Book Tour Review: Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly

About the Book:

Based on the true story of two World War II heroines who risked everything to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium.

Belgium, 1942

Young schoolteacher Andrée Geulen secretly defies the Nazis in Belgium, who are forcing Jews to wear a yellow Star of David. Andrée is not Jewish, but she feels a maternal connection to her students, who are living in constant fear, and decides to take action. No child should have to suffer under such persecution. But what can one woman do against an entire army?

Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium, a clandestine resistance group tasked with hiding children from the Gestapo. She wants to recruit Andrée because her Aryan appearance can provide crucial security measures for their efforts. Andrée agrees to join and begins work immediately by adopting a code name: Claude Fournier.

Together, Andrée and Ida, and their undercover operatives, work around the clock to move Jewish children from their families and smuggle them to safety through the secret channels established by the resistance. As each child is hidden, Andrée commits to memory their true name and history. Someday, she vows, she will help reunite as many of these families as she can.

But with the Gestapo closing in and the traitorous Fat Jacques who has turned from ally to enemy and is threatening to identify and expose any Jew he meets, Andrée and Ida must work even harder against increasingly impossible odds to save as many children as possible and keep them safely hidden—even if it might cost them their own lives.

My Review:

 

Just when I think I know all the different aspects of a slice of history, I discover something I knew nothing about. The way this author told the story made me feel like I was there observing and there are some hard parts to process. Hidden Yellow Stars is a touching, inspirational, and sometimes heavy story, but one that needs to be told, and it is very beautifully told.

The story follows a couple of women and they come to life on the pages. I can’t even imagine the bravery and determination it took to save the children. I can’t imagine the horrors and abuse suffered to protect them at all costs. My heart pounded in anxiety and fear for them. I was touched and pondered about this difficult part of the past a lot.

Many thanks to Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Austen Prose for the review copy and for bringing this book to light.

⚠️war-time violence/fear (not too graphic); feelings of peril

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

 

AUTHOR BIO

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master's degree from West Virginia University.

While doing research for this book, she discovered information about her own family history, including the fates of several unknown family members who perished in the concentration camps of World War II.

Book Tour Review: Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Jane Fairfax knows she is truly fortunate. Most orphans face lives of hardship, whereas she was adopted by doting surrogate parents who elevated her place in Society and love her as their own. Yet even they cannot shield her from the grim realities of life without a suitable marriage. In moments of despair, Jane comforts herself with a well-worn memory: that of a young man whose kind words when they were children once soothed her heartbreak. But now that boy has grown into a dashing gentleman―and their lives could not be more distant.

Frank Churchill is a prisoner of his station. His inheritance is held in the balance by his demanding aunt, and the weight of her expectations is suffocating him. But when a chance encounter brings the lovely Miss Fairfax back into his life, he discovers what it is to truly live. As the pair secretly become acquainted amid the confines of Society’s strict rules, their friendship blossoms into love. But in a world ruled by unyielding traditions, endeavoring to build a life together would mean inviting a scandal that would shake the very foundation of the ton.

MY REVIEW

Austen's books are so wonderful and I loved the liberty this author took in creating a prequel to Emma.

Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill are such vivid characters and it was a treat to learn more about them. My heart went out to each of them because of the hardships of their backstories and I craved the moments they had any slight interaction. I also feel a little bad when I'm harsh on a character. It was enjoyable to see what shaped and developed this characters.

I was completely captivated with the story and couldn't get enough. It felt so believable--about what really could have happened--and I loved feeling immersed in a fresh Austenesque book. From childhood memories to secret friends to grown up expectations, Finding Jane Fairfax is a winner.

Content: orphaned; controlling aunt; mild, slow-burn romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

AUTHOR BIO

Robbin J. Peterson is the author of Going Home, Conviction, and 13 Days of Girls Camp. She earned her degree in English literature from Utah State University and her associate of arts degree from Snow College. She has six kids, plays the viola, and works as an elementary school librarian.

A Wyoming Summer by Carla Kelly, Christine Sterling, and Heather B. Moore {Book Review}

A Wyoming Summer by Carla Kelly, Christine Sterling, and Heather B. Moore  

Can true love survive the changing seasons?

ELLEN FOUND by Carla Kelly
Set in location of Old Faithful Inn, 1903-4. Working in a discouraging cafe, Ellen escapes an awful situation in rough and tumble Butte, Montana, and goes to work as second in command to a wary cook in the shell that will become Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. She meets Charles Penrose, head carpenter on the massive project of Old Faithful Inn, which is being finished in a harsh Wyoming winter. Will it really open June 1, 1904? Can Ellen start to trust the other workers? What will she learn about the other employees? And Charles. He's a widower with a young daughter there, too. Like Ellen, he wants more.

THE WIDOW OF DAYBREAK by Christine Sterling
Doris Whistler is learning how to survive in a town taken over by outlaws. When the leader of an infamous gang murders her husband, her choices are to tuck tail and run, or stand her ground and make Daybreak as promising as its name. It proves to be a difficult task with the good citizens in fear of the corrupt mayor and godlessness that abounds. What she doesn't expect is the support of a traveling lawman who believes in her and the tiny town she loves so much.

MAY I KISS THE BRIDE? by Heather B. Moore
Viola Delany is not happy about being sent to the middle-of-nowhere, small town Wyoming. Yes, it will be good to let the gossips find something else to talk about other than her failed engagement. And yes, it will be nice to spend the summer with her Aunt Beth. But as Viola sits on the train heading for Wyoming, wondering how she'll ever occupy her time in such a small town, none other than a real life cowboy sits across the way. She can't help but take peeks at him, noting that the condition of his unpolished black boots and scuffed rawhide jacket seem to be authentic . . . All right, so he might be tall, dark-haired, and handsome if a woman doesn't mind green eyes and a dangerous-looking scar, but this man certainly has nothing to do with her. Besides she'll never see him again. What are the chances he's traveling to the same middle-of-nowhere small town?

My Review: 5 Stars

Fun fact: I lived on a ranch in Wyoming for a few months when I was really little. I don't remember it at all, but I've always felt a sweet connection to summers in this vast, rugged state, and it was a joy to read these stories.

I believe they all take place in the very early 1900s and the times then were much simpler, yet MUCH more dangerous in a variety of ways. In ELLEN FOUND, the danger is with wildlife, while the other two have gangs of villainous devils.

ELLEN FOUND was such a lyrically charming story of a girl finding a place to start over and a place where she fits in. It was so satisfying to read of her ideas and ways to make life more efficient and easier for those she worked with. I loved the little journal snippets at the beginning of each chapter and was thrilled with the friendship Ellen formed with a young friend, which eventually lead to love.

THE WIDOW OF DAYBREAK started out with heartbreak. In the slightly fast-paced way of the Wild West, Doris was forced to move on and find help to bring much needed peace and safety to her residence. I loved the connections that were woven together in complicated knots, which brought a lot of enjoyment and discovery to this story.

MAY I KISS THE BRIDE? was the perfect conclusion to this set. Viola is a no-nonsense and brave women being sent to help her aunt and a chance meeting with Rey on the train sparked an immediate interest--in both her and in the reader. I loved the small town, the bakery, and the sweet romance.

This is a set not to be missed and is the perfect summer read.

Content: mild moments of danger/peril/shootings; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews {Book Review}

 

Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

BUY HERE

Book Blurb:

A reckless Victorian heiress sets her sights on a dashing ex-naval lieutenant, determined to win his heart as the two of them embark on a quest to solve a decades-old mystery in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews's sequel to her critically acclaimed novels The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim.

Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But arranging to purchase the property he desires is more difficult than Charles ever imagined. The place is mired in secrets, some of which may prove deadly. If he’s going to unravel them, he’ll need the assistance of someone as daring as he is.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman.

From the wilds of rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London, Charles and Kate embark on a cross-country quest to solve a decades’ old mystery. Will the greatest danger be to their hearts—or to their lives?

Book Review: 5 Stars

This romantically thrilling story was exactly what I needed. Mimi Matthews is a must-read go-to author and I can't get enough of her stories.

Kate is reckless and brazen and an intriguing first meet with gruff and serious Lieutenant Charles catapulted me right into these pages. Kate goes after what she wants and often says and acts way before she thinks. Charles is more calculated and cautious, and definitely hard to read, but he can be just as tenacious. These characters were entirely engaging and I couldn't wait to read more interactions, full of banter and flirtations.

This is a Victorian grumpy/sunshine, stuffed full of just the right balance of plot, well-developed characters, and a slight mystery to take this one to the next level.

"'If I pursued you, then I'd have you. There would be no turning back.' Her heartbeat quickened. It was practically a threat. A romantic threat."

Watching this brilliant and sweet romance unfold was perfection. Matthews knows just the right way to write phrases, personalities, and events that speak to my heart and sweep me off my feet.

Content: mild romance (some implied relations of secondary characters); mild language.

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews {Tour Review & Giveaway}

The Belle of Belgrave Square (Bells of London #2) by Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: October 11, 2022
432 pages

A London heiress rides out to the wilds of the English countryside to honor a marriage of convenience with a mysterious and reclusive stranger.

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

My Review: 5 Stars

This book is simply amazing! I was prepared to enjoy this delicious treat over the course of a few days and just like with any of my guilty pleasures, I completely binged on it--I couldn't help it and I couldn't put it down! 

 Mimi Matthews created a delightful masterpiece of a story that captivated every morsel of my heart and soul. Loosely based on a classic fairy tale (one of my favorites), I was eager to settle into London society once again, and I was intrigued--a beautiful girl with her nose always stuck in a book; a dashing, brooding war hero in need of money to rebuild his crumbling estate; a rag-tag group of illegitimate children in desperate need of a mother; and a marriage of convenience.

Matthews vividly brought these characters to life with her beautiful prose and unique twists and turns. Julia was easy for me to relate to, with her slight social anxieties and desire to read and escape than to do almost anything else. Jasper's brooding and intimidating countenance made for some very interesting encounters, especially with his romantic sparkles. 

I adored every interaction between Jasper and Julia, but especially the unconventional marriage arrangement and its results. This nearly gothic romance, featuring some wonderfully written characters, is the perfect addition to the Belles of London series.

Content: mild+ romance (kissing, chemistry, some innuendo, fade-to-black between married couple, mistress); mild language; mild descriptions of peril and war-type violence

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

GIVEAWAY

Mimi has generously offered a fabulous giveaway that book tour participants can add to
their post and on social media. Here are the details:

• Giveaway period: October 3 – October 30
   
• Terms & Conditions:
   
• Giveaway hosted by Mimi Matthews. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18
  years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain confidential and
  will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of
  the book to the winner. Void where prohibited.

Giveaway Details:

1 winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) receives a paperback copy of The Belle
of Belgrave Square, signed and annotated by the author with personal comments,
underlining of her favorite lines, and other highlights by Mimi Matthews.
Giveaway is open from 12:01 am Pacific time 10/03/22 until 11:59pm Pacific time on
10/30/22.

The winner will be announced on Mimi's blog on 10/31/22.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson {Book Review + Giveaway}

 A Tenuous Betrothal by Jen Geigle Johnson

Rhianna Davies is well-acquainted with heartache after the painful loss of her parents. At the arrival of her ghastly uncle, she is brought even lower: Rhi has been banished from her family’s estate home and must rely on the kindness of her tightly knit Welsh miners for help. Without the protective love of her parents, Rhi has no illusions that hers will be a happy ending—until an addendum to her father’s will arrives in the hands of a prince.

Marc Wilhelm, Prince of Oldenburg, is in Wales with one purpose: to claim his betrothed. A long-ago promise between their fathers forges an indelible link between Rhi and Marc, but there remains just one problem: neither wants to marry a stranger. With no remaining ties to Wales, Rhi agrees to accompany Marc to Oldenburg, where he will forfeit their betrothal so she may have her pick of husbands. But their journey takes them down unexpected paths, from the depths of a Welsh mine to the marriage mart of London to a warm reception in Oldenburg. Rhi and Marc discover that their connection and their challenges run deeper than either anticipated, but whether from their own hesitations or from danger that threatens without, the couple might be thwarted before they can even begin the happily ever after they so richly deserve.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  AMAZON

My Review: 5 Stars

Oh, how I love a good arranged marriage and when a royal is thrown in, I'm all over it. Prince Marc and Rhianna seem to hit it off immediately, despite their trepidations, but he just can't commit. I devoured every single interaction between these two and wanted to shake some sense into the prince.

Rhianna is a very likable character and I could feel her eagerness and anticipation of her new situation, as well as her dedication and loyalty to what she's leaving behind. The slight Cinderella vibe with some twists and turns pierced my heart and kept me turning the pages.

Then we have the handsome, sweet, and utterly adorable prince. Marc is an overly devoted man, almost thinking of others too much and overthinking possible scenarios that may or may not happen, but his humor and connection to Rhi is what dreams are made of. This was everything I hoped it would be and more.

I loved the setting and the slew of princes had my heart melting. There are some amazing stories in store for each of them and I'm here for them. Johnson does a phenomenal job of creating a story worth reading and dreaming of.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*

To Kiss a Wallflower {Book Review}

To Kiss a Wallflower by Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore, and Anneka R. Walker

 

Eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.

The Wallflower’s Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

AMAZON

My Review: 5 Stars 

What a darling set of stories, all with a wallflower theme. I loved the settings and picturing the situations.

I love these collections because each author has a slightly different writing style, but the common thread ties them all together, and for me, it was really hard to choose a favorite.

From a girl who freezes up with anxiety when talking to people, to a girl who wants to win a bet, to a girl with a secret, each story was such a fun delight and so entertaining. I loved the characters and the unique ways a wallflower was interpreted brought me some smiles and swoons.

Each one of these novellas in this collection earned a definite 5 stars from me!

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*