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.

12/24/19 - MY NEXT BOOK TO REVIEW IS ...

The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams.

This is the second book in The Wicked City series. The time period is Prohibition and a break from my ongoing time WWII time period! This author writes beautiful historical novels and I am excited to read this book! It was checked out as a Kindle book from the Los Angeles Public Library Please support your local library and READ!

If you want to know more about The Wicked  Readhead, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - CHILDREN OF THE STARS

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Mario Escobar, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was beautifully written and translated from Spanish. I honestly could not believe how smoothly it was written and translated so well that I would have thought that it was written in English.

I have read many WWII books and this was another good one! The story was intense and kept me reading to find out what would happen next after all of the twists and turns. The one big takeaway from this story was that most people are good and we must fight back against evil. Very timely today with the issues in the USA currently with immigration, Dreamers, and White Nationalism. NEVER AGAIN!

I had no idea about how many Jewish families and individuals escaped to Spain and then South America specifically Argentina. This definitely would be a lot harder to do today with our technology. This is WHY I read - I learn something new from EVERY single book that I read!

The only picky issue that I have with this writer is that he gets a little long-winded at times. That is being REALLY picky as even the long-winded passages are beautifully written.

HIGHLY recommend.

12/20/19 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

Children of the Stars by Mario Escobar.

This is another ARC by NetGalley and back to my ongoing time period - WWII again. This time period just moves and interests me SO much!!

If you want to know more about Children of the Stars, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - THE QUEENS FORTUNE: A NOVEL OF DESIREE, NAPOLEON, AND THE DYNASTY THAT OUTLASTED THE EMPIRE

5.0 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Ballantine Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Allison Pataki, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Okay, I must admit that I am a REAL LOVER of historical fiction - it is my favorite genre of books. I also must admit that I knew NOTHING about Desiree Clary. But, I love the books that I have read by Allison Pataki and this was NO exception!! However, I tried my best to read this book slowly, but I just couldn't do it!!

Desiree Clary was a fascinating character who lived during horrific times but managed to survive intact. Her life was amazing, interesting, and mind-boggling at times!!

This book goes from Marseilles to Paris to Stockholm seamlessly. I learned so much and now my interest is piqued and I want to know about Desiree Clary!

Allison Pataki has a lush, real, and beautiful style of writing. It is as if you are there IN the room as the story is unfolding. This is her BEST book yet!! I cannot wait to read more!

HIGHLY recommend, but most especially if you are a historical fiction lover!!

NOVEMBER 2019 WRAP-UP

So excited that my FOURTH monthly wrap-up for my blog, Books by Dorothea, is happening today!!

It has been a VERY busy month with Thanksgiving totally sneaking up on me AND Penny keeping me so busy that I cannot read! UGH!!

Anyway, I read three books again this month:

I also returned this book to the library without reading it as I knew that I didn't have the time! It makes me so sad when that happens.

I have enjoyed the three books this month (the first two were ARCs). Hopefully, I can get MORE books read this month of December with Christmas, Senior finals, and Penny getting spayed. HA! Wish me LUCK!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

12/1/19 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire by Allison Pataki.


This is another ARC by NetGalley and NOT about WWII for a second time! Yeah, a time period change - Napoleonic France!! I love the writing style, time periods, and storyline of every book that I have read by this author! I have SO been looking forward to this book!

If you want to know more about The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - CARTIER'S HOPE: A NOVEL

3.5 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to M.J. Rose, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This book was interesting especially due to the time period and the Hope Diamond story. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about women's issues that continue to this day! Things have not changed much in over 100 years.

The writing style of this author, at times, grated on me. It was very formal and filled with SAT words. That slowed down my enjoyment of the writing and storyline.

This was a nice book and I recommend!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

12/1/19 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

Cartier's Hope: A Novel by M.J. Rose.

This is another ARC by NetGalley and NOT about WWII! Yeah, a time period change!! in a row!!

If you want to know more about Cartier's Hope: A Novel, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜