Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Review: The Dilemma

The Dilemma The Dilemma by B.A. Paris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The writer always has very different perspectives on situations. In this case, Livia, Is giving a big party for her fortieth birthday. It is something that she has been planning for many years and is looking forward to it so much. Her and her husband didn't have a wedding, only the registration office, and this party that was years in the planning was going to be the best ever.

Their young daughter, Marnie, is in school in Hong Kong and Livia knew that she wouldn't be able to attend. But her husband planned a surprise and had booked a fast trip for her to come quickly to attend the party and to surprise her mom.

Something very terrible happened to Marnie enroute to the party and the question for Livie's husband is should he tell her now and ruin her party, or let the party go on and tell her after.

And excellent read.



Sunday, April 25, 2021

Review: What I Remember Most

What I Remember Most What I Remember Most by Cathy Lamb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the first of Cathy Lamb's books that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Grenadine was a very strong woman who had a terrible heartbreaking childhood and was now facing a prison term for a multiple of charges, none of which she was guilty of.
She leaves town while awaiting trial and finds herself in a small town where she keeps her past a secret. 

She slowly becomes comfortable with the new life she has and the many friends she makes including her boss Kade, who she'd like to be more than a friend. She's always had her art in her life as her comfort, saying things she can't and she gets back into it as she becomes a part of this town. But the disappearance of her parents and her shattered childhood still haunt her. And her trial date is becoming closer with her nasty almost ex husband trying to shift all the blame to her, and begging her to come home. And there's the complication of Rozlyn and Cleo.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book. However I didn't find the sections with Danny/Butch to fit. They seemed to come out of nowhere occasionally and seemed unnecessary and not fitting with the rest of the book. I think the book would have been fine without all those sections in and not be taking anything away from the book. Also, at times I found the dialogue to be just weird and unnatural. Nonetheless I did really enjoy it and will be looking to read more books by this author. 



Review: Jubilee

Jubilee Jubilee by Margaret Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Completely heart-wrenching. I am still so much under the effect of this book that I can hardly verbalize what makes it so powerful.

The heroine, Vyry, is one of those who stays with you forever. I feel like I lived through all of Vyry's horrors and joys with her and she will always be someone whose example of fortitude I will remind myself of when I experience horror of my own.

The writing is not ornate, not overly complex. It's written in a style completely appropriate for the subject matter and characters. The colloquial language ascribed to the characters seems authentic to me, who did not live in that time. But it added to the overall flavor of the book.

Honestly, I feel like it's one of those books that can hardly be critiqued. The subject matter and heroine are so utterly harrowing that pointing out any flaws outside of that would appears very petty.

Unequivocally one of my favorite books of all time, I think. I will buy a beautiful hardbound copy one day and read it again and again.


Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Review: The Red Tent

The Red Tent The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As the narrative begins, Dinah describes how her mothers first met her father Jacob. The four sisters, born to their father, Laban, by four different women, are barely adolescents who still live with their father, a hard-drinking, unpleasant man. Jacob, Laban’s nephew by his sister Rebecca, is banished from his home in Canaan for stealing his twin brother’s birthright, and he offers his shepherding services to his uncle’s family. Jacob meets Rachel, the second youngest sister, outside their camp and is immediately struck by her beauty. Rachel feels the same about Jacob, and he tells her that he will marry her. She runs home immediately to share the news with her sisters and receives mixed reactions. Rachel is not yet marriageable, since she has not yet menstruated. The eldest sister, Leah, feels jealous of Rachel, because she is older and is sill unwed.

Probably an excellent read, just not my cup of tea.

Review: The Lord God Made Them All

The Lord God Made Them All The Lord God Made Them All by James Herriot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant. Would not have missed this series for the world. It has everything, humour, kindness, love, seriousness all at the same time. In this issue James' children are, Jimmy aged 10 and Rosie aged 6. Perfect ages and they are still going with him on his rounds. He doesn't know how he will get on without them. There are beautiful moments in the book and one of my favourites is near the end when Sigfried and James both agree that this is the best time of their lives, with the children still small and the vets able to get outside every day and help people and animals.

Excellent!


Sunday, April 11, 2021

Review: The Sanatorium

The Sanatorium The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A site in the Alps that was once a sanatorium for TB has been turned into a luxury hotel. Its a beautiful place with a lot of hidden secrets. Elin, a police detective from the UK is staying in the hotel with her fiance and her brother, plus her brother's fiance for a weekend celebration of the engagement. Elin has been on a medical leave and is still recovering. The retreat was going to do her the world of good. That is until dead bodies that started turning up, a huge storm and the chance of avalanches puts a stop to the festivities. 

This is the first novel for this writer. The book was quite well written and shows a lot of promise for her in the future.


Thursday, April 8, 2021

Review: All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just fantastic, down to earth stories that you can never get enough of. James comes to Skeldale in Daraby as a young vet and takes up his practice caring for large animals in the Yorkshire Fells.

Each story is tinged with humour and heart. Very highly recommended for all ages.


Saturday, April 3, 2021

Review: Don't Look for Me

Don't Look for Me Don't Look for Me by Wendy Walker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A bit of a sad story. A woman who five years previously accidentally hit her youngest daughter with her car killing her, is on her way back from watching a game that her son was playing. She ran into a storm, ran out of gas and was picked up by a fellow and his daughter saying they would help her. What actually happens is that she is taken prisoner.

Review: What We Buried

What We Buried by Robert Rotenberg My rating: 5 of 5 stars A Toronto homicide detective is attacked at his door...