Missing - A Perfect Vacation-A Perfect Nightmare

Missing- a perfect vacation-a perfect nightmare

I have been reading a lot of the same authors lately, so I decided to try reading an author that was new to me.  I found this book on Book Bub and found the book to be very interesting.  In fact from page one till the end of the book, I enjoyed every moment of it. So now, I have another author to read and I will look for more books by Christy Cooper-Burnett.

Synopsis

Megan Hamilton thinks everything is going great with her life, until her fiancé tells her she is boring and he no longer wants to marry her.  She is shocked and hurt when he tells her he has already found someone else that he wants to marry.

In an attempt to get her mind off her breakup, her mother, Michelle, invites Megan to go on a luxury cruise with her and her best friend Rochelle.  At first Megan refuses, but upon further reflection and her mother's insistence she decides to go on the cruise.

While on the cruise Megan meets a charming man, Nate, who is kind and fun and Megan begins to enjoy herself.  Is this a "Perfect Vacation" or a "Perfect Nightmare"? Megan soon finds out everything is not as it appears. 

I will leave the rest of the story for you to discover as you read the book.  I will just say the book is full of twists and turns till the very end of the book.

You can purchase the book on Amazon in paperback, kindle version or audiobook at the following link   Missing

About the Author

Since I had not read this author before, I looked up some information on her.  Christy Cooper-Burnett is a award winning author based in Southern California.  She has a degree in Administration of Justice and lives with her rescue dog, Beau.  She has one grown son who inspired her to write her debut novel "No Way Home".

Christy enjoys writing novels that encourage the reader to put themselves in the place of her strong female characters and think about how they would handle the unique situations in which they find themselves.

Other Books by Christy include the following:

• No  Way Home
• Escaping Home
• Finding Home
• Run
• Passport to Terror

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier

A Single Thread

 Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read and Tracy Chevalier is among my favorite authors.  A Single Thread, did not disappoint.  Chevalier draws you right into the story from the very beginning and you not only read a moving story but learn a bit of history along the way.

Book Review

I found this to be a fascinating story of how one woman created a good life for herself despite the constraints of her time.  It takes place in England in the 1930's.  The country is just getting past World War I and the beginning of the next war is on the horizon.

Violet Speedwell finds herself to be deemed a "surplus woman".  She is a 38-year-old woman who has lost both her fiancé and her brother in World War I.  In societies eye she is doomed to be a "spinster".  That however is not what Violet wants for her life.  She wants to be independent and to do so does the unheard of and leaves her small town and family home to seek employment in the larger town of Winchester. 

 

She secures a job and makes friends. Through a friend she decides to join a group of women who embroider kneelers for the local Cathedral. Violet has never done this type of embroidery before, but she becomes quite dedicated to learning this skill and finds support and fellowship with the group.

When forces threaten to hurt her new independence, Violet must find a way to put down roots in a place and time where women are not expected to grow and thrive on their own. 

Through this book, I learned a lot about the challenges woman faced in that era and admired the way the main character overcame the challenges of the age.  I also learned a lot about the craft of the brodiers.

Book on Amazon

A Single Thread can be purchased on Amazon in hardback, paperback, audio and kindle versions.  Here is a link to get you to the book A Single Thread

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Love in the Present Tense - Book Review

Love in the Present Tense is an inspiring story of love in all its many forms. 

Synopsis of Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Love in the Present Tense

Pearl is a street kid who, on her 13th birthday, becomes pregnant and accidentally kills the baby’s father, a police officer. She spends the next five years moving around, trying to keep hidden from the police who search for her and attempting to keep baby Leonard safe. Eventually, her past catches up with her and she never returns after leaving Leonard with her neighbor, Mitch.

Mitch is far from the ideal caretaker--he’s having an affair with a client’s wife--but he and Leonard must find a way to bridge the gap between them as they bond as parent and child. As time goes on, Leonard becomes very close to Mitch, but he never stops feeling Pearl's presence in a tangible way: her 'forever love' for him.  And Mitch discovers that taking care of Leonard is the best thing that ever happened to him.

The story's characters include a tough teen (Pearl), her sweet son (Leonard, age 5 at the beginning of the story, smart and loving and suffering from a degenerative eye disease), and the 25-year-old neighbor, Mitch, who maintains a home business. 

Summary

Narrated in the alternating voices of the principal characters, this novel is an examination of relationships and special bonds. Events go back and forth in time from one chapter to the next. Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart.

Author Catherine Ryan Hyde once again gives us an astoundingly wise portrayal of human nature. 

*Review of the novel, Love in the Present Tense, was written by Wednesday Elf

 

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The Language of Hoofbeats by Catherine Ryan Hyde - A Book Review

Among the many interests and activities which author Catherine Ryan Hyde enjoys, is that of horses. She is an avid equestrian and often posts pictures online of her horses. In addition, Catherine has featured horses in several of her books. The Language of Hoofbeats is one such book. This is my review of this fascinating and interesting novel. 

Synopsis

Two of the main characters, Clementine and Jackie, each narrate the story, taking alternating chapters to tell their side of the events.

The Language of Hoofbeats

The story begins when Jackie and her wife, Paula, looking for a quiet life for their kids - a young adopted son and two teenage foster children - move in across the street from Clementine. Paula is a veterinarian and this move has brought her to a remote country area in need of another vet. Jackie is a stay-at-home mom for the kids. 

Clementine is a terribly unhappy person who is so damaged by her daughter’s suicide that she cannot be civil to most people, including her husband. The husband finally cannot take her negativity any longer and he moves out about the time Paula & Jackie and the kids move in next door.

Clem has a horse named Comet who used to belong to the now-dead daughter. Comet is quite high-strung and has not been receiving very good care because Clementine is rather scared of the horse and the husband has moved out. When the foster teen Star, a quite unhappy girl herself, is drawn to and bonds with Comet and attempts to begin a friendship with the horse. Clementine, in her usual horrid fashion, resents the friendship developing between Star and the horse and chases her away from her property several times. Clem is extremely nasty to Star and also to her foster mothers, Jackie and Paula. Finally, not being able to stand the way the horse is neglected, Star steals Comet and they become lost. The real action in the story begins as Jackie and Clementine join forces to search for both Star and Comet. 

Throughout the story, we also become acquainted with the other foster child, Mando, and the younger adopted son, and learn what happened to Clementine’s daughter. 

Summary

From the book jacket: 

When a troubled girl steals a horse, her foster moms are thrown together with their reluctant neighbor 

The Language of Hoofbeats shows us the complexity of human relationships and points out how very relatable characters can sometimes be intensely flawed. But, by facing the scars they carry and the choices they have made, along with forgiving the regrets, a diverse group of people often can be transformed into a family. An extremely good read! 

For more Book Reviews, check out
ReviewThisBooks.com

Click here for more reviews of books by 
Catherine Ryan Hyde

*Book Review of “The Language of Hoofbeats” is written by Wednesday Elf

 

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Review of The Writer-James Patterson

 I am a big fan of James Patterson novels.  I have enjoyed his books for years and follow several of his series of books, always looking forward to the newest book.  While looking through his newer books from the library, I came across one that came out earlier this year.  It was co-written with J.D. Barker and in reading the description on the cover I was very curious about the book.  The cover has the claim "You'll Never Forget the Ending".  I decided I needed to read that book and I was not disappointed.  The book keeps you guessing on who the killer is the entire book.  I thought I had it figured out several times, but boy was I wrong.  In the final chapters of the book there is a real twist that I would have never guessed.  Wow! What an ending!

Book Summary

The book starts with Declan Shaw, a NYPD detective standing in a subway train station contemplating throwing himself overboard, when he suddenly gets a call sending him to the scene of a murder.

The scene is in the home of a award winning novelist and her doctor husband.  The husband has been stabbed, and the wife is standing over him in bloody clothes with the murder weapon.  At first glance it is an open and shut case, but then nothing is what it seems in the rest of the book.

We are introduced to Declan's partner, his lieutenant, the wife's attorney and many more possible suspects. There is also another case of a woman in a nearby alley that plays into the picture.  In addition, there are some doubts about a prior case that Declan and his partner worked and the suspect was found guilty and is in jail.  

There are so many twists and turns that I hate to give anymore away.  I will tell you this is a very compelling book and once you get into it, it is hard to put down.  I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fascinating murder thriller.

Book on Amazon

The book is available on Amazon in hardcover, kindle and audio books.  Here is a link The Writer

Reviews on James Patterson Books

Writers for Review this have written several reviews on various James Patterson books.  Here are a few.

• The President is Missing Book Review
• The Golf Miracle Trilogy by James Patterson – Book Reviews
• James Patterson's The Christmas Mystery Book Review and Book List
• Shattered by James Patterson - Book Review
• LOST by James Patterson - Book Review
• Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Rolling Toward Clear Skies by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Book Review of a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde, a favorite author who combines relatable dilemmas and interesting characters who often tug at your heartstrings. This is a heartfelt novel of hope and second chances.

A Synopsis of Rolling Toward Clear Skies

Rolling Toward Clear Skies: A Novel

Maggie Blount is a California GP and divorced mother of two teenage girls. In addition to her private practice with 3 other physicians, she also works with Alex, her professional (and romantic) partner, running Doctors on Wheels.   Their mobile non-profit vans provide free medical care in the aftermath of disasters.

The story begins as Maggie & Alex get ready to head to Louisiana where a hurricane is about to make landfall. Maggie’s daughters, Willa and Gemma, go to stay with their father for the duration, complaining all the way, as they have grown up to be very entitled, spoiled girls. 

During their time in Louisiana, Maggie and Alex treat 2 loving teenage sisters whose parents were killed in the storm that destroyed their home.  There is also a terrified puppy who becomes as attached to the girls as the girls do to him. 

When it is found that these sisters' only remaining relatives are very elderly grandparents who are unable to care for them, Maggie decides to foster Jean and Rose. After some preliminary paperwork and home visits by social services, Jean & Rose come to live with Maggie and her family. 

It is an emotional story that eventually finds Maggie’s new blended family in chaos. The foster sisters, Jean and Rose, are polite and appreciative and feel blessed to have found a safe new home. Maggie’s own daughters are self-involved teenagers who have grown up always having everything they wanted and who resist this intrusion by strangers into their privileged lives. Maggie knows she has made some mistakes in parenting her daughters, giving them too much to make up for her long work hours and the divorce. 

Maggie seeks help through a therapist to admit her role in Willa & Gemma’s entitled upbringing, and to learn how to teach her daughters about gratitude and empathy. She begins to learn to undo the damage and anticipate the needs of all four girls, Alex, and the puppy. 

Summary

Wise words and insightful observations combine to bring about a satisfying conclusion to this topical, thought-provoking, and appealing story. 

Related Reviews:

For more reviews of Catherine Ryan Hyde books, click here.

For a review of author Catherine Ryan Hyde, click here.

For more book reviews on ReviewThisReviews, check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Review of the book “Rolling Toward Clear Skies” was written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing The Good Left Undone

 

If you love historical fiction, like I do, this wonderful story of a grandmother near the end of her life will be one you will enjoy.  She spends time with her family filling them in on the family history and secrets from years gone by.  In this story you will also learn of history from World War II and what life was like in Italy, France, England and Scotland as told through the grandmothers' stories.

Adriana Trigiani has long been one of my favorite authors of historical fiction and she does not disappoint in this novel.

Story Summary

The story tells of the Cabrelli family, a proud artisan Italian family that live in the small village of Viareggio in Italy.  We are hearing the story told in present day by the family matriarch Mathilda to her granddaughter Anine.

The story begins pre-World War II when Domenica is a young girl who loves to help people.  We follow her through her struggles to become a nurse and the problems she encounters when she offers important information to a young mother.  The town does not approve of her giving the information and she must leave the town.  She goes to Marseilles France to work with nuns in a hospital.  World War II breaks out and she must then go to Scotland.

The book tells of strong women who are faced with ethical, love and family decisions. These women make decisions during difficult times that shape their futures and those around them.

Here is a link to the book on Amazon The Good Left Undone

Historical Fiction Books I Have Reviewed

If you enjoy historical fiction, here are a few other books in that genre that I have reviewed.

Spark of Revolution

Girl Called Samson

Enemy Like Me

Diamond Eye

Smoke on Whiteadder

Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

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The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, A Book Review

I picked up The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder because the title intrigued me, and as an eBay seller fascinated by vintage finds, I was instantly drawn in. It turned out that author C.L. Miller’s novel is enjoyable as a murder mystery story as well as a look into the world of high-end antiques.

THE STORY

Freya, a former antique hunter, is pulled back into the world of antiques after the mysterious death of her friend and mentor, Arthur. With the help of her odd but interesting Aunt Carole, she deciphers clues Arthur left behind—his way of ensuring that, should anything suspicious happen to him, someone would investigate. Their search finds them at an antiques retreat in a grand manor, where the furnishings are actually replicas rather than originals, and the guests seem to have questionable motives.

REVIEWS

Goodreads reviewers give the book 3 1/2 stars calling it a mixed bag with good marks for the look into the world of antiques but lower marks for writing style. 

Bookshelf Soliloquies calls it a cozy mystery. Like me, writer Phoebe appreciated the glimpse into the world of antiques and, as she put it, the quirky characters. However, she, too had some discomfort with the writing style.

Amazon readers are a bit more generous, granting 4 stars and calling it ‘a very good read.’

Consensus amongst the many reviews that I read seems to be that the writing was a bit distracting, with some finding it a bit hard to get used to. I agree though I will add that I did get used to it and I did find the book more engaging as I went along.

RECOMMENDED

Who will enjoy this book? I recommend it for someone looking for a cozy mystery that is a bit more complex or for someone who is interested in antiques and the antique underworld. I will be reading the second book in the series, The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea.

Another strong pick? If you are also interested in a similar look into art and the art world, Jeffrey Archer’s False Impression is a riveting must-read. A real page turner. Read my full review of First Impression here.

If you haven't read The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, find it here on Amazon. If you have read it and you enjoyed The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder, you’ll be pleased to know there’s more to read. The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is next in the series, and with luck, both it and any future installments will be stronger and more captivating. 

See you
At the bookstore!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

More Reading:

Death Takes a Spin, An Upcycling Mystery  

Irish Village Mystery Series by Carlene O'Connor

Ian Rankin's Knots and Crosses Book Review

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The Boys From Biloxi ~ John Grisham ~ A Book Review

Sometimes we just need to get away from our daily lives and all the "drama" within and find a new place to call home for a while. 

The Boys from Biloxi allowed me to do just that! 

 Everyone who loves a good drama/mystery/whodunit will enjoy this book! The "Boys" in the title are two best friends who of course come from Biloxi.

Biloxi was known for its beaches and resorts and a bustling seafood industry. Their families are immigrants who are drawn to the area by work that is easy to come by! Of course their hope is to give their families a better life. Hard work in a bustling community is the motto for many of the immigrants that will call Biloxi home.

 

 But there is also a dark underside to the area! 

 All their dreams are coming true for the next generation of boys who learn to play baseball and hang out together. The next generation was given all of the opportunities that their parents and grandparents had worked so hard to provide. 

 As Hugh and Keith go through school and their own challenges and disappointments, their lives take a complete different trajectory. 

 Hugh can't wait to make some really easy money working the darker side of Biloxi. He starts by helping his father with the grocery stores, but his ambitions are bigger than that! Surely getting involved with the darker side and learning how it works will be his ultimate goal.

 

 Keith on the other hand decides that all the drinking, gambling and other nefarious activities are ruining Biloxi for those who really love the area. His father becomes a prosecutor determined to clean up the area and his son Keith is right behind him.

 So a long standing friendship becomes a long standing grievance that pits the boys against each other.

 The Boys from Biloxi is a great coming of age novel as well as an eye opener for those making choices in their own lives! 

 John Grisham does not disappoint in this novel! The action is fast paced and you can see how the undercover practices of life can cause many ripples in the fabric of Biloxi's society. 

 If you are looking for a great page turner of a book, I would recommend The Boys of Biloxi for you! Add it to your summer reading list! Or if you have an Amazon Audible Account you can get it for free!  It is an Amazon Best Seller, so you know it's a good story!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Taverner's Son by Leslie Park Lynn ~ A Book Review

 The Taverner's Son is a well written deeply moving novel that has a beautiful story line that everyone can really sink their teeth into.  Family secrets, tragedy and a small village help to make this book a real page turner.  I love the characters and each one of their with own "quirks".  

What family doesn't have some sadness and misunderstandings that get in the way of family connections?  I don't think there is one family out there who can't relate in some way.

So it is with Will Kendrick.  He has lived most of his adult life away from the small town that was his home.  Misunderstandings and pride make it difficult to get through to the part where we still love each other.  And sometimes it's too late to do anything about it!  

Will gets a phone call letting him know that his father has passed away.   Living on the west coast for many years,  Will had not given his father too much thought.  Now he is in shock and trying desperately to make sense of it all, realizing that there is no more time left.

Will makes the plans to return to the little fishing village of Apalachicola.  First he had to make his way from California to Tallahassee and then drive from there to what had been his home.  As he drives the roads back to his "home" memories come flooding back to him. 

Of course there are the people of the town whom he had known growing up and many that had left the small town for bigger and better opportunities.  But there was also one of his oldest and dearest friends from his childhood who remained.  Jess, his long time friend from grade school, who had always been there during his childhood, made her life in the small town of Apalachicola.

Will is making his way around town and sees the tavern where he spent many days helping his father.  Homework was done on one of the small tables in the back.  Penny, the cook and keeper of the kitchen took Will under her wings when Will's mother had died.  Will was only 3 years old when his mother died.   Penny and her husband were the imaginary parents that Will wanted.  His father had become distant and depressed, withdrawn from his son and anything that reminded him of his beloved wife.  Will was the spitting image of his mother.  So that made things even harder for Will's father.  And now Will is standing in the Tavern that now belongs to him.  

Will has a lot to learn about the father he didn't know so well and more about his mother too. When you lose your mom at 3 years of age, you really don't know too much about her.    As you get into the book, the story takes on a life of it's own and you will be hard pressed to put the book down.  So many questions that Will has and so few answers, yet, there is something going on that doesn't make sense.

I don't want to give too much of the story away, but, I would encourage you to pick this book up.  It really is a riveting story of family, family secrets and how they impact the people who are being "saved from the truth".  This book is masterfully written, a love story with twists and turns that you will not see coming.  It is a page turner that you won't want to put down.

I received this book from VoraciousReadersOnly with the promise of sharing a review.  It was my pleasure to read this book and review it for you here.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Katherine Faulkner's Greenwich Park Book Review

The cover of Katherine Faulkner’s Greenwich Park reads, “gripping and haunting and gorgeously suspenseful” and I agree. I was drawn to the book by the title, a romanticized area of London, England, and by the artwork. 

Greenwich Park the book is a murder mystery of the best sort. It draws you in. Pick it up and you might not want to put it down. Pick it up and you will find yourself guessing whodunit. I failed at the guessing of who did it, which I expect is good because it means the book has twists and turns.  I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. 

Greenwich Park is a domestic psychological thriller that is set in the current day in the south east of London. It tells the story of a pregnant woman’s privileged life in a stately Victorian home and of her family and friends. Off work because of her history with difficult pregnancies and because of current health concerns, the main character, Helen, finds herself bored and lonely. That is, until she befriends a woman named Rachel. Rachel is also pregnant but embraces none of the care that many women exercise when they are pregnant. She smokes and she drinks and she is not very interested in her body or her unborn baby. She’s loud and she's obnoxious but, however, she is fun and she quickly manages to infiltrate Helen’s tidy little world. But is it really tidy?

Helen has been described as someone who has everything including “a perfect husband, a perfect brother and a perfect sister-in-law. When she meets Rachel, she also has the perfect nightmare.” 

I like Crime by the Book’s three-point list of reasons to read the book. She says that it pulls back the curtain on the lives of people who appear to have picture-perfect lives, that it is a story of obsession and cat-and-mouse tension and that it is intricate and effortlessly told. 

If it helps, Crime by the Book says that this book is similar to books to those written by Lisa Jewell, who I have yet to read.

FAST FACTS:

Author – Katherine Faulkner
Format – Hardcover, paperback, Kindle, audiobook, audio CD
Genre – Domestic Psychological Thriller
Pages - 375
Publication Date – September 13, 2021
Publisher – Simon & Shuster
ISBN Number – 978-1-9821-5031-0

If you love a good thriller, you will enjoy Greenwich Park. The book is definitely dark, looking into the world of pregnancy and early motherhood, of friendships, of privileged lives lived and, of course, of the secrets that people keep. I think that it is an excellent first novel, which the author wrote while she herself was on maternity leave.  The rights to the book have been sold and I will be watching for a movie or television series as well as for a second book by Faulkner. Meanwhile, you can order your copy of Greenwich Park from Amazon by clicking right here.

See you 

at the book store!
Brenda

More Psychological Thrillers:

Alice Feeney's Sometimes I Lie Book Review

Mark Edward's Here to Stay Book Review

Audrey Hepburn's Wait Until Dark Movie Review

Donald Sutherland's Don't Look Now Movie Review

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Sunflowers Beneath the Snow - A Book Review

Sunflowers Beneath the Snow, by Teri M. Brown, is a wonderful novel that will keep the reader interested and involved with the characters.  All the characters in this novel have strong opinions and follow their dreams and yearnings, often causing some danger, grief and sadness in their lives.  But great joy when all is revealed.

Does this pique your interest?  It should.  Teri M. Brown has written a book that truly is a page turner.  As with many novels some of the places and happenings sound like they could have happened in real life.  The author makes it clear that this is a work of fiction.

This story surrounds some very strong willed, strong bodied, and strong minded women.  Ivanna and the love of her life, Lyaksandro!  Their daughter, Yevtsye and her daughter Ionna are all part of the focus of this novel.

The country of their birth, the Ukraine has been under Soviet occupation for many years.  Always the government is promising that things will get better.  Lyaksandro Hadeon Rosomakha is a university employee and husband of Ivanna.  He, by wanting better for his family, has started a downward turn in the family's fortunes.  By becoming an informant (after witnessing the stranglehold the government had on free thinkers) he unwittingly puts his family in danger.  Early in the story he is whisked out of the country under cover of night, after having done the work of passing information to interested parties.  It was one of two choices he had.  Leave or die,  lest the  government of the day would get him and "dispose" of this troublemaker in one way or another.  

His wife of the last dozen years, whom he loved with all that he was, is informed that her husband has been killed when he tried to undermine the current government of the day.  

His daughter and wife were left behind even though he tried to get them out while he was being hurriedly removed from the country.  Had he known that they would not be coming with him, I'm not sure what would have happened.

Life is hard and takes many twists and turns.  Suffice it to say that not a day goes by that Ivanna doesn't miss her husband and his daughter, Yevtsye, misses her father too.  There is no time to waste energy on what could have been, too much energy was needed just to survive!

Yevtsye becomes a university worker and meets and marries a like minded man named Danya.  Together they worked hard and were able to give their daughter (Ionna) enough that she was thriving.  But both Danya and Yevtsye were very unhappy with the political climate in their country and wished for a better life.

Life is never straight forward and there are many twists and turns in this  novel.  I don't want to give away too much more of  the story, it really is a book that you should pick up yourself and read.  You will be taken on a rollercoaster ride that is quite amazing.  Emotionally you will be able to connect with the characters, which for me made the story that much more captivating.

What is the most interesting thing about this book is the fact that it has it's basis in a true story.  So while fictional, it has elements that are true.  You will be amazed and taken on a journey through three families lives!

Teri M. Brown has done an amazing job writing this book as her debut novel and I'm sure looking forward to more of her writing.  It is truly an wonderful, harrowing, uplifting, and fulfilling story.

**I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for a review on ReviewThisReviews.com.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Review of The Keeper of Happy Endings

 

Book Review: The Keeper of Happy Endings

This was another book I downloaded from Amazon Prime and I was absolutely captivated from page one.  In this book the author, Barbara Davis, weaves a wonderful tale of two woman decades apart whose lives are very similar.  Both have a fiance' who is missing and they fear they have lost. Both are devastated by their tragedies and at first have trouble finding the strength to continue on with their lives.

Soline

Soline Roussel has learned the bridal industry from her family.  For generations the family has had a bridal shop in Paris where they are well known for the magic in their dresses that bring happy endings to the brides who wear them.  The dresses are all hand made and beautiful and Soline learns to carefully stitch the dresses.  All is well till the war comes to Paris along with the German occupation.  Dresses are no longer in demand and Soline is pulled in many directions including working with the resistance.  Heartbreak and grief lead her to America where she starts a new life.

Rory

Decades later Rory comes in contact with Soline when she leases Soline's old bridal shop for a gallery for unknown artists.  Rory has a tragedy herself in a missing fiance' and a domineering mother.  She is torn between hiding and moving forward.  I would love to tell more of the story but do not want to spoil the surprise and twists and turns of the story.  Let us just say that the two women meeting will become a turning point in both of their lives.

Other Books by this Author

I  first read a book by Barbara Davis when it was an Amazon Prime first read last year.  The Last of the Moon Girls was another book the captivated me right from the beginning.  Here is a review I wrote about it.

The Last of the Moon Girls

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Review of Historical Novel....West with Giraffes

Photograph my sister Julie took while in Tanzania

 

West with Giraffes is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I have read some books I've really enjoyed lately.  But you know how some books just resonate with you, well that is how West with Giraffes was with me.  I usually read before I go to bed for about 1/2 hour.  With this book, I would wake up in the morning thinking about the book and of course I had to make time to read more during the day.

 

Setting

The book is based on the true story of two Giraffes that are waylaid during a hurricane and end up on the docks in New York City.  They are met by two unlikely characters who end up driving them all the way to the San Diego Zoo.  The time frame is during the Great Depression and we learn some of the history of the era along the cross country drive.  It is based on the amazing story when two giraffes make headlines when they travel cross country.

Characters

The characters in the book are so real you feel as if you know them personally.  

The Old Man-  During most of the book Riley is called the Old Man.  He is the one who met the giraffes at the  dock in New York.  He works for the San Diego Zoo and he is tasked with meeting the giraffes and taking them to San Diego.  We get  to know him gradually as he makes his way across country with Woody.

Woody is a 17 year old orphan from Texas.  When his family is wiped out during the dust bowl tragedy he makes his way to New York City where he ends up on the dock when the giraffes land.  He hears they are headed to "Californy" and makes it his goal to somehow follow them there.  Woody's full name is Woodrow Wilson Nickel and during the long trip cross country we find that he is as endearing as his name.

Red is a young photographer with a secret who is determined to be published in Life magazine and claim her fame with her story about the giraffes.

The giraffes themselves really show their different personalities and become a wonderful part of the book.  All of the main characters are drawn in by a love of the beautiful animals.  They call the giraffes Boy and Girl.  Girl had been injured during the hurricane and they all had to stop often to treat her hurt leg.  She is the more aggressive of the two giraffes.  Boy is shy and more approachable.

This is a book that I would highly recommend.

Animals of Tanzania Africa Poster
by mbgphoto

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Jeffrey Siger's The Mykonos Mob (Island of Secrets) Reviewed

My accidental introduction to Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis via Jeffrey Siger’s tenth book, The Mykonos Mob, came about because of the pandemic. Limiting trips to public places means that my husband has become the designated library picker upper. Most of our library books are requested in advance online and then picked up when they are available but on this particular day I felt like reading something different and my husband left home with instructions to find me something different to read. Maybe something that was recent. Maybe a mystery or a thriller. 

He came home with a number of options including this one, The Mykonos Mob, which follows Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis who leaves Athens for the Greek island of Mykonos. To those not very familiar with Greece, like myself, Mykonos is a Greek island with a thriving tourist industry and a reputation. That is, a reputation for a busy beach scene and lots of nightlife. It is considered an international playground and may not necessarily be the kind of vacation I would be looking for but is interesting as a destination nevertheless.

In this book, Kaldis works to solve the murder of a corrupt former police officer who now runs a protection racket on Mykonos. We meet the main players who include Kaldis, his Special Crimes unit, his wife and an interesting American woman who has transplanted herself to Mykonos and who plays piano in a bar at night and solves local crimes during the day.

As an armchair traveler, I don’t think any of my ‘trips’ have included Greece. This book offered a look at the seedy underbelly of the island but also at some Greek culture. It is not a travel guide nor a travel book per se and some parts of the life reflected in this book might have you thinking you do not want to visit Mykonos but it was interesting to learn about some of the issues of life in Greece and in particular on Mykonos. The author, Jeffrey Siger, left a career as a Wall Street lawyer in New York to live on the Aegean Greek island that is Mykonos and to write books like this one. It is intentional that they share a fast moving story and some real life Greece.

RECOMMENDED?

I enjoyed The Mykonos Mob and yes, I do recommend it. I enjoyed the look into life in Greece, a place that I would like to visit one day, and I liked the main characters. I will be reading the rest of this series. I think this book would suit any man or woman who enjoys a good murder mystery as well as someone with an interest in life in modern-day Greece.

BOOK LIST

Here’s the order you should read the books. Note that this book, The Mykonos Mob, is number ten in the series. Starting with number ten is not my usual style and I doubt it is yours. Another important note is that the book name was changed to Island of Secrets when it was released in paperback.

Murder in Mykonos
Assassins of Athens
Prey on Patmos
Target
Mykonos After Midnight
Sons of Sparta
Devil of Delphi
Santorini Caesars
An Aegean April
The Mykonos Mob (Island of Secrets in paperback)
A Deadly Twist

Find your Jeffrey Siger book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback or Kindle by clicking right here.

Do you like a good murder mystery?  Have you read any good fiction books set Greece that you would recommend, mystery or otherwise?

See you
at the book store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy The Mykonos Mob (or any of Jeffrey Siger’s books) here on Amazon.
Jeffrey Archer’s False Impressions Reviewed.
The Coffee House Mysteries reviewed.
Death Takes A Spin: An Upcycling Mystery reviewed.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Jeffrey Archer's False Impression Book Review

I started reading both the new book about Megan and Harry and the new book about the former U.S. president before I settled in with another Jeffrey Archer book, False Impression. I found the royal book a bit pretentious, the presidential book interesting but not quite what I wanted to read at the moment and the Archer book, a conspiracy thriller, riveting. Therefore, I am able to offer you a book review today of False Impression. Which book would you have chosen?

Anyway, it turns out that the difficult year of 2020 has had a very real impact on my reading choices. I seem to want well-crafted page turners, which give me a break from the simple, everyday routine of a life that is home bound. I work online, run essential errands, take plenty of walks and, like so many that are privileged to be able to stay home to stay safe, I do not do much else or see family or friends. A book to escape with has proven essential and Jeffrey Archer has fit the bill. 

I spent a large part of the spring and summer with his mammoth seven book series the Clifton Chronicles so this is the eighth Archer book I have read this year. When recently I could not settle in with any of my own book choices, my husband magically produced Jeffrey Archer's False Impression. I expect my husband was remembering how much I enjoyed the previous Archer books and that he picked this one because it includes a good look into the art world, which I do enjoy learning about.

THE STORY

The story? Well, start with a woman murdered in England the night before 9/11. Add in a brilliant art expert currently working for a crooked banker who is obsessed with owning various masterpieces at any price with his current choice being Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. Finally, add the banker's unlikely secretary, an honors graduate, and a handsome FBI agent.

The trip follows these characters around numerous bends that takes us on a trip that includes the cities of  New York, London, Bucharest and Tokyo until the Van Gogh painting finally has a new owner.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I could not put False Impression down. I read it for hours in the middle of night. I read it when I woke up in the morning. I gave my husband a good laugh when hours later I was still reading. Not surprising really given how much I enjoyed the previous Archer books but definitely surprising given that I am usually up bright and early every morning preparing eBay parcels and working online

Yes, this book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me. It does a good job of sharing a bit about the twin towers, art history, English aristocracy and it includes a nasty villain, a female assassin and the FBI. The story keeps you wanting to know what happens next and it does so until the end of the book. I particularly enjoyed the armchair travel, the art and art history and the occasional humor, which mainly arose between the two main characters.

You should know that the book does include the tragic events of 9/11 and that the main character works in the North Tower. 

  

MORE REVIEWS

Well, this is when normally I say "but don't take my word for it" and give you a few stellar quotes from other online reviews but it turns out that this book received mixed reviews from the professionals so I cannot do that. However, Artis-Ann of The Yorkshire Times did like the book saying "she realizes and admits that you can enjoy the most erudite (knowledge filled) compositions alongside a jolly good yarn which doesn’t require very much concentration. After all, each to his own and the world would be a poorer place if we all liked the same thing." She also said that "she enjoys the temporary escapism that books offer and their variety and that this is another example." I think she summed it up nicely. 

Amazon readers liked False Impression with 88 percent of them giving the book a 4 or 5 star rating and Goodreads readers gave it a score of 3.81.

If you're looking for an easy to read in the form of an entertaining book with art, art history and travel, you should add False Impression to your list. You can see all of the versions available on Amazon by clicking right here.

See you
at the book store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Links:

Buy False Impression on Amazon. 

Read my review of Jeffrey Archer's Paths of Glory. 

Read my movie review of the 1973 thriller movie Don't Look Now. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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