America's First Daughter is an in-depth look at the life of Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph and her father President Thomas Jefferson.  The scope of this book is truly amazing and it provides an up close and personal look at the life and times of the Jefferson family.  I really came away with the feeling of how resilient and strong Patsy was.  She had so many challenges and adversities in her life but she handled them all with honor and resolve.  I also developed a deeper appreciation for how volatile life in America was during that early period.  

Since the book covered such a wide span of time and provided a very in-depth view of the Jefferson family, I did feel that the story dragged slightly at points but I appreciated the amount of research the authors did in order to provide a realistic portrayal.  I learned so much about both Martha Jefferson Randolph and Thomas Jefferson as well as the French Revolution and its impact on America.  Overall, it was a compelling story and I enjoyed it.

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

The Life We Bury grabbed me from page one.  Joe Talbert turns to a nursing home to find a subject for the biography assignment in his college English class.  He meets Carl Iverson, a decorated war veteran and convicted murderer.  How could he be both?  Joe decides he needs to know which person Carl really is.  Joe also is struggling to deal with his own family situation and issues from his past.  

Both the aspect of discovering more about Carl Iverson's life and past, as well as seeing how Joe was going to deal with his autistic brother and alcoholic mother, were compelling stories and drew me in.  I thought the author kept the reader engaged and the characters were very relatable.  The Life We Bury sheds light on the concept that each person has their own life story that may not always be the way it seems at first glance.  The novel is well paced and I was quite surprised it was a debut novel.  I certainly look forward to reading more by Allen Eskens.  

I could not have been more excited to read The Forgotten Room.  If you follow my blog, you know that all three authors are among my favorite writers.  The Forgotten Room did not disappoint.  

In The Forgotten Room, three separate stories emerge.  We meet Olive in 1892, Lucy in 1920, and Kate in 1945.  Olive is serving as a housemaid, seeking revenge against the mansion's owner for her father's death.  Lucy is employed with a law firm and plans to use those connections to learn more about her mother's past and who her real father might be.  Kate is a young female doctor serving during World War II, struggling to receive equal treatment from her peers when she encounters a handsome male patient and feels an odd sense of deja vu.  

The book flows so seamlessly, you really can't fathom it was written by three different authors.  Each character and time period seems genuine and authentic.  The mansion itself is such a prevalent part of the story, that it nearly becomes a separate character in the book.  The descriptions are so vivid you can easily picture the mansion in your mind.  Each storyline is equally compelling and being fans of all the authors, I found myself trying to figure out who had written which part.  I absolutely loved it and purchased an autographed copy for my own collection from The FoxTale Book Shoppe.  I really hope these three authors collaborate again and I will be first in line to purchase their next book.  

I received this book from Penguin Group Berkley,NAL/Signet Romance,DAW through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.  

CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROL DOSCHER, winner of this contest!  

​Thanks for visiting our website Walley's Book Reviews.  I hope you will enjoy reading the reviews and hopefully find some great books to add to your "to read" list.  

One lucky winner will receive all books pictured.  To enter, please comment on this post with your name and the best book you have read so far this year.  Also, subscribe to our RSS feed on this page.  (See icon on right side of page).  This will notify you when new reviews or contests have been posted.  

​Winner to be chosen by random draw on 2/22/16.  US Residents only.  

Thanks for entering and good luck!  

Contest includes:
Postcards From the Sky by Erin Sideman
Put A Ring On It by Beth Kendrick
How To Grow An Addict by J.A. Wright
Vote for Remi by Leanna Lehman
The Word Game by Steena Holmes
Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani
All in Her Head by Sunny Mera

I blame my sleep deprivation the last few days on Lisa Gardner and her new book Find Her.  Once I started reading this book, I did not want to put it down.

Flora Dane was kidnapped seven years ago and spent 472 days with her captor before being rescued.  Once home, Flora tries to return to her normal self but finds she no longer is that same person.  Detective D.D. Warren encounters Flora at a crime scene and is puzzled as to whether Flora is a victim of reckless behavior or a vigilante out for justice.  Before D.D. can decide, Flora is abducted and D.D. must sort through all the clues before it's too late. 

I have enjoyed Lisa Gardner's books in the past, but I believe this is her best book yet.  The portions of the book describing Flora's captivity were so vivid that they really put you right there with her.  You could definitely tell the novel was well researched and I felt that the author truly gave a voice to the victims and survivors of those horrific circumstances.  Find Her was perfectly paced and as with all of Lisa Gardner's books, the characters were well developed and interesting.  I highly recommend Find Her, but be plan to stay up late with this highly suspenseful engaging novel.  

I received this book from Penguin Group Dutton through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.