The Paris Library – A Novel – Written by Janet Skeslien Charles - 5 Stars

 This was a most compelling read. It’s a book rich with the history and stories of true characters who lived and worked at the American Library in Paris during World War II. Most of them librarians and their lives as they spun out during that time, many of them very brave as they worked so hard to share books with their members. This novel connects Odile Souchet as her life plays out in Paris during this time, and her life after the war when she meets her neighbor a young girl (Lily) who has a love of language as she does, in Montana 1983. The book spends much time going back and forth from Paris 1939’s Odile and her story with Lily in Montana 1983. The book is rich with the history of the time, the war, the people and literature. It really does teach a lot about the consequences of our choices and how they effect ourselves and those around us. The novel has a lot to teach us, it’s one of those books you may want to go back and read again to make sure you didn’t miss anything!

I received this novel in the kindle format through NetGalley.com. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #TheParisLibrary #NetGalley

Description as found on NetGalley.com -
Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places

The Key To Love by Betsy St. Amant – 4 Stars – Netgalley.com

 

Kind of a quirky romance set mostly in a bakery where Bri Duval works for two aging owners. She hopes she’ll be able to keep the bakery after they no longer wish to work, she doesn’t dream of going anywhere other than that bakery and she wants to live a love life like that of her parents who are deceased.  She’s had them on a pedestal for years.  Then a handsome travel writer for Trek Magazine rolls into town to write about the bakery and the lovelock wall she created behind the bakery that mimic’s that of the famous Parisian one.  She created that to help the struggling bakery, and as an homage to her parents and their love story that played out in Paris so many years ago.

The writer Gerard Fortier didn’t want to write this story but he does want to get his promotion so he’ll do as he’s told and get the story even though he seems to not like sweets, or Bri Duval, or so he tells himself.  This is an unexpectedly sweet romance with two people who keep telling themselves they have no attraction to each other.  You’ll have to read the story which has many good things to say about itself to find out how things work out.  I recommend it, if you are looking for something that’s somewhat of a sweet diversion in your otherwise boring pandemic day.

I received this book in kindle format from NetGalley.  I was not required to give a review or a positive review, the words and opinions of this book are my own freely given.  #TheKeyToLove #NetGalley

The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.

Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing.

You Can’t Catch Me – Catherine McKenzie - 5 Stars

This book grabs you from the first page and you want to keep reading until the last.  It kind of sits in your brain and you keep thinking about it once it’s ended.  The characters were well written and interesting and the mystery and suspense were there as well.  Catherine McKenzie hasn’t ever let me down, at least not yet in any of her books.  They were always a great yarn and delivered as promised.  I absolutely recommend this book to those who love a good mystery!

I received this book free in the kindle format from NetGalley.com.  I wasn’t required to write a review positive or otherwise.  The opinions expressed are my own freely given.  #YouCantCatchMe.  #NetGalley.

 

A riveting new novel of suspense about a disgraced young journalist caught up in a grifter’s game, and the trail of identically named victims she uncovers, from the instant bestselling author of I’ll Never Tell and The Good Liar.

Assumed identities. A con game. Unwitting victims.

After being fired from her investigative journalism job for plagiarism, Jessica Williams is looking for a break from the constant press coverage. She decides to escape for a week to a resort in Mexico boasting no connections to the outside world. While waiting at the airport for her flight, she encounters a woman with the exact same name, who she dubs Jessica Two. Drawn together by the coincidence, they play a game of twenty questions to see what other similarities they share, and exchange contact information.

A week later, Jessica returns home and discover that large cash withdrawals have been made from her bank account. Security footage from the bank confirms her suspicions—Jessica Two has stolen her money. She goes to the police, only to be told that the crime is a low priority. Frustrated, she meets up with a trusted old friend, Liam, who is an investigator. When the two Google “Jessica Williams,” they get thousands of hits—Jessica was the most popular girl’s name in 1990 and Williams is almost as ubiquitous as Smith. Convinced that this isn’t the first time this scam has been run, Jessica is determined to catch the imposter, and writes a Facebook post hoping to chase down some of Jessica Two’s other victims. When she gets a number of responses, she sets a plan in motion to catch the thief, encountering a string of identically named victims along the way.

Then, the threatening messages start arriving.

Filled with incredible twists and turns, You Can’t Catch Me is a tantalizing, character-driven exploration of how far people will go to get revenge.

Looking For a Cowboy by Donna Grant – NetGalley – 5 Stars

This book had suspense, romance, passion, and great characters!  I loved the book.  It was a very fast read. Kind of edge of your seat in places.  I was disappointed when the story ended.  I believe there will be a follow up to the book.  I would buy it! I gave this book 5 Stars!

I received this book at no cost through NetGalley.com in the kindle format.  I wasn’t required to write a review nor was I paid to do so. The words I wrote about the book were my own and freely given.
#LookingForACowboy. #NetGalley

Description

A cowboy finds love in the most unlikely place in New York Times bestseller Donna Grant's newest Heart of Texas novel, Looking for a Cowboy.

A beautiful stranger has come to Clearview, asking questions that are nobody’s business. Cooper Owens also wasn’t born yesterday. He knows that this out-of-towner is hiding a dark secret of her own. Much as he knows he should head in the other direction, he can’t make himself turn away. . .

P.I. Marlee Frampton always wanted to lead a nice quiet life, working as a cop in her local police department. But that dream came to an end when her sister was murdered—and her baby kidnapped. Now Marlee’s come to Texas to investigate the Harpers, who may be linked to shady adoption agencies. Cooper can’t believe that his friends could be involved in anything so sinister...and soon he makes it his mission to help Marlee discover the truth—and keep her safe in his arms.

“Filled with passion, suspense, and strong characters.”—Rendezvous with Romance on My Favorite Cowboy (5 stars)