01/26/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon.

This is the SECOND book that I am reading by this author. This is based on true events about a female British spy!! This is another ARC from NetGalley so I am very excited to read this novel!

If you want to know more about Code Name Helene, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - THE FORGOTTEN HOME CHILD

4.5 stars


I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Genevieve Graham, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.


This storyline was FASCINATING!! I had NEVER heard anything about the British Home Children and the transfer of "destitute and orphan" children from Great Britain to the Commonwealth countries occurred for almost 100 years. I think, initially, it was a generous and altruistic idea that outgrew the administration of the program. Two warrs, The Depression, and other historical events caused many of these children to be left alone as indentured servants/slaves. As always, every time that I read a book, I learn new things and this historical fiction was NO exception!!


The novel follows the journey of five children who became a family on the streets of London and how they fared through the British Home Children placement in Canada. I know that this was NOT a true story, but historical fiction, but as a mother, it broke my heart to read of the horrible abusive treatment that these children endured.


This story is very similar in a lot of ways to Before We Were Yours.


HIGHLY recommend!! Most especially if you like historical fiction!!


Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

01/20/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham.

This is the FIRST book that I am going to read by this author. The premise of the book is Britain trying to rid the streets of destitute and unwanted and is inspired by true events (like my previous review)!! This is another ARC from NetGalley so I am very excited to read this novel!

If you want to know more about The Forgotten Home Child, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - THE FIRST EMMA

5.0 stars!!

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Camille Di Maio, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

First off, I must confess that I am a HUGE fan of this author, Camille Di Maio! I have read 4/5 of her books and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one. This book is her first historical fiction based on true events. I loved it!!

As always, Camille Di Maio writes with heart, beauty, and purpose. This book had the coolest addition - abstracts of newspaper articles based on this "shocking" story in the 1910s. It was written in flashbacks to the 1910s AND the 1940s. The novel wove the two storylines seamlessly and it was easy to follow.

It is VERY evident that Camille Di Maio researches heavily for all of her books, but this one seemed to be more difficult as there wasn't a lot of information of one of the protagonists available due to the period. I love how she turned the limited information that she had available to a fully-flushed out novel.

The subject matter was very sad and so heartbreaking, yet it made me realize that WE have control of our destiny. Life isn't always smooth, but we need those peaks and valleys to appreciate what we have!!

HIGHLY recommend, but most especially to historical fiction lovers!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

P.S. I am WAY behind on reading books since Christmas! Hopefully, I will make time for other amazing books like this!!

DECEMBER 2019 WRAP-UP

All three of these amazing books were ARCs! It is such an honor to read an ARC before the book is published.

Unfortunately, I returned one book to the library as it just wasn't doing it for me. I was 15% in and it just wasn't working. I am so sad when that happens!!

Due to the holidays, I wasn't able to read my goal of five books a month - it was a little ambitious for me! However, this year, I have a goal of reading a book a week which seems VERY reasonable!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

01/03/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

The First Emma by Camille Di Maio.

This is the FIRST book written by this talented author that is inspired by true events!! I have loved all of the books that I have read by Camille Di Maio and am so honored to read this ARC by NetGalley!

If you want to know more about The First Emma, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - THE WICKED REDHEAD

This is the second book in a series - the first book didn't do it for me! I thought that since I like the author so much that this second book would be better. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I read about 15% of this book and abandoned it as I just didn't like the characters or the storyline.