The Code Breaker is a fascinating novel that truly gave me an insight into both the science itself and the talented scientists behind the exciting and controversial advances that have been made.  

I'll be honest, I was a little daunted by the thought of reading this book because science really isn't my best subject and I hoped it wasn't all going to be completely over my head.  I needn't have worried.  The author does an amazing job of conveying all the information about this complicated field, but not leaving the reader behind.  He is able to explain very technical information in a clear manner, all the while not making it condescending in any way.  I was impressed by the dedication the scientists showed to their field and also somewhat surprised at how competitive the field is.  It was also interesting to me to learn more about the partnership between universities, researchers and business.  

This novel could not be more timely and I felt it was an important work to read to stay informed about this crucial field.  I left with a greater understanding of the gene editing process, the complicated moral and ethical issues faced and the process behind the creation of the COVID vaccines.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I was so thrilled to see that Lisa Scottoline had written a new book and to find out that it was historical fiction really had me intrigued.  I had read her legal thrillers and her humorous essays but I was eager to see how she would write historical fiction.   

Eternal had me so captivated that I read most of the novel in one setting.  The characters are so well written and the pacing of the novel is absolutely spot on.  You can tell from the first pages that it is very well researched and while reading, you are truly transported to the streets of Italy.  I noticed today that there is a tour of the locations posted on her website that I can't wait to watch.

Eternal is the story of three young friends Elisabetta, Marco and Sandro, who couldn't be more different.  Elisabetta dreams of becoming a novelist some day.  Marco struggles with school and his father is pushing him to train as a cyclist.  Sandro is a Jewish mathematics prodigy with dreams of making big change in the world.  They've been friends since they were children but now Marco and Sandro are both hoping to make their romantic feelings known for Elisabetta.  Their world is about to change as Mussolini's Fascists become more aligned with Hitler's Nazis, and Italy seems to change overnight.  

This novel presented a different side to many of the historical fiction novels I have read over the years.  I had not read one that provided a viewpoint of Italy and Mussolini's Fascist government both before World War II started and then once it reached Italy.  I appreciated the level of research that went into the novel and felt that it really added to the authenticity of the storyline.  

I highly recommend Eternal and I hope you love it as much as I did.  I think it would make a marvelous book club selection and there seem to be many resources on her website for both a book club and just a curious reader who wants to know more.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

After reading Surviving Savannah, I have a severe book hangover.  I can't get over the characters and the descriptions of the sinking of the steamship Pulaski. Even though I finished the novel a few days ago, I can't bring myself to start reading anything new because I just want to stay in Savannah and learn more about these characters and the shipwreck.  

Everly Winthrop grew up listening to her Papa tells stories about the Pulaski and its passengers, while she marveled at the painting of the steamship that hung in her family's home.  Now as an adult, she has been asked to guest curate a special exhibit on the recently discovered Pulaski and the artifacts that have been found nearly 180 years after its tragic sinking.  As Everly's research brings her closer to the truth of what happened to many of the passengers, including the 11 members of the Longstreet family, Everly also begins to reflect on what it means to be a survivor and how in essence you survive the surviving.   

I am truly amazed at the level of research that Ms. Callahan did to bring this story to life and I am so grateful that she did.  Not only did I learn about the Pulaski, but I also felt immersed in the city of Savannah itself.  To realize that in real life, the artifacts and treasures on board the Pulaski are being recovered from the ocean floor just about 30 miles off the coast of North Carolina some 180 years later is amazing.  The novel and the true story of what transpired as well as the recovery of the ship's contents are riveting.  

Surviving Savannah is a story that will stay with me for a long time.  It's a story of determination, grit, perseverance, faith and love.  It is a book you will want to discuss with someone so I'd recommend buying your best friend a copy too.  Trust me, I've talked to my family about this book so much that my 9 year old son can tell you all about the "Titanic of the South" and they want to plan a trip to Savannah next spring to see the full exhibit of the artifacts.  

If you are a historical fiction fan or simply love a great story, you should drop whatever else you are doing and start reading Surviving Savannah today!

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I've read many stories of heroism and resilience during World War II, but none quite like The Invisible Woman, detailing the journey of American spy Virginia Hall.  

The story centers around Virginia, code name Diane, as she returns to France after suffering a devastating loss on her last mission there.  When beginning the mission, her superiors tell her it's likely she will only last six weeks in the war-torn country during this time.  Virginia is an unlikely candidate to lead Resistance troops and carry out this mission, posing as an elderly infirm lady.  However, her actions are nothing short of miraculous.  I found the novel to be very enlightening and was inspired not only by Virginia, but also all the many other characters in the novel, representing the real life sacrifices so many made to fight this war any way they knew how.  

The novel was very well researched and I always appreciate when historical fiction novels provide you with the information on what has been fictionalized and what is historically accurate information.  After reading the novel, it definitely motivates me to delve further into Ms. Hall and her real-life story.  The author does a tremendous job of engaging the reader and providing a window into this interesting hero.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

When I think of John Hart, I remember my mother finding The Last Child at the bookstore, devouring it over a weekend and then telling everyone she knew what an amazing story it was, followed by her buying all of John Hart's earlier novels and reading them as fast as she could.  Trust me when I say, The Unwilling will set you on the same path my mother experienced.  John Hart is am amazing storyteller and everything he writes is pure readers gold, in my opinion.  

Jason has just been released from prison and returns to his hometown, in hopes of reestablishing a relationship with his younger brother Gibby.  Unfortunately, Jason's past reputation follows him, both for his reported actions in the Vietnam War and the drug charges that sent him to prison.  Gibby feels torn between wanting to get to know his mysterious older brother and keeping his distance as his mother urges him to do.  Ultimately, Gibby meets Jason for a day together at the lake with older women and booze.  This seemingly simple day sets off a chain of events that have far reaching consequences for them all.  

The Unwilling is a multi-faceted novel, with suspense, crime, family drama and coming of age all rolled into a book that will keep you turning pages at a feverish pace.  Each character is authentic and genuine.  There are dark and evil characters that you will never forget and tragically flawed characters that will leave their mark as well. This novel was a little darker than what I typically read, but combined with the other aspects of the story, it made for a compelling plot.  

Another 5 star read for 2021!  I received this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

Beginning in 1934 Texas during the Great Depression, The Four Winds gives a brutal insight into the trying times our nation faced during this period and the incredible resiliency shown by those Americans.  

The reader follows Elsa's journey, beginning in Texas where after a somewhat tumultuous start with her new husband and in-laws, she grows to love the farm and their life there.  As her life begins to take on new meaning, the Dust Bowl hits their farm and her life is completely upended.  Those long months put a strain on her family like none Elsa has ever experienced.  Circumstances cause Elsa to move her family across the country to California in search of a a better life, only to be met with a situation that is nearly worse than what she was living with in Texas.  

The resilience and spirit that the author conveys through this novel is inspiring.  Reading about the hardships that these Americans faced and how they were determined to keep their spirits afloat was uplifting and motivating.  

I appreciated the amount of research and detail that were included about this period in our history and enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about this important time. The descriptions were vividly portrayed from the ditch bank camps in California to the dust storms in Texas.  The characters were well developed and I could easily picture each character clearly in my mind, making the novel a pleasure to read.

I received this novel courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

While life surely isn't luxurious for Antonina Mazin as a Jew in Venice during 1943, she still has her parents and her dreams of going back to school when the war is over.  So she is shocked when seemingly overnight, her father sends her away from Venice masquerading as the wife of Nico Gerardi, a man she just met and who she literally must now trust with her secret and her life.  As she leaves Venice and everything she knows behind to head toward an uncertain future, Nico suggests that she also change her name to Nina and she learns she will be living on his family's farm in the countryside.  Nina's arrival isn't welcome by all of Nico's family or the village residents and it isn't long until her appearance draws unwelcome attention from a German officer with a particular vendetta against Nico.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read, but I do sometimes feel that many of those novels have a World War II setting, which can lead to some reader burnout on my end.  I can say Our Darkest Night was a bright light.  While at first glance, it might have some similarities to other novels in that genre, Our Darkest Night brought a whole new perspective.  The characters leapt from the page and I could sense the danger and peril they faced.  I was drawn back to this book time after time and was so invested in the future of both Nina and Nico.  For me, a story of resilience and courage through adversity was exactly what I needed right now.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.   

If you've followed my blog for very long, you probably know I'm a fan of Lisa Gardner.  She's one of those authors that I don't even read the book description because I know I'm going to want to read whatever she writes.  I was surprised though when I started reading Before She Disappeared and realized I was being introduced to a new lead character that hadn't been seen in a previous novel or series.  It was fun to see how Frankie Elkin's character developed over the course of the novel.  I very much enjoyed this stand alone novel and hope it might evolve into a new series.  
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Frankie Elkin is a recovery alcoholic whose sole personal mission is to travel around the country searching for the missing, those people that no one else can bring home.  Part amateur detective, part renegade, Frankie is committed to do whatever it takes to solve the case.  Flawed yet relatable in certain ways, Frankie leads the reader along as she investigates the complicated disappearance of Angelique Badeau.  

This book kept me guessing and turning pages at a fast pace. Fingers crossed that we see a new series with Frankie Elkin solving more missing persons cases.   Another five star read for me!

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

This book grabbed me just based on its premise alone: Three different women, one in present day, one in 1907 and one in 1944, all tied together by Highbury House and its vast garden.  I really enjoyed how each character and time period brought its own unique perspective and how they were connected by the home and gardens.  Normally in these types of stories, I'm drawn slightly more to one character over another, but truly this book had all timelines and storylines on equal footing.  It was so interesting to read about the challenges the women faced and how they each handled their own adversity differently.  I think readers will identify with at least one character, if not several characters, in the novel.  

If you are a historical fiction fan, or simply enjoy a moving story, I highly recommend The Last Garden in England.  I also think it would make for an engaging and interesting book club discussion as well.  A five star read for me.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I love how Rachel Joyce crafts these stories that are so unique and includes characters that are quirky but completely realistic and relatable.  Miss Benson's Beetle gives us not one but two strong female characters that truly transform over the course of this engaging novel.  

Margery Benson has lived a regimented stifled life, in my opinion, and needing a new direction for her life, on a whim, she decides to follow her childhood dreams and head to New Caldedonia in search of the golden beetle that her father dreamt of finding.  She interviews assistants, order supplies and makes travel plans for this expedition.  At the last minute, she has to hire a different assistant than she had planned, asking her to meet her at the dock, sight unseen.  When assistant Enid Pretty arrives, Margery is in for a surprise.  The two women embark on this life changing mission and their adventures make for quite a story.  

I truly enjoyed this novel and the beauty of the story. The story of Margery and Enid is a great narrative of the power of friendship, resilience and determination.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.