The French Kitchen

 

I have read a handful of Kristy Cambron books over the last couple of years and she just gets better and better. 

Her most recent release is The French Kitchen which is a multi-perspective/ timeline WWII historical fiction set in France. I love WWII historical fictions and this is now top of my list. 

Kristy Cambron does such a masterful job of weaving in different timelines and having them meet up perfectly in the end. I'm trying to describe this book and the perspectives, but I can't do them justice. There is spy work, espionage, Nazi's, a missing brother, and a guest appearance by Julia Child. 

We follow two women who fight their way through pre and post war France trying to protect the people and the nations that they love. There is great cooking scenes and two loves stories that will keep you believing in that powerful emotion even in the darkest of times. 

I have found that with Cambron's books, you have to really focus while you are reading as the first 5 or so chapters seem disjointed, but as you continue reading the connections start to be revealed and the puzzle starts to take shape. I listen to books while I exercise and with Cambron's, you need to sit down and concentrate on the story, characters, plot, etc. In the end, it is SOOOO worth it! Trust me. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The French Kitchen

The Lost Year

When I started hearing reviews about The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh, I thought to myself that I wasn't going to read it because one of the timelines was during Covid. I had lived through that and didn't need to read about it, thank you very much! 

I kept hearing fabulous review after fabulous review, so I looked into it more. When I found out it was about the 1930's famine in Ukraine (a part of the world that has held my heart for many years) I decided to give it a try, and now this book is probably one of my favorite, not only from this year, but top ten favorites of all time! I guess the moral of the story here is not to judge a book by the pandemic! 

This story is about cousins on the opposite side of the world during a devastating famine that left Soviet Ukraine in a dire and life-altering  situations. 

It is like nothing I have ever read before. It has multiple time lines and a family story that will leave you trying to catch your breath at the revelations within it's pages. This is a truly remarkable, beautiful story of family and the power of stories! 

Please read this book as it is breath-takingly poetic! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copy here: The Lost Year

Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Series (5 books)

I love mystery series. I don't care what age they are for, I will read them! The Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series is one that I enjoyed every single book in the 5 book set! 

Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce is book 1 where we are introduced to 12 year old, Myrtle Hardcastle, her teacher, Miss Ada Judson, her father, Mr. Hardcastle and their cat, Peony. Set in Victorian England, this series is full of interesting side characters, fast-paced mysteries and a spunky young sleuth who isn't afraid to get dirty, even when Miss Judson begs her to behave like a little lady. 

Each book in the series is perfect for any aged reader who loves a good mystery like I do. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your copies here:  

Myrtle Hardcastle Box Set

Premeditated Myrtle

A Rover's Story

 

Now, this isn't my normal read. I'm not a robot person (unless its R2-D2 or BB-8), but I had heard and read so many great reviews on A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga that I just had to try it out. I'm also trying to read more books that my young male students might enjoy. I am so glad I took a chance on this book because it was fabulous and completely adorable! 

The reader sees through the eyes of Resilience, a Mars rover being built and prepared for a mission to the planet Mars. Res walks us through the process of getting ready, landing on Mars and what all the incredible scientists have to do to get a mission like this up, running and continuing to run. 

You fall in love with Res, Fly (his drone helicopter friend), and all the scientists that are working on the project. This book helps readers see how important team work is and how when we work together, great things happen. 

I have a young tutoring client who found out that I was reading it and he said, "Miss Emily! We are so reading that next!" I told him that its officially on our, to read next, list! 😄 

I really hope you enjoy this as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ!

Grab your own copy here: A Rover's Story

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

 

One of my tutoring clients showed me his, Battle of the Books, list for this school year. He told me he has a goal to read as many as he could. I told him I would read them too so we could talk about them afterwards so he could be extra prepared for battle of the books. One of those books was The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney.  

Eben McAllister lives in Sassafras Springs where nothing happens. He wants to see the world and, especially, the seven wonders of the world he learned about in school. Sassafras Springs only has rows and rows of crops! His dad challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras Springs within a week. If he does, Ebens dad will send him to Colorado to visit family. Eben takes on this challenge with excitement and glee! 

Throughout the week, Eben finds wonders that he never thought possible from people that he was scared to talk to previously. People that, to others, were aloof or strange. 

This book is sweet and wholesome and just plain good. It helps readers see that the outside appearance everyone sees isn't what's on the inside of a person and that we all have stories from our past. This book was just a joy to read. It is on the shorter side, so even reluctant readers or readers who struggle can finish it and feel accomplished. It is a great read for the whole family! 

I hope you enjoy. 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

Homer on the Case

 

One of my favorite things to do is shop the rows of the library for new reads. That's where I found Homer on the Case by Henry Cole. I had read other books by Henry Cole and really enjoyed them, so I decided to give it a try! It was such a cute story, I was glad it came home with me from the library. 

Homer is a homing pigeon that loves to read detective comics from the newspaper. While flying around the local park he sees a group of devious animals stealing from humans. The local police are stumped by the thefts and only Homer and his new friend, Lulu, the talking parrot, can solve the mystery and return all the stolen goods. 

This is such a sweet, fun story that is perfect for animal lovers of all ages. It is on the shorter side which is nice to help kiddos finish it quickly and feel accomplished with themselves because they finished a book! It's great for the whole family. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Now, go and READ!

Grab your own copy here: Homer on the Case

Beyond Ivy Walls

Rachel Fordham is one of my favorite clean romance authors! Beyond the Ivy Walls was released in 2024 and it is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorite movies. 

We follow Otis Taylor, a self-inflicted recluse. He hides so no one can see his scars and think less of his families name. When a mysterious message about a long lost family member comes into his possession he has to face his worst fear: stepping back out into society. He will do anything to find his family! He crosses paths with Sadie West, a spunky, hard-working woman who helps him find peace in the situation around him. Not only with himself, but also with his family and the past that still haunts them all. 

Fordham's books are the perfect blend of romance, whit and even some historical elements. I have read all of her work and have enjoyed all but one... we can talk about that later 😊 

All of her books are stand alone novels with beautiful story-lines and great endings. 

I hope you enjoy! 

Now, go and READ! 

Grab your own copy here: Beyond Ivy Walls