The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"The girl was right - Naina would be proud, not just because he'd read a book quickly...but because today he took himself out of his comfort zone, and for a few moments of his day, he'd made a brand new friend." (p 108) 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

One Night Only by Catherine Walsh ~ a Review

by MK French

Sarah Anderson copes with her high-stress architecture job by having one-night stands. After some letdowns at work, she’s looking forward to her best friend’s wedding in Ireland. It’s beautiful there, but the best man turns out to be the last one-night stand she had back in New York. She has to deal with that awkwardness, then missing him when she returns to New York.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Girls from the Beach by Andie Newton ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"A single diary entry dated 1945.  'We'd heard stories about the nurses in tent seven.  A secret mission, stolen money, and spies, some of them posing as soldiers.  One thing I know for certain:  Kit was involved.  She might be the only person who can shed light on those five days in September and tell the world what happened when he women went missing.'"  (loc 19)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Dearest Mother and Dad by Christina Thompson ~ an Audiobook Review

by Donna Huber

As you know I read a lot of WWII fiction, but I've read very little about other wars. I've been trying to fix that and read a few WWI stories. So when I saw Dearest Mother and Dad was about the Korean War, I was intrigued. Like the kid in the book, I know very little about the Korean War. In fact, just about everything I know about that war I learned from watching M*A*S*H.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

The Ocean In Winter by Elizabeth de Veer ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

I love books about sisters.  I am the oldest of three sisters and know that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is a special connection between us.  The Ocean in Winter is a beautifully written book about three sisters who are working to connect with each other after several years of estrangement.  

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 Summer Books and a Yummy Summer Dessert

by Donna Huber

July has been filled with a lot of great books and after a slow start, I've been blowing through my books the last week or so. I didn't want to wait to tell you about them so below are my reviews of the last of my July books. I also made a delicious dessert while I was reading these books so I shared the recipe.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

What Comes First: Love or Marriage? a guest post by Gail Ward Olmsted (@gwolmsted)

I believe that the majority of us would respond that love comes first, of course! After all, what is a marriage without love? In my historical novel Landscape of a Marriage, Mary, a widow with three small children, agrees to marry her brother-in-law, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, in order to provide a secure future for her and her children. In 1858, there were not many good options for women. Their ‘marriage of convenience’ doesn’t suit her however, and she decides that she will win her new husband’s love. Seeking a more passionate union, Mary is soon blessed with a relationship that meets her emotional and physical needs. Her second marriage provides a second chance at a happy ever after. Together, Mary and Fred set to transform the American landscape forever, beginning with NY’s iconic Central Park. Their shared goal is to create a ‘beating green heart’ in every city.

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5 Books of Historical Fiction to Read

by Susan Roberts

I always enjoy reading historical fiction and learning about the strong women that we never learned about in school.  Here are reviews of five different historical fiction novels that I really enjoyed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided an honest review.

Thrillers for Summer Reading

by MK French

While summer reading is usually dominated by romance and feel good novels, sometimes you need to take a break from the sunshine and delve into a more intense read. Thrillers can be a great counterbalance, and today, I review 3 different kinds of thrillers. One didn't really work for me, but it might be something you will like.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Summer Reading Continues - July Wrap Up

by Donna Huber

Though there is a week left in July, it is the last Sunday so I'm doing my end-of-the-month wrap-up. I've been flying through books the past couple of weeks so I will update the books read section throughout the week.

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3 Summer Women's Fiction Novels Not to Miss

by Susan Roberts

 

I haven't read many books publishing in July but here are three stand-out women's fiction books that were published this summer.

 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  Free books were provided for an honest review.

It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

While I prefer Macomber's Christmas books, I enjoy her summer books enough to keep picking them up. And I'm glad I did because of all of her summer books that I've read It's Better This Way is my favorite.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 Romance Novels to Read

by MK French

Still looking for a great summer romance? Find it within the pages of these three books!

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I read a lot of WWII historical fiction but I have been trying to branch out a bit more. Another time period I really like is the Cold War era when it pertains to espionage. A Woman of Intelligence spans the 1940s and 1950s and the main character is the perfect person to be an FBI informant ferreting out communists. I had to read it.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity ~ a Review

by MK French

A fan of Gothic romance novels, Haley tries to rescue a stranger drowning in the river. She soon awakens in Willowweep, which looks like a Gothic setting. It hides the pocket universe that serves as protection against evil force, but its defenses are failing. Haley appears to be the Gothic heroine that she always read about.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Afternoon eBook Deal: Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

You know we are big Mary Kay Andrews fans here at Girl Who Reads, so when I saw this ebook deal this afternoon I had to share it. 

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The Lost Girl of Berlin by Ella Carey ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"Nothing could provide her with immunity to the devastation of war.  She would ever be blind to the  horrors the Nazis had wrought during the last years." (loc 120)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Dragons Walk Among Us by Dan Rice ~ a Review

by MK French

Allison Lee was bullied in high school and loses her vision when visiting her friend Joe, a homeless vet. When an attack leaves her blind, her dreams of being a photojournalist are destroyed. An experimental treatment restores her vision, but she begins to see dragons everywhere. Is she hallucinating? Or has the procedure affected her in other ways?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Hand to Hold in Deep Water by Shawn Nocher ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

We are heading into the Dog Days of Summer when it's too hot to do much of anything but read a good book. At first glance, A Hand to Hold in Deep Water by Shawn Nocher isn't your typical summer "beach read". But the lazy, sometimes meandering, unfurling of a story of a woman who must delve into the past to understand her present and move forward with her future is the perfect match for a lazy, late summer day.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Alchemy Thief by R. A. Denny ~ a Review

by MK French

A young woman in 2019 finds a relic engraved with a symbol in Martha’s Vineyard as terrorists in Morocco steal a seventeenth-century book imprinted with the same symbol. They’re all transported back to 1657; Ayoub becomes a Barbary Coast pirate, and Peri meets the alchemist John Winthrop, Jr, who plans to lure scientific minds to the New World. They all have plans for the future and the drive to succeed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Resistance by Eilidh McGinness ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

Bravery, courage, fear, treachery and love in a time of war.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.  A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Council of Animals by Nick McDonell ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

At first glance, this wouldn't look like a book I would pick up and you might be thinking the same thing of yourself, but if you want to read a book that makes you think deeply then it is exactly the book you should pick up.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

No Spring Chicken: Stories and Advice from a Wild Handicapper on Aging and Disability by Francine Falk-Allen ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

As we age, we all begin to have physical difficulties to contend with.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Summer Reading, Movies, and Recipes

by Alison DeLuca

Whew, it's hot. Weather like this makes me want to run a 5K and read Anna Karenina, NOT.  Instead, I need fun, frothy novels for the beach or poolside as we face another humid thunderstorm. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

6 Audiobooks for Your Summer Listening Enjoyment

by Donna Huber

My to-do list doesn't seem to be shrinking. Thankfully, I've had a number of audiobooks to listen to while cooking, cleaning, and doing yard work. These books would also be awesome for road trips or for walks on the beach. While I received early print or digital copies of many of these books, I was able to get the audiobooks from the library. For the last two books reviewed, I received advance copies of the audiobooks from the publishers via Netgalley.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Ghost Forest by Pik-Shuen Fung ~ a Review

by MK French

The unnamed protagonist has to figure out how to grieve after her father dies, when her family doesn't discuss emotions at all. He had been an "astronaut father," staying in Hong Kong to work while the rest of the family emigrated ahead of the 1997 handover to China.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Those I Have Lost by Sharon Maas ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A secret love affair on a faraway island. Seas crawling with Japanese spies. A terrible war creeping ever closer…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Books for a Post-Apocalyptic Book Club

by Donna Huber

My post-apocalyptic book club met this week to decide on the books we would read over the next 11 months. We usually only meet 10 times in a year, but we had so many (more than 40) books suggested that we decided we would meet in January. Below are the books we will be reading. We are meeting in a hybrid format (both in-person and Zoom), so if you want to join us for one or all the discussions, you can get the details on the After the End Book Club page at the library.

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Strong Women in Fiction

by Susan Roberts

The definition of Women's Fiction is that it embraces themes that revolve around the home, family, and community. Often, women’s fiction asks that characters overcome staggering real-life challenges.  I think that one of the most important parts of this genre is that it tells the reader stories about strong women who have learned how to use their strength for the success of their families and friends and, in some cases, for the betterment of the world.

I have reviews of six books that feature strong women - two are historical fiction, one is a thriller and the other three are books about families.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided an honest review.

This Much Huxley Knows by Gail Aldwin ~ a Review

by MK French

Seven-year-old Huxley is growing up in the London suburbs, and there are many tensions present around him. With no friends and no understanding of Brexit or the gangs targeting isolated residents, all he sees is that an elderly neighbor lives alone. Huxley is sure that Leonard is as lonely as he is, and hopes that they can become friends.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"Jerusza had known, from the moment she first saw the light over Berlin, that the child was to be called Yona which meant 'dove' in Hebrew.  She had known it even before she saw the girl's birthmark which hadn't faded with time but had grown stronger, darker, a sign that this child was special, that she was fated for something great." (p 6)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Pug Actually by Matt Dunn ~ a Review & Excerpt

by MK French

Doug the pug is a rescue, and adores his human Julie. She's dating a married man and unhappy about it, but doesn't think she can find someone better. Newly divorced Tom is actually a good fit, and everyone but the two of them can see that. Doug likes Tom despite the fact that he's a V-E-T, and is willing to endure that to get the two of them together.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Apocalypse Seven by Gene Doucette ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I met Gene Doucette at a conference the first year or so that I was blogging (I was working for an indie press at the time) and he convinced me to read his book Immortal even though it didn't seem like my kind of book. Well, I loved it. It was different and I enjoyed Doucette's writing style. So when I saw he had a new book coming out I was excited. That it was post-apocalyptic was even better because I need a book I can recommend to my book club. The Apocalypse Seven was probably the book I was most disappointed that I didn't get to read in May so as soon as I had room in my schedule I squeezed it in.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

3 New Science Fiction Stories for Summer

by MK French

Have you been gazing at the stars this summer and dreaming of other worlds? A great thing about science fiction, it allows us to explore worlds that may be so different from our own that it is alien - even when it is set in a place similar to earth. Today, I have a novel and two short stories that come out this month that will transport to new worlds.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"Turns out that the nature of small birds is to fly.  It's no different for our children." (p114)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller ~ a Review

by MK French

Lorena Adler hides that she holds the power of the banished gods inside her. She plans to remain hidden and work as an undertaker, marrying her best friend Julian. When his father is arrested by the Vile Crown Prince, he recognizes Lorena's true nature. In order to get Julian's father a fair trial, she has to work with the Prince to repair the Door that holds back the Vile. But the price of doing so is horrific that she must embrace her true heritage in order to survive.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Fallen by Linda Castillo ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Amish-focused books have been pretty popular over the past few years but mostly they have been Amish romances. Since I don't read a lot of romance, I haven't really gotten into this fascination. Though I have been interested in the Amish as I remember driving through "Amish country" when we traveled to see family in Indiana. So when I saw a suspense novel featuring the Amish I figured it was a good opportunity to try Amish fiction.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

A Winter Night by Anne Leigh Parrish ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"She refuses to give in to negative thinking.  She's going to stay open, see where this thing with him might go, and push past the barriers between them - and within herself - to find happiness.

Assuming it even works that way." (p 17)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

How to Break an Evil Curse by Laura Morrison ~ a Review

by MK French

Princess Juliana is cursed to dwell in darkness, but she's too resourceful to stay in the castle dungeons. She explores the city at night and bumps into Warren Kensington, a member of a seafaring theater troupe. He breaks her curse, and they discover a plot against Juliana's father. The more Juliana learns, however, she realizes that the world is far more complicated than a fairy tale.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor ~ a Review

by MK French

Upon her husband Meri's death, Katherine Verick discovers that he married two other women. Her chances at a successful business would be endangered if that truth was revealed, so Katherine tries to keep it secret. Meri's upstanding brother Christian, Duke of Randford, is drawn back into the family drama he had been trying to avoid for years and winds up working with Katherine. He can't be falling for his brother's widow, can he?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

4 New & Notable Books in Women's Fiction

by Susan Roberts

Women's Fiction is an umbrella term for several different sub-genres.  Today I have reviews of several books that will make you cry and one that will definitely make you laugh.  What they all have in common is that the main characters are strong women with challenges to overcome.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Summer Reading Time - June Wrap-up

by Donna Huber

Summer is officially here. It's been hot and muggy or cool and rainy most of the month. We've only had a couple of really nice summer days. But life has slowed down or maybe I'm just finding my new normal but I found a little more time to read and sleep this month.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Return of the Sorceress by Silvia Morena-Garcia

by MK French

Yalxi is the deposed Supreme Mistress of the Guild of Sorcerers, betrayed when her lover stole the diamond heart fueling her power, and her throne. Yalxi must regain her magic and find a weapon capable of destroying the usurper. To do that, she'll have to turn to unlikely allies and relive unpleasant memories. She once forged her path in blood, and it's time to deal with the consequences.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Spotlight: The Essence of Nathan Biddle by J. William Lewis

The Essence of Nathan Biddle is a timeless coming-of-age tale that, as novelist David Armstrong observed, “is like discovering The Catcher in the Rye all over again.” Protagonist Kit Biddle is a rising prep school senior who finds himself tangled in a web of spiritual quandaries and intellectual absurdities. Kit’s angst is compounded by a unique psychological burden he is forced to carry: his intelligent but unstable Uncle Nat has committed an unspeakable act on what, according to the Uncle’s deranged account, were direct orders from God.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Devil’s Own by Liana LeFay ~ a Review

by MK French

Lord Devlin Wayward is a gambler and rake, but his twin brother Daniel is a reverend. Devlin is finally returning to England, but with a broken leg is unable to return in person. It’s necessary to go to London, so the twins have to swap places. Miss Mary Tomblin has always been taken with the reverend, who has rebuffed her help and advances. This abruptly changes when she’s needed to help the vicarage due to a broken leg.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Grumpy Frumpy Croissant by Mona K ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Do you have a grumpy toddler or perhaps your preschooler gets angry with their friends? The Grumpy Frumpy Croissant is a new picture book written by Mona K and illustrated by Korey Scott.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The English Girl by Sarah Mitchell ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

I read a lot of historical fiction based on World War II so it always surprises me when an author gives us a different perspective.  This novel is based after the war in England and looks at how life in a small town has been affected.  The English Girl by Sara Mitchell is a well-written dual timeline novel that is based on true facts.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Professor Next Door by Jackie Lau ~ a Review

by MK French

Partier Nicole Louie-Edwards is getting tired of the meaningless one-night stands and nightlife. Getting stuck in an elevator with her neighbor, the geology professor David Cho, leads to friendship and then friends-with-benefits. Nicole had always thought she’d lose identity in a relationship the way she had in the past, but David just might be able to teach her what a true relationship is.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Edelweiss Sisters by Kate Hewitt ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I've been reading the cozy mysteries from Bookouture for a while now but hadn't had a chance to try their historical fiction and they publish quite a bit of WWII fiction which you know is one of my favorite genres. It was with great expectations that I picked up The Edelweiss Sisters by Kate Hewitt.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

It's 1898 in upper New York State.  Hazel has just gotten out of five years in the state reformatory.  She knows that she'll never get a job if people know her past so she uses an alias when she applies for a job as a Lady in Attendance for dentist Gilbert Watts.  He is a quiet and unassuming man who becomes very impressed with Hazel and her skills at handling his patients. The more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that she is hiding major secrets about her past.  When she finally tells him about her past, he has to decide if he will continue to pursue her romantically or let her go.  As Rachel works hard to clear her name she has to decide if she will stay with Gil or if she will leave and start another new life.  Will the soft-spoken Gil and the hardened Hazel be able to find love and a safe place in the world?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Murder at the Fair by Verity Bright ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Whether you are relaxing on your front porch or taking a trip to the beach, this cozy mystery is the perfect accompaniment. It is a quick, fun read that I finished in just a couple of days - great for a lazy weekend of reading.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.