June Books

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.