Book Review - The Tuscan Secret by Angela Petch

 

The Tuscan Secret by Angela Petch is about  a woman named Anna who is trying to cope with her beloved mother Ines's death. The only personal item she inherits is a box of old yellowed paper handwritten in Italian along with a few photos. She is desperate to learn more about her mother and to find a way to keep the connection they shared alive. As she reads the pages, Anna learns her mother’s truth about what happened during the war.

Anna decides that she has nothing keeping her from visiting Italy to be fully immersed in her mother’s past as she recently went through a breakup and lost her job. She travels to a small village of Rofelle, where she decides to enjoy the sights while trying to decipher her mother’s letters.

She learns that her mother lived a happy and quiet life. Ines spent most of her days herding sheeps in the meadows or helping her parents at the mill.  Until World War Two began and Nazi soldiers started to encroach on their land, Ines and her family lived quiet lives. After foreign troops entered their land, Ines joined the Resistenza, with her brother to help protect British soldiers and her homeland from the invaders. As Anna delves deeper into her mother’s story, she learns that Ines fell in love with a British soldier. She wonders what caused Ines to leave her beloved country and what happened to that soldier as Anna spent most of her childhood hearing her parents fight with each other. She has a hard time understanding how they ended up together. And Ines refused to talk about her life in Italy no matter how much Anna had asked her.

Anna visits her mother’s old house, in hopes that she can find something that belonged to her mother.  She meets an elderly Italian man who seems to know more than he is letting on.  He flinches when Anna mentions her mother and stares at the photos with Ines that Anna has shared with him. However, he refused to talk to Anna and claimed he doesn’t remember anything about the war nor does he want to talk about it. Will Anna be able to find out the truth about her family’s past?

The novel was a quick and straightforward read. It did have a few twists but most were predictable. The book was told from alternating narrators and times. I thought both timelines were interesting but I found myself enjoying Ines’s storyline more. I wanted to find out more about her past and how she  ended up being in a loveless marriage when it seems that she was happily in love during her youth. I did find the novel to be moving slowly at times and found myself wanting more to happen. If you are a fan of cozy romance novels that take place around World War Two, then you might enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - The Memory Keeper's Daughter: A Novel by Kim Edwards

 

 

 

In a late winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced to deliver his own twins in Lexington, Kentucky. His first child, a son, is born perfectly healthy. David notices that their second child, their daughter is born with Down syndrome. He decides that he needs to protect his wife, Norah, from heartache and makes a split second decision that will alter their lives forever. 

 

He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the child to an institution for children like her and to keep the secret from his family.  Caroline feels conflicted on David's choice and instead, she decides to keep the child for herself. 

I wanted to love this because the description and summary was so spellbinding. However, I was more than 40% into the book before I lost interest. and stopped reading. The story just plodded long with boring details and unnecessary filler. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters and I wasn't invested in learning what happened to them. This book is a good reminder why I shouldn't pick up books by the title and cover.

Book Review - The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

Photo Credit - Amazon

Will Truesdale is an Englishman who just arrives in Hong Kong for work in 1942. He falls into a passionate love affair with Trudy Liang, a beautiful Eurasian heiress. However, their relationship becomes troubled when the Japanese invade making the effects of WWII hitting close to home. Will is sent to an internment camp, where he and other foreigners try to adapt to their new living situation while struggling for survival. Trudy refuses to enter the internment camp and remains on the outside. She forms a dangerous alliance with a military head. The general is desperate to locate a collection of priceless Chinese art and is willing to do anything even if it leads to friends betraying each other.

Claire Pendleton arrives ten years later in Hong Kong and is hired by the wealthy Chen family to give their daughter piano lessons. Claire and her new husband, Martin moved for his work in the water department. Claire is immediately taken with the social life of the expatriate community. During an elegant cocktail party, Claire runs into Will and she feels immediately attracted to him. As they continue their affair, Claire realizes that Will his hiding his past and a dark secret. As she beings to dig into his past, she unearths dangerous secrets and Claire understands the true price of survival.

The novel was interesting at first but, then the story started moving very slowly. I didn't really care for any of the characters. I felt like they weren't developed enough for me think of them as real people. The story felt a bit discombobulated and told in fragments. I felt like that ruined the flow of the novel. I didn't understand the motivation behind some of the characters. For example, Will takes ten years before he reaches out to the Chens about something that happened in the war. Did something happen when he was with Claire that set him off? Why did the Edwina decide to spill the beans on what happened during the war? Was she trying to prove something or did someone wronged her? These were some of the things I wanted more details on and not the Hermes scarf that Claire had.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Estranged #2: The Changeling King by Ethan M. Aldridge + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Changeling Edmund Carter resumed his rightful role as Cinder, king of the World Below after spending years pretending to be human. However, not all of the underworld inhabitants are happy about his return to the throne. Ed is still adjusting to his new human life in the World Above. His birth parents are kind and accepting of him but, he misses his sense of purpose as a knight.

When a new threat threatens the lives of everyone in the World Below, Cinder must rely on his friends and family to assist him. However, Cinder discovers a dark secret at the end of their journey. Will Cinder be able to protect his family and kingdom against all odds?

The graphic novel was illustrated in beautiful watercolor paintings. I enjoyed the first book in the series and the second one didn't disappoint. We got to see the characters learn about themselves and how they fit in with their world. They also learn the importance of friends and family is not only people who are related by blood. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

 

Series: Estranged (Book 2)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (October 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006265389X
ISBN-13: 978-0062653895

Praise for ESTRANGED Series

“A splendid tale of faery magic and adventurous siblings, all told in gorgeously rendered watercolor panels: this is exactly my kind of thing.” —Ben Hatke, author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Zita the Spacegirl trilogy

“It’s got dragons. It’s got drama. It’s got depth. And it’s got me impatiently awaiting Ethan M. Aldridge’s next eye-popping adventure.” —Tim Federle, award-winning author of Better Nate Than Ever and Five, Six, Seven, Nate!

“A compelling story about finding identity in a world where magic dangers lurk just around the corner. I loved Estranged!” —Molly Ostertag, author-illustrator of The Witch Boy

“As richly imagined in the full-color illustrations, the worldbuilding is both accessible and as familiar as those genre stalwarts… this should easily resonate with preteen and teen fans of both Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Worthy of inclusion in any fantasy collection.” —School Library Journal

“[F]un, daring, and dark...with themes and art that fall into the realm of Neil Gaiman, Michael Ende, and Jim Henson. Coupled with the beautifully toned watercolor art, the interdependence of and tension between the two protagonists makes this book stand out.” —Publishers Weekly

“The deliciously captivating start to this adventure series will leave readers hungry for more.” —Booklist

Enter a world of faerie magic and epic adventure in this spellbinding sequel to Estranged—a rich fantasy graphic novel perfect for fans of Amulet.

After years of pretending to be human, the changeling Edmund Carter has assumed his rightful role as Cinder, king of the World Below. But not everyone at the royal palace is happy about his return.

Meanwhile, Ed is adjusting to human life in the World Above. His birth family treats him with a kindness he never knew growing up in the Fay court, but Ed misses the sense of purpose he had as a knight.

When a mysterious new threat emerges in the World Below, Cinder must call on Ed and their older sister, Alexis, for help. But nothing can prepare them for the family secret that awaits at the end of their perilous quest.

With over two hundred pages of gorgeous watercolor paintings, The Changeling King invites readers on an epic journey through a magical world—one they will not soon forget.

You can purchase The Changeling King at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Ethan M. Aldridge 

Ethan M. Aldridge is a bestselling author and illustrator. He is the creator of the fantasy graphic novel ESTRANGED (a Junior Library Guild selection, Indie Bestseller, and YALSA Great Graphic Novel For Teens), and it's follow up THE CHANGELING KING (coming fall 2019).

Ethan was raised in a small town in Utah. Growing up, Ethan’s favorite things to draw were monsters and whatever dinosaur he liked that week. He now does more or less the same thing for a living. Ethan lives in New York City with his husband, Matthew, and their dog, Kitsune.

Ethan has had the pleasure to create work for HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Random House, and EA Games.

        

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DECEMBER 9th MONDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
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Book Review - The Girl Who Sailed the Stars by Matilda Woods

Photo Credit - Amazon

Oona Britt is the youngest of seven daughters born in the magical town of Nordlor. The beautiful coastal town of Nordlor is built from wrecked whaling ships. Oona's father enlisted the advice of a soothsayer promising him a "bold and brave son". When Oona was born, she bought her great disappointment and angered her sea captain father who desperately wanted a son. Oona loves the ocean and wants to sail on a ship but, her father believes girls don't belong to them.

Because Oona craves adventure and knowledge, she is teased and considered an outsider from her family. When her family decides the girls will be sent down to the South to be married off, Oona resolves this isn't the life she wanted and decides to sneak aboard her father's ship. Oona realizes he is setting sail for his annual winter whale hunt and she is about to be a part of a great adventure. During her great adventure on the sea, Oona meets the different characters aboard her father's ship, including the ship's sea cat, Barnacles and the navigator named Haroyld. As much as Oona tries to show her father her worth and win his love, he is furious and continuously disappointed in her. Will Oona be able to prove to her father that she is the brave and bold child the soothsayer promised?

I loved this novel. I don't say this lightly because I have maybe a handful of books this year that elicited such emotions while reading. I love everything about this novel, except maybe some of the kooky illustrations that decorated each page. This glorious book teaches children and adults, that we cannot live to please others and being true to oneself if the best path. While reading this novel, I was reminded of Roald Dahl's brilliant masterpieces such as "The Witches", "Mathilda", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and "James and the Giant Peach".  It had a bit of dark humor mixed in with a delightful story of bravery and following your heart. Best of all, it teaches young girl they have power to their voices heard and can conquer their dreams on their own. A definite read for any young adventurous soul!

 **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

THE GIRL WHO SAILED THE STARS

    When Oona Britt was born in the magical town of Nordlor, where all of the homes are built from wrecked ships, her parents never expected her to be a girl. Having listened to a faulty prediction from a washed-up soothsayer, they were promised a "bold and brave son," so as the youngest of seven sisters, Oona's birth became a disappointment -- especially to her sea captain father, who doesn't believe there's a place for girls aboard ships. 

     But Oona is different from the rest of her family. She longs for adventure and knowledge. So she steals aboard her father's ship just as he's about to set sail for his annual winter whale hunt, and suddenly finds herself in the midst of a grand adventure! The ship has its own sea cat, Barnacles, and a navigator named Haroyld, who show Oona how to follow the stars. But for all that, Oona's father is furious. Can she prove to him that she's worth his love and pride, even though she's not the bold and brave son he was promised? 

     This follow-up to The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker carries just as much heart and charm as Matilda Woods's first novel. The characters, story, and illustrations will dazzle readers.

Author

Matilda Woods (www.matildawoods.com) grew up in the small town of Southern Tablelands, Australia. She graduated from Monash University with a Masters of Social Work. Matilda splits her time between writing middle grade fiction and working as a youth social worker. She is the author of The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker, and she currently lives in the same small town where she grew up, with her four chickens, three dogs, two cats, and one bird.

Book Review - The Little French Bistro by Nina George

Photo Credit - Amazon

After forty one years in a loveless and unhappy marriage, Marianne decides to take action. She decides to leave her old life behind and head to the coast of Brittany for a new beginning. She meets locals who while eccentric are nothing short of loving. While Marianne loses herself in this new world, she realizes its never to late to start over. Will Marianne be able to love again?

While, this novel was a short read,  I found that it had potential to be a heart warming, soul seeking cure for those in "loveless" relationship. However, the novel didn't live up to it's potential. I am not sure if it is because it was translated but some of the sentences didn't make sense. There was a lot of characters to keep track who were not well developed. I couldn't also see myself connecting with Marianne and hoping she has a happy life because some of her story seems to contrived.  A very disappointing book that I had very high hopes for after reading great reviews for her first book.

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