The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, September 16, 2024
REVIEW - The Garden of Promises and Lies (ebook)
The Garden of Promises and Lies (Found Things #3) by Paula Brackson (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the fourth book that I have read by Paula Brackston. This is the penultimate book in the fantastic four-part series - Found Things. The plot, characters, and historical times in this series are wonderful.
This book continues to be about a woman with psychometry who travels through time from 2019ish to 1815 The reason for the journey is a gorgeous wedding dress.Again, please note that I am being vague with many details about this book so as not to spoil the twists in this lovely book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
This author has a lovely way of using the language, dress, and customs to write about the older period in this book. I learned much about England in the 1800s, a time of peace after multiple wars. It made my history nerd heart so very happy!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters are Xanthe (time traveler), Liam (Xanthe's friend), and Benedict (Xanthe's nemesis).
The secondary characters are Flora (Xanthe's mother and owner of an antique shop), Harley (the local pub owner), Lydia (another time traveler), and Petronelle (the wedding dress's future bride).
The tertiary characters are the assorted supporting characters in both times.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is about Xanthe traveling back in time to understand what her nemesis, Benedict, wants from her and what the wedding dress has to do with it all.
The main location was Wiltshire, England.
The only real issue with this book was that it took about 100 pages to set up the details for the plot. But, I couldn't put the book down once it was set up!
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I loved learning how clothing was handmade and bespoke in the early 1800s. The ability to patronize clothiers and tailors was a privilege of only the wealthy. The dresses, especially, sounded so beautiful!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous!!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Garden of Promises and Lies (Found Things #3) by Paula Brackson
321 pages
St. Martin's Press
Release date of 12/15/2020
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
REVIEW - The Moment of Lift (audiobook)
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
OMG! This audiobook was an unexpected jewel. Melinda Gate discusses her life, her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and what she learned about women including herself along the way.
This book was published in 2019 when she was still married to Bill Gates which dates the book a bit. Additionally, she recently resigned from the foundation in 2024.
This is not a salacious book about Bill and Melinda Gates. It is primarily about the foundation and what Melinda learned and discovered about herself and the women the foundation assists.
The stories of the women are amazing. Women are amazing.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Melinda can write! She tells the stories of the women she met in her almost 25 years working for the foundation. What was so meaningful to me was that she told the stories of the women with kindness and humility.
Narration: 5.0 stars
The author beautifully narrates her life and the foundation's story. It is read well as helping those on the margins, specifically, women, is her life's work.
Character Arc: 5.0 stars
The audiobook is told chronologically in the chapters that discuss a specific need of women that the foundation addresses.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Melinda's stories about the women she has met during her travels for the foundation are powerful. She discusses everything from family planning to sex workers with great care.
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
This book was entertaining, at times, but it was mostly educational. I learned so much about the needs of women in India, West Africa, and other places in the world where women need a hand.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Meh!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Strong and powerful!
HIGHLY recommend
STATISTICS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
Bluebird Publishing
7 hours, 56 minutes
Release date of 4/24/2019
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, September 9, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Garden of Promises and Lies (Found Things #3) by Paula Brackston (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - Framed (ebook)
Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (ebook)
OVERVIEW
I have read many of John Grisham's fiction books and this is non-fiction, a deviation from most of his best-sellers. The co-author is Jim McCloskey who is the founder of Centurion Ministries. This book is ten stories about cases where the wrong individuals were arrested, tried, and convicted for crimes they did not commit. Each chapter details the crime, who was framed, who was involved in the wrongful conviction(s), and the aftermath.
Caveat - this is a dark and graphic book. There are explicit details of murders, rapes, and assaults. If you are triggered by these stories, please do not read this book. It took me a while to read this book as I had to read it over time to allow my mind and heart to heal.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
Both John Grisham and Jim McCloskey write beautifully. But the subject matter made it difficult to really enjoy this book. It felt too graphic and gratuitous, at times.
Character development: 4.0 stars
Each individual framed in this book including the judges, prosecutors, police, defense, snitches, and the victim is fully detailed. At times, it was overwhelming. Hundreds of people were mentioned over ten chapters which was a lot to manage and absorb.
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The storyline is in ten chapters about individual(s) who were framed for crimes they did not commit. Each chapter includes the crime, fallout, and aftermath.
The main location was the United States, primarily in the South.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
Hot tip - if you are arrested, do not talk to anyone, PERIOD! Ask for an attorney and keep your mouth shut, PERIOD! Only talk to your attorney about the case, PERIOD!
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Okay.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Short, but appropriate.
DEFINITE recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
NetGalley ARC (ebook)
Framed by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey
544 pages
Doubleday
Release date of 10/15/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, September 8, 2024
REVIEW - Secrets Of the Chocolate House (ebook)
Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2) by Paula Brackston (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the third book that I have read by Paula Brackston. It is also the second in the four-part series - Found Things! I am so excited to read more about these wonderful characters!
This book continues to be about a woman with psychometry who travels through time from 2018 to 1605. The impetus for the journey is a copper chocolate pot.Please note that I am being vague with many details so as not to spoil the twists in this lovely book.
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars
Writing: 4.5 stars
The author writes beautifully in a lovely way about the two time periods in the book. I loved learning more about English history specific to the early 1600s. It was entertaining and I learned a lot of historical information.
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main character is Xanthe who is the time traveler in this novel. The two time periods collide and it all blows up at the end of this novel.
The secondary characters are Flora (Xanthe's mother and owner of an antique shop), Liam (Xanthe's friend), Marcus (Xanthe's ex-boyfriend), Samuel (Xanthe's friend), Louise (the chocolate shop owner), and Benedict (Samuel's patron).
The tertiary characters are the assorted supporting characters in both times.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is about Xanthe traveling back in time to ensure her friend Samuel's safety through psychometry with a chocolate pot. Xanthe had a mission to protect and save her friend from possible execution by King James.
The main location was Wiltshire, England with some time spent in London.
Memorable/Informative: 4.5 stars
I loved learning how chocolate shops were popular in England during the 1600s. They provided hot chocolate which was new and unusual as well as locations for conversation or plotting political intrigue. I wish that there were these shops all over as I love hot chocolate!
Book cover: 4.5 stars
So pretty!
Book title: 5.0 stars
On point!
STRONG recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2) by Paula Brackston
320 pages
St. Martin's Press
Release date of 10/22/2019
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, September 6, 2024
My next ebook is...
The Secrets of the Chocolate House (Found Things #2) by Paula Brackston (ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - When We Were Friends (ebook)
When We Were Friends by Jane Green (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This was a short story by Jane Green. I had never read anything by her before and had no expectations. Unfortunately, this short story just didn't work for me.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
This short story fell flat to me. The writing was just okay.
Character development: 3.0 stars
The two main characters are Lucy (recent divorcee) and Elle (single) who meet in a bar bathroom.
We only learn about the characters superficially to discover that both are very shallow.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
Lucy and Elle meet in a bar bathroom and instantly become best friends. The story goes downhill from there.
The main location is Fairfield, Connecticut.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
I learned a new term - love bombing.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Pretty.
Book title: 3.0 stars
Appropriate.
LUKEWARM recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads Kindle short-story ebook
When We Were Friends by Jane Green
44 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 10/01/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Amazon First Reads - September 2024
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, September 5, 2024
REVIEW - The Lost English Girl (ebook)
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the sixth book that I have read by Julia Kelly. I have enjoyed both her historical fiction mystery series (Parisian Orphan) and her historical fiction novels.
In this historical novel, the author has several timelines that completely work with pre-WWII, WWII, and post-WWII periods. As stated in other reviews, I have a personal embargo on reading more WWII books, but Julia's books are always exceptions.
I knew a little about the British relocation of children during WWII because my daughter's Kindergarten aide was one of these children. The parents who let their children were the real heroes of this novel as it undoubtedly saved many lives.
This novel has a bit of a mystery and it has some great twists and turns! I will be vague again to avoid any spoilers!!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
As always, Julia Kelly writes so beautifully! Since I have read so many of her books, I inhale them quickly because the writing is that good! She ties the multiple timelines together so well and utilizes flashbacks to create intensity and layers to the story.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Viv (mother), Joshua (father), and Maggie (relocated daughter). To add depth to the characters, Julia writes each chapter with a main character highlighted which is a lovely touch.
The secondary characters are Viv's parents (John/Edith), Joshua's parents (Seth/Anne), and Maggie's foster parents during the evacuation (Matthew/Sarah).
The tertiary characters are Kate (Viv's sister), Father Monaghan (the priest who arranges Maggie's relocation), Joshua's friends/co-workers, and Viv's friends/co-workers.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline begins when Viv finds out that she is pregnant. She and Joshua marry and then a twist happens. Due to the threat of war, Maggie is relocated to the countryside. Then many turns happen with Viv and Joshua. Finally, the big twist and turn happens
The main locations were London, Liverpool, and the English countryside.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I had no idea that there was so much animosity in England against the Jewish population and towards Jewish-Catholic marriages during this time. The animus seems surprising as everyone lived together without segregation by religion according to the Author's Note.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful!
Book title: 4.5 stars
On point!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly
320 pages
Gallery Books
Release date of 3/7/2023
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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