Tag: Historical Fiction

The Paris Housekeeper + Giveaway

From the author of The Secret Society of Salzburg comes a powerful and moving story of bravery and resilience in World War II Paris and one woman who must face impossible choices to survive …

Paris, 1940

German tanks rumble through the streets of Paris, forcing frightened citizens to flee. But not everyone has the luxury to leave. Camille Lacroix, a chambermaid at the world-famous Hôtel Ritz, must stay to support her family back home in Brittany. Desperate to earn money, Camille also acts as a lady’s maid for longtime guest Vivian Miller, a glamorous American widow—and a Nazi sympathizer.

Despite her distrust of the woman, Camille turns to Vivian when her friend and fellow hotel maid Rachel Berman needs help getting out of Paris. It’s then that Camille discovers that Vivian is not what she seems… The American has been using her wealth and connections to secretly obtain travel papers for Jewish refugees.

While they’re hiding Rachel in an underground bunker under a Nazi’s nose, a daring escape plan is hatched. But as the net grows tighter, and the Germans more ruthless, Camille’s courage will be tested to the extreme…

My Review:

I think the core strength of this story can be found in this message:

“If you think one person can’t make a difference in the fight against tyranny, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. This woman is a testament to what happens when a single brave soul does the right thing.” (p 360)

And, mercy, but isn’t that what we need to hear – and remember – in the chaotic upheaval of this 21st century world?! And Ryan conveys it so well in this quiet-ish story featuring three women in war-torn Paris. The choices they make. The consequences that follow and the fragile thread of hope that pulls them together. All told in well executed prose that made everything feel so real.

“Frustration propelled her out into the morning air that still held the stench of petrol, German haughtiness, and French despair.” (p 58)

I was appalled and enthralled and committed right through to the exquisite epilogue.

Of note: while published by Love Inspired Trade, I would not categorize this book as Christian Fiction though it definitely includes inspiring and encouraging themes and it is a clean read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Paris Housekeeper , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 3 2024.

Of Love and Treason + Giveaway

Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything.

Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valentine believes the emperor’s edict unjust and risks his own life for the sake of his convictions. But as his fame grows, so do fears for his safety.

Iris, the daughter of a Roman jailor, believes regaining her sight will ease the mounting troubles at home. Her last hope rests in searching out Valentine and his church, but the danger of associating with people labeled a threat to the empire is great. Still, as Iris’s new friends lead her to faith in God, Iris is drawn to Valentine and they both begin to hope for a future together beyond the treacherous empire.

But when a past debt and a staggering betrayal collide, Valentine, Iris, and everyone they love must fight for their lives . . . and wrestle with trusting a God who can restore sight yet does not always keep His followers from peril.

My Review:

This book is so far out of my comfort zone that I’m surprised it lured me in anyway. Not only caught my attention, but kept it right to last heart-breaking, hope-soaring word. (Sniffle.) Of course, I knew going in there wouldn’t be the kind of fictional happily ever after that I craved but still…

So much to say about this unique novel…and yet I’m too bereft to find the words. That’s Jamie Ogle’s fault — her exquisite writing wrapped me in the best of bookish hugs for all that it also induced tears and sorrow. (More sniffles and a heaving sigh.)

Memorable characters for all their flaws but also for the light of Christ that shines through them. There are some very raw, hard to read scenes. Brutal even. But so many goose-bumping, Jesus-praising moments as well which helps to balance things out. Still, it’s the kind of read that brings on an emotional stupor of epic bibliophile proportions by the time you reach the end. And I’m still reeling.

So, not an easy read. A most difficult one, actually. But I’m richer for having read this story and met these characters and experienced what it was like to live as a Christian under the brutal rule of the Roman Emperor. Thought-provoking and emotionally stirring (though I’m diving into a rom/com asap to lighten my mood!)

My thanks to the publisher, Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book. Lillian Kelly’s narration is stunning! She has a soothing, easy-to-listen to voice which helped carry me through the hardest scenes. Her emotional, attention grabbing performance held me spellbound.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook copy available to anyone with a US Kindle account (.com) 

Canadians will have a choice of receiving an Amazon.ca gift card towards the purchase of the book OR the option of an audible.ca edition.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Of Love and Treason , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 27 2024.

Daisies Are Forever

Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch’s identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her “marriage.”

Their journey to Gisela’s mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella’s daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

My Review:

I’ve read a lot of World War II novels and I’m always amazed at how authors find unique settings and perspectives for their stories. I knew absolutely nothing about this area of Germany (Prussia at the time) and the Russian invasion. Supposed allies fighting to free the world from Hitler’s tyranny, their brutality matched the Nazis and Tolsma captures the desperation and despair of the innocent civilians caught in their path. But she also conveys the people’s resiliency and courage and it all made for a riveting read.

We see that first hand in Gisela’s story which is full of danger and treachery in the midst of the most atrocious circumstances. Yet she doesn’t make the journey alone as an unlikely band of refugees gather together to make their impossible trek to freedom. That includes British POW Mitch and hiding his true identity makes their situation that much more dire.

Phew! But this was a gripping, hard to read at times, uncomfortable but ultimately triumphant story of love and loss in the midst of one of the most turbulent times in history.

I listened to the audio book, narrated by Carol Jacobanis who did a fantastic job with accents and phrasing and helped bring this story to life.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater + Giveaway

Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy’s brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta’s younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her uncover the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must put the threat of the phantoms to rest.

Decades later, Kit Boyd’s best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. When television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher engages Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater’s history, Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of also finding out what happened to her friend. As the theater’s curse begins to unravel Kit’s own life, she sets out not only to save the historical building and her friend, but to end the pattern of evil that has marked their hometown for a century.

In this atmospheric dual-time tale, two women–separated by a century yet bound by the ghosts of the past–pursue light in the face of darkness.

My Review:

Epic Jaime Jo Wright! A bit of woo woo mystery with lots of eerie ambiance that you know has a sensible explanation but you just can’t figure it out. I was hooked from the opening line: “Sometimes death comes quietly.” Uh, yeah, I needed to read on!

Dual timelines — both with their own mystery — and I was invested in both equally. There’s also very light romance for both Greta and Kit…emphasis on the light though, but I liked the way it brings hope to the reader without shadowing the already murky waters of the mysteries.

And, oh, those mysteries! Blended to perfection by the end but made for a rabid read until then. I couldn’t put this book down though my poor eyes were screaming, “Rest! Rest! We need rest!” Huh, as if! And I was gobsmacked more than a few times — in both timelines.

Love the way the author wove in some humour amidst all the angst — especially in the current timeline. Kit is my kind of heroine. Impatient. Prickly. Stubborn.:

“Even now she could see Mom’s cautionary look that told Kit to breathe deep and let God be God.

“Maybe God wanted to work through her to slap Evan Fischer silly?” (p 55)

Bwahaha! Haven’t we all been there a time or two? But, whoa, this was also such an emotional read! I felt for both heroines and the complicated emotions churning within and around them. And the way they faced adversity with grit and courage and loyalty to those they loved. Made for such an intense read.

To sum up in one word: Unputdownable!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 16, 2023.

The Warsaw Sisters + Giveaway

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina’s beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart–and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.

My Review:

Phew! This book left me gutted and bruised, experiencing an emotional aftershock that still lingers. Barratt is an incredibly gifted writer — both in the mechanics of the art and in her ability to make her reader’s feel. And think. Honestly, you can’t come away from this book without thoughts and opinions and a heart hurting for these characters – especially when you are reminded that they represent millions of real people throughout this earth’s messy history.

I think what really upped the emotional angst for me is that I read ‘The Warsaw Sisters ‘in a world that is very nearly at the brink of what Hitler started back in the 1930s. The categorizing groups of people as evil, the heavy-handed use of propaganda, the racial slurs, intolerance of those classified as ‘other’…and so many other things that make up global politics these days. Barratt shows how all of that swayed ‘decent’ people and contributed to the persecution of the Jews, the Warsaw Ghetto, the death camps. And it breaks my heart, because I really don’t see that we have learned very much from the past.

So, is this a heavy book? Yes. Did it emotionally wreck me? Yes (and I’d be worried if it didn’t.) But does it also offer a thread of hope — slim though it may be, but strong nevertheless? Yes! But it’s also left me with the conviction that heroines like Antonia and Helena aren’t just part of our distant past; they are alive and fighting the good fight all around the world. And that has left me humbled.

I haven’t said anything about the plot — it reads as you might expect a WWII novel to — hardship and suffering buoyed up by brief flashes of joy. And that all important flicker of hope that keeps the characters moving forward during impossible times.

A stunning page-turner.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Warsaw Sisters , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 16, 2023.

The Wish Book Christmas + Giveaway

A holiday story that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we least expect and don’t deserve.

Best friends Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in postwar America, thrilled at the prospect of starting new traditions with their five-year-old sons. But when the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book arrives and the boys start obsessing over every toy in it, Audrey and Eve realize they must first teach them the true significance of the holiday. They begin by helping Bobby and Harry plan gifts of encouragement and service for those in their community, starting by walking an elderly neighbor’s yellow Lab–since a dog topped the boys’ wish list for Santa. In the charming tale that follows, Audrey and Eve are surprised to find their own hearts healing from the tragedies of war and opening to the possibility of forgiveness and new love.

My Review:

published in 2021

Wow…just…wow! What a holiday treasure for any discerning reader who enjoys collecting Christmas books because this one definitely belongs on the keeper shelf! It’s nostalgic and charming and puts me in mind of classic holiday films from the 40s and 50s. Left me with the same happy afterglow as well.

The Wish Book Christmas is a sequel to ‘If I Were You’ but can easily be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book and had no problems diving in here for a Christmas in Connecticut with Eve and Audrey.

Love the way the author brought this time period to life and the way she deftly wove a powerful inspirational thread throughout the story. Honestly, the way it all culminated into an epic ‘aha’ moment for both our heroines was brilliant and thrilling and, well, inspiring!

I listened to the audible edition (it’s available on Audible Plus right now) narrated by Sarah Zimmerman. I always enjoy her performances and she definitely excelled with her interpretation of these characters and their special Christmas story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Wish Book Christmas, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 18, 2023

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The Wings of Poppy Pendleton + Giveaway

In this compelling new time-slip mystery, a little girl goes missing from her family’s castle in the Thousand Islands of New York. Eighty-five years later, a journalist teams up with a woman living on Koster Isle to find out what happened to Poppy, once and for all.

1907. On the eve of her fifth birthday, Poppy Pendleton is tucked safely in her bed, listening to her parents entertain New York’s gilded society in their Thousand Islands castle; the next morning, she is gone, and her father is found dead in his smoking room.

1992. Though Chloe Ridell lives in the shadows of Poppy’s castle, now in ruins, she has little interest in the mystery that still captivates tourists and locals alike. She is focused on preserving the island she inherited from her grandparents and reviving their vintage candy shop. Until the day a girl named Emma shows up on Chloe’s doorstep, with few possessions, save a tattered scrapbook that connects her to the Pendleton family. When a reporter arrives at Chloe’s store, asking questions about her grandfather, Chloe decides to help him dig into a past she’d thought best left buried. The haunting truth about Poppy, they soon discover, could save Emma’s life, so Chloe and Logan must work together to investigate exactly what happened long ago on Koster Isle.

My Review:

It’s been a week since I finished listening to this book and I’m still deep in a stupefied bibliophile state. Epically struck dumb and blown away and…well, gobsmacked! So, I beg forgiveness ahead of time for my incoherent ramblings.

Random thoughts:

Astonishing! Just when I thought I had something figured out, I didn’t and there are so many ‘aha’ moments!

Which brings me to pacing. The tension between the two timelines is expertly drawn out. We slip seamlessly back and forth from past to present and back again, almost gently at first but, as the story progresses, the pacing picks up and the pressure increases until I was so wired up I wanted to rush to the end. (Of course, I didn’t because I am not the kind of reader who reads the last page first…no offence meant to anyone who is, of course. You read you, and I’ll read me. lol)

And the way the mystery of Poppy’s disappearance is developed in both timelines — brilliantly executed. Kept me on edge all the way through. The author is very clever in the way she teases hints without full reveals until the exact perfect time. Made the read that much more excruciatingly wonderful.

The setting gave me all kinds of thrills. My family vacationed around the Thousand Island area when I was a kid. No private island mansions for me, though every year we toured the islands and visited Bolt Castle and I imagined what it would have been like to live in my own island castle. 🙂 It’s not often that I get to read about a place I’ve actually visited so that was loads of fun.

I could say a whole lot more, but I don’t want to fall into spoiler territory. There is some romance which always makes me happy. And found family themes. There’s heartbreak — some almost too much to bear. At one point I wasn’t sure if I could go on but reading some reviews soothed my jangled nerves and I persisted and am so glad I did! Ecstatic, actually.

I listened to the audible edition of The Wings of Poppy Pendleton and Nancy Peterson’s narration paired with Melanie Dobson’s storytelling kept me captivated right to the very end.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 14, 2023

Iscariot + Giveaway

In Jesus, Judas believes he has found the One—a miracle-worker. The promised Messiah and future king of the Jews, destined to overthrow Roman rule. Galvanized, Judas joins the Nazarene’s followers, ready to enact the change he has waited for all his life.

But Judas’ vision of a nation free from Roman rule is crushed by the inexplicable actions of the Nazarene himself, who will not bow to social or religious convention—who seems in the end to even turn against his own people. At last, Judas must confront the fact that the master he loves is not the liberator he hoped for, but a man bent on a drastically different agenda.

Iscariot is the story of Judas—from his tumultuous childhood and tenuous entry into a career and family life as a devout Jew, to a man known to the world as the betrayer of Jesus. But even more, it is a singular and surprising view into the life of Jesus himself that forces us all to reexamine everything we thought we knew about the most famous—and infamous—religious icons in history.

My Review:

This is me venturing waaaaaay out of my comfort zone with this novel. I don’t read a lot of biblical fiction in the first place, and I tend to steer clear of fictionalized accounts of actual historical figures. And yet I found myself with book in hand, completely intrigued by the first two lines of the prologue.

“A dog chokes by the side of the road to Capernaum. He is rabid and manged. He is foul and unloved. He is more worthy to live than I.”

Thought-provoking. Profound. Reverent. Deeply layered. Difficult to read at times but convicting nonetheless. Lee brings this time and these people to life in a refreshing and relatable way.

I mean, really, Judas is not my idea of a storybook hero, but the way the author tells his story enthralled me. Yes, it’s a fictionalized account, but it’s clear the author has done her research on customs and traditions of the time. She makes Judas approachable — he is no longer the one dimensional villain in a Passion Play. He is complex and confused. A product of his upbringing and the legalistic religion of his time. He is flawed. Makes mistakes. Epic mistakes. But there’s humanity in him too and his faltering frailty is all too relatable.

This is very much Judas’s narrative, told in his first person Point of View. Understandably, sometimes that’s skewed — so his impressions of Jesus and events are distorted and can make for a challenging read at times. But, oh so fascinating!

Tosca Lee is an epic wordsmith and her gifted storytelling brought the bible alive for me. Inspired me to reach for the biblical accounts found in the gospels – and really, can you ask anything more from biblical fiction?

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read hardcover copy — open to any reader, anywhere in the world so…yay…another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Iscariot, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 23, 2023

A Murderous Charade + Giveaway

A timeless villainy, a growing love, and the couple who battles them both . . .

Miss Marianne Beaumont, a spinster, and her younger sister are on their way home from a night at the theater when they come upon a townhouse fire. They stop to help the victims, including Mr. James Harcourt, a confirmed bachelor, and his parents Sir and Lady Harcourt. Although Mr. Harcourt distrusts the beau monde, he accepts Marianne’s ministrations. That should have been the end of their association, but then a folded piece of paper shaped like a chameleon slips out of his mother’s sleeve. It’s an ornament Marianne has come across only one time before—next to her father’s dead body.

Recognizing that ornament—an orikata—might at last help her catch her father’s killer, Marianne joins forces with Mr. Harcourt. He has a penchant for solving mysteries and has been searching for the elusive criminal who uses that identifier.

Together—with a chaperone, of course—their investigations take them from one baffling clue to another. But the closer they get to finding their answers, the more they discover that all isn’t as it seems, and the dangers are more sinister—and personal—than they’d realized.

A gripping Regency cozy mystery packed with romance and secrets.

My Review:

I’m patting myself on the back over this gem of a find! Not even sure how I stumbled onto it — Good Reads or Audible browsing, I’m guessing. The cover intrigued me enough to dig deeper and, voila, new-to-me author turns into must-read author after spending a few hours in the company of Marianne and the enigmatic Mr. Harcourt.

A Regency Mystery with swoon factor — can a reader ask for anything more? Well, yes, if that includes a secret society seeking justice. And an illusive foe who threatens their very existence. Eeeeep!!! And this is just the first book in the Relentless Society Mystery series which has me all discombobulated in anticipation of the next instalment!

While there is closure on some aspects of the mystery by the end of this first book, it’s clear that Marianne and James have more work to do! Their alliance started out rocky, developed into friendship and is at the brink of becoming something much deeper which makes the anticipation for book two all the more excruciating!

A brilliant mix of Regency, mystery and romance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Murderous Charade, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 23, 2023

This is Where it Ends + Giveaway

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she’s kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they’re up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what’s really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

My Review:

This was a bit out of my comfort zone when it comes to the kinds of books I usually read so I approached the story with a wee bit of trepidation. I knew it would be well written, but would I be able to lose myself in the lives of these characters? I wasn’t exactly sure and I’ll admit, that though I had a paperback copy in hand, I chose to listen to the audible edition brilliantly narrated by Barbara McCulloh and she really brought Minerva Jane to life. Her crotchety old lady interpretation is highly entertaining! 🙂

I’ve discovered of late that I really enjoy stories that feature intergenerational friendships. In this case, we have 94 year old Minerva and thirty year old Del and the way their relationship develops is by turns, amusing and touching. And, oh my, the ‘Minerva-isms’ that leap off the page — especially the folk wisdom and mountain lore idioms ! I’d be laughing one minute and stunned into reflective silence the next.

‘This Is Where It Ends‘ is a contemplative tale of one woman’s life as present circumstances force her to look into her past. It’s told entirely in Minerva’s first person point of view…until a couple of chapters at the end. Emotionally charged. Tender. Frustrating. Heartbreaking. I’ll admit to feeling slightly melancholic by the end though hope is gently laced throughout the story.

Topics of found family, forgiveness, truth and enduring love make this more of a character driven story. I want to call it ‘quiet’ but that doesn’t mean it’s not compelling. I was quickly immersed in the Appalachian lifestyle through Sproles’ rich, descriptive prose and I think a piece of my heart is still with these characters. You can’t ask for much more from a story than that.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

Giveaway Opportunity:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy and is available to any reader, any where — so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of This is Where it Ends leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 12 , 2023.