Book Review: "Not Without My Sister" By Marion Kummerow

Two sisters split apart by hatred and brought together by LOVE!

What could be better than this?

Marion Kummerow has brought us a heartbreaking historical fiction that results in some thoughtful reflection upon Nazi prisoners in concentration camps who were abused, humiliated, tortured, and sadly murdered by individuals seeking domination and control over one race.
Yet, Rachel Epstein and her 4 yo. sister Mindel knew that being taken by the Gestapo and to camps labeled as "star" camp for Jewish people might just result in their death.

Rachel was captured and taken to work at the factory while witnessing many go hungry, starving to death, and being brutally abused her sister experienced similar mistreatment.
However, it was the ending of this that brought hope, light, and love.

Through all the trials and tribulations one thing was certain- their lives were meant to be meaningful and they would die trying to maintain a sense of dignity and respect.

Rachel and Simon were such a perfect couple until the newest addition to their family was declared and everyone's hearts melted.

A perfect ending for this memorable new work by Marion Kummerow.

Book Review: "All The Little Things" By Sarah Lawton

 The only thing I can offer is that Rachel moves to London with her teen daughter Vivian.

The back and forth was fine but the fact that nothing really moved beyond the premise was mind blowing.

The issue I had was not only in the story line and plot as the characters were extremely bland but also in the development of these characters.

Eventually after getting nearly 70% into the story and not seeing anything new I ended the nightmare.

This sentence was the nail in the coffin for me: "So, is he any good? Big Dick? Did you suck him off?"

As a mother it's not something I care to process on a gorgeous day of reading on my front porch.

Thank you

Book Review: "The Truth About Melody Brown" By Lisa Jewell

 

First and foremost I'm still misty eyed that I didn't receive an early ARC that was requested on Jan. 15th for this Jan. 26th novel via NetGalley.

I did try numerous other avenues to obtain a copy and was left holding the bag -not a good feeling-as a top reviewer (#28 USA of All Time) at Goodreads (which I'm still waiting for Goodreads to update) our Top Reviewer stats.

Now on to this show: It's a lovely thriller about a young girl named Melody who isn't playing any songs but instead weeping over the fact her home burned down as a child, she suffers from repressed memories, and a hypnotist at a show caught her off guard (embarrassed her) and made her recall her past childhood.

As if this wasn't enough this flops back and forth between time lines and as you can tell from various reviewers it's confusing and I'd note what we are told through repression and what Melody knows are two different set of circumstances.

Many noted that it's also unbelievable and while I don't feel necessarily that way it can be viewed as such as I can see how that might come about to be.
As for the plot twists they were good and many of them were unique in their tales of the unknown.

For example: The entire theory revolving around blood relatives, sisters to be more exact, those who we had no idea would reappear out of the blue for a last visit or two.
Emily I see you girl and wonder where you've been.

Jane Victoria Ribblesdale should've been busy raising her own but instead she got caught up in a mess with some prison time. Broadstairs Baby Snatcher is one terminology that might come to mind in this situation along with another name for the next character but I don't want to throw out too much.
As for Edward James Mason I'm glad he was located and back to his rightful parent(s) as he's now eighteen and could use some guidance after all he's encountered.

The past thirty years were busy for Melody and perhaps this new version of Melody is off and running to a whole new set of milestones.

A splendid tale that I hope you'll enjoy reading.

Book Review: "The Sanatorium" By Sarah Pearse

 

Spring is in the air. It's March finally! The birds are chirping. The ground is saturated. The days are getting longer.

And darkness is setting in at this former Sanatorium now five star hotel. The pool is speaking to us. The "walking wounded" can be heard for miles away. The grounds are mass graves.
Oh, and don't forget -stay as long as you want too but just don't speak ill of the dead.
They may haunt, they may fright, but in the end they too only want the truth.
The freedom to state their case, to seek justice, to get revenge.

Loners. Fighters. Justice Seekers.

It's good to know that in the end justice was served in more ways than one.
This story literally was creepy as holy hell and went on and one until nearly everyone died at the hands of someone who may have known to much or was trying to cover up these files of misdeeds.

These 32 women are gone with nothing more to show than unmarked graves, missing in action, they were sent to treat tuberculosis, but may have been abused at the hands of greedy individuals.

All the women were believed to have been transferred from the Gotterdorf Clinic in Germany. At the time it wasn't uncommon to be admitted against their will and w/o medical justification. Many were sent at the recommendation of the male guardian or family member, as a way of taking control-of an inheritance or of independent thought and ideas.
Did you know failing to record burial locations and forging documentation is a crime? Did you care these women had families? Did you wonder who they could've become had you not snubbed their lives away?

Rape is such a horrific crime yet some feel the need to conduct themselves in a manner that's powerful and controlling over others.

This book for a debut was absolutely shocking, rhythmic, and timely with the MeToo movement and I can only hope that many will find this as inviting as I have.
Thank you to my local library for providing this hard cover copy.

Harlequin Blog Tour & Book Review: "The Path To Sunshine" Cove By RaeAnne Thayne

 

The path is always illuminated when it is lit by love.

The guiding light in this story is one that underlies the entire theme and that's the love that exists between family and friends can never be lost, misplaced, or stolen. It can only be given away.

The fact that the parents in this story had a tragic ending with a gun is no small feat to tackle but these sisters manage to find the courage to not be like their folks.

In fact, both of these ladies (Rachel and Jess) are forging ahead in their own ways.

Jess, just took on a new job at Cape Sanctuary working for her client Eleanor decluttering her home while Rachel is a new mom struggling with all that entails.

As this story unfolds we see the underlying issues come to fruition with wonderful self examination, splendid details, and troubling seas.

The rough waters will warrant some softer tones as Jess uncovers her neighbor Nate and his daughter who might just end up learning to not only like each other but to let go of some boundaries they both put up.

This ending was absolutely enjoyable and touches the heart and soul.

Thank you to Harlequin for this invited Blog Tour spot, RaeAnne Thayne, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: "Double Jeopardy" Stuart Woods

Crazy as all holy hell -Enos and Eben- are twins from the dark side.

They've killed numerous people but justice was delayed for insufficient evidence.

Luckily, the case was pursued after the killings of their own sibling and parents and were now facing lifetime without parole.

Case closed?!

Oh, hell no- It's only the beginning as they claim they're abused by their own parents and got pardoned.
WTF?

Yes, can you believe it.. Justice my arse.

Now, we find that Grace and Henry Lee Jackson (retired couple) are pretending to by this house for Stone until they too are wiped off the map in an attempt to discourage the twins from moving into the area. No worries, it's all staged by Dino the NYC commissioner. Now, Stone is on the lead to end this nightmare once and for all.

It's a story of retribution among the rich and famous. When money talks ... you know the rest.

Ed is a considerable influence and reason behind why the twins may have been silenced but you must remember you get what you deserve.

An eye for an eye justice is all good.

Book Review: "You Let Me Go" By Eliza Graham

 This is the story of Rozenn the beloved grandmother of Morane who tries foolishly to backtrack Rozenn's past in order to uncover why she's left out of her will and her estate the Vu Claire.

The roads all diverge and the paths seem stagnant as the past was left to interpretation and when Morane follows the trail to St. Martin the reality suddenly begins to take shape.
This fishing expedition was supposed to have Yann on the boat but instead it was Luc Caradec operating the fishing fleet.

Imagine if you will escaping to England as a teen at just 19 years of age so why shouldn't Morane (granddaughter) do the same?

Answers await especially surrounding Claire who succumbed to her illness.
Keep in mind Yann was a trained soldier and combatant the Allies wanted to use against the Germans.

The journey was quite a revelation and sealed many of the loose ends with letters, pictures, and evidence of this other life.

The ending for me following Maison Rose was quite lovely as a new life is about to be born.

Thank you to Eliza, the pub, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.