"The Girl Who Escaped from Auschwitz", by Ellie Midwood

This is a wonderful although tragic fictional story based on true events and real figures, mémoirs of sorts that depict the terrible conditions the internees at Auschwitz-Birkenau had to suffer. This powerful novel of heroism tells the story of Mala, inmate 19880, who was the first woman to escape the horrors of the camp and of Edek, inmate 531, a fighter in the underground resistance who had an escape plan. Together they will succeed or die trying. What follows is one of the greatest love stories.
I never get bored reading Holocaust memoirs and Ms. Midwood is by far one of my favourite authors of this genre.

The author recounts in a third person narrative the horrors of that time remarkably. Through the eyes of Mala and Edek we feel the emotions they have, what they are thinking and doing, most of all the suffering they are seeing or enduring themselves. The repeated beatings so well said I could feel the sting of each lash. The life in the camp is vividly painted and does not shy from the atrocities that occurred.

Mala and Edek had privileged positions and did all in the power to help as many people they could by smuggling food, delegate them jobs so they could survive, give them clothes , cigarettes , liquor, things to trade with. They were heroes that were forced to live in the bowels of hell facing imminent death till one day they planned an escape in order to build a life together....giving them hope in this dark place... Yes, by the end I had tears in my eyes...What a sad story one that will stay with me for a long time.

This book is difficult to put down it is so well written and moving to no ends, harrowing and yet has tender moments...Well- said as usual.

I received this ARC from Bookouture via Netgalley for my thoughts.. I have not been influenced by the opportunity, this is the way I see it.

"Five Ways to Disappear", by R.M. Greenaway

B.C. Blues Crime Series book # 6

This series has grown on me through the years of course being Canadian and reading a story colourfully penned by a Canadian author is one great pleasure I like to experience, especially when the drama is set in the very scenic British Colombia.

“Five Ways to Disappear” brings us up in the breezy heights of North Vancouver, in a drama that will bring RCMP officers Leith and Dion on a gruesome murder committed on Paradise Road: a craftsman has been spiked to his lawn by his own art work. While the two officers are deep into their investigation we are slowly lead into a secondary plot that has Dion befriends a young woman leading him straight into trouble.

This latest brings two haunted tales that like the previous novels dilly-dallies a lot but saying this is a positive we are slowly drawn into both mysteries as they are played out in alternate chapters. The intricately, tightly woven plots are well-written to give us drop by drop some suspense to keep us intrigue and guessing till the secrets are revealed... The two main characters have definitely won my heart, they are larger than life and so down to earth you may think they are real people with their many faults and qualities. The author knows how to make us love them while they go about their daily routine.

This book is smooth ready: style simple and nicely said. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

My thanks to Dundurn Press and Netgalley for this ARC these are my thoughts

"When Twilight Breaks", by Sarah Sundin

Munich 1938

This gripping story set during the rise of the Nazi Party and the Jewish persecution is told through the eyes of Evelyn Brand, an American foreign correspondent, who struggles to make a name in her male dominated field. Throughout her stay in Germany, the bureau chief at the American News Service she works for heavily edits her correspondence in order to smooth her words and not offend the host country. Doing benign interviews with college students Evelyn meets Peter Lang, a PhD candidate and together try to expose the oppression they observe but in doing so they attract unwanted attention, pulling them deeper in danger as the world marches toward war.

Ms. Sundin has penned an enjoyable historical romance/fiction story. Although the leading lady tries to prove herself in a male dominated industry, the struggles she faces do not take over the story, but just enough for us to know how hard a time she is having. Evelyn is a charming character with a big-mouth she does not shy away from topics that could have gotten on the wrong side of the Nazis along with everyone around her. Discretion should have been learned early on....but no...and then came Peter Lang, a man who became entwined in the adventure and danger.

1938 was a momentous year: Germany’s annexation of Austria, the Munich Conference and Kristallnacht are some of the important events reported by Evelyn...of course heavily edited. On the other side no one can dissuade Evelyn to change course: she is more creative in seeking angles and sources which lead to some interesting opportunities. But she needed to be careful, the German government had the right to expel foreign correspondents ...or make their life very hard....

In “When Twilight Breaks” we have interesting details that immerse us into an experience hard to belief it ever happened. The account is suspenseful and well said: not too graphic but enough visual effect to shock us. The characters main and secondary are interesting and well-rounded even the evil Nazis.

Being a Christian Publishing House, Revell’s books have a fair amount of prayers and Bible verses. This book has its share. But what stands out is the history, the drama, the action and the tender romance between Peter and Evelyn. Yes all ends well for the two lovebirds...Amen.

I received this ARC from the Publisher Revell via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts this is the way I see it

"Greed Manifesto", by John W. Mefford

Greed series book #4

Michael Doyle has moved to San Francisco to reboot his life after losing his wife only to find himself embroiled into a more chaotic lifestyle. With Andi, his old intern by his side life does not stay peaceful and soon thing start to go haywire and dangerous on the street of Frisco. WOW, what a thrilling ride this duo gives us from page one till we reach the closing chapter.

To make the most of this book you really need to read the series in sequence although they all work well as stand-alone.

What a perilous adventure the author takes us with his characters, a plot filled with action, twists and turns you don’t see coming. The author knows how to combine visual effects in his writing to make an exciting and very absorbing read. Partly told from Michael’s point of view we move back and gradually forward in time to eventually reach the present day. This did not bother me; all chapters are well indicated to give a smooth transition. What a fast-paced, seat on the edge thriller filled with suspense, mystery and greed to enjoy. Oh yes terribly far-fetched....but a very captivating read nonetheless.

In a few words:

Captivating story, well said and executed by a range of rounded characters and we have quite a few to help Michael reach his goal...or not.... I am sad to see the last of Michael; “Greed Manifesto” brings an end to the Greed series.

Thank you Mr. Mefford for the hours of enjoyment

"The Keepers", by Jeffrey B. Burton

Mace Reid K-9 Mystery book#2

This series features golden retriever cadaver dog Vira and her handler, Mason Reid. In this second installment the duo are called in to search Washington Park in the wee hours of the day, what they find has them running for their lives.....

I haven’t read book one and in no ways was it a challenge to start at this point although I admit that book #1 is on my radar. The story stands perfectly well by itself. This is a solid, hard action mystery that grabs from the start. It is also a nice combination of an amateur sleuth mystery with a good dose of police procedural. What stands out is the relationship (love) between the handler and his dogs, this shines all through the book. The “Keepers” is very engaging and the author cleverly keeps the intensity to a high level in order to keep us flipping pages. Indeed it kept me engrossed with the many twists and turns that led to a dramatic ending.

We have two major criminal cases: one, the murder of a rock star battered to death with his guitar and second the brutal murder of the head of Special Prosecutor Bureau. These cases bring out panoply of shady characters: the head of the Chicago mob, his psychopathic son, crooked politicians and businessmen, police superintendent and multiple other bad guys....but to save the day after a savage confrontation is Mace with his sidekick Kippy and the dogs. Yep.. I rooted for the dogs...:) One plot which was put to bed fairly easily and the second simmered into an explosive boil.....very captivating.

The main characters and the support characters including the canine variety are well developed. Mace is not a superman: he drinks some, swears too much and vomits when scared but loves his dogs and his friend, CPD office Kippy Gimm is the perfect ally. I loved that the dogs weren’t just background players. They had a job to do and their training is explored...well-done.

I had the opportunity to receive this ARC from St-Martin Press via Netgalley for my thoughts, this is the way I see it.

"Powder Burn", by Ty Patterson

Cutter Grogan Thrillers #2

Ouf, what an exhausting read....so be warned

Cutter Grogan is a fixer and vengeance is part of his business. His mission brings him to LA to avenge the murder of his closest friend and partner but letting the LAPD do their things is not in Cutter’s DNA....and he soon finds himself in the very dangerous world of gangs and suspicious allies.

The action is never ending and spectacular, Mr. Patterson vividly describes scenes right out of Mission Impossible with his characters being shot at with AK47 and other weapons, pouf... buildings exploding, Cutter jumping out of windows, scaling walls, running miles and miles never getting out of breath...Love his acrobatics, colossal and forceful skills, scenes are very well done. Yes, the characters bleed and are bruised and of course the good ones come out in one piece not so much for the bad guys. Since the authorities are slow to react Cutter takes the matter into his hands, takes out two gangs and eventually gets justice for his friends. Fast paced with a ton of nail-biting action and amazing scenes. Et voilà, we are in a rip roaring adventure from start to finish.

Mr. Patterson knows how to make our heart pounding with anticipation from beginning to end and he is a master in doing so. Never a dull moment always at the edge of our seat...ouf, yep when I say an exhausting read I meant it....

Although this book is part of a series it works well as a stand-alone so no worries.

Being a member of the author’s launch team I am privileged to have received this latest for review this is the way I see it.

Thank you Mr. Patterson.

"The Venice Sketchbook", by Rhys Bowen

A sketchbook, three keys and a final whisper...Venice, a dying bequest by Caroline Grant’s beloved great-aunt Lettie, a wish that will bring Caroline to scatter Lettie’s ashes in the city she loved....

What a beautiful love story said with dual time-lines from 1928-44 when Juliet (Lettie) visited Venice with her aunt then when she returned in 1938 to attend Art College and hopefully rekindle her love affair with Leonardo Da Rossi. This sweet story said in a melancholic voice tells us what Lettie and Leo were up to. In alternate chapter we move forward to 2001 with Caroline reliving the precious moments of her gr-aunt and experiencing similar feelings. These two loveable women narrate their experience as it unfolds.

Venice seemed to be well known by the author. Ms. Bowen paints a stunning picture of the city with its vaporetto, narrow streets, many canals, festivals, churches, art exhibitions and of course the food, the colourful people and family ties . Yes, reading this story you need to pour a glass of Pinot Grigio, set aside a plate of prosciutto, some green olive, warm bread with some oil and voilà your taste buds are ready to savour succulent dishes and the Italian life style. yum...

As the story moves along at a snail pace just like a romantic gondola ride along the canal and lagoon islands, back and forth in time seamlessly we go to enjoy a story that mostly brings Venice and its people to life. Yes the author also mentions Venice’s Aqua Alta that floods the streets at high tide. What a sweet story this turned out to be even if part of the setting was during WW11. The characters are reasonably well developed even those who mysteriously disappear. I like following Lettie and Caroline in this story of doomed love....

I received this ARC from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for my thoughts