Books You Can Feel Good About

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Frances Finkel and the Passenger Pigeon

This book is a gem. A story with positive things that happen with the main character. Not that Fran doesn't have her bumps along the way. It's an interesting story of the history of women pilots and pigeoneers as well. Beautifully told story of a girl who grew up in Oregon helping her father fix planes, test them and train others to be pilots. She had more experience than most entering the war in flying, with the bonus of being a mechanic. She had wanted to help in the war effort and couldn't understand why, if she had these talents, she couldn't use them because she was female. Then she saw a magazine article about a debutant who had gotten her pilot license and was ferrying planes. Fran's journey is an interesting one, with special people along the way to learn about as well. Adventures, love, loss, romance, travel, new professional lessons and highs. 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.

#FrancesFinkelandthePassengerPigeon #NetGalley #RedCardinalWriting #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

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BarnesAndNoble

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The Watchmaker's Daughter by Dianne Haley

Switzerland 1942

I've always thought of Switzerland as being neutral. Just that. Anyone who went there was safe. Not very true at this time. Germany was threatening to invade, people were trying to escape from bordering countries and Switzerland didn't want to anger the Germans or be responsible for taking care of the refugees. There were Swiss police, the Swiss Army and Allies. Everyone was walking their own tightrope. Valerie's father was a watchmaker, needing to continue his business to support him and his daughter and make as many sales as possible. They had to be nice to everyone.
Valerie felt the need to help Jews and the Resistance. Philippe is in the Swiss Army, excels in leadership but is not in charge, assigned to special work with maps of their defense system. It's a dangerous time for all of them, especially when things aren't right and suspicions run high, people are being killed. And things are going on all around them both that they don't know about, friends and foes become mixed up. Tense, intense reading, constantly pulling at your heart strings. Hard to put 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.

#TheWatchmakersDaughter #NetGalley #fivestarbooks #historicalfiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews

The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan

Wow, what an intense book. Three young girls trying to live their lives in Berlin 1930s when WW2 was beginning. One was from a wealthy background, but her parents were rough on her. Another had a mother who was a doctor, frowned upon at that time, and was sent to her very wealthy Aunt and Uncle when her mother died. Both of these girls were expected to marry good connections in the party and advance themselves and their families in the party and status. The third girl was a Jew from a family of lawyers with an Aryan father who disowned them when things started getting dangerous. He left them to support themselves which they did as seamstresses and clothing designers for the wealthy. They are all struggling with their circumstances and trying not to get in trouble or killed. No one could be trusted. They were being taught hatred and prejudice and were expected to embrace it. They eventually trusted each other and saved each other's lives, during a complicated and stressful time. It's very hard to put down. I was grateful for the epilogue telling how they all did later on. Don't think you've read too many WW2 stories or think they would all be the same. Each life and story is unique and inspiring when you know what people went through. Lessons that should never be forgotten. One of those books that stays with you and leaves a mark.

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.

#TheSchoolforGermanBrides #NetGalley #fivestarbooks #historicalfiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Proposing Mischief by Regina Jennings

This is one of the best love stories of all time. It develops slowly, with people who are achingly real. Maisie and Boone both have their own hang-ups, flaws and self-doubt, but the way they grow together as they deepen their friendship and love is deeply satisfying. Sigh. Side rolling humor threaded within danger, mystery and social inequality. Tops even the first fabulous book of the series. I know I'd love to see the Crystal Cave that was found deep in this mine. I've been to Howe's Cavern in NY and found it amazing. But to have a cavern where you could have weddings, a ball, etc would be wonderful. Rough edged Maisie will steal your heart, as will Boone who is unwaveringly focused on solving, learning, and keeping his business going successfully. Especially when his business becomes Maisie. Sigh. Always nice to see a socially snobby family turn out to be made of good stuff underneath. As good underneath as the down to earth family who works with their hands and isn't afraid to get dirty. Looking forward to the next story as I hate to see this one end. (So nice to see Calista the detective and their feisty family again.)

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.

#ProposingMischief #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #fivestarbooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance

My reviews:

Monday, April 18, 2022

Family Camp - new movie

Another neat family-friendly movie coming up! It's nice to be able to view good clean movies. I thought it looked really good in the trailer, well done.

You can view the trailer on the website https://familycampmovie.com

When their pastor encourages the congregation to sign-up for a week away at family camp, Grace believes she’s found the perfect cure for her imperfect clan—even if they’d all rather be anywhere but at rustic Camp Katokwah. The first feature film from The Skit Guys, FAMILY CAMP is a laugh-out-loud comedy that will touch the hearts and tickle the funny bones of every family member from eight to eighty.

#FamilyCampMovie and #FamilyCampMovieMIN

@familycampmovie @familycampmovie2022

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy

Beauty from ashes. 1870. Gussie is from a privileged family. Her family is rough on her because she doesn't want to conform to what they want. They call her worthless. She only has 2 friends, who had moved away when they were kids. So, she runs away on adventures. She has a Kodak camera, and a job with a magazine where she is successful, but she's writing secretly. Her Uncle, who loves her, was a former Pinkerton and tracks her down each time and brings her back. Women didn't travel alone at that time, and their reputations were fragile. Things get worse with her family, so she's glad her boss sends her to India where she finds her two childhood friends and, gradually, herself. She learns that even though she is from a privileged background, she has something in common with a new friend in India, a widow who has been badly abused. Not the same physical things, but mentally. Her personal growth expands as things happen wherever she goes. Deeply told, with wonderful characters you can plainly see and feel their thoughts and feelings. This is a time and place of plague and horrible treatment of the people in India. Gussie's trials deepen, reforming her life. Excellent read, wish the story continued longer.

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.

#EveryWordUnsaid #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #fivestarbooks

My Reviews

ChristianBook

Thursday, April 14, 2022

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan

A spy story set in Austria and Prague after WW2 was over. There were struggling factions fighting over who would take over the cities. It was also a time when the treasures that had been taken from Jews during the occupation were being sought by rightful owners and thieves alike. For Sophie, centered in music and artifacts and Simon, centered in chess, they each were hiding secrets about the work they were doing, just as they had during the war. They were both from wealthy, manipulating families. Mostly a dark tale with murder, mystery, secrets and constant danger for them all. Quite intricate the way the twists come together; makes you want to know how their lives will turn out.

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.

#TheMozartCode #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #WW2Fiction #fivestarbooks

My Reviews

BooksAMillion