Viola Shipman The Secret of Snow

I adored this story and all the holiday magic that was mixed into the story. The story takes place over longer than the holiday season, but the story incorporates the holiday season in special ways.

Sonny Dunes is a meteorologist in Palm Springs when life throws her a curb ball and she ends up back in her home town of Michigan buried in so many things she left behind.

Sonny goes from the top of the pile to the bottom and as she tries to work her way back up the ladder things seem to backfire on her. Her college pal Lisa, who is also her station manager, helps, but the true friends she finds along the way, Icicle and Mason, help her see her life and her future in ways that are different than she ever imagined.

Sonny’s Mom puts her own unique spin on Sonny’s past and presents it in the way only a mother can. Cheering, jeering and telling it like it is as the novel takes Sonny to places she never wanted to see again and some she never imagined.

I loved this story about women and how our lives shape us and give us the power to transform ourselves. Often the answers are right there in front of us, but we are so caught up in things that we don’t see them.

My favorite part of the novel was watching Sonny face her past and start to form real relationships with the other characters. She is more honest than she’s been in years with her Mom. She and Lisa discuss their college years and Icicle claims a special place in her heart as well. Even her agent notices a difference as time goes on.

The magic of the weather and snow are wonderful setting that show off these characters and helps them shine even more.

I wanted to curl up on my sofa with a blanket and cup of cocoa and watch the newscast with these characters. I’d love to have them over to bake cookies or go carrolling or sleading. They made their way into my heart and will be there for quite a while. I am so glad to have met them and I can’t help hoping that one of them might be someone I run into in the future.

This book is a magical story about the family you are born with, the one you make and the power of love, both the love you share with others and loving yourself enough to accept your faults and forge ahead.

Add this book to your winter reading pile. It is perfect for a winter’s day.

The Second Home by Christina Clancy

This is a story that makes you look at your own family.  You realize that every family is not what they appear to be and your own is not any different.  For seventeen-year-old  Ann, her summer at the family beach house will change her life and her family forever.

 

The rift that forms between her and her sister Poppy forms that summer will only increase as time goes on.  The damage between Ann and her adopted brother Michael is even worse.

 

The death of her parents forces Ann to reach out to her siblings and face that summer once and for all.  Will that summer cost Ann her family forever?

A touching story of innocence, love, and family that tugs at the heartstrings and stays with the reader long after the last page is finished.

 

 

 

The Bramble Patch Craft Shop by Sarah Hope

This book warmed my heart and fed my soul.

I loved Molly’s take charge bravado and how I felt like I was right beside her when it faltered.

Molly makes the bold choice of moving her family to a new town where she can open a business and live above the shop. Her teenaged daughter Laureen and younger son Elias are dubious about the plan at best. Neither of them want to change schools, make new friends or move from their house to an apartment, but Molly packs them up and heads into a new adventure.

As you might expect the move is full of bumps and missteps, but through it all Molly manages. Molly and her family find their footing and more.

I loved sharing Molly’s adventures. I cheered, laughed, and teared up right along with her.

JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY By Sara Read

I loved Johanna from the first page. Her spunk and fire spoke volumes.

I could feel her struggle to be the best Mom and yet also something more.

I enjoyed the way the story flowed between present and past seamlessly.

This is the perfect story to move from the winter doldrums to the warm renewal of spring.

Johanna isn’t the only energized person at the end of the story.

The Lipstick Bureau Michelle Gable

I’m sure some of you have events in your past that seem like they were part of another lifetime and sort of fade to the back of the memory pile. Nikki feels that way about her work during WWII. That life just doesn’t seem part of who she is now. Nikki is a wife and mother and would prefer to keep her past in the past, and she does until it comes knocking on her door.

Nikki receives an invitation to a gala celebrating the groups who contributed so much to the resistance and winning the war. Her ailing husband tells her to take their daughter as her guest and have a fabulous time.

As the gala unfolds Nikki realizes that all those buried memories are rising to the surface and she excuses herself. Her daughter hurries out to check on her and Nikki knows she must tell the truth about her past and share her story.

I loved the alternating viewpoints and the way the story unfolded. The gutsy group Nikki finds herself a part of stays with you long after the last page ends.

Nikki’s story makes me wonder who else out there has a story to tell and reminds me how small things add up and become big things.

I also enjoyed the section at the end compiled by the author with details about which characters were based on real people and other details.

Looking forward to reading her other book as well.

Angels of the resistance by Noelle Salazar

I loved Lien and Elif. These spunky girls stole my heart.

Not everyone can put aside personal heartache and loss during wartime, but these girls do.

They step up to fight for their country by joining the resistance. Their work serves as an important distraction from their own sorrows and the joy of helping others slowly helps them move beyond their sorrows.

I loved this story and I plan to read more of Noelle Salazar’s other books about women who helped in WWII.

Holidays in Virgin River by Robin Carr

I don’t know about you, but that image warms my holiday heart. There are two stories and I love that for the busy holiday season.

I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit guilty curling up with a book during the holidays when my list of things to do looks like Santa’s

Our first story involves puppies. These cuties are found under the large town tree. Annie McKenzie steps in to help and crosses paths with the town vet Nate Jensen. There is magic in this story as the town rallies around the puppies. I loved watching the puppies through the stories and that special magic that always seems to happen only in Virgin River.

Our second story reconnects us with Nate and Annie. Nate’s niece Sunny is hanging out in Virgin River to ring in the New Year and protect her broken heart.

Drew Foley heads to the family cabin in Virgin River to enjoy his time off from his surgical residency. For those of you who think that name is familiar your right. Drew is Marcie and Erin’s little brother.

Drew is nursing a tender heart as well. Sunny and Drew strike up a conversation that is friendly and safe, but then the magic of Virgin River creeps in.

I loved this chance to visit Virgin River during the holidays when it is even more magical. I hope you do too.

Why Am I so Anxious? By Dr. Tracey Marks

Let’s face it the past few years would make anyone anxious from time to time. This book is a great resource for anyone on the Anxious or Anxiety road.

Dr. Marks starts by giving us clear easy to understand information about Anxiety. Her descriptions and approach are meant for normal people and they aren’t full of Jargon and medical terms. Once we have a better understanding of what we are dealing with she dives into different ways to address our symptoms and the root causes.

I found the which tools for what chart, the aromatherapy recipes, and the grounding exercises the most helpful for me, but she provides so many choices including mind and body tules, worksheets for exposure experience as well as therapies and medication.

I now feel like I understand the causes and I have a choice of things I can do to address them. I wouldn’t say I feel free, but I do feel like this weight is not as heavy as it was.

The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman

This was a perfect summer story for me. This tale of family, buried secrets, and new beginnings fill my heart and soul. Only viola Shipman could weave all these things together around buttons.

Sutton Douglas is a fashion designer who chose her career path after being inspired by her mother’s master seamstress Ms. Mabel. Sutton’s life has been full of buttons for as long as she can remember and her mother has taught her the art of choosing just the right handmade button to make the perfect statement.

When Sutton’s mother dies of COVID she begins to piece together her mother’s story which leads her to the town of Douglas to learn more about her.

Sutton finds a charming town and a fantastic antique store in Douglas. The owner of the antique store is pretty cool also. As she explores Douglas, she makes new friends and pieces parts of her past together.

Sutton must make peace with her life and her mother’s choices to move forward.

I loved this story of buried secrets, love, and history that is all sewn together with antique buttons. A warm and wonderful read that will leave you wishing for more when the last page ends.

The Librarian Spy Madeline Martin

I adored this story of world war II and the crucial roles women played in bringing an end to the war and bringing those dear to them home safely.

Ava is a librarian who is chosen to go to Lisbon and help with a project collecting news from other countries to help the Allies win the war.

Her trip takes her to parties and social events, to the local newsstand and it is in a newspaper that she discovers a code and the chance to save someone’s life.

Her quest to save Sarah and Noah will connect her forever to those that share her task. Elaine places the code in the newspaper and James risks his life to guide them to safety.

We also get a first-hand view of the resistance movement and a sampling of the many things they did to help their country. We also see the occupying Germans.

I loved the feeling of being right there in the action with these women and others who fought for their country in any way they could.

I also liked the juxtaposition between Ava’s official channels and Eliane’s efforts for the resistance which often seemed like one-off tasks although as the story evolves we are given glimpses of the bigger effort.

This story takes us back in time and reminds us of what we can accomplish and the difference we can make when we work together.

The Kingdoms of Savannah

The Kingdoms of Savannah

Southern charm and history fill this mystery

Jul 11 2022 – 06:53 AM

By jennd1

Welcome to Savanah. This story is full of history and southern charms. Morgana’s detective agency is tasked with finding Stoney who has disappeared. Morgana enlists the help of her estranged son Ransome to help her and her other family members are slowly drawn into finding Stoney and unraveling a twisted and far reaching web of dark deeds that spans the city. 

While Morga is searching so is her granddaughter Jaq. Jaq saw Stoney just hours before her disappearance and she was talking about The Kingdom. Jaq sets out to find The Kingdom and hopes her friend will be waiting for her there. Jaq discovers that the Kingdom might be real or it might be a myth, but when she finds out it is part of her family history she digs deeper and acts on her research. 

It will take Morgana’s family and every talent and connection they have to connect the dots and save Stoney. 

The characters in this story are often unique and always memorable. I also loved the way the feel of this gem of a southern city was woven into the story as well.

The German Wife

by Kelly Rimmer

I loved this story that so perfectly illustrates the struggles of many Germans during World War II.

Sofie and her husband are normal German citizens who don’t agree with the regime in power, but they do what they must to survive. As her husband builds his career and becomes known for his knowledge in his field he catches the attention of the Reich and they must become party members to protect their family.

Eventually, they are able to escape Germany and relocate the United States. Even in a new country, their history follows them and their new town is unsure of them at best and treats them badly. Their home suffers multiple graffiti incidents and their children have trouble making friends at their new school.

Through it all the family stands firm and works hard to earn respect and acceptance.

I liked how we learned not only about Sofie and her family but also about the women and men who create issues and offer support for her. All the key characters in Sofie’s story have their own stories to share and I loved how they were woven together to paint a vivid picture of the world after World War II.

Sopie and her family are a perfect example of the journey a German family might have taken to escape and get a fresh start.