Book Review - The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio

Photo Credit - Amazon

During World War II, the rare and last surviving camellia specimen of the Middlebury Pink has been hidden away on an  English estate. Flora is an American baker at her struggling family bakery. Someone from an international ring of flower thieves promises Flora a solution for all her problems. All she has to do is pretend to be a nanny for a family and find out where the Middlebury Pink is hidden on the estate. 

Half a century later, a garden designer Addison and her husband, Rex live in the manor owned by Rex's family. Addison immediately falls for the manor's gardens. However, when they come across an old gardener's notebook, they realize they have a mystery on their hands. The notebook chronicles a string of women who have gone missing. Will Flora be able to find the flower and rescue her family? Will Addison be able to solve the mystery behind the missing women?

A few pages into this novel and I couldn't wait to read more. I wanted to know more about the missing women. However, about a third into the novel, I realized the novel kept dragging without any new details to keep me hooked. While the novel solved a few mysteries in the end, I felt like it was too perfect that characters coincidentally just run into ran into each other. I felt like there were too many subplots and none of them were defined enough to be enjoyable.

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Book Review - Grounded Hearts by Jeanne M. Dickson + Giveaway

Photo Source - Amazon

Nan O'Neil was living a peaceful life as widowed midwife when an injured Canadian pilot knocks at her door for assistance. During World War II, Ireland became a neutral nation which meant all soldiers and those who help them will be considered enemies of Ireland. When, the pilot came knocking at her door, trouble came as well. Unable to turn away from midwife instincts of healing the sick, she takes in the "flyboy", Dutch Whitney.  While tending to his physical wounds, the two bond and Nan feels her emotional wounds hurt less when she is around Dutch. Will Nan be able to love again? Will Dutch be able to escape imprisonment? 

The book was a quick read and was very interesting. The characters were well developed and entertaining. However, I had a hard time to fall in love characters and the story line even though I was entertained while reading the book. A decent read but not a book I would love to re-read.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

What do you get when you mix World War II, a brave midwife, a wounded pilot, and a risky secret? Jeanne M. Dickson's new historical fiction novel, Grounded Hearts. When midwife Nan O'Neil finds a wounded young Canadian pilot at her door, she knows she's taking a huge risk by letting him in. Still, something compels Nan to take in "flyboy" Dutch Whitney, an RAF pilot whose bomber has just crashed over County Clare. While she tends to his wounds and gives him a secret place of refuge, the two begin to form a mutual affection-and an unbreakable bond.

Join Jeanne in celebrating the release of her new book by entering to win the Celtic Knots Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Grounded Hearts
• A Claddagh bracelet
• A Claddagh jewelry box

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on July 31. The winner will be announced August 1 on the Litfuse blog.