THE RESISTANCE BAKERY

MY THOUGHTS:

As the Nazis arrive in Paris many fled to save their lives.  The high ranking Nazis in charge take over the beautiful and ornate Hotel Lutetia.  The  French left the beautiful hotel including Coralie, the hotel’s pastry chef.  Soon, she is offered an opportunity to come back to the hotel on Sundays and begin making her pastries again.  She accepts the offer and returns to hotel and she becomes an informant for the resistance.  Present day, Raven is shipped off to spend the summer with her grandmother, whom she barely knows.  Raven finds an old leather-bound book full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers.  As Coralie begins to tell Raven of the experiences during the war their relationship grows.  The old recipe book holds more than just recipes but also brings healing to Coralie from all those years ago.

The Resistance Bakery, written by author Siobhan Curham is a phenomenal story love and family.  I loved everything about this book, from Coralie’s stories of yesterday to Raven and the bond she made with the grandmother she barely knew.  This rapid read had me flying through the pages unable to put this book down, I sailed through the amazing end.  This was an emotional read from tears to making my hear happy, it hit all the feels.  Curham is an exceptional author that pulls the reader into the story from the first page to the last.  She is an auto-buy author for me as I am always encouraged and uplifted by her stories.  I loved the Resistance Bakery and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE RESISTANCE BAKERY
Author:  Siobhan Curham
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Pages: 456 
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Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…

Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.

Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…

What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?

ABOUT SIOBHAN CURHAM

Siobhan Curham is an award-winning author, ghost writer, editor and writing coach. She has also written for many newspapers, magazines and websites, including The Guardian, Breathe magazine, Cosmopolitan, Writers’ Forum, DatingAdvice.com, and Spirit & Destiny. Siobhan has been a guest on various radio and TV shows, including Woman’s Hour, BBC News, GMTV and BBC Breakfast. And she has spoken at businesses, schools, universities and literary festivals around the world, including the BBC, Hay Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Bath Festival, Ilkley Festival, London Book Fair and Sharjah Reading Festival.

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WINTER WISHES IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

MY THOUGHTS:

Ivy Heart has to make a list for everything.  It’s the only way she can keep her life straight and never miss a task.  With no time for romance in her life, her only focus is her five-year plan.  As the clock ticks away, so is her life.  She is the personal assistant to Lady Miriam Ballentine, and she has been assigned the daunting task of bringing home Lady Miriam’s estranged grandson for Christmas.  It’s the only way that Ivy can get a decent reference for her dream job.  Ivy has no choice but to complete her assignment.  So she packs her bags and heads to the Scottish Highlands in search of Ross Ballentine.  

Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands, written by author Donna Ashcroft is a magical story of family and true love.  Ivy and Ross were such great characters and I couldn’t help but be inspired by them.  I love how Ashcroft never wastes any time pulling the reader into her stories.  She describes the Scottish Highlands in such a way that you actually feel like you are right there.  This story played like a movie in my mind’s eye and I loved every bit of it.  I could feel the snowflakes on my eyelashes and the brisk cool air made this a magical and inspiring story with the perfect amount of romance.  I highly recommend this festive read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

WINTER WISHES IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Author:  Donna Ashcroft
Publisher:  Bookouture
Publication Date: September 18, 2024
Pages: 289 
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Bundle up warm and take a sleigh ride to Christmas Resort, the wintry haven where a fire is always roaring and hot chocolate is on tap. But can Ivy Heart let down her defences and fall in love at the most wonderful time of the year?

Singleton and city-girl Ivy Heart has just turned thirty. She’s a chronic list-maker, married to her five-year-plan, and can’t remember when she last had a Christmas off. This year is no different; PA to Lady Miriam Ballentine, Ivy has been tasked with bringing her estranged grandson home before Christmas Eve in return for a reference. With her dream job on the line, Ivy packs her bags for the snowy Scottish Highlands to track down the heir to the Ballentine estate.

But when Ivy arrives at Christmas Resort, she discovers Ross Ballentine is far from a polished Laird-to-be. Rough around the edges, free-spirited and jaw-droppingly gorgeous, Ivy is shocked when he drives off on his snowmobile at the first mention of his grandmother. Not taking his frosty tracks as an answer, Ivy books herself onto his reindeer spotting tour, determined to convince this recluse to return to his responsibilities at the crumbling family castle.

But events don’t follow Ivy’s meticulous schedule as she spends time with Ross in his rustic cabin, switching her phone and mind off to the demands of city life. Soon it’s not just the log fire heating up between them. Does Ivy have more in common with this grumpy woodsman than she thought?

As sparks of romance roar under snowy skies, can Ivy get Ross home in time to secure the job she’s worked so hard for? Will Ivy’s ambition and Ross’s stubbornness drive them apart, or give them a Christmas they will never forget?

ABOUT DONNA ASHCROFT

I spent years working in publishing and as a freelance copywriter before turning my hand to writing romance novels. It took a few more years until I got the story right, and I was helped along by the help of the fantastic Romantic Novelists Association and their New Writer’s Scheme. I was awarded the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017, along with my fellow author Erin Green. After this I met Natasha Harding from Bookouture who offered to mentor me through the WoMentoring Project – and this lead to my first publishing contract. I’m working on my sixth book now. When I’m not lost in my latest novel, I work for an online retailer where I buy natural beauty and cleaning products (and indulge my other great passion – moisturiser). Originally from Buckinghamshire, I lived in Lancashire and London before settling in Hertfordshire. Here I live with my own romantic hero Chris, two fantastic teenagers, along with a couple of very grumpy cats.

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THE ORPHAN WITH NO NAME

MY THOUGHTS:

With the war raging on across Europe, so many lives lost.  As the bombs flew across the dark night sky, no one on the ground was safe.  When one of the bombs hit the town many were injured and taken to a hospital.  Polly’s dad told her to run to the shelter and he would find her.  Polly woke up in the hospital and her injuries were severe.  She didn’t know who she was and the nurses named her Rosie Ward.  Because her family couldn’t be located the hospital transferred her to an orphanage in Scotland.  Rosie wonders if her family will ever find her.  She meets Alice Blakey and there is an immediate connection.  They decide to become make believe sisters.  Their only hope to survive this horrible time in their life is to stick together.  Will Rosie ever find her father again or is this the only life she will ever know?

The Orphan with No Name, written by author Shirley Dickson is a heart wrenching tale of family, new friends and survival.  This was a horrible time for people and the children suffered the most.  With many of them being separated from their families they lost all hope.  This story rips at your heartstrings and will leave you totally emotional.  You will definitely need Kleenex so keep the box close.  I enjoyed this story, even though parts were difficult to read, it gave me hope for Rosie and Alice.  I only wanted the best for them and was hopeful that they would finally get the one thing they wanted, family.  Dickson immediately pulls the reader into the book and makes it an unputdownable page turner.  Dickson is a phenomenal storyteller and I enjoy her books.  I highly recommend this exceptional historical fiction.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

THE ORPHAN WITH NO NAME
Author:  Shirley Dickson 
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: September 19, 2024
Pages: 415 
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England, 1942: ‘Will I ever find my mammy or daddy?’ She looks up, her bright blue eyes full of unshed tears, but the kind nurse gently says, ‘Sweetheart, if you can’t remember your own name, I don’t think you’ll ever find them…’

Waking up in a rickety hospital bed, the sweet ten-year-old girl with soft blonde hair and flushed cheeks is lucky to be alive. But all she can remember is the screech of the air raid siren. The nurses call her ‘Rosie’, and hope someone will save her. But no one does, and without a family, she is taken to Blakely Orphanage in Scotland under the supervision of the strict Miss Black.

The only glimmer of hope is her new friend Alice and the two lost girls decide to become make-believe sisters. They help each other through the long, hard hours with Miss Black standing over them as they work in silence, wondering if they will ever escape.

One day, Rosie watches a beautiful woman in a pretty dress and a tall, handsome man step through the gates. Her heart squeezes as she hopes they might be her mammy and daddy. But Rosie’s heart shatters when they take the hand of a little boy and leave the orphanage.

Slowly, Rosie begins to piece together the mystery of her past despite Alice telling her they don’t need any adults. But if she does find her mammy and daddy, will she remember them? And will she ever have a happy family again – or is there more heartache to come?

ABOUT SHIRLEY DICKSON

Shirley Dickson was born and grew up in the seaside town of South Shields. She left school at fifteen and can’t remember a time when she didn’t write. She entered her first short story competition in ‘School Friend’ when she was eleven. After Shirley retired from auxiliary nursing, she was able to devote her time to writing.

After living in various locations, she settled under the big skies of Northumberland and has lived with her husband in the same house for over forty years. Shirley has three daughters and four grandchildren and likes nothing better than family gatherings.

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THE PARIS DAUGHTER

MY THOUGHTS:

Paris, 1939: Evelina can’t believe her eyes.  Her own design on a mannequin.  As she watches those in the room in awe of her creation, she cannot believe it is hers.  Present day, London: as Blake sits in her office with a piece of silver velvet in her hand attached to a faded dress design.  The beautiful, breathtaking designs were left with her grandmother at Hope’s House.  With her grandmother now gone, the design’s are all she has left of her biological family.  The only way to get the answers she’s searching for is to return to Paris.  When Blake meets fashion curator, Henri they immediately connect.  But Blake must stay focused, she is determined to find out everything she can about her family.  But can she find the answers she needs with the help of Henri, or will she return home with more questions and a broken heart.

The Paris Daughter, written by author Soraya Lane is a phenomenal story of love, family and new friends.  I completely enjoyed the story of Blake and Henri.  They were a perfect match for each other and their story melted my heart.  This wonderful tale hit all the feels and left me with a happy heart.  I loved the history and Evelina’s story.  Lane is a master storyteller and always captures the reader’s attention at the very first page and hold it until the last page is turned.  The detailed description of the streets of Paris made this book a wonderful escape.  This marvelous addition to The Lost Daughters Series can be read as a standalone, but my suggestion is to read the entire series, it is phenomenal.  I highly recommend this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

THE PARIS DAUGHTER
Author:  Soraya Lane
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: September 16, 2024 
Pages: 299
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Paris, 1939: Gazing out at the glittering skyline, Evelina clutches the letter from her love in shaking hands. “I know I do not deserve you, my darling, but I pray that you will change your mind. You have my heart, and I hope that nothing will keep us apart…”

London, present day. Blake gazes down at a scrap of shimmering silver velvet attached to a faded dress design, tracing the details with wonder. They were left with her grandmother at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers, before she was adopted. Now her beloved grandmother has passed, the beautiful fabric and the designer’s signature are the only clues Blake has about her biological family. Will she be able to unravel the decades-old family secret?

Blake can’t get the intricate drawing, and what it could reveal about her family, out of her head. Armed with a plane ticket, a Paris address and the details of a handsome fashion curator named Henri, Blake is determined to find out the truth about her talented great-grandmother Evelina’s life. Perhaps doing so will help Blake get her old spark for designing back, after her dreams have sat forgotten for so long.

Soon Blake is walking down the Champs-Élysées and enjoying intimate dinners with Henri,who is researching Evelina’s work as one of Paris’ most celebrated designers, whose bold designs rivalled Coco Chanel’s. As Henri and Blake grow closer, they uncover Evelina’s legacy, and her forbidden romance that set the fashion world ablaze.

As Blake discovers the impossible choice that caused Evelina to flee the most romantic city in the world, she wonders if she too could risk everything for love. Could hearing tales of her great-grandmother’s bravery encourage her to take a chance on a new life with Henri? Or will the fallout of Evelina’s heart-wrenching past drive Blake back home?

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.

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HER SECRET SOLDIER

MY THOUGHTS:

England, 1940, Rose is living in a country that is in ruins from the war.  How will her beloved country ever return to the beautiful place it once was.  When she sees a parachute land in the woods behind her house she rushes to help.  Her immediate reaction is to help the injured soldier until she discovers that he is German.  Walter is an involuntary spy that wants to turn himself in, but he knows that could mean death.  Rose does everything she can to keep Walter safe by hiding him in an abandoned cottage in the same woods that she found him in.  But when they hear that the Germans are carrying out a deadly attack she fears the worst. 

Her Secret Soldier, written by author Julie Hartley is a phenomenal story of love, sacrifice and family.  I loved the characters of Rose and Walter.  They were captivating and felt like family.  I love their bravery and their sacrifices.  This heartbreaking and tragic historical fiction, based on true events, was inspiring and emotionally gripping.  This unputdownable story is one that has buried itself in my heart and I can’t get it out of my mind.  This is the first book I have read by this author and it definitely will not be the last.   I look forward to reading many more of her stories.  I wish I could give 10 stars, I highly recommend this book, don’t wait another minute read it now. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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DESCRIPTION:

HER SECRET SOLDIER
Author:  Julie Hartley
Publisher:  Bookouture
Publication Date: September 12, 2024 
Pages: 325
Buy on Amazon

‘They’re making me do this. I don’t want to, but I don’t have a choice. Please believe me.’ As I look into his blue eyes, I feel in my heart that he’s telling the truth. But can I trust a German spy?

England, 1940. When Rose sees a parachute crash into the woods behind her house she rushes to help. Finding an injured young soldier, Rose’s first instinct is to care for him. As she pushes the hair back from his handsome face, Rose feels an instant connection. But when he speaks, her blood turns to ice.

His name is Walter, he’s German and he’s an involuntary spy. He wants to turn himself in, even if it means he’ll be executed. As the pair share stories of their hopes and dreams after the war is over and their feelings begin to deepen, Rose knows she has to do whatever she can to save Walter’s life. Hiding him in an abandoned cottage in the woods, Rose prays he will be safe.

But after hearing the Germans are planning a deadly attack, Walter disappears and Rose fears the worst. Has he been discovered by the British, or has he been taken by the Germans and shot for desertion? With her heart in pieces Rose must decide – if she really loves Walter, how much will she sacrifice to save his life?

1990. When Emma unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the middle of a forest from her Great Aunt Rose, she wonders how anyone could live in such isolation. Searching the house for clues about the aunt she never knew, she’s shocked to discover old bones carefully wrapped in cloth, hidden in the cellar. As Emma begins to unravel the connection to Rose, will everything she has ever known about her family change forever?

ABOUT JULIE HARTLEY

Born in Lincolnshire, England, Julie Hartley is a writer, storyteller, creative writing teacher and writing retreat host currently based in Toronto, Canada. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she is the author of a middle grade novel, The Finding Place, published by Red Deer Press; a poetry collection, Deboning a Dragon, published by Mansfield Press, and a book on how to teach Shakespeare, published by Theatrefolk. Julie teaches creative writing to children, teens and adults in schools and universities, and at her own studio in Toronto. She is the instructor for annual creative writing retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico and England. Her next book - a historical novel set on the south coast of England in 1940, is forthcoming with Bookouture in September 2024.

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