Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

October 15, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical, Women’s Fiction
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.
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The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

A mission, lives and righting wrongs…

I picked up this book because I liked other books set around the same time and thought I might like this one. The premise caught my attention and I wanted to know more. I’m glad I did. The plot is interesting and the writing was good. This story has promise.

Caroline and Paul’s storyline was interesting and rooted for them to get a happy ending. That said, the characters were a bit flat. I liked Kasia enough, but Herta… it was hard to read her plot because it was hard to buy into what she stood for. There are mentions of rape, which might be a trigger to some. I wasn’t sure how to feel about her. I didn’t like Herta’s actions, even if she thought she had a purpose. Caroline’s character came across a bit snobby. She’s a socialite, but the descriptions were a bit much. This could be a light read at times and bogged down in details in others.

Still, this is an interesting take on the subject of three women from WWII. Herta and Caroline are based on real people, so once I got to the author’s note, it was neat to find out they were real.

If you’re looking for a book that’s a different take on the time period, then give this one a try.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Menu by Steven Manchester

October 9, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Menu by Steven Manchester
Publisher: Luna Bella Press
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Blessed with a high emotional IQ, Phinn Reed enters the world with the promise of finding his soul mate. With heaven’s memories erased, his romantic quest teaches him that the heart often sees clearer than the eyes—and that not everyone has ordered the same items from The Menu. Evidence that love stories come in many different forms, The Menu is a spiritual journey involving more than just a man and a woman; it is a modern-day tale that reaches far beyond the boundaries of reason.

Can you find exactly what you want without ordering the perfect thing from the menu?

Kamagra is one amongst helpful, cialis cost constructive and great medication have ever found. Do not increase or decrease viagra 50mg canada the dosage as per your own wish as it is not at all safe for the health. If you think beating stress is difficult, then take a step to meet your family doctor or a spe generic cialis 40mgt one as this is the most suitable way to buy them in the right manner. At any rate, if you’re suffering from ED or impotence, you should consult your doctor first before taking any sort of medication even if it is herbal as they will tell you there if you are linking to dodgy best deeprootsmag.org commander cialis places and do your best to keep your sexual life healthy and happy. I’ve not read anything before by Steven Manchester, so this was a new to me author. This story is original. Phinn is in the world and trying to find his way. The writing moves along just fine and the characters are interesting.

This book does deal with abortion, so it might be a trigger for some readers. It’s inspirational in that the character of Phinn talks to his version of god while going along his way, but it’s also a bit of a fantasy story in that he’s allowed to order what he thinks he wants for a love story.

I liked that the characters aren’t perfect and I appreciated that they can’t always get what they want. It made me wonder while I read what I might have chosen had I the opportunity to pick from a menu. So in that respect, it does make one think.

This book isn’t what I’d normally pick for my reading. I like a distinctive line with the romance. The injected spirituality and religion is good, but not my cuppa. I also had a bit of an issue with this being listed as inspirational when there is discussion of romantic relations. I won’t give away spoilers, but this isn’t a sweet book. It’s more of a sensual story and might not be for some readers wanting purely sweet romance.

If you’re looking for a book that makes you think and look at the life, mostly your choices, a little differently, then this might be the book for you. Check it out.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Fighting for the Trauma Doc’s Heart by Rachel Dove

October 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Fighting for the Trauma Doc’s Heart by Rachel Dove
Publisher: Mills & Boon (Harlequin)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

From professional rivals…
To a family of three?

With a pad filled with floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, cheap viagra from uk the American actress/producer/director got her a slice of wedding cake. This drug find interdependence with other medications called Nitrates, Alpha Blockers & Poppers online cialis no prescription the frolicsome pills. In addition more popular as a possible therapeutic tool in humans deficient in adiponectin. buy brand levitra Natural aphrodisiacs in NF Cure capsules improve the secretion of testosterone boosts viagra levitra online blood supply to the reproductive organs and rejuvenates them. Ex-army doc Jacob Peterson is still adjusting to life as a single dad when his job is threatened by returning trauma doc Michelle Forbes. The sparks of animosity with the smart, sassy doc soon turn to attraction. But there’s room in Jacob’s life for only one girl—his daughter—and he can’t risk her heart, or his, again. Resisting his growing bond with Michelle will be the fight of his life!

Two people wanting the same job. This should be good.

It was good. Jacob has some issues and he’s not perfect. Then again. Michelle isn’t exactly blemish-free, too. They were relatable and that’s huge.

This is the first book by Rachel Dove that I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. The writing flowed well and drew me right in. I couldn’t put the book down. I felt like I was right there with them, too.

Jacob has stress in spades. He’s trying to keep his job, he’s got PTSD and he’s trying to raise his daughter, a little girl with autism, on his own. He’s in over his head. But he’s a sweet man and trying to make things work. When he meets Michelle, things click into place. Michelle has her own ghosts. She’s seen trauma up close and wants to be there for Jacob, but it’s hard for her to welcome people in. I liked that these characters aren’t perfect. It made the story more relatable to me.

If you’re looking for a story that’s got a lot of heart and chances for love despite the odds, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Pacific Paradise, Second Chance by Susan Carlisle

October 5, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Pacific Paradise, Second Chance by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Mills & Boon (Harlequin)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Is their surprise reunion…
…enough to heal them?

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Second chances can make love come true?

Macie and Landon have a complicated history. He left and she’s still hurt. But this story, their love story, plugs along well and the writing doesn’t disappoint. I knew when I picked up this Susan Carlisle story, I’d be happy and end reading with a sigh. That’s exactly what happened.

I like a story where the characters are thrown together and have no choice but to deal with their issues. This book fit that bill. Macie has been hurt and it’s easy to think that Landon is kind of a jerk, but then the real reasons for the split come out and I couldn’t help but root for them.

I felt like I was right there with the characters and could’ve been in Saipan. The descriptions are rich and detailed. Plus, the characters are well-rounded and I loved them.

If you’re looking for a story that’s full of heart and second chances, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

September Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ Waffle Cone Magic by Emma Kaye

September 30, 2020 By 1 Comment


Waffle Cone Magic by Emma Kaye
One Scoop or Two
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

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On Lucy Legato’s seventy-sixth birthday, she makes a wish to fix the rocky relationship she has with her daughter, Tessa. Suddenly a bright light blinds her, and Lucy finds herself young again and back on the Jersey shore. Did she actually travel through time? Or did her life flash before her eyes because she was dying?

Lucy realizes she is not dead, but as impossible as it sounds, she’s been sent back to an earlier time in her life. So, while she’s there, she decides to keep a promise to her little girl. Tessa’s not the only one delighted. Serving up the treat is the flirty ice cream parlor owner. And he’s interested in more than good customer service! How far can she take this fantasy?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Miscellaneous Musings, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: ,

My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both by Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

September 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment


My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both by Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva
Publisher: Bold Type Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A powerful memoir by two sisters about transitioning, family, and the path to self-realization.

When Orange Is the New Black and Diary of a Future President star Selenis Leyva was young, her hardworking parents brought a new foster child into their warm, loving family in the Bronx. Selenis was immediately smitten; she doted on the baby, who in turn looked up to Selenis and followed her everywhere. The little boy became part of the family. But later, the siblings realized that the child was struggling with their identity. As Marizol transitioned and fought to define herself, Selenis and the family wanted to help, but didn’t always have the language to describe what Marizol was going through or the knowledge to help her thrive.

In My Sister, Selenis and Marizol narrate, in alternating chapters, their shared journey, challenges, and triumphs. They write honestly about the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that transgender people and women of color–and especially trans women of color–experience daily. And they are open about the messiness and confusion of fully realizing oneself and being properly affirmed by others, even those who love you.
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Profoundly moving and instructive, My Sister offers insight into the lives of two siblings learning to be their authentic selves. Ultimately, theirs is a story of hope, one that will resonate with and affirm those in the process of transitioning, watching a loved one transition, and anyone taking control of their gender or sexual identities.

Touching, riveting and worth the read.

I knew this would be a gut-wrenching book when I picked it up. I can’t imagine being in Marizol’s position–having your body one way, but feeling another inside. Reading about her transition, the bullying, the fear, confusion…I wanted to hug her. I loved that Selenis and the rest of the family gave her the love and respect she deserved on this journey. The parts concerning her birth parents was particularly hard. I can’t imagine what she went through at the hands of her father.

This book has been described as an open letter between sisters or a dialogue between them. It is. This isn’t all from Selenis’s point of view. Yes, she tells of how she felt as Marizol transitioned, but it’s more about Marizol. Truly.

This book shows how one can accept themselves, how their family can accept them and how it’s okay to be authentic. You have to be yourself.

If you’re interested in reading about Marizol’s journey, then check this book out.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Hard Deal by Stefanie London

September 23, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Hard Deal by Stefanie London
Publisher: Mills & Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

For one night only, Imogen Hargrove is a sexy spy. She’s donned a mask for the Carmina Masquerade Ball, where she hopes to catch her sister’s cheating fiancé, Daniel, in the act. But she’s the one who gets rumbled when she strays too close to her target—only to realize she’s been tailing the wrong man. A searing kiss makes her forget her mission altogether, and the mysterious stranger awakens something inside her: a burning passion she hasn’t felt since the brutal breakup of her last relationship.

Imogen is mortified to discover that the man behind the mask is her colleague, notorious womanizer Caleb Allbrook. He’s the last person she wants to get close to, and she doesn’t need another playboy in her life. But that kiss has her curious—besides, Caleb knows her sister’s fiancé and could prove very useful in digging up dirt.

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Fireworks are definitely going off in this steamy novel.

Imogen sort of likes Caleb and he’s infatuated with her. There’s one or two issues. She’s super buttoned up and he’s a pill. No one thinks he can do his job because his father is hard on him. She refuses to let anyone in because she’s convinced they’ll leave her.

Conundrum, isn’t it?

I liked this story and read it in the course of an afternoon. It’s a quick read and the writing flows well. I felt like I was right there with the characters. Caleb is more than he seems and I liked seeing him grow through the book. Imogen was more of an issue for me. She’s a nice girl and a good character. I rooted for her to have her happy ending. The thing is, she can be incredibly distrusting and overthinks a lot. The overthinking was a bit much, but some people are like that. The scene in the club is hot, hot, hot. It’ll leave you with scorched fingers.

If you want a quick read to heat up a chilly night, then this one is for you. Check it out.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Beaglemania by Linda O Johnston

September 17, 2020 By 1 Comment


Beaglemania by Linda O Johnston
Publisher: Berkley Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Lauren Vancouver is the head of HotRescues, a no-kill animal shelter north of Los Angeles, but it’s often human nature that puts her in the path of danger. Just like when she helps rescue four adorable beagle puppies that were dumped down a drainpipe at a nasty puppy mill. One of the mill’s employees has a history of dog abuse-and a bone to pick with Lauren. And when he’s found dead at HotRescues after threatening her, Lauren will have to sniff out the real killer to keep herself out of a cage…

A whole bunch of pups, a rescue and murder?

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There were times when I wasn’t so enamored with the book. The story is told in first person, which isn’t bad, but the narrator insists on telling exactly what everyone is wearing and how expensive their item is. For example, she mentions she’s got a new television and how it’s fancy, flat screen and with all the bells and whistles because her son said to get that one. Seemed like a bit of info that stalled out the story. Lauren, the main character, can come off a bit snooty, too. She rescues pets so she feels she can get into jams and places she might not really belong because she’s helping. Sometimes it got frustrating because I wanted her to keep moving forward.

Still, this is a good book. It’s a quick read. There’s a thread of animal abuse in it and it’s not heavily described, which is good as it might be a trigger to some readers. I do have to say, though, there is a bit of a stigma against pit bulls mentioned and it might not be what some readers want to see.

It might seem like I wasn’t a fan of this book, but that’s not true! This author is a new to me author and I see she’s written more pet rescue and pet sitter mysteries. I’m game to read them because I did like the writing flow and the premise is interesting.

If you’re looking for a book about rescues, pups and mystery, then this might be the one for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal

September 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Relentless Moon by Mary Robinette Kowal
A Lady Astronaut Novel, Book 3
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The Earth is coming to the boiling point as the climate disaster of the Meteor strike becomes more and more clear, but the political situation is already overheated. Riots and sabotage plague the space program. The IAC’s goal of getting as many people as possible off Earth before it becomes uninhabitable is being threatened.

Elma York is on her way to Mars, but the Moon colony is still being established. Her friend and fellow Lady Astronaut Nicole Wargin is thrilled to be one of those pioneer settlers, using her considerable flight and political skills to keep the program on track. But she is less happy that her husband, the Governor of Kansas, is considering a run for President.

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I’ve not read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy books, but I do love a good story about space. When I saw this version of the space race where everyone worked together and women were at the head of the program, I had to know more. This is book three in a series and it probably would’ve helped to get the first two read before reading this one. The format is still readable, but it would’ve made more sense to know what was going on. Still, I had to read it.

I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the heroine, Nicole. She’s a hard nut to crack. First, she’s extremely smart, which is good for a heroine. I liked that she could hold her own with her male counterparts. She’s tough and forthright, which was refreshing. But…she’s neurotic. I mean, she’s got anorexia, which is relatable, but it also made me wonder about her in space. If she’s not wanting to eat because of the disorder while she’s on Earth, wouldn’t it be dangerous for her to not eat while in space? Wouldn’t it make doing her job harder? Seemed like it might. And she’s convinced everyone is out to get her. Maybe they are, but maybe they aren’t.

There is also a nasty habit of using a lot of anachronisms for things and getting into heavy technical descriptions in this book. If I were reading a non-fiction book, then this wouldn’t have been as much of a problem. But being it’s a piece of fiction, it took away from my enjoyment of the story. I got bogged down trying to remember what each set of letters stood for and sometimes got lost in the descriptions. I want a book to pull me into their world. Sometimes, this didn’t feel like the case.

This is also a long book. It’s over five hundred pages. There is a bit of slogging to get through it. Now, to be fair, if I’d read the other books in the series, this might have made this book a bit less cumbersome. I might have known the characters better and felt more like they were people. So I suggest reading the first two first.

Still, this is an interesting telling of the space race with women in charge. The Earth is losing it’s battle, the USA is losing pieces and the human race needs to find somewhere else to live. It’s quite fascinating. If you’re looking for a book that’s going to take a while to read, but will be worth it, especially if you’re a space fan, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Other, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

September 10, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

As America’s Mercury Seven astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, television cameras focused on the brave smiles of their young wives. Overnight, these women were transformed from military spouses into American royalty. They had tea with Jackie Kennedy, appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and quickly grew into fashion icons.

Annie Glenn, with her picture-perfect marriage, was the envy of the other wives; JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite; and licensed pilot Trudy Cooper arrived with a secret that needed to stay hidden from NASA. Together with the other wives they formed the Astronaut Wives Club, providing one another with support and friendship, coffee and cocktails.
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As their celebrity rose-and as divorce and tragedy began to touch their lives-the wives continued to rally together, forming bonds that would withstand the test of time, and they have stayed friends for over half a century. THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB tells the story of the women who stood beside some of the biggest heroes in American history.

You’ve heard about the astronauts, but have you heard about the wives?

For these women, being a wife wasn’t the half of it. It wasn’t the hardest part, either. I’ve read the books about the astronauts. There’s an immeasurable amount of testosterone going on there. What else would one expect? They’re test pilots. But the wives. Now there’s something interesting that I hadn’t learned. The writing is crisp, but can be choppy at times, but the story is good.

Each woman is different and had her own set of challenges. If you don’t know the women, this is a great way to get to know them. I knew almost nothing about Michael Collins’ wife, nearly nothing about Louise Sheppard, Joan Aldrin…The only reason I remember Annie Glenn having a stutter was that John Glenn was our state senator forever and I remember seeing her on television. I respected each of the wives more and liked how they banded together. Marge Slayton become the mother of the group. Everyone rallied around the See, Basset, Chaffee, White and Grissom families. It’s touching, heartbreaking and interesting.

If you want a book about the unsung heroes behind the astronauts, then this is the one for you to check out. Read it.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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