The Other Kind of Lion by Catherine Ryan Hyde

 

My thoughts

Catherine Ryan Hyde writes the most beautiful, heartwarming, loving, heartbreaking, tearjerker, family, found family, books of anyone I know. I've read so many of her books and each one has a lesson tucked away between the pages. There is always some tears, usually lots of tears. Whether good or bad there are tears. Happy tears and sad tears. There is also laughter and love. Lots of great family and valuable lessons. This story will take you on a whole other level of family. 

The main character or characters are Shirley and Ludlow. Shirley first meets Ludlow when her horse whinnies. He only ever did that for Hal, her deceased husband. Shirley lost Hal fifteen years prior in the Vietnam war. She was left to raise her two boys and she did such a good job. One is working and helping her with money. The other is still in high school. They are both good boys. 

When Shirley first meets Ludlow and her youngest son Curtis, Ludlow wants more than anything to have a nickname. Kids are cruel to him because of his name and he has awful crooked teeth. But he's so smart and such a good boy. Shirley and Curtis take to him immediately. They welcome him into their home for meals and just to visit. His dad left and his mother is in jail. He's being taken care of by his older brother. His older brother doesn't really know how to care for him but he does try. 

Curis starts calling Ludlow, Cash. It sticks. He also tells the kids at the middle school they better lay off. He kind of scares them. In a good way for a good reason. Bullies need that sometimes. 

Over the years things happen. Ludlow's brother moves him away during the night. He writes to Mrs Shirley and lets her know where he is and that he is ok. They keep in touch for a long while. Then all of a sudden Shirley stops getting letters and hers are returned. 

This book is my very favorite by this author. It's sad but it's also so touching. So filled with love. Cash found a family. He loves them dearly. Shirley loses a lot but she manages to endure. This book starts out in 1970 and ends in 2026. There are deaths. Losses that make you weep big ugly tears. There are also births. Marriage. Grandchildren. Lots of family. And animals. Horses and dogs. And a cat. 

If you love a good tearjerker that will even make you laugh out loud quite a few times this is the one for you. It publishes November 3. 

I listened to the audio done by Eva Kaminsky. She did such a good job. at times I could have bet there was more than one person. She did an amazing job.

Thank you Lake Union and Brilliance Audio for the ARC.

5 big stars. 

About

A war widow and a neglected boy form a chosen family in a profoundly moving multigenerational saga about the transformative power of kindness by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

It’s 1970 in rural California where Shirley Bennett, a forty-year-old Vietnam War widow, lives with her two sons. It’s a routine life until she sees Cash Pierce, a scruffy eleven-year-old boy, trailing the fence alongside her Appaloosa, Phoenix. The horse has never given such a welcoming nicker to anyone but her late husband. Even her stubborn old dog Edsel takes to the boy. Out of curiosity and compassion, so does Shirley.

Abandoned by his father, his mother in jail, and being raised by his teenage brother, Cash is lonely, bullied, but smart as a whip and starved for attention. Shirley begins inviting him for dinners, providing lunch money, sewing his shirts, and offering the maternal care he desperately needs. Neither realizes that such simple acts of kindness create a bond that will span five decades and redefine family itself. No matter where life takes Cash, he will never forget her.

Through war, loss, grief, illness, second chances, and years of separation, they will meet again. Shirley was there for Cash. Now it’s his turn to be there for Shirley when she needs him the most.

The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse by Heather Morris

 

My thoughts

I've read several of Heather Morris's books and enjoyed each one. I should say cried my eyes out with each one. This one is another great. It's a bit different though. In a good way. It's about the resistance. What they do. How they helped during the war when Hitler was having Jewish people rounded up and put into camps. A story of one young girls journey to survive and the people who helped her. 

When Josephine's mother and brother are taken away she finds herself at her piano teacher's house. Her mother told her to run. To go and find Andree Levallois. Her and her family will take care of Josie. They take the child in and changer her name to theirs. They do everything to protect this child. They are also part of the resistance. They meet weekly and help others who are hiding or trying to escape. 

This is a very heartwarming story. It's a heartbreaking story too. This family and others who are working with them only want to help. While it seems everyone in Paris are starving they still share what they have. 

This is a part of history that I have not read a lot about. I've read about the resistance but not what happens to them if they are caught. It's horrible. They are the good guys. Trying to help. At times they pay the ultimate price for being kind to others. For helping save people. 

The Author's Note at the end is great. It shows where this story came from and who the characters are. Based completely on an actual family during a horrific time. 

The narration is great. Saskia Maarleveld did a very nice job of keeping the characters separate and alive. 

Thank you Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. 

4.75 stars 

About

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz returns with a masterful new novel that captures the astonishing bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative.

Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.

Epic in scope and based on real people and historical events, Heather Morris has written a story of breathtaking beauty, at once gripping, heartbreaking, and uplifting.

Kiss Of The Black Flame by Helen Scheuerer

 

My thoughts

A new to me author. This is a Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Found family, Fiction, Magic, book. It's very good. Anyone who enjoys this genre will love this one. The only problem I have is waiting for the next book....

Saige Grayson is a bookbinder. She has no blood family but she does have her found family. Her best friend Raven and the woman who took her and Raven in, Yevna. Also there is Grim. Grim is Yevna's dog. Or as she calls him, her son. 

Saige now owns a bookbinding store. The Awl & Cradle: Book Binding & Restoration. It was owned by Leofric Bergmunn who taught Saige all about book binding. When he died he left the store to Saige. It's her home now. Saige has had a lot of pain in her life. A lot of physical pain that no dr or healer seems to think really exists. 

Archer is an Azkari warrior who has been imprisoned. He can't be seen by anyone. It's part of his punishment by his captor. That and being branded so no one will trust him. But someone did see him. A woman. A mortal woman. Saige Grayson. But that was ten years ago....

I really enjoyed reading this book. The things that happened and didn't happen are so good. I loved Saige. She's a strong woman. At thirty five she is very independent and fierce. I also like Archer. Until he confused me. Is he good or evil. Is he to be trusted. Will he hurt Saige??? That's the question. I'm sure when the next book comes out all will be answered. Or at least most all. I read somewhere this is a trilogy so maybe it will be in the third book that we find out if Archer is good or bad. What will become of Saige? Is she stuck forever with someone she desires but does not trust?

Told from Saige and Archer's POV you get to know each of them. Saige is straight forward for the most part. She only hides her pain. She hides it because no one believes it's real. Archer on the other hand is a bit of a mystery for me. I adored him until I didn't...

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

4.75 stars 

About

Some bargains are sealed with blood...Others with fire...The deadliest are sealed with a kiss...

Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal—even when her own body refuses to. As the most promising bookbinder in the capital, she’s learned to work through chronic pain and crushing debt, restoring other people’s treasures while trying not to fall apart herself. But when the man she owes decides her rare talent is worth more than her payments, Saige is traded to the Azkari—an immortal race forged by the gods for war—and imprisoned in their ancient stronghold.

Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her —cursed, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return, Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book. But the book is made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil—or unleash it. And as Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark and dangerous—both in the realm and within her.

As their enemies close in and buried memories resurface, Saige and Archer must decide what they’re willing to their freedom, their fragile trust…or the spark that could ignite the world.

The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay

 

My thoughts

This is a very well written story. Based on actual events. A real soviet spy. It intrigued me. 

This story started out so slow that I was initially afraid I was not going to finish it. I was afraid I would not like it at all. But somewhere along the way it started gaining speed and didn't slow down. It ended up being a very enjoyable read. In many places it had me holding my breath. 

Gemma is somewhat of a sleuth. She works at a small store where they just added a small bookstore. Gemma filled it with the mysteries that she loves to read. She didn't mean to do that so had to order more books that would keep the people in this small Cotswold village of Great Rollright interesting in buying. After she bombs baking a cake someone suggest she might seek baking lessons from the best baker in town. So she does...

Ursula Beurton is the town's best baker. She is not well liked or received in this small town though. When Gemma asks her about baking lessons they become fairly good friends. Despite the age difference. Ursula is older than Gemma. She has two children, a boy and a girl. Her husband is not around much since he broke his leg. Ursula has secrets. Lots of secrets.

Gemma is very good at catching people in lies. She finds herself a bit suspicious of Ursula. There are several things that are just not right. A tall antenna and a two way radio being among them. Gemma confides in her best friend and together they set out to find out what Ursula is hiding. Could Ursula be a spy?? Though most think her husband is Gemma believes it's Ursula herself. 

You find out everything in this story. All the secrets and who is who. It has a love story also. A nice love story between Gemma and PC Charles. There are people involved in things that cause Gemma's best friend to disappear and eventually even Gemma has to go away. You'll find out what happen to her, Ursula, and PC Charles. And what happened to Peggy. Eveything is answered. 

Read the Author's Note and ACknowledgments at the end. A lot of good info there. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, Katherine Reay and Uplit Reads for the arc. 

About

During the winter of 1950 in the small Cotswold village of Great Rollright, amateur sleuth Gemma Brown starts to suspect that the town’s best baker, Ursula Beurton, is a Soviet spy, tumbling her headlong into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that ends with a decision that will lead her to the Undercover Bookshop and change her life forever.

Recently moved to the English Cotswolds, Gemma Brown desperately wants to create the kind of idyllic life she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels, with herself as the leading lady. But fitting in proves difficult as Gemma is more adept at solving mysteries and setting up the village’s first bookstore than she is at baking cakes or grasping social niceties. Nevertheless, she finds a friend in Peggy, a young woman recently moved to town herself, and Ursula Beurton, who is not only the village’s best baker but an enigmatic figure who sparks controversy in the small-town gossip network.

As Gemma spends more time with Ursula, she begins to suspect all those novels are affecting her thinking. The oddities she starts to notice must be her imagination because, if not, they point to something far more dangerous than winning the local baking contest or being placed on the church committee. Could her neighbor be a real spy?

Following her instincts and a few skills learned through fiction, Gemma soon becomes embroiled in an international intrigue involving the village’s mysterious benefactor, Lady Marchmont, MI5, and the KGB. In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives as their next chapter unfolds in Gemma’s new venture, the Undercover Bookshop.

Promise Me Never by Liv Constantine

 

My thoughts

Another very good book by Live Constantine. A thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing about who did what and why....

Bennett Bryson is a best selling author. His book Promise Me Never is a big hit and soon to me movie. But who is Bennett actually? Is he a good man or a cold blooded murderer? All of your questions are answered by the time you finish this pulse pounding novel. All and more. 

Savannah Brooks works as an editor at a prominent publishing house. She was also an aspiring author. Savannah had always loved books and dreamed of being a published author. 

When Bennett and Savannah meet there seem to be sparks. They have a whirlwind courtship then get married. Both have secrets. Big secrets. But it seems like their love is real. Except Bennett had been a widower for not even a year. His wife had fallen off their yacht and drowned. Many believed he might of had something to do with it but Savannah did not. She accepted him as he was.

Savannah gave up everything and moved into Bennett's big estate and thought she would pursue her dream of writing a best seller. She wanted Bennett to give her advice. After all she was a published author. He was mean in his advice though. Putting down almost every part of what she wrote. He also had an office that was completely off limits. She was not to enter that room for any reason. (That would have made me more determined that ever to enter...) 

You meet his housekeep, Felicia, who had been Bennett's nanny. She's a bit of an overbearing woman. Seems she doesn't like any of the women that Bennett falls in love with. Could she be trusted? 

This story is told from Savannah, Bennett and Poppy's POVs. Poppy was his first wife. The one who drowned. So her parts are before. You get a lot of info to try and figure this one out. While I was right about who killed some women there was another twist that I didn't see coming. Not at all!! That made this story better and worse. Worse because it just didn't fit to me. I can't say why because that would give a big part of something away. 

I enjoyed this book very much and I recommend it to anyone that loves a good Liv Constantine story. This one is good. 

Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.

4.25 stars

About

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Next Mrs. Parrish comes an unmissable thriller about a woman who becomes embroiled in the mystery of her husband’s deceased first wife—and after moving to his remote house in the woods, uncovers terrifying secrets.

Aspiring writer Savannah’s scheme to meet superstar horror novelist Bennett Bryson turns out better than she ever imagined: not only does her charming and handsome literary idol offer to read her work, he is instantly smitten with her. After a whirlwind romance, Savannah says "yes" to marriage, and the two settle into Bennett's secluded upstate home.

But just as Savannah thinks she has it made, cracks appear in her perfect new life. Bennett's behavior becomes dark and controlling: he criticizes Savannah’s writing, dictates her permitted activities, and spends most of his time locked in his office, forbidding her from entering. And everywhere, Savannah cannot escape the shadow of Bennett's first wife, the free-spirited and passionate artist Poppy, who died in a tragic accident, but who seems still to be Savannah’s rival for Bennett's affection.

Then comes an enigmatic warning: Bennett is not who he seems. The women that came before Savannah have disappeared. And Savannah could be next.

Isolated and unsure whom to trust, Savannah tries to piece together the mystery of the man she married, and the woman he married first. But Savannah has no idea what her husband is really hiding. And someone out there knows Savannah has secrets of her own. As these two writers will learn the hard way—past really is prologue.

With memorably complicated characters, deliciously devious betrayals, and truly shocking twists, this edge-of-your-seat novel from one of today's most original writers will keep you guessing until the last page.

The Survivors Guild by Gabriella Saab

 

My thoughts

This is a story of survival. Two young women who survived the sinking of the Titanic... The two main characters, Marguerite and Bea, who survived a horrible tragedy. Bea saved Marguerite's life and from there they became the best of friends. Not without a lot of trials and errors though. This is a story not of the trip on the titanic but the night of it's sinking. How these women met, saved a baby and each other...

Marguerite is engaged to an older rich man, Lord Hexwick. She's not in love with him but she does accept that it is her duty to do this for her parents. Ugg how I hated hearing that. They are new rich and he is old money. 

Bea, was traveling with her cousin Melhem to find a better life. From Lebanon where their families are. They intend to work hard and bring them to America. When the titanic hit the iceberg though things changed. Bea met Marguerite who was in the water. Bea helped her thus saving her life. A man shoves a baby into Marguerite's arms. Together Bea and Marguerite save the baby. They figure out from the blanket he's wrapped in that his name is Remi....

There was also Marguerite's maid Lisette. And of course her fiance Lord Hexwick. Lisette is such a good person. She does everything she can to help Marguerite and Bea. Lord Hexwick on the other hand is a jerk.... Period.

This story takes you from the sinking to the nice house that Marguerite lives in with her parents. To the high society ladies who frown upon Bea and her being Lebanese. But Marguerite does all she can to help Bea and to help find Remy's family. Marguerite and Bea start the Survivors Guild to help displaced Titanic survivors. 

This book is so good. It's a story basically set after the sinking of the Titanic. A story of friendships, family, love, loss, hardships. Learning to accept help from friends. And a mother reunited with her child....

A very well written novel. Researched well and told from the two main characters points. Bea and Marguerite. Nothing is left unsolved in this story. This author did a great job. 

Be sure and read the Author's Note at the end. A lot is there that I found interesting.

I also listened to the audio and it was so well done. Both narrators did a fantastic job of keeping the characters separate and interesting. 

Thank you Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audio for the arcs.

5 stars 

About

In 1912 aboard the RMS Titanic, Nabiha “Bea” Nohra is traveling to America to find work, eager to earn the funds necessary to afford passage for the family she left in Lebanon. On the same ship, heiress Marguerite Ashby sails home to celebrate her engagement to a dull British lord, a marriage that will secure her new-money family’s place in old New York society. But when the Titanic sinks, the two women’s paths are fused together when Bea saves Marguerite’s life and they are unexpectedly charged with the smallest survivor—a baby boy.

No one claims the infant, so the women form a committee to aid survivors and locate the baby’s next of kin. Bea works as the child’s nanny, desperate to bring her family to America before the difficulties in Lebanon overwhelm them. Meanwhile Marguerite hopes the committee’s charitable efforts will win society’s respect and render an advantageous marriage unnecessary, sparing her from marrying a man she does not love—unless her parents force her to fulfill the obligation no matter what society says. And when finding the child’s relatives proves to be no simple task, the women are soon enmeshed in deception and uncertainty as they seek to determine where the baby truly belongs.

The committee might grant the acceptance Marguerite craves, connect Bea with the stability she needs, and lead them to the baby’s relatives. But a committee helmed by an American heiress and a Lebanese nanny is hardly customary. Surviving a shipwreck is only the start. As Marguerite’s wedding looms nearer and Bea faces the increasing hardships of adjusting to her new country, they must fight for survival once more. This time, to survive New York society.

Hallowed Bones by Lucy Smoke

 

My thoughts

This was a first by this author for me. It was a slow burn that heated up big time at the end. In a good way.

The narration of this book was great. There were four Narrators and each did a good job of bringing the character to life. In places I did find it a bit jerky. Not as smooth as it should have been, But for the most part it was excellent!!  

A young lady, Haven Wardwell, is dropped off by her aunt to Ipswich College. She had problems with other schools and this was going to be her last hope. Her aunt, a hateful woman, brought her here to get rid of her. She never wanted her. But after Haven's parents both died in a fire it seems she was stuck with Haven. College was going to be her place. Her salvation. Her place to finally fit in if you will.... 

Haven meets four young men and they quickly learn that she might be their last hope. They are witches (I always thought male witches were called warlocks). They need Haven. She's the only female in a few hundred years and their coven needs her. Also they all want her for other purposes too. 

A lot is going on. A few deaths, murders actually. Monsters roaming around. Horrific dreams that Haven can't understand or seem to escape. Each of the men, Cameron, Reyes, Ezra, and Lyall, have different powers. They are all friends and the last of the witches in Salem it seems. If Haven is who they hope she is they might can exist again. Or not die out. All of their parents are dead. All died on the same day. The same day Haven't parents burned.

This book held my interest. I really enjoy a good witch story. This one had it's moments. It had me gasping in places. Towards the end it did heat up. There is a twist at the end that had me totally open mouthed gasping. I didn't see it coming at all. I can't wait for the next book now. 

Thank you St Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARCs...

4 stars  

About

The first in The Sons of Salem series, a witchy dark romance by USA Today bestselling author Lucy Smoke.

Four men. One girl. Five families accused of witchcraft. A dark secret they all hide.

Their souls are damaged, hiding secrets and harboring just as much hate as I am.

Ezra Bishop
Cameron Goode
Lyall Corey
Reyes Scott

And me. Haven Wardwell.

They are the monsters hidden in the shadows, but I am no novice when it comes to monsters.

We are all legacies, but there’s one grand difference between us. I am the first female witch born in four hundred years.

Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the dark gods will ask for in return.

Death and ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich Academy. If I’m not careful, I might become one of them.