Book Review: A Sparrow in Terezin

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection through one survivor's story of hope in the darkest days of a war-torn world.

Present Day---With the grand opening of her new art gallery and a fairytale wedding just around the corner, Sera James feels she's stumbled into a charmed life---until a brutal legal battle against fiancé William Hanover threatens to destroy the perfectly planned future she's planned before it even begins. Now, after an eleventh-hour wedding ceremony and a callous arrest, William faces a decade in prison for a crime he never committed, and Sera must battle the scathing accusations that threaten her family and any hope for a future.

1942---Kája Makovsky narrowly escaped occupied Prague in 1939, and was forced to leave her half-Jewish family behind. Now a reporter for the Daily Telegraph in England, Kája discovers the terror has followed her across the Channel in the shadowy form of the London Blitz. When she learns Jews are being exterminated by the thousands on the continent, Kája has no choice but to return to her mother city, risking her life to smuggle her family to freedom and peace.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust su rvivor with a foot in each world, these two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear---even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

About the author:

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

My Opinion

A Sparrow in Terezin is the second book in the A Hidden Masterpiece series from Kristy Cambron! I read the first one and this book is a continuation of the story of Sera and William and their friends from the Holocaust that they met in the last book. Therefore, I do recommend you read the first book in order to really get the most out of A Sparrow in Terezin.

With that said, this book was just as gripping, moving and interesting as her first book in the series. She really is able to tie in the two stories: modern day and Holocaust era without confusing or slowing down the story!

This is such a sad but interesting time in our world's history and Kristy Cambron does an amazing job of telling of the times and writing a great story at the same time! TWO THUMBS UP for this second book in the series! Highly recommend you read them both!

Buy It:

You can purchase A Sparrow in Terezin for $11.58 from Amazon.com

Bound together across time, two women will discover a powerful connection in Kristy Cambron's new book, A Sparrow in Terezin.

Connecting across a century through one little girl, a Holocaust survivor with a foot in each world, two women will discover a kinship that springs even in the darkest of times. In this tale of hope and survival, Sera and Kája must cling to the faith that sustains and fight to protect all they hold dear—even if it means placing their own futures on the line.

Kristy is celebrating by giving away a basket filled with goodies inspired by her new book!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A set of poppy notecards
• A poppy pin
• A copy of I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• A copy of the Mrs. Miniver DVD
• Literary tea bags
• Tumbler
• A copy of A Sparrow in Terezin

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 28th. Winner will be announced April 29th on Kristy's blog.



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* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Remember the Lilies

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book

Can Irene and Rand stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom?

Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes the parts she must black out and delivers it to wealthy nightclub owner Rand Sterling. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s drawn into a web of secrets and danger.

Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to reopen his nightclubs once the war ends. But slimy Frank Covey wants his hand in the till—and has news that could threaten Rand’s reputation if it became public. More importantly, beautiful and intriguing Irene Reynolds cannot discover this information if he expects to persuade her to become his wife.

When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, they must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.

Meet the Author

New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.

My Opinion

If you love reading about the WWII, then this is the most unique and interesting historical romance fiction book that I have ever read!

I learned so much in this book about the Philippines and what they were put through during WWII that I never knew! Not only was it so historically interesting but it was a great romance.

It was written so well, I literally couldn't put it down and it made me want to research even more about that time period and the Philippines after I finished!

I HIGHLY recommend this book if you like WWII era books! I have never read another one like it!

Buy It: 

You can purchase Remember the Lilies for $11.95 from Amazon.com


This gripping new tale from Liz Tolsma, Remember the Lilies, is a must-read for fans of WWII-era fiction. When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, she and Rand must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.


Help Liz celebrate the release of Remember the Lilies with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• One copy of Remember the Lilies

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/19. Winner will be announced at Liz's Remember the Lilies Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and WWII fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!   

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!

*Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: In Perfect Time

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

Wings of the Nightingale series

Bold, sophisticated, and flirtatious, Army Air Force flight nurse Lt. Kay Jobson collects hearts wherever she flies, leaving men pining in airfields all across Europe. So how can ruggedly handsome C-47 pilot Lt. Roger Cooper be all but immune to her considerable charms? In fact, he seems to do everything he can to avoid her.

Still, as they cross the skies between Italy and southern France, evacuating the wounded and delivering paratroopers and supplies, every beat of their hearts draws them closer to where they don't want to go.

Can they confront the fears and misunderstandings in their pasts?

About the author: 

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

My Opinion

I have read all three books in the Wings of the Nightingale series and I have LOVED every single one! I definitely recommend reading the first two before reading In Perfect Time because it really introduces all the characters and gives the background stories for the other nurses.

But no matter what, this book is so good! I loved watching the walls fall down from Kay's mind and heart and watch her romance develop with Roger. And best of all, I love the look into World War II and the flight nurse experience. I love learning about the awesome role women played in the war!

Overall, this book was well written and just as good as the other two! Sarah Sundin never disappoints!

Buy It: You can purchase In Perfect Time for $9.99 from Amazon.com

Don't miss Sarah Sundin's hot-off-the-press novel, In Perfect Time. Publishers Weekly gives it an enthusiastic thumbs up: “Sundin excels at well-researched historical detail . . . with such accurate depictions of culture and setting that we are fully immersed in the times as well as in the story. The strength of relationships forged in war and the apprehension of God in times of trouble infuse this well-crafted novel with substance and light.”

Sarah is celebrating the release of her book with a fun giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle HDX
• The Wings of the Nightingale Series (With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, and In Perfect Time)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 24th. Winner will be announced August 25th at Sarah's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Sarah's blog on the 25th to see if you won! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: The Butterfly and the Violin

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz---and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl---a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul, who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together, Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

About the author: 

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

My Opinion

I have mentioned before how much I LOVE WWII based books so when I saw the story line of The Butterfly and the Violin, I was excited to read it! It was a great mix of modern day and historical fiction and I loved how they intertwined together!

This book was written so well and I felt so many emotions as I read it...but mostly it was heartbreak for the Jews and others in the concentration camps! I also learned about art from WWII and how there was art made and hidden away in the camps - so interesting!

I have never read a book by Kristy Cambron but I am so glad I did - I highly recommend if you love art history or WWII based books!

Buy It: You can purchase The Butterfly and the Violin for $11.66 from Amazon.com

Welcome to the launch campaign for debut novelist Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin. Romantic Times had this to say: "Alternating points of view skillfully blend contemporary and historical fiction in this debut novel that is almost impossible to put down. Well-researched yet heartbreaking. . . ."

Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 7th. Winner will be announced at The Butterfly and the Violin Author Chat Party. Kristy will be connecting with readers and answering questions, sharing some of the fascinating research behind the book, hosting a fun book chat, and giving away some GREAT prizes. She will also be giving an exclusive look at the next book in the series, A Sparrow in Terezin!

So grab your copy of The Butterfly and the Violin and join Kristy on the evening of August 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Daisies Are Forever

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book:

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch's identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her "marriage."

Their journey to Gisela's mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

About the author:

New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.

My Opinion

I have mentioned before how books set in WWII are my ABSOLUTE favorite! It is such a terrible time in our history but there is so much to learn and learn from in that time period and I have never found a WWII book that wasn't really interesting and compelling!

Daisies are Forever is a touching, amazing, heartbreaking and sorrowful story of Gisela and Mitch during WWII in war-stricken Germany. I love how this book takes a different angle at the view of WWII and sets it in Germany with Germany people who are suffering. It is very interesting to see what happened to the poor, helpless German people when their cities and country were being destroyed during the War. They feared the Russians like many people feared the Germans and you can see in this book that the war was definitely two sided - opposing sides were equally and sadly brutal to each other's people - specifically women.

This story was written so well and I could feel every emotion: pain, sadness, joy and the amazing story of Gisela and Mitch as they strive to survive through the end of the War. I highly recommend this book!

Buy It: You can purchase Daisies are Forever for $11.95 from Amazon.com

Liz Tolsma's latest WWII historical fiction novel, Daisies are Forever, is getting rave reviews. 

". . . compelling and fast-paced tale about the atrocities and tremendous losses. . . ." —Library Journal

"Excellent storytelling, accurate historical reporting and gritty, persevering characters make this WWII-era novel a must-read." —CBA Retailers + Resources

Liz celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 2nd on Liz's website.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's website on June 2nd to see if you won.

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Shadowed by Grace

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper's assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. But Rachel's real motive in this journey is to find the father she never knew, an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined---in war, in love, and in God.

About the author: 

Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. The best-selling author of more than a dozen books, Cara is active in women's ministry at her church, teaches graduate courses at Purdue University, practices law, and is a homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Indiana.

Learn more about Cara at: http://caraputman.com

My Opinion

To me, nothing is better than a romance set in World War II. When I get to learn something about that time period that I didn't know before, I love the book even more!

That is what happened in Shadowed by Grace! Not only did I get a well-written book from Cara Putman, but I got a romance and got to learn about the Monuments Men, men who were in the Army to save important and invaluable monuments and artwork from Italy! I never knew about them before and it was a look at WWII that I never got to see before!

I also got to learn about a photographer's role during WWII through Rachel's journey - it was so vivid that I wished I could really see the pictures she took and it definitely made me want to research into pictures taken during WWII.

If you love learning about the WWII time period through a unique look and aspect, definitely read Shadowed by Grace!

See what other reviewers have to say about Shadowed by Grace

Buy It: You can purchase Shadowed by Grace for $11.79 from Amazon.com

Cara Putman is celebrating her latest historical suspense novel, Shadowed by Grace with a fun "Past & Present" giveaway! 

One winner will receive:

• A Polaroid Instant Camera
• A beautiful antique AFGRA camera (learn more here)
• Movie passes to see The Monuments Men movie (with George Clooney and Matt Damon)
• Shadowed By Grace by Cara Putman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced February 10th on Cara's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Cara's blog on the 10th to see if you won.

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Snow on the Tulips

A book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

About the book: 

A stranger's life hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.

The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis still occupy part of the Netherlands. After the losses she's endured, war widow Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. She fights now to protect her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.

When Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia's doorstep, their lives are forever altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man, Cornelia's faith won't let her turn him out.

As she nurses Gerrit back to health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift within herself. Gerrit's intensity challenges her, making her want to live fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.

She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the winter landscape thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true love? She fears their story will end before it even begins.

Meet the author: 

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. Add a dog and a cat to that mix and there's always something going on at their house. She's spent time teaching second grade, writing advertising for a real estate company, and working as a church secretary, but she always dreamed of becoming an author.

She'd love to have you visit her at www.liztolsma.com.

My Opinion

As I have mentioned before, WWII books are my FAVORITE time period to read about. This time in history is so historic, horrific, heroic and interesting - I just never get tired of books about WWII.

So when I saw that Snow on the Tulips was about the Nazis and the Dutch, I was so excited because this is one area I have not read about during this time period! And it was just as good as I thought it would be!

It had the perfect mix of romance and history and it was so well written! I just wanted to keep reading and growing with Gerrit and Cornelia's relationship and the events that took place really took me back to that era and gave me a look at what the people really suffered while the Nazis were invading and fighting the Allies in their country!

I highly recommend if you love historical fiction, especially from the WWII era!

Buy It: You can purchase Snow on the Tulips for $12.50 from Amazon.com

Liz Tolsma is celebrating the release of her novel, Snow on the Tulips, by giving away an Amazon Reading Pack to one lucky winner. Find out what readers are saying about the book here.

One winner will receive:

• A $50 Amazon gift card
• Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 18th at Liz's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's blog on the 18th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox! Just enter your email address on the left sidebar of her blog.)

* Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*