"Fallen Land" by Taylor Brown (Historical Fiction)

Fallen Land by Taylor Brown takes place in the final year of the Civil War.  Ava and Callum are on the run because a band of marauders are after a bounty that is on Callum, a seasoned horse thief from Ireland.  Reiver, thier horse, must carry Ava and Callum to safety.

I enjoyed this book and its two main characters very much.  It is like a western which I haven't read in a long time so a nice change of pace for me.  This is the author's first book!  This is the second time I've read this one--I liked it when I read it in 2016 too.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 24:  The boy staggered along behind, finding his legs.  He was still disoriented, his boots tripping along the ground.

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"Sold on a Monday" by Kristina McMorris

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris takes place during the Great Depression in 1931.  A picture started it all.  Ellis is a reporter who is struggling to keep his job.  One day he saw a sign that reads "2 Children For Sale" and took a picture.  For sure people would be interested in this.  Could this be the break he has been looking for?  Lilly Palmer, a secretary where Ellis works, sees the picture.  Both of them want to find out more about this!  There is a lot more to this than they could have ever imagined!

This is good and flowed along with some good action.  (Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 17:  Were there other siblings being spared?  Would the brothers be separated?   

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"The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead is based on a real story.  This book takes place in the early 60s.  Elwood is a young boy who makes a mistake and is sentenced to a reform school called "Nickel."  There he meets a young boy named Turner.  Nickel is a rough school, but especially for young black boys.

This is a short book so a quick read.  I liked the contrast in thinking between Turner and Elwood and how they handled their time in Nickel, a school with very corrupt officials. 
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 17:  He'd been so proud of his ability, dumb and simple as it was.  He never settled on one conclusion until he got to Nickel, which made the truth of the contests unavoidable.

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"Gone Too Long " by Lori Roy

In Gone Too Long by Lori Roy, Imogene is the daughter of the head of the Ku Klux Klan, but now her dad is dead, and she hopes all the Klan stuff is over. She never was a fan of it! When she finds a small boy, who knows her name locked in a room on her property, it is not over by a long shot!

The problem I had with this book is that it went back and forth in time which bothered the flow of the book for me. Other than that this book was not too bad at all. It kept me engaged for the most part!
 (Gerard’s review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 13:  "I can't call the police," Tillie says.  "I known Robert and Edith Robithan most all my life.  And I ain't going to be the one to tell them their son is a thief."

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"Resistance Women" by Jennifer Chiaverini

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini is a work of historical fiction.  Mildred and Arvid are newly married and enjoying life and teaching in Germany.  But the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party changes that.  They and their friends decide to do what they can to get the truth out about Hitler and help people to escape.  But how long until they are found out?

I thought this book was really good.  The book ran true to life for me and I enjoyed the characters.  At close to 600 pages, there was some down time but still had a pretty good pace to it and a good ending.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 26:  "Then along comes this loud, angry man," Natan said, "promising to take them back to a mythical golden age of prosperity, swearing to punish Germany's enemies for wronging them.  Some people respond to that--in this case, vast numbers of people."

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"The Huntress" by Kate Quinn (Historical Fiction)

A bunch of story lines make up The Huntress by Kate Quinn.  (1) Nina is living her dream.  She is a member of an all-female bomber team trying to stop Hitler from advancing, but when she winds up behind enemy lines, can she survive?  (2) Ian and Tony are looking for Nazi war criminals.  One they really want is a female known as The Huntress!  Can they find her when others have failed?  (3) Jordan thinks that his new stepmother is not who she claims to be;  unfortunately, the more he digs for answers, the more danger to him and his loved ones!

I thought this book was really good!  The story lines kept my interest all the way.  This is one of the best books I read this year!  Do not miss it!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)  

Teaser from page 126:  Who are you?  she thought for the thousandth time.  In her mind's eye she saw Ruth recoiling at her mother's blood-smeared hand, and an answer whispered, full of conviction.  Someone dangerous.

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"Modern Girls" by Jennifer S. Brown (Mother/Daughter Book)

Modern Girls by Jennifer S. Brown is about some Jewish immigrant families in New York during the great depression.   The story is told from alternating views of Rosa, the mother, Dottie, her daughter who finds herself in a predicament.  Both mother and daughter get pregnant.  Rosa is 42 years old and Dottie isn't married, but has been seeing Abe for three years, waiting for him to save up enough money to rent their own place when they get married.  Abe is a virtuous Jew and Dottie knows the baby is not his, but a handsome, wealthy, playboy journalist named Willie Klein is the father.  Gossip is spreading throughout her neighborhood, her mother had saved up money for her to go to college, and Dottie is desperate to get Abe to think the baby is his.  She really wants to keep the baby, but her mother has made an appointment to have it "taken care of."  Will she be able to have her happily ever after ending with Abe?  Will she get the abortion?  Will she end up marrying Willie?  How will Rosa be able to help her daughter?

This book kept my interest, and I did like Dottie in spite of her big mistake.  I also liked her mother although she had some secrets of her own!   I also enjoyed Dottie's brothers and thought Willie and Abe were interesting characters.  I liked how they were pretty much opposites and yet Dottie liked them both.  I would have liked more of the story as it has an open-ended ending.  I think this would make a good book club read since there's much that could be discussed.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 21:  Abe would work at the store during the day.  Ma would watch the kids for a few hours, and I'd continue at the insurance company.  The picture was dreamy and I smiled before remembering I had botched it all up.

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"Wunderland" by Jennifer Cody Epstein

WOW!  What a fantastic book Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein is to finish the month of April!  There are two main stories in this book:  (1)   Ilse and Renate are the two young girls and best of friends!  However, the infiltration with the Hitler youth movement will put that friendship to the test like nothing else would!  (2)  Things have never been easy between Ava and her estranged mother Ilse.  Ava has so many questions; however, when her mom's ashes arrive in a box from Germany and a bunch of letters addressed to Renate, Ava will learn the shocking story of her mom she never knew!

This is very good!  Ilse and Renate were both great characters!  I thought both of the stories were really well written and enjoyed this book a lot!  Believe the hype!  (Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 39:  But Ava could only shake her head, overwhelmed not just by the gift but by the stark realization that for all her self-declared independence and self-sufficiency, for all her written protestations to her friends that she'd been "managing just fine" alone, she hadn't been.  Not at all.

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"Lost Roses" by Martha Hall Kelly is Really Good!

Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly is a work of historical fiction around 1914.  The first World War is just about to start and also the Russian Revolution is going on now!  The three main characters in this book are women!  Sofya, a member of the Tsar family; Eliza, a very close friend of Sofya who helps "white Russians" as they try to escape the Revolution in their homeland; and Varinka is brought up to help the Tsar family.

I also loved her other book, Lilac Girls!  When I heard that she was writing a second book, I knew I had to get it and am glad I did!  Plenty of action in this book keeps it going!  When all the women come together at the end of this book is very good!  Her next book is on the Civil War and I look forward to reading that one too!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 72:  Mamka's fingers trembled as she took the next card from the pack and placed it on the shadowed end of her plank.  "The next card is most important, so heed it well."


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"The Secret Keeper" by Kate Morton

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton is a murder mystery, but not a who did it, but why did they?  On her younger brother's birthday, teen Laurel is hiding in her tree house and is the only one who sees her mother actually kill the strange man who came that knew her name.  She tells the cops what she saw, but not that her mother knew who he was.  It was concluded that her mom acted in self-defense because he was going to harm the baby brother who she was holding.  Years later, when Laurel was in her 50s and her mother was dying, Laurel decides to look into that event more closely to find out who that man was and why her mother killed him with the birthday knife they always used to cut the birthday cakes.  Through a long journey through photos, World War II letters, and a visit to London Laurel finally discovers the truth. 

This story was really good; however, it seemed to take forever to get at it and finally arrive at the end.  I enjoyed story most when it was back during World War in London, showing the mother's background before marrying Laurel's father, Stephen.  I just found it hard to believe that Laurel was never that curious about her mother's background until she was dying.  I know, that's where the title comes in, but I thought it was far-fetched that Laurel would bother doing all that research instead of just asking her mother straight out.  I did not care for how the author went into so much detail describing scenery and jumping between all different years back and forth.  I loved the surprise ending.  This book really picked up around page 400.  I really enjoyed the last 80 pages or so--it saved the book for me.  It includes some discussion questions in the back for book clubs to use.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 28:  Both sisters turned towards her mighty indignation, and therefore neither noticed Dorothy's sharp intake of breath, the look of anguish that crossed her face at the mention of Vivien's name.  By the time the three Nicolsen sisters had gathered at their mother's side, Dorothy appeared to be sleeping calmly, her features giving no hint that she'd left behind the hospital, her weary body, and her grown daughters, slipping through time to the dark night of 1941.

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"Fire & Ice" (Book 3 of Wild at Heart series) by Mary Connealy

Fire & Ice by Mary Connealy is the third and final book in the Wild Heart series. This book focuses on Bailey and Gage. Bailey prides herself on being able to take care of herself and be as good a rancher as any man and Gage is determined to get his cattle to graze in the canyon that Bailey blocked with her cabin. While Gage starts blasting away the mountain to give him another way into the canyon, he and some of his men nearly get killed when a trap someone set for them results in an avalanche! He accuses Bailey but she sets him straight and convinces him it wasn’t her that set that trap. After making it through a lonely winter, she is actually happy when Gage Coulter comes to her door, but is floored at what he wants.

This third book continued to be entertaining and is a great ending to this series. I loved how Bailey and Gage gradually grew to love each other. I really liked all three sisters in this series and was sorry to see it end. Once again, this book had adventure, mystery, romance and humor. I loved this series and flew through all three books once I started it.  I highly recommend this series for light reading.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 14:  "This is why you've been as good as hiding from me ever since the first time I came across you in your sister's cabin, all the way back before Kylie married Aaron.  You didn't want me to know you were a woman."

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"Now & Forever" by Mary Connealy (Book 2 of Wild at Heart series)

Now & Forever by Mary Connealy is the second book in the Wild at Heart series that focuses on Shannon and the mountain man, Tucker, who sometimes works for Gage Coulter. After tucker gets clawed by a bear and Shannon and he fall off a cliff into the river to get away, they rely on each other to find a way out. They spend five days and nights in an underground cave before they are rescued, at which time they get married! Most of the story is the mystery and adventure of someone trying to chase them off their homestead by getting their sheep killed and burning their barn. Although Shannon is a tough woman, she cries a lot in this book.

I liked this book as much as the first in this series, but was a bit disappointed in the ending. (5 stars)

Teaser from page 28: She’d go find her sister, who would turn out to be the first woman ever to survive this rattlesnake of a river. And if anyone could do it, it was Shannon. And no one was more apt to help her than Matthew Tucker.


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"Tried & True" (Wild at Heart Series Book 1) by Mary Connealy

Tried & True by Mary Connealy is about three sisters becoming homesteaders after serving in the Civil War disguised as men to fulfill their pa's dream.  Kylie, Bailey and Shannon are the three sisters who have been made tough by war and have picked up some manly skills.  Shannon loves animals and is happy raising sheep while the eldest sister, Bailey loves being independent and raising cattle.  Kylie, however, prefers civilization, tea parties and bonnets and has agreed to homestead for just three years to claim ownership of the land and then sell it to her pa and move back east.  When the land agent comes around and discovers she is a woman so can't get the 2-yr land exemption and has to live on the land five years to own it, she is devastated and her plans change.

I enjoyed this first book in the series which centers on Kylie and look forward to reading about the other two sisters in the next books of this series.  Kylie's struggles to do manly jobs at her cabin, the efforts to try to get her to leave and the romance that developed between her and Aaron, the land agent, kept my interest. 
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from pg. 21:  Aaron Masterson had his arms around the prettiest little thing in the whole wide world.  And considering she was soaking wet, freezing cold, and crying her head off, that was saying something.

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"Ashes in the Snow" by Ruta Sepetys

Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys is a work of historical fiction about when the Russians under orders from Stalin took people from Lithuania to Siberia and put them in a work-concentration camp.  The main characters are Lina--16-yr.-old girl, her brother Jonas and their mother.  Their father was taken separately!  The writing in this book is really good.  I got a real sense of what these people went through by reading this.  It was a good book to finish the year.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars) 

Teaser from page 43:  Siberia?  That couldn't be right.  Siberia was half a world away.  There was nothing in Siberia.

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"Stolen Marriage" by Diane Chamberlain

In Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain, during 1943-1955, Tess is engaged to her childhood friend, Vincent.  Tess and Vincent are both devout Catholics in Maryland, and look forward to working together, he as doctor and she as nurse.  However, when a polio epidemic breaks out in Chicago, Vincent, a fine doctor goes to help.  A couple weeks turns into many and although they write, Tess gets impatient for his return.  Her girlfriend, Gina, whose husband is off at war talks Tess into taking a short fun trip to Washington, D.C. and staying at her aunt's little tourist hotel.  Then something happens that changes everything and throws a monkey wrench into her life!  She gets drunk and a total stranger takes her virginity!  She feels so ashamed and then a couple months later discovers she is pregnant!  Will she and Vincent still get married?  What will she do about the baby?  Will she even get her nursing license?  You'll have to read the book to find out, I'm not telling.

I liked this book and felt bad for Tess.  There are a lot of well-developed characters that become a part of Tess' life and there are a lot issues happening in this book including inter-racial marriage, family secrets, grief, relationships, acceptance, love and the amazing story of how Hickory, North Carolina volunteers got a Polio hospital built and functioning in just 54 hours that is based on true events. This is a good story that I think would be a good read for a book club.  I am giving it 4 stars just because I enjoyed other books by Diane Chamberlain more.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 33:  The night before came back to me in a rush and I kept my eyes squeezed tightly closed in regret.  What had I done?  I'd made love--no, I'd had sex--with a stranger.  Oh, to be able to take it all back!

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"The Bartered Bride Romance Collection" by Various Authors

The Bartered Bride Romance Collection is a collection of nine historical stories of arranged marriages during the 1800s.  The short, clean romance stories are written by a variety of authors:  Cathy Marie Hake, Kelly Eileen Hake, JoAnn A. Grote, Amy Rognlie, Lynette Sowell, Janell Burnham Schneider and Pamela Kaye Tracy.  Many have a flavor of Christian fiction mixed in as well.  I enjoyed this book very much but did not read it all at once.  I read some stories and then read something else and came back to it a couple times just to give me some variety.  These were all light, fun reads though and I enjoyed the humor in most.  

My favorites were the stories about the four sisters, Maddy, Corrie, Bess, and Bertie, who were sent to Lindwick (fictional western town) by their brother-in-law in response to an ad for brides.  Below is the teaser from Halter to Altar, page 155:

"We're just what you asked for on the bridal order.  Sturdy, dependable, plain--"
It was too outrageous to believe.  Jim shook his head.  "Ladies, something has gone terribly wrong.  I ordered plain, ordinary bridles for my horses--not brides!" 

I recommend this book if you want an enjoyable, entertaining historical fiction read.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Unclaimed Victim" by D. M. Pulley

The Unclaimed Victim by D. M. Pulley is historical fiction based on true crime.  In 1938, a madman is going through the hobo jungles of Cleveland killing people and chopping them up!  Ethel needs to take refuge but winds up in a situation that she never thought she would be.  Sixty years later, Kris learns that her father was possibly killed and chopped up!  Can it really be her dad?  Can this killer still be alive?

This book had some really good parts, but about a quarter of it dragged along for me.  Ethel and Kris were good characters, but the others not so much with a so-so ending.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars) 

Teaser from page 9:  "I don't know," she whispered and pressed her forehead to her knees.  A severed arm floated through a dark stream of thought.  A tattoo blurred in the water.

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"Oregon Discovery" (Trails of the Heart Book 4) by Rachel Wesson

In Oregon Discovery by Rachel Wesson, we meet Tilly and her friend, Fiona, who was her servant.  This book has highs and lows.  Lots of death, but also a reunion and a wedding.  This book jumps a few years with the children in the previous book now in their teens and centers on Almanzo.  Tilly is engaged to a much older man, Richard, that her father has chosen for her.  The man is despicable and Tilly is determined never to marry him!

I enjoyed this book and look forward to finishing this series.  Almanzo is a great character who has both sadness and happiness in his life in this book.  My favorite part was when Fiona and Tilly were held at the Indian camp where Red Wing took care of them and where Tilly was called "Fire Daughter" because of her hot temper.  This is an entertaining historical read I would recommend, but only after reading the previous books in this series.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from Kindle Loc. 84-86:  "He believes women should look decorative.  Our sole aim in life is to please our menfolk and produce an heir.  Anything else is against God's wishes."  Tilly's face screwed up as she repeated what her father had drummed into her for as long as she could remember.

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"Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen" by Sarah Bird

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird tells the fiction story of Cathy Williams.  Born into bondage, her mother never let Cathy believe she was just a slave.  One day the Union army took her and made her be a cook's helper.  At the war's end, she made a decision that would change her life forever!


This book kept me engaged from page 1.  There is good action and the book had good flow to it.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 11:  Terrill leaped forward, grabbed me roughly, and promised, "I shall personally ensure that he is delivered to headquarters, sir."  Then he shoved me in the direction of a bunch of soldiers, yet still I would not turn loose of Mama.

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"Bright We Burn" by Kiersten White (Book 3 of And I Darken series)

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White is the third and final book of the And I Darken series.  The author saved the best for last!  This book is fantastic!  This is full of action.  Lada is so Good!  Nobody had better get in her way!  She is so "bad ass."--LOVED IT!  In this book, Lada controls her land, but she wants ore and wants it known that she is in charge!  However, not everyone goes along with that and the fighting begins!  This whole series is really good!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 219:  "How could a woman do this?"  Ali Bey's voice was filled with equal parts wonder and disgust.

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