Author: Dorothy Schwab Grateful Reader DFW

I have loved reading and meeting authors for as long as I can remember! As an elementary teacher I integrated literature into every part of the core curriculum. Since my retirement, reading and flower gardening are my two favorite pastimes. I look forward to sharing my passion for reading by providing reviews of the books I've read. Perhaps you will join me as I explore new authors and genres!

The Lost Girl of Berlin by Ella Carey

Reviewed for the Historical Novels Review Magazine, November 1, 2021 Issue

http://The Lost Girl of Berlin: Gripping and heart-wrenching World War 2 historical fiction (Daughters of New York) Jul 12, 2021

Ella was born in Adelaide, Australia, and was educated at the University of Adelaide, completing a music degree in classical piano at the Elder Conservatorium, and an arts degree with a double major in History and English Literature.

Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family. Ella’s house is run by two very elderly and special Italian Greyhounds, and one puppy called Sassy who thinks she is the boss! And Ella’s garden is managed by four chickens, Miss Pertelote, Annie, Harriet and Fox’s Dinner.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Kate Mancini is the only woman in the group of war correspondents in Berlin, 1946. Wanting to tell the balanced truth in the aftermath, she is thwarted at every turn. Kate has been told that Americans want to hear their news from a “man” and only want to get back to “normal.” Kate gets her lucky break when she is sent to report on the trials in Nuremburg. While in Berlin, handsome reporter Rick Shearer, assists her in rescuing an orphaned girl from the ruins. Carey’s character development of Rick’s gentle approach to the speechless, scared blue eyed girl, will endear readers to the dashing reporter. After ten months of traveling Europe together, Kate is conflicted. She has no room in her life for husband and family-only the goal of landing a contract with a major news agency. After returning to New York City, readers will be enthralled with their blossoming romance and the iconic sites of the city. Ellen Carey gives readers hope when Kate lands a broadcasting job at WNYR and Rick’s career takes off with his own radio show. Meanwhile, Rick’s wealthy, powerful father, Willard, devoted but fearful wife Frances and Kate’s starry-eyed sister, Bianca, add immersing threads of betrayal, blackmail, and bullying. Readers remain on edge and incensed but hopeful that goodness will win overall. The fear and suspicion of Communism and McCarthyism has infiltrated American society, and no one is off limits; not even popular broadcaster, Rick Shearer. Carey’s exacting research makes this novel an eye-opening history lesson and her words evoke deep emotion in the heartwarming love story of the orphan girl who fights her way back home. In The Lost Girl of Berlin readers will be frustrated and fascinated, but in the end, fulfilled.

  • #1
  • #2
  • #3- Jan.4,2022
Daughters of New York Series by Ella Carey

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell

Part of All the Duke’s Sins-Book #1

Category: Historical Romance | Regency Romance | Women’s Fiction

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670301/along-came-a-lady-by-christi-caldwell/

Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of the Sinful Brides series and the Heart of a Duke series. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love—ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after. Christi lives in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing, and being a mommy to the most inspiring little boy and empathetic, spirited girls who, with their mischievous twin antics, offer an endless source of story ideas! http://christicaldwell.com/

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Edwina Dalrymple, rejected daughter of an Earl, is an independent woman building a career preparing debutantes to enter London society in 1815. Edwina has accrued a great resolve over the years that has given her strength to succeed, despite her secrets. The Duke of Bentley, of immense power and wealth, has offered Edwina a great sum of money to travel to a Staffordshire coal mining village to convince his eldest son, unacknowledged for over thirty years, to return to London society. Edwina finds proud Rafe Audley has climbed the ranks in the coal mine since he was 8 years-old, bearing the burden of supporting his siblings, with selfishness and harboring hatred and resentment for the father who sired him. This “Professor Higgins” challenge becomes a “war of wits” between Edwina and Rafe. Author Christi Caldwell shares an excellent opinion of the elite from a commoner’s view and while secrets are revealed, Caldwell still creates doubt all through the “war” regarding Edwina’s chances for success. With foreshadowing of how Rafe could use his power to effect change, readers will enjoy a heart-pounding sprint to the finish.

The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin

Happy Publication Day-September 7, 2021-Reviewed for Historical Novels Review, November 1, 2021 Issue

https://www.amazon.com/Wish-Book-Christmas-Lynn-Austin/dp/1496452526

If I Were You is inspirational historical fiction set in London WWll and post-war America. It is a prequel, although The Wish Book Christmas may be read as a stand alone novel.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels have won Christy Awards for excellence in Christian Fiction: Hidden Places (2001), Candle in the Darkness (2002), Fire by Night (2003), A Proper Pursuit (2007), Until We Reach Home (2008), Though Waters Roar (2009) While We’re Far Apart (2010), and Wonderland Creek(2011). She was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2013. 

From the bestselling author of If I Were You comes a nostalgic and endearing holiday story that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we least expect and don’t deserve.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Christy Award winning author Lynn Austin shows readers that “it’s better to give than to receive.” The Wish Book Christmas is a “wiseman’s” gift to readers as Austin unwraps the true meaning of Christmas through this follow-up to characters in her World War ll novel, If I Were You. In December 1951, Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are sharing a house with their five-year-old sons in postwar America. Harry and Bobby discover the Sears Christmas Wish Book and become obsessed, wishing for toys from every page. How will two single moms provide toys but also lessons on giving from the heart? In this stand-alone novel Austin expertly provides the background of Audrey and Eve’s earlier lives that led to feelings of unworthiness, insecurities, and self-doubt in 1951.  She lovingly weaves one “unexpected, undeserved, unbelievable” gift from over 2000 years ago with another gift that will change the hearts and lives of Audrey and Eve. This is a “curl up by a crackling fire with a cup of cocoa” book; a reminder of postwar America in the 1950’s and “the reason for the season.”

This is the 1950 version of the Sears Wish Book!

A Darker Reality by Anne Perry

Publication: September 21, 2021-Reviewed for Historical Novels Review Magazine, November 2021 Issue

Book #3 in the Ella Standish Series: A personal trip turns perilous for Elena Standish after the murder of a British spy forces her to face dark family secrets in this exciting 1930s mystery by bestselling author Anne Perry.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/651819/a-darker-reality-by-anne-perry/

Book #2: On her first mission for MI6, the daring young photographer at the heart of this thrilling new mystery series by bestselling author Anne Perry travels to Mussolini’s Italy to rescue the lover who betrayed her.

Book #1: In the start of an all-new mystery series set in pre–World War II Europe, an intrepid young photographer carries her dead lover’s final, world-shattering message into the heart of Berlin as Hitler ascends to power.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Third in the Elena Standish Series, A Darker Reality, opens in the spring of 1934, as Elena, an M16 agent, has made the long journey from London to Washington D.C to celebrate the sixtieth wedding anniversary of her maternal grandparents Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor; a couple known to be of great wealth with political and influential connections. As a photographer, Elena is interested in capturing elegant guests such as scientist, Harmon Worth and Austrian wife, Lila, President Franklin Roosevelt, and Eleanor- and others of “high society, politicians, the rich and ambitious.” Anne Perry’s lush description of the magnificent home and luxurious setting helps settle readers into a comfortable niche to observe and listen in on Elena’s conversations with the well connected, distinguished guests that lead her to question her grandparents’ political beliefs.  Elena’s background and involvement in M16, the British secret service, as well as extensive descriptions of the radical, political leanings of the Baylor’s and their guests are seamlessly woven into dialogue. These details become immensely important as a chauffeur interrupts the lavish party to announce Lila Worth has been run over in the driveway! Chaos and mystery ensue; police are summoned, guests questioned.

Anne Perry leads readers on a steady march; keenly analyzing suspects, subjecting readers to palm sweating confrontations with Agent Elena in disguise, and deep, emotional delving into grief. Through quiet conversations characters’ conscious and innermost feelings develop as Perry explores the close relationship of Elena and Grandfather Lucas, former head of M16, and casts suspicion on fellow agent James Allenby. Political intrigue or a domestic issue? Elena and Allenby concur; the killer is among the guests!  A “tangled web of distrust” leads readers through this maze to an appalling and ghastly conclusion. What’s next for Elena Standish?

The London House by Katherine Reay

Publication Day: November 2, 2021

“Uncovering a dark family secret sends one woman through the history of Britain’s World War II spy network and glamorous 1930s Paris to save her family’s reputation.

Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one full length non-fiction work. Her upcoming novel, THE LONDON HOUSE, will release 11/02/2021.

Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, rehabbing runner, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. She lives outside Chicago, IL.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive,” Scottish poet and novelist, Walter Scott.

Katherine Reay weaves an intriguing, poignant ‘tangled web’ in her dual timeline novel, The London House. The web begins in 1934, England when twin sisters, Caroline and Margaret Waite are separated for the first time. Caroline leaves for school in Switzerland then on to work at the House of Schiaparelli in Paris. Coming of age during the interwar years, “Caro” becomes involved in a life of espionage; revealing tiny bits about her love life, secrets, and spy-craft through letters to Margaret. “Margo” stays home, recovering from scarlet fever, coveting Caro’s letters, and recording her own thoughts in a diary named Beatrice. The Waite family believes reports that Caro is a traitor who ran away with her Nazi lover but have convinced next generations that she died of polio in childhood. Was she an informant, a traitor?

The ‘tangled web’ continues in present day Boston when Mat Hammond, writing for the Atlantic, calls on Caroline Payne, asking her to comment on the article he’s writing about her namesake, great-aunt Caroline Waite. Mat’s perspective is that “humans are resilient…and that hope emerges from tragedy.” Thus begins the ‘untangling’ of letters and diaries to find proof whether as Mat believes, Caro is a traitor or as Caroline wants to believe, she is a hero.

Katherine Reay’s characters develop very eloquently and with empathy through letters, diary entries, and dialogue; showing how “grief, fear, guilt and pain can transform you.” The stories of grief and misunderstanding are mirrored in both timelines: Caroline’s revelations about her 9-year-old sister Amelia’s death, and Caro and Margo’s separation and secrets with the ensuing years of family distrust. Readers find as Katherine Reay so aptly describes, “Banishment can take many forms.” Thanks to Mat and Caroline’s many hours of grueling research and cross checking of letters and diaries, readers will finally know if Caro is a traitor or a hero!

  • The Lobster Dress worn
    by Wallis Simpson
  • Pont Neuf-Oldest Still Standing Bridge in Paris
  • The Butterfly Dress
Publishing November 2, 2021

God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen By Rhys Bowen

Publishing October 12, 2021 – Reviewed for Historical Novels Review Magazine, November 1, 2021 Issue

A Royal Spyness Mystery Series-#15

Lady Georgiana Rannoch, amateur sleuth and professional member of the British Royal family, solves crimes in 1930s England. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/BQG/a-royal-spyness-mystery/

Rhys Bowen, a New York Times bestselling author, has been nominated for every major award in mystery writing, including the Edgar®, and has won many, including both the Agatha and Anthony awards. She is the author of the Royal Spyness Mystery Series.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

” Georgie is back and hanging the stockings with care when a murder interrupts her Christmas cheer in this all-new installment in the New York Times bestselling Royal Spyness series from Rhys Bowen.”

Rhys Bowen continues the Royal Spyness Mystery series with God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen, set on the fringe of the royal Sandringham Estate, Christmas 1935. Newly-weds, Darcy and Georgianna O’Mara are settling into married life and Georgianna is planning her first Christmas house party. As Georgianna is writing letters and putting an advert in The Lady for a new cook to help the bumbling Queenie, all the plans go awry. Darcy receives an invitation for them to spend the holiday with Lady Aysgarth, his Aunt Ermintrude, AND that Queen Mary, in residence at Sandringham, is looking forward to a visit from Georgianna-practically a royal summons!

Rhys Bowen’s readers are off on an adventure of merry making and mystery as the cast of quirky and famous guests arriving at Lady Aysgarth’s Wymondham Hall continues to surprise and dismay Georgianna. For “royal followers” the guest list includes the Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson so processing into dinner in order of rank is a must. When Lady A’s companion Mrs. Short, realizes there are thirteen guests at table, she admonishes the group that this is bad luck, and a death is imminent. Rhys Bowen’s use of foreshadowing is a perfect eyebrow raising moment for the now leery guests. A series of unfortunate “accidents” peeks the holiday drama and keeps readers second guessing along with Darcy and Georgianna as they meet surreptitiously to strategize and solve the royal mysteries. Proper hunts, a “paper chase”, ‘sardines’ and royal names like “Cookie” and “Shirley Temple” add to the royal celebrations. Even royal granddaughters, Lilibet and Margaret are at Sandringham for holiday snowman building and ice skating. Meanwhile, Queen Mary and readers are counting on Georgianna to figure out “who dunnit!”  

Setting: Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England

Christmas in Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Happy Publication Day October 26, 2021

Happy Publication Day! Sheltering in Place is OVER-Christmas in Peachtree Bluff is available now!

“In the newest installment of New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey’​s Peachtree Bluff series, three generations of the Murphy women must come together when a hurricane threatens to destroy their hometown—and the holiday season in the process.”

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Christmas-in-Peachtree-Bluff/Kristy-Woodson-Harvey/The-Peachtree-Bluff-Series/9781982185206

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including Under the Southern Sky, Feels Like Falling, and The Peachtree Bluff series. Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic, and loves connecting with fans on KristyWoodsonHarvey.com. She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband and son where she is (always!) working on her next novel.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Meteorologists are reporting that the “storm of the century” is bearing down on the coastal Georgia town of Peachtree Bluff. Fourth in the series, Christmas in Peachtree Bluff, opens with the matriarch, a true Southern lady, Ansley Murphy, waiting for her daughters, Sloane, Emerson, Caroline, and families to arrive for Thanksgiving Day. Kristy Woodson Harvey does an excellent job of providing the details and backstory on each of the daughters and other characters from the first three books in the series.  Through memories and storytelling readers come to empathize and settle into the traditions and history of homes known as Murphy Row, all a short walk from the marina on the beach. Charming descriptions add a holiday thrill and chill to strolling and shopping the boutiques with twinkling lights and wreaths on streetlights in the square. The saga continues amidst family secrets uncovered, mystery mixed with legends, and the angst of a teenager dealing with a divorce. The safety of the entire Murphy family and the cherished holiday traditions of Peachtree Bluff are in jeopardy as Hurricane Pearl gains intensity. In the face of adversity readers are reminded of the importance of family, forgiveness, and faith.

Fans of KWH, new and old, will treasure the blend of holiday traditions, suspense, and surprise in Christmas in Peachtree Bluff.

Official hurricane season is June 1-November 30. With plenty of warning, Peachtree Bluff fans are sheltering in place and bracing for Pearl- “coming ashore” October 26!

Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Published October 19, 2021: Highly Recommended: 5 STARS-A beautiful gift to readers of C.S. Lewis

Watch a beautiful trailer for Once Upon a Wardrobe: https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/once-upon-a-wardrobe

This link will take you to many videos of Oxford, The Kilns-C.S. Lewis’ home, and more: https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/videos-and-podcasts

Patti Callahan, Author; Becoming Mrs. Lewis

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“Once upon a wardrobe, not very long ago, and not far away” in the town of Oxford, England, Megs Devonshire followed the winding, icy path to The Kilns, the home of the famous author, C.S. Lewis. His newest book The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, was hugely popular, and her brother George was obsessed with the land of Narnia.  Megs was desperately hoping to find the courage to speak to Mr. Lewis and ask, “Where did Narnia come from?” Desperate because her 8-year-old brother, George, didn’t have long to live and he wanted to know. Megs, an introverted physics student ruled by logic and equations, not fairy tales, was boosted by her deep devotion and love for George. Mr. Lewis or Jack, and his older brother, Warnie, welcomed Megs into their common room with worn leather chairs, books piled high and a roaring fire and tea to warm her. Thus, Megs begins frequent visits to The Kilns and walks about the woods with Jack and Warnie as her questions lead to accounts of the death of his mother at age 9, the horrible Wynyard School, and his time in the army at The Somme -all told by the genius with wit; Jack wants Megs to just listen and take notes later. This quest to find the beginnings of Narnia will lead to much, much more-for readers, for George, and Megs.

As Megs returns to George’s sickbed to retell the stories shared by Jack and Warnie, George and readers are anxious for her to keep sharing. Megs is becoming quite a storyteller and readers realize that through stories one can see ‘reality from new angles.’ Megs is enthralled, becomes distracted from her exams, and finds herself in the Bodleian Library searching for Phantastes, a fantasy novel by Scottish writer George MacDonald, that Jack claims “baptized his imagination!” A lesson Megs learns from George is that all fairy tales have a bad part, a scary part-just as in real life. George is helping Megs to cope with his illness as much as she is helping him by sharing Jack’s stories.  Patti Callahan weaves history through Jack’s life stories so Megs finds out about Operation Pied Piper, when in 1939 children were brought to The Kilns from London to escape The Blitz. This novel shines a glowing lantern of compassion on Clive Sterling Lewis and his efforts to comfort the children with his stories and a home along with his deep empathy for their parents during this time of separation. (Children coming from London to live with a professor, sound familiar?)

The only gift George wishes for this Christmas 1950, is a trip to Ireland to visit Dunlace Castle. Will his wish be granted? Will he find out where Narnia came from? Come along on this “Grand Adventure” to find answers and see if you hear “the lion’s roar” as Patti Callahan unravels mysteries of the universe and the magic of hope in Once Upon A Wardrobe-an outpouring of love and enlightenment.

  • Dunlace Castle, Ireland
  • Oxford University
  • Bodleian Library

Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird, Illustrated by David Small

Published October 5, 2021 – Children’s Middle Grade
Author, Betsy Bird and Illustrator, David Small

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

The ostrich is not your standard cuddly lovey. Betsy Bird’s Long Road to the Circus introduces young readers to twelve year-old determined but bored Suzy Bowles, aiming to find a way out of Burr Oak, Michigan, and a feisty ostrich, Gaucho. A wayward uncle and a former circus queen enter Suzy’s mundane life and readers are in for a hilarious, rollicking ride with Suzy and her new ride, Gaucho. Betsy Bird’s tale, based on a true family story, shows young readers that hard work, determination and ‘true grit” are what it takes to make dreams come true. Caldecott Medalist David Small’s illustrations add intricate details and facial expressions that spark great emotion and humor. Young readers will definitely want to give The Long Road to the Circus and Gaucho’s long, fleshy neck a big ol’ hug!

Madame Marantette

Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown

Published August 3, 2021

Sandra Brown is the author of sixty-nine New York Times bestsellers, including the #1 Seeing Red. There are over eighty million copies of her books in print worldwide, and her work has been translated into thirty-four languages. She lives in Texas. For the Book Club Kit with discussion questions, recipes, and short videos check out this site! https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/sandra-brown/blind-tiger/9781538751985/

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“The Wild West ushers in the Roaring Twenties!” As Sandra Brown says, “What could go wrong?” In January 1920, Laurel, husband Derby, and newborn Pearl arrive at a shanty in Foley, Texas, in the middle of a blustery, snowy night. This austere opening is based on a true story told by author Sandra Brown’s grandmother. The novel from that point on is filled to the brim with Brown’s fictitious, industrious, and independent women struggling to become financially stable and enough “good guys and bad guys” to keep the bootleggers and law enforcement sleeping with their boots on! President Wilson’s attempt to create a more “temperate” American society with the passage of the 18th Amendment, had the opposite effect. The result was the rise of organized crime, while Prohibition and the big business of bootlegging and “speakeasies” began. This novel is filled with enough plot twists to keep readers racing to protect the stills while “the competitors” search and destroy; hoping and praying the good guys win! Buried deep in the brambles and oilfields of West Texas Brown buries nuggets of wisdom on how to handle loved one’s struggles, how secrets erode relationships, and the treatment of each other in grief and trauma. Tangled in the fiery bootlegger wars, the secretive still building, and the murder mystery, there’s a surprising renewal of trust and establishment of boundaries in friendships.

Sandra Brown’s sharpshooter cowboy, Thatcher- with a “knack for reading people,” small town Doctor Driscoll- married to the German Mila, a snooty mayor, and a harried sheriff are the ingredients for a cocktail of high-falutin’ Mystery & Moonshine not soon to be forgotten.