable man and soon. Maggie sneaks out of the family houMargaret Johnson parents are strict and have high expectations and they want her to marry a suitable man and soon. Maggie sneaks out of the family house in North Fitzroy to celebrate the end of the war in the Pacific, she’s in the heart of Melbourne where everyone is singing, dancing and having a great time, and when she feels the need to hug someone.
The recipient is Lil Kelly, she can’t understand why a well-dressed lady would want to spend her time with her, let alone want be her friend and she tries her best to put Maggie off. Lil Kelly lives in the slums of South Fitzroy, she works hard to care for her mother and younger sister Alys. Maggie is extremely determined, she wants to have a real friendship with Lil, she doesn’t care where she lives, and help the Kelly family and others in the same situation. Maggie underestimates her father wrath and anger, he’s controlling and doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings.
Maggie has no choice but to try and find Lil, at first Maggie is shocked by how people live in South Fitzroy, most of the houses are dilapidated and in a terrible state and it breaks her heart to see hungry and barefoot children. Maggie discovers they might be poor but the women stick together and try to help each other, a close-knit community and one she embraces and becomes a part of. Maggie thinks Lil underestimates herself, she encourages her to take a chance, look beyond what she’s known and it will benefit her family.
I received a copy of The Girls from Fitzroy by Jennie Jones from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The narrative starts in post Second World War Melbourne, Australia on the 15th of August 1945 and on VP-Day, the whole city is celebrating and it’s a day of fun, joy and hope. Maggie adulthood is just starting and yet her mother and grandmother both think she needs to find a husband, with less men to go around and they were worried about her making a beneficial match.
Maggie has a social conscience, she doesn’t care about making a good marriage when she notices the difference between the classes in Fitzroy, she finds it unacceptable and unjust and she wants to change this. Women are employed in factories and cafes and have to juggle work, home duties and looking after children and earn less than men. Migrants are moving their family’s to Australia, introducing different cultures, food and ideas and you can imagine what the majority of snobby and opinionated people like Maggie’s father thought about them.
A heartening and emotional story about Maggie and Lil’s unlikely friendship, and it’s full of wonderful characters and a portrayal of Australia citizens at the time. With Jennie Jones vivid descriptions and it made me feel like I was walking along side Maggie as she discovers what life was like for people living in Melbourne's slums, her brilliant ideas of how to help the women and children, a must read and five stars from me. I highly recommend The Girls from Fitzroy and Ms. Jones previous book, Daughters of the Home Front....more
1940. Peggy Sparks is a librarian and she’s determined to make sure her twin brother Joe makes it home to Edenham, London. Peggy lives with her mum Al1940. Peggy Sparks is a librarian and she’s determined to make sure her twin brother Joe makes it home to Edenham, London. Peggy lives with her mum Alice, granny Emily, pregnant sister-in-law Flo and her niece Nancy. When Peggy is offered a job working at The Ministry of Information and in the Publications Department as a proof-reader, and she feels like this is her big chance.
Peggy works alongside Lady Marigold Cecily, every morning she’s late because Marigold has been out having a good time and at first Peggy doesn't know what to make of her and the other toffs in the office. Peggy feels a bit like a fish out of water, she continues writing down accounts of her days, when their accidentally published and Marigold comes to her defence and they become unlikely friends and confidantes.
The story focuses on during the war, women were taking on roles and doing jobs once done only by men, drivers, land girls and worked in factories, air raid wardens and fire watchers and they did what needed to be done and had a conscience and wanted to do their bit.
I received a copy of A Girls’ Guide to Winning the War by Annie Lyons from Headline and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. What an inspirational and enlightening story, characters make a narrative come to life and they worm their way into your heart and this one is full of delightful and realistic ones like Peggy, Alice, Emily, Flo and Nancy, Marigold, Mr. Beecher and Mrs Pyecroft, Frank and Rosa Bauman.
I adored this book and it highlights the importance of friendship, family, and resilience, comradery and sticking together, the significance of the public being informed and how it boosted morale, diplomacy and Penny going from being a shrinking wallflower to a towering oak. Five stars from me, I laughed, cheered and cried and I highly recommend A Girls’ Guide to Winning the War and Ms. Lyons previous book Air Raid Book Club....more
Germany, 1946: Emmy Clarke is a librarian and she works for the Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. and they send her overseas to help the MonumeGermany, 1946: Emmy Clarke is a librarian and she works for the Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. and they send her overseas to help the Monuments Men find, sort and catalogue precious books that were stolen by the Nazis. Emmy’s a widow, her husband died storming the beaches on D-Day, and her new jobs at the Offenbach Archival Depot in Frankfurt and with Major Wesley Arnold, a wounded Historian.
On Emmy’s first day she reads a personalized message in a book of poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke and handwritten on the title page is “To Annelise, my brave Edelweiss Pirate.” Emmy wants to find the owner of the book, she wonders if they survived the war and reunite them and it’s not an easy task.
Germany, 1937: Annelise Fischer doesn’t attend the League of German Girls or BDM meetings with her sister Christiana. Annelise is a member of the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of teenagers who like to hike and camp, and do outdoor activities in the mountains. They don’t agree with how Jewish people are being treated in Germany and are antiwar, they distribute pamphlets and carry out acts of defiance and resistance against the Nazis.
Germany, 1937: Christina is member of the BDM, or the League of German Girls, she wears her uniform proudly, and she worries her sister Annelise is going to get into trouble for flaunting the rules, and she follows her. A naive Christiana makes a bad decision and it has terrible consequences for the sisters.
Germany, 1943: The Gestapo arrest two thousand Jewish men who have German wives and detain them. The women hold a vigil in Rose Street, for days they stand in the rain and one night get caught in an air raid, despite being threatened and harassed and they don’t give in and demand their spouses be released.
I received a copy of The Lost Book of Bonn by Brianna Labuskes from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The well written and thoroughly researched narrative is set in Germany before, during and after The Second World War and is told from the points of view of three main characters Emmy, Annelise and Christina and shares each woman's experiences.
A story about beliefs and what happens if you think differently, bravery and resilience, destruction and a country in ruins, trying to make amends and regret, finding what has been lost and stolen, the power of books and love. My favourite quote from the novel is “a good poem can change the world”, we're still waiting and five stars from me....more
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