In Places Hidden

In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Places Hidden is my very first book by Tracie Peterson. I came upon this novel during a giveaway and the name of the book caught my attention and as a historical fiction lover, I could not let it pass me by.

The story starts with Camri’s arrival to San Francisco. Since her brother gone missing and her parents felt sick, a young girl takes the matter of her brother’s search into her own hands. On her way to San Fransisco she meets Kenzie and Judith, and after short acquaintances, Camri invites them to stay at her brother’s house. During her stay in the city, she meets Caleb’s friends who help Camri with her mission.

In Places Hidden is a sweet and quick read. It combines a little mystery, heartbreaks, and a love story (is) in its 200+ pages. It also introduces the reader to woman empowerment, religion and difference ethnicity classes in the early 1900s. I enjoyed the story and the characters, however, I was left with so many unanswered questions at the end of the book. I would usually complain about it, but taking to account that this is a first novel of the series, I hope out lovely author will answer my questions in the next book.

I received this book from Bethany House Pub for an honest review.

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We’ll Always Have Paris

We’ll Always Have Paris by Sue Watson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet and heartwarming novel about second chances. I was a tiny bit disappointed that no action took place in Paris, however, I did enjoy the story.

Rosie and Peter met during their time in college. Two seventeen-year-olds felt in love, however, young love didn’t last long. Pressured by his family, Peter made a choice to keep away from his family business and explore the world of art, and unfortunately, Rosie didn’t fit into his new plan.

But good things happen to good people, and shortly after her big heartbreak, Rosie walked down an aisle into a new life with Mike. Forty-seven years, two daughters and a successful flower business later, Mike is diagnosed with cancer. Ten weeks later Rosie becomes a widow.

Life is a funny thing, and Rosie and Peter’s paths cross again. This time around Peter is determined to make things right with Rosie. Will glamorous, single, world-class photographer be able to fit into Rosie’s close family circle?

I knew there will be a very happy ending, but it didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story. This is a feel-good novel about second chances, family, and forgiveness. Thank you, Sue Watson and NetGalley for this wonderful read.

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Respect

Respect by Aleatha Romig

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Compelling, luring and dramatic ~ these are the first words that come to my mind when I think of this book. I’ve never read an Infidelity series, but I read the description of this book and it sounded very intriguing, therefore I decided to give it a shot. And boy, what a great decision I’ve made.

This novel reminds me a lot of “The Godfather” the movie, which I am a big fan of. Although, I love this novel too. Oren Demetri is a strong character, after losing his parents when he was a teenager, the young boy starts his of business and builds it using connections and behind the scene deals. In a process, Oren falls in love with a niece of an Italian mafia boss, Angelina Costello. And when Oren asks Carmine Costello for Angelina’s hand, he makes a deal with a devil. However, Oren never regretted this move. And as years passed by, The Family stuck together thru calm and storm.

Besides the main story, I was intrigued by the ending. This is not your typical happy ending novel. I absolutely loved Oren’s story and his character, never quite knowing how it was going to end because of all the twists and turns the author put me through. I really felt for Angelina and Oren and found myself rooting for both of them all the way through this tense, exciting read.

There was something intoxicating about this book, it almost had me in a hypnotic state while I was reading it, I was that captivated by it. Aleatha Romig’s beautiful writing certainly makes it stand out from the rest of books that I’ve recently read.

Thank you, Aleatha Romig and GoodReads for a copy of this book.

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The Silent Woman

The Silent Woman by Terry Lynn Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a big fan of historical fiction, I knew right away that I will love this book. However, I was very surprised by Catherine’s courage and fearfulness.

After fifteen years and loveless and childless marriage, Catherine decided to leave her husband and moved out of Carlisle’s mansion that she is sharing with her husband, his sister Isobel and her secretary Marie. But in order to move out, Cat needs to save money first, and that’s when her late father’s friend comes in. Reginald asks her to deliver sealed envelopes in certain locations in exchange for a generous fee. Next, she is asked to switch the documents that are in her husband possession. All the tasks seem to be harmless until her husband is found dead in his study. Now, that Reginald is out of reach, Catherine needs to find the way to clear her name without revealing her little spy secret.

The Silent Woman is alluring and delightful read that I couldn’t put down. Gripped from the start, Catherine’s life is captivating, that you won’t want to miss. However, her’s is not the only story that needs your attention. Every character, Isobel, Annie, Marie, Blackie, Thomas and Marlena X, have little secrets that worth finding out. I hope this is the beginning of a long-running series as Catherine is a very well crafted character and the mystery worked well with lots of twists and turns. My thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. Terry Lynn Thomas is definitely on my radar for future reads.

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Irina’s Eye

Irina’s Eye by H.W. Freedman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Captivating and cleverly written novel. An author reveals the story behind the name of the book in the very first chapter. As Vaclav’s story goes back and forth between 1948 and 1968, it unveils the reason behind his character.

Fifteen-year-old Vaclav escapes Czechoslovakia in 1948, leaving behind his widowed mother. His best friend, and love of his life Irina is by his side. However the bullets they run from strikes Irina. Her last word to Vaclav is “Go!”. A scared young boy leaves his lover behind and runs for his life. However he keeps something of Irina’s in his heart and mind for the rest of his life…

Vaclav struggles during his first years away from Czechoslovakia. Nevertheless, he meets a few people along the way that help him built his new life in the land of all immigrants – New York City. Years go by, reforms change and now a US citizen Vaclav has a chance to go back to Czechoslovakia and see his mother for the first time in twenty years. During this visit, he learns a secret she kept from him all those years.

Irina’s Eye is an outstanding page-turner novel with an unexpected twist at the end. As I flipped page after page, I could not get enough of Vaclav’s story. This is a brilliant historical novel from a gifted writer, Harris Freedman. A masterclass in uniting a strong storyline. It is utterly unique. Highly recommended it!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Walls Of Silence

Walls of Silence by Ruth Wade

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Walls of Silence caught me by a surprise. From the first page to the last I had a completely different ending in my mind.

In the first pages of the book, we are introduced to Edward and Edith. Edith is a very peculiar individual. She lost her mother in a fire when she was only three years old. Her father, a well known physician, did medical experiences on her when she was at a very young age. Edith managed to hide the memories of those awful days on the back of her mind for most of the adulthood. However, two years after her father’s death, Edith reunites with Edward. Since his return, a chain of events continues to happen, and as a result, Edith is being admitted into an asylum.

Dr. Stephen Maynard learns about Edith’s case and is tempted to use the hypnotherapy to cure her. However, Dr. Maynard has no idea what he is about to reveal. And his patient is much smarter than he assumes. Stephen, like any other adult, has a few secrets on his own that he likes to keep private, but Edith is using the reverse tactic on him.

It’s an interesting story, however I was not a big fan of the love triangle. It had nothing to do with the main story. It made a novel much longer. The novel had an unforeseen twist at the end that I really liked.

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