Abandoned In Berlin

ABANDONED IN BERLIN: A TRUE STORY by John R. Cammidge

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As you all already know, I am a little bit obsessed with WWII history. Therefore when I saw the title of the book – I knew I had to read it. The book is based on the true story.

The story itself is heartbreaking. As we already know the history, prior and during the WWII many Jewish owned businesses were eliminated by German laws. In this particular book, we are introduced to a wealthy family that eventually were forced to sell their business and home and run away to England, Japan, and the US to avoid Nazi concentration camps.

Unlike many others, Hilda’s family were able to survive and built better life outside of their homeland. And one fine day, Hilda uncovers the truth of why her mother and grandmother were forced to leave their family home. Will she be able to get back the property that legally belongs to her?

“Abandoned in Berline” is a short novel, great for a great any history lover. Thank you John Cammidge for a lovely read and NetGalley and Gatekeeper Press publisher for a free copy of the novel.

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Paris Echo

Paris Echo by Sebastian Faulks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Surprisingly luring novel “Paris Echo” by Sebastian Faulks. Besides our main characters, I’ve enjoyed the stories of women that were captured inside Paris during German Occupation.

American historian/researcher Hannah and Moroccan teenager and runaway Tariq find themselves in an interesting living situation. The young kid literally crashes at Hannah’s apartment. But as time goes by, they find things they can help and teach each other and eventually become friends.

Both Hannah and Tariq arrived into a city of lights for different reasons. Tariq is searching for the history of his mother that past away when he was at a very young age. During his stay in the city, Tariq comes across a few people, including Hannah, who introduces him to French and Moroccan history. Besides history, Tariq is enjoying the city from a different perspective. Parisian culture, every street corner and metro station seems specifically enchanting to him.

And while Tariq is exploring the city, and stalking a beautiful stranger, Hannah is trying to complete her research she was sent to Paris to do. However, while doing the research of other women’s past, Hannah is trying to escape her own. Will she be able to release herself from betrayal in the same city that broke her spirit in the first place?

“Paris Echo” is a wonderful novel with a phenomenal set of divergent characters. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. Thank you, Sebastian Faulks, for an amazing story and NetGalley and Hutchinson publisher for a free copy of this book.

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The Moscow Sleeper

The Moscow Sleepers by Stella Rimington

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my very first Liz Carlyle book, and I really enjoyed her character. However, I wish the story was more concentrated on her. The beginning of the book was slow as all the characters were introduced. But once the story started to pick up – I couldn’t get enough of it. The book includes good spies, bad spies, international secrets, espionage. The story took us from England to Germany, Russian, USA… What an exciting rollercoaster ride.

My main concern about any book is too many characters. And this book has way too many spies and agents. As a reader that just being introduced to the series, it was extremely hard to pick up on every character’s storylines.

I would certainly give Liz Carlyle book another chance. I like Stella Rimington’s writing, however, I feel that once I’m fully familiar with all the character’s, I would enjoy the novels much better.

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The Girl They Left Behind

The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the past year or so, I’ve developed an insane interest about the time during and after WWII. Isn’t it interesting, that during those dreadful six years, all people wished was for the war to be over? However, no one ever thought of the consequences and how the aftermath of the war will affect their lives.

The story in the book revolves around little Jewish girl, Natalia, who was abandoned on the streets of Bucharest during 1941. The little girl was taken to an orphanage, but only for a short time. As the luck turned her way and she was adopted by a loving young couple. After the family has survived the war, they never expected to be caught behind the iron curtain and under Soviet Union occupation. Natalia’s and her parents’ lives very fast started to take a turn from glamorous to wretched. And family’s love, loyalty, and trust were tested.

As the end of the novel approached, it was hard to say goodbye to the characters. The book is based on a true story, however certain details were changed. Although the novel had a bittersweet ending, this is the kind of the ending that makes the reader wonder how the rest of Natalia’s story developed. I hope the wonderful Roxanne Veletzos will write a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books publisher for a free copy of the novel. And thank you Roxanne Veletzos for sharing your mother’s story. The history of WWII was horrific, but the saddest part is that for people that were trapped behind the iron curtain the ending of the war marked the beginning of horrendous life, that didn’t end until the late 80s and beginning of the 90s. These stories must be shared, to remind (and in some cases to inform) the people of the gruesome past.

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Kiss Her Goodbye

Kiss Her Goodbye by Susan Gee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disturbing and dark phycological thriller, Kiss Her Goodbye by Susan Gee left me a bit horrified.

I am having a hard time to describe Hayley Reynolds. Psychotic, manipulative, and angry teenager? Sure. But isn’t everything we do has a reason behind it? The characters that surround us follow by life events build the person we are today. The worst part that terrifies me about her character is the fact that she has no remorse about what she’s done.

Another main character in the book is DI Beverley Samuels. The new case brings out a memory of another fatal case that she has handled months prior. Hunted by the mistakes she’s done in the past, Beverley lets her guard down.

As much as I like phycological thrillers, this one was hard to read. I definitely need to read a “happy” book after this one. A dark plot, followed by an unforeseen ending. I like Susan Gee’s writing, good captivation storyline. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

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