I started reading this book during a busy month. Any other time, I would've devoured this wonderful tale of loss, chance, family secrets, and finding one's way home despite the obstacles. There are those books that one reads and it is just that - reading. Whilst the story may be somewhat entertaining, it ceases to draw you in and fails to connect oneself to place or protagonist. Just another book you quickly want to finish. Then, there's that lovely, lively book that finds its way to your hands and once you've lost yourself in its pages you never want to leave it behind. Secrets of Nanreath Hall is the latter and exactly why I love historical fiction. Set between alternating periods of WWI and WWII, two women struggle to define themselves within a distinguished family that has hidden their secrets well inside the walls of Nanreath Hall.

Another fabulous read of 2016. I fell in love with ALL of the characters, each one growing closer to my heart as the story gained momentum. While the plot is not altogether original, I never felt as if I'd read this before. The scenes of war are vivid and I could hear the engines of airplanes screaming across the British skies. I could sense the fear and feel the heartbreak when letters brought news of lost loved ones, another casualty of war that changed lives in an instant. I ached for the young soldiers dashing off to war, imagining himself a hero but returning as a broken weary veteran, a constant battle inside the war between remembering and forgetting. It felt as if I was at the train depot standing among the women who kissed their soldier's lips for the very last time. Nanreath Hall came to life and I could smell the salty sea air, picture the transformation of the once great home now being used as hospital for the wounded and dying. Yes! Strong characters lived and breathed between the pages and captured my imagination until the very end. Superbly written. Five shiny gold stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


"Doubt that the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love." - Shakespeare



*I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to William Morrow for sponsoring the giveaway and to Alix Rickloff for writing a story that I'll always remember.

I respect that this book was inspired by two different stories, one being the discovery of Madame Marthe de Florian's Parisian apartment, a decadent time capsule untouched for over seventy years. The second inspiration was a picture of an old palace in East Germany. Carey has a fine imagination but I felt like the story lacked depth and seemed extremely hurried. Major storylines were casually explained away and too easily resolved. I realize that this is fiction, but even fiction isn't this neat and tidy. Great potential that left me feeling moderately entertained.

 **DRC courtesy of NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. 

.

Great book that tells a great story! The Translation of Love was the April selection for Keep Turning the Pages book club and I happened to win a copy through a Doubleday Books giveaway. Double bonus! I thoroughly enjoyed this well written book, which is also Kutsukake's debut. The story centers around a young Japanese girl who is searching for her older sister who seems to have vanished in the Ginza district. WWII is over but the American GI's are still very present. Japan is under General McArthur's military Occupation, American and Canadian Japanese have been sent back after living in internment or POW camps, and democracy has new meaning in a war torn country that appears to want to embrace the unfamiliar American customs. Occupied Japan is place of turmoil and people are faced with harsh realities and having to comprise morals just to eat and survive. Families that once had everything are forced to beg for food. It's a matter of survival. Believing a rumor, Japanese citizens begin writing to General McArthur in hopes that he will answer their pleas for help. Fumi is unable to understand English and enlists the help of Aya, an American Japanese girl, who Fumi has befriended, to write to McArthur and ask for help in finding her missing sister. Together, the two girls hold out hope of finding Fumi's beloved sister. Soon, the girls and their quest have drawn the attention of others, including their teacher. Tokyo is not a place for an innocent young girl. American GI's and their Japanese girlfriend's can be seen all over. Unsavory people are taking advantage of other's misfortune. Fumi and Aya will see and learn a lot during their search for Fumi's sister, Sumiko, lessons that young girls would never know had it not been for a war that changed everything for everyone. There are other stories interspersed throughout the book, each coinciding with the main theme. 

Kutsukake's story was well developed. The characters were likeable, even the supporting cast was great. Lots of things going on but everything is relatable and ties the story together. The relationship between the characters, the search for Sumiko, Sumiko's struggle to survive, the plight of a country trying to recover, the different people that inhabit this harsh reality...all of these things combined make this a glorious, wonderful story. Heartbreaking at times, yes! But, still. So very good!

*Many thanks to Doubleday Books for providing a copy through a super fun giveaway on Goodreads that asked reader's to describe a letter writing experience with a pen pal(s). 

I finished this amazing story, based on true events, in tears. Lots of tears. It is heartbreaking, yet triumphant. I've been very fortunate with my reading choices so far. 2016 is going to be an outstanding year for books if the last two novels read are any indication. Lilac Girls was an emotional journey and the heroic women who live between the pages, fighting to survive, will stay with me for a very long time. And to think, I almost passed this book up. Oh! Martha Hall Kelly, thank you for sharing this unforgettable story! Thank you for introducing me to the Rabbits and Caroline Ferriday. I have worn my welcome out on Google looking up every bit of real life history. My heart has been deeply touched and I want to hug my family just a little bit tighter.

I'll update my review in a couple of days. Right now, I need to catch my breath, blow my nose, and dry my eyes.

For more info:

MarthaHallKelly.com
Facebook.com/MarthaHallKelly
Pinterest.com/marthahallkelly
@MarthaHallKelly

**I received a DRC from Penguin's First to Read program.

(Oops. Having to repost review because I accidentally deleted my original post.)

When I saw this book offered in a giveaway on Goodreads, I knew I had to win it for my dad. Fortunately I did win it! Pop's is completely fascinated with WWII. I'd consider him pretty darn fluent in WWII history. He adores Churchill so I knew this was going to be a hit with him. Dad devoured this quickly. Took me a bit longer but I'm happy I read it. While the book wasn't so much about WWII, it was still utterly intriguing. I knew enough about the Kennedy's to turn me sour on that Camelot crowd, but I wasn't as familiar with Winston, and his son, Randolph, as I'd like. Maier takes an in depth look into these two political power house families. I probably like Joe Kennedy even less now, such a pompous pig. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. A bit winded at times with the gossipy-romance but it turns out these two families shared more than political aspirations. If you love history and want to take a closer look inside the Churchill/Kennedy empire, including relations between fathers and sons, this is the book. Dad's POV? It was the perfect read for him and he'd give it five stars. Back off, old man! This is my review.

**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks. Opinions are my own.