Book Review: The Daughters of Palatine Hill

The Daughters of Palatine Hill, by Phyllis T. Smith, is a historical fiction which takes place during the time of Caesar Augustus. Smith brought this time to life. I generally have a difficult time embracing this time period but not with the pictures that Smith was able to place in my mind.

The story's main characters include the emperor's last wife, the woman he loves, and his only daughter, and the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The last one was held in Rome.

The setting was so vivid as was the culture of the time.

I had a difficult time picking it up, because of the previous mentioned bias, but once I picked it up, the author whetted my appetite so much I had a difficult time putting it back down. This is a great book for any love of historical fiction or of this time period.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons

Christie Purifoy takes the reader on a year-long journey towards making their house their home. In Roots & Sky Purifoy share her trip as she looks for a sense of roots and belonging. She moves to a Victorian farmhouse called Maplehurst. She wanted to create a place where neighbors, friends and her family feel like they belong.

The details that she records are so amazing, both visually and audibly. Through this book the reader can see what they can do to help make this journey also. I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Revelle in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review: Melvin Invents Music

It's 3200 B.C. and Melvin creates "music." Others don't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as Melvin so they send him to a home for wayward children. The children here have similar "problems." All the children here decide to make Melvin's music even more special by creating different instruments they have created.

I love this book and I cannot wait to share it with my granddaughter. She is little Miss Music and I know that she will love it as much as I did.

I was given Melvin Invents Music

by NetGalley and CBay Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Glass Castle

Avery was kidnapped on her thirteenth birthday and taken to a castle where there were other thirteen-year-old children from the kingdom. It seems that every castle in the area had dark secrets and Avery needs to find out what these are so she can find her father and brother.

The authors attracted me to the book originally. I knew that I would be drawn in and feel like the I was in the story. They did not disappoint, I felt like I was in the story and the events were surrounding me. The characters were so well-developed and there is enough mystery to keep its audience engaged.

I feel like this book would be enjoyed by a wide audience, including middle school children.

I was given this book by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: A Girl's Guide to Moving On

In A Girl's Guide to Moving On, Nichole is trying to survive life after her husband was unfaithful. She has to try to figure out how to manage a son, new, job and volunteering while living day by day. She meet a man who is nothing like her husband while showing his skill as a parent and friend. Partway through the story, Nichole's husband decides to win Nichole back. Now she has so many choices facing her.

Debbie Macomber has a way of pulling me in to her stories so that I do not want to put them down. She is such a gifted wordsmith and I cannot wait for each book she writes.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Cook Book Review: Love Fed

I have been trying to eat more sensibly lately, so when this book came along I decided to try it and I am glad that I did. The author has a blog, and she is a creator of many wonderful recipes.

Included in this book are recipes for food such as mint brownies, which are heavenly, sauces, cakes, ice cream and so much more. It makes your mouth water just looking at the list of foods.

I was very impressed with the layout and the natural ingredients that are used. I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book my NetGalley and BenBella Books in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: A Haven on Orchard Lane

Charlotte Ward was a stage star, until she married a man who thought she had money. In this marriage, she feels degraded and unloved, then a gentleman comes from London offering her a role in Hamlet. Charlotte decides to go but things did not work out.

Charlotte's estranged daughter comes to help her and moves her to a village along a coast. This turns into a difficult situation that eventually leads to healing.

I loved this book and the characters made me feel for them from the very beginning. Lawana Blackwell is an accomplished author who does not let her readers down with this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.