A LETTER FROM ITALY

MY THOUGHTS:

It was 1945 and World War II was raging on across Europe.  Betty reminisces of the letter she wrote when she was at the beautiful Villa Teresa in Italy.  Her wish was to save her beloved Gianni and just like everyone else she wants the war to end.  She was forced to make the hardest decision of her life, she had to give up her baby in order to protect her and give her a chance to live.  Present Day, Naples Italy, Sadie holds in her hand an old tattered letter.  She knows that this letter is the key to her finding her birth mother.  She has Luca, a local that is helping her retrace her history.  While combing through old newspapers, Sadie and Luca are shocked at what they discover about the woman they believe to be Sadie’s birth mother.  But Sadie refuses to give up, now she must find her birth mother and uncover the truth before time runs out.

A Letter From Italy, penned by Rose Alexander is a wonderful historical fiction time slip story.  I really enjoyed the characters, Betty, Sadie and Luca.  Betty was a POW in an  Italian camp during WWII.  The story I about her life and how she survived.  She endured horrible war time conditions as did many others.  Sadie and Luca were a great team and I was hoping that Sadie would be able to find her birth mother.  This emotional read is one that will stay with me.  I am a huge fan of the author as I always enjoy her stories.  Historical fiction and  time slip novels are always a favorite of mine.  If you are looking for a heartbreaking and emotional read, this is the story for you.  Don’t pass this one up.  I highly recommend this book, I loved it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating: 4 out of 4.

DESCRIPTION:

A LETTER FROM ITALY

Author:  Rose Alexander 
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Publication Date: March 25, 2024
Pages: 462
Buy on Amazon 

A heartbreaking wartime promise. A family torn apart. A letter that could change everything. 

1945. The tiny bundle in her arms barely stirs as she hurries out into the dark street. Remembering Villa Teresa, a thousand miles away in sun-soaked Italy, Betty thinks of the letter she had to write to stop the bombing and save Gianni. Instead it cost her everything… And she will never see her beloved again. Now, letting her little baby go will tear her apart, but she knows it is the only way to keep her child safe…

Naples, present day. With nothing but the name of crumbling palazzo Villa Teresa scribbled on the page, Sadie clutches the scrap of a letter she desperately hopes will help her find her birth mother. It’s her only clue to go on. But with the heady scent of fresh lemons carrying on the breeze, and handsome local guide Luca by her side, she knows in her bones this is the right place.

Then, lost in the local newspaper archives, the pair makes a shocking discovery about the woman Sadie believes is her mother… How she did something terrible during the war. Shattered, Sadie must ask herself if she should continue searching for a woman who did her best to disappear.

Deep down, Sadie knows she can’t give up. But what really happened in that beautiful palazzo all those years ago? What led a mother to give away her baby? And will uncovering this devastating secret destroy Sadie’s heart for good?

ABOUT ROSE ALEXANDER

Rose Alexander has had more careers than she cares to mention and is currently a secondary school English teacher. She writes in the holidays, weekends and evenings, whenever she has a chance, although with three children, a husband, a lodger and a cat, this isn't always as often as she'd like. She's a keen sewist and is on a mission to make all her own clothes.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads 

SEVEN DAYS AT MANNERLEY

MY THOUGHTS:

Mary finds an old suitcase and as she rummages through it’s contents, she can’t believe what she has found.  She assumes the identity of the owner of the suitcase, Agnes.  She has an opportunity to go to a lavish ball in the most beautiful gown at the amazing Mannerley Estate.  What harm could it be, it’s just one night.  Mannerley is a beautiful Estate and the most amazing and lavish balls were held there.  So when Mary’s plan for just one night as Cinderella turns in to seven days, she is not in a hurry to end her fairytale.  She meets new friends and even a couple of suitors that take a shine to her.  But her world could come crashing down when she is recognized by a former co-worker.  He uses extortion in order to keep her secret or her real identity will be revealed.  

Seven Days at Mannerley written by author Audrey Schuyler Lancho is an enchanting and lovely story.  I loved everything about this story from cover to cover.  I love the authors writing style and she described 1870 rural England so well, that I felt like I was actually there.  I loved Mary’s character and know that she is someone I would be friends with.  This rapid moving storyline had me flying through the pages.  I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the story to find out how it would end.  This new to me author immediately landed on my auto-buy list.  I look forward to reading more stories from this author.  This book is one that I definitely recommend.  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

SEVEN DAYS AT MANNERLEY

Author:  Audrey Schuyler Lancho
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Publication Date: March 26, 2024 
Pages:  233
Buy on Amazon 

The suitcase she found changed everything. The contents? An elegant dress and an invitation in another girl’s name. Twenty-three-year-old Mary would go to the ball, enjoy how the rich lived just for one night, and then quietly slip back into her real life, sorting rubbish as a poor barmaid. No harm done. Of course, there wouldn’t be much of a story to tell had it turned out that way.

It’s 1870 in rural England, and Mary assumes the identity of the suitcase owner, Agnes. When Mary’s one night at Mannerley estate turns into a seven-day, hilarious farce, she quickly makes friends, finds suitors, and keeps fibbing. Not only does Arthur, the heir himself, fall for her, but so, too, does Mr. Singh, his friend visiting from India, making advances in plain sight of the heir. Making matters worse, a former workmate recognizes Mary and extorts her: she must steal a golden watch from the heir for him or have her true identity exposed and risk being thrown in jail, which could mean death––and that would certainly ruin her stolen, er, borrowed ball gown.

The only way Mary can get close enough to Arthur to steal his watch is via sensuality and flirtation. But as Mary scrambles to cover her tracks, her lies and crimes compound, weaving themselves into an impossible tangle. All the while Agnes, the real owner of the fancy ball gown, is making her way ever-closer to Mannerley. Happily ever after seems as unlikely as a barmaid among dandies, when Mary's only possible escape is a confession and the hope her scandalous true love will risk his reputation to defend and forgive her

ABOUT AUDREY LANCHO

Audrey Lancho is the author of emotionally moving and uplifting historical and contemporary clean romance. Audrey's Victorian romances include Seven Days at Mannerley and the forthcoming A Telephone at Mannerley, published by Vinspire Publishing. Audrey lives in North Carolina with her Spaniard husband and two young sons, is bilingual in Spanish, and enjoys church, time with friends, yoga, her kids' sporting events, and funny movies. She’s a freelance fiction editor and an editor at a literary agency. She does both of these jobs from home while entertaining her preschooler and watching plenty of Pixar. When she's not writing or editing, you'll find her doing crochet or a jigsaw puzzle.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

NOTES FROM THE COVE

MY THOUGHTS:

Brittany Thompson loves Sand Dollar Cove which is why she has lived there all of her life. When she was just a teenager she lost her older brother Paul.  He was her best friend and confidant. She still misses him and she is still mourning his loss after all these years.  But she finds solace and comfort in her café, Safe Harbor.  It’s a lovely little café where customers feel at home and bless a stranger with a meal and notes of encouragement.  Just when Brittany feels like things are going great and she may finally stop grieving she Ryan Osborne walks into her café.  The memories of Ryan pour into her mind like a flood.  She remembers how he left Sand Dollar Cove right after her brother Paul died.  She also remembers how Ryan left her to grieve all by herself.  As they begin to grow closer, Brittany starts receiving messages of encouragement and she realizes how strong of a person she is now, because of her past experiences.  Brittany discovers a secret about the night she lost Paul and once again her life is turned upside down.

Notes From The Cove written by author Jennifer Bardsley is a lovely emotional story and I was so happy to return to Sand Dollar Cove.  It is on a lovely little beach town that is locals and tourists love to be.  Brittany was a wonderful character and her little café is a place I would love to visit.  The idea of gifting meals accompanied by a note of encouragement really touched my heart.  I loved the unexpected plot twist and I read faster and faster because I couldn’t wait to see how it would end.  This is the third installment in the Sand Dollar Cove Series and all though it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the entire series.  This story was a heartwarming and inspirational read and I highly recommend it. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

NOTES FROM THE COVE

Author:  Jennifer Bardsley
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: March 20, 2024
Pages: 355
Buy on Amazon

The cozy café on the bustling beach welcomes tourists and locals for steaming coffees and delicious homemade cakes. But when Brittany receives mysterious notes from a customer will they lead her to the happy ending she’s always dreamed of?

Brittany Thompson has spent her whole life in peaceful Sand Dollar Cove lonely, loving the wrong men and mourning the loss of her beloved older brother Paul—the only guy she’s ever been able to trust—when they were just teenagers. Her one escape is her café, Safe Harbor, where customers can gift meals to strangers along with handwritten notes of encouragement.

That is until a familiar face returns to town: rugged, brooding Ryan Osborne—the man Brittany had a schoolgirl crush on when they were young. And who was once her brother's best friend… Ryan’s arrival brings back painful memories, and bumping into him at the charming café sends Brittany's emotions all over the place.

Brittany can’t forget the way Ryan skipped town after Paul’s death, leaving her to grieve alone, though as she watches him struggle to readjust to life in the cove, her heart softens just a little. But just as she and Ryan start to grow closer, bonding over their shared past, mysterious notes begin appearing. The messages encourage Brittany to think about the person she is and how her past led her here…

But when Brittany uncovers a secret about the night she lost Paul that changes everything, can she and Ryan come together to finally heal and find a happier future together? Or will the truth of what really happened tear them apart forever?

ABOUT JENNIFER BARDSLEY

Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington, with her husband and two children. Bardsley’s column I Brake for Moms has appeared in the Everett Herald every week since 2012. She also writes young adult paranormal romance under the pen name Louise Cypress.  When Bardsley is not writing books or camping with her Girl Scout troop, you can find her walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram 

THE GIRL WITH THE RED HAIR

MY THOUGHTS:

Hannie and Sonja are inseparable best friends and they are living in Nazi occupied Amsterdam. The year is 1942 and the streets and canals that they loved are now constantly patrolled by Nazi soldiers.  Hannie’s life completely changes when she decides to join the underground resistance.  She must hide her bright red hair to avoid being seen by the Nazis. Her mission is to deliver fake IDs.  She vows to keep her best friend Sonja and her younger sister Maya, safe by hiding them from the Nazis.  Sonja and Maya are Jewish and Hannie will stop and nothing to keep them safe.  Then the unimaginable happens, Sonja receives word that members of her family are taken prisoner.  Hannie goes undercover as a nurse to find them, but when she discovers that they were taken to a concentration camp, she must risk her life to save them.  Then Hannie’s worst fear happens when Sonja is taken and Hannie is her only hope.

The Girl With The Red Hair written by author Imogen Matthews is a heartbreaking and emotional story.  This book had me flying through the pages as my heart pounded, I couldn’t put it down.  At the flip of each page I was completely enthralled with the story.  I had to get to the end as fast as possible to see how this great story would end.  Hannie was a wonderful and loveable character as was Sonja, and their friendship was amazing.  I was heartbroken when Sonja was taken and I was inspired when Hannie would stop at nothing and risk everything to save her friend.  This story pulled at my heartstrings and I cried many times throughout the book.  What a wonderful addition to The Dutch Girls Series.  All though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone novel.  I loved this story and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

THE GIRL WITH THE RED HAIR

Author:  Imogen Matthews
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 20, 2024
Pages:  353
Buy on Amazon 

My heart thrashes inside my chest as I watch my best friend get dragged away by German soldiers. I run towards her, begging them to stop, but then I see the gun. ‘No, please!’ I shout as panicked tears stream down my face. ‘Don’t hurt her!’ I’m the only one left who can save her…

1942, Amsterdam. The Nazi occupation has shattered the lives of inseparable best friends Hannie and Sonja. The canals and rainy cobbled streets they once strolled down are now patrolled by soldiers day and night, who arrest people at will and beat those who resist.

Hannie can’t stand by and watch the lives of the innocent be destroyed by the evil occupiers. At great danger to herself, she joins the underground resistance, where she meets the charming and mysterious Jan. She covers her bright red hair to avoid detection by the Nazis while distributing fake IDs. And she makes a promise to Sonja and her little sister Maya, who are Jewish – she will hide them and keep them safe, no matter the cost.

But as the German grip on the country tightens with each passing day, Sonja’s worst fears come true when members of her family are taken prisoner. With Jan by her side, Hannie goes undercover as a nurse to try to free them. But she’s devastated when she discovers they’ve been taken to a concentration camp in the isolated far east of the country. Is she too late to save them?

And when Sonja goes missing, Hannie is terrified the worst has happened – has someone betrayed her best friend? Hannie knows her most dangerous task is now ahead of her. Can Hannie save Sonja, and will she have to make the biggest sacrifice of all to bring her home?

ABOUT IMOGEN MATTHEWS

Imogen Matthews is an Oxford-based, award-winning author and journalist with an interest in forgotten stories from WW2 Holland. Imogen was born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father who moved the family to England when Imogen was very young. All her life, she listened to her mother’s stories about her life in Holland, in particular the hardships she faced during the Hunger Winter in 1944-5, which has had a profound impact on her writing.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon 

AUNT VIOLET’S LOCKET

MY THOUGHTS:

Paige inherits a cottage on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, whom she has never even met.  So you can only imagine how surprised she is when she is notified.  Her plan is to fix it up and sell it as soon as possible.  She has heard many stories about the Hathaway family that were neighbors to Violet.  So when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway, she begins to think that maybe the Hathaways aren’t so bad after-all.  While searching through Violet’s cottage she finds the one and only piece of Violet’s jewelry, a locket and an inscription inside.  A romantic message from Violet’s true love.  Paige wonders if Dune Island could bring her the happiness she desperately needs.  She uncovers a secret of Aunt Violet’s lost love, but is it a secret that would clear her Aunt’s name or should she keep it hidden from everyone forever?

Aunt Violet’s Locket written by author Kristin Harper is a wonderful and emotional story. This story is  a phenomenal installment to the Dune Island Series.  I always seem to get lost when I visit Dune Island.  I am mesmerized by the sea lapping at the shore and the wonderful little village.  The details that Harper portrays to the reader will transport you to Dune Island, and you will want to stay for a while.  This story, filled with many plot twists makes it intriguing, unputdownable and wonderfully heartwarming.  This charming read is exactly what I needed.  I loved it.  I highly recommend this ten star read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

AUNT VIOLET’S LOCKET
Author: Kristin Harper 

Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
Pages: 314
Buy on Amazon

The long, tarnished chain and heart-shaped pendant is heavy in Paige’s hand. Carefully prying it open she can just make out the tiny engraving inside. What she reads will change everything she ever believed about her great-aunt Violet, and their family history…

When newly single and heartbroken Paige inherits an isolated cottage facing out to the wild sea on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, she is shocked. Paige never even met Violet, and she’s heard family stories about how a terrible incident involving the wealthy neighboring Hathaway family during World War Two led Violet to withdraw from everyone. But why would Violet leave everything to her?

Determined to clear out the cottage and sell it as quickly as possible, when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway as he walks back from the beach, at first she’s guarded. But Seth’s easy smile makes her think that maybe the Hathaways can be trusted after all…

Then Paige finds an old envelope containing her aunt’s only piece of jewelry. The romantic message inscribed inside brings tears to her eyes, and Seth shows her how the initials match those carved with a heart into an ancient beech tree on her aunt’s property. Did Violet live her whole life yearning for the person who gave her the locket?

As Paige and Seth grow closer, she starts to wonder if she could find happiness right here on Dune Island. And if Paige discovers the identity of Violet’s lost love, can she finally clear her aunt’s name—or in this tight-knit island community, should some secrets be left in the past forever?

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.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookhype | Amazon | Book Bub

THE SAPPHIRE DAUGHTER

MY THOUGHTS:

London, Present Day:  Georgia holds in her possession a pink sapphire and she wants to get it appraised.   She leaves it with a jeweler for appraising.  When she returns to pick it up, she finds out that it is very valuable and not only that but it also was part of a priceless tiara owned by the Italian royal family.  Discovering this information takes Georgia to Lake Geneva.  She must find out everything she possibly can about the beautiful gem she holds in her hand.  When she arrives at Lakeside City, she meets Luca.  Luca tells here that he has been searching for that missing sapphire for many years.  They become the perfect team in uncovering the mystery of how the pink sapphire ended up at Hope’s House, a home in London for unwed mothers.

The Sapphire Daughter written by author Soraya Lane is an absolutely wonderful and engaging read.  This story filled with mystery, intrigue and plot twists and turns makes it unputdownable.  This author had me flying through the pages waiting to see what was going to happen next.  The author describes Lake Geneva in a beautiful way.  I could see the sun dance on the ripples in the lake.  I could feel the breeze from the lake on my cheek.  I loved the character of Georgia and the relationship that developed between she and Luca was lovely.  This is the fourth book of The Lost Daughters Series.  What an amazing series this has been.  Each book is wonderful and satisfying read.  I have loved each installment, don’t pass up this amazing series.  It is definitely a must read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

THE SAPPHIRE DAUGHTER
Author:  Soraya Lane
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: March 8, 2024 
Pages: 296 
Buy on Amazon

Lake Geneva, 1951: Delphine looked up at Florian, her fingers grazing his cheek as she pressed her mouth to his, the sapphire tiara sparkling beside them. “Yes,” she whispered against his lips. “I will marry you. If you can find a way, then I promise you. I will marry you.”

London, present day. Georgia holds the rare pink sapphire in her hands, watching it glitter in the morning light. It was left for her at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers whose babies were adopted. But how is it connected to the secrets of her family’s complicated history?

Georgia tries to forget about the sapphire, her heart too bruised by past hurts. But when she discovers the gemstone was part of a priceless tiara owned by the Italian royal family, she is drawn in by the mystery surrounding it. Her only way of finding answers is to travel to Lake Geneva to meet with the man who inherited the stunning tiara from his grandfather.

When she arrives at the breathtaking lakeside city, handsome Luca tells her he’s been searching for the missing stone for years and is eager to piece together how it arrived at Hope’s House. As they spend sun-drenched days together, Georgia and Luca grow closer and uncover the passionate, forbidden love story of Delphine and Florian, whose tragic romance forced Delphine to make a heartbreaking decision with devastating consequences…

As Georgia comes to terms with the decades-old secret, will it shatter everything she thought she knew about herself? Or will Delphine’s courage inspire her to open up her own heart and build a new life with Luca?

ABOUT SORAYA LANE

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn't the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women's fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind. 

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she's not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Bookhype | Amazon | Instagram | Book Bub