books and ladybugs

I love the new style of books Mary Kay Andrews has begun writing. The mystery and intrigue are interesting. And the fact that she continues to include fun and quirky characters is entertaining. The story keeps you flipping the pages quickly. The characters are well developed and will have you loving or hating them. There were several times when I laughed out loud at some of the crazy antics.

At one point in time, I wondered why the author had spent so much time developing on particular characters and then the person just dropped out as an important part of the story. But was I ever wrong! That’s why Mary Kay Andrews is such an amazing author. Because not only does she bring the individual back at the end; she brings it with a bang!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am a huge Mary Kay Andrews fan and can’t wait to get lost in another adventure. She definitely keeps me entertained!

This third book in the series was very enjoyable. I love how the author combines historical facts with a delightful story. The dual timeline will keep you engaged in the lives of the characters…both past and present. The father-daughter duo make you wish they were your friend. And Jillian’s genealogy talents and deep desire to solve a mystery will have you waiting anxiously for the clues to be followed until the truth is revealed.

The characters are well developed and you will begin to care for them and wonder what happens to them in the future. And, of course, there is the random character or two that you just dislike immensely. But that’s okay, but the rest of the characters and their integrity and positive characteristics make up for the random few. I definitely recommend this book. And while it could be read without reading the first books in the series, the others are good enough that I suggest you read them too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am a huge fan of the Tree of Life series and can’t wait for Nolan and Jillian’s next adventure!

I really enjoy dual time-line books. And when one of those is during WWII, I’m all in! This was such a heartwarming story about family, friendship, love, loss, infidelities, hope, and discovery. The strength of a mother’s love is a strong theme throughout the pages.

There are several moments when you will gasp out loud in shock and then there will be a twist that shocks you even more. Secrets that have been kept hidden for years are slowly revealed and as you travel through the pages. You will anxiously wait to find out what happens … in the present and the past.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was impressed that this is Sarah Mitchell’s debut novel. I will definitely be reading future books by her. This is a definite one to put on your to-be-read list!

To be honest, this book was just not very appealing to me. I felt like Willa’s inability to move on after her husband’s death was trite. While I understand her grief, the fact that she abandoned her motherly duties with her son was atrocious. What mother would do that There could have been so much depth to this book, but it fell flat and did not engage me in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book has been on my to-be-read list since it was released. And my anticipation of being able to read it was rewarded with a wonderful well-written story. The cover alone will pull you in with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Ellis and Lily are well developed characters and you will begin to care what happens in their lives. The author does a great job of sharing the lives and situations during the great depression. Your heart will ache with the tale of the two children “sold on a Monday.”

The story is a wonderful example of the repercussions of one person’s actions and the ripple effect. If you discovered a decision you made seriously affected the life of another individual, how far would you go to undo the damage you caused? Ellis has to make a decision between putting his career as a priority or be a man of high morals and integrity.

This book is at moments heartwrenching and have you biting your nails in fear the next. It is just a wonderful book and should be moved to the top of your to-be-read list.

A beautiful historical fiction novel that will draw you into the life of Emma Koehler. She was an amazing individual and a lady ahead of her time. The author does a wonderful job of drawing you into the story as soon as you open the book and read the first word. And you will not be able to put it down until you’ve absorbed the last word and slowly closed the book.

I am a huge Camille Di Maio fan and her well-researched books are a delight to read. She does an amazing job of providing the historical details in an interesting manner that weaves a story you will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I strongly encourage you to read this book! I know that I will be reading every book Ms. Di Maio will write in the future. She is a gem!