The German Dressmaker by Susan Shalev

Lilly was down to her last dollar with the only thing being left was for her to go into a brothel even though she was a very talented seamstress.

She was terrified.

Heinrich, a German officer swept her away, protected her from this fate, and they fell in love.

They had a short time together but were kept apart since they both were escaping Europe on a ship that sunk.

We follow Lily and Heinrich as the war rages on and both think the other is dead. 

Heinrich joins the British Army, and Lily continues to create her beautiful clothing as both continue to mourn their lost love and try to forget each other.

THE GERMAN DRESSMAKER is a book you won't be able to put down because of the marvelous writing of the author and the hope that Lily and Heinrich find love again.

Don't miss it...you will be missing wonderful characters and a beautiful story even though it is told amid the horrors of WWII.

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Bookstore or Library

What is YOUR choice?

Red Day

 

I randomly made today RED DAY!

How many RED covers can you find?

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

I have to go to New York City and sell Christmas trees with my brother?

Kerry and her brother hardly know each other, but there is no one else to drive the truck.

Very reluctantly Kerry drives the 700 miles to set up in the spot her brother and father always used as a location to sell the Tolliver trees.

Another thing that she wasn’t too happy about was living in that filthy, freezing trailer for three weeks.

As it turns out, things weren’t as bad as she thought they would be.  She met a lot of wonderful people and met dreamy Patrick.

Besides her romantic involvement with Patrick, she fell in love with his adorable son and met an elderly, ill artist Heinz who scared her when he hadn’t shown up for three days.

Kerry and everyone had no idea where he lived and became more worried as time went on.

Follow Kerry as we see how her three weeks in New York changed a lot of things for her.

Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down.

Mary Kay Andrews never disappoints.

You will love the characters and the storyline.

Be sure to add it to your reading list.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced reader copy.  All opinions are my own.

Spotlight of Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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FAKING CHRISTMAS

KERRY WINFREY

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF TINA JOELLE OF BERKLEY/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, AUTHOR'S WEBSITE, AND AMAZON.

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An ideal cozy-winter romance.

 

This novel includes the ever-popular fake-dating trope and is inspired by the classic Christmas in Connecticut. 

 

In this delightful and charming rom-com, Laurel Grant is playing house for the holidays—complete with a fake husband and kids.  

 

With a charming setting and quirky, lovable voice, this book is an ideal cozy-winter read to help people forget about real-world troubles.

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Publishing - September 26

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ABOUT FAKING CHRISTMAS:

Laurel Grant works as the social media manager for Buckeye State of Mind, an Ohio tourism magazine and website. She most definitely does not run a farm . . . but one tiny misunderstanding leads her boss, Gilbert, to think she owns her twin sister Holly’s farm just outside of Columbus. Laurel only handles the social media for the farm, but she’s happy to keep her little white lie going if it means not getting fired—she cannot be jobless again.

And keep it going she must when Gilbert, recently dumped by his wife, invites himself over for the farm’s big Christmas Eve Eve dinner (as advertised on Meadow Rise Farm’s Instagram, thanks to Laurel herself). Laurel immediately goes into panic mode to figure out how she can trick Gilbert into thinking she’s basically the Martha Stewart of rural Ohio and keep her job in the process.

Laurel and Holly come up with the perfect plan—all Laurel has to do is pretend to own the farm for one dinner. But Laurel shows up at the farm to find an unwelcome guest is waiting: Max Beckett, her nemesis since Holly’s wedding. The annoyingly attractive man she hates will be posing as Laurel’s husband just for the evening, but when a snowstorm traps them all for the entire weekend, Laurel is going to have to figure out how to survive with her job and dignity intact. Whatever the case, this promises to be the most eventful Christmas in ages. . . .

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PRAISE FOR FAKING CHRISTMAS:

"When I finish reading a Kerry Winfrey book, all I want to do is inhale ten more Kerry Winfrey books. Faking Christmas feels like a favorite Christmas memory: warm and fun, with a loving family who will do anything for each other. I absolutely LOVE the witty, relatable Laurel, and her opposites-attract interactions with Max had me both cracking up and crying 'Kiss! Kiss!' I can’t wait to have the paperback in my hands so that I can wear it out every Christmas."—Sarah Hogle, author of Just Like Magic

"Kerry Winfrey never misses! This take on a Christmas classic is so full of charm, swoon and smiles that I'm ready for a re-read and I just finished it! If ever there was a perfect holiday rom-com, Faking Christmas is it!"—Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager
 
"Faking Christmas is the cozy holiday romance of my dreams. Full of the humor and hijinks of a classic movie, with Kerry Winfrey’s clever, hilarious, and utterly original voice, this book is an absolute joy."—Martha Waters, author of To Swoon and to Spar

"Kerry Winfrey was made to write a Christmas romance, and Faking Christmas fills the bill perfectly! A cozy Hallmark Christmas movie in book form, it's warm and sweet, quirky and just a little silly. The kind of Christmas story I'd want to re-read every December."—Jen DeLuca, author of Well Traveled

"Faking Christmas is truly delightful! Sparkly as twinkle lights and warm as a crackling fire—this seasonal romance is every swoony reader's dream!"—Sarah Adams, author of When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect

“Like Mariah Carey performing 'All I Want for Christmas Is You,' Kerry Winfrey hits all the right notes in this super cozy and charmingly chaotic enemies-to-lovers romcom. Faking Christmas is a story you'll want to snuggle up with again and again—the perfect comfort read for the holiday season. I enjoyed every hilarious, heartfelt moment of this delightful book!”—Sarah Adler, author of Mrs. Nash's Ashes

"With a keen eye for both the wacky and the wonderful, Winfrey (Just Another Love Song) rings in the holidays with a clever comedy of errors...The sweet romance blooms organically amid the chaos and Winfrey uses it as a vehicle to touch on deeper themes of loneliness and self-esteem. The results are utterly adorable."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a quirky heroine, a Hallmark Channel movie, or the classic Christmas in Connecticut should rush to pick this one up."—Library Journal

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM THE BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE** 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kerry Winfrey is the author of the romantic comedies WAITING FOR TOM HANKS, NOT LIKE THE MOVIES, VERY SINCERELY YOURS, and JUST ANOTHER LOVE SONG. FAKING CHRISTMAS will be published on September 26th. 

She’s also the author of two YA novels. She lives with her family in the middle of Ohio.

**AUTHOR'S PHOTO TAKEN FROM BOOK'S AMAZON PAGE**

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Mailbox Monday - 9/25/2023

 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

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Warning:  Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.
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Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia @A Girl and Her Books, has a permanent home now at  MAILBOX MONDAY.
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Here is a shout out to the administrators:

Emma @ Word and Peace

Serena @ Savvy Verse and Wit

Martha @ Reviews By Martha’s Bookshelf

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THANKS to everyone for keeping Mailbox Monday alive.

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I hope you had a good mailbox.

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On Saturday, September 16, I received:

1.  THE CLINIC by Cate Quinn, courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmarks and NetGalley.

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It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 9/25/2023

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I hope you had a great reading week.

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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.

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NOT SURE WHY THINGS ARE OFF KILTER - BLOGGER DOES THAT AT TIMES.

 

AND...THE TOP HALF OF THE POST IS MISSING.  

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Books Completed:

 

SISTERS UNDER THE RISING SUN by Heather Morris - review will be on October 24.

 

Another good historical fiction by Ms. Morris.

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THE ROAD TO SOMORROSTRO by Julia Slack - review will be on October 16.

 

You will learn about Somorrostro and many interesting characters.

 

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DREAMING OF WATER by A. J. Banner - review will be on October 10.

 

Oh my goodness....SO GOOD - MYSTERY.

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STREET CORNER DREAMS - review will be on November 16.

 

LOVED IT - a lovely read, but tissues needed at times.

 

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A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL by Julia Kelly - review will be on October 3.

 

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THESE STILL BLACK WATERS by Christina McDonald - review will be on October 1.

 

A little confusing, but a good thriller.

 

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THE GERMAN DRESSMAKER by Susan Shalev - review will be on September 29.

 

LOVED IT...excellent read.

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THE R0ARING DAYS OF ZORA LILY by Noelle Salazar - review will be on October 6.  

 

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book.

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BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS by Mary Kay Andrews - review will be on September 26. 

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by Anna Stuart - review is in the book's title.THE MIDWIFE OF BERLIN

 

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THE ROYAL WINDSOR SECRET by Christine Wells - review is in the book's title.

 

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THE STRANGER UPSTAIRS by Lisa M. Matlin - review is in the book's title.

 

 

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THE HOTEL by Emily Shiner - review is in the book's title.

Very good thriller.

 

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THE WIFE IN THE PHOTO by Emily Shiner - review is in the book's title.

 

First time reading this author.  Excellent thriller.
 

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Book Currently Reading:

 

DEADLY TIDES by Mary Keliikoa - review will be on October 25.

 

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Books Up Next:

 

WHEN I'M DEAD by Hannah Morrissey - review will be on October 31.

 

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THE PORCELAIN MAKER by Sarah Freethy - review will be on November 7.

 

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THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY by Darby Kane - review will be on December 6.

 

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THE WISHING BRIDGE by Viola Shipman - review will be on November 8.

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THE FICTION WRITER by Jillian Cantor - review will be on November 28.

 

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PERFECT LITTLE LIVES by Amber Brown and Danielle Brown - review will be on December 7.

 

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THE VACATION by John Marrs - review will be on December 19.

 

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THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER by Renee Ryan - review will be on December 26.

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TWO DEAD WIVES by Adele Parks - review will be on December 29.

 

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THE LOST VAN GOGH by Jonathan Santlofer - review will be on January 2, 2024.

 

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THE HEIRESS by Rachel Hawkins - review will be on January 9, 2024

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ONLY IF YOU'RE LUCKY by Stacy Willingham - review will be on January 16.

 

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NORTHWOOD by Amy Pease - review will be on January 11.

 

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UNSINKABLE by Jenni L. Walsh - review will be on January 19, 2024.

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RADIANT HEAT by Sarah-Jane Collins - review will be on January 23, 2023.

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THE CLINIC by Cate Quinn - review will be on January 24, 2024.

 

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TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES by Ashley Tate - review will be on January 30.

 

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EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD by Jenny Hollander - review will be on February 6.

 

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THE QUEENS OF LONDON by Heather Webb - review will be on February 7, 2024.

 

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THE GUEST by B. A. Paris - review will be on February 20, 2024.

 

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THE TROUBLE WITH YOU by Ellen Feldman - review will be on February 21.

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BYE, BABY by Carola Lovering - review will be on March 5, 2024.

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THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY by Meagan Church - review will be on March 6.

 

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MURDER ROAD by Simone St. James - review will be on march 8, 2024.

 

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DARLING GIRLS by Sally Hepworth - review will be on April 23, 2024.

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