Susanna Kearsley is back doing what she does best—serving up rich historical fiction with a side of slow-burn romance and just a sprinkle of second sight. The King’s Messenger is set in 1613, after the death of Prince Henry, heir to King James I. Rumors swirl the prince was poisoned, and Andrew Logan, one of the King’s Messengers (who’s hiding his own mystical secret), is sent north to arrest Sir David Moray, a close friend of the late prince. Phoebe Westaway is dragged into the mission to assist her aging father, who’s acting as the trip’s scribe. She’s not a fan of Andrew—at all—but over the course of the dangerous […]
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Heartache, Hope, and Healing, Along Route 66
4.5 stars Vanessa Miller tackles a brutal chapter of American history with honesty and heart in The Filling Station. Sisters Margaret and Evelyn flee the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, finding refuge at the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66. Miller shines a necessary spotlight on Greenwood, Oklahoma, and its violent destruction, a tragic event overlooked by many history books. Margaret, practical and cautious, struggles with shattered faith. Evelyn dreams of escape and a brighter future. Both women feel vividly real, their flaws and strength equally believable. Miller carefully shows how trauma shapes them differently, making their journey toward healing messy but meaningful. Some plot points land predictably, yet strong character […]
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A Heartwarming Guide to Prayer for Kids
This sweet picture book is a gentle and thoughtful introduction to prayer that kids (and their grown-ups) will love. In All the Things I Say to God, little Abby wonders if she can pray to God all by herself. What follows is a tender, faith-filled journey as she learns that prayer doesn’t need to be fancy or follow rules—it’s just talking to God, anytime, anywhere, about anything. The message is simple and powerful: God is always listening. Whether you’re thankful, scared, joyful, or quiet—He’s there. The illustrations by Anita Schmidt are soft and lovely, and they perfectly match the calm, inviting tone of the story. When I read and review […]
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A Game-Changing Guide to Business Influence and Innovation
In Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation, leadership expert Mike Mears takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the science of influence, offering practical strategies to create workplaces that hum with energy and innovation. With a background that includes founding the CIA Leadership Academy, Mears brings a wealth of real-world experience and insider knowledge to the table. And no, you don’t need to be a spy to use these techniques—his insights apply to leaders in any industry. The book’s central premise? Great leadership isn’t about fighting human nature—it’s about working with it. Instead of pushing against the brain’s natural instincts, Mears shows how to harness […]
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Under the Golden Sun Shines with Love, Resilience, and a Stunning Australian Setting
Jenny Ashcroft’s Under the Golden Sun is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a breathtaking historical novel filled with love, resilience, and the beauty of second chances. From the moment we meet Rose Hamilton, a young woman searching for purpose, we’re swept away on an unforgettable journey from war-torn England to the sun-drenched landscapes of Australia. Tasked with escorting young orphan Walter to his family, Rose embarks on an adventure that reshapes her understanding of love and belonging. Walter, with his heartbreaking past, is more than just a child in her care—their bond is deeply moving. The novel beautifully captures their shared sorrows and joys, as well as the rich customs and […]
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Ambitious WWII Novel Falls Short of Its Potential
M.B. Henry’s All the Lights Above Us aims to capture the chaos and courage of D-Day through the perspectives of five women from vastly different backgrounds. The novel gives a unique take on the historic invasion by focusing on a single day, June 6, 1944, but ultimately, it falls short of being a standout in the crowded WWII historical fiction genre. The premise is intriguing: a Nazi propagandist questioning her choices, a resistance fighter seeking her parents, a Gestapo officer planning betrayal, a medical volunteer overwhelmed by casualties, and a British woman forced to house enemy soldiers. Their experiences highlight the vast reach of the war and the moral dilemmas […]
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A Doggone Wild Ride: Love, Loss, and Mayhem in Three Wild Dogs
Markus Zusak, best known for The Book Thief, turns his storytelling skills toward real life in Three Wild Dogs, a memoir about the joy and chaos of adopting three unruly rescue pups. From biting piano teachers to breaking bones to—yes—killing the family cat, Reuben, Archer, and Frosty bring love, destruction, and plenty of trouble into the Zusak household. This book had me laughing out loud one moment and near tears the next. Zusak’s writing is, as expected, top-notch—he can make training disasters feel poetic and losing a pet feel like the end of the world. But while his storytelling is strong, the book felt too long for its 240 pages, […]
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A Journey Through Love and Loss in Venice
Rhys Bowen’s The Venice Sketchbook is an emotional dual-timeline novel filled with love, loss, and hidden truths. When Caroline Grant’s beloved great-aunt Lettie passes away, she leaves behind a cryptic inheritance—a sketchbook, three keys, and one last word: “Venice.” As Caroline embarks on a journey to scatter Lettie’s ashes in the city she loved, she uncovers a decades-old story of passion and sacrifice. In 1938, art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in Venice, reconnecting with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves but cannot have. As war looms over Europe, impossible circumstances test their star-crossed romance, forcing Juliet to make heart-wrenching choices. The novel weaves together Caroline’s modern-day search for answers […]
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Unraveling the Past: A Necklace, a Mystery, and a WWII-Era Parisian Department Store
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Pam Jenoff’s Last Twilight in Paris blends historical mystery and wartime drama, following Louise, a British housewife in 1953, who stumbles upon a necklace in a secondhand shop. The charm stirs memories of her Red Cross days in Nazi-occupied Europe and the mysterious death of her friend Franny. Determined to uncover the truth, Louise’s search leads her to Paris and the dark history of Lévitan—a once-grand department store turned Nazi work camp. In a parallel timeline, Helaine, a young Jewish woman, struggles to survive in Lévitan after being separated from her husband during the German invasion. Their stories intertwine as secrets long buried surface. […]
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A Librarian’s Deadly Past Resurfaces in This Gritty Historical Thriller
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 Allen Eskens’ latest standalone novel, The Quiet Librarian is a gripping, dual-timeline thriller that explores war, survival, and the price of vengeance. The novel follows Hana Babic, a quiet librarian in Minnesota, who has spent decades hiding from her past as Nura Divjak, a teenage soldier-turned-legendary assassin during the Bosnian War. When her best friend is murdered, Hana realizes she’s being hunted, forcing her to resurrect the ruthless warrior she once was. Eskens doesn’t hold back in his portrayal of war-torn Bosnia, detailing the horrors Nura endured and the choices that shaped her. The historical sections are the strongest, offering compelling storytelling and emotional […]
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