Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly (Lilac Girls #3)

 My Rating: 4.8

Georgeanna is a Union nurse during the Civil War. Georgie's path crosses with Jemma, a slave girl who is sold off and ends up conscripted in the army. Ann-May Wilson is the plantation owner who owns Jemma and is trying to find her to bring her back. 

This is inspired by true events and helps you to feel like you are back in the Civil War times. So much material is covered in this book - slavery, war efforts, picking sides in the war, plantations, war-torn New York, Civil War nursing and more. Extremely well done. I am glad that I read the first two books in this series as it does reference some of those characters, but you could read this as a stand alone.

The Power of A Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian

 My Rating: 4.9

Stormie shares her personal challenges in her marriage in a very relatable way. She includes specific prayers at the end of each chapter. Her approach got me to view my marriage in a different way as well as completely changed my approach on praying.

This was one of those books that from the very beginning of reading it and putting it in to practice, I saw God's hand at work in my marriage. It is VERY powerful and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict

 My Rating: 4.9

This starts in 1908 when Clemmie and Winston are married and covers their many years together. She was a driving force in Winston's career as well as implementing groundbreaking ideas such a air-raid shelters and job initiatives for women during WWII.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read of Benedict's and this was no exception. Despite Winston and Clementine's difficult beginnings, they were a powerful duo who left an indelible mark on the world. This was a thoroughly enjoyable and also educational read. I can't wait to read more by this fabulous author.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

 My Rating: 4.9

This opens on a contented scene of quiet domesticity. Jason is at home with his beautiful wife enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir while she cooks dinner. Their 15 year old son is doing his homework at the kitchen table. At his wife's prompting, Jason pops around the corner to celebrate his college room mate. On his walk back home to his family for dinner, Jason is kidnapped at gun point. He is taken to a remote power plant where he is beaten. The last words he hears are "Are you happy in your life?" before he loses consciousness. When he wakes up, he is surrounded by strangers who all seem to know him and are so excited that he is "back". What unfolds next is a wild ride of Jason struggling to reconnect with his family.

I don't remember how this ended up in my queue. I am not a big sci-fi fan but, from the very beginning, this book reeled me in. I thoroughly enjoyed this read with great writing, excellent character development and such a unique plot line.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

 My Rating: 3.4

A group of thirtysomething friends have a tradition of going away to a different venue every year to celebrate New Years. This year, Emma picks a very remote estate in the Scottish Highlands. On the train there, it is very apparent that there is a lot of baggage and secrets amongst the group.

Other than the very end where you find out who was killed (which you pretty much can deduce early on) and who the killer was, there is no real mystery here. It was entertaining with the well done voices on audio but the story wasn't fabulous. A bunch of spoiled bratty adults stuck together in a snowed in lodge. This author feels like a cross between Agatha Christy and Ruth Ware which, for me, is not a recommend.

The Boys Club by Erica Katz

 My Rating: 4.8

Alex Vogel just graduated from Harvard Law School and is a first year Associate at the renowned Manhattan Law Firm of Klasko & Fitch. Her long time boyfriend is supportive as long as the job doesn't take over her life. Alex is one of the few women in this male dominated field and she soon decides to take on the challenge of joining their hardworking M&A group. The power, the prestige, the wining and dining of clients all soon mean Alex is pulled into the Boys Club and looses her way.

This was a fabulous read. It starts off light (picture "Suits") combined with an addictive whirlwind work schedule. Soon Alex and the firm is showing their other side and it becomes a complete train wreck. Definite recommend.

Captor by Anita Waller

 My Rating: 3.8

Liz is a successful lawyer just returning to work after maternity leave. When her young son is taken from the home of the childminder, she realizes that her past may be catching up with her. Things spiral from there very quickly with many people close to Liz disappearing or being murdered.

So many twists my brain feels like a pretzel! If you can suspend all reality and go along for the ride, this was a light fun read. 

Fatherland by Robert Harris

My Rating:  4.1

It is 1964 Berlin and the Fatherland is preparing for a celebration of Adolf Hitler's 75th birthday. A detective is called to investigate the discovery of a body in a lake found by Xavier March. Xavier and his girlfriend stumble onto a conspiracy that goes up to the highest ranks of the government. Xavier and his girlfriend go on the run and want to defect to America.

I listened to this on audio and this was done like a play (telephones ringing, street noise, etc.). It was very enjoyable but, I think that I would have followed the plot better if I had read it. 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughy

 My Ratings: 4.8

Full of stories from Matthew's life. It is very entertaining and felt very open and real. I highly recommend the audio version 

We listened to this audio book on our weekend commute. It is the first time we have listened to an audio book together and thoroughly enjoyed it. Matthew is quite a unique individual with a compelling way of telling a story.

Bookmarks Magazine May/June 2021

There weren't as many books that got my attention in this magazine. The one by Ethan Hawke really has me curious as do a few others in here. Let me know if you are reading any great books.

  

     

White Ivy by Susie Yang

 My Rating: 4.4

Ivy was raised by her immigrant grandmother. As always when raised in one life and going to school in another, she is pulled and doesn't feel she fits in anywhere. She is a thief and a liar but as a young adult, appears very poised. When she runs in to the sister of her high-school crush, it seems like fate and soon she is dating her old crush.

This was an easy read although I felt it was slow at parts until....the twist. WOAH! Did not see that coming. Actually, there were a few twists I didn't see coming. This suddenly changed from a immigrant coming of age story to a thriller - with it being cross genre it is hard to recommend but I did enjoy it.

The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James

My Rating:  4.4

Told in alternating points of view in 1982 by Viv and 2017 by Carly (Viv's niece). They never knew each other but both are working the night shift at the Sundown Motel. Both are encountering extremely creepy things and trying too hard to understand what is going on.. 

This is a supernatural thriller/mystery. It was a light easy read with a few twists and well written. 

The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles

 My Rating:  4.6

1863 former Kentucky slave Britt Johnson and his wife Mary venture West looking to start a new life. Mary and her three children are kidnapped during a brutal Indian raid. Britt goes on a quest into Indian territory in hopes of restoring not only his family, but any other non-Indians that he believes have been kidnapped.

This was a very interesting perspective with Britt  If I had to recommend one book on American Indian kidnapping, it would be Follow The River which was excellent. 

The Only Woman In The Room by Marie Benedict

 My Rating:  4.7

Hedy Kiesler's beauty leads to a starring role in a controversial film and marriage to a powerful Austrian arms dealer, allowing her to evade Nazi persecution despite her Jewish heritage. But Hedy is also intelligent. At lavish Vienna dinner parties, she overhears the Third Reich's plans. One night in 1937, desperate to escape her controlling husband and the rise of the Nazis, she disguises herself and flees her husband's castle to America.

    

This historical fiction covered so much that I was continually looking things up and was astounded at how much research the author did. What an amazing life Hedy led (although her personal life was a train wreck). Definite recommend.

The Jesus Diet by Robin Merrell

 My Rating: 4.8

In a practical and simplistic way, the Jesus Diet shows you how to access wellness and healing through the power of the Lord’s Supper and other teachings of Jesus.

I admit that when I was first told about the premise of this book, I was skeptical. If my girlfriend hadn't sent me this book, I never would have bought it. Having read it, I loved it and highly recommend it! Not only is it short and easy to read but, it really resonated with me.