The Girl from Guernica: A Novel by Karen Robards

 

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards returns with a riveting story of intrigue, deception and bravery in the face of war, inspired by Picasso’s great masterpiece Guernica:

On an April day in 1937, the sky opens and fire rains down upon the small Spanish town of Guernica. Seventeen-year-old Sibi and her family are caught up in the horror. Griff, an American military attaché, pulls Sibi from the wreckage, and it’s only the first time he saves her life in a span of hours. When Germany claims no involvement in the attack, insisting the Spanish Republic was responsible, Griff guides Sibi to lie to Nazi officials. If she or her sisters reveal that they saw planes bearing swastikas, the gestapo will silence them—by any means necessary.  

As war begins to rage across Europe, Sibi joins the underground resistance, secretly exchanging information with Griff. But as the scope of Germany’s ambitions becomes clear, maintaining the facade of a Nazi sympathizer becomes ever more difficult. And as Sibi is drawn deeper into a web of secrets, she must find a way to outwit an enemy that threatens to decimate her family once and for all.  

Masterfully rendered and vividly capturing one of the most notorious episodes in history, The Girl from Guernica is an unforgettable testament to the bonds of family and the courage of women in wartime.

my thoughts:

Historical fiction at its very best! The Girl from Guernica by Karen Robards is a must-read for anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - trust me, you are going to LOVE this book to bits!

Talk about top notch writing - vividly rich details that set the scenes so clearly; historical facts enmeshed within the descriptions of the town, the war, and the people; emotional scenes that will pull at your heartstrings; fully developed characters that you will fall in deep with; and a story that will transport you to another time and place. The Girl from Guernica is a damn good book. 

I found myself caught up with Sibi and Griff right from the start. I wanted to know them, root for them, and find out what would happen to them. Reading about the war, their roles during it all, their fears stemming from it all, and their lives being threatened by it all - oh, my! What a suspenseful and emotional story! I couldn't put it down for anything, and I found myself reading until late in the night. I just had to find out what would happen to Sibi and Griff. How much more would the war take from them? And, I couldn't help but look up Picasso's painting, Guernica - a powerful piece of art that inspired Robards to create this powerful historical story. Talk about creativity making the case against war! I loved this book! 

I would happily recommend The Girl from Guernica - make sure to get your hands on a copy ASAP!!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Brothers of Auschwitz: A novel of hope and heartbreak by Malka Adler

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

An extraordinary novel of hope and heartbreak, this is a story about a family separated by the Holocaust and their harrowing journey back to each other.

There was a good orchestra at Auschwitz. I could immediately hear it was good. I almost wept for the beauty of it, but the large pile of striped pajamas stayed in my mind, and I didn’t cry…

Dov and Yitzhak live in a small village in the mountains of Hungary, isolated both from the world and from the horrors of the war.

But one day in 1944, everything changes. The Nazis storm the homes of the Jewish villagers and inform them they have one hour. One hour before the train will take them to Auschwitz.

Six decades later, from the safety of their living rooms at home in Israel, the brothers finally break their silence to a friend who will never let their stories be forgotten.

Narrated in a poetic style reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Malka Adler has penned a visceral yet essential read for those who have found strength, solace and above all, hope, in books like The Choice by Edith Eger and The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe.

my thoughts:

Wow. Just, wow. Talk about an emotional, heart-wrenching read. The Brothers of Auschwitz is a biographical novel that tells the story of two brothers and their experience during WWII. We read about their family, their relationship, the war, the Nazis, concentration camps, their lives after the war, and so much more in between it all.  It is a gripping read that will break your heart and make you cry for the atrocities faced by these two brothers.  This is one book that you will never forget. 

Adler has written a story filled with authentic details that are vivid, personal, and historical. She has utilized the story of these two brothers, along with her own father's experience to create a story that will open your eyes to the truth and fill your mind with images that will haunt you. She writes about the ugly horrors of it all, but she also weaves the idea of hope throughout. The strength and hope that this family clung to throughout their journey of hell. It is an amazingly powerful read. You can't help but question humanity as you read this story. This is one book that will have you thinking a million things at once as you read it. The Brothers of Auschwitz is a story that you must experience - it is the epitome of a must-read. I would recommend it to everyone. Check it out!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Brothers of Auschwitz

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor has joined with Heather Webb to create this unforgettably romantic novel of the Great War.

August 1914. England is at war. As Evie Elliott watches her brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas Harding, depart for the front, she believes—as everyone does—that it will be over by Christmas, when the trio plan to celebrate the holiday among the romantic cafes of Paris.

But as history tells us, it all happened so differently…

Evie and Thomas experience a very different war. Frustrated by life as a privileged young lady, Evie longs to play a greater part in the conflict—but how?—and as Thomas struggles with the unimaginable realities of war he also faces personal battles back home where War Office regulations on press reporting cause trouble at his father’s newspaper business. Through their letters, Evie and Thomas share their greatest hopes and fears—and grow ever fonder from afar. Can love flourish amid the horror of the First World War, or will fate intervene?

Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris—a cherished packet of letters in hand—determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him…

my thoughts:

Last Christmas in Paris is epistolary fiction at its best! I absolutely LOVED it!!

Will and Tom are best friends who have volunteered to go to war for their country England.  They are so certain all the fighting will be over come Christmas, that they make plans to meet up with Will's sister, Evie, in Paris.  Unfortunately, life does not work out the way this trio planned.  Through their letters to one another we learn about the ways in which WWI impacted their everyday lives and their futures. We find out about the loss of loved ones, we watch the beginnings of a love blossoming, and we see a country forever changed.

Talk about a gripping read! I was hooked from start to finish and felt like I couldn't turn the pages fast enough - I was so eager to find out what would happen next. I fell in love with Tom and Evie - their stories captured my heart.  Not only do we get to know them, but we also get to know their worlds.  We learn about Tom's life fighting in a war.  We learn about Evie's desire to do more for the war, than to just knit socks.  We read about them growing up with this war and their lives afterward.  My heart soared and wrenched reading about the hopes, dreams, loves, heartbreaks, and losses that Evie and Tom endured - oh my!  I just loved this story so much - the characters were unforgettable and the story was unputdownable.  And the writing was superb! Gaynor and Webb created a story that is a must-read for their fans and anyone who loves reading historical fiction about WWI.  I would most definitely recommend Last Christmas in Paris!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Last Christmas in Paris

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Dunkirk:The History Behind The Major Motion Picture by Joshua Levine

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

THE EPIC TRUE STORY OF DUNKIRK—NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, AND STARRING KENNETH BRANAGH, TOM HARDY, AND MARK RYLANCE

The Battle of Dunkirk, in May/June 1940, is remembered as a stunning defeat, yet a major victory as well. The Nazis had beaten back the Allies and pushed them across France to the northern port of Dunkirk. In the ultimate race against time, more than 300,000 Allied soldiers were daringly evacuated across the Channel. This moment of German aggression was used by Winston Churchill as a call to Franklin Roosevelt to enter the war. Now, historian Joshua Levine explores the real lives of those soldiers, bombed and strafed on the beaches for days on end, without food or ammunition; the civilians whose boats were overloaded; the airmen who risked their lives to buy their companions on the ground precious time; and those who did not escape.

my thoughts:

Nonfiction is where its at! Then again, I'm on a bit of a nonfiction kick lately, so I am loving learning about everything (celebrities, history, authors, Paris).  Especially, when the topic I am learning about has been made into a film I am dying to see - starring Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy and Harry Styles (I have to admit I'm curious to see if he can act).  Dunkirk is a must-see film for WWII buffs and anyone interested in learning about history, specifically the Dunkirk Evacuation.  I will admit to having no knowledge regarding Dunkirk until I saw the film's trailers.  Of course, when I did, I just knew that I had to read about it.  Luckily, I was provided with the opportunity to do just that - thank you, TLC Book Tours!!

Yep, I received a copy of Joshua Levine's awesome book, Dunkirk: The History Behind the Major Motion Picture and dove right in.  I settled down with a huge cuppa, my copy of the book, and the weekend ahead of me.  And let me just say, I didn't stop reading for anything.  I was mesmerized - absolutely hooked on learning all about Dunkirk: the soldiers, the civilians, the airmen, the small boats, and the battle.  I learned about a part of WWII history that is viewed as a successful failure.  I learned about the Dunkirk Spirit.  And I learned about the courage and bravery exhibited during WWII - a true story of survival.  Definitely eye-opening, engaging, and informative - Dunkirk is a must-read!!  Oh, and did I mention the film aspect of the book.  Levine includes an interview with Christopher Nolan (the director of Dunkirk) and some behind the scenes information of the filming of this historical event.  Definitely an interesting way to connect the history and the film - I really enjoyed it.  In fact,  now I can't wait to watch the film even more so than before:

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Dunkirk

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!