Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you like to pick apples yourself or do you like to buy them from the store?  Do you have any favorite fall activities that you enjoy doing?   My family has liked to pick apples together since my son Kile was one-year old.  He is now seventeen and we enjoyed one last apple picking together this weekend.  He’ll be off to college next fall.

William Kensley has recently inherited Rosenleigh Manor, but accidents seem to keep occurring that threaten his life.  He searches deep into his past to discover the truth of his birth and the secrets that endanger his life.  Isabella Gresham is a young debutante who is trying to determine if love can truly exist after witnessing her parents’ loveless marriage.  As William and Isabelle’s friendship builds, will they be able to rescue themselves and each other from peril?

I loved the characters of William and Isabella as well as all the side characters in this book.  I thought the story was very engaging and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next to these two.  I loved the twists and turns as William learned of his true identity and place in the world.  I enjoyed that Isabella had a sixth sense about a seemingly perfect suitor, but unfortunately no one would listen to her. 

I appreciated the theme of forgiveness: “After all they had suffered.  All they had lost.  All the hurt that had been done to them by a husband who could have stayed and met their needs.  Why should she murmur of forgiveness at a time like this?”  William ponders forgiveness throughout the novel. 

I adore romantic suspense with a Gothic vibe, especially in the fall.  It feels like perfect reading for this time of year.  I also loved the Regency setting.  This reminded me of a Jane Austen story blended with a Bronte novel.

Garden of Midnights is a clean read.

I have enjoyed Hannah Linder’s previous novels and will definitely be reading more of her work!

Book Source:  Review copy from Barbour Publishing as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: Garden of the Midnights

·       Author: Hannah Linder

·       Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Suspense, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction

·       Publisher: Barbour Books (October 1, 2023)

·       Length: (320) pages

·       Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & audiobook 

·       ISBN: 978-1636094380

·       Tour Dates: October 2 – 16, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered. 
 
As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?
 
He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart? 

Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights. 

PRAISE FOR GARDEN OF THE MIDNIGHTS

• “Hannah Linder's engrossing new novel is taut with life-and-death danger, twisty turns, and sweet, forbidden romance. Garden of the Midnights is sure to keep you up late turning pages!”— Julie Klassen, bestselling author of The Sisters of Sea View
• “A uniquely atmospheric novel, Garden of the Midnights intrigues from page one and never lets up. Readers will be swept away in the mystery and romance, and find themselves cheering for William and Isabella as they fight for their happily ever after. Hannah Linder's newest is beautifully written and a wonderful fresh take on the genre. One not to be missed!”— Joanna Barker, author of A Heart Worth Stealing, A Game of Hearts, and Otherwise Engaged
• "Unexpected twists and turns abound in this sweeping Regency suspense! Hannah Linder's writing is reminiscent of Austen, with fresh storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat."— Kasey Stockton, author of I'm Not Charlotte Lucas and the Bradwell Brothers series

 

PURCHASE LINKS

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AUTHOR BIO

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion.

When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments―piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele―songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her next novel, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, is releasing on May 1, 2024.

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Book Feature: Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett.

Do you have any favorite mystery series that you enjoy?  I have enjoyed the "Her Majesty the Queen Investigates" series in the past.  The stories are delightful and I love Queen Elizabeth II as a detective.  I am looking forward to reading this latest addition to the series!

SYNOPSIS:

Evidence that an aristocrat has gone missing—and was possibly murdered—near Sandringham House sets Queen Elizabeth II on the path to discover unsavory family secrets and much more in this new installment of the series the New York Times Book Review calls “sheer entertainment.”

Queen Elizabeth II is looking forward to a traditional Christmas gathering with her family in Sandringham when a shocking discovery interrupts holiday plans. A severed hand has been found—but even more unsettling, she recognizes the signet ring still attached to a finger. It belongs to a scion of the St Cyr family, her old friends from nearby Ladybridge Hall. Despite the personal connection, the Queen wants to leave the investigation to the police—that is, until newspapers drag her name into the matter.

As reporters speculate about the proximity of the crime to the Crown and the police fail to investigate a suspicious accident on her doorstep, Elizabeth quietly begins to mull over the mystery herself. With help from her Assistant Private Secretary, Rozie Oshodi, she delves into the interlocking layers of fact and fiction surrounding the high-profile case. Someone in the quiet county of Norfolk seems to have a secret worth killing for, and the Queen is determined to find out who and what that is—even if that means discovering that someone in her close circle is a murderer.

This book was published on September 26, 2023.

The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm by Patricia Crisafulli (TLC Book Tour)

 

What flowers are still in bloom in your area?  My coneflowers and brown-eyed susans are hanging on as well as my potted mums.  We have not had a freeze yet!

Gabriela Domenici and her boyfriend Daniel Red Deer are hiking in the wilderness of Still Waters Chasm in the State of New York when they come across a dead body and another dying person.  They try to administer first aid, but when it proves to be futile, they go to a higher area to call for help.  When they return, the two bodies and their canoe are missing.  Where did they go?  Was this a case of accidental poisoning or was it foul play?

This is the second book in the series following last year’s The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor.  It picks up after the conclusion of the first novel with Gabriela still struggling with her feelings from almost being killed.  She is also working on furthering her relationship with Daniel Red Deer while also keeping her outspoken mother Agnese out of her relationship.  I found her to be such a relatable character as she struggles with work, being a mother, and love.  Throw a mystery on top of it and no wonder she is stressed!  I also love that she is a librarian who does detective work as a hobby.

I really enjoyed this novel.  I loved the characters and the setting.  I loved returning to Ohnita Harbor and getting to spend more time with this cast of characters.  While this can be read as a stand alone novel, I recommend reading The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor first so that you can really get to know the characters.  The setting sounds very beautiful and makes me want to visit upper New York.

I liked the cozy mystery in this novel as well.  The mysterious deaths also involved fracking and an old plan for a ship.  I didn’t guess the ending and loved seeing all the pieces fall into place as the story progressed.  The ending was pretty fast paced, and I couldn’t stop reading too far into the night to see how it all wrapped up.

Book Source:  Review copy from Woodhall Press and author Patricia Crisafulli as a part of the TLC Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is the weather like by you?  I live in Northeast Wisconsin along Lake Michigan and should be enjoying cool fall weather, but instead we had an eighty-degree day today.  It’s hard to believe it’s October.  Living by Lake Michigan, I always wonder about the Lake District in England, which is the setting of The Legacy of Longdale Manor.

In 2012, Gwen Morris is a young art historian working for her Grandfather.  She has made a major mistake in an evaluation of a piece of art.  Her grandfather sends her away to the estate of a family friend, Longdale Manor, to appraise the pieces there.  The owner, Lilly Benderly hopes that the sale of household treasures will garner enough money to fix up the estate into a luxury hotel run by her grandson, David.  As she is assessing the household items, Gwen finds a 100-year-old journal and a carved shepherd’s staff that looks like one in a picture with her parents.  She knows nothing about her father and works to find answers.

In 1912, Charlotte Harper’s father has suddenly died.  Unfortunately, the family discovers at his death that they have no money and Charlotte discovers a secret about her father that she keeps to herself in order to not hurt her family.  The family is forced to sell their heavily mortgaged home and move to the sheep farm of Charlotte’s mother’s friend in hopes of being able to mend the relationship with Charlotte’s grandfather who owns the nearby Longdale Manor.  Will Charlotte find love with shepherd Ian Storey?

I love dual timelines and I enjoyed both of these stories equally.  I like how the stories were interconnected and brought together at the end.  I also enjoyed the love stories of both couples. 

This was a great inspirational book.  It was a unique and enjoyable book that discussed the faith journey of the main characters.  Both women were looking for God’s guidance in their lives as they looked to forgive past wrongs perpetrated by their fathers and move forward with their lives.  It was a story that included forgiveness, redemption, and second chances.  Those are all themes that I enjoy reading about.  It was also a clean read.

I enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the novel which explained some of the background historical events (the Keswick Convention) as well as the beauty of the England’s Lake District.  I really would love to visit the Lake District one day.

Overall, The Legacy of Longdale Manor is a gentle, faith-filled story that is a must-read novel.

Book Source:  Review copy from Bethany House as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: The Legacy of Longdale Manor

·       Author: Carrie Turansky

·       Genre: Historical Romance, Dual Timeline Fiction, Inspirational Fiction

·       Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 26, 2023)

·       Length: (352) pages

·       Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

·       ISBN: 978-0764241055‎

·       Tour Dates: September 25 – October 9, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Two women—a century apart—embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

 

PRAISE FOR A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE

• "This novel will stir your faith—and your desire to visit England's Lake District!" —Julie Klassen, bestselling author of The Sisters of Seaview
• "Turansky opens the door of Longdale Manor and invites readers to explore the secrets hidden inside." —Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Chateau of Secrets
• "A beautiful book to warm and lift the heart." —Cathy Gohlke, Christy Hall of Fame author

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal. 

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X (formerly known as Twitter) | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

Talulah’s Back in Town by Brenda Novak

 

Have you ever been to a wedding with a runaway bride or groom?  I have not fortunately, but that doesn’t stop me from loving the movie Runaway Bride and loving this book about a runaway bride.

Talulah has been a runaway bride . . . three times so far in her life.  Her first jilted groom was her high school sweetheart, Charlie.  She returns to her hometown of Coyote Canyon, Montana for her Great Aunt’s funeral and to clean out her house.  Upon her return, she reconnects with Charlie’s best friend Brant.  Sparks fly, but can she settle down with one person? Charlie and his family still are upset with her even though it has been fourteen years and make her trip back very uncomfortable.  Should Talulah return to her successful dessert café in Seattle or should she start a new life in Coyote Canyon?

September has been a very hectic month for me and I loved reading this book. It was a great escapism read.  I enjoyed reading Talulah and Brant’s love story – they were an interesting couple with great chemistry.  I loved the small town setting, the secondary characters, and the forces working for and against Talulah and Brant. There was a bit of a mystery in it about a rock that gets thrown through Talulah’s window that kept me wondering as well.  I also loved the description of Talulah’s cooking and I really want to try out her carrot cake!

I would rate the steam level in this romance as high.

This is the first book in a new Coyote Canyon series, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  I read this for the Brenda Novak Book Group September pick.  I love Brenda Novak’s discussions about the monthly selections which can be found on her Facebook page.  The discussion on this book is tomorrow!

Book Source:  Review copy from NetGalley. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner

 

Do you like to ride bikes?  What is the longest distance you have ridden?  I loved to ride bikes and used to ride a lot before I got married and had kids.  I sadly don’t get to ride as much as I would like to, but hopefully as the kids get older, I will ride more again.  I never used to measure the distance of my rides, but The Breakaway has inspired me to take a longer biking trip.

Abby is thirty-three and floating through life.  She hasn’t figured out what she wants to do for a permanent job and her apartment looks like she is still a college student.  She has reunited with her high school sweetheart and is trying to figure out what she wants to do with life.  She loves riding her bike on long bike journeys and helps a friend out by taking the leadership role on a tour that will go from New York City to Niagara Falls.  The group is a motley crew of a variety of personalities and age groups. Unfortunately, it also includes Abby’s mother who is very critical of Abby’s weight and a man she had a one-night stand with a couple of years ago.  Will she be able to make it through this trip and keep her group on track?

The Breakaway was immensely readable.  I took this book on our Labor Day weekend campout, and I couldn’t put it down.  I was especially caught up thinking about taking such a bike adventure and was inspired that people of all ages and body types were taking the trip.  I like how we get to know the other riders in the group as the book progresses as well. 

Weiner is aways great writing about body issues and this book was no exception.  Abby was raised by an almond mom who is very critical of what Abby eats and sent her to fat camp repeatedly when she was a teenager.  I will admit though of having a “first world problem” moment when reading this book.  In a flashback to teenage years, Abby is horrified about being sent to fat camp instead of drama camp in Maine and throws a giant fit about it.  I was sad for her about going to fat camp, but I never got to go to any camp because my family couldn’t afford it.  I was working in the fields as a teenager when Abby was throwing a fit about not getting to go to Maine.  I had a really hard time feeling empathy for her and thought she should probably not go to any camp and maybe work in the fields like I did to lose the weight her Mom wanted her too.  Kidding aside, I was horrified thinking about how this would really warp a teenager’s body image.

SPOILER ALERT

The section I had the hardest time with what Weiner’s attempt to put women’s issues into the book.  There are a mother daughter duo on the trip from a state where abortion isn’t legal.  The daughter is 15, pregnant, and plans to stop by an abortion clinic while on the ride.  She is sure her mother will not understand and does not talk to her about being pregnant or her plan.  I can understand that.  What I couldn’t understand was when several other members of the group find out about it and are helping the 15-year-old without talking to her mother.  They all judge and assume the worst about the mother.  I found it very cringy to have people helping an underage girl with such an important decision and leaving her mother completely out of it.  This entire side story felt forced and out of place.  The story line concluded in a satisfying way, but I was ready to throw my book for a large part of it.

I felt the same way about the romance in this novel.  While I could see that Abby’s teenage love might not be Mr. Right, I also didn’t like one night stand guy at all.  I wasn’t into this romance and the whole thing was cringe.

SPOILER END

I have mixed feelings about this book.  There were things I loved, storylines that I didn’t think worked, but overall, I couldn’t stop reading.

Book Source: I preordered this book on Amazon.com.

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Are you reading any books for the Halloween season?  I was happy to recently read The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub.  It combined two of my favorite things – Halloween and Pride and Prejudice.

Lydia Bennet is the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter.  She has powers that are not shared by the rest of her family, except for her Aunt Phillips who is able to guide her as she grows into a young witch.  This novel tells Lydia’s background and then retells the story of Pride and Prejudice from her point of view. 

I thought this novel was very fun.  I loved that it was told from Lydia’s first-person narration through a manuscript she is writing to Lizzy to explain everything.  It is very funny and in character for Lydia. I was delighted to find out that Kitty Bennet is actually a cat and George Wickham, is literally a handsome devil or demon.  To me, it seemed like the entire novel was really about the love that Lydia had for her best friend and sister, Kitty, and the sacrifices that Lydia made to ensure her happiness.  Taub really captures Lydia’s voice.  A few of my favorite quotes:

“I suppose if this were a proper book, I’d begin it something like, ‘Miss Lydia Bennet, youngest of five daughters to a father hopefully entailed, had few advantages in life, but not too few to squander.’”

“La!  Imagine what Lizzy would do if she knew I made that spot on her chin pop back out whenever she vexed me.”

“This is the part, I suppose, where the novel would wrap up with a tidy boring moral, so I will say this: Love your best friends.  Forgive your worst friends.  Remember, always, not to judge people too hastily, for everyone is living out the story of their own, and you only get to read the pages you appear on.”

I was delighted to find out in the author’s note that she used real history, myths, and folklore for the novel.  I also loved that Miss Lamb from Sanditon is a character in this novel.  I always find her an interesting character and love her addition to the story. 

I laughed out loud when I read the first line of the acknowledgements, “Guys, I did so much damn research for this book.  I could write a 10-page bibliography.”

Overall, I thought this was an inventive, unique, and fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice perfect for reading during the Halloween season.

Book Source:  Review copy from Grand Central Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

QUICK FACTS

·       Title: The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch

·       Author: Melinda Taub

·       Genre: Historical Fantasy, Austenesque Fiction

·       Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 3, 2023)

·       Length: (400) pages

·       Format: Hardcover, eBook, & Audiobook 

·       ISBN: ‎978-1538739204

·       Tour Dates: September 25 – October 9, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A "wildly inventive and utterly addictive" (Julia Quinn) witchy reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, told from the perspective of the troublesome and—according to her—much-maligned youngest Bennet sister, Lydia.

In this exuberant retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lydia Bennet puts pen to paper to relate the real events and aftermath of the classic story. Some facts are well known: Mrs. Bennet suffers from her nerves, Mr. Bennet suffers from Mrs. Bennet, and all five daughters suffer from an estate that is entailed only to male heirs.

But Lydia also suffers from entirely different concerns: her best-loved sister Kitty is really a barn cat; Wickham is every bit as wicked as the world believes him to be, but what else would one expect from a demon? And if Mr. Darcy is uptight about etiquette, that’s nothing compared to his feelings about magic. Most of all, Lydia has yet to learn that for a witch, promises have power . . .

Full of enchantment, intrigue, and boundless magic, The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch, has all the irreverent wit, strength, and romance of Pride and Prejudice—while offering a highly unexpected redemption for the wildest Bennet sister.

 

PRAISE FOR THE SCANDALOUS CONFESSIONS OF LYDIA BENNET, WITCH

• “Funny and fierce as Lydia Bennet herself, this book mixes witchcraft lore with Austen’s story to make its own unique magic. I’ll never look at Kitty the same way again…” ―Claudia Gray, author of The Murder of Mr. Wickham, a Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney Mystery
• “Taub’s wit and creativity shines through. . . A delight for both Austen lovers and fans of magical adventure stories.” ―Kirkus Reviews

·       “Wildly inventive and utterly addictive. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm now 100% Team Lydia.” ―Julia Quinn

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO

Melinda Taub is an Emmy and Writers’ Guild Award-winning writer. The former head writer and executive producer of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, she is also the author of Still Star-Crossed, a young adult novel which was adapted for television by Shondaland. (She also wrote that thing about the Baroness in The Sound of Music that your aunt likes.) She lives in Brooklyn.

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The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan

 

Do you prefer a window seat or aisle seat when you fly?  I always love sitting in a window seat and getting to see what is happening when I am on an airplane.  I’m finishing up my summer reads and read The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan earlier this month. I always love reading Jenny Colgan’s novels.  I get swept away by the stories.

The Summer Skies is set in far northern Scotland.  Morag McGinty has been born into a family of pilots.  She works for a major airline, but after a near accident, she is working on being ready to fly again.   During this situation, she has finally found a man she thinks she has a future with, Hayden.  Together they plan on relocating to Dubai.  Morag decides she can be the co-pilot on long haul flights and won’t have to face her fear of being the pilot in charge again. The family business is flying a plane service from island to island in northern Scotland. When Morag’s grandfather falls ill, she helps out by coming back home to help with the flying.  Will she be able to overcome her fears of flying as the primary pilot again?

I always love how in Jenny Colgan’s novels, the primary character is a woman who is trying to find her way in the world.  What does Morag really want for her future?  She is not sure herself and it takes coming home and being put into a precarious situation that really makes her realize what is important.  I love her side characters too – as there were many new and unique characters in this book.  Another great element is the food. There is a mouth-watering description of bread in this book that made me want to go out and make my own home made loaf.  The settings are also wild and wonderful as well.  I really want to visit northern Scotland now.  I wasn’t sure where this story was going, and I enjoyed the journey. I also have always loved aviation and enjoyed the elements in this story. I hope that it is the start of a lovely new series.  I enjoyed reading this novel.

Book Source: Review Copy from NetGalley.  Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ashes in the Snow by Oriana Ramunno (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harperviabooks for the review copy of Ashes in the Snow by Oriana Ramunno.

What is the most unique setting of a book that you have read?  Ashes in the Snow is a mystery that is set at Auschwitz.  It is the investigation of one murder amongst so many murders.

Dr. Braun, an eminent Nazi doctor working in Auschwitz, has been murdered.  Young detective Hugo Fischer has been sent to investigate the murder.  His number one witness was a young boy, Gioele, that discovered the body.  Gioele is a twin that lives in a special part of camp as he and his twin are experimented on.  Hugo discovers all the horrors of the camp but has to hold his sanity together to finish solving this crime.  Who killed Dr. Braun?  Hugo also struggles with how he and his fellow Germans had ended up living in a world where Auschwitz existed.

Ashes in the Snow is a powerful book.  It was an intriguing mystery and kept me reading far too long into the night.  The horrors of the camp were often really hard to read.  There was a particularly graphic scene involving the death of a baby at the beginning that will disturb readers.  I really liked Hugo’s reflections as he tried to rationalize how his actions and those of his fellow citizens could have led to Auschwitz.  The characters were all intriguing and many were much more than they seemed at first.    I found the ending of the novel to be very satisfying with a glimmer a good amongst the horror.

This novel was inspired by the author’s great uncle’s experiences in a concentration camp.  As a young man, the author interviewed his uncle and learned the horrifying details of his experiences.  This is explained in an interesting author’s note at the start of the novel.

Overall, Ashes in the Snow is a dark, but riveting historical mystery novel. 

The Royal Windsor Secret by Chistine Wells (Bibliolifestyle Book Tour)

 

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for the review copy of The Royal Windsor Secret by Christine Wells.

What type of book do you like to read to relax?  One type I like to read is more escapist historical fiction.  It’s a type of fun historical fiction with a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a high society life that I can only dream about.  It’s a stressful time of year for me and The Royal Windsor Secret fit the bill to help me escape and relax.

Cleo has grown up in Cairo Egypt at Shepheard’s Hotel.  Nicknamed “the princess” she has grown up with rumors that she is the daughter of the Prince of Wales.  She has the opportunity to travel to London in the 1930’s with Lord and Lady Grayson to make her debut.  She begins the search for the truth about her birth.  Is she the daughter of the Prince of Wales?  Who is her mother?  She also explores her true passion for designing jewelry and tries to decide if her childhood friend Brodie is more than just a friend.

The book alternated viewpoints at times with the French courtesan Marguerite Meller and how she became a courtesan and started a relationship with David, the Prince of Wales.  It was very interesting.  I didn’t realize she was a real person until the fascinating author’s note at the end of the novel. I had only ever heard of David’s relationship with Wallis Simpson. The novel ranged from World War I to post World War II from Egypt to Paris to London.  I loved the timeline and the settings.  It was an interesting story, and I was intrigued by the mystery aspect.

The Royal Windsor Secret was published on September 12^th.