First Dawn by
Judith Miller -- the first in the Freedom's Path series; this book
starts with a group of "coloreds" from Kentucky heading towards
Nicodemus, Kansas, which hopes to be the first black settlement in the
west. Unfortunately, Nicodemus isn't the small town they were
promised, but just a prairie with no shelter. What will the people do
to survive in this unfamiliar territory?
The Homeplace
by Gilbert Morris -- book one in the Singing River series; Life was
going along pretty well when tragedy struck the Freeman household not
once, but twice. Lanie, the oldest of five, seeks to keep the family
together and not lose the family home. This book was just ok. Maybe
even OK minus.
A Life Intercepted by
Charles Martin -- I think some people would not enjoy all the football
this book contains, but I really enjoyed the story, and didn't mind all
the football talk. Such a decent book, too!
A Heart Most Worthy
by Siri Mitchell -- Three young Italian immigrants work together in a
dress shop in Boston. The stories of Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana.
A nice book; I'd read more from this author.
The Letters
by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger -- A separated couple writes
letters to each other as each deals with the loss of their son. Sam
goes to Alaska to see where the plane crashed while Hadley paints from
an island in Maine.
Izzy, Willy-Nilly by
Cynthia Voigt -- I found this paperback at a free little library, and
read the story of Izzy who went out with a high school senior and her
life was forever changed. He drove drunk and she lost half her leg.
This book deals with her time in the hospital, dealing with her doctors
and therapists, her family members, friends and so forth.
The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
by Julie Klassen -- book one in Tales from Ivy Hill, her first ever
series! I discovered her books a few months ago, and they are so good!
I had this book on hold for weeks, and finally had a chance to read
it. Reminds me quite a bit of the Gresham Chronicles which I loved.
This is the story of a widow, Jane, who was left her husband's coaching
inn. Her mother in law, Thora, and brother in law, Patrick, are there
to help run it although it's not turning a profit and in danger of being
foreclosed upon! I enjoyed the characters, humor, the story. Great
book!
Morning Sky by Judith Miller -- more
in the Freedom's Path series: this book has Nicodemus and Hill City a
few years down the road and bigger and more prosperous. Jarena's Aunt
Lilly visits from New Orleans, and adds quite a bit of excitement to the
family's lives. Truth heads to New York to assist Macia Boyle back
home after Macia's extended illness at school.
The Women in the Castle
by Jessica Shattuck -- A great book about three very different German
women who meet up after World War II: Marianne, Benita, and Ania and
their children. I'd heard this book mentioned on NPR, and had it on
reserve at the library.
In the Company of Secrets
by Judith Miller -- book one in Postcards from Pullman series; This
book begins with Olivia and Lady Charlotte fleeing their home in England
for Illinois, each escaping and hoping to begin new lives. Due to the
circumstances of Charlotte's departure, they weave a story of
Charlotte's widowhood and so forth. A pretty good story.
Bears In the Streets: Three Journeys Across a Changing Russia
by Lisa Dickey -- The author describes her times in several Russian
cities during trips in 1995, 2005, and 2015. She does her best to meet
up with people she met in that initial trip. I so enjoy books like this,
and it did not disappoint! I especially enjoyed the political talk - their (mostly) love for Putin, Russians who spoke up about the US. Not that it was flattering or
pleasant (not at all), but it was interesting to me.
Whispers Along the Rail by
Judith Miller -- book two in Postcards from Pullman series; this
continues the stories of Olivia and Charlotte and their acquaintances
whom we met in the first book. Olivia is pressured to ride the rails to
spy for the Pullman company whereas Charlotte is found in Chicago living
in a house for women who have fallen upon hard times
The Lemon Orchard
by Luanne Rice -- a good story about Julia and Roberto who meet when
Julia travels to Malibu to house sit for her uncle. Roberto oversees
the lemon orchard, and the two quickly realize they have a tragedy in
common: both lost daughters five years ago. A good look at Mexican
immigrants coming across the border.
The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck -- Haley and Cole; Cora and Birch and how an old run-down wedding shop ties the generations together
A Table By the Window
by Lawana Blackwell -- This book begins with Carley teaching in a
rich-kid prep school in California, but soon Carley travels to
Mississippi where she cleans out her grandmother's house and prepares to
put it on the market. After going back to California, she realizes she
wants the chance to start a new life in a small town -- of course she
has to adjust to Southernisms, bless her heart. I enjoyed this book so
much!
An Uncertain Dream by Judith
Miller -- book three in Postcards from Pullman series; This was probably
my least favorite book in this trilogy. I just started getting bored
with the subject of unions, and capitalists, but I wanted to finish the story of Olivia and
Charlotte, and the strike and boycott of Pullman train cars.
Daylight Comes by
Judith Miller -- the final book in the Freedom's Path series; this
follows-up on the families in Nicodemus and Hill City, Kansas
She Walks in Beauty
by Siri Mitchell -- a fun read, not sure why since it's basically about
a young lady who is making her debut into society in order to marry the
heir, but it was told in an interesting way so I liked this story about
Clara Carter and her best friend Lizzie Barnes as they competed for the
affections of Franklin De Vries.
Schadenfreude, A Love Story
by Rebecca Schuman -- "Me, the Germans and 20 years of attempted
transformations, unfortunate miscommunications, and humiliating
situations that only they have words for" ; eh, just not my style (TMI at points)
The Elusive Miss Ellison
by Carolyn Miller -- Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace -- I saw this
book listed on the library website in their new books so I put it on
hold. Nothing spectacular, but decent enough for a few hours of light
reading about Lavinia and the Earl of Hawkesbury.
Beyond All Measure
by Dorothy Love -- a Hickory Ridge Romance; Ada leaves Boston after the
death of her father and takes a position as a lady's companion in
Tennessee not too long after the War Between the States. This book tells
about her time there with Lillian, Wyatt, and other folks in the
community.
