The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green - A Book Review

   

The Foxhole Victory Tour is much different that any of the other World War II era books I have read. Rather than focusing on what was occurring in Europe, this story focuses on the members of a USO troupe touring in North Africa. The author examines their motives for joining the troupe and the evolution of the relationships among the members. Character development if key to the story, and well done by the author Amy Lynn Green. She also very adeptly immerses her readers in the settings from a Minneapolis performance hall to the streets of Casablanca, Morocco. The plot moves along at a slow, steady pace. Some readers may be wishing for a bit of intrigue, but if they stay with the sweet story, there are memorable moments and lessons to be learned.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Foxhole Victory Tour from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Double Take by Lynette Eason - A Book Review

 

  

Wow! This romantic suspense story has so many twists and turns, it almost makes one's head hurt. Just when you think you've got things figured out, you don't, or at least not quite in the way you thought, but then maybe you do, or not...and so it continues. Lynette Eason fans are going to be thrilled with this latest book, and it's kind of cool that she gave a shout out to fellow romantic suspense author Lynn H. Blackburn.

Laine Jackson is questioning just how severe her PTSD has become when she begins to see someone who appears to be her dead ex-fiance lurking about. She knows it can't be him, after all she is the one who killed him! Detective James Cross, who also deals with PTSD following his honorable discharged from the military, had always thought of Laine as just one of his sister's friends, but she had changed in his absence. Now he feels drawn to her, and drawn to protect her, but from whom? Reader's will greatly enjoy finding out the answer to that question.

I am very grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Double Take from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Stories That Bind Us by Susiie Finkbeiner - A Book Review

  

I was excited to find one of Susie Finkbeiner's books that I had not known about. We purchased one for me and three for gifts. I truly hope those that received one as a gift enjoy Stories That Bind Us as much as I did. The story is set in the early 1960s, but many of the events are indicative of that entire decade. It is interesting to read historical fiction that overlaps one's own childhood. It was also interesting to know that myself and one of the gift recipients would read it through a much different lens than the other two recipients. The wonderful thing is that the important themes of this book will resonate with all generations.

Susie Finkbeiner crafts beautiful, poignant stories centering around believable, relatable characters experiencing real world events. While Stories That Bind Us revolves around civil rights and the Vietnam War era, the theme of mental health dominates the story. Finkbeiner's writing skills make it very easy for readers to walk with Betty Sweet through life's beauty and adversity. They will admire Betty's ability to create just the right story to explain life's events and to encourage herself and her nephew. Readers, too, will be encouraged.

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz - A Book Review

   

I really enjoy Laura Frantz's historical fiction stories, but my favorites are those set in and around Williamsburg. The female characters who ply a trade are most interesting whether it be a lighthouse keeper, lacemaker, chocolatier, or, as in this book, a seamstress. Sylvie Galant lived in Acadie, modern day Nova Scotia, in the mid-1700s, serving as a seamstress to the French Fort Beauséjour. She and her family fall victim to the eviction of Acadians by the English, in spite of their neutrality in the conflict with the French. The story tells of Sylvie's life after she and a few fellow Acadians were rescued when the ship they were placed on foundered in a storm off the Virginia coast. Frantz admittedly has written in some key characters who treat the Acadians as they should have been treated rather than as most Virginians treated them in actuality. That is the beauty of historical fiction, sometimes we can view events through a lens of what ifs. Of course the story includes a touch of romance with a brave hero, Major William Blackburn, a man of integrity and the conviction to do the right thing.

I give The Seamstress of Acadie five stars and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble - A Book Review

  

Fragile Designs has a wonderful plot including a missing Fabergé egg, murders and attempted murders, break-ins, and a kidnapping. Coble has created interesting characters that readers will root for: Carly, a young widow; Lucas, the police officer that lives next door; Mary, Carly's boho wearing grandmother; and many more. Where this story lost one of its stars from my review was in the details that did not line up with one another, or that did not line up with how the real world works, a pet peeve of mine. If you are looking for a quick read with lots of action, and are not one to get bogged down in the small details, this will be a great choice for you.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Fragile Designs from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.