Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Book Review: My Twin in Budapest by Kim Cano

 Book Review


My Twin in Budapest

Kim Cano


Book Description:


An uplifting women's fiction novel full of romance, intrigue, and a vacation that shapes destiny.

After being dumped by her fiancĂ©, heartbroken Morgan spends time with her best friend, Amanda, hoping to forget her troubles. While looking through old family photographs together, Morgan notices a picture of Amanda’s grandmother, Veronika. The woman looks just like her. Suddenly, meeting her becomes important. The only problem is that she lives overseas.

On a trip to Budapest, Morgan meets Veronika, who is now eighty years old. As the two women get to know each other, Veronika shares a secret with Morgan about a tragic romance that ended under mysterious circumstances. Discovering what happened becomes Morgan’s obsession. Veronika’s happiness is her number one goal. Morgan thinks that if she can fix Veronika’s life, there may be hope for her own.


Buy Now on Amazon

 

My 5-Star Review:

After a heartbreaking breakup, Morgan visits her dear friend Amanda and while looking through her friend’s family photos she is shocked to see an old photo of Amanda’s grandmother who looks exactly like her. Feeling enlightened by this revelation, Morgan is obsessed with meeting the woman who was her twin. So, when Amanda invites her along on a family trip to Budapest to visit her grandmother Veronika, Morgan jumps at the chance to meet her “twin.”


My Twin in Budapest is a heartwarming story of a woman on a mission to find happiness through helping another woman find her own happily ever after. Well-written and intriguing, it will keep you turning pages to the very end. I highly recommend this beautiful women’s fiction novel.

 


About the Author:

Kim Cano is the author of six women's fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, When the Time Is Right, and The Healing Train. She writes emotionally charged book club reads about second chances, family life, and friendship.

Visit Kim at www.kimcano.com

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Book Review: Kidnapped (The Browns of Butcher’s Hill, Book 1) by Holly Bush

 Book Review


Kidnapped 

(The Browns of Butcher's Hill, Book 1)

by Holly Bush


Book Description:

 

Phillip Brown wakes up one bitter November morning to find a woman near frozen on the stoop of the Baltimore home he shares with his sister and uncle. The unconscious woman eventually awakens, unwilling to share who has terrified her while she makes a recovery in the Brown home. He continues his work at the Wiest Oyster Cannery and pouring beer on occasion at his neighborhood brewery while guarding his family from dangerous criminals’ intent of silencing his discoveries about the woman.

Daughter of the Wiest Oyster Cannery owner, Virginia Wiest hears the story of the unconscious woman by chance and is intrigued and determined to help. Deemed sickly as a young girl and cossetted by a widowed father, Virginia is drawn to helping the less fortunate and aiding Brown unravel the mystery surrounding the woman and her missing child.

When Virginia makes an ill-fated attempt to save the child, Phillip finds himself and his heart in danger. The daring rescue from a well-heeled brothel nearly ends him and his dreams. 

This historical mystery includes a Happy for Now (HFN) conclusion.

 

 

Buy on Amazon

 Also available at Barnes & Noble, Apple Play, Google Books and Kobo

 

 

My 5-Star Review:

When a woman is found hurt and half frozen on Phillip Brown’s family home’s steps, his sister takes her in to care for her. But the woman becomes more trouble than as just an unexpected houseguest. With her comes danger that stalks Phillip, his family, and even his employer’s daughter, Virginia, who has also become involved in the intrigue.

Kidnapped by Holly Bush is a mixture of suspense, mystery, and romance. Phillip is just trying to help his family make ends meet in Baltimore in 1867 by working at the canning factory by day and the brewery by night. He has no interest in helping a strange woman, but his sister is headstrong and insists. When his employer’s daughter, Virginia, becomes involved, he is equally angry. The last thing he needs is another woman to protect who won’t listen to him. Tension, tender moments, and heartache follow, giving this story the perfect combination of emotions to keep the reader on edge and turning pages.

I’ve read all of Holly Bush’s novels and enjoyed them all. This one is no exception. I look forward to book two in this series.

 

 

About the Author:

Holly Bush writes historical romance set in the U.S.in the late 1800’s, in Victorian England, and an occasional Women’s Fiction title. Her books are described as emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance. She makes her home with her husband in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. To learn more visit her at: www.HollyBushBooks.com  

 

 

 

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Book Review: The Earl's Match by Holly Bush

Book Review + New Release!


The Earl’s Match

(The Thompsons of Locust Street, Book Five)

Holly Bush

 

Book Description:

Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by storm…

Payden Thompson’s pursuit of the man threatening his family and his clan proves to be far from a straightforward confrontation. His hunt to kill the illegitimate relative and the man’s followers is brutal and he is imprisoned and beaten after a daring rescue attempt goes awry. Overwhelmed by the violence and loss in Scotland, Payden finds himself unable to shed his fears and trauma after his heroic return to America.

Clarice Endicott finds Philadelphia society boring and chafes at her mother’s schemes to find her a husband amongst the wealthiest of the young men on the hunt for a well-connected wife. A chance meeting introduces her to a handsome and sullen Payden Thompson, who captures her interest, and who has just returned from Scotland after five long and dangerous years. Will Clarice be the woman to help Payden lift himself from the dogged effects of tragedy and violence?

 

Buy Now:

Amazon

 

My 5-Star Review:

The Thompsons of Locust Street are back with this latest novel by the talented Holly Bush. This time, it’s the youngest Thompson’s turn to have an adventure and possibly fall in love. I’ve read all the books in this series—as well as everything Holly has written—and have enjoyed them all.

When Paydon Thompson returns from a long, dangerous trip to his homeland to save his title and land, he is a broken man. The memories of what he experienced during battle haunt him, as does the loss of someone he loved so much. All he wants is to settle back into his life and feel safe again. Then, he meets the strong, willful, beautiful, Clarice Endicott, and she will not only bring more adventure into his life, but also be his true match of character in love.

The Earl’s Match has everything you want in a historical romance novel. Adventure, drama, and romance. Holly has a beautiful way of writing that keeps you on the edge of your seat while warming your heart. I highly recommend this novel – as well as the entire series.

 

 

About the Author:

“I love you. With every bit of myself, until we are old and infirm. Until the only thing left is love.”

The Thompsons of Locust Street, Philadelphia, features five siblings from Scotland with some family secrets that could place them in danger. The first book is The Bachelor's Bride, Elspeth's story. The Bareknuckle Groom, James Thompson, is the second book, and The Professor's Lady, Kirsty Thompson, is the third. Muireall Thompson's book, The Captain's Woman, releases in January 2023.

The Gentrys of Paradise begins with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia. For the Brave is Matthew’s story and is the first full length book of the series. Olivia's book is For This Moment and Adam's story, For Her Honor, is the final book in the series.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters. Cross the Ocean is a British set Victorian romance. Fan favorites stand-alones include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly's books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

Holly Bush books are set during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s. She makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever, a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, on Facebook at Holly Bush, on BookBub at Holly Bush, and on Instagram at Holly Bush Books. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and sale information.


Thursday, January 18, 2024

Book Review: The Healing Train by Kim Cano

 Book Review


The Healing Train

Kim Cano


Book Description:

A devastating diagnosis. A family with a broken past. Embark on an uplifting journey of love, hope, and the ultimate second chance.

When health-conscious Sarah gets diagnosed with breast cancer, her world spins out of control. She's supposed to grow old with her husband and see her daughter graduate college. Her future is all planned out. Getting sick wasn't part of her plan.

Friends and family rally around Sarah as she battles the disease. Her best friend offers inspirational advice while her mother takes her to treatment, her daughter makes green juice, and her older brother provides emotional support and makes her laugh with his ever-present potty mouth.

Then Sarah's estranged father returns. She gave up on him long ago and doesn't want to reconnect, but he won't go away, so she's stuck dealing with him at the worst possible time. His presence forces her to face a past she'd rather forget as she uses all her strength to fight for her life.

Buy now on Amazon:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

 

My Five-Star Review:

When health-conscious Sarah is hit with a life-changing diagnosis, her world caves in around her. She tries to stay positive during her treatment with the help of her husband, daughter, and mother. Each week, as she takes the train into Chicago for treatment, Sarah looks ahead to her future, hoping she will be there for those she loves. But then her estranged father enters the picture, and it takes all the energy Sarah has left to deal with the family issues that have lain dormant for years.

The Healing Train by Kim Cano is a heartfelt story of a woman on a journey of healing and repairing old family wounds. This realistic story of a woman dealing with breast cancer will open your eyes to what a cancer patient endures and give you empathy for all the character goes through. The family that surrounds her reminds you of your own loving family members, each with their own unique personalities. This incredible story will certainly touch your heart.

 


About the Author:

Kim Cano is the author of six women's fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, When the Time Is Right, and The Healing Train. She writes emotionally charged book club reads about second chances, family life, and friendship.

Learn more about Kim at: www.kimcano.com


Friday, November 3, 2023

Book Review – The Herbalist’s Secret by Annabelle Marx

 Book Review


The Herbalist's Secret

Annabelle Marx


Book Description:

Two small lifeless bodies lay on the sand, arms carefully placed by their sides. On the other side of the loch stands an imposing house. It's almost as if it gives a silent howl of distress, echoing over the hills, making the birds turn their gaze down to the beach where the two bodies lie, awaiting discovery.

1889:
 Kitty Gray dreams of attending university and becoming a doctor, but when she is married off to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow's richest and most eligible bachelors, her aspiration suddenly slips far from reach.

Exiled to her new remote home in the Scottish Highlands, with its gargoyles, gothic arches and turrets, Kitty seeks solace in creating a restorative herb garden. Combining her medical knowledge and new-found fascination with herbalism, Kitty spends her days absorbed in a world of herbs and their healing properties until a devastating tragedy strikes...

2003
: Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House determined to restore the crumbling mansion and Kitty's walled garden to their former glory, enlisting the help of long-time housekeeper Greer Mackenzie. But as Caitlin delves deeper into the history of this once magnificent home, she uncovers a past haunted by misfortune and grief. And beneath the blood-red roses that climb beside the bay window of the drawing room, a human skull is about to be unearthed.

The truth that has held Ardbray House captive for so long is surfacing, and with it, the heart-breaking secret of the herbalist who once lived there.


Buy Now:

Amazon Kindle

 

My Five-Star Review:

1889 - Kitty’s dreams do not come true after her marriage. Eventually, sent to Ardbray House in the Scottish Highlands, Kitty begins to find her true passion through growing and working with herbs.

2003 – Caitlin Black wants to buy Ardbray House to turn it into a spa – a refuge from society. Greer, the caretaker of the house for decades, is not sure about Caitlin’s ideas for the place. Greer has been protecting the house and caring for the spirits that haunt it since Kitty’s death.

The Herbalist’s Secret is an interesting story that draws you in and keeps you interested. I will definitely look for more books in the future by author Annabelle Marx.

 


About the Author:

Annabelle Marx has worked in marketing and event production as well as running her own food business, winning two Great Taste awards. She’s an alumna of the Faber Academy and in the process of completing an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. Annabelle finds inspiration in the places she spends time in, most often the Highlands of Scotland. Her debut novel, The Herbalist’s Secret is published on 27th October 2023.

Connect with Annabelle, she’d love to hear from you: Website: www.annabellemarx.com


 

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Book Review: The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

 Book Review


The Invisible Hour 

 Alice Hoffman


Book Description:

One brilliant June day when Mia Jacob can no longer see a way to survive, the power of words saves her. The Scarlet Letter was written almost two hundred years earlier, but it seems to tell the story of Mia’s mother, Ivy, and their life inside the Community—an oppressive cult in western Massachusetts where contact with the outside world is forbidden, and books are considered evil. But how could this be? How could Nathaniel Hawthorne have so perfectly captured the pain and loss that Mia carries inside her?

Through a journey of heartbreak, love, and time, Mia must abandon the rules she was raised with at the Community. As she does, she realizes that reading can transport you to other worlds or bring them to you, and that readers and writers affect one another in mysterious ways. She learns that time is more fluid than she can imagine, and that love is stronger than any chains that bind you.

As a girl Mia fell in love with a book. Now as a young woman she falls in love with a brilliant writer as she makes her way back in time. But what if Nathaniel Hawthorne never wrote 
The Scarlet Letter? And what if Mia Jacob never found it on the day she planned to die?

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: “A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.”

This is the story of one woman’s dream. For a little while it came true.

 

 

My 5-Star Review:

I will preface this by stating that I love everything Alice Hoffman writes – so therefore I am biased. She has such a beautiful writing style and writes stories so vivid, you can see them playing out like a movie in your mind. The Invisible Hour is no exception.

A young woman, Ivy, finds herself pregnant and escapes her parents’ home and joins a cult in western Massachusetts. At first, she enjoys the simpler way of life. One of the rules is that no one can own books or teach the children to read, something that Ivy has trouble following. The cult’s leader, Joel, falls in love with Ivy and they marry. He accepts her child, Mia, as his own. But as time goes by, Ivy finds the rules of the cult stifling and breaks them by teaching Mia to read and allowing her to hide away books so she can read them.

As she grows up, Mia begins to sneak into town to go to the library so she can read books. She comes upon an old copy of Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and is shocked to see an inscription in it written to “Mia.”

Mia finally escapes the cult and goes to live with the librarian she’s befriended and makes a new life for herself. But she continues to be obsessed with The Scarlet Letter, and its writer, Hawthorne. She is also fearful of Joel, because he continues to track her down no matter where she goes.

There is so much more to this imaginative story and I don’t want to ruin the entire plot by giving it away. It is a truly unique story with well-rounded characters and a beautifully written storyline. A must read for those who love the imagination of Alice Hoffman.

Buy now on Amazon

 


About the Author

Alice Hoffman is the author of thirty works of fiction, including Practical Magic, The Dovekeepers, Magic Lessons, and, most recently, The Book of Magic. She lives in Boston. Her new novel, The Invisible Hour, is forthcoming in August 2023. Visit her website: www.alicehoffman.com

 

 

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Book Review: The Captain's Woman by Holly Bush

Book Review

 

The Captain’s Woman

(The Thompsons of Locust Street, Book 4)

 Holly Bush

 

Book Description:

Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by storm…


1870 ~ Muireall Thompson has taken her duties seriously since her parents died on the family’s crossing from Scotland to America in 1854. As the eldest sibling, their death made her responsible for her family and left little time for a life of her own. But now her brothers and sisters are adults; even the youngest is nearly ready to face the world on his own. What will she do when she is alone, other than care for an elderly aunt and volunteer at the Sisters of Charity orphanage? Has the chance for a husband and children of her own passed her by?

Widower Anthony Marcus, formerly a captain in the Union Army, is a man scraping the bottom of his dignity and hanging on to his honor by the barest thread. Reduced to doing odd jobs to keep a roof over his dear daughter Ann’s head, he often leaves her with the Sisters of Charity while he is out seeking steady work with a decent salary that will allow him to move from their single-room living quarters.

After an initial meeting that finds Muireall and Anthony at odds, a tentative friendship forms as they bond over their mutual affection for Ann. As friendship leads to passion, can a wealthy spinster and a poor soldier overcome their differences in station to forge a future together? Just as Muireall finds the courage to reach for her own happiness, Anthony’s past rises up between them and an old enemy reemerges to bring the Thompson family down once and for all. Will the divide between them be insurmountable, or can they put aside pride and doubt for a love worth fighting for?

 

Release Date: January 10, 2023

Preorder on Amazon

 

My 5-Star Review:

Muireall Thompson has always put her family first and never thought of herself throughout the years. Each of her siblings have found love and marriage, but she felt it would never happen to her. Instead, she put her energy into the family’s business and her volunteer work at the orphanage. But when she collides with Anthony Marcus, a former captain in the Union Army, she thinks that maybe she might find her chance at love.

The Captain’s Woman by Holly Bush is the fourth book in The Thompsons of Locust Street Series. I’ve enjoyed each of the first three books, but I have to admit, this fourth book has been my favorite. Muireall is a strong female character who stands up for herself, but she finds a connection with Anthony because he, too, has a strong personality. This is no simpering love story – these two lovers have to survive many difficulties on their way to happiness. A wonderful story written by a talented author that I am sure you will enjoy.

 


About the Author:

“I love you. With every bit of myself, until we are old and infirm. Until the only thing left is love.”

The Thompsons of Locust Street, Philadelphia, features five siblings from Scotland with some family secrets that could place them in danger. The first book is The Bachelor's Bride, Elspeth's story. The Bareknuckle Groom, James Thompson, is the second book, and The Professor's Lady, Kirsty Thompson, is the third. Muireall Thompson's book, The Captain's Woman, releases in January 2023.

The Gentrys of Paradise begins with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia. For the Brave is Matthew’s story and is the first full length book of the series. Olivia's book is For This Moment and Adam's story, For Her Honor, is the final book in the series.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters. Cross the Ocean is a British set Victorian romance. Fan favorites stand-alones include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly's books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

Holly Bush books are set during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s. She makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever, a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, on Facebook at Holly Bush, on BookBub at Holly Bush, and on Instagram at Holly Bush Books. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and sale information.

Friday, December 2, 2022

Book Review: The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks

 Book Review


The Lindbergh Nanny

Mariah Fredericks

 

Book Description:

Mariah Fredericks's The Lindbergh Nanny is powerful, propulsive novel about America’s most notorious kidnapping through the eyes of the woman who found herself at the heart of this deadly crime.

"A masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining."—Nelson DeMille


When the most famous toddler in America, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped from his family home in New Jersey in 1932, the case makes international headlines. Already celebrated for his flight across the Atlantic, his father, Charles, Sr., is the country’s golden boy, with his wealthy, lovely wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by his side. But there’s someone else in their household—Betty Gow, a formerly obscure young woman, now known around the world by another name: the Lindbergh Nanny.

A Scottish immigrant deciphering the rules of her new homeland and its East Coast elite, Betty finds Colonel Lindbergh eccentric and often odd, Mrs. Lindbergh kind yet nervous, and Charlie simply a darling. Far from home and bruised from a love affair gone horribly wrong, Betty finds comfort in caring for the child, and warms to the attentions of handsome sailor Henrik, sometimes known as Red. Then, Charlie disappears.

Suddenly a suspect in the eyes of both the media and the public, Betty must find the truth about what really happened that night, in order to clear her own name—and to find justice for the child she loves.

 

Buy Now:

Amazon Kindle, Audiobook, or Hardcover

 

My 5-Star Review:

When Scottish immigrant Betty Gow is hired as a nanny for little Charlie – the child of the famous Charles Lindbergh – she feels fortunate to land such a prized position. She grows quite fond of little Charlie, although she doesn’t always see eye to eye with Mr. Lindbergh’s style of parenting. Betty also feels a bit of a kinship with Mrs. Lindbergh, who she feels gives in to her husband even when she doesn’t agree. Working in a household for a family alongside other servants isn’t always easy. You hear things, people gossip, and all Betty can do is try to stay neutral. Then, tragedy strikes and suddenly not only is Betty suspected of wrongdoing, but she begins to suspect everyone around her as well.

THE LINDBERGH NANNY by Mariah Fredericks is a masterfully written novel that will keep you up late into the night. The historical detail is spot on and her representation of the characters is perfect. Written through the eyes of the nanny, Betty Gow, you see and feel everything she does. How horrible it must have been to be suspected of such a terrible crime when in reality she adored little Charlie – possibly more than his own parents. You really do feel transported back to that moment in time and see it all as it plays out.

I highly recommend this novel – if you love biographical fiction, you will enjoy this novel.

 


About the Author:

Mariah Fredericks was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in history. She enjoys reading and writing about dead people and how they got that way. She is the author of the Jane Prescott mystery series.


Monday, November 28, 2022

Book Review: Without a Trace by Danielle Steel

 Review


Without a Trace

Danielle Steel

 

Book Description:

Charles Vincent seems to have it all—a beautiful wife, two successful children, and a well-paying career. Yet happiness remains out of reach. He is trapped in a loveless marriage and his job is simply a paycheck. But his life changes forever one night as he drives along the Normandy coast, heading to their lavish château for the weekend. In one terrifying moment, Charles falls asleep at the wheel and veers off the road, plunging thirty feet down the face of a rocky cliff.

Miraculously, Charles survives. After gathering the courage to climb to safety, he starts to walk—bruised, bloody, and desperate for help. In the dark of night, he happens upon a cabin where he meets the kind and beautiful Aude Saint-Martin. They have an instant connection, and as she nurses him back to health, Charles begins to discover the passion he’s been missing for so many years.

In the aftermath of the crash, Charles has a startling realization: He doesn’t have to go back. He could simply choose to disappear, to walk away from his old life. When his car is discovered, he’ll be presumed dead, washed away at sea. If he stays with Aude, he has a chance at a fuller, happier life that he didn’t know was possible. It all seems too good to resist. But Aude has secrets of her own, and before long their pasts catch up to them, threatening everything they have fought to build.

What would happen if you were given a chance to walk away from everything in your life and start over with a blank slate, and you had a split second to decide? In 
Without a Trace, Danielle Steel tells an irresistible story of the risks two people are willing to take in exchange for a chance at the life they’ve always wanted.

 

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Preorder Now:

Amazon Kindle

 

My 5-Star Review:

What would you do if your life was unhappy and you had a chance to disappear and start your life all over again? Charles Vincent learns the answer to that question when his car slides over an ocean cliff into the water. He survives, and finds his way to a country house where a lovely woman takes him in and helps him heal. Charles hates his job, is unhappy in his cold marriage, and wants nothing more than to move on in his life. Could this be his chance to just disappear?

WITHOUT A TRACE by Danielle Steel is a page-turning story of a man struggling to let go of his past life so he can finally be happy again and move forward. As Charles and the new woman he’s fallen madly in love with face devastating complications, the only truth is their love and devotion to each other. And after all, isn’t that what everyone wants?

I highly recommend this exciting tale by the queen of women’s fiction. This is one Danielle Steel story you won’t want to miss.

 


About the Author:

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include High Stakes, Invisible, Flying Angels, The Butler, Complications and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.


Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Book Review: On The Inside by Kim Cano

 Book Review


On The Inside

Kim Cano

 

Book Description:

She didn't know what she stood to lose - until hope was all she had left.

Kristen was living the dream - a loving husband, adorable children, a successful career. Why hadn't it been enough? She's had a lot of time to ponder the answer - behind bars.

It was a little fudging of the numbers, just once to cover some unpaid bills. Somehow, she wound up a convicted white-collar criminal, sentenced to a women's prison full of drug dealers and murderers, enduring days of mind-numbing tedium punctuated by moments of harrowing violence. A place where respect is earned with one's fists.

Yet within these walls, random acts of kindness occur, friendships form, and people fall in love. Letters from her sister-in-law keep Kristen connected to the family she's lost. They give her hope that someday she might be given a second chance. But first, she must face the personal demons lurking in the shadows of her soul - and find a way to forgive herself.

 

Buy now on:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

Audiobook

 

My 5-Star Review:

Kristen goes to prison for stealing from her employer and soon learns that life on the inside is a complicated combination of boredom, loneliness, stress, and fear. She’s lost everything—her husband won’t speak to her and her children are being kept away from her, too. Without the kindness of her sister-in-law who writes to her regularly, she would be completely lost.

As the years go by, Kristen makes friends and enemies. She finds her own path in the prison system with the goal to get out someday and hopefully be a part of her family’s life again.

On The Inside by Kim Cano is a thought-provoking story filled with interesting characters and the lives they lead inside prison. Peppered with strong emotions and heartfelt connections, you will find yourself intrigued by the women who live behind bars and their many stories. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy a realistic telling of what it takes to live on the inside.

 

About the Author:

Kim Cano is the author of five women's fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, and When the Time Is Right. Readers say her books are about strong women who struggle but survive, hard-won second chances, family life, and friendship.

Kim has also written a short story collection called For Animal Lovers. 10% of the sale price of that book is donated to the ASPCA® to help homeless pets.

Visit Kim's website to receive a free copy of The Rescue: www.kimcano.com


Monday, October 3, 2022

Book Review: It's Alive by Julian David Stone

Book Review


It’s Alive 

A Novel

Julian David Stone

 

 Book Description:

 

For readers of F.Scott Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon and Budd Schulberg's What Makes Sammy Run.

The only thing harder than raising the dead, is making a movie about raising the dead.


In the summer of 1931, life was good for Junior Laemmle. Though only twenty-three years old, he was the head of all movie production for Universal Pictures, and under his reign, the studio flourished. So much so, he was about to be bestowed with the greatest honor a young executive can receive in Hollywood: a promotion to vice president of the entire company. What’s more, Carl Laemmle, his father and founder of the studio, was returning to California for the first time in years to personally present the honor to his son.

Or so Junior thought.

When his father arrives, Junior discovers that instead of being grateful for transforming and catapulting the out-of-date studio into the future, his father is obsessed with Junior’s next production: 
Frankenstein. Like the year before, Carl is fervently against making another grisly and gothic film, despite Dracula becoming a huge hit—a project which Junior fought for and personally oversaw through production. Also not helping Junior’s cause, though the film is just days away from beginning production, the final choice between Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff to play the role of the Monster, has yet to be made.

It’s Alive!
 is a thrilling and vibrant portrait of 1930s Hollywood centered around the chaotic and exciting days just before the filming of the beloved cult-classic film, Frankenstein. Woven with hopeful passion, emotional vulnerability, staunch determination, and creative fulfillment, readers will be swept along with breathless cinematic pace through events that will not only change the lives of everyone involved, but Hollywood itself.

 

Genre: Biographical Fiction

 

My 5-Star Review:

Imagine - if it hadn’t been for the persistence of young Junior Laemmle—the son of the owner of Universal Pictures but not yet able to make decisions for the company—Frankenstein the movie would never have existed. For those of us who grew up loving these old classic horror movies, that would be hard to believe. But it’s true, and author Julian David Stone shares with us, in his fictional recreation, the days leading up to the making of Frankenstein.

 

Even with the success of Dracula behind him, Junior still must fight tooth and nail to produce Frankenstein. Success for many hangs in the balance as Junior pushes through his project despite not getting the go-ahead. Boris Karloff waits with bated breath, and only pennies in his pocket, for the okay to play the monster while Bela Lugosi cringes at the thought of being forced to play the monster. The author shows through several real-life characters the angst they felt up until the final decision, which makes the reader turn pages in anticipation. A wonderful story for those who enjoy the old horror flicks and great background on a beloved old film. If you are an old-movie buff or just a lover of Hollywood sagas – you will enjoy this novel.

 

Buy Now:

Amazon Kindle or Paperback

 

 


About the Author:

Julian David Stone has always been a creative at heart. When he realized in the ’80s that being in a band wasn’t in his cards, he began smuggling his camera into concerts – adventures he later chronicled in his best-selling coffee table book No Cameras Allowed: My Career As An Outlaw Rock & Roll Photographer. He moved to Los Angeles in his 20s to study filmmaking and wrote screenplays for Disney, Paramount, Sony and MGM, as well as a full-length play (The Elvis Test) and several short-form documentaries on Frank Sinatra for Warner Bros. He is also the writer and director of the cult comedy feature film Follow the Bitch. His award-winning debut novel, The Strange Birth, Short Life, and Sudden Death of Justice Girl, centers on the world of ’50s live television and is currently being turned into a TV series. His latest work, the historical fiction novel It’s Alive, is a vibrant portrait of 1930s Hollywood centered around the chaotic and exciting days just before the filming of the beloved classic film Frankenstein.

Monday, September 19, 2022

Book Review: A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion

Book Review


A Limited Run

Karen McQuestion


Book Description:

When billionaire Felix Worthington invites the five cast members of the TV show A Little Slice of Haven to recreate their roles twenty-five years later, they’re initially skeptical. It’s an unusual request, even for a self-professed superfan like Felix.

For several of them, playing a member of the Barlow family in the small town of Haven in the 1940s was an experience best forgotten. Meri Wetzel, who played a loving wife and mother, has spent the last two decades avoiding her TV husband, Jeff. And the actors who played their children each have lingering resentments of their own.

But living in a recreated version of the town in a warehouse in Montana has its appeal, even knowing they’ll be filmed with hidden cameras as they improvise with other actors playing the townspeople. And the clincher? Two million dollars for each of them, provided they stay all ten days and remain in character the entire time. One by one, they set aside their hesitations and agree to the terms.

After all, with two million dollars they’d be set for life, and really, what could go wrong?

 

Buy now:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

Audiobook

 

 My 5-Star Review

Imagine your favorite television show returning after two decades with all the same characters. How much fun would that be? Except in this scenario, the actors are still playing their same ages as before and they aren’t even sure if it will ever appear on screen. Hey, but for the money they are being paid, who cares, right? What they don’t know is there is trouble lurking in their quiet little television land town which may turn their happy homecoming into a nightmare.

I really enjoyed A Limited Run by Karen McQuestion. It was so unique from the average story and in tune to today's society. A cross between a reality show and renewing an old favorite decades later. It takes a very interesting plot to keep me turning pages and this one was truly hard to put down. I highly recommend this novel!

 

 

About the Author:

Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who's written more than twenty novels and has sold over two million books worldwide. She's also the co-host, (along with USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson), of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.

Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR and she has appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning.

 McQuestion’s books share common themes of connection and kindness. She lives in Hartland, Wisconsin.

 From Karen: To be notified of giveaways and book news, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.karenmcquestion.com