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In 1928 Europe the future looks bleak so Lena and her family endure a grueling sea voyage to the land of opportunity only to have her mother and brother turned away at Ellis Island. Lena and her infant daughter Ella are set to work for an uncle taking care of his house and children but she is unprepared for life in the close knit mountain community. While they are not starving there are dangers from the government of being found unworthy of becoming an American. A growing cult based on a fake science called Eugenics are taking children away from families and sterilizing women they feel aren't worthy of reproducing. The real horrors of land grabs, forced institutionalizing and families being ripped apart are well illustrated resulting in the reader shaking their head in disbelief that this happened. A sad part of our history comes to light but also a bit of hope. 4 1/2 stars 
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Two women in Scotland from different backgrounds are tied together spiritually. Lottie loses her husband to a mining accident and is tossed into an asylum when she demands his death benefits rather aggressively. Nairna and her father travel from town to town where he peddles his daughter's psychic abilities and tarot readings. Lottie reaches out to Nairna through visions pleading for help as Nairna becomes well known as Nora. This is multilayered historical fiction that speaks to women's troubles on many levels. In 1900 women had few rights and were frequently tossed into asylums where they faced horrible treatment. Women's rage is shown here as psychic energy and usually directed at men who controlled them. The Spiritualist Movement was very popular and people from all walks of life had their palms read or went to seances to contact loved ones. These women found a way to unleash that power and gain control of their lives. Readers of mystical stories of strong women like WHEN WOMEN WERE DRAGONS will enjoy this. 4 stars  What happens when your country is overrun almost overnight by German soldiers, the government and royalty held hostage while your neighbors and friends are persecuted? The tiny country of Denmark found a way to fight back using ordinary citizens that fueled a grassroots underground movement to bomb, sabotage and defy under the nose of the Nazi regime. Under great danger to themselves and loved ones these students, housewives, fishermen and more became bomb experts, spies and orchestrated the transport by boat of almost all of Denmark's jewish citizens to safety in Sweden. Many perished in prison camps or firing squad but this book highlights page after page of amazing acts of heroism by civilians. The author does an excellent job of storytelling so we get a glimpse into the lives of the people involved and not just dates and events. This will appeal to readers of war stories and acts of bravery by unsung heroes. 4 stars  Audrey needs to dry out her handful of a movie star mom so they head to the compound on remote Winthrop Island. Audrey also needs a getaway so she doesn't have to deal with her soon to be ex husband who took off leaving her with no money and all the business bills. Being on the island also means reconnecting with the dad she hasn't seen in years. The island's historic shipwreck plays a supporting role in telling the story of a young woman on the run, a stolen painting and the man on her trail tasked with bringing her in for murder. This dual story has everything you want in a Beatriz Williams novel - fascinating characters, a multilayered plot and witty dialogue with a sizzle of romance and a hint of danger. Her fans will not be disappointed as well as readers of Kate Quinn and Deanna Raybourn. 4 1/2 stars  Clara is released from prison to pose as the prince's fiancee and new student in his Arcana Academy of magic. She needs to find her sister and he needs her to ink magic tarot cards. Battling houses within the academy making everyone a potential enemy and her revulsion/attraction to Prince Kaelis weigh heavily on Clara. First, she must compete for a place in the academy and convince the king of their couple status. This checks all the boxes we look for in a fantasy series - a fake (but is it really) romance, political upheaval, magic abilities and a fair amount of twists, knots and unraveling secret threads. First in a series this will resonate with readers of FOURTH WING and NINTH HOUSE. 4 stars  Jet is having a really crappy week. She "sort of " survived being murdered only to find she has a week before she will die from a complication. This doesn't give her much time to solve her murder. Along with her devoted best childhood friend Billy, she sets out to interview leads and maybe a bit of breaking and entering all under the nose of the small town cops who think they have the suspect. Jet is whip smart and Billy is the human version of a devoted basset hound but can they really do this in time without the killer catching on? The snarky writing is a delight even though it is a really sad book. Jet's slightly caustic character and her family's status as big fish in the small town pond mean they might have a few enemies. This story of small town secrets and misunderstood characters with big hearts will resonate with readers of Chris Whitaker and the added dose of humor does much to lighten the load. 4 1/2 stars  A WWII story that combines strong women who are wartime heroes behind the scenes, a bit of mysticism and second sight and the threat of Nazis finding the Bayeux Tapestry and its potential powers. A set of sisters both helping the war effort, both in great danger and an interesting side story. The thing that sets this historical wartime story apart from others is the element of psychic abilities but it does not add enough to the story to detour diehard historical fans. A little bit like MONUMENTS MEN and a Dan Brown novel this will appeal to readers of historical fiction that feature women and a bit of magic. 3 1/2 stars  Julia is a recent widow who has just inherited a crumbling villa and vineyard in Tuscany from an unknown benefactor. Her astrological forecast calls for change but what she finds are more questions than answers about her connection to the woman who left the estate to her , the village isn't thrilled with her being there, a realtor is pushing for a quick sale and she begins to experience nightmares and ghost sightings. Is Julia fated to pick up where Signora Rossi left off and is there a handsome man in her future? This is a psychological thriller with a hint of haunted house and more twists and turns than a speeding Ducati on a winding road through the Tuscan hillside. 4 stars  What seemed as a harmless pretend relationship turns into much more for both the millionaire Declan and his housekeeper Abi. Declan has been pushed into pretending to have a girlfriend and when he is caught after his parents accidentally meet Abi who stayed at her employer's apartment knowing he was out of town. Both decide this could be a beneficial limited partnership that gets Declan the job boost he needs and Abi out of student loan debt. It is a fun Cinderella romp that has Abi trading a mop for evening gowns and Declan gets out of his straitjacket work life and into something more frustrating. Great wit, snark and characters you can root for. The perfect beach read for fans of Emily Henry and Ali Hazelwood. 4 stars  A group of college kids from all over arrive in Australia for a month long credited program. From the first night tempers and personalities clash, jealousy erupts and the drama continues until one of them disappears. Fast forward a decade later and a body has been found with the police in Sydney wanting to talk to the group once again. They all come back to the scene of the crime with some trying to hide and some trying to find justice for their friend. Of course, tempers flare, old attractions rekindle and violence follows them. The beauty and vastness of Australia takes center stage with the dangers in this cat and mouse game. Keeps you on your toes til the last page. A great vacation read as long as you don't venture off the path or go out by yourself into the dark night. 4 stars  |
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