The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Emmie Fontana created a world that she is perfectly comfortable in. She works at her Brooklyn family bakery, and lives alone in her little apartment. Comfortable. Content... or is she? She does everything her overbearing and strict Nonna says like the dutiful granddaughter she is.  Emmie dresses comfortably, with no regard to modern styles or fads. She replaces her eyeglasses the same style for years. This woman exists in predictability. Yep, she is perfectly comfortable. Her outspoken cousin and best friend, Lucy, thinks Emmie is simply settling because it's ... well, comfortable.

Both girls are second-born daughters, and they believe the Fontana Family Curse that says all second daughters will never find love. Well, Emmie insists she doesn't think it's true, but deep down she wonders if there isn't some validity to it. Emmie, came across a family tree when she was a child, and sure enough, all second-born daughters were old maids.

One of the cursed women is her old Aunt Poppy, Nonna's sister. Nonna raised both Lucy and Emmie, and has made it clear that no-one is not to have any contact with Poppy. Apparently, Poppy was blamed for kidnapping a baby ... Emmie's mother. 

Emmie wrote to her Aunt Poppy, but Nonna found out and demanded she cut off all contact. So, as always, Emmie did as she was told to escape Nonna's wrath. But she missed her eccentric Aunt. 

Then her 80-year-old eccentric Poppy comes into Emmie's life again, and this is where the story really takes a turn.  Emmie, and her cousin Lucy accept an all expense paid trip to visit Poppy in Italy. Nonna is furious, but Emmie grows a backbone and goes anyway. The adventure that follows is filled with surprises, growth, and uncovered secrets. 

A  must read for sure. The generations of the Fontana family is a mixture of so many types of people; loving, controlling, free-spirited, lovelorn ... you name it. 

5 Stars

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Yellowstone Yondering

Terriers and Bison and bears! OH MY! (Yes, I just twisted a line from Wizard of Oz.) Kayla’s adventure in Yellowstone is filled with her crazy antics and broken rules, much to the dismay of Alexander, a go-by-rules park ranger. Both characters are downright lovable despite their flaws.

 I won’t dwell on the storyline, as you can get that from the well-written blurb. What I would like to convey is the great storytelling by the author, Kristen Joy Wilks. This story grabbed me right from the beginning and I honestly could not put the book down. As I got deeper into the story I loved the faith inspired moments and the self-growth from both Kayla and Alexander. 

I definitely disliked Kayla’s former friends that she accidentally comes across in Yellowstone. It really showed how far Kayla had come from her old ways.

This story is filled with heart-melting moments, gasp-inducing terror, and rib-tickling laughter. What a mixture! What I enjoyed most about Yellowstone Yondering was the faith inspired lessons that were so integrated into the storyline that it didn't come across as preaching. 

 

 

5 stars

 

I won this book in a giveaway. I am so blessed! All opinions in this review are my own. 

Set the Stars Alight

Amanday Dykes first introduced me to dual-time period books with Whose Waves These Are. Now, I've been blessed with a complimentary copy of her latest book, Set the Stars Alight. 

The contemporary portion of this dual-time period, is focused on Lucy and Dash. Lucy's parents take in the young boy, Dash, to live in their home. I love the cute nicknames, Lucy as Matchstick Girl, and Dash as The Lost Boy. What's adorable is that Dash is the one that gives her this nickname because her home was formally a matchstick factory. 

Lucy's father gathers the two together to tell them stories, pausing to assure they grasp the special meaning behind them. It is these stories that prod Lucy and Dash into a surprising adventure when they are older, after Lucy's father dies. This journey is intriguing, and touching.  

The historical timeline of this book takes place in the 1800s. The main characters, Juliette, Elias, and Frederick also grow from forged childhood friendships that last into adulthood. This journey has unexpected pitfalls, but lovely rewards. I connected with all the characters, but I suspect Frederick is nestled a little deeper in my heart. Read the book, and see if he does the same to you.

Both timelines have the underlying theme of family, respect, honor and the sacrifices one takes to hopefully gain a blessed outcome.

4 stars  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Prisoner's Wife

The descriptive writing pulled me into the life of Izzy, a Czech farm girl, and Bill, a British POW. Their story tells of love, determination and horrific hardships no human should endure. The forged friendships with other prisoners is touching, and shows that there is hope to be had even in the darkest times. Izzy lives life as a man, and their secret is kept despite the lack of privacy in the German labor camp. 

There is some crude and violent scenes, as would be expected in a WWII tale, yet the love Izzy and Bill cleave to is inspiring. The fact this is inspired by a true story drew me into the story even more. 

This is truly a page-turner, and not once did the story lag.

I highly recommend The Prisoner's Wife. It is my favorite book of 2020. 

5+ Stars

I received a copy of this book from Penguin Random House. 

Dairy-Free Meal Prep

Dairy-Free diets can be challenging, but this book makes it easy. Dairy-Free Meal Prep is just one of many cookbooks by Silvana Nardone. She is the founding editor of Everyday with Rachel Ray, so I'm confident this book is chock full of reliable information. 

Unlike most cookbooks, this one delves into the reasons of why. Why go dairy-free? Why are meal plans important? This book has answers. Not only that, it has six weeks of meal plans for those who really don't know where to start. Broken down into a three part format, with easy to follow instructions, anyone can begin a healthier diet. 

4 Stars

I received this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

Dairy-Free Cookbook for Beginners

I'm always on the lookout for Dairy-Free cookbooks, and I'm so happy I came upon this one. Dairy-Free Cookbook for Beginners is full of great recipes. They're easy to follow, even for the most inexperienced cook, so the "for beginners" in the title is accurate. Everything from entrees to desserts can be found, along with substitutions and shopping tips. I reccomend this cookbook to anyone journeying into the dairy alternative lifestyle.

5 Stars

I received this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

Everyday Stress Relief

With the Corona Virus affecting every aspect of my life, stress has become three-fold. This book is full of techniques to combat that stress. The biological effects stress has on the body is explained in layman's terms. I honestly think this book is helpful to everyone. 

5 Stars

I received this book from Callisto Publisher's Club

Mediations on Christ

This little journal is beautiful. Mediations on Christ is full of guidance, Biblical verses, prayers and  meditation. There are journal entry prompts to help you write your thoughts on the daily subject. The georgeous illustrations are an added bonus.  

The meditations are focused on many things we encounter in life: faithfulness, joy, patience, and many other qualities we strive for as a Christian. 

5 Stars. 

I received this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

The Hand Lettering Workbook

This is a little bit of whimsy and a lot of fun. The instructions are easy to follow and there's plenty of room to practice. The pages are thick, so no chance of bleed through. The lettering starts simple, and gradually progresses to more challenging letters.

Great bit of fun for anyone.

I received a copy of this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

4 stars

Urban Gardening for Beginners

From windowsill herbs to hydroponics there is many choices for a garden. This book helps break it down by difficulty level, cost and great instructions. Being able to pluck an herb while cooking, or spending time outside in a vegetable raised bed, it really doesn't matter what you choose. The feeling you get from growing and providing food is the best. I am going to start small and work my way to a full backyard garden. But even if you don't have a backyard, there are many options in this book. Go for it! Spring is almost here.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

4 stars

The Sleep Workbook

The easy to understand steps in this book help change sleep habits. The journaling exercises are full of self-reflective questions to help you deal with the underlying anxiety that causes insomnia.  Instead of turning to pills or other strategies that mask the problem, this book helps you grasp your sleep issues and solve them through thoughts and behavior. It's certainly worth a try!

I received this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

4 stars

Family Cookbook Recipe Journal

My daughter has gone out on her own but still calls me for recipes. This journal type cookbook is the perfect gift! Full lined pages to write down beloved recipes. Each page has a header to fill in prep and cook time, source of recipe, and servings ... and any little personal pointers. This is a hefty 200 page book, with color coded pages. There's measurement conversions, blank table of contents. I love the idea of filling it in with favorites and handing it down to my daughter. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Callisto Publisher's Club.

5 stars

Only the Hardest Puzzles

Wow. Yeah ... I um. What? This was my first reaction upon leafing through the pages of this crossword book. I found it quite a challenge to even figure out how to do some of these puzzles. There's types that I haven't even seen before. I love a challenge though, so I find this book a fun way to pass the many hours I spend at home now. I like the many different choices. 

I received this complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher's Club.

4 stars

The 30-Minute Gluten-Free Cookbook

I've been preparing gluten-free meals for over 20 years, and I'm always looking for innovative recipes. This cookbook is chock full of great ones. From breakfast to late night snacks, you'll find quick, easy recipes. There's sample menus, and measurement conversions too. Really a great cookbook for the gluten-free life.

I received this complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher's Club.

4 stars

The Essential Panini Press Cookbook

The recipes in this book are mouthwatering, imaginative, and creative. Even the most inexperienced cook can follow the directions to wonderful creations. I never thought yummy desserts was a possibility with the panini press, but the Raspberry and Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches with Chocolate Sauce is AWESOME. Super quick and easy too. So yeah, I now make dessert sandwiches. There are many classic sandwiches, as well as breakfast fare. There's even ingredient swaps for gluten-free and paleo diets.

I received this copy from Callisto Publisher's Club. And now I'm hungry.

5 stars

100 Large-Print Crossword Puzzles

With all the changes in our world, and many people staying home, we're all trying to fill the hours. This crossword book a great way to pass the time and keep your mind sharp. 100 puzzles are sure to keep boredom at bay. The print is huge ... so large that I don't need to look for my reading glasses. (More often than not I find them perched on the top of my head.) I found this book quite entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Callisto Pubisher's Club. All opinions are my own.

5 stars

Release Spotlight : The Closer You Get

A new twisting novel of psychological suspense from the acclaimed author 

Mary Torjussen.

Coworkers Ruby and Harry are in love, but they're married to other people. they decide to tell their spouses that their marriages are over and to start a new life together. Ruby has wanted to leave her controlling husband for a while, so she tells him she's leaving and waits at the hotel where she and Harry are to meet.

But Harry never shows up.

Suddenly, Ruby has lost everything. Harry won't answer her calls, and she's fired from her job. She finds a cheap apartment in a run-down part of town, all the while wondering what happened to Harry.

Just as Ruby thinks she's hit rock bottom, strange and menacing things start to happen -- someone is sneaking into her apartment, and someone is following her home late at night -- and she is going to have to fight for her survival. 

Mary Torjussen has an MA in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moores University. She's worked for several years as a teacher and lives outside of Liverpool. 

Wall of Silence

Wall of Silence opens with the point of view of a child who stabbed a family member ... their father, Patrick. 

All three siblings stick together and refuse to tell who did it. The family seemed perfect, and everyone in the community is stunned at this awful event. Melissa, the mother of the children is the one who came upon her husband surrounded by the children. Her devotion to Patrick and her children brings her to the brink of despair when the police deem it an attempted murder.

This book kept me wondering just who stabbed Patrick. Surprisingly, her children are not evil, and all of them are tortured by the event. Yet all three keep a tight hold on what really happened. Melissa, the mother, is the main character. I admired the way she protected her children while searching for answers. 

The child at fault chimes in from time to time with more insight into the awful event, (though I still wasn’t sure who this child is.) At times I wondered if it was one of the children after all. Was it an adult the kids are covering for? Was it someone else in the family, or someone else in the tight-knit  community? 

Even with the father finally waking from a coma, and telling who plunged the knife into him, the answers remain unclear.

I was grabbed by the throat, heart, and mind upon the the first few sentences, and never released until the last page of this book. 

First sentences of Wall of Silence:

I thought Dad’s blood would smell of him, that soft citrus scent I’ve known all my life. But all I can smell on my hands are bitter pennies.

I look down on his face. He’s so white, so quiet.

Is this really happening?

5 stars

The Happy Camper

The Happy Camper is predictable yet enjoyable, and inspirational without preaching. It kind of has the vibe of a Hallmark movie. (Who knows, maybe Hallmark will grab this fun story and film it.) In my opinion, romance, faith mixed with a lovable, albeit a bit of a grouchy character is the perfect recipe for any story. This does not disappoint. The Happy Camper is all about starting over, self-growth and love. Dillon is not looking for love ... which is the perfect time to fall hopelessly in it.

Delve into this book. The time you spend in Dillon's story is worth the smile and warm heart you'll end up with. I read it in a day, not because it's short, but because I couldn't put it down. So cute! You'll love it. 

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. What a prize! I wasn't asked to do a review in return, and all opinions are my own.

4 stars

You Were There Too

I'm so glad I won You Were There Too in a giveaway featured on Cover Lover Book Review. This is the first book I've read from this author. Colleen Oakley is now on my don't miss list.

You Were There Too involves a love triangle, but this one is skewed. It's not the run-of-the-mill love triangle I've read about in the past. The author created Mia, and forced her to make some heart-wrenching decisions. Oh Colleen Oakley, you made me feel for this character. This story was riveting, believable, and as a whole, very well thought out. Kudos to the author!

This is not the last I'll read from this author. I love her writer's voice, and imagination.

5 stars

In an Instant

I have never started a book review talking about the author notes at the end of the book. To be honest, I don’t usually read author notes, but I didn’t want In an Instant to end. I clung to each chapter like a blanket in a snowstorm. So yeah, I read past the last chapter. I’m glad I did. 

Only upon reading these notes did I realize why the storytelling was tangible, and sincere. The author, Suzanne Redfearn, wrote from experience.  She survived a disaster as a child. Though this isn’t autobiographical, she drew from the helplessness as a child, as well as witnessing the choices adults made to save their own children while leaving others in their care to their own devices.

In an Instant delves into the human psyche, and the difficult choices one must make in life-threatening situations. Finn, the main character is able to narrate the story in first person. She dips into each survivor’s view … because she is dead. This isn’t a spoiler, because it’s basically the main premise of this story. It’s not really paranormal, though that might seem a contradiction, but when you read the book, you’ll understand.  The story is beautifully told. It yanked me out of my reality and into Finn’s point of view.

Rarely can an author make me actually FEEL the story … and feel I did. I laughed and wept. I wanted to slap people upside the head, and embrace others in a comfort. I trudged through the frozen wilderness, thirsted for rescue, and huddled along with the survivors in the wrecked bus. I experienced Finn’s helplessness, anger, and despair. I whooped at her glee, laughed at her sweet memories, and wanted to hold her hand through the myriad of experiences in her journey.

But there is more to this story than survival and loss. There’s self-discovery, self-loathing, selfishness, and generosity. There’s courage, and finding strength despite depleted hope. There’s family dynamics before and after the accident. There’s survivor’s guilt, pseudo heroes, and true heroes. There’s love, betrayal, physical and mental healing. There's. So. Much.

This story both knocked the breath out of me and made me hold my breath in anticipation. I could go on and on about this story, but I will leave you to it. Read it. Experience it.

I give this book infinite stars. 

The Gray Chamber

The Gray Chamber by Grace Hitchcock initially drew my interest due to the true historical aspects, but the characters the author created made the story real to me. Blackwell Island Asylum was the first lunatic asylum in New York in the late 1800s, and plays a huge role in this story. Nelly Bly, the famed journalist who exposed the deplorable conditions at the asylum even plays a part in the book. Without a doubt, Grace Hitchcock blended research and storytelling. I loved every page she penned. 

Though The Gray Chamber is fictional, the author incorporated many true historical facts. I enjoyed the characters she created, especially Edyth Foster.  She’s quirky, and doesn’t care to follow social norms for a young woman of the times. Her passion is fencing, and her heart is hopelessly in love with her long-time instructor, Bane. He’s clueless to her admiration, but I still adored Bane. He’s kind, and a true friend to Edyth. I wanted to shake the man and force him to see the beauty in Edyth, despite her unconventional persona. 

I found Edyth simply charming! She’s kind to everyone, generous to a fault, and has a buried brokenness that pulls at ones heartstrings. Naivety is her downfall, and she isn't aware of her guardian’s betrayal until she’s locked away in the lunatic asylum on Blackwell Island ... and no one will believe she’s sane. 

The events throughout this book are vivid, brutal, heartfelt, and touching. Yes, a true rollercoaster of emotions. This story held me in an atmosphere of dampened spirit, and darkness throughout Edyth’s plight once she was committed. Her belief in redemption, faith, friendship with other sane women in the asylum helps her to hold on to sanity. That, and her undying love for Bane. 

The emotional journey I experienced while reading this book will stay with me for a long time. Read The Gray Chamber, and delve into the world that really existed. It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time.

5 glorious stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Once Upon a Sunset

I've been looking forward to yet another book from Tif Marcelo. I first discovered this author when I read The Key to Happily Ever After. 

Once Upon a Sunset is a story revolving around a mother, Margo, and her grown daughter, Diana. Though their relationship is close, yet it becomes strained when they accidentally discover family secrets. Both deal with the aftermath of this newfound in their own way,  and the differing views create a fallout between them. 

As in Tif Marcelo's first book, this one brilliantly portrays the Filipino culture. Though the story revolves around self-understanding and growth, there's a romantic vein to the book. I enjoyed both storylines. 

I connected with the mother, Margo, and her free-spirited was of handling what life threw at her. However, I still empathized with the daughter, Diana. Both characters delve deep into the pas, in in that process discover a lot about themselves. Their relationship gradually repairs, and deepens their understanding about each other's views. Their self-growth is gradual, believable, and touching.

I received an ARC from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

4 stars