A Gilded Lady (Hope and Glory #2)

Happy Book Release Day!

Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she’s hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason. 
Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president’s Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.

My Review: 

I loved this brand new historical novel by Elizabeth Camden. The entire story was beautifully crafted and well written. With history and a little bit of romance, I was intrigued the entire way through the book.

Set during in the early 1900s, Caroline Delacroix enters the story as the first lady’s secretary. I absolutely loved how Camden mixed her fictitious characters into history as if they really are in the history books. Though this is book two in Camden’s Hope and Glory series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. Caroline’s goal is to find a way to rescue her younger brother from being tried as a traitor of the United States. Her only way of doing that is to get the president to pardon her brother. With her brother in jail for treason this makes her a prime suspect for Nathaniel Trask, the newly appointed secret service agent hired to make the president and his family safe. Camden always does a great job with her main couples and these two were no exception. Let the sparks fly!

The descriptions and the details in this story were incredible. With only a couple of words into the story I could imagine the setting and characters. Oh, and all the costumes too! ( :

So overall, very enjoyable historical fiction. Highly recommend! Definitely looking forward to book three!

 

I received this book from the Bethany House Publishing of the Baker Publishing Group through Netgalley for this review. All words are my own. 

Colors of Truth (Carnton #2)

In 1866 Catriona O’Toole arrives in the town of Franklin, Tennessee, searching for her younger brother, Ryan, who, according to his last letter, was headed for Franklin only days before the catastrophic Battle of Franklin. Ryan’s last note contained a stack of cash–enough money to bring his entire family across the ocean from Ireland. But after disease and illness tear through County Antrim and the O’Toole family, only Catriona and her seven-year old sister Nora are left to make the journey. Wade Cunningham, one of ten operatives in the newly formed United States Secret Service Agency, is on the hunt for counterfeiters. A tip leads him to Franklin and to Carnton, the home of wealthy Tennessean John McGavock. The recent murder of a fellow agent mandates that Wade keep his true identity hidden, as well as his past service in the Federal Army. But when he receives a note bearing only the name of the deceased agent, he realizes someone in town already knows who he really is. As evidence in the case mounts, it eventually points to Catriona, but Wade is slow to want to believe it. Because his heart is swiftly becoming hers. 

My Review: 

I absolutely loved this captivating historical novel. The story, the characters, and the settings were brilliantly captured. Bravo, Tamera Alexander!

This is the second book in Alexander’s Carnton series. The story could be read as a stand alone novel though I highly recommend With this Pledge, the first book in the series as well. While reading this book I was drawn into the story as if I was really there. Alexander did an excellent job of making her story come to life.

Catriona and her younger sister captured the life of Irish immigrants that traveled to the United States right after the Civil War to track down their brother who fought on the side of the south. The two sisters make it to the last place their brother talks about in his letters and that is where they meet Wade. With secrets of his own Wade soon enlists the help the girls to track down their brother. I enjoyed the main characters very much and by the end of the book it was like saying good bye to dear friends.

The historical aspect was exceptional. Alexander did an amazing job of taking a historical battle and town and entwining it with her story. While reading this, I could tell that a lot of work was put into this story. Well, honestly, I spent quite a bit of time looking up Civil War facts and pictures of the Carnton plantation. But I barely need the visuals since Alexander describe it to a tee.

I am very pleased with this story and highly recommend it! I am very much looking forward to the next book!

 

This book will be released on October 6, 2020, so there is time to preorder your copy!

Intrigued?

Well the author created a Youtube video about the first book in this series that was super cool. Click the link to learn more – Welcome to Carnton with bestselling author Tamera Alexander

 

I received this book from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley for this review. All words are my own. 

When Hope Calls – An Adorable TV Show

In need of a cute TV show? Then I highly recommend When Hope Calls.

My family and I have recently been watching this TV show and have really enjoyed it. Yes, we enjoyed it enough to binge watch it within a couple of days.

I recently posted about the book Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. That book was loosely based off this show! I enjoyed the book, so right after finishing the book, I knew I had to watch this. It was worth it! Yes, some of the acting was cheesy and there were a couple of times a back story was needed but what can I say? It’s Hallmark!

Fans of Hallmark’s TV show When Calls the Heart (WCTH), you will not be disappointed with this cute show. There are couple of characters from WCTH that visit in this show. Which I really enjoyed since I liked WCTH.

Hopefully there will be a second season! Because I really liked it!!! Please Hallmark, don’t let me down!

Have any of you seen this show? What did you think?

 

 

 

You are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For

Wow! This book was incredible, extraordinary, and simply amazing .

Read the summary of the book here.

When I first picked it up I was expecting a biography about one soldier’s journey of surviving but not one that pulled at the heartstrings of my own personal journey. Kyle Carpenter takes you on a journey of why “You are Worth It.”

Beautifully crafted, Kyle turns his story into a book that every one should read.  Yes, everyone! After finishing this book, I literally could not stop talking about it! I was so impressed with this book, that every one of my family members received a message telling them that they have to read this one (Dear family members, sorry I blew up your phones with those Goodreads recommendation messages).

The one thing I loved about this books was that Kyle did not make his story about just himself but gave credit to each and everyone. Here is a soldier who just sacrificed himself for his teammates, survived which should not have been possible, had been given the Medal of Honor, and he wanted to make sure that he thanked all who helped him and his family.

If you are feeling depressed and need a boost in the right direction, definitely pick up this book. Believe me, you will not want to put it down. I was reading this while at work ( yes, I was at work. But what can I say, working at a library is so cool! What other job allows you to read for a living! LOL) and was literally was turning the pages as fast as I could. Don’t worry, I was polite to all the patrons who interrupted my reading but all I wanted to do was go back to the book. I have read many war biographies but none have stood out like this one. This was not only a story of survival, but it was  also one of taking the chances you have and going for it. It is a story of being brave even in the darkest situations. YOU ARE WORTH IT!

As a proud American citizen I am thankful for all our brave men and women of the armed forces but this book just reminded me how grateful I really should be. The men and women of the armed forces deserve our utmost gratitude.

To Kyle Carpenter and all the brave men and women of the armed forces, thank you for your service. I know you might get tired of hearing that over and over but it is the only way I can make sure that you understand that I am truly am honored to live in this great, free country because of each and everyone of you!

And to the families of those who lost someone in the armed forces, my heart is with you all. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Truly Grateful,

Holly S.

 

P.S. If you stuck with me this entire review/chat you can only guess what my next sentence will be. (;

I highly recommend You are Worth It!

SHHH, I am Reading a Youth Book

I believe this sums it all up for adult readers that still love children/youth books. I still love looking through brand new picture books and reading the current, popular youth story. As a librarian it is easy to get away with doing so but I know that many people look at children’s book and say, “I cannot read that I am an adult.” Take Mr. Lewis’s advise and you will find out that sometimes the best book out there is a children’s story.

I did and found…

Wow, these two books were great! I kept picking them up but then telling myself these are kids stories. When you hear yourself saying that, don’t believe it. I can say that I would recommend these books to young readers and older readers. These stories are an excellent way to introduce readers to history because they show what it was like to live during the second world war as a crippled girl.

Readers will laugh and cry while reading this series. I sure did. Very well done for a youth historical fiction series.

Highly recommend!

Interested? Read the summary for the first book below.

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

More books like these…

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

What Book(s) Impacted You?

This is a difficult question to answer. I grew up being read aloud to and once I learned

This is me, reading my favorite series over again. (: LOL

how to read I always had a book in hand. Library trips were a must for my family and when all the other kids were playing on the computers, I was checking out dozens of books.Many books I read when I was younger I enjoyed and learned from. To be honest I was never the Little House On the Prairie type girl. I did read the whole series but I never wanted to read it more than once.

One series I know that I read more than once (let’s say over a dozen times) when I was younger was the Grandma’s Attic series and the Grandma’s Attic novels by Arleta Richardson.

I loved this series and read it over and over again, when I was younger. I might have been a little infatuated with it. I got all my younger sisters to read it and even my mom. They all enjoyed it just as I did.

This series is one of my favorites and I highly recommend it!

 

Here is the list of all the books in order:

1. In Grandma’s Attic
2. More Stories from Grandma’s Attic
3. Still More Stories from Grandma’s Attic
4. Treasures from Grandma
5. Away from Home
6. A School of Her Own
7. Wedding Bells Ahead
8. At Home in North Branch
9. New Faces, New Friends
10. Stories from the Growing Years

Lost in a Good Book!

Do you ever find yourself lost in a good book? I just finished The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay and loved it.

Here is the summary of the book before I start talking about it.

“Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop!
One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care. While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.”

Let’s begin!

I am going to completely honest with you all. I was drawn to this book by its cover. What do you think of it? Would you be like me and want see what this book is about? I have read Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightly and enjoyed that one but this book outshines that one by far.

Enjoyable, heart-warming, captivating, and sweet are just a few words that describes this book. I did not want to put this book down and when I finished it, I went to my Goodreads page and recommended it all my sisters and mom. Katherine Reay swept me into her charming story with just a couple words but who would not love a book that has its main setting as a bookstore. If the Printed Letter Bookshop was real, I would be there.

The book follows three different women whose lives are all affected by the little bookshop and the previous owner. Each of their stories are intriguing and I wanted to read about all of them. Each woman had her own story to tell and Reay told them beautifully.

Another thing I loved about the book was all the books that were talked about in the story. Many of the books mentioned were ones I have read which made me smile to see them implemented into the story. If you do read this book, Reay included a list of all the books she talked about in the story in the back. I was so happy she did that!

So overall, this book makes a lovely get away for anyone in need of a good story. I highly recommend it!

 

What makes you get lost in a good book?

With this Pledge

On the night of November 30, 1864, a brutal battle in Franklin, Tennessee, all but decimates the Confederacy and nearly kills Captain Roland Ward Jones. A decorated Mississippi sharpshooter, Jones has a vision on the battlefield and, despite the severity of his wounds, believes his life will be spared. But a life without his leg, he can’t abide. He compels Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston—governess to the McGavock family at the Carnton mansion—to intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate. True to her word, Lizzie speaks on his behalf and saves not only the captain’s leg but also his life. When a fourteen-year-old soldier dies in Lizzie’s arms that night, the boy’s final words, whispered with urgency, demand that Lizzie deliver them to their intended recipient. But all she has is the boy’s first name. And, as she soon discovers, there’s no record of him ever having enlisted. How can she set out alone across a land so divided by war and hatred to honor her pledge? Even more, does she dare accept Captain Jones’s offer to accompany her? As he coalesces at Carnton, romance has blossomed between him and Lizzie—a woman already betrothed to a man she does not love.
                                                                     

My Review:

Let me begin by saying “WOW.”

I absolutely loved this book. I had no expectations when I picked up this book, but two pages into the story I was captivated. Everything about this book was great. The characters were well developed, the story captivating, and the description real life like. This book is actually based off of a true story. When reading the book, I could see how much work was put into the story. Great job Tamera Alexander.

When reading this book, I almost could imagine myself being there. The descriptions were very well done. If I am ever in Franklin, Tennessee, I want to visit the Carnton mansion, which is still there.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what the next book in this series is like. Currently there is no news on it, so if  you see or hear anything about the next book, let me know. (:

For fans of Civil War historical fiction, this book is one you need to add to your “to read” pile.

I highly recommend this book.

Title: With this Pledge

Author: Tamera Alexander

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

The Deceiver’s Heart ( A New 2019 Favorite!)

In this sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Traitor’s Game, Kestra Dallisor has finally gained possession of the Olden Blade. With the dagger in her control, she attempts to destroy the tyrannical Lord Endrick. But when Kestra fails, the king strips her of her memory, and leaves her weak and uncertain, bound to obey him. Heartbroken, Simon is desperate to return Kestra to the rebel she was, but refuses to use magic to heal her. With untrusting Coracks and Halderians threatening to capture and kill her, and war looming on the horizon, Kestra and Simon will have to learn to trust each other again if they have any hope of surviving. But can a heart once broken ever be healed?

My Review:

Jennifer Nielsen, what have you done? You are making “ironhearts” out of all of your readers!!! If you continue to write like this all of your readers hearts will be crushed with the knowledge that we have to wait with anticipation for the next book!

This heart stopping book is the sequel to The Traitor’s Game.  Let’s just say I was not disappointed at all. Well, just a little since the next book is not out yet. (: When I finally got a hold of a copy, I started to read it but then I had to stop. I had been looking forward to this book coming out for so long but I decided that I needed a refresher. So I reread The Traitor’s Game (that one is still so good). Once I finished it, I started on this one. Well, don’t tell anyone, but it only took me two days to read it. If I had it my way I would have read it in a couple of hours but telling your boss that you were late for work because you stayed up all night to read is not an acceptable excuse. Anyway, I was practically holding my breath the entire time, while reading the book.

Kestra and Simon’s were yet again amazing main characters and I am so looking forward to seeing what they will do in the next book!

To those who have read The Traitor’s Game and have been holding their breaths for the next book, this book will not disappoint you.

To those who have not read any books by this author, go right now and purchase or check out at your local library all of her books. They are all worth it! (:

To Jennifer Nielsen, well done on another amazing book. I cannot wait for news about the next book and am looking forward to seeing what you come up with next! You are truly a talented author.

 

Title: The Deceiver’s Heart

Author: Jennifer Nielsen

2018: My Year in Books! And my favorite of 2018!

I am pleased to announce that I reached my 2018 reading goals. Listed below are the 12 books that I read for my reading resolution. Sadly I was not able to write reviews on many of them but I hope to do so in the future. For now, I will just tell you what I rated each on Goodreads.

 

 

Read 12 classic or informative books.

1. Wonders Beyond Numbers – 2 Stars
2. Donut Dolly – 2 Stars
3. Sense and Sensibility – 4 Stars
4. Active Liberty – 3 Stars

5. Courageous Women of the Vietnam War: Medics, Journalists, Survivors, and More – 5 Stars

6. Women Heroes of World War II—the Pacific Theater: 15 Stories of Resistance, Rescue, Sabotage, and Survival – 5 Stars

7. The Phantom of the Opera – 3 Stars

8. The Race to Save the Romanovs: The Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue the Russian Imperial Family – 3 Stars
   

9.  Eyewitness to World War II by Stephen G. Hyslop – 4 Stars
   
10.  War and Peace – 2 Stars
    
11. A Christmas Carol – 4 Stars
    
12. Extreme Ownership – 5 Stars
    

Besides this resolution, I also surpassed my Goodreads goal of 100 books by 10 books! I cannot believe I did that.

I read 30,735 pages across 110 books!

Here are just a couple that I enjoyed!

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If you are interested in seeing all the books I read in 2018, check out my Goodreads link here.

Lastly for my all time favorite book that I read in 2018! The Lady and the Lionheart!

Do you have any favorites of 2018?