The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

One wrong decision...for Sarah, her mother and her Grandmother. And the secrets they all kept. The Old Depot Grocery is a way of life for each of them as they grow up. The story time slips from the Vietnam war era to present day and through the years between, revealing what each of the women are holding in their hearts and minds. Interesting the way it unfolds. Full of heartache and misunderstanding, but also love. A messy sort of family. Sarah, widowed, has come back to her family and the store, trying to hold on to what is good. The store is failing though. And there are lots of layers to the relationships there. Good read.
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The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

 

Another gem from Jane Kirkpatrick. She always gives us a story that teaches life lessons, a look at life and shows us depth of human character. This one includes life and beauty, taking something broken, mixing it with new clay, and making a new thing that is much stronger for the experience. Natalie Curtis was a real person, this is based on her life and fictionalized. She traveled the West with her brother and created a book of Native American songs and art, shining light on the people and their ways, the Code that restricted their lives. Through this she brought a change for them, even through President Roosevelt. There is so much wisdom within, both from the Native Americans she spent time with and from Jane herself. A worthwhile and enriching journey to read. 

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Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

 

Thoroughly engaging characters. You'll be completely invested in them, right to the end. Another beautiful blend of the supremely wealthy and the working poor. Attempted murder, kidnapping of a child. Saving a college from being defunded. A botany major and a lawyer who is devoted to the downtrodden Irish. Each has a truly good heart, and each is hurt in their own way. They both have to struggle with trust, in others and in God. Excellent read!

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.
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The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

 

One of those unforgettable stories of survival during WW2 and one that deeply resonated with me. It's about Jews who escaped ghettos into the forests of Poland. Vast forests that sustained those who had knowledge of what to do. This is full of detailed descriptions valuable for any survivalist. I have been long fascinated by skills to live off the land, this doesn't disappoint.
Yona was kidnapped as a toddler and taken into the deep forests of Germany and Poland, taught all she needed to live, as well as languages, geography and other information as any student in a city school would get. Deeply engaging, full of knowledge and life philosophy.
She later learned how to live and interact with others after her kidnapper died and she encountered people who were fleeing from the ghettos into the forest. She helped them to hide and survive, they expanded her knowledge of people. A story of triumph and love. 10 star rating needed here.
Something to be aware of, a brief explicit sexual scene and one or two minor scenes I was able to easily skip over. Not a surprise I appreciated, yet not anything major or prolonged throughout the book. 

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.

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Tidewater Bride Paperback by Laura Frantz

 

1634 Christian Historical. Jamestown, Virginia area, during a highly volatile, dangerous period in American early history. As usual Laura Frantz weaves a story that is completely spellbinding and very real. Selah is the daughter of a Cape Merchant, helping him to run his store. The relationship they have with the Native Indians is still at a delicate balance, where it could tip into war easily. At this time an Indian chief suggests a temporary exchange of children to learn each other's ways and promote better relationships. Xander had been married to the Chief's daughter, now widowed and raising her son. A deep telling of this time, where problems within the English settlement are as dangerous as the Indian situation, and tensions run high. There is also a deep appreciation of the beauty, bounty and possibilities of the area. Thoroughly engrossing!

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.

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Mail Order Bride: Susannah’s Story Sweeping Montana Romance Series By Ella Camsen

 

Good romance story. Susannah answers an ad for a Mail Order Bride and goes to Great Falls, Montana to meet Jered. She had been working in service in New York City, treated badly but proudly doing all that she was asked to do. Her young friend  Jesse fled with her for a promise of a new life. Jared is a newspaper owner who had gotten into trouble writing a story about a gangster back in New York. The one who travelled with Susannah as she came to Montana. She's a writer who spun a tale about him without knowing what his motives were. Story unfolds into a sweet romance. Some Christian mentions, some slightly raunchy spots. 
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To Write A Wrong by Jen Turano

 

As I always say, cheer up, read a Jen Turano book! Intensely satisfying, madcap entertainment that pulls on your heart strings and keeps you in stitches, in all seriousness. Attempted murder, a new type of case for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. And a new type of client, a man. Daphne was in the office typing on her new novel when Herman dashed in for help, even though they were closed. She was not an Agent of the street, but didn't want to lose the case, especially after she became intrigued by his dilemma. Besides, she is a writer and can use new experiences to enrich her books. Herman also is a writer, a well known one whom she respects, so maybe he can help her where she's stuck in her story. But she can't reveal that she writes books, and that she is successful, since she is a woman. Women writers are not accepted in this time, and her pseudonym is well known. There are a lot of things that are not acceptable for women to do, but this agency is dedicated to balancing those wrongs and making women feel safe, giving them the help they need. In typical Jen style the story rolls along at a furious pace. It's hard to find a place to set it down, and in the latter part of the book it's hard to breathe as well, but you have a smile on your face all the while. Whirlwind story that is tongue in cheek for writers. Fantastically loveable characters that are so very real. You'll never be sorry to read a Jen Turano book! Fabulous, satisfying escape. 

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