PAGE~TURNERS: February 2021

Thursday, February 25, 2021

THE GIRL FROM BERLIN

MY THOUGHTS:

WOW, this amazing, captivating and emotionally gripping story is one that you are sure to remember for a long time. It captures your attention from the very first page. This story will have you flying through the pages from beginning to end.

This story takes place in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Fourteen year old Liesel Scholz lives in Berlin in a nice new house and is living a life of privilege and safety because of her father’s job working for the government. As she notices the changes in her city from the war, she is amazed and disgusted at the destruction surrounding her and her family. Liesel meets Rosa who is the daughter of their Jewish housekeeper. Rosa comes to Liesel and begs for her to help her family. Liesel and her mother are appalled at what they are witnessing the Nazi’s doing to the Jewish people, so they agree to hide Rosa and her loved ones in the attic of their house. Liesel and her mother become the life-saving force that Rosa needs as the war rages on.

As the story continues on, post-war to 1946, the war has come to an end. American Captain Sam Houghton is assigned to Berlin to investigate prominent Nazi leaders and to assist in the rebuilding of Berlin. He hires a very quiet, shy assistant named Anna. Anna who survived the war has secrets of her own that Captain Houghton is unaware of. The attraction between the two is sure to pull at your heartstrings, and the physical and emotional destruction of war that Anna holds in, becomes known to Sam.

This engrossing, unputdownable, gripping story is a must read. It is an unforgettable page-turner that is sure to stick with you for a very long time. This story that will have you reaching for the box of Kleenex. Kate Hewitt tugs at your heartstrings in this emotional and phenomenal read. I can’t recommend it enough. You won’t want to miss this amazing read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE GIRL FROM BERLIN

Author: Kate Hewitt
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: February 25, 2021
Pages: 447
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1936, Nazi-ruled Berlin. A heartbreaking and stunningly powerful novel of friendship, courage and betrayal, about two girls whose lives collide in war-torn Berlin, and whose friendship is the only thing that might get them out alive.
They sat together on the roof, watching Berlin burn, as traces of smoke and cloud floated through the air. “I just want to be free,” Rosa said quietly, “Even if only for a few minutes. It might be the last chance I have.”
From her beautiful new home in Berlin, a young woman named Liesel Scholz barely notices the changes to the city around her. Her life is one of privilege and safety thanks to her father’s job working for the new government.
But a chance encounter with Rosa, the daughter of their Jewish housekeeper, confirms Liesel’s fears that something isn’t right. That the Nazi government’s brutal rules are cruel and dangerous, and that others aren’t as safe as she is. When Rosa begs Liesel to help—pressing her grandfather’s gold pocket watch into Liesel’s hand—Liesel recklessly agrees.
She will help hide Rosa and her loved ones—in the dusty, unused rooms at the top of their house—even if it means putting everyone she loves in danger. Even if it means risking her own life.
Frankfurt, 1946: An idealistic American captain, Sam Houghton, arrives in Germany to interrogate prominent Nazis on trial and to help rebuild a battered country. When he hires an enigmatic, damaged interpreter named Anna, he doesn’t expect sparks to fly between them. Perhaps there is a chance of love for both of them. But then the question of what happened to Anna in the war raises its head.
. Because Anna has secrets—ones that link her to Berlin, the Nazi party, and the story of one gold pocket watch and two young women who became friends, even when they were told it was impossible…

ABOUT KATE HEWITT

Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of women’s fiction, including the Hartley-by-the-Sea series set in the Lake District, the Willoughby Close series set in the Cotswolds, and Tales From Goswell written as Katharine Swartz. Her novel A Mother’s Goodbye has been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers. Her latest novel, Not My Daughter, is out now, and No Time to Say Goodbye is available for preorder.

She lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways on her website, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads.

Monday, February 22, 2021

LETTER FROM BELLEAU WOOD

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author is so descriptive in her writing style. The author’s portrayal of the character’s feelings and internal struggles, is very relatable.

This story will whisk you back to Mississippi during World War I and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. Trudy Cameron and Jeremy Smitherlin grew up in the same neighborhood. They had been friends their entire life. Trudy was raised in a blended family, and Jeremy was navigating life on his own after losing his entire family. Trudy always thought they would marry each other but instead, end up going their separate ways at the start of World War I. Trudy’s brother Will, his college roommate, Lance and Jeremy all enlist into the military and are then, called up to go to France to fight in the war. This story of heartbreak, love, loss, hope, faith and triumph, will have your attention from the very first page.

I really liked this book. Although it is the last book in the Covington Chronicles seven book series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. I highly recommend this book, it is a must read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

LETTER FROM BELLEAU WOOD

Author: Mary Lou Cheatham
Publisher: Southeast Media
Publication Date: November 11, 2020
Pages: 250
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Trudy and Jeremy grew up in the same neighborhood, and they have always loved each other. She is a part of a large blended family living near a south Mississippi village. Jeremy, having lost all his family, makes his way through the world alone. At the beginning of World War I, he becomes so enthralled with his goals to succeed that he neglects Trudy, who has reached the stage in life where she wants to be loved. Trudy and Jeremy attend separate colleges. She meets Lance, her brother Will’s handsome roommate, who gives her constant loving attention. The time comes for all three young men to go fight in France. When Trudy, who is left behind, encounters challenges, she must look within herself to solve problems. In a time when people must rely on writing letters, she receives unforeseen news.
Letter from Belleau Wood pays tribute to the brave men and women who live and die during the Great War and portrays the horror of the 1918 pandemic of influenza.

ABOUT MARY LOU CHEATHAM

Mary Cooke, who signs her writing as Mary Lou Cheatham, grew up in Mississippi and moved to Louisiana in her twenties. Now she lives in west Texas.

As a child, Mary Lou Gregg allowed stories to roost in her head until they grew into novels, but she never completed any writing until she finished her second career. Living a busy life, she did not think she could spare minutes at the keyboard every day. Mary wrote some poems and short stories, which she always tossed into the trash can. When her life was the busiest ever, she could no longer suppress the desire to write. Experiences had shown her what she needed to say. The compulsion to tell her stories grabbed her and wouldn’t let go. Every morning beginning at four o’clock, she spent two hours writing.

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Friday, February 19, 2021

FINDING LOVE AT MERMAID TERRACE

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. I really like this author’s writing style. The characters were very believable and the author draws you into the story.

Port Lowdy is such a wonderful place that you won’t want to just visit you’ll want to live there. Tressa Buckland lives a quiet and serene life in Port Lowdy. She loves her life wouldn’t change it for anything. As a journalist at the local newspaper her life is enjoyable and stress-free. She loves her freedom and independence. But things come to an abrupt halt when the owner of the newspaper is called away for six months. Tressa finds herself in charge. With the mounting list of tasks ahead of her, she needs to hire some help and fast. So, when Dan Byrne a journalist moves from Ireland to Cornwall, he is hired for the vacant position working for Tressa at the newspaper. Dan and Tressa couldn’t be more different from each other, but they will have to find a way to work past their differences to make the newspaper a success. Dan and Tressa find a balance between their work life and private life, and they ultimately discover that they are perfect for each other.

This was such a fun, great read. Once you visit Port Lowdy you will want to live in this lovely little town. I highly recommend this book, it is a must read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

FINDING LOVE AT MERMAID TERRACE

Author: Kate Forster
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Publication Date: February 4, 2021
Pages: 263
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Love comes when you least expect it...
Tressa Buckland likes her quiet life in Port Lowdy, with its cobbled streets and colourful terraced houses overlooking the sea. Her job at the local paper allows her to pursue her art in her free time, with no one but her tabby cat Ginger Pickles to mind her in Mermaid Terrace. But then the owner of the paper is called away on an emergency, and it's up to Tressa to run the paper for six months. Her first task: find a new part-time job as a journalist.
Dan Byrne is the angriest man in Ireland – or so the readers of his very successful column, 'Dan takes on the world', think. But after a story goes south and he loses his job in Dublin, Dan has no choice but to start afresh. When an opportunity comes up in sleepy Cornwall, Dan and his Golden Retriever Ritchie set off for a new adventure.
For Tressa, Dan's arrival to Port Lowdy changes everything. Tressa tries not to look too deeply at her own life, but Dan sees a story to uncover in absolutely everyone – even her. The two of them couldn't be more different... yet, if they can find a way to work together, they may just breathe new life and joy into this sleepy seaside village.
Finding Love at Mermaid Terrace is a heartwarming new village romance about the power of love and kindness, from the bestselling author of Starting Over at Acorn Cottage.

ABOUT KATE FORSTER

I’m an author and scriptwriter and I love beautiful things and pop culture and sharing stories and history and more.

I hope this blog inspires you and if you’re a fan of my work, then thank you for visiting. Feel free to leave a comment or follow me on social media!

Monday, February 15, 2021

A WILD LEGACY

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the final installment to the Wild Swan Trilogy. I have enjoyed this trilogy so much. You can read each book as a stand-alone but I think it would be best to read it as a series starting with the first book A Wild Hope, then A Wild Heart and finally finishing with this one, A Wild Legacy.

Lexy Culhane’s father packs up the family and moves them from England to Maryland after deciding its the best thing for the family. Because Lexy’s mother committed murder, they had to leave behind the only life they have ever known. As they begin their new life in America, they bring with them the family secrets from England. Then Lexy meets the mysterious Hawk MacKenna she feels that he is the love of her life, her soulmate. But, Hawk has a secret past of his own and Lexy struggles to trust him. As Lexy’s life unfolds, she is torn between her new life in America and returning to face her past in England. The connection to the characters is so amazing, and you feel as if you are watching the story unfold before your very eyes.

As the story comes to an end, the author does a fantastic job of leaving no loose ends. You will be totally satisfied with the ending. This story hits all your emotions and has all the feels. What a powerful series. I can’t recommend it enough and is one to stay with you for a very long time, one of the best.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

A WILD LEGACY

Author: Celests De Blasis
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: February 15, 2021
Pages: 905
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Lexy Culhane follows in stunned silence as her father bundles her younger brothers onto the train in a midnight flight away from the only life they have ever known. It seems impossible to her that her gentle, loving mother could have shot a man.
Despite the shock, Lexy soon grows to love her new home at Wild Swan, the grand horse farm in Maryland run by her formidable grandmother, Alexandria Falconer. It is from Alex that Lexy has inherited her fiery and rebellious spirit, and which eventually leads her headlong into a career as a crusading reporter during the final days of the frontier wars.
When Lexy meets enigmatic fellow reporter Hawk MacKenna, she feels she has finally found her soulmate. But Hawk’s life is shadowed by a mistake from his youth, and still haunted by her mother’s actions, Lexy struggles to trust him. When her relentless curiosity about his hidden past comes between them, Hawk leaves for the battlefields in the West and Lexy accepts an invitation from distant relations in England. But when she is offered a chance to stay, she faces a test—can she choose between building a new life in this foreign land, or returning to face the pain, and the love, that she left behind?

ABOUT CELESTE DE BLASIS

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing. A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001.

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Sunday, February 07, 2021

DUBLIN’S GIRL

MY THOUGHTS:

Wow, what a history lesson. I am fascinated by this period of history. This debut novel was so informative and entertaining. Veronica McDermott is living a sheltered life in rural Ireland on her parent’s farm. She has a desire to venture out to see what the world has to offer. She moves to Dublin, lives with her Aunt and Uncle and she attends secretarial school.

The trials and tribulations of the war become a reality for her, and the fight for Ireland’s independence from Britain is an eye opener. Veronica is given an assignment that she must gather information on a British soldier named Major Harry Fairfax. She becomes friends with him and as the relationship develops, she is led into unknown territory. So Veronica must make the heart wrenching decision, does she follow her heart or stay true to her family and her country? As the story continues so do her challenges, and she finds herself in an impossible situation. Dublin offers more than she ever bargained for.

I really enjoyed this story. I was intrigued to find that this was based on a true story. This book was very captivating and was definitely an engrossing read. I recommend this engaging read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

DUBLIN’S GIRL

Author: Eimear Lawlor
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Publication Date: January 28, 2021
Pages: 278
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Falling in love with the enemy is the ultimate act of betrayal...1917. A farm girl from Cavan, Veronica McDermott is desperate to find more to life than peeling potatoes. Persuading her family to let her stay with her aunt and uncle in Dublin so she can attend secretarial college, she has no idea what she is getting into. Recruited by Fr Michael O'Flanagan to type for Eamon De Valera, Veronica is soon caught up in the danger and intrigue of those fighing for Ireland's independence from Britain.
The attentions of a handsome British soldier, Major Harry Fairfax, do not go unnoticed by Veronica's superiors. But when Veronica is tasked with earning his affections to gather intelligence for Sinn Féin, it isn't long before her loyalty to her countrymen and her feelings for Harry are in conflict. To choose one is to betray the other...
Inspired by real life events and marking the centenary of the end of the War of Independence, Dublin's Girl is a thrilling historical debut from an exciting new Irish voice.

ABOUT EIMEAR LAWLOR

Eimear was born in Co. Cavan and now lives in the medieval city of Kilkenny with her husband John and two sons. Even as a young child Eimear Lawlor would conjure up stories with their imagination, sharing them with anyone who would listen. They’ve developed their storytelling and writing quite a bit since then, but the thrill of language and creation they first discovered as a child has never gone away.

She met John in London while she was studying for a BSc. Unfortunately, her middle child Ciara passed away in 2016, who was the inspiration of her writing career. Eimear worked as a teacher for a few years and became a stay-at-home mum after the birth of Ciara. When Ciara was twelve, she told Eimear to do something with her life other than drinking coffee with her friends. She did the NUI Maynooth Creative Writing course in 2014. Her writing has been on The Ryan Tubridy Show, and The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 and her short stories have been published in two anthologies.

This is her debut novel and a work of fiction which was inspired when she read her aunt’s Bureau of Military Statement. Her aunt worked in Dublin for the political party in 1917 that was trying to gain independence from England. Her aunt worked with Michael Collins and Éamon De Valera who she continued to work for after the Civil War as his private secretary.