The Blackout Book Club

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GREEN, AMY LYNN

THE BLACKOUT BOOK CLUB

An impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European Front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different -- a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, and exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they share more in common with each other than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

My Review:

An enthralling read that I found easy to lose myself in. This world, these characters, the particular time in history -- all combined to engage my imagination so that when I wasn't reading 'The Blackout Book Club', I was working out side stories in my mind. Love it when a novel provides that kind of springboard to creativity!

Told from four points of view, we follow an eclectic mix of women on the Homefront during WWII. There's Avis, an anxious housewife reluctantly turned librarian, Louise, a duty bound wealthy spinster with a sour disposition, young Ginny who is holding onto dreams that might never come true, and Martina, a desperate mother on the run. Thrown together in an impromptu book club endeavour that takes on a life of its own, they form an unlikely sisterhood in the face of adversity.

Loved the character growth -- the equal sharing from each point of view -- and the way these disparate women gradually let their guard down and learn to trust one another. The real strength of this novel is in the building of relationships. The conviction that we are better together than apart. It's uplifting and moving and crescendos into a ricochet of gasp-out-loud revelations by the end.

And the historical details are so fascinating. I had no idea that the United States' eastern shores were under such threats during the war. 

The bookish references delighted me, the club minutes written in each member's unique 'voice' brought comic relief to the weighted topics in this novel. And the lure of a non-reading reluctant librarian (spoiler alert: she learns to love books!) is so appealing...if hard to comprehend. How does anyone none love books?!

Amy Lynn Green is a masterful storytelling and she kept me engaged right to very last word.

While I received a copy from the publisher, I purchased the audible edition as well and thoroughly enjoyed Leah Horowitz's narration. She did a great job of giving each protagonist their own unique voice.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy. 

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Blackout Book Club leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 26 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

The Cryptographer's Dilemma

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RANDOM RETRO READ

ALEXANDER, JOHNNIE

THE CRYPTOGRAPHER'S DILEMMA

A code breaker uncovers a Japanese spy ring

FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent series of letters about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head overseas when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of traitorous messages disguised as correspondence about dolls should be easy, but not so when the clues take Eloise and Phillip on a cross-country trek that has them both confronting past demons and an unmistakable attraction.

Eloise believes the letter refer to classified intel about U.S. warships, but can she prove it in time to catch the spy? Or, before she and Phillip are permanently separated?

Heroines of WWII : Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates unsung heroes -- the women of WWII

My Review:

published in 2021

This is my introduction to the 'Heroines of WWII' series and I have to say I'm impressed! It's a favourite fictional era of mine and I'm always amazed at all the interesting angles authors find to delve deeper into this time in history.

My typical WWII reads are set in Europe or England so I'm always excited to discover a novel that features a 'Homefront' angle and this homegrown spy story based on actual events (!!!!) blew me away! Really, I had no idea! And the way the author has woven together fact and fiction to make a compelling read fills me with all kinds of bookish glee.

So we have our heroine, Eloise -- an intriguing mix of brilliant mind and outward bravado that conceals a few insecurities. And she's also a woman of mystery which upped the intrigue all the more!

Then there's Phillip -- disgruntled and grumpy over a personal 'failure' that keeps him from serving his country the way he would like. He still wants to enlist, though, except he has to complete one last mission for the FBI first. One where he's paired up with a civilian! A female one at that! Oh the horrors. lol 

But Phillip's impatience turns to admiration when he realizes that Eloise's codebreaking skills are the key to opening up their investigation. Loved the journey Alexander takes her characters on -- both physically and emotionally. The historical details are really well done -- especially the codebreaking which is so fascinating. I haven't read anything like this before so I really enjoyed the fresh approach to the genre.

And then there's the forbidden (for so many reasons) romance that slowly draws Phillip and Eloise closer...and complicates everything just a bit. :-)

Seriously, need I say more...other than, "read this book!'

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the  The Cryptographer's Dilemma, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 5 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Long Way Home

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AUSTIN, LYNN

LONG WAY HOME

A young woman searches for the truth her childhood friend won't discuss after returning from World War II, revealing a gripping story of courage, friendship, and faith.

Peggy Serrano couldn't wait for her best friend to come home from the war. But the Jimmy Barnett who returns is changed so drastically by his experience as a medic in Europe that he can barely function. When he attempts the unthinkable, his parents check him into the VA hospital. Peggy determines to help the Barnetts unravel what might have happened to send their son over the edge. She starts by contacting Jimmy's war buddies, trying to identify the mysterious woman in the photo they find in Jimmy's belongings.

Seven years earlier, Gisella Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana Cuba. Gisela meets Sam Shapiro on board and the two fall quickly in love. But the ship is denied safe harbor and sent back to Europe. Thus begins Gisela's perilous journey of exile and survival, made possible only by the kindness and courage of a series of strangers she meets along the way, including one man who will change the course of her life.

My Review:

It's the night before this review is due to go up and I finished this book over a week ago but I'm struggling to find words to express the emotional impact it's made on me -- the sheer brilliance of the storytelling -- and the cunning twists and turns that made it such an absorbing read.

So, we kinda have two timelines...but not really. :-) Peggy's point of view from the 'present' (post war) and Giselle's point of view from the 'past' following her desperate escape from Nazi persecution  which starts at the beginning of the war, late 1930s. So really, our time jump is only the span of a decade. Does that count as dual timeline? Whatever 'Long Way Home' is classified as, it's an incredible read. 

And, oh, but it delves into some tough issues! Like:

The barbaric way returning soldiers were treated for PTSD. Honestly, what they did to Jimmy in the hospital was horrific and his doctor thought he was some superior know-it-all bent on inflicting torture on his patients. Gah! I'd have like to jump into the pages of the book and give that uppity doctor a taste of his own medicine. Literally!

That wretched time in history when countries, including the US and Canada, refused to allow Jewish refugees entry into their countries, knowing full well that they were likely sentencing these people to death since the ships had to turn around and take them back to Europe. And we're on one of those ships with Gisella and it's heartbreaking.

Then there's Peggy, 'safe' back home in small town USA only her childhood has been anything but ideal, neglected by her father after the death of her mother and ridiculed and taunted by her peers because of her circumstances. Yet Peggy found solace with Jimmy and his family and she isn't about to give up on her best friend when he needs her the most. 

It's Peggy's optimism and endearing naivety paired with a streak of tenacious determination to make a difference that propels this story forward. With all these heavy topics you'd think this would be a tough slog of a read, but it's not. It's uplifting and hopeful and infused with faith. And the way the author weaves all the story threads together is truly glorious.

If you're looking for a book club read with lots of depth and plenty of talking points, look nor further. 'Long Way Home' provides that and so much more.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy. Winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Long Way Home, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 10 2022 . Offer open to 

By Way of the Moonlight

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MUSSER, ELIZABETH

BY WAY OF THE MOONLIGHT

Two courageous young women, tied together by blood and shared passion, will risk everything to save what they love most.

For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents' ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy -- a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother's will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.

Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler's driving passion is to bring the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming she's called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.

As Nana Dale's past comes to light in Allie's search for answers, Dale's courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother's legacy and keep her own dreams alive.

My Review:

So, I'd heard so many good things about this book in online chatter that I had to buy the audible edition even though I was waiting on a paperback copy...it was just taking way too long to arrive and I was in the mood for a richly layered emotional read right now! lol I can get kinda cranky impatient when my reading life is thwarted. 'Course, Murphy's law had my book arrive the day after I downloaded it from audible. :-) But I really enjoyed Susan Bennett's narration so I'm a happy customer and now I can do a giveaway of the paperback so it's all good.

I'd categorize 'By Way of the Moonlight' as Women's Fiction with strong romantic undertones. And honestly, I was a blubbering mess by the end. I'm not sure I can do justice to this book in a review. 

The way the author builds both timeline stories to a crescendo of gobsmacking revelations is so amazing that it defies description so I'm not even going to try! Just know that the impeccable pacing picks up speed as the novel progresses and you'll reach a point where you won't be able to put the book down so consider this your FYI -- clear your calendar and prepare to become so immersed in Dale's and Allie's lives that you won't care you even have a 'real' world to get back to. 

(True Confession: I got to a point near the end that I actually sped up my listening speed to 3x because I was so greedy to know everything right away! Then, once I'd settled down a bit I went back and listened to it all over again at proper speed while I sniffled into my hankie.)

Other random thoughts about 'By Way of the Moonlight':

All kinds of cover love!!! The stark simplicity of the silhouette is so eye-catching and I love that smoky blue background. 

Love the all consuming 'horsiness' of this novel -- it channels my junior equestrian reading obsession from back in the day -- Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteauge, The Little White Horse etc. And the Equine therapy is an extra draw. The author really captures the miraculous wonder of the program.

I'm also enamoured with the incredible, salt-of-the earth secondary characters who provide guidance and wisdom that are passed down through generations. Like this:

"It will never be enough, Dale, until you decide that you already have it all. You settle in your mind a grateful heart, a content spirit, and everything else will be gravy, girl." (p 120)

This is a resounding theme throughout both timelines as both Dale and Allie come to terms with dreams vs reality. 

'By Way of the Moonlight' is an enthralling, uplifting, emotional adventure -- a novel I will cherish and reread many times over the years. A new 'Classic' for my listening library.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  By Way of the Moonlight, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 27 2022 . Offer open to 

Until Leaves Fall in Paris

GIVEAWAY

SUNDIN, SARAH

UNTIL LEAVES FALL IN PARIS

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favourite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation -- which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

My Review:

Truly amazing! The kind of story that pulls at all a reader's emotions and makes her squirm a bit besides. Had me considering so many questions. Put in the same situations these characters were in, would I stand firm in my faith? Stick to my morals? Would I be willing to risk everything to help a noble cause? Or would I look away, try to rationalize dire circumstances into something more palatable? Or worse, ignore my conscience altogether and look for ways to profit from others misfortunes? These questions seem all the more pertinent these days as we watch a very similar situation play out in Ukraine.

I learned so much history from this book! And you'd think by now, after all the WWII novels I've read, I would know it all! :-) But no, clearly, I need more educating. For instance, I had no idea there were so many English speaking foreigners in Paris at the time of the German occupation. While British citizens had been rounded up and sent to internment camps, the Americans were allowed to conduct their business as usual.

For Lucie Girard that means running the English Language bookstore for her dear friends, Jewish owners who must flee the country before the German occupation takes a more deadly turn. She has sacrificed a career in the ballet in order to do that, but it isn't long before she's faced with decisions to sacrifice even more!

And Paul Aubrey lives under the scrutiny and scorn of his former American friends as he keeps his car manufacturing company running to supply the Germans with trucks and vans. He's considered a greedy opportunist and a Nazi collaborator though he's really spying for the US Army (and doing a bit of sabotage on the side!) It's bad enough that society is shunning him, but he wasn't prepared for that to carry over into his young daughter's life.

And then Paul and little Josie walk into a certain English language bookstore and...

Oy, the angst of the love story because vibrant, opinionated, impetuous Lucie discovers that Paul is a collaborator -- only she can't reconcile the kind, thoughtful, doting father with the cold mercenary of a businessman. (And for good reason, as we readers know!) So we have a doomed romance as the war amps up, with both the hero and heroine aiding the resistance in different ways, with neither knowing what the other is doing! My heart about stopped a hundred times during this read!

Sarah Sundin brings her unique flare and an interesting approach to another riveting World War II novel and I hung on every word. 

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading -- set in France

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Until Leaves Fall in Paris, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 26 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck 

The Paris Dressmaker

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CAMBRON, KRISTY

THE PARIS DRESSMAKER

Based on true accounts of how Parisiennes resisted the Nazi occupation in World War II -- from fashion houses to the city streets -- comes a story of two courageous women who risked everything to fight evil they couldn't abide.

Paris 1939. Maison Chanel has closed, thrusting haut couture dressmaker Lila de Laurent out of the world of high fashion as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the City of Lights slips into darkness. Lila's life is now a series of rations, brutal restrictions, and carefully controlled propaganda while Paris is cut off from the rest of the world. Yet in hidden corners of the city, the faithful pledge to resist. Lila is drawn to La Resistance and is soon using her skills as a dressmaker to infiltrate the Nazi elite. She takes their measurements and designs masterpieces, all while collecting secrets in the glamorous Hotel Biz -- the heart of the Nazis' Parisian headquarters. But when dashing Rene Touliard suddenly reenters her world, Lila finds her heart tangled between determination to help save his Jewish family and bolstering the fight for liberation.

Paris, 1943. Sandrine Paquet's job is to catalog the priceless works of art bound for the Furrier's Berlin, masterpieces stolen from prominent Jewish families. But behind closed doors, she secretly forages for information from the underground resistance. Beneath her compliant facade lies a woman bent on uncovering the fate of her missing husband...but at what cost? As Hitler's regime crumbles, Sandrine is drawn in deeper when she uncreates an exquisite blush Chanel gown concealing a cryptic message that may reveal the fate of a dressmaker who vanished from within the fashion elite.

Told across the span of the Nazi occupation, The Paris Dressmaker highlights the brave women who used everything in their power to resist darkness and restore light to their world.

My Review:

True confession: I tried reading this book twice in both print (first try) and audio book (second try) and ended up DNFing both times because I found it really confusing. The timeline jumps around within the span of the war but in no logical order and I had a really hard time making sense of it.

I hated giving up though, so I decided to try again -- this time listening to the audio book while following along with the paperback and that helped a lot! 

At first I had to keep referring to the book in hand but eventually, once I got used to the non-chronological date hopping from two different characters' POVs I was able to anchor myself in the story and could leave off reading along and just listen. I've read a few reviews from readers who had the same struggle but many more reviews from readers who didn't. I guess it's just a preference thing? 

But if you're hesitant like I was, I'd suggest keeping an open mind and giving yourself a chance to settle into the rhythm of the storytelling (I didn't get very far my first two tries) because this really is a remarkable story -- harrowing and beautiful and sad and stirring and...gah...so many emotions and so many talking points for discussion. Would definitely make a meaty choice for a book club selection.

Cambron's historical details are exacting. She really brings this era to life. It's gritty and raw and hopeful and inspiring. Two heroines who had the courage to sacrifice everything in order to make a difference. I've come away with an appreciation for the women who found ways to fight the Nazi occupation by drawing upon their unique talents to aid the resistance. 

There's more I want to say, but it would be better left for a book discussion instead of review, since I'd have to post spoilers. Let's just say that The Paris Dressmaker highlighted some aspects of the war that I wasn't aware of as well as exposing some surprising (to me) dissensions among the Parisienne women. Does that have you intrigued? :-) And I was touched by the enduring romances and the day to day struggles of life at one of the most horrific times in history. Puts our 21st century North American struggles to shame. 

A book that I found both enlightening and thought provoking.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Paris Dressmaker, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

The London House

GIVEAWAY

REAY, KATHERINE

THE LONDON HOUSE

Uncovering a dark family secret sends one woman through the history of Britain's World War II spy network and glamorous 1930s Paris to save her family's reputation.

Caroline Payne thinks it's just another day of work until she receives a call from Mat Hammond, an old college friend and historian. But pleasantries are cut short. Mat has uncovered a scandalous secret kept buried for decades: in World War II, Caroline's British great-aunt betrayed family and country to marry her German lover.

Determined to find answers and save her family's reputation, Caroline flies to her family's ancestral home in London. She and Mat discover diaries and letters that reveal her grandmother and great-aunt were known as the "Waite sisters." Popular and witty, they came of age during the interwar years, a time of peace and luxury filled with dances, jazz clubs, and romance. They buoyant tone of the correspondence soon yields to sadder revelations as the sisters grow apart, and one leaves home for the glittering fashion scene of Paris, despite rumblings of a coming world war.

Each letter brings more questions. Was Caroline's great-aunt actually a tractor and Nazi collaborator, or is there a more complex truth buried in the past? Together, Caroline and Mat uncover stories of spies and secrets, love and heartbreak, and the events of one fateful evening in 1941 that changed everything.

In this rich historical novel from award-winning author Katherine Reay, a young woman is tasked with writing the next chapter of her family's story. But Caroline must choose whether to embrace a love of her own and proceed with caution if her family's decades-old wounds are to heal without tearing them eve further apart.

My Review:

Another compelling novel from Katherine Reay chock full of emotional angst and desperate hope. And it's part epistolary since the historical story is told mostly through letters and diary entries. So, yes, that means this is a dual timeline novel as well -- eeeppppp! 

I think what struck me the most about this novel is the way it shows the detrimental fallout that comes from not facing and dealing with our personal truths. Caroline's family is shattered -- she's the third generation of brokenness and doesn't understand why. Her relationship with her father has always been fraught and she's practically estranged from her mother. That's made her guarded, pushing people away before they can reject her (or so she thinks.) Her character growth is phenomenal and took me on an emotional roller coaster ride that kept my tummy tied up in knots. 

Mat is a college friend who could have been more if Caroline hadn't pushed him away. His sudden appearance in her life is shocking enough, but the claims he makes about her great-aunt being a Nazi sympathizer shatters the last remnants of her fractured family. Talk about an angsty romantic arc!

Love the multi-layered genealogical mystery and the way researching her family's past helps restore their present issues...and frees Caroline to believe in herself and trust in a hope-filled future.

I listened to the audible edition of The London House. Madeleine Maby's narration style was a perfect match for Katherine Reay's exquisite storytelling. This is another book where my 'reading' enjoyment was enhanced by listening to the audio edition. 

Please note: While not a Christian Fiction selection, this is a clean read with inspiring themes centred around family, forgiveness, courage and trust.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The London House, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 20 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

Homefront Heroines

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ALEXANDER, JOHNNIE

BARRATT, AMANDA

BLISS, LAURALEE

GERLACH, RITA

Homefront Heroines

Patriotic service leads to victories in romance

Relive life on the American Homefront as four women of the WWII era join the workforce and discover romance in surprising ways.

Moonlight Serenade by Rita Gerlach -- 1941, Washington DC -- When Kate St. Clare takes a job at the Navy Yard in Washington D.C. to help with the war effort, she is thrown into a romance she never expected.

Only Forver by Lauralee Bliss -- 1943, Springville New York -- When a new enemy threatens their town, Marilyn and Arthur team together to overcome evil with good and learn it's not the outside that counts but the inward working of the heart.

Blue Moon by Johnnie Alexander -- 1943, Oak Ridge, Tennessee -- After humiliating each other, a WOOPs officer and an Army Intelligence agent team up to protect a top secret atomic-bomb facility from sabotage. 

Dream a Little Dream by Amanda Barratt -- 1945, Palm Springs, California -- When a widowed nurse and a former film star are reunited at a wartime hospital, can they move beyond their past and into a future together?

My Review:

What a great collection of World War II Homefront stories! Love how each author approached the theme from a different angle. There's definitely something for every reading preference here. From insta-love to friends to more; reunion romance to second chances. 

And the settings are just as varied. Different locations and circumstances find each of these heroines contributing to the war effort in unique ways. I really loved the glimpse of the war years from the perspective of those left behind. The sacrifices women made while living with so much uncertainty exemplifies the meaning behind the expression 'grace under fire.' A lesson we could learn from in today's troubled times!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Homefront Heroines, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 11 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Chasing Shadows

GIVEAWAY

AUSTIN, LYNN

CHASING SHADOWS

For fans of bestselling WW!! fiction comes a powerful novel from Lynn Austin about three women whose lives are instantly changed when the Nazis invade the neutral Netherlands, forcing each into a complicated dance of choice and consequences.

Lena is a wife and mother who farms alongside her husband in the tranquil countryside. Her faith has always been her compass, but can she remain steadfast when the questions grow increasingly complex and the answers could mean the difference between life and death?

Lena's daughter Ans has recently moved to the bustling city of Leiden, filled with romantic notions of a new job and a young Dutch police officer. But when she is drawn into Resistance work, her idealism collides with the dangerous reality that comes with fighting the enemy.

Miriam is a young Jewish violinist who immigrated for the safety she though Holland would offer. She finds love in her new country, but as her family settles in Leiden, the events that follow will test them in ways she could never have imagined. 

The Nazi invasion propels these women onto paths that cross in unexpected, sometimes heartbreaking ways. Yet the story that unfolds illuminates the surprising endurance of the human spirit and the power of faith and love to carry us through.

My Review:

What an emotional read! Austin takes her readers into the lives of three Dutch women during World War II and delivers a memorable story full of heartache and hope. 

I feel like my eyes were opened as I embraced Lena, Ans and Miriam and lived their stories along side them. I mean, I thought I knew about the Holocaust and the resistance movement but Austin's stirring storytelling turned those facts into deeply emotional impressions. I was reeling by the end. Burst into gut-wrenching sobs of release -- sad, happy, hurting, hopeful tears to match my jumbled emotions.

There are incredibly moving inspirational threads woven throughout this story and i appreciate that the author includes both Christian and Jewish faith arcs. Lena, in her forties, a farm wife and mother, has always relied on her pastor father for spiritual guidance. Her daughter, Ans, rebels against her parents' religion as she makes a new life in the city. And Miriam has never given her Jewish roots much thought other than on the occasional holiday. Over the course of the war, each woman learns to derive comfort and courage from a renewed faith in God. 

I'm struggling to find the right words to describe the impact Chasing Shadows had on me. (Incredible title, by the way, which aptly fits the novel.)  I spotted so many parallels to our tumultuous 21st century times. Particularly in the way some people need a scapegoat to blame when things get tough. And feel the need to lash out at anyone with different ideas, politics or cultural backgrounds. It seems like humanity is destined to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Which is why I think books like this one are so important to read. 

I listened to the audible edtion and was completely transfixed by Stina Nielsen's narration. I hung on her every word as she guided me through the intricacies of war torn Holland. She brought vibrancy and colour to Austin's incredible storytelling. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is available in paperback or ebook format -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Chasing Shadows, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday June 19 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Last Bookshop in London : a Novel of World War II

GIVEAWAY

MARTIN, MADELINE

THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON : A NOVEL OF WORLD WAR II

Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through backouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed -- a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

My Review:

First things first: this isn't a Christian Fiction book. I stumbled across it in my library's audio book collection and was beguiled by that alluring cover and the notion that stories help triumph over evil. That right there tugged at my bibliophile heartstrings! I'm happy to report that this is a clean read with the exception of a few (very few) mild expletives. So mild, that I'm guessing most readers won't even notice them or find them offensive if they do.

I waffled over including this title on my blog since we're all about Christian Fiction here but I know many of you are as enamored with WWII fiction as I am. Plus, the pivotal role the bookshop plays in the story and Martin's exquisite storytelling make this a 'Yipee, I just have to share this book!' kind of read. 

What I loved:

The way this story captures the heart and spirit of ordinary Londoners during the Blitz. Honestly, I wept in places and am in awe of the resiliency and courage these ordinary citizens possessed. We watch it all unfold from Grace's perspective and it's funny and sad and poignant and heartwrenching and there's even a wee bit of romance. Exactly what you'd expect from a WWII novel...but with books!!!! 

One of my favourite quotes:

"Reading is going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship. An unveiling of new incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything coloured by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures and how  best to succeed."

This whole story is a celebration of books and how they help and comfort us through the darkest times. I've experienced their healing power in my own life and watching Grace's journey of discovery shot thrills through me. Because...gasp...she starts out as a non-reader! And then she walks into this dusty old London bookshop and her life is forever changed.

The kind of spellbinding tale that leaves a reader euphoric by the end, weeping happy/sad tears and hiccup-sighing over the sheer beauty of it all. 

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Last Bookshop in London, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday May 1  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Curator's Daughter

GIVEAWAY

DOBSON, MELANIE

THE CURATOR'S DAUGHTER

A young girl, kidnapped on the eve of World War II, changes the lives of a German archaeologist forced into the Nazi Party and -- decades later -- a researcher trying to overcome her own trauma.

1940 -- Hanna Tillich cherishes her work as an archaeologist for the Third Reich, searching for the Holy Grail and other artifacts to bolster evidence of a master Aryan race. But when she is reassigned to work as a museum curator in Nuremburg, then forced to marry an SS officer and adopt a young girl, Hannah begins to see behind the Nazi facade. A prayer labyrinth becomes a storehouse for Hanna's secrets, but as she comes to love Lilly as her own daughter, she fears that what she's hiding -- and what she begins to uncover -- could put them both in mortal danger.

Eighty years later, Ember Ellis is a Holocaust researcher intent on confronting hatred toward the Jewish people and other minorities. She reconnects with a former teacher on Martha's Vineyard after she learns that Mrs. Kiehl's mother once worked with the Nazi Ahnenerbe. And yet, Mrs. Kiehl describes her mother as "a friend to the Jewish people." Wondering how both could be true, Ember helps Mrs. Kiehl regain her fractured childhood memories of World War II while at the same time confronting the heartache of her own secret past -- and the person who wants to silence Ember forever.

My Review:

A fascinating look at the effect German Nazi control had on it's own citizens as well as a chilling reminder that history could very well repeat itself. Stunning storytelling bring past and present to life in equal portions of unputdownable glory. 

This one is a marathon read, meaning you won't want to quit until the finish line. But be forewarned, once the reader's high wears off, you'll be in the post-read doldrums as you replay portions of the story over in your mind. At least that's what happened to me.

Dobson knows how to piece together dual timelines in a comprehensive and riveting way. I was equally invested in both Hanna and Ember's stories and I absolutely love the way the author draws out the suspense of intricate details and backstory. 

There are so many talking points in The Curator's Daughter that are best left to book club discussions for fear of posting spoilers in a review. Let me just say that this is one memorable, thought-provoking read and leave it at that. :-)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Curator's Daughter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday April 3  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

When Twilight Breaks

GIVEAWAY

SUNDIN, SARAH

WHEN TWILIGHT BREAKS

Munich, 1938. Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country -- or worse. If she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed -- and wake up the folks back home.

In another part of the city, American graduate student Peter Lang is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party -- to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind.

This electric standalone novel from fan-favorite Sarah Sundin puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

My Review:

"I hate depending on others. It makes me weak..."

"Don't you know God makes us strong? He didn't create us to be completely independent, but interdependent."

Whoa! Another gobsmacker to make my top ten 2021 reading list and it's only February. And, while the content is historical, it is also very pertinent to our times which makes the story all the more fascinating/appalling.

This is Sundin at her best. Flawed characters growing through their faith journey, stunner plot, compelling historical details -- well, it all just took my breath away! And kept me frantically reading right to the end.

The pre-war Germany setting was especially intriguing for me. I've read a ton of WWII novels, but this is the first that solely focuses on the events leading up to the war. A chilling look at the insidious build to the horrors of the holocaust. 

And we get an insiders view from an intrepid reporter and a bemused foreign student. The author's brilliance shines in the unlikely pairing of this hero and heroine making of a heart-in-throat reading atmosphere. There's espionage and danger and Nazi arrogance and brutality...along with betrayal. I told you, page-turning stuff!

Book provided courtesy of Baker's Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Twilight Breaks, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winners announced on Saturday February 27  2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!