Book Review - A Flute in the Willows by Carole Brown

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jerry Patterson has a mission to protect his country regardless of what he has to do. When task to infiltrate a high ranking German household by wooing the sister, it seemed like a piece of cake. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem for Jerry but being that he's married and madly in love with his wife, it poses a few guilt fueled problems for him. However, after completing his mission he is injured and fears that his wife deserves someone who isn't "broken". While trying to acclimate to being back home,  he notices someone from his mission who has a malicious grudge against him following his family. Why is this person after Jerry? Will Jerry be able to work on his marriage with Josie?

I enjoyed the first half of the novel but towards the middle of the novel, I felt that the story dragged on. I wasn't sure why someone who is plotting revenge against someone was taking so long to do so, especially since his hatred seemed so deep seeded. There were a few parts of the story that felt convoluted and out of place. For example, one character was told a secret in front of two characters who wanted to hurt the first character but it didn't make sense why they would do it that way since it seemed very childish and gimmicky. It was an interesting story line which was a bit slow moving but I would read future works by the author.

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

About the Book

Book Title: A Flute in the Willows
Author: Carole Brown
Genre: Historical, Romantic Suspense
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other’s love…and keep the German enemy at bay.
She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she’s scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?
Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life…especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife’s life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can’t stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.
These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their ownselves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

About the Author

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away a grand prize of a canvas flowered/musical tote, a pink “All Things are Possible journal, and a copy of A Flute in the Willows (winners choice of print or ebook)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c9e2

Book Review - One More Moon: Goodbye Mussolini! One Woman's Story of Fate and Survival by Ralph Webster

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In the year 1934, Elsa and her husband, Paul are living a comfortable life in Italy. However, all that begins to change when their daughter, Mela tells them of a hotel called Pensione Alexandria that is on sale. Elsa and her husband are suffering through some financial issues and decided that the hotel might be the answers to their troubles. When, the war breaks out Italy and Germany joins forces which cause a strain on travelers and when the situation gets worse, it makes it harder for Elsa and her family to escape. Will Elsa and her husband, Paul be able to escape the war?

Elsa's grandson writes her story through her voice and invites readers into her journey to escape the Italy before they follow the footsteps of Germany to imprison their fellow Jewish countrymen. The novel was written very beautifully and was told in an interesting way. However, I felt like in the beginning, the book was going to be about the two women  they found in the fields or a bit more detailed about Elsa's journey. Instead, it felt like I was reading a lot of fluff and not enough meat bones about her journey. Overall, it was still an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

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

Book Review - The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff

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Noa was sixteen years old when she cast out in disgrace from her family's home after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier. With nowhere to go and barely any possessions, she heads to the city to a shelter where her baby will be given to a family in need. After delivering her child, she has to leave the shelter to locate a job to support herself. She finds employment at a small rail station where she cleans and lives in a small utility closet. However, one faithful night, Noa stumbles upon a boxcar containing several Jewish infants who are bound for a concentration camp. She is unsure what to do, but one infant catches her attention, he reminds me her of her own beloved child she had to give up. She steals the child and seeks refugee, but fears the German soldiers would locate her and the child. Noa escapes into the forest under the protection of the snowy night, but with her meager clothing and provisions; her journey ends abruptly. When she recovers, she finds a safe haven among a traveling German circus, where she must learn the flying trapeze act to blend in and to earn her keep.

Astrid is the lead aerialist of the German circus and she doesn't believe Noa has the skills necessary to learn the act. Whether it is because of jealousy or Astrid's past, she has a hard time warming up to Noa even though she is Noa's only lifeline and flying trapeze instructor. However, slowly Astrid warms up to Noa but is unable to trust Noa. Will Noa's secret destroy their friendship? Will their friendship be able to help them survive?

When I first picked up this book, I thought it was going to be about an abandoned child who conquers the world against all odds. Then I read the summary, it seemed interesting as a beach read or maybe something to read while commuting. However, I am ashamed of myself for putting down one of the most heart warming and interesting books I read this season. The dual narrated novel captivated my heart and I couldn't help rooting for Noa's and Astrid's friendship. I wish every single human on this planet had a person like Astrid and Noa in their lives.They truly define what it means for someone to be a friend. There were times, that the two characters did act a bit petty and I found Noa's secret to be an "insignificant" (for a lack of better words), compared to Astrid's own life, but I can't judge because I don't know what it feels like to live during that horrendous time. Perhaps, if I was in Astrid's shoes and I found someone I liked during a time of uncertainty, but I felt they weren't being completely honest, but I would also behave like a "high school" girl. I think one of the reasons why, some readers might think it felt like a "high school" cliche is because maybe Noa and Astrid never really had strong female friendships. Noa seemed to be secluded in her small village and Astrid focused mostly on her career and none of the other performers in the circus seem to like her much either.  Speaking from my own high school female friendship, I also had petty moments and moments of fiercely protecting my friend. Personally speaking apart from minor "She hates me!" moments, I found the book very enjoyable and I look forward to reading other works by the author.

Book Review - Annabel Lee (Coffey & Hill Book #1): A Coffey & Hill Novel by Mike Nappa

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Annabel Lee lives an ordinary life on  her Uncle Truck's farm except for the guard dog that eats human fingers. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, Truck wakes her up and takes her deep underground with the guard dog. He tells her "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me." Terrified, she obeys and closes the door behind him leaving her and the guard dog alone. 

The girl's godfather, the Mute is a former Army sniper who will stop at nothing to kill Dr. Smith who is after Annabel. In the meantime, Truck's former trainee Samuel Hill and his ex wife and private investigator Trudi Coffey have to piece together Truck's cryptic message to find the girl. Will Truck's team be able to find the girl before it's too late? Why does is she in the bunker? What does Dr. Smith want with Annabel?

The thriller was a quick and easy read. I also like how Mike created a strong female lead (although, there were a couple of "annoying" things but I can see why she felt that way). The book was highly entertaining with an interesting story line. I have not read anything from Mike Nappa before but I am looking forward to reading his other works.

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