😢😢 03/05/20 - Going on a temporary hiatus 😢😢

With the hubbub of my daughter's senior year, having a new puppy, and focusing on self-care this year, I realize that I have too much on my plate right now. However, I want to come back in June and start-up fresh with this blog. Please stay tuned for my reviews later in the year!!

Thank you for your patience!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

02/19/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate.

This is the THIRD book that I am reading by this author. I have no expectations about this book, but I know that I thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books by her. This is another ARC from NetGalley so I am very excited to read this novel!

If you want to know more about The Book of Lost Friends, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - A HUNDRED SUNS

3.0 stars

I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Karin Tanabe, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

First off, let me say that I was so excited to read this book. I knew very little of pre-communist Indochine and this novel was based primarily in 1933 Hanoi. However, this book did not come close to my expectations. I did not like EITHER of the two female protagonists. They were fully-fleshed out and that was the problem - the more I learned about the characters, the less that I liked them.

The author does write beautifully, but the storyline was a bit convoluted for me with too many complicated and divergent plot lines that conveniently merge and are tied up in a bow for an ending.

I may be in the minority for reviewers, but I just didn't like this book. It was just average to me and didn't really get interesting until about 375 pages into it. VERY lukewarm recommend if you like the time period.

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

02/13/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe.

This is the FIRST book that I am reading by this author. I am quite excited by the time period and location - 1933 Indochine. I know little to nothing about the area and time period so I look forward to learning much more! This is another ARC from NetGalley so I am very excited to read this novel!

If you want to know more about A Hundred Suns, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - CESAR MILLAN"S SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY DOG

3.0 stars

This book was mediocre to me. Unfortunately, the charisma that Cesar Millan has on television did not transfer to this book which was so disappointing to me.

There were a few tips that I gained from the book, but nothing that was really new or unusual so I really wanted more from this book.

Lukewarm recommend if you are starting your journey to learn about being a dog parent.

Happy reading,


Dorothea 💜

02/12/20 - MY NEXT BOOK TO READ IS ...

Cesar Millan's Short Guide to a Happy Dog by Cesar Millan.

This is the FIRST book that I am reading by this author. I have seen many of his television shows and was impressed by many of his techniques. As a recent pet rescue owner, I am hopeful that this book with help with puppy training. I have checked this book from the library. Please support your local library!!

If you want to know more about Cesar Millan's Short Guide to a Happy Dog, go to Goodreads to learn more!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - CODE NAME HELENE

5.0 stars

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

OMG, this novel was INTENSE!! It had VERY graphic scenes of the horrors of WWII. Unfortunately, we need these reminders or we will forget the REAL-LIFE horrors that so many experienced during the Nazi reign of terror. But, I must confess that I loved the protagonist - Nancy Grace Augusta Wake. #Shero

Nancy was a real-life shero who had an amazing life and was responsible for the saving of so many lives. It was inspirational to read about her. Yes, it was fictionalized, but it makes me want to know more about her and her life!! I had NO idea that she existed and that is a real shame - we need to recognize these heroes and sheroes before they are gone forever.

Ariel Lawhon writes beautifully and honestly. I loved this book so much even though reading some of it was very painful and hurt my heart. However, learning about Nancy made it all worth it.

This was NOT a super-fun read, but it was a VERY good and enjoyable read! I HIGHLY recommend it WWII history buffs or folks who just want to learn about this amazing shero, Nancy Grace Augusta Wake AKA Helene!!!

Happy reading,


Dorothea 💜

JANUARY 2020 WRAP-UP

First off, apologies to all! January was a crazy month and it is bleeding over into February as well!! YIKES!

Our 5-month-old rescue puppy was spayed and I had to keep her occupied. That was challenging and it was survival of the fittest - I am lucky that I survived. Fortunately, she gets her stitches out this Tuesday! #ADOPTDONTSHOP

So I only read two books in January which is short of my goal of reading one book per week. Hopefully, I can catch up!! These two books (actually ARCs) were both wonderful and recommended! Please get them from the library, buy them, or read an ARC! Support books, authors, and libraries!! I learned so much from reading both of them!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

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 💜