This Week At Silver's Reviews

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

What an amazing review week it is going to be!!

Hope to see you.

Have you read any of these books?

Books Read In October

I can't believe October is over already, but it was a good month of reading.

How was YOUR month?

Start With "L"

Vera was sweet and Edith was fearless and ambitious.  If you need an uplifting book, THE LIGHT AFTER THE WAR will fit the bill.  THE LIGHT AFTER THE WAR is actually based on the author's mother's life...FULL REVIEW HERE.

Would you be able to carry out a dying friend’s wish to be sure to protect her family? THE LAST WIFE has a tense, sinister undertone which makes it so good...FULL REVIEW HERE.

Who wouldn’t want to own a bookshop?  That is a dream job.  THE LOST AND FOUND BOOKSHOP has it all:  love, books, and anything sweet and heartwarming that you can think of...FULL REVIEW HERE.  

Spotlight of The Music Stalker by Bruce J. Berger

PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA
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THE MUSIC STALKER

BRUCE J. BERGER

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COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF:

 DAVID KING, DESIGN DIRECTOR, BLACK ROSE WRITING

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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF CAMYLLE FLEMING - LEAD PUBLICIST, MINDBUCK MEDIA BOOK PUBLICITY.

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The Music Stalker closely examines how genius and love might survive in a close-knit family torn by trauma, insanity, and jealousy. 

 

A trailer of The Music Stalker can be enjoyed here.

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The second novel by award-winning author Bruce Berger, The Music Stalker comes out Oct. 28, 2021 from Black Rose Press.

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PRAISE FOR THE MUSIC STALKER:

 

“A captivating family portrait with an enigmatic piano prodigy at its center, Bruce Berger’s THE MUSIC STALKER sings. In arresting prose, Berger offers searing meditations on music and mental health, spirituality and Jewish identity, passion and anguish and fear—leaving the reader gasping for breath.”—Patricia Park, author of Re Jane

“Descriptions of Kayla’s responses to her music, as well as her audiences’, were right on track,especially the sense of transport, the departure from her physical surroundings, that she experienced when she played, not just performing in front of an audience, but even in solitary practicE by herself.”—Don Greenfield, Ph.D., Musicology, Princeton University

“What drives the characters of The Music Stalker to their highs and lows, their togetherness and their times apart, is also what artfully holds them locked in patterns of an intricate harmony. The heliotropic center of this novel is desire: desire for the Other; desire for talent; desire to be seen; desire to be held; desire for safety and peace of mind; even the desire to be left alone. Bruce Berger exhibits a sensational knack for imagining lives, real lives lived with triumph and weakness, mental illness and ordered reason, as well as daily flubs and foibles. His skills make for a page turner, with short chapters like etudes that grow increasingly more complicated and frightening, studies in the annals of a family for whom specialness can be a curse; for whom an ordinary day can be
a refuge and a gift.”—David Keplinger, author of The World to Come 

 

ABOUT THE MUSIC STALKER:

Two decades after his family suffers trauma, Max, the loving but remorsefully jealous older brother of a musical genius, chronicles the story of his dysfunctional family. 

 

In mid-1970’s New York City, Max’s sister, Kayla, vaulted to fame as a piano prodigy, holding both audiences and her family in awe with her uncanny
musical ability and warm smile. 

 

But deep within her lie the seeds of destruction: the paranoid fear of being stalked by a murderous fan. This mystery explores themes of family dysfunction, mental illness, and the long-term effects of family secrets going untold.  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR

 

Following a 40-year career as a trial attorney in Washington, DC., Bruce J. Berger turned full time to writing, earned a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from
American University, and now teaches there. 

 

His first novel, The Flight of the Veil, is a sequel to The Music Stalker and achieved critical success, winning a Bronze Award in General Fiction from Illumination Christian Book Awards.

 
Kirkus Reviews called The Flight of the Veil “A well-crafted tale about trauma and miracles. Get it.” 

 

He has also published more than 50 stories and poems in a wide variety of literary journals.

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A Letter From Nana Rose by Kristin Harper

 

Brooke, Rachel, and Jill inherited the family beach house, but their grandmother said they had to spend two weeks together at the house and wait for letters she would send every day via courier to tell her life’s story and her secrets.

The girls arrived and so did the first letter.  They cried when they read the first letter as well as each successive one.

The letters told in detail the story of her life and their father’s life.  The girls were shocked and saddened at what they read.

They also were not in agreement about whether to sell the house or to keep it.  Rachel and Brooke wanted to sell, but Jill didn’t want to give up the house and all its memories.

A LETTER FROM NANA ROSE is a sweet read.  I loved the stories and the memories, but felt bad for Nana Rose and all she had to go through.

If you are in need of a book to keep you turning the pages because you want to find out the secrets of Nana Rose and the girls and feel the warmth of being in the cottage and in this family, be sure to add this book in your reading list.

Women’s fiction fans won’t want to miss A LETTER FROM NANA ROSE.  5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Do YOU Re-read books?

 

I do not re-read books.

Looking forward to what YOU have to say.

Featuring: Louisiana Lucky by Julie Pennell

The Breaux sisters played the lottery every month with one ticket with their special numbers.

 

A charming, sweet read with delightful characters.

 

LOVED this book. 5/5

 

FULL REVIEW HERE

 

Mailbox Monday - 10/25/2021

 

 

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:

Velvet @ vvb32reads

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 Monday, October 18, I received:

1.  MY WIFE IS MISSING by D. J. Palmer, courtesy of Danielle Prielipp of St. Martin's Press.

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On Friday, October 22, I received:

1.  THE UNHEARD by Nicci French, courtesy of William Morrow Books.

2.  THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKS - SUPER EASY by Lee Drummond, courtesy of William Morrow Books.

3.  THE SECRET OF SNOW by Viola Shipman, courtesy of the Graydon House and @Page158Books.

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It's Monday!! What are YOU Reading? - 10/25/2021

       

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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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Books Completed:

 

THE SECRET OF SNOW by Viola Shipman - review will be on November 4.

 

 

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THE MAID by Nita Prose - review will be on January 4, 2022.

 

LOVED this book and Molly the Maid.  

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THE SORORITY MURDER by Allison Brennan - review will be on December 29.

 

Very good.

 

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MY DARLING HUSBAND by Kimberly Bell - review will be on December 28.

 

Another FAB read by Kimberly Belle...don't miss reading it.

 

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THE REPLACEMENT WIFE by Darby Kane - review will be on December 27.

 

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THE GIRL IN THE TRIANGLE by Joyana Peters - review will be on December 1.

 

I really enjoyed this book.  It has been published if you want to read it now.

 

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THE NEW WIFE by Sue Watson - review will be on November 22.

 

Very good....psychological thriller fans don't want to miss this book.

 

 

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THE LONDON HOUSE by Katherine Reay - review will be on November 18.

 

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THE SECOND MARRIAGE by Jess Ryder - review will be on November 6.

 

Ohhhhh...so good.  

 

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ALL HER LITTLE SECRETS by Wanda M. Morris - review will be on November 5.

 

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 THE TALLY STICK by Carl Nixon- review will be on November 3.

 

Very well written but a disturbing read.

 

 

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THE PILOT'S DAUGHTER by Meredith Jaeger - review will be on November 2.

 

A MUST read....fantastic!!

 

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A LETTER FROM NANA ROSE by Kristin Harper - review will be on October 27.

 

A sweet read.

 

 

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THE LAST CHECKMATE by Gabriella Saab - review is in the book's title.

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THE HIDDEN CHILD by Louise Fein - review is in the book's title.

 

 

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Book Currently Reading:

THE UNHEARD by Nicci French - review will be on November 20.

 

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Books Up Next:

 RECKLESS GIRLS by Rachel Hawkins - review will be on January 5, 2022.

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THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET by Diane Chamberlain - review will be on January 11, 2022.

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SOMEBODY'S HOME by Kaira Rouda - review will be on January 18, 2022.

 

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LAST SEEN ALIVE by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on January 25, 2022.

 

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THE MAGNOLIA PALACE by Fiona Davis - review will be on January 26, 2022.

 

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THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR by Nina de Gramont - review will be here on February 1, 2022.

 

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THE NEXT SHIP HOME by Heather Webb - review will be on February 8, 2022.

 

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SECRETS OF OUR HOUSE by Rea Frey - review will be on February 9.

 

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UNMISSING by Minka Kent - review will be on February 15.

 

 

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THIS MIGHT HURT by Stephanie Wrobel - review will be on February 22.

 

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THE SECRET LOVE LETTERS OF OLIVIA MORETTI by Jennifer Probst - review will be on February 24.

 

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THE NIGHT SHIFT by Alex Finlay - review will be on March 1.

 

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THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkannen - review will be on March 8.

 

 

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UNDER THE GOLDEN SUN by Jenny Ashcroft - review will be on March 15, 2022.

 

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THE BOOK OF COLD CASES by Simone St. James - review will be on March 16.

 

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THE YOUNGER WIFE by Sally Hepworth - review will be on April 5, 2022.

 

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THE SHADOW HOUSE by Anna Downes - review will be on April 6.

 

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LAST DANCE ON THE STARLIGHT PIER by Sarah Bird - review will be on April 12.

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LITTLE SOULS by Sandra Dallas - review will be on April 26, 2022.

 

 

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I'LL BE YOU by Janelle Brown - review will be on April 27. 2022.

 

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MY WIFE IS MISSING by D. J. Palmer - review will be on May 10, 2022.

 

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