“Hana's Suitcase” by Karen Levine

Hana's Suitcase

by Karen Levine

Synopsis: 

In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children's Holocaust education center in Tokyo, Japan from the Auschwitz museum in Germany. Fumiko Ishioka, the center's curator, was captivated by the writing on the outside that identified its owner: "Hana Brady, May 16, 1931, Waisenkind (the German word for orphan)." Children visiting the center were full of questions. Who was Hana Brady? Where did she come from? What was she like? What happened to her? Inspired by their curiosity and her own need to know, Fumiko began a year of detective work, scouring the world for clues. Her search led her from present-day Japan, Europe and North America back to 1938 Czechoslovakia to learn the story of Hana Brady, a fun-loving child with wonderful parents, a protective big brother, and a passion for ice skating, their happy life turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I don’t often cry when reading children-aimed Holocaust stories, but this one made me tear up. Hana’s and George’s story was so tragical and yet so beautiful. ❤️💔

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“Brothers Far From Home” by Jean Little

Brothers Far From Home:

The World War I Diary of Eliza Bates,
 Uxbridge, Ontario, 1916

(Dear Canada Book)

by Jean Little

Synopsis: 

It has been two long years since Eliza's beloved older brother, Hugo, went away to war. Caught up in his enthusiasm, she couldn't understand her parent's less-than enthusiastic reaction. Now that her other brother Jack has also enlisted, she yearns for the safe return of both brothers. If only she had a friend that she could talk to about her feelings....

(from Amazon)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is one of my favourite Dear Canada books. I love Hugo and Jack and Rufus, and even Richard a little. It’s also very funny sometimes, and it has some very good quotes. Don’t let the opening paragraph make you shy off. Eliza is like that only in the first entry and she never acts like that again. She and Verity are a little nasty at first but not even one-quarter though the book they’re good friends. There is a mention of “girls’ bodies changing” and a couple mentions of a kiss; one mention of Eliza making a bit fun of a fictional heroine who “saves her kiss for her husband”; and in the Historical Note a mention that the soldiers urinated on their handkerchiefs & held them to their months to try to protect themselves from poison gas. Hugh and Jack’s relationship is so sweet, even if you barely see it, and the Infants & Isaac bring a lot of humour and realisticness to the story. I also enjoyed how I’ve read many of the books Eliza mentions!

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “In our house there is always noise, someone singing, the Twins and Belle scrapping, Father roaring ‘Who hid my spectacles?’ or ‘Who took the newspaper?’, Mother talking to herself, Verity practising her violin or elocution, Susannah or myself practising on the piano. Or Ezekiel [the parrot], of course. He says things like, ‘Move along, sir.’ Or ‘Brush your hair, you bad girl.’ Jack taught him that.”

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“A Place Called Lonesome” by Jesseca Wheaton

A Place Called Lonesome

by Jesseca Wheaton

Synopsis: 

All seems lost for a wounded soldier left behind on Utah beach after the Normandy invasion. As he gives up all hope for a rescue and resigns himself to never making it off the sand, a touch on his shoulder startles him.
Is it possible that help can come from a man who is his enemy? And just where are the hardest battles of the war fought? 
A short story, about 3,000 words.

(from Amazon)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 7/10 hearts. This book is so well written. It is an amazing description of what a soldier would feel. The first time I read it, I literally cried. The whole story is one amazing description. The author has a wonderful talent with words and emotions. Definitely my favourite of Jesseca Wheaton’s short stories.

A Favourite Quote: “... to the two solitary figures, this beach was far more. For one, it represented life. For another, death. But for both of them, it was a promise. A promise that even when all seems to be lost, God steps in, and makes a mess into His beautiful masterpiece.”
A Favorite Sentence: “... some battles are not fought with others. They do not have battlefields that can be visited, or memories erected in their honor. These battles are fought every day, as people struggle to go on living after the war. These are lonely battles that are fought within a person. Fought in a place called lonesome.”

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“Untitled” by Jesseca Wheaton

Untitled

by Jesseca Wheaton

Synopsis: 

Okinawa, 1945

Two brothers. Two Separate Paths.

A Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines, Jess Walker’s world is shaken as he struggles to aid the men around him. But the battlefield isn’t his hardest challenge. The nagging memory of how he lost his brother weighs on him, serving as a constant reminder of his failure. War has no mercy for anyone and Jess isn’t sure he can survive the war inside. As his world comes crashing down around him, he struggles to believe there is a future beyond the pain. 

Clay Walker has moved on from the life he once lived. A successful Marine pilot, he wants nothing to do with his family and the God he left behind. Japan is on the brink of surrender when his unit is shipped off to Okinawa, and it’s there that Clay is forced to realize his past is not as deeply buried as he thought. Faced with heavy losses and questions without answers, Clay has a choice to make. Is he willing to step back and let God take the controls? Or is it too late for a second chance? 

As WWII rages, the two brothers must face their demons — or be lost to the burning world around them.

COMING NOVEMBER 11

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 6/10 hearts. What a book. I’m not even sure how to review this. Jesseca Wheaton did it again, guys. The humour. I have yet to see anyone beat her sarcastic dialogue. It isn’t laugh-out-loud really—but it’s snicker after snort after snicker after snort... the whole book long. And I love it. The story itself kept me hooked. There was no way I was going to put it down! The characters were all so loveable and so real. One of the side characters in this book is homosexual. It isn’t really touched upon, and when it is, the focus is on the fact that he needs love and kindness and prayers to point him to Jesus, not instant destroying and anger and hate. I really appreciate that. There was some language—gosh, darn, dang, bloody, heck, hell, and one damn. The men talked a lot about girls/girlfriends in a light/causal/playthings type of attitude. Also, wounds and death were graphically described, but I personally was not bothered. I really appreciate how realistic it was. Sometimes we forget just how awful WWII really was. I also really appreciated the message about the forgotten ones who died for our freedom. I appreciated also the small message on PTSD. And the message of second chances and hope. And most of all, the message that God has a plan and He still reigns. I related to Jess’ struggles a lot just now, and that message really touched me. I needed it right now. Recommended age: 18+. 

A Favourite Quote: “He was tired of the tears and the pain. He was tired of feeling this way. ‘Oh, God, help me.’ In everything, he’d somehow lost sight of eternity. God was still alive. Still on the throne. He still had some sort of plan, even when Jess couldn’t see it.”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The sun was setting overhead, turning the crystal water into sparkling hues of purple, pink, and orange. Wispy white clouds dusted the sky, adding to the vibrancy of the colors. Seagulls screamed overhead, and the sound of waves crashing against each other filled in the background.”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Yeah, saw him the other day…. Told him how I saved your life. He found it pretty … interesting, considering how you were convinced you’d be saving me.’ 

“‘What?!’ Clay leaped to his feet, ready to protest. ‘First off, I didn’t ask you to save me. And secondly, you didn’t need to go and tell everybody!’

“‘Mmhm. And if our roles had been reversed, would you have told everyone?’

“‘I mean ... Clay stopped. Ivan had a point — not that he would admit to it. ‘That’s different!’

“‘Oh, really?’ Ivan grabbed the wrench Clay had tossed aside and twirled it around. ‘How so?’ 

“Arguing with Ivan when he knew he was right was becoming a real problem.”

I will update this review when I reread it. I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest review. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts & opinions. 

About the Author:

Jesseca is a daughter, sister, and a child of God. When she’s not busy at her full time job as a first responder, her days are spent reading, spending time with siblings, watching movies that make her cry, and playing piano. Oh, and writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

Blog

Goodreads

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Goodreads link

Giveaway:

GIVEAWAY LINK + INFO

(U.S. only)

One winner of the giveaway will receive…

Paperback copy of Untitled 
Box of compass cards
God Bless America Wooden Sign
Bookmark 
USMC keychain 
U.S. Navy Medallion

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY LINK!

“Fair in War” by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

Fair in War
(The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott, #8)

by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

Synopsis: 

She expected popcorn and cheap prizes -- not a front-row seat to crime and conspiracy...
When Brent's brother Carter, unexpectedly arrives in Phoenix bearing important intel, Brent disappears into their world of espionage and world-saving, leaving Emily feeling left out. Telling herself she doesn't really belong in their world anyway, she determines to enjoy her afternoon at the state fair with Izzy.
But as she sees more and more familiar faces in the crowds and among the vendors, and when Izzy is arrested by security on trumped-up charges, it becomes clear something more is going on. She's never been happier to accidentally run into Brent Peterson, but finding Izzy might come down to her own determination more than either of them expect.

(from Goodreads)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Okay, so did I read this in maybe 30 minutes flat? Yes. Did I freak out at the end? Yes. Am I more hooked than ever? YES!! Oh, man, I LOVED the interaction between Brent and Carter!! It was sooo awesome. Emily & Brent were as fun as ever. And Santa barely showed up but he was pretty cool. XD This was a very intense story with a crazy plot but so, so cool and snaps some more pieces from the past 7 books into place. This one does deal with a sensitive/triggering/intense issue, so recommended for ages 14-16+ depending on sensitivity. 

AND CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT HER REMEMBERING TO TALK TO GOD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND BEING SORRY SHE CALLED BRENT BEFORE SHE PRAYED???

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Carter glared at Brent. ‘But this  mission? Surely you can see why this is possibly the worst idea you’ve had since you decided to try making a candle out of pieces of straw tied together with baling twine.’

“Brent rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Look, she was already here at the fair…. I didn’t ask her here. And at this point, it’s safest for her to be where I can keep an eye on her—don’t you think? This is nothing like the candle incident. That was literally 20 years ago.’”

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest review. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts & opinions. 

Goodreads link

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“The Lady of Lanaria” by Michaela Bush

The Lady of Lanaria

by Michaela Bush

Synopsis: 

A kidnapped princess, a promise, and a kingdom cursed with mysterious plagues. 

"Mark my words, Evangeline; if you set foot outside this tower, you will surely die."
Evangeline has spent her entire life hidden in an ancient watchtower, gazing through a window as the world passes her by. She heeds her mother's warning closely, the truth hidden from her always. When a young guard stumbles upon the tower, Evangeline's life is changed forever. As she strikes up a secret friendship with the guard, she learns about the Kingdom of Lanaria and the mysterious plagues that haunt all who live there. But as she delves into the world she barely knows, not everything her mother says adds up. Will they find the truth before it's too late? 
A Rapunzel retelling. 

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I was honestly unsure about this book, since it dealt with magic. But I was very impressed. First off, the fantasy world. It was a fascinating mixture of contemporary & medieval. Most medieval kingdom fiction, gets ruined when its too contemporary, but this one was perfect. I also really, really loved the mixture of Lady of Shalott + Rapunzel--both fascinating stories! I loved Evangeline because I related to her in several ways, and besides she was just so sweet and lovely. Gabriel was nice too, and I liked his relationship with Horace. The magical part was super well handled. Of course witches & magic exist, but they were not actually in this book, and the "curse" was non-magical (can't say more because of spoilers). Some parts were a bit unrealistic but I didn't care about that too much. The romance was very gradual and more of a slow, side thing which I really enjoyed. There was some hugging/kissing but not much and totally undetailed. I liked the theme of the Light vs. darkness and how God's power vanquished the Evil and protected Evangeline. Overall, it was a great Christian medieval adventure fairytale retelling and basically perfect for me. :) 

 A Favourite Quote: “‘Nothing is truly safe, but nothing is truly hopeless either.  It is the fallen world that we live in, full of sin and sorrow.  You can choose to despair and wallow in it, or you can find the light in the situation you’re in.’” 

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “He felt glad as he noticed the change in her eyes—the deep sadness they’d held in their emerald depths when he had arrived made way for shimmery awe.” 

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Stop trying to make it seem like your fault.’ 

“‘But I’m the only one left that I can blame!’” 

 I will update this review when I reread it. I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for my honest review. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts & opinions. 

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