Seasoned Readers Winter's Retreats

 

The most wonderful time of the year...snow... a hot cup of tea... a quilt...a book journey!

Kristin Harmel

ISBN: 9781982131906

Publisher's Synopsis:

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.

The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer—but will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war?

"... Aurignon... was a town whose heart hadn't yet been trampled..."

MrsK's Review: Historical Fiction

In May of 2005, Eva saw a photograph in the NY Times newspaper of the book she believed had vanished over six decades ago. Even though the book was published in 1732, within its pages are the coded names of those whom Eva once helped. It was in July of 1942 that the world began its "horror" of the World War. It would be two nights later that the fatal "knock" on their door would awaken them. Her father had directed her to go to Monsieur Goujon if he was arrested. Thus begins Eva's journey, with a typewriter and a smile Eva ventures "into the heart of Paris." In 2005, after all these years Eva has decided to return to Berlin. She must reclaim the book of lost names.

With dashed hopes for escape, Eva leaves Monsieur Goujon's stationary establishment. The package of blank documents would require her talent. Would she be able to forge all the aspects of "real" identity cards, travel permits, and naturalization certificates? She had little time to create the forgeries that would get her mother and herself out of the "free zone." She was told to head to the small town of Auringnon south of Vichy. 

Madame Barbier is the proprietress of a small boarding house. Thanks to her kindness to Eva and her mother they have a roof over their head. As well as an introduction to a stranger who had shadowed Eva around the village.

le Pere Clement is a Catholic Priest at Eglise Saint-Alban. Someone who has "friends with ink-stained fingers." He will forever change Eva's life with his request for assistance in forging documents for the many travelers who are seeking refuge away from Paris. If "lives hung in the balance," could Eva be "called" to do her part for those in need? While she "forges" papers to get her father freed from the German camp, Eva and others will be drawn into endless hours of "pains-taking" detailing. Secrecy is a matter of life and death. Only a few can be trusted.

Remy Charpentier once a stranger appears at the right moment when she is heading back to Paris. Even though he appears at just the right moment when a German soldier is questioning Eva, he will become the most valued guide, friend, and co-worker Eva will know and forever remember about her days in Auringnon.

With the danger of the 1942 storyline, the beautifully crafted storyline of Eva's return to re-claim the book of lost names is a brilliant masterpiece. Settings are described with details of quaint village life, the horrific horrors of the feared German invasion, and the heartwarming truth of one woman's journey before she began a family. 

Our Booked to Dine group has rated this the best read of the year!

MrsK

"...to librarians and booksellers everywhere,

who ensure that the books with the power to change lives

find their way into the hands of the people who need them most."

Thank you KH... for this dedication page quote... Inspired Learning and MrsK

Meet the Author:

  

A former reporter for PEOPLE magazine, Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. After stints covering health and lifestyle for American Baby, Men’s Health, and Woman’s Day, she became a reporter for PEOPLE and spent more than a decade working for the publication, covering everything from the Super Bowl to high-profile murders to celebrity interviews with the likes of Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, OutKast, Justin Timberlake, and Patrick Dempsey. Her favorite stories at PEOPLE, however, were the “Heroes Among Us” features—tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. One of those features—the story of Holocaust survivor turned philanthropist Henri Landwirth (whom both Walter Cronkite and John Glenn told Kristin was the most amazing person they’d ever known)—partially inspired Kristin’s 2012 novel, The Sweetness of Forgetting, which was a bestseller all over the world. Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts, and spent her childhood there, as well as in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She travels frequently to France for book research (and—let’s be honest—for the pastries and wine) and writes a book a year for Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster.

Jane Kirkpatrick

ISBN: 9780800722333

Publisher's Synopsis:

When Tabitha Brown's son makes the fateful decision to leave Missouri and strike out for Oregon, she refuses to be left behind. Despite her son's concerns, Tabitha hires her own wagon to join the party. Along with her reluctant daughter and her ever-hopeful granddaughter, the intrepid Tabitha has her misgivings. But family ties are stronger than fear.

The trials they face along the way will severely test Tabitha's faith, courage, and ability to hope. With her family's survival on the line, she must make the ultimate sacrifice, plunging deeper into the wilderness to seek aid. What she couldn't know was how this frightening journey would impact how she understood her own life--and the greater part she had to play in history.

With her signature attention to detail and epic style, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick invites readers to travel the deadly and enticing Oregon Trail. Based on actual events, This Road We Traveled will inspire the pioneer in all of us.

"Write the trouble stories down Gramo.

So I have them to read when I'm growed up."

MrsK's Review: Historical Fiction

In 1845 Missouri, Tabitha was working was inspiring her granddaughter with her life stories. Tabby promised a hand-written book about her life to Sarelia. As Missouri's city edged closer to her country home, Tabby reflected on her "garnered" wisdom. A quill pen, powdered ink, and memories all drifted in and out of her mind and onto her papers of a life lived. With Orus out in the Oregon country and Manthano a week's ride away... her only daughter, Pherne, encouraged her to write her biography for all of her grandchildren. Yet, at her age, memories proved to be a "fickle" thing. Hours alone in her cabin... muttering to herself and her chicken Beatrice led to a loneliness that she really didn't want to share with her children. It was those times in which she passionately taught her grandchildren... open books... open minds... teaching and sharing knowledge... that was her great passion but it only lasted for short periods of her day. Aging becomes the crossroad of your final season. Yet, time with her children and grandchildren, as well as the expectation of Orus's return is brightening her tomorrow.

Going west into the Oregon country would be a new adventure, a new beginning. Missouri wasn't a state that was currently supporting opposition to slavery. Those who journeyed west would need strength, determination, faith, and hope. Orus believed his mother needed to stay in Missouri. Tabitha became determined to have her own wagon and travel as the last wagon to not hold her family back. Once in Oregon, what will she do to begin a new season in her life? At least she will be with her children... God willing.

Those who walked before us, listening to their "stories" is how so many of us have grown up. In today's world the "tech-age" is no longer learning the circular seasons of life. As with so many of Kirkpatrick's novels, you will gain wisdom. As an educator in the Pacific NW, I've always been drawn to the brave souls who left their homes to travel out west. My great-grandmother was one of those who settled in Bandon, OR. More than grit... faith will walk with you... and this journey within a book will inspire you long after you've turned the last page.

MrsK

"I want to know when trouble found you and how you got out of it.

That'll help me when I get into trouble... and I'll write my stories for you."

Meet the Author:

   

Kirkpatrick brings us a story of one woman's restoration from personal grief to the meaning of community."

Miranda James

ISBN: 9780425277539

Publisher's Synopsis:

In Athena, Mississippi, librarian Charlie Harris is known for his good nature—and for his Maine coon cat Diesel that he walks on a leash. Charlie returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but taking the plunge into a recent acquisition will have him in over his head…

Lucinda Beckwith Long, the mayor of Athena, has donated a set of Civil War-era diaries to the archives of Athena College. The books were recently discovered among the personal effects of an ancestor of Mrs. Long's husband. The mayor would like Charlie to preserve and to substantiate them as a part of the Long family legacy—something that could benefit her son, Beck, as he prepares to campaign for the state senate.

Beck's biggest rival is Jasper Singletary. His Southern roots are as deep as Beck's, and their families have been bitter enemies since the Civil War. Jasper claims the Long clan has a history of underhanded behavior at the expense of the Singletarys. He'd like to get a look at the diaries in an attempt to expose the Long family's past sins. Meanwhile, a history professor at the college is also determined to get her hands on the books in a last-ditch bid for tenure. But their interest suddenly turns deadly…

MrsK's Review: Mystery

Ok, I must admit I had never heard of a Maine Coon cat, but my introduction to Diesel was completely enjoyable. Let me introduce you to the Athena College librarian... Charlie. Currently, he is a bit unhappy with Mayor Lucinda for not showing up on time. Yet, he is curious to see the Civil War diaries that she should be dropping off.

The Mayor's son has discovered four diaries that are dated around 1840-1875. Athena, Mississippi was occupied by the Union troops during the Civil War. These diaries, written by Rachel Long, would be an excellent addition to the college's archives. Especially since the current descendant had served four terms as their Senator. Yet, Charlie wasn't exactly sure that the Mayor's statement that she thought the discovery of these diaries could affect the outcome of the upcoming election was rational.

Given so many interested parties, who were very impatient with Charlie's decision to evaluate and archive the documents before anyone could see them, he was becoming annoyed. The budget didn't provide enough funding to be at the archives for more than three days. Given the discovery that Rachel's memoir has suspiciously been recorded as lost, he was certain that someone was becoming overly concerned about what might be in the journals.

Kelly Grimes appears to be a freelance writer. Her insistence on reading the journals is getting bothersome. There might be a political revelation that is behind her desire, much more reasonable than a research paper... she could write a sellable book.

Jasper Singletary is a political "hopeful." What is the connection between Kelly and him? What would the journals prove that could help his election? How far might they go to get their hands on the journals?

Marie Steverton is using her professorship as her right to see the journals before anyone else. Could her urgency be in the discovery of some political scandal or could she be worried about what she already knows is written?

And then, Charlie receives the call that Marie has been "run over" and killed...

A jaunt with literary elements is always a delightful quick journey... add in a good mystery and murder... well is there any better way to spend a winter day off?

MrsK

Meet the Author:

  

Miranda James is the pseudonym of Dean James, a seventh-generation Mississippian who recently returned home after over thirty years in Texas. A mystery fan since the age of ten, he wrote his first novel at the ripe old age of twelve. The only copy of The Mystery of the Willow Key vanished years ago, but since it was highly derivative of the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mystery series, that’s probably a good thing.

Candace Fleming

ISBN: 9781338749571

Publisher's Synopsis:

"You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time....That is all you need to know." This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. As they arrived at Station X, a sprawling mansion in a state of disrepair surrounded by Spartan-looking huts with little chimneys coughing out thick smoke—these young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions. Bletchley Park was a well-kept secret during World War II, operating under the code name Station X. The critical work of code-cracking Nazi missives that went on behind its closed doors could determine a victory or loss against Hitler’s army.

"For it is evil things that we shall be fighting against. 

Brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression, and persecution; 

and against them, I am certain that right will prevail."

PM Neville Chamberlain

MrsK's Review: Historical Fiction YA+

During wartime, many young women and teens walked away from their hopes and dreams and entered into the unknown service known as Bletchley Park. A service that would be cloaked in secrecy. Work that would be difficult mentally, emotionally, and physically. Sheltered away from everyday life.

On September 3, 1939, Britain and France signed an agreement to support Poland. Hitler refused the Prime Minister's letter. War began. In a red brick manor, Station X was established to decipher and break Hitler's codes and save the lives of their people.

Patricia was eighteen, and she worked as a listener on her wireless radio. The dial would be turned back and forth for any Morse codes coming across the "hissing" airways. She was trained to listen for all Nazi weather reports, battle strategies, orders to attack, and more. Most often she listened to naval codes that would endanger the British ships. Before the war, she had hopes of finishing secondary school and getting married. Her life in Lancashire never included joining the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRENS). Yet, at seventeen that is where she entered the war.

Jane longed to join the war effort, even though her parents felt she was destined to be a debutante. Once her friend Elizabeth sends her a request to come and join her at Bletchley Park, there would be no stopping her decision to take a train to the fifty-three-acre estate. Even though she understood that she would never be able to tell anyone, including her parents, where she was or what she would be doing... she signed the British Official Secrets Act. Jane had just joined the cryptographers in Hut 6 as a decoder.

Mavis had hoped to join the war efforts as a nurse, yet once she was interviewed and they learned that she knew the German language she became destined to do "more important duties." Deciphering word patterns and syllables would benefit the war efforts at the Enigma machines.

Sarah received a summons to report to Station X. There were so many questions, she had no clue why this unknown Commander Travis would send her to Station X. She lived a royal life of boarding schools and country manors. Her grandmother was Queen Elizabeth's best friend. She knew German and had spent six months in Munich. At Station X, she would be in Hut 8 where she would be working in the Index room gathering intelligence from the deciphered cards: naval coordinates; code names; weapons; units; places; and scientific names.

Along with the ladies above, you will meet Diana who would work in Hut11A with the machines that would break the secrets of the enemies. Gwen joined the WAAF, and her ability to speak some German landed her in Hut 10/Block A where she would cipher communications. In 1943, Ann would convert the crib and cipher texts into diagrams. Joanna would program the "Beast."

This is one of the best war novels. It is filled with historical photographs; factual captions; code-ciphering examples; as well as a glimpse into the lives of four hundred men and one thousand women who helped the world defeat the Hitler horror-filled takeover. This novel is one of the best resources for all learners 5th-HS+. If you are a homeschooling parent, an educator, or a librarian... get this book!

MrsK

Meet the Author:

   

I have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France. As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.

After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.

Elizabeth Ludwig

ISBN: 9781961125391

Publisher's Synopsis:

Cheryl Cooper loves the air of excitement these new arrivals bring, and as a recent member of the community, she enjoys getting to know her neighbors by delivering congratulatory gifts to the families. She never dreamed that one of these visits would end in an awful discovery...a baby has been snatched from his cradle!

When Cheryl comes across a lead that could reunite the child with his mother and put the kidnapper behind bars, she must take matters into her own hands. But will the truth she uncovers spell happily ever after or will it expose a deeper, more sinister problem?

MrsK's Review: Amish Mystery

Cheryl works at the Swiss Miss gift shop. Gifts made by local craftsmen are always sought after by customers, although on this day before Thanksgiving, she did not expect a customer who would be both in an extreme hurry and rude at the same time. Who was this customer? Why did she leave a foreboding impression?

Naomi is Cheryl's "mystery-solving" partner. Today they are on their way to drop off Rachel's baby items, which include Naomi's beautiful quilts for the sweet twins. 

Rachel is an Englisher who has newly married into the Sugarcreek community. One of the twins is keeping her awake and exhausted so this moment of coffee shared with her friends is a blessing. That is until Rachel goes to check on the twins... the urgency of her shout has ended the peace... one of the twins is missing!

An Amber alert is issued and thus the mystery begins. Will Rachel recover from the baby-napping? Will the Sugarcreek community rally around her for support? Will Rachel's estranged relationship with her parents finally come to their daughter's home? For Cheryl, the news that the strange customer had been quickly purchasing baby items throughout the community is the lead that Cheryl and Naomi will follow.

This is a very "sweet" mystery. Your heart aches for the young family. You follow the leads as the mystery unravels, and as with every Amish romance, you will enjoy the "goodness" of a community that in today's world is hard to find.

Grab a cup of tea, and a comfy quilt, and relax with this "cozy" Amish mystery,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Elizabeth Ludwig is an accomplished speaker and teacher, often attending conferences where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Book three in her popular EDGE OF FREEDOM series, Tide and Tempest, was named a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Elizabeth was also named a finalist in the 2015 Selah Awards for her novella “One Holy Night”, part of the bestselling anthology collection, Christmas Comes to Bethlehem, Maine. Most recently, she was honored to be awarded a HOLT Medallion for her book, A Tempting Taste of Mystery, part of the SUGARCREEK AMISH MYSTERIES series from Guideposts. Her latest releases include Sheeps Passing in the Night, part of the MYSTERIES OF MARTHA’S VINEYARD series, also from Guideposts, and The Coffee Club Mysteries from Barbour Publishing.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

ISBN: 9780316480772

Publisher's Synopsis:

Grayson Hawthorne was raised as the heir apparent to his billionaire grandfather, taught from the cradle to put family first. Now the great Tobias Hawthorne is dead and his family disinherited, but some lessons linger. When Grayson’s half-sisters find themselves in trouble, he swoops in to do what he does best: take care of the problem—efficiently, effectively, mercilessly. And without getting bogged down in emotional entanglements.

Jameson Hawthorne is a risk-taker, a sensation-seeker, and a player of games. When his mysterious father appears and asks for a favor, Jameson can’t resist the challenge. Now he must infiltrate London’s most exclusive underground gambling club, which caters to the rich, the powerful, and the aristocratic, and win an impossible game of greatest stakes. Luckily, Jameson Hawthorne lives for the impossible.

Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.

"Hawthornes don't have hobbies...

we have specialties... expertise."

MrsK's Review: Mystery YA+

*January's first read... So worth the winter chill!

The Hawthorne brothers know that there is "no getting around the rules." Not even on Christmas morning. Even twelve years ago, the brothers knew there would be a trick... always a challenge... an important game of the mind and skill. 

All those years ago, the Hawthorne brothers have followed the rules of engagement. Each brother utilizes their individual strengths, their wit, their intelligence, and their name to accomplish whatever needs to be done. Today when their cells receive the 911 message... they will gather from wherever and whatever they are involved in. A summons, after all, is a summons. 

Jameson and Avery fly to London from the Iguazzu Falls. Avery is patient with Jameson's mood. Whatever secret he is harboring will remain secret until he's ready to let her in. In the meantime, Nash's summon was their destination. Avery has learned that "doing great things" was an internal force for Jameson. One that wasn't just "great" it was more of a "vast and lasting and incredible" great.

Grayson had his own secret. Since their grandfather's death and Avery had walked into their life, everything was changing. The year the brothers had learned who their fathers were had changed each of them. Grayson struggled with the outcome of his interactions with his father. To say that it ended badly didn't come close to what he was dealing with right now. So Nash's 911, took some time to register this new change. Xander, Jameson and Avery were so excited for Nash.

Jameson and Avery will be entering into a secluded game to win back Jameson's father's home. Grayson will be involved in a cat-and-mouse game of keeping secrets... secret from his newly discovered sisters.

The page-turning pacing is how these Hawthorne games unfold. This book might be the 5th in the series... it is one of the best crafted since the Inheritance games began. Every character has matured in their own style. Every clue is masterfully revealed at the precise moment you feel the anxiety of a choice that makes your gut scream no!

If you haven't begun the Inheritance games... get started... sleepless nights are a promise...

MrsK 

Meet the Author:

  

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college when she was nineteen.

Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Happy Winter Reading...