Review: Tony's Wife

Tony's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Warning: This book hit me so much the only way to tell what I think is to give away plotlines. Don't read if you want to be surprised by the book.


When the book started I loved Sav (I can't spell his long name). He was so kind, honest, hardworking and in love with Cheryl. I was so upset when Cheryl broke his heart but excited he saw a new way at life through a horrible event that happened at his parent's home.

The next scene we meet Chi Chi. She enters as a wonderful person. A servant person that helps others instead of herself. She proves that in the first few pages that she was a wonderful person. She wanted desperately to have a career in music. Her father wanted it for her too and worked at everything he could to give her that dream. Her only fault? Meeting a man named Sav at a club where he was performing.

Of course, he turned out to be a skunk and I was so upset when they became a couple because I really hated him and then I loved him and then I hated him again. His actions did make me like Chi Chi more though.

I am not going to tell you what happens next, I have given way too much away. I did enjoy this book very much and I am sure that I will read it again because it did make me very emotional. I read it quickly because it was super hard to put down.



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Review: The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful story of love in the most horrific conditions. I was madly in love with Lale and Gita myself. The things they endured were the most gruesome thing I have ever read about. To find out that Lale and Gita were real people and this story is based on their lives touched me deeply. The love they had, the bond to make it out alive and together, their sheer devotion to one another was touching. Lale didn't come off as a sympathizer, but I can see his concern that he would be. I saw in him a man that did what it took to serve his fellow prisoners and in the end, they took care of him for taking care of him all those years.

There were many spots in the book that I could not stand it for fear that something happened to Lale, Gita or their friends. The constant worry that this could be their last moment was terrifying to me.

I will forever question how these activities could go unnoticed and always say a little prayer for those that went through these dreadful conditions.



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Review: Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love & Baking Biscuits

Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love & Baking Biscuits by Reese Witherspoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun journey to the south (mainly Nashville). There is a little too much country music, but the photos, the southern charm, and the recipes are fantastic!!!!! I love so many of these southern dishes and will be making them soon (watch out family!) Reese is adorable, fun, and a gracious host by allowing us into her home and her life and giving us tips on how to be our best, manage it all and read a book while we are doing it!



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Review: Granny Goes Hollywood

Granny Goes Hollywood by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love these books.

What would you do if you could meet and then work with your favorite movie star? Yeah, that would be fun unless someone is trying to murder your favorite movie star. That is what happens to Granny this time. Barbara, as usual, is on the case. I really think you could read this as a stand alone as Harper sets things up nicely, but I really think you would have more fun if you read the whole Granny series.

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest (that I am glad to give) review.

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Review: The Proposal

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A totally fun ride in a red sports car. This is kind of a companion to The Wedding Date...not really a sequel because the main character here was a minor character there, but the main characters in The Wedding Date make a brief appearance here (fingers crossed there is another book with Dana/Courtney/Natalie).

While elements are like a typical romance novel, Jasmine writes in a sexy hip fashion. There are text messages, believable situations, a diverse cast of characters and even some unexpected elements too.


****I have a few followers that might like to know this....this book is a little different than my normal books. This does have some adult bedroom scenes (sex), so if you don't like that, but read my usual selections, you may not want this one. Or you can just skim over those parts. ****

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Review: The Kennedy Debutante

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had never read a book about Kick so I didn't know anything about her other than she died young. This book title made me think that it would be about her society debut, but instead, that debut sets the tone for Kick and her future. I kind of like Kick because she was a bit of a spitfire. Willing to give up all for love but still conflicted if she was doing the right thing.
Overall, the book has a sad tone...with the war raging, heartbreak, betrayal, Rosemary, but I do believe that things were like that in this time. No one knew what was going to happen in regards to Hilter and people being killed in battle. The Rosemary part was sad and made me wonder what the real kids thought about that whole situation.
This was an enjoyable book to me and I do recommend it for anyone interested in the Kennedy family or fans of WWII historical fiction.

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Review: Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything

Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything by Anne Bogel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never realized how much i would love this book. I learned so much about myself and my friends. I wasn't even looking to learn anything, I was reading/listening because I love Anne's voice. I do recommend the audio for that reason. She is clear and even-keeled. As for the text, I learned I am 100% extrovert without a doubt!!.

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Review: The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow

The It Girl and Me: A Novel of Clara Bow by Laini Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was fun. It started out a little different than I expected it to, but when it ended....ZOWIE!!! I loved how the story wrapped up and then I saw it was based on a true person (Daisy DeVoe) and this really happened. I am not sure how much liberties the author took with the true story, but it the book read like a "it happened but it's hard to believe it did" tale. I very much enjoyed this, as I do the series. I am hoping so much that the author pulls off a Forgotten Actress story on Norma Shearer or Thelma Todd, or even Carole Landis.

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Review: The Two-Family House

The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Helen and Rose, the best of friends married to brothers that work together. Both families live in the same house too. Sounds simple but what you are about to read is full of ups and downs and a little drama. The overall story, I loved. So many twists, so many turns...I loved it. Parts of the story, I felt were too accelerated...things were missing to me. It is for that reason that I give the book 4 stars instead of 5. I will tell you that the ending is exceptional!

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Review: The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour

The Affair: An enthralling story of love and passion and Hollywood glamour by Gill Paul
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be full of the tales of Liz and Dick as they fell in love on the set of Cleopatra. What I got was a book where that happened...PLUS, there was a Dateline twist! I loved that little surprise. Diana was hired to be the historian on the set of the epic film. She's married to an older man and disappointed he didn't want to go to Rome with her. She left her man at home and had all kind of adventures. These adventures changed her life forever.

I very much enjoyed this journey.

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Review: Love and Other Consolation Prizes

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They say "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened", but that is very hard. I was sucked into the book and could NOT let go. Ernest is a character you fall in love with the second he appears. You want to hug him in the first chapter. Then when he goes to America you want to hug him again. The World's Fair will make your mouth drop because of the things Ernest experiences there and how a simple fair will change the course of his life forever. He will meet Fahn and Maisie in this new life and form bonds that will take him to the "present" day portion of the novel which is the early 60's. He will never break the bond form with these 2 little girls.

What I took away....Jamie can take dark places in the world and explain how it was and show that there can be good in unpleasant things. What Jamie does with his pen is explore good and ugly and takes the reader right with him. I have a couple of reasons why he is my favorite present day author.
1. He introduces me to parts of America (Seattle past) I didn't know existed, but I should have.
2. He makes me care about his characters and ache when they hurt and rejoice when they prosper.

Today begins the day that I start longing for his next book. Thank you Jamie.

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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 by Kate Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to get this book a second time. It has haunted me a bit to know what happened to these girls and that USRC discovered what the effects of Radium could do and they covered it up. They lied in court and to medical professionals, all the while, the girl's bodies were falling apart or riddled with disease. The painful deaths the girls encountered were hard to read about because you knew it was true. The devotion of Tom Donohue is astounding ...what a wonderful husband, of course, his wife, Katherine is one of the bravest women I have ever read about. If you have not read this book, you should. It moved me like Henrietta Lacks. A must read.

I came back in 2018 because this book was still haunting me. I had to read it again. I still think it is one of the best books of 2017.

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Review: Tiny Little Thing

Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So far this is my favorite Beatriz books. I love Tiny and Pepper. I loved how they fixed up a car together and how Tiny realizes that she doesn't have a perfect life. She is living just for status, with a man who prefers the company of others which could ruin his career in the day and age the story takes place. Cap (Caspian) is incredible. I love every part about him. He is just the dude you want to come into stories like this.

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Review: Pop-Up Truck and Peril

Pop-Up Truck and Peril by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Harper Lin's books...they are fast, engaging and funny. In Pop up Truck and Peril, Amelia's best friend Christine asks her to move the truck to her work for a few days because a co worker has been murdered and the police do have a suspect....only Christine can't believe the suspect would do it. Amelia is on the job selling her treats and solving crime and getting herself into trouble...with the police and the real murderer.

In Amelia's personal life, her ex is getting married and causing drama with their kids. Amelia has to learn how to handle this without making her ex look bad to his kids and keep her sanity.

This is a perfect series to download and take on vacation with you. I don't think you have to read the previous 5 to get the story, but why would you do that? They are all so fun.

I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: The Secret Wife

The Secret Wife by Gill Paul
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I discovered Gill Paul last year and I like her style a lot. She has done quite a few Titanic books and I am trying hard to read them all. I discovered this book because I was trying to get a hold of Another Woman's Husband (also by Gill). I thought I would give it a whirl. This one tells a story we are familiar with Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandria of Russia. We all know they were murdered, along with their children, during the Bolsheviks revolution of Russia in 1917. We have heard that Anatasia might have lived. Well, this story chooses to let another daughter live. Her body is discovered in modern-day after the love of her life dies of old age. It is believed she was murdered and hidden in a shallow grave but upon further inspection, she died of natural causes. What they don't know is that she escaped the murder and lived with her lover as man and wife until her natural life was over. She had changed her name as had her husband. It is a sweet story and does make you long to believe that those children could have lived.

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Review: Camino Island

Camino Island by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been on hold for this book forever. I didn't read what it was about, I just know I read every Grisham book. This one blew me away from the start. F Scott Fitzgerald! I love him! His manuscripts in the hands of crooks! I was sucked in and blown away. I had NO idea where this novel was going to end up, every time I thought I did something else happened to make me say "what".

I enjoy almost every Grisham book, but I do believe this one ranks up there near "The Firm" for me. EXCELLENT!

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Review: The German Girl

The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My friend made me read this and I am so glad that she did! This book travels from 2014 with Anna to 1939 with Hannah and follows the lives of the Rosenthal's/Rosen's. The story traveled to Havana, which I loved. Having just gotten back from Havana and visited many of the places from the book....everything was so visible in my mind. The story was sad, so sad, but such an important tale to tell. I had never heard about the ship St. Louis and had no idea what happened to those people. It's another story from (pre) WWII that people should know. Thank you sir for telling this history along with adding some characters that we would want to know more about and enjoy spending time with (we would also be sad right alongside them).

A wonderful book.

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Review: Along the Infinite Sea

Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the past, Annable marries a man she doesn't love just because she is pregnant. In the future, she buys a car from Pepper. Pepper the outcast who finds herself pregnant by some Washington big deal in politics. Pepper and Annable go on an adventure that will connect the past of Annable with the future of Pepper, strangers who become friends.

Beatriz can tell a story like no other, and I think you can read her books as a stand-alone, but if you pay attention you will see that most of them have a connection of either a character or a location or even a family.

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Review: A Fall of Marigolds

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do believe this is the greatest book I have ever read. I have read it a few of times and every time I love it more. A scarf falls at Ellis Island in 1911 and then ends up at the World Trade Center on 9/11/01. The connection of the past with the present captivated me on a long 9-hour flight, then I re-read it while traveling through the bush in Alaska and fell deeper in love with how the scarf connects the past and the present. Reading fiction about 9/11 seems so real, maybe because we lived through it and we all have a story. This was another story that left me thinking "that really could have happened". I know I heard of folks that died that never knew they were going to be parents. I know someone who had circumstances have changed that day would have been right there in the center of it all. I remember sitting by the TV wondering if someone would come after the nuclear plant where I live. This book brought up the fear, but also the happiness, the American renewal, the partnership we all had to band together as one. It tells of how folks completely changed because of the events of one morning. I love this entire story.

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Review: Goodnight From London

Goodnight From London by Jennifer Robson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW!! I have been waiting to read this because I needed the ebook since I didn't want to mess up my autographed copy. It was well worth the wait. Once I opened the ebook I devoured the text. It was a wonderful journey. We met Ruby who seems like an incredible girl that has some deep secrets. Her secrets will be revealed and she will fall for a man that also has deep secrets. Ms. Robson writes the most perfect books for me, there is some romance, but not trashy and the books are FULL of history from the early 20th century wars. This one will focus on WWII, you will actually be right in the middle of the blitz in London.

I simply adore this book.

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