PAGE~TURNERS: June 2022

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

MY THOUGHTS:

Kitty Winthrop lived her whole life believing that her grandmother was dead. Then she discovers that she is actually alive and well and living in New York City. Her grandmother is a very rich leader of New York City’s high society. Kitty decides to plunge into that lifestyle even though her mother disapproves. Kitty loves her new world of fancy ball gowns and jewelry, while attending lavish parties until all hours of the morning. But the lifestyle takes its toll on Kitty and it leaves her feeling very unfulfilled. So she decides to leave the high society life to pursue a career in nursing at Bellevue Hospital. She meets Dr. Samuel Hayden who falls in love with her. Then tragedy strikes when the Pandemic Flu of 1918 happens and lives are lost and those that do survive were changed forever.

Wow, another well written story by this author. I enjoyed it and the characters were well developed and felt like I’ve known them all my life. I really like the romance that happened between Kitty and Samuel. The astronomical amount of patients and so many lost lives was overwhelming for them. It’s so difficult to work in the medical field and not be able to save everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the Hearts of Gold Series. It intertwined with current events and reminds us that history truly does repeat itself. This story was very heartwarming and inspirational, an absolute must read.

Thank you Renee Yancy for such a wonderful addition to the Hearts of Gold Series. This story was very well written and I found it to be a rapid and unputdownable read. I enjoyed it very much and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

Author: Renee Yancy
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
Pages: 345
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When artistic, middle-class Kitty Winthrop discovers the grandmother she always believed dead is actually the uber-wealthy leader of New York City high society, Kitty jumps at the chance to make her debut into that world despite her mother’s disapproval. After dancing lessons and etiquette classes, she enters the high society life as the granddaughter of a New York City blueblood, wearing the gorgeous Worth ball gowns she used to design for her portfolio. But she soon discovers all that glitters isn’t gold, and ball gowns, jewels, and fancy parties don’t feed the soul.
As America enters World War I, Kitty makes the choice to forego the life of wealth and luxury promised by her grandmother and pursue a nursing career at Bellevue Hospital. She catches the eye of Dr. Samuel Hayden, a young physician in charge of the medical wards who falls hard for her.
As Kitty and Samuel fall in love, the Pandemic Flu of 1918 strikes New York City and the world. Soon the student nurses are working sixteen-hour shifts, people in the prime of life are dying, and the city morgues are overflowing with the dead. Through this incredibly stressful time, Kitty realizes she want to pursue medicine, but Samuel won’t hear of it. As the flu epidemic reaches its lethal peak, hearts are tested, lives are lost, and no one knows who will survive to see if love can overcome all obstacles.

ABOUT RENEE YANCY

Renee Yancy is a long time history and archaeology nut who has been living vicariously through historical fiction since she was a young girl. Now she writes the kind of books she loves to read—stories filled with historical and archaeological detail on every aspect of living in a different time period, interwoven with strong characters and a tale full of pathos and conflict. She wants to take you on a journey into the past so fascinating that you can’t put the story down.

When she’s not writing, Renee Facetimes with her twin grandbabies, and lives in Kentucky with her husband and two mutts. She enjoys reading, antiquing, and collecting pottery.

HOPE BEYOND THE WAVES

MY THOUGHTS:

Massachusetts, 1993: Emily Robertson makes a life changing mistake and is sent away to Cape Cod to live with her Grandmother. Emily finds herself feeling very isolated. The only person that completely understands and shows any compassion to Emily is her Gram. Emily finds an old faded photo buried in a drawer. She recognizes the people in the photo, but how can it be?

Massachusetts, 1916: Atta Schaeffer is planning to marry the man of her dreams. She plans on taking her sister with her to save her from their abusive father. But Atta is soon diagnosed with a deadly and terminal illness, and she is forced into hiding. She hears of a doctor, Harry Mayhew, who wants to heal her no matter what the cost. Atta places her hope in Harry but when the treatment fails, she loses all hope not only in the doctors but also loses her faith in God.

This story was so amazing and overwhelming on so many levels. I was very moved by the faith that Atta actually had. She overcame so many obstacles in her life while at the same time wanting to protect her family. This book was written with such emotion that it overflows through the pages. If you need examples of faith, hope and love in your life, then this is surely the book for you. The development of the characters and the relationships of the family members in this story will definitely pull at the heartstrings, they were so inspiring. This phenomenal story is one that will certainly stay with me for a long while. Absolutely wonderful!

Thank you Heidi Chiavaroli for such a wonderful story with an extra dose of both faith and hope. I enjoyed it very much and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

HOPE BEYOND THE WAVES

Author: Heidi Chiavaroli
Publisher: Hope Creek Publishers
Publication Date: June 28, 2022
Pages: 485
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From award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli comes a sweeping dual timeline story that explores hope and enduring love in the midst of the impossible.
Massachusetts, 1993
After making a grievous mistake that will change her life forever, Emily Robertson is sent away to live with her grandmother on Cape Cod. When Emily finds a timeworn photograph buried in a drawer, she realizes her grandmother has concealed a secret even bigger than her own. Will convincing Gram to reveal their family history help Emily make the most important decision of her life or will it prove her parents right—that family scandal is better off buried and forgotten?
Massachusetts, 1916
Atta Schaeffer plans to marry the man of her dreams and whisk her little sister away from their abusive father. But when she is diagnosed with a dreaded malady, Atta is forced into a life of exile, leaving her sister in harm’s way.
On Penikese Island, Atta’s best hope lies with Harry Mayhew, a doctor who seeks a cure for his patients at any cost. But when experiments fail, Atta runs from Harry—and from God. Can she return to her sister before it’s too late? Or will her illness consume both her body and soul?
A testament to faith and love, Hope Beyond the Waves is the raw account of the journey of two generations of women running from desperate situations toward irresistible hope.

ABOUT HEIDI CHIAVAROLI

Heidi Chiavaroli (pronounced shev-uh-roli…sort of like Chevrolet and ravioli mushed together!) wrote her first story in third grade, titled I’d Cross the Desert for Milk. It wasn’t until years later that she revisited writing, using her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!

Heidi writes women’s fiction, combining her love of history and literature to write split time stories. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of seventeen years. Her latest dual timeline novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott’s life. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.Heidi is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

THE LIEUTENANT’S GIRL

MY THOUGHTS:

Pearl Harbor, 1941 Elizabeth was raised in a military family and she is studying to be a nurse. On that fateful day in December when Pearl Harbor was attacked, Elizabeth’s life changed forever. Everett Anderson is a former Hollywood actor and is now serving his country as a paratrooper. Elizabeth and Everett are secretly seeing each other and were hoping that their life together would turn out very differently than the course it is about to take. Elizabeth also has a desire to serve her country in their time of need and she enlists as a nurse into the Army Nurse Corps. She is immediately transferred into the middle of the conflict in Europe.

I absolutely love the amazing descriptions that the author portrays throughout this story. I completely enjoyed the story of Elizabeth and Everett and how their life unfolded. There were so many things, so many obstacles they had to overcome. They sacrificed everything for their country and for each other. This story of courage and heroism was well written. I found myself to be teary-eyed throughout most of the book as it hit all the emotions.. This book made me ponder about the world events during World War II. So many told and untold stories. I absolutely loved it, don’t pass this one up. It is sure to stay with me for a long while.

Thank you Shari J. Ryan for such a wonderfully told story. I enjoyed it very much and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE LIEUTENANT’S GIRL
Author: Shari J. Ryan
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: June 22, 2022
Pages: 459
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Pearl Harbor, 1941. War planes hurtle across the horizon, skimming the clouds. Gunpowder fills the air as the earth shatters. Everett’s hands cup my cheeks. “If I lose you, Elizabeth, please know that the time I’ve spent with you has been worth every second I’ve been alive.”

On the fateful day that sirens rend the air and warplanes fly over the harbor, Elizabeth and Everett had sneaked away to whisper sweet nothings to each other. As bombs rain down, they cling to each other, the ground shaking and smoke suffocating them. Miraculously, they survive—but their world is ripped apart. The beautiful island, where the turquoise ocean once lapped the golden sand, is destroyed.

Over a sweltering summer, the couple had fallen madly in love. Elizabeth was in awe of Everett’s sacrifices for the Air Force, and Everett adored strong-willed Elizabeth, a Jewish girl who defied her father’s wishes for a sheltered life by training to be a nurse.

But tragedy changes everything. Although they are hopelessly devoted to one another, they vow to serve their country. Elizabeth joins the Army Nurse Corps in Europe and Everett flies across the world chasing down the enemy. With a tearful goodbye, they promise to write.

When Everett’s letters stop arriving, heartbroken Elizabeth fears the worst. Will she ever see the love of her life again? And what chance does she have of surviving Europe, where Hitler’s tyrannical rule places her in grave danger?

ABOUT SHARI J. RYAN

Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Historical Fiction writer. Her desire to write stories revolving Jewish livelihood during World War II stems from being a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. After the passing of Shari’s grandmother, she pursued an active interest in learning more about the inherited stories she yearned to understand better.
Shortly after earning a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012. In 2016, Shari began writing her first Historical Fiction novel, Last Words, a story about a lifelong journey through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor. With two character related books to follow, Shari quickly found a new passion to share untold World War II stories within a fictional setting.
Shari is a lifelong New England girl who lives to make people laugh. She is happily married with two wonderful sons and a spunky Australian Shepard, who fits right in with the family.

Monday, June 20, 2022

MURDER AT THE COUNTRY CLUB

MY THOUGHTS:

Kitty Underhay is back on the case. Kitty and her fiancé Matthew Bryant are at the Torbay Country Club for the day. They are attending an archery event. While walking Matthew’s new cocker spaniel, Bertie, around the Country Club grounds, Kitty makes a horrible discovery, the body of the host Sir William Winspear. Cause of death is an arrow in his back. Through the interviews of the sporting event, Kitty finds out that Sir William had threatened one of the guests, Ivan. Ivan is a guest of the Country Club and is a Russian dancer, he relies on Sir William for sponsoring him. It seems like an easy case for Kitty Underhay to solve. But when Kitty finds Ivan’s body in the pool the next day, she must continue her investigation before the culprit takes another victim.

I absolutely love the Kitty Underhay amateur sleuth series. Kitty is a very likeable character, and she and her fiancé Matthew are a great pair. This cozy mystery is a fast read and will keep you wondering who the culprit is, until the very end. I found myself flying through the pages, and in a hurry to find out whodunnit. I really enjoyed reading about Bertie the cocker spaniel. What a fabulous addition to a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed this awesome addition to the Kitty Underhay Mystery Series. I look forward to the continuation to this fantastic series.

Thank you Helena Dixon for such a wonderful addition to this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

MURDER AT THE COUNTRY CLUB

Author: Helena Dixon
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: June 17, 2022
Pages: 276
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Kitty Underhay is playing doubles… with death.

Kitty Underhay is accompanying her fiancé, Matthew Bryant,and Bertie, his new cocker spaniel, on an outing to Torbay Country Club. However, the delightful day soon turns to disaster. Walking Bertie in the shaded grotto after an exhilarating archery demonstration, Kitty makes an unsporting discovery: the body of their host, Sir William Winspear, with an arrow in his back.

When the local inspector falls foul interviewing female witnesses, Kitty steps up to the mark. And she quickly discovers that Sir William had threatened one of the guests, dashing Russian dancer Ivan, who is dependent on him for patronage. When Kitty overhears a damning conversation between Ivan and his sister, the case seems clear. But the next day Ivan is disqualified as he is found face down in the pool…

The race is on for Kitty to find the real killer, but she must keep her head in the game if she is to outwit this cunning murderer. And when the final score comes in, will it be ‘killer: three, Kitty: zero’…?

ABOUT HELENA DIXON

Nell Dixon was born and continues to live in the Black Country. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo and a tank of tropical fish. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 with her book Marrying Max, and winner of Love Story of the Year 2010 with her book, Animal Instincts. She also writes historical 1930’s set cozy crime as Helena Dixon.

Saturday, June 18, 2022

THE ROAD HOME

MY THOUGHTS:

Audra March has a troubled past and she wants nothing more but to forget about it and leave it behind her. She needs a fresh start, a new beginning and she decides to move to a small town in Wisconsin and create a new identity for herself. She welcomes the fresh start and does enjoy the new small town life. She finds an old recipe box and is wanting to find the owner. Her new found purpose in life, takes her on an adventure across the country. She meets an Appalachian preacher who says that he will help her find the owner of the recipe box.

I enjoyed this story very much and I found the characters interesting, likable and relatable. I was drawn into the book from the beginning and it held my attention to the very end. I absolutely loved the message of God’s unfailing love and His forgiveness of our past. It continually resonated with me throughout the entire story. I also really liked the message in the story reminding us of how God can put people in our path for all types of reasons and when we least expect it. This was a new to me author and I really liked her writing style. I felt like the story flowed wonderfully and found it to be a nice light read, and very contemplative. This was a heart-warming, inspiring and all around great story with outstanding writing. I look forward to reading more from this author. I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Malissa Chapin for such an inspiring and wonderfully written story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE ROAD HOME

Author: Malissa Chapin

Publisher: Ivory Keys Press, LLC

Publication Date: January 26, 2022

Pages: 271

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Sometimes your past catches up with you. Sometimes you confront your past.

When a life of tragedy leaves Audra March with a desperate desire for acceptance, she blurs the line between right and wrong. She runs from her tainted past and creates a new identity in a small Wisconsin town.
When she discovers a vintage recipe box, her search for the owner takes Audra across the country and sets her on a collision course with the truth. With the help of an Appalachian preacher and the long-buried deception of an elderly woman, Audra learns the value of honesty and trust. For the first time, she finds hope for her future.
But when her carefully crafted identity is at risk, her resolve is tested. Will she run again? Or will she confront the consequences of her past? Can the truth set her free?

ABOUT MALISSA CHAPIN

Malissa Chapin grew up reading books, making up stories, and vowing to publish a book before turning twelve. She's a few years late for her goal but still devours books and makes up stories.

Malissa loves creating with words, yarn, fabric, and watercolors. She enjoys sharing her faith, reading, collecting vintage treasures, drinking coffee, playing the piano, homeschooling our bonus baby, and looking on the bright side. She lives and sometimes freezes in Wisconsin with her family and a crazy cat.

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Friday, June 17, 2022

THE ANGEL OF VIENNA

MY THOUGHTS:

Vienna 1940: The war rages on across Europe and has taken its toll on so many people. Hannah Stern is a nurse at a psychiatric hospital in Vienna. She believes working there will keep her safe and out of danger. Her estranged brother had helped her get the job in exchange that she will take his son Willi with her to keep him safe. Hannah believes that the hospital is a safe place for people to get some much needed rest and healing. But Hannah soon discovers that the hospital is not what it appears to be. Many children are being taken away and moved somewhere else. Hannah must risk everything to help those that need her the most.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the courageous people that would risk everything to survive and help everyone they possibly can in the process. Though this was a tough story to read, it was well worth it. World Wars are always a dark time in history but there are so many stories that need to be told and remembered. Stories of bravery, courage and compassion. Author Kate Hewitt does an amazing job of telling those stories. This heartbreaking story is one that grabs you emotionally and connects you with the characters in a way you never expected. This heart wrenching and thought provoking story is one that is a must read for every historical fiction fan. I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Kate Hewitt for such a wonderfully written story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE ANGEL OF VIENNA
Author: Kate Hewitt
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: June 16, 2022
Pages: 389
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Nazi-occupied Vienna, 1940: A young nurse finds herself with the chance to save innocent children. An unmissable and heartbreaking story—based on devastating real events—about tragedy, hope and courage in the face of impossible odds.

“These children, who the Nazis don’t even see as human, these children are innocent. And, Hannah, if you have the chance to save even one of them, you know what you have to do. Even if it puts your own life at risk.”

As bombs fall over Europe, Hannah Stern is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse, who is just trying to survive. When she takes a position at Vienna’s esteemed psychiatric hospital, Am Steinhof, she thinks it will take her away from the danger.

Her estranged half-brother has arranged the job for her on the condition that she must take his son, Willi there too. He insists it’s a place where Willi will be safe. And Hannah soon forms a close bond with the sweet, fragile child in her care.

At first the hospital seems like a safe haven—a beautiful, airy, spacious place of healing and recovery. But the hospital is a place of secrets. And they are darker than Hannah could ever have imagined. Children, ones just like Willi, are disappearing—not to be healed as promised, but taken somewhere else. Somewhere terrible.

And when Willi’s own life comes under threat—in spite of her half-brother’s position of power in the Nazi military—Hannah must overcome her own fears and act. Then she discovers one of the other nurses is also trying to help patients escape, and Hannah becomes determined to help in any way she can.

But she is only one person up against the enemy. And to save even just one life from the grip of the Nazis, she must risk her own…

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.