My Review for To Dream of Shadows by Steve N Lee

Good luck reading this without sobbing your heart out! I love historical WWII fiction and this is nothing like anything I have ever read before. From start to finish, it is simply amazing. Loosely based on true events, it is everything I could ever hope for in a book. It is heart-warming, heart-wrenching, emotional, horrific, and an absolute love story.

There were many times throughout the book when I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. I was angry at Rudi (Heinz), a German SS officer. I was scared for Inge, the eighteen-year-old Jewish woman who often should probably have kept quiet but who was forever sticking up for her camp mates. I haven’t read a book in a while that kept me hooked from page one, right the way through to the end. I had no idea how it was going to end, and what was going to happen to our mismatched couple. I wanted to turn the pages fast, so I found out what was going to happen and I wanted to turn them slowly because I didn’t want this wonderful story to end.

If WWII fiction is your thing, then I cannot recommend To Dream of Shadows enough. I promise you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read anything like this before and you want to dip your toe in to the historical fiction water, then give this a try. 

Thank you so much to Steve N Lee for providing me with the opportunity to read and review a copy of To Dream of Shadows. It will definitely be included in my most favourite books on 2023.

Book Description

She will save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

1943. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. There, she suffers month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.

Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Reich's poison since childhood, but nowadays, he covertly helps prisoners.

So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life — together.

But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.

Unless…

Inge makes an unthinkable sacrifice.

Set during history’s darkest hour, “To Dream Of Shadows” is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.

Discover one of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and heroic tales of the Holocaust. Discover “To Dream Of Shadows”.

Author Bio

Apart from animals and writing, Steve’s passion is travel. He’s visited 60 countries and enjoyed some amazing experiences, including cage-diving with great white sharks, sparring with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and watching a turtle lay eggs on a moonlit beach. He’s explored Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China, yet for all that, he’s a man of simple tastes — give him an egg sandwich and the TV remote control, and he’ll be happy for hours!

He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, and two black cats who arrived in the garden one day and liked it so much, they stayed. Graciously, the cats allow Steve and Ania to stay in 'their' house.

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My Review for The First Spark of Fire by Marion Kummerow

Most of us are more than aware of the events of the Second World War, however I’m not sure many of us know of Hitler’s rise to power, and the lead up to the outcast and mass extermination of the Jewish population.

Based on real-life events, Marion Kummerow gives a huge insight into this, in The First Spark of Fire (German Wives #1), the first in a new series, from this incredible author. We follow two very different families, Edith and Julius, who are wealthy, want for nothing and have always been at the forefront of society. Our other family is Helga and Heinrich, who often struggle to keep themselves and their young family afloat, and that doesn’t get any easier once Hitler is in charge. Edith and Helga are German, whilst their husbands are Jewish and they both stand by and support their family as a difficult time approaches.

As in her other books, Marion Kummerow deals with extremely sensitive issues throughout with compassion and empathy. I found the book slow to begin with, but it soon picked up pace and now I can’t wait for the second book in the series to discover how Edith and Helga deal with the next decade.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The First Spark of Fire by Marion Kummerow.

Book Description

Germany, 1938. ‘No,’ she cries out as she falls to the floor, fear clutching desperately at her chest, ‘They can’t have taken him, they can’t have taken my husband.’ As her tear-filled eyes dart wildly around the empty room, she realises she has no one to turn to. She is his only hope. But how can she possibly save him?

When shy, beautiful Edith first met Jewish-born Julius it was love at first sight. Julius swept her off her feet, whisking her from humble beginnings into the sparkling society and glittering ballrooms of Berlin’s powerful elite. It felt like all her dreams had come true.

But her perfect world begins to crack with rumblings of the Nazi party growing in power and influence. Every day there are new laws to strip Jews of their money and their freedom. And there are even more frightening rumours, of horrifying camps, and people disappearing in the night…

Then when Edith’s own brother Joseph enlists as an SS officer, and her whole family turn their backs on them, she knows that it is only a matter of time before they come for her husband. She pleads with Julius that their only chance is to run away and start again. Who cares about worldly possessions if they can still be together, their lives intact? But despite everything, he refuses to believe he is in danger.

Then one terrible night, the sounds of cries and breaking glass ring out across the city as the Nazis wreak their destruction. Edith’s worst fears have been realised— Julius has been taken.

For so long, Edith has led a sheltered life, secluded from the real world. But the only way to save her beloved husband is to defy the Nazis and put herself in grave danger. Can she draw on every bit of strength she has to fight for love and save him… or is she already too late?

A totally devastating, powerful, and ultimately uplifting story, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, My Name is Eva and Sold on a Monday.

Author Bio

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to "discover the world" and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she's now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.

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My Review for The Stable Boy of Auschwitz by Henry Oster and Dexter Ford

I have just closed this book, and a shiver went right through me, as it did throughout the time I was reading it. We all know about Auschwitz and many of you will have read fiction books based on actual events throughout this time, indeed one of my favourite genres is historical fiction. However, I have never been as moved and affected as when reading The Stable Boy of Auschwitz. ‘A heartbreaking true story of courage and survival’, as stated on the cover; honestly, this is an understatement. Henry (Heinz) Oster was just eleven years old when the Second World War began and this book is his memoir as he revisits those heart-wrenching and traumatic years of his childhood.

The first three chapters are primarily about the history of the Jewish people and how Adolf Hitler came to be in power. The next fifty-four are an account of Henry’s horrific story, how he coped and how he endured and survived the Holocaust. Told from a very personal viewpoint, The Stable Boy of Auschwitz is just one man’s account. Never forget that, sadly, there were hundreds of thousands more like Henry.

The Stable Boy of Auschwitz is a must-read for anyone who has any interest in the horrors of the concentration camps during WWII and is an educational read for anyone who needs to know more. In my opinion, this is something every person should be aware of, and something that must never, ever be forgotten.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thread Books for the opportunity to read and review a copy of The Stable Boy of Auschwitz by Henry Oster and Dexter Ford.

Book Description

This heart-wrenching memoir from a Holocaust survivor reveals the terrible realities of life in Auschwitz—and how a courageous young stable boy survived against all odds to tell his story.​ “ I couldn ’ t last much longer. But just as I was beginning to give up, I found myself in the Auschwitz stables, with rows of stalls filled with horses.” Henry Oster was just five years old when Adolf Hitler took power in 1933. He was the last survivor of the 2,011 Jews who were rounded up by the Gestapo and deported from Cologne. Assigned to back-breaking labor in the Auschwitz horse-breeding stables, Henry clung to the belief that if he made himself hard to replace, he might stay alive.

Henry was one of the 2,011 Jews who were deported from Cologne, through it all, he found the strength to survive and was one of only 23 to emerge alive from the concentration camps after the war.

How did one starving boy, alone and forgotten, survive this ultimate hell on earth? The Stable Boy of Auschwitz is the heart-breaking, mesmerizing, and unforgettable true story that will destroy your faith in humanity . . . and then build it back up again.

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My Review for My Grandmother's Inn by Kristen Harper

‘A message sent with love always finds its way from one heart to another’.

What a beautiful read My Grandmother’s Inn was, I wanted to visit Molly at Hydrangea House from the get-go. I wanted to stroll along the beach and watch the iridescent sunset that Kristin Harper writes so beautifully about. I wanted to join in with the guests and savour the delicious pastries that Molly collects from the bakery every morning. 

My Grandmother’s Inn shows just how important family is and despite all the odds, when push comes to shove, hopefully, family will always be there for one another.

This book was over far too soon for me. I just wanted it to go on and on. I really need to find out what happens next to Molly, Matt and Savannah and, of course, Hydrangea House. I would really recommend this book to anyone who fancies an easy, happy read, and I can guarantee you’ll close the book feeling that you’ve made a whole heap of new friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review a copy of My Grandmother’s Inn by Kristin Harper.

Book Description

My Grandmother's Inn: A totally gorgeous and gripping page-turner by Kristin Harper

Periwinkle-blue flowers spill over the picket fence, framing the simple wooden sign that reads Hydrangea House. But Molly’s eyes fill with tears. Her grandmother Beverley used to stand right there in the doorway, ready to welcome guests. Now Beverley is gone, will the inn close forever?

Grieving and newly single Molly Anderson begs the wealthy Frost family, owners of Hydrangea House, to allow her to run the inn for one last summer before they shut it down. She vows to give the final guests a summer to remember by the sea. It’s what Beverly—who worked uncomplainingly for the Frosts her whole life—would have wanted.

But when an elderly woman checks in claiming to know a secret about Beverly’s true connection to the Frost family, everything Molly knows about her beloved grandmother is called into question. The woman says that a message in a bottle hidden somewhere at Hydrangea House, will not only reveal the truth, but could stop the Frosts’ plan in its tracks.

Desperate to do whatever she can to save Hydrangea House, Molly combs the inn from attic to basement, helped by visiting oceanographer Matt. She could never get involved with a guest, but Matt’s kindness as he listens to her worries, and the way his deep brown eyes keep locking with hers are hard to ignore…

But as they fill their summer with searching, rumors and bad reviews about Molly start to spread. By delving into the mystery of the past, has she shattered any chance of the inn’s future? Can Matt be trusted, or is he more closely linked to the Frost family than she thought? And when she finally unlocks the secret about her grandmother, will it bring Molly peace—or tear her apart?

An absolutely gorgeous read about learning to trust, the meaning of home, and the importance of family. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Carolyn Brown and Mary Alice Monroe will be captivated.

Author Bio

Ever since she was a young girl, there were few things Kristin liked more than creative writing and spending time on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her family. Eventually (after a succession of jobs that bored her to tears), she found a way to combine those two passions by becoming a women’s fiction author whose stories occur in oceanside settings. While Kristin doesn’t live on the Cape year-round, she escapes to the beach whenever she can.

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My Review for Liar Liar by L.G.Davis read by Tanya Eby

Liar Liar has to be one of the most accurate titles for a book that I’ve seen in a long time. Everything, from start to finish, is a lie. Every single character seems to be a liar, or at least someone who hides the truth... I loved it! Every chapter just gives you something different, another twist to the story and another link to what might have happened in the past.

Narrated by Tanya Eby, I listened to Liar Liar as an audiobook and she really drew me into the character’s lives, lies and all.

Full of suspense and emotion, Liar Liar will have you clutching the edge of your seat as you dive into the rabbit hole that is Tess’s life. I was out walking with my dog and listening to the final few chapters of this when for me, there was a real WATF moment and I actually said it out loud - it’s a good thing no one was around to hear me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review a copy of Liar Liar by L.G. Davis.

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My Review for The Cuban Daughter by Soraya Lane

Written across two timelines, The Cuban Daughter is set both in London and Cuba, following Esmeralda in 1950 and Claudia in the present day. Claudia sets out to discover what happened to her great-grandmother in Cuba in 1950 and just how she came to be in London.

I was entranced by The Cuban Daughter from start to finish, and I loved Soraya Lane’s writing about Cuban history and culture, and the time-warp concept of the entire country. Cuba is definitely somewhere I’d love to visit at some point.

I love a story that warms my heart, and this didn’t disappoint. Too much information will spoil this for you, but honestly, if you love historical fiction, learning about another country’s background and the warm feeling that a book can give you, then I would highly recommend this book.

I didn’t realise that The Cuban Daughter was part of a series until I read someone else’s review, but this absolutely doesn’t matter and can be read as a standalone novel for sure. I am adding The Italian Daughter to my TBR list and looking forward to Soraya’s next novel, which will apparently take us to Greece.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Cuban Daughter by Soraya Lane.

Description

A totally unforgettable and heartbreaking page-turner full of family secrets (The Lost Daughters Book 2)

Cuba, 1950: As Esmeralda moved past Christopher, her breath stilled as he caught her finger in his. It was only a split-second, their fingers intertwined in a hold so brief that no one could have possibly noticed, but it told her everything she needed to know. He didn’t just come to see Cuba. He travelled all this way to see me.

London, present day. When Claudia discovers that her grandmother was born at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers, everything she thought she knew about her family is shattered in an instant. Looking down at a faded family crest, she is determined to discover how it can possibly relate to her grandmother. Soon Claudia learns that the crest belongs to the Diaz family, once one of the wealthiest dynasties in Cuba. Impulsively Claudia books a ticket to Havana, feeling sure in her heart that she will be able to uncover her family’s true story.

Arriving in the bustling and vibrant city she meets a young man named Mateo, a chef who loves nothing more than to cook his family’s recipes. As they get to know each other over dinner, Mateo says that his grandfather worked for the Diaz family and he too wants to uncover what happened.

But when they arrive at the Diaz family home, they find it completely abandoned as if preserved in time from the 1950s. It’s not long before they uncover a heartbreaking story about Claudia’s family and of a young woman who was forced to leave behind everything she’d ever known in search of true love.

As Claudia becomes closer to Mateo, will her family’s story of bravery and sacrifice inspire her to follow her own heart to Cuba? Or will the tragic love story force her home?

An utterly gripping and heart-wrenching novel about family secrets, lost loves and new beginnings. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

Author Bio

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn't the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women's fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind.

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she's not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

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My Review for The Loch by Fran Dorricott

Twenty years ago, three young women disappeared, never to be found. The rumour to this day is that their bodies are still hidden deep within the murky Loch Aven.

A time-slip novel, ‘then’, mainly told from the viewpoint of Rebecca, and ‘present day’, told from Eleanor’s perspective with a few other characters intermingled in the storytelling. Eleanor, Clio and Michaela are on a girls’ holiday in Scotland and sunny, it is not! Wet, misty, dismal and mysterious, the girls are alone in the house on the Loch and then one of them goes missing.

Even though I worked out ‘whodunnit’ by the middle of the book, The Loch was a real page-turner for me and kept me hooked all day long. I truly couldn’t put it down. Do you know how difficult it is to hold the pages open whilst making a tuna sandwich?!

The Loch is my first Fran Dorricott novel, and it has made me eager to check out what else she has written and add them to my TBR list.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Loch by Fran Dorricott.

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