"Under the Southern Sky" by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Coming out on April 20, 2021, this book is filled with love and family. 

Life is everchanging. Whether we suffer from a medical condition or not, it's how we spend our days and appreciate the small things that matter. This book is about such things. It's about how one can save another. About love and triumph. About illness and strength. It's about life.

Enjoy the book.

"The Last Garden in England" by Julia Kelly

Taken place in three time periods. Over 100 years ago and recently. England where there are castles and other large homes. Where people planted beautiful gardens. It's WWII. Those who own these large "homes" are faced with helped the wounded. People become softer. Caregivers.

A gardener brings even more beauty to the home.

Today's gardener restoring the beauty.

It is with grace and beauty that the story winds and brings forth fragrance, hidden pathways, joy. People find themselves being able to do what they never thought. Making a difference. Happy ever afters.

All in all, this book was fun to read. The characters are well done as is the "neighborhood" of where they lived. Pick it up.

 

"The Children's Blizzard" by Melanie Benjamin

A story which led lives to the utmost abilities and yet, for some, devastated their lives. A beautifully written story about homesteaders in a land with no forgiving. A rough life for most. Good people being lied to in order to move where they could have land. The weather which, to this day, goes through Nebraska like a lion. Not caring what it takes in its wake. 

Read about a family who raised two teachers. Each teacher handled a devastating storm differently. Human nature. 

I enjoyed this book. Ended beautifully. I highly end you pick this book up. Publication date: January 12, 2021.

"The Forever Girl" by Jill Shalvis

A story that brings very interesting characters together. One of the characters is truly my favorite. She's rough and tough on the outside but loving on the inside. This is a story about how a girl's family took in foster children and how they stayed "family" until the end. The most loving family. 

Easy to read. Fun to read!

"Boone" by Emily March

Emily has brought us into a world of magic, love, family, friendships. This book is not an exception. I have enjoyed each of the books in this series and look forward to more. Her ease in writing is exhibited in how well her story flows. She has a unique way of telling a story. This book is filled with fun, love, hope.

Pick this book up and, if you haven't read the others in the series, I highly recommend you do.

Will You Love Me?

"Will You Love Me? by Barby Keel

There is an animal shelter in the U.K. unlike anywhere else in the world. It's run by an amazing woman who loves animals and takes all in, no questions asked.

This book is about a special dog that was left at the shelter. It's a story about survival. It's a story about endurance and love. It's about helping and supporting. It's a book about life. 

Very well written. An easy read. A fun read! Pick it up. All proceeds to this book go towards the shelter. 

 

"Flying Free" by Cecilia Aragon

Dreams help get through life's hardest times. Believing in oneself when others don't is difficult, at best. Thriving and making it happen is a goal one has when one believes. One has a dream. 

Studying hard and getting through schools with determination helps. Focusing on what's important helps.

This book is about all this and more. It's about an amazing woman who made it happen and surpassed her dreams. 

Fly free.

 

"No Place Too Far" by Kay Bratt

Picture this: you and your child move to Maui, one of the most beautiful places on earth. You do know one person there. Life is like a postcard. Beautiful, sweet, loving. You have a secret which you do not want to share. You are terrified of letting others know. 

This book is about running away and then stopping and seeing there really isn't anything that can't be done to get through whatever problem comes your way. Life is filled with challenges and sweet moments. Living in the moment and being mindful is what matters. 

This book is well written. Beautiful scenery. Had a surprise which really made the book special. 

Great book. Easy to read and fun! 

 

"His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope"

by Jon Meacham

 

Go back in time to when Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Malcolm X and thousands of others fought for their rights. Learn how they paved the way. Black power made it possible for the rights of blacks to vote. The rights of blacks to have jobs and be treated with respect. Life was hard. It was horribly hard for blacks. Why? Aren't they human beings? That's what we all are but it took time, lots of time, for them to be where they are today. 

Learn more about the powerful man John Lewis was. Learn how he used respect from the beginning to make people open their eyes. Learn how he learned from his mentor, Martin Luther King, Jr. When John Lewis died, it left a big hole in society. He spoke with the force of the wind talking about the common needs and rights of all. I wish I had known more about him. When he spoke, I listened. We all did.

I see all humans as humans. No one is better than another. Not all see it that way. 

This is a brilliant book that opened my eyes to what happened when I was growing up in Wisconsin. We never learned about this in school. We never learned about this at home. It wasn't part of any conversation and yet it should have been and it should be today.

History, when told and learned, doesn't repeat itself. Well, at least most of the time. We have certainly lived through things more than once. Pick up a copy of this book and enrich yourself in the life as it was and how it came to be.

Brilliantly written.

"The Woman in Red"

by Diana Giovinazzo

A saga that will take you to the fields of war to the streets of those who stay behind and help out the cause from there. This is a wonderful true story about a woman who fought for the rights of her country and followed the love of her life to continue fighting the cause. We take advantage of the world as we see it today. All countries are just that to us. It wasn't always so.

Pick up this book and learn about how borders were shaped. Learn how life was. I enjoyed this book. Well written and great characters. The scenes were beautiful.

Enjoy!

"The Organ Thieves" by Chip Jones

Learn the devastating way in which medicine has advanced over time. Learn how a black man lost his life because a surgeon was thinking only of himself and his want to be the first transplant surgeon to take a heart from one and give it to another. 

This is a brilliantly written book that will open your eyes to how the medical field of transplantation got to where it is  today. It will show you the horrors of how some people were sacrificed to try to save another. 

In the not so distant past, transplants were rare and were learned on dogs and primates. The advancement to human subjects is what this book is about. 

HIPAA was made into law in 1966 because of this horror. We now have rights.

Human rights and the medical world are faded. To what end do we need to go to advance medicine?

Chip, thank you SO much for writing this book! It's brilliant!

"A Walk Along the Beach" by Debbie Macomber

Wonderful romance filled with the unexpected. Delightful characters living in a sweet town where the beach is close and the sand is soft and relaxing.

I have read many of Debbie Macomber's books. This is by far my favorite.

Reading a novel is a hoot when it's good and this IS good! If you like a story where the characters are fun, friendly and loving, this is the book for you. Learn about the love of family, friends, the entire town. What matters most and how one deals with difficult situations.

Reading this book was so much fun.

Debbie, thank you for writing such a wonderful book. I look forward to your next book

"Heart Chimes" by Denise Janette Bruneau

Whether you are old or young, love has been a part of your life. The Lord has ways of making things right. He sees what you deserve and shows you the way. This is a Christian love story that will melt your heart.

Love. Live. Breathe.

Great book for yourself and a fabulous gift! I highly recommend it.

"The Widow's Secret" by Katharine Swartz

Historical fiction opens our eyes. It's funny when the challenges of life hundreds of years ago are relevant today. In the 1600's when shipping was the way to bring goods from country to country, you learn first-hand how, after some goods were no longer needed, people had to change their wares to humans.

At the same time, hundreds of years after this horrid life, a marine aercheologist, dives into the old world. The findings of such a search moves her and causes her to find out more.

Lives matter. It was believed in the 1600's just as it is today.

A very good book. Well described characters. I was there. Now it's your turn.

"Magic Lessons"

by Alice Hoffman

We're taken to the 1600's when witchcraft was commonplace and yet against the law in Salem. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be able to put spells on others? Written with love and mystery, this book captures you as you read. Alice's wonderful characters and detail in the descriptors are fabulous. Pick up the book and you will enter a new world. A world of mystery. A wonderful book.

"What You Wish For" by Katherine Center

Very uniquely book, this story will take you on a ride on how love conquers love when both individuals are not sure the other thinks they are good enough or wanted. Written in the first person, both the female and male each tell their tale of woe and then of want and need. Changing their lives, it takes two to make it work.

Second half of the book was much better than the first. There was no lack of excitement in the first half. There was no happiness in the first half.

Different writing style. Different ideas on how to write a story in this manner. Not a fun read.

"Full Bloom" by Judith Arnold

A wonderful story about a Jewish family. Family dynamics are always interesting. We all have them. When one person is at the top of the ladder and the family is underneath that person, challenges arise. Feelings are hurt. Putting up with each other is common.

I loved this story because it told the story with humor. Kept my interest from the get go and I was sad to get to the last word. Sitting down with this book was like comfort food. It enriched me.

A wonderful book to read, share and keep on your bookshelf for future reading. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Judith, thank you so much for writing this book! Looking forward to reading your future books.

"We Came Here to Shine" by Susie Orman Schnall

The World's Fair. 1939. Two people collide from two different worlds.

This is a historical fiction book written very well. The characters are wonderful as is the scenery blooming before your eyes. See the wonders of what the first World's Fair was. See and smell the food. Enjoy the people as they walk in the gates and smile the whole time there.

This is a story about how two people came together. How being sent to the fair for two different reasons, they bond. It's about two women who find themselves at a turning point in their lives. They learn to speak up and be strong.

Pick up this book and take the ride of your life.

"The Summer Deal" by Jill Shalvis

What a fabulous book! Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! Jill's characters are truly amazing and I love the storyline. How creative she is with this book. Never know what's going to happen.

This is a story about family, friends, love and support. It's about being there for each other and leaning on each other when times are good and when times are bad. It's about the wonders of hope and the scares of hope.

Jill is now one of my favorite authors. I love her ability to bring different characters together. How she tells a story. I plan on reading several more of her books.

Thank you, Jjill!

I HIGHLY recommend this book. Easy and fun to read!

"On Ocean Boulevard" by Mary Alice Monroe

What a fun book to read! Well written. Beautiful location and well developed characters. This book will take you away to a part of the world where the ocean tides in and out, the sand is soft against feet as they walk along the beach, and where lives are changed for the better.

Love is the name of the game here.

Being responsible and enjoying every minute of it is what this book is.

I absolutely LOVE this book and highly recommend it. Pick up a copy!

"In the Lion's Den"

Barbara Taylor Bradford (an author who has written brilliant books since 1979)

What a delightful book! So well written and the characters are wonderful. As I turned the pages (figuratively speaking), I was swept away to a land on the other side of the ocean to a time more than 100 years ago.

This book is a page turner. A book you will enjoy and want to pick up again and again.

"A Week at the Shore"

by Barbara Delinsky

Quite well written, "A Week at the Shore" is about family and how difficult it can be. As a family, we are not always close to each and every member. Some individuals find it safer to move out-of-state after they have finished school. Other's stay behind to care for their aging parents.

This is a story about love of family, lost love and appreciation for what one has.

Wonderful characters. Beautiful scenery. A book to take you where you have not been. Pick up a copy. Enjoy!

"Credible Threat" by J.A. Jance

J.A. Jance has been one of my favorite author for years now. I have always enjoyed the Ali Reynolds series. This is no exception. "Credible Threat" is an easy-to-read book that keeps you on your toes. The characters are well described. The excitement is forever present. All the way to the end.

Pick up a copy and enjoy the read.

"The Real Beatrix Potter"

Nadia Cohen

Children's books are treasures. When one picks up a book by Beatrix Potter, one picks up a book of happiness, beauty and the unique.

This book is about Beatrix's life. How she grew up and then how she lived.

What joy she brought us. Her drawings are amazing. I always was interested in how she colored the drawings. Now, learn about when she created her stories and how she managed her life.

A wonderful book! Pick it up!  Then, pick up a few of her books for your children/grandchildren.






















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"The Book of Lost Friends" by Lisa Wingate

A beautifully written book about how life was after the slaves were sent free along with how life was in 1987. Each chapter brings light to the history of our country. Things I have never heard of before. This book is a gift of knowledge. It's a book of strength and togetherness. Helping others. Being there. It's a teaching tool

I HIGHLY recommend you pick up this book! It's one of my favorites!

"The Blizzard Bride" by Susanne Dietze

This historical fiction book will delight you. Pick it up and read about the history of the secret service. It's the 1800's and life is good. The beauty of family, friends and church abound. Helping others and being there for each other. This book is well written and has wonderful characters. The scenery is breathtaking.

Easy to read and fun till the end, I highly recommend this book!

"A Good Neighborhood" by Therese Anne Fowler

A uniquely written story that brings you into a world where the beauty of life conflicts with another's needs, wants, desires. A family, living in the neighborhood for many years, has a beautiful life where they love the outdoors. The beauty of life and what we need to live. On the other side of the coin, a family builds a monstrosity, causing anguish to the one who has lived there for many years.

This is a story of family. It's a story of racism. It's a story of love.

Pick up a copy of this book. You will enjoy it!

"Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas"

by Emily March

"Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas" is a brilliantly written love story. So well composed. The characters are wonderful as is the beauty of the surroundings.

I absolutely LOVED this book and plan on adding it to my library along with other books by Emily March. This book captures you from the start and moves ever so beautifully throughout the book until, sadly, the last page. I loved it so much that I didn't want it to end. I savored it.

If you enjoy love stories, this is the best I've read and should be on your reading list. Pick up a copy. You will be SO glad you did!

















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