Review: The Voice Inside

The Voice Inside by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Night Birds was the first book in this series, and if you haven’t read it, this would be a good book to start with from the author. If you don’t want to start a new series and just read a book, this one does make a good standalone one to read.

Frost Easton is back, after the death of his sister, by a serial killer, works in homicide for the San Francisco Police Department. The killer was caught and imprisoned, but now may go free, because a fellow police officer, and his closest friend planted false evidence to put Rudy Cutter behind bars.

Rudy has sworn revenge on those who has wrong him including a woman who wrote a book about him, and seems to know more about him than anyone else. Easton wants nothing than to keep him behind bars. All the while Frost is battling his own demons. He has a cat named Shack, and he’s pretty important to Frost, and he’s got on huge personality! He doesn’t talk, he doesn’t go and solve the murders for Frost, and he’s just your typical, every day, cat.

The book well keeps you turning the pages long into the night. I loved the plot and the characters, the action, the adventure, the suspense; the pace of the book was really good. I’m looking forward to a third book and hopefully many more from this series.


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Review: Hair of the Dog

Hair of the Dog by Carlene O'Neil
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I do enjoy reading a good cozy in between some of the heavier reads or after a good psychological thriller, and this one hit the nail on the head for me! One thing I like about these books is there not hard to figure out…sometimes, other times I can change my mind several times, or I have been known to be completely wrong.

The book is set in a winery in California, Penny Lively is the main character and she is working to keep the family winery going. Drugs go missing from her cousin’s, Annie Moore veterinarian office, and Penny just has to get involved. Annie does have a business partner, Brian, and when he comes up dead, Annie is the top suspect, as the police finds more than enough reasons for motive on her part.

This story is fast paced, with wonderful descriptions, to where I see everything as though I’m standing right there. The characters are approachable including the ones you’re not supposed to like as well. The plot is good, it seemed as though the author really thought through this one with clues that lead you from one person to the next, making you think. This book, which is the third book in the series, was very enjoyable.


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Review: If I Forget You

If I Forget You by Thomas Christopher Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a typical story boy from a working class family goes to college, meets a girl from a wealthy family, falls in love, then goes their separate ways. That is, until 20 years later they meet again only this time on a Manhattan street. When they meet again and start talking, they both have secrets to hide; both have been living their own lives and have changed, some for the better, some for the worse, but their love still burns for each other.

I read the author’s book The Headmaster’s Wife and fully enjoyed it. I thought I would love this one as well. I liked it well enough, but it seemed like all the other books like it, I didn’t find anything special about it.


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Review: The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist

The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist by Michelle Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought my daughter who loves Marilyn would really enjoy this book, but I must admit, I really did enjoy reading this more! There are a lot of books out there about Marilyn Monroe, and most of them say the same thing about her. One thing I loved was you got to take a peek inside the feminist side of her.

One of the things she helped do was open the door to other women in Hollywood. Marilyn was more than the bleach blonde bombshell with a chest most men adored, and although some people think she was the “dumb blonde”, but she was much more than that. Marilyn was strong, independent, and was pretty smart, she was often underestimated. She wanted to break the mold of the dumb blonde in women, but in the era of the 50’s and 60’s times were so much different than they are now, and it was an uphill battle for her, but she did what she could and passed the torch onto the next generation, and the generation after that, and so on and so on.

This book also expanded on a few things in which was mentioned in other books, but was never followed through, as the other authors of those books didn’t want to say any more about it as it wasn’t what they were wanting to right the book on. I feel this book has been in the wings, waiting for the time to be written in the right time and era. I’m sure if Ms. Monroe was alive today, THIS would be the book she was most proud of that was written about her.

If you’re a Marilyn Monroe fan, and have or want to read books on her life, this is the mush have book for you to read.


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Review: Strange Things Done

Strange Things Done by Elle Wild
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I wish we could give half stars because sometimes the half will determine wither or not I actually rate it towards the next number up or down, in this case it went down. This is a debut novel by Elle Wild. It was a good book but for me, it really didn’t hold my attention well. I do like to read while we watch T.V., and I usually read during commercials, and then continuing on when the show comes back on, there were times, the commercials held my attention more. I did struggle with the over the first half of the back, and then out of the blue, it grabbed me!

The main character Jo Silver is a journalist; she lives in Dawson City, the Yukon. I did find it hard to read about her, I felt she needed to be more developed, she need to have something more to her character, she rather felt like a character who should be popping in and out. However it was a nice twist for the author to make her the main character, instead of one that others saying, I connected with the character, I felt like she was an old friend in which I was visiting again. No this character wasn’t all of that. She is who she is.

The story takes place in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, where Jo takes a job as the editor of the paper. She ends up here after she withheld information about a serial killer, which the Vancouver police had told her not to revile to the public. Out of guilt she moves to Dawson City, not realizing this town is cut off from the rest of the world in the winter. Soon after her arrival, the body of Marlo McAdam, local activist and politician, is found in the river. Jo can’t really get any information out of the police, but she does think it’s a murder and not suicides, as they think it is or want her to believe. Along the way Jo discovers some of the secrets the town has been hiding, and then Jo is made a suspect in the murder.

Even though I didn’t love the book, I didn’t hate it and I’d be will to read another of Elle Wilder’s book





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Review: The Dream

The Dream by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A short story by the remarkable Agatha Christie.

A man contacts Hercule Poirot, telling him he's had this same dream of him dying by his own hands. Later the man is found dead exactly how he told Poirot it happened in his dream. Was it suicide? Was it murder? Was it all a dream? All the members of Benedict Farley becomes suspects.

I really enjoyed it, at times I thought I had it right, then next thing I knew I was changing my mind. This is such an easy read while your sitting waiting for her kids to get done at practice, or just need something short to read before falling asleep. After all it is a short story.

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Review: In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It

In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It by Lauren Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore Lauren Graham, I like her humor, her acting, her wit, and I love her as an author. In this short book she gives some great advice as she delivers a speech to her old high school graduating class. She tells them about how she tried out for a school play, and didn’t get the lead, yes she was upset, but she went on and played the character, who she says didn’t even have a name, and that was ok.

She tells the class, not to worry, if they haven’t accomplished something great at this point, don’t worry about what all they have or have not done, it’s ok to be in the moment and they are good enough.

She tells them little things that happened to her along the way in her career, and what people told her, and she was ok with that. When she finally figured out, she didn’t have to worry about it. She gives a very lovely speech, and really encourages and gives permission, to don’t worry about it. I really wish I could tell you more, but then you wouldn’t read the story, and a lot of the things she tells the graduating class, we all need to hear every once in a while.


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Review: Devil and the Deep

Devil and the Deep by Julie Ann Walker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Where to start! I have to admit this just wasn’t my cup of tea. It was so slow the first part of the book, that I wanted to quit reading it, but I kept going thinking it would get better. Some of it did, some of it didn’t. I think what I really didn’t care for was the main characters, Maddie and Bran. I really couldn’t connect with them; at times their dialog I felt was a joke, however Maddie did at times did have some hilarious dialogue, but it was few and far between.

There is another couple I liked well in the book, Alex and Mason, I did connect with those two better than I did Maddie and Bran. Alex is a riot, and she loves playing hard to get. All the while Mason is chasing after her. I really think Alex and Mason should get their own story, and I hope they do.

I’m sad this one wasn’t up my alley, but I’m willing to read this author again


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Review: Robicheaux

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you haven’t read any of James Lee Burke’s books, I would suggest you start with book one as this one is the 21st book in his series. His characters are well develop, complex, you love them, you love to hate them, and at times you’re not really sure if they are the bad guys or actually the good guys. The writing is face paced, flows nicely, almost poetic.

Dave Robicheaux, the main character is in his books is mourning the loss of his wife, Molly. Like everyone else who has lost a loved one, Robicheaux goes thru the seven stages, some of the stages brings out his nightmares from Vietnam, alcoholism, and other host of problems for him. When the person responsible for the death of his wife, is killed, Dave thinks he may have been the one to do. While every ones tries to figure out whom exactly is responsible.


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Review: Snow

Snow by Mike Bond
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

When three friends go an annual hunting trip, they never planned for an adventure like they were about to go on. Zac, a former NFL player, has run up huge gambling debts in Vegas; Steve who was handling his investments on Wall Street has wiped out his savings. Thus putting a stain on their friendship, and might cost everything, including his family. Curt, is trying to do everything he can to save his family ranch from developers for an energy company from taking it out from underneath him. Each friend has their own problems, but little do they know their problems are going to get a lot tougher for them.

Zac comes across a small plane which has crashed. Inside they find kilo’s upon kilos of cocaine. Steve immediately see’s dollar signs and tells the others of his plan, in which to take the cocaine and sell it themselves. However, Curt isn’t with them when they find the plane and decide to keep this secret between them, after all what are friends for. Little do the guys realize the cocaine belongs to a drug cartel. Do they really think they can get away with it, that the head of the cartel doesn’t want the drugs let alone the money from the drugs.

The plot to me seemed like a few other books that I had read, it was fast paced and read along the lines of an packed action-packed book.


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Review: Whitehall - Episode 13: "Safe Harbor"

Whitehall - Episode 13: "Safe Harbor" by Liz Duffy Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The thirteen installment into the Whitehall episode: Safe Harbor, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.

It was a nice way to end the series, I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping to have an “awe” moment at the end, or “that’s so sweet”. Instead it felt, that’s nice. This whole royal tale was full of history and intrigue. I didn’t feel like they wrapped everything up as I would have thought the authors would have, but still it was a quick read, an entertaining series, and just all around fun. I will admit I really enjoyed the episode of the books more than I thought I would have. It was nice to have something to read when I didn’t have time or wanted to take a novel with me.

As a nice fitting to the conclusion of the whole season, Queen Catherine arranges for an outing at the Theatre Royal, she gets a new dress, is excited to be making appearances, King Charles II joins her along with other members of court.

I would highly recommend you read this series in order starting at episode one. You will get a more appreciation for this series, and more importantly the price is right on point, if you just want to get them one at a time, and read between other books you’re reading. There is also a price for getting the whole series at once if you like to get it that way as well.
My overall rating for the whole series would be a 4.5.




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Review: Whitehall - Episode 12: "More Harmony in Her Bright Eye"

Whitehall - Episode 12: "More Harmony in Her Bright Eye" by Madeleine E. Robins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The twelve installment into the Whitehall episode: More Harmony in Her Bright Eye, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.

It seemed to me this one was slower than the other books in the series, I don’t know if it’s because they are going to wrap up everything in the next part or what. Still the story continues on, Queen Catherine has made a recovery, there’s to be a party thrown by the Queen herself, and King Charles is dealing with rumors going around his country side.

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Review: Whitehall - Episode 11: "A King and No King"

Whitehall - Episode 11: "A King and No King" by Sarah Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
The eleven installment into the Whitehall episode: A King and No King, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.

Can anything go right for Queen Catherine? She’s been fighting for King Charles II, she’s been trying to adapt to the country she has come to rule beside her husband, she’s endured his mistress Barbara, and now Barbara has given birth to hers and King Charles’s child, and just to add that cherry on top, Catherine is very ill!

The suspense is building up nicely, even though if you remember your history, you will know how the story really ends. But just keep in mind, this is not just a history lesson, but it’s a story of hope, contentment, betrayal, love, respect, acceptance and forgiveness.



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Review: Whitehall - Episode 10: "Our Hope Alone"

Whitehall - Episode 10: "Our Hope Alone" by Liz Duffy Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
The tenth installment into the Whitehall episode: Our Hope Alone, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.

So a little intrigue, an adventure, secrets, everything you’ve been waiting for is now coming out. There seems to be something is going on under the King’s nose, when he captures a spy. The Queen’s maid, has a decision to make which may alter her future. But will these questions be answered by the end of the series, or will there be a huge cliffhanger, while we wait for the “second season”.


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Review: I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo!

I'm Not Your Sweet Babboo! by Charles M. Schulz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I grew up loving the Peanuts Gang, I read their comic strips religiously, had their coloring books, and watched all the specials on T.V. When I became a parent I introduced them to my children, I mean how could you not love the gang. My favorite has always been Snoopy, always has and always will.

In this collection of the peanuts there are colored comic strips, which just bring back so many memories for me. There were two characters not in the book, Pig Pen and Franklin. I know they weren’t in every comic strip, but they were however in all the television special.

The kids all still look the same in the strip, but they do seem to of grown-up some. Peppermint Patty is still very much an abrasive character, and when I say abrasive I do say it with love. Linus still carries his blanket, I can’t blame him, and I still love all my blankets.

Peppermint Patty does seem to have the spotlight in most of the book, and I’m ok with it, I really wouldn’t mind more books to come and put a different character in the fore front.
I adore the fact this has came out for a new generation to love.


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Review: Whitehall - Episode 9: "The Marriage of True Minds"

Whitehall - Episode 9: "The Marriage of True Minds" by Barbara Samuel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The ninth installment into the Whitehall episode: The Marriage of True Minds, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.
We are coming close to the end of this series. One thing I’ve noticed throughout the series is the writing. It can’t really be easy to have two or more authors writing and not know where each wants to take the story to. However, you can’t tell by the writing unless you’re staring at the author’s name the whole time.

This time around, Queen Catherine is having some health issues, which she doesn’t need this as she’s still trying to get pregnant, and of course Barbara, the King’s mistress is still trying to take him away from Queen Catherine.

This time there was actually a shocker in this episode, I’m not going to tell you what it is at this time, as I real do encourage you to read this series, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise. I’m still Team Catherine all the way!


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Review: Whitehall - Episode 8: "Ambitions Which Climb Upwards"

Whitehall - Episode 8: "Ambitions Which Climb Upwards" by Madeleine E. Robins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The eigth installment into the Whitehall episode: Ambitions Which Climb Upwards, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading. Rich in history, the 17th century to be exact.

As the story continues, Queen Catherine now has to deal with King Charles II’s mistress Barbara is pregnant and Queen Catherine, is yet again disappointed that she herself is not. It is bad enough Queen Catherine has to fight for her husband, and now it appears she’ll have to fight for crown as well. With scheming being done by people who are doing the same to make their own positions more powerful. or to be put in a power positions. And we can’t forget Monmouth, the little snake that he is.

You really feel sorry for Queen Catherine, and you can’t help but cheer her on, or give her words of encouragement. Barbara is one person I don’t like. When is King Charles II going to actually wake up and see Barbara for who she truly is, when will he see how hard his queen is trying to adapt to his country’s way, and help her fight to stay his queen.


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Review: Whitehall - Episode 7: "Imperfect Enjoyment"

Whitehall - Episode 7: "Imperfect Enjoyment" by Barbara Samuel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The seventh installment into the Whitehall episode: Imperfect Enjoyment, again is not disappointing. However, with these episodes being short there isn’t a massive amount of details to give out. Think of this as you’re watching one of your hour long shows. One of the best things about reading this series, is you have time to read it while you’re waiting for one of your children to finish one of their practices, or waiting in the doctor’s office . There great when you finished a book but don’t have time or want to start another book as you don’t want to be up to late reading.

A delegate from Russia shows up at court bearing gifts, and of course Barbara, King Charles II’s mistress, loves all the excitement and intrigue from the foreign visitors. Queen Catherine is still trying to fit into the King’s life, while also fighting for him from Barbara.

There wasn’t a lot going on this time, as it’s building up towards the end of the series, the pace seemed to slow down some. But it won’t stop me from continuing on with the series.


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Review: The Beekeeper's Promise

The Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona Valpy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book of Fiona Valpy in which I have read, and I’m so very grateful I was allowed to read it. One of the top 10 books of 2018 thus far. I enjoyed the way the author would do the past and then the present without getting the reader lost or couldn’t remember which character they were read. I felt she connected the characters and made them like they were telling me their story face to face, to introduce me into their lives. I found myself being drawn into their lives as well. The writing was smooth, to where it kept me intrigue as to not what to put it down. You could feel the emotions of the characters from abuse to love, suspense, history, as this is set in WWII, and then you could feel the healing process in which they needed.

In 1938, one of the main character’s Eilane is a beekeeper at Château Bellevue, in rural France. She meets, falls in love, and marries Mathieu Dubosq. When the German’s occupy France, their lives takes a turn for the worse, something neither one of them thought would ever happen. Eilane makes a decision to join the resistance, along with fellow French men and women, family, friends. Here Eilane learns how strong she actually is during these dark times for her country. She knows the danger, and what could happen to her if she gets caught.

Abi is a broken woman, she believes she isn’t good enough to have someone lover her. When she is offered a job at the Chateau Bellevue, which is now known as the Estate of Count Comte, she takes the job in hopes of healing herself, both mental and physically. Abi learns some of the history of the old Chateau Bellevue, and one part of history in which she finds intriguing is Eilane’s.





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Review: Death Over Easy

Death Over Easy by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This reminds me of a little restaurant with a gift shop inside from my hometown. The cozy feel of the restaurant, where a lot of the locals frequent in the mornings to gather over coffee, and breakfast before heading off to work, or the fields, or where ever their day was taking them. When people have out of town guest, they bring them for a meal, where they sit and talk and catch up, they introduce them to town. Maddie Day has done just that in the fifth instalment of her Country Store series.

Robbie Jordan is the owner of Pan N Pancakes, with a little country store gift shop included, in her small Indiana town. Robbie has also renovated her second floor with a small B&B, and just in time, as Beanblossom the neighboring town is having its annual Bluegrass festival. Not only are a few of her guest, some of the musicians playing at the festival, but her father, Roberto and her step-mother Maria have come for a visit from Italy.

While at the festival, Roberto and Maria notice a girl, Pia, who looks like another girl, whom Maria knows from her town in Italy. While they discuss her they realize she is the twin who left Italy and hasn’t been back since.

While at the festival Pia is sitting-in Robbie’s boyfriend, Abe’s band. Right before they are to go on, everyone sees Abe and Pia arguing. The band plays their set and nothing is seen or heard any more of the argument between the two. That is until the next morning Pia’s body is found…dead.
As the investigation unfolds, there seem to be a lot of suspects as to who had motive to kill her. Robbie, who has “helped” solve a couple of murders, swears she doesn’t have time to get involved with the case, suddenly is pulled in when her boyfriend, friends, guests, are among the suspects.
I like the characters as well as the plot, the story moves at a good pace, and it’s easy to follow along without reading the other four books in the series. The murder is pretty easy to figure out, but the story of the characters keep you intrigued as well as the motive as to what happened to Pia.



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Review: Counting Chimneys: A novel of love, heartbreak and romance in 1960s Brighton

Counting Chimneys: A novel of love, heartbreak and romance in 1960s Brighton by Sandy Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. Second of all I’d like to apologize to everyone for not getting the reviews posted soon as I had some major health issues. I am fine now thanks to my wonderful doctors. I would like to say that it has been wonderful to be able to sit and catch up on my reading.
This is book two in the Brighton Girls Trilogy. I honestly didn’t know this was a trilogy nor the second book in it the series. However, I didn’t have any trouble with being lost, feeling like I needed to read the other one first. This is a very good example of an author writing a series, but makes the books read like a stand-alone.
As I was reading the characters seemed very real and relatable. It was fun to visit the ‘60’s era, a time where you had a rotary phone, no computers, video games, cell phones. A time where children played outside, families actually sat down to supper together and had conversations.
Dottie returns to Brighton after living in London. She soon runs into her friend, ex-boyfriend, the one she thought was her soulmate, the one who broke her heart, Ralph. He ended up marrying on of Dottie’s friends, and then she died leaving him to raise their child on his own. But is she really over Ralph, as it appears he has moved on and Dottie is still single.
This is a book that fills you with so many emotions, relating to the characters and feeling as if they were your friends, you find yourself cheering for them, laughing with them and at them, your crying for them. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the first book in the series as I wait for the third and final book.


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Review: Garden of Stars

Garden of Stars by Rose Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think one of the things that drew me to the book was how pretty the cover was. It gave me this relaxes feel. Although I don’t recall reading a book by Rose Alexander didn’t shy me away from it. I did give this book a four star review as I enjoyed it very much.

There are several journeys in this book, a marriage from the past and the other in the present. The stories are woven together. The two ladies in the book are aunt and niece, both harboring inner secrets of the men they actual love, and the men they marry. Sarah has never gotten over someone she met in Portugal many years ago. As time moves on Sarah does marry, but when her life becomes restless, she’s asked if she will go and write a story on Cork. She goes back to Portugal, not sure if she’s going there to relive her youth, or is she seeking out the love she left behind there.
Her Aunt Ines has a diary which is given to Sarah, as she reads the diary, of Ines’s youth, and life in Portugal, in the diary, there are family secrets, and some of them will shed some light on Sarah.

The author has done a great job of describing Portugal to where one feels like they are there or have been there. The story is well written, filled with strong emotions, and the characters are well woven and developed to where the reader can relate to them. The reader is kept engaged in the stories, which I found easy to follow. There was a section I felt that slowed down the book, but I kept with it and before long I was back on track with the story. For being a debut book, I can see the author will have success for many years to come.



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