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Showing posts with label I am reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I am reading. Show all posts

08 May 2023

June Book Pick

 I will be the first to admit that I don't enjoy country music, but I will also admit that there are some excellent stories in those classic country songs.  This book was like a country song from start to finish, trials, tribulations, sex, cheating, rags to riches....it is all here.  


Lillian Water's doctor told her she will soon lose her health battle and the voice that made her a country music mini-queen.   She knew she had to go out and do the thing she loved the most, play music. She gathers her band and heads out for that Farewell Tour.  While we travel with Lillian through life and touring, she gives us a look into her past.  It is an ugly past full of alcohol and forced sexual encounters (this is a warning if you don't like to read about these subject matters).  

Lena was born poor, she went to work when she was a child because it was the only way that she could eat.  From an early age she loved music and one day she figured out how she could get that first guitar.  Once the guitar goal was obtained she headed to make her dreams come true. The guitar was her everything.  She escaped her horrible young life for a life of music, but here at the end of her career, she needs to go home to fix some broken fences.  

I read the print book because of the cover, I mean look at this, it is gorgeous, then I loved the book so much that I did the audio.


  I am going to recommend the audio because the narrator embodies what you think Lena/Lillian would sound like and in a couple of spots, she sings to us.  

16 April 2023

May book pick

 I finished this book back in November and could not wait to share it with the world!!! Susan Meissner is my top favorite author right now.  She always writes a book that gives me a story I didn't expect, a setting that is familiar, but not like other books and she gives me a book that I have trouble putting down.  I would love to know what you think about this one.  It hasn't become my favorite Meissner book, but I would say it is a solid #3.  What are 1 and 2???? A Fall of Marigolds and As Bright as Heaven


Here is my review from November....




Susan can always tell a story that will pull me right into the middle and make me feel all of the emotions and this one is no exception. This one is about a young lady named Rosie, who is raised on a vineyard where her father was employed. One day her family was killed in an accident and she was the sole survivor. The vineyard owners, Truman and Celine, took Rosie in as her guardians. The whole plan was to use Rosie as a maid and not raise her as their child. The story pivots on one fateful night and Rosie later discovers that she is pregnant.


There is a second storyline that features Truman's sister, Helen, as a caregiver for children overseas in pre-war Europe. She and Rosie had developed a relationship over the years whenever Helen visited the vineyard and Helen had written letters to Rosie. They both had a deep friendship.

War then breaks out and uproots everything. Pregnant Rosie is sent away and Helen is struggling to survive in Europe. Each of them longs to talk to the other one and is trying to discover a way out of the turmoil around them.

You're going to love this one!!

19 March 2023

Review: If a Poem Could Live and Breathe: A Novel of Teddy Roosevelt's First Love

If a Poem Could Live and Breathe: A Novel of Teddy Roosevelt's First Love If a Poem Could Live and Breathe: A Novel of Teddy Roosevelt's First Love by Mary Calvi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Game Show Confidential: The Story of an American Obsession

Game Show Confidential: The Story of an American Obsession Game Show Confidential: The Story of an American Obsession by Boze Hadleigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: King Charles

King Charles King Charles by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These little books are so thrilling. They aren't too in-depth and gloss over some points of the subject's life, but they are fun and brilliantly illustrated. I enjoyed this one because we get Charles III early life, and how he was groomed for the day that has now arrived for him. If you have not checked out this book, or any other book of this series, do yourself a favor and try one, or ten.

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Review: Lady Sunshine

Lady Sunshine Lady Sunshine by Amy Mason Doan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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April Book Pick

 I was in a Daisy Jones and the Six vibe because everyone has been talking about the book again (thanks to the TV show) so I picked up this book.  I loved this dual timeline book from the first chapter.  Jackie is the niece of a famous rock star and her well-to-do parents let her go speed the summer with her uncle and her first cousin, Willa at a home named The Sandcastle.  Jackie tells us all about the things they did, the places they hid, the family fights, and how she longed to stay at The Sandcastle forever.  Forever lasted about two years, until someone dies and someone never returns.  


Fast forward to 1999, Jackie inherited The Sandcastle and wants to get rid of it as quickly as possible.  There is a musician on-site
recording an album and the two of them form a friendship and figure out how a person can heal from their past.   


11 March 2023

Review: My Love Story

My Love Story My Love Story by Tina Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life

Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Journey After the Crown

The Journey After the Crown The Journey After the Crown by Andrew Mackie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Jackie and Me

Jackie and Me Jackie and Me by Louis Bayard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: The Radium Girls:The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

The Radium Girls:The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women The Radium Girls:The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Off the Map

Off the Map Off the Map by Trish Doller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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26 February 2023

Review: Her Alaskan Return

Her Alaskan Return Her Alaskan Return by Belle Calhoune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I picked up this book, I expected it would follow the Hallmark-ish type romance formula, and just be set in Alaska, but this one turned out a bit different. Instead of boy meets girl and sparks fly, this one had the boy and girl (Judah and Autumn) as being a former couple and were deeply in love, girl dumped the boy because she was told she couldn't have children. Fast forward to 15 years later and this is where our story takes place, Autumn has just moved back to Alaska and is preparing to start over. Judah's wife and son were killed in a car crash and he just wants to stop. The chemistry is there, but there are so many obstacles.

It is a quick, fun read, I only wish there was a bit more of Alaska in the book because of my obsession, otherwise, this was a nice escape.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me get my hands on this one a bit early.

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19 February 2023

Review: Jimmy Dean's Last Dance

Jimmy Dean's Last Dance Jimmy Dean's Last Dance by A.K. Alliss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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March Monthly Book Pick

 I have been waiting for this book to be released so I can share it with you.  I really tried to not pick too many WWII books, but I can't help it with this one.  Pam Jenoff is one of the greats and you won't be sorry if you read this one.  




Here is the review that I wrote last month....


Ms. Jenoff is one of my favorite WWII writers.  She always tries to come up with a unique story about a woman that tries to save something.  This time Hannah is trying to save Jewish people in a Sapphire Network.  She ends up making a mistake that will cost her cousin, Lilly everything.  Hannah will now have to try and make amends to her cousin, while still trying to keep herself safe and the man she loves.  There's a little twist with that man, watch out for him.  

This is a WWII story, there will be death, there will be suffering, there will be sorrow, and war is hell after all....but Ms. Jenoff always finds some good and I think she was so successful.  I hope she has a brilliant launch to this book because it is superb.  



Please let me know what you think about this one, and if you have never tried a book by Pam before and loved this one, please try another, they are all wonderful.  


Review: The Granddaughters of Edward III

The Granddaughters of Edward III The Granddaughters of Edward III by Kathryn Warner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: A Half-Baked Murder

A Half-Baked Murder A Half-Baked Murder by Emily George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Spectacular

The Spectacular The Spectacular by Fiona Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wish I could give this one 10 stars! Fiona Davis is near the top of my MUST-READ list these days. I have loved every book she has written. If you are not familiar with Ms. Davis, you should be. Every book she writes is set in a NYC landmark and features some type of drama along with that landmark, which often becomes a character too. The Spectacular is set in Radio City Music Hall, where Marion has just landed a job as a Rockette. Marion's family doesn't agree with her decision to dance and there is a bomber loose in the city. The Big Apple bomber has been terrorizing New York for 16 years, and I will not spoil anything about what he does or if he is caught. What you need to know is that this book is just like the title states.....SPECTACULAR!!!

This will be my monthly book pick for June.

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Review: My Mama, Cass: A Memoir