PAGE~TURNERS: October 2021

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

A LETTER FROM NANA ROSE

MY THOUGHTS:

Three sisters Rachel, Jill and Brooke loved spending summers at Dune Island, at their Nana Rose’s house. It was always special and memorable times for the family. It was the time in their life that they experienced their happiest and memorable moments. But when Nana Rose passes away she leaves behind a letter. In the letter she requests that the three sisters spend one last summer together at Dune Island. The sisters agree to spend their summer vacation there and everyday a new letter arrives from Nana Rose, revealing a secret that she took to her grave. While at the beach house on Dune Island the sisters must decide if they want to keep the beach house or sell it. When Jill meets Alex her whole perspective of her life and if she should keep the beach house or selling it is turned upside down. Has Jill finally found love and the happiness she has deserved all her life?

Thank you Kristin Harper for such an inspirational story. This story was so well written and I found myself cheering for the sisters. I fell in love with Nana Rose, and the three sisters making me feel like I was part of the family. This is an unputdownable read and needs to be at the top of your must read pile. This wonderful and uplifting story had all the feels and definitely pulled at the heartstrings. I loved this absolute heartwarming must read from beginning to end and every page in between.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

A LETTER FROM NANA ROSE
Author: Kristin Harper

Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 25, 2021
Pages: 267
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“My darling girls. You were once so happy in this house. Now I’m gone, all I ask is that you spend one last summer here together on Dune Island. And please forgive me, your Nana, for the secret I’m about to tell you…”
Arriving at the honeysuckle-covered beach house inherited from her beloved grandmother, recently heartbroken Jill hopes to convince her two feuding sisters not to sell a place so full of happy childhood memories. But the envelope waiting on the driftwood table changes everything. In her elegant handwriting, Nana Rose promises a new letter will arrive each day of the summer revealing a family secret she took to her grave.
Shaken, Jill anxiously awaits each letter filled with Nana’s bittersweet memories of her own sister who she loved more than anyone—and lost far too young. But why did Nana never speak of this tragic loss to her grandchildren?
Watching the sunset each night and wondering how well they really knew Nana Rose, Jill feels her family is closer than they’ve been in years. And after a chance encounter with blue-eyed tree surgeon Alex, she wonders if Nana believed being back on Dune Island would help Jill find love, too?
But when Nana’s final letter arrives, the revelation about how her sister died is more shocking than Jill ever imagined. Suddenly, despite the chance of happiness with Alex, selling the house seems the only way forward. Will Jill find a way to forge new bonds of sisterhood and save their inheritance, or will Nana Rose’s secret tear them all apart?

ABOUT KRISTIN HARPER

I grew up in New England and I’ve vacationed on Cape Cod almost every summer of my life, except for one year when I allowed my job to interfere with my vacation plans. (Fortunately, I never made that mistake again.)

After moving around the country and working in all sorts of professions, including roles in education, philanthropy and healthcare, I’m glad to be living in Massachusetts again, writing women’s fiction set in fictitious oceanside locales.

Sunday, October 24, 2021

WHEN THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS

MY THOUGHTS:

London, 1937, Judy Morgan recently graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Physics. Judy meets Hedy Lamarr a Jewish woman who fled Austria, to escape from the grips of the looming war, and is trying to get to America. They meet in London, just before World War II begins. They quickly become friends and they both want to use their talents to change the world and make it a better place. Their paths cross over and over again in America, London and Pearl Harbor.

The bonds of friendship that they develop is sure to see them through the tragedy of war. This true story was such a tear jerker. I found myself crying with them and being inspired by their hope. This heartwarming story is sure to be a favorite for historical fiction lovers. This is an amazing and fantastic read. The vivid details portrayed by the author pulls you so deep into the story that you feel like you are walking next to the characters.

Thank you Suzanne Kelman for such a phenomenal unputdownable story. I truly enjoyed every bit of this book. A definite favorite of mine and an absolute must read. I thoroughly loved it! I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

WHEN THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS
Author: Suzanne Kelman
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 21, 2021
Pages: 447
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1937, Europe and America. Based on a true story, this powerful novel about wartime courage and extraordinary friendship, tells how two women changed the fate of the Second World War and the course of history.
When an impossibly shy young woman named Judy Morgan finishes her studies in Physics at Cambridge University, it is with dreams of changing the world for the better.
Meanwhile, a beautiful, young Jewish woman decides to flee her beloved Austria, changing her name to Hedy Lamarr, and risking everything to get to America, as far away from the Nazi threat as possible.
A powerful friendship is formed when the two women meet in pre-war London—with Judy’s passion for science a perfect match for Hedy’s brilliant talent for invention. So when the world is gripped by a war that nobody could have imagined in their worst nightmares, both Hedy and Judy know they must act now.
As their lives repeatedly collide, in Cambridge, California, Pearl Harbor and beyond—throwing both their lives into danger and tragedy—Judy and Hedy both find themselves seeking ways to end the war.
But neither of them will know that one of them is on a path of tragedy. A path that could change the outcome of the war, but also threaten their friendship forever…

ABOUT SUZANNE KELMAN

Suzanne Kelman is an Amazon international bestselling author in America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia and her books have sold over 250,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into six languages. Her WW2 historical fiction books “A View Across the Rooftops”, “When We Were Brave, and Under a Sky on Fire” are published by Bookouture – an imprint for Hachette U.K.

She is also the author of the bestselling book, “The Rejected Writers’ Book Club”, published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, “Rejected Writers Take the Stage” and “The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding”.

Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.

In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.

As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, “Over My Dead Body”, had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.

Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.

Saturday, October 23, 2021

THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS HOUSE

MY THOUGHTS:

Holly Hanwell’s Christmas spirit hits rock bottom when her boyfriend leaves her right before Christmas. She doesn’t feel like celebrating Christmas at all this year. She decides to hide away in her little house. She plans on not attending any traditional Christmas festivities in her village. But with a little Christmas magic in the air, all her plans quickly change when she meets Edward. He is new in town and has bought the Christmas House at the edge of town. The house is a fixer-upper but, is turning out to be a fix it project that is bigger than what he expected. Edward finds solace in the little village cafe, and it has become a favorite place to be while the Christmas snow continues to fall. Holly enjoys running into Edward at the cafe, and as they get to know each other, Edward is the only person that makes Holly laugh again. We all know that laughter is good for the soul so Holly enjoys the small moments of it. Holly keeps running into Edward around town as she soon finds herself joining in the Christmas festivities in the village. Holly’s plans of spending a quiet Christmas alone are soon derailed because she is enjoying anytime she has with Edward. But, soon Holly discovers a secret from Edward’s past and she finds herself wondering if he really is the person she thought he was.

This Christmas story was a wonderful and delightful read. It has all the holiday feels and will make you feel like you have stepped into the little Christmas village of Hopley. It’s truly an amazing Christmas holiday escape. This book is a magical Christmas read that is so inspirational and heartwarming that you can’t help but devour in one sitting. Light a fire, grab a blanket, pour some hot cocoa, and settle in with this fantastic read.

Thank you Tracy Rees for such a warm, wonderful and delightful book. This uplifting and festive story is an absolute must read. I genuinely loved it! I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS HOUSE
Author: Tracy Rees
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 22, 2021
Pages: 311
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In gorgeous Hopley village snow is falling and twinkly lights are going up but Holly Hanwell feels anything but Christmassy…
It’s meant to be the most wonderful time of the year but thirty-year-old Holly Hanwell doesn’t really feel like celebrating… not after the bombshell news her boyfriend is leaving her to have a baby with someone else. So Holly’s organised a quiet Christmas in her cosy little house and plans to avoid the traditional village festivities, and anything resembling a man, at all costs.
That is until she bumps into sexy newcomer Edward. He recently bought Christmas House, at the edge of Hopley, but the renovations on the crumbling building are more than he’d bargained for. Sheltering from the snowy weather in the warm village café, Edward makes Holly laugh over delicious mugs of hot chocolate, topped with cream and sprinkles. Despite the spark between them, Holly knows she needs to protect her already fragile heart and she’s determined NOT to fall in love this Christmas.
But holiday magic works in mysterious ways and they keep crossing paths – at the nativity show, the carols, gift shopping – and then a festive crisis at Christmas House unexpectedly brings them together. Yet just as Holly realises her feelings are growing for handsome but complicated Edward she discovers a secret from his past which makes her question everything she thought she knew about him…
Will Holly and Edward’s December romance be over before it’s begun? Or will this be a Christmas to remember?

ABOUT TRACY REES

Tracy Rees was the winner of the Richard and Judy ‘Search for a Bestseller’ Competition and her books are paperback, ebook and audio bestsellers. A Cambridge graduate, she had a successful eight-year career in nonfiction publishing and a second career practising and teaching humanistic counselling before becoming a writer. She lives in Wales.

Friday, October 22, 2021

TWELVE DAYS TO SAVE CHRISTMAS

MY THOUGHTS:

Poppy is a huge fan of the Christmas season and she always goes above and beyond to make Christmas amazing for her boyfriend George. But this year is different and George isn’t in the Christmas spirit. George decides he’s leaving Poppy, and only twelve days until Christmas. Poppy begins to nurse her broken heart. She was sure George was the love of her life. So, she is determined to win George back. While volunteering at her local community center, her new boss, Theo, is a huge Scrooge. He’s very, grumpy but he cares immensely about the people that the community center is helping. The more time she spends with Theo at the community center, and the closer it gets to Christmas, the more the are getting to know each other. Poppy and Theo are really enjoying their time together and as the story unfolds, Poppy starts to re-think if George really was the love of her life.

This Christmassy story was a wonderful and delightful read. This festive story has all the holiday feels and will make you anxious for the snow to start falling. This rapid page turner is one that will keep you up flipping the pages well into the night. The relatable characters where truly a delight to follow along in their footsteps. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you Elizabeth Neep for sharing another wonderful story of yours. I am so ready for the magic of the Christmas season to begin. I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

TWELVE DAYS TO SAVE CHRISTMAS
Author: Elizabeth Neep
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Pages: 306
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On the first day of Christmas, my true love… dumped me.
Poppy loves Christmas and always goes all out to make this magical time of the year extra special for her boyfriend George. But George is strangely not in the Yuletide spirit this year. As Poppy wrestles him into her Christmas jumper built for two for a holiday snapshot, she finds out why.
He’s leaving her. With only twelve days to spend together until Christmas.
Poppy is heartbroken. George is the love of her life, and what would Christmas be without kisses under the mistletoe, his mum’s delicious homemade gingerbread or their super-competitive games of Pictionary?
She’s determined to win George back. So, anxious to prove to him she can be spontaneous, she signs up as a Christmas volunteer at the local community centre. What she doesn’t know is that there’s a festive surprise coming her way…
As Poppy throws herself into her new role – mulling vats of hot cider and hanging fairy lights off everything within reach – she discovers an inner strength she never knew she had. And there’s also Theo. Her new boss. Grumpy and opinionated, he’s everything she doesn’t want.
But as the snow starts to fall, she begins to notice other things about him – like his twinkling green eyes, how he makes her laugh, and how much he cares about the people he’s trying to help.
As the twelfth day approaches, Poppy might be about to discover that the most perfect Christmas might be the one that she didn’t plan at all…

ABOUT ELIZABETH NEEP

Elizabeth Neep was born in 1990 in Derbyshire and now lives in London Bridge. After studying Law at the University of Nottingham and the University of New South Wales, she worked in magazine journalism, most noticeably writing for Dazed and Confused and PETRIe. Elizabeth now works as a non-fiction Senior Commissioning Editor and writes and paints in her spare time.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

A BODY AT THE ALTAR

MY THOUGHTS:

Super sleuth Kate Palmer is at it again, doing what she does best, solving crimes. Kate thought the quaint, peaceful town of Tinworthy would be the perfect place for her to retire from her nursing career. When she attends a wedding at St. Pirin’s Church, the unthinkable happens. The groom drops dead at the altar. Everyone in attendance panics and can’t believe what they just witnessed. Except for the bride and the grooms new mother-in-law. They seem unaffected by the turn of events. Detective Charlotte Martin doesn’t want Kate involved in the investigation, but Charlotte seems very interested in Kate’s boyfriend, retired Detective Woody Forrest. Kate refuses to give up, she wants to get to the bottom of things. So when Kate finds out that there have been other weddings that have been sabotaged, she is even more determined to find the culprit. As Kate digs deeper into the case, she finds that there could more than one killer and her list of suspects is rapidly increasing.

This cozy mystery is an absolute delight and a must read. I loved this book and seeing Kate and Woody’s story unfold is always such a joy and warms my heart. I really liked the introduction of the new Detective Inspector Charlotte Martin. The banter between Kate and her sister Angie is always enjoyable to read. This rapid page turner is one that will keep you up reading, unable to stop until the very end. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you Dee MacDonald for a wonderful addition to the Kate Palmer Mystery Series. This lovely series is sure to be a fan favorite. The characters are very entertaining and work so well together. I highly recommend this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

A BODY AT THE ALTAR

Author: Dee MacDonald

Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 18, 2021
Pages: 272
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Jilted grooms, sudden deaths, broken hearts and threatening letters. All in a day’s work for super sleuth Kate Palmer!
Nurse Kate Palmer thought the pretty Cornish village of Tinworthy would be the perfect place for a peaceful retirement. She couldn’t have been more wrong! But even she is shocked when she attends a beautiful wedding at St. Pirin’s Church and the handsome groom drops dead in front of her very eyes.
While the rest of the wedding party panics, Kate notices the strange behaviour of the not-so-blushing bride and the posh mother-in-law – and vows to find out the truth behind the poor young man’s sudden demise. Especially when the new detective Charlotte Martin makes it known that she doesn’t want Kate involved – and also shows an interest in Woody Forrest, Kate’s partner in crime-solving.
Undeterred, Kate discovers this isn’t the only wedding to have been sabotaged. A series of peculiar letters contain the clues Kate needs to get to the heart of the matter. But is the mystery letter writer behind the unusual deaths? Or is more than one person responsible for the strange goings on in the seaside village…
As Kate digs deeper, she adds more suspects to her growing list: the world-weary vicar, the unlucky-in-love cleaner and the bride’s former flame. But, as a pair of boots bring Kate closer to the killer, it becomes clear their investigation has placed Woody in danger.
Can Kate solve the murder and save the man she loves at the same time?

ABOUT DEE MACDONALD

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years. She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise. Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70! Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

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Friday, October 15, 2021

A LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTMAS

MY THOUGHTS:

When Mia Broadhurst’s Grandma passes away, Christmas just won’t be the same. Mia decides to return to Winsted Cape, an absolutely beautiful seaside village. Now completely blanketed in Christmas snow, it is the only place Mia wants to be to feel closer to her grandmother during the holidays. Mia lives and works in New York City at a Public Relations firm. So keeping up the Lighthouse that her Grandma Ruth used to run isn’t going to work for Mia. Mia works with realtor Will Thacker and they begin to restore the Lighthouse so that she can sell it. Will and Mia are spending a lot of time together working on the Lighthouse, and Will is working through his own heartbreaking issues. But when, Mia, her mother and her sister are packing up her Grandma Ruth’s possessions, Mia finds an old black and white photo with an inscription on it. When Mia finds out the truth about the inscription, will she return to New York and never look back at Winsted Cape, or at the Lighthouse again, or will it change her life forever?

I absolutely loved this story. The “Queen of Christmas” Jenny Hale, never disappoints. The characters in this book felt like family, while the detailed description of the village and the Lighthouse whisks you away to the Cape. This story literally brought joy to my heart. Grab a blanket, a hot cup of cocoa, and let the holiday season begin. This beautifully written and heartwarming, magical Christmas story is sure to be a favorite.

Thank you Jenny Hale for another heartwarming, inspirational and uplifting story. This is one that will continue to resonate in me for a very long time. This, read in one sitting, unputdownable, phenomenal page turner, is a wonderful and beautiful must read and I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

A LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTMAS

Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 14, 2021
Pages: 274
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A totally perfect and heartwarming page-turner about everyone’s favorite time of year––the beauty of being at home with family, believing in second chances, and the magic of Christmas, when anything is possible…
When Mia Broadhurst’s grandmother passes away, Mia returns to the quaint seaside village of Winstead Cape, where Grandma Ruth ran the historic lighthouse on the edge of the coast. Mia can’t bear to part with the last piece of her grandma––the lighthouse that has been in their family for generations––but with her life back in New York, she has no choice.
With the snow falling, Mia works with real estate agent Will Thacker to restore the old lighthouse. She tries not to get lost in his deep blue eyes that match the Atlantic Ocean. After all, she’s only back for Christmas…
As a fire crackles, Mia packs up Grandma Ruth’s belongings. Waiting for her is a black-and-white photograph with a faded inscription on the back—the key to a family secret hidden for decades. Could the truth save the lighthouse and show Mia where her heart belongs?

ABOUT JENNY HALE

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies. She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and both Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now” as well as “Beach Reads Perfect for Summer 2020.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers. When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favorite pastime.

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Wednesday, October 13, 2021

THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM

MY THOUGHTS:

Berlin, 1939 and World War II has just begun. Libby moves to Berlin, to be as far away from her family as possible. She doesn’t like that her family has an alliance with the Nazis. She wants no part of that life. But when Libby’s friend vanishes, she decides that she has to do something. Then Libby meets fellow anti-Nazis and she is introduced to Harro. Harro persuades Libby to join the resistance, she does, and then she begins to fall in love with Harro. She and Harro smuggle classified documents during the day and at night they hold meetings to plot the fall of Hitler’s regime. Soon Libby and Harro are afraid that they are being watched by the Gestapo. Then, one day Harro disappears. Libby is terrified that she will never see him again.

This amazing story of survival during some of the darkest days is so heart-wrenching. The fact that it is a true story tears at your heartstrings, so, reading with a box of Kleenex is a must. The fears that people overcame during this time and the hope that they held on to, is always so amazing to me. They never gave up, and they relied on each other so much. This beautifully written and powerful story is sure to be a favorite.

Thank you Ellie Midwood for such a phenomenal story. This is one that will continue to resonate in me for a very long time. It is a wonderful, phenomenal must read and I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM
Author: Ellie Midwood
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 13, 2021
Pages: 351
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Berlin, 1939: The inspiring true story of Libby Schulze-Boysen, a German girl who refused to back down to the Nazis. In the face of evil, she vowed to live by the truth––or die by it.
“Be brave. Don’t run. Fight.” With her eyes tightly shut, tears rolling from under her dark lashes, she felt his lips gently touch her burning cheek. The train on the platform whistled, and he disappeared into the steam.
Libby moves to Berlin to start a new life––as far away as possible from her family and their alliance with the Nazis. But in the city, there’s no escape from Hitler’s brutal regime. And when Libby’s friend vanishes into thin air, she decides she cannot stand back and do nothing…
After Libby makes connections with fellow anti-Nazis, she’s introduced to Harro. Instantly, she knows there’s a story behind his cornflower-blue eyes. The whip marks on his back, scars from the SS, tell his secret: he is a resistance fighter.
Harro draws Libby into the world of the resistance, and as they fall in love, their life grows increasingly dangerous. Becoming a double agent, Libby infiltrates the Ministry of Propaganda. By day, they smuggle classified documents. By night, they hold clandestine meetings by candlelight and plot Hitler’s downfall.
But in the frostbitten winter of 1942, Libby fears that the Gestapo is stalking them––their every move watched, their phone calls recorded. And one day, Harro simply disappears. Will they ever be reunited? Or will everything they’ve risked their lives for be in vain?

ABOUT ELLIE MIDWOOD

Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, “The Girl from Berlin.” Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.

In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her fiancé and their Chihuahua named Shark Bait.