Friday, April 28, 2023

#Book on Tour #Book Review #The Lost Daughters of Ukraine # Erin Litteken #Boldwood Books Publisher #World War 2 Historical Fiction

 


MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Well-researched and beautifully written, thought-provoking war events taking place in 1943: Ukraine:  Story of three daughters in Ukraine during the Nazi occupation of Soviet Ukraine unfolds; Liliya lost her beloved brother and mother to death in the hands of Soviets who were capturing and killing the members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists UPA. The Germans had violated the Soviet line near Volodymyr and they entered into Volhynian territory with tanks, airplanes, and bullets bursting through. She was raised by her father. Liliya lived in the middle of the war, during this time Ukrainians are not allowed to go to school by the Germans, even then her desire was to attend the Ukrainian free university in Prague. She wanted to go there when the war was over. While turning 17, Liliya understood marriage is not the answer to everything, she wished to see the world. She had her dream to see the world and study birds and wildlife. Ironically speaking she falls in love with her friend, Filip, a Polish boy. Liliya, the character is very interesting to know and she is courageous. Halya: Halya lost her mother Alina to death when she was small, since she was raised by Katya who she called Mama. During these times of war, there were thousands of people who were sent to work in German factories. Vikas: Being a Ukrainian, she was always worried and protective about her children, preparing her children Sophia, Bodha, Nadya, and Slavko as they grew up in a warzone. Will Vikas get her family back as they weren't safe anywhere and Liliya her niece and Slavko were taken by the Germans on a train for the  German labor force. 

Loved the plotline which was paced nicely and immerses the reader till the end. The story captures the period of World War 2 when Ukraine was under the control of the Germans. Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books Publishers, and Rachel Random Resources for a Complimentary copy of the book for my honest review.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Lost Daughters of Ukraine

A story of the strength of the human spirit, the personal cost of conflict and how love can be found even in the darkest times.

Summer 1941. War rages in Europe. The Germans march towards Ukraine. Halya, Liliya and Vika are no strangers to sorrow. They lost family during the Holodomor, loved ones in Stalin's purges, and war looms once more on the horizon.

Vika lives in fear for her children. She and her sister survived the terror famine by leaving their whole family behind. Now, years later, many believe the Germans will free them from the Soviets, but she’s not so sure. Should they stay in Volhynia or flee the approaching Eastern front?

Liliya has lost too much in her 17 years. As those around her join the resistance, Liliya wonders how she can fight for her friends, family, and country. When the choice is made for her, can she find the will to survive and protect those still with her?

Twelve-year-old Halya is struggling to discover who she is. But as the war escalates, can her mother Katya’s tactics keep her safe from the Nazi soldiers rounding up slave laborers? How can a child survive the horrors of war on her own?

These daughters of Ukraine will face devastation and loss as they fight to survive and protect the ones they love.

A gripping page-turner of love, loss and resilience for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3w1lXnT  

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorerinlitteken 

Twitter https://twitter.com/ErinLitteken 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erinlitteken/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ErinLittekenNews 



About the Author

Erin Litteken

Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during, and after World War II. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children.


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (April 24, 2023)

  •                                             Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2023
  •                                             Language ‏ : ‎ English
  •                                             Print length ‏ : ‎ 398 pages


Pls also find the review at https://medium.com/@agysmitha


Monday, April 17, 2023

Book Review #To Dream of Shadows #Steve N Lee #Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Zoo #Historical World War II Fiction





MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Berlin 1944: To Dream of Shadows by Steve N Lee is an emotionally overwhelming historical World War II fiction story of a Czech girl, Inge Zaleska, and a SS officer of Nazi, Oberscharfurhrer Heinz Rudolf Kruse.

Inge and her family were taken by the SS soldiers in a  crammed cattle car with eighty-six other people, without knowing where she is taken to, ends up in an Estonia concentration camp for labor. To her horror, she experiences atrocities and the cruel side of the Nazis who hated Jews and treated them like animals. She founded the camp to be her new home. It only made her realize that boring things like breathing fresh air and drinking water became more precious to her than everything she owned when there is no food, no toilets, and no place to sleep in the camp. Having been stuck in a cattle car - sleeping in a straw, now at the camp whipped and beaten. Germans treated them with no mercy and were torturous. Inge wanted to tell the world of the treatment she had witnessed without breaking her strength and the human spirit, but joining the resistance struggle would be different for her.

For Rudi Kruse, in this crazy world, Bruno, his dog he adored dearly was everything that kept him holding to reality. Besides being around forced labor prisoners when Reich had conquered almost all of Europe, Bruno was his family, love, and joy. He treated Bruno as a person like anyone in the camp. 

It was when Bruno was murdered I felt saddened as they were inseparable, Rudi investigated Bruno's death and which also led to Rudi and Inge meeting. Rudi and Inge fall for each other as they kindle their friendship, compassion, and endurance which they honor about them. As their circumstances meet even in the midst of injustice and suffering, Is there a chance of surviving for Inge and is there an escape for both of them to the other side, when the war is still not over?

Steve N Lee has the events well-researched and brought each and every detail to life. A beautiful and brilliant story. Highly recommend it for historical fiction readers. Thanks to Steve N Lee author for reaching out to me with a complimentary copy of the book for my honest review.


  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Zoo (April 16, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 16, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English


BOOK DESCRIPTION

She will save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

1943. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. There, she suffers month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.

Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Reich's poison since childhood, but nowadays, he covertly helps prisoners.

So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life — together.

But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.

Unless…

Inge makes an unthinkable sacrifice.

Set during history’s darkest hour, “To Dream Of Shadows” is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.

Discover one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust. Discover “To Dream Of Shadows”.

**************************************************

Store Links & Review Sites

Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VTHBTGC/

Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09VTHBTGC/

Amazon CA - http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09VTHBTGC/

Amazon AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09VTHBTGC/

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-dream-of-shadows-steve-n-lee/1141243001

iBooks - https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-dream-of-shadows/id1615041765

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-dream-of-shadows

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Steve_N_Lee_To_Dream_of_Shadows?id=AP5kEAAAQBAJ

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60667320-to-dream-of-shadows

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/books/to-dream-of-shadows-a-gripping-holocaust-novel-inspired-by-a-heartbreaking-true-story-world-war-ii-historical-fiction-book-1-by-steve-n-lee


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - STEVE N LEE




Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!

He lives in North England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in 'their' house.



Saturday, April 15, 2023

Book on Tour #Murder on Oak Street by I. M. Foster #Historical Mystery #Publisher: Indie #A South Shore Mystery, Book 1


 MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW

Murder on Oak Street by I.M Foster is a detective crime story where Daniel O'Halleran, the detective is asked to investigate two murders that are connected to each other with the same prime suspects. Daniel needed a break from New York City, as a coroner handling a modicum of police work when he moves and is offered a position at Physician Samuel Tennyson's medical office - out on the long island - a town called Patchogue. It all starts when Daniel is asked to investigate Patrick's father Cornelius Desmond's suspected murder and his stepfather as well who is Kathleen's father, Thomas Brissedon is being murdered and found dead in a pool of blood. 

The plot in Murder On Oak Street is intriguing and engaging. Though the story is slow-paced and a long read. I was reluctant to put the book down as I didn't want to miss anything about the motives and weird happenings that went around with the suspects. With murder mystery interrogation scenes that were intense along with twists and turns, I never knew what to expect next. An unputdownable page-turner that kept me on the edge with suspense. The description of the characters are well developed and had their own intentions. Kathleen and Daniel were my favorites. Two murders are being connected, well written with my expectations exceeded so far. Highly recommended read for crime mystery readers. Will Daniel find the killers of Cornelius Desmond and Thomas Brissedon?




Murder on Oak Street

by I. M. Foster

April 10 - May 5, 2023, Virtual Book Tour


Book Details:

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: October 2022
Number of Pages: 503
ISBN: 9781733337571
Series: A South Shore Mystery, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

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Amazon - https://amzn.to/3XJsjo0

Goodreads - https://bit.ly/3HCzqZM

Author Bio:

I. M. Foster

I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist.

Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

Find Out More & Get Social With I. M. Foster:

IMFosterMysteries.com - for her mysteries
www.andrea-matthews.com – for her romances
Goodreads
BookBub - @imfostermysteries
Instagram - @imfosterauthor
Twitter - @IMFosterMystery
Facebook - @IMFosterMysteries

 



Thanks to Wendy Wendy@PartnersInCrimeTours.com 
Gina - Gina@PartnersInCrimeTours.com

Thanks so much for the complimentary copy of the book for my honest review, the Partners in Crime Tours Team


                                        

Books I Read

Book Review #The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou #Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book Publisher #Crime Novel #Eleni Kyriacou

 MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW "The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the ...