Book Review: School Friendship Solutions

 

School Friendship Solutions

by Dara Oginni

Troubador Publishing Ltd. 

Matador

 Children's Fiction  |  Teens & YA 

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I am reviewing a copy of School Friendship Solutions through Teoubador Publishing LTD/Matador and Netgalley:

Lots of people seem to think that Primary School is the easiest thing in the world, that all the kids are sweet and get along that lessons aren't hard and everybody skips home having had the best day ever (until the following day anyway...) Boy, would they be surprised.

Amy Millison knows that being the new girl can be hard, she is the new girl and she finds herself in the world of Drama and mean girls.  Come along with Amy  as she tries to navigate through finding new friendships, understanding new lessons and learning how to deal with people who might just be misunderstood.

If you know a middle grade or are interested in reading a middle grade novel full of humor and heart then I recommend School Friendship Solutions.

I give School Friendship Solutions five out of five stars!

Book Review: The Girl on the Platform

 

The Girl on the Platform

by Bryony Pearce

Avon Books UK 

Avon

 General Fiction (Adult)  |  Mystery & Thrillers  |  True Crime 

Pub Date 15 Apr 2021 

I am watching The Girl on the Platform through Avon Books UK and Netgalley:

New Mother Bridget catches her train home from London one day, when she witnesses something terrible.  A young girl is kidnapped from the platform right before her eyes.

No one but Bridget knows the little girl is missing.  When Bridget tells others she’s written off as an attention seeker because no one has reported the little girl as missing.  Not even her own husband believes Bridget.

Bridget knows what she saw and becomes consumed with finding the little girl. Only she can save the child’s life… but could delving into the mystery cost Bridget her life?

I give The Girl on the Platform five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: A Deadly Twist

 

A Deadly Twist

by Jeffrey Siger

Poisoned Pen Press 

 Mystery & Thrillers 

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I am reviewing a copy of A Deadly Twist through Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley:

There are some crimes that can’t be forgiven or atoned for.

When Athens based journalist Nikoletta Elia disappears while on assignment on the island of Naxos, her editor calls on Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis to investigate.  Nicoletta had been sent to report on the conflict between preservationists and advocates for expanded tourism, when she was approached by a fan who takes credit for several suspicious deaths she'd reported on in the past.  The assassin claims to have abandoned that life, and convinces the reporter to write about him and his murderous exploits for hire.

Kaldis sends his deputy, Yianni, to look into her disappearance when an unidentified body is found at the base of a cliff.   They wonder who the mysterious corpse is, and they wonder where Nikoletta is.  The leads turn into more dead bodies in this twisting tale of greed, corruption, and murder that puts Kaldis, his family, and members of his team in the path of a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to keep his secrets and crimes buried forever.

I give A Deadly Twist five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Coal Miner’s Daughter

 

Coal Miner's Daughter

by Loretta Lynn; George Vescey

Grand Central Publishing 

 Biographies & Memoirs 

Pub Date 16 Feb 2021

I am reviewing a copy of Coal Miner’s Daughter through Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley:

Coal Miners Daughter was Reissued for the 40th Anniversary of the Oscar-winning, Sissy Spacek-starring film of the same name.   The Coal Miner’s Daughter tells the astonishing journey of Loretta Lynn’s road to become one of the original queens of country music.  Loretta grew up dirt poor in the mountains of Kentucky, she was married when she was only thirteen, came a Mother a short time after.  When she was twenty four her her husband, Doo, gave her a guitar as an anniversary present.

Soon after Doo gave her the guitar as a gift , she began penning songs and singing in front of honky-tonk audiences, and, through years of hard work, talent, and true grit, eventually made her way to Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry, eventually securing her place in country music history.  Loretta's prolific and influential songwriting made her the first woman to receive a gold record in country music, and got her named the first female Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association. 

If you are looking for an inspiring biography about  one of Country Music’s greatest female artist of all time, I highly recommend Coal Miner’s Daughter.

I give Coal Miner’s Daughter five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Just Fine Thank You

 

Just Fine Thank You

Growing Up with Family Secrets (Blood, Sex and Tears Book 1)

by Evelyn Leite

BooksGoSocial 

Biographies & Memoirs  |  Women's Fiction 

Pub Date 20 Dec 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Just Fine Thank You through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:

Evelyn Jones Leite was born in South Dakota at a time when America was reeling from a dust bowl, depression and a Second World War.  Evelyn lived with with Mamma, Edith Jones, a socialite who marries her Daddy, a broke but charming southerner, Lon Jones.

What she doesn’t know at the time is the Daddy she loves so much, drinks way to much.  His Dr Jekyll and Mrs Hyde attitude breaks her heart way to much.

At the age of 5, she moves from a log cabin on a hilltop deep in the woods where she hears mountain lions, to a small town where she lives by a Morgue there where she encounters her first sexual pervert.

During the Second World War the family is hugely impacted by blackouts, poverty and rations.

Mamma who is often bedridden is a special challenge forcing Evelyn to tend to her younger brothers.  She adores her older brother Ted completely despite the fact he is often mean to her.  She begs for his attention in ways that are both subtle and overt.

At six her Daddy gives away her precious dog and moves his family to a farm on orders from her mother’s wealthy father.  While on the farm Evelyn experiences neglect, a pedophiliac hired man, mind rape and, yet-there are big family happy times when relatives swarm the farm and bring mountains of food.

Evelyn Leite’s true story of growing up in a turbulent family during the 40s and 50s , captures the readers emotions by feeling the gamut of emotions she went through as a child.  Confusion and despair, sorrow and tears, then unexplainable hope and optimism.

I give Just Fine Thank you five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Story of My Life in Christ

 

The Story of My Life in Christ

A Guided Devotional Journal

by Merlin Buhl, Theresa Buhl

Our Daily Bread Publishing 

Christian  |  Religion & Spirituality 

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021

I am reviewing The Story of My Life in Christ  through Our Daily Bread Publishing and Netgalley:

The Story of My Life in Christ offers you both a devotional and a guided journal.   

During the next month, you are going to go on a journey to share your Faith.  Along the way on this journey, you’ll reflect on what you believe and why you came to believe him.  

The Scripture and other insights in this devotional lead you to reflect on your faith journey, while the prompts help you record it. 

From jotting down simple notes to eventually laying out a clear presentation of your beliefs, you will be able to capture the unique work of God in your life.      

The result will end in a faith and legacy clearly written to share with loved ones.

 I give The Story of My Life In Christ five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Moonlight School

 

The Moonlight School

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell 

Christian  |  Historical Fiction  |  Women's Fiction 

Pub Date 02 Feb 2021

I am reviewing a copy of The Moonlit School through Revell and Netgalley:

Lucy Wilson is haunted by her sisters disappearance when she arrives in Rowan County Kentucky, it’s was the spring of 1911 when Lucy goes to work for Cora Wilson Stewart, superintendent of education.  After Cora sends Lucy to the hills to act as a scribe for the mountain people and intellectual poverty she encounters. Few adults can read and write.

Cora, who was born in those hills knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills.  She involves Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights.  She believes the best way to combat poverty is eliminate illiteracy.  But will help come?

As Lucy emerges from a life she felt had been lived in the shadows, she finds purpose or perhaps its purpose that finds her.  With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn't expected: love. 

The Moonlight School brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously.

I give The Moonlight School five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Overcoming My Fight Against FGM

 

Overcoming

My Fight Against FGM

by Ann-Marie Wilson

Lion Hudson Ltd 

Monarch Books

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  Nonfiction (Adult) 

Pub Date 18 Jun 2021

I am reviewing a copy of Overcoming: My Fight Against FGM through Lion Hudson Ltd/Monarch Books and Netgalley:

Across the world there are girls that are subjected to fgm, female genital mutilation, even without permission.

Trauma, Health issues, and unfulfilled economic potential are just a few of the life altering results for over 200 million cut women and girls, and annually another 3 million girls are at risk of FGM.

In this book some of the origins of FGM are addressed, as well as telling the story one woman willing to sacrifice her comfortable, professional London life to help end its practice. Volunteering across fourteen African countries, Ann-Marie Wilson trained in basic midwifery, ran a fistula rehabilitation project, and qualified in psychology and theology before launching her charity, 28 Too Many.   This book is built on the voices of over 3000 FGM survivors’ stories as well as meetings with heads of state and the Pope, the book offers an insight into how Ann-Marie leaned on her Christian faith in her darkest moments to continue to offer hope.

I give Overcoming five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: War and Millie McGonigle

 

War and Millie McGonigle

by Karen Cushman

 Random House Children's 

Knopf Books for Young Readers

 Children's Fiction  |  Historical Fiction 

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021

I am reviewing a copy of War and Millie McGongile through Random House Children’s/Knopf Books for Young Readers and Netgalley:

Millie McConigle lives in sunny California , her days are filled with beach and surf, it should be perfect, but it’s far from it.  Hitler is attacking Europe and it looks like the United States may be going to war. Food is rationed and money is tight.  Her little sister who is sickly gets all the attention, and she couldn’t be more of a pain if she tried.  It takes everything for Millie to stay calm and in control and often she doesn’t.  

But there is sand beneath her feet A new neighbor from the city, who has a lot to teach Millie. And surfer boy Rocky to admire even if she doesn't have the guts to talk to him so life is pretty good if not perfect.

This is a time of sunshine, siblings but also of stress.  Will Millie find a way to keep her balance as the world looses its balance?

I give War and Willie McCongile five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: My Vertical Neighborhood

 

My Vertical Neighborhood

How Strangers Became a Community

by Lynda MacGibbon

InterVarsity Press

IVP

 Christian

Christian

Pub Date 30 Mar 2021 

I am reviewing a copy of My Vertical Neighborhood through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:

What if we had our neighbors as our friends?  When Lydia MacGibbon moved from a small city in eastern Canada to a high-rise apartment in Toronto, she decided to follow Jesus' famous commandment to "love your neighbor" a bit more literally.  She would have looked for friends at her new job or her new church in the past but now she decided to look for friends among the strangers who shared her apartment building her actual neighbors in her new "vertical neighborhood."   

My Vertical Neighborhood is a charming and relatable memoir in which MacGibbon tells the story of the community that took shape as neighbors said yes to weekly dinners and a writing group, Christmas morning brunch and even a Bible study.  This is the story of a simple everyday risk of reaching out with love to those around us, and of the beauty and messiness of real human relationships.  It’s story of the risks and rewards of taking Jesus at his word.

I give My Vertical Neighborhood five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Night Fall

 

Night Fall

by Nancy Mehl

Bethany House 

Bethany House Publishers

 Christian  |  Mystery & Thrillers  |  Romance 

Pub Date 30 Mar 2021 

I am reviewing a copy of Night Fall through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

Alexandra “Alex” Donovan is finally free of her troubled upbringing, she's able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis unit.  Authorities in Kansas and Missouri soon contact them when there are bodies found on a freight train headed across country, everyone of those bodies murdered in the same way.

The one thing Alex never expected was to comfort her past on this new job.  But she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars.  After the Bau sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

As Alex races against time, while battling her own weaknesses, she must decide what she is willing to risk to put a stop to the train killer.

I give Night Fall five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Jane Austen’s Cousin

 

Jane Austen's Cousin

The Outlandish Countess de Feuillide

by Geri Walton

Pen & Sword 

Pen & Sword History

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  History  |  Nonfiction (Adult) 

Pub Date 31 Mar 2021

I am reviewing a copy of Jane Austen’s Cousin through Pen & Sword and Netgalley:

Eliza de Feuillide seemed fascinating and outlandish to her cousins in rural eighteen century England.  When she visited her cousins village her appearance was electrifying.  The attractive and accomplished French countess with a vivacious personality who inspired their imaginations and regaled them with stories of life in London and Paris where she hobnobbed with French nobility and wore the latest fashions.  One of these impressionable younger cousins would find Eliza’s stories so fascinating that she would incorporate elements of Eliza’s life into some of the most famous novels in English literature. This cousin was Jane Austen.

But Eliza’s life was not as glamorous as Jane or her Austen cousins might have thought.  She had faced many tragedies in her life that her wealth and social class could not protect her against.  She had been forced to adapt and re-examine her priorities in a way that would dramatically change her life choices and result in a more sedate lifestyle.

I give Jane Austen’s Cousin five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Gaps

 

The Gaps

by Leanne Hall

Text Publishing 

Text Publishing Company

 OwnVoices  |  Teens & YA 

Pub Date 08 Feb 2022 

I am reviewing a copy of The Gaps through Text Publishing and Netgalley:

Yin-Mitchell is only sixteen when she is abducted, the news reverberates through the whole tenth grade class at Balmoral Ladies College.  As the hours start to tick by the girls know the chance of Yin being found alive is becoming smaller and smaller. Everyone in school is affected by Yin’s disappearance, including scholarship student. Chloe, who usually does her best to stay out of Balmoral dramas, is drawn into the maelstrom.

It isn’t long before Chloe begins to start feeling an uneasy alliance with Natalia, who is the queen of Tenth Grade things start to get even more complicated.   A tribute to friendship in all its guises.

The Gaps is a moving examination of vulnerability and strength, safety and danger, and the particular uncertainties young women face in the world.

I give The Gaps five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Marly in Pieces

 

Marly in Pieces

by Cathrina Constantine

CHBB Publishing 

 Mystery & Thrillers  |  Teens & YA 

Pub Date 07 Jul 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Marly in Pieces through CHBB Publishing and Netgalley:

Marly can’t believe her her friend, Rae, committed suicide, despite the fact her wrists were slit. 

Marly and Rae drifted apart, but despite that they had made a vow, a vow Marly intends to honor.

Marly becomes determined to find her best friend Rae’s killer.  There is a long list of potential suspects all who have secrets and lies they are trying to cover up that includes the boy she loves. Can Marly uncover the murderer’s identity before she becomes the next victim?

I give you Marly in Pieces five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!