The Dress in the Window. Sofia Grant

Published: William Morrow
Date: July 25th 2017
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Rating:
                                

World War II has ended and American women are shedding their old clothes for the gorgeous new styles. Voluminous layers of taffeta and tulle, wasp waists, and beautiful color—all so welcome after years of sensible styles and strict rationing.

Jeanne Brink and her sister Peggy both had to weather every tragedy the war had to offer—Peggy now a widowed mother, Jeanne without the fiancé she’d counted on, both living with Peggy’s mother-in-law in a grim mill town.  But despite their grey pasts they long for a bright future—Jeanne by creating stunning dresses for her clients with the help of her sister Peggy’s brilliant sketches.

The Dress in the Window by Sofia Grant is the story of three women living together at the end of WW11. That time from 1945 to 1952 when America is recovering from the hardships and losses of the war.  Thelma, Peggy and Jeanne are no exception.  Both the girls who are sisters have lost men to the war as has Thelma,  her son Thomas - Peggy's husband. With the three women is also Tommie, Peggy's daughter.

They scrape the pennies to live together and make do. The story is told in turns by the three women and so the reader gains interesting insights into each of them, things that are not known often by the other two. I did not like some of the things each of them did but I felt sympathetic towards them all and could understand their longings and desires to matter and have purpose.

Let's just say secrets abound in this book and each revelation certainly changes things up. Some I just did not see coming.  Men are mostly conspicuous by their absence and when present mostly are not that well mentioned for their faithfulness. 

If you are interested in how women dressed in this era and the fabrics that were around and how fashion was changing at this time then the story will hold extra interest for you. Jeanne is a seamstress and delights in sewing up costumes, Peggy while not as clever as her sister and a bit of a rebel has artistic skills that see her developing her own path. There is much sisterly affection and some petty differences that cause problems.  Choices made are not always appreciated by the other.  Thelma on the surface is quite different to Thelma in the depths. An interesting character who makes mistakes but really is a strong woman and helps out Peggy and Joanne where it counts.

I enjoyed The Dress in the Window because it was set in the time just before I was born so I could relate to it easily. The intricate interrelationships had me reading on wondering where it would all end. I was pretty satisfied with the ending although I did wonder about the changes for Peggy, would she really have changed that much?

A Girl's Guide to Moving On Debbie Macomber

A Girl's Guide to Moving On
Debbie Macomber
Published:  Random House:Ballantine
Date: 23rd February 2016
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 400
Genre: Romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
                     

Debbie Macomber has succeeded in this novel - A Girl's Guide to Moving On, of renewing my interest in her novels.  It explores the lives of two women who have or are in the process of divorcing their husbands. What makes it somewhat unique is that that Leanne and Nichole are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

Leanne put up for too long with her husband Sean's infidelity, and finally upon reaching the 'enough' stage she is devastated to see how her accepting Sean's behaviour has rubbed off on her son Josh. He has engaged in the same behaviour in his marriage. However his wife Nichole called enough first time she finds out.

Both women have written for themselves a short guide to moving on, full of wisdom and practicality. They act on it and big changes begin to happen for them. Leanne takes up volunteer teaching at a community college, teaching English as a second language. She finds it very fulfilling and begins out on an adventure with one of her students, Nikolai, that is both wondrous and who knows where it may lead. She also helps care for Owen her 3 year old grandchild who is the son of Josh and Nichole, when Nichole is working.

Leeanne has a flair for dress and helps out at the local Dress for Success shop. When her car becomes stuck in a ditch she is towed out of it by a big tatooed guy by the name of Rocco. Rocco later returns and asks her to help out with finding a dress that he can approve of for a school dance. All their lives are about to change.

The two men Sean and Josh are on the whole very unlikeable and self-centred. Sean makes use of Leanne and Josh makes it hard right through the divorce for Nichole. However as events and hearts change there is hope for something better, and love proves it can endure all things. 

The friendship between Leanne and Nichole is what I loved about this book, also the way they go about starting new lives, which sets in place new doors opening and a door closing. Forgiveness and love, new beginnings and healing are  strong themes in the book. An enjoyable read.

New Leaf. Catherine Anderson

New Leaf
Catherine Anderson.
Published: Signet
Date: 5th January 2016
Format: Kindle
Pages: 428
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Own book
Rating:
                                        

New Leaf is the second book in the Mystic Creek series by Catherine Anderson. However it is easily read as a stand alone book. The connecting link is the Sterling family. This time it is Barney's turn. He is a local deputy sheriff, and a good man to the bone.

In a very amusing opening scene he makes an up close meeting with Taffeta Brown who runs the local health store and lives in a small flat above the store. There is an instant attraction and its not long before Barney is a regular visitor at the store.

When Taffy tells him about her daughter from whom she has no legal right to see, and asks for his help in gaining her back - of course Barney is willing. What does Taffy want? She feels if she is married to a very reliable lawman, it will make her case for getting her daughter back.

Most of the story is about their life together and their eventual battle to get Sarah, Taffy's daughter back in her life. The father has been irresponsible and Sarah is something no five year old should be. Fortunately her grandparents on her father's side have helped out when Sarah's father failed her big time.

This book has all the trademarks of a Catherine Anderson story. Family is at the heart of the story, and sometimes the family you are born into is not necessarily the one that will see you right through life. It's a warm, love filled story with strong values coming through.

The Bourbon Kings J.R. Ward

The Bourbon Kings
J. R. Ward
Published: Piatkus
Date: 28th July 2015
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 424
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Thanks to Hachette NZ.


The Bourbon Kings is the start of a new series by J. R. Ward set in the southern state of Kentucky.  The Bradford family for generations have produced a fine number of bourbons that have given them wealth with all the privileges that go with it.

But the Bradfords are also a seriously dysfunctional family.  The mother lies in a drug induced stupor in her bedroom - we never really meet her as such. She is the Bradford side of the family. The father is as evil a character as you will meet anywhere.  He leaves a stench wherever he goes. He could very well be the downfall of this business.

Edward is the eldest of the children, and can he tell a story of how his father's evil, corrupt and abusive ways have touched him.  Maxwell we only meet as a child, he is a shadowy figure yet to have his story revealed.  Lane when the book opens has just returned to the family home because his mother has been ill.  No, no, not the one in the room upstairs, but his chosen mother - Miss Aurora the cook. For all intents and purposes any humanity in this family can be traced back to her I am sure. Lane was in love with Lizzie the head gardener but things went south and he has never really recovered.  Now he meets up with her again.  Virginia or Gin is the only girl, she seems spoiled and indulged, but there is most likely more to her story that will give us greater understanding about her on down the track.  In the meantime I fear for her - she is about to sell her soul to the devil. They seem to be an alcoholic and promiscuous family on the whole.  So privileged they don't even know how to pack a suitcase!

This is the story mostly of Lane, his development as a man going from nowhere to perhaps somewhere,  finally ready to stand up and be somebody.  It is the story of the reawakening of his relationship with Lizzie - who can pack a suitcase and a whole lot more!  She is intelligent, strong and independent and she is not prepared to be mucked around with. However she does know how to admit when she is wrong.

Edward is fascinating and out of all the family I want to know more about him, and I want to see him reclaiming who he must obviously have been once.  He has guts, but there is too much cynicism and reliance on alcohol. Not that I am judging! He's been through hell.

While this first book has a conclusion of sorts, more like a deep breath pause, the story of this family is in no way finished.  We are left with a bit of a gory cliffhanger. I can live with that but I will be surely waiting for 2016 to swing round and hopefully it will bring the next episode in this family soap drama.

11/22/63 Stephen King

11/22/63  Stephen King
Publisher: Simon and Shuster
Published: 2011
Format: Audiobook
Length: 30 hrs 43min
Narrator: Craig Wasson
Genre: Alternate History Fiction
Source: Own audiobook.

What if you could go back in time and change the course of history? What if the watershed moment you could change was the JFK assassination? 11.22.63, the date that Kennedy was shot - unless....

King takes his protagonist Jake Epping, a high school English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, 2011, on a fascinating journey back to 1958 - from a world of mobile phones and iPods to a new world of Elvis and JFK, of Plymouth Fury cars and Lindy Hopping, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake's life - a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time.

With extraordinary imaginative power, King weaves the social, political and popular culture of his baby-boom American generation into a devastating exercise in escalating suspense.

I would never have listened to or read this book without The Eclectic Reader challenge.  I am very pleased that it enticed me into reading such a book.  I listened to the audio version, and while I found it somewhat long, it was very interesting and held me every step of the way.  The narrator Craig Wasson did a fantastic job  - I ended up thinking he was Jake Epping!

I was drawn into this book because even though I don't live in the USA I still remember as a young teenager the day President Kennedy was shot.  It was one of those tragedies that circled the world with dismay and horror.  While I didn't understand politics, he had charisma.

This is a time travel book, and Jake Epping learns he can go back in time and spend months in the past, yet come back two minutes later into his own time.  He is given this knowledge by his friend Al who wants him to go back and prevent Kennedy being shot.  

It was fascinating to be taken back into the sixties, a time that doesn't seem foreign, but a time before technology.  Jake lives in that time and must adapt to it.  At times the book moved slowly for me, but all the details are there, and while slow it was still compelling reading.  Jake meets an amazing array of people as he tracks Oswald until the day of the shooting.  My favourite person was Sadie, what a woman.  She was delightful.

There is one major hitch with the time travel and this provides some of the horror of the book - although it isn't a horror novel.  Can Jake control the events of the past - what effect might that have in the future?  If one thing is changed what difference will that make?  Not a lot you would think!  Well Stephen King tells it differently - and I was left thinking that where we interfere its not always for the best.

The way the book ends is bittersweet, but perfect in its own right.  

Just Destiny. Theresa Rizzo

Just Destiny
Theresa Rizzo
Published: Theresa Rizzo
Date: 31st March 2014
Format: e-ARC
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Copy from author.

Jenny Harrison made some poor choices in the past, but marrying Gabe was the best thing she’d ever done. They had the perfect marriage, until a tragic accident leaves Gabe brain dead and her world in ruins.Devastated by grief, she decides to preserve the best of their love by conceiving his child, but Gabe’s family is adamantly opposed, even willing to chance exposing long-held family secrets to stop her.

Caught in a web of twisted motives and contentious legal issues, Jenny turns to best friend and attorney, Steve Grant. Steve wants to help Jenny, but he has reservations and secrets of his own.When something so private and simple turns public and complicated, will Jenny relent? What is Steve willing to sacrifice to help Jenny?

I was immediately engaged by this book.  It is my first time reading this author, it won't be my last! The writing is excellent, the characters were both lovable and imperfect.  The plot held me the whole way through. Above all else with this book, it was the issues that it explored that left me mesmerized.  

Jenny is an interesting character, in her marriage to Gabe she has found love and a new sense of herself.  Yet was there marriage perfect? I think it had a couple of flaws - but it was still the right marriage at the right time for both of them.  When the accident that happens takes it all away from them, the issues that arrive, had my brain ticking over.  I wasn't so much emotionally invested as open to seeing where this story would go next.  I wondered had this dilemma ever actually happened in real life? I imagine it would be quite controversial.

Steve is a very good friend to Jenny, he really goes the extra mile to help her out - yet he has his limits.  Also factored in is Gabe's first wife, who seems to be a well adjusted person, and Gabe's two children by this previous marriage.  As well throw into the mix - George, the uncle who raised Gabe when his parents died. He appears as a grouchy old man and does he have some laws to lay down!  

This book explores to some extent the problems people find themselves in when they either lie or keep secrets.  Are the lies and secrets in this story justified? I don't really think so, but read the book and decide for yourself.  I just don't want to say too much, or give away anything about the choices made, as each choice is a vital part of the plot.

On the 14th of April, I have the privilege of a Q&A with Theresa Rizzo here on Book Date.   

Witness in Death J.D.Robb

Witness in Death
J. D. Robb
Published: Berkley 2000
Format: Paperback
Pages: 338
Genre: Suspense
Source: own book

It is 2059, and New York City homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas's husband, Roarke, is producing a revival of Agatha Christie's thriller Witness for the Prosecution. On opening night, when the villainous character Leonard Vole gets his just deserts, someone substitutes a kitchen knife for the prop knife, and the actor, Richard Draco, is stabbed through the heart. Trouble is, in time-tested British mystery fashion, everyone in the cast had good reason to despise Richard, a misogynist who seduced and discarded beautiful young women, including one whom he knew to be his daughter.

It's up to Eve to solve the case, an emotionally difficult task as she is no stranger to incest herself: she was beaten and raped by her father before she managed to escape him. As Eve fights to keep her head above water, she tries to bond at a deeper level with Roarke, so that her future will heal the pain of her past.

Witness in Death is #10 in the In Death series.  I am very pleased to make it so far, as now I am into the 2000 publications, I felt so far behind while reading the nineties books!

As usual I enjoyed this story, it didn't feel as gory as some of the past murders, it was more about the motives and psychology of the 'players'.  As usual I never picked the murderer, although I kept thinking it must be obvious!  However I am not a good murder solver, so just as well I am not a detective!  To be fair there was a small surprise towards the end that I didn't see coming, and that quite changed the stakes.

As always, in each book relationships develop a little further.  This murder is difficult for Eve as it brings her relationship with her father into focus, and also her pain at the absence of a mother.  Roake is ever there to watch over her and be there for her.  I had a short discussion with another blogger on twitter that made me take another look at their relationship.  It hasn't changed my view but it gave me something more to look at in their relationship.  They certainly both have their faults and each has a past that impinges, but I have no doubt of their love.  I am certain they will grow as time goes by.... in book terms!

Peabody and her two relationships add further grist to the mill and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.  Peabody is now at the stage where she gives some cheek to Eve uninvited, which adds some humour.  I am wondering about the young constable Trueheart who was injured in a take down scene - will he take on the innocent subordinate role that Peabody once was?

I liked the ending especially, which showed that Eve has a very compassionate side to her - not that I doubted that, but this time she was especially so.

Archangel's Legion. Nalini Singh

Archangel's Legion
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 374
Genre: Paranormal/Urban fantasy
Source: Local public library

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael's Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York...and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same...

Archangel's Legion is #6 in the Guild Hunter series.  The main characters of this book bring us back to Elena and Raphael.  As a couple they work so well together, so it was a pleasure to link up with them again.

In this story there is a major battle between an archangel who is trying to rule the world with an evil power, and Raphael and his troops.  Of course his feisty consort is there to add her weight to the battle as she fights side by side with the troops.  

The shifting of power amongst the archangels of the world brings different strengths for each.  Raphael is developing new ability, thanks to his relationship with Elena it is a power for good.  Elena, while human and newly an angel. is vulnerable and she feels she may be a weakness that Raphael has to contend with.  However in this book, Elena proves to be  a wonderful consort, reaching out to support Raphael and all those who need it at this horrendous time.  As the book ends, we find out just how important Elena is to Raphael, as they prepare to battle to the death.  Raphael has  a surprise coming and it is just in the nick of time.

Some of the minor characters have their story progressed, there is Elena's sister Eve, who is also a hunter born - much to their father's distress.  In this book Elena is given the back story of what happened to her father when he was young, which goes a long way to explain his antipathy for hunters and Elena in particular.  I really look forward to this aspect having further development in books to come, and to see if the relationship of Elena and her father improve in any way.  

This was another excellent book in this series.  I am now up to date with it and will just have to wait until the next one comes out later this year.

Guild Hunter Series.

1.  Angel's Blood                                              

2.  Archangel's Kiss

3.  Archangel's Consort

4.  Archangel's Blade

5.  Archangel's Storm

6.  Archangel's Legion

7.  Archangel's Shadows - November 2014

Archangel's Storm. Nalini Singh

Archangel's Storm
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages:337
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Local Library

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

This is #5 in the Guild Hunter series.  It is the story of Jason - the spymaster for Raphael.  His wings are black and he has learned to walk the shadows and be invisible to those around him.  He is one of the seven, and well respected by friend and foe alike.  Having lost his parents at a very young age he learned to fend for himself, he grew up quickly, but his emotional life is zilch.  He doesn't trust. He is sent to Neha's court to investigate the murder of Eris, Neha's consort.

At court he meets the beautiful Princess Mahiya, niece of Neha.  Mahiya was ripped away from her mother at birth and Neha has been responsible for raising her.  However Mahiya has not had a rosy upbringing, she is the result of her mother and Eris having an affair.  Eris has been imprisoned for 300 years for the deed and Neha has disposed of Mahiya's mother.   While hatred, jealousy and revenge surrounded Mahiya she has chosen to kind and loving, rather than be filled with what drives Neha.  

As Mahiya and Jason work together they come to know each other, Jason recognises Mahiya for all the qualities that she has - he can't ever love her, he believes himself incapable - but he does come to want to be with her and protect her.  Mahiya who is straight talking and not into court politics appreciates Jason's integrity and truth.  As they work together the attraction grows until they are more and more entwined with each other.  They understand each other, both having lost parents at an early age in horrific circumstances.  Jason listens to Mahiya and respects her, something Mahiya has not really experienced. Her life so far has led her to believe she doesn't matter.  I really liked this aspect of the book - the importance of truly listening to someone is of immense importance.

I really enjoyed this book, it was largely set in Neha's court, so there was little of the other seven in it. We were however given brief but satisfying glimpses of Dmitri and Honor, and occasional small walk ons from some of the others.  There is a crime to be solved and the path to it being solved is convoluted and I can't give anything away, although eventually it becomes clear.  While the final battle is bloody, I didn't find it as gruesome as some of the previous books.

I am now fully engaged in the Guild Hunter world, and while the Psy/Changeling series will always be my first preference, the Guild Hunter books will have me waiting for #7 when it comes out later this year.

Guild Hunter Series.

1.  Angel's Blood                                              

2.  Archangel's Kiss

3.  Archangel's Consort

4.  Archangel's Blade

5.  Archangel's Storm

6.  Archangel's Legion

7.  Untitled - out 2014

Review: Carolina Home. Virginia Kantra.

Carolina Home
Virginia Kantra
Published: Audible Inc.  2013
Format: Audio
Narrator: Sophie Eastlake
Length: 8 hrs 48 min
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Own audiobook.

Home to the Fletcher family for generations, Dare Island is a fishing village rocked by changing times - its traditions slipping away like sands of the North Carolina coast. Single dad and fishing boat captain Matt Fletcher deferred his own dreams to support his innkeeper parents and build a future for his sixteen-year-old son. Matt has learned to weather life's storms by steering a steady emotional course...and keeping a commitment-free approach to love.

Newcomer Allison Carter came to Dare Island to escape the emotional demands of her wealthy family. The young teacher aims to build a life here, to make a lasting place for herself. She doesn't want to be another Woman Who Once Dated Matt Fletcher. It's both tempting and dangerous to believe she can be something more.

Then Matt's brother Luke makes a sudden return home, with a child of his own - and a request that will change all their lives. With a child's welfare at stake, Matt must turn to Allison to teach him to let go of the past, open his eyes...and follow his heart.

My thoughts
I really enjoyed this audiobook.  I have long wanted to try another  Virginia Kantra novel, Carolina Home was a winner for me; I will definitely finish out this series and then read something else written by her.

This is set in a small town neighbourhood, it is family oriented and the characters are very loveable. Not just the two main characters, but the rest of Matt's family; his son Josh, his niece Tayla and his brother Luke and sister Meg.  His mom and dad are a great couple, and it is his dad's words that finally help Matt make peace with his past and reach out for what he really wants.

Allison is one of those sweet but amazing characters, she has endured parents who value wealth and 'who and how much you have' over real relationships.  She has struck out and gone after what she values and wants.  She cares about her pupils and Matt and his family.  It is not easy to chase her away, although it can be done!

Tayla ( not sure of the spelling as my version is the audiobook) was a character you can't but help your heart  going out to.  Matt definitely shows his mettle in his dealing with her.  There is a dog who plays a small but important role in this story, and again adds that touch of heart-warmth to the story.

Not every detail was wrapped up by the end of the book - certainly just enough to make me want to know what happens further on down the track.

The narrator did a very good job in my opinion - with voice variation and just that phrasing and intonation that lifted this book to a whole new level.  So much so, that even though I would like to dash off and read the kindle version of the next book, I am going to listen instead to the audio a little down the track.

Dare Island Series.

1. Carolina Home.

2. Carolina Girl.

3. Carolina Man.