Charla_W

I have read many books about WWII and I put this at the top of the list of the best books about the subject! The story is centered around a young Jewish woman, Eva Traube, living in France with her parents when the Germans invaded. Eva becomes a very good forger of documents that help get Jewish children into Switzerland and to safety. While forging documents Eva works with Remy who is also a forger and part of the resistance movement and together they come up with a way to keep a record of the names of the children they forge new names for. The method they use to keep the list is called the Fibonacci sequence which is placed inside an old Catholic Church book. Sixty years after Eva lost everything she comes across an article about the book being in a German library. Even though Eva never told her family about her role in the war, she leaves everything to go to Germany to collect her book. It is on the trip to collect the book that she starts remembering the war and all that she lived through and the story is told by way of her memory. Like all of these stories it is very sad and difficult to comprehend all of the horrible things that happened. But, it written beautifully and I now look forward to reading other books written by Kristin Harmel.

I loved that this book was written from Jane's sister Cassandra's perspective. It included information from prior to Jane's death, the circumstances leading up to Jane's death and after Jane's death. I loved that the plot was centered around Cassandra's determination to get any letters written by Jane or herself that might have shined a negative light on her family or her sister. Therefore, there were many letters included in the story and I enjoyed reading it because of the letters. I think the author did a great job telling the story and although I cannot be 100 sure, I think Jane would approve. However, I was left trying to determine what disease Jane actually died of. No I didn't expect the author to answer that question, after all I don't think anyone knows that for certain. But, the story did make me think about this dilemma, as well as other ask questions. If a book sticks with me in that manner, it is because it was a well written story.

This book is different from most books for adults, because it is written from the perspective of a 7 year old girl. Her name is Elsa and she is very smart for her age. Elsa's Mom works all the time and is also very pregnant. So, Elsa spends most of her time with her eccentric Grandmother who lives in the same group of flats. Grandma is a retired physician, as well as a mischievous, fun loving person that knows how to live life to its fullest. Elsa is being bullied at school, which she keeps from most everyone, with the exception of Grandma. Grandma introduces Elsa to "the land of almost awake" where they both escape from reality. Grandma gets cancer and Elsa is left with the job of fulfilling Grandma's request to deliver a series of letters to all of the people Grandma cared about and had, at one point helped in some way. Coincidentally, all of these people lived in the same block of flats. It is in Elsa's attempt to fulfill this request that she discovers herself and finds out a lot more about the people that live around her. And, each of these people have a unique story and history. At times, Elsa seems so much older than 7, going on 8. However, her best friend is her Grandma. This book will make you laugh, cry, worry, and keep you glued to it until the end. It should really be on everyone's reading list! My new favorite author is Fredrick Backman! If you loved "A Man Called Ove," then you will love this one too!

It is my understanding that this book is Phillip Lewis' first, and if that is true then I cannot wait for the second. I absolutely loved this book! The writing is superb , the character development spot on, and the writing is beautiful.

This is the story of Henry Aster, Sr and is told by his son Henry, Jr. Henry, Sr was born in a desolate, dreary little town deep in North Carolina called Old Buckram. The people of Old Buckram were poor and uneducated. Henry, Sr stood out like a sore thumb, because from a very early age he was smart and he was never seen without a book in his hand. Old Buckram was a place where most of the people could not read, and didn't even own a book. And, if they did own a book, it was the Bible. Henry, Sr. eventually went to college and became a lawyer, as well as a college professor. To give you a better perspective of the importance of books and education to Henry, Sr- he met his wife in the library. And the fact that she was first seen by him was in a library added to his excitement.

Henry, Sr and Eleonore moved to Old Buckram when Henry's mother became ill. Henry won a big case and earned enough money to buy an old abandoned house that sat on the side of a tall mountain. The house was surrounded by mystery. The man who had the old mansion built had a wife and three daughters, and when they moved in, people saw less and less of them. Eventually, someone went to the old house and discovered the man and his wife had been shot to death and were still in the house. At first no one knew what became of the girls, but they were found shot dead and buried in shallow graves on the property. No one ever knew what had went on in that house or if the Dad had killed everyone and then himself, or if someone else murdered them all.

It was in this house that Henry, Sr and Eleonore started their family. Shortly after they moved in, Henry, Sr's mother died and this event would have a profound affect on Henry, Sr's life. They had three children, Henry, Jr was the oldest, Threnody was next, and later came Maddy. Maddy was unexpected, because they had not planned to have any more children after Threnody.. Maddy was also a very sick and frail child.

I fear giving too much away, so I will stop retelling the story and tell you how I feel about the story. The story is very intense and the reader feels what the characters are feeling. Phillip Lewis's writing is very powerful, but at the same time it is very beautiful. It is both beautiful and haunting simultaneously. It is the story of how time, love,stuggles and disappointments can be passed from one generation to the next. Here is one excerpt that I particularly liked: "Ignoring my concern, he put his nose into his glass and drew back his lips to show his vampire canines. Then he said, " If you ever think I have enough time to do that-I'll just pass the time today and make my art tomorrow," then you have already lost. Time has fooled you into thinking it exists."

I can't wait to see what Philip Lewis does with his next book!

This is a wonderful book that takes the reader on a trip through modern day NYC, as well as to Russia during the time of Catherine the Great (Sophia Agusta Frederica). The transition between the two time periods flow flawlessly. During the modern era in NYC, the protagonist is Tanya, a Russian expat. Tanya works for a high end auction house in Manhattan. She is an expert on Russian Art. Of course the protagonist in Russia during the 1700's is Sophie, the future Catherine the Great.

The auction house that Tanya works with comes into possession of a priceless Russian artifact, which Tanya becomes responsible for. It is at this time the two stories begin to merge. While Tanya is trying to make sense of her husband's disappearance, Sophie, the future Catherine the Great is facing a new life in Russia. She has gone to Russia to be married. Both Tanya and Sophie are having marital issues that seem to stem from their determined inner strength and their husbands' egos.

This book is beautifully written. The two time periods blend together perfectly. The way Irina Reyn was able to blend the two time periods together is reminiscent of Kate Morton's work. Anyone that loves history, art, and romance will likely enjoy this book. I received this book from BookBrowse in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about an Irish family that seems to be living in a cycle similar to Celtic knot. The story is written as journal entries by Sean Michael Corigan and Michael Sean Corigan. One is living in 1972 and the other is living in 1996. even though the story constantly flips between the two time lines and sometimes can be a little confusing, overall the story is a good one. It is full of suspense and drama and little romance that keeps you glued to the pages. It takes you from New York to Ireland and into two different, but at the same time similar, worlds.

This is another great book by Sarah Addison Allen! It is filled with intrigue, mystery, romance, magic and southern charm. I love the way the writing has the power to wrap you up in the character's lives and make you feel like you are part of the story. I believe this is a story that almost everyone will be able to connect to their own life. It is set in a small southern town and about the love and friendships of several people that grew up together and then grew apart as they became adults. Two old ladies that are in a nursing home helps to bring them all back together. The getting back together and discovering what they want out of life is what makes the story come alive. Like Sarah Allen's other books this story is also full of southern lore which is always fun. Did you know that a pink sky is a sign of someone discovering love? Or that when you hear a bell ring you should hold your hands to scoop up the good fortune? Well, according to southern lore that is exactly what you should do!

The way the people's lives in this book intertwine is fascinating. At first I found myself wandering what one person had to do with the other. But I kept reading, and shortly it all made sense. I realized that all of the people are linked together by one woman. A woman that is hell bent on destroying every man that she comes in contact with. The woman's name is Margot and she is definitely an interesting character. Maybe she has crossed the wrong person this time because she has had a bad accident that might not have been an accident at all!

Ahhh! I do not really know where to begin in reviewing this book because there are so very many great things to be said about it. The first thing that comes to mind, are the many different paths that it takes the reader down. It will keep you guessing for all 708 glorious pages. Just when you think you have something figured out, there comes along another unforeseen twist.

The characters are awesome! Each of them have such depth that they become real and leap from the pages right into your reality. This story is being narrated by a lovely girl named Margaret. Margaret is a bibliophile, a biographer, and in a way she is also a detective. She is writing the life story of the world's most beloved authoress, Ms Winter. Along the way, Margaret gets herself caught in to the mysterious past of Ms Winters. Not only is Margaret writing the biography , but she is also trying to solve the mystery that she has gotten herself mixed up in. All the while she is lost in Ms Winter's story, she is also dealing with her own personal demons.

You will form many, many questions along the way, but not to worry because they will all be answered in the end. Don't you just hate to read a book that leaves you hanging? Well, The Thirteenth Tale will not do that. Every mystery that is uncovered during this story will be answered.

You will not be disappointed with this book! It has something new to discover around every corner!

This is a wonderful mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. I had no idea who the bad guy was until the end, which is the way a good mystery should be. Although, this was the first Bess Crawford Mystery I have read, I will be on the look out for these books in the future. This book had believable, interesting characters that you could not help loving. This is a stand alone book and you don't have to read the other books to know what is going on.

Bess Crawford is a murder suspect during World War I. While she is trying to find the real murderer, World War I is raging onward. Anyone that loves a good mystery and loves World War I history would love this book.

This is the 2nd book in the series. The first book was "Poison". But, you need not have read it to enjoy this one. It is a stand alone story. I have not read Poison, and never felt I was missing anything while reading this one.

I loved that the main character was a woman, not just any woman, but a woman doing a mans job in the year 1493. Francesca Giordano was the Poisoner for Pope Alexander VI, aka Pope Roderigo Borgia. Francesca's father had been his poisoner until he was murdered. Then Francesca killed the man that was supposed to take her father's position. She became the poisoner because she knew more about her father's job than anyone.

Francesca's life is overflowing with potential danger to her life. She is part of a group called Lux. The members of the group are interested in Science, and if they are discovered reading and learning, it may be deemed as heresy which is punishable by death. Not just any death, but by being burned at the stake. Her affiliation with this group is very dangerous since she is so close to the Pope and her job is to protect the Pope at all costs.

Francesca is also sleeping with Cesare Borgia, the pope's oldest son. It is rumoured that Pope Alexander VI will make Cesare a Cardinal, which would put him in line to putting down a foundation for a dynasty of Borgia's to rule all of Christendom. The fear of this possibility increases the opposition to Pope Alexander's rule. The main threat is from Morozzi, the mad priest. Morozzi is a threat to the Pope and Francesca is hell bent on killing him with her own hands.

Not only is Francesca's life filled with danger, but it is also filled with romance. There is one steamy love scene in the Papal office that is unforgettable. There is man that lives near Francesca who is a glass blower. He has a son, but his wife has died. Francesca realizes that she has feelings for this man. His name is Rocco and his son's name is Nando. Rocco and Francesca have feelings for each other, but Francesca will not admit to her feelings for him. Rocco wants a mother for Nando. He gives Francesca the opportunity to voice her feelings, but she will not. He tells her that he is going to marry Carlotta d'Agnelli. Inside, Francesca is very sad and longs to be the kind of woman that could be a mother and wife.

This story is full of intrigue, romance, and adventure. Most historical fiction novels are centered on the Kings and Queens of the era. The view in this book is from the opposite side-the Church. It is an interesting view that I have explored very little. The people of the church were as corrupt as anyone could ever be. The Popes had mistresses and dozens of illegitimate children. They were not beyond murder or anything else in order to keep their positions.