From Fake to Forever #Laila Rafi #Publisher Orion Dash #Contemporary Romance #Book Review

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MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW

I really liked the plot as it was humorous and very straightforward without confusing me with too many twists and suspense. More than half way through the read I felt like I already knew the ending, what's going to happen between Jiya and Ibrahim relationship. I would rate it 4 star.

Jiya: Jiya worked as a waitress at a Lounge in London, an ambitious girl and firecracker kind of personality, totally focused on doing best to finish her MBA and get a job internationally. She didn't have time for anything beyond friendship. Jiya didn't want to  settle down or get married with some one as she wished to have freedom of time to make her dreams come true. Her mother wanted Jiya to get married so that she will have time for nothing else other than husband and home making. As far as Jiya's parents were concerned academic achievements are a bonus, they were looking for a suitable match.

Ibrahim: Ibrahim a corporate hotshot, worked as a solicitor at central London taking part in his family's business with his older brother successfully closing deals. His Grandmother's eightieth birthday was approaching in a month over. For the party his father was hoping to announce his engagement with a friend's daughter. To destroy his fathers plan he had to escape and find a way. Seeing his brother's unhappy and arranged marriage, Ibrahim didn't want to to get married anytime soon.

Harry, Ibrahim's cheerful and good humored younger brother arranges a fake relationship between Jiya and Ibrahim to escape the pressure of each others parents, But it turns out to be a real one from fake dating journey.  

I just reviewed the book From Fake to Forever, Thanks to Publisher Orion Dash, author Laila Rafi, and NetGalley for the copy in exchange of an honest review.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion Dash 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2022

Language ‏ : ‎ English

                          About the author Laila Rafi

Laila Rafi has a degree in Criminology, which is gathering dust because she would rather spend her days day dreaming of her characters falling in love. She has dabbled in Finance and Education, but realized her calling was pen and paper, or more accurately fingers to keyboard and getting lost in a world of happily ever after's. She lives in the heart of London with her boisterous family and when she's not writing or reading romance, she can be found watching almost any sport - though her preference is Formula 1. 

From Fake to Forever is her first novel.

Book Description

Love was never part of the deal...

Jiya Ahmed has a dream: she wants to complete her MBA and get a job in the city. The problem is that her parents think it's high time she put her books away and focused on becoming good wife material - but surely there's more to life than finding the right boy?

Ibrahim Saeed has a goal: he wants to avoid marriage but more specifically, he wants to avoid the arranged marriage his father has planned for him. Why would he want to end up like his (clearly unhappy) older brother with a partner of his father's choosing?

Ibrahim's cheeky brother introduces them with the perfect setup: a fake relationship to stall their parents. As they embark on their plan, the attraction they set out to fake starts feeling all too real ... but love was never part of the deal.

From Fake to Forever is a hilarious rom-com about two people who pretend to date to escape their families' expectations before sparks begin to fly..

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• Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

The Facebook Narcissist by Lena Derhally #Health Communications Inc #Behavioral Sciences #Book Review

 

 MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Lena Derhally's book on the problems of using Facebook addictively or for flaunting materialistically to other people is a well researched one and I loved it.  To look at the cover of this book explains the selfie culture in action. What really is Narcissism? Is it certainly being self centered and oblivious?. I would highly suggest this book for anyone who has a Facebook account, to children and teenagers or adults who are generally glued to social media most of the time.

Very helpful and interesting book that explains deeply on how to use social media in a positive way through case studies, examples and surveys from real experts. The author has done a great job in explaining - The toxicity of constant comparison on social media, spending large portion of one's time online, dangers of becoming too reliant on social media. The author gives tips and takeaways on behaviors that are linked to narcissism such as excess, lack of empathy, entitlement, exploitative behaviors and self centeredness. The chapter that discusses Cyber bullying, Cyberstalking, Internet Trolls, Gaming and Misogyny was my favorite part in the reading. I agree absolutely with the author Lena Derhally on her strategies and obvious advice to protect yourself if you are cyberstalked. Never accept friend requests from strangers or share any personal information online. Use strong passwords. Report to fightcyberstalking.org, block or delete social media accounts and e-mail addresses. Move your home if you must. Seek support by telling your trusted people. 

I loved this advice from the author - Instead of comparing oneself to others and coveting, focus on gratitude and being content with what really you already have. Social media gives you false hopes and dreams. Unplugging and staying away is fulfilling.

I just reviewed the book, The Facebook Narcissist, Thanks to Lena Derhally, Publisher Health Communication Inc and NetGalley for the book in exchange for  my honest review.

                                    About the Author Lena Derhally

Lena Derhally is a licensed and Imago certified psychotherapist in private practice. She is the author of the Amazon True Crime and Criminology bestseller, My Daddy is a Hero: How Chris Watts Went from Family Man to Family Killer. Her next book on social media and narcissism will release in May 2022. Her work and expertise have been featured in Oprah Magazine, SELF, Glamour, The Washington Post, A&E, Hollywood Life, The Huffington Post, Law and Crime, Tubi TV, and more. She was formerly a clinical instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington School of Medicine, where she mentored medical students, and she is on the advisory board of 1455 Literary Arts. Lena is passionate about social justice and anti-war issues and in her spare time advocates for those causes. She lives in Washington DC with her husband, children, and rescue pets.

Book - The Facebook Narcissist - How to Identify and protect yourself and your Loved Ones from Social Media Narcissism.

Publishing date - May 31, 2022

Author - Lena Derhally 

Publisher - Health Communications Inc 

Pages - 240

Book Description

The Facebook Narcissist is the first book dedicated to exploring the relationship between narcissism and social media. Lena Derhally, a licensed psychotherapist certified in Imago therapy, delves into how social media enhances individual and cultural narcissism and how it may create or exacerbate toxic narcissistic tendencies in people who use it. Using her clinical expertise, along with scientific research and interviews with other experts in the field, she thoroughly examines: how narcissism on social media contributes to false narratives and ruptures relationships; how to identify a narcissist on social media (including how to spot the more subtle sub-types of narcissist, such as the covert, communal, and collective narcissist); how narcissism relates to the “influencer” and celebrity culture; narcissism and cyberbullying, cyberstalking, trolling, and victim blaming on social media; narcissism related to racism and politics on social media; the ways social media can create a problem of narcissism in children as they grow up, the implications of "sharenting";  and more. Readers will discover case studies and real examples of narcissists and how they present on social media. 

Derhally’s expertise in cultivating healthy, fulfilling, and connected relationships helps guide readers to take a deeper look at their behaviors on social media and of those around them. At the end of each chapter, she gives practical tips and takeaways for navigating narcissism online. Since abandoning our devices is impractical and not likely, this book will help readers understand how to use social media in a balanced way that inspires fulfillment and connection instead of the entitlement, attention-seeking, and lack of empathy that is at the heart of narcissism. Derhally also instructs readers on how they may use social media for good, and as a tool for positive social change. Social media is here to stay, but with education and awareness on how it makes us and the world more narcissistic, we can change the narrative and focus on the ways in which social media can be positive, and even improve the world for the better.

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

The War Girls by Julie Rowe # War Fiction #Book Review #Julie Rowe Publisher

MY THOUGHT AND BOOK REVIEW

Fantastic Read! War Girls has three books in one volume. Each book contains about thirteen chapters. I'm not much of a romance reader unless the book has some thing to teach me. If you need a book to surprise with Great war time romance, War Girls by Julie Rowe will warm your heart. Although there is so much wit and fun packed sequences in the novel, there is compassion and cruelty. I would rate it 5 star!

Saving the Rifleman - British Red Cross nurse Maria Hunt took care of countrymen who were wounded at a Hospital in German occupied Brussels, Belgium 1914. She meets wounded British soldier - Lieutenant John Bennet at the hospital in a closet which is converted storage area kept for bandages and other medical supplies. John was being told this hospital was a safe place for British soldiers and the matron of the hospital Rose Culver could help find an escape route for him who was caught behind German lines. To escape out of the country the matron could be able to supply fake identity papers as she as already helped many. Will Maria Hunt the woman in his arms be the key to his survival? He was prepared to kill to protect her. Wounded soldier John Bennet plans his trip back to his home England enroute Nederland taking Maria Hunt along with him surrounded by German patrol. Whereas Maria helped wounded  British soldiers out of Belgium for sometime. In John Bennet Maria finds respected and treated with self esteem. They passionately fall in love for each other in their escape journey back to England. John had given up his safety to help Maria. She was a simple nurse from and impoverished family while he was an officer and a gentleman. Having coming from opposite ends of society with very little common ground also they have challenge ahead of them to get out of Belgium into the Netherland. There were miles of road to travel and hundreds. If not thousands of enemy soldiers between them and the border. As his injuries worsen, and Maria was no longer safe, can Maria find courage to guide him through the war-torn countryside? And if they get back to England, will their Burgeoning desire survive the ravages of war? 

Enticing the Spymaster: Judith Goddard, a dual citizen with family ties to Belgian royalty and the British military, she works as a Cross nurse in a German hospital. As a member of the Belgian family with a father in the British military, she had become an unofficial liaison between Belgium and England. She was the one Germans wanted. The one person still in Belgium who could give the Germans the leverage they crave. Rumor said the Germans wanted to use her to infiltrate the British military with spies. She worked closely with a British Nurse Rose Culver, trained under Rose. Judith feared that her systematic spying would hurt the Germans. Jude is shocked when British Expeditionary Force Captain Michael Lawrence her old crush who broke her heart turns up in her hospital wounded and in German uniform. She agrees to flee with him to England as she must deliver an important information about a poisonous gas attack to the British War Office. Are they in danger having started their journey to the border and giving in to their mutual passion.

 

Aiding the Enemy: Rose Culver, the Red Cross head nurse who aids allied soldiers caught behind enemy lines, helping them flee into neutral Nederland. She is in danger. Rose falls in love with Dr. Herman Geoff. As a doctor, he admires Rose's skill and conviction. She was a British nurse while he a German military surgeon. He had showed nothing but respect for her even when their two countries were at war. As a man, he can no longer deny his attraction to her. But when Rose is arrested for treason, Herman must choose between love for her and duty to his country.

I really liked the ending of these three books in one volume, As they had pleasant and happy endings. It was not disappointing.

• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 28, 2022
• Publisher             : Julie Rowe

    Pages                  : 393

I just Reviewed War Girls, by Julie Rowe. Thanks to author and publisher Julie Rowe, NetGalley for an Advance copy of the book for exchange of my honest review.

                                             About the author Julie Rowe

                                                           

                                                          

Julie Rowe’s first career as a medical lab technologist in Canada took her to the North West Territories and northern Alberta, where she still resides. She loves to include medical details in her romance novels, but admits she’ll never be able to write about all her medical experiences because, “No one would believe them!” A double Golden Heart finalist 2006, Julie’s writing has appeared in several magazines such as Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest (Canada), and Canadian Living. She currently facilitates communication workshops for her local city college. Julie enjoys hearing from her readers. You can reach her at www.julieroweauthor.com or on Twitter @julieroweauthor.

Book Description

During the Great War, in a German-occupied Red Cross hospital in Brussels, Belgium, there are three British nurses who will risk everything to save the lives of those in their care.

These are the stories of The War Girls.

Saving the Rifleman - British Red Cross nurse Maria Hunt lives in daily fear that the German soldiers who regularly inspect her hospital will uncover her secret: she helps wounded British soldiers escape German hands.

Enticing the Spymaster - Judith Goddard is hiding in plain sight. A dual citizen with family ties to Belgian royalty and the British military, she works as a Red Cross nurse in a German hospital, learning what she can, ever fearful her true allegiance will be discovered.

Aiding the Enemy - Rose Culver is in grave danger. For months the Red Cross hospital head nurse has been aiding Allied soldiers caught behind enemy lines, helping them flee into neutral Netherlands. It's only a matter of time until she's caught.

The War Girls is composed of three previously published novellas. This is the first time they have been published in one volume.

                                                    

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

The House Sitter by Ellery A. Kane #Bookreview #The House Sitter #Psychological thriller # Bookouture Publisher

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

The beginning of The House Sitter is chilling enough for a crime story. The chase sets about from that fateful night, a 911 call, suspicious two gun shots, blood soaked bedding, post- it notes all over the house. Iris is missing brings the crime to the notice of the Cops and Detectives. With twists and turns in every chapter, I loved the author's mystery writing skills bringing vivid crime scenes into a page turner. 

The story's setting has taken place around, Iris Duncan's, a lonely seventy year old widow's house who had no children. She lives in a massive Victorian mansion near to presidio, in the middle of the city at upper pacific heights. The fancy house becomes the location of the crime. Iris was most of the time forgetful, scared of someone breaking into her house and she took medications everyday. Iris complains that she is all alone in a big, sad and disorganized house, eventually hires Lydia and Seth as House sitters to help her from House Owner's Association Inspections.  

I enjoyed Maureen, the concert pianist turned mass shooter survivor turned rookie cop, her enthusiasm with boldness to find the killer and Iris's missing body.  

Will the murderer of Iris be brought to justice? Seth and Lydie desperately wants to prove their innocence in the whole act of crime committed. The ending is good and all through the book suspense aroused my curiosity to know the killer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Ellery Kane 

Book: The House Sitter

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookouture 

Publication Date: (June 14, 2022)

Genre: Psychological Thriller

About the Author Ellery kane

Forensic psychologist by day, novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing--professionally and creatively--for as long as she can remember. Just like many of her main characters, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery's writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. And she's heard her fair share of real life thrillers.

Ellery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, a picturesque setting that provides the backdrop for many of her novels. If you don't find Ellery interviewing murderers behind prison walls or pecking away at her latest novel, she is probably at the gym landing a solid jab-cross to a punching bag; riding bicycles with her special someone; or enjoying a movie the old-fashioned way--at the theater with popcorn and Milk Duds.

Ellery was previously selected as one of ten semifinalists in the MasterClass James Patterson Co-Author Competition and is the author of the Doctors of Darkness, Rockwell and Decker, and Legacy Series, with two standalone thrillers from Bookouture coming in 2022.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

‘You’re just the girl I’ve been looking for,’ Iris told me, her blue eyes sparkling, when she offered me the job as her live-in helper. Little did she know, I thought the exact same about her. And she was wrong to trust me...

As I clean Iris’s large, old house in Pacific Heights, my boyfriend Seth works outside, tending to the lawn and fixing the broken gate. I can’t help but notice Iris’s steely eyes watching our every move. Does she know why we’re really here?

Most days we live in perfect harmony, but today Iris is confused. She thinks we moved in uninvited. I pass her a tablet from the medicine cabinet, knowing she’ll soon calm down and remember how lucky she is to have found us.

Later that night, the police arrive to find Iris’s perfect house turned upside down, the telephone lying on the floor, its cord severed. They walk through each room, calling out, but the house remains totally silent.

You will think you know what happened that night, but when the police discover something unexpected hidden amongst the wreckage in Iris’s bedroom, you’ll find you don’t know a thing.

This heart-stopping psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Mark Edwards, Minka Kent and Lucinda Berry. As soon as you start reading The House Sitter, you’ll be hooked!

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

The Secrets of Bridgewater Bay by Julie Brooks #Book Review #Historical Fiction #The Secrets of Bridgewater Bay

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

I enjoyed reading Julie Brook's debut darkly gripped dual time novel, The secrets of Bridgewater bay. This is a well researched historical fiction book with a prologue that starts off mysteriously. The author sets the plot for the novel mostly at the two places, the coastline of South West Victoria and wild coastline of North Devon taking place in 20th century and one hundred years later. 

I found the character Molly very interesting, her cleverness to solve a problem which happened in her family at dual timelines, spanning generations which leaves molly gripped and feeling worse. 

England 1919: Two women, Rose and Ivy set sail for Australia, bound by a terrible truth. But only one will make it off the ship. It took me by surprise, Ivy dies with Spanish flu enroute Colombo. In 1963, Rose is missing, feared to have drowned at Bridgewater bay.

Australia 2016: Molly discovers an envelope with an old photograph in late Grandmother Nan's possessions where two young women stood shoulder to shoulder, wearing old fashioned uniforms, probably First World War uniforms of British Vad nurses. Behind the photographs word penned in faded blue on the rear 'Rose and Ivy' 1917, 'Together forever.' 

Molly wasn't a historian but a teacher. Molly travels to London having insisted by her late Grandmother, where her sister Daisy lives and Molly discovers her first clue at her demised Grand mother Nan's House to the mysterious disappearance of her great grandmother - Rose Turner. 

This story that keeps the reader to intrigue till the end. There is betrayal, redemption, Jealousy and family secrets. The ending is sad and shocking.

Thanks to Julie Brooks, Publisher Headline Review and NetGalley for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

                                              About the Author Julie Brooks

Julie Brooks was born in Brisbane, Australia, but has lived most of her life in Melbourne. She taught English and Drama in secondary schools before working as an editor of children's magazines. She has been a full-time author since 1999 and is the author of several young adult novels as well as children's fiction and non-fiction. The Secrets of Bridgewater Bay is her first novel writing as Julie Brooks.

To find out more, visit juliebrooksauthor.com and follow her on Instagram @juliebrooks_books.

Book Description

This darkly gripping dual-time debut, will transport readers from World War One England to present day Australia, with a thrilling story of family secrets to be hidden at all costs .

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Matilda's Secret #Corina Bomann #Book Review #Matilda's Secret #Amazon Crossing Publishers

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Absolutely a must - read, Historical German fiction novel taking place between the timeline 1931-1945 in Sweden, Stockholm during Second World War. This book can be read as a stand alone, long novel with more than 500 pages.

I absolutely loved the suspense, the growing and the advancing relationships between different characters in the plot, especially Matilda Wallin and the Countess of  The Lion Hall, Agnetas Lejongard, Matilda and Paul, her dream boyfriend she plans to marry someday. This is a captivating story and I would love to read the entire series. 

Mathilda's father and mother insisted that she must focus on getting a good education instead of getting married to a man who can take care of her. Susanna Wallin, Matilda's mother suddenly dies and her father drowned himself in a sea of strong currents who did not come home one day. Devasted by Matilda's mother's death and her fathers disappearance, the school was a sympathetic place of refuge her. One day, out of no where, a new comer comes to her life to take in charge of her as a Guardian, that is from The Lion Hall, Countess Agneta Leojongard, from noble royal family, ancient noble line in sweden over a guardianship envelope written by her mother to countess Agneta. Having summoned by a lawyer and her School principal, Matilda had no choice but leave Stockholm and her dear friends Paul and Daga, half - heartedly, by obeying her Guardian. Matilda was still minor and 17 years old, liked going to school, also too young to have a boyfriend like Paul. Her Plans to go to business college and marry Paul with her dreams of establishing a company was going to end. The countess being very impressed by Matilda's Science and English learning skills promises to send Matilda to Business College in the country side of The Lion Hall, Kristianstad. Matilda decides to leave Stockholm for four years and assured Paul and Daga that she would be in touch. Agneta's relationship with Matilda's mother is a curious turn in the plot.

Therefore, Matilda leaves to Unknown Lion Hall Estate to be welcomed dearly in a tall splendidly shining white Manor -by twin sons of Countess Agnetas and Count Lennard Ekberg. Matilda gets acquainted to Magmus and Ingmar, the twins. Ingmar becomes her close friend and Magmus snaps at her when ever they see each other. Magmus never took responsibilties or cared for his parents. Matilda was treated good  at the Lion Hall Manor and like their family member. 

Well researched story and plot. The second part of the novel was heartbreaking, finding love with Paul at Stockholm and events unfolding during WW2. The suspense whether Paul and Matilda will find love with each other, her return back to Stockholm from The Lion Hall, death of Ingmar, her close friend in a air crash left me lingering with the surprise ending of the novel. Not to forget the war, as the novel evolves when the war began in 1939- 1940,  what is happening to Sweden is unclear at that time. I enjoyed how the author describes the glimpses of the second world war that tells about Nazi-occupied Norway, Germany attacked Poland in Sept 1939 and both France and where Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, Sweden declared itself a neutral country.  At the time of the winter war between Finland and the Soviet Union, Sweden declared itself to be  non belligerent actively sliding with Finland. Since WW2,  Jews found refuge place in Sweden escaping from persecution, especially for those from Eastern Europe. And as the war ends in 1940, March, Magnus becomes inclined to assume responsibility for Lions Hall business and welfare. Lennard Ekberg is suffering extremely serious health problems. Ingmar travels to Norway and doesn't appear that he will appear anytime soon. Agneta writes to Matilda that she needs her assistance to manage both Lion Hall and the Ekberg Estate.  Lennard's death was anticipated leaving half of the Ekberg estate to Matilda. But Ignmar died so young while doing something that brought him joy was a cruel twist of fate. 

A story of endurance, deception and a woman finding true love when the war takes place, from the best selling author of the The Inheritance of Lion Hall.

Book: Matilda's Secret

Author:  Corina Bomann

Publisher: Amazon Crossing

Publication Date: June 14, 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

 About the Author - By Corina Bomann

Corina Bomann is the bestselling author of "Butterfly Island und "The Moonlit Garden". Her books have been translated into many languages und have been on bestseller lists in Germany. Bomann was born in northeastern Germany, and now lives with her family in Berlin.

I just reviewed Matilda's Secret by the author Corina Bomann #NetGalley 

Thank you Net Galley and Amazon Crossing Publishers for the advance copy of the book for an honest review.

Book Description

In pre-WWII Sweden, fate and secrets change an impetuous young woman’s life in a novel of deception, true love, and reinvention by the bestselling author of The Inheritance of Lion Hall.

Sweden, 1931. Matilda Wallin has a future in Stockholm: business college, then establishing a company with the young man she plans to marry. It’s all upended by her mother’s death—and a stranger who has been appointed her guardian. Matilda has no idea who Countess Agneta Lejongård is or why this aristocrat has taken an interest in her. Agneta summons Matilda to live with her and her family on their magnificent country estate but remains mysterious about her connection to Matilda. Torn from her previous life and its promises, Matilda has no choice but to follow Agneta to venerated Lion Hall.

At first resistant to rural aristocratic life, Matilda tries to adjust. In Agneta’s son Ingmar, Matilda finds a new friend. In Ingmar’s twin brother, Magnus, she finds a churl who dismisses her as an interloper beneath his family’s stature. But just as the estate and Agneta’s benevolence win Matilda’s heart, she discovers the secret that ties her to the Lejongårds in ways she never imagined, which could change her life once again. Now, Matilda must make a decision: return to Stockholm and the commitments of her heart or take a risk on the unknown at Lion Hall.

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Where the Sky Begins: by Rhys Bowen #Book Review #World War II Historical Fiction #Lake Union Publishing

MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Heart warming plot which was crafted well and I loved it!! One of the best WW2 novels I have read in a while. The novel takes pace with a great picture of the WW2 in London 1940. Josie Banks worked at a shop just past the Mile End tube station near Thames outside the front door where a discreet sign read THE COPPER KETTLE TEAROOM. The tearoom had been started by a Jewish old lady Madame Olga back in the early days of the century where she fled Russia. Olga attempted to create a tiny glimmer of civilization amid the bustle of the East End. Lace edged table cloths and pretty pink and - white flowered china, teacakes and sandwiches with the crust cut off. Housewives and children came to Copper Kettle who wanted a cup of tea and a minute's escape from the chores. 

Jose Banks was married to Stanley Banks who had been called up into Army and for five year she hadn't worked other than for a garment factory. She stayed being a housewife for five years. she wanted to work as there is war. Olga was a Jew, her husband was murdered and Josie was ready to makeover the shop for Olga with some refinement. Josie was an asset at the Copper Kettle. After five year of looking after her five siblings, following her mother's death, the work didn't seem hard, and Josie loved chatting with customers, making sure all the china sparkled and trying to stretch the flour and margarine to bake the occasional cake or biscuit. 

After Stanley left back to the Army, Josie gets back to her tea shop business and Madame Olga. The tea shop remained a charmed little haven, too good to be true, until the autumn of 1940, when the bombing started in Ernest. Night after night waves of bombers over London. The rumbling drone of hundreds of aircraft drowned out by air raid sirens. The sky crisscrossed with search lights. The burst of anti-aircraft guns and then the deep thump as a bomb landing one after the another.

It was too late after the bombing in London started, Josie found that she no longer had her Job and Madame Olga was dead in the bombings by Germany. It felt as if everything she cared about had been snatched from her in one instant. The tea shop had been like home. she hadn't realized how fond she had become of the old lady. Madame Olga had become the grandmother she never knew, someone who had time to listen to and appreciate her. And now she was gone. Josie realized she needed to find another Job. 

Again Josie finds herself and her house to be bombed by Germany left alone with broken collar bones surviving somehow the drastic aftermaths of bomb. She had nothing and nowhere to go. Many of them have lost family members in the bombing- children buried in rubble. Everyone is grieving and in shock and frankly no one has answers. Gripping story and a page turner until the end. I would rate it 5 star!

I just reviewed Where the Sky Begins by Rhys Bowen. #Where the Sky Begins #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

 

Good Husbands: by Cate Ray #BookReview #HarperCollins Publishers #Good Husbands #Domestic Thriller

Good Husbands: A Novel by Cate Ray - Book Review

This novel has a book cover that caught by undivided attention and I was very excited to read the book. My expectation has been met as I couldn't put the book down until I knew the ending of it. Though the novel had a lot to talk about Marriage, Intimacy and Trust in relationships also referring to women issues of the modern times these days in our culture including in the west, the plot didn't disappoint me. I would rate it 4 Star! This novel I would say is meant for 22 years and older above adults who enjoys mushy language with thriller stories. There is no foul language other than it addresses social issues meant for grown-ups to digest.

The story begins where Jessica Jackson 46, Priyanka Lawley 36 and Stephanie Brooke, all the three women lived in Bath with their husbands and family, UK. Until one autumn, the post man slips a handwritten letter at these three women women wondering about the small piece of mail. They receive a worst possible accusation letter from Holly Waite, claiming to have links with their happily married husbands. The letter says a woman named Nicola Waite was raped by these three men who were strangers to each other in Montague Club, a letter trying to unfold a criminal act of sexual assault committed 30 years ago. The letter accuses Maximillian Jackson, Andy and Dan to have raped Nicola Waite and made her pregnant without her consent, Holly Waite claims that Nicola Waite is her Mum. And now there are no more, dead and gone. The letter was not taken seriously initially in the beginning by the three women in the novel thinking Holly Waite is making it up, that she is trying to make money until that day when the three women set out to find out about the allegation. Did Max Know Nicola Waite? What can help Jessica Jackson determine whether Max is a rapist who kept his part hidden in the past sixteen years of their otherwise happy marriage. The three women were complete strangers trying to find out if something traumatic or catastrophe may or may not have happened 30 years ago, but Priyanka cared more about what's happening now, about what she could lose. She could lose her family and she would do anything to protect Andy her husband. Jessica never worried that Max might cheat because he's always been such a good guy. Then the women come across a Dairy which explains it all that happened at club that awful night of rape of Nicola Waite where the husbands knew each other.  

Was Max involved behind the scenes of the assault? Who Holly is or was?. If something went horribly wrong that night at the Montague club, perhaps because of a misinterpretation or accident of some kind, Max would have tried his best to make it good...Wouldn't he? The ending to the novel should not be missed. What's the twist that will keep you glued till the last page? Will the three women together find out who had and why was the act of sexual assault actually committed of Nicola Waite? Cate ray the author has done a great job to explain today's women issues faced in any society or culture. 

I just reviewed Good Husbands: A Novel by Cate Ray #NetGalley#Good Husbands. Thanks to Cate Ray, Publishers HarperCollins and NetGalley for the book in exchange for  my honest review.

                                                 About the author Cate Ray

Cate Ray is the author of four novels published in the UK as Cath Weeks and she was named an "Author to Watch" by ELLE. Her novel GOOD HUSBANDS is an Apple Best Book of June, a Barnes & Noble Booksellers' Favourite, a Walmart Canada Read of the Month and a Kobo Best Mystery & Thriller. You can follow Cate on Instagram & Twitter @CateRaywriter, or visit her website: www.CateRay.co.uk

Book Description

Three wives, one letter, and an explosive secret that will change everything.

He said, she said. Who do you believe?

Jessica, Stephanie and Priyanka are complete strangers, but they have one thing in common: they’ve each received a letter accusing their husbands of committing a sexual assault more than two decades prior. Is the accusation true or is there more to the story? It was a secret that remained buried for years.

With their worlds suddenly turned upside down, they don’t know who to trust—a complete stranger or the men they love and built their lives with. The three women come together to embark on a hunt for the truth, but they are hardly prepared for what they will discover. Who is the victim, and will justice ultimately be served?

Disclosure of Material: I have received a review copy of this book by the publisher in the form of e-book from NET GALLEY as Advance Reader Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”