The Wartime Sisters is a very engaging story about two sisters Ruth and Millie and their tenuous relationship that at times nearly destroys them both.  While the story begins in Brooklyn, the heart of the plot develops at the Springfield Armory during World War II.  Ruth has always been known for her brains and responsible behavior, sometimes to the point of being termed a 'cold fish.' Millie, on the other hand, was known for her beauty and was always indulged by her mother.  These two differing views pitted the sisters against each other at an early age.  As in any instance, there are always two sides to a coin and people also grow and change.  The Wartime Sisters takes a look at their strained relationship with a well crafted story that also highlights two other strong and memorable female characters Lillian, the commanding officer's wife and Arietta, the cook/singer.  

I loved this story of complex women and their relationships with each other and their families.  Each character was so well written and deeply developed.  I would find myself empathizing with Ruth and then the next chapter completely understanding where Millie was coming from.  I also thought the stories of Arietta and Lillian added so much to the novel.  I think this book would make a marvelous book club selection as there is so much to discuss.  This was most surely a five star read for me.  It made me search out the author's previous novel to add to my reading pile.  

I received this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Burning Island is the third installment in the Charlie Cates series.  While she has been able to keep her dreams a secret from most, Charlie's latest involvement puts her under scrutiny from the police and all at once, her psychic abilities are being covered in the news.  To give herself a much needed diversion from all the media circus, she travels to Hawaii with her best friend Rae to write a feature story about a scientist/tri-athlete.  This tropical getaway should be just the cure for Charlie's troubles, but when she quickly is met with a disturbing dream, she finds herself embroiled in the search for a missing girl that is full of dead ends and many more questions than answers.

I personally had some trouble becoming engaged in the story and found myself distracted with some of the side journeys that I felt the story took.  Charlie Cates is an interesting character, but for some reason, I just wasn't drawn into this particular installment in the series.  

I received this book courtesy of G.P. Putnam & Sons through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

The Only Woman in the Room tells the story of Hedy Kiesler and her journey from Austria to the United States where she becomes film star Hedy Lamarr.  

Hedy's story is a complicated one as a Jewish woman in Austria who faces uncertain fate as the Nazis come ever closer to her country.  She marries an arms dealer to help insure her safety as well as that of her parents.  That marriage may provide safety or it may not be the safe haven she hoped for.  Without giving out too many details or spoilers, Hedy will eventually travel to America and re-invent herself as Hedy Lamarr.  

This book provided me with many insights into the career of Hedy Lamarr and her contributions to the war effort.  It also gave glimpses into the Hollywood scene at that time, as well as details of Austria during World War II.  

I did not find myself really drawn into the storyline and felt that it jumped forward at points, although trying to tell the story of someone's life does call for that at times.  Fans of historical fiction should still be satisfied with this portrayal of Hedy Lamarr.  

I received this book courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I've been eagerly awaiting a new book from Susan Gloss ever since I fell in love with her writing in Vintage.  The Curiosities definitely did not disappoint.  

Nell Parker, who has a PhD in Art History, has been undergoing multiple rounds of IVF trying to create the baby that she so desperately wants, desperately enough to charge most of the expenses to credit cards her husband is not aware of.  Now Nell finds herself without the hoped for baby, mounting credit card debt, a distant husband and no job in sight.  When she interviews for a position as director for a new non-profit artists colony, it might not be her dream come true, but at least it will begin to pay off some of the bills.  But is Nell prepared to handle all the diverse personalities and issues that come with dealing with budding artists while attempting to mend her broken heart over the failed IVF and patch up her struggling marriage.  

The Curiosities delves into some weighty topics with finesse.  I really enjoyed the way all the characters are so diverse and perfectly developed.  I would be interested in revisiting the same characters or even new artists to the artist's colony as well as learning how Nell's life has progressed in the future.  I very much enjoy the author's writing and while this book was very different from Vintage, the hallmarks of a great story are present in both.  Four stars!

I received this book courtesy of William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

The description of this book immediately appealed to me.  Doris, a 96 year old woman, lives alone in Stockholm and looks forward to her weekly Skype calls with her great niece and only relative Jenny in the US.  As Doris pages through her cherished red address book, she decides to write down her precious memories for Jenny so that someone will know her story when she is gone.  The colorful life Doris has led comes to light with each entry she writes.  She was truly a woman who stood strong in the face of adversity and played the game of life no matter the cards she was dealt.    

Our older generation has so much to teach us and each person has stories that are interesting and valuable.  The Red Address Book should be a reminder to all of us, if we would just stop and listen once in a while, we would be better for it.  

This book was a solid four star read for me and is one I remember for some time to come.  

I received this book courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

I just discovered Lisa Jewell last year when our book club read Then She Was Gone and all I can say is, thank you to the book club member that recommended Lisa Jewell's books. Watching You is the perfect mix of suspense and what I like to call the dark and twisty parts.  

Joey Mullen and her newlywed husband have recently moved into Melville Heights to live with her brother and his pregnant wife Rebecca. While Joey's life seemed to be headed in one direction, she can't seem to get established now that she has moved back to England and can't stop herself from developing an infatuation with Tom Fitzwilliam, her married neighbor and school headmaster.

Melville Heights boasts an eclectic blend of characters, each adding their unique flavor to the cast - Tom Fitzwilliam's teenage son Freddie who likes to spy on the entire neighborhood as opposed to interacting with anyone individually; Jenna Tripp, a student at Tom Fitzwilliam's school, whose mother suffers from paranoid delusions and believes she is being targeted; Rebecca, Joey's sister-in-law, that is as detached as can be and has yet to develop any bond with Joey; Tom's wife Nicola who plays the perfect trophy wife.  While Joey keeps going deeper into murky waters with Tom Fitzwilliam, Freddie and Jenna begin to suspicion that there is more to Mr. Fitzwilliam's squeaky clean reputation that meets the eye. 

Watching You is like a spider web of storylines that keeps you guessing up to the very end.  This was a five star read with many twists and turns along the way.  Highly recommend!

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I love how Juliet Blackwell transitions seamlessly between an engaging present day story with interesting yet flawed characters to two separate time periods with more unique personalities with their own stories to tell.  The Lost Carousel of Provence is just such a book.  

Cady Drake has lived a difficult life, devoid of much human attachment, outside of her dear friend Maxine, who has just recently passed away.  Cady's only other friend Olivia encourages Cady to travel to Paris and pursue a photography project involving carousels and to try and learn the story behind Gus, an antique carousel rabbit that belongs to Cady.  Cady's journey through France leads her to an aging chateau and its curmudgeonly resident Fabrice Clement.  As Cady's story develops, we also learn about how the carousel came to be at Chateau Clement and also about Fabrice's past.  

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me coming back to read more.  The descriptions of the carousel as well as the French countryside are so vivid that it truly created a picture in my mind.  I felt all three narratives were equally compelling and I very much enjoyed this book.  A solid four star read for me!  

I received an ARC courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Marilla of Green Gables really took me back to Avonlea and the lovely Anne of Green Gables stories.  Most of us probably read Anne of Green Gables when we were growing up and after reading Marilla of Green Gables, it made me want to start the series all over again. 

We meet Marilla when she is just a young lady growing up on her family farm and learn so much about what made her the character we remember from the Anne of Green Gables novels.  Her life story grows and develops through this re-telling.  Sometimes when an author re-visits a well known and loved character or setting, it can be a total disaster or make the reader feel like coming home.  Marilla of Green Gables was definitely a sweet homecoming for me.  It is everything you remember about Avonlea along with new memorable characters.  Truly, it is just a well written novel and very enjoyable read.  I believe even if you weren't a fan of the Anne of Green Gables series, this book could be read and appreciated for the great piece of historical fiction it is.  

I can imagine Marilla of Green Gables being a wonderful book club selection that could be enhanced by also reading Anne of Green Gables.  

I received this book courtesy of William Morrow through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

I was so thrilled when I found out that Elizabeth Berg was going to revisit the fictional town of Mason, Missouri and continue the narrative that began with The Story of Arthur Truluv.  And Night of Miracles was another five star read for me and absolutely one of the best books I've read this year!  

Night of Miracles continues the story of Lucille Howard. Her baking classes are really taking off and she has developed quite the following.  Through Lucille, we also meet the young family who lives next door and see first hand the challenges they face.  We also meet Iris, Lucille's newly hired assistant, and witness how her life changes over the course of the book.  I just can't tell you how well Elizabeth Berg develops characters that you really feel like you know.  I became so invested in this story and loved every minute.  

Night of Miracles is a story about the depth of human kindness and is a touching and endearing read.  I highly recommend Night of Miracles, and while it is a sequel, it could truly be read as a stand alone as well. 

I received this book courtesy of Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I loved everything about this book!  Diane Chamberlain always does an amazing job of writing a wonderful story, but The Dream Daughter takes it to another level.  

Carly Sears has just lost her husband in the Vietnam War and finds herself pregnant but the baby has a heart defect that will most likely be fatal.  How much more can one person handle?  Her brother-in-law Hunter proposes what seems like a preposterous and unlikely idea, but what mother wouldn't take any opportunity to try and save her child.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but I was completely drawn into this story and loved every minute.  

I truly enjoyed every little nuance and twist that Diane Chamberlain made in this narrative.  It was a dream to read and a story that will stay with me long after.  Five stars and a highly recommend from me!  

I received this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.