Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection

 Here we are with another Top Ten Tuesday! It has been a while since I have participated and I have missed reading other blogs and learning about new books. So today I have a list of ten recent books that I have received. As all bookish people understand I feel like I could never have too many books. So I buy used books, I get some as gifts, I buy new ones, and I get many for free which is a blessing. 

















Monday, December 26, 2022

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown Review

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About the Book

Based on the true story of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant women in the most dangerous corners of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s.

When Tai Choi leaves her home in the Zhejiang province of China, she believes she’ll be visiting her grandmother. But in truth, despite her mother’s opposition, her father has sold her to pay his gambling debts. Alone and afraid, Tai Choi is put on a ship headed for San Francisco, known among the Chinese as Gold Mountain. When she arrives, she is forced to go by the new name listed on her paper documents: Tien Fu Wu.

Her new life as a servant at a gambling den is hard. She is told to stay hidden, to stay silent, and to perform an endless list of chores, or else she will be punished. Tien Fu thinks her life couldn’t get any worse, until she is sold again to an abusive shopkeeper and tasked to care for a young boy. If she is to survive, Tien Fu must persevere, and learn who to trust.

When Dolly Cameron arrives in San Francisco to teach sewing at a mission home for orphaned Asian girls, she meets Tien Fu, who is willful, defiant, and unwilling to trust anyone. Dolly quickly learns that all the girls at the home were freed from lives of servitude and maltreatment. Dolly immediately joins the group of women dedicated to saving more of these “paper daughters” because some in authority have turned a blind eye to the situation.

Despite many challenges, Dolly and Tien Fu forge a powerful friendship as they mentor and help those in the mission home and work to win the freedom of thousands of immigrant women and girls. (Goodreads)

 RELEASES APRIL 11, 2023!!!

PRE-ORDER HERE!

 

My Thoughts

This is a story that has stuck with me since reading the last page. This book is fantastic and so incredibly interesting as it shines a bright light on part of history I knew nothing about! I have not read the original as this one was adapted for young readers. This is a GREAT book. I was sucked into the story from the start and all of the characters and the great risk that these women took to save others simply blows me away. I can understand why this story had to be rewritten for a younger audience as there are some pretty terrible things that happen to the young women in this story. But it was written in a way that got the point across without being graphic. I thought the writing was great and the flow of the story and historical time line excellent. I loved this book and I think everyone should read about the history of the Occidental Mission Home/Donaldina Cameron House. It is inspiring! 

Five stars. 

 

" I received this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Thursday, December 15, 2022

In Love's Time Review

 


 

 About the Book

In the summer of 1918, Captain Marcus Weatherford arrives in Russia on a secret mission, with a beautiful ballerina posing as his fiancée. Marcus searches for the Romanov Tsarina and her son--who both allegedly survived the murdering Bolsheviks--and the information behind an allied plot to assassinate Lenin. But Marcus's sense of duty battles his desire to return home to Clare--his actual love.

Hospital orderly Clare Danner still suffers from Marcus's betrayal and now fears losing her daughter to the heartless family who took Daisy away from Clare once before, but only Marcus can provide the critical proof needed to save her daughter.

Faced with danger and unexpected circumstances, can Clare trust Marcus, or will he shatter her world yet again?
 

 

 BUY HERE

 

My Thoughts

 I have really enjoyed all of Kate Breslin’s novels. I wasn’t entirely certain what to expect with this story and I was surprised at the many twists and turns that it took. I love that it wasn’t entirely predictable and the added mystery of the big picture story was so well done. The ending was a combination of suspense and anxiety for me because I wanted to know what would happen. I felt for Clare throughout the story and I really loved her character. I did enjoy this book even though I spent a lot of the story feeling anxious. There is a sweet love story but it isn’t your typical romance. Breslin writes such great stories full of heart and history. I recommend any of her books!

Four stars!



“I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.”

Sunday, December 11, 2022

All the Lost Places Review

  

 


 
 

About the Book

When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the canals of 1807 Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastian Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn't until a woman washes ashore his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastian must make choices that could alter not just his own future, but that of the beloved floating city.

Decades later, Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden in regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastian Trovato (Goodreads)


BUY HERE


My Thoughts

 There is not a book that Amanda has written that is not a complete delight to read. I set aside specific time to read this one because I knew once I started I wouldn't be able to stop. This book is wonderful. I had no idea what to expect and this story is so unique you just have to read it to understand how impactful and heart wrenching it is. The characters are so well written. The dual time line is marvelous and all of the story lines interwoven on the pages are just terrific. There is an ongoing mystery that threads throughout the book. There is romance though it is not overdone and it really came down to the heart of the characters and their growth that made this book so special. Amanda's writing shines light on the brokenness of people and how there is still so much hope to continue on. I loved this book and I hope you do too! I highly recommend! 

Five stars! 

 

"I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."





Saturday, December 10, 2022

Engaging Deception Book Review

 

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 About the Book

Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.

Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work.

As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future? (Goodreads)

 

BUY HERE

 My Thoughts

What a fun book! This series does not have to be read in order and this book could be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book because Olive's personality just made me smile. Maxfield finally won me over even though he made some choices earlier in the book I didn't love. I love the architectural tidbits and rivalry on building and design. I think what I loved the most was reading the history side of things by the author. As with all of Jennings novels there are some hilarious scenes that made me giggle. There is also more depth in this book that I appreciated and really showed character growth at the end. This is a lighthearted and fun read that you will enjoy!

Four Stars. 


" I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."