In BloomIn

I would have liked this collection better if the stories hadn't been pushed toward romance so quickly.  There were a lot of funny parts in these novellas that made it so easy to read and it is just the perfect kind of book where the reader doesn't have to invest a lot of brain space to be thoroughly entertained.  

Fern Michaels' novella is a sweet story about moms and daughters coming to terms with family secrets and with family love winning out over all. 

The Lori Foster novella is my least favorite of the three stories in this book.  The path of love between Cory and Austin was a bit of a stretch for how quickly it developed. 

Carolyn Brown wrote what was to me the funniest story in the collection.  The meddling grandmas really took the cake on this one. 

All in all, In Bloom is an enjoyable read for those lazy afternoons when what the reader needs is an escape with a story, a blanket, and a cup of tea.  Four stars. 

Kensington Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

The Italian Ballerina

 

Kristy Cambron has written some seriously good World War II fiction that reaches in and touches the reader's heart.  So I chose to read The Italian Ballerina based on what I've read by her before.  I found this book hard to read, not because of the subject matter, but because of the disconnect among all of the stories Kristy is trying to weave together. The chronologies of the various parts of the story are disjointed and out of order from one part of a chapter to another. This is the only criticism I have for the book.  

The major players are:  Court, a medic in the Army; AJ, Court's commanding officer; Julia, a prima ballerina; Anton, her dance partner; Calla, an orphaned Jewish child; Matteo, Calla's grandson; Delaney, Court's granddaughter. There are some minor characters who add to the plot and make it a more cohesive whole, but these are the ones the reader needs to keep up with most.  

The narrative bounces back and forth, to and fro, hither and thither, and basically all over the place--from Court's life before the war, during the war, and a little bit after the war;   from Julia's life as a ballerina, as a nurse, and as a resistance fighter; from Calla's life during the war to modern day towards the end of her life when dementia is taking over; and finally Matteo and Delaney picking up the pieces to the stories and making them into a cohesive whole. 

This would be a strong four star book if it weren't for the chronology ricocheting all over.  There are times when Court's life is described during the war, then before the war, then after the war and the timeline is all out of whack.  The multiple settings within the book do not detract from the story and in some places enhance it.  It is still worth reading--it just takes a concentrated effort to keep up.  Three Stars.  

Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

Sea Glass Cottage

 

Christi Reece has come to Hope Harbor, Oregon, to ask for a favor.  She is not the person she used to be, but the man she's asking for the favor doesn't know that.  Their first encounter is when she trespasses on a house called Sea Glass Cottage, very near the beach.  She's cold and there is a fog that she is afraid to drive through, but she finds the cottage.  The door to the cottage was open, so she went inside to take shelter.  She built a fire and slept on the floor.  The following morning Jack Colby is still on patrol when he finds her in the cottage.  He is quite disbelieving she's there in Hope Harbor and really wants nothing to do with her since she broke his heart more than a decade ago.  

While Christi is figuring out what to do, she gets an offer to stay in the Sea Glass Cottage (free of charge--basically she's being asked to house-sit) and a job offer all in the same day. The only fly in the ointment is the level of distrust Jack has for her. 

Irene Hannon has written a somewhat predictable book that is enjoyable and engaging.  Hope Harbor is the kind of town everyone wants to live in, with friendly people coming out of the woodwork to help out someone in need. Parts of the book were fun and brought a smile to my face as I read it, and parts of the book reminded me of the redemption we all can have.  Leopards may not change their spots, but truly redeemed people do.  

It's a good, easy read worth every bit of four stars, where the reader will find redemption, reconciliation, and really good fish tacos. 

Revell Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

When the Meadow Blooms

Rose Meadows is in a sanitarium because she has tuberculosis.  Her daughters are in a Home for Girls and Rose wants nothing more than to be reunited with her girls. Rose's late husband's brother has a farm with large meadows which would be perfect for the girls.  What Rose doesn't know is that the headmistress of the Home for Girls is mistreating the children in her care.  She just knows she wants her daughters back.  

Calla, Rose's elder daughter, sees the abuse her younger sister is experiencing in the home and finds the address for her father's brother.  She writes and asks him to rescue them from the home. At the same time, Rose writes to her brother-in-law asking for assistance so that she can leave the sanitarium. 

Dirk Meadows is a reclusive, wounded man who relishes his privacy, but understands the needs of his brother's family.  He steps up and brings Rose and the girls to his home called Meadowlands. His rules are few and Calla, especially works hard to keep his house neat and chores done to thank him for rescuing them. 

This book takes on some spiritual issues and shows through the characters how they are resolved in such a satisfying way.  While taking place during the 1920s, Ann H Gabhart has included such issues as acceptance, looking beyond outward appearances to see the heart, forgiveness, healing, and acknowledging God's presence even when He seems far away. She weaves these emotions and ideas into her story seamlessly and those are  engaging traits for a book to have.   She is a masterful author who works hard at her craft to bring satisfying tales to her readers. 

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a Meadow full of wild flowers. 

Revell Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

 

Oh, The Sweet Life

Dawn is a woman who has life mapped out by spread sheet and by the numbers.  Her mother, Marnie, lives life by the seat of her pants.  When Dawn's fiance breaks off the engagement, he gives Dawn the week-long honeymoon on Cape Cod that has already been paid.  Dawn takes Marnie with her and while they were in Chatham Village, Marnie buys an ice cream shop.  Dawn is aghast at her mother's impulsiveness. One thing that Marnie was thinking of is that Dawn and her father spent hours and hours perfecting the very best vanilla ice cream ever.  

Dawn drug her feet, but gave her mom six months to make the ice cream shop a go. Then a spark ignites in Dawn to continue developing the best ice cream she can.  

Marnie meets a man, Lincoln, who helps her repair and bring the Creamery building back to life.  Marnie meets opposition in the form of the historical commission but Dawn's ex-fiance comes to the rescue to help Marnie wade through the morass of the bureaucratic paperwork to satisfy the commission.  

There is not much romance in the book, but it is more of a story of mothers and daughters finding their way with each other when they are such disparate personalities. 

Suzanne Woods Fisher also writes Amish Fiction and does very well with Amish and non-Amish tales.  This book is a wonderful story that encompasses more than just love, but friendship, strength, and finding oneself.  

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and the very best ice cream you've ever tasted. 

Revell Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own. 

 

Long Way Home

 

I will pick up anything Lynn Austin writes, because she is that good.  This book is one of the hardest books I've ever read--it deals with PTSD, inhumane treatments at the hands of "experts," the fallout of war on the soldiers returning home, and the families that have to deal with all of this.  

Jimmy has returned from World War II where, as a medic, he saw some of the worst things men can do to each other in the name of ideologies. He tries to kill himself and ends up in a psychiatric hospital where he's subjected to insulin comas, electroshock, and water treatments.  Peggy is the neighbor girl who has loved Jimmy like a brother and wants to help him find himself again.  

The book is so well-researched that I found myself getting angry at how the characters were treated by family and doctors.  I found myself sad at all that some of the characters had to go through.  I found myself appalled and aghast and the callousness of the professionals.  And I found myself rooting for the underdogs in the book.  They were the true heroes. 

This is definitely a five star book, but have your tissues handy, and gear yourself up to be in the right frame of mind to read it.  It will tug your emotions in ways they have never  been tugged before. 

Tyndale House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.