Author: cvegnad

March 24, 2021

When Twilight Breaks Book Review

This electric standalone novel, When Twilight Breaks, puts you right at the intersection of pulse-pounding suspense and heart-stopping romance.

About When Twilight Breaks

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and 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 does not report truthfully, she’ll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student 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.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

My Thoughts

When Twilight Breaks is a novel that I could not put down, the fast paced and exciting plot made it impossible to stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen next in this action packed story.

Evelyn, an American living in Germany, is a brave young woman in a male dominated profession. She is very clearly unwanted by some of her male colleagues and constantly has to prove herself to be better than her male counterparts. Evelyn is determined to show the world the truth of what is happening in Germany during the lead up to WWII. She is shocked at the way Jewish people are being treated by the Nazi party and wants the world to know. The only problem? Her editor keeps changing her stories to show the Nazi party in a positive light. On one of her assignments, she interviews Peter Lang, a fellow American completing his Ph.D. on the German language. While she begins to fall for him, she keeps him at arms length as he too cannot see the fine line that the Nazi party is crossing with their treatment of the Jewish people. She is constantly walking a fine line on reporting the truth and offending the Nazi party. Will she go to far in her fight to tell the truth and risk more than just her career – her life? Will Peter be able to let go of the past he holds on to and see what is really happening in front of him?

This novel is full of adventure, suspense and a budding romance. I love how Evelyn knows herself and never backs down. So many times, she must have felt afraid but she was determined to tell the truth and have the truth told on what was really occurring in Germany. She did this at great expense to her own life, which we saw the threat to her life start to develop halfway through the novel. These events put her and Peter on the run – can they escape the Nazi party, can they expose those involved in horrific crimes, can they make it back to America? Can you tell why I could not put the novel down?! While fast paced, it was well written with just the right amount of information given to us at each part of the story (how can friends turn to enemies so quickly?!). When Twilight Breaks is an excellent and exciting novel that fans of historical romances will love. It is a novel full of determination, strength, love, hope and standing up for what you believe in.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of several popular WWII series, including Sunrise at Normandy, Waves of Freedom, Wings of the Nightingale, and Wings of Glory. Her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. The Sky Above Us received the Carol Award, her bestselling The Sea Before Us received the FHL Reader’s Choice Award, and both Through Waters Deep and When Tides Turn were named on Booklist‘s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” Sarah lives in Northern California. Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

March 24, 2021

The Moonlight School Book Review

About The Moonlight School

Born in those hills, Cora knows the plague of illiteracy. So does Brother Wyatt, a singing schoolmaster who travels through the hills. Involving Lucy and Wyatt, Cora hatches a plan to open the schoolhouses to adults on moonlit nights. The best way to combat poverty, she believes, is to eliminate illiteracy. But will the people come?

As Lucy emerges from a life in the shadows, she finds purpose; or maybe purpose finds her. With purpose comes answers to her questions, and something else she hadn’t expected: love.

Inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, this standalone novel from bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously. You’ll finish the last page of this enthralling story with deep gratitude for the gift of reading.

My Thoughts

The Moonlight School is a powerful tale that I could not put down. I am very passionate about reading and love to share this with others. Reading and education is a gift that can open doors for us. This book highlights the importance of literacy and it came as a shock to me that is was inspired by true events.

Lucy is a young, bright woman who has let her past cast a shadow on her life. She is timid and not really sure of herself, living only in her bubble with her Father and their wealth. When she travels to rural Rowan County to help her cousin, she is not prepared for the task ahead of her but she shows true strength and compassion. Her cousin, Cora, is in charge of the education and operation of many schools in her area that are plagued with poverty and beliefs that many urban dwellers do not understand. But Cora sees how special these people are – their kindness, strength, determination and love for others shines through. When we are exposed to how they have been taken advantage of because of their illiteracy, we understand why Cora is fighting so hard for them.

Following several events in the novel, Cora hatches an idea to help the adult community in their rural town – by providing schooling at nights for them (hence the name Moonlight Schools). While the idea is an excellent one, Cora and Lucy hold many fears for the schools. Will the adults in the community come? Will they have enough teachers? Can they overcome those in power who want to keep them illiterate?

The novel is well written and does the history behind the schools justice. It tells a powerful story of how these schools came to be and the importance. We see compassion, kindness, strength and forgiveness throughout the story. You hold the characters in this story close to your heart, my personal favourite being Lucy. I loved watching her evolve and grow in her personal strength throughout the novel as she was gently guided by Cora and Brother Wyatt. This is an excellent novel selection for all of us who love historical novels – a definite must read.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including On a Summer Tide and On a Coastal Breeze, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 15, 2021

Whenever a Child is Born Spotlight

Parents never worry. No one journeys alone through life because whenever a child is born, he is given a guardian angel.

About Whenever a Child is Born

In his 2014 homily for the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels, October 2, Pope Francis told those gathered for daily mass to be like children who pay attention to their “traveling companion. No one journeys alone, and no one should think that they are alone.

“According to Church tradition,” the pope said, “we all have an angel with us, who guards us . . . It is what God said: ‘I send an angel before you, to guard you, to accompany you on the way, so you will not be alone.”

In this children’s book, angels wait anxiously and with great excitement to see which one of them will be chosen to be the guardian angel of a child that is to be born. This delightful book depicts the joy of all God’s creations anticipating the birth of another precious child. The sun shines brighter, the moon has a shinier glow, flowers grow taller, birds tweet more sweetly, and angels dance and sing with bliss, as all creation awaits another baby girl or boy.

Whenever a Child Is Born offers the perfect message for parents as it charmingly tells the story of how all of heaven and earth react to the news that a child is about to be born. The story comforts parents with the knowledge that their baby is a special gift from heaven to them, and that they will never be alone raising their child, and that their child will never ever be alone in life.

Parents never worry. No one journeys alone through life because whenever a child is born, he is given a guardian angel.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, B&N, BAM, West Bow Press.

About the Author

Nancy Diedrich was born and raised in South Louisiana, where storytelling was not just an art form, but an authentic way of communicating. Everyone had a tale to tell! This was, more than likely, where her love of communication developed. With undergraduate degrees in English and speech, and graduate degrees in psychological counseling, Nancy learned that words can educate; they can entertain; they can inspire and they can heal. In Nancy’s career, she has been a teacher, a counselor and an author, where the power of words always guided her in interaction with her students, clients and readers. Nancy’s value for genuine communication extends beyond her career, to the anchors of her life, which are her faith, her family and her friendships.

Whenever A Child Is Born is Nancy’s first published children’s book. In it, the reader gets a glimpse of this author’s compassion for family, and her gift of faith, as the story tells how all of heaven and earth react to the news that a child is about to be born.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

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Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 9, 2021

War at the Ice Cream Store

The first of the Frank TL Frogg and Friends series, War at the Ice Cream Store tells the story of one night at the Frozen Frogg.

About War at the Ice Cream Store

The first of the Frank TL Frogg and Friends series, War at the Ice Cream Store tells the story of one night at the Frozen Frogg, when Mustachio Pistachio and his “flavorite” flavor friends teach Bulli Vanilli a lesson in kindness and acceptance.

Our Thoughts

The War at the Ice Cream Store is a clever book with a very important message for children.

Bulli Vanilli ice cream can be quite a bully with the other flavours in the ice cream store, especially with Mustachio Pistachio (who unfortunately does not seem to be the most popular flavour in the store). Bulli Vanilli is actually quite mean and my heart was a bit sore for the other flavours. But what happens when others stand up to Bulli Vanilli? And try to teach this bully that it isn’t nice to treat others that way, we are each special and unique in our own way.

This is an adorable, well written, catchy book for children that teaches a very important lesson. Bulli Vanilli doesn’t realize how hurtful his comments are and it isn’t until the others teach Bulli Vanilli that words hurt, does it click that what Bulli was doing was wrong. Every person (and in this case dessert) brings something special to the world and when we include and respect everyone, the world is a better place.

We loved the way the book was written, it was fun and catchy which helps to gain the interest of young children and makes it easier for them to understand this important message. The illustrations were fun and really help to bring the story to life. It is a definite must read book that your child will love to read over and over.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Cheryl is an award-winning songwriter, children’s song recording artist (as the cartoon character CADi Grace), and the co-creator of the puppet musical and comedy show, The Waterhole Bunch. After the success of The Waterhole Bunch, Cheryl along with co-creator Dave Gibson, spun off the main character, Frank TL (The Lucky) Frogg, into a children’s entertainment concept, Frank TL Frogg and Friends, featuring the puppets in a magical town called Lucky Fork, Tennessee. Frank TL Frogg and Friends includes books, songs, videos, games, and more for younger audiences. War at the Ice Cream Store is the first of the Frank TL Frogg and Friends children’s book series.

Dave is an award-winning Nashville-based songwriter, having written hundreds of hit songs for artists including Alabama, Montgomery Gentry and Marie Osmond. Dave’s own group, The Gibson/Miller Band, won the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award for best new group in the early nineties. He is the co-creator of the puppet musical and comedy show, The Waterhole Bunch. After the success of The Waterhole Bunch, Dave, along with co-creator Cheryl DaVeiga, spun off the main character, Frank TL (The Lucky) Frogg, into a children’s entertainment concept, Frank TL Frogg and Friends, featuring the puppets in a magical town called Lucky Fork, Tennessee. Frank TL Frogg and Friends includes books, songs, videos, games, and more for younger audiences. War at the Ice Cream Store is the first of the Frank TL Frogg and Friends children’s book series.

You can connect with them on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

The Giveaway

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

March 8, 2021

It Happened in Tuscany

From the multiple-award-winning author of To Tuscany with Love comes a captivating story of the epic tug of war between honor and duty, the irrepressible power of love, and the concept of family.

About It Happened in Tuscany

From the multiple-award-winning author of To Tuscany with Love comes a captivating story of the epic tug of war between honor and duty, the irrepressible power of love, and the concept of family.

In 1945, Will Mills and his fellow soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division scaled Italy’s treacherous Riva Ridge in the frigid night to break through the nearly impenetrable German line of defense. Severely wounded, Will was rescued by Italian partisans and one, a beautiful girl, tended his injuries until he had the strength to rejoin the U.S. troops.

Tormented and haunted by his decisions and actions during wartime, Will knows he has unfinished missions in Italy to complete. The passage of time and years of carrying this unfulfilled need have molded Will into a bitter, angry man.

Seventy-five years later, Will’s spunky thirty-two-year-old neighbor, Sophie Sparke, faces disaster in her life. Everything is going wrong—her job, her love life, even her dog. Part of the problem is that confident and fiercely independent Sophie lets her quick mouth get her into trouble.

Grouchy, mean-spirited Will finagles Sophie into traveling with him to Tuscany to find the partisan who saved his life. Will also secretly hopes to confront the demons his wartime actions created. Sophie and Will comb enchanting Tuscan hill towns on an improbable and unfolding mission with few clues to aid them. Will’s passionate tenacity drives their quest and in the process exposes their darkest secrets. The journey alters the course of their lives, and Will and Sophie find more than they had imagined in the hills of Tuscany.

My Thoughts

A beautiful story from start to finish, It Happened in Tuscany made me laugh and cry and I did not want to put the novel down.

Will fought in Italy during WWII and was rescued by the incredible Francesca. Like so many fellow soldiers, Will carried guilt, regret and many more emotions from the time he spent during the war in Italy. Like so many individuals his age, he guards his secrets well. He lets Sophie in but only a little at a time. After the death of his wife, and likely facing the end of his of his own life, he wants to write the wrongs he did and find the love of his life. He enlists the help of Sophie, although she was reluctant at first. Why would she want to help her angry and grumpy neighbour? But as Sophie begins to get to know Will a bit better, she begins to grow fond of this soft man with a hard shell and all of the secrets he holds close to his heart.

Together the two of them undertake quite the journey – to find his lost love in Italy after seventy five years! What a journey this becomes – a journey that seems almost doomed from the start. But on their way, the pair make friends, make peace with their past and their future, something that Will so desperately needed. We watch the pair struggle, become lost and their despair and frustration. You are on their side cheering them on, hoping and praying that they find the lost Francesca. The rich plot brings to life Italy and their search for love.

It Happened in Tuscany is a beautiful and rich story, full of hope, faith and forgiveness. The characters hold a special place in your heart, their story will bring tears to your eyes and you will not want to put the story down as you have to know what happens. It is a beautiful story of forgiveness, healing, hope and love. This is a definite must read novel!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Audible, B&N and Indiebound.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Gail Mencini is the acclaimed author of It Happened in Tuscany and To Tuscany with Love, both of which are Denver Post #1 bestsellers and award winners. Gail grew up in DeWitt, Nebraska, graduated from Wartburg College with a BA in Accounting and Economics, and earned a master of taxation degree from the University of Denver. A frequent visitor to Tuscany and a homegrown gourmet cook, Gail has toured Italy by car, train, bus, Vespa, and foot. She lives in Colorado with her husband.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.