Review: Sisters of Heart & Snow

Sisters of Heart and Snow by Margaret Dilloway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The award-winning author of How to Be an American Housewife returns with a poignant story of estranged sisters, forced together by family tragedy, who soon learn that sisterhood knows no limits.

Rachel and Drew Snow may be sisters, but their lives have followed completely different paths.

Married to a wonderful man and a mother to two strong-minded teens, Rachel hasn’t returned to her childhood home since being kicked out by her strict father after an act of careless teenage rebellion. Drew, her younger sister, followed her passion for music but takes side jobs to make ends meet and longs for the stability that has always eluded her. Both sisters recall how close they were, but the distance between them seems more than they can bridge. When their deferential Japanese mother, Hikari, is diagnosed with dementia and gives Rachel power of attorney, Rachel’s domineering father, Killian becomes enraged.

In a rare moment of lucidity, Hikari asks Rachel for a book in her sewing room, and Rachel enlists her sister’s help in the search. The book—which tells the tale of real-life female samurai Tomoe Gozen, an epic saga of love, loss, and conflict during twelfth-century Japan—reveals truths about Drew and Rachel’s relationship that resonate across the centuries, connecting them in ways that turn their differences into assets.

--My thoughts. We have past and present of two sisters and then a warrior, Tomoe Gozen. I enjoyed learning about Tomoe and the history. As always, Dilloway did an excellent job with this, weaving the past and present so seamlessly, I couldn't get enough. I loved the sisters, Drew with her carelessness or so it seemed, and then responsible Rachel.

I love how Dilloway brings her own background in each time for stories. I am a huge fan, and each time she just gets better and better. This one is so amazing, I think each sister, and Tomoe came away knowing a bit more about themselves and maybe more about the past-- I love that moment in a book when you say ahah, that is what the title means.

Killian has such a dark presence in this book at times though you just want to shake him and the mother. What a time to live in. Brilliant, just fabulous beyond words. Must read!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: Before the Storm

Before the Storm by Steena Holmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fans of Jodi Picoult and Elin Hilderbrand will fall in love with this new series that sets the stage for her upcoming novel, Stillwater Rising, from NY Times bestselling author Steena Holmes.

Before the first shots are fired within the walls of Stillwater Elementary School, life went on as normal for five women who were close friends. Their monthly girls' night was coming up and they couldn't wait to get together. They all needed this night to run away and be carefree - from their husbands, their children, their church - with no expectations, no responsibilities, where they weren't mothers or wives.

No one expected their lives to be torn apart, their friendships tested in one short minute when their town is rocked by a danger lurking in their tight-knit community. I can't wait to read more about Stillwater and all the inhabitants and find out how each come to terms with what is left of the devastation and violence and the decisions each one has made.

This novella gives you a glimpse into the town of Stillwater Bay and its residents. You will see what their lives were like BEFORE the storm that rocked their little community descended upon them.

This is a novella and comes before Stillwater Rising and a portion of proceeds from this novella will be donated to KidsPeace.org to help stop school violence.

--My thoughts. I love Stillwater even more after reading this one. I love each lady even more now, reading a little bit of background, setting it up. Having read Stillwater Rising first, and now Before the Storm second. Sigh, each lady is so good, I couldn't possibly pick a favorite now. Each lady is complicated and woven together so wonderfully I sigh with each page turned.

You will get the background on Gabriel, you will be sad when the last page comes, wanting more and it ended way too soon for me. This has no happy ending, as it doesn't in real life either. How can we not want to read this book and realize we can't hide from this? Also, this book is wonderful purchase, since the proceeds go towards kidspeace.org... happy reading!!!



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Review: Stillwater Rising

Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After losing her son in an elementary school shooting that devastates the tight-knit community of Stillwater Bay, Jennifer Crowne finds herself unable to settle back into her role of perfect stay-at-home mom and committee organizer. Meanwhile, her best friend, Mayor Charlotte Stone, struggles to keep the town together, and Charlotte’s husband, the school principal, may not be the hero everyone thinks him to be.

As they try to heal from this irrevocable trauma, Jenn and Charlotte find themselves at a crossroads—within the town and within their friendship. For Jenn, broken and grieving, there is no going back, and she demands that the school be closed so that she can bury the past. Yet Charlotte is equally desperate to hold the town together, fighting the school closure and helping the shooter’s mother regain her place in the community. Jenn and Charlotte’s relationship is put to the ultimate test as each weighs her own interests against the bonds of their friendship.

-- My thoughts. Told in several different voices, we learn lots, and there is one sure mystery. This is a tragedy we have to deal with these days. It really makes you think about what would you do. Holmes does this in an excellent way, weaving a tale that makes you want more of Stillwater, more of its inhabitants, more of the small town and everything even if it is bad.

I can understand the anger Jennifer had towards Julia. I also understand the feeling that you look back and wonder what you could have done to stop it, seen signs. But we have to move on. I like when she goes to the beach and then sees the anger that Merrill's husband has. Charlotte is the mayor and she is just trying to be the glue and keep everyone together. I love the coffee shop, I hope it is included more...

Great storyline, Holmes is a fabulous storyteller and I think you will come to love Stillwater and it will end way too quickly and I can't wait for the next part!



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Review: The Dress Shop of Dreams

The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna van Praag

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.

Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.

--My thoughts. Breathtaking. You have a main story going on here. Cora and Walt. Cora being a nerdy scientist who's parents died in a fire and Walt owns a bookstore and neither can see the forest for the trees. Then you have the grandmother, who owns the dress shop, and it does fantastic brilliant things when you come in. The music plays, so magical! I wish I had a grandma like Etta! The cakes, I drank some Maraschino cherry tea while reading this book, it went so fantastic with the chocolate cherry cakes they were eating!

Just the way Praag writes is so fantastic and out of this world, I can't get enough. You have lots of other characters, and there is a mystery, did Cora's parents really just die in the fire or were they possibly murdered? Grandmother Etta has her own secret too. Will Cora and Walt be able to make the love connection or does this world have other people for them? Each character you come to love, I can't say one is my favorite more than the other.

Read it today, let Praag put her spell on you!

I received a copy of this book electronically from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: Mercy Snow

Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In the tiny town of Titan Falls, New Hampshire, the paper mill dictates a quiet, steady rhythm of life. But one day a tragic bus accident sets two families on a course toward destruction, irrevocably altering the lives of everyone in their wake.

June McAllister is the wife of the local mill owner and undisputed first lady in town. But the Snow family, a group of itinerant ne'er-do-wells who live on a decrepit and cursed property, have brought her -- and the town -- nothing but grief.

June will do anything to cover up a dark secret she discovers after the crash, one that threatens to upend her picture-perfect life, even if it means driving the Snow family out of town. But she has never gone up against a force as fierce as the young Mercy Snow. Mercy is determined to protect her rebellious brother, whom the town blames for the accident, despite his innocence. And she has a secret of her own. When an old skeleton is discovered not far from the crash, it beckons Mercy to solve a mystery buried deep within the town's past.

--My thoughts. Everyone knows that the Snows are trouble. So when Mercy, her brother and her little sister show up in town and then the crash happens, it is only probably the thing to do to blame it on him right? But, I think there is more going on in Tital Falls than meets the eye. June is not a nice lady. She is a mitten hiding, briber and nasty woman in my opinion. I love this book! You can smell the mill on your clothes. I used to live close to a mill and it stinks, so I am very familiar with it. Tiffany is a master at storytelling and she did an excellent job with each character. I love Hazel too. Her and her sugar babies! You must read this book. Come join us at shereads.org as we read it this winter and our other books too!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: The Unveiled Wife

The Unveiled Wife: Embracing Intimacy with God and Your Husband by Jennifer Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As a young bride, Jennifer Smith couldn't wait to build her life with the man she adored. She dreamed of closeness, of being fully known and loved by her husband. But the first years of marriage were nothing like she'd imagined. Instead, they were marked by disappointment and pain, as Jennifer and her husband struggled to become physically intimate. Trapped by fear and insecurity, and feeling totally alone, Jennifer cried out to God: "What am I doing wrong? Why is this happening to us?" It was as if a veil had descended between her and her husband, and between her and God--one that kept her from experiencing the fullness of love.How did Jennifer and her husband survive the painful times? What did they do when they were tempted to call it quits? How did God miraculously step in during the darkest hour to rescue and redeem them, tearing down the veil once and for all? "The Unveiled Wife" is a real-life love story; one couple's refreshingly raw, transparent journey touching the deep places in a marriage that only God can reach. If you are feeling disappointment or even despair about your marriage, the heart-cry of this book is: "You are not alone." Discover through Jennifer's story how God can bring you through it all to a place of transformation.

--My thoughts. I have followed the Unveiled Wife and the Husband Revolution for a long time! A huge fan! I love how Jennifer can be so open and honest. This world needs more people like them! I really enjoyed how she was so open with us in this book. Each chapter is short, with questions and thoughts for you to really think about your own story and life.

I love how they have come to the place of being unveiled, but of course nobody has "arrived". If you can catch the trailer for this book, do. You will love it. I also highly recommend her first book, Wife After God. Lovely devotions. Jenn is just amazing woman of God and lovely lady in all!!! I highly recommend her blog too!

I received an ebook from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.



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Review: The Wednesday Group

The Wednesday Group by Sylvia True

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Gail. Hannah. Bridget. Lizzy. Flavia. Each of them has a shameful secret, and each is about to find out that she is not alone… Gail, a prominent Boston judge, keeps receiving letters from her husband’s latest girlfriend, while her husband, a theology professor, claims he’s nine-months sober from sex with grad students. Hannah, a homemaker, catches her husband having sex with a male prostitute in a public restroom. Bridget, a psychiatric nurse at a state hospital, is sure she has a loving, doting spouse, until she learns that he is addicted to chat rooms and match-making websites. Lizzy, a high school teacher, is married to a porn addict, who is withdrawn and uninterested in sex with her. Flavia was working at the Boston Public library when someone brought her an article that stated her husband had been arrested for groping a teenage girl on the subway. He must face court, and Flavia must decide if she wants to stay with him. Finally, Kathryn, the young psychologist running the group, has as much at stake as all of the others.

As the women share never-before-uttered secrets and bond over painful truths, they work on coming to terms with their husbands’ addictions and developing healthy boundaries for themselves. Meanwhile, their outside lives become more and more intertwined, until, finally, a series of events forces each woman to face her own denial, betrayal and uncertain future head-on.

From author Sylvia True comes The Wednesday Group, a captivating, moving novel about friendship, marriage, and the bonds that connect us all.

--My thoughts. Well, all the ladies were super interesting. Some I loved better than others. Of course I am sure we all thought that. They all grew on me, don't get me wrong! Gail, at first she drives you nuts. But by the end, you love her! This isn't a happy go lucky story, by any means. But it is life. If you think this book is really about sex addiction, it isn't. It is about being there for friends, and really what choices these ladies are going to make for themselves.

Hard to believe this is Sylvia's first book. She did a fantastic job! You have clearly a book that will stick with you for awhile. Even the cover is outstanding! I was kind of bummed that a couple of the ladies stories ended soon, hence the four stars. and it was just kind of left hanging. That is a book for you I guess but for me, I am like, no way! So, I am very glad that I read it. I look forward to seeing more, this is an author that you want to keep an eye on. I can't wait to see what she will be up to in the future!

This book will be excellent discussion in groups, seeing what other ladies think, because we all probably have views about what they should have done. In reality though, it isn't that easy. Life is messy. I think my favorite is Hannah, and maybe it was just because we got to know her the most. Maybe True will do more books about these ladies. I don't know. I am excited to see what she does next!



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