The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

It’s 1936 and Willa MacCarthy is certain she has no options. She’s known since she was 12 that she would become a postulate at the Convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Spirit and take her vows. The only girl in this Irish Catholic family, her Mam & Da and four protective brothers expect her to become a nun.

San Francisco is coming back to life as the building of the Golden Gate Bridge is bringing the citizens hope with so many construction jobs. Even though dangerous, the lure of steady paychecks is worth the risks involved. The MacCarthy boys are willing to wait to be chosen to work on the bridge, while Willa, now 18, secretly reads Grey’s Anatomy in her bedroom and attends parties with her somehow wealthy high school friend, Cara Reilly. Willa and her brothers face the same decisions as youth do today: respect parental expectations or follow your calling? Willa’s chance meeting of Dr. Katherine Winston certainly seems to acknowledge the peace she finds when “doctoring,’ as opposed to the deep fear that envelops her in the pew at church. Finding her voice, coping with guilt, confession & forgiveness and allowing for failures to become achievement, are just some of the issues dealt with by Willa and her family.

Mam & Da’s life long dream of having her enter the Convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Spirit has a profound impact on Willa. Dr. Katherine Winston, who mentors and encourages Willa, Sam Butler, whose transient life Willa changes, and the struggling Cleery family at the Hooverville camp, all play important roles in Wilhelmina MacCarthy’s decision to take her vows and enter the convent or follow her heart to become a doctor.
Willa’s dilemma of choosing between honoring her parents and the women of her past by entering the convent or following her call to be a doctor, the “hand of God in the world,” will keep you “praying and hoping” until the final page.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Courage. Perseverance. Bigotry. Dedication. Love. This novel will make you “sit up and think!” This is the story of the librarians known as “Book Women” during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration ( WPA) . These women, and a few men, traveled by horse, mule, boat, or even by foot to reach their devoted patrons in the woods, coves, and up the creeks of Kentucky. The Pack Horse librarians were paid $28 a month and depended on donations for books, magazines, and newspapers for their deliveries.

Cussy Mary Carter, the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, is one of the Blue People of Kentucky. She lives with her father who works in the coal mines. Cussy Mary’s dad tells her she is the last of the blue mountainfolk. Any emotion turns her skin “as blue as the familiar bluet damselfly skimming Kentucky creek beds,” so the doctor has nicknamed her Bluet.

All the book lovers who have ever tried so hard to find a book to match a reader’s interests will identify with Cussy Mary and her absolute determination to find the perfect “read” for each of her patrons. This reader was enthralled by Cussy Mary’s courage to endure persecution and bigotry as she carries on with her deliveries; overcoming physical attacks, weather related storms and those human ones caused by fellow mountainfolk due to her color. Do the doctors find a cure for her color through their experiments at Saint Joseph Hospital? Will that really bring her happiness and a marriage? You’ll find yourself loving, hating-crying, cheering- all at the same time. Do yourself a favor and put The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek on your “to be read list.” You’ll thank librarians everywhere!

“Merry H*ll!” What a character Alice Roosevelt turned out to be! The bold, brash, beautiful eldest daughter of Theodore and Alice Lee Roosevelt said this about herself at 86 years old,”I miss the hedonistic hellion who smoked foul-smelling cigarettes on the roof of the White House, feted mustachioed German princes and an iron-fisted Chinese empress, and inspired the rage for the color Alice Blue in the spring of 1902!”

From Washington D.C. and the White House to jaunts in the Far East to the Adirondack Mountains and Sagamore Hill, this reader thoroughly enjoyed the wild, emotional ride through the whole 96 years of Alice’s personal and political life. Stephanie Thornton, author & history teacher, takes the reader inside the workings of political campaigns, the elation and celebrations of victorious elections, and then those that ended in “agony and defeat.” The love/hate relationship that Alice endures with Nick Longworth and the gut wrenching empathy that is evoked from her desperate pleas for the love and attention of Theodore Roosevelt, left this reader needing an emotional break-but for just a quick breather, and then to return to the global impact of WW l, the fight for the League of Nations, the Depression, and many more presidential elections. Alice eventually authors her memoirs and a syndicated column for newspapers; including her views on the rise of Hitler, Edward Vlll’s abdication in Britain, and Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal-“hitting them between the eyes just as her father had.”

Such a long life -in Alice’s later years she chats with Eleanor about the United Nations and even presidential hopefuls Nixon and John F. Kennedy- who she says no one had ever heard of!

American Princess-“Daughter of one of America’s most beloved presidents, cousin and antagonist to another, wife of the most debonair Speaker of the House, mistress to the most famous senator of the century, mother and grandmother…. the other Washington Monument.”

Lovers of American history will relish these Theodore Roosevelt quotes: “When you’re at the end of of your rope, Sissy, tie a knot and hang on.” “Soldier on with a stiff upper lip.” And, one of Alice’s favorite’s from her cousin, Eleanor, “A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. ”

Alice, the avid reader, reflects on how Voltaire had once mused “that life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” Alice Roosevelt Longworth did endure many “shipwrecks” in her life, but then she did always remember “to sing in the lifeboat.”

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Do you believe that one single decision in your life can spur a series of significant unforeseen effects? As in a “domino effect?” Whether you agreed yes, immediately, or the question gave you “pause to ponder;” after reading Sold on a Monday, you may think differently. The Depression era setting and the newspaper copy room as a backdrop make for a compelling tale involving the photograph of dirty, hungry looking children slumped on the steps of a rundown dwelling with the mother on the porch behind them; seeming to shield her face in embarrassment. What glues the readers’ eyes to the newspaper is the sign that says,”Children For Sale!” The woman in the picture is Geraldine Dillard; she makes some gut wrenching decisions regarding her children, the kind which no parent should face. The paths of reporter Ellis, assigned to the “women’s pages,” and Lilly, a single career woman cross, and together, they get themselves involved in some harrowing, edge of law breaking experiences. The journey of these three characters all started with the picture in the newspaper. Kristina McMorris will take the reader on quite a ride of emotions; dealing with guilt, grief, and decisions and judgments based on morals and “what’s right.” Be ready for reflection on the choices and actions of Geraldine, Ellis, and Lilly; and then perhaps some grappling and realizations regarding some of your own choices. The Grateful Reader appreciates books with characters and situations that resonate and linger for a lengthy time. This novel earns all the stars!

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

Kate Morgan left her family’s struggling restaurant in San Francisco to follow her grandfather’s daily request,”Find the beautiful stranger!” After overcoming several “road blocks,” Kate follows her dreams to “work around the glamour of Hollywood and under the beauty of palm trees.” She heads south and finds the “white as a cake” Hotel del Coronado perched on an island, connected by ferry boat. Her goal is to land a job on the set of a movie being filmed at the hotel. Kate meets a young man, Sean, on the ferry crossing. She reveals her name and he “looked ashen. The ghost. The Hotel del Coronado has a ghost. And her name is Kate Morgan.” Thus begins the unraveling of “the beautiful stranger!”

If you love the beach, with its palm trees, sun, and sand; a mystery, iconic Hollywood movies and stars; and a love story-on many levels- read The Beautiful Strangers; preferably while sitting with a view of the ocean!

Review Coming Soon:

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webbhttps://www.hazelgaynor.com/news/introducing-meet-me-in-monaco/

Susan Meissner is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper and an award-winning columnist. She is the award-winning author of A Bridge Across the Ocean, Secrets of a Charmed Life, A Fall of Marigolds, Stars Over Sunset Boulevard, and As Bright as Heaven, among other novels.

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There are mirrors of two kinds; the kind you look into to see what you look like, and the kind you look into to see what other people think you look like. This is how the teenage girls, Elise and Mariko, felt in The Last Year of the War. The two became friends at an internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, of all the unlikely places. Elise, the daughter of German immigrants who came to America in 1925, had grown up in Davenport, Iowa. Mariko, the daughter of Japanese immigrants, who found their way to Los Angeles and then to Little Tokyo, lived above the family’s vegetable and herb shop, went to school, spoke Japanese and English and dreamed of going to a university and becoming successful. This American dream changed drastically for both girls on the morning of December 7, 1941, with the surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The Last Year of the War is a deeply emotional and mindful accounting of the fear and heartbreak that the families of German and Japanese heritage endured during World War ll, here in the U. S. and abroad. The vivid description of the repatriation of the families of Elise and Mariko and so many others, aids the understanding of what was happening to our friends and neighbors, as they simply disappeared from schools and communities. The girls and their families were given very little information regarding the war while in Crystal City. Later, after crossing the ocean and learning of what had happened in Europe, Elise is still writing to Mariko and hoping to one day be united in New York City, as they had planned. What a journey these girls and their families survive; the deprivations of war, and the realization that love “bears all things.” This Grateful Reader gained so much insight from this novel; I highly recommend it!

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

The Mistress of the Ritz will lure you in, just as Blanche and Claude lured the elite, wealthy, and well known, into the posh Ritz Hotel; with “her” tapestries, works of art, chandeliers, sumptuous dining, and decadent decor. The Ritz holds her own place in the cast of characters in this revealing tale of love and war. Because where else would the duchesses and princesses find bathrooms in each suite, and telephones and electricity throughout ?

“No one knows anything, while seeing, hearing everything. This is how it is in Paris these days. ”

The lives of the French people became divided into two distinct sections: how they lived and saw people and situations before the German invasion, and how this all changed after the invasion in 1940. This same distinction was evident in the life of the Ritz, her guests and the debonair French manager, Claude, and his wife, Blanche, the American actress & flapper.

As history unfolds with the 1942 tragedy of Vel d’Hiv, the lives of the Parisians and especially, the Jews, change forever. Blanche and Claude are living out their marriage in the Ritz, surrounded by Germans. Relegated to the far side of the hotel, they must live under the constant surveillance and scrutiny of the German officers and the hotel staff, as they continue to host guests and serve the Germans; never sure who’s who.

With the daily disappearances of staff, familiar faces of guests and friends; Blanche and Claude must each find a sense of purpose in this new life. Claude and Blanche love each other,madly, but can they trust each other, implicitly? With the help of friends like Blanche’s Lily and Claude’s contact, Martin, and the dependable barkeep, Frank, the bonds of marriage are stretching quite thin as the Parisians wait and watch for the coming of the Americans and always, always, counting on the Resistance.

The love and life of Blanche and Claude on full display at the Ritz; along with the daily developments of the war will keep you aching to know who merely survives the war, who lives and dies, but mostly how do they “go on with life?” What purpose can war serve?

So many believed, “Nothing bad can happen at the Ritz. The Ritz will provide. The Ritz will protect…. But will it now? Now that its famous front door is manned not by a top-hatted doorman in a black overcoat, but a Nazi soldier? “

The Mistress of the Ritz is highly recommended; a 5 Star hotel and a 5 Star read.

Reviews Coming Soon:

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572987/the-last-year-of-the-war-by-susan-meissner/9780451492159/

The Beautiful Strangers by Camille di Maio https://www.camilledimaio.com/the-beautiful-strangers

Grateful Reader Review: by Dorothy Schwab

Overdue Book = Library Fine Overdue Life = Credit Card Debt

Amy’s life as a wife and mother was going along as smoothly as can be expected with John, a mostly absent husband, Joe, an eight year old genius son and the diver, Cori, her twelve year old daughter. But on the day John rolled his suitcase out the door and got on a flight to Hong Kong, stable, stay-at-home mom, Amy, became a single mother with two children to raise. Quite quickly, according to Amy’s BFF, Lena, Amy snagged a job as school librarian at the private school Joe and Cori attended, refinanced the house and barged on with her life.

Kelly Harms recreates the topsy-turvy life and emotional roller coaster ride of a single mom with her quirky accounting of conversations that Amy Byler has with herself, in her own head. Amy’s actually quite convincing and has you choosing her side of the argument, and then just as swiftly your emotions flip-flop and suddenly her rationionalizations have you siding with John! (There were times I didn’t know if I’d “kiss ‘im or kick ‘im” if I actually ran into him.) The BIG issue arises when John returns after three years in Hong Kong, in order “to spend time” and “get to know” his children. (Oh brother, picture lots of really mad faced, exasperated emojis in Amy’s texts.)

John wants to spend a week with his children-just a week! What could go wrong? Amy’s friends, Lena and college roommate, Talia, are in cahoots when Amy decides to spend that same week in NYC at a conference for librarians, earning continuing education units and presenting at the conference. ( This is a “get away” on which planet?) Amy’s sensible financial strategy is to stay with Talia, editor of Pure Beautiful Magazine, in order to save hotel expenses. When Amy’s phone calls and texts go unanswered she reverts to their old college days and the tricks she and Talia used to get into hotels. This is the point where Amy’s “overdue life” begins to get REALLY expensive-it’s NYC, not rural Pennsylvania. Credit cards are for emergencies, right?

Amy’s attempt to enthuse and enthrall Cori with reading begins with summer book suggestions and journaling. This “grateful reader” simply adored the journal entries Cori writes to her mother at the beginning of each chapter. The references to authors, book titles and plays are a luscious treat for book lovers of all ages.

Amy does experience life in NYC. And it was certainly “overdue.” You’ll need to read the book to find out the bits about the “make over of Amy”, the clothes, the dates, the restaurants & bars, the plays, the museums; the crying & heart-breaking decisions that have to be made. Read Kelly Harm’s newest book and you will experience the pain of abandonment and the false elation of martyrdom; regret and forgiveness, the thrill of a new love, and even the realization that children grow up and become independent -which is both joyful and bittersweet. You might need your own ” momspringa” after you read The Overdue Life of Amy Byler.

Check out: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41723475-the-overdue-life-of-amy-byler

#TallPoppyWriters #TallPoppyBloggers #TheOverdueLifeOfAmyByler #NetGalley

Reviews Coming Soon:

Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555976/mistress-of-the-ritz-by-melanie-benjamin/9780399182242/

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572987/the-last-year-of-the-war-by-susan-meissner/9780451492159/

Book Review by The Grateful Reader Dorothy Schwab

How does the state mineral of Georgia land a role in The Southern Side of Paradise?

The Southern Side of Paradise is #3 in Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Peachtree Bluff Series. Ansley and her three grown daughters, Caroline, Sloane, and Emerson, the Starlite Sisters, by several twists of fate, now live on the waterfront in the “southern paradise” of Georgia called Peachtree Bluff. Ansley’s mom, Grammy, always said, ” …life is nothing but one big surprise after another,” and in this peach of a story, the surprises AND the family secrets just keep on coming!

From the Twin Towers on 9/11 and the streets of Manhattan, to the movie studios of LA and stardom; and even farther to the battlefields of Iraq- this family’s journey covers a lot of territory, both in distance and in time invested in relationships over the years.

Word of small town dramas don’t take long to spread and this holds true for Peachtree Bluff. You will meet and grow to love Carter, Jack, Mark, Kyle, James, and Adam. Statements like, ” I’m their father, and I’m dating their mother; Do you remember the night Peachtree High won state? The best part of life is the surprises, the reinvention of yourself ,” will connect the guys with their gals and the reader’s heart strings.

The staurolite plays a special part in the love story of the Starlite sisters of Peachtree Bluff. Staurolite is a special mineral found in Georgia; as special as the “little girls building castles on the southern side of paradise; the Starlite sisters.”

I highly recommend The Southern Side of Paradise! As a special treat, read book #1 Slightly South of Simple, and book #2 The Secret to Southern Charm. Then you’ll know why Kristy Woodson Harvey and her charming characters are considered such a Southern prize.

Reviews Coming Soon:

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms http://Kelly Harms

Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin http://Melanie Benjamin

By Camille Pagan

Grateful Reader Review:  by Dorothy Schwab

You, out running errands, bump into a friend: “Hi, how are you?” Friend: “I’m fine! How are you?” You: “Fine!!” We’ve all said this 50 million times!

Liar, liar, pants on fire! Are any of us ever truthful in this situation? Rarely. When you see the title of Camille Pagan’s new book, maybe you’re thinking “another Self Help book?” This book is packed with tips on self realization and honesty about our true feelings; whether it’s a relationship in marriage, between parent-child, or best friends. The great thing is that all of this “self help” comes in the sweet package of a novel titled, “I’m Fine and Neither Are You.”

Sanjay and Penny Ruiz-Kar have created a life for themselves and their two children, Stevie and Miles, in a university town in the Midwest. After Sanjay drops out of medical school to pursue a music/writing career, putting even more pressure on Penny’s development position at the university, the marriage scene is a bit strained-on several levels. Penny loves her husband, loves her kids, and mostly likes her life. So why is she so tired and suddenly admitting to herself that maybe she does “want out?”

Penny’s best friend, Jenny Sweet, seems to have it all together; has even created a blog , Sweet Things, sharing stories and situations about her beautiful, perfect self and perfect life; and making lots of money in the process. Jenny has a successful husband, Matt, though he travels a lot, and a precious, perfectly behaved daughter, Cecily. Maybe it’s all a bit too perfect?

Amidst the typical concerns of keeping her family not only on an even financial keel, but also spreading herself between her demanding job & boss, a not too involved husband, and the children, Penny realizes that she is the “wife, mother, breadwinner, and chief of operations at chez Ruis-Kar!”

When the unthinkable, unbelievable, “this can’t be happening”- happens, the “pretend” lives of Jenny and Mark Sweet and Penny and Sanjay Ruiz-Kar- come to a very unfairy- tale like end. No fairy godmother appears, but lots of “relationship building” begins; enough that you’ll be “perfectly” satisfied by the end.

There are so many life lessons and self- help “realizations” to be shared in this novel. You might very well mimic Penny and Sanjay by taking notes and making a “to do” list. Considering substance abuse, opioid addiction, honesty in marriage and friendships, abandonment and recognizing self worth are ALL covered here; the quicker you begin “I’m Fine and Neither Are You,” the quicker you’ll be more aware and prepared to answer, “How are YOU?”

Reviews Coming Soon:

The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey