Category: book review

June 19, 2014

The Nightingale Girls Series #review

I am a huge fan of historical novels that combine facts with a fictional story. The Nightingale Girls series looked like the perfect British read for me and I could not wait to start reading it! All three books definitely lived up to my expectations and more.

In the first book of this series, The Nightingale Girls finds three very different young girls signing up as student nurses in 1986, while England is still mourning the death of George V. Dora is a tough East Ender driven by ambition but also desperate to escape her overcrowded home and abusive stepfather. Helen, the quiet one, is a mystery to her fellow nurses and avoids fun and gossip. In fact she is in the formidable shadow of her overbearing mother who dominates every aspect of her life. The third character, Millie is a rebellious aristocrat on the run from her conventional upper class life. She is doomed to clash over and over again with the terrifying Sister Hyde and to get into scrape after scrape especially where men are concerned.

Book one really brings the personalities of the characters into life. Each young lady is so different and yet so similar. Donna Douglas makes it easy to imagine the life of each class in England in this time period. I found it hard to imagine the lives of women during this era and the restraints that they were under but I also loved how each young lady was driven by something different but each one is looking to find themselves and gain independence and respect.

Book two in this series, The Nightingale sisters we are introduced to new characters but our familiar ones are still with us. The student nurses live in fear of the ward sisters whom they view as heartless and frightening with impossibly high standards. But the sisters also have troubles of their own.

Violet, the new night sister is carrying a dark secret that she refuses to let anyone know. As her mysterious life deepens, Sister Wren is determined to find out the truth. In this series, Dora is struggling with her own secrets and her heartbreak of losing Nick, the man she lost to her best friend. A new arrival on the ward brings the chance to put a smile back on her face but she finds it hard to get over Nick so easily. Millie is torn between two men but then an unexpected friendship with an elderly patient makes her question where her heart and future truly lies.

I thought it would be difficult to beat book one but the second book does not disappoint! The characters begin to grow as they grow their studying. It is incredible to watch them grow and learn but still remain true to their personalities. Violet adds quite the new twist into the story and opens up the kinder side to the Sisters that we do not always witness. I completely love the way Donna writes and pulls you right into the story and the characters lives. You feel like you are right there in the hospital learning and growing with them.

In the final book in The Nightingale series, The Nightingale Nurses find themselves in their final year of training and the most difficult and demanding part of their career. Helen is at a crossroads in her life as she battles her mother over both her love life and future career. Dora is not able to stop loving Nick who is now married to her best friend Ruby but Ruby is hiding an awful secret that could destroy her marriage and friendship. Millie is anxious for her fiance who is sent to Spain to cover the Civil War and matters on get worse when she encounters a fortune teller who delivers a sinister warning about their future.

In the final book in this series, Donna Douglas serves up so much adventure, excitement and heart break it is hard to believe she managed to do it all in one book! I can not picture any other ending then the one she delivered (even if I wished for just one more book!). The nurses find themselves in this book and develop into the young women that will go out in to the world to work, to serve and to care for others.

This series is incredible! Each book is definitely a 5++++! I could not put these books down and was literally reading non stop. If you love British novels then these are for you and if not give them a try! You may just be surprised.

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

June 19, 2014

OMG that’s Paleo? by Juli Bauer #review

With my gluten free lifestyle I have had to reach out to find new recipes to all my old favourites.

OMG that’s Paleo was actually recommended by a friend who swears by the Paleo diet. This e-book (also comes in paperback format) is written by Juli Bauer who is also the blogger behind PaleOMG.com – this is her debut book which features one hundred recipes each with corresponding photos. In a style unique to her, the recipes are paired with funny side stories as well as cooking tips and advice on following a Paleo diet. She breaks the recipes down by meal, food group and even includes desserts (yes please!).

I loved her writing style – it did not feel like your typical and traditional cook book which was awesome. It was also helpful as a newbie to the Paleo diet to have all of our helpful tips and advice (including cooking advice!). Some of the recipes I don’t think I could see myself trying just due to taste preferences but a lot of the recipes were quite helpful. There was also a great variety as well to keep those taste buds from becoming bored! This would be quite the helpful book for individuals curious about the diet and looking for new recipes to try out. I do wish there had been a few more pictures to help out with the recipes for this newbie but this may just be me!

Rating: 3.5/5

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

June 19, 2014

A Mother’s Secret by Amy Clipston #review

A Mother’s Secret by Amy Clipston is Book Two in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series. Our main character, Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?

Carolyn longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother’s farm with her parents and her fifteen year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin’s father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.

His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a young daughter. But Carolyn is not convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.

When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn’s brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth her past will destroy their budding romance.

A Mother’s Secret was an excellent and intense read. It had me crying at parts and at other times praying for Carolyn. My heart bled for her and the guilt she carried for having her child out of wedlock which went against her family’s beliefs. You just kept wanting her to realize she did nothing wrong and that she was perfect in God’s eyes. The way she was treated by people around her was awful. You want to hold her and protect her. It was an incredible tale of forgiveness, family and acceptance. At parts I had the sense that she was building this story into a possible third book – which I really hope so! I would love to read more about Carolyn, Joshua and Benjamin! A definite must read – you will not be able to put it down!

You can find more reviews of A Mother’s Secret on the Litfuse Blog tour here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

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

June 12, 2014

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble #review

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger’s memories before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she receive a heart transplant but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks and vivid dreams of being strangled she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart – Elin is remembering her donor’s murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention from the press, from the authorities and from the killer himself. Now living alone with her younger daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked by a man she has only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story but one off duty FBI agent is eager to help her, Agent Marc Everton – the father of Elin’s daughter. Of course he does not know about that…yet.

Now in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart and there is no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her before she remembers too much.

Seagrass Pier was an incredibly fast paced and exciting story from start to finish. Full of mystery and suspense – the ending was not all like I expected it to be! Completely caught me off guard (but in a good way!). I love the idea behind cell memory even if it is a little bit scary that she could be remembering stuff from the donor – especially her murder! A definite must read for all book lovers!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

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

June 11, 2014

Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd #review

In the latest book in the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies and the ties that bind through generations.

Sally Bingham needs some time away to sort through the changes in her life and to rethink her upcoming marriage. Despite her ailing father’s hesitations she takes off for a bed and breakfast in Lancaster County for a weekend away. But her best laid plans leave her in a near collision with a bishop’s buggy and in the home of a mysterious Amish woman named Lizzie. Lizzie introduces her to a different perspective on life and a charming farmhand named Armin. She opens a Pandora’s box that will forever change Sally’s life.

I truly fell in love with this novel (I am really starting to become hooked on Amish fiction!). Sally truly does open a Pandora’s box that alters life as she knows it. In a matter of a few chapters her whole life is turned upside down. She has to learn how to forgive, how to accept and more importantly how to move forward. In the end, her ties to her family and the heritage she never knew is what keeps her moving forward giving her the ability to forgive those who have lied to protect her. A truly wonderful story of forgiveness and family.

You can find more reviews on Forever Amish on the Litfuse blog tour here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

The Giveaway!

The latest book in Kate Lloyd‘s Legacy of Lancaster trilogy, Forever Amish, introduces us to a young woman about to uncover a shocking secret and find an invitation to a new way of living. This is a story of forgiveness, legacies, and the ties that bind through generations.

Kate is celebrating by giving away an Amish-made prize pack!

One winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire
A Qillow (A pillow with a lovely surprise inside! It opens to a 40” X 60” quilt ideal for traveling, sports events, and home.)
A Center Diamond wall hanging (Hand-stitched by Old Order Amish quilter Emma Stoltzfus of E.S. Quilts in Lancaster, PA. It measures 42” x 42” and is a traditional Old Order Amish design.)
Darling Amish-made faceless dolls (Hand-crafted in Lancaster County, PA. Each measures 12 inches and is individually named. Meet Martha and Henry!)
Forever Amish and the rest of the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy by Kate Lloyd

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 29th. Winner will be announced at Kate’s blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Kate’s blog on July 1st to see if you won!

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