Books – Page 15 – Life Love Laughter Linds

Book Review: A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston

Published on 8th Jan 20198th Jan 2019 by Lindsey B.Leave a comment

A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston, my latest NetGalley title, was both excellent and easy to read!

This historical novel was filled with descriptive prose and emotion. Set during WW1 and the Roaring Twenties, the tale follows one family determined to make their way despite the hardships of life in lower-class London and the intertwining of their lives with an upper-class family full of dysfunction despite their wealth.

Once I could read through the cant (mostly the first few chapters) I was enmeshed in Rose’s narrative. In turns heartbreaking, surprising, comical, and filled with grit, it was a remarkable book.

Women were extraordinary through the Great War and the lives they built afterwards were inspiring, as reflected in this work. The determination to keep on – pull up the bootstraps and rely on each other, the resilience of families (as built by blood and by choice), and the hardships faced were unimaginable, but Kingston did well in painting this picture as a complete and colourful portrait of triumph in a rapidly changing landscape.

Note: this title was first published in 1995 as Alive and Kicking.

Published by Agora Books; current publication date: November 22, 2018

I received a complimentary copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and/or the publisher in exchange for my honest reviews. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review: The Happiness Project by Pippa James

Published on 3rd Jan 20198th Jan 2019 by Lindsey B.Leave a comment

Have you ever noticed that women need each other, but especially mothers need someone on their team? Have you noticed that sometimes other moms can be just horrible in their judgement and criticism? Have you ever felt convinced you were messing up your kids irreparably? Wondered if you’re slowly poisoning them because they won’t eat a darn vegetable despite your best efforts? Wanted to crash on your best friend’s couch in yoga pants with tears because it seems like you do everything at home, and at work, and at school? If you can relate to any of those questions… you’ll relate to my latest read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My first read of 2019 and a new-to-me author: Pippa James. The Happiness Project was a charming glimpse into the life of three mothers as they make a list of New Years Resolutions together. Being a mother myself, I found I could relate to all of the women at times. I could sympathize with their worries of failure, the desire to not be judged less-than, and the questioning of their parenting choices. Each woman’s personality was well-developed – and with that, of course, was the fact that you may love them at times and detest them at times, and some days they were just off – much like real life.

The storyline meandered nicely. It wasn’t too slow, it wasn’t too fast – just a nice walk through their lives, culminating happily (which I will admit made me want to go join a fun run.) A great fictional reminder – at times humorous, often heartfelt – that as women and mothers we need to find our tribes and back them up. It was a pleasant read, but may have been more gripping if I had read Pippa’s “I Will Survive” first. However, it definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel – easy enough to figure out.

Caution for those who do not approve of swearing in their novels as one of the characters had a rougher vocabulary than the others. I did not find this detracting as it seamlessly fit with her cheekiness as a whole. A timely plot considering the new year that’ll make you want to grab your best mummy friends and share the love.

Published by Bookouture; Publication Date February 12, 2019

Book Review: One Last Summer – Victoria Connelly

Published on 31st Dec 20188th Jan 2019 by Lindsey B.Leave a comment

I’ve finished up another new NetGalley title that perhaps captured me enough that I was grateful for yet another morning to sleep in. It’s just so hard to put a good book down when you’re cosy in bed and the novel is gripping. The night light features of my tablet mean I can read all night long without being a disturbance. As much as I love a real book, there are definite bonuses to e-books.
Victoria Connelly is an author I just discovered through this NetGalley request and I’ll be adding additional copies of her titles to my to-be-read shelf. While reading One Last Summer I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to call each and every one of my friends who has ever meant the world to me and to also live life to the fullest as if tomorrow were an unexpected gift.

It was a moving tale with flawed characters (man, I wanted to smack those girls sometimes) which made them feel very real. The prose was descriptive and I felt like I too was vacationing alongside friends of the heart, experiencing their pain, their frustration, their happiness, their sorrow, the complexities of daily life, and the heartache of knowing you’re about to lose someone near and dear, but are powerless to stop it.

Clean and evocative – a plus for fellow readers who are selective in their choices – no sex scenes, no swearing. It was however packed full of feeling and the intricacies of friendship. Highly recommend!

Published by Amazon Publishing UK, Publication date February 5, 2019

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#OneLastSummer #NetGalley

Book Review: Who I Am With You – Robin Lee Hatcher

Published on 30th Dec 20188th Jan 2019 by Lindsey B.Leave a comment

A few days ago, I looked at all the books on my bookshelf that have not been read, and then I opened my Google Books app, followed by my Kobo app, followed by my Amazon app, and thought, as I browsed the hundreds of unread titles available to me, that I just didn’t have anything to read.

For a non-reader, I’m sure this sounds absurd – hundreds of titles, but nothing to read? How can that be? It’s much like a woman with a walk-in closet full of amazing clothes and shoes who just can’t find the right outfit. Or my kids after we’ve done groceries and have a fridge full of food who can’t quite find something to eat.

So I joined NetGalley as an attempt to prevent any droughts in my reading choices. I requested a fine number of books, and much to my surprise was awarded the privilege of reading more than I expected within the first 24 hours. Now I feel pressure… must read the books. Must do them justice.

https://read.amazon.ca/kp/card?asin=B07BB5VC21&preview=inline&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_wcvkCb1EZTXQ8
The first title I chose to read was Robin Lee Hatcher’s novel, Who I Am With You, the first title in the Legacy of Faith series, published December 11, 2018. It’s a brand-spankin’-new title. I’m glad I put it on the list.

For those not familiar with Ms. Hatcher, she is a best-selling, award-winning author of over 75 books, well known for her Christian fiction and winner of the much coveted RITA award. In other words, the lady has talent.

I will preface the review I left on Goodreads (copied below) by mentioning that I often find Christian fiction can be trite, dry, or patronizing. I didn’t find any of that with this book. There was a great flow, flawed characters, and faith that was tested but prevailed. It works for me.

This is my official review of the novel:

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read a few of Ms. Hatcher’s novels through the years and they never fail to disappoint. Who I Am With You was easy to read, a bit slow to start, but sweet and gentle in its storytelling.

I quite enjoyed the glimpses of the family patriarch’s story intertwined into the present, and the idea of a family Bible being passed down through the generations was appreciated. (It makes me wonder who has my Oma’s well-worn copy, which she read daily without fail.)

With elements of human frailty, loss, heartache, faith, hope, forgiveness, and yes, romance, this title was a pleasant way to pass a Sunday afternoon. The characters could perhaps have been developed a little more fully for a deeper reading experience, but overall I enjoyed the book and the embedded theme of God’s faithfulness throughout generations. I will be adding the next title to my TBR pile and look forward to discovering more about the Henning family.”

Happy reading, my friends – I hope your bookshelves are overflowing with remarkable titles! If you happen to pick up a copy of this one, be sure to share your thoughts below.