The Memory Keeper of Kyiv by Erin Litteken

 

This is a story that is difficult to read, haunting. The writing and storytelling make you feel like you're there, but that's the problem. It starts in 1929 in Ukraine when things were still mostly normal for Katya and her family, but it changed quickly. Per the author between 1932 and 1933, one in every eight Ukrainians died in this manmade famine. Stalin had taken over, requiring that the people "support the state" by turning over everything they had, forcing collectivization on them. People who didn't comply were killed or deported, taxed beyond being able to pay. This story of survival was recorded and revealed in 2004, this story flipping back and forth between times to explain what happened. Seventy years later, a young widow discovered her grandmother’s journal that will reveal the long-buried secrets of her family’s haunted past. The high cost of survival from treatment like this, treatment over years. Riveting, heart wrenching, hard to put down. This country is at war again with Russia, so it's even more important to be reminded of what happened there before. Hard to believe that it could happen again now in this day and age. 

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

@BoldwoodBooks  @BookandTonic #BoldwoodBooks #TheMemoryKeeperofKyiv #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout @erinlitteken #fivestarbooks 

My reviews

Goodreads

BookBub

BarnesandNoble

Amazon

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul

A family tragedy. A fight for love. A long-buried secret.

Russia 1918, the Tsar and Tsarina Romanov were executed in the Revolution.  There were conflicting reports as to whether their five children were also executed. Because of the opulence and romance of a royal family, it was hoped that one or more of the children had escaped and hid themselves. I remember as I was growing up hearing different stories of what could have happened, mostly about Anastasia. I had not heard anything about Maria. It was interesting to read about her and what she may have been like. The incredible detail of the writing makes you feel as though you are there. Not a quick read, it takes you through the pain, suffering, starvation and cruel living conditions in Russia at that time, also weaving in a more recent day (1973) character in Australia. Smoothly done. Holds your interest until the very end. Mild sexual content.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#TheLostDaughter #NetGalley #GillPaul #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Reviews:
Goodreads
Amazon
Powells
Pinterest
Twitter

No Ocean Too Wide A Novel by Carrie Turansky

It's hard not to read ahead. 1909 England. Excruciating story of a poor family from London. The father had died and the mother got sick. The oldest girl was in service some distance away. When the rent wasn't paid on time and they didn't have enough to eat, the boy tried to steal some bread to feed them and was caught, starting an avalanche of problems. The three were put into a children's home, then sent to Canada, thinking their mother had died and their older sister didn't care. The story is written with great detail and each character comes fully to life. 

Great injustice and bright light shown on the holes in the system of removing children from England. Between the 1860s and the 1930s, more than one hundred eighteen thousand poor and orphaned children were sent to Canada as British Home Children. Much good was done when good people were involved, but so much cruelty took place for many unfortunate children, and no good system was in place to put it in check. This story also tells of two good men who were sent to investigate the system, and how they became involved. And the relationship of Laura, the oldest daughter and Andrew a wealthy lawyer who helped them all. Excellent read that will keep you on edge throughout. If not for the underlying story of God's grace and love, it would be so much harder yet to read. You feel a relationship with each of the characters as their story is brought to light.

"If she found Jesus in the pages of that Bible, she would have a friend who would never leave her side . . . and that was what she needed most for the journey ahead."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#NoOceanTooWide #CarrieTuransky #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun
Amazon
Twitter
Pinterest
BarnesandNoble
ChristianBook

Shadow Among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens

"Most days she found her own past too painful in its vastness."

England 1861. Intricate tale of a young Indian woman who married a British soldier, heir to a fortune. Similar to the biblical Ruth, when he and his father both died, she left India to follow her mother-in-law back to England. Neither realizing just how tough it would be. Severely rejected because of her race and nationality, both women were rejected and shunned by everyone and forced to live in a way neither had experienced before.

Lord Barric grudgingly felt compelled to help these women,  relatives by marriage. At first, he just allowed Rena to glean from his field. The story is excruciatingly painful to read at times, vividly brought to life by this talented author. Unfairness of discrimination, both of race and because they were women in the society of this day and age. And the customs of both countries. Through Rena, the beauty of the Indian people is unfolded. Although in India, the people didn't respect widows at that time; treated them harshly. In many parts of India, widows were beaten and shunned, cursed and spat upon, their clothes stripped away and ornaments ripped from their piercings so even their skin and flesh were broken. In the Indian state of Punjab, the term for widow was synonymous with the word for prostitute. But love has no racial boundaries.

“We are so much more than our reputation,” she finally managed to reply, her face warming. “Stories cheat; truth is found only in friendship.”

I was blessed to meet and work with people from India for a while, even more blessed to call these beautiful people friends. A time and friendship that I will always treasure. I didn't learn nearly enough about them and the land that they came from. The beauty and dignity of the main character in this story made me think of them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#ShadowAmongSheaves #NetGalley #NaomiStephens  #BooksYouFeelGoodAbout
Read a preview of the book here.

My Reviews:
Powells
Goodreads
Amazon
Twitter
Pinterest
ChristianBook
BookFun

This Road We Traveled by Jane Kirkpatrick

I have been blessed with strong women who were/are wonderful role models. My Grandmother who was my best friend, my Sister In Law Paula who died of complications from Lupus. I am blessed to still have my Mother and Mother In Law. I have learned and gathered strength from each of them. I believe that Jane Kirkpatrick’s book All Together in One Place should be required reading for all women. This book would be my next choice.

Another enriching masterpiece by Jane Kirkpatrick full of life’s wisdom told from a rich Christian view. Based on the true story of Tabitha (Tabby) Moffat Brown, in her 60’s, who traveled to Oregon.  Her children had decided to go, but decided that Tabby was too old and lame to be able to make the journey. She determined to go anyway, funding her own wagon.

Tabitha is known as “The Mother of Oregon”, who established an orphanage, school and university in the Tualatin Plains following the tragedy at Whitman Mission in 1847. She was among the first to travel the Scott-Applegate Trail in 1846 – an alternate trail to Oregon that didn’t follow the Columbia River. They decided to split off from most of the group and try this new trail, later finding that it had not been cut yet for wagons to pass. Most wagon trail stories tell of the difficulty and tragedy emigrants experienced – this also includes starvation. A widow, she traveled with her brother in law, who was 18 years older than she. At one point the two of them barely survived a three-day journey they traveled alone. It’s amazing that anyone survived it, let alone this elderly malnourished couple, each with disabilities.

There are always so many things to learn from Jane’s books. A perspective on life’s trials, a way to view our situations - not with a pity party but with great wisdom. I’d like to share some examples that inspired me, interspersed within the story. At one point Tabby wished they had taken “the more established route, but it was too late now. Regrets must be treated like wounds, remembered only for how well they healed. Or didn’t.” “We gather facts, then listen to our hearts.” “Think of all the discoveries about life and living and myself that I’ll enjoy.” “We must leap on a cloud of faith, believing that we won’t fall through. Not only that we won’t fall through, but that we will thrive on that cloud of faith, draw new energy each time we need it, knowing that God is an unending source of hope no matter the trial. That’s what journeys are about, you know. It’s not just the destination. “
I truly hope you’ll read this and other books that Jane has written. You’ll find your views expanded and greatly enriched, with perspectives that will help lift and support you through life.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

My reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Indigo
Powells
FamilyChristian
BookFun
Twitter
GooglePlus
GooglePlus2
Pinterest
LibraryThing