An Orphan's Wish by Lizzie Page

 

AN ORPHAN'S WISH

Lizzie Page

Bookouture publications

England, 1953. An emotional and heartbreaking story about children tragically orphaned by the war, and the woman who is determined to save them, whatever it takes.

When Clara Newton became House Mother of Shilling Grange Orphanage, it was only supposed to be temporary, a job to help piece her life back together again after the war had torn it apart. But five years on, Shilling Grange is more than just a job, it’s her calling. The orphans have given her a reason to live again, as has her handsome war hero neighbour Ivor, who is now her dashing fiancé.

As Clara starts to plan her perfect wedding, she is shocked to discover that the village expects her to leave Shilling Grange once she is married. They can’t imagine how she could possibly be a good housewife while working full time at the orphanage. But Clara is horrified at the idea of deserting her orphans who have no one else in the world.

Clara starts to consider who could possibly replace her if she left. Who would take care of precious Peg who has never spoken a word or known love from anyone but Clara? And who would protect timid Jonathan from his life-changing secret that only Clara knows?

But when a storm causes a catastrophic flood that risks the life of Ivor and the children, Clara is suddenly on the brink of losing everything once more. In this final heart-wrenching book in the series, will Clara and Ivor finally make it down the aisle? And will Clara find the strength to save the orphanage and stop it from falling into the wrong hands?

An utterly tear-jerking and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters.

 

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BX6THMB7social

Author bio

Lizzie Page is the pseudonym of Sam Lierens, a mum of three, who (for some reason) got a puppy this year. Sam has lived and worked in Paris, Tokyo and London and loves combining her love of history with fiction.

 

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The River Runs South by Audrey Ingram

 

Synopsis

This transporting and illuminating debut novel will resonate with readers who have ever felt a little bit lost, perfect for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Linda Holmes.

Exploring love, loss, and the courage of starting over fresh, this novel will appeal to readers on the hunt for emotionally rich fiction.

When Camille Taylor’s husband dies unexpectedly, the carefully constructed life she worked so hard to build in Washington, DC, shatters. After struggling for almost a year, she reaches a breaking point, packs up her daughter, and heads for the Alabama coast where she grew up.

The salt air and slow rhythms of the coast soothe Camille’s spirit, but when she meets local fisherman Mack Phillips, she learns that things have changed in her hometown. Runoff from an abandoned development site is polluting the water, and Mack has brought a suit against the site’s owners—Camille’s father among them.

Battling her own fears for the fragile ecosystem of her beloved Mobile Bay, Camille joins her father’s defense team, but the more she learns, the more she wonders if she’s landed on the right side of the fight. Meanwhile, Camille is slowly drawn to Mack's fearless resolve, his sterling ideals, and finally to the man himself.

Faced with blurred lines between right and wrong, Camille must decide for herself what the next chapter of her life will bring.

With timely commentary on Alabama's fragile ecosystem and exploring themes of grief, love, and community, The River Runs South will appeal to southern fiction readers on the hunt for the nostalgia of Sweet Home Alabama .

About the author

Audrey Ingram is a native of Alabama and a graduate of Middlebury College and Georgetown University Law Center. She practiced law in Washington, DC for fifteen years. When not writing, she can be found digging in her garden or hiking the Blue Ridge mountains. Audrey currently lives in Virginia with her husband and three children.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

 

My thoughts

This was the funnest book I've read in a long time. A cross between Alice In Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in a sense. It has some pretty deep issues but overall it is a book about "wishes" and "never giving up". At least that is how I saw things. There was a part that made me cry some ugly tears and if you read this book you will know what part I'm talking about. For the most part this is a very moving and happy story though. If you believe that wishes can come true that is. 

Four children met a children't author, Jack Masterson when they were all young. Jack wrote the Clock Island Adventures. When they are all grown up they are invited back to Clock Island to play a Wishing Game in hopes to win a single copy of an unpublished manuscript of his last book. The winner will benefit greatly from this and each has a reason to need it. Each has a chance though Jack says possibly no one will win. 

This is also the story of Lucy and Christopher. Christopher is a foster child and Lucy wants to be able to foster then adopt him. He his mother. But Lucy is struggling and is not qualified to be a foster much less adopt a child. She only has a part time job. No car. No real home that is just hers. Her hopes are very slim until she receives the invite to Clock Island. Can she win this game and become Christopher's mother? 

You get to know Jack and Hugo. Hugo is the illustrator of the Clock Island books. He's been with Jack for years and is a vital part of this story. I really liked him. Jack is a strange kind of man but he always has the best of intentions. He can make you laugh out loud in places. He can make you get a bit mad at times too. But he is what he is. 

There are a few games or riddles the four contestants have to win and they are a bit complex even though they are based on children's stories. This book is about some things that can and do happen in life. It's about an island. A contest. A group of children. Siblings finding each other and possibly making amends. And it's about love. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #MegShaffer, #RandomHousePublishing, #Ballantine, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

It's also one of my BOTM picks. 

Five huge stars and I can't recommend this one enough. You will love it. It's just a fun yet serious read. 

Synopsis

Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.

Make a wish. . . .

Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.

But be careful what you wish for. . . .

Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.

For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.

. . . You might just get it.

Cover Reveal for HOUSE OF DREAMS by Mark Stibbe

Blurb 
This was a house with only two storeys, but it told many tales.

Tony Lawson is a world-famous dream therapist, but he hasn’t dreamed in years, and he needs more therapy than he can give. On the day his divorce is finalised, he is driving past a village when he sees a large old house for sale. Walking through the gates, he is captivated by its history and mystery. That night, he starts dreaming again. 
Drawn by its magic, Tony buys the property and discovers it once belonged to Queen Catherine Parr. As the house tells more and more of its story in Tony’s dreams, Tony is led by both the living and the dead to a startling and seismic discovery – one that will transform both the house of his soul and the soul of his house.
House of Dreams is a magical tale about a 500-year-old Tudor house – its ghosts, its traumas, its treasures, and its secrets. 

After reading it, you will never see houses in the same way again.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin

 

My thoughts

I read and loved THE NIGHT SWIM by this author. It was the first book in this series buy you do not have to read it first to enjoy this one. They can each definitely be a standalone. This author is very good at weaving a thriller that keeps you turning the pages.

There are quite a few characters in this book. Not in a confusing way but as main and secondary characters. I enjoyed getting to know five or six of them. Rachel and Maddison the two influencers/podcasters. Thomas McCoy the ride share guy. Terrance Bailey the prisoner. And Joe Martinez the FBI agent. While I disliked some there were some that I really loved. Like Joe. I think he was a good guy even though he's law enforcement. I even like Terrance. I didn't much like Thomas at all. He just got on my last nerve so to speak. 

I guessed a lot of things in this book. Figured out fairly early on who the killer/killers was. I figured out who Maddison was and where she most likely was. I was correct. Now that did not take away from this book at all. I think it's because I read so many thrillers like this that I figure out who did what to whom. Or I'm just that perceptive. I don't know for sure. I do know that this is one good story. It contains quite a few things to keep you wanting more. Keeps you wondering if this killer is ever going to be caught or if some other innocent person might pay for the killers crimes. Maybe the two are working together. I can't tell you that. 

This book is very good. I won't tell you what it's about because the synopsis does that for you. I will say that it has some crazy things going on. The people that are at the convention for influencers are a bit out there for sure. I don't think it sounds very fun to be an influencer if you have to do all they do. Some of them are nice but most seem very stuck up. At least to other influencers. 

There are a couple of abductions and a few murders in this book. Only a couple of the murders are described and those not in to much detail. A burial place where they are kept. A dark basement. A few suspects. All the makings for a good serial killer story. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #MeganGoldin, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book. It was also my BOTM choice.

Five big stars and a high recommendation if you like a good dark thriller.

Synopsis

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped—or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster star of Megan Goldin’s acclaimed Night Swim returns to search for a popular social media influencer who disappeared after visiting a suspected serial killer.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week

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Warning:  Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.
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Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia @ A Girl and Her Books, has a permanent home now at Mailbox Monday
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Here is a shout out to the administrators:

Emma @ Word and Peace

Serena @ Savvy Verse and Wit

Martha @ Reviews By Martha’s Bookshelf

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THANKS to everyone for keeping Mailbox Monday alive.

NetGalley's this week

An Orphan's Wish by Lizzie Page

England, 1953. An emotional and heart-breaking story about children tragically orphaned by the war, and the woman who is determined to save them, whatever it takes.

When Clara Newton became House Mother of Shilling Grange Orphanage, it was only supposed to be temporary, a job to help piece her life back together again after the war had torn it apart. But five years on, Shilling Grange is more than just a job, it’s her calling. The orphans have given her a reason to live again, as has her handsome war hero neighbour Ivor , who is now her dashing fiancé.

As Clara starts to plan her perfect wedding, she is shocked to discover that the village expects her to leave Shilling Grange once she is married. They can’t imagine how she could possibly be a good housewife while working full time at the orphanage. But Clara is horrified at the idea of deserting her orphans who have no one else in the world.

Clara starts to consider who could possibly replace her if she left. Who would take care of precious Peg who has never spoken a word or known love from anyone but Clara? And who would protect timid Jonathan from his life changing secret that only Clara knows?

But when a storm causes a catastrophic flood that risks the life of Ivor and the children, Clara is suddenly on the brink of losing everything once more. In this final heart-wrenching book in the series, will Clara and Ivor finally make it down the aisle? And will Clara find the strength to save the orphanage and stop it from falling into the wrong hands?

An utterly tear-jerking and unforgettable historical novel, set in the aftermath of World War Two. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours , Diney Costeloe and The Orphan Sisters .

The Royal Daughter by Soraya Lane

“My darling B, my heart, my soul. I only wish we’d had longer. Longer to search for the daughter that I should never have given up. The daughter that I should have been brave enough to keep, brave enough to tell you about, brave enough to tell the world about.”

London, Present day . As Ella looks down at a faded black and white photograph of an unknown woman and child alongside a yellowing piece of sheet music, she wonders how the two things can possibly relate to her own family. The items were left for her family at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers whose babies were adopted.

Soon Ella learns that the photograph was taken on the picturesque Greek island of Skopelos, nestled in the turquoise calming waters of the Aegean sea, and that the woman in the photo holds the key to her family’s heritage. As she opens up to her new flame Gabriel , he tells her that she should go to the island to unravel the mystery and that he will wait for her.

Though Ella is torn she decides to go and once there, she discovers a heart-wrenching story of a royal family forced to leave their country for a new life in London, and of a girl with a unique talent for music who captured the heart of a young violinist but was forced to leave him and London behind for the sake of her family.

When Ella discovers the sacrifice made by the two young lovers and comes face to face with her forgotten Greek family, will their story give her the courage to follow her own heart back to London and Gabriel, or will the beauty of the island capture her heart and lead her to a new love altogether?

A totally addictive and heart-breaking novel about the strength of family ties and never giving up on true love. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

A searing book club read for fans of Ellen Marie Wiseman and The Girls with No Names set in the Baby Scoop Era of 1960s and the women of a certain condition swept up in a dark history.

It's the 1960s and Lorraine Delford has it all – an upstanding family, a perfect boyfriend, and a white picket fence home in North Carolina. Yet every time she looks through her father's telescope, she dreams of the stars. It's ambitious, but Lorraine has always been exceptional. 

But when this darling girl-next-door gets pregnant, she's forced to learn firsthand the realities that keep women grounded. 

To hide their daughter's secret shame, the Delfords send Lorraine to a maternity home for wayward girls. But this is no safe haven – it's a house with dark secrets and suffocating rules. And as Lorraine begins to piece together a new vision for her life, she must decide if she can fight against the powers that aim to take her child or submit to the rules of a society she once admired.

Powerful and affecting, The Girls We Sent Away is a timely novel that explores autonomy, belonging, and a quest for agency when the illusions of life-as-you-know-it fall away.

My first reads pick this month from Amazon Prime

Just Stay Away by Tony Wirt

When a mysterious neighborhood boy befriends his young daughter, stay-at-home dad Craig considers him a godsend—until it becomes clear that there’s nothing angelic about him at all.

Craig Finnigan is determined to finish his book this summer, but being an aspiring writer while wrangling his seven-year-old daughter is not easy. So when Alice makes fast friends with a neighborhood boy, Levi, Craig is happy she has a distraction from her constant visits to his home office.

But that happiness soon turns to misgivings as Levi’s behavior evolves from that of a shy, odd boy into something far more disturbing. Strange noises in the middle of the night and things disappearing from their home could be explained away—maybe it’s the water heater, or maybe Craig simply misplaced his flash drive. Craig can’t explain his paranoia, but he feels sure Levi is behind it.

As Levi’s visits to their backyard become more and more frequent, Craig finds himself the unwilling participant in a game he never asked to play…and one he’s not sure he can win.

Call the Canaries Home by Laura Barrow

 

About the book:

Three estranged sisters reconnect in their Louisiana hometown to face an unresolved past in a heartfelt novel about family, grief, secrets, and forgiveness.

Savannah was four years old when her twin sister, Georgia, went missing from their small Louisiana town, fracturing their family. Twenty-eight years later, Savannah convinces her estranged older sisters, Rayanne and Sue Ellen, to honor the pact they made as children and retrieve the time capsule they buried in their old backyard. But coming home means confronting old ghosts…and their stubborn grandmother, Meemaw.

Sifting through the artifacts, they come across a photograph taken on the day Georgia disappeared and spot a familiar woman lingering in the background. While Sue Ellen and Rayanne want to move on with their lives, Savannah is determined to find the woman—and perhaps a clue to the past.

When old tensions, rivalries, and memories resurface, the sisters must reconsider what they thought they knew about that fateful day, about each other, and about themselves. On their search to uncover what happened to Georgia, each of them will discover what Meemaw has known all along: family is everything.

My thoughts:

A story of siblings. Three sisters. Family and all that entails. The ups and downs. The good and bad. Family dynamics. Love, loss, finding your way again. Understanding. Forgiveness. This book touches on so many things that families go through. 

Three sisters, Savannah, Sue Ellen and Rayanne. Each has their own problems. As they work on their lives they've lost sight of what it means to be sisters. When they were all much younger they lost a sister. Savannah's twin, Georgia. They lost so much that day. Savannah had a horrible time dealing and it seems like the other two sisters didn't quite understand what she was going through. At such a young age Savannah didn't know how to deal with this loss. She lost half of herself. Georgia was her identical twin. 

Twenty eight years after they left their home to live with their grandmother they all get back together again. They made a pact when they were young to come back and retrieve a time capsule. These three will give you an inside look at their lives. All the ups and downs. The tears. The laughter. The forgiving. And the MeeMaw that they thought was so mean and tough. These girls were raised by their grandmother after the loss of their mother. You get to know Marylynn well. She's a force to be reckoned with. 

This story is told from each girl's POV and their grandmother's Pov. MeeMaw, Marylynn's story goes back to when her daughter Beverly was young. What all she did and was willing to do for her daughter. This woman could be fierce if she needed to. Her love for her daughter and her granddaughters was so strong. You didn't mess with them and get away unscathed. At least not when she could help it. Some things she had no control over and that hurt. 

This book is very heart touching. It has a strong look at life through each of these women and young girls. When they are grown and as children you get to see how they interact with each other. How they could be there for each other when the going got tough. How they dealt with their lives. The forgiving and moving on after tragedy. The sadness of the losses they endured. Two moved away and one stayed. 

Very well written and very heartwarmingly beautiful. A story that is guaranteed to touch your heart. I loved how this author wrapped it all up in the end and didn't leave you guessing. Yes this book will make you cry. It will make you laugh out loud also. You will get a bit angry at some characters but the sisters know how to handle things. I enjoyed this book very much. It's one of the best. A debut for this author. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Five big stars from me and a high recommendation. Grab a box of kleenex and a comfy chair. It's good.

Author info

Laura Barrow is a former teacher and a lover of books. She received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Centenary College in northwest Louisiana, where she grew up. She now resides in northeast Texas, just outside Dallas, with her husband, three daughters, and a houseful of pets.

OVER 20,000 reviews on Amazon!

#1 Bestseller

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@AmazonPublishing #LakeUnionPublishing #CallTheCanariesHome #WomensFiction

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