Archive for March, 2023

Bluebird by Sharon Cameron

Published March 30, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Fiction

Eva arrives in New York City along with her friend, Brigit, who has suffered some mental trauma in the aftermath of the war. Both women know that there will be people who do not accept them due to their German accents, but there was nothing left for them in Berlin and Eva has a mission to find her father whom she believes is also in New York. The story alternates between Eva in New York after the war and Inge in Berlin during the war. It quickly becomes apparent why Eva desperately wants to find her father and the terrible deal she was forced to make in order to be able to come to America at all. They are fortunate to find people willing to help them acclimate to a new country by providing food and shelter, and mostly kindness. Eva has struggled to take care of Brigit for over a year now that she has reverted to a childlike state after her trauma. She’s hopeful she will be able to find a doctor who can maybe help her, but how can she hope to make her way in a country that sees her as the enemy? How can she prove to people that even though she was subject to Nazi teachings she no longer adheres to the doctrine? How can she fight against other Germans who still believe they are above others? How can she face her father again now that she knows the truth?

This historical fiction novel really illustrates what it was like for people living in Germany under Hitler’s rule and what it was like after the war when it all came crumbling down. As all the secrets and lies come spilling out there will always be people who don’t believe the truth or even still defend the teachings of the Nazis. It’s no surprise that Eva struggles to trust other people after what her life has been like thus far, but nevertheless she still has hope for humanity and desperately wants to do her best to right the wrongs of the past. This story shines a light on aspects of the war that aren’t discussed as much and fans of WWII fiction will very much enjoy the twists and turns of the plot.

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor

Published March 23, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Jani and her sister, Zosa, have been on their own since their mother died and Jani definitely feels like she’s responsible for helping her sister find a fulfilling, happy life as a singer. When it’s announced that Hotel Magnifique will be coming to their town she is filled with hope that this could be the chance they have been waiting for. Hotel Magnifique is a magical hotel that appear in a different city every day and moves again at midnight. People are awarded entrance if they are lucky enough to be given a ticket. Each ticket is good for a two week stay and then they magically appear back in their town with no memory of the hotel at all apart from the fact they were there. Magic is deemed dangerous and unpredictable, so allowing those who contain magic to live and work in this hotel is supposed to help keep magic safe. Zosa is allowed entry to the hotel because of her singing voice, but Jani is denied both a ticket and a job and must remain behind. She refuses to allow Zosa to go without her and the hotel sends someone named Bel to collect her before the hotel moves at midnight. Jani ends up striking a deal with Bel and he agrees to get her a job as a maid on a trial basis. When they get to the hotel she is required to sign a contract, the same as everyone who enters, and she quickly learns that there are many things about this hotel that simply do not make sense. Every time she asks a question or sees something she shouldn’t, she is threatened with severe punishments. Plus, her sister is taken away and she has no idea how she is or how she’s being treated. As Jani’s friendship with Bel begins to grow, she learns that there are many secrets in this hotel that she would like to get to the bottom of before it’s too late to reconnect with her sister and she forgets her old life forever. Can she find out why they have hidden her sister away? What secrets is Bel hiding about both the hotel and himself? Why do the promises in the contract she is forced to sign seem to influence her differently than everybody else?

Fans of fantasy books will enjoy this very unique tale about a girl trying to unravel the many secrets of this magical hotel. There are many characters to keep track of, but they all end up being important to the story and its resolution. The ending has many big reveals and twists that readers will enjoy as they follow along with Jani on this crazy journey of discovery. Jani’s love for her sister is a central motivator for everything she does and it’s easy to see what motivates others along the way too and why they may or may not be willing to help her. This is really a very captivating fantasy story with a lot of surprising plot elements.

Two Truths and a Lie by April Henry

Published March 8, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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This suspenseful story begins with a group of theater students heading to a competition out of town. They are surprised by a blizzard and soon get off course and are forced to stop at a run down motel. The motel is pretty good size, but only has a handful of people who also got caught in the storm. The owner, Stuart, seems both defensive of his family’s motel as well as a little embarrassed by it. Nell, the main character is quickly drawn to Knox, a boy from another group of teens who seek refuge in this motel for the night. The two groups all agree to meet in the common room to play games and wait out the storm. They each write down two truths and a lie and throw it in a basket and as they draw them out they have to figure out not only who wrote it but which one is the lie. When it’s Nell’s turn she draws an unsettling entry that states this person has killed before and they all get spooked, especially when it’s revealed that 20 years ago there was a double homicide in this very hotel that lead to its decline. Will they all survive this storm or will they be picked off one by one? Who can they trust among this random group of strangers all stuck together in this storm?

Fans of April Henry will really enjoy this title because there are many plot twists that add to the suspense of being stuck in a remote hotel during a blizzard where it is impossible to seek help if needed. The characters include two groups of teenagers, their supervisors, and a handful of random male motorists who all claim not to know one another. Yet, they know that whoever is at the very least trying to scare them is among the few people at this hotel. Reluctant readers will especially enjoy this fast paced thriller that dives into the action very quickly in the story.

Secrets So Deep by Ginny Myers Sain

Published March 1, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Avril makes the bold decision to return to a summer theater camp that her mother drowned at 12 years prior. After her mother’s death, her father changed her name from April to Avril so no one initially knew who she was when she applied. It’s a very exclusive camp that only a small number of applicants get to go to. After arriving she makes some friends pretty quickly, but she also learns about the legends that the camp is haunted and calls people to the water. The story goes that at night a deep fog surrounds the camp and makes it difficult to navigate around and sometimes people lose hours where they don’t remember where they were. There’s also a rumor that in the fog you can hear voices calling to you that can lead you astray if you’re not careful. Avril doesn’t believe in ghosts, but does want to learn the truth about what happened to her mother that fateful night. The owner of the theater camp is famous for a play she wrote many years ago and that is the play they will be performing at the end of camp. Avril is thrilled when she gets the lead part and desperately wants to do it justice. She’s playing opposite the owner’s son, who seems to be keeping her at a distance. Those who knew her mother want to try and help her remember, but each story and artifact only brings up more questions in Avril’s mind about what she was like and what happened to her. Is this theater camp really haunted? Will she ever learn the truth about what happened to her mother? Who can she trust around her?

This slightly creepy mystery story was truly unique and the ending in particular will excite mystery fans who feel they have seen it all. The characters are well developed and there are enough suspicious happenings and characters that it is difficult to figure out the truth of what happened 12 years ago. The play is an interesting backdrop as it helps to piece together the mystery as well as to bring out a lot of emotions from the characters. Recommended for anyone looking for a good suspenseful mystery.

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