Books You Can Feel Good About

Saturday, January 22, 2022

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Precious. Expertly woven story based on what some talented people did during the war, to save lives. Eva escaped Paris with her mother to a small town in the safe zone. She was artistic and forged papers for them, that worked. Then she met some people who pointed out her mistakes. Although she was supposed to go to Switzerland, when she saw the condition of where Jews were being held in Paris, she knew she had to do something to help. She was welcomed into a ring of the resistance, and they shared their talents to do forgeries. In the process she became close to and eventually fell in love with a man she worked with, who ended up moving into other positions. A fascinating story that kept me up extra hours reading. I had family that left Germany before the war started. I can picture several of these talented people doing this kind of work, which makes it all more real to me. It shows what people can do when they bring their talent, intelligence and determination to fight back against injustice. This is a keeper. Definitely a stand out read. 20 stars.

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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Ever Constant by Tracie Peterson; Kimberley Woodhouse

Nome Alaska 1905. This is Whitney's story. Three beautiful, talented sisters grew up on their Granddad's ranch, each with their own unique personality. They all share a love for their family, music, animals and community. They're a very tight group. Whitney is the oldest and has always felt she had to hold things together and take care of everyone else, especially after their mother died. They had all been through a lot of tragedy and shock, but Whitney had also been attacked by a man, leaving her more vulnerable. When their Granddad died and she found him, she fell apart. She had had headaches from the attack, but now they got worse. The tension in her life built, and she became addicted to alcohol to help her through it, even though her father had fought his own addiction, which she despised him for. Loving story with great lessons of faith, learning to put God first and let Him control things. Peter, a young doctor in town, also learns some similar lessons, he and Whitney helping each other, gaining trust in each other instead of trying to do it all alone. As always, a great read to get lost in. You can't go wrong with this series.

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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Her Darling Mr. Day by Grace Hitchcock

I found that I simply had to allow extra time for reading on this one as it was hard to put it down. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, this was excellent. It simply wraps you in layers, leaves you thinking about the characters even after putting it down, eager to pick it up again. It's nice to read about American Royalty, some of their lifestyle and definitely about the clothes. Set in 1883, Flora convinces her highly social family to spend the summer in New Orleans with a Great Aunt. Her parents and whole family went along, intending to marry off four of their daughters. Flora has one particular man in mind, but finds that she has a lot of competition for his attention when she gets to town. There's leftover danger and mystery from the first book, as yet unresolved, as well as jealous female adversaries who don't play nice. Teddy is getting over a failed relationship and concentrating on building luxury steamships with his family. Roller coaster relationships, pirates and attempted kidnapping keep the tension and action going to the end. Fabulous read, one of my favorites. Can't wait until the next one!

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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Friday, January 21, 2022

Hope in the Valleys by Francesca Capaldi

This takes place in a small community in Wales, around the middle of WW1. (It's a continuation of a series, but it makes sense without reading the others first.) The war has everyone's lives running differently than what they had before the war. Women had to fill positions for those fighting and gone, many men from this town were able to stay to work the mines. This story has many of the people from the village, but Gwen and Elizabeth are more of a focus. Elizabeth, daughter of the man running the mine, would like to do more with her life. She is somewhat looked down on by the upper class that her mother is always trying to push her into yet she isn't really trusted by the workers and their families. Gwen works at the munitions plant, loving the good pay, but she is turning yellow skinned and getting sick. The entire town is unsure of their future, but you get to see closer into these two girls' lives and the lives of the men they are drawn to. Interesting, long read. Realistic of wartime pressures and social divides, personal struggles, trying to see their futures and trying to find love and happiness with family and with friends.

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.

#HopeintheValleys #NetGalley

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano

Inspirational Christian historical romance where you'll laugh till you cry and get very attached to these people. Eunice owns the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency in New York City and is the woman hiding under widows' weeds in previous books. Now we get to learn her story. Their agency takes on cases that no one else will take on, mostly women.

Arthur comes in knowing that this agency, celebrated for solving unusual and complicated cases, can find the woman he had been searching for since the day her grandfather was killed in Montana. Eunice knew she could solve the case immediately but refused to take it on. Each of the "agents" are capable of doing deep research and very persistent. There are mysteries to be solved and facts to be uncovered to find out who killed the girl's grandfather seven years before - and was probably out to murder her as well. When the girl learns that she's about to be declared dead to steal her inheritance, she has to come out of hiding.

These girls are members of wealthy families yet devoted to helping those without and making their lives better. Eunice even goes undercover in an insane asylum, shining light on the horrible conditions there, as Nellie Bly also had done and later wrote about. Very interesting people, some hilarious situations and scenes that will tug on your heart strings. Great read for the romantic who wants strong women and a bit of slapstick in their stories. Jen Turano never disappoints!

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.

#ToDisguisetheTruth #NetGalley.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2022

A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz

Captivating...right to the end. A nice long read to sink into. Set in the early days of the French and Indian war. Esmee is the daughter of an Admiral that had spent much time at sea. She has been estranged from her friend Henri for 10 years, parting as he went to sea as she didn't want to be married to someone, like her father, who was also married to the sea. She kept busy as a businesswoman, running the chocolate shop that her mother had started and also doing charity work at the local almshouse. When Henri came back, she slowly realized how much she cared for him, just as he was called to set sail again - working for the government against French ships. So well written, it's very real. Frustrating and heart wrenching at times, and a truly lovely love story. As satisfying as the best chocolate! Lessons of Christian faith are wound throughout.

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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Monday, January 10, 2022

Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Freedom is the theme throughout this story. People searching for their own freedom and taking a look at their own lives. Strong messages of Christian faith support the tale. Fanny fell overboard from a riverboat where she'd basically been held prisoner for 7 years of being indentured as a singer. She is able to look back and see God in her days there. She was put on a God's path that filled her life and touched others. Slavery of different kinds is explored, shining light on their depth. Rich, full characters make you want to see how their lives turn out. Excellent read, one you look forward to picking up again each time you have to put it down.

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.

#FreedomsSong #NetGalley.

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