jbarrett5: Books read Aug 2019

Mistress Suffragette by Diana Forbes
Book starts with A dedication page and acknowledgements.
Story starts out in Newport, RI in 1890s and we had just visited some of the mansions in the city this spring. They definitely life a different life than the regular folk.
Just hearing of the lighted driveway to the ball.. sounds so joyful.
Liked the locations they travel to and learning of how they were able to ride bicycles with the clothes they also had to wear. Voting is another matter they hope to accomplish, for women.
Unforeseen circumstances brings her mother to Boston and the accidents happen... Within a few weeks time they are summoned home to tend to Lydia who's come down with pneumonia.
Verdana and Sam travel with them to convince Newport ladies they need to fight for their rights also.
Love how this book makes history fun while telling you about it.
Penelope first thought she'd have to become a mistress to a married man to make any money to send back home to her parents but she knows better now and fights him off.
She is so smart to look for information about subjects she knows nothing of, to research them and when appropriate she brings them up into conversation that makes the others realize she does know what she's talking about and how women should fight for what they deserve.
Love the new words learned as they travel and all the new locations to me.
Interesting how Louisiana voodoo is included...Like what happens to the fashion industry over the course of the book, very detailed and descriptive.
Bayer heroin aspirin, who knew? Can't wait to read more from this author.
Didn't see the ending coming but happy it came out that way...
Best book for me this month out of a few hundred. Ends with an epilogue and a note from the author about writing of the book, about the author, other works from the publisher summarized and table of contents.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

His Lady Deceived by Cheryl Bolen
What I like about this book is how men are competing for Sarah's affection as she's been single for years but has had many proposals.
She has been invited to Emily's family house during the Christmas holidays where she tries to match make her brother Alfred to her friend Sarah.
He's a man who foolishly gambles, sword fights with no helmet and is known to be attached to actresses-that's how the story is being told but you learn otherwise during the book.
Like when they are able to just walk around outside and we learn that it's time for Emily to deliver the baby. The others who were to help with that are at another location because nobody saw the blizzard coming.
Love how they decorate for the holidays and how they are able to go outside to actually get the items. Alfred and Sarah are set to play whist together and are a perfect team as they are so intelligent about the game.
Surprised on whom she selects to be her spouse because she and they have to love one another....
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Broken Promises by Anne Willow
Story starts out with Julia and she runs her aunts antique treasure shop now that she's dead. MN love hearing of the lake and the surrounding areas where there are festivals...
Lucy works for her part time and knows her job. Emily her friend, has had problems with her spouse and he ends up dead one morning.
Julia is questioned as her prints are on the letter opener....Julia follows clues as she discovers them and hopes she won't get caught. Julia is now the suspect as another is now dead.
Missing keys explain a few things but who has access to them now?
Like hearing about the details of Julia and her aunt and their similarities that not all know about.
Fun read for me and can't wait to read more from this author.
Amazing who did the killings and why, didn't see it coming!
Author bio included and links to connect to the author are included.
Very easy to follow along, characters and the story.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

A Summer of Good-Byes by Fred Misurella
Starts out with other works by the author and acknowledgements.
Many different scenes while the adults have relationships with each other and others.
Most dramatic one for me was 9/11 as I was not near NY but watched it live on tv after a golf game.
So heartbreaking to hear how it effected the family that day.
Love all the travel especially abroad as I will probably never get to experience it in my lifetime.
Kind of confusing they go back to other relationships at times you are unsure who is really there and at what stage of their lives.
Story does go back in time to when they first met and i found it interesting to learn of adoption proceedings from other countries.
Thought US had enough babies for adoption to go around.
Liked learning more about the art world and mystery surrounding the unsigned painting in the caves.
Glimpses of Grimm and Leonard Cohen, precious hidden treasures for me. Like how this story ends after so much sadness, love, heartache and pure joy at times.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Assuming Names by Tanya Thompson
Book starts out with a story about a 15 year old girl. She's got quite the knowledge of how to do things in the 1980's to make her life easier.
Many thefts, impersonating others, multiple SSNs, passports and lots of cc's she is able to talk herself out of a psych ward and she travels the world. Remember this is in the 80's!
Liked the parts about the travel and where she ended up and how she was able to even accomplish the thefts, always blaming it on others.
Based on a true story. Lots of drugs, stealing while growing up and at times going to college.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with links to excerpts of one other novel.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Arrangement in Black and White by Fred Misurella
Starts with other works by the author.
Acknowledgements and poem for dedications.
Story starts and then moves 30 years ahead, then back in time and we learn all the hidden secrets of the molestation and abuse.
Like when she's able to travel but decides she can make a living painting but also has a clerks job and then turns to prostitution.
Then story goes back to the molestation and understanding the mother's position as she wants time to do things she wants to do.
Father wants to campaign and it takes a lot of exposure goes to events and meetings so others can learn about the people in the race for the government position.
Racism is broached and some think it's a key point as to their existence.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Second Yes by multiple authors
Like the idea of the crossroads collection. Each author writes their own story and they are connected in some way.
Going to be fun to find out what. Starts out with background of the book itself and the authors.
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Season of Surprises by Alexa Verde
There are so many fun things in this one! great settings.
This is about a wedding dress...relatives are getting married and she's thrown together again with a very old neighbor.
When the dress is a no go they combine forces and travel to Warsaw to get another.... love the travel and how they find out that things they remembered about one another still matter.
Misunderstandings about the dress ....
Great story and glad he was able to find God again after all the years.
After all the turmoil about the wedding she realizes she needs to postpone or cancel it but she has another idea....
Didn't see this one coming!

Something Borrowed, Someone Blue by Chautona Havig
Counseling for the big day and she realizes she might not be where she needs to be....

Black Belt, White Dress by halee Bridgeman
She's agreed to marry him and shut down her wedding planner mother by stating they were going to skydive over Grand Canyon saying their vows.
Like conversations about karate classes. Everything goes according to plan til her mother becomes deathly sick and the bride changes her mind.

Sewn Together by Alana Terry
Story starts out from a young girls summer from a diary journal, and how their family friend who they knew in Korea can't have children so she adopts one then becomes pregnant and the baby is unborn but there are problems..
Her parents had also fostered children. His is a pastor and the mother helps out a lot with things.
Sad about the baby to be born but love the idea of the wedding dress. Such a beautiful idea!

The Second yes by Amanda Tru
London moves back to Crossroads and runs her own design wedding shop. She never expected to see Adam at her shop, she dropped the scissors she was holding...
Like how this story brings all the others together. Lots of faith and hope and others want to disrupt everything she's doing...
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What I like about a lot of these stories is how easy they are to read, religion and faith themes, discussion questions at the end of the story and a bit about the author and their other works.
Some even had recipes that go along with the story! Some were hilarious, some very sad.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

MY REVIEW:

The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp
Starts out with her camera in hand and trying to capture the butterfly but a man driving a motorcycle has destroyed the quiet and scared the butterfly away.
There is so much to this story, romance, religion and all the butterflies. Like how the chapters go but wish we had heard from the male side of the story as it was happening to the female.
Wedding of his sister and she will be going with Harvey. She had a falling out with Sarah, the bride and they hope with the release of the butterflies at the wedding that they can mend fences.
Things don't go quite as planned and we are introduced to the person she had been talking to online. He is at the wedding also and takes things into his own hands. She had crept away from the church after the tragedies of her family and she's the only one left.
Love the photography parts also and how she is able to survive inside her house having everything delivered. Misunderstandings and Jess then kidnaps her but Harvey is on their trail...
So much goes wrong after the fighting and you are hoping she will lean on God soon to get her out of the mess.
A note from the author, acknowledgements and about the author are highlighted at the end. Her other works sound interesting, hope I can find a few.
Received this review copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.

The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs
Starts out with listings of other works by the author which I think I've read them all and enjoyed.
Dedication which I have no idea why but will find out by the time I've read this and a table of contents.
Caroline arrives back in town and sees her old boyfriend with a bunch of guys running.....Love new words I'm learning and I know they won't be overused.
She rushes to get the young boy, not her kids and then rushes back to young girl. Coach Jensen had held onto the young boy for her...
Then we get to the story about when Caroline is in NY and she's in the middle of a fashion show-for Mick...
Love hearing of the design world and the sewing parts of it, so interesting and recyclable using things others would've tossed away.
Had tears come to my eyes when she learns on the runway that Mick's stolen her designs and used them for himself....
So realistic, up to date with undocumented pregnant model...
Blacklisted and then her best friend who's pregnant moves in with her and the children
There is so much to this story about love romance sewing helping others, handling anger, making it through difficult times, surviving and finding out the truth.
Wow hits her when she finds out who really killed her friend, didn't see that coming but now the dedication makes sense to me.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards domestic abuse.
Learned so many cool things reading this one-Krav Maga for one-maybe it'll help my grandson with his disease/illness.
Note from the author, acknowledgements, about the author and publisher are also included at the end.
Received this review copy from HarperCollins Publishers via William Morrow at NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
There's something about firefighters and I don't know what it is but I love reading about how they put out fires and save others.
Book starts out with the firefighter award ceremony and she's been propositioned from her partner, she sees it as a prank.
She also in her downtime runs a defense class, volunteers at Big Sisters and helps her dad build his house...
She was the most honored one: a female, a firefighter and the youngest ever...
Cassie has to face the Counsel Man before getting her award-we learn their past and wow! you can tell how nervous she is...she does ok til he pinches her butt...we learn about what she wanted to be when she grew up and how things changed.
When her mother calls for help it's a very touching moment for me as I am blind myself and don't have many who help me so for her to ask Cassie to come is huge.
Diane is an artist-so devastating. Like the choice she has and takes. Have visited Rockport for a few hours one day and found it a close community on the ocean.
Love hearing of the crochet club, I would fit in perfect in this environment-we have visited and enjoyed the area years ago.
Like how she conforms to the new firehouse and is alert for the other rookie...
Love hearing about the grants, to better the firehouse She is in fear of losing her job then captain informs them of cut backs and it's either her or other rookie...
Everybody has a secret that would alter their lives and has... Love when they each open up, makes so much more sense to have others support.
This book has something for everyone: adventure, action, romance, travel, mysteries and secrets.
I received this review book from St. Martins Press via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

The Mystery of Smuggler's Cove by Paul Moxham
What I like about this book is that there is one brother and two sisters and they meet Will who knows a lot about the locale.
He shows them the caves and one day Joe goes by himself to investigate. Lucky the girls help rescue him later in the day..
When they go with Will another day they go far into the caves-reminds me a bit about game of thrones as they have caves and tunnels under the castles.
This one they learn is where men meet and bring boxes in and will go during night hours to bring the goods to the boats to sell to others.
Very scary that they are only kids. Almost like a Hardy Boys mystery so am enjoying it.
Reminds me also of our local rum runner smugglers off the beach via the drain pipes that are big enough to walk through.
Brave kids and like what they find out and where...

WOLVES: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature (Amazing Animal Kingdom Book 8) by Emma Child
We took our grandson to Cougar Mountain in WA a few years back and they did have a section for the wolves. So cool seeing them from behind the fence and how they get along with one another and things like where they sleep and what they eat.
Starts with a table of contents and each chapter starts with a color photograph and then a few paragraphs about that particular subject.
Liked hearing about all the ones I was not familiar with. My favorite would be arctic white wolf as they'd blend right into the surroundings.
Fun facts are also included at the end. There are so many more books from this author on many other animals.

Tarizon: The Liberator by William Manchee
This book follows the life of Pete, Stan's son who now lives in another solar system. People are brought to the area to repopulate the planet.
Some are brought to Earth and then after some time they are transferred back to the planet.
Boot camp and quite the introduction to population control are thrust at him from when he first gets there. He also meets the boy who had died in the crash and they talk for just a second.
Like the idea of joining the military and going through training...There's a lot of abbreviations that you soon become familiar with.
Like how the events take place and the story moves forward as they discover other things about their telepathic abilities as they also try to find their other friends and hope to rescue them.
The goal is to prepare for the civil war which is coming to the planet as some are slaves and they don't like it. There are a lot of politics also that come into play.
Like how ti ends, a bit sad but it will continue in another book so all is not lost.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Act Normal by William Manchee
This story starts out with Stan and he's approached again from the CIA agents about a case that involves a woman from the other planet in the other solar system.
He knows about his son and that he's not dead and has seen pictures of him as he first arrives on the planet.
Alternating chapters follow Paula and her case as they acquire a new office secretary. Little do they all but Stan know where she really came from and she's only here to get pregnant and then head back...
Like that the chapter headings also include the lawyers name so we know if it's Paula or Stans case.
Rebekka is still grieving for her son as her parents help with the 3 children remaining... Stan wishes he could show her.. but they'd come for her then..
Things happen that are erased from ones memory and it's nice to know he's able to share one secret...
Like personal things like Paula's boyfriend who was to be the DA on the case but since Stan took over there's a conflict of interest now and Mark is fired...
Rebekka is still grieving for her son as her parents help with the 3 children remaining... Stan wishes he could show her.. but they'd come for her then..
Like hearing of how hidden the base is located and the things the agent is able to share...
Love hearing of the travel and how the case is solved-so unique with questions... Can't wait to read more of this series. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Just cuz the case is over with doesn't mean the story ends, so much more happens after...
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Tarizon: Civil War by William Manchee

This one picks up where the last left off but if you've not read them it will bring you up to date.

Lots of politics, strategic maneuvers and how to fight using what they can get their hands on.

Heartache from lies and remote areas we learn about. Lots of equipment to fight the war is described in detail along with the strategy.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Lots of action and adventure for the travelers and explosive encounters.

Very interesting as this one involves DC and surrounding areas.

Finishes off with listing of works from the author.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Conquest Earth by William Manchee

This story follows Lorrin and the child she shares with her mate. Lots of politics and how to survive where they are located.

Lots of new characters to get a handle on for me. Lots of cool things happen in this one. Like how when they arrive on the Earth they don't even know how to eat an apple but they find out so much more.

Love how they are able to run a ranch at no cost...

So many things occur that you'd not even imagine-like how the story is told.

Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

New Beginnings: a Christian Romance/Second Changes series, book 3 by Morris Ferris

Book starts out with Grace and her daughter meeting the neighbors next door: Tori and Daniela because the puppies got out of the yard. Tori is in bed and just recovering from breast cancer and is still so sick.

They take care of both of them and Grace's intended Michael works in the cancer filed and stops in to visit and gives her advice.

Over time we learn that Graces friend in Montana will be getting married and they plan to go.

Little does Grace know the other mystery surrounding her past life..

Turns out to be a great story and there are others who become a couple and things just mesh. Didn't see it all coming out as it did but hope to read more from this author.

The Pajama Zoo Parade: The Funniest Bedtime ABC Book (Short and Funny Bedtime Stories for Children Ages 3-5, that Every Parent will Enjoy) (The Funniest ABC Books 2) by Agnes Green

I just can't imagine a parade where everybody is wearing their pajamas LOL

This book for me was read to read because I was not able to increase the font size of the words.

Alphabetically the animals get ready for bed by putting their pj's on. So comical the pages. This is also a rhyming book.

Cute ending also