Ruby of the Sea...It will make you smile, laugh out loud, and cry.

#bookreview
Ruby of the Sea by Peggy Lampman
Pub. February 2020

From the book's blurb:
After aimlessly traveling the country for fifteen years, Linnea Chandler returns to her hometown of Key West, Florida keeping the genesis of a life-altering phobia to herself--not a good idea, as she comes to find out. The 19th Century lighthouse that she, her parents and two sisters call home also has a troubled past, carrying the frightening myth that eerily mirrors the mystery of her younger sister today. Should Linnea run while she can? 

My Review:
It's very hard to write a review of Ruby of the Sea without giving away plot twists. The impact of the story has remained with me as I ponder the lies, secrets, and decisions of each character.

We have quirky characters that make us question how far quirkiness goes before it becomes mental illness. We have characters who are sisters, twins in fact, who love each other as much as they love themselves but who are forever arguing and fighting. We have a male character who may or may not be a love interest, who may or may not be a good guy. We have a main character who thinks that she has let the best years of her life pass her by without progressing toward any goal. And finally , we have a squawking parrot who is as irritating as any bird character I've ever read. Holding all of this together is another character, the setting of Key West with its free-range chickens, festivals, and the daily show of sunset.

This is a story of family love and family tragedy. It is a story of secrets and the destruction that the keeping of secrets might cause. A sad and depressing book? No. There are many light moments, moments of joy, moments of love and many beautiful descriptions that keep this book from being depressing. Yes, there is one tragic event in the story, one we all hope we never experience but which we read about daily; it is heart-wrenching but necessary for the story and well written.

Throughout the book we knew that the main character would have to make a decision in the end. I hoped she would have enough fortitude to choose the decision I would choose for her. In the end she did. I love the fact that her decision shows her love for herself as well as her love for her sister and her fellow man. Her decision to work for others in the future is the greatest kind of love. I'm glad she took that track. I thought that was a beautiful thing.

Spoiler Alert:
And about that decision, let's just say Idaho won!

This book was sent to me shortly before publication, but I cannot find my notes concerning who sent it, so I can't  give  credit to the sender.

Now available everywhere.

75 Years Ago Today with the 10th Mountain Division

REMEMBERING THE 10th MOUNTAIN DIVISION
It was 75 years ago today on Feb. 18, 1945, that the men of the 10th literally climbed to one of history’s most miraculous military victories, the Battle of Riva Ridge, in the northern Apennine Mountains of Italy. Henry Townsend, the hero of my historical fiction, Twilight of Memory, was with them. His near fatal woulds will come tomorrow on the nearby  battle for Mt. Belvedere.

But in real life...In one of their more harrowing feats, the 10th scaled Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere in the Northern Apennines in February of 1945 and surprised the Germans on top of the mountains.  The Germans didn’t think anyone could actually make the trek, especially at night on the slippery ice, but the Germans were wrong. The soldiers of the 10th climbed silently to the top.

It was key to opening up an offensive that, over the next three months, led the troops to the Alps.

The next day's operation, the assault on Mt. Belvedere, would prove very difficult. The American troops, with assistance from the Argentinian troops, were victorious, but at a heavy price. Approximately 1000 of the 13,000 men died.

Over the next few months, the 10th and other Allied troops would continue to pursue and push the Germans out of Italy. It would be in April during the push forward that Senator Bob Dole was injured in nearby Castel d'Aiano.

After the war some 260 members of the 10th returned to America and started ski patrols, ski schools, etc. They were instrumental in building the ski and snow sports industry we enjoy today.

An interesting fact, for me, is that two of the Von Trapp family boys joined the 10th and trained at Camp Hale, Colorado before fighting in Italy.

Today the 10th is still fighting. They are in Afghanistan. Pray for them and all in our military.

"Climb to Glory" 10th!

# book review An art mystery you don't want to miss: Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

#bookreview

From the book's blurb:

"North Carolina, 2018: Morgan Christopher's life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, she finds herself serving a three-year stint in the North Carolina Women's Correctional Center. Her dream of a career in art is put on hold—until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will see her released immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration, but desperate to leave prison, she accepts. What she finds under the layers of grime is a painting that tells the story of madness, violence, and a conspiracy of small town secrets.

North Carolina, 1940: Anna Dale, an artist from New Jersey, wins a national contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Alone in the world and desperate for work, she accepts. But what she doesn't expect is to find herself immersed in a town where prejudices run deep, where people are hiding secrets behind closed doors, and where the price of being different might just end in murder.

What happened to Anna Dale? Are the clues hidden in the decrepit mural? Can Morgan overcome her own demons to discover what exists beneath the layers of lies?"

My thoughts: 

Let me be up front with you, I loved this book. Two artists, one painting. For a dual timeline, it was very well done and easy to follow for the two timelines were essential to understanding the plot. The intrigue presented by the decrepit painting carried both time lines. The characters were real, folks you could see in your mind, and folks that you wanted to know more about.

The changing painting mystery had me invested in this story. Why was this painting important and why had it been hidden for years? How did the painting change each night? Was someone changing it? Who? Why? What did all the gross symbolism mean? 

Who was Anna Dale, and what was her connection to this grotesque painting? Was she the painter as some believed. If so, why type person was she to paint such a scene, one that she knew would not please those who had commissioned it. Why was Morgan Christopher plucked from prison and chosen to unveil the secrets of Anna's life? Was she in danger?

I enjoyed and understood the two main female characters...women from two time periods, but with much in common. I learned a great deal about art restoration. It was evident that the author either has a background in art and restoration, or she did in-depth research and listened to experts when needed.

I highly recommend this book. Publication date is Tuesday, January 14 from St. Martin's press. Available on most online and brick and mortar outlets.

You can read the first two chapters here: https://dianechamberlain.com/books/big-lies-in-a-small-town/

#bookreview Another winner from Camille De Maio

#bookreview.  A story of an extraordinary woman who saved her company and herself. Based upon the life of a woman and a murder trial I'd never heard of, I enjoyed this book. Well-researched, well-written, and fast moving. The older main character became someone I wish I had known. Like other books by Camille De Maio, this one is sure to be a hit. Thanks, netgalley for the ARC.

,,#bookreview A Long Petal of the Sea...Isabel Allende

#bookreview
From the book's blurb:From the New York Times bestselling author of The House of the Spirits, this epic novel spanning decades and crossing continents follows two young people as they flee the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War in search of a place to call home. 

My thoughts: This is a love story, a war story, a story of home and a story of exile. There are so many facets to this book that the mind is in a constant state of delight or bewilderment while reading. The characters are well-written, all are important but none overshadowing the other. Even Victor, our main character seems to know when to take a back seat. He is a friend, a lover, and a rescuer.

It is only after fleeing Spain as Franco and the Fascists take over and living a life in exile, always planning to go ‘home” that he recognizes where home actually resides. I think Roser, his wife, was good for him. She gave him so much that he didn't realize at the time. I liked her.

I consider myself an avid reader, but until now had never read Isabel Allende. She will now be on my list of must read authors. She gives us clear descriptions and vivid pictures. She gives us subtlety of ideas, letting us discover and form our own conclusions.

Thank you New Galley and Ballentine Books, Random House for sending this treasure to me in exchange to an honest review.  #netgalley, #isabelallenda

Available January 21, 2020

#bookreview Chilka's Journey... Travel it with her.

Book Review
 Chilka' Journey is another in the field that reminds us of the atrocities of concentration camps of WWII. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it until several pages in. Then Chilka became real to me as she became real on the page. The reader follows Chilka through the author's skillful ability to let us feel what is happening to Chilka. As the war ends, we learn that Chilka's freedom is not at hand. There is hatred, debasement, and horrifying moments, but, there is love, and hope and the message that if we can withstand it, we can overcome it.

Book Review: Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood. A wonderful story.

From the book's blurb: 
Inspired by true events of how far one mother must go to protect her daughter.

Dover, Massachusetts, 1969. Ginny Richardson's heart was torn open when her baby girl, Lucy, was whisked away from her under false pretenses. In truth Lucy was born with Down Syndrome. Under pressure from his powerful family, her husband, Ab, sent Lucy away to Willowridge, a special school for the “feeble-minded." Ab tried to convince Ginny it was for the best. That they should grieve for their daughter as though she were dead. That they should try to move on.

But two years later, when Ginny's best friend, Marsha, shows her a series of articles exposing Willowridge as a hell-on-earth--its squalid hallways filled with neglected children--she knows she can't leave her daughter there. With Ginny's six-year-old son in tow, Ginny and Marsha drive to the school to see Lucy for themselves. What they find sets their course on a heart-racing journey across state lines―turning Ginny into a fugitive.

For the first time, Ginny must test her own strength and face the world head-on as she fights Ab and his domineering father for the right to keep Lucy. Racing from Massachusetts to the beaches of Atlantic City, through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to a roadside mermaid show in Florida, Keeping Lucy is a searing portrait of just how far a mother’s love can take her.

My Thoughts:

After Lucy is born with Down Syndrome, decisions are made and lies are told concerning her care.

The subject of this book is an emotional one and the author could have been heavy handed with her principle message that all children are worthy of love and dignity. Lucy is, in today's terms, a special needs child, but she is so much more.

After two years of believing her daughter is getting the best care possible, Lucy's mother, lied to by her husband and in-laws who have placed Lucy in an asylum, learns of Lucy's circumstances. Lucy is not well cared for and is in fact, neglected. Her mother has to kidnap her to help her. During their time on the run, we see love blossom and a wonderful Lucy bloom and grow. 

I don't know whether to encourage families with a Down Syndrome child to read the book or not. I think they will question the mother's acceptance of the decisions made by others for two years. But I encourage all others to read it and get to know Lucy.

I have a cousin and a dear friend both with Down Syndrome grandchildren. Those youngsters are delightful, full of life and love, and loved so completely in return. Cultural acceptance of these and other Special children is changing, but we still have more we can do for them.

This is an important book, but it is a novel, it does not push attitudes or positions on the reader. It simply introduces the reader to a sweet two year old named Lucy and a mother who will, finally, do anything to help her baby girl.

This book is scheduled for release in August, but is available for pre-order. I suggest that you do so. I was sent a copy if the book by the publisher in exchange for a truthful review.

Truthfully, I love this book.