The Girl From Berlin by Ronald H. Balson

We travel from present-day Italy and back to the 1930’s during Hitler’s regime in Germany.

In Nazi Germany, we are introduced to Ada as she masterfully plays her violin solos.  In Italy we come across a land dispute that may or may not have Ada Baumgaurten, famous violinist in the Berlin Philharmonic, involved.
 
The land dispute has Liam and Catherine flying to Italy to the beautiful villa of Senora Vincenzo, aunt of a close friend in Chicago.

Catherine has the task of trying to dispute the fact that Senora does own the land and the home she is living in contrary to the Italian attorneys who say she is not the owner.  The claim the Italian attorneys had seemed pretty suspicious.

We also gets a glimpse into beautiful Tuscany - its food, its people, and its landscapes.

I enjoyed the back and forth from the 1930’s to 2017.  The connection between the two time periods set in Germany at the beginning of WWII then moving to present-day Italy was a manuscript that Ada had written about her life and the life of a famous violinist.  Senora Ada Vincenzo insisted that Catherine read the manuscript for the background because she just couldn’t bring herself to tell the details.

THE GIRL FROM BERLIN is a very absorbing dual-timeline that will immediately capture your interest with detailed descriptions of the characters and events.

Mr. Balson has written another beautiful, well researched book that opens up our eyes to the life the European people were living at that time to today’s lifestyle in Italy.  The present-day story line has secrets being revealed about Ada’s and Senora Vincenzo’s claim on the land.

Historical fiction fans, opera fans, and fans of Mr. Balson’s books definitely will not be disappointed in his newest beauty.

THE GIRL FROM BERLIN is outstanding, unforgettable, and well written.

Magnificent, marvelous, heart wrenching, and should be given high praise are perfect descriptions of THE GIRL FROM BERLIN.  5/5

This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. .  All opinions are my own.

 

Reviews Coming Up This Week

A review will be on my blog on the date indicated on the book’s cover.

Have you read any of these books or plan to read them?

One-Year Book Birthday and Giveaway for Drawing Lessons by Patricia Sands

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Celebrating The One-Year Birthday

Of:

DRAWING LESSONS

by

PATRICIA SANDS

OCTOBER 1, 2017
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The lovely Patricia Sands is celebrating her book's birthday with a two-book giveaway.

 

**An e-book for international entrants and a print book with a book plate and sachet for North American entrants.**

 

AND...A SALE!!!  We all love a sale!!

 

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MY REVIEW:

Arianna and Ben had the perfect life...childhood sweethearts, family-owned business, and most importantly each other.

Their perfect life was shattered when Ben was diagnosed with dementia at a young age.  As the disease progressed, it became more and more difficult to cope with the illness to the point of Arianna's children worrying that they were going to lose her too.

The children booked their mother a trip back to her beloved France where she had spent a month or so during college.  The trip was for two weeks at an art retreat to try to take her mind off of the stress of Ben and her loss of him even though he was still living.

Arianna met wonderful people at the art retreat, but would the trip and the time away help her to realize she is alone and must learn to cope with the loneliness?

DRAWING LESSONS has absolutely marvelous descriptions that put you right into the story and into France soaking in the landscape and drooling over all the delicious-sounding food.

The characters were ones that would be great to be with.  They all had their quirks as well as their endearing qualities that made the group well-rounded and enjoyable as companions.

If you enjoy traveling, reading about France's beautiful landscapes and life of the French people, French artists especially Vincent Van Gogh, making new friends, and helping another person to feel welcome and overcome a problem, then DRAWING LESSONS will be an enjoyable read for you.

DRAWING LESSONS was a beautiful, heartfelt story about truly examining your life for the pleasures you have enjoyed and the pleasures you need to look for and experience. 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the author in return for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

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GIVEAWAY:

BEST OF LUCK

I am partnering with Patricia Sands for these giveaways:

USA and CANADA - PRINT

INTERNATIONAL - E-BOOK

OCTOBER 6 - OCTOBER 13

Enter here

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HAPPY FRIDAY

BIG BOOKS

Have you read this book or any book this long?

I have not read this book, but I did read through all 864 pages of ANNA KARENINA.

Giveaway and Spotlight of What Simon Didn't Say by Joy M. Copeland

Photo Source
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Lunar Tower Press Presents:

What Simon Didn’t Say

All information in this post is courtesy of the author, Joy M. Copeland. 

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Celebrating Joy M. Copeland's Book:

WHAT SIMON DIDN'T SAY

with a SPOTLIGHT and GIVEAWAY

October 3, 2018

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Advanced Praise From Amazon Reviewers:

“Well written, an unflinching protagonist…with terrific secondary characters. An excellent plot that keeps you engrossed and looking forward to the next page and twist.”
                                             5 Stars  *****

 “Loved hearing about familiar places in DC – and kept me glued to every page to see what happens next to the Heroine!”
                                            5 Stars  *****

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About The Book:

A mystery, What Simon Didn’t Say is set in Washington, DC.  

Attorney and single parent, Zoie Taylor, works at the Crayton Foundation, the charitable arm of Crayton Industries. She has returned to DC, her childhood home, lured by the family-friendly Foundation job, which promises to allow her more time with her daughter, and to be near her ailing grandmother. Void of a love life and accustomed to more demanding work at the New York law firm, Zoie is bored.  She broods over the circumstances that left her as a single parent, and the man who walked away.

During her morning commute, a homeless man saves her, as she is about to step into the path of an oncoming car. Her savior is named Simon. The enigmatic Simon makes a strange proclamation about her life.  Much to her surprise, what he has prophesized comes true. She meets and falls for Jahi Khalfani, the dynamic, alluring director of a homeless shelter that receives funds from the Foundation. For sure, her fortune is changing, but is it for the best? Something is seriously amiss at the homeless shelter.  These events begin the cycle, which turns Zoie’s staid existence upside down as she deals with the danger-filled underworld of crime and mystery.

What Simon Didn’t Say has a cast of colorful characters: Nikki, her precocious daughter; Maynard, Simon’s schizophrenic homeless friend; Frances Woods, Zoie’s wise grandmother who has secrets of her own; Zoie’s friend Tina, a defector from the corporate rat race turned yoga instructor; Queen, her grandmother’s Jamaican caregiver, and Lena, a childhood acquaintance, rival of sorts, and now reporter at the local newspaper.

The book is fast paced reading that speaks to adventure and to the spirit of family and friendship.  If you like mysteries and stories about strong women with all their flaws, you’ll like What Simon Didn’t Say.

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About the Author:

Photo Credit:  Dennis Copeland

Joy Copeland is a Harlem, New York, native and holds a BA and a MA from Howard University. She has enjoyed a number of careers, including stints in the intelligence community and on Capitol Hill.

She was an information technology (IT) consultant and spent many years in IT management in the corporate world. Joy now focuses on her writing – first short stories and non-fiction, and most recently, her novels.

Joy has been writing since elementary school.  She would write fairy tales and, at the behest of her teacher, read them to a filled school auditorium. Joy says she always wanted to be a writer. “But life often takes one in a different direction. Until you are back again fulfilling your passion.”

The story and characters in What Simon Didn’t Say literally grew out of a dream.  As Joy tells it:  “I had a dream about a homeless man walking down the street with a shopping cart full of his belongings. Lo and behold, the next morning I wake up to see a man fitting the description of the man in my dream pulling a shopping cart down my suburban street. That kind of synchronicity meant I had to write this book.” 

Joy’s other published works include three biographies of Teamster labor leaders:  John H. Cleveland, Daniel J. Tobin, and Clara Day. Joy says: “Producing these books involved years of research and interviews.  

It was a great adventure.” Her short stories appear in a number of personal stories, crime, and horror anthologies including:  Dark Dreams; Life Spices from Seasoned Sistahs; To Hell in a Fast Car; and most recently the 2017 Bram Stoker Award Finalist anthology - Sycorax’s Daughters.

What Simon Didn’t Say is Joy Copeland’s first novel. Her second novel, Borrowed Destiny, is due out Spring 2019.

Joy likes to read and to travel. Her suitcase is always on the ready for the next trip.  She plans to see as much of the world as she can.  Her travels give her inspiration and ideas for her writing. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband.

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Book Availability:

ISBN: 099973170X
   

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GIVEAWAY:

Contest has ended...our winner is:

Jennifer from Virginia!!

CONGRATS!!
 

This book sounds quite good. 

I am partnering with Joy M. Copeland, the author, for this giveaway:

USA ONLY

October 3 - October 10

ENTER HERE

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Spotlight of The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Photo Source

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All information in this post is courtesy of Roxanne Jones of Penguin Random House.

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Celebrating The Release Of

THE HOLLOW OF FEAR

BY

SHERRY THOMAS

On Sale October 2, 2018

This fall author Sherry Thomas returns with the highly anticipated third novel in her popular Lady Sherlock series—a fresh and sharp re-imagining of the world’s most celebrated literary detective. From the start, Thomas turned the story Sherlock Holmes upside down by posing a new notion to sleuth- loving readers everywhere:  What if Sherlock were a woman?

Dubbed one of NPR’s “Great Reads” two years in a row, critics across the board praise Thomas’ keen writing and the unconventional portrayal of her brilliant, gender-bending heroine, Lady Charlotte Holmes. 

Fans will be blown away once again with the next chapter in Charlotte’s story, THE HOLLOW OF FEAR (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; October 2, 2018; $15).

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Praise for SHERRY THOMAS' LADY SHERLOCK SERIES:

“Loaded with suspense...a riveting and absorbing read...a beautifully written novel; you'll savor the unraveling of the mystery and the brilliance of its heroine.”—NPR.org

“A devastating understanding of human flaws and desires.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Clever historical details and a top-shelf mystery add to the winning appeal of this first volume in the ‘Lady Sherlock’ series. A must-read for fans of historical mysteries.” —Library Journal (starred review) 

“Well researched, well plotted, well written. Thank you, Sherry Thomas.” —Suspense Magazine

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About The Book:

In THE HOLLOW OF FEAR, Charlotte continues her sleuthing exploits in Victorian-era London, cleverly disguised under the male alias of “Sherlock Holmes.” Having refused to give into the societal expectations of a high-born lady, Charlotte was willing to give up whatever it took in exchange for her freedom—including family and reputation.

Our fallen-from-grace heroine once again teams up with her devoted benefactor, Mrs. Watson, as they prepare to solve the next mystery that turns up at 18 Upper Baker Street. 

This time young Miss Holmes is faced with her most daunting case yet. When the estranged wife of her dear friend Lord Ingram is discovered dead on his estate, all signs point to him as the murderer. With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to find out the truth. 

Through shrewd plot construction and an original vision, Thomas has produced the perfect read for fans of BBC’s Sherlock, Amanda Quick, C.S. Harris and all who enjoy a healthy dose of literary intrigue.

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About the Author:

 Photo Credit:  

Jennifer Sparks of Sparks Studio

USA Today bestseller Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today and a two-time RITA award winner.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roxanne Jones

Associate Publicist rojones@penguinrandomhouse.com
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PURCHASING INFORMATION:

THE HOLLOW OF FEAR
by Sherry Thomas
Berkley Trade Paperback Original On sale: October 2, 2018
List Price: $15.00
ISBN: 978-0-425-28142-0
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