In The Company of Heroes by James Kitfield

Title:  In the Company of Heroes

Author:  James Kitfield

Ch: 21

Pg:  281

Genre:  Nonfiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Hachette Books

 

The Generation of young man who answered the call after Pearl Harbor was called The Greatest Generation. Many young men who went to war before they were even men.  But what do we call the generation of young men and women who came of age in a post 911 world. A Generation who were barely teenagers when those towers fell.  If you’re the author James Kitfiled you refer to them as the newest greatest Generation. And many ways they are as they are part of an all-volunteer military. Each of the 25 stories in this book are about men who earned the nation’s highest military honor. An honor you only get by going above and beyond the call of duty often putting they own life on the line.  To the date of the writing of this book there have been 3,526 Medals awarded. There's a reason many Medal of Honor medals are awarded posthumously.  The story that stands out the most to me is William Kyle Carpenter who though a Marine is basically a real-life Captain America who without regard to his own safely thru himself on a grenade to protect his buddy from the blast.  Which shows that our men in uniform are a special breed. These men understand the meaning of Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. because they have lived it. 

At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis review

 Title:  At Summer’s End

 Author:  Courtney Ellis

Genre:  Historical Romance, retelling

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Berkley Books

 

At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis is a Beauty retelling with hints of Phantom of the Opera the musical aspect and mask not the creepy stalker dude. Set in 1920s Britain, when the nation was still recovering from WWI and dealing with injury soldiers both mentally and physically. Alberta Preston "Bertie" and artist is commissioned by Julian the Earl of Wakeford to make paintings of his house and grounds. He was scarred in the war and wears a mask and has become a recluse only letting his older sister visit him. That is till Bertie shows up.  I enjoyed this story, and you can see elements of the story of Beauty and the Beast threaded through Bertie's and Julian's romance. And it's slow burn one at that. As Bertie and Julian butt heads at the start which reminded me so much of Belle and Beast's banter and love story. All in all, I enjoyed this sweet romance and retelling. And look forward to future books

This is main stream historical romance and retelling so there is some language as well as a little on the streamy side  in some parts but those are easy to skip over and it doesn't get to detailed.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Rocky Road to ruin by Meri Allen review

 Title:  The Rocky Road to ruin

Author:  Meri Allen

Ch: 48

Pg:  352

Series: Ice Cream Shop Mysteries book 1

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s press

 

The Rocky Road to Ruin is the first book in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries by Meri Allen I don't think I've ever read a book set in an ice cream shoppe let alone a cozy mystery book set in an ice cream shop. But I enjoyed this book and loved the fun setting. Riley Rhodes is a former librarian with the CIA (is that even a thing) masquerading as a travel and food blogger who finds herself back in her hometown for her best friend's Caroline's mom's funeral when she finds herself not only trying to solve a murder but running an ice cream shop. This one was a quick read for the first book in the series and I look forward to reading the next one in the series. 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski review

 Title:  The Ice Swan

Author:  J’nell Ciesielski

Ch: 33 Plus epilogue 

Pg:  400

Genre: Historical fiction, Historical romance   

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

 

The Ice Swan is the newest book by J'nell Ciesielski and is set in Paris during The Great War though we get one chapter in Russia.  Sventlana Dalsky is a Russian Princess who's also a Ballerina who has fled to Paris to escape the Red Army and the Russian Revolution with her sister and mother.  She ends up needing help, help that comes in the form of Doctor Wynn MacCallan and a a marriage of convenience.  She accepts.

This is the second book of J'nell's that I've read, and I haven't been disappointed yet.  She knows how to thread romance through a story without it being too much.   The Ice Swan to me was a bit of an Anastasia retelling but with a happier ending more like the animated movie from the 90s Though I wanted a little more Russia I understand why we only got a chapter. But I loved the Paris and later Scottish setting.    Not mention it had one of my favorite historical romance tropes marriage of convenience or as I like to call it marriage of necessity a trope I only recently discovered I loved and now I can't get enough of books with it.  The Ice Swan like most of J'nell's Ciesielski lean more towards main stream historical but they are clean no language and any implied steamy scenes are off the page and not mentioned.  The Ice Swan was a wonderful read and I look forward to J'nell's next book The Brilliance of Stars that proposes the question of What if the Winter Solider fell in love, what can I say that tagline has me hooked.



 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

 

First Line Friday

 Hosted by Reading is My Superpower

Chapter 1

September 28, 1923 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

"Snapping Wind yanked at the letter in my hand, and my fingers tightened, the crisp edge biting into my palm." 

November TBR

 

To Finish

Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr

TBR Jar Pick: When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

              Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Kindle TBR Pick: Initium by Natalie Walters

Mind the Gap by Erynn Mangum

              Away from You by Jess Mastorakos

Nonfiction: The taking of Jemima Boone by Matthew Pearl

Audio: Stockings and Spells by Nancy Warren

Library:

 

Bookclubs

     Work: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

     Personal: The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

Review books

Crosshairs by Patricia Bradley

Lights out by Natalie Walters

The Slow March of Light by Heather B Moore

October Wrap Up

 

I started the month with (57) unread books. (51) Unfinished series Brought (1) books.  Got my owlcrate book (2) Book of the month (1) Got (4) book for review Won a book in a giveaway (2) Got books for gifts () which brought my total to (67). Read (5) owned books. Read () Kindle books I own DNF’d (). (1) DNF’d series (1) finished series.  So I am ending the month at books (62) unread books. () unfinished series and hoping to get back on track with the whole read 5 physical books before I buy anymore.  I read a total of (23) books 

Reading Between the Crimes by Kate Young (netgalley)

Stiches and Witches by Nancy Warren (audio)

Arctic Witness (library)

Crochet and Cauldrons by Nancy Warren (audio)

The Cowgirl’s Sacrifice by Tina Radcliffe (library)

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant (owned)

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (library)

A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott (owned)(finished series)

The Bull Rider’s Fresh Start by Heidi McCahan (library)

Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie (library)

 The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (library)

The Corpse Queen by Heather Herman (library)

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (netgalley) (owned)

 No Memes of Escape by Olivia Blacke (netgalley)

Nothanger Abbey by Jane Austen (audio)

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca (library)

 A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (owned)

Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond (library)

In the company of Heroes by James Kitfield (library) (nonfiction)

A Princess for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos (kindle) (review)

The Cure for What Ales you by Ellie Alexander (netgalley)

The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel(kindle) (review)

Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone (owned)

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson review

 Title:  Beyond the Tides

 Author:  Liz Johnson

 Ch: 24

 Pg:  368 

Series: Prince Edward Shores series book 1

Genre:  Christian Contemporary romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

Beyond the tides the first book in the Prince Edward Shore Series by Liz Johnson started a little show for me. But after a few chapters it picked up and ended up enjoying.  Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross have a past so it's not insta love which is something I don't like. And since they technically didn't like each other in high school it's more like hate to love instead of friends to love another trope I don't care for. But I'll read hate to love or enemies to love any day of the week. But what I like most about Beyond the Tides and with most of Liz's books is the faith that is threaded through the story and the lessons that one learns why reading the book.  I love that forgiveness is one of the main themes of the book and that it is something both the hero and heroine must learn to give.  I look forward to the next book in the series the next Whitaker brother's story. 

 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Dogged by Death by Laura Scott review

Title:  Dogged by Death

Author:  Laura Scott

Ch: 25 

Series: A Furry Friends Mystery

Genre:  Cozy MysteryPg:  311

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

 

I enjoyed Dogged by Death by Laura Scott the first in the A Furry Friends Mystery.  My favorite character in the series was the dog. But also loved the relationship between Ally and Gramps it reminded me so much of my own relationship with my own grandpa.  This cozy was a little on the slow side which is to be expected with the first book in the series which is to be expected with the first book in a new series as your creating the world and introducing the characters.  I look forward to the next book in the series. 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel

 Title:  The Mobster’s Daughter

Author:  Rachel Scott McDaniel

Ch: 47

Pg:  368

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance  

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Ally Press

    No one does 1920s Pittsburg like Rachel Scott McDaniel, and The Mobsters Daughter is more proof. It may be McDaniel’s novel yet. With Above the Fold and The Red Canary she hints at the dark Pittsburg under belly. In The Mobster’s Daughter she dives right in. I love the 1920e and I love that more authors are writing books set there.

Catarina Salvastanos becomes Kate Chamberlin to protect herself. But even a name change can’t protect her forever. But despite every she still has a heart for others especially Charlie a young boy whom she’s taken the time to know. When a threat is revealed, her books calls in Detective Everett Jennings or Rhett. I admired his morals and convictions of leaving the police department because of the corruption and not knowing who to trust. He’s now my favorite of Rachel’s heroes. He’s determined to protect Kate no matter what but when the truth comes out will he still feel the same.

But the most important thing that stands most is that The Mobster’s Daughter is about second chances and who we are In Gods sight.

I loved Kates and Rhett’s story though the ending was bittersweet it was the perfect ending for the book. I’m already looking forward to Rachel’s next book.

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy   from the author. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day review

 Title:  No Grater Crime

Author:  Maddie Day

Ch: 60

Pg:  310 

Series: Country Store Mystery

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

 Rating: 4 stars

 Publisher: Kensington

 

No Grater Crime by Maddie Day is the 9th Book in the Country Store Mystery series. That what I do enjoy the mystery in each book. I mostly continue to read this series to see what the characters are up to. I just love the small town in this book, that is literally right across the river from where I am in Kentucky. So the sitting is easy to picture as I read and the characters have begun to feel like family.  And I want to know what happens next in their lives. And I'm also a sucker for mysteries set in a small town. 

 

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.