Book Review: The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsyth + A Giveaway!

Author: Kate Forsyth

Title: The Crimson Thread

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: paperback

Pages: 350

Published:  July 5th 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

In Crete during World War II, Alenka, a young woman who fights with the resistance against the brutal Nazi occupation, finds herself caught between her traitor of a brother and the man she loves, an undercover agent working for the Allies.

May 1941. German paratroopers launch a blitzkrieg from the air against Crete. They are met with fierce defiance, the Greeks fighting back with daggers, pitchforks, and kitchen knives. During the bloody eleven-day battle, Alenka, a young Greek woman, saves the lives of two Australian soldiers.

Jack and Teddy are childhood friends who joined up together to see the world. Both men fall in love with Alenka. They are forced to retreat with the tattered remains of the Allied forces over the towering White Mountains. Both are among the seven thousand Allied soldiers left behind in the desperate evacuation from Crete's storm-lashed southern coast. Alenka hides Jack and Teddy at great risk to herself. Her brother Axel is a Nazi sympathiser and collaborator and spies on her movements.

As Crete suffers under the Nazi jackboot, Alenka is drawn into an intense triangle of conflicting emotions with Jack and Teddy. Their friendship suffers under the strain of months of hiding and their rivalry for her love. Together, they join the resistance and fight to free the island, but all three will find themselves tested to their limits. Alenka must choose whom to trust and whom to love and, in the end, whom to save.

Review:

Can't help myself when I see a WWII novel...especially if it has women doing their part! So yesss I was so excited to get started on this one! I've read a previous book by this author so that made me extra excited!

We follow Alenka, Jack, and Teddy. Alenka is a young Greek woman who fights with the resistance against the Nazi occupation. She finds herself dealing with not only the Nazis, but her traitor of a brother, the men she loves, and being an undercover agent working for the Allies. She has a lot on her plate. Jack and Teddy are longtime friends who joined up together to see the world and fight the Nazis. They find themselves forced to retreat with the tattered remains of the Allied forces over the White Mountains. They are left behind during the evacuation from Crete. Alenka hides both of them. As Crete suffers under the Nazi boot, Alenka finds herself drawn into a dangerous triangle of conflicting emotions with Jack and Teddy. Teddy and Jack find their friendship will suffer under the strain of months of hiding and rivalry for Alenka's love. 

I really should read more by this author! I read a previous book a while back and liked it. And then I read this one and liked it too. This author is talented and really knows how to bring the world to life and make characters that will stay with you!! 

At first, I did not like Alenka at all. I thought she was whiney and annoying. She did grow on me as we went along but it took a few chapters. And then I loved her. She is a brave woman indeed! 

I liked Teddy and Jack. Jack more than Teddy. You can't help but root for Jack! 

Honestly...I had no idea what was going to happen. I was so worried! Between the Nazi scum running around and Alenka's brother????? Ugh. I was on the edge of my seat. Her brother was scum too because he LOVED the Nazis and wanted to join them and help them. Poor Alenka. Poor thing had to grow up so quickly because of the war. 

Normally I try and stay away from love triangles but I do make exceptions from time to time. The triangle here didn't bug me at all since it didn't take over the plot. Yes, there are a lot of feelings...but they do have bigger fish to fry so we get to see other things play out. We also didn't have over-the-top dramatic scenes that make me roll my eyes. The author did a wonderful job balancing the angst of the love issues and real-life war issues. It felt real and I applaud the author for this. 

There are some dark scenes, but it is war...so you know you are going to see some bad, bad stuff. The author didn't make it overly graphic so for those with weaker stomachs, you'll be okay. But yes, fair warning this is set during one of the deadliest times in history. 

I did shed a couple of tears. I won't spoil anything, but I did have to wipe my eyes a couple times. 

In the end, I simply couldn't put this down! The author is fantastic at bringing characters to life and making them complex and fascinating. You'll get swept away and not want to stop reading. You'll love the characters. I did struggle a little bit with one of the main characters, but I soon grew to love her as much as the other two. I highly recommend this for my historical fiction lovers. 5 stars from me. 

I'm having some good books so far for July *knocks on wood so I don't jinx this good luck*! That makes me happy...I was striking out a lot earlier in the month/end of June. 

Giveaway!!

 Enter to win a copy of The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsyth! We have 10 copies up for grabs! The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on July 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Embed Code: The Crimson Thread Direct Link: https://gleam.io/OAUjk/the-crimson-thread

Audiobook Review: The Best Worst Christmas by Kate Forster

Author: Kate Forster

Narrator: Amy Landon

Title: The Best Worst Christmas

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, holidays

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 1st 2021 

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Lily is back from Australia for the first time in seven years to spend Christmas at her mum’s house in a small, gossipy English village. To her surprise, she returns to find that her mother is dating the man next door, who also happens to be the father of her ex-boyfriend Tom. Tom, who broke Lily’s heart all those years ago. Tom, the real reason Lily fled to the other side of the world and stayed there. Tom, who is also home for Christmas and right there, next door.

In what is shaping up to be the worst Christmas ever, somehow Lily and Tom have to try to get along and play happy families, but living with the man who she is clearly not over is proving to be difficult, and tensions are high. Add in some drunken caroling, a reindeer bite, a potent Christmas pudding and some meddling parents and Lily’s trip home will turn her entire life upside down.

Review:

Jen was the one who got me to listen to this! Plus it's a freebie on Audible so why not ;) 

We follow Lily who is back from Australia for the first time in 7 years. She is going to spend the holidays with her mom in their small English village. To her surprise and horror....her mom is dating the man next door who happens to be the father of Tom....her ex. This ex had broken Lily's heart many years ago. Tom is the real reason why she fled to the other side of the world and tried to make a new life for herself. Now...she is stuck with him through the holidays. This is shaping up to be the worst Christmas ever. The two will try to get along and maybe there will be a miracle.

This was a lot of fun. Poor, poor Lily. I would be LIVID at my mom. HOW CAN YOU DO THAT!? UGH.

However, it was good for Lily and Tom to hash it out. It ended bad. Like super bad. The two really needed to talk even if it is just to move on. They have both been holding onto grudges and hatred. How can you live your life with that? So it was a good thing. But UGH darnit parents. 

I enjoyed watching Lily and Tom hash it out. It was fun watching them fall in love. It did take FOREVER, but it was worth the wait when they finally decided to give it a second chance. I do get nervous with second chance romances...but this was perfect. They talked it out. Vented their feelings and mended the hurts. Loved it!

Plus I love this little village. Small and everyone in everyone's business. So cute!

The scene with the reindeer had me in tears laughing. Yes, yes, there is a lot of humor here too. 

There was ONE reveal that had me seriously mad. Sure, I get it, but I was super annoyed. I didn't think it was needed. 

The narrator was good. Perfect voices. All different even the men had slight differences. 

In the end, this is a quick, fun Xmas romance. My only beef was the one reveal near the end. Not needed. I'll give this 4 stars though!

Challenge(s):
- #86 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: The Time Collector by Gwendolyn Womack

Author:  Gwendolyn Womack  
Title: The Time Collector
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, and Romance
Pages: 352
Published: April 16th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Roan West was born with an extraordinary gift: he can perceive the past of any object he touches. A highly skilled pyschometrist, he uses his talents to find and sell valuable antiques, but his quiet life in New Orleans is about to change. Stuart, a fellow pyschometrist and Roan’s close friend, has used his own abilities to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts or “ooparts”—like a ring that once belonged to the seventeenth-century mathematician and philosopher René Descartes, but was found buried in prehistoric bedrock.

The relics challenge recorded history, but soon after the discovery, Stuart disappears, making him one of several psychometrists who have recently died or vanished without a trace. When Roan comes across a viral video of a young woman who has discovered a priceless pocket watch just by “sensing” it, he knows he has to warn her—but will Melicent Tilpin listen? And can Roan find Stuart before it’s too late?

I was drawn in right away! The summary, the cover, and just the general idea of it. I was for sure a moth to the flame. 

The story follows Roan and Melicent. They were both born with amazing gifts. They both can perceive the past of any object they touch. Melicent's powers are not as good yet, but Roan is pretty good at it. Stuart, Roan's pal, has used his own powers to unearth several out-of-place-artifacts. There is a connection between all of them but what? When Stuart goes missing along with a few others with similar gifts, Roan is forced to figure out what is going on and warn the young Melicent. 

I have always wanted this power or something similar. I love history and antiques. Can you imagine?? That would be amazing. Like all powers, there are cons to having them. 

The whole ooparts is amazing to me and I loved the author's blend of this real-life oddity to the story! 

Roan was fun. I liked him. 

Same with Melicent. I liked her from the beginning. Her little brother was a snotball. Yes, I get the WHYS, but still. I wanted to kick him and shake some sense into him! Sun was awesome and so strong. I wish we had more Sun!

The author was amazing. I was hooked from page one and I didn't want to put it down. The mystery was intriguing and I had my theories but I was wrong. Kuddos to the big twist! It all made sense though. HOW DID I NOT SEE IT? Maybe it was because I really didn't want to? IDK, but I was surprised. Ooooo that baddie. 

The romance aspect seemed a touch forced and I didn't really see the chemistry there, but the romance isn't the main aspect so it wasn't a huge issue.

Overall, I really liked this book. It was super good. The romance aspect was my only little hiccup. Everything else was awesome. The characters, the story, the mystery, the jumps to the past, and the twist at the end. I'll give this a 4! 

Book 11 of 16/25

Book Review: Witchnapped in Westerham by Dionne Lister

Author: Dionne Lister
Title: Witchnapped in Westerham (Paranormal Investigation Bureau #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
Pages: ebook
Published: July 29th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

 All it takes is one morning for Sydney Photographer Lily Bianchi's life to go off the rails and over a cliff. 

A well-dressed English woman turns up at her door, swearing she's a witch. If that’s not crazy enough, she explains Lily’s brother, James, has been kidnapped and the Paranormal Investigation Bureau needs Lily’s help finding him. 

And the craziest part? The Englishwoman tells Lily she's a witch too. Before she can say, “Where’s my coffee?” she’s on a plane bound for Westerham, England. Unfortunately, England’s not as welcoming as she hoped--she's barely arrived before she gets set up, arrested and almost shot. 

Things can only get better from here, right? Yeah, right…

Love a good cozy mystery especially when it is paranormal in nature. This was a freebie so even better ;)

The story follows Lily who is a photographer and just living her life when strange things start happening. Some English lady shows up stating that she is a witch and so is Lily. On top of all of this Lily's brother has been kidnapped. The Paranormal Investigation Bureau, PIB, needs Lily's help to find him. 

Ooooh Lily. Poor thing. She has been experiencing some crazy things since her birthday and now her brother, James, is kidnapped and she has to deal with these powers that came all of a sudden. I liked Lily a lot. She made me laugh! 

This was a quick read and I liked how light this was. It had humor. Sure there is the mystery on hand, but I had no real worries James was dead or anything. It was a pretty easy mystery at a certain point. Quick and light. Just the type of book I needed! 

Even though I liked Lily, I did find it odd how easily she accepted everything. There was some doubt, sure, but she did it in stride pretty easy. This is my only real complaint. Everything else was just cozy. 

Overall, this was a quick and fun read. A nice mystery with some humor and paranormal stuff. I'll give this a 4. 

Book Review: A Doubtful Inheritance by Ted Todd

Author: Ted Todd
Title: A Doubtful Inheritance
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: ebook
Published: March 25th 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

 We first meet the narrator Tim in the 1970s where he attends the Esalen Institute, a quintessential 70s Californian organization designed to help participants on the path to self-awareness. There, Tim comes traumatically face to face with the biggest issue in his life – the disappearance of his beloved father Lajos during WW2. From there the story flashes back to Russia, where, near the war’s end Lajos and brother Andor are the Jewish members of a retreating Hungarian army unit. What follows is a sweeping tale, taking in many settings across the globe - from a Siberian POW camp, through to Vienna, Argentina and Australia. The plot is certainly multi layered and plays out at different time lines between 1945 and the present day. 

This genre is always fun. Taking a biography and putting some fictional aspects to areas that need it. I read one the other day that could technically fall into this category. 

This story follows Tim in the 1970s who has to face the biggest tragedy of his life...the disappearance of his father during WWII. We get some "flashbacks" and POVs of his father during the war. 

So sad, but so full of hope. I felt bad for Tim. I cannot imagine not knowing what really happened to your father and that he is missing. There was one part that really stuck with me. He is going on saying how he is a 30-year-old man who has a good life with kids and a good job. However, he is still haunted by his father's disappearance and how he still feels the void. No matter how old you get or how great your life becomes things like that will forever scar you. That part made me tear up and re-read that part a couple of times, so good. 

I liked the flashbacks and jumping POV. I liked Tim's story, but I really was intrigued by the dad's story. It was sad, but I liked seeing the dad's story. Oooo that war. I wanted more of the dad's story, but the balance did seem to be okay.

I like the philosophical points too. It really rounded out the story and added more feels and makes you think. Yes, the story was good itself, but I like when books make me think and feel. 

Overall, I really recommend this for anyone who likes a people story. Sure, there are some historical aspects since a lot of the book is set in the war. This really makes you think and feel. I'll give this 4 stars. A good one for sure. 

Time for TV Tuesday: The Crown (Season 2)

Recently Finished:

The Crown (Season 2)

Season 1 was pretty good. I enjoyed it and I was dying to get my hands on Season 2. I KNOW what happens next, but I couldn’t wait to watch this interpretation of what happens next. It is always SO fun to compare reality with Hollywood reality. I feel this show has done well so far with the balance of fact and entertainment fact. 

I do love the cast. They do well. I hear rumor they will be replacing everyone with older actors. I will be so sad! They have been a treat. I’ve especially loved the lady who plays the queen herself. Wonderful actress and I hope she does more in the future! 

Phillip is a total asshate and the actor is doing a good job making me be annoyed with him. Phillip gets better for a little while but then when he gets back he becomes an immature brat. Luckily, as we all know, he does become the hubbie the queen needs and deserves. It has taken years, but one scene made me happy. I am still not happy with his treatment to Charles. Poor kid. That episode broke my little heart. He was so bullied and so not happy at that school. I wanted to kick Phillip. The damn security detail was more fatherly to the poor kid. I can see why Charles became what he became…

But anyways, this made me feel more. I felt there was more action and drama then the last one. I really feared for the queen divorcing her hubbie even though I KNOW they don’t. But I was scared. A normal marriage would’ve fallen apart years ago. I’m glad they made it. 
The ending ended well and I would be fine if they did not do another season. Sure, I want to see more, but I felt it ended on a good note. There is more drama ahead but I worry that if they change up the cast to make them older I will not be happy. We shall see….but I am worried. This cast excellent. All of them. No complaints from me. 

OMG! The poor prime ministers. Ugh. I just remembered…they were both so humiliated. Fools though and they should’ve realized they would’ve been tossed under the bus, but you can’t help but feel for them. I especially feel for the one who went to the parody show about him and the other politicians. Yes, it started funny, but then it just got cruel.  Poor guy…between his wife and that….I can see why he seems like a loser and quitter. I would be too. 

What else to say? 

I think my only complaint is the huge time jumps and gaps. I always have to think or look up how long it has been. I wish they would do little “7 months later” or something to indicate how long it has been. The viewer, if not sure of the real history, would be a little confused on why their kids are older now. When the queen and Phillip had a convo about their anniversary I was a little shocked that it has been 10 years!! Umm…mmm. So yes, a little head’s up once in a while would be lovely.

A fun watch. This season was better than the first one I feel. There was a lot of drama within the family and outside of the family. It worked well and made me feel. If they do shake up the cast with older people, I will be worried since I loved this cast so much. I’ll give this season 4 stars. 

Book Review: The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett

Author: Elizabeth Jane Corbett
Title: The Tides Between
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: Oct 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

In the year 1841, on the eve of her departure from London, Bridie's mother demands she forget her dead father and prepare for a sensible adult life in Port Phillip. Desperate to save her childhood, fifteen-year-old Bridie is determined to smuggle a notebook filled with her father's fairy tales to the far side of the world.

When Rhys Bevan, a soft-voiced young storyteller and fellow traveller realises Bridie is hiding something, a magical friendship is born. But Rhys has his own secrets and the words written in Bridie’s notebook carry a dark double meaning.

As they inch towards their destination, Rhys's past returns to haunt him. Bridie grapples with the implications of her dad’s final message. The pair take refuge in fairy tales, little expecting the trouble it will cause.

First of all...I love that cover. I was instantly drawn in to it. It is so beautiful! 

The story follows a few people on a journey to the new world to start new lives away from England. There is Bridie who's father just passed away and she is clinging to his memory and fairy-tales. There is Alf who just married Bridie's mom and is trying to show that all he wants is what is best for the family. Then there is Rhys who is traveling with his preggo wife and is trying to escape his past. 

Birdie needed a swift kick in the butt. Yes, yes, her father is passed away and her mom moved on really quickly. I get it, I do, but she was horrible. So horrible. Yes, the mom did seem to move on really quick, but the dad wasn't the best of people. Nice guy, but not good at supporting his family because he was too concerned drinking and the fairy-tales. But yes...I couldn't stand her. I liked the other characters though. They were fun to read about. 

I loved the fairy-tales that are told. It really added to the story honestly and it was really charming.

This was really slow moving in a lot of spots, but I enjoyed the journey that all these characters took. There was a lot of growth and development on that tiny boat and it was interesting to see even Bridie even though she killed me .However, there were some parts that seemed to drag ooooonnnn and oooonnnnn. 

NOW! That ending was intense and sad, but full of hope all wrapped in one. So good. Made everything worth it. 

In the end, this was a good read about people learning and growing while on a journey to start a new life. I do hope there is a sequel...I am curious to see what happens to these characters next. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Book Review: Make it Count by Tamar Sloan

Author: Tamar Sloan
Title: Make it Count
Genre: YA and paranormal
Pages: ebook
Published: October 10th, 2017
I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

He’s irresistible…but she’s the one person who knows his days are numbered

Casey’s touch can reveal the one thing a person would never want to know — the number of days they have left to live.

By the time Casey turns seventeen she’s learnt to withdraw. But the phobia she fakes in order to avoid human contact is sorely tested by hot, persistent, motorcycle riding PJ. For a girl who craves contact, maple eyed PJ is impossible to resist. When the inevitable happens, when hands, bodies and lips collide, Casey sees PJ's number, one that can only be seen as a cruel twist of fate. 

Now she must decide. Will she continue counting the days of her life, or start living a life that counts?

I was instantly drawn in by the cover and then by the summary. The cover is stunning and the summary is certainly intriguing. 

Casey has always had this little gift of being able to see how many days left someone has before they die. It is for sure a curse in my opinion. There is no positive about it. Sure, she can try and save someone, but it is not guaranteed. She tried once and it failed horribly. 

After a horrible event that she tried her hardest to avoid, she is now a hermit. She has developed a phobia and stays at home. You can't really blame her. I wouldn't want to go out anywhere that could touch people. Her parents finally decide that enough is enough and they are done enabling her because they want her to enjoy her life and have a future outside of being in their house. They take her to a therapy group for fellow kids with phobias. During all this, she meets PJ the hunky motorcyclist.

Things happen and they become an item, but the stinky part is that is days are seriously numbered and Casey has to decide if she should just accept that he will die soon or do something about it. 

I really feel bad for Casey. That is NOT a power I would want. I couldn't stand knowing someone I love or even a strange I brushed against on the street is going to die in 2,000 days or 2 days. It would all be too much. I honestly would become a hermit and never go outside. 

There was some comedy here and there that helped lighten the story, so it wasn't all doom and gloom. I'm glad for some happy moments. 

The writing style was done well. It didn't feel like a YA all the time. There were some very YA moments that were over-the-top, but a ya is still a ya in the end and those moments were bearable since the rest of the book was done well. 

The ending was okay. There some plot holes left open and I feel like there needed to be more of an explanation of a certain event. 

The romance between Casey and PJ was done well. It wasn't insta-love and it wasn't cheesy like some YA romances can be. It was a sweet romance. 

In the end, this was pretty good. Casey and her power were interesting and I connected with her especially with her dislike of cheese. I dislike cold cheese. I don't mind melted cheese, but I used to be like her and HATE all cheeses. But, yes, the story was interesting for sure. Some overly YA spots and there were some things I am still scratching my head about, but I enjoyed this story. I'll give this 4 stars.