Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

THE BLUFF by Bonnie Traymore-Book Blast & Giveaway

THE BLUFF

by Bonnie Traymore

October 15-18, 2024 Book Blast

The Bluff by Bonnie Traymore















Book Synopsis:

“What do you have to lose, Kate?” Ryan asked me, as we stood on the bluff looking out on Lake Michigan.

Turns out, almost everything.

When I first moved from Manhattan to this small town six years ago, I worried about many things. I worried about finding a job. I worried that I’d be bored. I worried that my relationship with charming photographer Ryan Breslow was moving too fast. But I never worried about whether the ground beneath my feet would crumble—both literally and figuratively.

My marriage didn’t go as I’d imagined. A year ago, Ryan met his untimely death in a car accident that’s still under investigation. Isolated and alone, all I wanted was to sell my home and leave Crest Lake and its painful memories behind.

But with my home inching ever closer to the edge of the crumbling bluff, the property has become unmarketable. All of us on the lakefront have lost chunks of property, and tempers are at a boiling point about what to do next.

And now, on the evening of a contentious vote about how to fix this pressing issue, my nemesis on the shoreline committee has been murdered. I know how it looks, but it’s not what it seems. But I have to get my plan passed and cash out.

Because I do have secrets.

And they won’t stay buried forever.

Praise for THE BLUFF:

"With a slow-burn intensity that explodes into a jaw-dropping finale, this psychological thriller is both bingeworthy and delicious. Traymore is a master of layered tension, and she left me guessing until the last page."
~ Noelle W. Ihli, #1 bestselling author of Gray After Dark

"With its high-stakes plot and complex characters, the novel is a masterclass in building tension and intrigue."
~ NetGalley

"Gripping and full of surprises, The Bluff is a clever psychological suspense with layered characters and an atmospheric setting. Traymore masterfully ratchets up the tension little-by-little until the shocking, explosive end."
~ Tracey Devlyn, USA Today bestselling author

"This was a slow burn psychological suspense that heated up to a twisty, thrilling finale. A domestic thriller with a timely topic in the background. Great setting. Highly recommended."
~ NetGalley

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller
Published by: Self/ Pathways Publishing imprint
Publication Date: September 1, 2024
Number of Pages: 277
PRINT ISBN: 979-8218417543
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

Doug Mitchell takes in the shoreline of Lake Michigan, letting his Sundancer drift around in the currents. The sight of his house high atop the bluff reminds him of what’s at stake. The vote is tonight, and it’s sure to be a doozy of an evening. There’s a cool wind whipping up what little sand remains on the shrinking beach, and he can see the bare patch of earth where the southern stairs collapsed two years ago. But he feels safe and warm on the deck with the soon-to-be-setting sun still overhead, beaming down on him.

It’s not the same shoreline it was decades ago, but then the world is an ever-changing place. He knows this, although he doesn’t let on about it to most people. Right now, his mind is drifting to another place, and he feels a delightful stirring. He pictures the curve of her back. Her slender, graceful neck. The look on her face when he makes her moan. He takes another sip of his cocktail, closes his eyes, and sinks into it.

After a few minutes, a different kind of feeling washes over him. He’s dizzy. And tired. Way too tired. He’s barely had one drink. He opens his eyes, and the world appears blurry. He feels clumsy. Almost immobile. Shaking his head, he tries to snap out of it, but everything’s…

Fuzzy.

Confused.

Off.

He came out here alone, he thought, although he didn’t check the cabin before leaving the dock. A figure is standing on the deck now, too far away from him to make out who it is. It’s someone, though, and even with his mind dulled, he knows this isn’t good.

Seized with panic, he struggles to pull himself out of the quagmire. Finding a last burst of strength, he attempts to spring up and go on the offensive, but his legs are like rubber. His body rocks forward a bit, accomplishing nothing.

He sinks back into oblivion as the figure approaches.

You?

ONE

Kate

I arrive five minutes late, breathless from my run in from the parking lot. The proceedings haven’t started yet. I rush in, whip off my scarf and coat, and take a seat.

Just in time.

The stage is set for a contentious evening. Tonight, the town council will vote on the pressing issue of the failing bluff. I head up the shoreline committee, and I’ve been invited here this evening to present my plan, one of two the board will consider.

“Hi Kate,” the board member next to me says. “Glad you made it.”

She gives my shoulder a squeeze, confirming that I’ve got her vote.

“Of course,” I say. “Sorry I’m late.”

A tingling sensation creeps up my spine, and a feeling of dread squeezes my stomach like a vise. Perhaps it’s the weather. It’s early fall, but it may as well be the dead of winter. It’s bitter cold and gray, with intermittent downpours. The howling wind whipping off Lake Michigan has been keeping me up at night. It’s the same kind of weather we were having when my husband met his untimely death a year ago, which is likely stirring up some buried feelings. A widow at forty-one. Not the way I expected my life to go when I moved here six years ago.

“The meeting of the Crest Lake Township board of directors is now in session,” the president proclaims, banging his gavel with the countenance of a man desperate for power and relevance. Sam Bolger’s his name.

Sam takes role, and it’s lost on nobody that Doug Mitchell is absent. I fiddle with a strand of hair, twirling it between my fingers. It looks darker in this light, almost auburn. My eyes search the room, and hushed tones fill the silence as people whisper to each other.

Where the hell is Doug?

Are we really going to start without him?

I hope he’s okay.

His allies look concerned, naturally, but even his opponents seem troubled, although that could be an act. It would be unacceptable to show their glee, in the event they were feeling it. But I’m not feeling smug or excited or victorious. I’m feeling nervous. Doug is scheduled to present the opposing plan, and there’s no way he would miss this meeting.

Tempers have been flaring over the issue of what to do about the eroding bluff. The police had to be called during the last public hearing. And there have even been a few death threats, anonymous posts that most of us brushed off.

Silly, really. We’re all on the same team, trying to fight mother nature. Desperate to give ourselves the illusion of control. Struggling to keep our large, lakefront luxury homes from plummeting onto the shrinking shoreline that hugs the massive body of water eighty feet below the fragile bluff.

On some level, we all know that whatever we do will only be a stop-gap in the big picture of geological time, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s what’s making people so angry. Humanity’s stubborn insistence that we can bend the planet to our will. Because it’s obvious that we can’t, and perhaps it’s easier to blame each other than to face the realization that humans are at the mercy of forces we don’t really understand and can no longer control.

The president seems to be stalling, fumbling with his computer as he tries to pull up the agenda and project it onto the TV screen. The board member to my right shares a theory with me. Perhaps Doug’s pulling a stunt for dramatic effect, she whispers in my ear. Maybe the president’s in on it—he’s on Doug’s side—and Doug will come bursting in at the last minute, waving some new study in his hands. But after a few moments, it’s clear to everyone that’s not going to happen.

Sam tables the vote for the time being and moves on to other issues. The board gets to work. There are a handful of mundane items on the agenda aside from the one that matters to me. What to do about the shoreline. I wait patiently as the board members work through other business, waiting for Doug’s arrival. He’s a board member and I’m not, and I’m surprised that they didn’t ask me to sit outside.

I wonder what will happen if he doesn’t show. Will they postpone the vote, or will it go my way by default, with my proposal the only option? Item after item is addressed, and I can feel my pulse starting to race as they tick them off.

Parcel tax proposal.

New library budget.

Changes to the vacation rental rules.

My stomach is in knots. Because if the vote goes my way, it will be a Pyrrhic victory, inflicting massive economic consequences on my lake front neighbors. Doug’s plan to simply shore up the bluff at the toe, the spot where the waves hit and wear it down, is the simple one. The less expensive one. But it’s got the environmental groups up in arms. They’ve grown increasingly vocal over the last few years.

The environmentalists want to force the removal of all existing seawalls, like the one Doug Mitchell installed in front of his home, and ban all such structures. Let nature take its course. Force lakefront owners to move back their homes or demolish them if they are in danger of falling off the bluff. But none of them are on the shoreline committee, and none are on the board. And they’ll be upset whichever way it goes tonight.

My plan is a compromise of sorts. But if I win, there will be consequences. Expensive ones that will dramatically reduce some people’s property values and limit beach access for everyone. And lots of visceral anger, much of it directed at me, especially from my wealthy lakefront neighbors who will absorb most of the cost. Several million dollars, split between ten of us. Sweat beads form at my temples as the minutes tick along to the rhythm of the cheap wall clock mounted above my seat.

Why do they keep it so hot in here?

The council meets at the town center, a small, institutional structure that used to serve as a middle school. The chairs are small and uncomfortable. I sit up and twist from side to side, trying to stop my lower back from cramping up. After an hour or so, there’s nothing left on the agenda but the bluff, and I’m wondering if they’ll postpone my presentation and the vote.

A knock at the door startles us.

Police, a voice calls out.

The door opens, and a young officer enters tentatively, crouching his way into the room. It’s a tight community, and he’s likely a bit intimidated. We’re a powerful bunch. If he ran into one of us around town, I imagine he’d be deferential. But this isn’t a coffee shop or a grocery store, and this isn’t a social call.

After a moment, he straightens up, and his face registers the requisite look of authority. “Doug Michell’s been reported missing,” he says. “He went out on his boat earlier today and never returned. The Coast Guard is conducting a search.”

My stomach sinks, and gasps echo around the room. We all sit with the shocking news for a few moments as the officer bites his lower lip.

He continues. “We’re going to need to interview all of you. Detective Whittaker is on his way. Please stay seated and be patient.”

And with that, the vote is delayed.

***

Travis Whittaker leans back in his chair, eyeing me. I can see tension lines in the detective’s forehead. He seems to have aged since I last saw him, although his thick, dark head of hair reveals few strands of gray. It’s his eyes. They look heavy and full, like the weight of the world sits behind them.

He’s been working his way through the group, and I’m second-to-last. It would have been better to get it over with. Waiting around only increased the tension. Nobody really knew what to say to each other, so there was nothing but awkward silence filling the space between us as we stood in the hallway waiting for our turns to go in and be interviewed.

“So, Ms. Breslow. You arrived five minutes late,” he says.

“I just said that,” I reply, immediately regretting my sharp tone.

The detective’s nostrils flare, ever so slightly. He’s an attractive man for his age—early fifties or so—with a neatly trimmed beard and dark, haunting eyes. Right now, though, he looks menacing.

“Yes. I was about five minutes late,” I say, in a softer tone. My throat feels as if it’s about to close.

He narrows his eyes on me and I look away. I catch myself absent-mindedly stroking my neck and stop myself, placing my hands on the table top.

This feels all too familiar.

“And why were you late?”

“The rain,” I offer. “It got heavy when I was driving down Lakeside.” I tap my fingers on the table top as I search for something to add. “I had to drive more slowly.”

He nods and jots something down on his notepad. Almost everyone at the meeting had to drive down that road in the rain. It’s not a very good excuse, but it’s all I can give him.

“Did Doug Mitchell give you any indication that he was planning to miss the meeting tonight?” he asks.

“No, not at all,” I say. “We were all shocked when he didn’t show up tonight.”

“Have you heard from him today?” he asks.

I shake my head no.

“When’s the last time you had any contact with him?” he asks.

I look off to the side, struggling to keep myself focused and calm. I turn back to him. “In person?” I ask.

“In general,” Whittaker replies.

“We’ve been on the same email and text chain over the last week or so. Exchanging information, in anticipation of the vote.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I swallow. He’s already seen our text stream, I assume. “Yesterday. Around seven in the evening.”

“Was that an email or a text?”

“It was a text.”

“And what did it say?”

I pull up my phone, hold it in my palm, and let him read the exchange. His eyes rest on my last line to Doug Mitchell.

If you do that, I’ll bury you.

It would have been less stressful for me if Whittaker’s face had registered some kind of surprise. Instead, he closes his notepad and puts his pen down. I struggle to keep a neutral look on my face. Then he informs me that I can leave and asks me to send in the next board member.

I start for the door but then turn back to him. “In paperwork,” I offer. “I meant I’d bury him in paperwork.” Then I turn away again and continue to the door.

“Don’t leave town,” he calls out. “We’re sure to have more questions as the investigation develops.”

I nod and keep walking.

***

As my car winds up the dark, curvy road to my lakefront home, I struggle to steady my shaking hands. This night already had me on edge, and I can feel my pulse racing as I reach the bend in the road, near the top. The part where the drop-off is the steepest. They replaced the guardrail with another one that looks exactly the same.

What was the point of that?

Sometimes I can ignore it and drive right past. On sunny days, when the sky is bright and the birds chirp and all is well in the universe. It looks so different in the daylight. But tonight is foggy and foreboding, and I drive slowly. So slowly, I’d probably get a ticket if an officer was behind me. I don’t look to my right though, because then I have to picture it, and imagine the look of terror on his face as he plunged through the rail and over the side.

What was he thinking?

Or was he not thinking at all?

Did he scream?

Or was there no time?

A chill runs up my spine as I turn carefully around the bend and breathe a sigh of relief. Sometimes, I get a sensation that he’s in the car with me, and I can almost feel his breath on my neck. And now Doug’s missing, and I have no idea what to do next or what this means for me and my shoreline plan. All I know is I have to sell my house get out of this town, before I lose my mind.

Or worse.

***

Excerpt from The Bluff by Bonnie Traymore. Copyright 2024 by Bonnie Traymore. Reproduced with permission from Bonnie Traymore. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Bonnie Traymore

Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon International Bestselling author of six domestic/psychological thrillers. Her "popcorn thrillers" feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She's an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Catch Up With Bonnie Traymore:
www.BonnieTraymore.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @btraymore
Instagram - @bonnietraymore
Threads - @bonnietraymore
Twitter/X - @btraymore
Facebook - @bonnietraymore

 

 

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Monday, October 14, 2024

Lady Flyer: Based on a True Story By Heather B. Moore -Historical Fiction Book Review


 Book Synopsis

Based on a true story and set against the backdrop of WWII, a young woman’s love of flying becomes an epic fight for identity and equality.

In the quiet town of Houghton, Michigan, sixteen-year-old Nancy Harkness discovers a passion that ignites her heart in ways she never expected. The arrival of barnstormer pilots brings more than just the thrill of their daring stunts; it brings the promise of adventure. Nancy vows she will be a pilot someday.

Years later, as the dark clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Nancy’s dreams take a new and daring turn. With unwavering determination, she envisions a squadron of female pilots. Yet, her path is far from clear. The male-dominated world of aviation pushes back, determined to keep women out of the skies.

Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain (September 3, 2024)
  • Genre: World War II Historical Fiction
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 163993295X
  • ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****



My Review

Author Heather B. Moore consistently delivers well-researched and beautifully written books. "Lady Flyer" is another excellent example of her work.

In "Lady Flyer," readers meet Nancy Harkness Love, a name that might not be familiar to many. Nancy was a trailblazer in aviation, who discovered her passion for flying at just sixteen. Her story unfolds as she breaks down barriers for women pilots, particularly during World War II. She was a strong advocate for women in aviation, promoting programs like WAFS and WASPS, which enabled female pilots to transport aircraft for the military.

This book tells the story of real individuals, their struggles, a heartfelt romance, strong women, and meaningful friendships. Nancy's drive to fulfill her dream was fueled not by a desire for fame, but by her deep love for her country and a commitment to supporting the war effort. Although women pilots were essential, their contributions often went unrecognized. Tragically, many female pilots lost their lives in accidents. Readers will gain insights into aviation and experience the thrill of flight alongside these pioneers.

Learning about the WASP pilots, who from 1942 to 1944 flew various combat aircraft and delivered over 12,650 planes to seventy-eight bases while accumulating more than 60 million flight miles, was astonishing.

This blend of romance, historical facts, and fiction beautifully showcases Nancy Harkness Love, a heroine who paved the way for future women pilots.

****Meet Author Heather B. Moore****

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than ninety publications. Heather writes primarily historical and #herstory fiction about the humanity and heroism of the everyday person. Publishing in a breadth of genres, Heather dives into the hearts and souls of her characters, meshing her love of research with her love of storytelling.

Her ancient era historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes historical women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore

Website: HBMoore

X: @heatherbmoore

Instagram: authorhbmoore

Facebook: Heather B. Moore All About Books

And yes, the Blog still lives: MyWritersLair

Literary honors: 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Semi-Finalist, Foreword 2020 INDIES Finalist, ALA Best New Books - September 2020, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 6-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner.

Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.



~*~*~*~*Purchase Lady Flyer~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Hardcover-https://a.co/d/exYPe3D

Kindle-https://a.co/d/9i0hf6Z

Sunday, October 6, 2024

For A Lifetime: (An Inspirational Historical Time-Travel Romance Novel) (Timeless) By Gabrielle Meyer-Book Review


 Book Synopsis

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?



Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers (May 7, 2024)
  • Genre: Time-Travel Romance
  • Series: Book 3 of 4: Timeless
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764239767
  • ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****



My Review

For a Lifetime tells the story of twin sisters Grace and Hope, who navigate two different timelines: Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 and New York City in 1912. Grace is the kind-hearted sister, while Hope is more adventurous and headstrong. They experience a day in New York, then suddenly find themselves waking up in Salem the next day, and then the switch happens again. In Salem, the tension of the witch trials looms large, making both sisters eager to escape that time. When they turn 25, they face the choice of which life to pursue and which to leave behind. In 1912, Grace works as a reporter, and Hope is an actress chasing her dream of becoming one of the first female pilots. The intertwining of these timelines is both captivating and easy to follow, even for those who haven’t read the earlier books in the series.

Grace and Hope share a deep connection that is tested throughout the story. They uncover not just truths about each other but also important insights about their own desires and motivations. This Christian historical fiction is well-crafted with a plot that keeps readers engaged, and it handles themes of faith beautifully.

The author skillfully creates emotional connections between the readers and the characters. There are unexpected twists that catch you off guard, yet you sense something surprising is on the horizon. The historical research behind the story is evident and impressive, adding depth to the narrative. The author's notes at the end were an enjoyable bonus. Readers will be drawn into the drama and heartache of Grace and Hope’s experiences. I look forward to diving into the other books in this series, confident they will be just as engaging as For a Lifetime.

****Meet Author Gabrielle Meyer****

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on

Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer,

Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/,

Twitter at www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle,

Goodreads, and her Website at www.gabriellemeyer.com.



~*~*~*~*Purchase For A Lifetime~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Paperback-https://a.co/d/fWe52he

Kindle-https://a.co/d/e256DAp


Thursday, October 3, 2024

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee-Historical Dual Timeline Fiction Review and Giveaway


 Book Tour for
All We Thought We Knew
By Michelle Shocklee
Hosted by Just Read Tours


Book Synopsis
She was so sure she knew her family’s story . . . Now she wonders if she was wrong about all of it.

1969. When Mattie Taylor’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam, she lost her best friend and the only person who really understood her. Now, news that her mother is dying sends Mattie back home, despite blaming her father for Mark’s death. Mama’s last wish is that Mattie would read some old letters stored in a trunk, from people Mattie doesn’t even know. Mama insists they hold the answers Mattie is looking for.

1942. Ava Delaney is picking up the pieces of her life following her husband’s death at Pearl Harbor. Living with her mother-in-law on a secluded farm in Tennessee is far different than the life Ava imagined when she married only a few short months ago. Desperate to get out of the house, Ava seeks work at a nearby military base, where she soon discovers the American government is housing Germans who they have classified as enemy aliens. As Ava works to process legal documents for the military, she crosses paths with Gunther Schneider, a German who is helping care for wounded soldiers. Ava questions why a man as gentle and kind as Gunther should be forced to live in the internment camp, and as they become friends, her sense of the injustice grows . . . as do her feelings for him. Faced with the possibility of losing Gunther, Ava must choose whether loving someone deemed the enemy is a risk worth taking, even if it means being ostracized by all those around her.

In the midst of pain and loss two women must come face-to-face with their own assumptions about what they thought they knew about themselves and others. What they discover w
ill lead to a far greater appreciation of their own legacies and the love of those dearest to them.
Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tyndale Fiction (October 1, 2024)
  • Genre: Historical Dual Timeline Fiction/Historical Fiction/Southern Fiction/Suspense Historical Fiction
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496484177
  • ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****



My Review

The cover of this book caught my attention, and soon I was immersed in a powerful story. This dual-timeline novel seamlessly shifts between 1942 and 1969, allowing the reader to see how the different timelines intertwine. At its heart are family secrets, centered around Ava, whose story unfolds in the 1940s, and her daughter Mattie, whose narrative takes place in the late 1960s. We also meet Gunther Schneider, a German immigrant in America studying to become a doctor, who faces the challenges of wartime and imprisonment during World War II.

All We Thought We Knew explores events from both World War II and the Vietnam War. Having learned about these wars in college, I noticed the contrasting attitudes towards them, especially in terms of acceptance and support for soldiers. The book poignantly conveys the sorrow and brutality of those times.

The novel is rich in emotion, showing how each character is shaped by the wars and their decisions, highlighting how some choices can tear a family apart. It delves into themes of acceptance without prejudice, the impact of our actions on others, and the struggle to process grief and loss. It also touches on Christian themes of faith and the questioning of why misfortunes befall good people, providing many thoughtful insights, particularly for Mattie.

This story resonated with me deeply, especially as I related to Mattie's experience of watching her mother suffer from cancer and preparing for her death—something I went through myself in January 2023 when I stood by my mother's side as she passed. The character development is remarkable as they learn to forgive and support each other through difficult times. With Michelle Shocklee’s beautiful writing, this novel is heartfelt and lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone seeking a well-crafted, emotional tale of family love and forgiveness.



****Meet Author Michelle Shocklee****

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS, winner of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Award in Fiction, and UNDER THE TULIP TREE, a Christy Award and Selah Award finalist. As a woman of mixed heritage--her father's family is Hispanic and her mother's roots go back to Germany--she has always celebrated diversity and feels it's important to see the world through the eyes of one another. Learning from the past and changing the future is why she writes historical fiction.

With both her sons grown, Michelle and her husband make their home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about.

Michelle loves hearing from readers! Connect with her at www.MichelleShocklee.com




~*~*~*~*Purchase All We Thought We Knew~*~*~*~*
HERE:

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Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Fall With Me: A Sweet Romcom By Amanda P. Jones-Romcom Book Review


 Book Synopsis

I don’t date. Ever. And especially not single dads.

I’m cursed and refuse to damage anyone else despite my yearning for a picture-perfect family. So when my brother asks me to organize his company’s fall festival, I happily trade my lonely nights of binge-watching fitness videos for pumpkins and hay bales.

Everything is going great until my brother's new employee Dawson Reed volunteers to assist me plan the party. He's hotter than a bonfire and has a son as sweet as apple pie.

The problem with being around Dawson is he’s making my forbidden dream of a white picket fence and happily ever after seem possible. But I can't. I’ll just have to accept my fate as a reclusive witch with a broom and black cat.

Except…I want that life. I want them. How do I chase after my dream while keeping my past from destroying everything?

Fall With Me is a sweet with a sprinkling of heat single dad, forced proximity, and opposites attract romcom. It has all the cozy fall vibes you'd expect such as: apple picking, a fall festival, hiking, watching movies, football, and yummy food.




Book Details

  • Genre: Romantic Comedy
  • Series: Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice Series
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DG968ZP4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (September 24, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 329 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8334689930
  • ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

Fall With Me is a delightful romantic comedy that immediately won me over. The chemistry between Chloe and Dawson is evident from the beginning. Even though they’re attracted to each other, they have past issues holding them back from admitting it. Their first meeting is downright funny, especially when Chloe puts Dawson through a tough workout in her fitness class.

Dawson, a devoted single dad to his son Finn, really adds to the story. It’s heartwarming to see his commitment as a parent. Despite claiming she doesn’t like kids, Chloe is charming with Finn and develops a cute friendship. It’s lovely to witness how Chloe and Dawson gradually break down their barriers and learn to trust each other. The autumn setting adds to the charm, especially as Chloe and Dawson team up to plan a Fall Festival for a company.

If you enjoy a wholesome romantic comedy featuring opposites attracting, a caring single dad with an endearing son, apple-picking contests, and a dual point of view in a lively fall atmosphere, then Fall With Me should be at the top of your reading list.

****Meet Author Amanda P. Jones****

Amanda writes sweet romantic comedies and contemporary romance novels with love, laughter, and happily ever afters.

When not reading or writing (which is rare), Amanda loves to travel, camp, spend time with family and friends, and eat chocolate chip cookies—or any other excuse she can come up with to avoid doing housework. She lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children.

Stay up to date by joining her newsletter at https://www.amandapjones.com/newsletter.

Follow on social media:

Facebook: @authoramandapjones

Instagram: @authoramandapjones

TikTok: @authoramandapjones

www.amandapjones.com



~*~*~*~*Purchase Fall With Me~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Paperback-https://a.co/d/fjcfiAI

Kindle-https://a.co/d/ddchJCT





Enjoy the other full-length books in the Cinnamon Rolls and Pumpkin Spice series, which can be read in any order:

Hating the Cinnamon Roll CEO by Camilla Evergreen
Falling for Autumn (Again) by Jen Atkinson
Paris, Pumpkins & Puns by Marion De RĂ©
Fall With Me by Amanda P Jones
Cinnamon & Spice Conundrum by Leah Busboom
Cinnamon Roll Set Up by Genny Carrick
Coffee Break with the Billionaire by Holly Kerr
The Friendly Fall by Kristine W Joy