Of Darkness and Light (Soli Hansen Mysteries #1) by Heidi Eljarbo {Review}

Of Darkness and Light (Soli Hansen Mysteries #1) by Heidi Eljarbo

Kindle Edition, 191 pages

Published May 12th 2020 

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

    

In this first book of a new historical mystery series, a young art historian faces a tough choice in German-occupied Norway.

Oslo, 1944. Soli Hansen’s passion for art history is and always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days working in an art shop, WWII is taking its toll on everyone. Apprehensive of the consequences, Soli avoids becoming entangled in the war resistance efforts. She closes her eyes in hopes the enemy will retreat and leave her beautiful country for good.

But when a woman is found dead in the alley alongside the art shop and a painting from the last auction goes missing, Soli is thrown into the thickest of the fray involving both Nazi art theft and the Norwegian resistance.

Once Soli finds her courage, there’s no turning back. Her personal life is turned upside-down with danger, lies, spying, and an incredible discovery.

My Review: 5 Stars

World War II is a favorite time period for me to read because I love to picture my grandparents living during this time. It's always a treat to read about a place during this era that isn't as commonly talked about. At least, not that I've read.

Soli lives in Norway and works in an art shop. A mystery almost falls right into her lap and I enjoyed how it gently unfolds during the thick of the war. There are some solid characters that lend a lot of personality to this story and come to life in a vividly intriguing way. I was attached to Soli and was rooting for her to solve things before it was too late, as I wasn't sure who to trust and what was going on.

Although there is a war going on, this tale is written in a pleasant way, without gory details and horrors, yet the message is still delivered to the reader and it's a story that stayed with me for some time.

Content: very mild romance; mild+ war-type violence/murder

The Girl in Gray by Annette Lyon {Review}

The Girl in Gray by Annette Lyon

Kindle Edition, 318 pages

Published October 29th 2019 by Blue Ginger Books 

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

*As an Amazon Affiliate, I received a small kickback with qualifying purchases.

 

    

 

A country fighting to stay free.
A woman with an impossible decision.
In November of 1939, Sini Toivola is sure of two things: she loves Marko Linna, and she has a comfortable life in Helsinki. But when the massive Soviet army invades her beloved homeland and Marko spurns her affections, her life is turned upside down. Needing a fresh start, Sini decides to join the female volunteer corps—the Lotta Svärd—and is sent to serve near the front lines. Service at a field hospital proves a good distraction—until Sini discovers a Russian soldier lost behind their camp. Duty requires her to turn him in, but her heart begs to keep him safe and help him escape. Torn between love for her country and love for her enemy, Sini must choose—but no matter what choice she makes, heart-wrenching consequences await them all.

 

My Review: 5 Stars

 

War isn't pretty and this author does a fantastic job of creating a real, raw, and gritty tale of the effects of the fighting between Russia and Finland during WWII. 

 

Sini wants to do whatever she can to support her country and its efforts in the war and finds herself serving as a Lotta, working in the kitchen and as a medical assistant. I love how Sini learns to look beyond a face to find a person's true self through her experiences and how she discovers core values and priorities.   

 

I also loved the play on the title. Sini dresses blandly and in gray wool with her assignment, but she also learns that life and war isn't always clear cut between black and white, or good and evil. She finds there are a lot of gray areas and ends up smack in the middle of one.

 

I love a good history lesson, mingled with fiction and romance, and I haven't read much about WWII that takes place in this area. I enjoyed learning more and connecting with the emotions of these characters, as they not only battled the enemy, but battled their feelings and themselves. This story is gripping and definitely tugs at the heart.

 

Content: moderate romance (kissing, one scene that nudges the envelope and then fades-to-black); moderate violence (war stuff that is semi-graphic at times, but not over the top); mild language 

Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Ranee S. Clark {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

Beneath the Bellemont Sky by Ranee S. Clark

Paperback, 193 pages

Published March 2018 by Covenant Communications 

Source: I received a copy from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

    

As WWII draws to a close, war widow Vera Larsen Trumbell knows all too well the sacrifices of those left on the home front. Working on her family's farm has sustained Vera and her young children, but she now yearns for a sense of normalcy. The end of the war has been bittersweet for the Larsen clan as they and the residents of their small Wyoming town continue to pick up the pieces of their former lives.

Navigating the complexities of a postwar world, Vera and her family face the changing ideals swirling around them. From rising controversy surrounding women's presence in the workplace to the town's cold reception of the newest member of the family—a beautiful French freedom fighter—the American dream of days gone by has been thrown off balance. Even Vera's own life is set spinning when, despite her better judgment, she feels a growing attraction for the brooding and mysterious local schoolteacher.

As the Larsen family and their neighbors tread on thorny territory, will the people of this small town find the strength to embrace an unfamiliar and extraordinary future?

My Review: 5 Stars

There is something about this time period that is very dear to my heart. I can't decide if it's because these people were about the same ages as my grandparents and lived through similar things or what. I know deep down that I would have loved to live during this time period, but quite honestly, I don't know if I would be strong enough and have enough stamina to do so. Life was hard in many ways, but easier in other ways than modern times are.

This story follows citizens of a small Wyoming town immediately following World War II, with the Larson family as the central focus. There aren't a lot of graphic war details--it focuses more on families moving on and trying to cope with the changes that resulted from the war. I loved this book and was really touched by each individual story of the family members.

The gentle and easy ambiance of Bellemont was a perfect complement to the hardworking, loyal, and determined attitude of the people. I loved the flow and the words spoke to my heart. These are people of good character, with a solid heritage, and I felt them all come to life in a way that spoke to my soul. I felt like I just watched a beloved mini-series, like Anne of Green Gables or Little House on the Prairie--I felt like I was wrapped up in a warm, satisfying, and comforting hug.

Content: very mild violence; mild romance

Schedule: 

*March 5th: https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/ 

*March 6th: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/

*March 7th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://reviewsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/, https://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/

*March 8th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*March 9th: http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/,

 http://www.wishfulendings.com/, https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/adults

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Defiance by A.L Sowards {Blog Tour Review + Giveaway}

Defiance (A World War II Story) by A.L. Sowards

Paperback, 310 pages

Published April 2017 by Covenant Communications

Eight years after immigrating to the United States, German-born Lukas Ley embodies the American dream: successful athlete, gorgeous girlfriend, loving family. But beneath the surface, eighteen-year-old Lukas is driven by ambition, resolved to avenge the murder of his father at the hands of the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, a failed physical throws his plans for flight school off course. Unlike his war-hero older brother, Lukas’s purpose is unclear. He can’t fly, and in the eyes of the military, he’s good for only one thing—the front lines.

From the foxholes of war-ravaged Luxembourg to the devastation of an enormous German offensive, Lukas’s journey is fraught with peril. But when he’s taken as a prisoner of war, he realizes life is about to get much worse. In the enemy camp, Lukas is viewed as a German fighting for the wrong side. Ripped from the innocence of an idealistic youth, he becomes a man beaten by the horrors of war. Now his only hope of survival is to hold tightly to his faith in God and his love of family and home. But even if he manages to make it out alive, can he ever be whole again?

Sometimes survival is the ultimate act of Defiance.

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My Review: 5 Stars

I love that last line of the blurb--"Sometimes survival is the ultimate act of defiance." Surviving when all odds are against you seems impossible. I have to admit--I'm kind of emotionally exhausted after reading this book. It's not an easy read, as, well...it's about war. But the writing is real, raw, and just plain amazing. Sowards has an uncanny ability to write about this time in history in a way that engages the reader, tells things how they probably were, and really makes a reader think.

Lukas was born in Germany, but moved to America when he was young and now he's eager to fight in the war against the country who killed his father. Lukas's enthusiasm is endearing, as is his budding romance with his forbidden neighbor, Bella. War isn't all glory like Lukas assumes and it completely tears him down and molds him into someone he doesn't even recognize.

Through all of these hard, hard times, there are threads of hope glinting in the distance. I wouldn't wish anyone to go through war to learn this life lessons that Lukas experiences, but he encountered so much growth through them. I bet he never took the conveniences of life for granted again. My grandpa fought in WWII and never liked to talk about it. It made me wonder just how much he, and countless others, went through. I feel a little more humbled by reading this.

Content: mild language; moderate+ violence; very, very mild religious elements; very mild romance.

*I received a copy through the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Buy Links:

    

About the Author:

I was born in Georgia but consider Moses Lake, Washington my hometown. I came to Utah to attend school (BYU) and ended up staying. Books have always been an important part of my life. I remember writing self-illustrated storybooks at my grandparent's house when I was in elementary school (none of those made it to publication for many good reasons) and attending my first writer's conference when I was in third grade.

Now I'm a busy mom with young chidren. I still love to read and I also love to write. I'm usually reading a couple books at once and working on multiple writing projects too. Other than that, my life is pretty ordinary. I'm grateful for that. I'll let the characters in my books have all the adventures.

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Schedule: 

*April 17th:
https://atransparentmom.com/,
https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/

*April 18th:
http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/,
http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/,
http://rockinbookreviews.com/,
http://empowermoms.net/

*April 19th:
http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/,
http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/,
http://thethingsilovemost.com/ 

*April 20th:
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/,
http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/,
http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/,
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

*April 21st:
http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/,
http://www.wishfulendings.com/

Trapped in East Germany by Carolyn Twede Frank {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

Trapped in East Germany by Carolyn Twede Frank

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Published July 1st 2016 by Covenant Communications

WHEN THE DISCUSSION OF ESCAPE FINALLY CAME UP, KARIN WAS READY. It is the autumn of 1943, and Karin Graeber is keenly aware of the uneasy tide of change swirling around her. She is not alone—in wartime Berlin, it seems that everyone has been swept up in the frightening transformation of their city. No more than a child, Karin is far too young to understand the Nazi presence or the drone of air-raid sirens or the absence of her beloved Pappa, a soldier in the German army. But when a bomb destroys their home, Karin is forced to grow up far too soon as her family joins the tens of thousands displaced in the raids on the city. Relying on their faith as Latter-day Saints, Karin and her family begin a journey that will prove the indomitable strength of the human spirit.
What follows is the sweeping narrative of one young girl’s journey through war and beyond—from her childlike observations of World War II in Germany to her changing view of the world as she grows up in a land divided by war. Now, driven by starvation and the perilous existence of refugees, Karin and her family must draw on a deep reservoir of strength and faith to sustain them through the harrowing escape ahead . . .

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My Review: 4 Stars

World War II is an interesting time in history for me because my grandpa served in the war. It's also a time of life that is fascinating to me and I've never read a story that went so in depth to the day-to-day life of those in East Germany--especially when that story follows a Mormon family.

The Graeber family is struggling to make ends meet in Berlin with their father serving in the war. When their house becomes inhabitable, due to a bombing, they are forced to go to Dresden. This story is most told through the eyes of young Karin, who is six years old at the time, thus nothing is too graphic, but the implications left me stunned. The creative ways they found to work, eat, hide, and deal with the Russian soldiers is amazing. The things they went through, the fears the experienced, and the losses they endured is just heart-breaking. The violence and crimes committed during this time is just plain sad and the story really helped me realize how awful war is.

I enjoyed reading things from a different prospective and found this book to be educational, in a way. The pacing seems to cover events in a realistic way and the characters are great, although there's not a lot of depth to them. I would have liked to dive deeper into their thoughts and feelings about the events, but as it is mostly through a young child's eyes, that just wasn't possible.

This would be a good read for those who enjoy historical fiction, especially concerning events around World War II, without the graphic violence.

Content: implied rape, death, not too graphic of violence. Fairly clean.

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

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Buy Links

 

About the Author

About my writing: I don't like to write candy for the brain. But I do like to try to make my books not only fulfilling, but entertaining. Candy is nice, but a meal of meat, potatoes, and veges can leave you more satisfied. My books give the reader a good taste of history and/or science along with a dash of mystery folded into the story.

About me: I've always loved writing, but haven't gotten serious until the past seven years. When I'm not writing, I like to garden, sew, fix up old houses, or anything else creative. My favorite movies are ones about history. 

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Tour Schedule

*July 18th: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*July 19th:http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/

*July 20th:http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/,
http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*July 21st: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*July 22nd: http://sweetlymadejustforyou.com/blog/,
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html

Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot by Elaine Faber {Review}

Mrs. Odboddy Hometown Patriot by Elaine Faber

Kindle Edition, 258 pages

Published January 21st 2016 by Elk Grove Publications 

 

 

Since the onset of WWII, Agnes Agatha Odboddy, hometown patriot and self-appointed scourge of the underworld, suspects conspiracies around every corner…stolen ration books, German spies running amuck, and a possible Japanese invasion off the California coast. This seventy-year-old, model citizen would set the world aright if she could get Chief Waddlemucker to pay attention to the town's nefarious deeds on any given Meatless Monday.

Mrs. Odboddy vows to bring the villians, both foreign and domestic, to justice, all while keeping chickens in her bathroom, working at the Ration Stamp Office, and knitting argyles for the boys on the front lines.

Imagine the chaos when Agnes’s long-lost WWI lover returns, hoping to find a million dollars in missing Hawaiian money and rekindle their ancient romance. In the thrilling conclusion, Agnes’s predictions become all too real when Mrs. Roosevelt unexpectedly comes to town to attend a funeral and Agnes must prove that she is, indeed, a warrior on the home front.

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My Review: 4 Stars

Mrs. Odboddy is a comforting, nostalgic read. Set in Northern California during WWII, this story embraces the feelings and events of that time in small town America. Agnes Odboddy is in her seventies, but that doesn't stop her from bustling her way into the thick of things, including a mystery. She's a bumbling and suspicious, yet likable, character, one who is far from perfect, but who is trying her best to do the right thing. She's a little naive when it comes to crime and sleuthing, but she's also not experienced in that area.

I enjoyed the characters and found them all a bit eccentric. Their names are all quirky, such as Haggenbottom, Odboddy, Waddlemucker, etc. but these outlandishly named characters only added to the story. The pacing is gentle, and the story unfolds in a natural and gradual way, with unique situations cropping up occasionally. I've recently said that I would love to live in the 1940s or 50s, but after reading this and the in-depth way of life during this time, I'm not so sure. Rations for everything and stipulations on purchases wouldn't be a fun way to live. These people are so good-natured and patriotic, handling it all in stride.

I liked seeing the mystery unfold. There are a few intense moments, as well as several hilarious moments, but overall, this is a cozy mystery that leaves a reader with the warm fuzzies.

Content: mild violence; mild religious elements; very mild romance (implied affair). 

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*

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Buy Links:

 

 

About the Author:

Elaine Faber's short stories are published in magazines and multiple anthologies. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, Inspire Christian Writers and Cat Writers Association.

Black Cat's Legacy, Elaine's debut fantasy cat-mystery novel., is the first in a series of three Cat Mysteries involving Thumper, who solves mysteries with the aid of his ancestors' memories.

Elaine lives in Elk Grove, CA, with her husband. They share their home with four house cats, and usually more, counting those at the door night and morning looking for a hand-out.

Mrs. Odboddy - Hometown Patriot is the first in Elaine's WWII humorous mystery series. Mrs. Odboddy fights the war from the home front, seeing conspiracies and spies around every corner. When Mrs. Roosevelt comes to town to attend a funeral, Agnes Odboddy's fears become a reality and she must prove she is, indeed a hometown patriot.

By the Stars by Lindsay B. Ferguson {Review}

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By the Stars by Lindsay B. Ferguson

Paperback, 320 pages

Published March 8th 2016 by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media 

 

 

When Cal finally gets a chance with Kate, the girl he's loved since grade school, their easy friendship quickly blossoms into a meaningful romance. Spirited and independent, Kate keeps a guarded heart due to a painful past, and Cal wants nothing more than to gain her trust. But World War II soon cuts their time far too short, and Cal prepares to part from her – possibly for good. After he's gone, what Kate does next changes everything.

In the suffocating jungles of the Philippines Cal encounters the chilling life of a soldier and deadly battles of war. With Kate's memory willing him on, Cal must put his trust in God to survive if he hopes to ever return to her. Inspired by a true story, By the Stars is a romance that stands the test of time and the most intense obstacles.

 

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My Review: 5 Stars

 

I love what the author says at the end--everyone has a story to tell. My life seems boring in comparison to how amazing this story is. Based on a true story, By the Stars, is full of emotion, miracles, love, and hope.

 

Cal is just a typical young teen when Kate, a new girl, captures his attention. Completely out of his league, he's surprised when years later, he feels that she's the only girl for him. Following these characters through LDS missions, busy social lives, World War II, and more is extremely heartwarming and entertaining. 

 

The characters reminded me, in small ways, of my grandparents and their experiences. They almost jumped off the pages with their vivid personalities. The dialogue is easily reminiscent of times gone by and I loved being immersed in this time period. I was completely drawn in and felt a part of the story, although there were places when I almost wished for more--more information, more connections, more story--but this shows that it's a great story, because I really didn't want it to end. I found myself in tears, marveling at the miraculous events, as well as with smiles, enjoying the relationships. This is a story that will stay with me for quite awhile. I hope Ms. Ferguson continues to write!

 

Content: no language; mild romance (kissing); mild religious elements (LDS beliefs and matter-of-fact statements, but not preachy); moderate violence, due to the nature of war, especially to get the point across. Clean for an older reader.

 

* I received a copy in exchange for an honest review *

 

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Buy Links:

 

 

 

 

About the Author:


 
Lindsay has been immersing herself in stories since her childhood days of sneaking a flashlight into her room and staying up reading The Babysitters Club series way past her bedtime, writing spinoffs of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and imagining herself in fascinating, far-off places. She still dreams of traveling the world one day, and finds getting lost in a good book almost as absorbing as penning her own stories and experiencing them unfold. A Communication graduate from the University of Utah, she worked as a PR and marketing writer for a computer software company for several years and has contributed feature lifestyle articles to various media outlets. When she felt the itch to attempt novel writing a fascination with history created a natural inclination toward historical fiction, with a romantic flare, of course. She lives in a suburb of Salt Lake City with her husband and four children. By the Stars is her first novel.

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Dante's Gift (A Chicago Christmas Book 1) by Aubrey Wynne {Review}

Dante's Gift (A Chicago Christmas Book 1) by Aubrey Wynne

ebook, 102 pages

Published October 6th 2015 by Plato Pubishing 

Source: I received a copy through ebooksforreview.com in exchange for an honest review

 

 

Kathleen James has put her practical side away for once and looks forward to the perfect romantic evening: an intimate dinner with the man of her dreams—and an engagement ring. She is not prepared to hear that he wants to bring his grandmother back from Italy to live with him. 

Dominic Lawrence has planned this marriage proposal for six months. Nothing can go wrong—until his Nonna calls. Now he must interrupt the tenderest night of Katie’s life with the news that another woman will be under their roof.
When Antonia’s sister dies, she finds herself longing to be back in the states. An Italian wartime bride from the ‘40s, she knows how precious love can be. Can her own story of an American soldier and a very special collie once again bring two hearts together at Christmas?

 

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My Review: 4.5 Stars

 

Katie is ready for an engagement ring from her Italian boyfriend and is thrown for a loop when he announces that he's going to Italy for his great-aunt's funeral and to bring his Nonna (grandma) home. It's not just that we share a name, but I could kind of relate to Katie's feelings on the matter. She wasn't close to her parents growing up and Dominic has a very tight relationship with his Nonna. The fear of not being good enough, being replaced, and being placed in a situation she knows nothing about is very prominent. I feel a little squiggly when placed in those unknown situations too. 

 

Antonia (Nonna) is nothing like what Kate expects. It's through her own love story, set in WWII, that Katie really comes to know and understand her. I'll always have a tender place in my heart for stories that take place during WWII, since my grandpa served in the war and it was shortly after when all of my grandparents met and fell in love. I loved those tender moments of learning both history and life lessons, and the parallels between both Antonia's and Katie's stories is very charming.

 

Content: some mild language; mild romance and some innuendo. Clean!

 

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Buy Links:

 

 

About the Author:

Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trail riding and all things Christmas.
Her debut story, Merry Christmas, Henry, was published in November 2013 by Melange Books, LLC and received Best Short Romance in the Preditors & Editors Reader's Choice of 2013. Wynne's humorous shorts Pete's Mighty Purty Privies ( Best Short in the Preditors & Editors Reader's Choice of 2014 and Top 100 Laugh Out Loud List on Goodreads) and To Cast A Cliché are published with AlfieFiction.com and consistently make the best-selling list on the UK site.

Aubrey's first love is historical romance and her recent medieval fantasy novella, Rolf's Quest, will be released in 2016 as a full-length novel. Aubrey's latest Christmas story, Dante's Gift, is part of the boxset Christmas Pets and Kisses and sold as a single.

Her humorous shorts can be found at http://alfiedog.com/products-page/aubrey-wynne/

Keep in touch with Aubrey:

Signup for her monthly newsletter and giveaway: https://madmimi.com/signups/122105/iframe
Website: http://aubreywynneauthor.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aubreywynne51
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubrey.wynne.7
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17695894-aubrey-wynne
Youtube trailer for Merry Christmas, Henry: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC8bXDhC3yk
Youtube trailer for Love Least Expected: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ZAPJCBubw

Home and Away: A World War II Christmas Story by Dean Hughes {Review and Giveaway}

 

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Home and Away: A World War II Christmas Story by Dean Hughes

Norma Hayes has always tried to make Christmas special for her family, but this year it is going to be difficult. Money is tight, and wartime rationing is taking its toll as well. Harder still, her oldest son, Glen, is on the front lines of the battle in Europe. Glen Hayes wants nothing more than to be home for Christmas. He holds a sprig of lavender in his pocket. The scent reminds him of his mother. The memory of home may be the only thing that is keeping him alive and sane during the horrors of war. Dennis Hayes is sixteen and longs to see his older brother again. He also longs to have a relationship with his father, but most important, Dennis is determined to buy something special for his mother this Christmas--the one gift he feels certain she deserves. So many families have had their hopes dashed in World War II. Will the Hayes family make it through?

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Praise for Home and Away

''It's 1944 and teenager Dennis Hayes longs to join his older brother Glen, who is fighting in Europe..When his family receives word that Glen has been wounded, Dennis realizes that going to war is not so glamorous. Christmas isn't the same without Glen, but the Hayes family members hope and pray that they'll be reunited soon. Hughes's faith-filled, old-fashioned story feels like it could have been written during the period in which it takes place.'' --Library Journal

''Home and Away is far and away the best story I have read this year. Awesome and moving.'' --bestselling author, Obert Skye 

 

My Review

I didn't plan to read this book on Veteran's Day, but I did and it was very fitting. Not only did we have snow on the ground, which put me in a Christmas-y mood, but it really brought home what our servicemen and servicewomen do to serve our country. My grandpa served in Army in WWII and every time I read books set in this time period, it really brings to life my memories of him and I miss him.

Dennis is an average 16 year old living in 1944, with a brother serving in the Army as a paratrooper overseas. The story flashes back and forth between home (Ogden, UT) and away (Europe). I love the way Dean Hughes writes such realistic characters. I'm able to understand actions and decisions because of the vivid character descriptions. My heart broke a little for Dennis. Not only is he worried about his brother, Glen, but he's coming of age and trying to relate to a distant father. He's also discovering girls and the importance of looking nice, saving and spending money, and trying to show his mother just how much he loves and appreciates her. Growing up isn't easy.

Norma, the mother, is such a great and selfless character. Being a mother is a tough job, especially when trying to keep up normal family activities in the midst of uncertainty. I love how positive she is.

I love reading about this time period. I felt like I was right there in the Hayes home--observing the small house with the red tiled kitchen, seeing the radio and table playing central roles in the home, and noticing the family dynamics. This is definitely a much simpler, yet trying, time. I couldn't help but to shed a few tears over how this story plays out. My heartstrings had a gentle tugging. This is a great Christmas story for those readers who love these elements.

 Content: very mild romance; no language; mild war violence (not too graphic); very mild religious elements (just mentions church in a vague way). Clean!

*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Author Dean Hughes

Dean Hughes is a bestselling and prolific writer who published his hundredth book in 2014. He holds a bachelor's degree from Weber State College and master's degree and PhD from the University of Washington. He has attended post-doctoral seminars at Stanford and Yale Universities and taught English at Central Missouri State University and Brigham Young University.

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Ends 11/30/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Review: The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards with Giveaway

 

The Rules in Rome by A.L. Sowards

Paperback, 291 pages

Published February 2015 by Covenant Communications Inc. 

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description:

With Hitler’s forces firmly entrenched in Europe, countless heroes seek to end the madman’s reign. Bastien Ley is one of the best. Working in Italy for the Office of Strategic Services, he’s been tasked with sabotaging German convoys. When his team kills an officer headed for Rome, the man’s similarity to Bastien is undeniable, and seeing an opportunity to turn the tide of the war, Bastien makes a bold decision: he will assume the dead officer’s identity. He becomes Dietrich, an Iron Cross–wearing German officer—an ideal position from which to infiltrate the Nazi ranks in Rome. To help with his stressful assignment, his superiors send him a reinforcement in the form of the lovely Gracie Begni, an intelligent and eager radio operator with absolutely no undercover experience.

With a gulf of resentment between them, these two agents must find a way to portray a couple in love. Soon their reluctant alliance becomes much more as Bastien and Gracie find themselves getting lost in their feelings for each other. But as they engage in battle against the deadliest foe the world has ever known, the pair quickly realizes their love may be doomed. As the Rome Gestapo threatens to destroy all they’ve worked for, will Bastien and Gracie survive their charade? 

My Review:

I've loved reading this author's works set in this time period--WWII. This story takes the reader to a place that doesn't seem to be written about quite as much--Italy. I found it very interesting to read about some of the history and the effects that WWII had on this country, while being thoroughly entertained by the fictional characters and the events surrounding their lives as spies.

Gracie endured things that I didn't think she could. She is a normal American girl who is also deeply rooted in her religion. She's been trained to spy and operate a radio, yet when she actually arrives in the field, it's not as easy as she thought it would be. I was on edge in her behalf, many, many times. There's no way I could be a spy, yet I sure love reading about them!

Bastien is a tough, almost cold man, yet he has glimmers of warmth within him. His life and many others are on the line and depend on him staying in character. He's very good at what he does. I fell for him, right along with Gracie!

I'm a sucker for a good, clean romance and this one was exceptional! My socks were knocked off with that first kiss. I loved the way things naturally and gradually developed. As always, I'm looking forward to more of Ms. Sowards writing.

Content: Clean romance (kissing); no language; moderate violence (war violence, not graphic); mild religion (talk of religion, but it doesn't play a major role). See my content ratings info here.

 

About the Author:
I was born in Georgia but consider Moses Lake, Washington my hometown. I came to Utah to attend school (BYU) and ended up staying. Books have always been an important part of my life. I remember writing self-illustrated storybooks at my grandparent's house when I was in elementary school (none of those made it to publication for many good reasons) and attending my first writer's conference when I was in third grade.

Now I'm a busy mom with young chidren. I still love to read and I also love to write. I'm usually reading a couple books at once and working on multiple writing projects too. Other than that, my life is pretty ordinary. I'm grateful for that. I'll let the characters in my books have all the adventures.

About My Writing:
A little mystery, a little history, a little romance, and a lot of action, adventure, and suspense. Primarily, I write to entertain. I also hope my books will teach readers something new about history or about life. My books are usually set during wartime, so there is some violence, but I keep the language and romance family-friendly. My goal is for my writing to be thrilling, clean, and uplifting. 

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See what others are saying about this book!

*February 9th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/ (Cheryl's review), http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/

*February 10th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/ 

*February 11th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/ , http://www.wishfulendings.com/

*February 12th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/ , http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/ , http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*February 13th: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*February 14th: http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/ , http://www.iamareader.com/ (Kathy's review), http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/