When Twilight Breaks

 

5/5
I really thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This is my first Sarah Sundin book but it will not be my last. This is a story of prewar Germany, but more about those whole do the right thing and choose to place others before themselves.

The main characters I liked. Evelyn was a spunky go get'em reporter that you can't help but like and pull for her. Peter is definitely a guy you could Overlook if you didn't really pay attention to him. I enjoyed these two together as the complement each other. I do wonder, did Americans read any articles like hers ?? Could we have to accept Jewish refugees ??

The story moved along at a good pace and had some moments you cheered our hero's on. His quickly things happened was interesting. But what I looked most is the how she enter weaved some prayers and thankfulness to the Lord and their faith. The ending was well done as well. Answered most questions tho I would have liked to have known a bit more of their friends in Germany.

I would definitely recommend this book. Well worth the read.

The Shoebox: A Christmas Story

4/5
Blessings or burdens, all given to God.

This was the theme of this very short story. Loved the story and how Jesus and Timmy share many "things". Very quick read, and easy to read. However, the parts with cursive and recipes seemed a bit out of place and a bit harder to read. Didn't really get into why the there in the book, I understood why the chocolate chip cookies but not so much the others. Made it seem a bit out of place or choppy.

I understand the Give it to God, I keep a blessing jar most years. It is amazing how quickly the jar fills up. I now may add prayers like the author. Then reread them like I do with my blessings.

Defiantly worth the read.

The Paris Apartment

                                               

3/5
Quick easy read.

This book, was quick and easy, read. I did like it better then the Guest List.

I liked the story well enough, and the characters were ok. I did figure out a lot it, but not all of the who done it. I felt the story came together very well, and the topic an important one. Love that it took place in France, different then most who are either England or America, not that I am complaining about either country.

So why the three stars ?? The sex scenes, sorry, but it was not needed and thought it to be a turn off for the book. I really did not need to know some of the scenes as they were understood without them.

Other then that, the book was a good one, kept me interested. The very end was nice but no so much believable but nice.

Last Call at the Nightingale

4/5

Thank you Macmillan books for the ARK.

I really enjoyed this one. Nice mystery storyline and a great cast of characters.

The characters helped make this book good. They were very diverse and very likable. A Chinese man, a African American woman and best friend, and a boss woman who knows how to things done. Vivian is very likable and uses her talents to investigate a murder. Along the way we meet others who reflect some of that times challenges.

They storyline is a enjoyable and moves along pretty well. Keeps you guessing till the end. I admit I did not figure this one out. I did expect a little bit more. But this could be an opening for a series.

All in all a good read.

The Hidden Child

3/5

Rounded up to 3.5
Not a three star nor a four but in the middle. While I liked the story well enough I felt it dragged a bit. I also feel she left out a major player in the eugenics game.

The story takes place in England, and about a little girl with epilepsy. A severe case, in fact. The story was good and had very on point research. Which baffles me why she did not mention A. G. Bell. It's sad that people can not accept others with they're disabilities, which most have no rhyme or reason. They did not cause the disability.

I liked Mabel and pulled for her through out the entire story. Edward and Eleanor where infuriating at times. Edward with his my way is the only way, belittling people and Eleanor seems to clueless. They did show some growth, finally realizing need to be different. In the end they finally mature and do what need to be done.

The ending or twist in the story, I actually liked. The one you thought was and really gonna hurt Mabel turns out to be a good guy.

How can you leave out the inventor of the telephone ?? I know it was more about Epilepsy, but this was important too. A short course on deaf history and the inventor of of the phone Mr. A. G. Bell.

A. G. Bell was very huge with the eugenics, especially towards the deaf. He is the reason we almost lost our sign language and our culture. He published a booklet and issued a warning, He believed a "deaf race" was underway. He stated deaf people were forming clubs, socializing with one another and worst of all marry deaf. He believed that deaf should not marry for fear of reproducing more deaf. Deaf should not marry deaf, that was a huge. If they did marry he thought they should be sterilized.

Bell used his influence to change deaf schools. He thought deaf should be oral and not use sign language. He knew how to sign, if needed, but wanted deaf to read lips and voice. This almost worked. Sign language was not being taught and those using it was punished. What happened, during breaks and lunches, the kids still signed to one another. Oralism was not for everyone. Irony of it all ?? His mom and wife were deaf. I will also say I am impressed with his wife who was fluent orally in several languages.

All the Beautiful Lies

5/5
"The world is chaos, and then a detective comes along and restores order.

 Or he doesn't, and that's really my favorite kind
of mystery story."

Another awesome read from Peter Swanson. This is my second book from him and I was not disappointed. It was a good story with very intriguing twists.

One of the things I am finding I like about his books is the research or how well read he is with older mysteries. Agatha Christie being one of my favorites. He goes further then that, he brought Lace from the 80's which was 'a everyone was reading'. Who can forget that ?? He does go further back and some you'll know others you won't. I love that there is a love of books, mostly mysteries.

Harry my not be the book expert, his father was. Harry was likable and we all probably knew someone like him. Alice now there is a character you might want to think twice about.

The story kept me interested the whole way through. I did not want to put it down. It moved a a good pace and was an enjoyable read. I will admit I loved the ending. That's what gave it the fifth star.

All the Best Liars

5/5

Thank you, Flat Iron Books for the ARC copy.
Ah, such a guilty pleasure

The story is similar to a lifetime movie. This is not a bad thing. It's one of my guilty pleasures. Kept me Interested, and moved at a good pace.

I did not realize this was a young adult book. I have read some and had luck with them but normally I don't pick out young adult books. I wasn't sure what to expect, tho I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It's a bit of a slow burner. Not so slow to ruin the story. I'm glad I'm not in high school anymore. I'm sure a bit was added for entertainment value.

The characters, definitely unique and loved they were different. Both academically and personalities. I liked Sydney and Spider best of all. They stood together and were close. Siblings can be aggravating but it's always a good thing when you n count in them when the chips are down.

I did like the ending and a twist or two. Not a typical ending but a right one for this book and actually could lead to a second one.

Definitely enjoyed this one.