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The Last Daughter ~ The Lost Daughters #8 (by Soraya M. Lane)
This eighth book in the Lost Daughters series by Soraya M. Lane was an emotional read. The story is overflowing with love, loss, and a deep sense of hope. I enjoy reading historical fiction books … and especially if they feature a dual timeline. I have loved how each book in the series focuses on a different character and how they are blessed with the box that allows them to discover their true story. This final addition to the series ties the books up with a beautiful bow of

Ms. Ladybug
8 hours ago1 min read
The Girl with the List (by Shari J. Ryan)
I typically enjoy reading historical fiction books that are set during WWII. And I have enjoyed other books by the author, Shari J. Ryan. I think I am overloaded with books in the WWII historical fiction genre and they have lost the power to impress me or enlighten me about a new aspect of that time period. This book felt disjointed and the storyline did not flow smoothly. It was an effort for me to continue reading and I found myself putting it down to read something differe

Ms. Ladybug
5 days ago1 min read
The Hidden City ~ Charles Lenox #12 (by Charles Finch)
I typically enjoy reading historical fiction books and am challenging myself to read outside of my typical books in this genre. I also did not realize this was the 12th book in the series before I began reading it. From looking at other reviews, plenty of them comment on how much they love the primary character, Charles Lenox. So by starting so late in the series, I think I have missed a lot of background and it affected my opinion. I did not feel invested in the characters o

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Mists Over the Channel Islands ~ Allegiance Under Pressure #3 (by Sarah Sundin)
I love reading historical fiction books ... especially when they take place during WWII. I was not familiar with the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. So I enjoyed learning about a new aspect of the war. However, other than that, this was just an okay read for me. The Christian theme was a plus for me and I enjoyed learning about the divided loyalties and how people had to compromise in order to survive. The romance was too predictable and became a “Hallmark” version ..

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 281 min read
Katy: The Woman Who Signed the Declaration of Independence (by Betty Bolté)
I was mildly disappointed in this book. It was an okay read, but I did not care for the characters because they were not very well developed. I will not leave any spoilers. But if you want to read a book that tells the facts but does not pull you into the story, then you will enjoy it. And by the end, you will at least learn about Katy and the woman who “signed” the Declaration of Independence. Thank you to NetGalley and Mystic Owl Publishing for my advanced review copy. All

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 281 min read
Sky on Fire ~ No Man's Land #1 (by C. K. McAdam)
I love reading historical fiction books and especially when they are set during WWII. It has become increasingly difficult to find a book in this genre that covers a different as WWII that has not been covered thoroughly by other authors. However, C. K. McAdam has done just that! This book focuses on the lives of the people in Germany. Experiencing the war through the lens of a German family with a variety of perspectives was informative. From being the father of three boys w

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 121 min read
The Enemy's Wife ~ Survivors of War #2 (by Deborah Swift)
I love reading historical fiction books, and especially when they are set WWII time. Period. Period. This second book Survivors of War series by Deborah Swift was interesting because it took place in Shanghai, China. The primary character, Zofia, find herself in a unique situation because she is married to a Japanese man who has been conscripted to fight in their army. The trauma that the citizens of Shanghai experience when the Japanese invade is chilling and gripping. The a

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 121 min read
Until We Meet Again ~ Mimi's Journey #2 (by Roberta Kagan)
I have typically loved reading historical fiction books that take place during WWII. But I have read so many that I feel like I am oversaturated with that genre as struggle finding one that covers a new aspect of that time. However, Roberta Kagan managed to pull me into the story of Mimi and Nick. It was an emotional journey through the pages. Though their story has them spending the majority of the book apart, their lives were touched in different ways by the Nazi propaganda

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 121 min read
The English Bookstore in Bologna (by Boo Walker)
I am not sure what I want to say in this review. I LOVE books by the author, Boo Walker. And there were many positive qualities to the book. Plus, just because I dislike one character … a lot!! … does not mean I do not like the book. But Sandy, the owner of the only English bookstore in Bologna, kept me from enjoying it as much as I had hoped I would. There are several other characters that help balance out Sandy's negative influence in the pages. They all end up, coming toge

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 121 min read
The Secrets of Provence ~ The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris #2 (by Daisy Wood)
It has been a while since I had read the first book in The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris series. Luckily the author provides enough detail at the beginning of this book that it refreshed my memory. I enjoy reading historical fiction books, and especially when they take place during WWII. This one took place in a different area of France and you are able to enjoy a present day experience with Juliette and her efforts to discover information about her grandmother WWII. There are

Ms. Ladybug
Aug 111 min read
The French Promise ~ Luc & Lisette #2 (by Fiona McIntosh)
Having just finished reading The Lavender Keeper, the first book in the Luc and Lisette series, I was looking forward to spending more time with them. This book, however, did not appeal to me. Too many descriptive words kept me from being totally immersed in the story. Enjoy the part of the book that took place in Australia, so a little different setting than I typically read about. This book runs the gambit of emotion … from happy to sad. Basically, one I did not enjoy as mu

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 301 min read
The Lavender Keeper ~ Luc & Lisette #1 (by Fiona McIntosh)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books, especially when they take place during WWII. The characters are well developed, and the author does a good job of pulling you into the lives of Luc and Lisette. I enjoyed the aspect of spending time in France and the espionage and work of the resistance. An interesting love story but the end kind of fizzled out for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more review

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
The Moonshine Women (by Michelle Collins Anderson)
This was definitely a failure for me and my attempt to read more historical fiction books that introduce me to a unique aspect of history. One big turn off for me was the amount of crude language. I can handle some when it is imported to the story or the characters, but this was over the top unnecessary. I felt like I was plotting through mud to get through the pages. There are too many wonderful books out there to enjoy for me to spend hours, forcing myself to pick up the bo

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
Daughter of the Titanic (by Caroline Cauchi)
I was so looking forward to reading this book. I have enjoyed several books that took place around the Titanic. But I did not find myself engaged in this story. Though I did enjoy the story of Melville. It was very informative. I think the biggest thing that turned me off was the repetitiveness of many things throughout the story parentheses ashes, tires, gripping the pavement, etc.). It definitely took away from my enjoyment of the story. This was an interesting exploration

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
The Irish Orphan's Secret ~ Irish Orphan #1 (by Rachel Wesson)
I have to admit that I am an outlier on this book. There are a lot of 4- and 5-star ratings. But for me, I could not get interested in the story. I think part of my lack of being invested is that a good portion takes place after WWI. I have never enjoyed reading books from that time period. I have typically enjoyed other books by Rachel Wesson, so I was looking forward to getting lost in the pages and learning about different aspects of history and especially about Ireland. A

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
Where the Girls Were (by Kate Schatz)
Well, I am branching out into different areas of books in the historical fiction. Genre, I need to be more careful in what I choose to read. This was a slow plotting through the pages, which made it very difficult for me to become invested in the story or the characters. And I am not a big supporter of feminism for the sake of feminism. By the time I had explored the pages, I was left wanting more. The subject matter had potential, but it was disappointing. Thank you to NetGa

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
It Girl (by Allison Pataki)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books, and I am trying to brunch out to new time periods. Unfortunately, this was not a good one to attempt that. Not sure how I feel about the liberties the author took to rewrite Evelyn Nesbit's history. But Allison Pataki does an admiral Raul job presenting what life was like for women during Gilded Age. The characters are well developed, though you will not particularly like all of them. This is a glimpse into the dark façade of the life

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
Before the Mountain Falls (by Luisa A. Jones)
I enjoy reading historical fiction books, and especially when they take place during WWII. That also makes it difficult to read one that introduces me to a new aspect of that time period. While Before the Mountain Falls exposed me to a taste of the Welch language and cultural, I felt like I was reading a book I have already read before. There were many positive points to the story. But for me, I felt like I was left wanting more. The author did a great job of tying up the end

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies ~ The Oxford Guide #1 (by Kate Westbury)
I have come to love historical fiction books that take place in England. And spending time post WWII was a new frame of reference for me. Ginevra (Gin) Bishop and Sidney Braithwaite wore a wonderful combination for teammates. The mystery and intrigued pulled me into the story. And Gin and Sidney’s very different approaches to espionage kept me entertained. Lots of clues are sprinkled throughout the pages which held my attention and had me anxious to see what danger lurked aro

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
The Sky Beneath Her (by Mary Ellen Taylor)
This book was one that had me emotionally invested in the story and the characters. It tugged at my heartstrings and I enjoyed getting to know Tula. You will have the opportunity to learn about Tula as well as go back in time to 1941-42 during WWII. Experiencing life on the final voyage of the Oceanus as it traveled during the war and individuals who were aboard was entertaining. This book will expose you to mystery and intrigue, emotional trauma, fear, deep sea diving experi

Ms. Ladybug
Jul 251 min read
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